News of this New York State club that practices "Service Above Self"
Author: SRCrotary
A volunteer service club located in Rensselaer County, NY, that is part of Rotary International, the 1.23 million-member international organization of men and women serving their community and their world.
Please join us this Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 6:00pm at Moscatiello’s on Route 4 in North Greenbush for the weekly meeting of the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club. Joining us will be Courtney Russell from The Spinney. Courtney will be speaking about the Spinney and the services that the provide. As usual if you are unable to join us in person you may do so remotely using the Zoom link located or our website’s calendar page.
Menu choices for the evening include a choice of Chicken Rustica Salad, Penne Alfredo, or Spaghetti with Meatballs. Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.
Today marks 64th Birthday of the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club. Originally founded as the East Greenbush Rotary Club, the name was changed in the 1990s to reflect the expansion of its area and membership. The SRC continues to be one of the premier community service entities in the Capital Region.
A very special shout out to Dr. Richard Drumm who was one of the original charter members and continues to serve the community in the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club.
Members in Attendance (9): Peter Brown, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Phil Kellerman, Debbie Brown, Debbie Rodriguez, Murray Forth, Dick Drumm and Pat Bailey.
By Zoom (7): Edmund Kellerman (Speaker), Dena Sevayega, Robert Schullman, Ruth Russell, Charlie Foote, John Justino and Becky Raymond.
Guests (0):
President Peter Brown called the meeting to order.
Theme for the Year: “Building Community”
MEETING NOTES:
Iron Giraffe Bowl-a-Thon: The bowl-a-thon will be held on Sunday April 14 from 2 pm until 4 pm. The cost will be $13 per person. Proceeds will go to the Anchor Food Pantry and to the Maple Hill water project. We will also ask participants to bring a food item for donation. Phil Kellerman will speak to Christine Fowler regarding the number of students who will attend. Pat Bailey has volunteered to staff the entry table. More volunteers are needed. There is a press release in Our Town. Contact Phil if you are willing to be a sponsor.
Viking Gym: The Town Highway Department will clear the land the weekend of the 4th. Ron will work with the Highway and Park Departments to lay out the equipment location. The Town will partner with Keller Construction to dig the holes. Volunteers will be needed on March the 23rd at noon to put the equipment together and to hold the equipment in place during the concrete pour. All dates are dependent on the weather. Along with Rotarians, volunteers will be recruited from the community, boy scouts, Kiwanis and other groups. Pat Baily has volunteered to look into food and drink for the 23rd. Jim Layhane will order a Peace Pole from Rotary International. The cost will be closer to $500. It is white, 8 ft. tall with languages on leucite plaques. Once ordered, it will take about 6 weeks for delivery.
Membership: Each SRC Rotary member is asked to bring a friend to the Rotary meeting on April 11th. Terry Brewer will put a program together about Rotary, what the Club does and what we can do for individuals to interest them in Rotary. Members should be prepared to talk about why you joined Rotary. The Club will cover the costs for guests.
Water for Kenya: Peter Brown has received four proposals for the bore hole. He is comparing the proposals. Ms. Kenara and members of the Rotary Club of Enkare Naroch provided a needs assessment. Peter Brown will ask Sue Austin to review it.
Easter Baskets for Circles of Mercy: Lois Hannan is coordinating the collection this year. Richard Zazycki, Circles of Mercy, is asking that the baskets include coloring books, color pencils, facial tissues, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, hair combs, hairbrushes, small stuffed animals, toys, small games, small books, and different types of wrapped candy. Items can be dropped off every Thursday at Moscatiellos. Shannon needs the items for the baskets by March 20th so she can get the baskets to Richard by March 22nd. Easter is on March 31st this year. Per Lois. we could use some more candy and personal care items.
Gift of Life: Per Leyhane, 5,000 children around the world received heart surgery. If every Rotarian contributed $50 to Gift of Life, another child could receive a transplant. They are about halfway to their goal. To donate go to https://www.giftoflife.org/contrib#makecontribtoday.
Grants Management Training: The next training will be held via Zoom on Monday, April 1st, at 7 pm. Register for grant training at https://cnyrotary.org/. Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane and Debbie Rodriguez completed the training offered on February 7th.
Rotary District: The in-person PETS training will be held March 15th through 17th at the Double Tree in Syracuse. Register early to secure a hotel room. For further information go to http://www.RotaryEmpireMDPETS.org. The majority of the meeting will be held on Saturday if you are considering attending for one day. Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez will attend the District PETS training.
Rotary Leadership Institute Northeast America: The Institute is holding a graduate class on succession planning on Saturday, March 2nd, at Johnson City High School in Johnson City, New York. The class will start at 7:30 am and end at 3:30 pm. The course includes suggestions on how to develop leaders. You must have completed the Rotary Leadership parts I, II and III to take the graduate course. Register at RLINEA.org.
Next Meeting: Thursday, March 7th 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 Courtney Russell from the Spinney.
Entree choices will be Chicken Rustica Salid, Penne Alfredo and Spaghetti with Meatballs.
Do You Want to Run for Office?
Dr. Edmund Kellerman
Dr. Kellerman is a speech and communications specialist. He retired from the Dial Center for Written and Oral Communication at the University of Florida. He has experience in helping political candidates with their campaigns. He had also set up a workshop via Zoom for 100 people who were considering running for office.
Why is one candidate more persuasive than others? By what criteria are candidates measured? If you do not speak well, people will think that you are wasting their time. Public speaking followed the rise in democracy. People judge you not on the merit of the issue but in how you speak.
People have communication anxiety. They fear failure, the unknown and/or rejection. The solution is to view public speaking as normal and natural and to practice desensitization. Start slow. Relax and breath. Visualize positively what you are doing.
When planning to speak, do an audience analysis. Know their attitudes and demographics. It is very important to keep to your time limit. Devote 10% of your time to the introduction, 80% to the body of the speech and 10% to the conclusion. Leave time for questions. When presenting a problem, explain how it applies to the audience and present workable, acceptable, cost-effective solutions that do not have unintended consequences. Support your ideas with research. Delivery matters. Make eye contact and, again, do not go over the assigned time limit. Running for office is a Herculean effort.
Join us this Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 6:00 pm at Moscatiello’s on Route 4 to hear our surprise guest speaker Dr.Ed Kellerman. Due to a last minute cancelation, Ed has agreed to fill in at the last minute. Ed will be joining us remotely and speaking on the topic of, “Do You Want to Run for Office?” As usual if you are unable to join us is person you may do so remotely using the Zoom link located on our calendar page of our website.
Menu choices for the evening include Chicken Ceasar Salad, Chicken Parmesan, or linguini and clam sauce.
Members in Attendance (11): Terry Brewer, Peter Brown, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Phil Kellerman, Ray Hannan, Debbie Brown, Debbie Rodriguez, Murray Forth, Dick Drumm and Charlie Foote.
By Zoom (2): Ron Annis and John Justino.
Guests (3): Denny Cicchino, Dan Wagner and Susan Kaczynski.
President Peter Brown called the meeting to order.
Theme for the Year: “Building Community”
MEETING NOTES:
Paul Harris Fellow: Congratulations to Charlie Foote who received his pin in recognition of his contributions to the Rotary Foundation.
Viking Gym: The Town Highway Department will clear the land the weekend of the 4th. Ron will work with the Highway and Park Departments to lay out the equipment location. The Town will partner with Keller Construction to dig the holes. Volunteers will be needed on March the 23rd at noon to put the equipment together and to hold the equipment in place during the concrete pour. All dates are dependent on the weather. Along with Rotarians, volunteers will be recruited from the community, boy scouts, Kiwanis and other groups. Pat Baily has volunteered to look into food and drink for the 23rd. Jim Layhane will order a Peace Pole from Rotary International. There are two choices, one with four languages for $275 and one with six languages for $325.
Student Scholarships: Terry Brewer will get the scholarship letters out next week. Their award check will be presented at our Rotary meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 23rd at Moscatiello’s Restaurant.
Iron Giraffe Bowl-a-Thon: The bowl-a-thon will be held on Sunday April 14 from 2 pm until 4 pm. The cost will be $13 per person. Proceeds will go to the Anchor Food Pantry and to the Maple Hill water project. We will also ask participants to bring a food item for donation. Phil Kellerman will speak to Christine Fowler regarding the number of students who will attend. Pat Bailey has volunteered to staff the entry table. More volunteers are needed.
Membership: Each SRC Rotary member is asked to bring a friend to the Rotary meeting on April 11th. Terry Brewer will put a program together about Rotary, what the Club does and what we can do for individuals to interest them in Rotary. Members should be prepared to talk about why you joined Rotary. The Club will cover the costs for guests.
Water for Kenya: Peter Brown received another proposal for the bore hole. He is comparing the two proposals. Ms. Kenara and members of the Rotary Club of Enkare Naroch will provide a needs assessment. Circles of Mercy can’t do a grant until the fall.
Grants Management Training: The next training will be held via Zoom on Monday, April 1st, at 7 pm. Register for grant training at https://cnyrotary.org/. Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane and Debbie Rodriguez completed the training offered on February 7th.
PETS Training: The next free virtual pre-PETS training will be held on Thursday, February 29th at 7 pm.
Rotary District: The in-person PETS training will be held March 15th through 17th at the Double Tree in Syracuse. Register early to secure a hotel room. For further information go to http://www.RotaryEmpireMDPETS.org. The majority of the meeting will be held on Saturday if you are considering attending for one day. Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez will attend the District PETS training.
Rotary Leadership Institute Northeast America: The Institute is holding a graduate class on succession planning on Saturday, March 2nd, at Johnson City High School in Johnson City, New York. The class will start at 7:30 am and end at 3:30 pm. The course includes suggestions on how to develop leaders. You must have completed the Rotary Leadership parts I, II and III to take the graduate course. Register at RLINEA.org.
Easter Baskets for Circles of Mercy: Lois Hannan is coordinating the collection this year. Roberto and Jim Leyhane purchased 25 baskets and delivered them to the YMCA. Richard Zazycki, Circles of Mercy, is asking that the baskets include coloring books, color pencils, facial tissues, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, hair combs, hairbrushes, small stuffed animals, toys, small games, small books, and different types of wrapped candy. Items can be dropped off every Thursday at Moscatiellos. Ray Hannon will make sure Lois receives the donations. Shannon needs the items for the baskets by March 18th so she can get the baskets to Richard by March 22nd. Easter is on March 31st this year.
Website Update: The meeting of March 28th will be a General Assembly. The membership lists will be updated and Rotary branding will be clarified so that Keven Leyhane and Debbie Rodriguez can update the website.
Gift of Life: Per Leyhane, 5,000 children around the world received heart surgery. If every Rotarian contributed $50 to Gift of Life, another child could receive a transplant. To donate go to https://www.giftoflife.org/contrib#makecontribtoday.
Boy Scouts: Congratulations to Denny Cicchino, Scoutmaster of Troup 41. He is retiring at the end of the year after serving for 29 years. Dan Wagner, a Columbia High School social studies teacher, is taking over after Mr. Cicchino retires. The Club gave a $560 donation to sponsor a campership.
Next Meeting: Thursday, February 29th (Leap Year) 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 representative from Broadview Credit Union.
Entree choices will be Chicken Ceasar Salid, Chicken Parmesan and Linguini with Baby Clams.
Get to Know Us
The Epilepsy Foundation
Susan Kaczynski, Director of Donor Engagement
Anyone, anywhere at any time can have a seizure. One in ten people have had a seizure and one in twenty-six will go on to develop epilepsy. In the United States, 3.4 million people have epilepsy. There are different types of seizures from grand mal to appearing to zone out that result from many different causes.
The Epilepsy Foundation of Northeastern New York’s mission is to help overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy. The Foundation provides programs and services to twenty-two counties from the Upper Hudson Valley to the North Country to an estimated 45,000 people. They provide information, referrals, service coordination, self-management programs and counseling. They also provide educational programs on recognizing seizures and providing first aid to staff and students in schools and to professionals such as law enforcement and first responders. The Foundation advocates for individuals with epilepsy and their families.
The Foundation hosts many events and activities such as their Walk to End Epilepsy, the Confections to Chocolate Gala and Golf Tournament fundraisers as well as children’s events and adult recreation and social events. To learn more about the Epilepsy Foundation go to https://efneny.org/.
Please join us this Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 6:00pm at Moscatiello’s for our weekly meeting of the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club. Suzanne Gazinski from the Epilepsy Foundation will be our guest presenter, and she will be speaking about Epilepsy and services that the foundation provides. As usual if you are unable to join us in person you may do so remotely using the link on our calendar page of the website.
Dinner choices for the evening include a choice of antipasto salad, chicken marsala, or eggplant parmesan.
City and community leaders of Rensselaer are looking for the community’s input in shaping the future of The City of Rensselaer. Use the QR code on the flyer below to fill out their survey. You do not have to be a resident of the City of Rensselaer to complete a survey.
Members in Attendance (12): Peter Brown, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Kevin Leyhane, Phil Kellerman, Andy Leyhane, Ray Hannan, Debbie Rodriguez, Murray Forth, Dick Drumm, Becky Raymond and Charlie Foote.
By Zoom (2): Pat Bailey and John Justino.
Guests (1): Mike Stangl and Kevin Bailey (Speaker).
President Peter Brown called the meeting to order.
Theme for the Year: “Building Community”
MEETING NOTES:
Iron Giraffe Bowl-a-Thon: The bowl-a-thon will be held on Sunday April 14 from 2 pm until 4 pm. The cost will be $13 per person. Per Phil Kellerman, sponsorships are $50. Phil has collected $650 so far in sponsorships. Proceeds will go to the Anchor Food Pantry and to the Maple Hill water project. Phil will pick up some gift cards for the raffle. He will also ask participants to bring a food item for donation. He also spoke to Christine Fowler regarding student participation. Pat Bailey has volunteered to staff the entry table. More volunteers are needed.
Membership: Each SRC Rotary member is asked to bring a friend to the Rotary meeting on April 11th. Terry Brewer will put a program together about Rotary, what the Club does and what we can do for individuals to interest them in Rotary. Members should be prepared to talk about why you joined Rotary. The Club will cover the costs for guests.
Water for Kenya: Ms. Kenara and members of the Rotary Club of Enkare Naroch visited the Full Gospel Church in North Central Kenya on February 7th. They reported that it was an excellent meeting and all are excited about the community project. They are discussing a small charge for water in order to generate funds to maintain the well. The next step is the needs assessment. Phil Kellerman and Debbie Rodriguez have started the Rotary International Global Grant training.
Exchange Program: Peter Brown recontacted both the Schodack and East Greenbush School Districts. Both are considering how to proceed. Becky Raymond suggested getting one of previously sponsored students to speak at an assembly about their experience as an exchange student. Per Peter Brown, this had been suggested to both schools.
Grants Management Training: The next training will be held via Zoom on Monday, April 1st, at 7 pm. Register for grant training at https://cnyrotary.org/. Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane and Debbie Rodriguez completed the training offered on February 7th. In the new CNY Rotary District 7190, there are more than 100 clubs and greater than 3,000 Rotarians. There were 87 participants in the training. There are three categories of grants, District, District Scholarship and Regional. There is $60,000 available for grants this year. Applications are due by June 1.
PETS Training: The next free virtual pre-PETS trainings will be held on Wednesday, February 21st at 7 pm and Thursday, February 29th at 7 pm.
Rotary District: The in-person PETS training will be held March 15th through 17th at the Double Tree in Syracuse. Register early to secure a hotel room. For further information go to http://www.RotaryEmpireMDPETS.org. The majority of the meeting will be held on Saturday if you are considering attending for one day. Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez will attend the District PETS training.
Rotary Leadership Institute Northeast America: The Institute is holding a graduate class on succession planning on Saturday, March 2nd, at Johnson City High School in Johnson City, New York. The class will start at 7:30 am and end at 3:30 pm. The course includes suggestions on how to develop leaders. You must have completed the Rotary Leadership parts I, II and III to take the graduate course. Register at RLINEA.org.
Easter Baskets for Circles of Mercy: Lois Hannan is coordinating the collection this year. Roberto and Jim Leyhane purchased 25 baskets and delivered them to the YMCA. Richard Zazycki, Circles of Mercy, is asking that the baskets include coloring books, color pencils, facial tissues, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, hair combs, hairbrushes, small stuffed animals, toys, small games, small books, and different types of wrapped candy. Items can be dropped off every Thursday at Moscatiellos. Shannon needs the items for the baskets by March 18th so she can get the baskets to Richard by March 22nd. Easter is on March 31st this year.
Viking Gym: Jim Leyhane is looking at the possibility of placing a Rotary Peace Pole at the site.
Opportunity for Service: The Colonie-Guilderland Rotary Club sent information on helping the immigrant IRC with help for asylum seekers. Phil Kellerman researched the request and reported back to the Club with his recommendation.
Member Lists: The meeting of March 28th will be a General Assembly. The membership lists will be updated so Keven Leyhane and Debbie Rodriguez can update the website.
Gift of Life: Per Leyhane, 5,000 children around the world received heart surgery. If every Rotarian contributed $50 to Gift of Life, another child could receive a transplant. To donate go to https://www.giftoflife.org/contrib#makecontribtoday.
Social Capital: Debbie Rodriguez suggested that the Club look into the Rotary Community Corps where non-Rotarian Community members work in partnership with Rotary to improve their community. Peter Brown will check with our Rotary District about existing Corps or how to establish a Corp.
Next Meeting: Thursday, February 22nd 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 Suzanne Gazinski from the Epilepsy Foundation.
Entree choices will be Antipasto Salid, Chicken Marsala and Eggplant Parmesan.
High Peaks Solar Water Projects in Tanzania
Kevin Bailey
Kevin Bailey majored in international political science in college. He graduated and went on to establish High Peaks Solar, a solar installation service located in Wynantskill. He also founded the 501c not-for-profit The Sky is Not Limited. While working the Home Show at the Pepsi Arena in 2006 he met Jean Dobbs the CEO of the African Reflection Foundation. In partnership with the Foundation, The Sky is Not Limited has provided 15 wells combined with solar power to areas in Tanzania. They have also provided for a well in Haiti.
When Mr. Bailey went to Africa ten to twelve years ago; he witnessed poverty and saw how long it took to get water. A woman in her seventies walked one and a half miles each way every day to get a gallon of water. Having a well is life changing.
The African Reflection Foundation sites the wells, provides logistics and funding. The Sky is Not Limited, installs the wells, storage tanks and solar panels. Solar panels are used to power the well pump. Each well had cost $15,000 but due to inflation, the cost is now $17,000. Many of the wells were located at schools. The equipment is donated to the schools and become school property. Students and their families obtain water for free while there was a small charge for others. The solar panels last for forty to fifty years. However, the pump controls are electronic and need protection from the sun. Cell phones are used for monitoring.
The Sky is Not Limited is looking at developing solar cooking projects. Many people cook with charcoal and/or wood. Deforestation is becoming a problem. For further information or to donate to their projects go to https://theskyisnotlimited.org/.
Please join us this Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 6:00pm at Moscatiello’s to hear Kevin Bailey, owner of High Peaks Solar speak to our club regarding his experience with water bore hole projects in Tanzania. As usual if you can’t join us in person you may do so remotely using the Zoom link located on our website’s calendar page.
Entree choices for the evening include chicken Rustica salad, Lasagna, or Cheese Ravioli. Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.
Members in Attendance (15): Debbie Brown, Pat Bailey, Peter Brown, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Kevin Leyhane, Phil Kellerman, Andy Leyhane, Ray Hannan, Debbie Rodriguez, Murray Forth, Terry Brewer, Monica Annis, Ron Annis and Dick Drumm.
By Zoom (0):
Guests (1): Sister Betsy Van Deusen and Lois Hannan.
President Peter Brown called the meeting to order.
Theme for the Year: “Building Community”
MEETING NOTES:
Iron Giraffe Bowl-a-Thon: The bowl-a-thon will be held on Sunday April 14 from 2 pm until 4 pm. The cost will be $13 per person. Per Phil Kellerman, sponsorships are $50. Phil has collected $300 so far in sponsorships. Proceeds will go to the Anchor Food Pantry and to the Maple Hill water project. Phil will pick up some gift cards for the raffle. He will also ask participants to bring a food item for donation. He also spoke to Christine Fowler regarding student participation.
Membership: Each SRC Rotary member is asked to bring a friend to the Rotary meeting on April 11th. Terry Brewer will put a program together about Rotary, what the Club does and what we can do for individuals to interest them in Rotary. Members should be prepared to talk about why you joined Rotary. The Club will cover the costs for guests.
Water for Kenya: Ms. Kenara and members of the Rotary Club of Enkare Naroch visited the Full Gospel Church on February 7th. They reported that it was an excellent meeting and all are excited about the community project. They are discussing a small charge for water in order to generate funds to maintain the well. The next step is the needs assessment.
Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez and Debbie Rodriguez met with Jeff Simons, Superintendent of the East Greenbush Central School District, on Monday, February 5th. Mr. Simons is looking at ways that students and staff can be involved in the process.
Lois Hannan reported that she has received the Sister’s of Mercy grant application for the water project. She may need some help with that.
Phil Kellerman and Debbie Rodriguez will take the Rotary International Global Grant training.
Exchange Program: Peter Brown spoke with Jeff Simons about the possibility of a summer exchange program. Mr. Simons will pursue the idea. The Schodack School District is considering how to proceed.
Grants Management Training: The next training will be held via Zoom on Monday, April 1st, at 7 pm. Register for grant training at https://cnyrotary.org/. Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane and Debbie Rodriguez completed the training offered on February 7th. In the new CNY Rotary District 7190, there are more than 100 clubs and greater than 3,000 Rotarians. There were 87 participants in the training. There are three categories of grants, District, District Scholarship and Regional. There is $60,000 available for grants this year. Applications are due by June 1.
PETS Training: The next free virtual pre-PETS trainings will be held on Tuesday, February 13th at 7 pm, The rest will be held on Wednesday, February 21st at 7 pm and Thursday, February 29th at 7 pm.
Rotary District: The in-person PETS training will be held March 15th through 17th at the Double Tree in Syracuse. Register early to secure a hotel room. For further information go to http://www.RotaryEmpireMDPETS.org. The majority of the meeting will be held on Saturday if you are considering attending for one day. Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez will attend the District PETS training.
Rotary Leadership Institute Northeast America: The Institute is holding a graduate class on succession planning on Saturday, March 2nd, at Johnson City High School in Johnson City, New York. The class will start at 7:30 am and end at 3:30 pm. The course includes suggestions on how to develop leaders. You must have completed the Rotary Leadership parts I, II and III to take the graduate course. Register at RLINEA.org.
Easter Baskets for Circles of Mercy: Lois Hannan is coordinating the collection this year. Roberto and Jim Leyhane purchased 25 baskets and delivered them to the YMCA. Richard Zazycki, Circles of Mercy, is asking that the baskets include coloring books, color pencils, facial tissues, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, hair combs, hairbrushes, small stuffed animals, toys, small games, small books, and different types of wrapped candy. Items can be dropped off every Thursday at Moscatiellos. Shannon needs the items for the baskets by March 18th so she can get the baskets to Richard by March 22nd. Easter is on March 31st this year.
Viking Gym: Ron Annis reported that the equipment is at the Schodack Town Highway Department. Ron met with the Town in November. The Town Highway Department will clear the land in April. Ron will work with the Highway and Park Departments to lay out the equipment location. The Town will drill the holes and coordinate the concrete order and delivery. Volunteers will be needed to hold the equipment in place during the concrete pour. Along with Rotarians, volunteers will be recruited from the community, boy scouts, Kiwanis and other groups. Top Form will provide scan codes for how to use the equipment and we may add a Rotary Peace Pole. The Club will look at publicity for the project.
Student Scholarships: Terry Brewer will get the scholarship letters out. The Club agreed to three $1000 scholarships to a student from the East Greenbush, Maple Hill and Rensselaer School Districts. Will try to have the responses from the Districts by April 15th so that the Club can meet the recipients in a meeting on May 16th or 23rd but no later than June 6th. Terry will speak with Andy about a Cafe Capriccio Dinner fundraiser.
Gift of Life: Per Leyhane, 5,000 children around the world received heart surgery. If every Rotarian contributed $50 to Gift of Life, another child could receive a transplant. To donate go to https://www.giftoflife.org/contrib#makecontribtoday.
Social Capital: Peter Brown attended a seminar on social capital, also called community resilience, which generates value for a community. An organizational process has been developed. Peter will provide further information ideas.
Next Meeting: Thursday, February 15th 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 Kevin Bailey from High Peaks Solar speaking on water projects in Tanzania.
Entree choices will be Chicken Rustica Salid, Lasagna and Cheese Ravioli.
Catholic Charities
Sister Betsy Van Deusen, CSJ
Sister Betsy Van Deusen is a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph Carondelet. She is a social worker by training and has served as Director of Church Relations for Habitat for Humanity International and Director of Community Partnerships for the Diocese of Albany. She serves on the Boards of the Regional Food Bank and the College of Saint Rose. Sister Betsy has been the CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany since July of 2022.
Catholic Charities of Diocese of Albany encompasses 14 counties witch cover 10,000 square miles. There are 10 agencies with 85 programs. The organization employes 700 people and has a 48-million-dollar budget. They serve 100,000 people a year. Funding comes from the Counties and the State with some Federal grants. They also fund raise.
Catholic Charities provides health, housing and shelter, youth and family, older adult and community services such as residences for pregnant teens, foster family placement and substance abuse assistance. They also have food insecurity and nutrition programs which include food pantries. For example, they provided a bus token to an individual so he could apply for a job and then provided steel toed shoes so he could do the job. That individual is now self-sufficient. They also provide services for run-away youth and help incarcerated individuals re-enter society. They provide community outreach and emergency services.
There are 168 Catholic Charity organizations in the Country. They are the largest service provider in the Country and in New York State. For more information go to https://www.ccrcda.org/.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 