Held at Quigley’s Restaurant
573 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY 12061

Members Attending (14): Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Bill Dowd, Debbie Rodriguez, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Jim Leyhane, Dick Drumm, Phil Kellerman, Charlie Foote, Carol Orvis, Carole Spencer, Peter Berry, Roberto Martinez.

Guests (2): Russ Myer, Nina Seviyaga.

MEETING NOTES: Phil Kellerman presided in Andy Leyhane’s absence. He welcomed members plus guests Russ Myer of the Capital Region Nordic Alliance and Nina Seviyaga who was visiting to learn more about Rotary. … Tonight was the unveiling of the refurbished meeting room (and here) — complete with a celebratory cake (see above) — and all who were involved in the project were thanked, with particular note made of the work by Murray Forth who built storage space and a display case. … Terry Brewer was thanked in absentia for his work in leading organization of the recent 3rd annual Community Recognition Awards dinner. No report yet on the profit made from the event. …

Bill Dowd reminded everyone that bags and barcode stickers for people participating in our ongoing Clynk beverage container recycling project are available at every meeting. He asked that anyone interested in participating in the ongoing fundraiser but unfamiliar with the details can check with him and/or check out this video. …. Murray said he can accommodate one or two more people for this Saturday’s Rotary Home Cooking roast beef dinner he and Maggie are hosting at their residence. … Next week we will begin circulating a signup sheet for volunteers to work the April 13 Recycling & Shredding Day. …

Debbie Brown asked members to begin bringing items next week for our annual Easter basket effort for needy local kids. Items also can be dropped off at the Greenbush YMCA which is partnering with us in the effort. Not sure what items to contribute? Just click here for the shopping list. …Our latest class of high school juniors completed the 2018-19 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program, and received certificates last Saturday at the RYLA dinner. We will extend the usual invitation for the students we sponsored, all from Maple Hill High School, to attend our dinner meeting to share with us thoughts about their experience. … Next week’s speaker will be East Greenbush Town Supervisor Jack Conway.

Russ Myer, founder and director of the Capital Region Nordic Alliance, visited to provide an update on CRNA’s activities in the field of adaptive sports for veterans and others with physical and emotional impairments.

Russ noted that CRNA’s lineup of four sports programs — cross-country skiing/roller skiing; biathlon; orienteering; snowshoeing/trail running — has been expanded to include para-bobsled/skeleton.

As a followup to representing the U.S. in the World Orienteering Championships held in Latvia last year, CRNA will be heading a team in the same event in Portugal this year. CRNA also continues its numerous programs at various sites around the Northeast.

SRC has been a financial contributor to CRNA for the past three years. President-elect Phil Kellerman announced the “Spare Change Jar” program will be dedicated to CRNA during his term beginning on July 1. Since April Dowd began that fundraising program in 2013, incoming presidents designate recipients of the jar.