MEMBERS ATTENDING (11): Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Dick Drumm, Kevin Leyhane, Debbie Rodriguez and Phil Kellerman. Via Zoom: Charlie Foote.

GUESTS (1) MC Moran.

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

Circles of Mercy Easter Basket Program: They are asking for cellophane wrapped Easter baskets include the following items: coloring books, crayons, color pencils, facial tissues, toothpaste and tooth brushes, dental floss, hair combs and brushes, age appropriate (1 to 12 years old) small stuffed animals, toys, small games, or reading books, and of course various different types of traditional candy. Circles of Mercy would like delivery by March 31. The last collection day will be on Thursday March 30, 2023. Circles of Mercy will also take monetary donations which they will use towards this project. Roberto Martinez will check with Shannon Romanowski to determine if the YMCA is interested in participating in this project.

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 15 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.

New Member: Tom King was voted in as a new member of SRC Rotary. Welcome Tom!

East Greenbush Global Education Committee:  The entire East Greenbush School District is continuing to read the book “The Elephant in the Room” by Holly Goldberg Sloan. Velda, a large stuffed elephant, is making appearances at several local businesses.  Rumor has it that Velda will be present during the Rotary Bowling event on April 2nd. Linda Wegner, Director of Business and Finance for the East Greenbush School District, sent a thank you letter for the donation the Club made. The donation was accepted at the Board of Education meeting on March 8th.

PETS Training: Roberto Martinez and Jim Lehayne will attend this year. PETS training will be held in Syracuse on March 17th through March 19th.

District Training Assembly and Grants Managment Seminar: The Assembly and Grants Training will be held on April 1st. You can register for the Training Assembly, the Grants Management Seminar or both. You can attend in person in Schenectady or participate via Zoom. The District Training Assembly will start at 8:30 am and conclude at 12:30 pm. The Grants Management Seminar will start at 1:00 pm and conclude at 3:15 pm. Debbie Rodriguez has signed up for the Assembly and Grants Management. The Club needs at least one other member to attend the Grants Management Seminar.

Drop the Puck for Polio: The District event has been rescheduled. It will be held in the Insuring Arena in Glen Falls on Fridy, April 7 at 7 pm. The Adirondack Thunder will take on the Mariners. Tickets are $21 per person. You can contact Doug Ford, District Polio Chairperson, at 518-365-4958.

Viking Gym: Debbie Rodriguez will check with Ron Anis about providing an update on the project at one of the upcoming meetings.

Tri-City Valley Cats: The game the Club was to attend last year was canceled due to weather. The new date tentatively is July 27th. If you had not signed up last year and are interested in attending a baseball game and picnic this year, please contact Debbie Rodriguez. Further information will be forthcoming.

Next Meeting: Thursday, March 23, dinner at 6:00 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. Our speaker will be Joe Carr, retired Superintendent.

Entree choices will be Rustics Salad, Chicken Marsella and Baked Ziti.