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.

Some coronavirus-induced District shuffling

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Screen Shot 2020-03-16 at 4.46.47 PMGrowing government restrictions on public events because of the coronavirus pandemic have necessitated some changes on the District 7190 calendar. Here are actions taken by the District Board:

• The Foundation Dinner scheduled for March 26 has been cancelled. Refunds will be available for those who registered, although the Board is asking that Rotarians consider leaving their payments in place for credit to the Foundation. “If you were planning to make a donation to the Foundation, please consider accelerating that payment so it can start earning while the financial markets are down,” said District Governor Larry Jones.

• The District Training Assembly/Grant Management Seminar scheduled for April 4 will be reformatted to become an online experience. Details will be announced.

• The District Conference scheduled in Albany for May 15-17 has been suspended. “While we do not anticipate being able to hold even a scaled-down conference, we have not worked out the final details on cancellation,” Jones said. “We will continue to hold a raffle for a ‘Wheelbarrow of Booze’ that was to be a fundraiser for the conference.” At the least, we will have an online meeting to conduct the business required by our District By-laws, to recognize outstanding service, and to remember those who have passed on to higher service.

• All other District face-to-face sessions will be delayed at least through May 31.

About those Cafe Capriccio raffle tickets …

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Rotary CashWe need to collect the money for all of the raffle tickets for the Cafe Capriccio wine dinner our members have purchased or sold.

If you have not yet turned in your money to Treasurer Murray Forth, the deadline for doing so is this Thursday.

Even though we will not be meeting at Quigley’s that evening, Murray will be in the parking lot at 6 p.m. to accept your payments and to draw the winning raffle ticket. Please don’t stand him up. (if you need to contact Murray in advance, you can call his cell at 518-441-8783.)

Obviously, because the state has ordered all restaurants to cease normal operations as of this evening, and for the foreseeable future, the Cafe Capriccio dinner will have to be rescheduled. We will be in contact with the owner to make suitable arrangements.

Thank you for your cooperation.

 

SRC activities suspended over virus concerns

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Screen Shot 2020-03-16 at 3.37.30 PMEffective at 8 o’clock this evening, under an executive order issued this morning by Governor Andrew Cuomo, all restaurants and bars in the state will cease operations except for takeout and delivery orders. That means Quigley’s will not be available to host our meetings for the foreseeable future.

In addition, President Donald Trump’s coronavirus response team this afternoon announced additional restrictions and guidelines, including asking people not to meet in groups of more than 10, and asking people 65 and older to stay home and avoid contact with others.

As a result of these actions, club President Phil Kellerman is calling for suspension of all activities of the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club until we receive further information and advisories from health officials, at which time the Board will evaluate and discuss resumption.

Meanwhile, we suggest everyone check the online information and advice about the coronavirus from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Stay away from crowds, wash your hands, stay home as much as possible, and check on older friends and relatives on a regular basis.

 

SRC to continue meeting, with caution

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Screen Shot 2020-03-13 at 11.24.02 PMKeeping the coronavirus pandemic in mind, the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club has decided to continue its Thursday dinner meetings for now.

However, the club is encouraging anyone feeling ill or who is in the categories of those most susceptible to the virus (over age 60; compromised immune system; other underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes) to stay home if they feel uncomfortable about the potential of exposure.

Screen Shot 2020-03-13 at 11.25.52 PMEveryone is encouraged to follow the basic precautionary guidelines being issued by local, state, and national health agencies:

• frequent thorough hand washing with hot water and soap (at least 20 seconds);
• avoiding large crowds where potential contamination is greater;
• covering up when sneezing or coughing to avoid affecting others;
• regularly wiping down work surfaces with disinfectants;
• avoid touching your face, mouth, ears with unwashed hands, etc.

You can find an excellent set of guidelines online from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

Time’s almost up for dinner raffle ticket sales

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The drawing for the winner of the latest Cafe Capriccio wine pairing dinner as a club fundraiser is scheduled for Thursday’s dinner meeting at Quigley’s. No need to be present to win.

But, you still have time to buy or sell tickets at just $20 each for a special private-room dinner for 12 people, valued at $1,300, designed and prepared by chef-owner Jim Rua.

If you haven’t picked up tickets from Andy Leyhane or Murray Forth to buy or sell, please call them to do so ASAP. If you already have sold tickets, please get the money to Murray as soon as you can.

(And, speaking of Andy, he’ll be emceeing a session of  musical trivia after dinner on Thursday. Think of it as a one-category warmup for the 6th annual “Great North American Whizbang Trivia Contest” Bill Dowd will be presenting on May 7.)

Here’s the flyer we have been circulating about the dinner raffle. Enjoy!

2020 Dinner Raffle

 

Freedom From Fistula event postponed

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Screen Shot 2020-03-13 at 10.25.09 PMBecky Raymond, SRC liaison with the Freedom From Fistula Foundation, and club president Phil Kellerman today participated in a meeting of the FFFF Planning Committee via Skype.

It was decided to postpone the scheduled April 20 foundation discussion and fundraiser at the UAlbany School of Public Health at SUNY Albany in light of the school’s recommendation that all on-campus activities be postponed for at least 45 days due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Because students will not be on campus again until late spring, the group decided to wait until the fall to attempt to hold event.

Phil said that although presidential term will expire before then, he would like to continue to be involved with the FFFF committee.

 

Meeting Clipboard: 3/12/20

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SRC ClipboardHeld at Quigley’s Restaurant
573 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY 12061

Members Attending (12): Phil Kellerman, Murray Forth, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Debbie Rodriguez, Pat Bailey, Dean Calamaras, Dick Drumm, Charlie Foote, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Wells Packard.

Guests (4): Tony and Debbie Morris (potential members), Dennis Cicchino and Jeff Morris (Boy Scout Troop 41).

MEETING NOTES — President Phil Kellerman presided, welcoming members and four guests, including potential members Tony and Debbie Morris. … The main topic of discussion was about our future dinner meetings in light of concern over the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In an email poll of Board members, several recommended suspension of meetings, others were in favor of continuing. After discussion at the meeting, it was decided to (a) continue meeting pending any further health-related concerns, (b) Phil will talk with Quigley’s owner John Walsh about us ordering off the menu if fewer than 12 people attend, and (c) speakers would be invited and given the opportunity to decline if numbers are small. …

Murray Forth reported that sales of raffle tickets for the March 28 wine dinner at Cafe Capriccio are slow, but we have raised enough to at least cover the cost of the event. The drawing is scheduled for next Thursday’s meeting. … Dean Calamaras reported that the district’s Gift of Life child underwent successful cardiac surgery at Albany Medical Center on March 11. …

Until further notice, members are asked to hold off on bringing Easter basket items to the meetings until we clarify the status of the project with Circles of Mercy. We will contact Circles of Mercy to ask about its needs instead and suggest that food items or money towards necessities might be more useful, especially since schools could be closed because of the coronavirus problem and lunch programs curtailed. On another topic, Circles of Mercy will hold a “Walk for Mercy” on Saturday, April 4, and is looking for sponsors. Contact Ray Hannan for more information. …

Phil has spoken to the IRS about our tax exempt status (one hour on the phone). It appears we will need to file missing annual reports. He, Murray, and Terry will work together to complete the required documents and file them. … Our SRC Recycling & Shredding Day remains scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at Wainschaf Associates in Rensselaer. Details are on the event flyer that has been distributed to all members several times. …

Peter Brown reported that the Capital Region Nordic Alliance (CRNA), the adaptive sports program for disabled vets, is seeking a sponsor for a CRNA athlete to participate in the European Trail Orienteering Championships 2020 being held in Finland. About $500 is needed, and we already have raised $380 through the weekly money jug contributions. … We need at least two members to attend the April 4 District Training Assembly / Grants Management Seminar to be able to file for grants. … President-elect Dick Drumm said he would be unable to attend this week’s Empire Multi-District PETS training in Syracuse. …

Roberto Martinez reported that Julius Frankel is out of hospital rehab and is doing well at home. … Roberto also gave a short talk about the “new” flu and its symptoms, etc. … Wells Packard reported that the Rotary Youth Exchange still is on, and students will be traveling as expected in the late summer and fall. … Next meeting: 6:15 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Quigley’s. The scheduled program will be musical trivia with Andy Leyhane. Members are reminded to check the website calendar page for program assignment dates/speakers/topics and to contact webmaster Bill Dowd as soon as they have a program lined up so he can publicize it.

Screen Shot 2020-03-13 at 2.00.05 PM

Dennis Cicchino (right) and Jeff Morris of Boy Scout Troop 41 visited to make their annual report on Scouting activities and their appeal for continued SRC funding.

The cost of summer camp has gone up again, and for this summer will be $545. Murray moved, Roberto seconded, and attendees approved without dissent a club grant of $545 to the troop for that purpose.

 

Now hear this, Thursday speaker set

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Screen Shot 2020-03-10 at 9.05.14 PMYou’ve probably seen the ads for Miracle Ear, but did you know it’s a hearing aid company based in Italy that consists of a network of franchised and corporately-owned retail outlets throughout the U.S. and elsewhere?

We were just informed a speaker for the company will make a presentation at this week’s 6:15 dinner meeting at Quigley’s about the latest auditory technology.

Dinner menu: The entrée is beef tips in gravy, with chef’s choice of side dishes, specialty salad, bread, dessert, and beverages. And,  always, come early for a social period plus the cash bar.

If you plan to join us — and your guests are always welcome if we know they are coming — please be sure dinner coordinator Debbie Rodriguez has received your RSVP via email at debbanrod@yahoo.com by this evening (maybe you can squeeze in on Wednesday morning, but before 10 a.m.). The following already have reserved:

Pat Bailey
Debbie Brown
Peter Brown
Dick Drumm
Murray Forth
Ray Hannan
Phil Kellerman
Kevin Leyhane
Wells Packard
Debbie Rodriguez
Guest speaker

 

Fistula Foundation fundraiser planned

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Fistula PosterThe UAlbany School of Public Health will host a public engagement event to raise awareness and support for efforts to combat obstetric fistulas among sub-Saharan African women.

It is scheduled for 5:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 20, at the school, located at the Health Sciences Campus on Columbia Turnpike in Rensselaer. The event is co-sponsored by the Danes Rotaract and Southern Rensselaer County Rotary clubs.

The event will include a silent auction to help raise funds for the Freedom From Fistula Foundation, a Rotary-supported health organization dedicated to helping women in sub-Saharan countries receive education and medical assistance to combat what is a common gynecological problem there.

SRC members are invited to donate items for the silent auction, and may contact President Phil Kellerman at a club meeting, via phone at 352-262-5421, or via e-mail at philkellerman77@gmail.com.