A reminder: We will not hold dinner meetings on November 16 or 23. The former date conflicts with District 7190’s annual Foundation Dinner, and the latter with Thanksgiving Day.
However, we will hold a 7 a.m. breakfast meeting at the Greenbush YMCA next Thursday (November 16) at which we’ll present another in our series of working sessions providing members a closer look at our club’s inner workings, projects, and funding streams. A good opportunity for all our members to learn more about how things work and what roles they can play.
If you plan to join fellow SRC members for breakfast, please be sure to let Ron Annis (ron@topform.us) or Shannon Romanowski (sromanowski@cdymca.org) know no later than Tuesday evening.
Today had been the deadline for dropping off contributions to the “Caring Community Basket Brigade” at the Greenbush YMCA and other venues as part of a Thanksgiving drive for needy families in the area.
However, SRC member Shannon Romanowski, who is coordinating the effort as part of her duties as director of two YMCAs, today posted this note on the SRC Facebook page:
“We are still in need of food donations for our Thanksgiving ‘Basket Brigade.’ Items may be dropped off at the Greenbush Y before next Thursday (November 16). Last year we delivered meals for 166 people. This year the need has grown, so we need your help!”
Here is a copy of the original flyer. It contains a list of what is needed. Please ignore the November 10 deadline.
Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY November 9, 2017
Members Attending (15): Roberto Martinez, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Jim Leyhane, Bill Dowd, Dick Drumm, Dean Calamaras, Terry Brewer, Kevin Leyhane, Debbie Rodriguez, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Becky Raymond, Phil Nasca, Charlie Foote.
Guests (3): Bill Nathan, Kaitlin Driesse, Ashley Beaulieu.
Announcements/Business
Ashley Beaulieu (left) and Kaitlin Driesse, who are forming a Rotaract chapter at the UAlbany School of Public Health, were in attendance Thursday evening.
ROTARACT PROGRESS — Creation of a Rotaract Club (young Rotarians ages 18-30) is moving forward at the UAlbany School of Public Health. SRC is the sponsoring club, John Justino — who, incidentally, is submitting an individual membership application — will be faculty advisor, Phil and Bonnie Nasca sponsors, and Debbie Rodriguez and Becky Raymond SRC’s liaisons with the new entity. Kaitlin Driesse and Ashley Beaulieu, graduate students at the school who are the catalysts behind the new Rotaract, were in attendance tonight.
MEMBERSHIP TRAINING — Terry Brewer reported on the latest District 7190 Membership Training Workshop. Terry, who is the District lead for membership efforts, and Ray Hannan represented SRC at the Wednesday event. The District is developing a cadre of eight instructors who will visit individual clubs to help them improve membership recruitment and retention. The goal for 2017-18 is a 10% increase in net membership.
COMMUNITY CELEBRATION DINNER — Our second such event this year will honor about 40 first responders, students, alumni, military, and others from the community at a 5:30 p.m. buffet on Tuesday, December 5, at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant in North Greenbush. SRC is supporting the event, which is chaired by John Sawchuk. Reservations are $35, and sponsorships are $100. Anyone interested in a business, family, or individual sponsorship is asked to contact Murray Forth ASAP. This is a fundraiser for SRC, and we project several thousand dollars to be realized to support our club’s community service efforts. Because of the size of the venue and the number of honorees and their guests, we do not need a large contingent from the club to attend. We already have eight (8) signed up, which seems to be sufficient: Terry Brewer, Murray Forth, Roberto Martinez, Bill Dowd, Debbie Rodriguez, Jim Leyhane, Kevin Leyhane, and Dick Drumm.
WEBSITE NOTIFICATIONS & CHANGES — Webmaster Bill Dowd reported that 37 members have signed up to receive automatic email notifications any time new material is posted on the club website. He said he expects to reach 90% or more registration within the next 10 days. He said he thinks one glitch in the signup process is that if a corporate email does not recognize the required WordPress-generated invitation it throws such emails into a spam filter. … Bill also reminded attendees that he has reconfigured the website display to provide links to inside pages at the top of the screen to take into account the fact that more and more people are accessing the site on smartphone screens that do not allow for the wider display available via tablets or PC/Mac screens.
ADOPT-A-FAMILY (OR 2) — A report from April Dowd says she has been in contact with Circles of Mercy, and Terry Brewer has been in contact with Doors of Hope, to ascertain the needs and composition of families our club will be adopting for the holidays. Details will be shared with club members as received.
CALENDAR REMINDERS — This Friday (November 10) is the deadline for dropping off contributions to the “Community Basket Brigade” at the Greenbush YMCA as part of a Thanksgiving gift drive for needy families in the area. …We have 11 people registered to attend the District’s annual Foundation Dinner next Thursday, November 26, at the 90 State Street event space in downtown Albany. … Visiting Rotarian Bill Nathan of the Albany Club informed us that his group will hold its annual Holiday Auction from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 6, at the American Legion Post on Everett Road, just off I-90 Exit 4. Admission is $25, which covers a luncheon buffet. … The deadlines for dropping off contributions of non-perishable food items for The Anchor food pantry drive is 7 a.m. Thursday, November 16, at the SRC breakfast meeting at the Greenbush YMCA, and/or Tuesday, November 21, at Columbia High School. … Members are invited to attend the Eagle Honor Court ceremony at 2 p.m. Sunday, December 19, for Leonardo Gonzales, the latest Eagle co-sponsored by SRC and the Rensselaer Elks Lodge at the latter’s venue. … Our annual Holiday Party & Themed Basket Silent Auction will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, December 21, at Murray and Maggie Forth’s residence. Ideas for baskets have been posted on the website.
NEXT MEETING — 7 a.m. Thursday, November 16, Greenbush YMCA. No dinner meetings on November 16 or 23.
Program: “Developing and Supporting SRC Programs & Activities”
Speaker Terry Brewer
Board member Terry Brewer continued our series of working dinner sessions by providing a look at the types of initiatives the club undertakes and how they are funded. An outline of his talk:
A. Build Capacity for Projects & Activities:
1. Assess the interests of members; is it meaningful to commit?
2. Develop programs to maximize engagements & participation.
3. Recognize that projects need funding.
4. Recognize the capacity of members to participate; their time, funds, etc.
B. That’s a Great Idea –- What’s the Plan?
1. What is the idea; does it meet the club plan?
2. What is the club plan of action and who is leading or chairing?
3. What is the date and what is the cost?
4. How is it funded and what is the club capacity?
Terry displayed an inverted triangle showing national, District and club involvement and how the levels are interdependent. He spoke about our ongoing obligations such as polio immunization, scholarships, Gift of life and others, and also how the numbers work for dues and fees to Rotary International and the District. He distributed copies of our budget.
C. Types for Funding: Where it comes from and where it goes
1. Fundraisers
2. Member donations
3. Program sponsors
D. Revenues
Terry displayed a list of our activities and finances. For example, $40,000 is needed to cover Rotary Foundation, PolioPlus, Dues, and dinners.
E. Expenses
1. District and RI dues, Foundation and PolioPlus, PETS (Presidents-elect Training Sessions).
2. Programs & Services: youth, community, and scholarships
F. Funding Sources
Grants, members’ monetary donations, sponsorships — 45%, 45%, and 10%, respectively.
He asked rhetorically what is our capacity to support activities in time, dollars, and goods and services? He counseled us to “Do the good, but recognize how it’s done.”
During a brief Q&A period, Bill Dowd commented that over and above the revenue streams Terry mentioned were the unquantifiable support by members’ in-kind services, volunteer time, individual member underwriting of certain project expenses, and the like.
And, President Roberto noted at the end of the presentation that he will be distributing a form he briefly showed us last week to be used for all club undertakings. It will take into account projected expenses, projected revenue, what category it would fall into, and other pertinent project-planning questions.
As our club’s membership continues to grow, we are expanding efforts to involve more SRC members in the workings of, and planning for, the club’s initiatives.
Last week, President Roberto Martinez reported to a large gathering on the recent SRC Board retreat, the status of the club, and some changes we are making. This Thursday, after our 6:15 dinner at Quigley’s, Board member Terry Brewer will speak on “Developing and Supporting SRC Rotary Programs and Activities.”
This is an opportunity — especially for those members who rarely attend the evening meetings where the bulk of our business and planning are conducted — to get up to speed on how we fund what we do, whether we can continue the number of undertakings we’re involved with, and what else we can do and how we can pay for it.
Please plan to attend and be a part of this important conversation — as well as enjoying a lasagna dinner with Italian antipasto salad, bread, dessert, and beverages.
As always, if your name is not on the list below, please email dinner coordinator Debbie Brown at mdbrown@nycap.rr.com no later than Tuesday evening so she can give the restaurant the correct headcount for food and seating. Reservations so far:
Bailey, Pat
Brewer, Terry
Brown, Debbie
Brown, Peter
Dowd, April
Dowd, Bill
Drumm, Dick
Forth, Murray
Hannan, Ray
Leyhane, Jim
Leyhane, Kevin
Martinez, Roberto
Nasca, Bonnie
Nasca, Phil
Rodriguez, Debbie
A portion of the Westgate Town Center Resort & Spa.
Interested in a Spring getaway to warmer climes without the hassle of international flights and major expenses? If so, you can get a one-week stay at a major Florida resort — a package worth more than $2,500 — for just $20.
OK, there is a catch. You have to purchase the winning raffle ticket in the benefit for District 7190’s annual Foundation Dinner.
The package includes round-trip air for two people from Albany International Airport; the use of a two-bedroom condominium complete with full kitchen, living room, dining room, and lanai; free transportation to all theme parks (Disney, Universal Studios, Sea World) in the area, to premium outlets, and more. The resort has 14 swimming pools with poolside continental breakfast on designated mornings.
One raffle ticket sells for $20, three tickets for $50, 10 tickets for $100. The drawing will be held at the Foundation Dinner, but you need not be present to win.
The dinner itself will be held on Thursday, November 16, at the 90 State Street event space (it’s the former Mohawk National Bank building, and the address is the same as the name of the venue) in downtown Albany. Free valet parking will be available.
Dinner reservations must be made online (scroll down on that page to the schedule), and raffle tickets also may be purchased the same way. Reservation deadline is November 6.
The theme of this year’s dinner is “People of Action,” which Rotarians certainly are. The keynote speaker will be be Anne Riechert, a Rotary Peace Scholar, who will join us from Germany where she is working with Syrian refugees.
Circled: The new drop-down menu icon on cellphone version of our club website.
Since more and more people prefer to access the Internet via smartphones as opposed to using larger PC/Mac computer screens or iPads and other such devices, occasional tweaks are needed to how our website home page is displayed.
The latest is the addition of links to some key inside pages and social media accounts that now appear on top of the home page when viewed on desktop/laptop screens or pads. On cellphone screens, you should see a listing at the top left that, when touched, provides a drop-down menu of those links to provide you with quicker access.
Note: The original, longer list of links to inside pages remains in place for your use as needed.
Selected links as now displayed on computer and tablet screens.
Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant 593 Columbia Turnpike East Greenbush, NY
November 2, 2017
Members Attending (21): Roberto Martinez, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Debbie Rodriguez, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Bill Dowd, April Dowd, Dick Drum, Jim Leyhane, Andy Leyhane, Becky Raymond, Phil Nasca, Bonnie Nasca, Terry Brewer, Ray Hannan, Carole Spencer, Ron Annis, Monika Annis, Phil Kellerman, Dean Calamaras.
Guests: None.
Announcements/Business
GOL MISSION — Jim Leyhane displayed a photo showing the District 7190 Gift of Life contingent currently in Bucharest, Romania. He explained their mission, which is part of an ongoing series of visits in which they provide training in pediatric cardiac surgical procedures to local medical staff as well as perform lifesaving work.
ROTARACT — Tentative plans for creation of a Rotaract Club (ages 18 to 30) at the UAlbany School of Public Health were updated. Debbie Rodriguez and Becky Raymond will act as liaisons with a club we would sponsor if it comes to fruition.
2 FOOD DRIVES — The dropoff deadline is November 10 at the Greenbush YMCA for contributions to the Thanksgiving “Community Basket Brigade,” being coordinated by Shannon Romanowski. Details on what is needed are available by clicking here. … A delivery date of November 21 has been established for nonperishable food items to The Anchor food pantry in Castleton under an initiative by Columbia High School. You can drop off donations at the school.
COFFEE SALES — Phil Kellerman will be selling specialty coffees again this year as a fundraiser for the Capital Region Nordic Alliance, which offers adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans. Price: $13 per package, or 2 for $25, with $5 from each package sold going to CRNA. Please see Phil if interested,
WEBSITE NOTIFICATIONS — As of tonight, 34 SRC members have signed up to automatically receive email notifications any time something is posted to the website. Our goal is to get as close to 100% participation as possible to improve intra-club communication.
HOLIDAY PARTY — The club’s annual Holiday Party will be hosted by Murray and Maggie Forth at 6 p.m. Thursday, December 21, at their East Greenbush residence. A major part of each year’s event is the Gift Basket Silent Auction, which raises funds for our general treasury. Webmaster Bill Dowd said he has posted suggestions and images on the website on various baskets that can be created. Click here to see them. Images also are available on the club’s Facebook page.
FOUNDATION DINNER — The reservation deadline for District 7190’s annual Rotary Foundation Dinner — this year themed “People of Action” — has been extended to Monday, November 6. Click here to register online for the Thursday, November 16, dinner that will be held in the 90 State Street event space in downtown Albany (valet parking available). As of tonight, eight SRC members have made reservations. Our club will be contributing a gift basket to the silent auction.
ADOPT-A-FAMILY … OR TWO — April Dowd reported that the club once again will participate in the “Adopt-a-Family for Christmas” program through Circles of Mercy, and that details of the family’s makeup and its needs are expected shortly. Terry Brewer will be checking with Doors of Hope on whether it will have a family to adopt as we did last year.
FELLOWSHIP DINNER — Mark Daniel Maloney, who will be president of Rotary International for the 2019-20 Rotary Year, will be the keynote speaker at the 92nd annual Eastern Cities Fellowship Dinner to be held in Rochester on Wednesday, December 6. Earlybird tickets are available at a $5 discount. Full registration information is available by clicking here.
CALENDAR REMINDERS — A Court of Honor ceremony to install Lorenzo Gonzalez of our Scout troop 41 as an Eagle rank is set for 2 p.m. Friday, December 10, at the Elks Lodge. Several SRC members will attend. … A District Membership Training session is scheduled for next Wednesday, November 8. Terry Brewer and Ray Hannan will attend; anyone else who wishes to participate should contact Terry ASAP…. No dinner meeting on November 16 because of conflict with the Foundation Dinner. However, we will have a 7 a.m. breakfast meeting that day at the Greenbush YMCA.
NEXT MEETING — 6:15 p.m. Thursday, November 9, at Quigley’s. Terry Brewer will provide an overview titled “Developing and Supporting SRC Rotary Programs and Activities.” This should be of high interest to members seeking insights into our service efforts, how they are funded, and where we are heading.
Program: An Overview of the Board Retreat
President Roberto Martinez thanked members for the strong turnout to hear his review of the recent SRC Board retreat that examo9ned numerous facets of the club.
The entire 11-person Board plus three other members of the club at large participated in redefining the club’s efforts and goals; reviewing the current budget as to thoroughness and effective allotment of funds; evaluating club activities and whether we can successfully sustain the many initiatives we can undertake, and other topics.
Among the outcomes:
• Hold more working sessions — i.e., Club Assemblies — and schedule fewer guest speakers as a way of getting more members actively involved in planning and execution of projects.
• Evaluation of activities as to funding (via donations, fundraising, grants, etc.).
• Cluster efforts into four categories — Youth Involvement, Community Involvement, International & Foundations, and Club Sustenance — and have the budget and the activities calendar reflect that.
• Realign standing committees to be in step with club goals, and be sure all members are included and actively involved.
Both the November 16 breakfast meeting and the November 30 dinner meeting will be used to continue and refine this discussion. And, next week Terry Brewer will speak about the club’s capacity to maintain and fund its current heavy schedule of activities.
Here’s a special note for our newer SRC members: Show off your creative side by putting together a themed gift basket for the silent auction we hold each year at our “December Holiday Party.”
This year’s party will again be hosted by Murray and Maggie Forth, on Thursday, December 21,
Over the years we have seen members and families come up with some very imaginative baskets and shared some suggestions on others (see here,here. and here.) Take a look at them for inspiration, or go in your own original design direction. Hint: You’ll note that some of the accompanying photos use substitute containers for the basic baskets themselves.
We usually suggest you can create baskets with starting bid levels of anywhere from $10 to $35. Proceeds of the silent auction all will go directly to the club treasury to help support our many public service initiatives. And, the winning bidders get something fun to take home. A win-win all around.
So, take advantage of the fact you have 50 days and counting until presentation day!
A Pasta Dinner BasketJars Can Substitute for Baskets
Thursday’s meeting at Quigley’s will be a “club assembly” working session for all SRC Rotarians.
After a chicken marsala dinner, we will working together to refine, reorganize, and make plans to realize many of our goals for this coming year, as outlined at a recent Board retreat.
Even if you don’t normally attend the dinner meetings, we urge you to attend this one. It will be an important step forward in our efforts to continually improve our club, its impact on society, and its enjoyment by its members. We’d like to get everyone involved in this effort.
As always, we need email responses to dinner coordinator Debbie Brown (mdbrown@nycap.rr.com) no later than Tuesday evening if you haven’t already reserved, so we have enough food and seats at the table(s) for you.
Here’s who has signed up so far:
Bailey, Pat
Brewer, Terry
Brown, Debbie
Brown, Peter
Dowd, April
Dowd, Bill
Drumm, Dick
Forth, Murray
Frankel, Julius
Hannan, Ray
Kellerman, Phil
Leyhane, Jim
Leyhane, Kevin
Martinez, Roberto
Nasca, Bonnie
Nasca, Phil
Rodriguez, Debbie
Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY October 26, 2017
Members Attending (19): Roberto Martinez, Pat Bailey, Ray Hannan, Jim Leyhane, Bill Dowd, Terry Brewer, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Debbie Rodriguez, Phil Kellerman, Becky Raymond, Phil Nasca, Bonnie Nasca, Julius Frankel, Kevin Leyhane, Carol Orvis, Dean Calamaras, Charlie Foote, Dick Drumm.
Guests: None.
Business/Announcements
HURRICANE RELIEF — A report was received from John Sawchuk that about $1,800 was raised for the Save the Children Hurricane Relief Fund via food sales at last Friday’s Questar Regional Professional Learning Day hosted by Columbia High School. SRC was a community sponsor of the event, along with Price Chopper and the East Greenbush Police Department. ROTARY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE — SRC’s eight-person contingent was the largest of any club participating in the RLI workshop training sessions held last Saturday. Overall, participation was strong, in part because tuition was cut by 50% thanks to CASDA making venue arrangements that moved the session from its longtime spot at Siena College to the UAlbany School of Public Health.
CRNA LUNCHEON — Peter and Debbie Brown, Debbie Rodriguez, and Pat Bailey represented the club at a fundraising luncheon for the Capital Region Nordic Alliance. SRC is a financial supporter of CRNA which provides sports programs for disabled vets and others.
THANKSGIVING BASKET — A reminder that Shannon Romanowski is coordinating collection of donations to create Thanksgiving gift baskets for the Caring Community Basket Brigade drive. Details on what is needed are available by clicking here.
WORLD POLIO DAY / ROTARACT — President Roberto reported that nearly 60 people attended the 5th annual World Polio Day event at the UAlbany Health Sciences Campus on Tuesday. Twenty-one people received flu immunizations offered there. SRC provided refreshments for attendees. … Three School of Public Health graduate students inquired at the event about creating a chapter of Rotaract (a Rotary program for people ages 18 to 30). They will need a faculty advisor as well as a sponsoring club and liaison. Phil Nasca volunteered to work with John Justino at the school, and Debbie Rodriguez and Becky Raymond volunteered to be liaisons for SRC, which has offered to be a Rotaract sponsoring club. Details of Rotaract are available online by clicking here.
WEBSITE NOTIFICATIONS — Webmaster Bill Dowd reported that, acting on a decision made by the Board, he sent notifications to all members that they would automatically be notified any time anything is posted on the website, but that they had to respond to the invitation to activate it. He said only about nine people of the 30+ he wrote to responded. Roberto asked Bill to see if he could resend the invitations.
EAGLE SCOUT — Troop 41’s Leonardo Gonzales will be receiving his Eagle rank at a Court of Honor Ceremony on Sunday, December 10, at the East Greenbush Elks Lodge. His Eagle project was the Viking playground built under Ron Annis’s supervision at the Schodack Town Park, with financial support from SRC.
BRANDING — Roberto announced that we are working on making branding of our club and its initiatives more consistent as to logos, colors, type fonts, etc. Members working on projects are asked to run any flyers, letters, etc., past Bill Dowd, who heads the Public Relations Committee, for editing in advance of distributing anything. We already have added the website address to the club’s official logo, and we are working on creating branded merchandise to use as ongoing fundraising.
BOWLING FOR VETS — The consensus at the meeting was that the annual event this year is too close to other events, such as the Community Recognition Dinner, and we would be seeking essential sponsorships from the same pool of local businesses and individuals too often in too short a window. It was decided not to hold the event until early in the new year when there is less competition. The topic will be on next week’s agenda for further discussion.
HOLIDAY PARTY — We are in need of someone to host the annual Holiday Party & Gift Basket Silent Auction, the latter an important fundraising effort for our general treasury and a major social event. The club calendar currently has reserved Thursday, December 21, for the party, but it can be held on any day a sponsor is available. Anyone interested is asked to contact Roberto ASAP.
FOUNDATION DINNER DEADLINE — Reservations for the November 16 Foundation Dinner, themed “Persons of Action,” must be made online by next Wednesday, November 1. So far, eight SRC members have made reservations and/or indicated interest in attending. We are hoping to have at least 10 so we can reserve a table.
CALENDAR ITEMS — Terry Brewer, a member of the district committee, and Ray Hannan will represent the club at the District Membership Training Meeting on Wednesday, November 8. Any other members who wish to attend should inform Terry. … The 2nd Community Recognition Dinner will be held on Tuesday, December 5, at Moscatiello’s Restaurant in North Greenbush. Save the date.
NEW MEMBER — Jeff Simon, superintendent of the East Greenbush Central School District, was approved as our newest Rotarian. He has met the minimum requirements of submitting an application, paying dues, and attending at least one dinner meeting and one breakfast meeting. We welcome Jeff to Rotary.
NEXT MEETING — We will hold a club working session based on items identified during the recent SRC Board retreat. The usual time of 6:15 p.m. Thursday, November 2, at Quigley’s.
Program: “The Wonders of Iceland”
Dean Calamaras showing one of his Iceland tour slides,
Club member Dean Calamaras presented a slide show on a multi-day visit he and Doris made to Iceland during a larger cruise that included Denmark, Norway, and Scotland.
He explained the geology of the island nation and its glaciers, volcanoes, shifting landscape and ever-present fog cause in part by the many geothermal inversions.
Dean showed images of fertile areas, bleak rocky swaths, and busy harbors that dot the island. He said the infrastructure of Iceland took a major leap forward during World War II when Americans and British, seeing the island’s strategic location, built highways and airports there.
Iceland has only about 335,000 residents, inhabiting an area of 40,000 square miles, making it Europe’s most sparsely populated country. Most of the population speaks English as well as Icelandic, and many work in technology as well as many in fishing and farming. Despite the climate, an extensive web of greenhouses and ready access to geothermal energy allows for a successful year-round agricultural industry. In addition, low energy costs made it possible to create the world’s largest aluminum manufacturing plant, which uses bauxite ore imported mainly from the Caribbean.
Dean also presented looks at local lore, such as trolls; sod-roofed houses; the modern capital of Reykjavík with its population of 123,000, about size of Hartford, CT; and scenes of various natural landmarks.
A reminder: We will not hold dinner meetings on November 16 or 23. The former date conflicts with District 7190’s annual Foundation Dinner, and the latter with Thanksgiving Day.
Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
GOL MISSION — Jim Leyhane displayed a photo showing the District 7190 Gift of Life contingent currently in Bucharest, Romania. He explained their mission, which is part of an ongoing series of visits in which they provide training in pediatric cardiac surgical procedures to local medical staff as well as perform lifesaving work.
HOLIDAY PARTY — The club’s annual Holiday Party will be hosted by Murray and Maggie Forth at 6 p.m. Thursday, December 21, at their East Greenbush residence. A major part of each year’s event is the Gift Basket Silent Auction, which raises funds for our general treasury. Webmaster Bill Dowd said he has posted suggestions and images on the website on various baskets that can be created. 
FELLOWSHIP DINNER — Mark Daniel Maloney, who will be president of Rotary International for the 2019-20 Rotary Year, will be the keynote speaker at the 92nd annual Eastern Cities Fellowship Dinner to be held in Rochester on Wednesday, December 6. Earlybird tickets are available at a $5 discount. Full registration information is available by 
NEXT MEETING — 6:15 p.m. Thursday, November 9, at Quigley’s. Terry Brewer will provide an overview titled 
President Roberto Martinez thanked members for the strong turnout to hear his review of the recent SRC Board retreat that examo9ned numerous facets of the club.
Thursday’s meeting at Quigley’s will be a “club assembly” working session for 
ROTARY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE — SRC’s eight-person contingent was the largest of any club participating in the RLI workshop training sessions held last Saturday. Overall, participation was strong, in part because tuition was cut by 50% thanks to CASDA making venue arrangements that moved the session from its longtime spot at Siena College to the UAlbany School of Public Health.
WORLD POLIO DAY / ROTARACT — President Roberto reported that nearly 60 people attended the 5th annual World Polio Day event at the UAlbany Health Sciences Campus on Tuesday. Twenty-one people received flu immunizations offered there. SRC provided refreshments for attendees. … Three School of Public Health graduate students inquired at the event about creating a chapter of Rotaract (a Rotary program for people ages 18 to 30). They will need a faculty advisor as well as a sponsoring club and liaison. Phil Nasca volunteered to work with John Justino at the school, and Debbie Rodriguez and Becky Raymond volunteered to be liaisons for SRC, which has offered to be a Rotaract sponsoring club. Details of Rotaract are available online by 
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 