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Top of the Week March 18 2020
 
Top of the Week!
March 18, 2020
 
 
Virtual Meetings Are the New Normal (at least for now)
 
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent recommendations on large gatherings President Leo Gagnon is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. 

Topic: Portsmouth Rotary Club Weekly Meeting
Time: Mar 19, 2020 12:15 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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https://us04web.zoom.us/j/279493038?pwd=TnI4WkI0SmhxKzAxRDlxVzBDaUZiQT09

Meeting ID: 279 493 038
Password: 059507

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Portsmouth 100 Ramping Up
 
Less than three years to our club’s 100th Anniversary and the Committee is ramping up.  Click the link below for more information about this exciting event.
 
 
 
Helping Cross Roads House in These Trying Times
 
Some of the ways you can still help at Crossroads:
 
• Meal Preparation - Prepare food in your home and drop it off at the shelter. This includes both dinner entrees and bagged lunches. Whether we provide the ingredients and pans, or you do, this will help us to continue serving residents three meals a day when volunteers are unable to come into the shelter. Please contact our volunteer coordinator, Kristina Siegenthaler, at k.siegenthaler@crossroadshouse.org,  or 603.436.2218 ext. 107, for more information.
 
• Donations of Food and Supplies - Donations of food items and supplies from our “Wish List” are greatly appreciated at this time. You can view our “Wish List” online at www.crossroadshouse.org/donations/wish-list. Donations can be dropped off at the shelter at any time, or you can shop our Amazon.com Wish List (http://a.co/gOnxxkK) from the comfort of your home and have items delivered to the shelter.
 
• Monetary Support - Our annual “Benefit by the Sea” fundraiser has been posted to August 29, 2020. This event provides funding for nearly 30% of our shelter operating budget. Now more than ever we need your help to ensure we can continue serving some of our most vulnerable neighbors. If you are able, click the link below to make a donation today. The gift you give today will make a tremendous difference for the families and individuals who rely on Cross Roads House to make it through this difficult period.
 
 
 
She has moved away but you can still Make Peg’s Day!
 
Dear Fellow Rotarians:
 
Our dear Peg Millar has moved (at least temporarily) to be closer to her son, but would still like to keep in touch with all of her Rotary friends.  Peg would love to receive cards or other correspondence.  Her address is:  Peg Millar, Harbor Chase, 4150 Indian River Blvd Vero Beach, FL 32967.
 
Thank you from Rotary Connections Committee
 
 
Sorry We Missed You
 
If you have a makeup for a missed meeting, please email it to the following link:
 
 
The makeup policy has changed recently, so you can use makeups beyond the former two week limit.
 
 
Rotary Connections is back!!!
 
Rotary Connections let’s our members know that their Rotary club is thinking of them.  Members facing a health issue, death in the family or a life celebration, we are here!  
 
If you know of any of our members who may need a Rotary Connections, please reach out to the Cathy Nickerson.
 
 
Rotary Teams Up with Toastmasters
 
Anyone looking to hone their speaking skills should check out the link below to see how Rotary and Toastmasters is teaming up to foster the next generation of leaders.
 
 
 
Rotary Dinner Service the Salvation Army
 
At this time, dinner service at the Salvation Army is ongoing.  Rotary dinner services at the Salvation Army is a great way to support the community and enjoy some fellowship outside of our regular meetings.
 
If you want get in on the fun, contact Sara Treacy at 603-661-8588.
 
Volunteers are asked to be at the kitchen at 4:15 to prepare for the dinner service.
 
 
 
PHA Volunteer Coordination
 
Mary Kelliher, Volunteer Coordinator at the Portsmouth Housing Authority forwarded the following:
 
“I'm reaching out regarding a recurring volunteer opportunity that has sprung at two of our resident building. We now hold a coffee hour at our Margeson building on Mondays at 10am and at Feaster on Thursdays at 10am. These are opportunities for residents to get out of their apartments and spend time in a communal space to have a treat together. We'd love to have volunteers sign up for a particular day or recurring days to bring donuts, pastries, and/or fruit (coffee is provided) if anyone would like to do so! This is an easy opportunity to also chat with our resident population, as well. Each building also has a piano, waiting for anyone with a passion for it to play during coffee hour as well!!
 
Let Mary know if anyone might be interested.
 
 
 
AmeriCorps Seeks Rotary Volunteers 
 
Mary Kelliher is the Volunteer Coordinator for AmeriCorps working out of Portsmouth Housing's Greenleaf Recreation Center with the Resident Services team which assists low-income residents, senior residents, and residents with disabilities in finding resources for different needs, such as budgeting, financial literacy, transportation, etc. Mary and AmeriCorps is seeking volunteers who would be willing to volunteer. One example of a volunteer opportunity is assisting an older female resident who lives alone in moving heavy furniture (strong people needed!) into and from a UHaul during her planned move from her Feaster apartment to Connor's Cottage. If there are any volunteers intersted in lending a hand please contact Mary at maryk@nh-pha.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Read more...
District Corner
DISTRICT CORNER
 
District 7780 Corona Virus, March 14, 2020 Update
Today’s news is all about…
RYLA!
 
Good morning Dennis!
 
Currently, we are still planning on holding our 2020 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program at Camp Hinds in Raymond, Maine. If we can pull this off, this will be our 30th annual RYLA program!
 
For our campers, RYLA begins on Sunday morning June 28th and runs to Wednesday, July 1st. This will be a week later than usual; it’s about four months away.
 
Of course, we will all be monitoring the Covid-19 Coronavirus situation. If or when holding this event appears to be untenable, we will promptly let you know.
 
In the meantime, clubs should continue to find, interview, and select student participants.
 
 
This highly lauded program is designed to enhance self confidence, communication skills, and leadership skills in the next generation of innovative leaders. It is for students who have completed their sophomore year of high school.
 
As you interview and select your potential campers, please be aware of the current need for social distancing.  Clubs may need to adjust to using methods other than face to face or group meetings - but that is a club decision. 
 
When you notify your student campers that they have been selected to attend RYLA, please advise them that they will soon receive a welcome package from RYLA via email. The welcome package will include the medical forms and other paperwork that is required to attend.
 
 
Then, (important step) register your selected students at the RYLA portal (https://ryla7780.org/).
 
Kindly note that our RYLA staff does not find, interview, and accept students; you (clubs) do that!
 
 
Fyi, if you need assistance with raising the level of enthusiasm in your school(s) re RYLA, highly motivated RYLA alumni guest speakers are available.
 
 
Please keep your RYLA attendee selections’ registration information readily available, in case you need to notify them re any postponement or cancellation. The RYLA team and your District Governor Team will keep you (your club) posted.
 
Currently, Camp Hinds and our RYLA team have the infrastructure to accommodate up to 144 campers. Demand usually exceeds availability.
 
We will keep registration open until we have a full camp, however, the sooner you are able to register your students the better chance they have of being in the 140. Please push to have your campers identified and registered by mid-April, if possible.
 
 
District 7780 Corona Virus Update as of March 12, 2020
 
Key points:
  • Our New Generations (Interact) Conference is POSTPONED until fall (was scheduled for Saturday, March 21st)
  • Current feedback to me is that most clubs are cancelling public events.
  • Current feedback to me is that some clubs are cancelling club meetings.
 
Hello fellow Rotarians.
 
If you missed my email to you titled "District 7780 Coronavirus Update as of March 11, 2020" sent to you yesterday (Wednesday) at 5:00 AM, please locate it and read it.
 
This is an outstanding opportunity for us as Rotarians to reach out and be supportive of our neighbors and of our communities. Many of our extended community family, particularly those who are elderly and those with immunity issues or otherwise vulnerable, may find themselves isolated, alone, and perhaps frightened. Please do your best to assist as many others in need as you can.
 
Thank you very much,
for your concern, and for all you do!
Andy
 
Rotary Log for  March 12 2020
Rotary Log for March 12, 2020
 
President-Elect Jon Flagg opened the meeting. We pledged allegiance. Aileen Dugan led us in singing “God Bless America,” Charles Bourdage’s invocation was short and sweet.
 
Jon sported a bright blue polo shirt, a souvenir of the President Elect Training (PET) conference he recently attended. While PET was useful in its own right, Jon noted that it also displayed high regard that other Rotarians have for our Portsmouth Rotary Club. Very gratifying news. But also humbling, because we stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us. Our obligation is to pass it forward.
 
GUESTS
 
Nicole Clark hosted guest David McMahon. John Rice’s son Thomas was here all the way from Barrington Passage, Nova Scotia.  Does anyone know where that is?
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
 
Dave Underhill passed out a printed sheet outlining the goals of our Portsmouth 100 (Anniversary) committee. Members can offer feedback and/or attend the April 22 planning meeting. Contact Dave or Mort Schmidt.
 
 
Francois Meissner asked for donations of clothes on April 2 for Friends in Action. The organization helps young people with disabilities.
 
 
The $35 raffle was won by Nancy Notis. No bonus match ensued.
 
GUEST SPEAKER
 
Rick Wallis introduced our guest speaker, Russ Grazier, Jr. Russ is CEO of the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center (PMAC).
 
PMAC is a 501© (3) nonprofit community music and visual arts school. Its mission is to build community through the arts by providing all people with the opportunity to achieve their creative potential. A challenge they undertake regardless of age, ability or economic status. To do so, PMAC offers high quality music and visual arts education programs. In addition, the organization creates ensemble, performance and exhibition opportunities.
 
 
Ten years ago, when Russ and Katie Grazier founded PMAC, it had only ten students. Today 800-1,000 students are enrolled in various programs. About 20% are adults, including some of our own Rotarians.
 
Currently PMAC has three major initiatives. (1) Reach underserved population segments by subsidizing partnerships with the local housing authority and library. (2) Catalyze interest among older people. (3) Address gender bias in musical instrument selection.
 
Russ elaborated on the positive role that the management style of “Radical Candor” has on PMAC’s mission. He explained that Radical Candor characterizes how managers interact with other people. Viewed as an X-Y grid, the X-axis reflects how much (or little) managers care about their people. The spectrum ranges from “Silence” to “Directly Challenging,” as in constructive feedback. The Y-axis reflects how much (or little) managers care about their mission(s.) This spectrum ranges from “Disconnected and not caring” to “Caring”.
 
The ideal location on the grid is the quadrant reflecting managers who deeply care about both their people and their missions. That is the Radical Candor location. Russ wants all PMAC’s associates to embody those qualities.
 
 
A special treat was a talented singing performance by PMAC student Gretchen Greene. Ms. Greene is a Jeremy Alex Scholarship recipient. This has provided her a full scholarship for one-on-one voice education and participation in PMAC’s ensembles. Thanks go to Past President Ted Alex for his effective generosity!
 
Nearly half of PMAC’s revenues come from contributions. Russ concluded his talk by thanking the Portsmouth Rotary Club and several of its individual members for their generous support.
 
Respectfully Submitted, Richard Greulich
Photos by Sara Treacy
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
New Members Photos
To see photos of our new members click on the following link:
 
http://portsmouthrotary.org/PhotoAlbums/new-member-photos-welcome
Upcoming Events
New Members Orientation
Aileen Dugan State Farm Agency
Mar 26, 2020
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
 
New Members Orientation
Aileen Dugan State Farm Agency
Apr 07, 2020
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
 
Basic Needs Committee Meeting
Infinite Imaging
Apr 08, 2020 8:00 AM –
Apr 29, 2021 9:00 AM
 
Communications Committee Meeting
Portsmouth Country Club
Apr 09, 2020
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
New Members Orientation
Aileen Dugan State Farm Agency
Apr 23, 2020
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
 
Salvation Army Soup Kitchen
Salvation Army
Apr 29, 2020
4:00 PM – 6:15 PM
 
View entire list
Sponsors
Interested in being a sponsor?
Download the website sponsorship guide
Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
ClubRunner Mobile
Photo Albums
Feb 12, 2020: PMAC Presents
C. 2020 Rotary Club of Portsmouth, PO Box 905 Portsmouth NH 03801
Email: portsmouthnhrotary@yahoo.com. www.portsmouthrotary.org.
eBulletin Editor: John Rice