For the first time since 1931, the Annual Conference for Rotary District 7810 is coming to Houlton. Starting June 1, Rotarians from 43 clubs across Northern Maine and New Brunswick will land in Southern Aroostook to share experiences and celebrate the successes born from their work in this international service organization.
Comprised of 1.2 million members who are leaders in their businesses, professions, and communities, Rotary has carried out the motto of “Service Above Self” across the globe for over a century. The world’s first service club — the Rotary Club of Chicago — was formed in 1905 by Paul P. Harris, an attorney who wished to capture in a professional club the same friendly spirit he knew in the small towns of his youth. Rotary’s popularity spread and within a decade clubs sprouted up across North America. Today, there are 32,000 clubs in nearly 200 countries.
Distict 7810 is but one group of clubs that are joined based on membership and geography. This district includes clubs from Calais to Fort Kent and from Grand Mananto Dalhousie, New Brunswick. In the past year, these clubs have worked under the guidance of District Governor Leigh Cummings of Houlton. Cummings, a former Houlton Postmaster, was selected for the position of district governor by other Rotarians across the region.
The District Conference will span three days filled with information about local service projects, as well as projects across the globe. Participants will hear from Rotarian and non-Rotarian speakers who have vast experience serving their communities. Chief of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Brenda Commander will be on hand to highlight how she has changed the position of the tribe through economic development and the correct positioning of social services. A representative appointed by the Rotary International President will also present. Anirudha Roy Chowdhury will offer a global perspective to the conference, exploring this year’s international theme of “Reaching Within to Embrace Humanity.”
In recent years, Rotary International and District 7810 have put a strong emphasis on promoting literacy at both a community and personal level. Sticking with this theme, the district has several authors slated to present their perspectives on literacy. Donn Fendler, author of Lost on a Mountain in Maine, will join Tim Caverly, author of books from the “Allagash Tails Collection,” to give Rotarians a glimpse at the struggles and successes that have come from writing literature geared to a younger audience.
Provincial Affairs Reporter for CBC News in New Brunswick, Jacques Poitras, will join Rotarians on Saturday. Poitras, author of Imaginary Line: Life on an Unfinished Border, will focus on the power of non-fiction and how life on the border of Canada and Maine has and will continue to present both struggles and opportunities for residents that make life in Aroostook and Washington counties and New Brunswick truly unique. All three authors will be at Cary Library in Houlton for book signings on Saturday, June 2nd. The signings are open to the public: Tim Caverly 9:30 a.m., Jacques Poitras 10:30 a.m., and Donn Fendler noon.
Along with hosting these regional authors and speakers, District Governor Leigh Cummings and the local club look forward to showcasing Houlton to nearly 200 Rotarians from across the region.
