Alice Mutch, chairing her first meeting as president, called the July 12 meeting to order with a special announcement: The previous week, Irene Fowle had been named Rotarian of the Year – in absentia! After a year totally committed to club activities, Irene missed the meeting where she was to be lauded – oh well! Irene was probably out doing Rotary stuff. Anyway, on the second go-around she was at hand to receive a well-deserved standing ovation for her service to the club and the community.

The meeting was devoted to hearing from our six members who attended the Rotary International Convention late last month in Toronto. Just over 25,000 Rotarians from around the world were part of the crowd – Deb Graves talked about how special it was to be part of a crowd that size, all there for the same reason – because they want to make the world a better place.

Deb (who was attending her first Rotary Convention) said that the opening ceremony was “Olympic-quality.” Marty Helman expanded on that, and said that the dancing, acrobatics, music and lights were remarkable. The opening ceremony culminated –as it does at all major Rotary International events – with a flag presentation in which the flags of all 190 member countries in Rotary International were carried in. Marty added that the plenary sessions were held in the Air Canada arena which is where the Maple Leafs play, and that it was really cool to do the wave – and sing “YMCA” -- in a raked arena with so many like-minded people.

Frank Helman spoke of the plenary speakers at the event, who included Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Canada); Princess Anne (Britain); former First Lady Laura Bush (U.S.); former Prime Minister Helen Clark (New Zealand); and Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the WHO. The Rotarians also heard via video from the Jovenel Moïse, the president of Haiti, who announced that Rotary and his country have signed an agreement to bring clean water to everyone in Haiti by the year 2032. This will be a huge endeavor but will go far to change the future of that country.

Ingrid Merrill (also attending her first Rotary Convention) enjoyed break-out sessions on what Rotary is doing to prepare for a world when polio is completely eradicated. Polio eradication has been Rotary’s prime focus for several generations, and now, on the brink of eradication, the question is: What can Rotary offer that is unique? Ingrid also came away sure that the future of Rotary depends on how well we do in pulling in Rotaractors (Rotary’s young adult group) and other young professionals. Ingrid reported that a recent survey suggests that youth are frequently not aware of Rotary’s reach and, in particular, the local work that we do, and that the answer seems to be to do a better job of sharing our story.

Ann Demeranville spent time in the “House of Friendship,” a huge trade show with several hundred booths promoting projects and fellowship. She was particularly interested in making connections for Wrap-a-Smile, the international quilting group she heads that makes comfort quilts for children undergoing Rotary-sponsored surgeries, and she also spent time networking in the halls and during lunch. The theme of networking was carried on by Steve Demeranville, who mentioned a connection he made between Shelterbox and the NATO commander at a previous Rotary Convention back in 2011, and how it is still paying dividends today. He said that Shelterbox can be effective in emergencies while other charities are still figuring it out, because on-the-ground logistics is organized by local Rotarians.

All the Boothbay Harbor Rotarians had a wonderful time at the Convention and heartily recommend the experience – and the club will help underwrite first-timers. In June 2019, the Convention will be in Hamburg, Germany; the year after that it will be in Honolulu.

In Auction activities, the pickups continue. Deb and Laurie Zimmerli announced that the barn is full (!) and that we will now be taking things to the storage area at the Small Mall. Meanwhile, Seth Hedgecock is organizing a “bike party” to fix up old bikes to sell.

This week, July 19, our new District Governor, John LoBosco and his wife Sue will be our guests. The following week, July 26, will be devoted to final Auction plans, with the big event taking place the weekend of August 3-4.

In other Rotary news, our District Grant was approved and the club will be receiving $5000 in Rotary Foundation funds to help with the playground project. Cy Seifert’s service will be held at the Congregational Church at 11 on Aug. 16, and that afternoon we will work on the playground. followed by supper at the elementary school (in lieu of a meeting at the Clubhouse).

Interested in Rotary and what we do? Are you a “visiting Rotarian” who would like to check out our club? We meet Thursday evenings at the Rotary Clubhouse, 66 Montgomery Avenue, Boothbay Harbor. The action gets underway by 6:00 p.m.; the bell rings and dinner is served at 6:30. Visitors and guests are always welcome!