Members in Attendance: (12):  Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Charlie Foote, Pat Bailey, Dick Drumm, Murray Forth, Phil Kellerman, Ray Hannah, Andy Leyhane, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Carole Healey.

Guests (2): Marisa Multari, Lorenzo Murray

President Peter Brown called the meeting to order.

Theme for the year:  “Building Community”

Meeting Notes:

Guest speaker: Lorenzo Murray, Gift of Life

Lorenzo was introduced by Marisa Multari. Lorenzo said that he got involved with Gift for Life as his father was born with a heart defect. He proceeded to show a brief video outlining how Gift of Life helps with pediatric cardiac care.

Since 2009, 10,000 children with heart defects have been operated on. One of the other goals of Gift of Life is to train medical personnel in affected foreign countries to do to surgery. The NY Central chapter of Gift of Life has been successful in raising money for Gift of Life via various fund-raising events including golf tournaments,

Murray said that years ago the club raised money for heart surgery for a boy brought over from a foreign country.

Viking Gym: Peace Pole and Signage updates:

Jim reported that we are waiting to hear if the town of Schodack wants the peace pole, and it appears that Ron will be following up. Murray said the sign is in the process of design.

Water for Kenya and Global Grant status:

Peter said that he has on hand an 18 page draft proposal for the grant application. He anticipated that our district would donate $25,000, the Rotary Foundation $20,000, and the club would have to raise about $5,000. Charlie asked how deep a well would be dug to access water. Peter responded he thought about 300 meters deep. Peter added that an application would have to be put in for the hydro geological survey. Peter said that he anticipated that the project possibly could launched by the fall.

Web-site: sponsor and member information updates:

The club has done a good job updating member information.

Zoom updates: 

Roberto complimented Becky and Charlie as to improvements to zoom calls during meetings. One suggestion was that members not talk at once as separate conversations are confusing to those on Zoom.

Fund-raiser:  

Pat said that she would develop a schedule for summer events/fund-raisers.

There was also discussion of additional fund-raising activities the club could consider. Marisa asked if the club would entertain joining with another club to do fund-raisers, and the club agreed to consider doing so.

New member indications:

Jim said that the club has four new inductions to do on June 6th.

Scholarship winners:

Scholarship winners were announced as Alyssa Gray from Maple Hill; Shea Fajen, Columbia High School; and Lydia Kyaw from Rensselaer High School.

CNY Survey:

Marisa encourage the club members to do the CNY survey as it only takes a few minutes to complete.

7190 Website will expire and transition to CNY:

Roberto reported that the 7190 web-site will expire June first and folks will be directed to the new web-site.

Board meeting:

Peter said a board meeting has been tentatively scheduled for Monday May 20th for 7 pm. Peter said he needs to communicate with Kevin about his availability. 

Other:

Pat said she would make name tags for new members. Carol said she is hosting free zoom talks titled “All Things Life, Death and Grief.”

This Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 6:00 pm the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will hold its weekly meeting at Moscatiello’s on Route 4 in North Greenbush. Joining us this week will be Lorenzo Murray from Gift of Life. Gift of Life is a foundation created for the purpose of providing life saving cardiac surgeries to children around the world. If you are unable to join us in person you may still do so remotely using the link on the calendar page. Looking forward to seeing everyone on Thursday.

Minutes of Meeting May 2, 2024

Members in Attendance(14): Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Mary Alice Caldese, Pat Bailey, Dick Drumm, Murray Forth, Ray Hannan, Terry Brewer, Kevin Leyhane, Phil Kellerman, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Andy Leyhane, Carole Heaney

By Zoom (2): Becky Raymond, Charlie Foote

Guests (1): Michael Stammel, Mayor of the City of Rensselaer

President Peter Brown Called the meeting to order.

Theme for the year:  “Building Community”

MEETING NOTES:

Vote to select representatives to Council on Legislation and Director Nominating Committee:  Our club has one vote for each of these committees. Candidates had been presented at the last Leadership zoom meeting and it was agreed by common consent that the President would make the choice for both committee representatives based on his review of said candidates.

Updating Website/District/RI membership info:  Many thanks are due Kevin Leyhane for making our club information current and accurate for District purposes.  The District website will be synchronized to RI information data base by Secretary Pat Bailey.   Our roster currently stands at 35 members.  The Sponsor page on our website is still undergoing revision.

Scholarship Updates:  2024 and 2025:  Awardees from Columbia and Rensselaer High Schools have been identified; Maple Hill’s awardee will be forthcoming.  These students and their guests will be recognized and celebrated at our May 23 meeting.  A motion to proceed with the Grant Application for reimbursement for the 2024-25 Scholarship program was made by Terry Brewer, seconded by Andy Leyhane, and approved unanimously by the members.

Viking Gym:   A request from the Town of Schodack for EG Football team members to spread mulch came with too short notice so that task may fall to town employees, unless a mutually satisfactory future date can be set.  Ordering of the Peace Pole has been placed on hold until confirmation of its approval by the Town for installation can be received from the Town Supervisor.

Water for Kenya:   A successful bidders conference was held with the four potential bidders for the project the week of April 22^nd and bids should be received within the next week or so.  Then our club can proceed with the necessary Grant applications to begin this project.

Iron Giraffe Presentation:  Phil Kellerman, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, and Peter Brown attended a program at Maple Hill Middle School to present our donation to this project.  In an effort to generate interest in Rotary Exchange Programs, a request was made to the club advisor to orchestrate a face to face meeting with MHHS  parents and students.               

FUNDRAISERS:  Our club will need to raise approximately 5K as our share of the Water for Kenya project.  A lively discussion of possible opportunities generated the following ideas:

Hannan and Kellerman Summer Party at the Spinney…..donation to Kenya fund

Pool Party at Leyhane’s/Roberto and Jim  (scholarship fund)

Picnic at the Brown’s …. donation to Kenya fund

Fall Raffle Items as a Partner at Farmer’s Market TBD

Pickleball Tournament

Café Cappricio Private Dinner raffle

MEMBERS : PLEASE KEEP THINKING CREATIVELY ABOUT OTHER POSSIBILITIES

Star of Hope :  Garden at East Greenbush Library needs a Saturday work party….date to  be determined

Upcoming Programs:   

June 6^th; New Member Induction

June 13^th: St Paul’s   Tracy Pitcher

June 20^th Club Assembly, Brief presentation on Arts participation with Emma Leyhane and short video

June 27^th: Change over/Induction of officers at Brown’s

PROGRAM:   City of Rensselaer Mayor Mike Stammel

Mayor Stammel is a life-long resident of the city, and a retired railroad employee.  Besides roles in the City, Mike was a Rensselaer County Legislator.  The city encompasses a three mile area, and has 10 thousand residents.  Extensive revitalization is underway in the downtown area of the city through aggressive grant applications and partnerships with IDA.  Efforts to create additional housing using vacant buildings is moving forward. Art Hilton’s Music supply building will be called “the Hilton” and BBL Development is planning 60 units plus retail space in abandoned mills.  The Key Bank Building will become an Arts Center.    

Infrastructure Improvements are also a high priority.   Application for a Brownfield study Is in process to develop better riverfront access and amenities.  Lead pipe replacement in the city is nearly 80% complete, as is upgrading sidewalks to make them ADA compliant.

Mayor Stammel spoke highly of the strong city police force which is helping to build good community relations.  Bike patrols have been added with positive acceptance.  Public safety efforts include cameras in the public parks.  There are school officers at the Rensselaer Elementary High School.

Finally, the city is regaining their investment grade Bond Rating, after losing it several years prior to Mayor Stammel’s term.  

This Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 6:00 pm the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will host its weekly meeting at Moscatiello’s Family Italian Restaurant on Route 4 in North Greenbush. Joining us as a guest presenter will be the City of Rensselaer Mayor, Michael Stammel. Mayor will be speaking on current status of the City of Rensselaer as well as future planning. If you unable to join us in person you may still do so virtually using the Zoom link located on our calendar page of the website.

Menu choices for the evening include a choice of Antipasto Salad, Lasagna, or Eggplant Parmesan. Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.

This Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 6:00pm the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will be having it weekly meeting at Moscatiello’s on Route 4. Joining us from SUNY Albany will be David Gittelman. David has worked in global health for over 30 years with the CDC, and he will be speaking on the global malaria situation. A perfect presentation for 4/25/24 which also happens to be World Malaria Day. If you are unable to join us in person, you may also do so virtually using the Zoom link located on our calendar page of our website.

Menu choices for the evening include a choice between Chicken Caesar salad, Lemon Chicken, or Penne Pesto. Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.

This Thursday, April 18, 2024, the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will be holding their weekly meeting at Moscatiello’s at 6:00 pm. Joining will be guest presenter Robert Shulman from CERT. Mr Shulman will be presenting on the topic of Community Emergency Response Team. The CERT program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for hazards that may occur where they live. As usual, if you are unable to join us in person you may do so remotely using the link on our website’s calendar page.

Menu choices for the evening include a choice of Chicken Rustica Salad, Chicken Parmesan, or Penne Alfredo. Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.

Tomorrow the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club’s Annual Bowling Fundraiser at the East Greeenbush Bowling Lanes at 570 Columbia Turnpike from 2-4. The cost of bowling is $13 including shoes, and the funds will go to support the Water for Sudan project and the Anchor Food Bank. Participants are encouraged to bring donated food items to the event to help support the food bank. Special thank you to Phil Kellerman for setting up this event.