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

Members Attending (16): Phil Kellerman, Murray Forth, Terry Brewer, Pat Bailey, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Dean Calamaras, Doris Clamaras, Dick Drumm, Charlie Foote, Ray Hannan, Andy Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Carol Orvis, Wells Packard, Debbie Rodriguez.

Guests (1): Ali.

MEETING MINUTES: President Phil welcomed everyone and introduced his guest, Ali. … Terry Brewer reported that the Foundation Bowl-a-Thon scheduled for this Sunday at the East Greenbush Bowling Center now has 23 sponsors at $100 each, and 28 pre-registered bowlers. Volunteers are needed for the two shifts. We will have a 50/50 raffle as an additional fundraiser. The Danes Rotaract club, which is sending nine bowlers, also will hold a 50/50 raffle. …

Phil, Debbie Rodriguez, and . and Becky attended a recent Freedom From Fistula Foundation event, and reported that there will be a fundraiser from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 20, at the UAlbany School of Public Health to support Foundation-backed clinics in Africa. The event will include a silent auction. The club approved using the event as a substitute for our regularly scheduled dinner meeting of that week. Debbie Rodriguez requested that the club approve funds for silent auction items for the  event. Murray moved, Andy Leyhane seconded, and members approved without dissent a motion that $200 be used for that purpose. …

Wells Packard reported that he has been certified as a Rotary Youth Exchange representative. Since it is not in our budget for this year and he wants to be sure we do everything correctly, Wells recommended we not host an exchange student until next year. Murray moved, Peter Brown seconded, and members approved without dissent a motion that Wells be officially designated our Club Exchange Officer. … Murray Forth reminded members that he still has Hoffman Car Wash tickets for sale. All proceeds go to the club treasury. …

Bill Dowd reported via Murray that 45 members, guests, and children have made reservations to the Thursday, March 5, SRC 60th Anniversary Dinner at the Comfort Inn on Miller Road. The event will begin with a 6 p.m. meet-and-greet period. … Calendar reminders: There will be no dinner meeting on April 16 due to school vacations that week. … All members with March program assignment dates are asked to let Bill Dowd know details of their programs ASAP so they can be publicized.

PROGRAM:  “Journey to the Golan Heights”

Dean Calamaras presented an illustrated talk on his visit, with son Michael, to the beleagured area of the Middle East occupied  by Israel from Syria during the Six Day War in 1967.

His photos included a topographical map of the Golan area, the Nimrod ruins, and a Druze Village on the heights. He explained that resorts are being built in the area as it is a much higher elevation and, therefore, cooler than most parts of the hot, arid country.

Additional photos included those of the Golan Reservoir, a bunker on the heights, a collection of listening antennas, the view toward Syria and Lebanon, and a line of several tanks ready to defend Israel.