Susan Char from New England Donor Services spoke to us about organ donation.
Opening Ceremonies: President Jo Cooper called the meeting to order. The Invocation was offered by Jane Langley and we said the Pledge of Allegiance.
Club Opening and Welcomes: The club thanked the following for helping with tonight’s meeting: Greeter Dave Wells, Note taker Jacklyn Sinclair, Sergeants at Arms Julie and Tony Bouchard, and Tracy Shaffer will be the well-wisher.
Secretary Clyde Cushing noted that there were no visiting Rotarians this evening and that there is a Birthday on the 13th for Domenic Efter. There are no club anniversaries, however; there are wedding anniversaries to recognize. Jack and Brenda Frost and Jim and Barbara Vickers. As for Guests at tonight’s meetings Iris Simon introduced Linda from the MCMH and Susan Char from the New England Donor Service (also tonight’s speaker).
Door Prizes: This week Pat Cushing won the Cayman Jar Margarita Kit, Jody Cushing, Jacklyn Sinclair, and Allegra Pellerano all won a bottle of wine.
50/50: Larry Johnston won the 50/50 and donated back to the Happy Dollar Quarterly cause; which will support Christmas gifts for Kid’s Peace resident children.
Happy Dollars Highlights: Many were happy; Larry Johnston, Iris Simon, Carl Lusby, David Wheaton, Jacklyn Sinclair, Tracy Shaffer, Gene Pellerano, Marshall Smith, Marian Wells, Laurie Fogelman, Guest Linda, Jo Cooper, Jane Langley was happy as Brian her husband is doing a fundraiser at the Lobster pot for the American Cancer Society; he’s @ $500 for “Real Men wear Pink”, and lastly Bill Casale shared this was his last meeting & Joke of the season.
Rotary Business:
- Jo Cooper thanked all the volunteers who came out to help at the Friend’s in Action 50’s themed Auction on Saturday the 5th. Also to those who came to enjoy the evening.
- This month is END POLIO MONTH
- October 15th- there is no meeting but there is a Blood Drive @ the Downeast Family YMCA from 12-6. Come donate or help cover a shift!!
- Gene Pellerano for Pins for Polio and Reminded everyone about October 19th the Pinky Project from 11AM- 7PM at Pats Pizza. They will be collecting donations and either putting purple yarn or paint on donors pinkies!
- Membership night – let Marian Wells know if you are going to be bringing or know of anyone who will be coming!
- Jody Cushing urged that Well Wishers are needed!!
- Clyde Cushing also respectfully recognized and gave Bill Casale and Marshall Smith their Paul Harris Pins!
Program/Speaker: Tonight Iris Simon introduced Susan Char from the New England Donor Service with her touching experience from losing her nephew Matthew to suicide. Susan Char is a former Noontime Bangor Rotarian and working within 198 Hospitals in New England and 14 transplant facilities.
Susan shared many touching stories about the hard decisions of family members to respect the wishes of their loved ones when donating organs after death. Even though you are an organ donor on your Driver’s License there are many different factors that come into play when donating organs; legal and emotional. In Susan’s job there have been many different scenarios she has come across. There are deadlines and regulations to follow and sometimes those weigh the decision.
Our meeting closed at 7:00PM
Respectfully submitted by Jacklyn Sinclair
