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PHOTO: Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club President Jessica Putnam and Mike Jewell, of Kismet Rock Foundation, a March 24 guest speaker. (Submitted photo)
BRIDGTON — After nearly two years exclusively on Zoom, the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club is adapting well to the hybrid option when the majority of members are meeting in person.
“Each meeting the hybrid option is working better and better,” Jessica Putnam, BLRR president said. She noted that at the most recent meeting there were three speakers – two in person and one virtual. “About 12 Rotarians and guests attended the meeting in person at Stella’s on the Square. Another six attended virtually. We are making it work, even with slide shows and speakers both in person and virtually.”
The benefit of the hybrid meeting is that members who are out of town, checking in from work, or not comfortable meeting indoors in-person can participate. “And those choosing the fellowship that in-person gatherings affords are able to do that as well,” Putnam said. “We are excited that it is working so well.”
On March 24, representatives from Kismet Rock Foundation, which nourishes the physical, intellectual and emotional development of rural and urban children in New England, were guest speakers. Founder Mike Jewell talked about the impact the program has on children. The foundation’s success in redirecting the path and supporting the potential of children is accomplished by providing scholarships for a comprehensive education in technical rock climbing within the context of a stable and loving family-like atmosphere. Twelve and 13-year-olds come into the program for a one-week intense learning and loving family-like setting. They then return with the same youngsters for the next three years. They become a family.
Ara Morton, program manager, and Krissy Fraser, recently appointed as executive director, also spoke about the foundation’s accomplishments and fundraising efforts.
The club, with help from “King of Zoom” George Szok, Skip Sullivan, and Nick Orgo, who bought a large monitor to use for Zoom, are making it work, along with new microphones and speakers.
For more information about Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club, visit lakeregionrotary.com.
