President Scott Kimball called the meeting to order. Laurie Fogelman gave the invocation, and we said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Make-ups - Lincoln and Debbie Ehrlenbach at three Quebec clubs; Terri Stephens and Marshall Smith at Bradenton.
Guests - Marc Rich, guest of Ashley, moved from Washington State.
Birthdays - Carl Lusby on Dec. 5; Laurie Fogelman on Dec. 9.
Door Prizes - Dave won a knitted hat; Dan won chocolates; Gene won a shirt.
50/50 - $13 won by Allegra Pellerano
Happy Dollars - Given by Dom Efter, Allegra Pellerano, Iris Simon, Carl Lusby, Marshall Smith, Terri Stephens, Jo Cooper, Laurie Fogelman, Rod Fox, Dave Wells, Fred Beyer, and Scott Kimball.
Rotary Business –
The club voted to accept the slate of Rotary officers presented by the nominating committee: Tracy Shaffer for President, Jo Cooper for President-Elect, Laura Pellerano for Vice President, Charlene Churchill for Secretary, and Dom Efter for Treasurer.
Club Assembly:
Foundation Report: Arlyn Whitelaw said there are now seven Paul Harris Society members, and 32 members contributing to EREY. Scott presented the Paul Harris Society members (Lincoln Ehrlenbach, Dave Wells, Dom Efter, Arlyn Whitelaw, Dan Hurley, Tracy Shaffer, and Marian Wells) each with a banner to be worn with the Paul Harris Fellow pin. Arlyn continues in her effort to get every club member to support the Rotary Foundation and will announce the winner of the quarterly contest at the Christmas Party on Dec. 19th.
Membership Report: Marian Wells spoke of a successful Membership Night on Nov. 7, with 10 people invited and 7 attending. Two are very interested and there are others who are asking for information about rotary. The next committee meeting is Dec. 7.
Club Service Report: Jane Langley will try to have a guest speaker at the party on the 19th, when there will be the Ugliest Sweater Contest and a Yankee Swap with gifts of $10-15.
Community Service Report: Clyde Cushing said Rotary volunteers have already donated more than 864 hours this year in community service projects, and the Gifting Experience will be Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, for 19 children, each with a Rotary volunteer.
Donations Report: Charlene Churchill said the Community Support budget has $9,000 to assist organizations with special projects, and a letter of request must be submitted for consideration.
International Report: Dave Wells spoke for the International Comm. about the upcoming wheelchair distribution in Dominican Republic: March 6 or 7 for travel to DR, distribution
March 8 - 10. Total travel expenses should be about $1400 and 23 Rotarians from four clubs are committed to travel.
Public Relations Report: Ashley Johnson said seven businesses are advertising on our website, which helps with expenses. Ashley continues to update our Facebook and Website on a weekly basis. Please let her know if you are having trouble receiving Rotary emails. Our club received recognition as the “Chamber Member of the Week” in November on Facebook. Ashley wrote up a summary of Rotary with photos that was asked from Chamber. Several press releases were sent to The Ellsworth American of the ongoing service we do for the community.
Several signup sheets were passed, for Greeters, Loaves and Fishes workers, Christmas Party attendance.
Guest Speaker - Our own Scott Kimball presented a brief travelog of his excursion to France to visit and study the site of the Normandy Invasion by the Allied Forces on Dec 6, 1944. The beach area was 50 miles long and 5,000 ships came in, with American troops going to Omaha and Utah, the most western beaches of the five landing areas. As the world’s largest amphibious invasion Dday was fraught with impossible circumstances and hardship, which required creativity and fortitude. This assault was the pivotal event in our winning of WWII and freeing the world of the Nazi power machine.
Thank you, Scott, for a wonderful presentation that taught us all a greater respect for those that defend us and the thousands that paid the ultimate sacrifice.
Respectfully submitted by Marian Wells
