Rotary Log for March 5, 2020
The meeting was run to order in typical Rotary fashion. Greeter Judy Lotto led us with a very uplifting and inspirational prayer. Go through your day with faith, trust, love and a great attitude!
Guests.
Andrea Herold brought her co-worker Melissa Lockhart.
Ed Miller, Barb’s husband, was on hand.
Soon- to-be Rotarian John Sullivan came as Justin Finn’s guest.
Nicole Clark introduced her invitee David McMahon.
Fines.
Today’s speaker, Jill Gravink, was previously bumped for presidential candidates three separate times.
As a result, Fine master Neal Ouellett decided to fine speaker chair James Petersen.
Fines were also given out to anyone traveling internationally to China or Italy due to the current coronavirus epidemic. Neal called out Leo Gagnon and Jon Flagg for being math challenged at the board meeting. So, $5 dollar fines were given out to all people on the “math committee.”
Announcements.
Every week a representative of one of our many committees will give a “Committee minute.” Nicole Clark presented a Communication Committee update. She asked us to follow Portsmouth Rotary club on Facebook and Instagram. Nicole then shared a heart-warming Facebook review from someone who bought a Christmas tree from Vice President Jon.
There are a lot of March Rotary babies! Happy Birthday to all of them! We also congratulated people on their Rotary anniversaries for a combined 206 years of service. The 50/50 raffle was drawn for $45 with a $25 bonus. Walter Liff won, but unfortunately there was no match. Back into the pot for next week!
The program.
Neal introduced our speaker Jill Gravink, Founder and Executive Director of Northeast Passage. Northeast Passage's mission is three-fold. First, it seeks to empower people living with disabilities, both visible and invisible. Second, they attempt to define, pursue and achieve whole life health, community engagement and fulfillment through the purposeful use of sports and recreation involvement. Finally, Northeast passage endeavors to develop and promote best practices in the fields of Therapeutic Recreation and Adaptive Sports.
Jill started NEP more than 30 years ago as a small private nonprofit. In 2000, after years of successful collaboration, NEP was approached by University of New Hampshire. The Dean of the college of Health and Human services asked if NEP was willing to merge. The goal was to develop a service branch to give students a living lab. NEP now has a staff of 20, a $2 million-dollar budget and last year worked with more than 900 clients. UNH covers 30% of the budget allowing all donations to go directly to programs.
Jill shared many heart-warming stories; one was about a client named Ed. Ed found NEP while taking his grandchildren ice skating one day and seeing them at the rink. He had a spinal injury which made many physical activities difficult. Ed regained his sense of identity through NEP as they taught him how to ride a bike. Recently, Ed cycled through the White Mountains from Crawford Notch to Franconia. Thanks to NEP, he is now able to participate in activities with his wife, an avid runner and cyclist.
NEP’s youngest client is three years old and the oldest is a 96-year-old World War II veteran. The organization has produced seven Olympians, five on the sled hockey team. In fact, NEP’s top tier sled hockey team is #1 in the country. Their mid-level team has gone undefeated this season.
The organization serves clients within a two-hour distance of Durham, but offers workshops beyond that radius.
Altogether NEP is a great organization doing amazing work in our community.
Respectfully submitted, Madeline Warren
Photos by Tube Loch
