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.

It’s time for another New Year’s party

SRCrotaryLeave a comment

Screen Shot 2019-02-01 at 2.04.58 PMNext week the world ushers in the Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year as it is known in some areas.

To mark that occasion, SRC will have a Chinese New Year-themed dinner meeting at 6:15 p.m. Thursday. Where? Where else but at an Irish-named sports bar — in our very own Quigley’s meeting room.

In addition to having an Asian-accented buffet dinner from the Quigley’s kitchen, Bill Dowd is putting together a brief fun quiz focusing on the nation and culture that gave rise to this major international holiday.

Debbie Brown will be sending out her weekly RSVP request in a few days. When she does, please be sure your name is on the reservation list or email her  (mdbrown@nycap.rr.com) to have it added so you can join your fellow Rotarians in a social setting.

Looking forward to seeing you on February 7!

 

Meeting Clipboard: 1/31/19

SRCrotaryLeave a comment

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

Members Attending (13): Andy Leyhane, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Phil Kellerman, Becky Raymond, Roberto Martinez, Terry Brewer, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Ray Hannan, Dick Drum, Kevin Leyhane, Debbie Rodriguez.

Guests (4): Blue Star Mothers members Donna Vickery, Gerri Roth, Dawn Curtis; Lois Hannan.

NOTES: The final income total for the latest Wine Dinner Raffle was just under $2,000 for the club treasury. We sold about the same number of tickets as we did for the initial raffle held earlier in this Rotary Year. … screenshot2019-01-31at11.05.47pmBill Dowd is in the process of finalizing a flyer for the inaugural SRC Rotary 5K/10K Trail Run. Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez are working on lining up vendors and race sponsors, plus event management details with the Albany Running Exchange for the October 19 event to be held at Schodack Island State Park. The Blue Star Mothers organization, who led tonight’s program, said they would like to help during the race and with setup. …

For our 3rd annual Community Appreciation Dinner to be held on Tuesday, March 5, at Moscatiello’s Family Italian Restaurant in North Greenbush, Terry Brewer is working with Mike Bennett and Columbia High School, along with Jim Leyhane. Sponsorship pledges at $100 per individual or organization need to be in to Jim or Murray Forth by Thursday, February 14. … Becky Raymond reported on the board meeting from our Danes Rotaract Club at the UAlbany School of Public Health. SRC is continuing the “spare change jar” fund drive for the club. Becky said the grad student members are getting more interest from their community and would like to be more involved in co-sponsoring events with our club. They also are putting together a scholarship offering and will be picking a recipient. …

President-elect Phil Kellerman attended the first of three PETS (Presidents-elect Training Seminar) events for the 2019-20 Rotary Year. He said he found the session very helpful, and he may be coordinating some multi-club projects. … screenshot2019-01-31at11.07.26pmChinese New Year will be the theme for next Thursday’s 6:15 p.m. dinner meeting at Quigley’s, with a special Asian themed menu and a brief fun quiz put together by Bill Dowd dealing with the holiday and the surrounding Asian culture.

b12
Blue Star Mothers reps show off the finished products from the evening’s labors.

PROGRAM: “No-Sew Blanket Project for Blue Star Mothers”

A trio of members of the local chapter of the Blue Star Mothers military family support group was on hand to lead a hands-on blanket creation effort similar to several we have done earlier.

In the past, we have made blankets to be donated to the U.S. Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots drive. This time we created four adult-sized blankets for vets at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center. Some scenes from the workshop as contributed by Phil Kellerman and Roberto Martinez:

 

Meeting Clipboard: 1/24/18

SRCrotaryLeave a comment

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

Members Attending (16): Andy Leyhane, Murray Forth, Phil Kellerman, Jim Leyhane, Bill Dowd, Shannon Romanowski, Debbie Rodriguez, Becky Raymond, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Ray Hannan, Kevin Leyhane, Dean Calamaras, Ron Annis, Dick Drumm, Mike Bennett.

Guests (2): Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin, aide Rich Crist.

execSPEAKER: Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin discussed the state of the county, and took questions from attendees.

Among advances he mentioned: a $2 million payroll saving by not filling unessential positions for as long as possible; a saving of about $500,000 by changing companies handling insurance for county retirees without reducing benefits; an improvement in the county’s bond rating from A1 to AA3 which helps improve the viability of bond sales; an approximately $750,000 saving in changing purchasing practices to require more bids, and adding GPS devices to county vehicles to better track activities. He also said he hopes to use some savings to increase the budget for county highway repaving programs, saying “The roads right in front of you are what you see every day and have an impact.”

Among further improvements, McLaughlin wants to continue working with the business community to improve the county’s main commercial corridors — such as Columbia Turnpike and the in-development Amazon distribution center project — to produce revenue needed in a time of ever-increasing costs and unfunded state mandates while maintaining the overall rural character of the county that attracts residents.

NOTES: The YMCAs in the region are working with the CAP COM Federal Credit Union to help local food pantries restock because of excessive demand caused by Code Blue weather conditions and the partial federal government shutdown.  SRC members can get information on the club website about what is needed. … Jim Leyhane reported that he, Terry Brewer, and Mike Bennett have made advances in planning our 3rd annual Community Appreciation Dinner. The event will be held on Tuesday, March 5, at Moscatiello’s Family Italian Restaurant in North Greenbush. Tickets will be $35 per person, and sponsorships $100. The deadline for reserving sponsorships is February 15 (see any of the three committee members if you wish to make an individual, family, or business sponsorship). …

The drawings for our second “Cafe Capriccio Wine Dinner +” raffle resulted in member Becky Raymond winning the dinner for 12, non-member Peter Lehmann winning the locally-made artisan quilt, and member Roberto Martinez winning the Capital Rep theater tickets. Financial results of the effort to support SRC community service efforts will be reported next week by Treasurer Murray Forth. … Members were reminded to bring their scissors to next week’s meeting when we will create no-sew blankets for clients at the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center under the tutelage of the local Blue Star Mothers organization. Invite  a friend!

 

Special needs require food pantry aid

SRCrotaryLeave a comment

screen shot 2019-01-24 at 10.19.06 pmFood pantries in the Capital Region supply a lot of demand year-round. However, special circumstances sometimes add to the pressure.

Right now, Code Blue weather emergencies and the temporary partial federal government shutdown reportedly are pushing more people than usual to seek assistance from the pantries. So, as SRC member Shannon Romanowski informs us, the local YMCA branches and the CP Com Federal Credit Union are making an effort to help, and are asking members of the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club to assist in the effort.

Through Thursday, February 28, YMCA locations such as those in East Greenbush and Troy will serve as drop-off locations, as will all CAP COM branch locations. They will be accepting non-perishable food items and personal care items.

Items in high demand:

Canned tuna
Canned chicken
Kidney beans
Black beans
Peanut butter
Stuffing
Spaghetti-O’s
Pancake mix
Sugar

Obviously, any other non-perishable food and personal hygiene items (diapers, oral care, feminine hygiene products, powdered milk, uncooked pastas, canned fruits and sauces, etc., would be helpful.

Food and funds will be distributed to benefit the following locations in Rensselaer County and elsewhere:

• Hope 7 Community Center, Troy
• Joseph’s House, Troy
• Unity House, Troy
• Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless, Albany
• Food Pantries for The Capital District, Albany

 

Rotary 114th birthday party at the Hyde Collection

SRCrotaryLeave a comment
screen shot 2019-01-19 at 10.07.47 pm
The renowned Hyde Collection in Glens Falls.

screen shot 2019-01-19 at 9.59.02 pmAnyone who has not yet visited the eclectic and fascinating art museum known as the Hyde Collection may want to consider attending Rotary International’s 114th birthday festivities planned for the Glens Falls institution.

Admission to the event, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Glens Falls, is limited to the first 60 registrants for the 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, February 21, event. Reservations are just $30, and cover hot and cold appetizers; wine, soft drinks, and water, and desserts, as well as access to the museum’s extensive art collection and displays.

The Hyde Collection is located at 161 Warren Street. It is a non-profit trust that hosts community events year round. Details about it are available online, or by calling 518-792-1761. Check the District website to see when registration opens.

 

Rotarians work for peace, conflict resolution

SRCrotaryLeave a comment

By TAMMY HECKENBERG
District 7190 Governor

Each month Rotary International focuses on a particular humanitarian issue. In February, for instance, the focus is on “Peace and Conflict Resolution/Prevention.”

While we all tend to focus somewhat singularly on the high profile conflicts around the world, like the fighting and human suffering in Syria, the fact is that according to the 2018 Global Peace Index (GPI) the global level of peace has deteriorated in the last year, marking the fourth successive year of deteriorations.

Peacefulness in 92 countries deteriorated, while in 71 countries it improved. The 2018 GPI reveals a world in which the tensions, conflicts, and crises that emerged in the past decade remain unresolved, especially in the Middle East, resulting in this gradual, sustained fall in peacefulness. Clearly, there has never been a more important time for Rotary International to push forward with peace initiatives worldwide.

In our own District 7190, we will hold our second annual “Peace Summit for Youth” on May 11 in Schenectady. (Details to come.) This day-long event is aimed at high school students and invites them into a facilitated conversation which encourages them to self define peace — in their school, in their community and in the world.

While adults may think of peace on the context of war and border conflicts, our youth perceive conflict in social media, drug abuse, violence, bullying, and sex. Finding peaceful solutions to these issues is where they tend to focus their thinking and hopes.

It is our job to nurture their ideas and help them to grow hope for their own future.

Meeting Clipboard: 1/17/19

SRCrotaryLeave a comment

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

Members Attending (11, no quorum): Andy Leyhane, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Terry Brewer, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Bill Dowd, Dick Drumm, Jim Leyhane, Kevin Leyhane, Debbie Rodriguez.

Guests (1): Kevin Pogge.

NOTES — We now are in the final week of selling $20 raffle tickets for the Cafe Capriccio Wine Dinner for 12. The drawings for that prize as well as 2nd prize (a custom quilt made by local artisans) and 3rd prize (a pair of tickets to a Capital Rep performance of “Shakespeare In Love”) will be made at our January 24 dinner meeting. … Details and potential dates were discussed for several upcoming annual events — the Community Awards Dinner, Bowling for Vets, and Rotary Recycling Day. We will be attempting to space out the events since the dinner and bowling events in particular rely on sponsorships to make a profit and we do not want to “go to the same well” too often in a short period. …

… Terry Brewer reported that he attended the latest District Membership Committee meeting on Wednesday evening. Plans are being made for a “Back to Basics” program to help clubs attract and retain members. He also reported that although SRC is the lone remaining Rotary club in Rensselaer County now that the Lansingburgh club has surrendered its charter, there is the possibility of the defunct Troy club being revived, with Troy realtor Kareem Jandali heading up the effort. Terry volunteered SRC to be the sponsor of the new club, and Bill Dowd volunteered to be our liaison to the incipient group since he lives in Troy. … We have collected more than 4,300 redeemable cans and bottles for the Clynk program, which means several hundreds dollars for the club treasury. Bill reminded members that the specific plastic bags and bar code stickers needed are always available at dinner meetings or, if someone cannot make it to a meeting, he will see to it that they receive the materials if they notify him.

kirk pogge
Colonie-Guilderland’s Kirk Pogge

Kirk Pogge, president of the Colonie-Guilderland Rotary Club, was the guest speaker. He provided details of the Pure Water for the World program in Honduras his club has been supporting. Colonie-Guilderland is working on a Rotary Global Grant in conjunction with District 7190 and several other clubs here and in several other states.

He also shared details of the “Amazing Race to Recovery” event (click here for details) his club is holding on Saturday, January 26, at Crossgates Mall in Guilderland, It is a fundraising event to support the organization Second Chance Opportunities Inc. that is planning to open a community recovery center in Albany.

Kirk said more than 60 people have signed up to compete in the event, which is modeled on the long-running “Amazing Race” TV series, with detours, roadblocks, pitstops, etc. Teams will earn points for completing tasks throughout the mall and some tasks may be judged on time. Note: This is not a foot race, and no running is allowed in the mall.

 

Breakfast meeting of 1/17/18

SRCrotaryLeave a comment

3rd Thurs LogoSRC Third Thursday Breakfast Meeting
Greenbush YMCA
20 Community Way, East Greenbush

Members Attending (4, no quorum): Murray Forth, ]im Leyhane, Shannon Romanowski, Marco Koshykar.

Guests: None.

A quartet of SRC Rotarians braved the 11-degree weather this morning to attend the initial Third Thursday breakfast meeting of the new year. Unfortunately, that is our lowest-ever turnout for the monthly events.

The next scheduled breakfast meeting is 7 a.m. Thursday, February 21. No program has yet been set for that date.

Save the date for ‘Blankets for Vets’ workshop

SRCrotaryLeave a comment

 

screen shot 2019-01-15 at 1.57.56 pm
A scene from our first no-sew blanket making session in 2016.

Sharpen your scissors. We’re going to host a no-sew “Blankets for Vets” work session at our Thursday, January 31, meeting.

For those of you new to such an effort, we began back in 2016 holding occasional hands-on sessions in conjunction with the Blue Star Mothers organization to make blankets for military veterans. This year’s output will go to the Albany Stratton VA Medical Center.

It will be a convivial session requiring only a sharp pair of scissors, a willingness to help out, and, of course, your presence. No special sewing or weaving skills are needed with this sort of creative effort.

Blue Star Mothers, with whom we partner on a regular basis, is a volunteer organization with chapters across the country that provide assistance and support to active and veteran military personnel and their families in many ways year-round. SRC has helped the organization in the past with financial grants from our annual “Bowling for Vets” fundraiser, BSM dinner gala attendance, and hands-on cooperative efforts.

This certainly is a more-the-merrier sort of event that should appeal to most of our members, so please mark your calendars and plan to join your fellow Rotarians.