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District Governors Message - March 2022
By: Dick Hall
District Governor 2021-2022
RC of Portland
 
Spring is almost here.  We have already had some great spring temperatures and more will be coming soon.  I also enjoy the end of winter, when we get one last good storm, but very seasonable skiing temperatures.  We are seeing dramatic changes in the Covid, as we transition from epidemic to endemic.  Many clubs are taking advantage and planning more in person meetings, projects and socials. 
The district also is filling the calendar with in person events. Here are some of them.
  • March 7 – Presidents Elect and Assistant Governors will be gathering in South Portland for a New England Presidents Elect Training Seminar (NEPETS) graduation.
  • March 9 5:30 PM  Your Club and Beyond  Are you A New Rotarian since Jan. 2021? Curious about Rotary beyond your club? A member of your Club’s Membership Committee? A Rotary Veteran searching for a quick review of Rotary?  Then this discussion is for you.  Join via Zoom for a quick overview of Rotary and the Rotary Foundation seven areas of focus.  This will be fast paced with (12) 5-minute presentations on local work in each area.
    Please join this program prepared by District Membership Co-Directors Assistant Governor Lorraine Faherty  and Past District Governor  Peggy Belanger.
  • March 28 – The annual midyear (a little late) Leadership Dinner for Presidents, Presidents Elect and Vice Presidents will be at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland.
  • April 16District Training Assembly is coming back in person.  This will be the first all-district in person event this Rotary year.  We have a great program and a great new venue, University of New England (UNE), Stevens Ave, Portland campus.  Club Officers, Board Members, Committee chairs and everyone else is invited.  Mark your calendars.
  • May 14 – District Conference will be a one-day event, 8:00 AM – 9:30 PM, in Portland.  The event is still in the planning stage with a final dinner that evening at Sable Oaks in South Portland.  This is a way for the whole district to celebrate our work during this year.
  • June 5-8 -- Rotary International World Conference in Houston Texas.  If you have never been to an RI Conference, you would be in for a treat. https://convention.rotary.org/
March is Water and Sanitation Month
on the Rotary Calenda
r. 
If your club is not already working on a water and sanitation project, I encourage you to consider one.  The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Rotary Action Group (WASH) is a group of Rotarians dedicated to helping clubs and districts with their WASH projects. The group’s primary focus is to develop and support projects that provide sustainable and safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. WASH can assist in many ways, providing clubs and districts with human, technical, and financial advice.  For more information https://wash-rag.org/.
Read more...
RI’s Board Approves New DEI Code of Conduct

By: District DEI Committee Co-Chairs,
Carol Marcotte, RC of Saco Bay Sunset
Marion Cheney, RC of Dover
 
Rotary International’s Board approved a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) code of conduct that reflects our core values.  It provides a supportive framework for how Rotary members can create and maintain an environment that is collaborative, positive, and healthy for everyone.
 
The DEI code of conduct asks Rotary members to:
  • Use respectful language
  • Be supportive
  • Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment
  • Celebrate diversity
Although free expression is important, what we say and how we behave matters.  Rotary does not tolerate speech or behavior that promotes bias, discrimination, prejudice, or hatred because of age, ethnicity, race, color, disabilities, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
 
    Read more...
    Educate and Empower Yourself
    to Stop Human Trafficking
    By: Carol Marcotte
    RC of Saco Bay Sunset
     
    Two years ago, new members of Saco Bay Sunset Rotary Club, Rising Stars, were given a task to come up with their own service project.  They decided on human trafficking. Their mission is to empower and engage Maine Communities to eradicate sex trafficking.
     
    To carry this mission forward, the group developed a website, https://risingstarsproject.squarespace.com/ . Through the website, people can gain an understanding about human trafficking and learn the signs of sex trafficking and how sex traffickers get victims. The website can empower Rotarians to create awareness about sex human trafficking and support those who are sex trafficked.
     
    To learn more contact Carol Marcotte at cmarcotte@une.edu to schedule a club meeting speaker. Visit the website to learn more about the project and subscribe to the upcoming newsletter.
     
    This supports RIP Shekhar’s Empowering Girls Initiative as we work together to increase our impact through projects that protect, empower, and create equity for girls.
    Let’s Connect the Dots
    By: Sarah MacGillivray
    District 7780 Foundation Public Image Coordinator
    RC Bath Sunrise
     
    Is your Club wondering about a project to help people abroad or possibly closer to home?  And the next question might be, where will we get the money for the project? Each year our District has funds made available from YOUR donations to OUR Rotary Foundation’s annual fund.  One can apply for these funds through a District Grant to help fund your project.
     
    To help you prepare for completing the grant process, the District is holding a Grants Management Session on Tuesday, March 15 at 7:00 pm, via Zoom. To apply, two of your members must take this training session by May 15.  Attending the on-line session will be a wonderful way of answering any questions you may still have, as there will be Q&A throughout the training.  If you are unable to join via Zoom there will be other opportunities for watching.  The training will be recorded and then posted on our district website (rotary7780.org) in modules that can be watched at a time more convenient for you.  Once you have finished watching there will be a short quiz to complete to receive credit.  There will also be a chance to attend the training in person at our District Assembly in April!  Visit the district website for more information and to sign up for the Zoom training on March 15.
     
    To continue my series “Let’s Connect the Dots,” I wanted to share an interesting project that my Club, Bath Sunrise, worked on last year.  We all know that finding a project can be a little challenging especially with Covid turning things upside down.  Nonetheless, our Club found a 4-year-old project that was new to us, yet allowed us to help the community.  Rotarian Jim Atherton from our club volunteers regularly with The Midcoast Youth Center. He introduced our Club members to a project Set for Success where we could really make a difference. Jim said, “MYC is an amazing organization that is doing so much good in our community. It is inspiring.  We’ve got to be a part of it.”
     
    Read more...
    New Member Bio - Dan Reed
    By:  Carol Madsen
    District Newsletter Editor
    RC of Bridgton-Lake Region
     
     
    Dan Reed is a member of the District 7780 Public Image Committee and the RC of Biddeford-Saco. When I asked for ideas for the Newsletter during the committee meeting, he mentioned that a newsletter he does for SCORE has been highlighting a Consultant a month.  These bios have been a big hit.  So why not? I asked if he would give us a sample of this work by profiling himself.  Here it is.
     
    Why did you join Rotary? 
    Dan: When I first moved to Maine, I found it challenging to get engaged with the community. When I learned about Rotary, it became clear to me that it was a great way to both meet more influential people in my community and engage with and help many more local people through the opportunities Rotary offers for good works and volunteering.
    Read more...
    NH Rotary License Plates Available
    If you live in New Hampshire, you may be interested in obtaining NH Rotary License Plates. You can now purchase the NH ROTARY License Plates from the NH DMV.
     
    You will need to purchase a pair of Rotary Wheel License Plate Stickers for application to those DMV License Plates. The price is $19.00 for the two stickers and you must order here (click on the link below) and either pay by credit card or by downloading the form and mailing a check as described in the downloadable instructions.
     
    The stickers will be sent to you by first class mail. Please make sure to verify your mailing address.
     
     
    Here is news about projects and fundraisers from around the district.
     
    Clubs in this Month's News
    Bath
    Bath Sunrise
    Bethel
    Bridgton-Lake Region
    Brunswick
    Brunswick Coastal
    Damariscotta-Newcastle
    Ogunquit
    Portland
    South Portland  Cape Elizbeth
    Westbrook-Gorham

    If we missed your club, please know that your work is appreciated and honored, and send your story next month to:
     
    =======================
     
    RI Accepting Peace Fellowship Applications
    Rotary is now accepting Rotary Peace Fellowship applications for the 2023-24 academic year. Candidates must submit applications to The Rotary Foundation by May 15. Rotary Club endorsers must submit endorsements to The Rotary Foundation by July1.  Click here for more information.
     
    =======================
     
    District Updates
    Rotaract Clubs Resume at UNE and UNH
    Meeting of Sponsoring RC's of Biddeford-Saco and Saco Bay, and the renewed UNE Rotaract Club, in a Hybrid-format.
     
    The University of New England (UNE), Hills Beach ME, now allowing in-person classes and guests, provided an opportunity for us to finally meet and network.  Together we discussed next steps to regrowing membership and possible combined Community Service Projects. Many thanks to Presidents Marty Grohman and Phil Hatch, UNE Rotaract President Emily Birdsall, and Rotaract Liaison Rotarian Professor Michael Burman.
     
    As District Rotaract Chair, I am pleased to inform you that UNH (University of New Hampshire) is also resuming as a Rotaract Club and building membership.
     
    For more information, please contact IPDG and Rotaract Chair Peggy Belanger at pegb51@yahoo.com.
     
    Read more...
    Preparing for Northeast Presidents Elect Training
     
    By:  Claudia Frost
    District Governor Elect
    RC of Brunswick
     

    Northeast Presidents Elect Training Seminar Committee: L-R. Caroline Earl - D7850, Victor Tom - D7910, Claudia Frost - D7780, Tari Marshall Day - D7980, David Sampson - D7950, Alexander Falk - D7930, and Randy Chappell - D7950
     
    All the Presidents Elect from District 7780 will be attending Northeast PETS for training and inspiration on March 4 and 5. Highlights will be a talk by incoming President of Rotary International, Jennifer Jones.  Speaking on the Rotary Foundation will be Dr. Tunji Funsho, Chair, Rotary’s Nigeria National PolioPlus Committee; Evan Burrell, Zone 8 Assistant Rotary Public Image Coordinator, presenting on Public Image; and Dr. Carolyn Jones, Rotary Action Group for Peace, will focus on increasing our knowledge of DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion.)"
     
    For more information: rotarynepets.org
    Read more...
    District Calendar
    Presidents Elect Training Seminar - Day 1- by Zoom
    Mar 04, 2022
    12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
     
    Presidents Elect Training Seminar - Day 2-By ZOOM
    Mar 05, 2022
    8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
     
    Presidents Elect, AGs NEPETS Graduation Party
    Sea Dog Brewing Co
    Mar 07, 2022
    5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
     
    Foundation Committee Meeting
    Mar 08, 2022
    5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
     
    New Member Orientation
    Mar 09, 2022
    5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
     
    District 7780 Grants Training Live! (via Zoom)
    Zoom (virtual meeting)
    Mar 15, 2022
    7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
     
    District Governor Track Meeting
    Mar 21, 2022
    3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
     
    Finance Committee Meeting (5:00 PM)
    Zoom
    Mar 21, 2022
    5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
     
    Assistant Governors Meeting
    Mar 23, 2022
    6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
     
    President's Open Forum with Governor
    Mar 24, 2022
    6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
     
    DEI Committee Zoom Meeting
    Mar 28, 2022
    4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
     
    Mid Year Leadership Dinner-New Date
    Holiday Inn by the Bay
    Mar 28, 2022
    5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
     
    View entire list
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