MEMBERS ATTENDING (10): Jim Leyhane, Andy Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Kevin Leyhane, Debbie Rodriguez, Phil Kellerman, Dick Drumm, Ray Hannan, Becky Raymond. Via Zoom: Charlie Foote.

GUESTS (0)

President Kevin Leyhane called the meeting to order.

Theme for the Year: “Growing Fellowship and Service Locally and Globally.” 

Hybrid Meeting:  Please let Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane or Roberto Martinez know if you plan to join the weekly meeting via Zoom.

Proxy Votes:  If unable to attend please submit your proxy votes to President Kevin Leyhane or any board member who will be attending the meeting. Proxy votes can also be submitted using the Remind App. Text to the number 81010.

MEETING NOTES

Our Club:  Thursday marks the 63rd Birthday of the Southern Rensselaer Rotary Club. Kudos to Dick Drumm, a charter member.

Rotary Bowling Event:  Per Phil Kellerman, the event will be held on April 2nd (Sunday) from 2 pm until 4 pm. The cost is $16 per individual bowler or $50 for a family or student group of 4 with shoes included. Proceeds from the event will be used to support the Anchor Food Pantry of Castleton-on-Hudson and the Water for South Sudan Project, organized by 7th grade students from the Maple Hill junior/Senior School.

There will be a raffle for a $50 gift certificate. Those who bring food donate to the Anchor Food Pantry will get a free raffle ticket. Requested food items include cereal, toiletries, instant mashed potato boxes, peanut butter, jelly, snack packages of crackers, and canned chicken.

To date, Phil has commitments for 16 sponsorships at $50 a lane. He asks that all sponsors bring in their checks to next week’s meeting. Murray Forth will make the sponsorship signs. Pat Bailey and Ray Hannan are helping Phil plan this event. Information about the event has also been posted on the website.  Ads have been published in “Our Town” and “The Advertiser” newspapers.

East Greenbush Global Education Committee:  The entire East Greenbush School District is reading the book “The Elephant in the Room” by Holly Goldberg Sloan. The project kicked off on yesterday.  Can you name the three species of elephants? Velda, a large stuffed elephant, will be making an appearance at several businesses. The District invites community involvement. Further information can be found at https://egcsd.org/onebook/. If you are interested in participating and/or signing up as a guest reader, please fill out the Interest Form found on the website.

Circles of Mercy: Thank you cards were received from the Richard and the families that the SRC Rotary adopted for the holidays.

Gift of Life Donation Boxes:  Kevin Leyhane spoke with Tom Burdick about the box in Schodack Plaza. Mr. Burdick spoke with the Schodack Plaza management. The donation box will remain in Schodack Plaza. Items dumped at the site will be cleaned up. Signs will be posted and camaras will be installed to monitor the site to ensure that it is used for donations.

Albany Water Project Presentation: Len Tantillo, noted historical artist, and B.J. Costello will speak on March 9th about the proposed waterway in downtown Albany. Attendance is limited and capacity has been met. Anyone else interested in the presentation is invited to join via Zoom. The Zoom link is available on the Calendar page of our website. Those with reservations, please arrive at 5:45 pm. A buffet will be served. The cost is $25 per person. The buffet choices will be Penne with Marinera Sauce, Chicken Lemone and Sausage and Meatball with Cannoli for dessert and coffee.

PETS Training: PETS training will be held in Syracuse on March 17th through March 19th. Information is available on the District website. The last day to sign up is this Friday. Roberto Martinez and Jim Lehayne will attend this year.

Rotaract: Becky Raymond provided an update of Rotaract activities. Rotaract met last week with 6 members in attendance. Rotaract sponsored activities include having Cathy Stone and her Therapy dogs on Campus in early March. Ann Williams will speak to the students about the Peace Corps at the end of March.

Saratoga Springs Rotary Clubs Home Show: Becky Raymond will help staff the Shelter Box table at the Home Show on Saturday, March 3rd.

DAF Committee: Phil Kellerman will organize a meeting of the Committee. The Club will consider the future direction of DAF.

Next Meeting:  The next meeting will be Thursday, March 9, by reservation only, at 5:45 pm at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant, Route 4, North Greenbush. Also, you can join the by Zoom using the link on the websites calendar page.

The buffet choices will be Penne with Marinera Sauce, Chicken Lemone and Sausage and Meatball.