Breakfast Meeting at Greenbush YMCA
20 Community Way
East Greenbush, NY
May 18, 2017

Members Attending (14): Debbie Rodriguez,  Pat Bailey, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Jim Butterworth, Mike Dewey, Murray Forth, Andy Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Shannon Romanowski, Matt Smith, John Sawchuk, Roberto Martinez, Ron Annis.

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Business & Announcements

RECYCLING / EXPANSION — Murray Forth gave an update on our second recycling event, a very profitable fundraiser. He is looking into the possibility of us accepting batteries for disposal at the next such event, which already covers electronics recycling and document shredding.

PRESIDENT’S AWARDS — President Debbie Rodriguez presented “Innovative Fundraising Awards” to Matt Smith, Mike Dewey and Josh Wainman, the latter not in attendance,  for their efforts with the club’s recycling events. (Murray Forth also was honored for those efforts at an earlier dinner-meeting presentation.) John Sawchuck also received an award for his efforts with the Community Recognition Dinner.

SHAKER PROJECT — A signup sheet was circulated for the multiclub work day at the Shaker Heritage Site this Saturday. Volunteers are needed.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES — A signup sheet was circulated for potential summer club activities. Debbie Brown will look into possible dates for our annual outing to the Mac Haydn Theatre summer playhouse. Terry Brewer already has reserved a block of 45 tickets (at $26 each) for our annual picnic and ValleyCats baseball game vs. the Staten Island Yankees at Bruno Stadium on Thursday, July 27. Anyone wishing to reserve tickets is asked to contact Terry directly. Tickets will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.

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PROGRAM:  Polio History Video

Roberto Martinez and Jim Leyhane provided the background and process of the polio history video, and thanked all involved for their contributions to the project. It was a cooperative effort among SRC, CASDA, UAlbany School of Public Health, and District 7190, and a version of it debuted at the recent District Annual Conference in Lake George.

The video was created to provide Rotarians with a historical perspective of the disease for purposes of education and fundraising. It features  Dr. Martha Lepow, an early polio research pioneer and local pediatrician who specializes in pediatric infectious diseases. It covers the early days of polio; thoughts, treatments and impact of the disease on patients and on society as a whole.

It provides viewers with a greater understanding of the following:

• The history of polio

• The disease’s impact on the population before vaccines

• Control of polio through vaccines in this country and throughout the world

• Rotary International’s long and persistent quest to eliminate the disease worldwide and the progress made to date

Roberto and Jim showed the 20-minute version (there are versions in several different lengths) and took questions from attendees.

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NEXT BREAKFAST MEETING: 7 to 8 a.m. Thursday, June 15, at the Greenbush YMCA.

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Dinner Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
May 11, 2017

Members Attending (18): Debbie Rodriguez, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Bill Dowd, April Dowd, Dick Drumm, Geoff Brewer, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, A.J. Amato, Maggie Forth, Ron Annis, Terry Brewer, Phil Kellerman, Ray Hannan, Andy Leyhane.

Guests (4): Rotarians Kevin Markham, Tom Rogers, Charlie Perry; Jeremy Forth.

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PROGRAM: 3rd annual Great North American Whizbang Trivia Test

Triviamaster Bill Dowd conducted the annual brainteaser event. The scoring was done on the honor system for answers in five categories — television, food and drink,  American history, sports and geography. Questions ranged from easy to very challenging, and all required serious contemplation.

Debbie Brown, Terry  Brewer and visiting Rotarian Tom Rogers wound up tied with 24 of a possible 40 points each. After a series of tie-breaking questions, Debbie and Tom remained tied, but Tom won a coin flip to get the top prize — a boxed set of the party game “Hollywood Game Night” — and Debbie was awarded a book of 250 word puzzles.

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Business & Announcements

VISITING ROTARIANS — President Debbie Rodriguez welcomed a trio of visiting Rotarians — Kevin Markham of the Glens Falls club and Tom Rogers and Charlie Perry of the Salem club — who all spoke at great length about the District’s Rotary Youth Exchange program, including their experiences, tips for finding host families, and how to engage with incoming students. A.J. Amato, our club’s Youth Exchange Officer, thanked the visitors for being so supportive of him during this academic year. It also was announced that Ella Câncio, SRC’s student from Brazil, will remain  with her current host family  through the end of her stay here.

BUSINESS CARDS — Debbie distributed new club business cards, asking members to use them to help attract interest in Rotary and to use when seeking donations to the club. She also thanked Bill Dowd for designing the cards and having them professionally printed.

WORK DAY SIGNUP — Members are asked to sign up for a volunteer work day project at the Shaker Heritage Site in Colonie, an effort being put together for next Saturday, (May 20) by Assistant District Governor  Jack Faddegon. Volunteers are asked to bring tools — shovels, hammers, handsaws, rakes, etc. — suitable for some landscaping and repair chores. A picnic lunch will be served. Anyone who did not sign up at this meeting but wishes to participate is asked to contact Debbie Rodriguez ASAP.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES — A sign-up sheet is being circulated to solicit suggestions for summer club activities. We especially are looking for ideas to attract our younger members with children to engage with all members.

VIKING PLAYGROUND — Murray Forth reported for Ron Annis that work is progressing at a rapid pace on Leonardo Gonzalez’s Eagle Scout project (click here and here for photos) that will result in creation of the initial phase of a Viking Gym at Schodack Town Park. A sign already has been installed. The project is being undertaking in cooperation with our sister club in Gefle, Sweden, Monika Annis’s hometown.

SCOUT NEWS — Murray also reported receipt of an invitation from Boy Scout Troop 41 to participate in the community Memorial Day parade. Scoutmaster Dennis Cicchino will visit the club on May 25 to update us on the Scouts’ activities.

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NEXT MEETINGS — On Thursday, May 18, two meetings are on  the calendar. Jim Leyhane will show a version  of the polio history video at the 7 a.m. Third Thursday breakfast meeting at the Greenbush YMCA. At the 6:15 p.m . dinner meeting at Quigley’s, club member Mike Bennett, assistant superintendent of the Schodack Central School District, will accompany juniors from Maple Hill High School who participated in the 2016-17 RYLA program. Their tuitions were paid for by the SRC club.

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Dinner Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
May 4, 2017

Members Attending (19): Debbie Rodriguez, Roberto Martinez, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Jim Leyhane, Dick Drumm, A.J. Amato, Ron Annis, Terry Brewer, Becky Raymond, Phil Kellerman, Ray Hannan, Carol Orvis, Charlie Forth, Rommel Tolentino, Mary Griswold, Maggie Forth, Jennifer Felts, Bob DeBenedetti.

Guests (1): Jeremy Forth.

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Induction of New Members

We inducted five new members into Rotary — returning Rotarian Rommel Tolentino and  Mary Griswold from Community Care Physicians, as well as Maggie Forth, Jennifer Felts, and Bob DeBenedetti.

Club Board Member Jim Leyhane lead the event, explaining our fast-growing club, its history and his role as the inductor of new members. He also spoke about some of the things that our club has been involved in, including Boy Scouts, ShelterBox, Gift of Life, local student scholarships, Polio Plus, clean water projects and other health related projects. He also spoke about Rotary International, and about its recent changes in membership requirements and responsibilities.

Jim asked that members participate in the way they can with their talents and ideas. Jim read the “4-Way Test” and recommended they view our website for more information. The new Rotarians were given Rotary pins and decals.

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Club Awards

President Debbie Rodriguez announced the recognition of various members for their efforts in numerous projects during the 2016-17 Rotary Year, and gave a brief explanation of each award and the contributions made by the recipients. Here are looks at those able to attend:

Awards also went to two other members unable to attend the meeting:

Community Spirit Award

• John Sawchuk for initiating the inaugural Community Celebration Dinner, and for his ongoing efforts involving the Columbia High School community with several Rotary initiatives.

Service Above Self Award

• Bill Dowd for his annual efforts creating and coordinating the school supply drive, the Adopt-a-Family drive and the Easter baskets drive, all of which benefit adult and child clients of the Circles of Mercy family service organization.

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Announcements/Business

VIKING GYM — Ron Annis reported on the Viking Gym project he and Eagle Scout Leonardo Gonzalez are heading at the Schodack Town Park, and thanked the club for its financial support.

POLIO VIDEO — Roberto Martinez spoke about the polio history video that will debut at the District Conference in Lake George, and showed a portion of the completed project. He thanked CASDA, which was instrumental in the effort, partnering with SRC, District 7190, and the UAlbany School of Public Health.

TRIVIA EVENT COMING UP — Next Thursday, Bill Dowd will conduct his 3rd annual “Great North American Whizbang Trivia Test.” As always, friends and prospective members are welcome to participate.

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Dinner Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
April 27, 2017

Members Attending (16): Debbie Rodriguez, Roberto Martinez, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Jim Leyhane, Ron Annis, Terry Brewer, Dick Drumm, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Phil Kellerman, Ray Hannan, Charlie Foote, A.J. Amato, Carole Spencer, Julius Frankel.

Guests (1): Ella Câncio.

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Speaker: Rafaella (Ella) Câncio

Ella Câncio, who had visited us several months ago, paid a return visit as her Rotary Youth Exchange year nears its end.

She showed us a map of her home area in Brazil, including her hometown of Ubá, a city of about 100,000 residents in the state of Minas Gerais about 75 miles north of Rio de Janiero. And, she shared photos such as one with her parents, her brother, and her sister, and one of her house.

Ella explained the differences between her home area and Schodack, where she has been attending Maple Hill High School. She said she has enjoyed the get-togethers with other exchange students who are studying in this region, and showed photos of some of those events. Ella also had photos from her school in Schodack and the three who went to All County Chorus. She said she has participated in softball and track, both of which she liked.

This was her first Halloween and she showed us photos of her in costume and also her seeing her first snowfall, a special experience since she never had seen snow before.

Ella said she began English classes outside of school at the age of 11, which is why her English is very good. She said she will have a year to a year and a half more high school  when she returns home, then probably will attend university which is free.

She said her favorite food is tacos, and she has been making desserts for her host family. She also said might teach her family and friends how to play softball when she returns to Brazil.

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Announcements/Business

POLIO VIDEO — Roberto Martinez reported that the project is nearly finished. A 10-minute excerpt  will be shown at the District Conference next Saturday, May 6, in Lake George.

RONALD McDONALD HOUSE MEAL — Terry Brewer reported on the breakfast effort at Ronald McDonald House last Saturday. Eight club members and friends made up the volunteer kitchen crew.

RECYCLING DAY — Murray Forth reported on the event scheduled for this Saturday, April 29, at the Wainschaf Associates warehouse. Several members are signed up to help staff the event, but anyone else who wishes to volunteer is welcome. Both the ad and the news article from The Advertiser for the event were circulated.

SHAKER HERITAGE PROJECT — The Area 8 interclub cleanup event at the Shaker Heritage Site in Colonie is scheduled for Saturday, May 20, and volunteers from SRC are needed. A signup sheet be circulated at next Thursday’s dinner meeting.

VALLEYCATS ROTARY NIGHT — Terry Brewer is handling tickets for our annual picnic-and-ballgame event at Bruno Stadium on Thursday, July 27. The price of tickets has gone up by $1. Terry will get tickets and start a signup sheet soon.

OFFICER NEEDED — We are in need of someone to step up to become President-elect for 2018-19. John Sawchuk had been in that position, but will be moving out of the area before then. Anyone interested should contact Debbie Rodriguez or any other member of the SRC Board.

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NEXT MEETING — 6:15 p.m. Thursday, May 4, at Quigley’s. We will be inducting new members and giving out awards.

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Dinner Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
April 20, 2017

Members Attending (14): Debbie Rodriguez, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Dick Drumm, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Terry Brewer, Phil Kellerman, Ray Hannan, Dean Calamaras, Charlie Foote, Carole Spencer.

Guests (5): Edward L. Hannan, Mary Ann Hannan, Jack Faddegon, Maggie Forth, Jeremy Forth.

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PROGRAM: Coronary Artery Disease and its Treatments

Carole Spencer introduced our speaker, Dr. Edward L. Hannan, professor emeritus at the University at Albany School of Public Health.

Ed described what constitutes coronary artery disease and what today’s treatments are. He shared background information on the state’s cardiac treatment and data collection efforts. When he spoke to the club in April 2014, he discussed choosing the right treatment, hospitals and doctors. Tonight, he updated attendees on the findings of comparing angioplasty vs. medicinal therapy for stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and the appropriateness of coronary revascularization for certain patients.

Ed explained that in complete revascularization all major vessels that are diseased have been successfully stented. However, there always is a difference when comparing the doctors and hospitals doing the procedures. Inappropriate stenting has decreased substantially, resulting in cost savings estimated at $40 million a year in New York. Also, shared decision-making has improved due to these studies being available to the public even though more are needed. The data comes from annual reports from hospitals, and these are available on line showing results from hospitals in New York.

The latest study looked at background, methods, and results and discovered there is not yet enough information to make determinations for everyone. Ed explained that about $50 million is spent annually on stents that may not be needed. The information gathered is fed back to hospitals, but stenting remains the best treatment for patients with evolving ST analysis. The rate of inappropriate stents has dropped from 18.3% in 2010 to 10.6% in 2014. Also, for Medicaid patients it dropped from 340 to 84 surgeries, a decrease of nearly 75%.

Ed said there now is a change in favor of bypass surgery (CABG), and that patients also had a lesser rate of repeat procedures. He spoke in much detail about two or three vessel diseases as opposed to lesser blockage.

He said that a newer study from the New England Journal of Medicine about the rate of plaque returning shows there is a second generation of stents now in use that have had slightly better results.

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Business & Announcements

SHINING STAR OF HOPE — Terry Brewer spoke about this project (above), a $5,000 initiative started by the Interact Club at Columbia High School in 2001-02 when his daughter Hilary was club president. It recognizes students who died before their graduation. That particular club dissolved in 2008, and the memorial, which is on the grounds of the East Greenbush Public Library, is in need of some refurbishing. Terry said our club contributed $500 to the original memorial stone with other funding coming from other community groups, and his research also says per a 2001 agreement with the Library Board the club agreed to be the responsible party. At its meeting next Thursday, April 27, the SRC Board will discuss what sort of commitment the club might make to provide annual upkeep.

AREA 8 WORK DAY — Assistant District Governor Jack Faddegon joined us for dinner. He spoke about the Saturday, May 20, Area 8 — of which SRC is a member — joint project to improve the entry of the Shaker Heritage Site near the Albany International Airport. This may include new signage, plantings and decorative boulders at the entrance. In addition, the pasture behind it needs attention. Lots of hands will be  needed beginning at 8:30 that morning, and a picnic will be held later in the barn. The day  will include a number of activities, so all skills welcome.

RECYCLING & SHREDDING — A reminder that our second paper shredding and electronics recycling day will be held on Saturday, April 29, at the Wainschaf Associates Construction warehouse. Volunteers were asked for to staff the event. A flyer has been circulating for weeks on our club website and Facebook page for members to copy and share on social media.

ROTARY HOME COOKING — Murray and Maggie Forth are hosting a surf-and-turf dinner at their residence on Saturday, May 20. Anyone interested in attending should contact Murray ASAP. As always, reservations for this series are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

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NEXT DINNER MEETING — 6:15 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at Quigley’s. We will hear from Rafaella “Ella” Cancio Real, our Rotary Youth Exchange student from Brazil.

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Breakfast Meeting at Greenbush YMCA
1 Community Way
East Greenbush, NY
April 20, 2017

Members Attending (12): Ron Annis, Geoff Brewer, Terry Brewer, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Jim Butterworth, Murray Forth, Phil Kellerman, Andy Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Shannon Romanowski.

Guests: None.

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NEXT BREAKFAST MEETING — 7 a.m. Thursday, May 18, at East Greenbush YMCA.

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Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
April 13, 2017

Members Attending (18): Debbie Rodriguez, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Roberto Martinez, Bill Dowd, Jim Leyhane, Terry Brewer, Geoff Brewer, Julius Frankel, Dick Drumm, Becky Raymond, Peter  Brown, Debbie Brown, Phil Kellerman, Carol Orvis, Monika Annis, Ron Annis, Charlie Foote.

Guests (2): Bob Bode, Leonardo Gonzalez.

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PROGRAM: “What’s the Buzz With Bees?”

Debbie Brown offered a presentation called “What’s the Buzz About Bees?” based on a program she created for the Fort Orange Garden Club.

Tracing the history of bees and their importance to the human race, she spoke about their pervasive in such areas as mythology (Melissa, the Bee Goddess, for example) and art, and the many uses of the honey they produce — in cooking, cosmetics, beverages, nutrition, medicine, plant pollination, etc. Among its other properties, Debbie said, honey keeps virtually forever. Containers of it have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs.

She explained the life cycles and duties to the swarm of the queen, the drones, and the workers. And, she addressed the widespread problem of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) which began being noticed around 2005-06, showing slides of the interior of both healthy and collapsed hives. Research has revealed that CCD is caused by one or more of a variety of factors, such as pesticides, mite infections, malnutrition, various pathogens, loss of habitat, and some beekeeping practices such as moving hives too often which puts great stress on the bees.

Debbie noted that it is possible to rent bees to pollinate orchards when the resident bees leave or die off. She cited as an example Indian Ladder Farms in Albany County where rented bees from a Schoharie County bee farm were used to handle the pollination needs of the large commercial orchard.

Debbie advocates creating a bee-friendly environment. Some things to consider are sun exposure, open spaces, multiple large clusters of flowers, having a variety of species and native varieties of plants, and avoiding GMO (genetically modified organism) products and pesticides.

She outlined the various research and legislative actions relating to CCD: the Protection From Pesticides Act in  2013; banning GMOs from wildlife refuge area in 2014; the Pollinator Protection  Act in 2016.

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Business & Announcements

WELCOME — President Debbie Rodriguez greeted attendees and welcomed Lorenzo Gonzalez, an Eagle Scout candidate from Troop 41, which our club  supports.

ADG VISIT — Jack Faddegon, Assistant District Governor for our Area 8, will visit the club next Thursday to explain a multi-club work project he is creating for the Shaker Heritage Society site, a hands-on work day in May for which we will need volunteers from the club.

EASTER BASKET PROJECT — The final count on baskets for needy kids through the family assistance organization Circles of Mercy was overwhelming, literally. Details and photos are available on our website.

PROGRAM AD — The club will take a quarter-page ad in the program for next month’s District Conference in Lake George. Debbie R. said she has asked Bill Dowd to design the ad.

PLAYGROUND PROJECT — Guest Leonardo Gonzales described his Eagle Scout project, an  outdoor training and exercise station in the Schodack Town Park. His effort will lay the groundwork for the effort, with other Scouts expanding the resource year-to-year, eventually covering an approximately 100 square foot area. The project is based on a Viking playground design created in Sweden. Club support was recognized by Ron Annis who made a light-hearted presentation (above) of a Viking sword to Leonardo, shield to Jim Leyhane, and princess crown to Monika Annis. The playground project is being developed in conjunction with the our sister Rotary Club in Gefle, Sweden, Monika’s hometown.

POLIO HISTORY VIDEO — The polio history video project, a joint effort by the club, CASDA, the UAlbany School of Public Health, and District 7190, is into the final editing stage. It will be shown at the District Conference at about 9:30 a.m. Saturday, May.

ROTARY HOME COOKING — Murray and Maggie Forth will host a surf-and-turf dinner at their home at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 20. Twelve guests can be accommodated, with reservations accepted on a first come-first served basis.

RECYCLING DAY — Our next electronic recycling/paper shredding day is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 29. It is co-sponsored by club member A.J. Amato and the club itself. An event flyer can be copied from the club  website or Facebook page. Next week, we will call for volunteers to staff the event.

LOCAL HEROES PORTRAITS — Roberto Martinez introduced Bob Bode, a local artist whose work can be seen on  display in the East Greenbush Town Hall and elsewhere. Bob is creating a series of paintings of local volunteers to be displayed at the East Greenbush Public Library. He works from photos taken of the subjects. Jim Leyhane last week was chosen as the Rotarian to be included in the project.

COOKING @ RONALD McDONALD HOUSE — The volunteer ranks have been filled for two club cooking efforts at the Ronald McDonald House complex in Albany. Terry Brewer is coordinating a breakfast service for Saturday, April 22, and Bill Dowd is coordinating a dinner service for Wednesday, May 31.

BALLPARK PICNIC DATE — Terry Brewer said he has reserved 45 tickets for our annual outing at the Bruno Stadium picnic pavilion and ValleyCats baseball game. The date is Thursday, July 27. He also said he is working to get Rotarians from other clubs to attend, as was the case last summer.

GIFT OF LIFE — Jim Leyhane announced that a child from Bolivia will be admitted this month to Albany Medical Center for lifesaving pediatric cardiac surgery supported by the District 7190 Gift of Life organization.

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NEXT MEETINGS — We have two meetings scheduled for next Thursday, April 20. At the 6:15 p.m. dinner meeting, Dr. Edward Hannan, Distinguished Professor Emeritus, UAlbany School of Public Health, will speak on cardiology outcomes. At the 7 a.m. breakfast meeting at the Greenbush YMCA, Phil Kellerman will speak on immigration.

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Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
April 6, 2017

Members Attending (17): Debbie Rodriguez, Murray Forth, Bill Dowd, John Sawchuk, Terry Brewer, Ron Annis, Jim Butterworth, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Ray Hannan, Phil Kellerman, Charlie Foote, Dick Drumm, Roberto Martinez, Carole Spencer.

Guests (2): Chris Smith, Vivian Brehm.

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PROGRAM: “Internet Safety: How To Catch A Predator”

Our speaker was Chris Smith, a Colonie Police Department detective who for nearly seven years has been assigned to the FBI’s Albany office Child Exploitation Task Force. That staff, which has just eight fulltimers, covers an area consisting of 10  New York counties and the entire state of Vermont.

Smith said the epidemic of online pedophelia is growing exponentially despite the success task forces such as his have had in combating the problem in recent years.

“The availability of pornography and online stalking and followup sexual abuse of kids has grown because of the internet and social media, but we now have better software and other tools to catch them,” Smith said. “We have software programs running 24/7 year-round to fight the problem.”

He explained that the “darknet” is a major problem for law enforcement, using cloud storage, DropBox and other methods to collect and share child pornography. (Note: The darknet is an overlay network accessible only by specific software, configurations, or authorization, often using standard communications protocols and ports.) Not only can predators gain access to children through commonplace social media such as Facebook and Twitter, they also can get around privacy blocks through certain apps and even  such gaming systems ax PS3, PS4 and X-Box. Often, such access is not readily apparent to parents who are otherwise diligent in trying to monitor what their children are doing online.

In just the past several years, the local FBI Task Force has executed more than 200 search warrants and made more than 100 arrests. Smith said its conviction rate is 100%. In addition to monitoring, legally trapping and arresting suspected predators, the Task Force provides programs for schools to warn students about the dangers and works with them and their teachers and school administrators to create an awareness of how to avoid predators.

Smith himself is trained in how to pose online as an underage child, and is forensically trained in how to interview children about abuse or being threatened. He spends a lot of time in such pursuits as well as in questioning arrestees in such case.

VICTOMOLOGY

• Usually teens ages 10-15, but the age is getting younger and younger.
• Race used to be predominantly white, but now is mixed.
• About 16% of victims are boys with concerns about their sexuality.
• About 84% are girls often “in love with” the offenders.
• Victims often come from single-parent or dysfunctional families with minimal  supervision, and who are looking for self-worth.
• Children often have unsupervised access to electronic devices.
• They are easily led by adults.
• They often have a need for adult attention or a need to defy parents.

PERPETRATOR TRAITS

• Usually age 25 to 50, although the trend seems to be toward younger perps.
• Expert manipulators who know how to “groom” potential victims.
• Rather than using common  popular websites or direct cellphone conversations with children, they tend to use a growing number of apps accessible via cellphones — Instagram, Snapchat, Vine, Twitter, Ask, Whisper and, most popular of all and without privacy blocks, Kik.
• They can be married men — and they are virtually without exception men — with families and jobs doing this, but there are cases of unemployed men who learn how to become experts at the games children use so they can enter into the child’s world.

“The situation is outrageous,” Smith said. “Our kids are getting inundated. It’s killing them. By sixth grade, virtually every kid has a cellphone and can’t be constantly monitored. If you don ‘t get them a phone, they’re ridiculed as the kid with no phone; if you give them a phone they’re immediately vulnerable.”

He also shared anecdotes about several predators the Task Force has arrested and who now are serving lengthy or life sentences in  prison. “I also end up talking to their families. Sometimes they are completely unaware, but in one case we wound up arresting the parents.” It turned out their adult son had been molesting infants in the parents’ day care center and they knew about it.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS & BUSINESS

PAINTING PROJECT — A local painter who is creating a series of images based on local volunteers to display in a show at the East Greenbush Public Library asked the club to  nominate a member to be portrayed. By acclamation, we selected Jim Leyhane.

EASTER BASKET UPDATE — Project coordinator Bill Dowd reported that between  the club’s efforts and a parallel effort at Columbia High School led by John Sawchuk it appears we will come close to or slightly surpass last year’s 50-basket level for Circles of Mercy’s annual “Easter Baskets for Cate’s Kids.” He noted, however, that member contributions were less this year than last year even though we have more members now. He thanked everyone who did contribute for their generosity.

SHELTER BOX REPORT — ShelterBox has been working for several years with Hand In Hand for Syria, also a humanitarian organization. The recent chemical warfare attack on civilians there is putting a further strain on supplies and human resources. Bill Dowd, our ShelterBox liaison officer, said that while it seems we are continually asked for donations, anyone who pays attention to the news knows there never is a shortage of disasters and people in need of assistance. He asked that people willing to make contributions small or large go to the ShelterBox website for information on how to help.

COOKING AT RONALD McDONALD HOUSE — Terry Brewer will talk to the breakfast meeting attendees about the need for volunteers to help cook breakfast at Ronald McDonald House on Saturday, April 22. Anyone interested should contact him ASAP. … We have the full complement of six for the Wednesday, May 31, dinner there being coordinated by Bill Dowd. He has April Dowd, Carole Spencer, Roberto Martinez, Debbie Brown and Peter Brown volunteering to assist him.

EXCHANGE STUDENT UPDATE — A second host family was found for Ella Real, our Rotary Exchange student from Brazil. They will host her through mid-May, although we hope that can be extended through the end of her stay here in June. Ella will visit the club before her departure to tell us about her experience here.

AREA 8 PROJECT — Assistant District Governor Jack Faddegon continues to plan a joint work project with the Area 8 clubs — SRC, Colonie-Guilderland, Lansingburgh and Cohoes — to help the  Shaker Heritage Society in May. Potential chores include creating a stone fence, installing a new sign, plating flowers, cutting weeds, etc. A picnic lunch would be provided. Debbie Rodriguez said she will share details as they become available.

DISTRICT CONFERENCE — Member were reminded they can register at a discounted price through this Friday for the May 5-7 District Conference in Lake George.

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NEXT MEETING — 6:15 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at Quigley’s. Club member Debbie Brown will speak on the topic “What’s the Buzz About Bees?”

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Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
March 30, 2017

Members Attending (18): Debbie Rodriguez, Pat Bailey, Murray Forth, Roberto Martinez, Phil Kellerman, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Ray Hannan, Monika Annis, Ron Annis, Bill Dowd, John Sawchuk, Stewart Wagner, Dick Drumm, Julius Frankel, Jim Leyhane, Terry Brewer, Becky Raymond.

Guests (4): Jeff Simons, Kathleen Curtin, Maggie Forth, Jeremy Forth.

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PROGRAM: “East Greenbush Schools Capital Budget Referendum”

Terry Brewer introduced Jeff Simons, who became superintendent of the East Greenbush Central School District eight months ago. Jeff’s topic was the district’s $39.7 million capital budget proposal that will go before the voters on May 16. His PowerPoint presentation can be found on the club website’s page at https://srcrotary.org/program-presentation-archive/

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                                                  ANNOUNCEMENTS / BUSINESS

DISTRICT SEMINAR DEADLINE — This Friday is the final day to register for the Saturday, April 1, District Training Seminar. Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez will rotate to three different classrooms with three different classes of Rotarians, and ask them to explain their clubs’ best practice  in membership. Each time there will be a facilitator present to draw out participation with the class and work them to achieve our goal. Debbie Rodriguez, Becky Raymond and Ron Annis will represent our club during the Grants Management training portion.

EASTER BASKET PROJECT — President Debbie thanked Bill Dowd and John Sawchuk for their organizational efforts on behalf of our project creating baskets for Circles of Mercy’s annual “Easter Baskets for Cate’s Kids” effort. Tonight was the deadline for donations.

COOKING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED — Three more volunteers are needed for each of two meals the club will be preparing at Ronald McDonald House in Albany. If you would like to volunteer to help prepare breakfast on Saturday, April 27, contact Terry Brewer. If you would like to help prepare dinner on Wednesday, May 31, contact Bill Dowd.

POLIO HISTORY FILM — This joint project with CASDA, the UAlbany School of Public Heath, and Rotary District 7190 is near the editing stage after some reshooting. It still is on course for its debut at the District Conference in May.

CLUB ASSEMBLY TOPICS — Two club assemblies are scheduled in May, one for viewing the above-mentioned polio film, the other for a club awards ceremony.

SAVE-THE-DATE ITEMS — The outdoor sign has gone up at the Wainschaf Associates warehouse to publicize our next electronics recycling/paper shredding effort there, set for Saturday, April 29. A print ad also will be published. A.J. Amato is underwriting costs of  the shredding equipment. … The  next Rotary Home Cooking event will be hosted by the Forth family, with a menu to be announced. … There still is time to register for the May 5-7 District Conference in Lake George. Just go to the district website (it’s under the links list on our website).

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NEXT MEETING — 6:15 p.m. Thursday, April 6. The speaker will be a detective from the Colonie Police Department on internet predators.

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