Category: Technology

Are you ready to change the way you dial local phone numbers?

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area-codesEffective Saturday, August 19, if you try calling a phone number in the 518 area code the way you always have, it won’t work.

That is the start date for full implementation of the new “Area Code Overlay” for the 518 area code. That means in addition to our current 518, the same geographic area will include a new code — 838. That is because they have virtually run out of new phone numbers for the 518 area.

You do not have to change your 518 area code. But, any new numbers issued on or after September 19 will begin with 838. However, to call anyone else with that code or with the new 838 code, you will have to use a 10-digit calling sequence just as you do now for long distance calls.

For example, if you normally call your cousin Mary locally at 555-5555 you will have to dial 1-518-555-5555.  And, for local calls to people or businesses that have been assigned a new 838 code number, you also will have to dial a 10-digit code such as 1-838-555-5555.

If you want to get in the habit of doing this since it will become part of your way of life and there’s nothing you can do about it, you can begin practicing by using a 10-digit sequence as of March 18. If you forget and just use the usual seven-digit number your call will be put through until August.

Note: This change may require a variety of changes for some people. For example, all numbers you have stored for automatic dialing on your cellphones or landlines, for answering machine messages, call forwarding, fax machines, speed dialers, internet dial-up numbers, safety alarm security systems and other such equipment will have to be reprogrammed with a 10-digit sequence. Likewise for any printed material — checks, office stationery, websites, Facebook pages, pet ID tags, etc. Whatever you do not change will not work after August 19.

Additional information is available online by clicking here.

‘Votes & Volts’ program on December 15

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screen-shot-2016-12-05-at-10-40-01-pmAre you planning to attend SRC’s December 15 “Votes & Volts” meeting? We certainly hope so, because the agenda has been created especially for ALL members, new and old, and it will be an excellent opportunity to get to know each other a lot more.

Not only will it be the last regular meeting of 2016 (see below), we need you to vote on proposed major changes to our Club Bylaws AND to be there for Bill Dowd’s program on”Our Web, Social Media, & You.” screen-shot-2016-12-05-at-10-37-19-pm

All member have been emailed the proposed changes, but, in a brilliant bit of serendipity, if you didn’t read your email or accidentally trashed it you still can find the changes on one of our club’s communications platforms Bill will be talking about — SRCrotary.org.

Please plan to attend, and bring your cellphones, iPads, laptops or whatever you usually use to go online. Quigley’s has WiFi, and we know you will find the program very worthwhile.

IMPORTANT NOTE — About that mention above that  December 15 will be our last regular meeting of 2016 — that’s true, but don’t forget to RSVP to Murray Forth at mmforth51@gmail.com no later than Monday, December 20, if you plan to attend the Thursday, December 22, “Holiday Dinner & Theme Basket Silent Auction” at Murray’s residence. After that, we won’t meet again until January 5 when President Debbie Rodriguez has something special in the works.

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Our Twitter page is a content+ source

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Early returns from the social media survey that was sent to all members a few days ago show that very few SRC members avail themselves of the Twitter social media platform.

So, why does our club have a Twitter page? For two main reasons: (1.) To make our information available on the most heavily-used social media platform in the world, and thus potentially more appealing to the generations who use such things on a regular, even daily, basis; and, (2.) to provide you with news and information beyond what we have on our club website from Rotary International, partner organizations, and some other philanthropic organizations from around the globe.

The accompanying screen grabs show just a few of the most recent Tweets posted by SRC, RI and others. If you are interested in setting up a Twitter account, which is very easy to do, simply go here and follow the step-by-step instructions.

screen-shot-2016-11-22-at-9-00-15-amscreen-shot-2016-11-22-at-9-07-19-am

Breakfast meeting of 11/17/16: ‘Chamber of Commerce’

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SRC Breakfast Logo

Third Thursday Breakfast Meeting
Greenbush Area YMCA
1 Community Way
East Greenbush, NY

Members Attending (15): Shannon Romanowski, Ron Annis, Pat Bailey, Melissa Bill, Terry Brewer, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Murray Forth, Marko Koshykar, Andy Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Becky Raymond, Debbie Rodriguez, John Sawchuk, Matt Smith.

Guests (2): Maureen McGuiness, Matt Wiseman.

PROGRAM: Rensselaer County Chamber of Commerce

screen-shot-2016-11-28-at-12-22-23-amRensselaer County Chamber of Commerce executive Maureen McGuiness was our guest speaker. She shared information on Chamber activities with not-for profit organizations and community organizations.

She also discussed the not-for-profit showcase held annually, the Chamber’s Award Leadership Program, building connections and networking with more than 900 businesses and 40 professional development programs.

Maureen said a club such as Rotary can join the Chamber for approximately
$500 per year.

Announcements/Business

OPENING: The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance and the invocation by Jim Leyhane.

BOWLING FOR VETS: Treasurer Murray Forth  reported that the second annual event raised  more than $3,600, of which $3,000 will be donated to the Blue Star Mothers and other veteran groups, with the remainder going to the club treasury.

HOLIDAY PARTY: The annual Holiday Party and Theme Basket Silent Auction will be held at the Forth residence on Thursday, December 22. More information will be provided at a later date.

BASKET BONANZA: Terry Brewer reported that 10 Thanksgiving baskets were provided to the Community Cares group for distribution, with Shannon Romanowski coordinating the activity. The value of the baskets was $500.

ADOPT A FAMILY — April Dowd  is coordinating with the Circles of Mercy organization our annual holiday effort. She has sent information via email to all members. … Terry is coordinating for a family with Doors of Hope in Averill Park. He will share information at the December 1 dinner meeting.

Screen Shot 2016-11-28 at 12.39.58 AM.pngRECYCLING DAY — A Recycling Day fundraiser will be held on Saturday, January 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for paper and small electronic items. The location is Wainman Construction on Third Ave. Ext., Rensselaer. Details will be shared at the December 1 dinner meeting.

NEXT 3RD THURSDAY MEETING: 7 a.m. Thursday, December 15, at the Greenbush Area YMCA. Club member Andy Leyhane will provide the program.

UN Day exciting from start to finish

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un
District 7190 Governor John Mucha and wife Nina (standing) at the UN.

The District 7190 contingent that attended Rotary Day at the United Nations Screen shot 2016-08-31 at 4.29.52 PMon Saturday ran into news main events at both ends of the trip.

Here’s what District Governor John Mucha had to say about it:

“We had around 50 youth (Exchange students and siblings, RYLA students, Interact students) and chaperones, and about 20 Rotary adults and guests attend.

“The students saw our democracy in action with political demonstrations blocking several streets. [And] We all were affected by the lockdown at Crossgates Mall, where we left our cars at 5 a.m. and had to have a police escort to return there at 11 p.m. Quite a day!”

 

Don’t forget, SRC is on Twitter, too

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screen-shot-2016-10-29-at-10-36-47-pmBy now you know — or should know — that you can get varied, thorough and timely news and information about your club and Rotary in general on both our website and our Facebook page. But …

That dreaded word. But.

We have Twitter followers from other Rotary clubs and various organizations. But, virtually no one from our club is making use of links from our Twitter account to stay in the loop (only 2 members so far). That’s too bad, given that so many people make use of Twitter on a daily basis. Why not join them so you can make your Rotary experience richer and more rewarding?

The address is in the accompanying logo, or you can simply go to the club website and click on the link to Twitter to get started.

See you there!

 

 

RadioRotary powered by our neighboring district

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Are you familiar with RadioRotary? If not, you may want to tune in to see what the weekly program is all about. Hint: It’s never the same thing.

Radio Rotary logoThe weekly series of 30-minute interviews is sponsored and presented by our neighboring Rotary District — 7210, covering Columbia, Greene, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan and Ulster counties.

Professional radio hosts Sarah O’Connell (a member of the Millbrook club) and Jonah Triebwasser (Red Hook club) chat with Rotarians and non-Rotarians alike, people who live by Rotary’s motto, “Service above Self.”

As RadioRotary explains it, “Guests are humanitarians who work on many levels in programs that address such important issues as poverty, education, health, the environment, and employment and vocations. Each interview provides timely information that focuses on improving the quality of life for everyone, both here and abroad. Our guests’ stories of their humanitarian work are uplifting, showing how caring people strive to do good in the world.”

This weekend’s program is “Solar Power for Your Home.”

RadioRotary is accessible through a number of platforms each Saturday, with replays on Sundays. The lineup:

• WTBQ 93.5 FM and 1110AM Saturdays at 11:30 a.m.
• WTBQ.com on WBPM 92.9 FM Sundays at 7:25 a.m.
• WBPM FM and on Real Country 1260 and 1420 AM Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
• Real Country HV.com
• anytime on RadioRotary.com
• by iTunes subscription

 

ShelterBox challenge: Can you go ‘Off the Grid’?

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Screen shot 2016-06-23 at 3.20.15 PM• Scroll down to see invitations and sponsorship forms.

Many of us joke that we know people who can’t be parted from their many electronic devices for even a minute. Are you one of those electronic slaves?

Screen shot 2016-06-23 at 3.24.45 PMThere’s a way to find out on the weekend of July 16-17. Take the “Go Off the Grid for ShelterBox” challenge.

This could be an interesting family experiment, seeing that even though you’d have no power you still would not be powerless. By taking part, you’ll get a sense of what life is like for families who lost everything when disaster struck — the kind of people your ShelterBox contributions help around the world. They are forced to live  without electricity, no light, no safety, no place to cook and keep warm. No shelter over their heads.

If you, or you and your family, decide to “Go Off the Grid” it will mean no texting, no downloading, no videos, no tweeting, no music, no TV, no video games, not even lights, for a period of 24 consecutive hours during the designated weekend. But, that doesn’t mean you’d have to sit around like stunned sheep. You can download tips or order an “Off The Grid Survival Box,” packed with BBQ recipes, games, activities and other ideas from the folks at ShelterBox to keep the whole family connected — to each other.

The intent of the challenge is to raise awareness of just how difficult life is without the many everyday things we take for granted, and in doing so to increase interest in donating to ShelterBox. Of course, you can always do that without taking the challenge, but it’s a fascinating idea that your entire family will remember.

You don’t have to be a Rotarian to support ShelterBox. Throw a backyard cookout — call it an “OFF THE GRIDdle BBQ”), invite friends and neighbors (be sure to tell them no phones, tablets, etc., allowed.) Here’s an official invitation …

Screen shot 2016-06-23 at 3.31.51 PM

… and, you can download free copies of it by clicking here. Then, simply send the donations along to ShelterBox. (You also can direct your invitees to our website where they can find details on what ShelterBox is all about.)

Another way to raise funds for ShelterBox is to use the 24-hour event the same way you would a walk-athon, a bike-athon, etc. Get sponsors. Here’s what the official pledge form looks like …

Screen shot 2016-06-23 at 3.41.14 PM

… and, you can download free copies by clicking here. Then, just as you would with cookout donations, send the money along to ShelterBox.

Introducing our latest tech addition: Dropbox

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Screen shot 2016-06-12 at 5.00.00 PMAre you familiar with the symbol shown here? It’s that of Dropbox, which the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club just joined.

Dropbox is a file hosting service operated by Dropbox Inc. of San Francisco. It offers cloud storage, file synchronization, personal cloud, and client software. Using it, individuals or organizations are able to create a special folder on their computers, which Dropbox then synchronizes so it appears to be the same folder (with the same contents) regardless of which device is used to view it.

Files placed in this folder also are accessible via the Dropbox website and mobile apps. Dropbox uses a “freemium” business model, wherein users are offered a free account with a set storage size or paid subscriptions for accounts with more capacity. Initially, at least, we are using the “freemium” model to see how much use we will get from our Dropbox.

Screen shot 2016-06-10 at 6.05.12 PMWe’ve already done some work with Dropbox to help create our new “Program Presentation Archive” on the club website. (That’s its logo on the left.) Two different members and one guest were able to drop copies of the PowerPoint shows they have presented to the club into the SRC Rotary Dropbox. From there, we were able to easily extract the slides/images we wanted, converted them to PDF documents, and placed them in the archive.

It is the hope of the club’s “techie worker bees” that this addition to our lineup of methods of communication — email, website/blog, Facebook, and Twitter — will continue to help us grow and share news and information with each other and the community at large. Please feel free to make use of the SRC Rotary Dropbox account.

 

 

New page provides tech data for our speakers

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Projector Ports
Our projector’s connection ports.

The latest new page on our club website, which went live today, should go a long way toward making our after-dinner speakers’ presentation setups go smoothly.

When you schedule a speaker, all you have to do is provide them with this Internet address — tinyurl.com/hym5yba — and they can go directly there for all the setup and other technical data they need.

A special thanks to Roberto Martinez for shepherding this cooperative guide to fruition.

Go here to take a look at it. The link also is part of our website’s “Inside Information” lineup.