January 15, 2015 Meeting of West Bay Rotary

Club Assembly was led by President Tim Dresser

After singing “We Shall Overcome” in honor of Martin Luther King, and introduction of guests, five 8^th graders talked to the club about the Amori Japan trip. The exchange program was inspired by a shipwreck on Amori in 1889, which began the relationship between Amori Friendship which became a sister state by proclamation of Governor John McKernan in 1999, when the exchange program began. The students chosen to participate have to apply and be exemplary students. The students raise funds and receive grants to pay for the cost of the trip. They have raised almost $17,000 toward the $35,000 total needed for the trip. The purpose of the trip is to promote goodwill, communication and friendship between the two counties.

Elaine Nutter, member and SAD28 Superintendent and Tory Manzi, member of SAD28 School board, spoke to the club about Middle School construction, for which a brochure was provided on the tables. The current 122,000 sf building is much larger than needed and thus costly to heat and maintain, and there are other issues about the age use needs that make the space inappropriate for school purposes.

Mark Masterson reported on a recent meeting of the WBR Charitable Foundation. The Bylaws are being revisited, new board members are being brought on, some are retiring from the board. He encouraged members who may be interested in sitting on the board to contact him. The Foundation does not have a regular meeting schedule.

Jane Lafleur spoke to the club as chair of the Every Rotary Every Year campaign, about the Polio Eradication efforts of Rotary International. Three countries, Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan are endemic. She recognized Bob Williams as an EREY participant. She encourages everyone to become a member of EREY which involved an annual gift to the Rotary Foundation.

Lisa Dresser spoke about the Friday, February 6 from 3-6p Down the Chute event kicking off Toboggan Nationals Weekend. 13 providers of beer and wine have committed, tickets are available for $25 in advance at BrownPaperTickets.com, and are $30 at the door. She needs 6 volunteers per shift to help with the event Friday afternoon and evening.

Mark Masterson talked about Saturday's Chili Challenge on February 7, 2015. 8-10 chili purveyors will be competing, and volunteers are needed to help set up, manage and clean up after the event. It will run from 11-2 on Saturday. The next day, on Sunday, the Union Knox County Sunrise club will hold a pancake breakfast.

Steve Dailey talked about the parking on Saturday and Sunday, starting at 7a until 3p Saturday, and 8a until 3p Sunday and many volunteers will be needed for all shifts. Sign-up sheets will be at the club starting next Thursday. Parking brings in more money than any other aspect of the weekend, which provides the most fundraising income for the club each year.

Ken Gardiner is seeking sponsors for the Chili Challenge and the Pancake Breakfast. $50 or $100 levels are available. For $100 you get a banner in the tent for Saturday and Sunday. If you are a $50 sponsor, you get to have a banner on Saturday and on the ballot people will use for the Chili Challenge. A plaquard outside the tent will list the $100 sponsors as well.

Sandy Cox explained the $10 per square NFC/AFC and superbowl lottery pool. More than half of the chances have been purchased, so see Sandy if you want to participate before the 100 chances are sold.

Skip Day announced that February the club will be supporting the Camden Food Pantry, and he will provide menus and reminders for people who want to contribute their support.

Mark Masterson reminded people that committees like Community Service and International service are always looking for new members. Community Service is about to make $6250 in contributions to the community. He reported that Community service is working on organizing a build project with Habitat for Humanity, with Making Change Happen, Aging in Place, Meals on Wheels and other local organizations and the Coastal Mountains Land Trust. Refurbishing the Arch and street lamp poles is also a possible future project.

Sandy Cox asked that we refer any elderly or disabled people who could use a daily “Check In” to him or Chief Gagne of the Camden Policy Department.

Deb Hitchings of International Service Committee reported we continue to support two students in Lesotho. The club got two grants from Rotary International this fall. Camden Conference is coming up and we will fund 3 CHRHS students to attend and meets monthly.

Heidi Karod talked about activities with the inbound exchange students who are moving to their second host families for the spring semester. Next year two outgoing students have been chosen. One is going to Argentina. She is accepting short-term exchange applications. Joan Phaup is the head of that program through the Camden club. Four Host families are needed for the next school year.

Jim Potter reported that March 18 the entrepreneur class starts. He also reported that applications for the vocational scholarships are being accepted.

Next week's speaker, January 22, 2015, will be JB Turner, of Front Street Shipyard in Belfast.