PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Rotarians from throughout northern and eastern Maine and the province of New Brunswick will gather in Presque Isle on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 26 and 27, 2016, for the annual Rotary International District 7810 Conference.
More than 100 members of the international service organization’s district representing 40 clubs are expected to converge on the Star City during the weekend of the Crown of Maine Balloon Festival. The two-day affair will feature a golf tournament, banquets, area tours and several learning sessions on issues of importance to the Rotary movement.
The event is being held in Presque Isle this year because it is the location of the home club of recently installed District Governor Virginia “Ginny” Joles. The longtime County leader, who officially assumed her duties July 1, will serve in the top post through the end of June 2017. She is excited about the opportunity to convene the gathering.
“It has been a decade since our District Conference was last held in Maine, when my fellow Presque Isle Rotarian Brett Varnum served as District Governor in 2005-2006,” said Joles. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to again bring fellow Rotarians from both sides of the border together for fellowship in The County. It could not come at a better time of year as the skies over Presque Isle will be filled with beauty during the 13th annual Crown of Maine Balloon Festival.”
Joles and planners from several central Aroostook County clubs have put together a full program of events. Presque Isle Rotarian Floyd Rockhold, conference chair and assistant district governor for Area 1, said attendees will enjoy the best of what Aroostook County has to offer in late summer, as well as informative presenters, local entertainers, and even a taste of some of northern Maine’s favorite regional and cultural fare.
“We have a great weekend of events planned,” said Rockholt. “In addition to spending time in learning sessions featuring some excellent Rotary speakers and our outstanding keynote speaker, Maurice Henri of Cameras for Healing, conference attendees will have the opportunity to play a round of golf, tour the area on Molly the Trolley, experience local dishes during the two banquets we have planned, and be treated to a performance by the Presque Isle Community Players.”
Festivities will kick off Aug. 26 with a golf tournament at the Presque Isle Country Club and an evening birthday gala celebration dinner at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, honoring the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Foundation, which is Rotary’s charitable giving organization that provides support for humanitarian causes close to home and around the globe.
Saturday, Aug. 27, will feature registration, opening ceremonies and learning sessions on membership, public relations, youth engagement and other topics. Other activities will include a guided area tour on Molly the Trolley and luncheon for spouses and guests of Rotarians hosted by Jerry Joles, Ginny Joles’ husband; a memorial service remembering fellow Rotarians who have passed away; and the opportunity for attendees to visit the “Rotary House of Friendship,” which serves as a place for Rotarians to connect to learn more about each other and the area hosting the conference.
Among the highlights of the day will be the keynote address by Moncton, New Brunswick-based Cameras for Healing Founder Maurice Henri.
Henri, a professional photographer, started the not-for-profit, volunteer organization in 2002, initially as an art workshop to help cancer patients and survivors deal with the pain and stress of the illness. Since then, he and volunteers have criss-crossed many parts of the world to reach out to people dealing with very difficult situations.
“Through Cameras for Healing, participants have developed self-confidence, a sense of pride and self-worth in a climate of trust,” said Henri. “Cameras for Healing has brought hope to people living in developing countries, and the means to make positive changes in their lives and in their communities. It has also worked with at-risk youth in our community to help them connect and has offered positive role models to help reshape their view of their world.”
Henri’s presentation, immediately following lunch, will be followed by additional learning sessions and a District business meeting.
Saturday evening banquet will take place in the Campus Center at UMPI. The dinner will feature an address by Stella Roy of Halifax, a former Rotary District Governor in Nova Scotia, and the presentation of District Awards. The night will conclude with a presentation by the Presque Isle Community Players.
“Our outstanding planning committee has put together a great weekend of events and we encourage local area Rotary Club members on both sides of the border to join us,” said Joles. “This event will not only be a great opportunity for the Rotary family to come together, but it will bring visitors to the area, who will stay in area hotels and shop in local stores.”
Among those visitors will be Bob Scott of Cobourg, Ontario, who was born and raised in Edinburgh, Scotland, and will bring greetings from 2016-2017 Rotary International President John Germ.
For more information on the conference, including a full schedule of events and downloadable registration form, visit the conference website at http://www.rotary7810conf.org/.
