13 August 2020
Buckets on the Table: Backpack Program (drop off donations to Kim at the bank in Camden or mail in to PO Box)
Poem for the Day: George Abendroth, Ode to President Kenny – Next week is Deb Fink
Speaker of the Day: Scott Boucher/Polio Plus Update
Scott hails from the Bangor Club. Iron lungs of kids of 5 and younger filling gymnasiums where children were placed in these tubes for days or months only to end up coming out with leg braces. This still occurs in our world, but is preventable with a vaccine. Vaccinated 2.5 billion children in 122 countries, reducing cases to 99.9% today. Afghanistan (34 cases) and Pakistan (60 cases). Unrest exists in these countries and numbers are rising a bit. Nigeria has no knew cases reported and now Africa is considered Polio Free! Work still needs to be done to keep this country polio free. Covid 19 is not helping our cause, we have halted door to door care but clinics are still open and education is performed. Rotary has turned on a dime to allow facilities and infrastructure to Covid testing.
Vaccines are still being purchased, good news! Vaccines do work! Evidence is our Polio program. Bill and Linda Gates are matching 2 for 1 dollars, >$150M donation. Remember Rotary Magic on donation dollars. Always looking for ideas of raising dollars for Polio Plus…a video was developed (30 minutes) and can use for lunch time donations. October 24 celebrates World Polio Day. Community education is vital…we don’t stop until the last case is gone. Do we need a club goal for donation? Purple pinky project, dye the kid’s pinky purple to indicate they have been vaccinated.
Suggestions are: set up a table and for a donation of $1, get your pinky dyed! Brewery (pints for polio), putting skills, bowling events, table at public events, stuff the pig (piggy bank), rotary walks etc are great ideas for raising dollars! We have a worldwide impact as a Rotarian. All efforts are appreciated! Small Pox has been eradicated and we are in line next with Polio! Only one strain remains to be vaccinated against.
Committee Reports:
Barbara: School is supplying supplies this year, having difficulty getting in touch with schools, more info next week.
Community: Next Habitat Project is Sept 12th. Let Tim Dresser know if you are interested in hanging out with some builders! We can have as many volunteers from now on, so Come Join Us!!
MRC Yard Sale: August 29th MRC yard sale, no clothes or electronics. Need help moving items, let Lisa Dresser know.
Corn Hole: have 3-4 sponsorships and is moving along.
Sunset trip on the Appledore, $60 fee, let George know by next week!
Kristen: book club is The Nightingale, Kristin Hannah, Sept 8th by Zoom!
Grant for Meals for Hope, $2500 is coming from the district and will help fund the meal packing, November at Elks Lodge
Entrepreneur class is on hold for this year, will look at next spring
e-Waste is changing a lot due to the virus, other clubs are set for Aug and Oct. We will be watching to see how it will do this year
Voting on this year’s budget: 2020-2021 – Motion by George, second by Penny. Unanimously voted in!
Face masks, George sent an email out, cost is $10.50 (maybe less when we order more masks), let George know how many you want! For everyone you purchase, they donate one to someone in the world in need. A little more expensive but are worth it (contains a filter)! Questions? Let Gary Walker know! This will promote our Rotary Club and look great!
Next Week’s Speaker: Mike Rich/Pen Bay Medical Center