August 7, 2014 Meeting of West Bay Rotary

At today's meeting, in lieu of a speaker, Mark Masterson presented checks to representatives of organizations who were chosen to receive grants from funds raised by the club's activities.

Jane LaFleur representing Friends of Midcoast Maine accepted a check to begin a community institute to work with people from different communities about their town's development.

United Christian Church of Lincolnville, represented by Susan Silverio, which was recently given a building that was a community center. They have begun a Soup Cafe with about 25 people coming on Thursdays. The club's gift will allow them to install a dishwasher. They are in the second phase of a project to build their kitchen.

Camp Capella, represented by Dana Boucher. Located on Phillips lake, near the Lucerne Inn, it serves children and adults with physical and cognitive challenges. They have children from Camden and Rockport this summer.

Connections, represented by Nancy Laite, through Knox County Community Health Coalition, almost 10 year-old program for 4^th, 5^th and 6^th graders and their parents in Knox County and Lincolnville, Food, Fun and Facts program where the families have a meal together, a discussion, and do something fun. The two-hour program is held at the Pen Bay YMCA.

Penobscot School, represented by Rotarian and Executive Director Joan Lemole, a 28 year-old school offering foreign language learning using native speakers as instructors and an english immersion program in the summer. The gift from the club will help them to buy a new lawnmower.

Penobscot Bay YMCA, represented by Theo Berez, the gift will support the summer day camp. A new branch is being developed in Rockland, the Southern Knox County Y.

Trekkers, represented by John Bragg, board chair, which involves adults mentoring and leading on expeditions at-risk kids from 8^th grade through high school in RSU 13. They have launched an internship program to involve kids in real-world work and life experiences.

Gary Walker presented Rotary Information about club presidents. He talked about the presidents during the club's history from it's founding in 1986. All their names are on plaques.

This weekend is the Maine Boats Homes and Harbors show. Rodney said all but Sunday afternoon slots are open. All members should be there 15 minutes ahead of their shift. He thanked the club for excellent participation this year getting the slots filled.

Jane Lafleur as chair of Every Rotary Every Year talked about the Rotary Foundation. She presented stickers to those who have given $100 to the Foundation in the past year.

Knox County Sunrise in Union has asked if the West Bay Rotary Club would sponsor them as a “satellite” as they work towards building their club to the minimum of 20 members. This is a new program of Rotary, and would make West Bay the first in District 7790. The board has voted to proceed and will involve members being asked to help attend their meetings and invite them to attend our committee and regular meetings to learn how clubs function.

Sandy reminded us that committee meeting attendance constitutes a makeup within two weeks of missing a meeting, either 2 weeks before or after.

Save the Date: Triple Nickel Road Rally and Poker Run is September 13, 2014 and sign-ups will be available starting at next week's meeting.

Ken Gardiner asked us all to be thinking about business sponsorships for the Chowder Challenge and will have more information soon.

Etienne Perret asked us to remember that Distric7790 and Global grants are another way to leverage more funds for the projects that are important to the club.