Minutes 

May 14, 2026

Members: Laurie, Peter, Kevin, James, Robert, Murray, Dick

Zoom: none

Guests: Michael Ashbury and Ellen Santasiero of Braver Angels speakers

Peter Sawyer Rotarian, Professor Hudson Valley

John Eberle, President and CEO of Community Foundation

Karen DeBonis, Volunteer for Braver Angels

Meeting called to order by Murray Forth

Phil was on the road today and when he returns, he will give an update on our Board Meeting.

Dues: Murray will be sending out notices for our new calendar year. The dues are $175 for members and $350 for corporate members. Wee would like to have these by June 1.

Dean’s EGB presentation: Dean gave a presentation at the EGB Library on the Greek Immigrant Journey on April 28^th. It was well received and had an hour discussion afterwards.

District Grant 25-26: Almost complete and waiting to send check to the EGB Foundation so we can submit the final report.

District Grant 26-27: The Committee is writing the grant proposal. We will be working with the Flutter Express to deliver supplies for transportation to and from the medical appointments.  We will be committing $2500 of which 50% should be reimbursed by the District. There is also a matching donor who will bring the total of the project to $5,000. Thanks to all involved in the process. We would like to complete the grant application by the end of this month.

Global Grant: The Global grant in Kenya in progressing and will hopefully be completed by the end of June.  The extra funds of $1005 have been committed and will be sent. The project will include securing the bore hole, a water collection system, training and some toilets. Thanks again to everyone who has been involved, especially Peter and Debbie Brown.

Epic Day of Service: 5/16/26. Clubs are encouraged to focus on food insecurity which we have been doing!

Inauguration Event in Utica 6/20 12-4p, register by 6/6 $30. This is a family event to celebrate the past year and the year to come. More information on CNYRotary.org

Bowlathon Summary: $850 plus to Anchor Food Bank along with donations. Thanks to Phil for organizing.

Year End Picnic: Debbie and Peter Brown will be hosting once again on June 25^th at their house.

Summer events: Options for the summer events and field trips. S&S Brewery, Pool fundraiser at Jim Leyhanes, Murray to do cookout, trip to Grant Cottage outside Saratoga. Other ideas welcome.

Speakers: The next speaker is Helen Buono, MSW from Community Caregivers and invited by Carole Heaney. 

Presentation: Michael Ashbury and Ellen Santasiero of Braver Angels speakers

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Braver Angels — Depolarizing the United States

• Braver Angels is a nonpartisan organization founded in 2016 that brings red and blue Americans together through structured workshops, aiming to reduce affective polarization — not by changing people’s policy views, but by improving how they understand and relate to one another. Equal representation from both sides. The idea is that we share more in common than we differ. 

• Brings Americans together to bridge the partisan divide. Like Rotary, people unite and take action to create lasting change. Building a house united.

• Their programming demonstrably works: 70–80% of participants report better understanding and more positive attitudes toward the other side, with outcomes focused on collaborative problem-solving rather than ideological conversion.

• The organization is scaling rapidly — from its first Red-Blue Workshop in 2016 through explosive growth in 2020–2022 — expanding into legislative engagement (“Braver Politics”), special-interest groups (Angels of Color, Working People’s Project), and a national convention. Local groups exist as well an on line communications.