Who needs Hawaii? This month you can attend the RI Convention virtually

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Have you ever wondered what it is like to attend a Rotary International Convention? While a few SRC members already have participated in the annual event held at various places around the world, most have not. This month, you’ll have the opportunity to do so  without any of those pesky travel plans.

That’s because this year’s June 22-26 convention was planned for Honolulu, but because of the global ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic it has been reconfigured to become a virtual experience you can access via computer.

Plans call for a busy schedule you can drop in and out of to experience the topics that interest you most.

In addition to the the wide-ranging General Sessions and the traditional House of Friendship that facilitates mingling with people from around the world, a host of breakout sessions are planned with topics ranging from conservation initiatives to rethinking how Rotary meets and serves its members, strengthening Rotaract, digital trends for 2020-21, and on and on. Some of them even will be held in July as a sort of extended convention attraction.

You do have to register (you can do that by clicking here) to gain access to the events. When you use that link, you’ll see a full schedule to help you choose what you want to experience. Don’t delay. Do it today and mark the dates on your calendars.

 

RSVP now for Presidential Changeover picnic

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picnicAs we slowly and carefully emerge from the “stay home” portion of the COVID-19 pandemic, life gradually is getting back to some semblance of normalcy.

Although our club has not met in person since March 12, we are hoping to change that by ringing out the 2019-20 Rotary Year with an outdoor catered picnic on Thursday, June 25. It will be hosted by Dick and Mary Drumm at their Fox Hollow home, and will serve as our annual Presidential Changeover event.

We hope you can join us to witness the passing of the gavel from Phil Kellerman to Charter member Dick who will serve as president during SRC’s milestone 60th year of community service.

All recommended social distancing protocols will be observed — gathering outdoors with plenty of room to avoid crowding; one person (chef Jim Mendrysa) serving the food; everyone asked to wear face masks, etc.  The menu will include Chicken Parmigiana, Italian mixed salad, bread, beverages, and desserts from the Crisp Cannoli. No one will be asked to bring any food items.

To be sure we have at least the caterer-required minimum of 20 people, Mary has asked anyone planning to attend to either email (RMdrumm176@aol.com) or call (518-339-7459) her no later than this coming Monday evening (June 8). Please be sure to tell her whether you are bringing a guest or guests.

We hope to see you on the 25th.

 

Meeting Clipboard: 6/4/20

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SRC ClipboardHeld at Quigley’s Restaurant
573 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY 12061 Virtually

Due to a variety of factors, including some communication problems in advance of the event, the scheduled Zoom meeting on Thursday did not draw enough members to constitute a quorum. Thus, no official actions were taken.

Those in attendance did discuss the possibility of an outdoor picnic to serve as the annual Presidential Changeover (details here), and a Thursday, June 18, Zoom meeting at which we hope to include the recipients of our scholarships for Rensselaer, Columbia, and Maple Hill high schools.

There will be no Zoom meeting next week, June 11.

 

You can join Saturday’s county food drive

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During a recent virtual meeting, SRC members discussed renewing support for several local food banks. It was agreed to urge members to make financial donations, but some expressed a desire to donate non-perishable food items as well.

Well, Saturday will be a perfect time to make such product donations. That’s when Rensselaer County will hold a collection effort at Hudson Valley Community College. (If you plan to do so, why not wear your Rotary hats and/or shirts to make a solid, if brief, statement?)

Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin today announced the effort, explaining that all non-perishable food items and comfort and hygiene items donated will be distributed to food pantries throughout the county, thereby extending the reach of donors.

McLaughlin said county officials are concerned about impending shortages at community food banks and pantries that service the county.

“We are appealing to residents who want to help their neighbors get through what may be tough times ahead,” McLaughlin said. “Our community food pantries do a great job serving those in need, and these donations will help in that mission.”

People are invited to drop off items in the parking lot near the Joseph L. Bruno Stadium on the HVCC campus from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The best route to the designated area is via the South Drive entrance off Vandenburgh Avenue (Route 4).

 

Another virtual social is in the books

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Screen Shot 2020-04-03 at 5.56.21 PMSRC’s latest virtual social hour drew 10 people Thursday night via Zoom: Dick Drumm, Phil Kellerman, Debbie and Peter Brown, Andy Leyhane, Kevin Leyhane, Charlie Foote, Pat Bailey, Jim Leyhane, and Roberto Martinez.

That means the Leyhanes topped the Browns by a 3-2 score, and everyone else tied for third place.

What did we learn in this first few days of the state’s reopening? That our members are their families seem to be doing OK in this time of COVID-19, keeping busy with gardening, lawn care, reading, etc., and a few still working.

The next official meeting via Zoom is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, June 4. Members will receive via email the link to the meeting site.

Until then, as we head into the long Memorial Day weekend, a happy holiday to all!

 

Circle the date for Thursday’s virtual social hour

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Screen Shot 2020-05-07 at 7.56.16 PMAs all SRC members no doubt know from our website, Facebook page, and various emails, we have been meeting and socializing via Zoom video conferencing for the past month or so during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

For some of you, we’ve missed your presence, especially last Thursday when we voted on a slate of Board candidates for the 2020-21 Rotary Year.

Our next event is a social hour set for 6:30 p.m. this Thursday on Zoom — the new way for most people to connect with each other. Roberto Martinez will be sending out linking data on Wednesday. We suggest having a beverage of some sort at hand as you log on to catch up, trade anecdotes, make fun of each other’s hair, etc.

This also will be a perfect opportunity to socialize safely and reconnect with your fellow Rotarians. Please be on the lookout for Roberto’s email.

Bill Dowd
SRC webmaster

Meeting Clipboard: 5/14/20

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SRC ClipboardHeld at Quigley’s Restaurant
573 Columbia Turnpike
East Greenbush, NY 12061 Virtually

Members Attending (19): Phil Kellerman, Dick Drumm, Terry Brewer, Murray Forth, Pat Bailey, Bill Dowd, Jim Leyhane, Dean Calamaras, Doris Calamaras, Debbie Rodriguez, Roberto Martinez, Kevin Leyhane, Peter Brown, Debbie Brown, Carol Orvis, Ray Hannan, Charlie Foote, Geoff Brewer, Becky Raymond.

Guests (1): Merlin the Cat.

FOR THE SECOND TIME this spring, the club held a virtual business meeting via Zoom video conferencing. (We also held a virtual social hour last week, and will do so again on Thursday, May 21.)

• The main item on the agenda was the election of the Club Board for the 2020-21 Rotary Year. The slate provided to the membership a week earlier was accepted by those present without amendment or objection:

PRESIDENT: Dick Drumm
PRESIDENT-ELECT: Debbie Rodriguez
VICE PRESIDENT: Terry Brewer
TREASURER: Murray Forth
SECRETARY: Pat Bailey
AT-LARGE: Bill Dowd, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Dean Calamaras, Kevin Leyhane
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT: Phil Kellerman

• President Phil updated members on progress in putting together the package of documents to be submitted to the Internal Revenue Service as part of our effort to regain tax-exempt status. The 8990 EZ forms have been completed, and the 1024A form is next. Within the next week, we hope to put all relevant documents on a password-protected web page. The current Board will have access to review the documents before final submission.

• Terry reported that we have received verifications from Columbia and Rensselaer high schools that scholarship recipients have been selected. We still need to hear from Maple Hill. The club subsequently voted to approve $1,000 individual scholarships for one graduating senior at each of those schools. Recipients will be invited to join us at a Zoom meeting, but the actual checks will be mailed to them.

• Roberto reported that we are on schedule to meet all requirements and deadlines for District Grants for the current and 2020-21 Rotary Years.

• Murray reported that a $1,040 grant check has been sent to the Freedom From Fistula Foundation, and that the same amount will be mailed to The Oley Foundation. The grants are funded by proceeds from our Foundation Bowl-a-Thon.

• Because of a lack of club activity, it was agreed to cease print advertising until September.

 

 

Oley Foundation chat-and-music event tonight

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Screen Shot 2020-05-13 at 12.27.52 PMThe Oley Foundation, which SRC has helped support for a number of years,  is staying in touch online with those on IV therapy or tube feeding during this pandemic.

On behalf of the foundation, I invite you to a special performance to support the work of the Foundation by musician and storyteller Roy George. Please join us at 7 o’clock tonight. Click on this link 10 minutes prior to the performance:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php

— Phil Kellerman

 

Join us on Thursday for a Zoom and a vote

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Screen Shot 2020-04-03 at 5.56.21 PMWe will hold our second formal business meeting via video-conferencing this Thursday.

Among items on the agenda will be a vote on a slate of candidates for the 2020-21 Rotary Year. The list of nominees was sent to all SRC members by email last week, but here it is again:

PRESIDENT: Dick Drumm
PRESIDENT-ELECT: Debbie Rodriguez
VICE PRESIDENT: Terry Brewer
TREASURER: Murray Forth
SECRETARY: Pat Bailey
AT-LARGE: Bill Dowd, Jim Leyhane, Roberto Martinez, Dean Calamaras, Kevin Leyhane
(The immediate past president automatically goes on the board for a year; no vote is needed on that seat)

To join the meeting, just before 6 p.m. go to this Zoom link —
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81236769649 — and log on to Meeting ID: 812 3676 9649.