Meeting via ZOOM teleconference.

MEMBERS ATTENDING (17): Dick Drumm, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Bill Dowd, Terry Brewer, Murray Forth, Maggie Forth, Debbie Rodriguez, Doris Calamaras, Dean Calamaras, Charlie Foote, Ray Hannan, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Pat Bailey, Andy Leyhane, Phil Kellerman.

GUESTS: None.

MEETING NOTES: President Dick welcomed members to our first 7 p.m. meeting. He said current plans are to continue holding weekly 7 p.m. ZOOM meetings, with an eye toward holding in-person meetings at least monthly when we finalize a new meeting space. Dick provided an update on the potential of using the 1,500-square-foot basement space of his vet clinic as our meeting room. A new floor has been installed, baseboard heating is in place, and he thinks there is sufficient space. He asked our two doctors — Jim and Roberto — to check it out, and they did so this week. Jim said it is a good possibility to host occasional in-person meetings there once we are satisfied the air handling and seating configuration are sufficient. …

Treasurer Murray Forth reported that he has received approximately $2,000 so far from members making donations under our new fundraising process as explained at a meeting, posted on the website, and emailed to all members. (Click here to see the details again.) A general discussion was held on fundraising. Terry Brewer and Roberto both provided refresher explanations on giving and budgeting, and Terry and Debbie Rodriguez mentioned that money had been made via several summer events, so we are seeing a fair amount of money coming into the treasury. Dick asked Bill Dowd to update and re-distribute the explanation of the new process to the members. … Murray also reported that we have three people who still have not paid their 2020-21 dues that were due back on July 1 but for whom the club has paid their District and RI dues. Under the recently-passed Bylaws change, we can remove them from the membership roles. The consensus was to try contacting each of them yet again before taking that action. …

Bill reported that we have collected in the range of $800 so far through the CLYNK recycling program. When we hit the $1,000 mark, the cost of one ShelterBox package, he will have a check drawn for purchase of a ShelterBox and deliver it to the local liaison. He urged people to keep drinking. … The annual Gift of Life Golf Tournament remains on schedule for next Monday, September 21, at the Pinehaven Country Club in Guilderland. SRC has three teams entered. Dean Calamaras said volunteers still are needed for the event. Anyone interested is asked to contact Rich Suker, who is coordinating the event, at Richs@gmail.com as soon as possible. …

Debbie Rodriguez reported that the Danes Rotaract at UAlbany held a telephone conference call on Monday as part of its annual reorganization. It is trying to figure out fundraising efforts to be held within pandemic guidelines issued by the university. She also said that nationally, the age limit has been discarded by Rotaract. Consequently, several members who had “aged out” have rejoined. … Members were reminded to sign up for the September 26 virtual Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) day-long event. As always, the club will pay the fee. Details and registration link are available online.

By now we are not surprised when regular events of any sort are reimagened to endure the COVID-19 pandemic requirements.

The latest is the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI), a program in which the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club has been heavily involved on an annual basis.

As is the case for so many activities, RLI this year has been converted to a virtual event. On Saturday, September 26, a pilot RLI virtual event will be hosted by the Vernon-Verona-Sherrill club of Central New York. This provides Rotarians of all clubs an opportunity to experience the first such RLI activity. It will run from 9 a.m. till 2 p.m., with breaks throughout the session.

The price for the event has been substantially reduced to just $25 per person. As always, SRC will cover the fee for any member who participates. To be involved you must register online in advance of the session.

Please be sure to join us at 7 p.m. (note the new start time) this evening (Thursday)  for a virtual meeting of the club via the ZOOM teleconferencing app.While we have had a consistently strong response to such meetings over the summer, for those who have not been involved during the pandemic this is a perfect opportunity to reengage and boost our attendance and participation.

Obviously, because these virtual sessions are not full-fledged dinner meetings, the time commitment is comparatively brief. Simply use this link — https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86046921454 — and you’ll be part of the discussion. That means you will have plenty of post-meeting time for cocktail hours, NFL Thursday Night Football, and any other evening activity of your choice. (We will not ask for details.)

See you this evening!

As we all know, the norm is anything but normal in this era of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is adversely affecting Rotary fundraising efforts that usually entail in-person interaction.

Thus, we have ascertained, by a recent consensus of your SRC Board of Directors and a followup discussion among other club members, that we will continue to underwrite at least three (3) areas of our usual financial largesse — Circle of Mercy family and school projects, our youth educational scholarships, and assistance to local food pantries.

While we also may consider resuming financial support of other endeavors as the 2020-21 Rotary Year progresses, that will depend on the creation and undertaking of fundraising efforts that conform with projects that adhere to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions — social distancing, masking, sanitation methods, etc. — as well as Rotary’s Avenues of Service.

To accomplish this, rather than ask for member support on a month-by-month, project-by-project basis as we habitually have done, we are asking for a one-time, or by installment, financial donation to support the important work of the club to underwrite local and international humanitarian projects.

The level will depend on your personal financial status and your interest in supporting SRC and allied Rotary projects. The timeline: “contributions ASAP” so we can firm up our budget as quickly as we can.

In judging that level of support, you may wish to bear in mind that we usually have 38 dinner meetings a year, and that would mean a projected saving of $18 every week, or $684 if we do not hold any dinner meetings in 2020-21. In addition, we are not asking for the usual weekly contributions to our “Spare Change” jug; the usual “Summer Casual” events (Mac-Haydn Theatre, ValleyCats pavilion picnic and baseball game, various field trips, etc.) were not held this summer, so no member money was spent; no sponsorships were solicited for various efforts such as the annual SRC Bowl-a-Thon, etc. Thus, members have not been asked to be forthcoming with donations and fees this year, so much money has been saved.

Here is how the new financing system will work:

• We are asking one-time or periodic donations. To create your level of support, we acknowledge that different members are financially able or financially willing to donate at different levels. Several members already have submitted their checks. The amount(s) is strictly up to you.

• We are providing suggested ways to donate per a spreadsheet, created by Roberto Martinez, that has been emailed to all members as a guideline.

• You may designate which local, regional, or international efforts you wish your donations to support: i.e., when you submit your checks you may attach a note indicating how the money is to be divided. If you do not, we will assume you wish your entire contribution to go to the club’s general treasury.

• The level of donations will be confidential. This is not a competition. The only person who will be aware of the individual donations will, by necessity, be Murray Forth, our club treasurer. He will direct funds to the various efforts in conjunction with your specific instructions and will report to the membership only aggregate, rather than individual, amounts.

A huge caveat: If you wish to donate to non-local or non-club efforts and make your donations tax deductible, you need to take certain steps to qualify. Please submit checks designated for SRC club activities separately from checks meant to support other efforts. (If you need guidance, please contact Bill Dowd.)

For example, to assure tax deductibility:

• Donations to ShelterBox: Checks must be made payable to “ShelterBox,” with “SRC Rotary” entered in the memo line. Please submit all such checks to Bill Dowd, our club’s ShelterBox liaison officer who regularly collects donations and delivers them to District coordinators so our club and the individual receive credit for donations.

• Donations to Gift of Life: Checks must be made payable to “District 7190 Gift of Life,” with “SRC Rotary “entered in the memo line. Please submit all such checks to Dean or Doris Calamaras, our club’s GOL liaisons who will deliver them to District coordinators so our club and the individual receive credit for total donations.

We hope this methodology will alleviate the periodic stress on members of helping pay for our community service efforts until we achieve some form of normalcy as the pandemic dissipates.

Thank you, as always, for your compassionate efforts. While no one can do everything, everyone can do something. We ask only that each SRC member does that something in a timely manner.

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Mailing Addresses for check submissions:

• SRC Rotary, Box 71, East Greenbush, NY 12061

• Bill Dowd, 7 Hyland Circle, Troy, NY 12182

• Dean & Doris Calamaras, 106 Birchwood Drive, Castleton, NY 12033

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Let us remember the camaraderie and fellowship that bound us together after the 9/11 attacks. Let us work to regain that spirit.

Held via Zoom video conference

Members Attending (13+): Dick Drumm, Bill Dowd, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Ray Hannan, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras, Debbie Rodriguez, John Justino, Phil Kellerman, Pat Bailey, plus 6 via proxy — Murray Forth, Maggie Forth, Charlie Foote, Andy Leyhane, Kevin Leyhane, Terry Brewer.

Guests (1): District Governor Rich Griesche.

MEETING NOTES: President Dick Drumm welcomed our members and our one guest. The other scheduled guest, Charles Frink, Assistant District Governor for Area 8, sent his regrets because he was traveling out of state. … Dick reiterated that the club’s board-approved areas of financial support for 2020-21, impacted by the pandemic, are threefold via a consensus of the Board of Directors: youth education scholarships, Circles of Mercy projects, and food pantries. Others may be reinstated or added as we ascertain fundraising possibilities. …

DG Rich Griesche shared a 4-minute, 24-second slideshow displaying images of District Rotarians involved in work project and social settings, set to the song “A Million Dreams,” from the 2017 movie musical “The Greatest Showman.” … He also reported that Terry Phillips of the Scotia club has created a fundraiser selling sets-of-four stackable beverage cups bearing the Rotary logo. His price is $20 a set, with $15 of each sale going to Polio Plus. Rich provided contact information for Terry in case the club wishes to discuss details of the project with him for consideration as an SRC fundraiser in support of the polio program. … He also reported that details of the “Event Groove” virtual fundraising project being created for the District that he detailed at the September 3 meeting would be sent to all club presidents in the District this week. …

Roberto Martinez reported on behalf of Terry Brewer that SRC’s participation in the RYLA program this year was reported to RYLA as “on hold” because local schools have not been able to contact students in time to enroll. Bill Dowd noted that although the SRC Board of Directors decided at its recent meeting to not underwrite a student contingent, that could be revisited since the latest RYLA schedule calls for a December 12 start to the six-session program — which will be via ZOOM this year instead of in-person — rather than the usual September program start. That gives schools more time to contact students. However, no specific fundraising component in support of the program has been undertaken or scheduled. … On another topic, Roberto said he received word today from Sue Austin, District Rotary Foundation chair, that SRC’s application for a $1,500 grant to help fund our annual scholarship awards for 2020-21 has been approved. The club now needs to raise a matching amount to receive the full grant, but has a year to do so. …

John Justino reported that the UAlbany School of Public Health has resumed classes and the Great Danes Rotaract, headquartered there and sponsored by SRC, has scheduled a Monday virtual meeting to discuss resuming activities. Debbie Rodriguez and Becky Raymond continue to be SRC’s liaison with Rotaract, while John continues as its faculty advisor. … A vote on Bylaws modification passed by an 19-0 vote (including six proxies) — after broad discussion on potential procedures to publicize the change — to alter deadlines for dues payments on an annual or biannual basis. Deadlines now are June 1 for full-year payments or June 1 and December 1 for half-year payments. Details, and logic behind the change, have been posted on the website.

FUTURE-MEETING UPDATES — Our member medical doctors, Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez, will check out the recently-refurbished 1,500-square-foot basement space at Drumm Veterinary Hospital at the behest of President Dick to ascertain its viability as a potential meeting room. In the interim, we will continue to meet virtually. Dick made an executive decision to change the start-time for ZOOM meetings to 7 p.m. each Thursday in hopes of increasing attendance. Procedurally, Peter Brown will continue scheduling the virtual meetings and informing members via email of the contact links. Bill Dowd will follow up with meeting-day reminder notes on the club website and via email. Members also are encouraged to check the website for club and District information, especially the calendar page.

We will be hosting a double-leadership team at this Thursday’s ZOOM meeting.  (The originally planned outdoor social at the Browns’ residence has been changed to this virtual get-together.)

District Governor Rich Griesche will pay us a return visit to share a brief video he created to begin his year at the helm of 7190. He also will introduce us to Charles Frink, the Assistant District Governor for Area 8 which includes the SRC, Albany, Colonie-Guilderland, and Delmar clubs.

And, we will be voting on a proposed change to our Bylaws, the wording of which has been shared several times with all members. 

We’ll begin at 6 p.m. You can join us by clicking on this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81138267166?pwd=WUQyTS9ZaHNDTUNVZVpMVk81azNIUT09

Debbie and Peter Brown will host SRC’s next in-person meeting, but at an earlier-than-usual time — 5 p.m. Thursday, September 10. It will be outdoors, thus the earlier time as the days grow shorter, and socially distanced with masks and some covid courtesies. Please plan to bring a lawn chair.

The Browns need an RSVP no later than Tuesday, to 518-732-7178 or mdbrown@nycap.rr.com.

On the meeting agenda for that evening is a vote on a Bylaws modification (details here). If you will not be attending but wish to cast a “yea” or “nay” vote by proxy, please indicate your preference by email to SRCrotary@gmail.com no later than this Wednesday.

Held via Zoom video conference

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

Guests (1): Rich Griesche.

MEETING NOTES:

• President Dick Drumm presided, and welcomed special guest Richard Griesche, the new District 7190 Governor for 2020-21 and a member of the Twin Bridges Rotary Club.

• Debbie and Peter Brown will host our next in-person meeting, but at an earlier-than-usual time — 5 p.m. Thursday, September 10. It will be outdoors, thus the earlier time as the days grow shorter, and socially distanced. Details to come, but please plan to bring a lawn chair. The Browns need an RSVP no later than Tuesday, to mdbrown@nycap.rr.com or 518-732-7178.

• A Bylaws change will be up for a vote at the Browns’ meeting. If you cannot attend but would like to vote, please send your proxy “yea” or “nay” to SRCrotary@gmail.com no later than Wednesday. Earlier this week, everyone was sent the wording of the proposed change and the reason for it. In case you want to review it, click here.

• Terry Brewer explained that at Monday’s Board of Directors meeting it was decided that, in lieu of some fundraising efforts because of restrictions during the pandemic, all members are asked to make a lump-sum donation to help fund the club’s community service or international efforts. Members are asked to donate at a level comfortable to them. Checks, made payable to SRC Rotary Club, should be sent to the club mail address: Box 71, East Greenbush, NY 12061. Members have the option of directing which efforts they wish to fund (scholarships, ShelterBox, Polio Plus, Gift of Life, etc.), or they can direct the donation to the general treasury. It was noted that factors that may be taken into account when donating are that less money was spent during the summer because of the lack of events, and at least $18 is being saved each time we otherwise would have held a dinner meeting. (We usually have 38 dinner meetings, which means $684 in meal fees, as an example.)

• DG Rich reported on a variety of regional and international efforts. Among them:

(1.) Africa has been declared officially free from wild polio, leaving Afghanistan and Pakistan as the only countries on the globe still home to endemic polio. Rotary’s polio immunization programs continue in those countries despite the COVID-19 pandemic;

(2.) All Districts in New York State have joined to create a working group called New York Rotary Strong to work together and share ideas during the pandemic;

(3.) An emphasis on environment-based projects has been added to the Rotary Global Grants program for next year;

(4.) Rich, Past DG Melissa Ward, and DG Nominee Denise DiNoto are working with an RI public relations specialist from Connecticut on “Event Groove,” a virtual fundraising program exclusively utilizing social media. Our District will be only the second to try it, and he expects to be able to share details with all clubs by September 15;

(5.) The Rotary Youth Exchange program for incoming and outgoing students, which was curtailed this year, has been approved for a September 2021 restart.

In response to a question about our Assistant District Governor for the year, Rich said the number of areas and their makeup was reshuffled again this year. SRC now is in Area 8, which consists of the SRC, Albany, Colonie-Guilderland, and Delmar clubs. Our ADG is Charles Frink of the Albany club.

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District 7190 Governor Richard Griecshe will join us as our special guest at 6 p.m. this Thursday via the ZOOM teleconferencing app.

So, what does he think about our COVID-19 pandemic world? Here’s his latest essay online:

“This may not seem like a time for great optimism, but it must be. Every great challenge is an opportunity for renewal and growth. The COVID-19 crisis has forced all of us to adapt.

“Rotary clubs are adapting to the current situation and overcoming the obstacles that once appeared to be in the way. August is ‘Membership and New Club Month’ on our Rotary calendar, and brings great opportunity.

“Membership is an opportunity. Retention is an opportunity. Service and Fellowship are opportunities –- all to grow Rotary and support its core values. Ask current members, community leaders, extended family, and business associates to find prospective members.

“Our current members are passionate about the work we are doing. What are your dreams for your community? It may be the right time for a club’s virtual meeting rather than in-person. You won’t know unless you ask. 

“Our clubs have been challenged to grow in new directions. Are you ready to help a club grow for the future? New resources on satellite clubs, passport clubs, and corporate membership can help you create an experience that works for every member (Learn more at Rotary.org/Flexibility). 

“As a final note this month, I would like to share the following statement from Rotary International to help promote peace and justice worldwide, something all Rotarians strive for: 

“At Rotary, we have no tolerance for racism.  Promoting respect, celebrating diversity, demanding ethical leadership, and working tirelessly to advance peace are central tenets of our work.We have more work to do to create more just, open and welcoming communities for all people.We know there are no easy fixes and that challenging conversations and work lie before all of us.  Rotary’s strength has long been our ability and commitment to bringing people together.  We will tap into that strength now as we stand with those who are working for peace and justice.Rotary will do our part to listen, learn and take action to ensure that we continue to contribute to making positive change.” 

I leave you with this thought: Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choices you make, make YOU. Choose wisely.”