MEMBERS ATTENDING (12): Dick Drumm, Bill Dowd, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras, Debbie Rodriguez, Ray Hannan, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Phil Kellerman, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Pat Bailey.

GUESTS (1): Christian Maltunas.

MEETING NOTES:

• PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS — At least six members have donated $250 each to the Rotary Foundation to qualify for 750 PH points from District 7190, which means 1,000 dollars/points. That is enough to qualify them for a Paul Harris Fellow designation or a PH+ level. The deadline for anyone else wishing to do so needs to make their $250 donations by the end of the month AND email DG Rich Griesche that they have done so to assure the 750 points are recorded for them. Rich’s email address is richg851@aol.com. Details of the program are available by clicking here.

• SCHOLARSHIPS — Emma Endress, a graduating senior, and administrator Brandy Cenci of Rensselaer High School will be joining us via Zoom on June 10. Emma is one of three seniors who are being awarded $1,000 SRC Rotary Scholarships this year. We still are waiting for responses from recipients at Columbia and Maple Hill high schools.

• SUMMER CASUAL — We are lining up social events for July and August. July is full, but dates remain available on August 5, 12, and 26. If you wish to host an event or plan an outing, please contact President-elect Debbie Rodriguez or webmaster Bill Dowd to reserve the date.

• IN-PERSON MEETING — Our first in-person meeting of the 2020-21 Rotary Year — a brief business session followed by a subs-and-beverages social session — will be held at 6 p.m. (note the earlier time) at the Martinez residence next Thursday, June 3. Open to members and guests as long as they have been fully vaccinated. The deadline for letting Roberto (rrmtz@aol.com) or co-host Jim Leyhane (leyhane@aol.com) know if you plan to attend is Tuesday to allow for a proper headcount.

• SPEAKER — Christian Maltunas, who had been teaching math and science in schools in New York and Connecticut, returned to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, his alma mater, to pursue a PhD. in nanotechnology. He just completed his second year of academic work and now is in fulltime research.

He provided an overview of the relatively rapid advancement in reducing the size and speed of computer components in recent times. He is working on the nano level to find ways to improve current technology. Several slides from his on-screen presentation show the rapid advancement so far in the field from the bulky machines we knew in the 1930s-’60s to the ever-shrinking devices of today.