Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
September 29, 2016

Members Attending (14): Roberto Martinez, Terry Brewer, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Jim Leyhane, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Jim Butterworth, Dick Drumm, Phil Kellerman, Jim McHugh, Dean Calamaras, Julius Frankel, Andy Leyhane.

Guests (4): Dr. Ron Carroll, Maureen McHugh, Mary Lou Carroll, Bill Nathan.

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PROGRAM: “Science & Culture Shape Individuals”

Terry Brewer introduced our speaker, Dr. Ron Carroll, MD, and displayed his self-published book “Know Thyself.”

Carroll opened his talk by stating that he brings science and nature into any discussion. His background is in oncology, and he practiced from 1967 until his retirement in 2004. He said his talk is based on information available in standard textbooks, but put into a particular format by him.

He distributed “a Model of Three Components of Human Behavior” to outline the talk, ranging from an explanation of zygote–embryo-brain, the fact that the human genome has not changed very much from the beginning of the mankind, and that all race genetic mechanisms obey the rules of physics and chemistry operative on Earth.

He explained that we inherit culture genetically as it enables us to encode memories in our brains. We acquire memories from culture, cannot think without those memories and cannot inherit cultural genetically. What is learned is culturally derived; ideas are non-material and do not obey the rules of chemistry.

Carroll continued with an explanation of “Cognition & Reproductive Behavior.” The prefrontal cortex —  which controls abstract thinking and thought analysis, and also is  responsible for regulating behavior — does not fully mature until the third decade of life. In what may seem an ironic practice, although the strongest decision-making skills are not in evidence until after age 25 we send 18 year olds off to college.

Carroll also discussed the beginning of our culture with the Greeks, noting that Socrates wrote “The Republic” when he was young and the “Laws & Ethics” much later in his life. Interestingly, ethics no longer is taught as science, but has been under the humanities since the 1960s.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS/BUSINESS

OPENING — In the absence of President Debbie Rodriguez, President-elect Roberto Martinez and Immediate Past President Terry Brewer presided. They welcomed speaker Dr. Ron Carroll, District RLI Coordinator Bill Nathan, member Jim McHugh and wife Maureen. Jim is recovering from surgery and chemotherapy and has been away for several months.

EXCHANGE STUDENTS — Michaela Rosetti, our Rotary Youth Exchange student, has created a blog to share her adventures in Italy. The link to it is on our club website under “Recommended Links.” Meanwhile, Rafaella Leal Câncio, our student from Brazil will attend our October 13 meeting as a guest of A.J. Amato, our Youth Exchange Officer.

RYLA STUDENTS — We have expanded our sponsorship of high school juniors from the area planning to participate in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program. We now have five students from Maple Hill High School and two from Averill Park High School. The club is paying the tuition for all of them.

FUTURE PROGRAMS — Members were reminded to check the program date assignments and, once they have acquired a speaker or decided to present their own program, contact program coordinator Roberto Martinez with the information. The assignment chart can be found, as always, on the Calendar page on our website.

RLI TRAINING — Bill Nathan, a member of the Albany Rotary Club and the District 7190 coordinator for the Rotary Leadership Institute, spoke briefly about the October 22 session scheduled for Siena College. Several of our members are again planning to participate. The club will pay the registration fee for all who would like to attend. Check the website for details.

SAVE THE DATES — (1.) The annual Foundation Dinner will be held November 17 at the Saratoga National Golf Club; (2.) The 91st Eastern Cities Fellowship Dinner will be held December 6 in Rochester, with Rotary International President John Germ giving the keynote address. (3.) The Schenectady Rotary Club will host speaker Marie Josette Placide of the Haiti Water Project at a noon luncheon on Thursday, October 13, at the Stockade Inn on North Church Street in Schenectady. Reservations, which are required, may be made online by October 7.

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NEXT MEETING: 6:15 p.m. Thursday, October 6, at Quigley’s. The speaker will be Laura Schweitzer on the recently renamed UAlbany Health Sciences Campus in Rensselaer, formerly called the UAlbany East Campus.

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Meeting at Quigley’s Restaurant
593 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY
September 22, 2016

Members Attending (12): Debbie Rodriguez, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Jim Leyhane, Bill Dowd, Ray Hannan, David Taylor, Dick Drumm, Phil Kellerman, Stewart Wagner, Julius Frankel, Charlie Foote.

Guests (1): Lauren Carpenter.

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PROGRAM: “Home Connection Companions”

Our speaker was Lauren Carpenter, business development and community relations liaison with Home Connection Companions.

The company, which is under the Baptist Health umbrella, provides non-medical service companions to clients in a private residence, senior living complex, assisted living facility or nursing home. It covers six counties in the greater Capital Region, with a heavy presence in Rensselaer County.

Lauren said the services vary depending on the needs of the client. They can include such things as running errands, providing transportation, light housekeeping, reading, general companionship, and giving caregivers a respite. The service is for a minimum of three hours per visit and can go to 24, using more than one person. The fee is $22 per hour.

She said the process for obtaining services begins with her visiting the home or facility to ask and answer basic questions about needs, and to be sure the venue is safe for both the client and the companion. She said a criminal background check is made of anyone applying to be a companion, and that they are fully bonded and insured.

Although Lauren has been with Home Connection Companions for only about a year, the company was created in 2007. In addition to “walk-in” requests and referrals from other organizations, it also works with the Eddy Alzheimer’s service. Further details are available online or by calling 453-5446.

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BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS

OPENING — Jim Leyhane, as part of the invocation, asked for a moment of silence in memory of member Burke Adams’ daughter, Jamie, who passed away this week.

EXCHANGE STUDENT NEWS — Jim also reported that Rafella, our Brazilian exchange student, is in need of a physical exam for her track team signup. He noted that visiting students are not covered by any medical insurance, so obtaining medical and dental care often is a problem because of payment problems.

NOMINATOR — President Debbie Rodriguez announced that Bill Dowd has been named to the District Governor Nominating Committee for District 7190. He previously served on the Interview Committee screening DG candidates, and also is a member of the District Public Relations Committee.

THANKS — Jim McHugh, who is recovering from surgery and chemotherapy at home, sent the club a note of thanks for the dish garden and card sent by Sunshine Committee lead April Dowd.

RLI WORKSHOPS — Registration is open for the October 22 Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) workshop at Siena College. Debbie urged members to consider enrolling; the club will pay the $105 fee for anyone who is interested. Workshops will be offered at Levels 1, 2 and 3, and Graduate. Debbie and Bill both are enrolling in Level 3. Details and a link to the online registration form are on the club website.

SAVE THE DATES — The annual District Foundation Dunner, this year marking the centennial year of the Rotary Foundation, will be held on Thursday, November 17, at the Saratoga National Golf Club. … The organization Girls on the Run will hold its 2nd annual 5K Run Celebration at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 19, at the Corning Preserve in Albany. Earlybird registration is $25 for adults, $15 for youth. After November 1, prices go to $30 and $20, and on race day to $35 and $25. … The Schenectady Rotary Club will host speaker Marie Josette Placide of the Haiti Water Project at a noon luncheon on Thursday, October 13, at the Stockade Inn on North Church Street in Schenectady. Reservations, which are required, may be made online by October 7.

GOLF & BOCCE — Our golfing foursome of Jim Leyhane, Murray Forth, Terry Brewer and Mike Dewey participated in the annual District 7190 Gift of Life Golf & Bocce Tournament on Wednesday. Bill Dowd reminded members who would like to participate in a bocce-only event that the Shen Rotary Club is holding a buffet dinner and bocce tournament on Monday at the Italian American Community Center in Albany. Deadline for registration is this Friday. Details are available on the club website.

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NEXT MEETING — 6:15 p.m. Thursday, September 29, at Quigley’s. The speaker will be Dr. Ron Carroll on the topic of “Science & Culture Shape Individuals.”

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