A Visit from Rotary District Governor, Emma Bodwell
By Vicki Haugen
This week our Rotary Club of Boothbay Harbor welcomed our District Governor, Emma Bodewell. Emma has been a member of the Bridgton Lake Region Rotary Club since 1998. Although she initially joined to meet people in her community, she has stayed because she loves everything about Rotary! She is extremely passionate about being involved in the international side of Rotary and Rotary in general.
She offered ten points of interest, “SPARKS” that support the foundation of all we get from and can give of being active Rotarians.
- We “Unite for Good” as the presidential message of 2025-26 focuses our works and energies to collaborate and to multiply our impact!
- Spark number 2, to remember the power of stories that embolden our reasons to be. One such story highlighted a 17-year youth stuck alone at an airport needing assistance. A Rotary member from NH called Emma in Maine who contacted persons in Florida and Colombia to keep this young person safe and housed overnight to return home the next day. It’s all about connection and collaboration and serving for a good end!
- Remember Rotary is family. As Emma believes we come to serve but we stay to belong to Rotary Family. Where those who care and build life-long friendships.
- Share the stories you know and experience to invite and educate others about Rotary. For example, we in Boothbay Harbor share our program and minutes in the local Boothbay Register to give others a view of what we are doing and when.
- Engage and track FUN! Emma will be following the work of individual clubs and giving “Gold Stars” for things such as a way to increase membership or add new projects.
- District Governor initiative to highlight worldwide Rotary membership opportunities such as scholarships to attend programs local and international.
- People are busy so know your members. They are more than just names on a roster, and we want to secure a culture of belonging and welcome.
- The power of belonging is what makes us stay involved despite how busy we may get. And having others reach out to check if we are OK when we have been away.
- Don’t forget the FUN FACTOR and enjoy games and prizes such a “presidential dunk-tanks! or horse races, or scavenger hunts.
- And finally reach out beyond your club, as a wider reach builds togetherness and together, we share possibilities and family belonging.
Our President Laurie Zimmerli shared that our club continues efforts to refine and define how we can better run the Rotary Barn with pick-up service and Saturday sales. Rotarians wishing to help with barn pickups can now come on Monday at 1pm to join in as well as on Saturdays. So, join the pick up crew Monday at 1:00 pm and/or Saturday morning. We'll meet, look over the list, make a plan together, then fan out to the homes of our fabulous neighbors who donate items for the Rotary Barn.
Next week we will be honored to hear a Classification Talk from Phil Kemp and Melody Rees. If you haven’t yet heard a sharing on how a person’s life experience and work brought them to Rotary it is a really fun time.
We thanked Linda Foster for preparing all that was needed for the “Set for Success” initiative for this fall. As well as we thanked Judi White and her partner, Rick, for making and serving a wonderful meal. Everything was so delicious. Don't forget you too can take a turn being the Rotary Club Chef of the week. Just let Laurie know.
The Girl Scout troop selling coffee and baked goods on Saturday morning at the Rotary Barn had a very successful and fun summer, reported Foster Stroup. They are now busy with school and sports teams, but hopefully will be back next summer. It was such fun having them at the Barn on Saturday. But, “Action for Animals” is back selling coffee and goodies again. They raise money to help pet owners care for their animals.
Bill Prince said the Bike Program helped around 95 summer workers get to their jobs, shopping and other chores this summer. Thank you Bike Crew for the hard work involved in maintaining all those hikes. Glad you found a good sofa to rest on between bikes. Where did you find it?
The Rotary Barn is open every Saturday from 8:30 to 11:00 thanks to the generosity of this amazing community we live in. We love your donations of furniture, boats, dishes, pots/pans, collectibles, art, even a car this year. Just call 207-619-1417 to make pick up or drop off plans.
We meet every Thursday at 6pm at our Clubhouse, 66 Montgomery Rd Boothbay Harbor, Me 04538 for dinner, fellowship and a program. We are a diverse, welcoming group of neighbors interested in “Service Above Self”, but also fun and friendship. Join us, you'll be glad you did.
