Tango, Argentine culture, and humanitarian projects will be the topics when the Rotary club of Brunswick Coastal meets on June 14, hosting special guest speaker, Estela Gamblin, Rotary District Governor- Elect, from Paraná, Argentina. The visit will continue an evolving relationship between the Rotarians of District 7780 (southern Maine and part of New Hampshire) and Argentina.

The ties between local Rotarians and Argentina began a year ago, when a group of Maine Mental Health professionals traveled to Argentina as part of a Rotary-sponsored exchange team. Mary Tennant, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and member of Brunswick Coastal Rotary, led the team of four on a visit to Entre Rios and Santa Fe Provinces, Argentina. While in Argentina, the team visited cultural landmarks in Buenos Aires, attended a tango performance and several Rotary meetings, and spent several days at mental health hospitals/clinics, interacting with the attending professionals. Ms. Gamblin, speaker at the June 14 Rotary meeting, hosted three members of the team in her home.

A few weeks after the local team’s return to the U.S., Rotarians hosted a team from Argentina, made up of two psychologists, a psychiatrist, and a medical technologist. They visited many mental health treatment facilities in Maine and New Hampshire, enjoyed our beautiful coast, and were hosted at many social functions, delighting all who met them.

Although readers are probably aware of the local and international service projects carried out by Rotarians, they might wonder why Rotarians would travel from Maine to South America to discuss mental health treatment. That is explained by the “Object of Rotary,” which views acquaintances as an opportunity to serve, encourages Rotarians to use their professions to help society, and develops international understanding and peace through people united in the ideal of service. Although this is certainly a high standard, it also provides interesting and exciting opportunities. As one Rotarian so aptly stated, “It allows ordinary people the opportunity to do extraordinary things.”

Rotary clubs in District 7780, including Brunswick Coastal Rotary, are participating in a grant project spearheaded by Ms. Gamblin, which will provide ophthalmology equipment for the pediatric department of a public hospital in Paraná, Argentina. That evolved from the exchange between the two Rotary districts, and the relationship will continue to develop. That is the essence of Rotary.

Brunswick Coastal Rotary meets at 6 p.m. every Wednesday at the Fairground Café in the Topsham Fair Mall. If you are interested in obtaining more information about Rotary, join us at the meeting or call Club President Dave Griffiths at 207-345-9835.