Our guest speaker was District Governor Elect Doug Curtis, Jr. #ellsworthrotary #wearerotary #peopleofaction #district7790
On Tuesday, February 23rd 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 Laura Pellerano and Tony and Julie Bouchard took attendance.
Visiting Rotarians: Doug Curtis from the Rockland Club.
Club Anniversaries: Nancy Mayo 12 years on February 24, Laura Pellerano 19 years on February 26, Marc Rich 3 years on February 27, Julie Bouchard 4 years and JoAnn Brown 4 years on February 28.
3rd Quarter Happy Dollars: Happy Dollars will go towards the THAW Fund. The Heating And Warmth Fund helps people stay warm and stay safe. THAW is a community fund created in 2006 to help people afford heat through Downeast Community Partners.
The Heating and Warmth (THAW) fund provides emergency heating assistance to people in Hancock and Washington counties. THAW funds step in when all other aid has been exhausted.
The following Rotarians gave Happy Dollars: Dave Wells, Carl Lusby, Jo Cooper, Marian Wells, Doug Curtis and Julie Bouchard.
Don’t forget about Polio Plus and EREY! Please consider making a donation.
Happy Dollars and Polio Donations: Treasurer Debbie Ehrlenbach would like all Happy Dollars and Polio Plus donations to be mailed in a.s.a.p. to Rotary Club of Ellsworth, PO Box 741, Ellswoth, ME 04605.
Rotary Business:
- Foundation Minute: Lincoln Ehrlenbach shared an update on Polio Plus. Please continue to spread awareness and donate if you are able to. Ashley Johnson won a Dunkin gift card in the Foundation Monthly drawing.
- COVID Vaccine Volunteering: Jodie Cushing has the information for COVID vaccine volunteering. The link below takes you to the Northern Light home page for volunteering. If you would like to help once the hospital gets the mass vaccines rolled out please click the link and sign up with Northern Light. If you do end up volunteering please make sure to send Jodie your hours.
- Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce Service Project: We had the opportunity to help Gretchen Wilson at the Chamber of Commerce on February 27 & 28. They needed painting done and would like to know if any Rotarians wanted to help. Painting was on both days Saturday and Sunday from 10am-2pm.
- Rotary Leadership Institute: This has been adapted to a virtual program this year, making it more accessible than ever! Rotary Leadership Institute Northeast America has several sessions scheduled during the next month:
February 27th 2021 - Dist 7190 - Schenectady, NY - Virtual Meeting
March 6th 2021 - Dist 7170 - Owego, NY - Virtual Meeting
March 13th 2021 - Dist 7430 - Pottstown, PA - Virtual Meeting
Each of these sessions is offering Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and the Graduate Program.
Additional dates will be announced at https://rlinea.org/
If you are interested in signing up, please let Laura Pellerano know.
- Survey for Rotary’s participation with Loaves and Fishes: The survey was emailed out from Clyde Cushing. Please take a moment and fill out online.
- 4th Quarter Happy Dollars: If anyone has a suggestion please let Laura Pellerano know.
Guest Speaker: This week’s guest speaker was District Governor Elect Doug Curtis, Jr. He is a Rockland native and an Army veteran. He joined Rockland Rotary in 1999 and became club President in 2011. He has held a myriad of positions in his club and was twice named Rotarian of the Year. His Rotary moment was when he was pouring cement in a Mexican street in the City of Colima, Mexico, where he worked on several projects for Project Amigo.
Doug shared a COVID-19 update within our district. Helping and assisting local fire and ambulance departments within the district.
Some clubs continue to use Zoom while others are meeting in person across the district while following Governor Mills' COVID/CDC guidelines for safely spaced, masked, indoor meetings. Increasing membership during a pandemic is challenging but encourages all clubs to stay positive and keep moving forward. Be creative.
Doug is working on his District Project: “The Environment” Two global grants: One for Maine and One for Quebec. The Environmental Committee will be led by Deb Walters. More info will be available once the committee starts meeting.
Doug spoke about his ideas on theRotary Foundation & Creation of a District 7790 Foundation: Goals are to Connect Rotarians with a passion to give, more money for District and Global grants, $25,000 to fund a District Foundation through Rotary International which will give every year in perpetuity.
Respectfully submitted by Ashley Johnson
