SRC Notes 2/26/26

Meeting called to order by Phil Kellerman, Club President

Present: Murray Forth, Jim Leyhane, Kevin Leyhane, Pat Bailey, Laurie Pferr, Carole Heaney, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Phil Kellerman  and Roberto Martinez.  By Zoom Andy Leyhane and Charlie Foote

Fundraiser: Fund Raiser for the Club and Joan Prince Home for the terminally ill. It will be at Nine Pin  Cider Works  at929 Broadway in Albany from noon to 3pm. The Band Enjoyous will be playing and fund raising will include raffles and a 50/50. Over 30 items have been selected for the raffles. Hope to see everyone there. Thanks Phil!

DAF: Back in 2021, SRC established a Donor Advised Fund which allowed for a tax-deductible donation process for individuals and organizations. The question presented to the group by Phil, was when, how much, and to whom would our group like the monies to be used. It was pointed out that there are specific rules for the DAF and it was suggested that the DAF Committee (Phil, Andy, Murray) meet with the intent of clarifying the rules with the Foundation and coming up with some recommendations on the spend. The initial idea was to let the fund grow and not to spend down the principal. After more discussion, there another group suggested having ‘criteria’ for giving out funds and that different organizations could use to apply. The idea is to fund projects meeting the goals of Rotary International and our local Club. We would plan to maximize the effect of those needing support and be open to new ideas.

Nassau Free Library: February 21. Pat and the library were able to raise dose to $500 on the breakfast held at the local Elks Club.  Our club was well represented with the Browns, Phil, Laurie, Mary Alice and Carole attending.  Congrats everyone,

IRS: Still awaiting updates from our representative

Global Grant: Peter announced that ground has been broken. The idea is to complete the Global Grant and additional well-wishers are working to support raising additional funds for the girls’ latrines and changing rooms. The letter from Phil to the group helped align everyone’s vision on moving the projects forward.  The next meeting is in the next few weeks.

DLI and RLI: There is a day of learning and a Rotary Leadership Institute on Saturday May 7 in Johnson City for those who are interested.  More information can be found at CNYRotary.org under events.

MD PELS: The President elect training will be in Syracuse, March 14-15^th.  Both Jim Leyhane and Roberto plan on attending. More information can be found at CNYRotary.org under events.

District Conference: The District Conference will be in Syracuse, April 10-11.  It was in Albany last year and many of us attended.  It would be nice to have folks attend this year as well.  More information can be found at CNYRotary.org under events.

Exchange Student: Roberto received a letter asking if our club would be sponsoring a student currently living in Poestenkill.  Although we currently don’t have plans, the club is collecting information to pass on which may help the student identify a club. Roberto will then pass that information to the interested parties.

District Grant 25-26:  The Committee has submitted the interim letter and is looking to complete the grant. Because of fundraising by the Club we have enough to cover our costs.  Thanks everyone, especially Kevin.

District Grant 26-27: The first training for this year’s grant was on 2/25/26 and attended by Carole Heaney, Laurie Pferr, James Leyhane and Roberto. There will be 2 more Zoom sessions, and it would be nice for those looking at doing the grant to also attend the sessions. We had considered a larger Regional Grant for the Backpack Program which would pay $2 on the $1. The timeline is short, so the committee needs to come together with a plan that aligns with the needs of the schools.  More information can be found at CNYRotary.org.

Website: Carole Heaney suggested that the Club invest in an evaluation of our website to include protections and make it more current.  It is one on the initiatives that they Club had at the beginning of this year. She has done some work on it already and hopes she may be able to use some public image funds to start the process. She will involve other Club members as this moves along. The Club was very supportive.  Thanks Carol.

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SRC Notes: 2/12/26

Meeting called to order by Phil Kellerman, Club President

Present: Phil, Jim Leyhane, Charlie Foote, Murray Forth, Dick Drumm, Carole Heaney, Pat Bailey, Mary Alice, Ruth Samuels, Andy Leyhane, Kevin Leyhane, Laurie Pferr, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Roberto

Guest: Steve Tim, invited by Ruth Samuels

Board Meeting Summary: Phil presented a quick summary and one of the issues was on spend.  He is suggesting a Club Assembly for the next meeting.

District Grant 25-26: Thanks to those participating in the fund raising. Looks like we are in a position to complete the grant which focuses on the backpack program.  Thanks to those on the committee. Still waiting for input from the schools.

Global Grant: Per Peter the process continues and hope to break ground soon. Phil’s letter the group was well received and added clarity.

Rotary Leadership Institute March 7^th in Johnson City. Carole is planning on attending. More information can be found at CNYRotary.org under events.

MD PELS (President Elect Training) is March 14-15^th in Syracuse. Roberto and Jim and planning on attending if others don’t sign up. More information can be found at CNYRotary.org under events.

District Conference: The District Conference will be in Syracuse, April 10-11.  It was in Albany last year and many of us attended.  It would be nice to have folks attend this year as well.  More information can be found at CNYRotary.org under events.

Speaker: Steve Trimm who is a tour guide and program presenter at Grant Cottage State Historic Site. 

His talk was about the cottage an in particular about the last caretaker, an immigrant from Japan named Suye Narita.  The Cottage is 10 miles north of Saratoga and it’s the place where Civil War Hero and President Ulysses S Grant died in 1885. 

Suye Narita at age 6 migrated with her family from Japan. She developed TB at age 12 and was admitted to the TB Sanatorium next to the Cottage. She remained a patient there for 6 years. After discharge she continued as a volunteer at the sanatorium. She then became a caretaker of Grant Cottage.  

Suye applied for citizenship in the 1930’s but could not get a sponsor. During the war many immigrants were sent to campsbut Suye was able to stay at Grant Cottage, where she was under house arrest. She took on two nieces who came to the Cottage. She also had a nephew who was a war hero. 

Suye raised the American Flag every morning during WWII. After immigration rules were relaxed, Sue became the first Japanese national in NY State and became an American Citizen. She married Tony. 

Sue’s life bridged immigration, war, service and reconciliation, patriotism. Legacy to include courage, loyalty and humanity.

Thanks to Steve Timm.

The Club is planning a trip this summer to Grant Cottage.