For the 14th consecutive year, The Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating — 4-star — from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S.
The Foundation earned the recognition for adhering to sector best practices and executing its mission in a financially efficient way, demonstrating both strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency. Only 1% of the organizations Charity Navigator evaluates have received 14 consecutive 4-star evaluations.
“We are honored to have been recognized and to be among the top 1% of charities evaluated,” said Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair John Germ. “Our donors can feel proud knowing that their gifts will allow them to make an impact in their communities and the world for years to come.”
The rating reflects Charity Navigator’s assessment of how the Foundation uses donations, sustains its programs and services, and practices good governance and openness.
Jake Ashby, who represents the 107th District (most of Rensselaer County and parts of Columbia and Washington counties) in the State Assembly, will speak to SRC during our 7 p.m. Zoom meeting this week.
Jake, who served as a Rensselaer County legislator before being elected to the Assembly in 2018, has for the past 18 years worked as an occupational therapist and rehabilitation director, founding his own practice in 2014. Additionally, he has been an instructor in occupational therapy at Maria College in Albany.
He earned his commission with the U.S. Army Reserves, serving for eight years and rising to the rank of captain. He completed combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and a humanitarian mission in Africa. During his service career he earned two Bronze Stars, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Combat Action Badge. He is a past commander of VFW Post 7337 in Castleton.
Jake holds an MBA in healthcare management from Union Graduate College in Schenectady, a B.S. in occupational therapy from Keuka College, and an A.A, from Hudson Valley Community College.
Jake resides in Castleton with his wife, Kristy, and their two children.
As always, to gain access to our Zoom meeting, simply go online to our club website’s calendar page and clock on the link for January 27.
Interested in learning more about Rotary leadership roles?
You don’t have to currently hold club office, but you can become more prepared to step into such a role because the upcoming Multi-District Leadership Development Seminar (MDLDS) is open to both current Rotary leaders and potential leaders.
MDLDS will be held over four evenings at 7 o’clock each session. The dates and topics:
• Monday, February 7 — Running your club
• Tuesday, February 15 — Setting goals
• Wednesday, February 23 — Leadership
• Thursday, March 3 — Financial awareness
When you register online you will be sent a link to provide access to the sessions.
• Community Care Physicians, which is a corporate member of the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club, today distributed an update on COVID-19 topics for its patient base (which includes a number of SRC Rotarians). For the benefit of those SRC folks who are not among that group, here is the update in its entirety.
Three important COVID-19 announcements were made this past week. First, there was a change in quarantine/isolation requirements for the community. Second, it was announced that free COVID-19 at-home tests could be ordered from the government. Lastly, the CDC updated its mask guidance and the government unveiled plans to make 400 million N95 masks available for free at pharmacies and community health centers across the country.
A lot to digest.
Our practices have been getting many questions about these updates. To alleviate our phone lines, when possible, we wanted to share the important highlights that you should know about each topic.
Quarantine and Isolation Requirements
Remember, “quarantine” is for people who have a known exposure to COVID-19 (you have no symptoms) and “isolation” is for people who have a positive COVID-19 test or who have symptoms and are waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test.
The below link takes you to a chart on the CDC’s website. This is the most succinct review of the guidelines:
Read through it carefully and follow these guidelines.
A few things to note:
If you are required to quarantine after an exposure according to the chart above, that means you stay home and away from other people; wear a well-fitting mask when around others (including at home, if possible); monitor for symptoms.
If you are required to isolate, that means stay home in a separate room from others in the household, if possible; use a separate bathroom; wear a well-fitting mask at all times, especially if you can’t separate from everyone in your household; monitor your symptoms; avoid contact with people and pets; don’t share personal household items.
Free At-Home COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests
IMPORTANT NOTE: for these at-home tests, you do NOT need a prescription or a note from your provider. You don’t need to contact us before obtaining your tests.
One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests.
Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days (depending on shipping delays). Order your tests now so you have them when you need them.
It takes less than two minutes to order, and you need to provide only your contact information and shipping address. CCP is not associated with this website, so we can’t assist with any issues with the website. This is a government initiative, and more information can be found at www.covidtests.gov/
What if you buy your COVID-19 tests at your local pharmacy? You can get reimbursed through your health plan for up to 8 individual at-home over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per person enrolled in the plan per month. That means a family of four can get 32 tests per month for free. Note, CCP cannot assist with reimbursement. Please contact your health plan.
Below is additional information for you about how to get your at-home over-the-counter COVID-19 diagnostic test (authorized by the US FDA) at no cost, either through reimbursement or free of charge up front. Check out these FAQs.
The CDC now says that N95 masks may be worn by the general public if people wish to wear them. To protect yourself and others from COVID-19, it is recommended that you wear the most protective mask you can that fits well and that you will wear consistently.
With that said, the US government will make 400 million non-surgical N95 masks from its strategic national stockpile available for free to the public. Retail chains such as CVS and Walgreens plan to distribute the masks, and some community health centers. From what we know as of now, there is not a website to order; masks need to be obtained by physically visiting the locations that have the supply of masks. The masks could be arriving as soon as next week at some locations, but the program will be fully ramped up by February.
There will be three masks distributed per person.
How do you get your masks? The details still need to be nailed down. We recommend that you check with your local CVS or Walgreens to see if they are participating in the program and how to obtain your free N95 masks.
If you can’t get an N95 mask, wear the best mask available to you, wear it all the time when around others, and wear it over your mouth AND nose.
There aren’t many details available at the moment, but we do know District 7190 is pulling out the stops to attract participation to the District Conference this year.
The three-day event is set for the Great Escape Lodge in Queensbury on April 29-May 1. Registrations are already being accepted with prize incentives for earlybird signups.
All of those details are available on the online registration page for what is being called “A Fun Time Out.”
The American Red Cross is facing its worst blood shortage in more than a decade.
The relief organization says, “This poses a serious risk to patient care as doctors are forced to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions. Blood and platelet donations are critically needed to help prevent delays in vital medical treatment.T
“The shortage is being caused by:
10% overall blood donation decline since March 2020
62% drop in college and high school blood drives due to the pandemic
On-going blood drive cancellations due to illness, staff shortages, and weather
Surge of Covid cases and active flu”
There is no upper age limit for blood donations but you do have to be in good health. Go to redcrossblood.org to find out if you are eligible and to find a donation drive nearby.
MEMBERS ATTENDING (20): Debbie Rodriguez, Bill Dowd, Becky Raymond, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Phil Kellerman, Charlie Foote, Ray Hannan, Pat Bailey, Dick Drumm, John Justino, Andy Leyhane, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras, Kevin Leyhane, Carol Orvis (by proxy), Murray Forth (by proxy), Tony Morris (by proxy), Peter Brown (by proxy), Debbie Brown (by proxy).
Guests: None.
MEETING NOTES:
President Debbie called the meeting to order via Zoom and noted the presence of a quorum.
• Clynk coordinator Bill Dowd reported that we have surpassed the 25,000-container mark. He thanked all SRC members who have contributed to the initiative in support of ShelterBox and noted that he has emailed all members with details of the effort for those who are not yet participating.
• It was reported that Ron Annis has returned from his annual trip to Sweden. He verified the Town of Schodack report that the viking gym at Schodack Town Park has been dismantled because wear and tear on the facility SRC helped sponsor resulted in the move. Ron will work with the town to make plans to refurbish, and potentially expand, the outdoor rustic gym.
• Pat Bailey said the committee planning her fundraising proposal — which would combine a raffle and public appearances to tell people about Rotary and its many community service activities — has not met and she has had difficulty getting members to respond. Her our-person committee consists of her, Becky Raymond, Peter Brown, and Phil Kellerman.
• It was again asked if the Foundation Advisory Committee — Phil Kellerman, Murray Forth, Andy Leyhane, and A.J. Amato — has met since it was reported in November 2020 that they would do so and report to the membership what the foundation has been doing. The response was that the group has yet to meet. Phil again said he would make a point of convening a meeting and formulating a report to the membership.
• John Justino said the NYSCR Danes Rotaract Club board will meet next week to assess in-person activities and plan a service event in light of UAlbany’s current ban on such activities on campus because of the COVID pandemic. The last such Rotaract event resulted in attracting two new members.
• Several District events have been announced — the annual District conference and the Multi-District Leadership training seminar — and details will be posted on the club website.
• Upcoming Events: State Assemblyman Jake Ashby will speak to the club at next week’s (1/27) 7 p.m. Zoom meeting. As we evaluate the possibility of resuming biweekly in-person dinner meetings at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant in February, Roberto Martinez and/or Jim Leyhane will check with the restaurant to see if staff members are fully vaccinated. The consensus of the meeting attendees tonight was that we would continue to limit attendance at our in-person events to members and guests who are fully vaccinated and have had a booster shot if qualified to do so.
How are we doing with our ongoing push to redeem deposit containers and direct the proceeds to ShelterBox?
Pretty good on several fronts.
• The accompanying graphic shows our environmental impact.
• We recently sent a $400 check to the relief agency to help in its global work.
• And, another indicator of the support from across the SRC membership is that we recently topped the 25,000 mark of redeemed cans and glass and plastic bottles.
So, please keep up the good work. Or, if you haven’t yet joined in the Clynk initiative, please join your fellow Rotarians in this no-fuss ongoing fundraiser.
You can purchase a box of the official collection bags (the only bags accepted by the recycler) at any Hannaford market; ask Bill Dowd for the bar code stickers to affix to the bags, and drop off the full bags at any Hannaford redemption site where you simply scan the stickers and put the bags in the chute. That’s it. No need to rinse or separate the containers.
If you have any friends or family members who would like to join in this effort, just follow the same process to be sure they have the tools to have the redemption money credited to SRC’s Clynk account.
MEMBERS ATTENDING (18): Debbie Rodriguez, Bill Dowd, Charlie Foote, Becky Raymond, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Dick Drumm, Terry Brewer, Geoff Brewer, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Phil Kellerman, Pat Bailey, Tony Morris, Kevin Leyhane, Carol Orvis (by proxy), Dean Calamaras (by proxy), Doris Calamaras (by proxy).
GUESTS (2): District Assistant Governor C.G. Frink, guest speaker Mike Stangl.
MEETING NOTES:
• President Debbie Rodriguez called the meeting to order via Zoom, and noted the presence of a quorum.
• Debbie shared the outcome of her discussion with Schodack town officials concerning the collapse of the viking gym that was constructed in 2017 at Schodack Town Park as a co-op venture of SRC, then-Eagle Scout candidate Lorenzo Gonzalez, Top Form, and the town. She said she was told the normal wear-and-tear on the installation wore it down, and much of it has been hauled away by the town. The town said it was popular with park visitors, and would like to rebuild, and perhaps expand, it. A grant from Amazon toward park facilities is available to help pay for the initiative. SRC member Ron Annis, who will be returning from Sweden in the spring, will again work with the town and the club on resurrecting the facility.
• Debbie reiterated that we have put in-person meetings on pause through January as we continue to asses the local COVID situation. Members again were advised to check our events on the website calendar page which is regularly updated. And, anyone who wishes to reserve a date for a speaker should contact Becky or Kevin.
• Mike Stangl presented a program on his work around the globe on design and installation of solar energy arrays. For the past 11 years, he has been working on such projects in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and North America. Much of it involves U.S. embassies.
He noted that while solar energy provides only about 3% of our domestic energy production today, it is an important part of our total energy grid. In some other countries, it is more desired because of local conditions. His slideshow covered examples of projects in Cambodia and Nigeria as well as graphic descriptions of the process of creating and utilizing solar systems. Some examples:
MEMBERS ATTENDING (18): Debbie Rodriguez, Bill Dowd, Becky Raymond, Charlie Foote, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Pat Bailey, Murray Forth, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Ray Hannan, Andy Leyhane, Dick Drumm, Kevin Leyhane, Carol Orvis (by proxy), Dean Calamaras (by proxy), Doris Calamaras (by proxy), Tony Morris (by proxy).
GUESTS: None.
President Debbie Rodriguez, presiding over our first session of 2022, called the meeting to order via Zoom and declared the presence of a quorum.
MEETING NOTES:
• Becky Raymond reported that she visited the Schodack town park on Route 150, site of the Viking gym and playground built there in 2017 and co-sponsored by SRC, then-Eagle Scout candidate Lorenzo Gonzales, member Ron Annis’s Top Form company, and the Town of Schodack. She said the rustic gym appears to have been dismantled and parts carried off. Debbie Rodriguez said she would check with the town to see what happened to the gym and will report back to the club. We also will contact Ron, now spending the winter in Sweden, to see if he has any knowledge of the playground/gym tentatively scheduled for an expansion later this year.
• President Debbie said the club has sent a $500 check to the Mayfield (KY) Rotary Club to be put toward relief efforts for the area hardest hit by recent tornadoes.
• Bill Dowd volunteered to serve on a screening committee selecting candidates for District Governor. He has represented the club in the same capacity in the past.
• Debbie verified that we raised $650 through the silent auction of themed gift baskets at the annual Holiday Party & Basket Auction in December. The money goes to the club treasury to help underwrite community service projects.
• Roberto Martinez said he spoke with District Governor Bruce McConnellee today about assistance for purchasing audio-visual equipment to facilitate meetings, and that $150 is available to any club undertaking such an effort. The money will be supplied if the club sends the district a receipt for any such microphone/camera purchases.
• Because of the current upsurge in COVID cases locally, member consensus tonight was to suspend in-person meetings until at least February. Instead, we will meet each Thursday at 7 p.m. via ZOOM, and give our scheduled speakers the option of rescheduling or making their presentations virtually. Roberto Martinez will contact management of Moscatiello’s restaurant to let them know about the change and lock in February dinner meeting dates.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 