Meeting held virtually via ZOOM videoconferencing.

MEMBERS ATTENDING (15, quorum achieved): Dick Drumm, Bill Dowd, Debbie Rodriguez, Jim Leyhane, Terry Brewer, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras, Roberto Martinez, Phil Kellerman, Charlie Foote, Ray Hannan, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Murray Forth, Kevin Leyhane.

GUESTS: None.

MEETING NOTES: President Dick Drumm welcomed the usual suspects. He reminded members that the virtual Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) session is this Saturday, and today is the deadline to register online. Bill Dowd told attendees he had posted on the website information just received from the District clarifying the RLI process which we now are told will be spread out over the year rather than being contained in one session. Full new details are available by clicking here. …

Dean and Doris Calamaras reported that Monday’s annual Gift of Life Golf Tournament at Pinehaven Country Club in Guilderland drew a sellout crowd of 120 golfers and netted about $15,000 for GOL. Our club had two foursomes, one sponsored by Dean and Doris and one by Jim Leyhane, as well as individual item sponsors. …

Debbie Rodriguez said a member of the Niskayuna club would like to visit us via ZOOM to present information on a global grant that club is seeking for a women’s hygiene and education effort in several African nations. It is known as The Mooncatcher Project. She will arrange for the visit sometime in the next month. … World Polio Day is scheduled for Saturday, October 24. We are looking into whether there are events marking the day that we can participate in or view as we do most years. …

Treasurer Murray Forth reported that we have received about $3,000 in member donations so far as part of our new fundraising process to help underwrite our community and global projects. Bill Dowd will craft a followup letter to send out to all members within the next week, reiterating the details of the new process. … Murray also reported that he has retrieved the donation jug as well as a collection of CLYNK bags and barcode stickers from Quigley’s. …

Jim Leyhane said the East Greenbush Police Department is raising funds to purchase and train a K-9 police dog. He said such an effort usually costs in the $20,000 range and about half that amount has been raised. While SRC has not yet been approached about contributing, he asked that we give some consideration to a $1,000 donation. Dick said the topic will be discussed at the next Board of Directors meeting. … Our next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. next Thursday, October 1, again via ZOOM.