Carol Heaney, her husband Tome Heaney and Debbie Rodriguez delivered the baskets to the Circle of Mercy this afternoon. Richard Zazycki, President of Circles of Mercy, says “thank you” to all.
Easter Basket Drive is a Success
Category: Uncategorized
Meeting Clipboard 4/3/2025
Minutes: Rotary Meeting, April 3, 2025
An SRC Rotary meeting was held in person. Attending were Roberto Martinez, Ray Hannan, Pat Bailey, Phil Kellerman, Dick Drumm, Jim Lehayne, Terry Brewer, Murray Forth, Laurie Pferr, Kevin Lehayne, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown and Andy Lehayne. Carole Heaney participated via Zoom.
Roberto thanked Deb Rodriguez for taking last week’s minutes. Roberto also welcomed our newest members: Laurie Pferr and Christine Fowler.
Guest speaker was Marguerite Pearson, Marketing Director of the Mohawk-Hudson Humane Society.
Marguerite said that she worked for Animal Protective Services for 15 years and has been with the Humane Society for 9 years. In 2019, the Society got a new building which enabled the organization to expand it services greatly.
The agency now has 70 staff and two full time vets with an annual budget of around $5 million. Private donations make up the majority of their budget. They now have an X-ray room and had 2049 adoptions last year of cats and dogs. The agency rescues abused cats and dogs, does surgeries and has a behavioral and enrichment program to bring pets back to health. Volunteers walk dogs and field trips allow dogs to get exercise. About 76,000 pet meals are provided each year. The agency works with law enforcement to take in severely abused pets. Children are invited to volunteer to read to the pets.
Marguerite invited members to tour the facility.
In regular business, Roberto reminded everyone to think about bringing a guest to the membership dinner on May first. Terry said that we should target potential members who are new and those that used to be members in the past.
Roberto also reminded the group about the upcoming April 5th downtown CNY Conference and said that he, Jim, Phil, Murray, Deb and Peter would be attending. Deb and Peter would be presenting about the water well project in Kenya. Roberto and Jim will set up a exhibit table to sell soap to raise money for scholarships.
Phil gave an update on the annual bowl-a-thon on Sunday April 6th. He said Maple Hill School signed up 12 bowlers. Along with Stretch Zone and friends and families of the club, Phil expected that 35-40 bowlers would show up. He said over $1,000 had already been raised via sponsorships for the Anchor Food Bank.
Roberto encouraged members to continue to purchase Easter Baskets for the Circles of Mercy Easter Drive.
Phil said that there has been considerable publicity about the benefit concert on April 26 at the East Greenbush Methodist Church. He said that representatives from the St. Paul Center would attend to speak about the shelter for homeless women and children.
Andy reported that our club Facebook site is up and running, and is able to post club activities. Phil said that it was important to get more “friends” to the site to generate more exposure of what our club does.
Peter had very good news about the water well project in Kenya. He said drilling had begun and that water had been found. He shared a photo of church members surrounding the drill in celebration.
Another meeting with the East Greenbush School District will be held on April 22nd to discuss our involvement with the Backpack Program. Kevin said a “Fun Run” to raise money has been tentatively scheduled for June 13th.
August 7th has been scheduled for a Valleycats game.
Pat reported that five members have signed up for the defensive driving class on May 17.
Roberto said he wanted to schedule a board meeting soon.
This Week’s Meeting, A General Club Assembly
This week the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will be holding its weekly meeting at Moscatiello’s located on Route 4 in North Greenbush at 6:00 pm. The format of this meeting will be a general club assembly focusing on our upcoming projects. If you are unable to attend in person you may also join us remotely using the link located on the calendar page of our website.
This meeting will also serve as one of the last opportunities for the club to collect Easter Baskets for or Easter Basket Drive to support Circles of Mercy. So if you have a basket or need help assembling it bring it Thursday night.
Looking Forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.
This Week’s Guest Presenter, Marguerite Pearson from the Hudson Mohawk Humane Society
This Thursday, April 3, 2025 the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will be hosting its weekly meeting at Moscatiello’s on Route 4 in North Greenbush. Joining us will be Marguerite Pearson, The Director Marketing and Communications for the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society. As usual if you are unable to join us in person you may do so remotely using the Zoom link located on our calendar page.
Only 2 weeks left to donate to the Circles of Mercy Easter Basket Program. We are collecting coloring books, facial tissues, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, hair combs and brushes, small stuffed animals (age 1-12), toys, small games, small books, and different types of wrapped candy.
Meal choices for the evening include: Chicken Rustica Salad, Lasagna, or Cheese Ravioli. Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.
SRC Upcoming Community Fundraising Events
This Week’s Guest Presenter, Christine Fowler from NYSUT Retirement System
This Thursday, March 27, 2025 the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will be holding its weekly meeting at Moscatiello’s on Route 4 in North Greenbush at 6:00 pm. Joining us will be Christine Fowler from New York State Teacher’s Retirement System. If you are unable to join us in person you may join us remotely using the Zoom link located on or Calendar Page of the website.
Menu choices for the evening include Chicken Rustica Salad, Baked Ziti, or Veal Parmesan. Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.
Correction, This Week’s Guest Presenter Laurie Pferr Retired from the NYS Office of Aging
This week’s guest presenter is Laurie Pferr retired from the New York State Office of Aging, Christine Fowler will be joining us next week. The meeting will be available to join via Zoom using the link on our calendar page.
Menu choices for the evening include, Antipasto Salad, Chicken Marsala, or Eggplant Parmesan.
This Week’s Guest Presenter, Christine Fowler from NY State Teachers’ Retirement System
This Thursday, March 20, 2025 the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will be holding its weekly meeting at Moscatiello’s on Route 4 in North Greenbush at 6:00pm. Joining us will be Christine Fowler from the New York State Teacher’s Retirement System. As usual if you are unable to join us in person you may do so remotely using the Zoom link located on our calendar page of our website.
Menu choices for the evening include Antipasto Salad, Chicken Marsala, or Eggplant Parm. Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.
This Week’s Presenter, Sari Medick from Stretch Zone
This Thursday, March 13, 2025 the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club will be having its weekly meeting at Moscatiello’s on Route 4 in North Greenbush at 6:00 pm. Joining us will be Sari Medick from Stretch Zone. She will be speaking on the therapeutic benefits on flexibility training. As with most meetings if you are unable to join us in person you may do so remotely using the Zoom link located on the calendar page of our website.
We will also discuss our ongoing support of Circles of Mercy and their upcoming Easter Basket Program. Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday.
Meeting Clipboard 3/6/2025
Minutes: Rotary Meeting, March 6, 2025
A meeting was held in person and in attendance were Roberto Martinez, Pat Bailey, Phil Kellerman, Jim Lehayne, Dick Drumm, Ray Hannan, Peter Brown, and Deb Brown. In attendance via Zoom were Dean Calamares and Andy Leyhane.
Roberto reported that Marlisa Mutari was to attend to provide an update from the district but was unable to come.
Roberto informed the group that our club just had its 65th birthday.
Phil provided a financial update and said that he had contacted the IRS for an update on submittal for reinstatement of our 501(c)4 tax status. The first representative Phil spoke to could not find our package which was causing frustration on the part of our group.
(Subsequent to the meeting, the second representative he spoke said that he had found our package and we would be hearing by March 24th. Phil was told that there is a usual 16 week waiting period).
Phil also reported that he was almost complete with the reconciling of club finances on Quicken and he would report to the club once completed on the club’s finances.
Roberto said that the board approved $500 to support an exchange student in April to attend a district meeting. Murray reminded the group that he wanted to hand the check in person to avoid the risk of fraudulent “check washing” by mailing the check.
Phil said that our annual bowl-a-thon is scheduled for Sunday April 6 from 1-3 pm at the East Greenbush Bowling Lanes. Several members pledged to become $50 sponsors. Phil also said that the local Planet Fitness wanted to pledge $100 and have a table next to ours at the event to pass out flyers. The members agreed. Furthermore, Phil said that the day after our meeting, he would bring informational flyers to the event to the Maple Hill School along with a sign up sheet. Phil also asked members for help at the event manning our table, and Peter, Deb and Pat agreed to help out.
Phil reported that he and Carole attended an RLI Leadership Conference in Johnson City. Subsequent to the conference, Carole developed a banner which we could use to display at events. It was going to be funded with a matching grant. The members liked the banner which outlines the projects and organizations supported by the club.
Phil also told the group that he learned at the training that to encourage young folks to join Rotary, that they be allowed to become “friends of Rotary.” They could participate in Rotary activities to give them time to decide whether to join. If they decide to join, a member of the club or the club itself would pay for their first year dues. Phil thought this was idea the club should pursue.
For the second week in a row, a donation jar was passed around to raise funds for the Global Eye Clinic in Haiti.
Concerning the Water Hole project in Kenya, Peter said that there had been a delay because the district in Kenya was informed that they may be paying too much for the drilling, and that a rebid of the project may have to occur.
A meeting at the East Greenbush school district will be held n March 18 to further the Backpack program. Several club members will attend.
Pat reminded the group that the AAA defensive driving course would be held in Nassau on May 17th. Five club members have signed up.
A membership meeting will be held May 1st. Roberto asked members to invite a person that they believe might be interested in joining.
A PETS training will be held in Syracuse on March 15-16. Roberto, Jim and Phil will be attending.
A Foundation grants management seminar will be held via Zoom on Sunday March 23rd. We need at least two members to attend to apply for district grants. Jim and Roberto are registered.
A district conference Learning Assembly will be held starting Friday April 4th in Albany. Roberto recommended that members at least attend on Saturday as Peter Brown will be on a panel to discuss global grants. Admission is free.
Upon going around the room at the end of the meeting, Dean thanked the club for their contribution to Gift of Life. He said that Gift of Life had received 8,400 pledges of financial support.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 