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Message from the Governor
 
Where do I begin when reviewing our Rotary Year 2020 - 2021.  Without question, the Coronavirus Pandemic rearranged all facets of our lives.  
 
What this pandemic did not do is change, or alter our continued opportunities for “Service Above Self”.
D7780 Rotary Clubs adapted; discovered their ability to be flexible and creative; experimented with meeting formats; and succeeded in developing new fundraising and community service project opportunities!!  Many of our clubs, moving forward, have adopted on-line meetings as a regular component of their club meetings.
 
Like you, this has been a new way to experience Rotary, as a Rotarian and as a District Governor.  I’ve missed seeing you in person over the past year.    What did happen for me is that the opportunities I had to attend Club Fundraisers and Community Service Projects became all the more “special”.  Thank You for including me!
 
I am so very proud of the work Rotary and especially D7780 has done in addressing Food Insecurity and the rise in unemployment due to Covid-19.  Many of you have shared your experiences in working/volunteering at Vaccination locations.
The distribution of 325,000 adult masks and 28,000 children’s masks throughout our communities, without a doubt, had a very positive and significant impact.  Thanks to the insight of PDG Dan Mooers, D7780 connected with other ME districts to assist 1st Responders in purchasing necessary equipment to support Vaccination sites.  These “opportunities” confirmed for me that our district, our Rotarians, were thriving.  Many clubs not only thrived during this year, but gained new members….. WOW!
 
There are so many people to Thank!  With a grateful heart I want to recognize the Leadership Team of DGE Richard Hall, DGN Claudia Frost, DGND Marion Cheney, and PDG’s Andy Glazier and Peter Johnson.  My sincere appreciation to our 10 Assistant Governors (AG’s).  Our district has well established, strong committees thanks to the leadership and dedication of PDG Lawrence Furbish (Foundation), PDG Dave Underhill (Finance), PDG Andy Glazier & AG Lorraine Faherty (Membership), Chief Bob MacKenzie (Recovery Initiative/Substance Use Disorder), Emma Bodwell (Int’l), Michele Lester (Public Image/PR), Carol Madsen & Skip Sullivan (Newsletter), PDG AnnLee Hussey (Polio+), PDG Mike McGovern (By-Laws & Polio+), & RYLA Team (Sam, Emily, Phil).  I want to also express my utmost thanks to Christine Johnson (Dstr.Webmaster) and Nancy Hawes (Dstr.Treasurer).  To PDG Carolyn Johnson, my heartfelt thanks and appreciation for your guidance, your counsel, and especially for your friendship.
 
I am thankful for the privilege and all the opportunities to serve you and the organization during this special year.  Like you, I have found new meaning in “Service Above Self”.  I look forward to Rotary 2021 - 2022 and the many “opportunities” to achieve greater things, and to support DG Richard Hall as we make a positive impact and change lives.  In the words of RI President, Holger Knaack, “Remember that everything we do in Rotary opens another opportunity for someone, somewhere”.
 
Thanks for helping me find my “Rotary Happy”.  My heart is smiling!!!
District Governor Peggy
D7780/2020 - 2021
Register Now for District Virtual Conference

Have you registered yet for the 2021 District Virtual Conference?

June 4  6:30 to 8:00 p.m..........please invite your family to join you/us for free
June 5  9:00 to 11:30 a.m.
 
$20 Registration fee – all proceeds go to Polio Plus
REGISTRATION REQUIRED TO RECEIVE ZOOM LINK
 
Fr. : *Celebration*  *Club Recognitions*  *Speakers*  *Music*. *Live Auction*
Sat. : *Speakers*  *Memorial Service*  *Walter Foundation Recognition/Marty & Frank Helman Recognition*  *Business Meeting*
*Int'L Outreach Team*  *D7780 Committee Recognitions*
 
Friday, June 4th festivities will also include a virtual live-auction.  All proceeds will go to the District Foundation Annual Fund. 
Follow this link to register:  https://go.rotary7780gives.org/conference2021
 
Bonus!  The online auction has been extended to 12 Noon - June 5th with items ready for your bids. Follow this link:  https://go.rotary7780gives.org/conference2021/Auction
 
Please Note : 1st (50) registrants will be entered in a raffle for a $100.00 Visa Gift Card
 
Look forward to seeing you at D7780 Virtual Conference
Peggy Belanger
DG 2020 - 2021
 
 
Foundation Goal Setting by District Clubs
By Bob Gravino, Bath Sunrise Rotary
District Foundation Committee
 
The District Foundation Committee would like to thank the many Rotary Clubs who have been setting their 2021-2022 Foundation goals in a timely manner.  The Annual Giving goal must be entered into Rotary Club Central by May 30 to qualify for the district grant deadline.
 
Rotarians are known for their generosity in giving to those in need and readiness to serve others, and their support of The Rotary Foundation ensures that clubs have the resources to provide service to our communities and the world, through both district and global grants.
Read more...
Does Your Club Need Help with Public Image

By: Michelle Lester - Brunswick Rotary
Chairperson, PR/Image

Help is available! Visit the Public Image committee section of the District’s website for helpful examples and instructions. In addition, you can follow the links in blue below for more assistance.

Did you miss “Public Image: The Musical?” CLICK HERE to enjoy it on your schedule. You will gain thirty pro marketing tips for enhancing your Public Image efforts! There is also a Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/271383083703120 that you can join to receive tips on an ongoing basis.

In case you missed it, there is a new course available in the Learning Center:  Public Relations and Your Club.  Learn about strategies for using media and public relations to gain visibility, increase awareness of club initiatives, and publicize your impact in the community. To access the learning center, log onto Rotary.org, click on ‘member center,’ and then select “Learning and Reference.”  You can then select “Learnng Center” to access the new course.

DISC Update

www.facebook.com/7780DISCBy Emma Bodwell - Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary
Chair - District International Service Committee (DISC)

The District International Service Committee has two new projects which we are very excited about.  The International Cafes and the District Resource Network.

INTERNATIONAL CAFÉWe are pleased to announce the date of our next "International Cafe" is SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 2021 - 9:00-10:30 am.

This will be the last "Cafe" until the fall, so we hope you can make it!!  Our past cafes have been pretty amazing - fun and engaging.  We hope you will sign on!  Please mark your calendar - the link and line up of speakers will be forthcoming!! 

This is open to everyone in our district. If you are or have been involved with Rotary International projects or would like to be or are just curious, this is for you.  And, we especially invite Club International and Foundation Chairs. This will help you better understand your Rotary Foundation $$$ at work. (Also - if you know of an international connection/project you want to see as part of the "Café," please reach out to me at ebodwell@icloud.com!!)

DISTRICT RESOURCE NETWORK (DRN) - We want to create a Resource for Clubs in the District.  This would be a network of people and perhaps organizations that one can “go to” for information about countries, projects, areas of focus, how to write a global grant and more.

Read more...
Global Grant Highlighted
KAKAMEGA STRONG HEALTHY FAMILIES
By:  Carol Madsen, Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary 
 
How much do we know about the Global Grants our Clubs sponsor?  True, we hear about the proposed project when funds are sought and maybe even hear about the awarding of a Global Grant, but is that enough? Unless we’re actively involved in the project or the fundraising, it’s likely that our understanding is somewhat limited.  In discussions with Emma Bodwell, Chair of the District’s International Service Committee (DISC), she expressed concern that our international work is often very low key.  In an attempt to increase our understanding, I’ll attempt to highlight one of our recent Global Grants here.

The Kakamega Strong Healthy Families Grant is an outgrowth of a program at the Kakamega Orphan Care Center in Kakamega, Kenya.  Long supported by the Friends of Kakamega (now called Friends of Kenya Rising) in Freeport, Maine, this Care Center was the destination of the District 7780 Outreach Team in 2018.
Read more...
District Calendar
Training For Club Secretaries
Jun 01, 2021
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
 
District Confernce Day 1
Jun 04, 2021
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
 
District Conference Day 2
Jun 05, 2021
9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
 
POSTPONED Foundation Committee "Job Fair"
Zoom
Jun 09, 2021
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
 
RI International Convention 2021 - Taipei
Jun 12, 2021 8:00 AM –
Jun 16, 2021 5:00 PM
 
DISC - District International Service Committee
Jun 17, 2021
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
 
President's Open Forum with Governor
Jun 17, 2021
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
 
District Grant Steering Committee
Jun 19, 2021
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
 
President's Open Forum with Governor
Jun 19, 2021
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
 
DG Track Meeting
Jun 21, 2021
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
 
Finance Committee 6 PM
Jun 21, 2021
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
 
Assistant Governor Meetings 2020-2021
Jun 23, 2021
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
 
International Cafe
Jun 26, 2021
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM
 
Foundation Committee Meeting
Jul 13, 2021
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
 
View entire list
2021-2022 D7780 Directory
Now Available
Rotary D7780 Directories were mailed 4/22/21 to those mentioned in the publication.
Please contact DG Peggy at pegb51@yahoo.com if you are interested in obtaining a copy???
Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
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