West Bay Rotary Club Meeting January 29, 2015

Posted by Jennifer Bell 
on Feb 02, 2015
 
West Bay Rotary Club Meeting 1/29/15
 
 
 
Today’s Speaker:  Staci Coomer:  Executive Director of Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce.   
Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce (PBRCC) is the 3rd largest Chamber in the state of Maine and has 1000 members. 
 
The chamber focuses on the following areas:
Economic Development:  PBRCC works to build and grow the region that extends from Searsport to Brunswick.
 
Business Growth:  PBRCC works help businesses to grow and to bring business into the region.  It started a business and education forum this fall which helps business to get started and become more sustainable and to find and train employees. 
 
Some interesting Labor statistics – education, hospitality and the health care field are the largest business growth area.  Soon, five out of six jobs will be replacement jobs as opposed to new jobs.

The PBRCC is working with the Midcoast Economic Development District on the Mobilize Maine initiative to improve job opportunities in the Maine, develop good paying jobs and to stay competitive with other states in areas of wages and assets. 

PBRCC markets the region for tourism and business.  Tourism is the number one economic driver for the state of Maine.  Work closely with the Maine Tourism group to increase tourism to the Midcoast and the Cruise Ships.  The Jewel is the yearly PBRCC publication made available throughout the town and at member businesses.  Additionally they use Social Media, such as Face Book and Twitter to reach out.

The midcoast was chosen this year by the Real Maine Wedding Group as the region to host their yearly “Give away a wedding”.  The campaign will start this fall and will bring a lot of attention to this area.
 
Membership Development:  PBRCC participates in the Maine Made Show to support Maine made products, annual gala for the Chamber is in February, and they support community events, such as the Winter Fest and Toboggan Nationals.
 
Promotional opportunities for members – The Jewel,  the Friday Report, Social Media, Networking, Business after hours; second Wednesday evening of the month, mix and mingles events and tourism and legislative summits.  PBRCC takes feedback regarding the needs of the membership very seriously and works to meet those needs.
 
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Skip Day:   Food Pantry – Food Pantry Menus:
 
WEST BAY ROTARY FOOD CUPBOARD
SUGGESTED MENUS
FEBRUARY 2015
 
March 5 -     Cash or Check Week – Cash/Checks are most handy as the Food Bank can use the money to make sure they have the variety of food necessary.  Make checks out to the Camden Area Food Pantry.
 
                                   
March 12      Vegetable Week
                                 Canned Vegetables
                                    Canned Fruits
                                    Canned Baked Beans
 
March 19 -  Soup and Stew Week
                                    Canned or Packaged Soups
                                    Canned Hearty soups
                                    Canned Beef Stew
                                                                            
March 26 -  Basic Stock Week
                                    Canned or Packaged Tuna Fish
                        `           Spaghetti Sauce
                                    Packaged Spaghetti Noodles
                                    Quart Size Plastic Zippered Storage Bags
 
 
Buckets on Table are for New Hope for Women
 
Jen Harris was inducted into West Bay Rotary today.  Her classification is Health Care Marketing.  Welcome Jen!!!
 
 
Barbara Heard discussed two of the PTA rewards programs, Box Tops for Education and Labels for Education.  This is a fundraiser for the PTA to help pay for opportunities at the local schools that the school does not pay for.  Just clip the “Box Top Education” on the top flap of many leading brand consumer goods and the “Labels for Education” on the bottom flap with the UPC code.  When you have a number of them contact Barbara Heard or Robin Spears at camdenrockportpta@gmail.com and they will let you know what to do with them.
 
Mary Sargent is the coordinator for greeters.  Feb and March are filled. Thank you for signing up.  Signup sheet will be available at the front of the room also in the front of the room.
 
Toboggan Nationals – February 6th, 7th and 8th
Steve Dailey – Snow Bowl parking – still need a few more.
Lisa Dresser – Down the Shute – has the volunteers she needs but pray for good weather
Mark Masterson – Chili Challenge - Volunteers have signed up but still need a few more.  Chili Challenge meeting Friday at 7:15am at the Bagel Café for those interested in being involved in the final organization.
Martha – Sunday’s Pancake Breakfast - 7:30-9:30, is coming together but still needs volunteers.
Ken Gardiner – Business Sponsorships available. 
 
Friends of Mt. Battie Tower fundraiser – all squares sold and the drawing was done today.  Mark Masterson won!
 
Etienne and Lisa - Mason’s on a Mission:  Leaving on March 15 to March 22 for Guatamala.  There is room for one more to go.  They are looking to build eight stoves.  Need to contribute $500 more to the effort.  If you want to make a donation please make check out to West Bay Charitable foundation.