16: ‘Adaptive Nordic Sports,’ plus breakfast talk

October 21, 2016October 28, 2016 SRCrotaryLeave a comment

Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
October 20, 2016

Members Attending Dinner (21): Debbie Rodriguez, Roberto Martinez, Terry Brewer, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Jim Leyhane, Bill Dowd, April Dowd, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Dick Drumm, Dean Calamaras, Ray Hannan, David Taylor, Julius Frankel, Carol Orvis, Ron Annis, Monika Annis, Becky Raymond, Phil Kellerman, Stewart Wagner.

Dinner Guests (2): Russ Myer, Becky Myer.

Members Attending Breakfast (12): Shannon Romanowski, Ron Annis, Melissa Bill, Terry Brewer, Jim Butterworth, Mike Dewey, Murray Forth, Andy Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, John Sawchuk, Matt Smith.

Breakfast Guests: Several Columbia High School students.

Program: “Adaptive Sports Year-round for All”

Peter Brown introduced Russ Myer, founder and director of the Capital Region Nordic Alliance (CRNA). The two-year-old nonprofit creates and runs a variety of sports programs for people with all sorts of physical and developmental needs.

Russ provided several foldout displays showing images of athletes overcoming physical problems to be involved in adaptive versions of skiing, snowboarding, biathlon, soccer-on-snow, orienteering, and so on. In addition, he showed a variety of devices for off-season training.

He explained that he travels internationally as a member of the International Para-Olympics Committee, as well as working with the CRNA. He shared anecdotes about various athletes and events, and said his organization works with a range of schools and health care organizations to present half-day and day-long events for people with developmental problems in addition to those with missing limbs, paralysis, blindness, hearing deficits and the like.

Russ said CRNA is funded by organizational and individual contributions, as well as a Go Fund Me account. The 501 (c) 3 organization is looking for board members and advisors.

Announcements/Business

WELCOME — President Debbie Rodriguez presided, and thanked Roberto Martinez for presiding in her absence during the past two weeks. She said her grandson, Xavier, was doing well with his chemotherapy for leukemia, and thanked all for their expressions of support.

HOLIDAY PARTY — It was decided that the originally-proposed December 22 date for our annual Holiday Party & Theme Basket Silent Auction will be accepted. Murray and Maggie Forth will host the event, and members were asked to begin working on their baskets, a strong fundraising device to support our public service programs.

BREAKFAST MEETING — Terry Brewer reported that this morning’s monthly breakfast meeting at the Greenbush Area YMCA drew 14 people. Several Columbia High School students visited to share information on their community service projects. And, further

discussions were held concerning the club’s paper and electronics recycling efforts. There will be an advance list of items acceptable and not acceptable for the electronics recycling. In addition, the morning group is working to support the Caring Community Basket Brigade with 10 baskets of food. A signup list specifying items to be donated was circulated to the evening attendees.

FOUNDATION SUPPORT — Roberto noted that four club members are underwriting the purchase of 45 special T-shirts being sold at $20 each by the District as a Rotary Foundation fundraiser. That means that $900 will go directly to the Foundation from that effort. However, if individual members wish to help defray that cost, they can donate to the club treasury and that money will stay with us. … The District has requested that each club provide a themed gift basket to be used in a silent auction at the Foundation Dinner next month. Debbie Rodriguez, Pat Bailey and Debbie Brown will be handling the chore this year.

BOWLING FOR VETS — We are seeking lane sponsors as well as participants for the annual event, scheduled for Sunday, November 6, at the East Greenbush Bowling Center. Event details and sponsorship information are on the club website.

FISTULA PROJECT — Becky Raymond reported that the Freedom From Fistula Foundation has suggested we direct any contributions received as part of our club’s effort to aid the organization to programs in Afghanistan or Africa. Bill Dowd explained that funds may be available through a Rotary grant, which would be a good way to expand a contribution rather than simply passing along whatever we collect on our own. He noted that to receive a grant we would need a co-sponsoring club from the area being targeted, and the effort would have to be a sustainable one since grants are not given for one-shot initiatives. Becky said she will look into more details.

REMINDERS — A dedication of a new flagpole and American flag will take place at 2 p.m. Wednesday, November 2, at Eastwyck Village where several of our members reside. Those wishing to attend need to contact Ray Hannan in advance. … A “World Polio Day” live-streaming event will take place at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the School of Public Health in Rensselaer. Details and a video are on the website. Anyone wishing to attend is asked to email Debbie Rodriguez ASAP. … A District 7190 Membership/Public Relations Summit will be held at the Clifton Park-Halfmoon Public Library on Saturday, October 29. All clubs are asked to send representatives. Bill Dowd will be one of the speakers.

NEXT MEETING: screen-shot-2016-10-21-at-12-47-22-pm

6:15 p.m. Thursday, October 27, at Quigley’s Restaurant. Dean Calamaras will present an Alaskan travelogue. Please be sure to RSVP no later than Tuesday to dinner coordinator Debbie Brown at mdbrown@nycap.rr.com.

Here’s what we’ll miss at ‘Rotary UN Day’

October 21, 2016October 21, 2016 SRCrotaryLeave a comment

Screen shot 2016-08-31 at 4.29.52 PM Although the SRC Rotary Club last participated in the “Rotary At the United Nations Day” in 2014, reports in advance of this year’s event show the experience certainly should be considered next fall. Here’s what we’ll miss, according to an RI news release:

From the United Nations’ earliest days in the aftermath of World War II, the organization’s humanitarian mission always has dovetailed with Rotary’s efforts to administer aid and build peace. This year’s “Rotary Day at the United Nations,” to be held on November 12, will highlight the role businesses can play in that collaboration as we work toward a more just and equitable world.

The theme of this year’s gathering at UN headquarters in New York City, titled “Responsible Business, Resilient Societies,” is intended to recogniz Rotary’s role at the intersection of commerce and cause. As leaders in their professions and communities, Rotary members often use their professional skills and networks to advance social causes, particularly economic development.

The six “Rotary Responsible Business” honorees and two business partners will be recognized at the UN gathering for their inclusive business practices and outstanding contributions to improving their communities.

Honorees:

• Juan Silva Beauperthuy, Rotary Club of Chacao, Venezuela: For 25 years, Beauperthuy has helped keep disadvantaged youths on the right track through Queremos Graduarnos, an education program focused on mentoring and skill development, with support from his engineering firm. Today, the program serves over 700 students in 18 schools.

• Jean-Paul Faure, Rotary Club of Cagnes-Grimaldi, France: To encourage young professionals and provide promising new businesses with training and funding, Faure launched a business contest called Le Trophée du Rotary. The program, now in its seventh year, has drawn support from a major bank and has kept past participants involved as mentors.

• Suresh Goklaney, Rotary Club of Mumbai, India: Goklaney, executive vice chair of a large manufacturer of UV water purification systems, has led efforts to provide clean water in rural villages and impoverished urban areas throughout India. The project has also established centers where local women can sell clean water to generate income.

• Annemarie Mostert, Rotary Club of Southern Africa, South Africa: Mostert formed Sesego Cares, a Johannesburg-based nonprofit, in 2005 to offer education and job training, and to teach entrepreneurship and leadership development to women and children. She also worked with TOMS Shoes to mobilize 70 clubs in the country and provide 1.3 million pairs of its shoes.

• Stephanie Woollard, Rotary Club of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: After meeting seven illiterate craftspeople during a visit to Nepal, Woollard founded Seven Women to help Nepalese women make products to sell abroad. The program, which has trained and employed more than 1,000 women in the last decade, also teaches basic bookkeeping and computer skills.

• Larry Wright, Rotary Club of Taylor, Michigan: Wright, a master gardener, started his landscaping business with a bank loan in the 1970s. In 2013, he led an effort to adapt a microfinance model, which had succeeded abroad, to support entrepreneurs in bankruptcy-era Detroit, offering microloans, business classes, and mentorship.

Business partners:

• Coca-Cola Pakistan has supported the Rotary Pakistan National PolioPlus Charitable Trust since 2010 to promote vaccinations and awareness, particularly through publicity and projects to provide clean water, in one of the few remaining polio-endemic countries.

• Mercantil Banco Universal supports a project that has trained 6,000 students in 40 universities across Venezuela in social responsibility and leadership, with the goal of encouraging students to use their academic knowledge to respond to the challenges of underserved communities.

The Responsible Business program, expected to draw 1,500 participants, will include a recognition ceremony for the honorees, as well as panel discussions and youth activities.

Speakers and breakout sessions will focus on aspects of responsible business, such as education, innovation, partnerships, the needs of the world’s poorest people, the empowerment of women and youths, and how these issues relate to the Sustainable Development Goals, the UN’s ambitious framework for eliminating global poverty by 2030.<hr />

Get your new-logo shirts, caps, fleeces, mugs, etc.

October 21, 2016 SRCrotaryLeave a comment

srclogo You may have noticed a number of your fellow SRC members sporting new polo shirts, denim shirts and fleeces bearing the club’s new logo.

They don’t have a monopoly on being stylish. You, too, can order items of your own with the new logo that reflects the official basic design change instituted by Rotary International two years ago.

And, you can have it put on anything from polo shirts to caps, from fleeces to vests, from aprons to tote bags, from mugs to … etc.

Dawn Vavala, a member of the Twin Bridges Rotary Club, is providing the personalized services through her company, Nite Owl Marketing. In addition to having the club logo on whatever you purchase, many items can be personalized with your name on them (or the name of the person you’re buying it for as a gift).

Says Dawn, “If you go to my website and click on the Rotary button [at the top of the home page] then scroll down, you can see many of the popular items. It is not a store, just a page to display a few items. You can also click on the apparel button toward the bottom of the page to see all the clothing one can order. I promise to take great care of the members of the SRC club.”

Purchase prices, sizing, and other details also are on her website.

How to sponsor a ‘Bowling for Vets’ lane

October 21, 2016 SRCrotaryLeave a comment

screen-shot-2016-10-20-at-8-48-54-pm — **Bill Dowd points to the lane sponsorship placards.**

One of the key components to making our annual “Bowling for Vets” fundraiser a success is obtaining lane sponsorships.

Sponsorship rights for the Sunday, November 6, event at the East Greenbush Bowling Center are a bargain $100, for which individuals and/or organizations get their names emblazoned on signs above the lanes, and they then are listed for a year on the “Our Sponsors” of our club website.

If you or someone or some group you know is interested, simply send a check payable to “SRC Rotary” to Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club, P.O. Box 71, East Greenbush, NY 12061, in time for arrival no later than Monday, October 31.

Your contribution will help us help military veterans and military families organizations in the Capital Region.

Time is short, so please spread the word

October 19, 2016October 21, 2016 SRCrotaryLeave a comment

src-bowling-flyer-2016-copy

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.

Rotarian magazine gets very graphic

October 18, 2016October 18, 2016 SRCrotaryLeave a comment

rotarian-magazine 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.”

Inside Magazine333.jpg — **One of the inside pages.**

A chance to participate

October 18, 2016October 18, 2016 SRCrotaryLeave a comment

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.

RI, Gates send $99M to Nigeria for emergency immunization

October 17, 2016October 17, 2016 SRCrotaryLeave a comment

screen-shot-2016-10-17-at-10-44-50-am 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.

2 meetings this week, so RSVP for them now

October 17, 2016October 17, 2016 SRCrotaryLeave a comment

Screen shot 2016-05-31 at 12.47.44 PM • 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 of 10/13/16: ‘The DG’s visit’

October 16, 2016March 17, 2018 SRCrotaryLeave a comment

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

screen-shot-2016-10-17-at-11-03-56-am — **DG John Mucha**

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.

Screen shot 2016-05-31 at 12.47.44 PM • 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.