MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE (10): Peter and Debbie Brown, Dick Drumm, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Phil Kellerman, Murry Forth, Debbie Rodriguez, Andy Leyhane and Ray Hannan.

GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE: None.

President Elect Peter Brown called the meeting to order.

MEETING BUSINESS:

• THEME FOR THE YEAR – As discussed at the Board meeting, we are considering “Growing Fellowship and Service Locally and Globally” as the theme for this year. Service projects and guest speakers would relate to the theme.

• STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM – Peter Brown discussed his interest in restarting the International Youth Exchange Program. The Program is still operating. There is someone at the Rotary District level overseeing the exchange program. We will check with our District to see if this person can present at one of our upcoming meetings. Jim Leyhane offered to contact Jeff Simons about restarting the Program. In the future we hope to make presentations at the local high schools to both parents and students. These types of programs can generate community interest and participation in Rotary.

• REMIND APP – The app allows for group texting for sharing of information faster in the event that meetings are canceled/rescheduled, proxy voting and may serve as a quick reminder for upcoming events. Text is limited to 150 characters. To join the Rotary Group:

Sent a text to the number: 81010

Text this message: @srcrot

• PROXY VOTES – If unable to attend a meeting, members should submit their proxy to President Kevin Leyhane. Proxy votes may also be submitted using the Remind App text notification.

• SPEAKERS – We can begin scheduling speakers for the year. As noted, we are looking for speakers that relate back to the theme for this year. If you have an idea for a speaker, contact Peter Brown or President Kevin Leyhane.

• SHELTER BOX – Roberto Martinez reported that $250 from the sale of the lanterns will be sent to Shelter Box. Please continue to contribute to Shelter Box through your CLYNK donations.

• GIFT OF LIFE – Please donate your clothing and other items to the Gift of Life donation boxes.

• BARROW OF BOOZE RAFFLE – The drawing was held, and the winner is Roberto Martinez. Congratulations! Proceeds from the raffle will be used to obtain the equipment needed to establish a hybrid meeting and for club operating expenses.

• MEETING SCHEDULE – Next week, September 22, will be a Zoom meeting at 7 pm. The following week, we hope to be up and running with a hybrid option allowing members to meet in person or join the meeting via Zoom. We are working on obtaining the necessary hardware and internet access.

This week’s meeting, September 22, 2022 will take place remotely via Zoom at 7:00pm. The link to the meeting is located on our Club Calendar Page. Looking forward to seeing everyone a 7:00 on Thursday.

With the start of the new Rotary Year we will be returning to Moscatiello’s on Thursday, September 15, 2022 at 6:00pm. The meeting schedule for the first few weeks will consist of an in-person meeting on September 15th followed by a Zoom meeting on September 22, 2022 at 7:00pm. On September 29, 2022 we hope to have in place the hardware to hold a successful hybrid meeting allowing members and guests the ability to join the meeting either in person or virtual via Zoom. Stay tuned in for updates as they will be posted on the Club Calendar. Looking forward to seeing everyone on the 15th of September.

Our last meeting of the summer on September 1, 2022 was hosted at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant, and featured a menu choice of spaghetti and meatballs or chicken Ceasar salad.

Meeting was called to order by President Elect Peter Brown.

Members in attendance: Peter and Debbie Brown, Dick Drumm, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Terry Brewer, Phil Kellerman, and Ray Hannah.

Guests in attendance: Betty Brewer

Meeting business:

Phil Kellerman served as a representative of the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club as he was a guest speaker for the Glenville Rotary Club. Phil’s presentation topic was immigration, and we appreciate his service as an ambassador of our club.

Terry Brewer suggested holding another Cafe Capriccio to financially support our club scholarships. As in the past, the grand prize would feature a private dinner at Cafe Capriccio for 13 guests. Details will be finalized in the upcoming weeks.

Tickets for barrow of booze are continued to be sold by Jim Leyhane. Drawing will take place at our upcoming September 15, 2022 meeting. Profits will go to hardware and software to support our hybrid zoom meetings and club initiatives.

ShelterBox update: Our Clynk recycling program, along with a generous personal donation from Bill Dowd netted $500 to donate to ShelterBox. Now that all ShelterBox Luminaid lights have been sold, the Club will also be sending ShelterBox a donation of $250. Clynk recycling bags can be purchased at any Hannaford customer service counter. If you are in need of bar code stickers for the bags, please contact Bill Dowd.

Gift of Life update: It was noted that local clothing donation boxes generate around $1000 dollars per year per box for the Gift of Life. The Gift of Life’s annual golf tournament is set for September 12, 2022. Southern Rensselaer County Rotary members, Jim Leyhane, Dean and Doris Calamaras, and AJ Amato are sponsoring 3 foursomes for the golf tournament. Raffle tickets to support the Gift of Life featuring cash prizes, are also available from Jim and Dean, and the drawing will take place after the tournament.

Due to the Labor Day Holiday there will be no regular scheduled meeting this week. We will return to Moscatiello’s on September 15, 2022 at 6:00pm.

There will be a Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club Board meeting on September 11, 2022 at 6:00pm at Jim Leyhane’s house. A light supper will be provided.

Our last scheduled summer casual event will feature a return to Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant. The menu will feature a choice between chicken Caesar salad and spaghetti with meat sauce and meatballs. The cost will remain $25 with everything included except for bar costs. Looking forward to seeing everyone again this Thursday at 6:00pm.

With only three weeks to go, The Gift of Life is in search of items for their raffle following their 24th Annual Golf Tournament. Gift cards and gift certificates make convenient donations, with a suggested value of $15-$300. If you would like to contribute please contact Dean Calamaras or Jim Leyhane.

Reminder: This week’s Summer Casual hosted by Pat and Phil will take place on Friday this week at the S&S Farm Brewery located at 174 Middle Road, Nassau, NY 12123. If you plan on attending and still have not notified Pat or Phil, please do so ASAP so they can acquire enough tables for us.

Members in attendance: Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Murray Forth, Maggie Forth, Pat Bailey, Deb Rodriguez, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Dick Drumm, Ray Hannan, Phil Kellerman, Kevin Leyhane

Guests in attendance: Jeremy Forth, Mary Drumm, Karen Drumm, Lois Hannan, Joe Corr, Cherrie Corr, Carrie Leyhane, Emma Leyhane, Priscilla Polsinello

Members and guests enjoyed a comfortable evening by the pool as they dined on steak, potatoes, cowboy beans, and garlic bread while enjoying family, friends and the fellowship of Rotary.

Business Discussed: School supplies to benefit the Circles of Mercy were collected and will be delivered on Monday, August 21, 2022.

Raffle tickets to benefit the Gift of Life and tickets for the “Barrow of Booze” raffle were both sold.

Our annual trip to the ValleyCats game has been postponed until the 2023 season. When next year’s schedule becomes available we will pick a Thursday night to reschedule.

September 1, 2022 is an open date for a summer casual, and we have contacted Moscatiello’s about returning on that date for a dinner meeting.

Next Summer Casual Event: Pat Bailey and Phil Kellerman will be hosting our next summer casual event at S&S Farm Brewery in Nassau on Friday August 26, 2022. Please note this event is Friday night, and not Thursday. If you plan on attending and did not notify Pat or Phil last Thursday, please reach out to them and to let them know you plan on attending as they will arrive early to secure tables. Looking forward to seeing everyone again this Friday.

Members in attendance: Dick Drumm, Jim Leyhane, Murray Forth, Maggie Forth, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Ray Hannan, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras, Roberto Martinez

Guests in attendance: Jeremy Forth, Mary Drumm, Karen Drumm, Kevin Drumm, Patrick Drumm, Lois Hannan, Joe Corr, Cherrie Corr, Debbie Rodriguez’s grandchildren.

A very successful Rotary Picnic hosted by the Drumm’s is in the books. Members of the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club along with family and guests, enjoyed fun with family and friends, dined on fine food, and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

Items of Business: Several raffle tickets for both the Gift of Life raffle and the Barrow of Booze raffle were sold. Tickets for both raffles are still available through Dean and Jim and may be purchased at upcoming summer casual events.

School supplies to support Circles of Mercy’s back to school program were collected. Next week’s summer Casual event is the last opportunity to collect school supplies for this program.

After several conflicts it was decided that the ValleyCats tickets will be held until next season and then exchanged for tickets to that season.

Next week’s summer casual is Steak by the Pool hosted by Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez at Jim’s home. Once again we are asking for a small fee of $15 per Rotarian and $20 per family. Please feel free to bring an appetizer. The menu will include filet mignon, baked potatoes, garlic bread, and cowboy beans. This is the last summer casual event where school supplies will be collected for Circles of Mercy. Looking forward to seeing everyone again this Thursday.

As we prepare for tonight’s summer casual at the Drumm’s Farm, a few quick reminders. We are still gathering school supplies in support of Circles of Mercy’s back to school program. School supplies will be collected at any of the summer casual events by any of the Leyhanes. We have until August 21st to collect so time is running short. We are also selling tickets for two separate raffles. The first is for a cash prize in support of the Gift of Life, and tickets may be purchased from Dean or Jim. The second raffle is for a barrow of booze and may be purchased from Jim Leyhane.

Lastly, there is a change of venue for next week’s summer casual. Next Thursday, August 18, 2022 we will be enjoying steak by the pool hosted by Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez at Jim’s house. This is a rescheduled event from earlier in the summer. Dean and Dorris Calamaris have graciously given up this date to allow Jim and Roberto to host.

Our next summer casual event is scheduled for next Thursday, August 11, 2022 hosted by Dick and Mary Drumm on their farm. The dinner will be catered by O’Kenny’s Express. The caterer is requiring an accurate head count for the event so please RSVP by Friday, August 5, 2022 with either Mary Drumm at (518)339-7459 or with Jim Leyhane at (518) 428-1732.