Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
September 29, 2016

Members Attending (14): Roberto Martinez, Terry Brewer, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Jim Leyhane, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Jim Butterworth, Dick Drumm, Phil Kellerman, Jim McHugh, Dean Calamaras, Julius Frankel, Andy Leyhane.

Guests (4): Dr. Ron Carroll, Maureen McHugh, Mary Lou Carroll, Bill Nathan.

PROGRAM: “Science & Culture Shape Individuals”

Terry Brewer introduced our speaker, Dr. Ron Carroll, MD, and displayed his self-published book “Know Thyself.”

Carroll opened his talk by stating that he brings science and nature into any discussion. His background is in oncology, and he practiced from 1967 until his retirement in 2004. He said his talk is based on information available in standard textbooks, but put into a particular format by him.

He distributed “a Model of Three Components of Human Behavior” to outline the talk, ranging from an explanation of zygote–embryo-brain, the fact that the human genome has not changed very much from the beginning of the mankind, and that all race genetic mechanisms obey the rules of physics and chemistry operative on Earth.

He explained that we inherit culture genetically as it enables us to encode memories in our brains. We acquire memories from culture, cannot think without those memories and cannot inherit cultural genetically. What is learned is culturally derived; ideas are non-material and do not obey the rules of chemistry.

Carroll continued with an explanation of “Cognition & Reproductive Behavior.” The prefrontal cortex —  which controls abstract thinking and thought analysis, and also is  responsible for regulating behavior — does not fully mature until the third decade of life. In what may seem an ironic practice, although the strongest decision-making skills are not in evidence until after age 25 we send 18 year olds off to college.

Carroll also discussed the beginning of our culture with the Greeks, noting that Socrates wrote “The Republic” when he was young and the “Laws & Ethics” much later in his life. Interestingly, ethics no longer is taught as science, but has been under the humanities since the 1960s.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/BUSINESS

OPENING — In the absence of President Debbie Rodriguez, President-elect Roberto Martinez and Immediate Past President Terry Brewer presided. They welcomed speaker Dr. Ron Carroll, District RLI Coordinator Bill Nathan, member Jim McHugh and wife Maureen. Jim is recovering from surgery and chemotherapy and has been away for several months.

EXCHANGE STUDENTS — Michaela Rosetti, our Rotary Youth Exchange student, has created a blog to share her adventures in Italy. The link to it is on our club website under “Recommended Links.” Meanwhile, Rafaella Leal Câncio, our student from Brazil will attend our October 13 meeting as a guest of A.J. Amato, our Youth Exchange Officer.

RYLA STUDENTS — We have expanded our sponsorship of high school juniors from the area planning to participate in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program. We now have five students from Maple Hill High School and two from Averill Park High School. The club is paying the tuition for all of them.

FUTURE PROGRAMS — Members were reminded to check the program date assignments and, once they have acquired a speaker or decided to present their own program, contact program coordinator Roberto Martinez with the information. The assignment chart can be found, as always, on the Calendar page on our website.

RLI TRAINING — Bill Nathan, a member of the Albany Rotary Club and the District 7190 coordinator for the Rotary Leadership Institute, spoke briefly about the October 22 session scheduled for Siena College. Several of our members are again planning to participate. The club will pay the registration fee for all who would like to attend. Check the website for details.

SAVE THE DATES — (1.) The annual Foundation Dinner will be held November 17 at the Saratoga National Golf Club; (2.) The 91st Eastern Cities Fellowship Dinner will be held December 6 in Rochester, with Rotary International President John Germ giving the keynote address. (3.) The Schenectady Rotary Club will host speaker Marie Josette Placide of the Haiti Water Project at a noon luncheon on Thursday, October 13, at the Stockade Inn on North Church Street in Schenectady. Reservations, which are required, may be made online by October 7.

NEXT MEETING: 6:15 p.m. Thursday, October 6, at Quigley’s. The speaker will be Laura Schweitzer on the recently renamed UAlbany Health Sciences Campus in Rensselaer, formerly called the UAlbany East Campus.

Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
September 22, 2016

Members Attending (12): Debbie Rodriguez, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Jim Leyhane, Bill Dowd, Ray Hannan, David Taylor, Dick Drumm, Phil Kellerman, Stewart Wagner, Julius Frankel, Charlie Foote.

Guests (1): Lauren Carpenter.

PROGRAM: “Home Connection Companions”

Our speaker was Lauren Carpenter, business development and community relations liaison with Home Connection Companions.

The company, which is under the Baptist Health umbrella, provides non-medical service companions to clients in a private residence, senior living complex, assisted living facility or nursing home. It covers six counties in the greater Capital Region, with a heavy presence in Rensselaer County.

Lauren said the services vary depending on the needs of the client. They can include such things as running errands, providing transportation, light housekeeping, reading, general companionship, and giving caregivers a respite. The service is for a minimum of three hours per visit and can go to 24, using more than one person. The fee is $22 per hour.

She said the process for obtaining services begins with her visiting the home or facility to ask and answer basic questions about needs, and to be sure the venue is safe for both the client and the companion. She said a criminal background check is made of anyone applying to be a companion, and that they are fully bonded and insured.

Although Lauren has been with Home Connection Companions for only about a year, the company was created in 2007. In addition to “walk-in” requests and referrals from other organizations, it also works with the Eddy Alzheimer’s service. Further details are available online or by calling 453-5446.

BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

OPENING — Jim Leyhane, as part of the invocation, asked for a moment of silence in memory of member Burke Adams’ daughter, Jamie, who passed away this week.

EXCHANGE STUDENT NEWS — Jim also reported that Rafella, our Brazilian exchange student, is in need of a physical exam for her track team signup. He noted that visiting students are not covered by any medical insurance, so obtaining medical and dental care often is a problem because of payment problems.

NOMINATOR — President Debbie Rodriguez announced that Bill Dowd has been named to the District Governor Nominating Committee for District 7190. He previously served on the Interview Committee screening DG candidates, and also is a member of the District Public Relations Committee.

THANKS — Jim McHugh, who is recovering from surgery and chemotherapy at home, sent the club a note of thanks for the dish garden and card sent by Sunshine Committee lead April Dowd.

RLI WORKSHOPS — Registration is open for the October 22 Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) workshop at Siena College. Debbie urged members to consider enrolling; the club will pay the $105 fee for anyone who is interested. Workshops will be offered at Levels 1, 2 and 3, and Graduate. Debbie and Bill both are enrolling in Level 3. Details and a link to the online registration form are on the club website.

SAVE THE DATES — The annual District Foundation Dunner, this year marking the centennial year of the Rotary Foundation, will be held on Thursday, November 17, at the Saratoga National Golf Club. … The organization Girls on the Run will hold its 2nd annual 5K Run Celebration at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 19, at the Corning Preserve in Albany. Earlybird registration is $25 for adults, $15 for youth. After November 1, prices go to $30 and $20, and on race day to $35 and $25. … The Schenectady Rotary Club will host speaker Marie Josette Placide of the Haiti Water Project at a noon luncheon on Thursday, October 13, at the Stockade Inn on North Church Street in Schenectady. Reservations, which are required, may be made online by October 7.

GOLF & BOCCE — Our golfing foursome of Jim Leyhane, Murray Forth, Terry Brewer and Mike Dewey participated in the annual District 7190 Gift of Life Golf & Bocce Tournament on Wednesday. Bill Dowd reminded members who would like to participate in a bocce-only event that the Shen Rotary Club is holding a buffet dinner and bocce tournament on Monday at the Italian American Community Center in Albany. Deadline for registration is this Friday. Details are available on the club website.

NEXT MEETING — 6:15 p.m. Thursday, September 29, at Quigley’s. The speaker will be Dr. Ron Carroll on the topic of “Science & Culture Shape Individuals.”

Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
June 23, 2016

Members Attending (16): Terry Brewer, Debbie Rodriguez, Murray Forth, Bill Dowd, Jim Leyhane, Andy Leyhane, Geoff Brewer, Charlie Foote, Roberto Martinez, Carol Orvis, Ray Hannan, Becky Raymond, Phil Kellerman, Stewart Wagner, Dick Drumm, Julius Frankel.

Guests (5): District Governor Milan Jackson, Shiela Jackson, Fred Daniels, Mike Stangl, Chuck Rodriguez.

MEMBER INDUCTION & AWARDS PRESENTATION

Tonight we welcomed our 13th, 14th, and 15th new members of the 2015-16 Rotary Year, a club single-year record.

Board member Jim Leyhane performed the induction of Phil Kellerman, Becky Raymond, and Julius Frankel, in the presence of two visiting dignitaries, District Governor Milan Jackson and Fred Daniels, who will become DG-elect when the new Rotary Year begins on July 1.

Although we had a strong overall turnout, just one of the previous 12 inductees, Andy Leyhane, was in attendance.

DG Milan, making his third visit to the club this year, presented two awards to President Terry Brewer on behalf of the club:

• A Presidential Bronze Citation authorized by K.R. Ravindran, president of Rotary International, in recognition of the many and ongoing public service efforts the club has undertaken locally and internationally in a wide range of areas.

• A special citation from District 7190 in recognition of winning its membership drive, by a large margin. We had the largest “Class of ’16” of any of the district’s 41 clubs.

PROGRAM: “ROTARY NEXT GEN”

Fred Daniels, who will serve as District Governor in 2017-18 and is working on membership initiatives before then, presented a program called “Rotary Next Gen,” an analysis of marketing studies of the “Gen X” and “Millennial” generations and their attitudes toward organizations and public service.

He noted that while Rotary tends toward pre-Baby Boomer and Baby Boomer generations for the core of its membership, we need to be aware of changing attitudes and desires of the estimated 126 million members of the younger adult generations — Gen X’ers (born between 1965 and 1976) and Millennials (born between 1977 and 1998).

“They, too, believe in service, but not in the same way we do,” he said. He noted that studies have shown that, rather than joining an organization then finding ways through it to serve, those generations tend to identify a need or a cause first, then join a  group that addresses it.

“So, while ‘Service Above Self’ still is good as a motto, we’d probably be more relevant to potential members by emphasizing ‘Service To Others’ as a mantra. And, we need to provide an experience that will let these people learn, network, and have entrepreneurial opportunities. Those outcomes speak more to that huge piece of the population’s values system.”

• If you missed this presentation and would like to see the PowerPoint version, go to our Program Presentation Archive.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/BUSINESS

SUMMER CASUAL SCHEDULE — Terry noted we still have one summer date available — August 4 — and asked Andy Leyhane to work with other new members of the club to come up with an activity for that date. The event chart is available by clicking here. Bill Dowd will be coordinating via e-mail the attendance at the events because, as has been pointed out several times, with a much larger member base we have the potential for large turnouts and need accurate headcounts for the event hosts and planners.

PRESIDENTIAL CHANGEOVER — The 2015-16 Rotary Year will end on June 30, the same day we will hold our annual “Presidential Changeover” event, hosted this year by Murray and Maggie Forth at their East Greenbush residence. They’ll provide salad, entree, and beverages. Attendees are asked to bring an appetizer or a dessert large enough to feed six. (Those with surnames A through K are asked to bring apps; L through Z to bring desserts.) And, Murray notes, the pool will be open!

OFF THE GRID — That’s the name of a new ShelterBox challenge that will take place the weekend of July 16-17. Bill Dowd, our SB liaison, explained that the relief organization is asking people to “unplug” for any 24-consecutive-hours period that weekend to gain some small insight into what happens to people struck by disasters. He said this could become an opportunity to get away from video games, cellphones, etc., and reconnect with family, friends, and neighbors. Two methods of personal fundraising (hosting a backyard cookout; collecting walkathon-style pledges) are available during that period. Full details of the program are available by clicking here.

DUES ARE DUE — The deadline for submitting dues for the new year is the same day as the abovementioned event — Thursday, June 30. Please see Treasurer Murray if you have not yet paid.

Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
June 9, 2016

Members Attending (17): Terry Brewer, Debbie Rodriguez, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Bill Dowd, Jim Leyhane, Jim Butterworth, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, David Taylor, Ray Hannan, Ron Annis, Monika Annis, Geoff Brewer, Julius Frankel, Roberto Martinez, Charlie Foote.

Guests (3): Ethan Brown, Don Harris, Janet Harris.

PROGRAM: “African Impact – Zimbabwe”

Debbie Brown introduced her grandson Ethan Brown, a senior at Poughkeepsie Day School, who just returned from a volunteer stint in the African nation of Zimbabwe.

Ethan, who in the fall will head for the Finger Lakes to attend Hobart College, volunteered through the African Impact organization as part of his school’s required public service component. (Public service is nothing new to Ethan, who earlier started a student chapter of Habitat for Humanity.)

African Impact is a non-profit organization that creates and oversees internships and gap-year positions for efforts in 13 African countries in conservation, education, and community improvements.

Ethan showed photos of some of the adults and children he met and worked with in preschools, an older-adult home, and an orphanage residence and school. He noted that although the average lifespan in the impoverished country is about 60 years, one of the home residents he met was a 103-year-old woman.

His main work was in the area of Victoria Falls, a city of about 35,000 people on the northern border where the nations of Zimbabwe and Zambia meet. (The falls themselves are a UNESCO World Heritage site. While neither the highest nor the widest waterfalls in the world, they are classified as the largest and constitute the world’s largest sheet of falling water. Victoria Falls is roughly twice the height of Niagara Falls.)

Ethan said the program stressed a daily plan for activities, rather than simply going to a site and asking what was needed. Efforts ranged from literacy education to outdoor projects to constructive playtime to interpersonal exchanges, all made somewhat difficult by the fact that although English is one of Zimbabwe’s official languages, few of the children spoke it very much.

The preschools where he volunteered ranged from fairly large classes to one more rural school that had only 6 to 8 children attending because of transportation problems. At the orphanage, many of the children living there had simply been abandoned by their mothers, sometimes as infants. In at least one case a mother came across the nearby border with Zambia, surreptitiously dropped off her two children, and went back across the border to her home country, leaving no way to trace her.

Ethan said Zimbabwe is among the world’s poorest. Unemployment is at the 85% level, and people rely heavily on growing their own food. He showed photos of some of the successful gardens, including one sponsored by a program that tries to keep people suffering from HIV infection or actual AIDS involved in the community. HIV is perhaps the greatest health problem throughout sub-Saharan Africa,

Ethan and other volunteers from several countries also participated in an animal census effort conducted by ALERT: African Lion & Environmental Research Trust. That group also runs a lion conservation program that rescues orphaned lion cubs, raises them for 18 months to 2 years, and conditions them for successful reintegration into the wild.

In addition to the work efforts, the volunteers did have time for some relaxation. Ethan, who readily confessed to “an insane fear of heights,” showed a video of his tandem jump with another volunteer on a 123-foot zip-line free fall. It did not cure his aversion to heights, he noted.

• If you missed this presentation and would like to see the PowerPoint version, go to our Program Presentation Archive.

 ANNOUNCEMENTS/BUSINESS

WOODCRAFTS EVENT — A reminder that the Northville Rotary Club has scheduled its annual “Woodworking & Fine Arts Weekend” extravaganza for July 15-17. Details, including a list of craftspeople and artisans whose work will be on display and for sale, are on  our website. Click here.

THANK-YOU NOTES — The club received notes of gratitude for (1.) our support of the Capital Region BOCES program’s New Visions team that recently won the Northeast Regional championship in the national civics competition called “We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution” (click here for details), and (2.) from the Ronald McDonald House in Albany for the efforts of a team of club members who prepared dinner for 40 clients at the family support complex. They were Bill Dowd, April Dowd, Roberto Martinez, Debbie Rodriguez, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, and Mike Dewey.

WEBSITE UPDATES — Webmaster Bill Dowd reported that our newly-revamped website now has a simpler URL — SRCrotary.org — and stressed that we remember to use “.org” rather than “.com” which would take visitors to the old, outdated site. He also noted that the “Member Contact Data” page has been completed and put in a password-protected mode, with the password having been emailed to all members.

SUMMER CASUAL SCHEDULE — Only two Thursdays remain open for summer events, July 28 and August 4. (Note: After the meeting, Dean Calamaras claimed the July 28 date, inviting the first 25 people who make reservations to a cookout.). … Debbie Brown said she had spoken with members of the Kinderhook-TriVillage Club about our planned outing to see the August 25 performance of “The Addams Family” at the MacHaydn Theatre, and urged them to join us to make it a large Rotary night. … Jim Leyhane, who will co-host two of the summer cookouts, stressed the need forRead More »

Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
May 26, 2016

Members Attending (21): Terry Brewer, Debbie Rodriguez, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Jim Leyhane, Bill Dowd, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, A. J. Amato, Dick Drumm, Ray Hannan, Carole Spencer, Roberto Martinez, Ron Annis, Monika Annis, Carol Orvis, Rommel Tolentino, Stewart Wagner, Charlie Foote, Phil Kellerman, Julius Frankel.

Guests (3): Maryann Hannan, Ed Hannan, Effie Frankel.

PROGRAM: “India By Train”

Club member Carole Spencer introduced her traveling companions Maryann and Ed Hannan, who accompanied her on a seven-day journey through India by train.

She explained the zig-zag route they took from Delhi southeast to Module, traveling mostly at night so they had their days to visit various locales en route. (The trip of about 1,472 kilometers — or 915 miles — would take about two hours by air or just under 23 hours by car or bus.)

Among the scenes presented were the juxtapositions of lush interiors of the train and several hotels compared to the crowded, hectic street life in cities along the way, and the majestic architecture of the Taj Mahal and other palaces compared to the primitive scenes of bathing in polluted water and open-air markets looking the same as they did centuries ago.

What was perhaps most striking were the scenes and descriptions of the daily open-air cremations along the Ganges River — despite the availability of nearby crematoriums that go unused, and the nightly festive celebrations giving thanks to “Mother Ganges,” with boats decorated in bright colors and candles.

Carole also spoke about festive dinners, riding on an elephant, an unpleasant encounter with a camel, visiting a rather shocking place called the Rat Temple — just what it sounds like — which was an enormous contrast to visiting the Taj Mahal, seeing grass-roofed huts on farms, entering shops offering brilliantly-colored garments and fabrics, the bustle of city traffic that included cars, trucks, motorbikes, and elephants side by side.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/BUSINESS

NEW-MEMBER INDUCTION — Our latest person to officially be welcomed into Rotary was Monika Annis, inducted as is our custom by SRC Board member Jim Leyhane. President Terry Brewer noted that other new members will officially be inducted at our June 23 meeting when District Governor Milan Jackson and DG-Elect (for 2017-18) Fred Daniels will attend. Monika was inducted in advance because she and Ron will be headed back for Sweden before that session.

DRIVER TRAINING — Jim Leyhane, who is coordinating an insurance premium-reducing driver training course, said the event will begin at 11 a.m. this Sunday atRead More »

Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
May 26, 2016

Members Attending (18): Terry Brewer, Debbie Rodriguez, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Bill Dowd, Jim Leyhane, Jim Butterworth, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, April Dowd, Dick Drumm, Ray Hannan, Carole Spencer, Roberto Martinez, Ron Annis, Monika Annis, David Taylor, Charlie Foote.

Guests (4): Incoming member Phil Kellerman, speakers Linda Pezzolesi and Chuck Levy, guest Holly Aiken.

PROGRAM: “The Wondrous World of Ticks”

Charlie Foote introduced Dr. Linda Pezzolesi,  an assistant professor of biology at Hudson Valley Community College, a member of the Lyme Action Network, and an expert on ticks.

Linda described the spread — pandemic? — of tick-borne diseases, noting that there are an estimated 333,000 new cases of Lyme disease reported every year.

She explained that Lyme disease, which often is misdiagnosed because there can be as many as 300 different symptoms or combinations of symptoms, is a relapsing fever caused by bacteria that is carried by ticks.

She said that although a widely-held belief is that deer are the major carrier of ticks, thus the common term “deer tick,” it is more accurate to point to mice and dogs as the biggest carriers.

Linda showed slides of different types of ticks, and how they attach themselves to mice and dogs, dropping from plants and grasses onto the unwitting host animals. She said that warmer temperatures, and the creation and spread of suburbia have worked together to  greatly increase breeding areas for ticks and the growth in the number of their hosts. The main season for ticks becoming adults is August through early April. They tolerate a wide range of temperatures, prefer moist, warm areas, can survive intense cold and hatch later. What they do not tolerate is drought. It is not the heat, it is the dry atmosphere that does them in.

She recommended using the sprays Buzz Off or Deet, or even such essential oils as lemongrass and geranium oils to protect against ticks. She also suggested when coming into the house after gardening, hiking, etc., outdoors that people should undress and put their clothes in a dryer onhigh heat for at least 60 minutes. She said it is not the heat, but the dryness that will kill any ticks. She also strongly suggested examining your body for ticks, and immediately showering.

Linda demonstrated the use of a small tool known as a “Tick Twister,” used to safely remove ticks that are burrowing into the skin. She also suggested that any ticks that have been removed be put in a jar with a moist towel to keep them alive, then sending them to the Bay Area Lyme Foundation in California for research purposes.

She also explained there are two different treatment protocols for treatment of Lyme disease, called IDSA — two pills — and ILADS — 20 days of medication. She recommended discussing both approaches with your physician.

Linda’s Lyme Action Network colleague Chuck Levy also spoke, giving the organization’s point of view on tick-disease funding, research, legislative, and regulatory issues.

BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

WELCOME — President Terry Brewer welcomed incoming member Phil Kellerman, who just submitted his application, and Holly Aiken, who became interested in Rotary after speaking with Terry at the recent Rotary Business Expo in Albany, as well as our guest speakers.

CLEAN WATER — Terry reported that we have sent a $500 installment toward fulfilling our pledge of $1,400 to “adopt” one school in Haiti as part of  the Pure Water for the World Inc.‘s initiative there. The organization, which has strong and growing Rotary support, plans to raise $14,000 to aid 10 schools at $1,400 each.

FUNDRAISERS — Two organizations we have been aiding have fundraisers scheduled. Girls On the Run – Capital Region has planned a Wednesday, June 1, event at the restaurant Roux in the ShopRite Plaza off Route 85 in Slingerlands. Debbie Rodriguez has details for anyone interested. … Circles of Mercy will hold a food-and-beverage tasting event, called “A Taste of Mercy,” with live music, on Wednesday, June 8, at the Shaker Ridge Country Club, 802 Albany Shaker Road in Loudonville. (Details on that event are on our website.)

CPR TRAINING — Ron Annis has agreed to set up an American Red Cross-sanctioned CPR training course. Many members who graduated from the last such event need to be certified. Ron will keep us updated on the effort.

DRIVER TRAINING DEADLINE — Event organizer Jim Leyhane said next Thursday is the absolute deadline for signing up for the Sunday, June 5, driver training course he is arranging. Interested parties are asked to call him or email him ASAP. The venue will be the conference room in the Community Care Physicians office building at 81 Miller Road, Schodack.

SUMMER CASUAL SCHEDULE — The signup list for July and August events, either for hosting or arranging an event, is being circulated. Event details, including open dates, areRead More »

Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
May 19, 2016

Member Attendance (23): Terry Brewer, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Bill Dowd, Jim Leyhane, April Dowd, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Dick Drumm, Ray Hannan, Roberto Martinez, Ron Annis, Monika Annis, Becky Raymond, Stewart Wagner, Charlie Foote, David Taylor, Julius Frankel. (Attending breakfast meeting only: Matt Smith, Bob Horan, Shannon Romanowski, Andy Leyhane, John Sawchuk.)

Guests (6): Bill Jordan, Kathleen McLean, Phil Kellerman, Willie Widby, Maggie Forth, Jeremy Forth.

PROGRAM: “Let’s Share the Sun Foundation”

Murray Forth introduced Bill Jordan and Kathleen McLean of the Let’s Share the Sun Foundation. The organization’s goal is to help make solar energy devices available for people in need in poor regions of the world.

Because solar energy is perhaps the simplest and most-abundant power source on the planet, the Foundation is helping install and maintain solar collectors in several spots. In Haiti, for example, they are supplying solar-powered lanterns that allow children to safely make their way home from school and to do their homework by solar light in homes that have no other power.

Kathleen spoke about their trip to Haiti in 2015 and the 26 solar panels donated by GE for a new school and the community center. Several universities were also represented on their recent trip, including Syracuse, Stanford, St. Lawrence, and Notre Dame.

Another goal is to help a local Haitian hospital, Hospital St. Croix, cut into its current prohibitively-high electric bill of $140,000.

Bill said 1 in 7 people in the world do not have electricity. The Foundation has partnerships with a large number of organizations, including groups from Siena College and St. Gabriel School, and have been getting interns from those schools to travel to Haiti on work programs. Kathleen noted that because the Foundation is a small organization, it is careful not to overextend its reach.

The Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club already has donated funds to purchase solar lanterns in Haiti, and has plans to expand its effort to help underwrite the program.

BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

BREAKFAST MEETING — President Terry Brewer reported that nine members attended the “Third Thursday Breakfast Meeting” today at the Greenbush YMCA. Member Bob Horan, superintendent of the Schodack Central School District, gave a talk on how his district was able to use innovative nethods to create a revenue stream and make use of building spaces not needed for students.

SUMMER SCHEDULE — A signup sheet was introduced for anyone wishing to host a cookout or arrange a field trip during our July-August “summer casual” period when we do not hold formal meetings. Anyone who wishes to add their names to the list should contact Debbie Rodriguez ASAP.

RYLA REPORT — The five-student contingent from Maple Hill High School that our club sponsored in the annual Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program has been honored for being the most active group in this year’s field.

YMCA BREAKFAST FOR KIDS — Member Shannon Romanowski, director of the Greenbush YMCA, is developing a kids’ breakfast event for needy children, probably in July. She has asked if the club would be willing to participate. Terry said we’ll discuss it further as information is presented.

SHELTERBOX EXPANSION — Although the club already has donated $5,000 to purchase five ShelterBoxes, the growing number of natural disasters around the world makes the organization’s needs even greater. Terry said he is pledging $500 toward the purchase of two more boxes (at $1,000 per box) in this Rotary Year. He said anyone who wishes to do so can donate any amount.

DRIVER TRAINING — Jim Leyhane, who is coordinating a defensive driving class that will allow graduates to apply for an auto insurance reduction, said we may have enough people interested to hold two sessions. He emphasized that he needs to have anyone who has not yet done so either call or email him ASAP so he can get an accurate count for the Sunday, June 5, course to be held at Community Care Physicians, 81 Miller Road, Schodack.

WEBSITE/SOCIAL MEDIA — A reminder was issued that the relaunched, redesigned club website is accessible only via http://SRCrotaryblog.wordpress.com, that the club Twitter account is available @SRCrotaryNY, and that our Facebook page continues to be widely used.

SPECIAL EVENTS — Three June meeting dates have been given special designations. June 16 will be scholar recognition night when we meet the winners of our annual scholarships. June 23 will be our second new-member induction night of the year, with both District Governor Milan Jackson and incoming DG-Elect Fred Daniels scheduled to attend. June 30 will be the annual Presidential Changeover event, to be hosted by the Forths.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE — The full slate of officer candidates has been sent to every member via email, and will be voted on at the Thursday, May 26 meeting, as required by our bylaws. Terry noted that we are reinstituting the office of vice president, and expanding the number of at-large board seats, as allowed by the bylaws. The idea is to have a stronger presidential succession plan in place. The Nominating Committee consists of Bill Dowd, Jim Leyhane, and Murray Forth.

HOSPITAL STAY BROCHURE — Roberto Martinez reported that the group behind the brochure, which the club is sponsoring, has applied for a $400,000 state grant to support their efforts. He noted that even if we do not make the cutoff in the first round, we will at least have greater exposure for the effort.

DISTRICT CONFERENCE — Terry reported on the annual District Conference, held this year in Lake Placid. Our club received an award for having the greatest number of new members, although the award was given without SRC being notified when it would happen and, thus, we were not present. At the event, Terry also presented Murray with a presidential award for his continuing efforts on behalf of the club.

SPECIAL THANK-YOU — Roberto expressed appreciation for Bill and April Dowd’s efforts to manage the club breakfast effort at Ronald McDonald House last week, and Bill’s work on creating the menu and directing the volunteers. (Scroll down for a photo report on the effort.)

NEXT MEETING: 6:15 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at Quigley’s. Dr. Linda Pessolesi of Hudson Valley Community College will make a presentation on tick-borne diseases.