Please share this flyer — on Facebook, on Twitter, at business and organizational bulletin sites … anywhere you can think of that might find a receptive audience. We’re already on numerous Facebook pages, several websites, on the East Greenbush Public Library and Greenbush YMCA bulletin boards, etc. Plus. we’re still looking for lane sponsors, so contact Murray Forth for details.
Graphic novels, which some of us called comic books when we were kids, have been all the rage for years, now. They even are the basis for any number of TV shows and motion pictures.
The Rotarian, our monthly magazine, has joined the use of this particular school of art for its November 2016 issue. It highlights Arch Klumph and the Rotary Foundation which is in its centennial anniversary year. Klumph, as you may know, created the Foundation during his RI presidency in 1916.
The striking artwork in the 12-page graphic novel-within-a-magazine is by Josh Elder, who has been with the iconic DC Comics company for more than a decade. He also is the founder of Reading With Pictures, a nonprofit that promotes the use of comics in education.
When asked to undertake the project. Elder says, he already knew a bit about Rotary’s work. “The biggest surprise,” he says, “was learning just how much good Rotary has done in the world, the sheer breadth and depth of Rotary’s philanthropic reach. Whether it was playing a role in forming the United Nations or providing seed money for Easter Seals, if it was a net gain for humanity over the last 100 or so years, Rotary was there.”
WHAT: A “World Polio Day” live-streaming event from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, featuring an address by CDC Director Tom Frieden, various celebrities and experts who will share progress on the road to polio eradication.
WHO: Rotarians, students and faculty of the University at Albany School of Public Health, and interested members of the public and the media are invited to attend.
WHEN: Monday October 24, 2016, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with the live streaming beginning at 6 p.m.
WHERE: UAlbany School of Public Health (room 110A) on the SUNY Health Sciences Campus, 1 University Place, just off Columbia Turnpike in Rensselaer.
The recent discovery of several active polio cases in an area of Nigeria formerly held by rebels has sparked an immediate response from Rotary International and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The partners in the global battle against the polio virus have raised $99 million to step up and widen immunization programs in the country. Prior to the breakout, the entire African continent was believed to be polio free. Polio is not curable. but it is preventable with an ongoing immunization program.
Clement Bisi-Adegoke, District 9125 Governor in Nigeria, disclosed the action while speaking with news media on Sunday. He said Rotary has provided $33 million, which the Gates Foundation matched 2-for-1.
Beyond the small region in Nigeria, endemic polio is believed to be evident only in Afghanistan and Pakistan, two countries where strict Islamist terrorists have regularly attached and killed immunization workers in an attempt to stop the medical outreach effort. Thirty years ago, before RI began its effort to eradicate the disease, hundreds of thousands of people were afflicted annually. That number has been reduced to several dozen.
• This Thursday at 6:15 p.m. at Quigley’s Food & Drink, we’ll hold our weekly dinner meeting, with Chicken Marsala as the menu centerpiece, accompanied by pasta, veggies, salad, bread, dessert and beverages. As always, Contact Debbie Brown by Tuesday if you plan to attend.
Russ Myer, founder of the Capital Region Nordic Alliance organization that deals with year-round adaptive sports for all, will speak.
• That same morning, our monthly “Third Thursday” breakfast meeting will be held at 7 a.m. at the Greenbush Area YMCA. Contact Terry Brewer or Shannon Romanowski by Wednesday if you plan to attend.
John Sawchuk and students from Columbia High School will present information on their student service projects, and Shannon will share information on community projects for Rotary’s participation.
Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
October 13, 2016
Members Attending (15): Roberto Martinez, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Terry Brewer, Bill Dowd, Jim Leyhane, Andy Leyhane, Dick Drumm, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Julius Frankel, Jim Butterworth, Charlie Foote, A.J. Amato, Stewart Wagner.
Guests (4): John Mucha, Nina Mucha, Rafaella (Ella) Real Cancio, Ann Amato.
PROGRAM: The District Governor’s Visit
District Governor John Mucha paid his first official visit of the 2016-17 Rotary Year, accompanied by wife Nina. He noted that they had visited us several months ago and participated in our blanket-making workshop for Blue Star Mothers.
John reported that worldwide RI gained members in 2015-16 but the District lost some members despite the success of some clubs such as ours that had strong recruiting and retention results. He also reported excellent financial support, with the District exceeding $100,000 in Foundation donations.
He also spoke about major upcoming events — the District’s annual Foundation Dinner, and the annual District Conference, this year set for May 5-7 in Lake George. And, he spoke about the annual RI Convention, scheduled for this summer in Atlanta. (Details on all events are on our club website.)
John outlined changes made by RI as far as membership qualifications, meeting frequency and so on, in an effort to broaden the membership globally. Clubs now have much more flexibility in how they structure these areas.
To support that initiative, he announced that as a result of the energetic participation of Rotarians, particularly younger ones, at last month’s “Next Gen Membership Conference” a permanent Membership Council has been formed. Its purpose is to maintain the momentum engendered by that workshop and to create a continuity of recruitment and retention efforts over the years.
He said Rotary has two areas of emphasis this year, external (continuing the battle against polio) and internal (membership recruitment and retention.) In addition, he also has asked all Assistant District Governors — ours is Jack Faddegon — to work with their clubs to come up with a joint project.
Nina Mucha spoke about Rotary being part of their family for 30 years and about meeting Rotarians from around the world at conventions and other events. She also offered raffle tickets and specially-designed T-shirts ($20 each) for sale, with proceeds going to the Foundation. Our club immediately purchased 45 shirts, a $900 windfall for the Foundation, and several members purchased raffle tickets.
Business/Announcements
OPENING — President-elect Roberto Martinez presided in the absence of President Debbie Rodriguez. He welcomed the guests and A.J Amato, our Youth Exchange Officer, introduced Brazilian exchange student Ella Cancio.
REMINDERS — Next Saturday, October 22, will be the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) at Siena College. Several club members are enrolled … Bill Dowd will be one of the featured speakers at the District Public Relations Summit in Clifton Park on Saturday, October 29. … The annual Rotary International Convention returns to the U.S. this summer when it will be held in Atlanta. Details and registration information are available online. … The District’s annual Foundation Dinner s now accepting reservations. The event will be held on November 17 at Saratoga National Golf Club. Tickets are available now at several price levels…. The organization Girls On the Run that our club has financially assisted will hold its annual 5K run on Saturday, November 12, at the Corning Preserve in Albany for kids and adults. Details and registration information are available online.
SHELTERBOX UPDATE — Bill Dowd, our ShelterBox Liaison, reported that ShelterBox teams were assisting hurricane victims in Haiti within 48 hours of the disaster. He also asked anyone who has not yet made a donation to ShelterBox this year to please consider doing so. Numerous disasters around the globe are putting a strain on ShelterBox’s resources.
RI PRESIDENT VISITING NYS — Rotary International President John Germ will be the keynote speaker at the 91st annual Eastern Cities Fellowship scheduled for Tuesday, December 6, in Rochester. Reservations may be made online.
BOWLING FOR VETS — The annual family- and community-oriented fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday, November 6, at the East Greenbush Bowling Center. Same offer as in prior years: $20 covers all-you-can-bowl during one of a pair of two-hour sessions. We again will be selling lane sponsorships to individuals, organizations and businesses. See Treasurer Murray Forth if you are interested in helping.
RECYCLING FUNDRAISER — Plans are being made for a Recycling Day to be held on Saturday, November 5, for both paper items and electronics. Site to be announced. Participants will be asked to pay according to the weight of the items they bring.
MISCELLANEOUS — Debbie Rodriguez may be away for several weeks while her grandson Xavier undergoes chemotherapy in Hartford, CT, to combat leukemia. Roberto will fill in for her. … Murray Forth read a letter of thanks from the Rensselaer City School District for our club’s very strong assistance once again in the annual School Supplies Drive. … Dick Drumm proudly announced the arrival of a new granddaughter. Mother and baby are doing well.
2 MEETINGS NEXT WEEK
• The monthly “Third Thursday” breakfast meeting will be held at 7 a.m. Thursday, October 20, at the Greenbush Area YMCA. Contact Terry Brewer or Shannon Romanowski by Wednesday if you plan to attend. Educators from Columbia High School will speak.
• Then, at 6:15 p.m. at Quigley’s Food & Drink, we’ll hold our weekly dinner meeting, with Chicken Marsala as the menu centerpiece. Contact Debbie Brown by Tuesday if you plan to attend. The founder of the Capital Region Nordic Alliance that deals with adaptive sports for all will speak.
• This message from District Governor John Mucha, who will make his first official DG visit to our club this Thursday, was just released to everyone who attended last year’s Rotary Foundation Dinner (Bill and April Dowd and Jim Leyhane represented our club at that event), but is applicable to all in Rotary:
Dear Rotarians and Friends,
Last year you attended our wonderful Foundation Dinner at Stratton National Guard Air Base, honoring our Rotary veterans.
This year we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Foundation at our annual Foundation Dinner on Thursday evening, November 17, at Saratoga National Golf Club in Saratoga Springs. We most cordially invite you to join us for fellowship, a wonderful dinner at a special place, and a chance to salute our great Foundation.
We hope you will become a member of the Honorary Committee for this special Centennial dinner. I have attached a letter with more information and a form to complete to join this important group. There will only be one chance to celebrate 100 years of the Rotary Foundation. Please join us in this important effort.
Yours in Rotary service,
John Mucha, District Governor 2016-17
Even as parts of Haiti still were recovering from a catastrophic 2010 earthquake, Hurricane Matthew tore through the impoverished island nation earlier this week, leaving more than 300 people dead, tens of thousands homeless, and much of the infrastructure damaged.
The Category 4 storm has affected an estimated 330,000 people in Haiti, including 6,400 who have been moved to temporary shelters.
Extensive damage to main bridges and other transportation networks have left some areas cut off and vulnerable. Torrential rains have resulted in flooding and landslides. And, contaminated water supplies threaten to lead to a surge in cholera cases and other waterborne illnesses.
A ShelterBox response team of volunteers from the U.S., Canada, England, and New Zealand traveled to the capital city of Port-au-Prince Friday to assess the damage and Read More »
Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
October 6, 2016
Members Attending (13): Debbie Rodriguez, Roberto Martinez, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Jim Leyhane, John Sawchuk, Terry Brewer, Dick Drumm, Phil Kellerman, Julius Frankel, Carole Spencer, Becky Raymond, Charlie Foote.
Guests (8): Joan Maddocks, Laura Schweitzer, Taylor and Merissa from Columbia High School, Carol Whitaker, Phil and Bonnie Nasca, John Justino.
PROGRAM: “Health Sciences Campus”
Roberto Martinez introduced Dr. Laura Schweitzer, Ph.D, vice president of Health Sciences Biomedical Initiatives. She also is president emeritus of Union Graduate College and has served at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse University, Bassett Healthcare and the University of Louisville.
Schweitzer explained that the UAlbany East Campus in Rensselaer, just off Columbia Turnpike, last month was renamed and now is the Health Sciences Campus (UAlbany), more representative of what it contains. The change is intended to solidify the intersection of academia, government and the private sector collaborating in mutually beneficial ways to further the understanding of health and disease.
Among the venues are 22 research centers and 75 research labs, with the largest concentration in individual health-science related programs. The campus is anchored by the university’s School of Public Health and Cancer Research Center with its Center for Functional Genomics. Other campus residents include organizations such as Regeneron, Albany Molecular Research (AMRI), Taconic, and select research divisions of Albany Medical College and Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, as well as a dozen other area start-up and biomedical organizations. It also is home to the collaborative, 30-year partnership between the School of Public Health and the State Department of Health.
She spoke about new companies moving in during the past year and how more are expected next year.
Dr. Phil Nasca was introduced to speak about a new School of Public Health and the changes since the 1980s and plans for future changes. He also explained the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), and the online training programs that have reached 151,000 people. He also explained that about the faculty and their qualifications. In addition, the School of Public Health’s Global Institute for Health and Human Rights is training students from Turkey, China, Kuwait, Sweden, the Netherlands and elsewhere.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/BUSINESS
OPENING — President Debbie Rodriguez welcomed all guests, including Phil and Bonnie Nasca who are planning to become Rotarians with our club.
STUDENT ACTIVITY — Club member John Sawchuk, principal at Columbia High School, introduced two of his senior students, Taylor and Merissa (above), and spoke about the “book bag” project. The senior class members described student involvement with Ronald McDonald House. Students are collecting supplies for the Albany family facility. They will be asking for donations as an entrance fee for the Homecoming Dance, as well as at the dance itself, and at the end of the month for Halloween.
FUNDRAISERS — Terry Brewer reported on several projected efforts, including those to support scholarships and RYLA tuitions. A paper-shredding event will be among the efforts. Also, the annual “Bowling for Vets” day will be held on either the 6th or 13th of November in East Greenbush.
DISTRICT EVENT PARTICIPATION — Bill Dowd will be a presenter, speaking on public relations and the media, at the October 29 “Next Gen Summit” workshop being held by the District on Saturday, October 29, in Clifton Park in an effort to increase and retain members. … Five club members so far have registered for the Rotary Leadership Institute scheduled for Saturday, October 22, at Siena College. Registration still is open, and the club will reimburse the tuition fee.
HOLIDAY PROJECTS — Our annual holiday-period food pantry drives will be coming up soon. Members are asked to begin purchasing nonperishable items to contribute when a date is decided. … We also will again consider sponsoring several needy families for the December holidays through Circles of Mercy and other agencies.
SHELTERBOX — Disaster aid teams already have been dispatched to hurricane-ravaged Haiti. Bill Dowd, our ShelterBox Liaison Officer, asked via Debbie for members to consider making contributions to ShelterBox. Treasurer Murray Forth can explain the process for doing so.
GIFT OF LIFE — Jim Leyhane reported on the first team of doctors and nurses going to Romania on a medical mission. It will be one of several over the next several weeks. Also, GOL will be helping two children in Portland, ME, and two at Boston Children’s Hospital in the coming months.
HOSPITAL BROCHURE PROJECT — Roberto Martinez provided an update on participation in our Hospital Stay Brochure project. Two hospitals are expected to sign on as users of the guide.
NEXT MEETING: 6:15 p.m. Thursday, October 14, at Quigley’s. In addition to an official visit by District Governor John Mucha, our Rotary Youth Exchange student from Brazil will be joining us for dinner. We’re hoping for a strong turnout in honor of both of them.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 