The meeting covered various topics, including the recognition of  Rotary High School Scholarship recipients, discussions about mentoring programs, and updates on community service projects. Members also addressed organizational matters such as upcoming events, membership dues, and leadership changes within the club as we end the Rotary calendar year. Additionally, the group reviewed ongoing initiatives and future plans, including global grant projects, fundraising efforts, and potential student exchange programs.

A moment of silence was offered for the recent passing of long-time member, and past District Governor, Denise DiNoto. Services are scheduled for June 20^th and listed on the CNY Rotary website.

This is the last meeting at Moscatiellos until we return after summer programs.

Minutes

Members attending 13: Pat Bailey, Carole Heaney, Dick Drumm, Peter and Debbie Brown, Andy Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Murray Forth, Charlie Foote, Phil Kellerman, Ray Hannan, Roberto Martinez, Murray Forth

Guests 9: Joe Kardash, Olivia Hanks (student), Stacy Hover, Rob Santarcangelo, Jen McIntosh, Leah McIntosh (student), Patricia Farnan, Donna LaPietra, Giovanni LaPietra (student)

Rotary Club Scholarship Recipients Introductions

Three Rotary Scholarship Recipients from Columbia High School, Maple Hill, and Rensselaer High schools along with their families and representatives from their schools were present. Phil Kellerman presented Award Certificates and a check for $1000 to the winners. The awardees were selected by their schools. All students exhibited Rotary characteristics or giving back to the community, leadership and doing good in the world. All were appreciative of their mentors and Rotary for assisting with the scholarship awards. 

Recipients:

Maple Hill High School: Lea McIntosh

Lea is interested in teaching and looks forward to major in world history and becoming a high school teacher.  She will be going to SUNY Gennesio, where her mom also went. She’s dedicated to helping others and enjoying indoor and outdoor athletics, along with academics and student leadership.

Columbia High School: Giovanni LaPietra

Giovanni is a cross-country runner and it a mentor to soccer students.  Academically he’s interested in Chemical Engineering and will be attending college in New Jersey. 

Rensselaer High School: Olivia Hanks

Olivia is interested in always saying yes and being a part of something bigger than she is. Likes to be doing good in the community and being a mentor. She going to SUNY Oneonta and looks forward to being an elementary teacher.

Presidential Changeover Event

The upcoming presidential turnover event at the Browns, where Roberto will be transitioning his position as President to Phil Kellerman for the new calendar year. The event will include garden tours, the induction of three new members, and a summer casual fundraiser with a $30 per person charge and $40 per family. Roberto emphasized the importance of headcount for planning purposes and mentioned that Peter and Debbie need to be informed of attendees.

Kenya Project Update and Applications

Peter Brown reported on a global grant project in Kenya where a planned well drilling was unsuccessful, but the team is now considering two sites for rainwater collection systems. He mentioned receiving a thank you note from Edith regarding assistance provided to her brother’s funeral expenses.

District Grants: Roberto noted that the District Grant application 2025-26 has been submitted and he will work with Jim to prepare a final report for District Grant 24-25 which will be due by end of July.

Club Updates and Shelter Initiatives

The meeting covered several updates and action items.

Membership Dues: Roberto discussed the need to collect membership dues by end of July, and mentioned that some members have already paid. Murray stated ACH payments for membership dues are now available.

New Member Inductions: The club will be conducting inductions during the presidential changeover.

St Paul’s: Chris Fowler is coordinating donations to a homeless shelter, with plans for a potential music benefit in late August or early September. Carole mentioned she would provide more details about a “Kids Nook” project at the St. Pauls senior shelter after she speaks with their representative. The group reviewed upcoming events, including a tour of the shelter on July 10th. They also discussed a food drive and the need to collect items for the shelter.

Roberto reminded everyone about joining the Facebook page.

Belgian Exchange Program Postponed

The meeting discussed the potential hosting of a Belgian exchange student, but due to a lack of established host families, the opportunity was postponed. The District is still hoping someone can step forward in the District to make it work. Roberto emphasized the importance of continuing to engage with the student exchange program and suggested including it in a strategic plan.

The group also discussed upcoming events, including the Rotary International Convention, where Carole and Tom Reamon will be involved.

Finally, they mentioned the resignation of Rotary International President-elect Mario de Camargo due to family issues, and the need to find a replacement.

Attendees: Pat, Mary Alice, Ray, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Carole Heaney, Roberto, Jim, Chris Bystroff, Charlie Foot, Murray, Laurie

Guests: Tom Heaney

AI Content Review

Carole discussed the process of sending AI-generated minutes to Phil for review and corrections, aiming to free up club members for other tasks. Process needs continued tweaking.

Global Grant Update

Peter shared that Jennifer in Kenya has organized a meeting for next Wednesday with interested parties for the global grant project, and Peter offered to share the meeting details with anyone interested.

District Grant Updates:

District Grant 2024/25: Three Scholarships will be issued from this grant on June 12th. In Terry’s absence Phil will be presenting the awards.  That to everyone involved in making the event possible, especially Terry who reached out to the school systems. The meeting will not have a Zoom in order make the event more personal, and we will have different seating. Action item: updated guest list.

District Grant 2025/26 for EG School was received by the District but not yet reviewed  or approved.  Thanks to Carole, Laurie, Peter, and Chris for their efforts in preparing the application.

Project Updates:

Star of Hope: Roberto mentioned that Terry had moved the Star to Hope transition to September and he is the point of contact with Jeff for planning. Currently the Club would be responsible for moving stones and gardening at the new location. As more information is available, Terry will let us know.

St. Paul’s Book Nook: Consider book donations of paperbacks and hard-cover books in good order. Action: Phil to finalize with Chris Fowler for delivery

Event Planning

The group decided to proceed with the Club Induction to be at the June 19^th Presidential Turnover event at the Browns.

• The Pool Party at Jim’s and sponsored by Jim/Roberto will be July 24th. Action: Jim to finalize.
• St. Paul’s Senior Center site visit will be held on July 10th. Action: Phil to finalize
• Mohawk Humane Society tour will be on July 31st. Bring bagged dog food. Action: Phil to finalize

Club Runner Update

Roberto discussed ongoing issues with Club Runner and Rotary International synchronization, noting that the new officers for 25-26 are incorrect. The club is working to ensure all membership is properly recorded in the system before the new calendar year to avoid billing issues.  Action Item: Pat will reach out to the district for help on this matter.

Haiti Fundraising Update

Phil also mentioned the completion of the Haiti High Clinic fundraising, which raised $300. Thanks everyone for the contributions. Mr. Foote suggested that any speakers visiting with the club be informed they can make a request for donations via an application process in the following budget year. The Club thought this was a reasonable suggestion by Charlie. Action Item: Forward to the Board.

Membership Dues:

Murray will send out membership notices over the weekend.

Action: Members to pay dues.

Upcoming Social Events

Baseball at the Joe- August 7th Ticket Allocation Review

Roberto reviewed ticket allocations from last year and discussed discrepancies in the numbers, particularly regarding Pat’s tickets which were reported as 3 versus 4.

Debbie R. has info about Carole’s two tickets from last year. Paid but not used due to power outage at the stadium and should have been added to the list.

Action: Pat B. will confirm her ticket available. Debbie R. will confirm Carole’s two tickets are on the list.

MacHayden “Annie” Performance: Aug. 14th matinee. Debbie B. reviewed sign up list and updated ticket count.

Action: Debbie B is collecting monies now and will take final ticket count on June 19^th.  Tickets are $45.

Speaker:

The group agreed to postpone tonight’s speaker until September due to ongoing technical difficulties with Zoom.

Members in Attendance (13): Roberto Martinez, Pat Bailey, Jim Leyhane, Laurie Pferr, Debbie Rodriguez, Phil Kellerman, Ray Hannan, Murray Forth, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Christine Fowler, Andy Leyhane and Kevin Leyhane.

By Zoom (0)

Guests (0):

President Roberto Martinez called the meeting to order.

Theme for the year: Grow membership, do good in the world, leverage social capital, & have fun!

Meeting Notes:

Membership: Roberto Martinez called Shannon Romanowski about a Corporate Membership for the YMCA. Jim Leyhane has a possible member who might attend next week. Carole Heaney, Pat Bailey, Laurie LPferr and Debbie Rodriguez met as a small group to discuss ideas to increase membership and to look at the Clubs structure for changes that could help attract new members.

Global Grant: Per Peter Brown, there has been no progress since last week. He gave a recap of the project. The next step is to look for a site for a water capture.

Star of Hope:  Debbie Rodriguez will submit a budget for the Star of Hope Relocation Project when details become available. The boy scouts will help with moving the Star of Hope.

District Grant: Per Roberto Martinez, for the 24-25 Grant, three awardees were selected for the scholarships. The presentation of scholarships will be held on June 12th. Pat Bailey is working on entering the Clubs goals and officers into the District website. Laurie Pferr is heading up a small group to complete the 25-26 application.

Community Project: The next meeting for the backpack project will be held on August 21st.

Donation Jar: Members are asked to think about what non-for-profit organization should receive the proceeds of the passing of the jar next year.

Food Drive: Per Phil Kellerman, the Stuff the Bus event will be held on June 7th at Maple Hill to benefit the Anchor Food Pantry.

Change-Over Dinner and Induction of New Members: The change-over will be held on June 19th at Debbie and Peter Brown”s house at 6:00 pm. Laurie Pferr, Chris Fowler and Chris Bystroff will be inducted.

CNY News: Information on all of CNY events and more are posted to the website, cnyrotary.org.

RI Conventions: Calgary, June 21-25, 2025. Carole Heaney will be attending. The Club had voted that Carole would represent SCR Rotary as our Delegate to the Convention, however we subsequently found out that they do not appoint delegates any longer.

Summer Social Events: The events are posted on the Calendar page of the website.

For the St. Paul Center tour on July 10th, at 3:45, please bring donations of household items and books for adults 55 and older. Chris Fowler toured the facility and looked at the book nook. They could use some small tables, chairs, lamps and plants. Please, no clothes are needed. For t

For the Mohawk -Hudson Humane Society tour on July 31, please bring donations of pet food.

Valley Cats: The game was rained out last year. The Club tickets rolled over to this year. We will attend the game on August 7th. If you did not sign up last year but wish to go this year, let Debbie Rodriguez know. She will be picking up the tickets next month. Debbie will bring the list of attendees for this year’s game and will accept payments for those who had not signed up last year at the next meeting.

Tickets are $46 if we have 12 or more people attending or $50 if less than 12 attendees for the Mac-Hayden Theater production of Annie. Let Debbie Brown know if you are attending.

Next Meeting: The next meeting is Thursday, June 5th at 6:00 pm at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant, Route 4, North Greenbush. Tom Romero will talk about crypto currency.