Friday, November 18, 2022
Dane Rotaract officers, Monica Barrera and Meghan Lippa, together with Becky Raymond, joined YMCA Executive Director, Shannon Romanowski and the volunteers at the Greenbush YMCA to set up the stations for the Basket Brigade. The Brigade assembly was held Saturday the 19th, resulting in 450 “baskets” of Thanksgiving dinner for families in Rensselaer and Warren counties.
MEMBERS ATTENDING (12): Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Andy Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Pat Bailey, Ray Hannan, Debbie Rodriguez, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown and Terry Brewer. By Zoom: Murray Fourth, Charlie Foote.
GUESTS: None.
President Kevin Leyhane called the meeting to order.
MEETING NOTES:
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 Kevin Leyhane. Proxy votes can also be submitted using the Remind App. Text to the number 81010.
Student Exchange Program: Per Peter Brown, we have not heard back yet from Maple Hill High School.
Cafe Capriccio Raffle: Funding for the Student Exchange Program will come from the proceeds of the raffle ticket sales for the Cafe Capriccio dinner. All members are asked to sell ten raffle tickets for $20 each. Tickets will be available shortly. The drawing is planned for January 17th. The dinner will be held sometime in February.
Clynk: Murry Forth is managing the SRC account. Please contact Murray if you need bag stickers.
Circles of Mercy Adopt a Family: Per the request from Richard, the club agreed to support two family of five members each this year. Circles of Mercy would like gifts to be delivered by December 12. Per Kevin Leyhane, he contacted Richard, and the family information is not yet available. Kevin will post the information on the website when available.
YMCA Thanksgiving Basket Project: The Club donated $200 to the YMCA Thanksgiving Basket Project. Danes Rotaract Club members will help assemble the baskets tomorrow.
Holiday Party: Please let Roberto Martinez know ASAP if you are attending and if bringing a guest(s). We need at least 25 people to guarantee our room reservation. It is a very busy time of the year for holiday parties. Our party is tentatively scheduled for December 15th at Moscatiellos. Roberto Martinez is working with Moscatiellos regarding the date, menu and cost. Last year the holiday dinner was $30 per person. Please bring your baskets for auction. It was suggested that the cost of assembling the baskets be $30. This has been a successful fundraiser in past years.
Next Meeting – Thursday, December 1, 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. Our speaker will be Line Hendrickson form Apparel Impact.
Entree choices will be determined.
Danes Rotaract Club and Board Members
MEMBERS ATTENDING (15): Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Dick Drumm, Pat Bailey, Phil Kellerman, Ray Hannan, Murray Fourth, Debbie Rodriguez, Charlie Foote, John Justino, Becky Raymond, Peter Brown and Debbie Brown. By Proxy: Terry Brewer.
GUESTS: Monica Barrera, Meghan Lipp and Cathy Stone.
President Kevin Leyhane called the meeting to order, noting the presence of a quorum.
MEETING NOTES:
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 Kevin Leyhane. Proxy votes can also be submitted using the Remind App. Text to the number 81010.
Student Exchange Program – Per Peter Brown, we have not heard back yet from Maple Hill High School. Funding for the Program will come from the proceeds of the raffle ticket sales for the Cafe Capriccio Dinner. All members are asked to sell ten raffle tickets for $20 each.
Shelter Box: The Club will send $800 to Shelter Box. $250 was raised from the sale of the lanterns and the rest came from member donations.
Circles of Mercy Adopt a Family: Per the request from Richard, the club agreed to support two family of five members each this year. Circles of Mercy would like gifts to be delivered by December 12. Further information will be posted on the website.
YMCA Thanksgiving Basket Project: The YMCA is still collecting brownie mix, powdered potatoes and powdered gravy. Please deliver your donations to the YMCA. Jim Leyhane proposed that the Club donate $200 to the YMCA for their Thanksgiving basket project. Club member unanimously approved the donation.
Holiday Party: Is tentatively scheduled for December 15th. Roberto Martinez is checking with Moscatiellos about the date and menu. Please bring your baskets for auction. This has been a successful fundraiser in past years.
Rotaract:
Danes Rotaract members President Monica Barrera, Secretary Treasurer Megha Lippa and Alumni Member at Large Cathy Stone joined us tonight for dinner. They are in the process of forming their identity as a Club. They are focusing on increasing membership, planning a social gathering and help with neighborhood cleanup for the West Hill Refugee Center in Albany. The Refugee Center purchases abandoned properties and fixes them up for rental properties for refugees. The Center also provides services such as language and educational programs to refugees. They discussed the possibility of helping the YMCA with assembling the Thanksgiving Baskets. Becky Raymond will contact the YMCA for the date and time. They are invited to also join our Rotary meetings via Zoom. The Danes Rotaract Club is looking forward to collaborating with the SRC Rotary.
Next Meeting – Thursday, November 17, 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.
Entree choices will be Chicken Caesar Salad, Baked Ziti and Spaghetti with Meatballs.
We have a great opportunity this Thursday, November 10, 2022. Our club meeting will include members of the SUNY Albany School of Public Health Rotaract club. Come meet Cathy, Meghan, and Monica, the new Rotaract officers and hear about plans for this year, find out about their studies and work, and talk about how our club can support Rotaract.
The menu this week includes:
Looking forward to seeing everyone this Thursday at 6:00 pm.
MEMBERS ATTENDING (10): Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Dick Drumm, Andy Leyhane, Pat Bailey, Phil Kellerman, Ray Hannan, Murray Fourth, By Zoom: Debbie Rodriguez, Charlie Foote.
GUESTS: None.
Vice President Jim Leyhane called the meeting to order.
MEETING NOTES:
Hybrid Meeting: Please let Kevin Leyhane, Jim Leyhane or Roberto Martinez know if you plan to join the weekly meeting via Zoom. Unfortunately, we are still experiencing some complications, but we were able have a hybrid option for tonight’s meeting.
Proxy Votes: If unable to attend please submit your proxy votes to Kevin Leyhane.
District Foundation Dinner: Friday, November 11, 2022 at Settles Hill Banquet House, 721 Old Settles Road, Altamont NY. Cocktails start at 5:00 pm with dinner at 6:00 pm. Come dressed in your comfortable denim, or most dazzling diamonds. Registration closes tomorrow. Tickets are $85/person and $150/couple.
Student Exchange Program – Peter Brown and Jim Leyhane met with Debra Olgoby, who teaches English as a Second Language at Maple Hill High School. She is very interested in getting the Exchange Program started. They will be setting up a meeting to speak with students.
Shelter Box: The Organization has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. They had a meeting at 8 pm tonight. SRC Rotary continues to contribute through our Klink donations,
Gift of Life Update: Through their Golf Tournament and various raffles, the Organization has raised $24,000.
Rotaract: Congratulations to the new Danes Rotaract Club officers. The President has called a meeting of the Club Officers for next Wednesday. Also, Rotaract has been invited to join the Rotary Meeting next Thursday, November 10th.
Monica Barrera, President
Yodit Berhan, Vice President
Meghan Lippa, Secretary Treasurer
Cathy Stone, Alumni Member at Large
Driver Insurance Reduction Course: The instructor needs at least 20 people to attend. We would need to identify location and date for the course. The instructor then needs a 30-day notice to register course with the State. After discussion, it was decided that the Club would not be able to meet the attendance requirements at this time of the year. It was suggested that members take the course offered online by organizations such as the AARP.
Circles of Mercy Adopt a Family: Richard has reached out to us for support. The club agreed to support one family this year. They are looking for gifts to be delivered by December 12. Information will be posted on the website.
Cafe Capriccio: Terry Brewer is spearheading this project. He will also take care of getting the tickets. A.J. Amato will arrange for the dinner. Five of our fellow Rotarians are donating $300 each to cover the cost of the dinner. All members are asked to sell ten raffle tickets for $20 each. All proceeds from the sale of the tickets will go to SCR funded youth projects such as the scholarships, student exchange and school supply activities. The dinner will be held some time in February.
YMCA Thanksgiving: The YMCA is collecting brownie mix, powdered potatoes and powdered gray. Please deliver your donations to the YMCA this Saturday at 2 pm. Jim Leyhane proposed that the Club donate to the project. This will be discussed at the meeting next week.
Holiday Party: Members propose having it on December 15th. Roberto Martinez will check with Moscatiellos about the date and menu. Please bring your baskets for auction. This has been a successful fundraiser in past years.
Next Meeting – Thursday, November 10, 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.
Entree choices will be Chicken Casear Salad, Penne al la Vodka and Meat Lasagna.
Please join us and meet the Danes Rotaract members.
SRC Rotary Minutes, October 27, 2022
Moscatiello’s Restaurant
Attendance:
Kevin Leyhane, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Terry Brewer, Dick Drumm, Charlie Foote, Dick Drumm, Phil Kellerman, Andy Leyhane, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Becky Raymond. – 12
Theme of the Year; “Growing Fellowship and Service Locally and Globally” President Kevin reminded us that this theme should be the focus of our speakers as much as possible.
Hybrid Meetings: Please let Kevin, Roberto or Jim know if you wish to attend meetings remotely each week.
Proxy Votes: We are reminded that proxy votes can be submitted to Kevin or other Board members and may be submitted on the Remind app.
Remind App. Send text to 81010, Text this message; @srcrot Limited to 150 characters.
World Polio Day: Four members attended this event at the School of Public Health on October 24th: Roberto, Becky, Jim and Peter. Rotary member John Justino was the moderator and Rotaract organized the event. 10 people attended and in included 2 speakers, there is a link on the web site and see below.
Roberto suggested that we invite the Rotaract members to attend our meeting at our expense and suggested dates are November 10th and 17th. Becky will extend that invitation.
Link to the presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qclNuCOyQBY&t=3s
Student Exchange Program: Peter reported that he and Jim attended a meeting at Maple Hill with two teachers who work in Social Studies and English as a Second Language programs. They are very interested in pursuing the exchange idea. They plan to meet with teachers and students and hope for beginning in 2023.
East Greenbush has sent out material on Exchange students, but no response yet.
Terry recommended having a fund raiser to support the exchange program and raise $2,000 to $2,500. He suggested having sponsors for the Café Capriccio dinner and use raffle ticket proceeds towards the Student Exchange. The members agreed.
Phil suggested holding a Bowl-A-Thon in the winter as an additional fund raiser.
Peter suggested we wait for confirmation that the Exchange Program will be in place before going further with fund raising.
CLINK: Murray and Kevin have taken over the management of CLINK program and Jim has stickers if anyone needs them.
Gift of Life: November 11th at 5:00 pm there will be a dinner, more information soon on this – see below.
We are still looking for a new home for the collection box. The company will remove it in the meantime.
Shelter Box: Larry Jones is now the rep. for Shelter box and a virtual meeting will be held on Nov. 3rd about the situation in Ukraine. Link is: https://paybee.io/virtual-event/sbusa/7?bblinkid=263921077&bbemailid=42811401&bbejrid=-1815378754
District Foundation Dinner: Saturday, November 11, 2022, cocktails at 5:00 pm and Dinner at 6:00. Theme is; Denim and Diamonds.
What: Denim and Diamonds Rotary Foundation Benefit
Where: Settles Hill Banquet House, at 721 Old Settles Hill Road in Altamont. The location is just off Highway Route 20, a 15-minute drive from Crossgates Mall or 3.5 miles from the Duanesburg exit off I-88.
When: Friday, November 11 at 5pm.
How: Come dressed in your comfortable denim, or most dazzling diamonds – or maybe a bit of both!
To Reply: denisemdinoto@gmail.com
Next Meeting: Thursday November 3, 2022 at Moscatiello’s
Menu: Chicken Ceasar Salad
Chicken Marsala
Manicotti
Member’s In attendance: Kevin Leyhane, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Jim Leyhane, Andy Leyhane, Dick Drumm, Charlie Foot, Roberto Martinez, John Justino, and Pat Bailey.
Hybrid Meetings:
Kevin thanked everyone for their patience while we work out all the kinks in the Zoom/hybrid meetings. If you wish to join via Zoom, please let Kevin know as much ahead of time as possible.
Club Calendar:
Dates are open for speakers, contact Becky Raymond or Peter Brown if you have an idea. The theme this year is; “Growing Fellowship and Service Locally and Globally”
Gift of Life:
The collection box now near the Tractor Supply still needs a new home. Dick has determined that his parking lot is not suitable. Peter will approach the town about their large lot across the street.
Membership:
The club has been notified that long time member William Dowd has resigned as of the end of 2022. Best wishes to Bill for his future endeavors.
World Polio Day:
The SRC Rotary Club has been invited by ROTARACT to participate in the Monday, October 24th World Polio Day. The event will begin at 1:30 pm at the School of Public Health. If you can attend please notify John Justino.
Student Exchange Program:
Peter reported that Maple Hill has expressed interest in the Exchange Program and has requested a meeting on Thursday, October 27th at Maple Hill. He and Jim hope to attend.
Next Week – October 27, 2022:
Meeting will be hybrid at Moscatiello’s restaurant and on Zoom. Dinner meeting starts at 6 with the Zoom portions starting at 6:15.
Menu will include: Chicken Caesar Salad, Spaghetti and Meatballs, or Portabella Ravioli.
Additional Information:
At the request of our Boy Scout Troop, Jim Leyhane will attend a Child Safety Course. This will satisfy BSA
This week’s meeting features a return to Moscatiello’s with a hybrid option to join the meeting remotely using Zoom. If you would like to join the meeting remotely the link will be posted on our calendar page and the start time for the remote portion of the meeting will be 6:15pm. If you plan on attending in person, the meeting will start with a club social at 6:00 pm. The menu choices for this week are Chicken Ceasar Salad, Beef Lasagna, or Cheese Ravioli with Meat Sauce. Looking forward to seeing everyone tomorrow night.
MEMBERS ATTENDING (10): Peter Brown, Jim Leyhane, Dick Drumm, Andy Leyhane, Pat Bailey, Phil Kellerman, Debbie Rodriguez, Becky Raymond, Ray Hannan and Debbie Brown.
GUESTS: None.
President-Elect Peter Brown called the meeting to order.
MEETING NOTES:
Hybrid Meeting: Unfortunately, due to some complications, there was no hybrid option for tonight’s meeting. Covid and technology can still be tricky. Zoom requires approximately four hours for posting. Last minute changes are not easily accommodated. We plan to set up recurring Zoom meetings. We ask for patience as we work through the technology challenges. Thank you to all involved.
Proxy Votes: If unable to attend proxy votes can be submitted to a board member. Proxy vote may also be submitted using the Remind App text notification.
Remind App: Allows group texting for quicker sharing of information in the case of rescheduling, proxy voting, and may serve as a quick reminder for events. Limited to 150 characters. To join group:
Send a text to the number: 81010
Text this message: @srcrot
Theme for the Year: Reminder that the theme is “Growing Fellowship and Service Locally and Globally” We are looking for service projects and guest speakers that relate to this theme.
Scheduling of Speakers: Becky Raymond led a brainstorm session and members suggested several possible speakers. If you have an idea for a speaker, contact Peter or Kevin.
Gift of Life Update: We are working on identifying a new location for the box located in front of Tractor Supply in Schodack.
Rotaract: Due to our Zoom complications, John Justino was unable to join the meeting this evening. He reported via email that the Rotaract Club Meeting yesterday went well. Eight people attended, four current members and four potential new members. In addition to talking about the Clubs plans this semester and beyond, they discussed the need to nominate and/or appoint new club officers. They agreed that any member interested in a leadership position should express their interest by Friday, 10/14.
The upcoming events being planned by the Club include a special seminar on World Polio Day at the School of Public Health on 10/24 at 1:30 PM. The SRC Rotary is invited to attend. The next major activity they are planning is a service activity with the Westhill Refugee Center in downtown Albany.
Jim Leyhane suggested that the Club invite the Rotaract members to join us for an upcoming meeting. The invitation will be extended.
Exchange Student Program – Peter Brown reported that received a note from the graphics person at Columbia High School who will distribute flyers developed from the documents that he, Jim Leyhane and Suzanna Bernd (Rotary District Chair for the Exchange Program) developed. The flyer will be distributed to students and parents. He also received a note from Jason Breh (Principal of Maple Hill High School) that the Superintendent of the Schodack School District and the Board of Education are on board with the exchange program. Peter will share the flyer with them.
Boy Scouts – Jim Leyhane reported that Kevin and Andy Leyhane attended the Eagle Scout ceremony held at Schodack Town Park on October 10th.
Next Meeting – Thursday, October 20, 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.
Entree choices will be Chicken Casear Salad, Chicken Limone and Baked or Fried sausage and peppers.
Program: Phil Kellerman spoke about LEAD (Foundation for Language and Education Development). Phil has been an advocate for the children of migrant farm workers for thirty years. Since these children are not residents of the states in which they live, they can’t get instate tuition for college. Phil also works with the “Dreamers”. There are approximately 800,000 students nationwide. With a DACA card, one can obtain a driver’s license, are able to work and won’t be deported but are not citizens. Phil’s works with LEAD to provide scholarship aid to these and migrant children to try and help them attain a college education.
Phil reviews the applications for LEAD looking at GPA’s and community service. He interviews the applicants regarding obstacles they have overcome, what schools they have been accepted at and financial status. Successful applicants typically receive $1,000 per semester.
To raise funds, LEAD has an annual Christmas appeal and holds a bowl-a-thon. Phil has an active eBay presence and donates a portion to LEAD. They are working to set up an endowment fund. You can learn more about LEAD at www.languageeducate.org and/or contact Phil Kellerman.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 