Rotarians invited to University Day

    The April 14 guest speaker for the Presque Isle Rotary Club was Dr. Lisa Leduc, associate professor of criminal justice at the University of Maine at Presque Isle.     Leduc came to talk to Rotarian about the 7th annual University Day at UMPI held later in the week. University Day is an event meant to “heighten student awareness of the work being done by peers in terms of research and community service,” she said. The theme of this year’s event was “Building Global Respect: Our Environment and Ourselves.” More than 200 students will present their work during this event, which also included a Culturefest, and event-themed activities such as calculating participants’ ecological footprint.
    Regular classes will not be held so all students may attend. The evening program featured a keynote speech by Woodrow Wilson National Fellow Dr. Robert Musil. He is the former head of Physicians for Social Responsibility and a leader in the national peace, nuclear disarmament and environmental movements. His presentation was entitled, “Hope for a Heated Planet: You are the leaders we have been waiting for.”
    The guest speaker for April 7 was Wendy Bradstreet who gave an update on Megan’s Fund. She reported that the first ever Pediatric Neonatal Critical Care Transport course offered in New England occurred at NMCC in September of 2006. Eighteen individuals from Aroostook County were PNCCT certified!
    Monthly workshops focused on pediatrics were held throughout the County in 2007 thanks to a grant awarded to NMCC. As of December 2007, five individuals have traveled to Boston to complete four days of hands-on clinical experiences at Boston’s Children’s Hospital, according to Bradstreet. Training at simulation centers will begin when NMCC has completed its new Allied Health Simulation Lab (scheduled for Fall 2008).
    Bradstreet said many of the original goals of Megan’s Fund have been accomplished to date, however, there is still much left to be done. It is expensive to initiate and maintain the required level of training. It is very advanced and specialized and requires considerable commitment by all involved. In addition, more equipment is likely needed to enhance the services that can be provided locally.
    “Please consider helping Megan’s Fund in this very worthy endeavor,” said Bradstreet.
    Mark Putnam, chairperson for the upcoming Aroostook River Fun Run Canoe and Kayak Race, gave a report on the event during Rotary’s March 31 meeting. The Presque Isle Rotary Club is sponsoring this race in conjunction with the Washburn Rotary Club. Other members of the committee include Gretchen Morse, Charlie Beck, Keith Brown, Joe Clukey and representatives of the Wintergreen Arts Center.
    The race is scheduled for Saturday, May 31st and will be an 11-mile stretch between Washburn and Presque Isle. The Washburn Rotary Club will be hosting a breakfast on the morning of the race as well as handling the starting of the race. The race will start at 10 a.m. and most participants should be finished by 11:30 am. The race will take place rain or shine and is open to all ages. There will be prizes and T-shirts given out.
    All of the net proceeds will benefit the Wintergreen Arts Center. Putnam asked for support from Rotarians with the event by volunteering to work, donating items, participating in the race or coming to watch the race.
    In other business, Rotarians welcomed the club’s newest member, Mike Quinlan.