President Scott Kimball with DG Lincoln Ehrlenbach
Opening Ceremonies: President Scott Kimball called the meeting to order at 6:20 PM at our summer location, Timberland RV Park.  Larry Fernald led the Invocation and we said the Pledge of Allegiance.
 
Ray Williams was our Greeter for the evening, Cindy Shoppe was Sergeant at Arms and Tracy Shaffer took meeting notes.
 
After general greetings, Scott formally introduced our program speaker 7790 District Governor Lincoln Ehrlenbach and wife Debra as the new District Governor and First Lady for our District.  The club rose in a standing ovation for fellow Ellsworth Rotarian Lincoln who has been selected to serve Rotary in this capacity during 2017-18 and wife Debra.  Lincoln welcomed David Wells, Assistant District Governor and his Son David Wells as his guests for the evening. 
 
Make-ups: David Wells, Bill Casale and Dan Hurley received make ups. Members were advised that make ups could be achieved by attending our club’s committee meetings or events this year, in addition to visiting other Rotary club meetings and activities (in person or on line).
 
 
Guests: No Additional Guests Beyond Those Listed Under Opening Ceremonies.
 
Door Prizes: 2 Friends of the Library quilt raffle tickets went to both Dom Efter and July Bouchard.  A Grand Theatre stage bag went to Bill Casale.  Both President Scott and Clyde Cushing were the lucky winners for a bottle of wine.
 
Rotary Minute: Jo Cooper offered a minute by commenting on our summer home and the strength of our Ellsworth Rotary Club
 
50/50: $18 was awarded to Gene Pellerano as the lucky ticket holder.  Gene graciously donated back to the 1st quarter cause which is to provide the Hancock County Sheriff’s canine in training a protective vest upon training graduation.
 
Happy Dollars Highlights: Among those giving happy or sad dollars toward our cause this evening; Gene, Jane, Marshall, Jack, Bill, Irv, David, Terri, Charlene, Dom, Debra, Fred, Mike, Sue Ellen, Iris, Dan, Carl, Rob, Nancy, Scott.  Many of our happy dollars were given in recognition of Governor Lincoln and wife Debra.
 
Rotary Business:  
  1.  Rotary Blueberry Pancake Breakfast tickets were distributed to the membership to sell.  Ashley advised that we need four more propane tanks for the grills and to let her know if you can provide one.  Also, a preliminary assignment list for the breakfast (August 5) was included with the tickets.  Please review your assignment and contact Ashley with any needed changes.
  2. Arlyn Whitelaw and Dom Efter received their chair and officer pins for this year since they were unable to make the transition ceremony held at the end of June.
Program/Speaker:
President Scott provided an introduction of 7790 District Governor Lincoln Ehrlenbach which included an overview of his career and a small sampling of his Rotary service highlights.  Prior to being elected District Governor and District Governor Elect, Lincoln’s service highlights include serving as an Assistant District Governor and President, Secretary and various event and program chairs for the Rotary Club of Ellsworth.  He has also served in other district positions in addition to those listed above and is a graduate of the Rotary Leadership Institute and holds 5 Paul Harris citations and several governor citations.
 
Community honors include being named Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 2007.  He has deep familial Rotary roots with his Grandfather being a charter member of the Rotary Club of Ellsworth.  His father, wife and daughter (Past Rotary President Ashley Johnson) have also served to further Rotary goals locally and with Rotary International as Rotarians.
 
In his remarks, Lincoln stressed to the club the words of our current international president - - that we are “here to ensure that the Rotary we value so deeply is sustainable.”  Lincoln mentioned several key initiatives that we would be working toward to help with sustainability – recruiting more members under 40 and more women were among the items mentioned. 
 
He noted that our district has committed to join Rotary International in following through on our strategic plan by enhancing our organizational public image and brand, increasing humanitarian service and strengthening our clubs.  We will be continuing the fight to end polio and will be engaging members’ spirit of philanthropy to drive more participation in Every Rotarian Every Year foundation giving and Paul Harris Fellow and Society membership numbers.
 
He ended his general remarks by reminding us that each of us is Rotary and we are “Making a Difference,” which is the international theme for this program year.
 
In his specific remarks, the governor presented a slide show highlighting the district project that he is spearheading as part of his program year.  Titled, “The Gift of Mobility,” 500 wheelchairs will be delivered in 2019 to Bolivia and Ecuador.  Each country will receive 250 chairs as well as other devices and school supplies.
 
This project leverages the work the district has and is already supporting through matching grants for wheelchairs already delivered in Panama, Belize and Costa Rica.  A 2018 wheelchair project is planned for the Dominican Republic as well.
 
To close the evening, a festive video was shown to invite all members to the 2018 Mount Washington NH Summit.  Larger than the traditional district conference, the summit will bring 5 districts together for a 3-day event May 4-6.
 
More information about both programs will be provided as the year progresses.
 
To close the meeting, President Scott provided a $2,500 check from the club to Governor Lincoln for the district wheelchair project.  He also received an Ellsworth Rotary Club mug, polo shirt, and assorted children’s books that will be signed and given in his honor to area libraries of his choice. 
 
Scott reminded members of the blue polio cups and dismissed the meeting at 7:12 PM.
 
Respectfully submitted by Tracy Shaffer
 
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