12/21/2009 Rotarians Shared What They Were Happy About This Holiday Season
Sergeant at Arms
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Matt Clark was our Sergeant of Arms today. Thanks, Matt!!!!!
Greeter
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Mike Roy was our -Greeter today. Thank you Bill!! Rick MacKenzie will be our Greeter for the December 28st meeting.
50/50 Tickets
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Lucille Zelenkewich sold $114 for the 50/50 raffle today and Harold Buzzell was the winner of $57. Buzz will sell tickets on December 28st. Jerry Tipper won 10 free tickets for next meeting's 50/50 drawing.
World Service Cup
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The beneficiary of the donations for this month's World Service Cup will be the families we are supporting which suffered through domestic violence this year.
Fined for pictures in the Paper
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Sarah Sugden had her picture in the paper and was fined $5.00.
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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Cam McKay
Joan Phillips-Sandy
Paul LePage
Visiting Rotarians and Guests
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Don Plourde introduced his daughter Julie who is visiting from Texas and Bob Croswell, MD.
Kim Lindlof introduced Tanya Clark from T-Mobile.
Rick MacKenzie introduced his wife Judy.
Bill Arnold welcomed his daughter Margie who is visiting from Ithaca, NE where she is on faculty at Ithaca College.
What can you do?
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* 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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In the spirit of the Holiday eason, the Program Committee proposed that we devote the program time to those members who are exceptionally happy and wish to share with the membership. Please see below for more details.
Announcements:
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Charlie Gaunce reported that this year's bell ringing event is now over and thanked everyone who participated in this event. He apologized for not being able to deliver on the weather. Carlie also welcomed Karen Heck back to Rotary.
Sarah presented Eric with the Club's gift to his staff with the thanks of the membership.
Seth made the second of three announced readings of the Board that is being proposed for the next year, beginning July 1, 2010:
2009-10 Board of Directors:
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Seth Sherwood - President
Don Plourde - President Elect
Sarah Sugden - Immediate Past President
Suzanne Uhl-Melanson -Vice President and Membership Chair
Cathy Langlais - Secretary
Steve Kelleher - Assistant Secretary
Allan Rancourt - Charitable Treasurer
Don Borman - Operations Treasurer
Ann Beverege - Club Administration
Jim Nicholson - Foundation Committee
Nancy Gallagher - Public Relations
Tina Chapman - Community Service
Lou Smith - International Service
Bob Barton - Fund Raising Erica Humphrey - Vocational Service
Upcoming speaker schedule:
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December 28, 2009 Sara Sugden, "Club Assembly"
Paul Harris Fellowship Awards
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Suzanne Uhl-Melanson, assisted by Gene Beaupre and Lou Smith recognized fellow Rotarians Sally Harwood and Rick MacKenzie with Paul Harris Fellowships.
This is a special day of recognition; and it is a really big deal and very special moment.
Suzanne's remarks:
When I first joined Rotary I wondered for a long time who all the members were who occasionally wore medallions from their necks…how did they get them and what is a Paul Harris Fellow?
Rotary is an organization of giving. Rotarians give of their hearts, hands and from their wallets.
Examples: Heart: Bell ringing at Christmas
Hands: auction/ golf tournament/ pig roast
Wallet: each week thru the 50/50, world service & community cups and fines and also thru EREY and the Foundation.
This is how it starts: $100 or more contribution to the Rotary Foundation lists you as a "sustaining member" of the Foundation. And you might remember that our club's goal is for every member to contribute at some level. The first $100 contributed is also matched dollar for dollar by this club to become a contribution equivalent to $200.
Donors of $1,000 or more to the Foundation, (which includes the Annual Programs fund, Polio Plus and Humanitarian Grants Program), or people who have that amount contributed in their name, are recognized as Paul Harris Fellows. The $1,000 can be accumulated overtime; $100 each year (EREY-every Rotarian every year); and a Paul Harris Fellowship would be available after 10 years.
Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary International. Paul Harris formed the world's first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago, on February 23, 1905. His intention was to recapture in a professional club the same friendly spirit he had felt in the small towns of his youth.
We are here today to recognize three individuals who have contributed $1,000 or more to the Rotary Foundation and to recognize them as Paul Harris Fellows. With the important contributions of these generous donors, the Rotary Foundation is fulfilling its promise of creating a polio free world, helping children and families live healthier lives through Rotary's Humanitarian Grants Program, and educating young people about cultures worldwide.
Would Sally Harwood and Rick MacKenzie please come to the podium? Sally and Rick join over 1,197,108 other Paul Harris Fellows worldwide. In fact, would all club members who are Paul Harris Fellows please rise. Another honoree, Bill Mitchell could not be here today.
Sally: this is not her first PHF and knowing Sally this won't be her last. Her classification is Group Consulting. Sally has been a member of this club for about 12 years.
Rick: this is Rick's first PHF. His classification is Engineering Sales. Rick, too, has been a member of Rotary for about 12 years.
We offered their pins and medallions; I asked each to say a few words about what Rotary means to them.
Suzanne then asked each of the Paul Harris Fellows present today to stand and be recognized.
Waterville Rotary Club Web Site
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http://www.clubrunner.ca/waterville
Today's Program: Today's Program Consisted of Our Fellow Rotarians Offering Special Happy Dollars
Sarah Sugden had a Happy Dollar for her son Jack's Christmas play this week and another for Nana, who has gotten his the long awaited remote controlled dinosaur.
Karen Heck had 10 Happy Dollars because 1) while she and Charlie may7 be at opposite ends of the political spectrum, when they are at Rotary, they're on the same page. She appreciates being missed and is thankful for all that Rotary does to take care of the basic needs of those who benefit from our efforts on the local and international fronts; 2) Lynne at Hardy Girls was recently interviewed by ABC News of London; and 3) a Happy Solstice, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, and Happy Kwanza to all.
Jerry Tipper had 3 Happy Dollars: 1) 2 weeks ago he had knee surgery in Portland and is recovering well; 2) East Pond has great ice and he's planning to go out in his ice boat this afternoon. Jerry offered to settle up with those who have outstanding "auction tickets" for ice boat rides but have not been able to redeem them because of poor conditions; and 3) and additional $5 for the bell ringers.
Marc Pitman had 3 Happy Dollars..1) he and his family got to celebrate Hanukah at the synagogue this year; Sarah isn't holding any hard feelings against he or his support team that was supposed to cover for her at the Wal-Mart bell ringing event last week; and 3) for the power of social networking. Marc shared how a random inquiry earlier this year about the possibility of making some presentations based on his book gained some traction recently and as a result, during 2010, he and his family will be travelling to New Zealand for s speaking tour and mini-vacation.
Ally Karter has several as well: 1) In addition to her full time job in real estate, she is also doing some philanthropic consulting for the Educare Program. As part of that effort, they recently learned that they are the beneficiary of a $350K grant from Jane's Trust; 2) for Sarah, who is doing a great job as President this year; for the bell ringing experience this year! She was on the 4 to 5 shift and being with the "Ring-a-Lings" made the hour go by very, very quickly, in spite of the weather; for the Paul Harris Fellows who were recognized today as well as those who were present for the ceremony today; and for "pickle presents' activity ... a traditional Polish holiday activity .... at her house this week.
Lou Smith had a Happy Dollar for all the kids in the world. She also shared that she also gets to give her grandchildren interesting gifts at Christmas.
Ken Vlodek shared that the "pickle gift" legend is also celebrated widely in other European countries as well. He shared that the new person in his life has 2 snowmobiles and has introduced him to that activity this year. As a result he is now well-outfitted and is looking forward to a number of trips they are planning this winter. On another note, Ken shared that his family recently received news they were not expecting about new growth in a tumor his daughter has been undergoing treatment for. In spite of the news, his family is still praying for a miracle to happen for her.
Elery Keene was happy that through the "Ring-a-Lings", we have now found another way to keep the doors open at Wal Mart.
John Dalton shared that last week he and a number of the CEO's within the Eastern Maine Healthcare System were in Washington to receive an award from the National Health System Patient Safety Leadership Award form the National Business Group on Health and the VHA Foundation for creating a system-wide culture of patient safety. Congrats, John!!
Peter Garrett had a couple of Trail Happy Dollars, noting that the Quarry Road Trail system is up and running and will be groomed for this week end. He also recommended the Rotary Centennial Trail for cross country skiers.
Don Plourde is happy to have his daughter home from Texas for the holidays. He's also happy to see the end of 2009 and the beginning of a rebounding 2010.
Gary Hammond had several Happy Dollars today ... 1) for all of his friends here at rotary; 2) for the great open house event they had at the Unity Store recently .... a wonderful event for the kids who attended; and 3) he shared that his grand daughter asked anta for some candy for and a snowmobile for Christmas and he's pretty sure she's going to get both.
Nikki Desjardins had 5 happy Dollars, hoping that 2010 will bring a better year for all of us than 2009; and 2) for the love and caring that the Club showed to the families that were supported this Christmas.
Lucille had 5 Happy Dollars because, in spite of Charlie lying about how good the weather was going to be for bell-ringing, they had a great time anyways. She was also a little concerned about Sarah showing up in a mini skirt and tights when it was so cold and blustery. In spite of it all, they all survived and had a great time to boot.
Sarah concluded the meeting with a special wish to the Club Membership for a wonderful Holiday.