This week's virtual meeting featured John Zavodny from Maine Seacoast Mission as our guest speaker. #ellsworthrotary #peopleofaction
On Tuesday, September 22nd at 6 PM, our club had a virtual meeting over the telephone and internet via Zoom. President Laura Pellerano started the meeting.
Invocation was read by Tricia Quirk.
The Pledge Allegiance was led by Tricia Quirk, Ashley Johnson took notes and Tony and Julie Bouchard took attendance.
Visiting Rotarians: Dave and Betty Parson
Guests: John Zavodny and Lisa Simpson Lutts
Birthdays: Jackie Sinclair on 9/24 and Nancy Mayo on 9/26 Happy Birthday!
Wedding Anniversaries: Jo and Donald Cooper 43 Years on 9/24 Congratulations!
Checking In/Happy Dollars: Ashley Johnson, Pam Cushing, Clyde Cushing, Jodie Cushing, Allegra Pellerano, Rhonda Parker, Tricia Quirk, Dan Frye, Laura and Gene Pellerano, Marian and Dave Wells, Lincoln and Debbie Ehrlenbach, Linda Fuller, Scott Kimball, Max Dietshe, Tony and Julie Bouchard, Jack Frost, Fred Beyer, JoAnn Brown, Jackie Sinclair and Tracy Shaffer.
All Happy Dollars goes towards Forgotten Felines this quarter. They rescue and rehome Rehabilitate and provide assistance with spay and neutering stray and feral cats. They are 100% funded by donations and funds raised from yard sales and craft fairs.
Don’t forget about Polio Plus and EREY! Please consider making a donation.
Rotary Business:
- Community Service Update: The Next Step Playground Service Project went well. Jodie thanked everyone who helped. There are currently no upcoming project at this time. Contact Jodie if you have something in mind.
- Membership Update: The Rotary Passport was emailed to all club members. Please look it over. October 20th is Membership Game Night. Please email JoAnn Brown something about yourself that other club members do not know about you.
- ClubRunner Passport: The Clubrunner Passport was emailed to all club members. We encourage all members to complete to be entered into a weekly $20 Visa Gift Card drawing! ClubRunner Mobile is wonderful tool allowing membership directory data to be available at your fingertips as well as other club information such as weekly newsletters, upcoming events, guest speakers and meetings. It is a great companion to our ClubRunner website. This week’s winner was Dan Frye!
- International Update: First, welcome Max Dietshe to the International Committee. Max is a new Rotarian, is interested in Rotary work and I think will be a great asset to the club and this committee! Below is a photo from Panama showing the unloading of the 115 wheelchairs from the shipping container. The Panama Rotary Club will distribute these wheelchairs to those that need "the gift of mobility."
The Bar Harbor, Bangor Breakfast and Ellsworth Rotary Clubs have joined forces to provide these wheelchairs for the people of Panama. We had planned to travel and help in the distribution but COVID-19 has prevented us from traveling. This distribution will complete our Club's 7th distribution for a total of 1,000 wheelchairs.
- Foundation Minute: Lincoln spoke about the history of the Rotary Foundation and how it is impacted by donations. Julie Bouchard is the winner for a $10 gift card!
Dave Wells was awarded with the Paul Harris +7 Pin Congratulations!
Jo Cooper was awarded with the Paul Harris +2 Pin Congratulations!
Jo Cooper was awarded with the Paul Harris +2 Pin Congratulations!
Guest Speaker: This week’s guest speaker was John Zavodny of Maine Sea Coast Mission. The son of a U.S. Navy sailor, Zavodny is proud to now be a small part of the Mission’s seagoing history. He is the first member of his family to complete college and understands firsthand the transformative role education can play. As a former minister, he understands the central role spirituality plays in people’s well-being.
John spoke about the mission and history of the non-profit. While they are proud of their 115-year history, their focus is on our work today and tomorrow: Helping feed a struggling family, sharing laughter at our weekly free community dinners, checking an island lobsterman’s blood pressure; giving a child courage to tackle our ropes course, or helping a student be first in their family to attend and graduate college.
Respectfully submitted by Ashley Johnson
