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.