Top picture: Claudia pinning a Paul Harris +4 on Westbrook-Gorham Rotarian, Cliff Plummer. Bottom picture: Claudia “gnoming” around with South Portland-Cape Elizabeth president, Jim Britt.
What a joy to be visiting District 7780 Rotarians in person! As of this writing, I have seen ten of the 40 clubs in our District. These visits will be finished on November 3. After that, I hope to visit you all for service projects, fundraising, or socials.
Each club has a rhythm and a personality. What a privilege it is for me to be a part of this uniqueness! I am so proud of the service you have all provided - sometimes because of the pandemic and sometimes in spite of the pandemic. You truly are "People of Action!"
Here is a short video introducing District Rotarians to my home on Bailey Island. I hope that many of you will be able to join me on Bailey Island on June 10, 2023, for the District Celebration! More information will follow. This information will include optional activities in the afternoon and a list of accommodations for those of you who want to extend your visit overnight or perhaps plan a vacation for the whole family. Homestays will be an option. Mark your calendars now!
By: Sarah MacGillivray, Secretary and Public Image Coordinator, Foundation Committee, Bath Sunrise RC
Imagine – a world without polio.
It’s true, you are ONE IN A MILLION PLUS. Together we are making this happen.
With World Polio Day on October 24, I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to share exciting news from your District Polio Challenge Team, led by Chair, Michele Bois-Gilbody along with team members Patty Byers, Brenda Cressey, and myself.
The District has initiated a Challenge Fundraiser for the entire year on the new Raise for Rotary platform which can be found at the following link at IMAGINE CHALLENGE - END POLIO NOW.
All clubs can take advantage by sharing and using this platform to raise funds inside or outside of Rotary. Anyone can donate and best of all, both Rotarians, Rotaractors and Clubs will receive donor and recognition credits and the money raised will count towards club goals for Polio.
We encourage clubs to register this as a project on the World Polio Day Project Registration and then have all Rotarians share this IMAGINE CHALLENGE - END POLIO NOW link with your family and friends as well as on all your social media pages and encourage donations to End Polio Now.
By: David Taft, District PolioPlus Society Chair, RC of Brunswick
We are especially grateful and thank the almost forty Rotarians in the District who have registered their support by submitting their membership application to join the PolioPlus Society. This month we celebrate World Polio Day on October 24th and felt it was time for a refresh or relaunch of this prestigious society. We have countless other Rotarians in our District who are already giving $100 or more and simply haven’t signed up for their membership with the District. We want to thank you. Please let us know who you are by clicking here.
David Taft of the Rotary Club of Brunswick has accepted the position as the District’s PolioPlus Society Chair and he’s waiting to hear from you! If you’re already a member, thank you, and send David an email. If you’re not yet a member, we invite you to consider joining us. The mission of this group is to recognize just how close we are to a Polio free world and to understand there is work to be done and to address the critical funding gap.
We invite members of Rotary and Rotaract Clubs in District 7780 to consider becoming a member by pledging at least $100 per year until the PolioPlus Campaign has been completed and the world is certified POLIO-FREE.
Top picture: Rowan (South Berwick-Eliot) being welcomed by her Italian host family. Bottom picture: Camille (France) and Everett (Brunswick) in the US.
By: Kathi Perkins, District Exchange Chair, RC of Westbrook-Gorham
District 7780 had fifteen students participate in the Youth Exchange Program this year, seven from the District and eight from abroad.
Five clubs in the District participated in the 7780 Short Term Exchange Program (STEP). This summer was a very successful one for the district with STEP! Six students from five different clubs (Two from Kittery, and one each from South Berwick-Eliot, Scarborough, South Portland-Cape Elizabeth, and Brunswick) hosted students from France, Italy (3), Germany, and Spain for four weeks, then spent the same amount of time with their students in their home countries.
District 7780 also has an outbound Youth Exchange student for the first time in many years! Kittery sponsored a Traip Academy graduate Ben to Thailand for the year. They are also hosting inbound student Erika from Romania.
The District 7780 Foundation Committee publishes its annual report to Rotary members by posting it on our district website. Your ClubRunner log-in is required. The report summarizes our record Annual Giving for 2021-2022, Polio Plus giving, Club-led district and global grants, and other details about the many ways you have supported OUR Rotary Foundation.
Click here to review the report. If you have any questions, please contact District Foundation Chair Dave Underhill by email or by phone at 603-706-3143.
International Service Committee Report
If you missed the last International Cafe on Saturday, September 10, check out the recording here.
All of us who attended the Café via Zoom went around the world -- to India, Nepal, and Zambia, and saw highlights of Rotaplast!
If there is anything or anywhere in the world you and/or your club would like more information on, please reach out.
Our next cafe will be Saturday, October 22, 2022, 9:30-11:00 a.m. If you have a project you would like to present, let us know: email here or call Emma at 207-595-1138.
October 2022
Club News
Click HERE for news about projects and fundraisers from around our district.
Bethel
Bridgton-Lake Region
Dover
Hampton
Kennebunk Portside
Oxford Hills
Portland
Saco Bay Sunset
Sebago Lake
South Portland-Cape Elizabeth
Windham-Gorham
If we missed your club,
please know that your work is appreciated. Please send your stories next month to:
The Nominating Committee, under the leadership of Dave Underhill, continues to seek applicants for our Rotary year 2025-2026 District Governor and candidates for the District Finance Committee. Applications and all other details can be found here.
The deadline for submissions is October 15, 2022. Applications must be submitted by email to DG Claudia Frost with a copy to Nominating Committee Chair Dave Underhill.
Questions should be directed to Claudia or Dave at the above email addresses or by calling Dave at 603-706-3143.
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UPCOMING EVENT?
The Rotary Membership Awareness Canopy is available. The 10X10 Canopy is specifically designed for outdoor venues, both winter and summer. This eye-catching booth creates awareness and promotes conversation. Already used by Yarmouth, Bethel, and Freeport, the canopy has been well received. It is available for rent at $150 per event. Contact Peter Johnson, Yarmouth RC,
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