Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
June 22, 2017

Members Attending (9; no quorum): Debbie Rodriguez, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Charlie Foote, Julius Frankel, Dick Drumm, Ray Hannan.

Guests (2): Jeff Tooker, Assistant Chief, East Greenbush Fire Department; Susan Kraycher Sullivan County Rotarian.

PROGRAM: East Greenbush Fire Dept.’s Community Role

Jeff Tooker, an assistant chief of the East Greenbush Fire Department, visited to talk about the company’s overall role in the community. Jeff, who also is a social studies teacher at Columbia High School, said the company was formed on January 7, 1916, and has been an all-volunteer organization for its entire 101 years. He showed photos of the department’s early history, including parades.

The EGFD currently has more than 80 active members, 60 with gear, and operates out of three separate stations.

Jeff explained the department’s Mission Statement — a commitment to the community — and its Best Operating Practices. Firefighters are alerted in three ways: via one-way radio pagers, by siren, and by cellphones. It has one chief and three assistant chiefs. Members respond either to a chief’s car or to a firehouse to get their equipment. They also operate a small bus for some emergencies.

Training, which lasts for 140 hours, includes many classes — EVOC, AVET, firefighter survival, fire police, and apparatus operator among others. Rensselaer County pays for instructors and the state for some other expenses. Drill is every Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The department responds to as many as 350 calls a year — vehicle fires, hazardous materials, car accident (25% of all calls), brushfires, especially in the spring, natural gas leaks, EMS assist, storm damage and community assistance. He also had shots of other types of calls they have responded to such as Hurricane Sandy on Long Island, and the ice storm in Quebec.

Jeff also spoke about the fire district and its governance. Its annual budget of  $450,000 covers only part of the costs, so fundraisers include pizza night, fish fry night, pancake breakfasts, and a golf outing. The company also has an annual fund drive, public education efforts, and a scholarship program. The company has won parade awards for formations and honor guard.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & BUSINESS

GREETING –– President Debbie Rodriguez rang the opening bell for the last time and welcomed visitors and members.

MEMBERSHIP — Melissa Bill has transitioned from individual membership to lead person for the new Key Bank NA Corporation group membership.

MEETING SCHEDULE — This was our last dinner meeting of the Rotary Year at Quigley’s. Next Thursday, June 29, will be the annual Presidential Changeover Dinner, scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Browns’ residence in Castleton. Debbie will pass the gavel to President-elect Roberto Martinez. … We will not meet during the July 4 week. But, on Thursday, July 13, we will begin our “Summer Casual” schedule of cookouts, ballgames, summer theater, pool parties, etc., when Dick and Mary Drumm host “A Picnic In the Country” at their home in Valatie. Stay alert for a signup sheet for that event.

FOOD TRUCK EVENT — Charlie Foote told us the Kinderhook Tri-Village Rotary Cub held its first Food Truck Night. He said it appeared to be well attended, and suggested we consider holding a similar event as a fundraiser.

POLICE AID — Jim Leyhane said Andy Leyhane had informed him a neighbor, an officer in the Colonie Police Department, had inquired about Rotary support to cover a financial shortfall for a police-community outreach effort on an immediate-need basis. Jim provided a $500 check, but suggested the police contact the Colonie-Guilderland Rotary Club for further assistance.

APPRECIATION — We received a thank-you note from Bill Dowd for the food basket sent to him during his post-surgery recuperation. … We received a thank-you note from club member Burke Adams for our annual financial gift to the Miracle League. … Becky Raymond reported that the Freedom From Fistula Foundation posted a thank-you note on its website in appreciation of our $1,800 grant.

Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
June 15, 2017

Members Attending (15): Debbie Rodriguez, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Charlie Foote, Ray Hannan, Julius Frankel, Jim Butterworth, Phil Kellerman, A.J. Amato, John Sawchuk, Becky Raymond.

Guests (14): Joan Bishop, Oley Foundation Executive Director; Brandy Cenci, Rensselaer High School guidance counselor; Mary and Natalia Wooten; Marisa Hochberg and mother; Joshua Kenna and parents Mary and John; Noah Roberts and mother; Exchange student Ella Real and host parents the Desparts.

PROGRAM: The Oley Foundation

SRC member Phil Kellerman introduced Joan Bishop, executive director of the Oley Foundation, and Oley associate Mary Wooten. Joan  explained that Oley’s mission is to enhance through education, advocacy and networking the lives of people who are living with intravenous nutrition and tube feeding.

The organization was founded 1983 and is located at Albany Medical Center. It has a community of resources and people, and there now are more than 17,000 people worldwide working with it. Its outcome data shows that due to the foundation there are improved results and more successes. Foundation programs include Lifeline Clearinghouse, consumer networking, conferences, and an ambassador network.

Mary is a volunteer and an Ambassador and has now become a Program Associate, as has Phil Kellerman. She spoke with emotion about Natalia’s situation. Natalia is nine years old and is unable to normally eat food, a condition she has had since birth. Mary talked about attending an Oley convention where they met others with similar concerns and how it changed their lives. They learned about many things that have helped them deal with Natalia’s medical problems and that have helped the child thrive.

They showed a video about “short-gut or short-bowel syndrome” made by an engineer with the Goddard Space Flight Center. He went to the Oley Foundation for help and it changed his life. The video is being put in our Video Presentation Archive.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS — Three of the four local high school students selected to receive SRC Scholarships for post-graduate study or training attended with various parents and several school staffers (see above). Marisa Hochberg of Columbia, who will enroll at Siena College in Loudonville in the fall, spoke about her work with the homeless in the community and with Ronald McDonald House in Albany. Joshua Kenna, the Rensselaer class vice president who will attend Keuka College in the Finger Lakes, spoke of his volunteer work with his parish youth, and he spoke about his brother who has autism. He also wrote a play that will be produced this summer. Noah Roberts of Maple Hill, who will attend Wooster Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts, said he has worked with his Boy Scout troop and is about to achieve Eagle rank. He also is a junior firefighter.

ANNOUNCEMENTS & BUSINESS

HEALTH UPDATE — A fruit basket has been ordered for Bill Dowd, who is recovering at home from triple cardiac bypass surgery. It will be delivered next week.

FISTULA GRANT — President Debbie Rodriguez and Becky Raymond journeyed to New York City this week to present a check for $1,800 from SRC to the Freedom From Fistula Foundation (FFFF) that we have helping this Rotary Year. Click here for coverage of their trip.

CONVENTION REPORT — Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Dick Drumm and Mary Drumm just returned from attending the Rotary International Convention in Atlanta. Among the highlights there was a pledge from entrepreneur Bill Gates announcing a new $300 million in additional funds for polio eradication. (Click here for details.) Roberto said more than 35,000 Rotarians attended. Jim explained about the joint effort to end polio worldwide.

INVITATION TO ROTARY — Peter Brown, noting how many guests were in attendance, asked those individuals to think of what they have learned about Rotary then consider joining us in the near future.

NEXT MEETING — 6:15 p.m. Thursday, June 22, at Quigley’s. Our guest speaker will be Jeff Tooker, assistant chief of the East Greenbush Fire Department,