MEMBERS ATTENDING (10): By Zoom: Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Andy Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Debbie Rodriguez, Phil Kellerman, John Justino and Dick Drumm. By Proxy: Terry Brewer and Charlie Foote.

GUESTS: None

President Kevin Leyhane called the meeting to order.

MEETING NOTES:

Today’s meeting was switched to Zoom due to inclement weather.

Theme for the Year: “Growing Fellowship and Service Locally and Globally.” 

Hybrid Meeting:  Please let Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane or Roberto Martinez know if you plan to join the weekly meeting via Zoom.

Proxy Votes:  If unable to attend please submit your proxy votes to Kevin Leyhane. Proxy votes can also be submitted using the Remind App. Text to the number 81010.

Bylaws changes regarding Proxy votes: We are proposing to amend the bylaws to allow members to give their proxy vote to any board member who will be attending the meeting that the member will miss.

Guest Speakers and Calendar:  Following last week’s meeting we booked several speakers and the Calendar has been updated.

Len Tantillo Presentation: Len Tantillo, noted historical artist, will speak on March 9th about the proposed waterway in downtown Albany. Family and friends are encouraged to attend.

Cafe Capriccio Raffle update:  Due to inclement weather, the drawing was postponed to January 26th.

Clynk:  Please keep contributing, Kevin Leyhane will have barcodes for the bags at the next meeting.

Iron Giraffe Challenge:  The Maple Hill International Club fundraiser for Water for South Sudan.  Their fundraiser runs through April. A few students will join our meeting on February 9th to speak about their fundraiser.

East Greenbush Committee to Promote Global Education:  Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane and Peter Brown attended the Committee meeting via Zoom. Peter Brown spoke about Rotary’s Student Exchange Program. Other attendees included District Administers, Building Principals and English as a Second Language teachers. The Committee is sponsoring a District Wide Project to have the entire District read “The Elephant in the Room” by Holly Goldberg Sloan.

DAF Fund:  Committee members will provide an update of the Fund at the next meeting.

Viking Gym: Kevin Konig, Schodack Town Park Supervisor, will be speaking to Charles Peter, the Town Supervisor, about moving forward with previously discussed plans for adding new equipment to the site at the Schodack Town Park. A Zoom meeting was proposed.

Rotaract: Per John Justino, tomorrow he will meet with Becky Raymond and Debbie Rodriguez regarding planning for this semester.

Next Meeting: Thursday, January 26, dinner at 6:00 pm at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant, Route 4, North Greenbush. Also, you can join the by Zoom using the link on the websites calendar page. Our speaker will be Julia Ritchie of Bees Knees Bakery.

Entree choices will be Baked Sausage with Peppers, Antipasto Salad and Manicotti.

MEMBERS ATTENDING (11): Jim Leyhane, Andy Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Becky Raymond, Pat Bailey, Debbie Rodriguez, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Phil Kellerman, and Dick Drumm. By Zoom: Kevin Leyhane.

GUESTS: None

President Kevin Leyhane called the meeting to order.

MEETING NOTES:

Theme for the Year: “Growing Fellowship and Service Locally and Globally.” 

Hybrid Meeting:  Please let Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane or Roberto Martinez know if you plan to join the weekly meeting via Zoom.

Zoom: The Club voted last week to purchase the business level zoom account (Zoom Pro) to be used by the Club President,

Proxy Votes:  If unable to attend please submit your proxy votes to Kevin Leyhane. Proxy votes can also be submitted using the Remind App. Text to the number 81010.

Dues:  We have reached the midpoint of the Rotary calendar year and second payment is due now, please send your payment to Murray.

Guest Speakers and Calendar:  The calendar has been updated and we are looking to book speakers for the rest of this year:  If you know someone that would be interested, please reach out to Kevin Leyhane, Peter Brown, or Becky Raymond.

Cafe Capriccio Raffle: Tickets are still available from Andy Leyhane. All members were asked to sell ten raffle tickets for $20 each. All tickets are due by January 19 (next week) at the start of the meeting before the drawing. The dinner will be held sometime in February on a date mutually agreeable with the Restaurant and the raffle winner. Raffle proceeds will be used to fund the Student Exchange Program and student scholarships. 

Clynk:  Please keep contributing, Kevin Leyhane has the bar codes for the bags. The bags can be purchased at your local Hanniford store. This is an easy way to raise money for the Club’s projects.

Iron Giraffe Challenge:  This is the Maple Hill International Club fundraiser for Water for South Sudan.  Their fund raiser runs through April. The International Club is willing to have a few students attend a SCR Rotary meeting to speak about their fundraiser.

Student Exchange Program: Peter Brown and Jim Leyhane met last week with Jeff Simons, Superintendent of the East Greenbush Central School District. They want to continue with discussions on the Exchange Program. Per Peter Brown, there may be opportunities for a summer exchange program. The School District also wants to explore ways that they can collaborate with Rotary. Jim Leyhane, Peter Brown and Kevin Leyhane will join the District’s Global Committee planning meeting on January 17th.

Support Your Fellow Rotarian: Becky Raymond will be singing with the Rock Voices at their concert this Saturday at 7 pm at Shaker High School.

Next Meeting: Thursday, January 19, dinner at 6:00 pm at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant, Route 4, North Greenbush. Also, you can join the by Zoom using the link on the websites calendar page. The winning ticket for the Cafe Capriccio dinner for 12 will be drawn.

Entree choices will be Chicken Caesar Salid, Baked Sausage and Peppers and Manicotti.

          

         

MEMBERS ATTENDING (13): Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Pat Bailey, Becky Raymond, Ray Hannan, Debbie Rodriguez, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Phil Kellerman, Dick Drumm, and John Justino. By Zoom: Charlie Foote, Andy Leyhane

GUESTS (4): David Gittelman and Tim Chorba. By Zoom: Megan Keil and Ann Williams (Peace Corps Recruiter for the Capital District).

President Kevin Leyhane called the meeting to order.

MEETING NOTES:

Hybrid Meeting:  Please let Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane or Roberto Martinez know if you plan to join the weekly meeting via Zoom.

Proxy Votes:  If unable to attend please submit your proxy votes to Kevin Leyhane. Proxy votes can also be submitted using the Remind App. Text to the number 81010.

Cafe Capriccio Raffle: Tickets are now available from Andy Leyhane. All members are asked to sell ten raffle tickets for $20 each. The drawing is planned for January 17th. The dinner will be held sometime in February on a date mutually agreeable with the Restaurant and the raffle winner. Raffle proceeds will be used to fund the Student Exchange Program and student scholarships.

Circles of Mercy Adopt a Family:  Most of the items have been purchased but there are still a few items that have not been claimed. Gifts should be wrapped and labeled with family member’s name. The due date has been extended to Dember 15th. Richard has accepted our invitation to the Holiday Party and will take any gifts with him when he leaves that evening.

Holiday Party: Our party is scheduled for December 15th at Moscatiellos. Dinner is $30 per person.  If you have not yet done so, please let Roberto Martinez know if you are attending and if bringing a guest(s). Please bring your baskets for auction. It was suggested that the cost of assembling the baskets be $30. This has been a successful fundraiser in past years.

Next Meeting – Thursday, December 15, Holiday Party dinner at 6:00 pm at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant, Route 4, North Greenbush. There will be no Zoom option this week.

Entree choices will be Eggplant Parmesan, Chicken Caesar salad, Meat Lasagna, or Chicken Marsala plus a side salad and cookies.

The Peace Corps is a government agency established by John F. Kennedy in 1961. The Peace Corps mission is to promote world peace and friendship by meeting the needs of the participating countries for trained people, by promoting a better understanding of the U.S. and, by promoting in the U.S, a better understanding of other countries. The Peace Corps has six sectors of focus: health, education, agriculture, the environment, economic development and community development.

You must be 18 years old to volunteer. The majority of volunteers are between 22 and 30 years of age. However, there is no upper age limit. Retirees are welcome. In March of 2020. all volunteers were sent back to the U.S. because of the pandemic. Now, half of the volunteers are posted in Africa. Vietnam is the most recent post added. The first three months of the two-year deployment are devoted to training which takes place in the assigned country. Volunteers learn the language and about the country’s culture.

Megan Keil started as a Peace Corps volunteer. She was assigned to Tanzania on the east coast of Africa and taught biology at an all-girls boarding school in Njombi. During training, she stayed with a family to learn about the culture and to speak Swahili. After, that she lived in a house in the school compound. There were 600 girls attending the school and may did not have books. Megan learned how to work with limited resources. She extended her service for another year and worked in the Peace Corps main office in Dar es Salaam. When Megan returned to the U.S., she looked for ways to continue volunteering and joined Rotary.

Megan starting recruiting for the Peace Corps in 2020. She speaks to college students about joining the Peace Corps. These students must have experience as a community volunteer and have participated as a leader in activities. She directs students lacking in such experience to their local Rotary Club to obtain more experience. Megan is a member of the Peace Corps-Rotary Partnership. The Partnership promotes global development and volunteer service. “Under the Memorandum of Understanding, Rotary clubs and Peace Corps volunteers can share their resources and knowledge to boost the impact of development projects globally.”

David Gittelman, (Vice-President of the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers) and Tim Chorba (President of the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers) explained that their organization provides a social club for returned volunteers to get together. They have an advocacy component. They provide a platform for the returned volunteers to promote a better understanding of their host countries. They do some fundraising to help fund projects for Peace Corps volunteers in the field. They also help volunteers readjust to life in the U.S.

MEMBERS ATTENDING (14): Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Andy Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Pat Bailey, Becky Raymond, Ray Hannan, Debbie Rodriguez, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Phil Kellerman, Dick Drumm, and Terry Brewer. By Zoom: Murray Fourth, Charlie Foote.

GUESTS: Line (pronounced Leena) Hendriksen and Mike Stangl.

President Kevin Leyhane called the meeting to order.

MEETING NOTES:

Hybrid Meeting:  Please let Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane or Roberto Martinez know if you plan to join the weekly meeting via Zoom.

Proxy Votes:  If unable to attend please submit your proxy votes to Kevin Leyhane. Proxy votes can also be submitted using the Remind App. Text to the number 81010.

Student Exchange Program: We are in communication with Maple Hill High School.

Cafe Capriccio Raffle: Tickets are now available from Andy Leyhane. All members are asked to sell ten raffle tickets for $20 each. The drawing is planned for January 17th. The dinner will be held sometime in February on a date mutually agreeable with the Restaurant and the raffle winner. Raffle proceeds will be used to fund the Student Exchange Program.

Circles of Mercy Adopt a Family:  The Club has adopted two families this year. Their wish lists are now available on the website. Gifts should be wrapped and tagged with family member’s name. Please bring your gifts to the December 8th meeting ore conact Kevin Leyhane to make alternate arrangements. Gifts are due by December 12th. Kevin will deliver them to Circles of Mercy.  The due date may be extended to Dember 15th if Richard accepts our invitation to the Holiday Party.

Holiday Party: Our party is scheduled for December 15th at Moscatiellos. Dinner is $30 per person. The menu is a choice of Eggplant Parmesan, Chicken Caesar salad, Meat Lasagna, or Chicken Marsala plus a side salad and cookies. If you have not yet done so, please let Roberto Martinez know if you are attending and if bringing a guest(s). Please bring your baskets for auction. It was suggested that the cost of assembling the baskets be $30. This has been a successful fundraiser in past years.

Next Meeting – Thursday, December 8, dinner at 6:00 pm at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant, Route 4, North Greenbush. Also, you can join the by Zoom using the link on the websites calendar page. Our speaker will be Megan Keil, US Peace Corps Recruiter and Rotary member.

Entree choices will be Chicken Ceasar Salad, Meat Lasagna or Cheese Ravioli with marinara or meat sauce.

Line Hendriksen spoke about Apparel Impact which is a textile recycler. The Company was founded in 2014 and is New England based. They have 830 partners that allow Apparel Impact to place recycling bins on their property. The bins are emptied once or twice a week. At the warehouse, the clothing is placed in large sacks that hold 350 to 400 pounds each. The clothing is not sorted. When they have collected 40,000 pounds of textiles, the sacks are picked up and are sold to wholesale brokers. The sacks end up in sorting centers are then shipped to Central and South America, Africa and Mexico. Apparel Impact has recovered 6.5 million pounds of textiles. Over 700,000 tons of used clothing is sent to other countries annually. The economies in these countries are positively impacted through the creation of markets and jobs. 87% are women owned businesses.

Did you know:

70% of the world population can’t afford new clothes.

8% of global carbon emissions are produced by the textile industry.

1.3 million gallons of water are used per year in fabric dyeing. You can see next seasons fashion colors in Chinese rivers.

It takes 750 gallons of water to manufacture one tee shirt.

14 million tons of textile waste are generated in the U.S. annually.

Only 15% of textile are recycled. The rest end up in landfills.

American taxpayers spend 900 million dollars per year on landfills.

We can address some of these issues by keeping the textile waste out of landfills by recycling them. You can also have clothing swaps. Textiles can be upcycled. Used textiles are used for stuffing seats in cars and for insulation. Ideally, rethink clothing purchases. Do we really need that article of clothing?

MEMBERS ATTENDING (12): Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Andy Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Pat Bailey, Ray Hannan, Debbie Rodriguez, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown and Terry Brewer. By Zoom: Murray Fourth, Charlie Foote.

GUESTS: None.

President Kevin Leyhane called the meeting to order.

MEETING NOTES:

Hybrid Meeting:  Please let Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane or Roberto Martinez know if you plan to join the weekly meeting via Zoom.

Proxy Votes:  If unable to attend please submit your proxy votes to Kevin Leyhane. Proxy votes can also be submitted using the Remind App. Text to the number 81010.

Student Exchange Program: Per Peter Brown, we have not heard back yet from Maple Hill High School.

Cafe Capriccio Raffle: Funding for the Student Exchange Program will come from the proceeds of the raffle ticket sales for the Cafe Capriccio dinner. All members are asked to sell ten raffle tickets for $20 each. Tickets will be available shortly. The drawing is planned for January 17th. The dinner will be held sometime in February.

Clynk: Murry Forth is managing the SRC account. Please contact Murray if you need bag stickers.

Circles of Mercy Adopt a Family:  Per the request from Richard, the club agreed to support two family of five members each this year. Circles of Mercy would like gifts to be delivered by December 12. Per Kevin Leyhane, he contacted Richard, and the family information is not yet available. Kevin will post the information on the website when available.

YMCA Thanksgiving Basket Project: The Club donated $200 to the YMCA Thanksgiving Basket Project. Danes Rotaract Club members will help assemble the baskets tomorrow.

Holiday Party: Please let Roberto Martinez know ASAP if you are attending and if bringing a guest(s). We need at least 25 people to guarantee our room reservation. It is a very busy time of the year for holiday parties. Our party is tentatively scheduled for December 15th at Moscatiellos. Roberto Martinez is working with Moscatiellos regarding the date, menu and cost. Last year the holiday dinner was $30 per person. Please bring your baskets for auction. It was suggested that the cost of assembling the baskets be $30. This has been a successful fundraiser in past years.

Next Meeting – Thursday, December 1, dinner at 6:00 pm at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant, Route 4, North Greenbush. Also, you can join the by Zoom using the link on the websites calendar page. Our speaker will be Line Hendrickson form Apparel Impact.

Entree choices will be determined.

Danes Rotaract Club and Board Members

MEMBERS ATTENDING (15): Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Dick Drumm, Pat Bailey, Phil Kellerman, Ray Hannan, Murray Fourth, Debbie Rodriguez, Charlie Foote, John Justino, Becky Raymond, Peter Brown and Debbie Brown. By Proxy: Terry Brewer.

GUESTS: Monica Barrera, Meghan Lipp and Cathy Stone.

President Kevin Leyhane called the meeting to order, noting the presence of a quorum.

MEETING NOTES:

Hybrid Meeting:  Please let Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane or Roberto Martinez know if you plan to join the weekly meeting via Zoom.

Proxy Votes:  If unable to attend please submit your proxy votes to Kevin Leyhane. Proxy votes can also be submitted using the Remind App. Text to the number 81010.

Student Exchange Program – Per Peter Brown, we have not heard back yet from Maple Hill High School. Funding for the Program will come from the proceeds of the raffle ticket sales for the Cafe Capriccio Dinner. All members are asked to sell ten raffle tickets for $20 each.

Shelter Box: The Club will send $800 to Shelter Box. $250 was raised from the sale of the lanterns and the rest came from member donations.

Circles of Mercy Adopt a Family:  Per the request from Richard, the club agreed to support two family of five members each this year. Circles of Mercy would like gifts to be delivered by December 12.  Further information will be posted on the website.

YMCA Thanksgiving Basket Project: The YMCA is still collecting brownie mix, powdered potatoes and powdered gravy. Please deliver your donations to the YMCA. Jim Leyhane proposed that the Club donate $200 to the YMCA for their Thanksgiving basket project. Club member unanimously approved the donation.

Holiday Party: Is tentatively scheduled for December 15th. Roberto Martinez is checking with Moscatiellos about the date and menu. Please bring your baskets for auction. This has been a successful fundraiser in past years.

Rotaract:

Danes Rotaract members President Monica Barrera, Secretary Treasurer Megha Lippa and Alumni Member at Large Cathy Stone joined us tonight for dinner. They are in the process of forming their identity as a Club. They are focusing on increasing membership, planning a social gathering and help with neighborhood cleanup for the West Hill Refugee Center in Albany. The Refugee Center purchases abandoned properties and fixes them up for rental properties for refugees. The Center also provides services such as language and educational programs to refugees. They discussed the possibility of helping the YMCA with assembling the Thanksgiving Baskets. Becky Raymond will contact the YMCA for the date and time. They are invited to also join our Rotary meetings via Zoom. The Danes Rotaract Club is looking forward to collaborating with the SRC Rotary.

Next Meeting – Thursday, November 17, dinner at 6:00 pm at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant, Route 4, North Greenbush. Also, you can join the by Zoom using the link on the websites calendar page. 

Entree choices will be Chicken Caesar Salad, Baked Ziti and Spaghetti with Meatballs.

MEMBERS ATTENDING (10): Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Dick Drumm, Andy Leyhane, Pat Bailey, Phil Kellerman, Ray Hannan, Murray Fourth, By Zoom: Debbie Rodriguez, Charlie Foote.

GUESTS: None.

Vice President Jim Leyhane called the meeting to order.

MEETING NOTES:

Hybrid Meeting:  Please let Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane or Roberto Martinez know if you plan to join the weekly meeting via Zoom. Unfortunately, we are still experiencing some complications, but we were able have a hybrid option for tonight’s meeting.

Proxy Votes:  If unable to attend please submit your proxy votes to Kevin Leyhane.

District Foundation Dinner: Friday, November 11, 2022 at Settles Hill Banquet House, 721 Old Settles Road, Altamont NY.  Cocktails start at 5:00 pm with dinner at 6:00 pm.  Come dressed in your comfortable denim, or most dazzling diamonds. Registration closes tomorrow. Tickets are $85/person and $150/couple.

Student Exchange Program – Peter Brown and Jim Leyhane met with Debra Olgoby, who teaches English as a Second Language at Maple Hill High School. She is very interested in getting the Exchange Program started. They will be setting up a meeting to speak with students.

Shelter Box: The Organization has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. They had a meeting at 8 pm tonight. SRC Rotary continues to contribute through our Klink donations,

Gift of Life Update:  Through their Golf Tournament and various raffles, the Organization has raised $24,000.

Rotaract: Congratulations to the new Danes Rotaract Club officers. The President has called a meeting of the Club Officers for next Wednesday. Also, Rotaract has been invited to join the Rotary Meeting next Thursday, November 10th.

Monica Barrera, President

Yodit Berhan, Vice President

Meghan Lippa, Secretary Treasurer

Cathy Stone, Alumni Member at Large

Driver Insurance Reduction Course:  The instructor needs at least 20 people to attend.  We would need to identify location and date for the course.  The instructor then needs a 30-day notice to register course with the State. After discussion, it was decided that the Club would not be able to meet the attendance requirements at this time of the year. It was suggested that members take the course offered online by organizations such as the AARP.

Circles of Mercy Adopt a Family:  Richard has reached out to us for support.  The club agreed to support one family this year. They are looking for gifts to be delivered by December 12.  Information will be posted on the website.

Cafe Capriccio: Terry Brewer is spearheading this project. He will also take care of getting the tickets. A.J. Amato will arrange for the dinner. Five of our fellow Rotarians are donating $300 each to cover the cost of the dinner. All members are asked to sell ten raffle tickets for $20 each. All proceeds from the sale of the tickets will go to SCR funded youth projects such as the scholarships, student exchange and school supply activities. The dinner will be held some time in February.

YMCA Thanksgiving: The YMCA is collecting brownie mix, powdered potatoes and powdered gray. Please deliver your donations to the YMCA this Saturday at 2 pm. Jim Leyhane proposed that the Club donate to the project. This will be discussed at the meeting next week.

Holiday Party: Members propose having it on December 15th. Roberto Martinez will check with Moscatiellos about the date and menu. Please bring your baskets for auction. This has been a successful fundraiser in past years.

Next Meeting – Thursday, November 10, dinner at 6:00 pm at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant, Route 4, North Greenbush. Also, you can join the by Zoom using the link on the websites calendar page. 

Entree choices will be Chicken Casear Salad, Penne al la Vodka and Meat Lasagna.

Please join us and meet the Danes Rotaract members.

MEMBERS ATTENDING (10): Peter Brown, Jim Leyhane, Dick Drumm, Andy Leyhane, Pat Bailey, Phil Kellerman, Debbie Rodriguez, Becky Raymond, Ray Hannan and Debbie Brown.

GUESTS: None.

President-Elect Peter Brown called the meeting to order.

MEETING NOTES:

Hybrid Meeting:  Unfortunately, due to some complications, there was no hybrid option for tonight’s meeting. Covid and technology can still be tricky.  Zoom requires approximately four hours for posting. Last minute changes are not easily accommodated. We plan to set up recurring Zoom meetings. We ask for patience as we work through the technology challenges. Thank you to all involved. 

Proxy Votes:  If unable to attend proxy votes can be submitted to a board member.  Proxy vote may also be submitted using the Remind App text notification.

Remind App:  Allows group texting for quicker sharing of information in the case of rescheduling, proxy voting, and may serve as a quick reminder for events.  Limited to 150 characters.  To join group:

                                    Send a text to the number:  81010

                                    Text this message:  @srcrot

Theme for the Year:  Reminder that the theme is “Growing Fellowship and Service Locally and Globally” We are looking for service projects and guest speakers that relate to this theme. 

Scheduling of Speakers: Becky Raymond led a brainstorm session and members suggested several possible speakers. If you have an idea for a speaker, contact Peter or Kevin.

Gift of Life Update:  We are working on identifying a new location for the box located in front of Tractor Supply in Schodack.

Rotaract: Due to our Zoom complications, John Justino was unable to join the meeting this evening. He reported via email that the Rotaract Club Meeting yesterday went well. Eight people attended, four current members and four potential new members. In addition to talking about the Clubs plans this semester and beyond, they discussed the need to nominate and/or appoint new club officers. They agreed that any member interested in a leadership position should express their interest by Friday, 10/14. 

The upcoming events being planned by the Club include a special seminar on World Polio Day at the School of Public Health on 10/24 at 1:30 PM.  The SRC Rotary is invited to attend.  The next major activity they are planning is a service activity with the Westhill Refugee Center in downtown Albany.  

Jim Leyhane suggested that the Club invite the Rotaract members to join us for an upcoming meeting. The invitation will be extended.

Exchange Student Program – Peter Brown reported that received a note from the graphics person at Columbia High School who will distribute flyers developed from the documents that he, Jim Leyhane and Suzanna Bernd (Rotary District Chair for the Exchange Program) developed. The flyer will be distributed to students and parents. He also received a note from Jason Breh (Principal of Maple Hill High School) that the Superintendent of the Schodack School District and the Board of Education are on board with the exchange program. Peter will share the flyer with them.

Boy Scouts – Jim Leyhane reported that Kevin and Andy Leyhane attended the Eagle Scout ceremony held at Schodack Town Park on October 10th.

Next Meeting – Thursday, October 20, dinner at 6:00 pm at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant, Route 4, North Greenbush. Also, you can join the by Zoom using the link on the websites calendar page. 

Entree choices will be Chicken Casear Salad, Chicken Limone and Baked or Fried sausage and peppers.

Program:  Phil Kellerman spoke about LEAD (Foundation for Language and Education Development). Phil has been an advocate for the children of migrant farm workers for thirty years. Since these children are not residents of the states in which they live, they can’t get instate tuition for college. Phil also works with the “Dreamers”. There are approximately 800,000 students nationwide. With a DACA card, one can obtain a driver’s license, are able to work and won’t be deported but are not citizens. Phil’s works with LEAD to provide scholarship aid to these and migrant children to try and help them attain a college education.

Phil reviews the applications for LEAD looking at GPA’s and community service. He interviews the applicants regarding obstacles they have overcome, what schools they have been accepted at and financial status. Successful applicants typically receive $1,000 per semester.

To raise funds, LEAD has an annual Christmas appeal and holds a bowl-a-thon. Phil has an active eBay presence and donates a portion to LEAD. They are working to set up an endowment fund. You can learn more about LEAD at www.languageeducate.org and/or contact Phil Kellerman.

MEMBERS ATTENDING (14): Kevin Leyhane, Peter Brown, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Dick Drumm, Andy Leyhane, Pat Bailey, Phil Kellerman, Debbie Rodriguez and Charlie Foote. By Proxy: Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras, Becky Raymond and Debbie Brown.

GUESTS: None.

President Kevin Leyhane called the meeting to order, noting the presence of a quorum.

MEETING NOTES:

Remind App – Per Kevin Leyhane, ten members have joined the group.

Hybrid Meeting – Tonight’s meeting was by Zoom because Moscatiellos was completely booked. We plan to have the hybrid meetings every week. We can have speakers present remotely allowing us to have speakers from outside our geographic area. We are working on purchasing an upgraded Zoom license and linking it to the SRC gmail account.

Gift of Life Update –   Kevin Leyhane reported last week that he was contacted by a real estate agent about removing the clothing donation box located in the Schodack Plaza. Kevin spoke to the Gift of Life representative who asked that we try to find another location for the box. Jim Leyhane suggested that Kevin contact Community Care about moving the box there.

NYCR Danes Rotaract – Reminder, Rotaract is planning a seminar to be held on World Polio Day (October 24, 2022) on Campus at 1 pm.

Exchange Student Program – Peter Brown reported that he, Jim Leyhane and Suzanna Bernd (Rotary District Exchange Program representative) developed two documents about the Exchange Program, one for students and the other for parents. Jeff Simon (Superintendent of the East Greenbush Central School District) and Michael Harkin (Principal of Columbia High School) will distribute the documents.

Peter Brown met with Jason Breh (Principal of Maple Hill High School) this week. Mr. Breh was interested in the program. He will speak to the Superintendent of the Schodack School District and the Board.

Boy Scouts – Jim Leyhane reported that he has the Eagle Plaque for Alex Manning and plans to attend the Eagle Scout ceremony which will be held at Schodack Town Park on October 10th at 5:30 pm. If Jim is unable to attend, Kevin and Andy Leyhane will attend.

Richard Drumm DAF – Per Phil Keller, he met with Andy Lehayne about the status of the endowment. The downturn in the market has affected the endowment fund. The recommendation is to wait.

Next Meeting – Thursday, October 13, dinner at 6:00 pm at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant, Route 4, North Greenbush. Also, you can join the by Zoom using the link on the websites calendar page. 

Entree choices will be Chicken Casear Salad, Beef Lasagna and Ravioli with meat sauce.

Phil Kellerman will speak about LEAD (Foundation for Language Education and Development).