PRESQUE ISLE — In an effort to accommodate busy schedules for current and potential members, the Presque Isle Rotary Club has established its very first satellite club — the Thursday Morning Make-Up Club. An extension of the main club that meets at noon on Mondays at the Northeastland Hotel, this satellite group meets every Thursday at 7 a.m. at Governor’s Restaurant. All are invited to join the club at either meeting.
“We created a satellite club to provide another alternative for people who cannot attend lunch meetings, but still want to be involved with Rotary and service in the community,” said Rotary President Scott Violette. “Tony Sullivan from Governor’s generously donates the space where our Thursday Morning Make-Up Club meets. It costs a dollar to attend the meeting, and then each individual decides if they want to purchase their own breakfast.”
The satellite club began as a pilot project in the late spring with just a few people in attendance and has since grown to about 10-15 participants during an average week. Rotary Club Second Vice President Gina LeBlanc-Eggert is chairing this effort and has been instrumental in providing the satellite club with a smooth transition during its start-up and first months of operation. In addition, several past Presque Isle Rotary Club presidents have stepped up to help coordinate the meetings.
The morning club is less program-driven and meetings are often smaller, intimate gatherings, but those who attend the Thursday Morning club still have service projects and work on other projects with the main club, such as the auction and golf tournament. Right now, the club does not maintain its own officers or board, but could if it continues to grow. New or prospective Rotarians can attend and eventually join through the satellite club after going through the same induction process as the main club.
True to its name, the satellite club also provides Presque Isle Rotarians and those from other clubs with an early morning opportunity to make up meetings that they have missed.
Similar satellite clubs have been established in a few spots around the District 7810 area, which includes northern Maine and New Brunswick, so Presque Isle Rotary Club leadership decided to give the idea a try.
“Our hope is to increase the membership of the club while increasing our exposure in the community so that Rotary can continue to provide positive change in our community,” Violette said.
Anyone who is interested in learning more about Rotary and its ideals can visit www.PresqueIsleRotary.org or contact any Rotarian.
Contributed photo
NEW ROTARIAN — The Presque Isle Rotary Club recently inducted its newest member, John DeFelice of the University of Maine at Presque Isle, during a Thursday Morning Make-Up Club meeting. Pictured are, from left, Past President Ginny Joles, DeFelice, and Second Vice President Gina LeBlanc-Eggert.
