March 2014

Vol. XLXXIII
Organized March, 1918
Date of Issue: March 2014 No. 9
Official Publication of the ROTARY CLUB OF SCHENECTADY
Printed in US by The Alchar Printing Group
599 Pawling Avenue, Troy, NY 12180
www.timesunion.com/communities/rotary/schenectady
Thursday March 6, 2014 — Dr. Laura Schweitzer, Union Graduate College
Wednesday March 12, 2014 — BOARD MEETING
Wednesday March 12, 2014 — KARAOKE at the VAN DYKE
Thursday March 13, 2014 — NO CLUB MEETING
Thursday March 20, 2014 — CLUB ASSEMBLY
Paula Ohlhous from Junior League of Schenectady and Saratoga Counties
Thank you for $500 Grant last spring for bedding and blankets for YWCA
Thursday March 27, 2014 — Richard Sleasman, Director of CBRE - Albany
Commercial Real Estate Environment of Capital District
KARAOKE NIGHT - MARCH 12, 2014 AT THE VAN DYKE RESTAURANT
TICKETS ($25.00) ARE AVAILABLE NOW
DONATE SCRATCH-OFF TICKETS FOR THE MONEY TREE (WREATH)
BE A SPONSOR
PARTICIPATE — MANY GOOD PRIZES
SILENT AUCTION - GOOD ITEMS
GREAT FUN FOR ALL
SPARKS February 6, 2014
By Sandy Dardanelli
President Elena Alvarez called our luncheon meeting to order at 12:15 PM.
Colleen Merays welcomed our many visitors and guests. Rev. Bill Levering
offered ‘Pearls of Wisdom’. Happy Dollars were collected. Announcements:
Karaoke night will be held on March 12th at the Van Dyck Restaurant. The Gift
of Life will have a fundraiser at the Comedy Club in Albany on February 27th.
Tickets are $20 advance/$25 at the door. Our club was able to raise $4,525 for
the Salvation Army Corp of Schenectady - the most of any organization!.
Joe Lovell handled Rotto with Jim Mack drawing a four. Brian Merriam
introduced our speaker, Professor Clifford Brown of Union College, who spoke
on the background of Solomon Northup who’s life story inspired the move 12
Years A Slave. Solomon was born a free citizen. In 1821 he was kidnapped and
sold into slavery; which was not a rare occurrence in those times. He was sold to
three owners, two of whom did not treat Solomon well. Once a slave is sold, they
usually take the owner’s last name, thus it was hard to track Solomon down.
After 12 years, a friend and lawyer helped to obtain his freedom and bring him
back to New York State. Fred Denefrio thanked our speaker with our highly
coveted Rotary pen. The meeting was adjourned at 1:04 PM.
SPARKS January 23, 2014
By Sandy Dardanelli
President Elena Alvarez called our meeting to order with a ring of the bell. Dan
Novak offered our invocation. Mary D’Alessandro-Gilmore welcomed our visitors
and guests. Rev. Bill Levering offered ‘Pearls of Wisdom’ regarding worrying.
Past President Fred Daniels welcome our newest Rotarian, Kimberly Rainey, the
Branch Manager of Berkshire Bank in Niskayuna. Her sponsor is Brian Merriam.
Welcome Kim!! Happy Dollars were collected. Announcements: Karaoke Night
will be held on March 12th at the Van Dyck Restaurant. Tickets are $25.00.
Please see Pat Barney if you have silent auction items. This week is restaurant
week - support your local business; dinners are $20.14. The Visiting Nurses have
a Monopoly game fund raiser in Saratoga - flyers are on the table. Congrats to
Ang Morris who will be inducted into the YMCA’s ‘Women of Achievement
Celebration’ on March 25th. Please see Rowie Taylor for more information on
the event. Vladia Boniewski oversaw Rotto with Bonnie Keller winning. Mark
Juda introduced our speaker, Schenectady Rotary’s very own Brian Merriam.
Brian gave a brief history on our organization’s help to the people of Haiti, and
his current water project there. Brian has visited Haiti on many occasions, first
with his father and later bringing his own children. Haiti is a third-world
country, the poorest in the western hemisphere. In 2010 is was hit by a hurricane
which destroyed much in the country and left many children orphaned. Brian is
working on a grant to help bring Sawyer water filters to this country. He is
working with the Rotary organization in Haiti. He has approx. $3,500 raised and
if he receives the matching grant, that total would then be $7,000 - which is
enough for 100 filters. These water filters can last a long time, provided that they
are properly maintained. Persons/organizations receiving the filters are trained in
the small maintenance procedures that are required. Ralph Rosenthal eloquently
thanked our speaker with our highly coveted Rotary pen. The meeting was
adjourned at 1:06 PM.
Minutes of the Board Meeting
December 11, 2013
t
Present: Elena Alvarez, Carmel Patrick, Connie Colangelo, Del Pierce, Fred Denefrio,
Mark Sheehan, Rowie Taylor, Donna Tessitore and AG, Fred Daniels
Excused: Sid Ramotar Timothy Berger, Amy Brule, Randall Hogue, Jim Hurley,
Deneen Palmateer, Patricia Barney, Brian Merriam, Wayne Brule, Homer Lang.
President Elena Alvarez called the meeting to order at 7:40 A.M. at YWCA – Zonta Room.
MINUTES & Consent Agenda – Carmel Patrick moved to approve the consent agenda
as presented, seconded by Del Pierce. Board approved.
Treasurer Report: Board reviewed the Financial Report for November 30, 2013 as
emailed. Timothy Berger, Treasurer, submitted a narrative (in his absence). Discussed
lunch revenues vs expenses – who does not pay (officers and guests). Discussed dues
payments to District, RI and the non-payment of dues by members. Reviewed all
accounts. Carmel Patrick moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report as printed with
narrative, seconded by Fred Denefrio.
Holidays in MARCH
ASSIGNMENTS - Rotary MARCH 2014
3/06/14
Greeter
Props & House
Registration
Photography
Invocation
Visitors/Guests
Intro/Speaker
Thank/Speaker
Sparks
“Rotto”
S.
C.
C.
M.
S.
B.
J.
M.
R.
P.
D.
Johnson. . . . . . . . . . . .
Colangelo . . . . . . . . . .
Merays . . . . . . . . . . . .
Kelly . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dardanelli. . . . . . . . . .
Levering . . . . . . . . . . .
Hurley . . . . . . . . . . . . .
D’Allesandro . . . . . . .
Rosenthal . . . . . . . . . .
Herman . . . . . . . . . . .
Pierce . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3/13/14
3/20/14
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . K.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . L.
NO . . . . . . . . . . . . . R.
LUNCH . . . . . . . . Ken
3/13/14 . . . . . . . . . . F.
..................
..................
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B.
3/27/14
Rainey . . . . . . . . . . . . J.
Lovell . . . . . . . . . . . . D.
Henry . . . . . . . . . . . . D.
Perazzo. . . . . . . . . . . R.
Fox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J.
McHeard . . . . . . . . . K.
Denefrio. . . . . . . . . . M.
CLUB . . . . . . . . . . . R.
ASSEMBLY . . . . . . V.
Dardanelli. . . . . . . . . L.
Keller. . . . . . . . . . . . . J.
Kriss
Novak
Palmateer
Taylor
Hurley
Griffith
Brockbank
Hogue
Boniewski
Perazzo
Lovell
5 Ash Wednesday
5 Daylight Savings Time Begins
14-15 Multi-district PETS, Syracuse
12 Girls Scouts Founded (1912)
16 Purim
17 St. Patrick’s Day
20 Spring Begins (Yeah, Yeah)
•
•
•
•
•
THE DIAMOND SOURCE
DIAMOND IMPORTERS
MEMBER AMERICAN GEM SOCIETY
CUSTOM DESIGN
ON PREMISES REPAIR
GEMOLOGIST ON STAFF
We buy Gold, Silver & Diamonds
7 Glenridge Rd.
Glenville
399-3701
Mon-Wed 10-6
549 Troy-Schenectady Rd
Latham
Th-Fri 10-8
785-7898
Sat 10-5
Strategic Planning and Auditing Committee: Laura
Erano – No Report.
Account summary for October 31, 2013:
Operational Account
$ (3,707.53)
Community Service Account
3,145.44
Youth Service Account
4,058.54
International Service Account
3,296.00
Operational Reserve Account ____________
Service Reserve Account
$ 25,237.92
Total
$ 32,030.37
Awards Committee: Bonnie Keller, Chair. No Report.
Youth and Community Services: Pat Barney, Chair of
CS. - No Report
Secretary’s Report: Discussed members that have not
paid their dues. It agreed that we would contact Rev.
George Carstensen once more and then if not paid, we
would drop him from membership. Members of the Board
will contact unpaid members on the list: Rowie – Peter
Coffey, Carmel - Raynard Gagnon, Fred Denefrio Nancy Gildersleeve. Jillian Grant will be dropped (unable
to locate her). Randy Hines was permitted to pay dues
only due to his unusual working/living arrangements. It
was decided that we would form a committee under the
leadership of Fred Daniels to come up with a specific
policy regarding dues payments – perhaps use of credit card
payment. Members of committee will be: Fred Daniels,
Carmel Patrick, Donna Tessitore, Rowie Taylor, Connie
Colangelo, Brian Merriam and Timothy Berger. Carmel
moved to accept the Secretary’s Report, seconded by Fred
Denefrio. Board approved.
Carmel added the name of Kelly Sturgis for
membership. Board approved
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Elena submitted her report:
Information: Polio fundraiser – District Bowl-A-Thon.
Rotoract: Fred Daniels reported that our Rotoract is
floundering. It is in it’s 3rd year. First two years there
was a lot of energy. This year the president is weak
(Hector Cordera). A problem of no show, no members,
non functioning. Fred and Bob Fredericks are committed
to retool and get this going. Those working on this are:
Fred, Bob Frederick, Carmel, Donna, Kristen. They would
like to recruit Renee Tremblay to work with them.
Interact: Mark Sheehan – same as Rotoract. Valerie is
on maternity leave, they are looking for a new faculty
advisor to help rekindle the group.
Club Issues: Discussed moving the Board meetings
from 7:30 a.m. to noon. Carmel was not
in favor of moving back to noon meetings.
Fred Daniels moved to survey the Board
members, seconded by Fred Denefrio.
Improving/stopping participation in the
Holiday Parade. It was decided that
Elena would ask Norm for his opinion.
Discussed incoming president – goals,
priority and planning.
SPECIAL MEETING: NOVEMBER 14, 2013
Meeting called to order immediately following the
luncheon meeting .
Purpose: to discuss the 990 tax form information and
filing.
Timothy Berger, Treasurer, met with the members of the
Board to discuss the filing of the 990 form.
Present: Tim, Elena Alvarez, Connie Colangelo,
Mark Sheehan, Fred Denefrio, Donna Tessitore,
Carmel Patrick, Del Pierce, Amy Brule, Rowie Taylor,
Pat Barney
RYLA: Mark Sheehan - Mark helped to get a student.
Question is “does the student attend Skidmore
meetings?” Elena will check it out.
Fund Raising: Carmel. Karaoke. Meeting on the 19th at
11:15 a.m. Dates looking at are Wednesday, March 12,
Thursday, February 27 and March 6. Hours of 6 to 9 p.m.
March 12 was selected as the date.
Membership: Sid Ramotar – No Report
Past President’s Group: Randall Hogue – No report.
Requests: Board approval to renew membership to
the Schenectady Chamber of Commerce.
Approval not need because it is already in
the budget.
Adjourned at 9:08 AM. Motion by Rowie, seconded
by Donna.
Respectfully submitted:
Connie Colangelo, Secretary
Club: Carmel Patrick
a) Program – Amy Brule – consent agenda
b) Advertising- Sandy Dardanelli and Laura Erano
– discussed hyperlink, cost the same, color, 100% paid.
Needs to send letters and would like Randall to take the lead
on where the ad lands. Discussed tier pricing – not now but
for the future.
Hospitality: Mark Sheehan – no report
Area Seven Committee: Larry Dagostino. No report
March 2014
G
Frank Wicks
Kimberly Rainey
Ellen McHale
Charles W. Merriam Jr.
Vincent Simoni
Sandra Dardanelli
Donald O’ Reid
5
9
11
15
21
24
31
Rotary Park: Wayne Brule – no report
Website: Randall Hogue - see President’s report.
International: Brian Merriam, Chair. Reported that he
had sent a check to Faddigans in the amount of $1500 for
the Philippines.
PETS: Carmel is attending and the Club will pay $114 a
night for 2 nights.
Schenectady Rotary Foundation: Fred Daniels is
working toward the $100,000.00 goal.
Next Board meeting will be at the YWCA at 7:30 a.m. on
April 8, 2014.
Certificate, Career Degree,
Transfer Degree and
Non-Credit Programs
(518) 381-1200
t
www.sunysccc.edu
alchar printing
vee printing
schenectady herold
lower forty prepress
FOR ALL OF YOUR PRINTING NEEDS
599 Pawling Avenue Troy, NY 12180
Ph: 518.274.2421 Fax: 518.274.6415
laura@alchar.com www.alchar.com
Member FDIC
(USPS 710 310) entered as periodicals January 27, 1984 at the
Post Office at Schenectady, NY under the Act of March 3, 1879.
Published 12 times a year with a monthly mailing of 61 pieces.
The Rotary Club of Schenectady
P.O. Box 346 Schenectady, NY 12301-0346
Post Master — send address change to above
Subscription price $3.00 per year. Included in Dues.
Periodical Postage paid at Schenectady, NY
and additional mailing offices
Meeting at
The Stockade Inn, Church Street, Schenectady
Thursday at 12:00 P.M.
Elena Alvarez . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President
Connie Colangelo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Secretary
Connie Colangelo. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editor
DISTRICT 7190
Check us out! District 7190 Home Page
www.capitalregionrotary.org
TOM SELFRIDGE