This week’s program will feature our very own Phil Kellerman speaking about LEAD, The Foundation for Language Education and Development. The Foundation “engages in campaigns and programs that promote education, language development and overall well-being for English learning and bilingual students, families and communities.”

The meeting will start at 6:00 pm at Moscatiello’s and will feature a menu choice of Chicken Ceasar Salad, Beef Lasagna and Ravioli with meat sauce.

They Hybrid option for this meeting may not be available this week due to Covid complications, pleased stay tuned is it becomes available the link will be posted on the calendar page.

New York State Department of Motor Vehicles recently approved the production of customized Rotary International license plates. As we look for new ways to promote our fellowship, here is a new way to increase our visibility. For further details, click the link below to NYS DMV website.

https://dmv.ny.gov/plates/rotary-international

MEMBERS ATTENDING (16): Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Dick Drumm, Andy Leyhane, Pat Bailey, Phil Kellerman, Terry Brewer, Debbie Rodriguez and Ray Hannan. By Zoom: Kevin Leyhane, Charlie Foote, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras, and Murray Forth.

GUESTS: None.

President-Elect Peter Brown called the meeting to order.

MEETING NOTES:

Theme for the Year – “Growing Fellowship and Service Locally and Globally”. Service projects and guest speakers should relate to this theme. 

Hybrid Meeting – Tonight is our first hybrid meeting.  Thank you to all involved for making this possible especially Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez.  We ask for patience as we work through the technology challenges. Roberto Martinez reported that he called Denise DeNoto (District President) to inquire about other Clubs using the hybrid meeting model. Ms. DeNoto will check to see if there are any District funds available to help offset the cost of a hybrid meeting startup.

Proxy Votes – Reminder, if unable to attend at meeting, proxy votes can be submitted to President Kevin Leyhane. We will look at amending the by-laws to expand the number of members who can accept a proxy vote.

Remind App – Per Kevin Leyhane, nine members have joined the group. The 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. To join the group:

                                    Send a text to the number:  81010

                                    Text this message:  @srcrot

Scheduling of Speakers – We can begin to start scheduling speakers for the upcoming year.  We are looking for speakers that relate back to our theme for the year.  If you have an idea for a speaker, contact Peter Brown or Kevin Leyhane. Ray Hannan will contact Judge Young to check availability for speaking in late November or December. Roberto Martinez noted that we are looking into getting a Club Zoom subscription.

ShelterBox Update – Please continue to contribute using Clynk donations.

Gift of Life Update – The update from the Golf Tournament and the Raffle it not yet available.  Kevin Leyhane reported that he was contacted by a real estate agent about removing the clothing donation box located in the Schodack Plaza. Jim Leyhane provided a contact for removing the box.

NYS Approved Rotary International License Plates – From Bill Dowd, the Rotary license plates are now available. Kevin Leyhane will post information and how to order a plate on the website this weekend.

NYCR Danes Rotaract – Reminder, Rotaract is planning a seminar to be held on World Polio Day (October 24, 2022) on Campus at 1 pm.

Exchange Student Program – Peter Brown reported that he, Jim Leyhane and Suzanna Bernd (Rotary District Exchange Program representative) met with Jeff Simon (Superintendent of the East Greenbush Central School District) and Michael Harkin (Principal of Columbia High School) about re-establishing the exchange program. Both Mr. Simon and Mr. Harkin were receptive. Ms. Bernd will put together information on the program to share with Columbia High School and Maple Hill High School. Next steps will include meeting with school clubs that might have interested students. It was noted that four host families are required per student. Each family will host the student for three months.

Currently there are seven international exchange students in our District. There are thirty-seven countries in which exchange is available. Along with the yearlong exchange program, there is a shorter one-month summer program. The U.S. State Department added requirements for host families and students. Rotary has partnered with Essex (Eastern State Student Exchange). Essex does the work to make sure that Rotary is in compliance with the Federal requirements.

Boy Scouts – Jim Leyhane reported that Alex Manning is the first Eagle Scout since Covid started. He will order the Eagle Plaque. The Eagle Scout ceremony will be held at Schodack Town Park on October 10th at 5:30 pm. Jim will also sign the Scout Charter on behalf of SRC Rotary to sponsor the Scouts next year.

Richard Drumm DAF – Phil Keller will call a meeting and report back on the status of the endowment.

Next Meeting – Thursday, October 6, 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. Please note: all meetings will now be at 6 pm unless otherwise notified.

MEMBERS ATTENDING (16): Kevin Leyhane, Charlie Foote, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Phil Kellerman, Becky Raymond, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Dick Drumm, John Justino, Pat Bailey, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras, Murray Forth, Debbie Rodriguez.

GUESTS: None.

President Kevin Leyhane called the meeting to order, noting the presence of a quorum.

MEETING NOTES:

• HYBRID MEETINGS — Members viewed a short video on hybrid meetings produced by one of the Upstate New York Rotary Clubs. The hybrid meeting option allows members to meet in person or join the meeting via Zoom.  Next week, September 29th, the Club will attempt its first hybrid meeting. The login for the meeting is still located on the website Calendar Page. Equipment requirements for a hybrid meeting include a laptop, cell phone used as a camara, a microphone and speakers. Roberto Martinez and Jim Leyhane purchased the microphones and portable speakers needed for the hybrid meeting.

• PROXIES — According to the Club’s by-laws, proxies are to be sent to the Club President. Kevin Leyhane will look at amending the by-laws so proxies can also be submitted to other Club Board members and look at what should constitute a quorum based on current membership numbers. Once the proposed changes are drafted, the changes will be posted for membership review for 10 days prior to membership vote.

• REMIND APP— The app was introduced at last week’s meeting. President Kevin Leyhane asks that members who have not yet done so to please sign up. The app allows for group texting for sharing of information faster in the event that meetings are canceled/rescheduled, proxy voting and may serve as a quick reminder for upcoming events. Text is limited to 150 characters. To join the Rotary Group:

Sent a text to the number: 81010

Text this message: @srcrot

• EXCHANGE PROGRAM — Peter Brown reports that Jim Leyhane has arranged a meeting with the Superintendent and the High School Principal of the East Greenbush School District for next Monday. The Rotary District Representative for the Exchange Program, Suzanne Burne, will also attend. There has been no definitive response to date from the Schodack School District.

• GUEST SPEAKERS — As a reminder, the SRC Rotary policy is not to have any political speakers scheduled prior to the election day. Please schedule political speakers any time after election day.

• ROTARACT — John Justino reported that Rotaract has four new members (three students and one alumnus). They held an informational session on Rotaract. They had five/six students attend the session. Several of the students expressed interest in joining Rotaract. They are planning a seminar to be held on World Polio Day (October 24, 2022) on Campus at 1 pm.

• NEXT MEETING  —  Thursday, September 29, 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. Please note: all meetings will now be at 6 pm unless otherwise notified.

MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE (10): Peter and Debbie Brown, Dick Drumm, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Phil Kellerman, Murry Forth, Debbie Rodriguez, Andy Leyhane and Ray Hannan.

GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE: None.

President Elect Peter Brown called the meeting to order.

MEETING BUSINESS:

• THEME FOR THE YEAR – As discussed at the Board meeting, we are considering “Growing Fellowship and Service Locally and Globally” as the theme for this year. Service projects and guest speakers would relate to the theme.

• STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM – Peter Brown discussed his interest in restarting the International Youth Exchange Program. The Program is still operating. There is someone at the Rotary District level overseeing the exchange program. We will check with our District to see if this person can present at one of our upcoming meetings. Jim Leyhane offered to contact Jeff Simons about restarting the Program. In the future we hope to make presentations at the local high schools to both parents and students. These types of programs can generate community interest and participation in Rotary.

• REMIND APP – The app allows for group texting for sharing of information faster in the event that meetings are canceled/rescheduled, proxy voting and may serve as a quick reminder for upcoming events. Text is limited to 150 characters. To join the Rotary Group:

Sent a text to the number: 81010

Text this message: @srcrot

• PROXY VOTES – If unable to attend a meeting, members should submit their proxy to President Kevin Leyhane. Proxy votes may also be submitted using the Remind App text notification.

• SPEAKERS – We can begin scheduling speakers for the year. As noted, we are looking for speakers that relate back to the theme for this year. If you have an idea for a speaker, contact Peter Brown or President Kevin Leyhane.

• SHELTER BOX – Roberto Martinez reported that $250 from the sale of the lanterns will be sent to Shelter Box. Please continue to contribute to Shelter Box through your CLYNK donations.

• GIFT OF LIFE – Please donate your clothing and other items to the Gift of Life donation boxes.

• BARROW OF BOOZE RAFFLE – The drawing was held, and the winner is Roberto Martinez. Congratulations! Proceeds from the raffle will be used to obtain the equipment needed to establish a hybrid meeting and for club operating expenses.

• MEETING SCHEDULE – Next week, September 22, will be a Zoom meeting at 7 pm. The following week, we hope to be up and running with a hybrid option allowing members to meet in person or join the meeting via Zoom. We are working on obtaining the necessary hardware and internet access.

This week’s meeting, September 22, 2022 will take place remotely via Zoom at 7:00pm. The link to the meeting is located on our Club Calendar Page. Looking forward to seeing everyone a 7:00 on Thursday.

With the start of the new Rotary Year we will be returning to Moscatiello’s on Thursday, September 15, 2022 at 6:00pm. The meeting schedule for the first few weeks will consist of an in-person meeting on September 15th followed by a Zoom meeting on September 22, 2022 at 7:00pm. On September 29, 2022 we hope to have in place the hardware to hold a successful hybrid meeting allowing members and guests the ability to join the meeting either in person or virtual via Zoom. Stay tuned in for updates as they will be posted on the Club Calendar. Looking forward to seeing everyone on the 15th of September.