Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
September 21, 2017
Members Attending (14): Roberto Martinez, Pat Bailey, Murray Forth, Terry Brfewer, Bill Dowd, Jim Leyhane, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Dick Drumm, Dean Calamaras, Maggie Forth, Debbie Rodriguez, Phil Kellerman, Carol Orvis.
Guests (1): Jeremy Forth.
PROGRAM: ‘A Look at DACA’
Club member Phil Kellerman spoke on the federal DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program now being debated in Congress.
He used the case of an undocumented Florida woman he worked with through a Florida foundation who, now age 25, was brought to the U.S. by her parents — both undocumented aliens — at age 9.
Phil talked about the current lack of paths to citizenship for such people, and the uncertainty that hangs over those who fear deportation to countries they do not know and, in some cases, whose language they do not speak. He explained the fee system ($485) for obtaining a DACA permit, which allows undocumented immigrants to work legally, to obtain a driver’s license, and to go to school.
The DACA program was created by a controversial executive order from President Barack Obama whose legality has been challenged. President Trump recently issued his own executive order that would nullify DACA in six months unless Congress acts to craft and pass legislation that would give the program the force of law. Trump has said he will sign such a bill.
Announcements & Business
RYLA — President Roberto Martinez announced that the club is sponsoring five members of t
he Maple Hill High School junior class in this year’s Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program — Erik Burns, Evan Fink, Kendall Jenkins, Olivia Sterantino, and Abby Utter. No other local high schools expressed an interest in being sponsored.
SHELTERBOX UPDATE — Bill Dowd, the club’s ShelterBox liaison, reported on the activities ShelterBox has undertaken in the U.S. and the Caribbean in response to the devastating series of hurricanes. He said we have raised $7,050 in contributions from club members for the special ShelterBox Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. He will deliver the money on Friday to Assistant District Governor Jack Faddegon, who is the ShelterBox coordinator for District 7190.
ANCHOR FOOD PANTRY UPDATE — Debbie Brown said she delivered the last batch of toilet paper requested by the Castleton pantry, and thanked members for donating. She now is collecting toothpaste and shampoo for The Anchor and will deliver it when she amasses a sufficient supply. … In response to a question about other contributions, Bill Dowd said our practice for the past few years has been to hold a food drive in January, a time when food pantries’ stocks usually are depleted by the demands of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays,
GIFT OF LIFE — Jim Leyhane said GOL’s annual golf tournament, held this year at Pinehaven Country Club in Guilderland rather than its longtime Amsterdam venue, was the largest ever with about 120 golfers. SRC entered two foursomes. Jim said the event is expected to have raised about $20,000. The child from Mongolia who was brought to Albany Medical Center for cardiac surgery by GOL was in attendance at the event, and looked very fit.
WORLD POLIO DAY — The event, to be held at the UAlbany Health Campus in Rensselaer, is set for Tuesday, October 24. It will include a live feed from RI, as well as a showing of the “History of Polio” video created by SRC, CASDA, UAlbany, and the District.,
DISTRICT MEMBERSHIP — Terry Brewer, chairman of the District 7190 Membership Committee, and club Vice President Ray Hannan attended the September 19 membership seminar at which Terry spoke before a crowd of about 50 people representing numerous clubs. Terry said clubs in 7190 vary in size from 6 or 8 to 40 or more members. The district committee is working with clubs to determine what is right for each, rather than use a one-size-fits-all approach to member recruitment and retention. Among goals are to achieve a 10% increase in membership each year, and to create a two-year plan of action.
ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE — A.J. Amato, the club ‘s Youth Exchange Officer, has reported interest by at least one student in joining the program. The possibility is being evaluated, although we are not sure if them timing will make it possible.
ON THE CALENDAR — A board meeting will follow the conclusion of next Thursday’s dinner meeting. … The next recycling and shredding day is October 14 at Wainschaf Associates in Rensselaer. … A hurricane relief fundraiser still is being worked on by John Sawchuk at Columbia High School for October 20. … The Capital Region Nordic Alliance fundraiser luncheon is set for October 22. … The District’s “Persons of Action” dinner is planned for November 19. … The annual Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) workshop will be held Saturday, October 21, at the UAlbany Health Campus in Rensselaer. We have a sizeable contingent planning on participating; the club will pay for each registration fee.
NEXT MEETING — 6:15 p.m. Thursday, September 28, at Quigley’s. Jeff Simon, superintendent of the East Greenbush Central School District, will be the speaker.
Breakfast Meeting at Greenbush YMCA
Finally, Fred announced that a “Person of Action” will be honored at the annual District Foundation Dinner, scheduled for November 16 at the 90 State Street event space in Albany.
SHELTERBOX UPDATE — Bill Dowd, the club’s ShelterBox Liaison Officer, provided an update on what the organization has been doing to supply disaster aid in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and the Caribbean in the wakes of a series of hurricanes. He also noted that $4,700 has been raised so far within the club to go specifically to the ShelterBox Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. Bill said he plans to deliver the money to Jack and Nancy Faddegon next week; they are the ShelterBox coordinatorss for District 7190. He noted that this money is separate from the annual contribution the club makes to the ShelterBox general treasury, which will be made later in the Rotary Year. Please see Bill for details on how to make out checks to insure tax deductability. Any amount will be appreciated. … Phil Kellerman explained his ebay business through which he is offering to auction collectible items to raise additional funds for the special relief effort. (
ROTARY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE — This year’s RLI session will move from its longtime Siena College venue to the UAlbany Health Campus in Rensselaer on Saturday, October 21. Thanks to the more affordable space secured through Jim Butterworth and CASDA, which is headquartered there, the tuition will be only $75, half the usual amount. The club will pay the registration fee for all who are interested. Roberto urged members to become involved in what has proven to be a solid and interesting set of workshops each year. Contact him ASAP. Early registration is necessary so RLI leaders can arrange for proper accommodations and staffing.
THANK YOUS — New President Roberto Martinez welcomed members and guests to the first of our weekly dinner meetings of the 2017-18 Rotary Year. He thanked Debbie Rodriguez for her work as president last year; those who hosted dinners during the “Summer Casual” period in July and August; Bill Dowd for his continuing work on the club website, and Andy Leyhane for coordinating donations to the summer’s Rensselaer school supplies drive for Circles of Mercy.
RYLA — Club member Mike Bennett, principal at Maple Hill High School, reported that packets were distributed to members of the junior class for this year’s Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program and that his school has several candidates for the training. Roberto said John Sawchuk had mentioned a possible candidate from Columbia High School as well. The club usually pays the tuition for about five students, at $375 each.
HURRICANE RELIEF EFFORTS — Bill Dowd, the club’s ShelterBox liaison officer, provided an explanation of Rotary-related disaster relief funds working to aid victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana . He noted that there are literally hundreds of organizations large and small that are working to aid the victims, but urged attendees to consider Rotary-related resources first. He has created a new page on the club website called “Harvey Relief Agencies” that provides details and how-tos of ShelterBox and three other tax-deductible charities seeking donations. Bill also announced that he was heading up a push for a special contribution to ShelterBox’s designated Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund that is separate from the club’s annual contribution to that relief organization. As of the end of the meeting, he had received $3,600 from members. He has asked that members contribute any amount they can — $10, $20, $50, $100, $500, etc. — to this effort by next Thursday. ShelterBoxes cost $1,000 each. Checks should be made payable to “Shelter Box Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund,” with SRC Rotary in the memo line. Bill will deliver the funds to Jack and Nancy Faddegon, the District 7190 ShelterBox coordinators. April Dowd, who has been in contact with Rotarians in the Houston area, read a letter of thanks received from the Houston Rotary Club.
BREAKFAST MEETINGS — The next Third Thursday breakfast meeting is scheduled for September 21, 7 a.m. at the Greenbush YMCA. Jim Butterworth and Ron Annis, our new co-presidents-elect, and Shannon Romanowski have taken over running of those meetings from Terry Brewer. Terry, incidentally, will be the speaker at the meeting on the very timely topic of disaster preparedness.
RLI IS COMING — The annual Rotary Leadership Institute, which we encourage members to attend, has moved from Siena College to the Health Sciences Campus (formerly the UAlbany East Campus) in Rensselaer. The day-long event is scheduled for Saturday, October 21. The club pays the registration fee for any member who wishes to attend. Last year, Bill Dowd and Debbie Rodriguez graduated from RLI, meaning they had completed three years of workshops. Anyone can attend at Level 1 if they have never attended before, or at the succeeding levels if they have completed prerequisite workshops. Let Roberto know ASAP if you wish to participate.
President Roberto outlined his goals for the new Rotary Year. Among them:
Presidential Changeover Dinner
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.
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.
GRANTS DISTRIBUTION– Terry and Geoff Brewer presented a check for $600 from SRC to Namita and Roshni Modesra from the Down Syndrome Aim High Resource Center, a non-profit agency in Albany. The DSAHRC provides, among other things, parent-to-parent support to parents/caregivers and other family members dealing with the syndrome. Details are available by 
ELECTION WRAPUP — Dick Drumm offered a motion, seconded by Debbie Brown, regarding formalizing the club’s Board for 2017-18: “Move that Pat Bailey be approved as Secretary, Murray Forth as Treasurer, and Bill Dowd, Jim Leyhane, Andy Leyhane and Terry Brewer as At-Large Directors for the 2017-18 Rotary Year, in addition to the officers approved on May 18.” The motion was approved without dissent. Apropos the affirmative May 18 vote, as of July 1 Roberto Martinez will become President, Ron Annis and Jim Butterworth co-Presidents-elect, and Ray Hannan Vice President. Debbie Rodriguez automatically will become Immediate Past President and remain a Board member.
RONALD McDONALD HOUSE — We have a sizeable contingent lined up to cook dinner for 40 to 50 guests next Wednesday, May 31, at the Ronald McDonald House complex in Albany. Volunteers include Roberto Martinez, Debbie and Peter Brown, Carole Spencer, Debbie Rodriguez, Phil Kellerman, and Julius and Efie Frankel (with Jim Leyhane helping in the purchasing process and Bill Dowd in the menu creation).
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 