Guest speaker Ian Yaffe, Director of Mano en Mano
Opening Ceremonies: President Jo Cooper called the meeting to order. The invocation was offered by Laurie Fogelman and we said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Club Opening and Welcomes: The club thanked the following for helping with tonight’s meeting: Greeter Gene Pellerano, Well Wisher Jody Cushing, Note Taker Tracy Shaffer, Sergeants at Arms Julie and Tony Bouchard.
Secretary Clyde Cushing noted that there were no visiting Rotarians this evening and announced birthdays for club members Carolyn Stwertka and Marshall Smith and a wedding anniversary for Rotarian Ashley Johnson and her husband Aaron (11 years). There were no club service anniversaries this week to report.
Rotarians announcing guests this evening: Jodie Cushing – her daughter Grace, Rachel Bousquet – Kid’s Peace staff member Dan Frye.
Door Prizes: A bottle of wine went to both Debbie and to Lincoln, Carl won a poster, Scott won a tee shirt and a candle and calendar went to Tracy. President Jo thanked Rotarians for bringing in these door prizes. Pam also offered a season pass to the Blue Hill Fair which was auctioned for $10 given by Carl.
50/50: Julie won the 50/50 and donated it to the Happy Dollar Quarterly cause which is Polio Plus.
Happy Dollars Highlights:
Among Rotarians offering Happy Dollars tonight: Julie, Charlene, Deb, Lincoln, Carl, Pam, Scott, Tracy, Linda, Nancy, Bill, Marshall, Teresa, Iris, Trisha, Laurie, Gene and Irv.
Rotary Business:
- President Jo Cooper awarded a Paul Harris +1 to Rotarian Jack Frost. Congratulations Jack!
- 4th Quarter 2018-19 Happy Dollars were awarded to the Alan Fitch Fund for Grand theatre student scholarships. Kimberly Fitch, Alan’s daughter and a staff member at The Grand, was on hand to receive the $557 check from our membership. Thank you members!
- President Jo read a thank you letter from Comfort Cases who received a check this month from our Community Support Committee to continue their work in creating bags of toys, clothing and essentials for children going into foster care.
- President Jo advised that there would be NO ROTARY MEETING SEPT. 3. Instead, we will be staffing the EHS Freshman BBQ.
- Jody Cushing sent out a sign up sheet for working the BBQ, Sept. 3 at 10 AM in the high school cafeteria. A card also was routed to wish Community Service Chair Marc Rich well on his recovery from surgery.
- Pancake Breakfast Co-Chair Lincoln Ehrlenbach noted that 962 people attended the breakfast in August. Both the new venue and event were a success.
- Jo reminded Rotarians of several items in this month’s Rotarian magazine and also asked people to take the People of Action sign out to events for photos that can be shared on social media. She also mentioned that the adult playground to be built in Knowlton Park (which received a grant from our club) was moving forward and should be completed next spring.
- Charlene announced that on August 26 at 6 PM at Ellsworth City Hall, the council is having a workshop and discussion on looking at the HCTC facility and its future through the feasibility study budgeted by the city.
Program/Speaker:
Our speaker was Ian Yaffe, the executive director of Mano en Mano, a nonprofit that works with immigrants and relocating farm workers so they may settle in Washington county. Their office is in Milbridge and the organization started in 2005. Ian noted that Milbridge is one of the few growing communities in Washington County and this is in part due to the expanding population of workers needed in seafood processing, blueberry processing and wreath making businesses. Ian passed out a brochure and highlighted their key programs including advocacy services, temporary support and educational services. He noted that services are for immigrants and citizens living in other states or other parts of Maine that are relocating. Several opportunities to help the organization are upcoming including working in the welcome center this fall to welcome over 1000 people coming to make wreaths. Winter cloths, work boots and essentials are also needed for the wreath makers. For more information, contact Ian.
Our meeting closed at 6:54 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Tracy Shaffer
