Rotary Recap – April 24, 2026
- Scarlet shines as our Student of the Month, sharing her experience at the Maine State House
- “Four on the 4th” returns with a NEW 1-mile Fun Run—volunteers needed!
- Thoughtful discussion on leadership and supporting future Rotary presidents
Rotary Recap – April 24, 2026
President Darcy called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m., beginning with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the Six-Way Test.
We were pleased to welcome our Student of the Month, Scarlet, who joined us with her parents, Mike and Evangeline, and her sisters, Irish and Opal—especially notable as her sister was our January Student of the Month!
Darcy shared that she has received feedback from approximately 14 members regarding the Car with a Cause survey and will keep the survey open until our next meeting. She also reminded members about the upcoming Rotary Member Meetup on Thursday, April 30 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Joe’s Restaurant. Members are encouraged to bring a friend—and any empty pickle jars (please let Darcy know how many you can contribute!).
Important Reminder: There will be no morning meeting next Friday (April 30) due to the evening meetup.
Cindy provided an update on Four on the 4th. Along with Susan and Eric, she has been working closely with Heather on promotions. New this year, a 1-mile Fun Run will be held at the track on July 3, open to all participants (registration is available through York Parks & Recreation website). A student-designed event t-shirt is also in the works, with an exciting new design to be unveiled soon. Volunteers will be needed for both July 3 and 4—this is always a fun and rewarding event, so please consider helping out!
Darcy also noted that Car with a Cause jumbo postcards are available for members to share, highlighting last year’s fundraising impact and providing details on how to purchase tickets.
Looking ahead:
- May 5: Cinco de Mayo gathering at Darcy’s home to discuss collaboration opportunities between Footprints and Mainspring. All are welcome—please RSVP. (Tacos and margaritas will be served!)
- May 20: The United Recovery Fund has invited members to attend an upcoming event, with three open spots available (see this week’s email for details).
- May 29–31: District Celebration
- May 15: Mid-month meeting location TBD (stay tuned)
- May 22: Casual meeting ahead of Memorial Day weekend featuring Donate for Life and Susan as our speaker. It was noted that our club has been deeply impacted by successful transplants affecting Susan, Cindy, Russ, and Darcy’s families
Happy Dollars brought plenty of smiles:
- Eric welcomed Scarlet and celebrated his upcoming 50th birthday
- Cindy shared excitement for Student of the Month, Teacher Appreciation Week, and an upcoming wedding
- Brad was happy to see sunshine
- Larry celebrated Scarlet and his wife’s return from the relays
- Mike, Tim, and several others shared appreciation for Scarlet
- Duncan shared that he will attend a graduation ceremony on May 16 in Massachusetts for a family member whose work is related to a groundbreaking pancreatic cancer treatment
- John reflected on Scarlet and her sisters, noting their artistic inspiration
- Darcy recognized the District’s Foundation matching challenge with a donation to the Foundation in honor of the Student of the Month
We then officially recognized Scarlet as our Student of the Month. She recently visited the State House, where she had the opportunity to learn more about Maine’s government and meet public officials. Scarlet shared that English is her favorite subject and expressed appreciation for her teacher, Mrs. Rothwell, who nominated her. She has chosen the YSCA as her charity of choice. This summer, Scarlet will take center stage as Matilda in the Hackmatack Playhouse production of Matilda—congratulations and best of luck!
Next, Susan and Jackie led an inspiring conversation titled "Help Shape the Next Chapter of our Club," focusing on the rewarding path to becoming a Rotary Club President. The presentation reframed leadership not as a solo burden, but as a collaborative team effort supported by board members and past presidents. By highlighting the chance to make a real impact and "bring ideas to life," Susan and Jackie encouraged members to view the role as a unique opportunity for personal growth and leadership development. They also addressed common misconceptions with encouraging data, noting that 50% of President-Elects actually have four or fewer years of experience in Rotary. Ultimately, the session served as a vital call to action to prevent "loss of momentum" and ensure our club continues to thrive, inviting everyone to shift their mindset from "Why me?" to "Why not me—with support?".
Following the presentation, Susan led a thoughtful group exercise focused on leadership and succession planning. Members were asked to reflect on:
- What past or current presidents have done particularly well
- What might discourage someone from stepping into a leadership role
- How our club can better support and encourage future leaders
The discussion sparked meaningful insights as we continue working together to strengthen our club for the future.
At the conclusion of the discussion, Susan asked members to write down one or more names on a small, anonymous slip of paper of individuals they believe would make a strong incoming president.
Overall, it was a thoughtful and engaging meeting filled with meaningful discussion, connection, and a shared commitment to the future of our club. We always welcome guests and prospective members—if you’re interested in learning more about what we do and the impact we make in our community, we invite you to join us at an upcoming meeting!