Club Assembly and holiday music program
Buckets on the table are designated for the AIO Foodpantry backpack outreach program.
Deborah Fink reported on the holiday party held at the Rogers' house last week where $605 was raised for charity from a raffle of earrings donated by Etienne Perret.
Sheila Davenport introduced a new member, Trina Kuykendall, and Mik inducted her into the club. Trina works at Nordx laboratories at Pen Bay Medical Center.
Mik recognized Gary and Roberta Walker for making gifts to the Rotary Foundation that qualify them for Major Donor Status Level 1.
Kristen Lindquist as treasurer announced a fee increase $1 per week per member for $13 per quarter increase per member.
George Abendroth talked about the web page and calendar, that he'd like feedback about them. He's also the member contact for the Interact Club and mentioned their participation in Christmas by the Sea, Window Dressers, delivering food baskets to families in the area, and Mike Pierce reported that his daughter Ella is contributing most of the winnings from last week's raffle to the Safe Passage trip next Spring. He shared an Event/Activity record on the tables to capture details of events and activities to support goals and metrics recording for the club to report to the district. He listed the many projects in which the club has participated just since the beginning of the July 1 - June 30 Rotary year, and he's been capturing some of the data, but wants to make it as complete as possible.
Mik announced a change in gifts to the Foundation to be recognized immediately instead of at the end of the year.
Bob Rubin reported on Christmas Tree sales. He said the attitude and effort of the club was great, as well as the new gift shop aspect. He recognized Sandy Cox, Terry Bregy, Tim and Lisa Dresser, Barry King, Peter Berke, Etienne, Rodney Lynch, Bruce Malone, who has participated for more than 20 years, Steve Dailey, who unloaded 480 trees from the delivery truck, and has done so for many years, George Abendroth who covered at least 7 shifts, and Deborah and Ray Fink for the hut and marketing. Although the final figures are not available, gross sales are around $23,500. Last year was $20,160, so a good improvement. Net proceeds will be around $8,700 and are projected to be around $9,500 total by the end of the season. 10 trees were donated to the town of Rockport, with 10 wreaths, for economically challenged families. Trees were also donated to Hospitality House and wreaths to the Food Pantries.
Ray Fink brought much of the signage that was in the gift shop, and items that were donated, that contributed over $2200 toward the fundraising for tree sales. He encourages those on Facebook to "like" and "Share" the posts from the West Bay Rotary page.
Mark Coursey reported that the board approved donation requests reviewed in November by the Community Service Committee. $17,000 in requests were received and $7,000 will be distributed to various organizations at a meeting in January. Mary Sargent is seeking a matching grant, that required their grant be made before year-end, so that was awarded today to Ira Mandel.
Etienne provided an update on the Chili Challenge meeting held earlier this week. They are looking for 8 - 10 restaurants to supply 8.5 gallons of chili each, they have 3 or 4 committed already, including Quarry Hill, Marriners and the Sea Dog. The event will be held Saturday February 10 at the Sea Dog from 4:30p -7:30p and will cost $10 for 8 samples.
Jim Potter announced that the 2017 vocational scholarship recipients will be at the club next week.
Mac Pierce provided a piano performance of Angels we Have Heard on High and another non-holiday tune. Lincoln played Joy to the World and Ding Dong Merrily on High.
Suzanne Scott led us on the piano to sing carols, including Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Oh Christmas Tree, Blue Christmas, White Christmas,
and a Maine version of the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Wednesday the 28th at noon a group will be working to take down the tree lot at Maine Sport. Let Terry Bregy know if you can help.
Terry auctioned off a plate of Christmas cookies that Deborah Fink made. Marty Martens was the high bidder at $30.