Members in Attendance (9): Dick Drumm, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Pat Bailey, Phil Kellerman, Debbie Rodriguez, Charlie Foote, Peter Brown and Debbie Brown.

By Zoom (0): 

Guests (1): Dr. Jim Morley.

President-Elect Peter Brown called the meeting to order.

MEETING NOTES

Gift Of Life 25th Annual Golf Tournament: Thursday September 14, 2023.  The brochure and the link to register is on the website.

Movies in the park:  There are still volunteer spaces available for The Rise of Boots: The Last Wish. There can be more than two people per event for any of the other movies. Please contact Pat Bailey if you are able to participate.

Membership: Last week’s speaker expressed an interest. Phil Kellerman will follow-up with her.

Board Meeting: The next Board meeting will be held on July 5th at 6:30 pm at Peter Brown’s home.

Presidential Changeover: Will be held on July 6th at Peter and Debbie Brown’s home. The pool is open! If you have not already done so, please let Peter or Debbie know that you will attend. If you are attending, please bring an appetizer.

Summer Events: If you have not already done so, please call or e-mail the hosts listed on the calander page of the website and let them know that you will be attending their event. Jim and Roberto are asking for $20 for one person or $25 for two or more people for the pool party at Jim Leyhane’s home on July 20th and please bring an appetizer. Please let Phil Kellerman know if you will be attending the S&S Brewery event on Friday, July 14 at 6pm. Also, wish Phil a happy birthday on July 7th.

Roberto Martinez introduced Dr. John Morley who he had met while working at the NYS Department of Health. Dr. Morley then worked at several hospitals in New York City before he became Chief Medical Director for the Department of Corrections. He has now come back to the Department of Health. He is an anesthesiologist and has worked in intensive care units.

Per Dr. Morley, “things are always changing” and that applies to health care. One hundred years ago, 90% of physicians had no college education and most babies were born at home. Today, US expenditures on health care are two and a half times the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Developemnt’s average. More than $10,000 is spent per person per year, far exceeding the costs of other countries such as Norway and Switzerland. In addition to public funding, the US spends a large amount of private funds on health care.

Dr. Morley is not so sure that capitalism works in the health care system. People make choices for their health care, but many times someone else pays for some or all of it. The younger generation with health care is paying for much of the older generation’s health care costs. New technology costs more. For example, the machine for cancer treatments using proton beam radiation therapy using electrons costs between two and five million dollars, whereas the new technology using protons costs 125 to 150 million dollars. This requires investors to purchase the machine. These investors are looking for profits thus driving the usage of the new technology which had not been proven to be better than the existing technology.

One third of the cost of medical care goes to treatments that do not add any value for the patient. For example, per Medicaid data, stents for hearts are over utilized. Stents are needed during a heart attack or to reduce the need for medication. They do not prevent heart attacks. Much pre-op testing is not needed. To find out what you can do about unnecessary medical services, go to http://www.choosingwisely.org and then have a conversation with your medical provider.

Members in Attendance (12): Dick Drumm, Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Pat Bailey, Murray Forth, Phil Kellerman, Ray Hannan, Becky Raymond, Debbie Rodriguez, Doris Calamaras and Dean Calamaras.

By Zoom (1):  Charlie Foote.

Guests (1): Carole Heaney.

President Kevin Leyhane called the meeting to order.

Theme for the Year: “Growing Fellowship and Service Locally and Globally.” 

Hybrid Meeting:  Please let Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane or Roberto Martinez know if you plan to join the weekly meeting via Zoom.

Proxy Votes:  If unable to attend please submit your proxy votes to President Kevin Leyhane or any board member who will be attending the meeting. Proxy votes can also be submitted using the Remind App. Text to the number 81010.

MEETING NOTES

Gift Of Life 25th Annual Golf Tournament: Thursday September 14, 2023.  The brochure and the link to register is on the website.

Summer Nights in the park:  The Club will focus on Movies in the Park on Friday nights. There are still volunteer spaces available. There can be more than two people per event. Please contact Pat Bailey if you are able to participate.

Membership: New members emails have been added as website subscribers and should be receiving emails of the postings.

Technology Training: Kevin Leyhane is forming a technology committee to train everyone on the website postings, zoom set-up, etc. Training will take place in the fall. He will also look at the price to upgrade WordPress so that the website posts are automatically pushed out to Facebook.

Board Meeting: The next Board meeting will be held on July 5th at 6:30 pm at Peter Brown’s home.

Dues:  Per Murray Forth, two members have outstanding dues.

Rotaract: Rotary members are invited to join Rotaract members and students from UAlbany Center for Global Health for World Refugee Day at the Westhill Refugee Center at 104 Ontario Street, Albany for general community clean up on Saturday, July 24th, from 10 am until 1:30 pm.

Increase in Fraud: Murray Forth advised everyone to be careful when mailing checks to not-for-profit organizations. Thieves are intercepting the mail and washing the check they find to write over it with a new amount and recipient or they are reproducing the check to write checks off the original account.

Presidential Changeover: Will be held on July 6th at Peter and Debbie Brown’s home. The pool is open! If you have not already done so, please let Peter or Debbie know that you will attend.

Summer Events: If you have not done so, please let Debbie Rodriguez know if you want to attend the Valley Cats game on July 27th by Wednesday, June 28th. She will be picking up the tickets next Thursday. Also, please call or e-mail Roberto or Jim and let them know you will be attending the pool party at Jim Leyhane’s home on July 20th. The cost is $20 for the Rotarian. If bringing a guest or guests, the max is $25.

Next Meeting: Thursday, June 29th, dinner at 6:00 pm at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant, Route 4, North Greenbush. This is our last meeting at Moscatellos until the fall. Also, you can join the by Zoom using the link on the websites calendar page. Dr. John Morley will speak about the rising costs of health care.

Entree choices will be Antipasto Salid, Portobello Ravioli or Spaghetti with Meatballs or Sausage.

Dean Calamaras introduced Carole Heaney. She is a retired hospice nurse. Her focus now is on advocacy for death awareness. She is a death doula, grief companion and guide. Doulas and grief companions support and work alongside people. Her business is called In the Spirit of Healing. She also has written a children’s book The Cardinal’s Gift-A True Story of Finding Hope in Grief. The book helps to facilitate conversations with adults about what happens when someone dies.

According to Carole, before the 1890s, death and funerals took place in homes. People were familiar with the end of life. Things changed with the rise of public hospitals, new surgical procedures and drugs. The focus was on fixing people. Death was viewed as a failure. Now, 25% of individuals die at home. The remaining die in hospitals, nursing homes and institutions. We now treat death as an option. There is fear when talking about death.

In addition to having a living will (advanced directive), durable power of attorney and a health care proxy, Carole advises people to talk about what they want to happen at the end of their lives. Carole says, “if you talk about death, it will not kill you. People should map their wishes. These include physical, emotional, mental and spiritual wishes incorporating one’s religious practices and belief about life. Make a theme of your life story indicating how you would like to be remembered. Mend relationships and address regrets. This will allow your wishes to become real. “Fear becomes knowing and knowing changes how you live and die.”

Members in Attendance (12): Dick Drumm, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Pat Bailey, Murray Forth, Phil Kellerman, Ray Hannan, Charlie Foote and Andy Leyhane.

By Zoom (1):  Debbie Rodriguez.

Guests (1): Herb Klutz (guest speaker via Zoom).

President Kevin Leyhane called the meeting to order.

Theme for the Year: “Growing Fellowship and Service Locally and Globally.” 

Hybrid Meeting:  Please let Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane or Roberto Martinez know if you plan to join the weekly meeting via Zoom.

Proxy Votes:  If unable to attend please submit your proxy votes to President Kevin Leyhane or any board member who will be attending the meeting. Proxy votes can also be submitted using the Remind App. Text to the number 81010.

MEETING NOTES

Gift Of Life 25th Annual Golf Tournament: Thursday September 14, 2023.  The brochure and the link to register is on the website.

Summer Nights in the park:  Pat Baily will let the Town know that the Club will focus on Movies in the Park on Friday nights.

Viking Gym:  The equipment has been ordered. The Town of Schodack anticipates an early July delivery. Town employees will install the equipment. There has been no mention regarding the pledges from Rotary and the Kiwanis Club.

Membership update: Kevin needs the email address for Dan Annis so he can be added to the posting list.

Scholarship Awards: The students were amazing. Thank you to Terry Brewer for all his hard work. Thank you also to Roberto Martinez and Jim Leyhane for completing and submitting the grant.

Technology: More members need to learn the technology we are using. Kevin Keyhane will look at the price to upgrade WordPress so that the website posts are automatically pushed out to Facebook.

Board Meeting: The next Board meeting will be held on July 5th at 6:30 pm at Peter Brown’s home.

Dues:  Per Murray, four members have outstanding dues.

Presidential Changeover: Will be held on July 6th at Peter and Debbie Brown’s home. The pool is open! A sign-up sheet will be circulated.

Next Meeting: Thursday, June 22nd, dinner at 6:00 pm at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant, Route 4, North Greenbush. Also, you can join the by Zoom using the link on the websites calendar page. Carole Heaney will speak about Tackling the Taboo: Let’s Talk About Death.

Entree choices will be Chicken Caeser Salid, Chicken Florentine and Cheese Ravioli.

Intentional Leadership for Growth

How Rotary Leaders Ensure Their Clubs Thrive

Herb Klutz

Herb Klutz is the Zone 32 Membership Coordinator. Zone 32 encompasses the Northeast United States from Pennsylvania to Maine. He works with twenty-two Rotary Districts. He joined via Zoom to speak about the characteristics and attributes of Rotary Clubs that are growing. “Rotary is a membership organization and its product is service.” Membership should be a Club’s top priority. Increased membership results in more ideas and resources. In order to achieve growth, a Club must create a culture of consistent moderate growth.

The analytics for SRC Rotary show an attrition rate of 12.9%. an attraction rate of 2.0% and an annual net growth of around 10.9 % for the last five years. Our biggest opportunity is to attract new members.

In 2022 a survey was conducted in the US and Canada that identified five attributes of established Clubs with consistent growth from 2017 through 2022. They found that club size did not matter. The first attribute these clubs had in common was effective growth that involved a planning process for growth with identifiable goals that were updated twice a year. Secondly, they had active intentional engagement of new members with consistent and flexible meetings. Third, they had dynamic meaningful service with signature projects and fundraisers which included community participation. Fourth, they had a strong public image involving active use of media (websites, Facebook, Instagram and local print outlets) that helped with membership attraction. Fifth, these Clubs also focused on diversity, equity and inclusion where the Clubs were a reflection of the community.

Members in Attendance (14): Dick Drumm, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Debbie Rodriguez, Pat Bailey, Murray Forth, Phil Kellerman, Ray Hannan and Andy Leyhane.

By Zoom:  Charlie Foote, and Becky Raymond.

Guests (13): Tenley Soroko, Christine Soroko, Peter Soroko and Kelley Sheraw (scholarship recipient from Columbia High School and guests). Luke Hoffman, Jackie Hoffman, Jenna Hoffman, Mark Hoffman, Alyssa Savatino and Mark Savatino (scholarship recipient form Maple Hill High School and guests). Eh Doh Moo, Tway Kay and Chris Labattaglia (scholarship recipient from Rensselaer High School and guests).

President Kevin Leyhane called the meeting to order.

Theme for the Year: “Growing Fellowship and Service Locally and Globally.” 

Hybrid Meeting:  Please let Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane or Roberto Martinez know if you plan to join the weekly meeting via Zoom.

Proxy Votes:  If unable to attend please submit your proxy votes to President Kevin Leyhane or any board member who will be attending the meeting. Proxy votes can also be submitted using the Remind App. Text to the number 81010.

MEETING NOTES

Gift Of Life 25th Annual Golf Tournament: Thursday September 14, 2023.  The brochure and the link to register is on the website.

Summer Nights in the park:  The town board is downsizing the number of tables for the month of June. We will continue with the Movie Night in the Park on Fridays and return for the Music in the Park on Tuesdays in the month of August. 

Viking Gym:  The equipment has been ordered.

Membership update: Kevin needs the email addresses for Danny and Burke so they can be added to the posting list.

Dues:  Per Murray, commitments have been received from all members.

Presidential Changeover: Will be held on July 6, 2023 at Peter and Debbie Brown’s house

Next Meeting: Thursday, June 15th, dinner at 6:00 pm at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant, Route 4, North Greenbush. Also, you can join the by Zoom using the link on the websites calendar page. Raymond Anthony, District Membership Chair and Herb Klotz will speak about membership.

Entree choices will be Chicken Rustica Salid, Penne a la Vodka and Lasagna.

Kelly Sheraw, Teacher from Columbia High School, introduced Tenley Soroko. As a freshman, Tenley became involved with the Student Council. She had volunteered for several years in a preschool classroom for the deaf and the hard of hearing. She has worked as a teachers’ assistant. Tenley has volunteered at the St. Vincent’s Food Pantry and for three years at the Night to Shine Prom for individuals with disabilities. Tenley had maintained a scholar status while volunteering and working at Target. Tenley says that she likes volunteering and meeting new people. Her mother is her role model (and dad helped). Tenley wants to become a teacher and will be studying at SUNY Oneonta in the fall, majoring in Early Education. She would like to work with Kindergarteners. The children are so creative. Tenley says she will keep volunteering.

Alyssa Savatino, Principal of Maple Hill High School, introduced Luke Hoffman. Luke was a member of the hiring committee when she was selected to be Director of Teaching and Learning. He has been an important part of the school community serving as Class President, President of the Key Club and Captain of both the basketball and tennis teams. He is also a member of the soccer team, the Booster Club and the town’s ambulance squad. Also, Luke is a member of the School Board and advocated for students to learn cursive writing. For Senior prank day, he made breakfast for everyone in his class. He is patient, kind and humble. Luke says he likes the opportunity to meet new people and to focus on every student to help show their accomplishments in the classroom and field of play. He believes in treating others as you like to be treated. Luke’s role models are his parents, grandparents and especially his sister. He wants to be a teacher and focus on secondary education. He will be attending Syracuse University.

Chris Labattaglia, School Counselor at Rensselaer Junior Senior High School, introduced Eh Doh Moo. Eh Doh is always positive. She stopped by daily to say hello. She volunteered with the SAD Club, Key Club and the Student Council. She fundraised for the senior class. She always lends a hand. She was inducted into the National Honor Society and is a member of their Top 10. Eh Doh says that her role models are her parents and teachers. She would like to become a lawyer. She plans to attend the University of Maine. It is a small knit community. She will major in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies. She would like to practice criminal or corporate law.

Congratulations to all scholarship recipients!