Held via ZOOM conference

Members Attending (16): Dick Drumm, Bill Dowd, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Ray Hannan, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras, Kevin Leyhane, Charlie Foote, Terry Brewer, Murray Forth, Phil Kellerman, Pat Bailey, Debbie Rodriguez.

Guests: None.

MEETING NOTES: Roberto Martinez reported that he has spoken with people at the District level who say that most of the clubs in 7190 are not meeting in person. Most are using ZOOM, as SRC has been utilizing. We are making efforts to have District Governor Rich Griesche join us at an upcoming virtual meeting. … President Dick, reporting on the search for a new meeting venue since Quigley’s has closed and is up for sale, said he has a 1,520-square-foot space in his Drumm Veterinary Hospital that is being re-floored and could be a candidate for hosting meetings with socially distanced space. …

Debbie Rodriguez reported that the UAlbany Rotaract organization is working to resume its activities now that the university is back in session. She and Becky Raymond, our Rotaract liaisons, will keep us up to date. … Kevin Leyhane said he reports back to work on Monday and can provide a program by the end of September on what life is like in the “trenches” of a local school district in this era of COVID-19. … Roberto offered to assist anyone having difficulty accessing ZOOM with a brief tutorial. …

Bill Dowd said he has been mailing out bar code stickers for the CLYNK container recycling program and said anyone who needs more should contact him. He pointed out that the way CLYNK is set up, only one person can access the stickers at a CLYNK kiosk machine, although anyone can purchase at Hannaford markets the official bags needed to participate. … The club’s Board of Directors is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Monday at Jim Leyhane’s residence. … The club will have a regular ZOOM meeting at 6 p.m. next Thursday, September 3.

Despite the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, SRC’s involvement with the “School Supplies Drive” organized by Circles of Mercy for needy students in elementary and high school grades was a success.

Our project coordinator, Debbie Rodriguez, made three deliveries of donated supplies to Circles’ headquarters in Rensselaer, the final one on Friday at the deadline.

Special thanks to Debbie for her work, and major thanks to all of you who contributed to the push that is one of our important public service projects each summer.

Sixteen SRC members and friends gathered under sunny skies on Thursday for an outdoor pizza party that completed our abbreviated “Summer Casual Events” calendar.

The event, co-hosted by Pat Bailey and Debbie Rodriguez, also was attended by President Dick Drumm, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Murray Forth, Maggie Forth, Doris Calamaras, Dean Calamaras, Roberto Martinez, Ray Hannan, Phil Kellerman, Jim Leyhane, and guests Mary Drumm, Jeremy Forth, and Lois Hannan.

Our next event will be a ZOOM teleconference general meeting at 6 p.m. next Thursday, August 27. Among other items, Roberto will speak on Zoom etiquette. Those having problems with ZOOM should feel free to contact Roberto before then.

Thereafter, there will be an in-person Board meeting at Jim Leyhane’s residence at 6 p.m. Monday, August 31.

Meanwhile, here are some scenes from the pizza party.

By RYAN HYLUND / Rotary International

Jennifer E. Jones, a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada, has been nominated to become Rotary International’s president for 2022-23. The groundbreaking selection will make her the first woman to hold that office in the organization’s 115-year history.

Jones officially will become president-nominee on October 1 if no other candidates challenge her.

Jones says she sees Rotary’s Action Plan as a catalyst for increasing Rotary’s impact.

“As we reflect upon our new strategic priorities, we could have never envisioned that our ability to adapt would become our North Star during what is inarguably the most profound time in recent history,” Jones said in her vision statement. “Silver linings rise out of the most challenging circumstances. Using metric-driven goals, I will harness this historic landscape to innovate, educate, and communicate opportunities that reflect today’s reality.”

As the first woman to be nominated to be president, Jones understands how important it is to follow through on Rotary’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Statement. “I believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion begins at the top, and for us to realize growth in female membership and members under the age of 40 — these demographics need to see their own reflection in leadership,” Jones said. “I will champion double-digit growth in both categories while never losing sight of our entire family.”

Jones is founder and president of Media Street Productions Inc., a media company in Windsor. She was chair of the board of governors of the University of Windsor and chair of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce. She has been recognized for her service with the YMCA Peace Medallion, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and Wayne State University’s Peacemaker of the Year Award, a first for a Canadian. Jones also holds a Doctor of Laws (LL.D.).

A current Rotary Foundation trustee, Jones has been a member of Rotary since 1997 and has served Rotary as RI vice president, director, training leader, committee chair, moderator, and district governor. She played a lead role in Rotary’s rebranding effort by serving as chair of the Strengthening Rotary’s Advisory Group. She is the co-chair of the End Polio Now Countdown to History Campaign Committee, which aims to raise $150 million for polio eradication efforts.

Jones recently led the successful #RotaryResponds telethon, which raised critical funds for COVID-19 relief and was viewed by more than 65,000. Jones has also received Rotary International’s Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service. She and her husband, Nick Krayacich, are members of The Rotary Foundation’s Arch Klumph Society, Paul Harris Society, and the Bequest Society.

The members of the Nominating Committee for the 2022-23 President of Rotary International are:

Kenneth M. Schuppert Jr. (chair), Decatur, AL; Robert L. Hall, Dunwoody, Atlanta, GA; Bradford R. Howard, Oakland Uptown, CA; Michael K. McGovern (secretary), Cape Elizabeth, ME; Per Høyen, Aarup, Gelsted, Denmark; Peter Iblher, Nürnberg-Reichswald, Zirndorf, Germany; Ashok Mahajan, Mulund, Mah., India; Sam Okudzeto, Accra, Accra, Ghana; Eduardo San Martín Carreño, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; Takeshi Matsumiya, Chigasaki-Shonan, Chigasaki Kanagawa, Japan; José Alfredo Pretoni, São Paulo-Sul, São Paulo, Brazil; Saowalak Rattanavich, Bang Rak, Bangkok, Thailand; Hendreen Dean Rohrs, Langley Central, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada; Ravindra P. Sehgal, Belur, West Bengal, India; Noel Trevaskis, Merimbula, Tura Beach, Australia; Giuseppe Viale, Genova, Genova, Italy; and Chang-Gon Yim, Daegu-West, Daegu, Korea.

The outdoor pizza party co-hosted by Pat Bailey and Debbie Rodriguez at Pat’s residence has been moved from August 27 to next Thursday, August 20, at 6 p.m.

We already have a lineup of “yes” responses, but we didn’t want anyone to miss the opportunity to contact Pat (pbailey7@nycap.rr.com) or Debbie (debannrod@yahoo.com) no later than this Sunday.

Social distancing and masks will be required. People are asked to bring their own beverages and lawn chairs if so desired.

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Held via Zoom video conference

Members Attending (15): Dick Drumm, Debbie Rodriguez, Murray Forth, Bill Dowd, Roberto Martinez, Jim Leyhane, Debbie Brown, Peter Brown, Ray Hannan, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras, Kevin Leyhane, Charlie Foote, Phil Kellerman, Pat Bailey.

MEETING NOTES: President Dick called the meeting to order. … The main topic of discussion was assessing possible new meeting venues since John Walsh, owner of Quigley’s, has decided to sell his restaurant and has no plans to reopen in the meantime. Dick said he has made a preliminary inquiry at the Schodack Diner, which has a private meeting room. He, along with Debbie Rodriguez, Roberto Martinez, and Jim Leyhane, will re-visit the diner for a detailed discussion with ownership. Bill Dowd cautioned that selecting any new venue in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic could be problematic, given the state’s restrictions on group sizes. In particular, restaurants may not host parties of more than 10 people (which would prevent us from having a quorum); buffets are not allowed, etc. He also suggested we should look for meeting places that do not charge a use fee, and have wi-fi capability. Quigley’s did not charge for the meeting room, which saved the club about $1,200 a year. … Murray Forth will check on the possibility of leaving club property at Quigley’s until the building is sold. …

Roberto said he will contact the District about the status of reimbursements for our college scholarship awards via a District Grant. … Murray reported that a number of members have not paid 2020-21 dues. They will be contacted again. … Jim reported that at Wednesday’s Gift of Life committee meeting it was decided not to have the awards dinner that usually is part of the annual GOL Golf Tournament. As of this date, the Monday, September 21, event at Pinehaven Country Club in Guilderland will go on, however, with the raffle held while golfers still are on the course. SRC plans to sponsor a trio of foursomes. …

The outdoor pizza social to be co-hosted by Pat Bailey and Debbie Rodriguez at Pat’s residence has been moved from August 27 to next Thursday, August 20, at 6 p.m. While the majority of those attending tonight’s ZOOM meeting made their reservations, anyone else who wishes to attend is asked to contact Pat or Debbie no later than this Sunday. Social distancing and m asks will be required. People are asked to bring their own beverages and lawn chairs if so desired. Debbie reminded all that the event will be the final opportunity to drop off donations to our “School Supplies Drive.” Until then, donations can be dropped off at Drumm Veterinary Hospital during normal office hours.

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WE’RE MEETING this Thursday, but you don’t even have to wear pants if you don’t want to.

That’s right, it’s a ZOOM meeting, via video-conferencing, and we’ll be logging on just before 6 p.m. We hope to have a quorum — at least 12 people — in case we need to vote on anything.

You can join in by clicking on this link to be involved and stay in touch with your friends and colleagues of Rotary. We’ll probably limit the session to about 30 minutes, so you’ll still have your evening free.

MEANWHILE, if you haven’t finished shopping for items for our annual “School Supplies Drive,” time is growing short. You can make your selections from the recommended shopping list, then drop off the items during normal business hours at the Drumm Veterinary Hospital on Columbia Turnpike through Wednesday, August 19, at the latest.

After that, project coordinator Debbie Rodriguez will be posted in the Quigley’s parking lot before 6 p.m. Thursday, August 20, the absolute final opportunity to accept donations. Please note she will not be attending the dinner meeting scheduled that evening, so be sure to look for her beforehand.

Meanwhile, enjoy the sunshine and the warm weather!

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Our third outdoor “Summer Casual Event” took place Thursday at Jim Leyhane’s residence, co-hosted by Roberto Martinez.

About two dozen adults and kids showed up to enjoy the hot tub, the pool, the buffet, and the fellowship. All the social distancing rules were in place, and many guests dropped off donations to our “School Supplies Drive.”

Our next two SRC events are a ZOOM virtual meeting at 6 p.m. next Thursday, and a 6 p.m. dinner meeting at Quigley’s the following Thursday, August 20.

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Debbie Rodriguez has delivered two loads of school items to Circles of Mercy, but more are needed and time is running short to donate.

If you still haven’t dropped off your donations from the recommended shopping list we’ve shared numerous times, you can drop them off (1) at the Drumm Veterinary Hospital on Columbia Turnpike during normal office hours through Wednesday, August 19, or (2) bring them to the meeting at Quigley’s on the 20th.

As to the latter, Debbie will not be attending the meeting, but she will be in the parking lot to accept donations before the meeting. She will deliver the final items the next morning to Circles of Mercy.

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Jim Leyhane and Roberto Martinez are co-hosting a social event  at Jim’s residence at 6 p.m. Thursday. Here are some things to consider bringing:

• Your donations from the recommended shopping list for our annual “School Supplies Drive.” (The more the better.)

• Your own lawn chair if you want to enhance social distancing protocols. (Portability!)

• A face mask, as strongly suggested by health officials. (Guys, you don’t have to shave!)

• A bathing suit if you’d like to take advantage of the pool. (No skinny dipping.)

• A check made payable to SRC Rotary if you have not yet submitted your 2020-21 dues that were due on July 1. (You know who you are.)

See you on Thursday!

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Free registration is now open for our annual Zone Institute, scheduled for September 23 through 25.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event this year will be a series of online opportunities to interact with Rotary’s movers and shakers, including breakout sessions for all attendees. All Rotarians and Rotaractors are eligible to participate on any or all of the event’s activities.

Rotary Zones 28 and 32 include all Rotarians in the northeast United States, Bermuda, Canada, and the French territory St. Pierre and Miquelon, located south of Newfoundland.

A special keynote speaker will be Shekhar Mehta, president-elect of Rotary International, live from Kolkata, India, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 23.

Shekhar Mehta’s Rotary passions center on membership and service, and he recognizes the interdependence of these two concerns: (1.) The more members Rotary attracts, the

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Participation in the September program is available at no cost to all Rotarians and Rotaractors. CLICK HERE to link to the free registration page.

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more service we can accomplish together. (2.) The communications tools we have become accustomed to during the pandemic will have a long-term positive effect in promoting both service and growth.

The service initiatives Mehta has led or been responsible for across his Rotary career include:

• Constructing 500 homes for tsunami survivors.
• Starting the Shelter Kit program in India. This has led to distribution of more than 15,000 Shelter Kits aiding 75,000 disaster victims in 20 or more natural disasters.
• The Healing Little Hearts program, which has resulted in 2,500 heart surgeries for children from across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Africa.
• Conceptualizing T-E-A-C-H, a holistic literacy program that has now reached more than 50,000 schools and 15 million children across India.
• Setting up 15 eye hospitals across India that result in nearly 50,000 eye operations each year.
• Initiating a scholarship program that has resulted in more than 1,000 scholarships to marginalized children.
• Building 6,000 toilets that have benefited 30,000 people in rural communities.

You can use the ZOOM video conferencing system to hear Mehta live, then join the Q&A and discussion afterward.

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