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Held at Quigley’s Restaurant
573 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY 12061

Members Attending (17): Andy Leyhane, Ron Annis, Pat Bailey, Terry Brewer, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Dean Calamaras, Dick Drumm, Charlie Foote, Ray Hannan, Phil Kellerman, Jim Leyhane, Kevin Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Becky Raymond, Debbie Rodriguez, Carole Spencer.

Guests (5): District Governor Tammy Heckenberg, Assistant DG Jack Faddegon, Donna Vickery of Blue Star Mothers, Bill Nathan, Mike Stangl.

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THE PROGRAM —  District Governor Tammy Heckenberg paid her first official visit of  the 2018-19 Rotary Year to speak about current affairs of the district. She presented an RI presidential citation to SRC for excelling in five areas, one of just three clubs in the district so honored. And, she presented President Andy Leyhane with this year’s official RI pennant, with the “Show Gratitude” motto.

Among other topics, Tammy also stressed that she is asking clubs undertake a project that helps seniors; said SRC has “by far” the best website in the district;  plugged the district conference which will be held in Woodstock, VT, and said the keynote speaker there will be a polio survivor who crossed Canada on a handicap bike to raise awareness for polio prevention.

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NOTES — ADG Jack Faddegon was in attendance to receive the final check in our fund drive for ShelterBox to Jack, who also is the district chairperson for ShelterBox. Combined with checks delivered during the holiday period by fundraising coordinator Bill Dowd, SRC members and one former member contributed $6,340 in total to the international disaster relief agency. Jack noted that SRC not only is the heaviest contributor in District 7190, but indeed in the Northeast, and has contributed about $23,000 since 2010. … Phil Kellerman again is selling specialty coffees for the holidays as a fundraiser for the Capital Region Nordic Alliance (CRNA), the adaptive sports training organization. Details are available on the website….

… Our annual Adopt-a-Family effort in support of Circles of Mercy is underway, with Bill and April Dowd again coordinating the effort. This year, we are adopting a family of two as well as creating personal hygiene kits that Circles distributes each winter. Mike Harkin is leading Columbia High School, where he is principle, in partnering with us by adopting a family of five. Terry Brewer is acting as liaison between club and school. We are a very short turnaround time, so donations should be brought to one of the next two dinner meetings. … Terry Brewer talked about the club membership survey and said he will be discussing the results with the SRC Board. He also talked about the latest meeting of the district membership committee which he chairs.  He wanted us to consider a “sub club” that would, in essence, support the district’s “failing” clubs. …

… The Blue Star Mothers organization, with which we often work, is trying to put together another 1,000 holiday gift boxes for troops stationed overseas, at a shipping cost of $12.50 per box. SRC members have brought in supplies, but cash also is acceptable.  Andy announced that SRC will award $1.000 to the Blue Star Mothers to help this effort.  The money was raised during last winter’s SRC “Bowling for Vets” fundraiser. … Becky Raymond reported that she has been in contact with a Rotary club in Scotland with which we may be able to partner in trying for a Rotary Global Grant to help support the Freedom From Fistula Foundation. … Guest Rotarian Bill Nathan provided details about the Albany club’s annual auction to benefit Gift of Life. It is scheduled for noon Wednesday, December 5, at the Zaloga American Legion Post on Everett Road. … Our annual Holiday Party & Themed Basket Silent Auction will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, December 20, at Quigley’s. Debbie Brown and Terry Brewer will work with owner John Walsh to create an upgraded holiday menu and check on the possibility of having a mini bar in the room. Suggestions for themed baskets have been posted on the website. It is up to members to create and bring basket and establish a starting bid level. Proceeds of the auction go to the club treasury. …

… Next Thursday’s program topic will be “The Second Amendment,” with speaker Tom King of the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association. He also is a member of the national board of the NRA.

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SRC Third Thursday Breakfast Meeting
Greenbush YMCA
20 Community Way, East Greenbush

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Members Attending (8): Murray Forth, Terry Brewer, Pat Bailey, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Jim Leyhane, Shannon Romanowski, Ron Annis.

Guests: None.

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• Vice President Terry Brewer provided an update on current Rotary activities — The club survey, Circles of Mercy Adopt-a-Family holiday effort, the Thanksgiving food basket drive in conjunction with the Greenbush YMCA,  the latest Recycling Day update ($970 profit for our scholarship program), Rotary partnerships with schools in a mentoring program, and the annual SRC Holiday Party & Basket Silent Auction, scheduled for Thursday, December 20, at a location to be determined.

• Secretary Pat Bailey suggested that the second raffle for a private wine dinner for 10 at Cafe Capriccio in Albany be expanded to include a quilt donated by East Side Quilters, and a $50 cash prize. The thought is that bundling more prizes into the raffle could help expand ticket sales. Pat and Jim Leyhane will work out the details for the February 9 raffle drawing.

• Shannon Romanowski, Rotarian and Greenbush YMCA executive director, will speak at next month’s breakfast meeting, scheduled for 7 a.m. Thursday, December 20, at the Y.

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PROGRAM — Rotarian Ron Annis, CEO of Top Form Inc., provided an overview of the business.

Ron began his career with the East Greenbush Central School District as an athletic trainer and has expanded into owning and operating a premier athletic training center with several locations in the Greater Capital Region.

Ron has developed a business model with a focus on working with both students and adults that promotes a healthy body and mind.

Among the many aspects he has incorporated into that business model are such things as student mentor programs, nutrition and health, coaching certification, CPR and AED training, injury rehabilitation, and partnerships with many community service programs.

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