ROTOSCOPE April 7, 2014

Posted by Lee Broad 
on Apr 07, 2014
 

Williamsville Rotary Meeting April 7, 2014 

Door:  Matt Balling                            

Pledge: Paul Banas

Anthem:  General Membership

Four Way Test: Bill Thurman

Grace:  Joe Fiorella                    


50/50 Ticket Sales:$_152.00 drew the  9 of Hearts -Frank Ralabate and donated it back.

Visiting Rotarians:

·        M. A. Mirza   Grand Island

·         

Guests:           

·        None

· 

Program:

This week’s speakerwas Scott G. Martzloff, Ed.D., Superintendent of the Williamsville Central School District (WCSD), the Town of Amherst’s largest.  WCSD encompasses 40 square miles (parts of Amherst, Cheektowaga, Clarence), has over 10,200 students K thru 12, 13 schools, a $170-Million budget for 2013-2014, and is consistently ranked among the highest overall in standings of WNY public schools.

 

Dr. Martzloff began his tenure as Superintendent of Schools for the WCSD on August 1, 2011.  Prior to this appointment, the Rochester (NY) native was the Superintendent of the Byron-Bergen Central School District, a rural district in Genesee County, for two years. Dr. Martzloff also worked eight years for the Rochester City School District, a large urban district with over 32,000 students, where he was an Administrator for Operations and served as a high school assistant principal. He began his career as a special education teacher in the Rush-Henrietta CSD located in suburban Rochester where he also served as an assistant principal. Dr. Marztloff will receive on April 30th at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens the Award of Excellence for school superintendents from the WNY Educational Service Council.   According to this Council, he was chosen from the largest number of nominees that they have ever received.

 

Dr. Martzloff received his bachelor’s degree in biology from the College of The Holy Cross in Worcester, MA and earned his master’s degree in educational administration from the State University of New York at Brockport. He received a doctorate in education from the University of Rochester and holds permanent certification as a school district administrator in New York State.

 

While at Holy Cross, he played Division 1 basketball. After college, the 7’-1” center played professional basketball overseas for 2 years and was a minor-league player for the Rochester RazorSharks from 2005-2006.

 

Dr. Martzloff and his wife, Kim, have three children, all under the age of 10.

Highlights of his presentation included:

·        Wife is School Administrator and School Counselor

·        Discussed the Williamsville Central School  District mission

·        Continues improvement ranked the best school district

·        Profession development summer school

·        18 sports teams and 5811 students

·        School safety and security-189 installed cameras

·        Best community in music programs

·        State grants $4,448,868 - Budget is on the District Web Site

·        Looking at foreign language programs

·        14 Social workers in the district

·        Social media is a major concern with students

·        Wants students to take the test in the Williamsville District

·        ID cards are required for access into the schools

·        2.7% percent levy increase

·        4th in Administrative efficiency in Upstate New York

Announcements: 

Annual Celebration:  Wow!!!!  What a night, what an awesome event!!!!  The snow did not appear to dampen any attendance as the Park Country Club was absolutely packed.   Many kudos to the Celebration Committee Chair Tim Henderson and his event committee (Joe Fiorella, Carolyn Leed, Matt Balling, Mike Burns, Connie & Doug Littlewood, Bob Chur, and Bill Thuman) to a well planned event.  One of the comments from an attendee, “This is much better than Buffalo Rotary’s recent Wine Tasting Event."   Also, a sincere “Thank You” to all the Club members who “manned” their assigned posts.

 

Glen Park / Rotary Park:  A draft procedure was distributed previously by email to all membersfor the 2014 clean-up and maintenance of Rotary Park-Rotary Circle for Club member review / comment / recommendations / suggestions.  Please review so that it can be finalized.

 

The Club is working with the Glen Park Joint Board (GPJB) with Vicky D’Angelo as the Club’s liaison.   The GPJB, representing the Town of Amherst and the Village of Williamsville, is very interested in our Club’s maintenance approach for the Rotary Park & Circle within Glen Park.  They are also interested in our future plans for Club sponsored improvements to the Rotary area.

 

Club Meeting Date Policy: At the 03.20.2014 Board meeting the Board approved a policy in regard to meeting dates was approved.  This policy eliminates the sometimes confusion of whether or not a meeting is being held on holiday that coincides with our Monday meeting. The policy was distributed previously by email to all members.

 

Meeting Attendance Option:  Mark April 28th on your calendar to attend the Club meeting and learn of an option to Rotary Club meeting attendance.  Liz Kovacs of the Rotary E-Club of SO/WNY (Southern Ontario-Western New York) will present information on how you can “attend” using your computer, while on an island in the South Pacific or at home at 1:30 AM in your pajamas. Learn how you can improve your RI reported meeting attendance.

 

Also at this meeting (04/28/2014), we will have members of the Rotary Club of Amherst in attendance.  A discussion on potential event collaborations, collaboration on local, regional and international projects will be a focus discussion.

 

District Assembly:  May 3rd, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the Conference Center, Niagara Falls, NY (101 Old Falls Street).  Pre-Registration or on-line registration will be required.  Mark your calendar for this event.   See the web site for Program, Workshops, etc. The event opens with a light breakfast and fellowship.  Cost is $35.00 for all event activities, breakfast and lunch included.

 

For registration go to: https://www.rotaryniagara.org/districtconference/reg.  On-Line Registration will CLOSE at 10:00 PM on Wednesday April 23, 2014.

 

 

RYLA Event:The District’s RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) committee is pleased to announce that RYLA will be taking place June 8-14 at SUNY, Fredonia. Don't miss the opportunity to send a candidate(s) to this exciting week-long leadership program for 19-25 year olds.

 

Ed S. sent out by email the 2014 application form, poster, and a document to provide members with some background information about RYLA. This information can also be found on the District’s website. The fee is $750 and the early bird(April 22, 2014)discounted fee is $675. Former exchange students, Rotaractors, and SLAPSHOT alumni make great candidates for RYLA.

 

A few clubs have been creative in funding this program. There are businesses, government organizations and charitable/not-for-profit organizations that have some bright, promising young people on staff demonstrating great leadership potential. Some of these organizations have gladly paid the fee for RYLA. It is an amazing deal for such a fantastic week-long leadership program.Check it out on the District website at www.rotary7090.org, click on New Generations/Youth Services or go to www.ryla7090.com.

 

Club Web Site Advertising: Did you know that advertising on the Club’s web site is $100/year, July 1 to June 30?   That’s approximately $0.27 per day, and is seen by everyone visiting the Club’s web page.  Pro-rata is also available.  Interested?  Ask Vern Anderson for the details and join other Club members who are already using this form of advertising ….helping their business and their Club.

 

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.  Ed S. will have each member’s membership number at the Club meetings for information and ease of reference.       Thank You! 

 

Program Schedule: The April 2nd issue of the Speakers’ Schedule was distributedby email to all members. We 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 February and the remainder of the 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?”

 

Future speakers: Discussions are taking place for speaking engagements with the following: Mark Thomas (Western Regional Director – NYS Parks); and Maria Lehman (Peace Bridge).

 

Meeting Attendance:  Ed S.reminded us that the Club’s and RI’s requirements are attendance at a minimum level of 50% of the scheduled meetings, which can also be met by make-ups at any of the District’s 69 clubs throughout the southern Ontario-western New York area. Attendance at Club and/or event committee meetings, Board meetings, and Foundation meetings also count to your attendance requirement.  If you do this, ensure that you receive a Make-Up post card from the Club that you visited which you will turn in to either Matt Balling or Vern Anderson.  Missing four (4) unexcused meetings in a row are the basis for RI membership termination.  If you have a Smartphone, there is a Rotary app that provides detailed information on each of the worldwide Rotary clubs, contacts, meeting location data, etc.

 

Ed S. also noted that members can make-up a meeting anywhere in the world and via the District’s new eClub (www.rotaryeclub7090.org), Rotary E-Club of SOWNY (Liz Kovacs, President of this Club will be our speaker on April 28). Be sure to let Vern Anderson know of your “attendance.”

2014 Calendar Marks:

Club:June 2nd – Mix ‘N Mingle (Williamsville is the Host Club); June 18th– our 14thStrawberry Festival; August 10th – Classic Car Show; September 22nd– the Club’s 3rdAnnual Golf Outing.

 

Other Rotary Club Events:Rotary Club of Amherst / May 9, 2014 – Sproktoberfest 2014; Kenmore Rotary / May 14, 2014 – Beer & Wine Tasting; Niagara-on-the-Lake / May 25, 2014 – 23rd Annual Garden Party & Shaw Theatre Event; Rotary Club of Lancaster-Depew / August 11, 2014 – Jack Newhouse Memorial Golf Classic. Materials and flyers for these events were distributed previously by email to all members.

 

District:April 25-27th – SLAPSHOT; May 3rd – District Assembly; June 8-14th – RYLA Event; October 25-26 – The Buffalo Bash Event –District Conference /// (See District 7090 web page--http://www.clubrunner.ca/portal/home.aspx?did=7090--for details on all District events.)

 

Fines:  Tim Henderson, Fine Master.

·        Bob Chur – leaving early $1.00

·        Pins and badges

·        No badge – Doug Littlewood

Happy Dollars:

·        Matt Balling – sister-sun room?

·        Rodger Gross – sad dollar – missed the Wine Party

·        Frank Ralabate – car keys were locked in the car at the Wine event – made the Rotarians walk in the Snow to their cars – also gave the attendant a big tip!!!!

·        Tony Cangialosi going to Florida

·        Rickey Lincoln – presented the scholarship check to the Amherst Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, April 6th

   

We missed you this evening: 

Vern Anderson, Ron Axelrod,  Kathy Behan, Mary Biddle-Widman,  Mike Burns,  Shirley Carnall, , Vicki D’Angelo,  Steve Dyson,  Kevin Flint,  Bruce Luksoc,  Mike Prinzback, Jim Rumsey, Michael Sirianno, Gary Skalyo, Mark Storch,