Williamsville Rotary Meeting January 13, 2014 

Door: Matt Balling

 Pledge: Bruce Lucsok

 Anthem: Ed Stachura

Four Way Test: Gary Skalyo

Grace: Joe Fiorella               

  

50/50 Ticket Sales:  $214   Lee Broad drew the Queen of Hearts and won $10. He donated it back.

Visiting Rotarians: Kelly Mueller, our speaker, from the Rochester Rotary Club.

 

Guests: Prof. Steven Dyson (our July 8 speaker who is applying for membership!!)

 

Program:

This week’s speaker is Kelly Mueller, Director of Programs and Mission Delivery – Upstate New York / American Diabetes Assoc.  Kelly will give a presentation on the prevention and management of diabetes, how the ADA has partnered on fund raising with Rotary in Rochester, and the potential for a partnership with our Club’s 2014 Golfing event.   She will meet with members of the Golf Committee before the Club meeting.

 

Highlights of Ms. Mueller’s presentation included:

·        If the body does not produce sufficient insulin, the body tries to rid itself of excess glucose in ways that are harmful.

·        Excessive glucose can cause lacerations in small blood vessels. This is why the eyes and small capillaries are often seriously affected.

·        Diabetes costs the US economy $245 billion each year.

·        Latin Americans and Hispanics have a higher risk of contracting diabetes.

·        The American Diabetes Association was started in 1921 and is working on achieving its 2012-1015 strategic plan.

Announcements: 

Club Dues:  Invoices have been sent out by the Club’s Treasurer for the 2nd half of the Club’s dues ($100.00) for the period January 1, 2014 to June 30, 2014.  If have you not already done so, please see Treasurer Matt Balling to make payment.   The Club has received its Semi-Annual Report (SAR) and dues invoice from RI.  The invoice total is over $1100 and your responsive dues payment to the Club will allow the Club to pay this invoice to RI. Over 26% of your dues payment goes to cover this RI invoice.

 

Club Payment Options:  The Club now has the ability to take credit or debit card payments through PayPal.  At tonight’s meeting we had this payment option available as we do a pilot to evaluate this service.  The cost for use of the credit/debit card for the dinner payment was $20.54.  The additional cost of $0.54 is the actual incurred PayPal transaction cost.  Consider this a “convenience fee.”  Our goal is have this working flawlessly for the Club’s Annual Celebration event in March.  We will also be evaluating the ability to pre-sell tickets to our events via the PayPal service.  Matt Balling provided more information at the meeting.

 

Youth Exchange (YE) Officer:  For the past 5-years Mike Sirianno has been the Club’s YE Officer and has provided his excellent and focused talents to achieve success with the Club’s YE program. We have had students from France, Spain, Argentina, and Denmark. And, Mike’s recent success with the Williamsville Central School District (WCSD) has enabled a YE student in the District.  Now, with Mike’s increasing employment responsibilities, it’s a Club position Mike must pass on.  Are you interested?  Mike will provide information and an overview of the YE responsibilities at a future meeting.

 

Area 11 Mix-n-Mingle: Thursday January 30th, 2014 at 6PM - 8PM at Westwood Country Club, 772 North Forest Road (at Sheridan Drive).   The Rotary Club of Amherst (formerly Amherst East) is the host Club for this event.  Please mark your calendars.   More information will be coming soon and I will update you via E-mail.  If expect other Club participation when we are the host Club, we need to make every effort to attend the other Club’s events.

 

Club Board Meeting:  Club Board meeting 8:00 AM Thursday January 16, 2014 at the Amherst IDA offices, 4287 Main Street (across from Daemen College, south side of Main Street, west of Amherst High School), corner of Berryman Drive.  All Club members are invited and welcomed.

 

Annual Meeting:  The Club’s annual meeting is March 3, 2014.  Election to the Club’s Board of Directors is held at this meeting.  It’s time to start considering if you would like to be a Board member of your Club and be more active in the Club’s direction.   President-Elect Kathy Behan will be seeking members for the Nominating Committee (NC).  Please express to Kathy your interest in either the NC and/or the Board. The positions of Treasurer and Secretary are positions of the Executive Board, which are “open.”

 

Every Rotarian – Every Year (EREY) Wow!!!!   Did you know that for $0.27 per day, less than $2.00 per week, and $8.33 per month you can be an active participant and be recognized in Rotary International’s (RI) EREY Program?  And you can do this with a simple authorization to RI to charge a credit card account for the recurring period (month / quarter / annual ) amount you designate.  This is simple and straightforward. 

 

Your commitment provides grant funds for RI and our District 7090 for projects that are used to fund local and international service projects, scholarships, and vocational training teams.

 

Would you please seriously consider an annual commitment to the EREY program?   There is an aspirational goal of $100 per year per member. Please see the attached EREY form whereby you can make this commitment for a tax-deductible contribution (501.c.3 charity) as a recurring monthly, quarterly or annual donation using a credit card ( www.rotary.org/contribute).  You know the good that Rotary and its members accomplish; please seriously consider your participation in EREY. Our Club number is 4756, District #7090, and your individual member number can be found on the mailing label of the Rotarian magazine, an 8-digit number preceded by “#” just above your name.  I will have each member’s membership number at the Club meetings for information and ease of reference.       Thank You! 

 

Gateway-Longview “Adopt-an-Angel: We have heard from Bill Thuman that the 35 students who received Christmas gifts from our Club were very thankful and appreciative of the generosity.  Bill also noted the generous response from Club members with many members “went way over the top on gifting.” Thank you for your generosity, but then we all know that this is a giving and generous Club. (A “Thank You” letter from Gateway-Longview was passed around.)

 

Christmas/Holiday Celebration Party / Follow-Up The Club’s Christmas Celebration was held on Monday – December 16, 2013 at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens Restaurant.  The event was “awesome” and well attended.   Acknowledgement and credit for this event’s great success is given to Richard and Diane Wojtowicz who handled all the details for this event.  There was a great dinner, great entertainment (including a visit from Santa Claus), and great music, singing, and dancing.  There was even a sing-a-long of some Christmas favorites.  Comments from many of the attendees included: “great party; fantastic venue and great food; hope we do this again; loved the family socializing; glad I came”, etc.

 

Program ScheduleWe have openings for speakers.  Doug Littlewood can provide you with the current schedule and available openings.  We have quite a few openings for a speaker after January and into the New Year.  If you have a potential speaker, it is suggested that three (3) open dates, in order of speaker preferred priority, be confirmed with Doug Littlewood or Vern Anderson, who will confirm the specific date, and “lock” that date for your speaker.  This will eliminate any conflict with other confirmed speakers. It will also keep the Program Schedule accurate for dates where speaker dates have been reserved.  Please keep Doug and Vern updated if changes need to be made.  In our social and business lives we may know of individuals who have an interesting background, career, or story.  Ask them: “Would you share this with my Rotary Club?

 

Annual Celebration:  The date is Saturday – March 29, 2014 at the Park Country Club.  Event Chairman Tim Henderson will provide continuing updates as he and his Committee plan the Club’s annual and major event.  Mark your calendars for this major Club event date.

 

Future speakers: Discussions are taking place for speaking engagements with the following: Mark Thomas (Western Regional Director – NYS Parks); Maria Lehman (Peace Bridge); Scott G. Martzloff, Ed.D (Superintendent of Schools - Williamsville Central School District); Brian Kulpa, Mayor-Village of Williamsville; and Dr. Barry Weinstein, Supervisor, Town of Amherst.

Fines: Paul Banas, Fine Master.

·        Norm Mattar--$1 for being late

·        Lee Broad paid $1 fine for Gary Skalyo who slightly botched the 4-Way Test

Happy Dollars:

·        Mike Prinzback-$1 for a great Christmas and $1 for Roger Gross being in the Club.

·        Bruce Lucsok-$1 for Paul Banas being in the Club.

·        Paul Banas-$3 for the performance of the stock market

·        Richard Wojtowicz-$1 for getting a bid in on something; $1 for Norm Mattar being in the Club

·        Carrie Leed-$1 for dogs up for adoption

·        Ed Rath-$1 for no flooding in Clarence in this last thaw

·        Vern Anderson-$1 for a great time

·        Gary Skalyo-$1 for just being happy

We missed you this evening: 

Mary Biddle-Widman, Mike Burns, Tony Cangialosi, Shirley Carnall, Bob Chur, John Crawford, Vicki D’Angelo, Rashmikumar Desai, Kevin Flint, Elizabeth Ingold, Frank Ralabate, Larry Read, Jim Rumsey, Michael Sirianno, Mark Storch, Bill Thuman

 

Williamsville Rotary Meeting January 13, 2014 

Door: Matt Balling

Pledge: Bruce Lucsok

 Anthem: Ed Stachura

Four Way Test: Gary Skalyo

Grace: Joe Fiorella                


50/50 Ticket Sales:  $214   Lee Broad drew the Queen of Hearts and won $10. He donated it back.

Visiting Rotarians: Kelly Mueller, our speaker, from the Rochester Rotary Club.

 

Guests: Prof. Steven Dyson (our July 8 speaker who is applying for membership!!)

 

Program:

This week’s speaker is Kelly Mueller, Director of Programs and Mission Delivery – Upstate New York / American Diabetes Assoc.  Kelly will give a presentation on the prevention and management of diabetes, how the ADA has partnered on fund raising with Rotary in Rochester, and the potential for a partnership with our Club’s 2014 Golfing event.   She will meet with members of the Golf Committee before the Club meeting.

 

Highlights of Ms. Mueller’s presentation included:

·        If the body does not produce sufficient insulin, the body tries to rid itself of excess glucose in ways that are harmful.

·        Excessive glucose can cause lacerations in small blood vessels. This is why the eyes and small capillaries are often seriously affected.

·        Diabetes costs the US economy $245 billion each year.

·        Latin Americans and Hispanics have a higher risk of contracting diabetes.

·        The American Diabetes Association was started in 1921 and is working on achieving its 2012-1015 strategic plan.

Announcements: 

Club Dues:  Invoices have been sent out by the Club’s Treasurer for the 2nd half of the Club’s dues ($100.00) for the period January 1, 2014 to June 30, 2014.  If have you not already done so, please see Treasurer Matt Balling to make payment.   The Club has received its Semi-Annual Report (SAR) and dues invoice from RI.  The invoice total is over $1100 and your responsive dues payment to the Club will allow the Club to pay this invoice to RI. Over 26% of your dues payment goes to cover this RI invoice.

 

Club Payment Options:  The Club now has the ability to take credit or debit card payments through PayPal.  At tonight’s meeting we had this payment option available as we do a pilot to evaluate this service.  The cost for use of the credit/debit card for the dinner payment was $20.54.  The additional cost of $0.54 is the actual incurred PayPal transaction cost.  Consider this a “convenience fee.”  Our goal is have this working flawlessly for the Club’s Annual Celebration event in March.  We will also be evaluating the ability to pre-sell tickets to our events via the PayPal service.  Matt Balling provided more information at the meeting.

 

Youth Exchange (YE) Officer:  For the past 5-years Mike Sirianno has been the Club’s YE Officer and has provided his excellent and focused talents to achieve success with the Club’s YE program. We have had students from France, Spain, Argentina, and Denmark. And, Mike’s recent success with the Williamsville Central School District (WCSD) has enabled a YE student in the District.  Now, with Mike’s increasing employment responsibilities, it’s a Club position Mike must pass on.  Are you interested?  Mike will provide information and an overview of the YE responsibilities at a future meeting.

 

Area 11 Mix-n-Mingle: Thursday January 30th, 2014 at 6PM - 8PM at Westwood Country Club, 772 North Forest Road (at Sheridan Drive).   The Rotary Club of Amherst (formerly Amherst East) is the host Club for this event.  Please mark your calendars.   More information will be coming soon and I will update you via E-mail.  If expect other Club participation when we are the host Club, we need to make every effort to attend the other Club’s events.

 

Club Board Meeting:  Club Board meeting 8:00 AM Thursday January 16, 2014 at the Amherst IDA offices, 4287 Main Street (across from Daemen College, south side of Main Street, west of Amherst High School), corner of Berryman Drive.  All Club members are invited and welcomed.

 

Annual Meeting:  The Club’s annual meeting is March 3, 2014.  Election to the Club’s Board of Directors is held at this meeting.  It’s time to start considering if you would like to be a Board member of your Club and be more active in the Club’s direction.   President-Elect Kathy Behan will be seeking members for the Nominating Committee (NC).  Please express to Kathy your interest in either the NC and/or the Board. The positions of Treasurer and Secretary are positions of the Executive Board, which are “open.”

 

Every Rotarian – Every Year (EREY) Wow!!!!   Did you know that for $0.27 per day, less than $2.00 per week, and $8.33 per month you can be an active participant and be recognized in Rotary International’s (RI) EREY Program?  And you can do this with a simple authorization to RI to charge a credit card account for the recurring period (month / quarter / annual ) amount you designate.  This is simple and straightforward. 

 

Your commitment provides grant funds for RI and our District 7090 for projects that are used to fund local and international service projects, scholarships, and vocational training teams.

 

Would you please seriously consider an annual commitment to the EREY program?   There is an aspirational goal of $100 per year per member. Please see the attached EREY form whereby you can make this commitment for a tax-deductible contribution (501.c.3 charity) as a recurring monthly, quarterly or annual donation using a credit card ( www.rotary.org/contribute).  You know the good that Rotary and its members accomplish; please seriously consider your participation in EREY. Our Club number is 4756, District #7090, and your individual member number can be found on the mailing label of the Rotarian magazine, an 8-digit number preceded by “#” just above your name.  I will have each member’s membership number at the Club meetings for information and ease of reference.       Thank You! 

 

Gateway-Longview “Adopt-an-Angel: We have heard from Bill Thuman that the 35 students who received Christmas gifts from our Club were very thankful and appreciative of the generosity.  Bill also noted the generous response from Club members with many members “went way over the top on gifting.” Thank you for your generosity, but then we all know that this is a giving and generous Club. (A “Thank You” letter from Gateway-Longview was passed around.)

 

Christmas/Holiday Celebration Party / Follow-Up The Club’s Christmas Celebration was held on Monday – December 16, 2013 at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens Restaurant.  The event was “awesome” and well attended.   Acknowledgement and credit for this event’s great success is given to Richard and Diane Wojtowicz who handled all the details for this event.  There was a great dinner, great entertainment (including a visit from Santa Claus), and great music, singing, and dancing.  There was even a sing-a-long of some Christmas favorites.  Comments from many of the attendees included: “great party; fantastic venue and great food; hope we do this again; loved the family socializing; glad I came”, etc.

 

Program ScheduleWe have openings for speakers.  Doug Littlewood can provide you with the current schedule and available openings.  We have quite a few openings for a speaker after January and into the New Year.  If you have a potential speaker, it is suggested that three (3) open dates, in order of speaker preferred priority, be confirmed with Doug Littlewood or Vern Anderson, who will confirm the specific date, and “lock” that date for your speaker.  This will eliminate any conflict with other confirmed speakers. It will also keep the Program Schedule accurate for dates where speaker dates have been reserved.  Please keep Doug and Vern updated if changes need to be made.  In our social and business lives we may know of individuals who have an interesting background, career, or story.  Ask them: “Would you share this with my Rotary Club?

 

Annual Celebration:  The date is Saturday – March 29, 2014 at the Park Country Club.  Event Chairman Tim Henderson will provide continuing updates as he and his Committee plan the Club’s annual and major event.  Mark your calendars for this major Club event date.

 

Future speakers: Discussions are taking place for speaking engagements with the following: Mark Thomas (Western Regional Director – NYS Parks); Maria Lehman (Peace Bridge); Scott G. Martzloff, Ed.D (Superintendent of Schools - Williamsville Central School District); Brian Kulpa, Mayor-Village of Williamsville; and Dr. Barry Weinstein, Supervisor, Town of Amherst.

Fines: Paul Banas, Fine Master.

·        Norm Mattar--$1 for being late

·        Lee Broad paid $1 fine for Gary Skalyo who slightly botched the 4-Way Test

Happy Dollars:

·        Mike Prinzback-$1 for a great Christmas and $1 for Roger Gross being in the Club.

·        Bruce Lucsok-$1 for Paul Banas being in the Club.

·        Paul Banas-$3 for the performance of the stock market

·        Richard Wojtowicz-$1 for getting a bid in on something; $1 for Norm Mattar being in the Club

·        Carrie Leed-$1 for dogs up for adoption

·        Ed Rath-$1 for no flooding in Clarence in this last thaw

·        Vern Anderson-$1 for a great tie       

.        Gary Skalyo-$1 for just being happy

We missed you this evening: 

Mary Biddle-Widman, Mike Burns, Tony Cangialosi, Shirley Carnall, Bob Chur, John Crawford, Vicki D’Angelo, Rashmikumar Desai, Kevin Flint, Elizabeth Ingold, Frank Ralabate, Larry Read, Jim Rumsey, Michael Sirianno, Mark Storch, Bill Thuman