Now that you have been a Rotarian for some time, how would you like to advance by learning more about the nuts-and-bolts of how Rotary works at all levels, how you can take a leadership role in helping your club become even stronger as a pillar of your community and a player on the world stage through involvement in RI’s global initiatives, and build your leadership skills to help Rotary, your career, and any other organization you belong to?

And, it’s free!

We’re talking here about attending the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI), a simple one-day investment of your time that will reap rewards for you and your club, with registration paid for by your club.

Registration already has opened for the RLI workshop to be held at the UAlbany School of Public Health on Saturday, October 20. Contact Bill Dowd if you are interested.

Many of your fellow SRC members have attended one or more RLI workshops over the years, with several of them completing three years of ever-increasing training and graduating with full certification. (Talk to Bill, Debbie Rodriguez, Dean and Doris Calamaras, our most recent graduates, for details.)

RLI offers a leadership development program in three  sessions (Parts I, II, and III), and must be taken sequentially. The courses are designed to provide Rotary knowledge and to develop leadership skills for voluntary organizations. Some examples of course sessions include “The Perfect Meeting.” “A Look Outside the Club,” “The Rotary Foundation,” “Membership Retention,” five sessions on “Leadership,”  “Creating Service Projects,” “Public Relations,” “Vocational Service,” “Membership Development,” “Analyzing a Rotary Club,” “International Service,” “Written Communications,” and “Public Speaking.”

RLI believes in course sessions with as much discussion/participation as possible. Discussion breakout sessions are limited to approximately 10 to 15 persons. Lectures are strictly limited. Course methods include discussion groups, role playing, problem-solving workshops, creating projects and audiovisual presentations. Everyone participates during the institute’s sessions.

A course workbook containing an institute manual, session program agendas, faculty biographies, and course outlines and materials, is provided to each attendee. In the Graduation Program level after participating in Parts, I, II, and III, graduates are eligible to attend in-depth seminars held at selected locations in conjunction with regular courses.

Click here to access the 2018 RLI brochure.

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By Ian Riseley
Rotary International President, 2017-18

At our last Council on Legislation, your Council members approved an increase in Rotary International dues of $4 per year in each of the the 2017-18, ’18-19, and ’19-20 Rotary Years. As a result of that decision, the yearly per capita dues that clubs pay to RI for each member now is $60, increasing to $64 next year, and $68 the year after that.

Historically, Rotary International has been very reluctant to institute increases, and the dues increases have been extremely small. Rotary’s first dues were set in 1910 at the rate of $1 per member per year — the equivalent today of about $26.90. Even at that time, then-Secretary Ches Perry protested that the amount was insufficient to cover expenses of office rent, stenography, telephone, postage, and the occasional purchase of a necessary item such as a typewriter.

Today, of course, our far larger organization, engaged in much more complex activities in a far more complex world, requires a vastly larger budget to run. Our global staff supports 1.23 million members around the world. It is largely thanks to the good work of that staff that we are able to carry on with the service that we do, on the level that we do it — fully supplied with the materials, club services, training events, international meetings, language services, IT, Foundation support, leadership support, and everything else we have come to expect as Rotary members.

In recent years, it became clear that the services RI was able to provide to Rotarians with the available budget no longer were in line with what Rotarians needed and expected. Nine out of 10 Rotarians wanted Rotary to provide more services, but, given Rotary’s current and projected income, the rate of global inflation, and the ongoing volatility of world financial markets, we had only two fiscally prudent options: either cut back RI services or increase dues. Essentially, we had to decide whether we wanted Rotary to continue to grow and thrive or not.

As an accountant, I take fiscal responsibility and long-term financial planning extremely seriously. It was and remains abundantly clear that a modest increase in dues was our only viable path forward. Our five-year forecast at the time of the Council on Legislation projected that a dues increase of just $1 would have resulted in only a 1.8% increase in revenues, far below the 2.5% impact of global inflation. A $2 increase would have resulted in reserve levels falling below the Board target by 2019, and a $3 increase would have resulted in reserve levels only marginally above the target by 2018. None of those options would have allowed us to do what our members wanted: allow Rotary to increase and improve its services.

I am pleased to report that, as a result of the still-modest dues increases approved in 2016, Rotary now not only is on a firm financial footing, it is able to invest in our future.

I would like to let you know how RI is spending your dues this year, and what we have planned for the years ahead.

• Your membership dues are our organization’s largest single source of revenue, accounting for about $74 million out of a $103 million budget in 2017-18. Of the $60 you currently pay in dues, $32.58 goes directly to member support in the form of RI events, online training, and digital tools such as our recently-improved website  (click here to visit it) and updated Rotary Club Central, along with Rotary Ideas, Rotary Showcase, and RI’s social media feeds.

• Rotary’s operations extend to 220 countries and territories worldwide, using 29 different currencies. This year, RI is applying $14.43 of your $60 toward administration and compliance. That money pays for staff and services at the Secretariat and regional offices, who provide translations, support Rotarians on a regional level, and ensure that we are keeping pace with global security and privacy regulations.

• We all know that enhancing Rotary’s image in the world is vital to our future success. RI is earmarking $12.99 of your RI dues this year for resources to help promote Rotary in your community and beyond. This includes not only the postcards, brochures, and other materials available on your Brand Center, but also our “People of Action” campaign, external relations, and our ongoing outreach and public relations work around the end of polio.

Within the next year, look for news about an improved technology infrastructure for your data, streamlined online giving, more timely online club-reporting resources, and a more user-friendly My Rotary — all funded by the dues each of us pays. For more information on RI’s budget and the value of your RI membership, I invite you to watch the presentation “Your Dues at Work.” Click here to view it.

For all of us, Rotary is an investment — not only of money, but of time, energy, and effort. As with any good investment, the more we put in, the greater our returns. None of it would be possible without the international association that unites us, and which we all support.

I thank you all for that support, and for the good work each of you do, as you make a difference in our world.

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• In preparation for writing a proclamation by the New York State Legislature to be read at their June 13 gala dinner at which SRC will be honored, the folks at Circles of Mercy asked us for a brief statement covering the history and work of our club.

That’s not an easy request to fill, given the broad mandate and reach of Rotary and the many, many initiatives we undertake each year. But, since we are asked that same question quite often, here was our reply. Feel free to use it when needed. (By the way, the legislators who will co-sponsor the proclamation are Senator Neil Breslin and Assemblyman John McDonald.)

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The Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club, founded in 1960, is one of 33,000 clubs in more than 200 countries comprising the 1.23-million-member organization called Rotary International, now in its 113th year of public service.

The men and women of Rotary are volunteers working together in an inclusive manner in many fields to improve the lives of people everywhere.

Locally, the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club regularly provides assistance in the categories of youth scholarships, leadership training, and foreign exchange study; aid to military veterans and families; curriculum and supplies for schools; food pantries; holiday adoptions of children and families in need; recycling and conservation; athletes with disabilities, and organizations such as Circles of Mercy, Ronald McDonald House, the YMCA, and Scouting, plus many more initiatives.

Globally, the club supports lifesaving pediatric cardiac surgeries through the Gift of Life program; aid to victims of natural and other disasters through the ShelterBox relief program; ongoing vaccination efforts through PolioPlus that have nearly eradicated the once-prevalent disease from the planet; hygiene and medical training programs for women in African nations through the Freedom From Fistula Foundation, plus other initiatives.

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The returns are in on the recent ShelterBox online matching pledge fundraiser.

Several SRC members took advantage of the opportunity to pledge up to $100 each, which was matched dollar-for-dollar by a foundation during a 24-hour period.

Overall, the nationwide drive raised $35,000 in that one day span which means proceeds of the drive will purchase 35,000 temporary tent homes plus equipment for use in disaster areas around the world.

Thanks to all SRC Rotarians who participated in the drive.

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This Thursday’s dinner meeting will feature a presentation by Stewart Wagner under the intriguing title “World War II Mystery Man.”

The dinner menu will feature a familiar item, Quigley’s popular ziti and meatballs, plus antipasto salad, chef’s selection of sides, bread, dessert, and beverages. And, as always, the cash bar is available.

The signup list didn’t get circulated last week, so the following list of RSVPs is reflective of “old information” from the previous week.  Please email Debbie Brown at mdbrown@nycap.rr.com no later than Tuesday evening if your name isn’t on the list but you wish to be included.  As always, the more the merrier.

Pat Bailey
Debbie Brown
Peter Brown
Murray Forth
Ray Hannan
Phil Kellerman
Jim Leyhane
Roberto Martinez
Stewart Wagner

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Burke Adams, founder of the Miracle League and a member of the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club, was honored on Saturday’s opening day at the league’s East Greenbush facilities with “Burke Adams Day.”

The honor was created by a resolution from the Rensselaer County Legislature, commending Adams for his 25 years of dedication to special needs athletes through the Miracle League of the Capital Region. Despite intermittently heavy rain, athletes, coaches, family, and fans played through opening day festivities and fun.

The organization offers baseball, basketball, bowling, football, soccer and track & field events to special needs Upstate athletes of all ages. All baseball, football and soccer games are held at Jaime M. Adams Field in East Greenbush, which opened in 2009 as the first multi-sport turf field in the U.S. specifically designed for such athletes.  Basketball games are held at the Boys and Girls Club in Rensselaer, and bowling takes place at the East Greenbush Bowling Center, Click here to find out more about the organization.

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More than 30 people turned out for a very special “Rotary Home Cooking” series event on Saturday evening in East Greenbush.

Titled “An International Wine & Cheese Tasting,” it drew the crowd to Roberto Martinez’s residence despite rainy, chilly weather for the event designed and co-hosted by Roberto, Bill Dowd, and Jim Leyhane on behalf of the club’s International & Foundation Committee to support Gift of Life, ShelterBox, and other ongoing Rotary global programs.

A wide variety of hors d’oeuvres, sliders, specialty salads, mini-hot dogs, mac-and-cheese, chicken strips, and numerous desserts was available in addition to pairings of wines from eight countries and cheeses from American and European makers selected by The Cheese Traveler gourmet shop in Albany to pair with each, plus cornichons, Provencal olives, and charcuterie as palate cleansers. All that, plus a range of artisanal beers, spirits, and soft drinks, and a selection of New York State wines.

While the hors d’oeuvres and other foodstuffs and beverages were available all evening, the focal point was a guided tour of the wines and cheeses led by Bill Dowd, who has been a judge in international wine and spirits competitions for decades.

He distributed event programs he specially designed for the event that included information about the wines chosen from his personal collection from France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Italy, Greece, Argentina, and Portugal as well as the cheeses selected for the tasting by Mary Rizzo, the new owner of The Cheese Traveler, after detailed consultation with the event co-hosts, particularly Roberto and Jim. And, Mary graciously offered us a price discount in recognition of Rotary’s focus on public service.

Here are some scenes from the festivities:

Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
May 17, 2018

Members Attending (13): Roberto Martinez, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, April Dowd, Debbie Brown, Bill Dowd, Jim Leyhane, Andy Leyhane, Ray Hannan, Dick Drumm, Terry Brewer, Geoff Brewer, Peter Brown.

Guests: None.

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BOARD ELECTION: President Roberto opened discussion on the  election of a board for the 2018-19 Rotary Year. He explained that the Board’s desire was to involve Matt Smith as president-elect. Matt, whose meeting attendance has largely been at monthly breakfast meetings although he has been very active in various SRC activities, is making changes in his professional schedule to allow time for more Thursday meetings as he transitions toward the 2019-20 Rotary Year when he will be available each week. Bill Dowd moved, and was seconded by Murray Forth, that “The current slate of elected club officials who have said they will continue to serve, plus Matt Smith as President-elect, be approved for the Rotary Year to commence on July 1.”  The motion passed without dissent. Thus, on that date our board will consist of President Andy Leyhane, President-elect Matt Smith, Immediate Past President Roberto Martinez, Treasurer Murray Forth, Secretary Pat Bailey, Members At-Large Jim Leyhane, Bill Dowd, and Terry Brewer. Other At-Large members may be added at some time.

YOUTH TOPICS: Information has been sent to local high schools on the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program and our scholarship awards. … Current RYLA participants will visit SRC on May 31 to comment on their experience. … Students from Columbia High School spoke at today’s breakfast meeting on the “We Rise” student movement that sprang up across the country in response to the spate of school mass shootings. Click here for details on their talk.

GRANT TRAINING: John Justino, Jim Leyhane, Phil Kellerman, and Roberto Martinez underwent a special training session hosted by PDG Sue Austin of the District 7190 Grants Committee. SRC now has qualified to submit grants to be decided in the 2018-19 Rotary Year. We plan to apply for a District grant to go toward our annual scholarship awards. The deadline for doing so is June 1.

ROTARY HOME COOKING: “An International Wine & Cheese Tasting” is set for 6 p.m. this Saturday at Roberto’s residence, with Bill Dowd and Jim Leyhane also co-hosting. Roberto is urging attendees to car pool to help ease parking.

DISTRICT CONFERENCE: Registration is open for the June 1-3 District 7190 Conference to be held at the Rivers Casino in Schenectady. The theme is “Sparking Change in the Capital Region.” Click here for details.

ROTARY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE: Registration has opened for the RLI workshop to be held at the UAlbany School of Public Health on October 20. Any SRC member interested in participating will have registration paid for by SRC. Program details and registration information is available from Bill Dowd or Debbie Rodriguez, both of whom are graduates of the three-year, three-level program.

STAR OF HOPE: The refurbishing of this memorial to Columbia High School students who died before they graduated will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 9. The memorial is located on the grounds of the East Greenbush Public Library. A task force from CHS, and an oversight group from SRC, will take on the work. The neighboring Greenbush YMCA will take on the responsibility of watering and weeding the plantings there. Faddegon’s Nursery has offered a planting design.

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PROGRAM: “4th annual Great North American Whizbang Trivia Test”

Bill Dowd presented his annual competition, with Peter Brown emerging on top. That keeps intact the string of a different winner in each event. However, it took a tiebreaker round for Peter to edge out his sister, Pat Bailey. Each received different specialty books of “best of” lists and puzzles as awards.

This year, the number of categories was reduced from five to four, and more multiple choice opportunities were added. The categories were “American History,” “Around the World,” “Television,” and “Odds & Ends.” Click here to see the questions and answers.

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Breakfast Meeting
at the Greenbush YMCA
East Greenbush
May 17, 2018

Members Attending (11): Roberto Martinez, Shannon Romanowski, Michael Harkin, Mike Bennett, Terry Brewer, Geoff Brewer, Matt Smith, Murray Forth, Andy Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Jeff Simon.

Guests (2): Lilly Hutton, Heather Pangburn.

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This month’s Third Thursday breakfast meeting was a student-centric one.

Students Lilly Hutton and Heather Pangburn (seen above) of Columbia High School gave a presentation on the “We Rise” student movement seeking to make their voices heard about action to be taken in the wake of a series of mass school shootings.

As a result, the students created a local chance for expression. On March 14, the event was held at the school auditorium with the expectation that 30 to 40 people would attend. As it turned out, more than 600 students participated. They then decided a group should go to Washington, DC, to take part in a major demonstration and started a “Go Fund Me” campaign to cover travel costs. A group of 24 students and three parents participated in that March 24 event.

As a followup, several students participated in a Capital Region school walkout on April 20, and invited and paid for two students from the Parkland, FL, school where the latest mass shooting sparked the national student demonstrations. There was a 13-minute “lie-in” in memory of the 13 students killed in the 1999 Columbine, CO, shooting. The group next is focusing on a 50-mile walk for late July.

Their efforts have raised discussions about the issues of safety, drugs, mental health concerns, and bullying issues in the schools. They said students now realize they do have a voice with politicians and state agencies. They will consider how Rotary may assist in their efforts.

In other business:

• The Star of Hope memorial to students who died before graduating from Columbia will be refurbished during a June 9 joint workday with SRC and CHS students. That project was discussed by the attendees, including CHS Principal and SRC member Mike Harkin who is working with the students. SRC will coordinate with Faddegon’s Nursery in Latham for flowers and other materials.

•  SRC’s Youth Committee co-chairs Matt Smith and Shannon Romanowski reviewed communications regarding both RYLA and scholarship letters sent to local high schools. Mike Harkin, Mike Bennett, and Jeff Simon indicated that communications should be sent directly to them to expedite responses from Columbia.

• The same educators expressed support of SRC’s plan to apply for a grant to help cover the cost of scholarships and will write letters of support for the grant being submitted to District 7190 for the 2018-19 Rotary Year.

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SRC joins the families and friends of members of the new Danes Rotaract club who will be graduating from the UAlbany School of Public Health this week.

Their portion of several graduation ceremonies from various parts of the university is scheduled for 9 o’clock Friday morning in the Campus Center Ballroom on the main campus.

Several of the club’s charter members have told us they plan on staying in the area after graduation and will remain active in Rotaract while helping to recruit additional members from the two-year Public Health graduate program and from the UAlbany community at large.

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