July 5, 2018 Meeting of West Bay Rotary

Buckets on the table are for the backpack program.

Mary begins her first meeting as president by introducing our speaker Greg Dugal from Hospitality Industry. This focuses on Maine Innkeeper Association, government affairs, Maine Restaurant Association and legislation and marketing.

Maine Innkeepers Association’s education mission raised 27,000 for habitat last year. The above groups will join to form Hospitality Maine by the end of summer, 1100 members. The Industry monitors work force development with recent statistics showing lodging was up in 2016 by 10.2%, 2017 by 7.2% in Maine, but down 5.5% in Camden 2018. Maine restaurants earned 2.6 billion in 2016.

Some legislative successes this year were tip credit reinstatement, lodging tax stays 9%, workforce needs and changes to 14/15 year old labor laws and taxation of short term rental platforms (airbnb) in addition to permanent rentals. Current issues are focused on labor shortages, workforce issues, educational opportunities, geographic wage pressure (60%) tipped wage, H2B and J-1 Visa workers (an immediate crisis). What currently is trending is micro breweries, wineries, local food (farms), smart phone orientation and stricter cancellation policies. Greg supports the cruise ship industry but feels it should be well monitored.

Past District Governor, Debra Walters invites Rotarians to join her on a Guatemala Insight Tour, January 26 – February 2, 2019. Guests will tour areas where clean water and sanitation projects were completed. The program has partnered with ALDEA and you will be able to see the effects of the partnership as you visit Mayan Villages. For more information, please email dr.deb.walters@gmail.com.

Mik completed award presentation from Friday evening's dinner.

Committee reports:

Leamon – Boats, Homes and Harbors Aug 10-12, signup sheet is out, please indicate T shirt size (this year’s color is a bit Teal) and attach your cell phone number to list as you sign up.

Etienne - Foundation – West Bay’s per capita giving came in second in the district. (Ellsworth came in first)

Mary reported the we were successful in enlisting in the Amazon Smile Program! We are now an organization you can choose to donate to, look for Rotary Club of West Bay.

Kristen stated quarterly invoices are out and are due by end of the month.

Next Week’s speaker: Charles Nethersole, Experience on the Leopard.