6/1/2009 Raffi DerSimonian Presents on his Ambassadorial Scholarship Experience in Germany
Sergeant at Arms
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Ed Oliver was our Sergeant of Arms today. Thanks Ed!!!!!
Greeter
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Tom Longstaff served as Greeter today.
50/50 Tickets
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Gene Beaupre sold $110 worth of 50/50 tickets. Scott Bullock had the winning ticket and won $55. He will arrange for a substitute to sell tickets for him next week. Glenn Leavitt won 10 free tickets to the next 50/50 drawing. Kim Hawkes will be our Greeter for next week's meeting at the Alfond Youth Center.
Fined for pictures in the Paper
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Peter Garrett, Scott Bullock, Karen Heck, and Gary Hammond had their pictures in the paper this week and were fined accordingly.
Cell Phones
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A $10.00 fee for cell phone ringing continues for the 2008-2009 Club year. No fines assessed today.
On Leave
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World Service Cups
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The World Service cups for this month will go to support the Community Gardens Project.
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
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Matt Clark introduced Jeff Russell, who is with Merrill Bank and a member of the Bangor Rotary Club.
Sue Guigere introduced Laurie Wing, who is on the Staff of the AYC.
Ally introduced George Meyer, who is attending his first meeting as a member of the Club.
Ally also welcomed back Jo Dennis and Bill Gerencer.
The members present then welcomed our fellow Rotarians in song.
What can you do?
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* Be sure to join in the fellowship of the Auction in December, 2009 (dates TBD) at the Bank of America. * Tell Board Members what you are passionate about for community projects * Tell the program committee about interesting speakers/topics you would like to listen to * Be involved, join a committee * Be active * Be positive
Happy Dollars
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Ally shared that there were over 30 people everyone involved with the Group Study Exchange events recently thanked them for their assistance with hosting, planning, coordinating and transporting. It was a real team effort!
Doug Carnrick shared that his daughter Jillian recently graduated from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA with a BS in Biology. She will begin her graduate studies in Herbal Medicine at the Tai Sophia Institute in Laurel, MD.
Sharon Abrams is very happy to be back with us after her recent journey. Welcome back Sharon!!
Suzanne Uhl-Melanson shared that she has been participating in a 2 year course of study for designation as a Certified Financial Planner which recently concluded with her passing a rigorous examination.
Bob Ellis reported that he and his wife recently travelled to Colorado to attend the high school graduation of his granddaughter on the campus of Colorado University. Bob also shared that he recently was recertified in all aspects of code enforcement in Maine.
Erica Humphrey shared that she and her husband just returned from a trip to Ireland, where they spent time touring West Cork. She also is happy about a good health report she received after making a visit to Duke University Medical Center. Finally, she and her husband recently celebrated their 4th wedding anniversary.
Tom Longstaff had several things he is happy about. First, it was a pleasure for he and Cindy to have members of the GSE Team stay with them at their home. Second, he shared that a very high % of the participants in YETE successfully completed the program recently and that Ally did a great job as the commencement speaker. Finally, he noted that the program recently received a $30,000 grant to continue the project and help them meet their commitments and grow. He thanked Ally and Sarah for their continued support and encouragement.
Gary Hammond is very happy that everyone is back to the club. He also thanked Lisa Fortier for hosting 2 big parties recently. In addition to the GSE event, there was also a surprise 60th which was kept tightly under wraps.
Scott Bullock is again happy to be able to donate his $55 50/50 winnings back to the Club.
Sue Guigere introduced Laurie Wing and shared that she is the Pool Director at the Alfond Youth Center. She noted that the AYC is currently trying to raise funds to replace the vacuum pump in the pool and encouraged those present to participate in this effort if they are so inclined. Laurie provided a brief overview of the pool program.
Kim Hawkes shared an update on the AYC fundraising activities. To date they have $31,000 in pledges and another $25,000 in hand. The good news is that if they reach $100.000 by July 1, the Harold Alfond Foundation will provide a 1:1 match and will designate an additional $20,000 if they raise another $100,000 by December 31.
John Fortier was most appreciative to Lisa for the party she organized. He shared that it was a Mexican theme, 70 friends attended, and a great time was had by everyone.
Ally was most thankful for the success Mark Ford achieved over the past year with tremendous effort to increase our support the Rotary Foundation.
Announcements
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This Saturday, June 6, is National Trails Day. In conjunction with this, there will be a celebration this Saturday from 9 to 11 at Thomas College for the opening of the Thomas College Trail.
On Monday, June 8, the Hallowell Rotary Club will be having its inaugural meeting at Joyce's Restaurant at 5PM. Thus far, Ally, Peter Garrett, and Suzanne Uhl-Melanson will be attending.
Upcoming speaker schedule:
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June 8, 2009 Bob Froberg, "FairPoint Communications "Bringing World Class Technology from the Sea Coast to the Mountains" June 15, 2009 Meredith Jones, President and CEO of the Maine Community Foundation June 22, 2009 Educare Presentation June 29, 2009 Club Assembly
08-09 Board of Directors:
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Ally Karter - President Sarah Sugden - President Elect Seth Sherwood - Vice President Cathy Langlais - Secretary Steve Kelleher - Assistant Secretary Allan Rancourt - Charitable Treasurer Don Borman - Operations Treasurer Marc Pitman - Club Service Mark Ford - Rotary Foundation Eric Haley - Past President Nancy Gallagher - Public Relations Debbie Knox - Community Service Ed Riggs - International Service Reg Perry -Â Fundraising Tom Longstaff - Vocational Service
Waterville Rotary Club Web Site
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http://www.clubrunner.ca/waterville
Today's Program: A Presentation by Rafi Der Simonian on His Group Study Exchange Trip to Germany ============================================================================ President Ally introduced our guest speaker, Raffi DerSimonian. Raffi represented Waterville as one of five team members in a District 7790 Rotary Group Study Exchange who recently spent a month in Germany. Four of the team members are young professionals who are not Rotarians. The group leader is a Rotarian.
Raffi expressed deep appreciation for this "opportunity of a lifetime" to experience four unique weeks as part of a Rotary GSE team.
The team spent the first week in Freidrichshafen-Lindau in Baden-Wurttemberg. Lindau is a tourist destination on the shores of the Lake of Constance. Raffi spent his vocational day with Lighthaus Marketing, an advertising and marketing firm that features a Port Clyde, Maine lighthouse in its logo. The team also attended a Younge Meister musical concert, sponsored by the local Rotary club, and toured the Library at St. Gallen, Switzerland, an architectural masterpiece.
The team spent week two in picturesque Rottweil, a city that had a history of manufacturing. They toured the Feinwerkbau factory, which manufactures rifles; art galleries featuring the work of sculptors Erich Hauser and Jürgen Knubben. Raffi spent his vocational day at the Trend Factory advertising firm.
Week three took the team to Baden-Baden, featuring a casino, the Festpielehaus, a large performance and event center, and Freidrichsbad, a co-ed nude luxury spa. The team sat in on a debate at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, Switzerland, complete with instant translation into seven languages. Raffi's vocational day was spent at Casimir Kast, a packaging firm with a global clientele.
Their final week was spent in Karlsruhe, where they attended a performance of the Beijing Orchestra. Raffi spent his last vocational day at Dauth Kaun Communication Group, an advertising firm whose major client is Heidelberger beer.
Among the foods Raffi enjoyed were spaetzle (tiny dumplings), lots and lots of weiner schnitzel (local hosts made sure they tasted ethnic dishes), large soft pretzels, and Raffi's favorite: sauerkraut with bratwurst and liver dumplings.
Raffi says thank you, danke schön and merci!
Q&A
Q. How does Germany view the current economic crisis and the US role in it? A. They are excited about our new leadership. There is an immense amount of hope. They have much knowledge of American politics. All eyes are on President Obama. The economic situation in Germany is similar to that in the US. Manufacturing is down.
Q. Germany has an aggressive wind turbine program, underwritten in part by the German government's alternative energy credits. Your comment? A. Many German homes have solar panels. Alternative energy sources are more advanced, including wind turbines.
Q. Did you enjoy your nude spa experience? A. He approached it gingerly, but when in Romeâ?".
Ally then presented Raffi with a Four Way Test Keychain as a token of our appreciation. The next meeting will be on Monday, June 8 at the Alfond Youth Center.