(AN UPDATE OF AN EARLIER POSTING)

As we all know, the norm is anything but normal in this era of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is adversely affecting Rotary fundraising efforts that usually entail in-person interaction, group efforts, et al.

Thus, a consensus of your SRC Board of Directors and a followup discussion among other club members several months ago ascertained that we will continue to underwrite at least three (3) areas of our usual financial largesse — (1) Circles of Mercy family and school projects, (2) our youth educational scholarships, and (3) assistance to local food pantries.

We also will continue to consider financial support of other endeavors on a case-by-case basis as the 2020-21 Rotary Year progresses, that depends on the level of ongoing individual donations and the creation and undertaking of fundraising efforts that conform with projects that adhere to stringent COVID-19 pandemic restrictions as well as conforming to Rotary’s Avenues of Service.

To accomplish this, rather than ask for member support on a month-by-month, project-by-project basis as we habitually have done, we have been asking for a one-time (or by multiple installments) financial donation to support the important work of the club to underwrite local and international humanitarian projects.

The level will depend on your personal financial status and your interest in supporting SRC and allied Rotary projects. In judging that level of support, you may wish to bear in mind that we usually have 38 dinner meetings a year, and that would mean a projected saving of $18 every week, or $684 if we do not hold any dinner meetings in 2020-21 as appears to be the case.

In addition, we are not asking for the usual weekly contributions to our “Spare Change” jug; the usual “Summer Casual” events (Mac-Haydn Theatre, ValleyCats pavilion picnic and baseball game, various field trips, etc.) were not held this past summer, so no member money was spent; and, no sponsorships were solicited for various efforts such as the annual SRC Bowl-a-Thon, etc., that have been cancelled.

Thus, members have not been asked to be forthcoming with donations and fees to any degree this year, so much money has been saved individually.

Here is how the new financing system is working — and we thank all who have donated so far:

• One-time or periodic donations. To create your level of support, we acknowledge that different members are financially able or financially willing to donate at different levels. Several members already have submitted checks. The amount(s) is strictly up to you.

• You may designate which local, regional, or international efforts you wish your donations to support: i.e., when you submit your checks simply attach a note indicating how the money is to be divided. If you do not, we will assume you wish your entire contribution to go to the club’s general treasury.

• The level of donation is confidential. This is not a competition. The only person who is aware of the individual donations is, by necessity, be Murray Forth, our club treasurer. He will direct funds to the various efforts in conjunction with your specific instructions and will report to the membership only aggregate, rather than individual, amounts.

A huge caveat: If you wish to donate to non-local or non-club efforts and make your donations tax deductible, you need to take certain steps to qualify. Please submit checks designated for SRC club activities separately from checks meant to support other efforts. (If you need guidance, please contact Bill Dowd about the process.)

For example, to assure tax deductibility:

• Donations to ShelterBox: Checks must be made payable to “ShelterBox,” with “SRC Rotary” entered in the memo line. Please submit all such checks to Bill Dowd, our club’s ShelterBox liaison officer who regularly collects donations and delivers them to District coordinators so our club and the individuals receive credit for donations.

• Donations to Gift of Life: Checks must be made payable to “District 7190 Gift of Life,” with “SRC Rotary” entered in the memo line. Please submit all such checks to Dean or Doris Calamaras, our club’s GOL liaisons who will deliver them to District coordinators so our club and the individual receive credit for total donations.

We hope this methodology will alleviate the periodic stress on members of helping pay for our community service efforts until we achieve some form of normalcy as the pandemic dissipates.

Thank you, as always, for your compassionate efforts. While no one can do everything, everyone can do something. We ask only that each SRC member does that something in a timely manner.

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Mailing Addresses for check submissions:

• For the club — SRC Rotary, Box 71, East Greenbush, NY 12061

• For ShelterBox — Bill Dowd, 7 Hyland Circle, Troy, NY 12182

• For Gift of Life — Dean & Doris Calamaras, 106 Birchwood Drive, Castleton, NY 12033