Stories

The Rotary Club of Williamsville has installed its 2016-2017 Club officers and Board of Directors at its installation dinner meeting at Milos Restaurant.  The international organization founded in Chicago in 1905 received its charter in 1925.  

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•    Book sales and Events for all ages and interests.

Ron Papa is President of National Fire Adjusters,Inc. He earned the prestigious designation of Senior Professional Public Adjuster. He is accredited by the National Association Of Public Adjusters ( NAPIA), of which he is Past President.  He was named Person of the Year by NAPIA in 1996 for outstanding leadership. He is a 1974 graduate of Niagara University.

Ron Papa spoke about his company, National Fire Adjusters, Inc. NFA  adjusters represent those who have sustained an insured loss. They handle every detail of the claim.working closely with the insured to provide the most equitable and prompt settlement possible. NFA inspects the loss site immediately, analyzes damages, assembles claim support data, reviews the insureds coverage, determines current replacement costs and exclusively serves the client. They work for the insured, not the insurance company.

This week’s speaker (March 16, 2015) was Phyllis DePronio of the Buffalo & Erie County Workforce Development, Inc.

Phyllis DePronio began her career at the Buffalo & Erie County Workforce Development Consortium in 1999 as a Support Aide, moving into an IT position and most recently into the Business Service Department, marketing WDC services to local businesses.

The Business Services Division of the Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Development Consortium (WDC) offers a wide range of employer services designed to assist you in developing and maintaining a highly skilled and competitive workforce. These services are funded through your tax dollars and are made available to you at no cost.

She is a retiree of the New York Air Force Air National Guard located in Niagara Falls, and is a graduate from Buffalo State College with a Masters in Adult Education.

Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Development Inc.

Pledge:                        Tim Henderson

4- Way Test:                Adam Guglielmi

Invocation:                  Joe Fiorella   

Fine Master:                Paul Banas

50/50 Tickets Sales:    Frank Ralabate             

 

Visiting Rotarians:      Herb Schmdt, Tom Gross

Guests: None           

 

50/50 Ace of Hearts Ticket Sales and Balance:  Starting Balance: $441.00. Today’s Collection $47.00 Ending Balance. $488.00 Joe Fiorella picked up the king of spades and donated it back.

Program:

Adam Guglielmi gave his classification talk by introducing himself and his family history to the group. Part of a close knit family, his grandparents had a significant influence on his upbringing and family life. Adam journey through college and a couple of different career paths eventually led him to banking, where he is now successfully meeting his goals and enthusiastic about his contribution to the Rotary. Adam is soon to become a father and still continues to maintain his interests in American history. One of the things that he thinks is missing in our education curriculum is a solid civic lesson.

Announcements: 

Gary S. gave a short introduction to facebook and its value in raising awareness of the Williamsville Rotary Club

Tom Gross mentioned how his Rotary club pays for pushing their facebook page up in the search stream.

President Behan asked if anybody is interested in the chili cook off. Some members expressed an interest to participate.

Next week’s speaker is Amherst Town Judge Geoffry Klein.

Rotary Leadership Institutions sessions are coming up. If anybody is interested the club can sponsor them to attend.

Wine celebration still being worked on.

The meeting concluded at 7:25 pm.

We missed you:  Ronald Axelrod, Mike Burns Mary Biddle-Widman, Tony Cangialosi, Kevin Flint, Bruce Lucsok, Mike Prinzbach, Ed Rath, Larry Read, Jim Rumsey, Edward Stachura, Mike Sirriano, Bill Thuman, and Richard Wojtowicz.

  As America's Premier Health Advocate Dr. Derek Alessi's core belief is that health and fitness are not a result of gimmicks, hype or the latest butt buster. Instead they are achieved by understanding the physiological complexities of the body and the synergistic role that the right kinds of exercise along with supportive nutrition can play in unlocking the healthy body that is inside every one of us. Concerned with the shape of today's youth, Dr. Alessi is now conducting seminars for concerned parents who would like to know more about the complexities of helping their children lead a healthy life in today's challengeing environment. He has also opened a private practiced called Alessi Fitness for Kids that works with children between the ages of 5-13 and their parents.

INFO TO FOLLOW

Amherst Town Justice Geoffrey Klien shared his career experiences with the group. Judge Klein progress walked the audience through his journey into Marine Corps, State Trooper, Law School and eventually in the role as Amherst Town judge. The audience asked various questions about the type and volume of cases handled by the department through its drug court, veterans court, gambling and other court cases. Judge Klien indicated that his success relied heavily on the team of excellent staff that worked with him.

Pledge:                        Roger Gross

4- Way Test:                Larry Reed

Invocation:                  Joe Fiorella    

Fine Master:                Paul Banas

50/50 Tickets Sales:    Vern Anderson              

 

Visiting Rotarians:    

Guests:                        Greg Berwick

 

50/50 Ace of Hearts Ticket Sales and Balance:  Starting Balance: $488.00. Today’s Collection $27.00 Ending Balance. $515.00 Bob Klein picked up the Jack of Spades and donated it back.

Program:

Amherst Town Justice Geoffrey Klein shared his career experiences with the group. Judge Klein progress walked the audience through his journey into Marine Corps, State Trooper, Law School and eventually in the role as Amherst Town judge. The audience asked various questions about the type and volume of cases handled by the department through its drug court, veterans court, gambling and other court cases. Judge Klein indicated that his success relied heavily on the team of excellent staff that worked with him.

Announcements: 

The group agreed that 2/16/14 will be a regular meeting day and that no special valentines day dinner will be arranged. Too short a time frame plus not enough interest and presence on that day.

Wine celebration is on for Friday April 17^th. Please mark the day.

For those interested in the Chili cook off it must be done in a professional kitchen. A photo and certificate of the kitchens credibility needs to be provided. .

Next week’s speaker is Rob Wallace of Canterbury Woods a new project at Gates Circle in Buffalo.

Rotary Leadership Institutions sessions is on March 1^st at NCC. If anybody is interested please let President Behan know.

Mrs. Tim Henderson will take on Catherine Dulmus’s role for Libby.

The meeting concluded at 7:30 pm.

We missed you:  Ronald Axelrod, Mike Burns Mary Biddle-Widman, Tony Cangialosi, Joseph Catherine, Victoria D’Angelo, Stephen Dyson, Kevin Flint, Adam Guglielmi, Tim Henderson, Mike Prinzbach, Norman Mattar, Ed Rath,, Jim Rumsey, Mike Sirriano, Edward Stachura, Thomas Vacanti, and Richard Wojtowicz.

This week’s speaker was Saira Hasnain from University at Buffalo. The focus of her presentation was Information Technology Infrastructure specifically as it pertains to higher education. The presentation included some facts and figures about UB’s computing infrastructure and services supported by the infrastructure team of the Computing and Information Technology division at UB. As an introduction Saira summarized her education and career journey both prior to and since migrating to USA. Informational video clips about the role of technology in our life and the challenges facing IT leaders in higher education included the following:

Did you know? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrJjfDUzD7M

Did you know with a higher education slant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czQXbv7jqKk

Educause Top 10 IT issues 2014: http://vimeo.com/88781096

 

Rotary Club of Williamsville Weekly Meeting – January 5, 2015 / Start 6:15 pm

Pledge:                        Michael Sirianno

4- Way Test:                Frank Ralabate

Invocation:                  Mike Burns

Fine Master:                Mike Prinzbach

50/50 Tickets Sales:    Deferred to Next week           

 

Visiting Rotarians:      Paul, Dianne and Cindy from the Buffalo Club

Guests:                        None

 

50/50 Ace of Hearts Ticket Sales and Balance:  Starting Balance: $315.00 Ending Balance. $315.00. Ticket sale deferred to following week.

Program:

This week’s speaker was Saira Hasnain from University at Buffalo. The focus of her presentation was Information Technology Infrastructure specifically as it pertains to higher education. The presentation included some facts and figures about UB’s computing infrastructure and services supported by the infrastructure team of the Computing and Information Technology division at UB. As an introduction Saira summarized her education and career journey both prior to and since migrating to USA. Informational video clips about the role of technology in our life and the challenges facing IT leaders in higher education included the following:

Did you know? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrJjfDUzD7M

Did you know with a higher education slant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czQXbv7jqKk

Educause Top 10 IT issues 2014: http://vimeo.com/88781096

Announcements: 

Our colleague Richard Wojtowicz is recovering slowly and steadily. Please keep him in your prayers.

Please get your dues in if you have not already done so. The club relies heavily on the timely payment for the continuation of its activities.

Next week’s speaker will be Marlene Killian. She will be giving her classification talk

There were several late and happy fines and general round of Happy New Year fines.

The meeting concluded at 7:25 pm.

We missed you: Vern Anderson, Ronald Axelrod, Mathew Balling, Kathy Behan, Mary Biddle-Widman, Joe Catherin, Robert Chur, Lee Broad, Tony Cangialosi, Victoria D’Angelo, Catherine Dulmus, Marlene Killian, Norman Mattar, Ed Rath, Larry Read, Jim Rumsey, Mark Storch, and Richard Wojtowicz.

Pledge:                        Vern Anderson

4- Way Test:                Mike Burns

Invocation:                  Joe Fiorella   

Fine Master:                Joseph Catherine

50/50 Tickets Sales:    Frank Ralabate            

 

Visiting Rotarians:      None

Guests:                        None

 

50/50 Ace of Hearts Ticket Sales and Balance:  Starting Balance: $174.00 Ending Balance $259.00. Saira Hasnain drew the 2 of Diamond and donated it back.

Program:

This week’s speaker was Ms. Sandy Starks from the Forest Lawn Cemetery. Her presentation titled “Symbols in the Forest Lawn Cemetery” was an interesting depiction of the history of the cemetery along with the stories of various prominent personalities that Buffalo has the privilege of having as tenants in this cemetery. For a summary of the history please review https://forest-lawn.com/page/history/. Ms. Stark’s talk covered the contributions of Erastus Granger and Charles Clark in the development of the cemetery. Historically significant monuments include Red Jacket, the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic), Millard Fillmore (President), Louis Blanchard Bethune (first woman architect), Sarah Hinson (started flag day exercises) and Darwin Martin. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Blue Sky Mausoleum (http://www.blueskymausoleum.com/) is a huge attraction at the cemetery. Interesting trivia about the mausoleum is that there are 24 spots available and 6 of them were pre-sold before the mausoleum was fully functional. Ms. Stark’s talk ended with the profound message that each tenant in the cemetery has a story and some of the stories are depicted through the displays on their final resting spots. Some are poignant and others funny. “To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die”. Let us each write our own story.

Announcements: 

Our colleague Richard Wojtowicz continues to remain in serious health condition. Please keep him in your prayers.

If you forgot to bring your angel gift please get it ASAP to Bill Thuman’s office. RBC Wealth Management 6225 Sheridan Drive.

Mrs. Littlewood has volunteered to co-chair the Holiday Party with President Kathy Behan and a local artist has been arranged for musical entertainment.

Wine celebration is on schedule for March 7^th, 2015 at Park Club.

President Behan requested John Crawford to invite the Interact Club to come and provide an update to our club.

Next week’s speaker will be President Kathy Behan.  She will provide an update on the state of the club as part of the club assembly session.

There were several late and missing pin fines.  Happy fines included success at the races and great trips by various colleagues in the past couple of weeks.

The meeting concluded at 7:25 pm.

We missed you: Ronald Axelrod, Mathew Balling, Lee Broad, Tony Cangialosi, Victoria D’Angelo, Catherine Dulmus, Kevin Flint, Ron Prazmark, Mike Prinzbach, Ed Rath, Larry Read, Jim Rumsey, Bill Thuman, and Richard Wojtowicz.

Sandy Starks is a graduate of Buffalo State College and has had a varied career. She worked for ten years in the wine and liquor industry in South Florida. She has also been a manager at Wegmans and was WNY Programs Coordinator for Roads Scholar (Formerly Elder Hostel). She has also worked as a tour guide and later became Interpretive Program Director at Forest Lawn Cemetery, a position which she now holds. Sandy coordinates and conducts programs, tours and presentations that highlight the beauty and history of Forest Lawn and Western New York.

 

Cemetary Symbols

Pledge:                        Bob Chur

4- Way Test:                Marlene Killian

Invocation:                  Lee Broad    

Fine Master:                No fines this week.

50/50 Tickets Sales:    Deferred.        

Guests: Ed Maliknowski

50/50 Ace of Hearts Ticket Sales and Balance:  $174.00(No sales or drawing this week)

Program:

This week’s speakers were Charles Kopp, President and Dal Giuliani, Executive Director of the Amherst Senior Citizens Foundation. (ASCF). The main goal of the ASCF is to do development efforts / fund raising in support of activities that support and supplement the Amherst Senior Center. They do not duplicate any services that are already provided. Totally run by volunteers except the Executive Director position they generated $50 k last year. The money was used for augmenting the senior center transportation to allow for shopping trips for home bound seniors Moneys were also provided to meals on wheels. Charles and Dal are raising awareness for ASCF through speaking engagements and also working on getting a NY State grant that will improve Axelrod,Bthe exercise facilities within the Amherst Senior Center. Charles shared some interesting stats and facts about the percent of aging population in Amherst and life expectancy through the 20^th and 21^st century.

Announcements: 

Our colleague Richard Wojtowicz is back in the hospital (Room 234A). Please visit or send him a card and keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Angel Wings gifts are due by December 1, 2014 meeting. Please either drop them off at Bill Thuman’s office or bring them to the December 1, 2014 meeting.

We have an opening in the speaker schedule for February 9^th and then we need speakers beyond March 30^th 2015

Boy’s and Girl’s club mentor volunteer forms are due. Please get those in if you are interested.

Need volunteers to help with the Holiday party. It will be at Milos on December 15^th.

Wine celebration is on schedule for March 7^th, 2015 at Park Club.

Next week’s speaker will be Sandy Starks. Topic will be the “Symbols in the Forest Lawn Cemetery”

WE missed you: Axelrod, Balling, Widman, Cangialosi, Catherine, Crawford, Dulmas, Dyson. Flint, Henderson, Lucsok, Mattar, Prinzbach, Ralabate, Rath, Read, Rumsey, Sirianno,Thuman, Wojtowicz.

The speakers on Monday night, November 24, 2014 were Dal Giuliani, Executive Director and Charles "Bud" Kopp, President of the Amherst Senior Citizens Foundation. (ASCF)

The Mission of the ASCF is to raise and distribute funds to support services and activities that promote the welfare and vitality of senior citizens in the Town Of Amherst.

The ASCF over the past 20 years has provided:

• a new computer lab at the Amherst Senior Center that features six computer station and free WI-FI access , allowing additional seniors to bring in their own laptops to help seniors to learn computer basics
• wired the Amherst Senior Center with free Wi-Fi access throughout the building
• a newly expanded gift shop offering more room for seniors to shop and maneuver  while enjoying a wider selection of merchandise
• funding for vans for Amherst Senior transportation
• financial support for Amherst Meals on wheels

Tax deductible donations may be made to:

Amherst Senior Citizens Foundation,Inc.

370 Audubon Parkway

Amherst New York, 14228-1142

 

 

Bob Klein was inducted into the Williamsville Rotary Club on Monday November 14, 2014. Bob is a Sales (Associate Broker) at Hunt Real Estate. Some of his past experience in service clubs and organizations are:

•  Variety Club of Buffalo; Past board member, Treasurer.
• Jewish Center of Greater Buffalo, Board Member.
• Institute of Management Accounts board member, Past President.
• Solar Liberty Foundation, Treasurer.

We welcome Bob to our club.

 

Lee Broad was our speaker on Monday night. Lee is a member of the Williamsville Rotary Club and the author of “The Masada Protocol. He spent the time discussing his book which was published in 2011. However, the story takes place in the year 2014. When reading the book, one cannot help but notice how the events compare to what is happening in world affairs today. The book was self-published and took six months to write.  Lee used the internet for much of his research of names and three military friends as advisors.

Lee has used the book as a fund raiser for the Polio Plus eradication program. He has visited numerous Rotary clubs and offered his book for a minimum donation of $15 to be donated to Polio Plus.

THERE WILL BE NO MEETING ON CHRISTMAS DAY DECEMBER 25, 2014

Lee will discuss his book.

 

• Pledge of Allegiance by:                        Thomas Vacanti
• Rotary  4-Way Test by:                           Mike Prinzbach
• Invocation by:                                           Joe Fiorella
• Fine Master:                                              Paul Banas
• 50/50 (Ace of Heart) Ticket Sales:     Edward Rath

Introduction of Visiting Rotarians and Guests:

• Martin Kelly
• Bob Klien(will be inducted next week)

Minor announcements; introduction of Guest Speaker:                Roger Gross

Guest Speaker; then closing remarks and token gift presentation; photograph:

• The title of Roger Gross’s presentation “A Glimpse of World War II Activity” was a trip down memory lane to honor our veterans. Roger used a power point presentation  of images around historical sites representing significant events of World War II that he and his son had visited some years ago. Of specific mention were events around Omaha Beach and Pegasus Bridge

Club Business:

• Ron spoke about the mentoring program with the Windermere School. There were several challenges with the past program although it was a very rewarding effort. It was recommended that we get involved with the Buffalo boys and girls club which is at Bailey and Oxford.  Last Wednesday Vern, Kathy and Ron met with the Buffalo boys and girls club and they approved to partner with our Rotary club for the upcoming school year for us to mentoring 7 – 10 kids. This will need 7 - 10 member of our club during the hours of 4-5. It is a very gratifying program. Children are from broken homes and single parents. Training will be provided. Clarence and Buffalo Rotary club have been involved in mentoring and a member of the Buffalo Rotary club has agreed to provide training. Ron has sign up forms. Please contact Ron if you are interested. There were 8 hands that went up on a call for it. Protocols have changed in the past 20 years and finger printing may be required.
• Richard has moved from suburban to Oakwood rehab center
• Angels for gateway Longview only 3 left and we need to drop of the gifts at 6625 Sheridan drive if we don’t bring them to the meeting.
• Holiday party is scheduled for December 15^th. Richard is working on some entertainment via phone.
• 7090 district newsletter. November 21^st is the dinner. Williamsville Rotary will have honorable mention.
• Ask David Colligan back
• We are going to get the presidents citation. We did qualify and the President and the Board thanks the club for its contribution

Fines:

• Several Happy fines for Rogers presentation
• Happy fines for Bobs award.
• Happy fine for Upcoming Europe trip
• No pin Fines
• Several happy fines honoring our veterans
• Showing up fine
• Celebrating life fine
• For good campaigns run
• Several happy happy fines
• Happy Trip to DC fine
• A good wedding fine.

Ace of Hearts (50/50) Raffle

• Starting 50/50 Amount:                $  77.00
• Today’s 50/50 Collection:              $  65.00
• Total in 50/50 Pot:                            $142.00
• Larry Reed pulled the three of hearts and donated it back. He got a consolation prize a gift card from Napolis which was a leftover from the Golf event.

Next Week’s speaker is:                               Lee Broad, Author of “The Masada Protocal”

We Missed You:  Ron Axelrod,Matt Balling, Mike Burns, Tony Cangialosi, John Crawford, Catherine Dulmus, Kevin Flint, Tim Henderson, Marlene Killian, Bruce Lucsok, Frank Ralabate, Jim Romsey, Mike Sirianno, Gary Skalyo , Richard Wojtowicz.

• The title of Roger Gross’s presentation “A Glimpse of World War II Activity” was a trip down memory lane to honor our veterans. Roger used a power point presentation  of images around historical sites representing significant events of World War II that he and his son had visited some years ago. Of specific mention were events around Omaha Beach and Pegasus Bridge

Meeting Call to Order / RING BELL:          6:20 p.m.

• Pledge of Allegiance by:                        Ed Stachura
• Rotary  4-Way Test by:                           Roger Gross
• Invocation by:                                           John Crawford
• Fine Master:                                              Mike Prinzbach
• 50/50 (Ace of Heart) Ticket Sales:     Adam Guglielmi

Introduction of Visiting Rotarians and Guests:   6:23 p.m.

• Ron Papa
• Two members from the Buffalo Rotary Club (Harold Ruslander & Barbara Campagna)

Minor announcements; introduction of Guest Speaker by sponsor:         David Colligan, Director ECHDC

Guest Speaker; then closing remarks and token gift presentation; photograph: 6:25 – 7:15 p.m.

• Paul Banas introduced the speaker:
  • Chairman of Launch New York.
  • 1 of 5 Directors of ECHDC.
  • 1 of 9 members of Advisory Committee for Outer Harbor
  • Past Chairman for Buffalo Olmstead Conservancy.
  • Past Co-chair of Re-Tree WNY.
  • Former member of Business Backs Bills.
• Longest serving member of the Board of the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation - waterfront development project.
• Governor Spitzer talked about the vision for the harbor in 2007
• This summer they reached over a million visitor mark.
• Guiding principles are important for this level of master planning
  • Is it pedestrian friendly and creates pride?
    • Accessibility (activating water’s edge, public use, welcoming)
  • Is it something to do every day?
  • Is it safe clean and neighborly?
    • design (seasons, green sustainable, community involvement)
      • Ice Skating is an example
      • Expecting to have a winter carnival there
  • Are there local business opportunities.
    • diverse use,
• Buffalo waterfront has 3 zones: Canal side, Outer harbor, Buffalo river/Ohio street
• Canal side is designed to be all walkable. All sorts of parking around for Sabres games etc.
• The Water side of the canal has been activated and there are several points of interest. (Queen City ferry, water ferry, there are potential 8 points to stop via the ferry). Skyway lighting is on the way. Permanent washrooms. There is a Beer Garden, Naval Museum with a restaurant. New restaurant coming up across Marine Drive.
• East of main street has a lot going on also. 1 canal side is one of the most attractive building in Buffalo. It has a hotel with valet parking. It is well landscaped and there is a Beer garden expected around the east of Main Street.
• Harbor center future plans are almost coming to completion. There was a Canisius College hockey game there last week.
• The future South AUD Block will have the Children’s museum located there.
• There is a “Sea of Change” down in the area around the AUD, east of Main Street and the water front.
• There are 10 spots where you can put a boat and light water vessels down in the Buffalo River.
• Buffalo’s Grain Elevator Map was shown and where the new solar plant is going to go and how it will look with lighting.
• Ambiance Design and Grain Elevator lighting will be done by next summer.
• Ohio Street Parkway a yellow brick road is under construction and is expected to be beautiful by next summer.
• The concept has sidewalk, thru traffic, planned buffer, bicycle path and pedestrian path. The goal is to get people out and walking in the city of Buffalo.
• Synergy exists because of the various things that are happening around the yellow brick parkway. Projects are being proposed around the work that is already being done around that area.
• Buffalo river works is the entertainment complex. This is where the pond hockey will happen.
• Buffalo rowing club will be located here.
• Buffalo River landing is not built as yet.
• Outer Harbor Commitment – New State Parks is already in works and the north side is being developed by ECHDC.
• Wilkeson Pointe is under construction. One of its features is the wind chimes. The wind chimes are rated to 120 mph.
• Outer Harbor housing will be serviced by a water taxy
• Good payback on the investment. $280 million in investment.
• Good press coming Buffalo’s way as a result of these developments.
• Brian Higgins was able to get 379 million and ECHDC was able to get the rest to make it about a billion dollars and that provided the opportunity to move things. It is not top down as much as things have been in the past.
• The way to support is to have 2000 housing units to pay for part of the ongoing maintenance cost and partly from the increase in tax base.
• There is no warm up hut close to the skating rink as yet. Harbor center is close by so people could go in there to warm up.
• There has been a lot of talk around Broadway Market and Chippewa Market potentially being moved down. There are a lot of opportunities around it but the Broadway Market is one that people do not want moved from its original location.  There is no current plans for a market at this time.
• Parking is available for a fee. ECHDC was going to build a parking ramp but it did not pan out for a variety of reasons.
• The future of skyway is unknown but it is expected that there will be a traffic calming aspect at the end of the skyway to bring the speed down and there will be through lanes.
• There is a location that could be a potential for the stadium however David did not have any inside information on it.

Dinner:                                 6:50 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Talk and Q&A continued through dinner.

Club Business:

• The Angels from Gateway-Longview are here. Please sign up and be generous.  We need the gifts by first week of December. Gifts can be brought to the meeting or be given to  Bill Thuman at RBC.
• The foundation will be meeting at Vicki’s office. This is a reminder and an open invite
• Wine Celebration will be on March 7^th, 2015 at Park Club.
• Application is available for those that want to go on a vocational training trip. The deadline to apply is November 7^th and the interviews are on November 15^th. It will be in St. Martins to teach sporting activities to young children.
• District Rotary Foundation meeting will be on November 21^st and the Williamsville club will be recognized for their contribution to the Polio Plus project.
• Please pay attention to the calendar that Doug is keeping up to date.
• The 50/50 pot has started all over as we had a winner last time.
• Please get in touch with Mathew if you can help with the Cub Scout veteran park trip issue.
• Lee Broad has stepped down and Gary Skaylo has accepted to step into that position.

Fines:

• Welcome fines (Bob)
• Tie Fine (Vern)
• No Pin fines (Steve)
• No Badge Fines (Steve)
• Cub Scout Veterans Park visit (Mathew)
• Happy Sabres win
• Happy Williamsville south win
• Happy Scotland trip
• Happy about the Angels program.
• Happy Ft Lauderdale trip and return.

Ace of Hearts (50/50) Raffle

• Starting 50/50 Amount:                $  0.00
• Today’s 50/50 Collection:              $77.00
• Total in 50/50 Pot:                            $77.00
• Gary Skaylo pulled the Ace of Spades and donated it back. He got a consolation prize a gift card from Napolis which was a leftover from the Golf event.

Next Week’s speaker is:                               Roger Gross, Vignettes of D Day.

7:32 PM - “Any other business for the good of Rotary?”  / Thank You for attending.  You could have been anywhere else, but you chose to be here, honoring your Rotary commitment.  / Close Meeting

Bell was promptly rung at 7:32 J

                Some of David Corrigan’s background  is as follows:

Chairman of Launch New York.

1 of 5 Directors of ECHDC.

1 of 9 members of Advisory Committee for Outer Harbor

Past Chairman for Buffalo Olmstead Conservancy.

Past Co-chair of Re-Tree WNY.

Former member of Business Backs Bills

• Buffalo waterfront has 3 zones: Canal side, Outer harbor, Buffalo river/Ohio street
• Canal side is designed to be all walkable. All sorts of parking around for Sabres games etc.
• The Water side of the canal has been activated and there are several points of interest. (Queen City ferry, water ferry, there are potential 8 points to stop via the ferry). Skyway lighting is on the way. Permanent washrooms. There is a Beer Garden, Naval Museum with a restaurant. New restaurant coming up across Marine Drive.
•  

 

David Colligan is the Director of the Buffalo Waterfront Development and will update us on what is going on there at our Monday November 3, 2014 Meeting.

THERE WILL BE NO MEETING NEW YEARS DAY JANUARY 1, 2015

Rotary Club of Williamsville

Meeting of 10/27/14, 2014-2015

6:15PM Meeting Call to Order / RING BELL

• Pledge of Allegiance by:                  Frank_Ralabate
• Rotary  4-Way Test by:                   Mike Prinzbach
• Invocation by:                                  Joe Fiorella
• Fine Master:                                     Bruce Lucsok
• 50/50 (Ace of Heart) Ticket Sales:             Adam Guglielmi

6:20 PM Introduction of Visiting Rotarians and Guests: None at the start of the meeting. Jim Smith (arrived towards the end of the speaker session. Had read about the speaker and wanted to check it out)

6:25  PM Minor announcements;  introduction of Guest Speaker Frank Kowsky  by sponsor.

6:30  PM – 7:10 pm - Guest Speaker ; then closing remarks and token gift presentation;  photograph

• Roger introduced the speaker. Francis Kowsky is SUNY Distinguished Professor Emeritus. For many years, he taught the history of art and architecture at Buffalo State College. He has written books and articles on 19^th century American architects. The New York Times called his book Country Park and City: The Life and Architecture of Calvert Vaux “a handsome effort to rescue from comparative oblivion the architect who shared – sometimes more than equally – with Frederick Law Olmsted in the design of Central Park and other New York amenities. His book The Best Planned City in the World: Olmsted, Vaux and the Buffalo Park System (University of Massachusetts Press and the Library of American Landscape History, 2013) examines the celebrated urban park plan that the designers of Central Park created for Buffalo in 1868-1870 and the 30 years association that Frederick Law Olmsted and his firm had with the Great Lakes city. Frank Kowsky has been a member of the New York State Board for Historic Preservation and has prepared many nominations for listing buildings in the National Register of Historic places.  His book illustrates the development, details and synergy by which the Olmsted park system of the City of Buffalo was designed.  The author was interested in parks and Olmsted and when he came to Buffalo, it was an opportunity to pursue this interest by writing the book.
• The Buffalo Park system is in the national register. Calvert Vaux discovered Frederick Law Olmsted.
• Olmstead tried to find himself and had various vocation until Calvert Vaux told him that he had a talent for designing landscapes and he partnered with Olmstead to win the competition for the design of New York’s Central Park. The philosophy behind it was that people in cities needed a place which gave them a country type landscape and experience to come together and relax in.
• Olmstead and Vaux also designed Prospect Park as their second endeavor.
• William Dorsheimer in the summer of 1868 invited Olmstead to Buffalo. Vaux was in Europe at that time. Olmstead recommended 3 parks for 3 different perspective:
  • Delaware Park was created similar to Central Park,
  • The parade, also called the Humboldt Park, and currently Martin Luther King Jr. Park; was created for socializing and sports.
  • The third park was for access to the waterfront which is why it was called the Front Park. All 3 parks were connected by parkways and the drive around the parkway to all 3 parks totaled 6 miles.
• The Delaware Park was at its peak during 1901.
• The Parade was a symbol for providing a place where anybody irrespective of their social status could came and join in the social activities of the community. As such there was a big dance hall created in this park. This only lasted for 30 years but due to a fire and a little bit of beer drinking on Sundays it was not considered totally kosher to continue. Humboldt parkway was at one time a globally renowned street but it has decayed now. There are plans to redo it on top of the expressway and turn the expressway into a tunneled road.
• Front Park has pretty much depleted due to a variety of reasons including all the roads and heavy traffic around it. The noise pollution as a consequence of the resulting traffic is also quite high in that area.
• The parks had different paths for horse riders, vs cars vs pedestrian. The American Elm was chosen as the tree of choices and they have been replanted several times.
• When the book was being published they took some current photos and Gates Circle which still looked similar to how it was planned originally.It was an interesting challenge to get the shot from the roof of one of Kalieda Health’s property.
• After Olmstead’s death in 1904 Frank Lloyd Wright built the Darwin Martin House in Parkside.
• The title of the book came from a quote from Olmstead.
• The cemetery forest lawn was already present in 1868 when Olmstead came to Buffalo.
• The golf course came into play around 1916.
• The presentation was full of pictures of before and after views of the three parks through the various stages of the parks lives in the past century.

6:50 – 7:10  PM Dinner :  Continued through the talk.

7:10  Club Business

• Upcoming Events (as needed)
  • Kathy gave an update of the Buffalo Bash
  • Ed Stachura spoke about where we are with the presidential citation
    • Need 90 points
    • 3 categories
      • Membership = 30 points
      • Service = 30 points
      • Family of Rotary = 30 and we have 5 in this category.
      • There are ways for us to make some extra points by participating in a Rotary Day or Host a Rotary Day.  We should review the spreadsheet provided and be ready to discuss next week of what we would like to do. Must be submitted by March 31 and we have 5 months to accomplish the goals. Can the car show be a rotary day? It is a possibility because it has two clubs sponsoring it and the Rotary banner is displayed as well as a Rotary table is setup. Ed will review this as a submission.
    • Vern’s 34^th anniversary of joining rotary is today.
    • Lee Broad has stepped down as president elect due to some personal reason. Gary Skalyo has been appointed by the board as president elect and he has accepted.
    • Coming up November 21^st is the rotary foundation dinner. It is a Friday night and event. People who are active in the district get awards by the Rotary during this event..
    • Our colleague Richard had successful surgery and we should keep him in our thoughts and prayers. Send a card or visit as you are comfortable.
• Committee Reports (as needed)
• Fines
  • Fines for not paying attention to the Introduction of the Speaker (Joe, Mike)
  • Survival of pie weekend (Mike)
  • Marlene came in second in her age Division while running a Marathon.
  • Late fine (Norm, Bob)
  • Lack of pin fine
  • Several family related happy fines.
  • Clean bill of health fine (Vern)

7:32  PM - Ace of Hearts (50/50) Raffle

Starting 50/50 Amount:                $___609_____________

Today’s 50/50 Collection:              $____68_____________

Total in 50/50 Pot:                            $___677_____________

Adam Guglielmi pulled the Ace of Heart and won $338. He donated $38 back to the club and will be issued a check for $300.

Next Week’s speaker:  David Colligan Will provide an update on the waterfront development

7:35 PM - “Any other business for the good of Rotary?”  / Thank You for attending.  You could have been anywhere else, but you chose to be here, honoring your Rotary commitment.  / Close Meeting  

RING BELL:  Bell was promptly rung at 7:35 J

 Francis Kowsky is SUNY Distinguished Professor Emeritus. For many years, he taught the history of art and architecture at Buffalo State College. He has written books and articles on 19^th century American architects. The New York Times called his book Country Park and City: The Life and Architecture of Calvert Vaux “a handsome effort to rescue from comparative oblivion the architect who shared – sometimes more than equally – with Frederick Law Olmsted in the design of Central Park and other New York amenities. His book The Best Planned City in the World: Olmsted, Vaux and the Buffalo Park System (University of Massachusetts Press and the Library of American Landscape History, 2013) examines the celebrated urban park plan that the designers of Central Park created for Buffalo in 1868-1870 and the 30 years association that Frederick Law Olmsted and his firm had with the Great Lakes city. Frank Kowsky has been a member of the New York State Board for Historic Preservation and has prepared many nominations for listing buildings in the National Register of Historic places.  His book illustrates the development, details and synergy by which the Olmsted park system of the City of Buffalo was designed.  The author was interested in parks and Olmsted and when he came to Buffalo, it was an opportunity to pursue this interest by writing the book.

 

ROTOSCOPE  OCTOBER 20, 2014

Meeting of 10/20/14, 2014-2015

6:15PM  Meeting Call to Order / RING BELL

• Pledge of Allegiance by __Tim  Henderson____________________________________________
• Rotary  4-Way Test by ___Mike Burns _______________________________________________
• Invocation by _______Joe Fiorella                                                ____________________________
• Fine Master ­­__Paul Banas__________________________________________________________
• 50/50 (Ace of Heart) Ticket Sales  ____Adam Guglielmi__________________________________

6:20 PM – Introduction of Visiting Rotarians and Guests ____Ed Maliknowski (Guest)_______________

6:25  PM - Minor announcements;  introduction of Guest Speaker Joe Demarco (Wings)  by sponsor.

6:30  PM > 6:50pm - Guest Speaker ; then closing remarks and token gift presentation;  photograph

• Joe Demarco Founder & Pilot – Website www.wingsflight.org for more details
• Joe was a co-pilot with Dr. D’Angelo and mason contractor by profession. Once he saw the impact of these flights it was a turnaround moment for him and he gave up his contracting business to focus on wings.
• Wings is run by donations and volunteer pilots.
• Wings has two planes (one courtesy of Ingram Micro) and some of the pilots have their own planes.
• They fly patients as well as families up to a 2 hour flying radius. Beyond the 2 hour radius they work out a link service and work with other pilots to get the patients closer to their destination.
• Mostly handle cancer and transplant patients who cannot user commercial airline services either due to immune deficiency, financial constraints or in the case of transplant patients time sensitivity to organ availability.
• All they require is proof of a valid appointment and a doctor’s release  that it is ok for the patient to fly.
• For legal and liability reasons they ask the patient and family to sign a liability waiver.
• They do not charge as compared to mercy flights which does have a per trip charge. Wings is a free service and solely dependent upon their fund raising and donations.
• There is a fund raiser for wings on November 7^th. Information can be found on the wings website.

6:50 PM -  Dinner

7:10  Club Business

• Upcoming Events (as needed)
  • Buffalo bash is next week. Only thing Rotarians have to pay for is the meals. Please register as the organizers are looking for a head count for the meals. Let President Kathy Behan know if you are planning to attend. A reminder was sent, please check on the web for more details
  • The Rotary Leadership Institute sessions are coming up. Details about these are present on each of the tables.
  • There is a Holiday open house tour by the Niagara on the Lake rotary. Details present on the tables.
  • There is a Dinner in Rochester on October 27, 2014. We did not get the notice till Friday. Ron Axelrod encourages us to participate. If intending to participate please mail Kathy
  • Wine tasting event/fund raiser is scheduled for March 7 at Park Club.
  • Please say a prayer for our colleague and friend Richard Wojtowicz who is currently under treatment at Millard Suburban.
  • We will be getting 30 angels for the holiday gifts for the children of gateway.
  • We have 50 of the 100 points required to get a president citation. Reading to the children at bornhava is worth 10 points and highly fulfilling activity (as experienced by those that have participated in this activity)
  • Holiday dinner thoughts. Would like to do it at Milos. Get a committee to organize. Scheduled for 12/15. No meetings on 12/22 and 12/29
  • Marlene’s presentation to stay scheduled for 1/12
• Committee Reports (as needed)
• Fines
  • Many happy fines for Roger
  • Late fine (Norm)
  • No Pins (Mike)
  • Happy visits (Paul, Victoria, Doug)
  • Scholarship and awards for family member (Frank)
  • Happy to complete two moves (Adam)
  • Happy to be back (Lee)

7:20  PM - Ace of Hearts (50/50) Raffle

Starting 50/50 Amount:                $___564_____________

Today’s 50/50 Collection:              $____45_____________

Total in 50/50 Pot:                            $___609_____________

                                Paul Banas drew the ace of spades and donated the proceeds back to the pot.

Next Week’s speaker is __Frank Kowsky, Author, “The Best Planned City in the World - Buffalo

• Wings-Flights of Hope was founded by Joe DeMarco
• Joe was a co-pilot with Dr. D’Angelo and mason contractor by profession. Once he saw the impact of these flights it was a turnaround moment for him and he gave up his contracting business to focus on wings.
• Wings is run by donations and volunteer pilots.
• Wings has two planes (one courtesy of Ingram Micro) and some of the pilots have their own planes.
•  

This week’s speakers from the new Independent Health Association (IHA) Family Branch YMCA location (Tech Drive adjacent to Erie Community College were introduced by John Crawford.  Will Gallagher, V.P. Operations further introduced Steve MacAller, Executive Director.

Synopsis highlights of MacAller’s presentation (which was supported by PowerPoint slides):

• YMCA founded in London, England in 1844 by George Williams
• Boston 1851;  Buffalo 1852
• Summer Camp 1886 (Camp Dudley) at Lake Champlain
• YMCA has 21-million (+/-) members (men, women, children)
• Largest provider of child day care
• MacAller  is originally from California, moved to Rochester, NY before coming to Buffalo
• Former positions with YMCA: Counselor, Life Guard, Director

Facts about the IHA-YMCA location:

• Opened January 14, 2013
• 8,000 member units (this equates to about 17,000 +/- individuals
• 19 full-time staff, 200 part-time
• Board management of 20 individuals
• 92,000 square feet of building complex, which also includes 9,000 SF used by Buffalo Rehabilitation for physical therapy treatment
• 2 swimming pools – zero depth entry to allow for ease of access by mobility constricted individuals;  and a 25-yard, 6-lane pool
• 5 locker rooms (includes one assigned for families
• 2 aerobic studios
• Wellness Center, which includes a free health and wellness consultation
• Participating with health insurance companies for membership discounts, incentives ( Independent Health, Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Univera Health
• Buffalo YMCA conducts an annual campaign to assist in its mission to provide YMCA benefits to those who may not have the full financial resources to pay the YMCA member fee
• About 1 in 4 need assistance in the Y’s summer program:  1 in 3 for other programs

MacAller provided his business card to the Club, which also has an invitation to a tour of the YMCA  facilities.                                            

 

Steve McAller, Executive Director and Will Gallagher, Vice President Operations

Hillside is an evidence-informed partnership model for youth at risk of dropping out.

For the past 27 years Hillside work Scholarship Connection has earned national recognition as a leading solution to the dropout crisis, delivering consistent measurable results for school districts and their students in the areas of high school graduation, college and career readiness and employment.

For the 2012-2013 school year more than 3,2000 students participated in the program. The results and community impact are compelling.

• 96 % of Hillside work-scholarship Connection students employed with job partners graduated on time.
• 589 students graduated on time in 2012-2013.
• 58% of Hillside work scholarship Connection students entered college immediately following graduation, continuing on the path toward becoming independent, contributing members of our community, delivering consistent
• 477 of Hillside Work-scholarship Connection youth successfully earned their Youth Employment Training Academy (YETA) certification througe HW-SC's Jobs Institute Program and were employed part time in year around positions, together earning approximately $2,050,000 in annual taxable wages to help support the local economy and their dreams for college.

Saria Hasnain was installed as a member of our club at Monday night's meeting on October 6, 2014.

The Annual Williamsville Rotary Golf Outing will be held on September 22, 2014

Where: Glen Oaks Golf Course at 715 Smith Rd. East Amherst, NY.

Registration: 11:00 AM till Noon.

Tee Time: 1:00 PM.

Cost: $100 per person includes greens fees & cart. Also includes lunch, steak and chicken dinner. (Mulligan tickets for sale).

Prizes: 1st and 2nd place teams, longest drive and closest to the pin.

A PORTION OF THE PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT THE WNY CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION.

Mail checks payable to Rotary Club of Williamsville, c/o  Schunk wilson & Co., CPA. 701 Seneca Street, Suite 604, Buffalo NY, 14210.

Those who are not golfing are WELCOME and encouraged to attend.  

The last two years, those who have gone, experienced a wonderful meal, many laughs and camaraderie!

Dinner is $40.00 per person.  Cocktails are not included but are available. 

Please reply to me if you are coming  no later than Thursday September 18th by 5:00pm.

Our  Speaker for 9/15/14 was Chris Jacobs,Erie County Clerk. Jacobs’ has taken a solutions-oriented approach to the Clerk’s Office. He has demonstrated the power of partnership in tackling long term problems plaguing the office. Most notable was his effort to correct the crisis in the Clerk’s Land Records Division-where all real estate transactions are recorded in Erie County. Upon taking Office, he quickly discovered a crisis, resulting in over one hundred thousand critical deed and mortgage documents un-returned to citizens and over $3 million dollars of un-cashed checks languishing in un-opened mail bins. To resolve this crisis, Jacobs’ immediately created a task force to identify short and long term solutions to the crisis. He closed his first year in office with a $2 million dollar surplus.

Some other things he spoke about were;

Veterans benefits provided be Erie County such as an identification card used for store discounts.

County DMV offices and the need to register at local offices to receive part of the fee rather than the NY State office

The ability to close mortgages via the internet rather than having to go downtown.

The cooperation between the clerks office Auto Bureau) with UNYTS.

Three new members were inducted into the Williamsville Rotary Club on Monday night, September 8, 2014. Pictured from left to right are Tom Vacanti, Paul Banas sponsor of Joe Catherine and Adam Guglielmi sponsored by Richard Wojtowicz. Welcome gentlemen.

John Chairello is a training Instructor at the Erie County Law Enforcement Training Academy and was our speaker on September 8, 2014. He showed a power point presentation with regards to game concessions rules and policies as they pertain to carnivals and fairs. He pointed out some of the scams that are used to defraud contestants such as;

Basketball hoops which are too small for the ball to pass through or hoops rims that are oval shaped or tilted to one side.

Bottles that are weighted which makes it almost impossible to knock them off of the table with the baseballs.

Numerous other tricks that prevent contestants from winning prizes.

He also discussed the many rules and regulations governing the play of games. When rules are violated they are instructed to make the necessary corrections. If they repeat the violations, they can be ordered to shut down and possibly have the games and prizes confiscated.

 

 

James Bender Executive Director of Hearts and Hands an organization that provides in home service benefits to older adults was  our speaker at the August 25th meeting.  His organization offers benefits including but not limited to improving an older persons quality of life, enhancing their ability to live in their home of choice, maintaining and upholding their dignity and assisting the primary care givers. 

It is important to know what options families have for  relatives or friends. 

"Our services are delivered free of charge  through the best efforts of our dedicated volunteers. We are able to offer these services free of charge through the generous support of  the many Friends of Hearts and Hands like you, who believe in our Neighbor Helping Neighbor Volunteer Program."  A quote taken from the Hearts ad Hands press release package.

Some of their services include:

"Door through Door" transportation for medical appointments and routine errands.

:Phone Pal" and wellness checks.

In home supports: letter writing, bill paying, hair care and much more.

Routine house keeping.

Routine lawn care and snow removal

Minor handyman services.

The program is all volunteer and more information is available at (716) 406-8311.

The Classic Auto Show was held on Sunday August 10, 2014 from 8:00 am till 4:00 pm at the Northtown Center. (Formerly the Pepsi Center)

More Info to follow.

50/50 Ticket Sales: $286.00  collected by Paul Banas  and Lee Broad (again) drew the Queen of hearts $10.00 and donated it back to the Foundation

Visiting Rotarians:

Guests: Tom Vacanti guest of Kathy Behan –potential member   

 

PRESIDENT’S COMMENTS:

Great car show yesterday.

Need speakers for future meetings

Reminder: the next event is the Golf event 9/22/2014. We have posters to put up in businesses.

Rotary days-Bison’s Ball Park 8-23-2014.

Rotary Governor visit is August 18, 2014. There will be a 5 PM Board  meeting with the Governor.

 Please, let’s have 100% attendance of our membership for the Governor’s visit.

SPEAKER:

Ronald Talboys, President of Habitat for Humanity-Buffalo. Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1985. By the end of 2012, they will have built 235 houses in the Buffalo area. Over 90 cents of every dollar contributed is used to build houses. At Habitat, we believe everyone deserves a safe, secure home. Any family that cannot obtain a conventional mortgage, but can afford low-cost housing and is willing to complete 500 hours of “sweat equity” is eligible. These new homeowners pay no interest on their mortgage, which is held by Habitat/Buffalo, and the money is used to build even more houses.

Habitat worldwide has completed/restored more than 500,000 houses. They are the 6^th largest homebuilder in the U.S. and the largest not-for-profit homebuilder. There are more than 1,500 affiliates in the U.S.

There are 40 families on the waiting list. Houses are approximately $40,000 to $70,000. Failure rate is less than 2%. 1/3’s are new homes and 2/3’s are rehabs.

Announcements: 

.Joe Fiorella spoke about the Golf outing –portion of the proceeds to benefit the WNY Chapter of; American Diabetes Association. Event to be held September 22, 2014 at the Glen Oak Golf Course, 711 Smith Road in East Amherst. Joe spoke about the various levels of sponsorship.  Registration at 11:00 – noon, tee time at 1:00 pm-$100 per person includes green fees and cart; lunch, steak & chicken dinner at the banquet.

Rickey Lincoln spoke about the Car Show on August 10^th   The show was a great success. Many new cars registered and we received many positive comments. Richard thanked all fellow Rotarians that helped with the show before and during the event. Special thanks to (my wife) Diane and Ed Stachura and the volunteers from the YES program and the Youth Foundation that handled the food and the basket raffle. The show is getting bigger and better do to all our members taking part in this event. Mark Brice, a licensed FAA pilot from Buffalo Aerial Pictures created a video of the show. Richard again thanked all fellow Rotarians that participated in the car show event. Presidents Kathy and Katie did a great job in judging and picking out the car that received the Rotary President’s Trophy.

REMEMBER: if you are unable to attend, District 7090 has over 65 clubs where make-ups can be completed; you may use Board meeting and Community Service volunteering as make-ups and the eClub is accessible at www.rotaryeclub7090.org. Rotary Club of SOWNY.

Future speakers:

08/18/14:  DISTRICT GOVERNOR ‘S VISIT-Jack Amico

2014 Calendar Marks:

 September 22^nd– the Club’s 3^rdAnnual Golf Outing.

 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:  Mike Burns, Fine Master

Roger Gross – Tour of Forest lawn-oldest son will receive a Paul Harris award 8/18

And celebrated his 63^rd wedding anniversary

Lee Broad – not at the car show

General fine for anyone not at the car show

Norman Mattar-late

Tony Cangialosi-late

Vicky D’Angelo – not at the car show in Alaska

Joe Fiorella – car show

Mike Prinzbach – car show

Gary Skalyo – car show

We missed you this evening: 

Bill Thuman. Bob Chur, Catherine Dulmus, Jim Rumsey,  Mary Biddle-Widman, Michael Sirianno,   Bruce Lucsok, Ed Rath, Kevin Flint, Larry Read, Ron Prazmark, Ronald Axelrod, Stephen Dyson

Our Speaker for Monday Night 8/11/2014 was Ron Talboys, President of Habitat For Humanity Buffalo. Some highlights are as follows:

The organization was founded in Americus, Georgia where the organizational headquarters are maintained.

There are more than 1500 affiliates in the United States.

Currently, Habitat operates in 84 countries around the world.

They have completed over 500,000 houses worldwide.

Habitat is the sixth largest homebuilder in the US and is the largest not for profit homebuilder .

Habit Buffalo was founded in 1985

By the end of 2012, they have built 235 houses in the Buffalo area

Over 90 cents of every dollar contributed is used to build houses.

Their biggest need is volunteers to build the houses. One third of the houses are new builds and two thirds are rehabs.

 

 

The Classic Auto Show will be held on Sunday August 10, 2014 from 8:00 am till 4:00 pm at the Northtown Center. (Formerly the Pepsi Center)

Speakers on Monday night, 8/4/2014 were Alex Arthur and Kelly Murello from the American Diabetes Association.

• The purpose  of the ADA is to support people with diabetes with education covering all things related to diabetes.
• They operate Camp Aspire in Rush NY which allows nearly 200 children to experience traditional camping activities.
• The youngsters get to swim, rock climb more of camp life experiences.
• They learn valuable skills in learning to care for their diabetes.
• Nutrition,exercise and medical sessions are cleverly presented so children experience a positive attitude about living with diabetes.
• The ADA subsidizes 50 % of the camp fees for each child through numerous fund raising events.
• Two of the fund raising events are the Tour de Cure and the Step Out Walk to cure diabetes.

For more information, contact The American Diabetes Association at americandiabetesassociation.com

50/50 Ticket Sales:  Not drawn.

Visiting Rotarians: None

Guests:         

• Ed Stachura’s Family:
  • Sylvia (wife)
  • Joelle Cavaretta (Daughter)
  • Charlie Cavaretta (Son-in-Law)
  • Taylor Cavaretta (Granddaughter)
  • Bennet Cavaretta (Grandson)
  • Jeffrey Stachura (Son)
• Cecilie Kragelund (our Inbound Rotary YE Student for this past year)
• Tom Behan (Kathy’s husband and Rotary Park Clean up Volunteer)
• Michelle Skalyo (Gary’s wife)
• Sarah Anderson (Vern’s wife)
• Diane Wojtowicz (Ricky Lincoln’s wife and Club Volunteer Extraordinaire)
• Sandy Fink (guest of Lee Broad)

Program:

This week’s meeting was the final meeting of Ed Stachura as Club President.  A special menu for this event was coordinated by Richard Wojtowicz.

Ed awarded his officers and directors with mementos of his appreciation for their great service to him during his administration.

There were award presentations for:

• 2014 Rotarian of the Year: Lee Broad
• Special Achievement Award: Larry Read
• Paul Harris Fellow Award: Kevin Flint

Ed concluded his term with remarks that touched on why Rotary is important to him, what Rotary has accomplished and how he has enjoyed the honor and privilege of being the president of the Club for the past year. He also thanked several non-Rotarian volunteers: Diane Wojtowicz, Sarah Anderson, Connie Littlewood and daughters, and Tom Behan along with others who have jumped in to help this Club. He cited his wife Sylvia for acting as his sounding board, asking hard questions, providing thoughtful and relevant insight, and, most of all, lending her understanding, tolerance, and encouragement. In his final comment, he thanked Diane and Richard Wojtowicz for making the evening a great success.

Assistant District Governor Vern Anderson conducted the Induction ceremony for: New President Kathy Behan, 2014-2015 Club Officers, and 2014-2015 Club Board of Directors.

Cecilie Kraglund thanked the Club for sponsoring her and said farewell.

Announcements: 

Local Parades: We didn’t have time to organize and seek volunteers for this year’s Memorial Day Parade (5/25/14), but there is time for the next parade – Old Home Days Parade, July 8th at 6:00 PM.   We have the horizontal Rotary banner (9-foot x 3-foot) to carry and show off our Club.  The parade route is just under 1-mile in length from Williamsville South High School to Los Robles. Your thoughts ???  We need volunteers to sign up now if we are to do this!

Club Dues:  You should have received your invoice for the Club’s Semi-Annual dues of $100.   If not, see the Club’s Treasurer.  Please note that from this amount the Club has to pay RI and District for your membership in RI.  Please pay your dues as soon as possible.  In addition to the standard forms of payment (cash or check) credit/debit cards are also taken for payment.

Club’s Facebook Page:  Take a look at the Club’s Facebook page developed by Gary Skaylo and “Like” our page.  (https://www.facebook.com/RotaryClubOfWilliamsville)

Pass this on to your family and friends and request a “Like.”

 Door: Matt Balling

50/50 Ticket Sales:  $493. Joe Fiorella drew the six of diamond sand won $6. He donated it back to the Club.

Visiting Rotarians: None

Guests: None

Program:

This week’s speaker was scheduled to be Suzanne Milton of Colonial Wines & Spirits.  Unfortunately she was delayed on important business in Albany, so we did not have a chance to hear her presentation.

 

Announcements: 

Strawberry Festival Event: This year’s 15th annual Strawberry Festival was again strongly attended by the community.  It is estimated that 500-750 attended this event.   Island Park was crowded with people, families with children of all ages for this family focused fun event.  Thank you to all Club members, family members of Club members, and volunteers ( see attached list) who showed up to help at this very labor intensive event.  As in the past, the weather for the event was super … sunny and warm.  Around 9:00 PM the rain started up again.

 

Local Parades: We didn’t have time to organize and seek volunteers for this year’s Memorial Day Parade (5/25/14), but there is time for the next parade – Old Home Days Parade, July 8th at 6:00 PM.   We have the horizontal Rotary banner (9-foot x 3-foot) to carry and show off our Club.  The parade route is just under 1-mile in length from Williamsville South High School to Los Robles. Your thoughts ???  We need volunteers to sign up now if we are to do this!

 

Club Dues:  You should have received your invoice for the Club’s Semi-Annual dues of $100.   If not, see the Club’s Treasurer.  Please note that from this amount the Club has to pay RI and District for your membership in RI.  Please pay your dues as soon as possible.  In addition to the standard forms of payment (cash or check) credit/debit cards are also taken for payment.

 

Club’s Facebook Page:  Take a look at the Club’s Facebook page developed by Gary Skaylo and “Like” our page.  (https://www.facebook.com/RotaryClubOfWilliamsville)

Pass this on to your family and friends and request a “Like.”

 

Rotary Park & Circle Clean Up: Eight Rotarians spent 3-hours on Saturday May 17th doing the annual cleaning up of Rotary Park & Circle.   With all the rain, and some warm weather, the weeds are back.  We need to again clean up the area, and will do this Saturday, June 28th at 9:00 AM.   With enough volunteers this should take about 1½ hours.

 

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.

 

Please see Ed or Vern Anderson for an EREY form whereby you can make this commitment for a tax deductible contribution (this is a 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 your information and ease of reference. Thank You!

 

We will assemble at Rotary Park on June 28th at 9:00 AM clean up the weeds that reappeared since our original cleanup. It should not take more thanan hour and a half or two at the most. The more Rotarians that show up, the quicker iy will go. Please help out.

We will assemble at Rotary Park on June 28th at 9:00 AM clean up the weeds that reappeared since our original cleanup. It should not take more thanan hour and a half or two at the most. The more Rotarians that show up, the quicker iy will go. Please help out.

This week’s speaker was David Rust, Executive Director from the Say Yes to Education organization.

The Buffalo community’s commitment to providing a tuition scholarship for a postsecondary education—be it a trade certificate, 2-year or 4-year degree— to every graduate of the city’s public and charter schools is what attracted David Rust to lead Say Yes to Education’s work in Buffalo since the Summer of 2012.

Since taking the post in Summer 2012, he has overseen the implementation of one of the most significant community transformation efforts undertaken in the region’s history.  Through leveraging the promise of the locally funded scholarship program, Say Yes Buffalo scholars are eligible to attend more than 100 private and public institutions, including Harvard, Duke, Medaille, Northwestern, the University at Buffalo, and many more.   Using the power of these free tuition scholarships, Mr. Rust’s team has brought together private and public sector partners to engage in action to reform the city’s public education system and how services and supports are delivered to low-income families.

Prior to joining Say Yes Buffalo, Mr. Rust served as Deputy Commissioner for Youth Services/Social Services for Erie County where he managed a staff of 120 with a $14-million budget, and a primary focus on juvenile detention and diversion services, runaway-homeless youth, and funding community based positive youth programs. He also served the Department of Social Services on numerous interdepartmental projects with county agencies such as Family Court, Mental Health and Probation, and numerous community based collaborations for youth.  

Prior to Erie County government, Mr. Rust was the program director for the Youth Character Development Foundation, a non-profit foundation of Dale Carnegie of WNY and also as associate director, dean of students and resident director for The Francis E. Kelly Oxford Program at Somerville College in Oxford, Great Britain.

He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University where he earned both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Business Administration Marketing/Management from the Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Mr. Rust also volunteers his time with numerous youth-based agencies throughout the City of Buffalo.

Highlights of his presentation included:

• Have raised $19 million for scholarships
• Say Yes to Education pays for tuition
• A wide range of institutions partner with Say Yes to Education, including UB, Buff State, RIT, RPI, and many Ivy League schools.
• Technical institutes are also part of the program
• Students have to meet the admission requirements of the partner institutions
• Students must meet the school’s requirements in terms of minimum QPA’s and behavior.
• The partnership with the Buffalo community is wide and deep with an Operating Board consisting of educational, political, and business leaders.

50/50 Ticket Sales:  $438. Doug Littlewood drew the two of clubs and won $2. He donated it to the Rotary Club Foundation.

Visiting Rotarians: None.

Guests: None.

 

Note: President-Elect Kathy Behan presided over the meeting in the absence of President Ed Stachura.

Program:

This week’s speaker was David Rust, Executive Director from the Say Yes to Education organization.

The Buffalo community’s commitment to providing a tuition scholarship for a postsecondary education—be it a trade certificate, 2-year or 4-year degree— to every graduate of the city’s public and charter schools is what attracted David Rust to lead Say Yes to Education’s work in Buffalo since the Summer of 2012.

Since taking the post in Summer 2012, he has overseen the implementation of one of the most significant community transformation efforts undertaken in the region’s history.  Through leveraging the promise of the locally funded scholarship program, Say Yes Buffalo scholars are eligible to attend more than 100 private and public institutions, including Harvard, Duke, Medaille, Northwestern, the University at Buffalo, and many more.   Using the power of these free tuition scholarships, Mr. Rust’s team has brought together private and public sector partners to engage in action to reform the city’s public education system and how services and supports are delivered to low-income families.

Prior to joining Say Yes Buffalo, Mr. Rust served as Deputy Commissioner for Youth Services/Social Services for Erie County where he managed a staff of 120 with a $14-million budget, and a primary focus on juvenile detention and diversion services, runaway-homeless youth, and funding community based positive youth programs. He also served the Department of Social Services on numerous interdepartmental projects with county agencies such as Family Court, Mental Health and Probation, and numerous community based collaborations for youth.

Prior to Erie County government, Mr. Rust was the program director for the Youth Character Development Foundation, a non-profit foundation of Dale Carnegie of WNY and also as associate director, dean of students and resident director for The Francis E. Kelly Oxford Program at Somerville College in Oxford, Great Britain.

He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University where he earned both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Business Administration Marketing/Management from the Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Mr. Rust also volunteers his time with numerous youth-based agencies throughout the City of Buffalo.

Highlights of his presentation included:

• Have raised $19 million for scholarships
• Say Yes to Education pays for tuition
• A wide range of institutions partner with Say Yes to Education, including UB, Buff State, RIT, RPI, and many Ivy League schools.
• Technical institutes are also part of the program
• Students have to meet the admission requirements of the partner institutions
• Students must meet the school’s requirements in terms of minimum QPA’s and behavior.
• The partnership with the Buffalo community is wide and deep with an Operating Board consisting of educational, political, and business leaders.

Announcements: 

Foundation Annual Meeting:  The Foundation’s Annual Meeting was held at this Club meeting. The Foundation’s Annual Report was distributed by Foundation President William Thulman and Vicky D’Angelo.  Discussion of the Report followed. There was also an election for members to the Foundation Board of Trustees, which was handled by Thulman and D’Angelo.

The terms of three existing members of the Williamsville Rotary Foundation Board expired at the end of the Foundation's fiscal year on April 30, 2014.  The terms which expired are for: Larry Read, Frank Ralabate and Mary Biddle-Widman.

The Foundation Board of Directors recommended that Frank Ralabate be re-appointed to serve another 3-year term on the Foundation Board in the category of a Board Member appointed by the Rotary Club Board of Directors.   Frank was re-appointed at the April 17, 2014 Board meeting.

The other two Foundation Board members were placed up for election at this Annual Meeting of the Foundation.  Those positions are as follows:  Larry Read, was elected to another 3-year term as a Past President of the Club; and Mary Biddle-Widman, was elected to another 3-year term as a member of the Club for over 10 years.

The current members of the Board of Trustees are: William Thuman, Lawrence Read, Vern Anderson, Michael Prinzbach, Frank Ralabate, Victoria D’Angelo, Robert Chur, Mary Biddle-Widman, and Ron Prazmark.

Visiting Rotarians: None

Guests:

• Chris Duquin, Trustee of the Village of Williamsville. He is the owner of Stevens Driving School and signed up as a Sponsor of the Strawberry Festival during the meeting!!!
• Michelle Perkins from Carrie Leed’s office
  
  This week’s speaker was Brian J. Kulpa, Mayor of the Village of Williamsville.  Brian is also an associate with the consulting firm Clark Patterson Lee, and President of the Association of Erie County Governments.  He is past Deputy Mayor and past Trustee for the Village.  Brian is a graduate of SUNY – Buffalo with a Bachelor and Masters in Architecture, and a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning.  With his background as an architect/planner he brings to his position as Mayor the required skill sets and focuses for maintaining Williamsville’s rich history while planning for the challenges of the future.  His vision for diverse improvements to the Main Street corridor is not without opposing discussion, but, as an elected leader, he understands the need to balance all views for the common interest and the quality of life in the Village of Williamsville. Brian, his wife Kate and two children enjoy the quality and opportunities of Village life.

Highlights of his presentation included:

• The Village is one square mile
• Getting out of the water business over the next 20 years
• Advantage of being small (and not merging with Amherst) is local control of zoning
• Discussed Street Scape:
  • Curb extensions (bulb outs)
  • H.A.W.K. signals for pedestrian crossings
  • No intention of restricting current traffic on Main Street
• More pocket parks, such as that next to the Library, will be developed
• A Village app for smart phones has been developed
• August 16^th will been the second Village Block Party on Main Street (Cayuga to Mill)
• Received a $2.5MM grant for Picture Main Street
  • Planning/ design this year
  • Construction by fall of 2015
• Discussed Water Mill and Spring Street
  • $800 grant for design
  • Need $2.4MM to complete Street Scape on Spring Street near Mill
  • Village intends to sell Mill to Sweet Jennies after Mill is rehabbed
  • Spring Street will be one-way off Main
  • Early 2015 for construction of enhancements to Spring Street
• S. Long Street/ Park
  • High priority for redeveloping
  • Highly industrial properties in residential areas
  • Sidewalks with no trees

Announcements: 

Youth Exchange: Lee Broad is looking for host families for our Inbound YE Student from Paraguay, Gabriel Yugovich for whom we also need a YE counselor.

Club’s Facebook Page:  Take a look at the Club’s Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RotaryClubOfWilliamsville) page that was developed by Gary Skaylo and “Like” our page.

Foundation Annual Meeting:  The Foundation’s Annual Meeting will be held on June 9, 2014. The Annual Report will be presented by Foundation President William Thuman. There will also be an election for Board Members to the Foundation Board.

Strawberry Festival Event: Planning has started for this year’s SF event (June 18^th    5:00 pm to 8:00 pm for guests) at Island Park.  Chairman Kevin Flint is seeking volunteers for the numerous planning activities.  On the day of the event, activities will begin in early morning picking up supplies, shucking strawberries, and setting up the Pavilion and the adjacent park. Clean up after the event will continue for at least 1½-hours after the closing of the event.

To make this event successful, this event, as all of our events, needs sponsors.   See 2014 Strawberry Festival Sponsor Program information sheet previously distributed by email to all members.

Rotary Park & Circle Clean Up: Seven Rotarians spent 3-hours on Saturday May 17th doing the annual cleaning up of Rotary Park & Circle.   A volunteer citizen, who just moved into the area from Georgia, also spent 1½ hours staining the two redwood benches.  The area looks great!!!!    Thank you to all who shared their time and helped to improve the area.

Our next activity at the site will be to spread some #1A stone over the area along the stone wall overlooking Ellicott Creek and in the area where there are stone steps.  With enough members, this should take 1-1½ hours.

Polio Plus – Your Donation Matters: Ed S. sent information from District 7090’s Polio Plus Chair previously by email showing what your donation to Polio Plus provides.  Every $1.00 you contribute becomes $3.00 thanks to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

From the initiative of Lee Broad and Mary Biddle-Widman’s Masada Protocol campaign, the sale of 75 books to date to the some of the District’s Rotary Clubs ($1,653) was matched ($3,305) by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to yield $4,958, which provides 8,263 vaccinations for children.

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.

Please see me or Vern Anderson for an EREY form whereby you can make this commitment for a tax deductible contribution (this is a 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 your information and ease of reference. Thank You!

Program Schedule: The April 10th issue of the 2013-2014 Speakers’ Schedule and the April 24^th 2014-2015 Schedule were distributed by email to all members.  We have openings for speakers for the 2014-2015 Club year. Doug Littlewood can provide you with the current schedule and available openings.  If you have a potential speaker, it is suggested that two (2) 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.  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).

Speaker for May 19 is Brian J. Kulpa, Mayor of the Village of Williamsville.  Brian is also an associate with the consulting firm Clark Patterson Lee, and President of the Association of Erie County Governments.  He is past Deputy Mayor and past Trustee for the Village.  Brian is a graduate of SUNY – Buffalo, with  a Bachelor and Masters in Architecture, and a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning.  With his background as an architect/planner he brings to his position as Mayor the required skill sets and focuses for maintaining Williamsville’s rich history while planning for the challenges of the future.  His vision for diverse improvements to the Main Street corridor is not without opposing discussion, but, as an elected leader, he understands the need to balance all views for the common interest and the quality of life in the Village of Williamsville. Brian, his wife Kate and two children enjoy the quality and opportunities of Village life. 

 This week’s speaker was John J. Hurley, president of Canisius College. Mr. Hurley became president of Canisius College on July 1, 2010. He is the first lay president in the Jesuit College’s 142-year history.

A 1978 alumnus of Canisius, President Hurley served from 1997-2010 as executive vice president of the college and vice president for college relations. In these positions, he oversaw the college’s advancement operations, which included development, public relations, alumni relations, government relations and community relations. He also managed institutional strategic planning, integrated marketing, and legal and compliance issues. In addition, he served as secretary to the Canisius College Board of Trustees.

President Hurley played a significant leadership role in the college’s $142 million capital investment in the campus and also negotiated the college’s acquisition of the Health-Now building on Main Street, which has been converted into the newly opened Science Hall.  He is the architect of the college’s innovative Employer Assisted Housing program, which offers employees grants in the form of forgivable loans to assist them with the purchase of homes near the college’s central Buffalo campus.

A native of Buffalo, President Hurley is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute in Kenmore; Canisius College (BA 1978 summa cum laude, English/history); and the University of Notre Dame Law School (JD 1981) on full scholarship.  He practiced law for 16 years, including 13 years at the Buffalo firm of Phillips, Lytle, Hitchcock, Blaine & Huber, where he concentrated his practice in the areas of secured lending, bankruptcy and insolvency, creditors’ rights and acquisitions of troubled companies.  He was an associate in a Chicago law firm from 1981-1984 before returning to Buffalo to take a position as an associate (1984-88) and then partner at Phillips Lytle, et. al. from 1989-97.

Bishop Edward U. Kmiec appointed President Hurley to serve on the Fidelis Care New York Board of Directors, a health maintenance organization that serves the poor in New York State. He and his wife, Maureen, are chairs of the Bishop’s Council of the Laity for the Diocese of Buffalo. President Hurley is also a member of the Buffalo Philharmonic Board of Trustees, and past national chair of the Jesuit Advancement Administrators, a professional association of advancement professionals serving Jesuit higher education in the United States. He served on the city of Buffalo’s Charter Revision Commission and is past president of the St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute Board of Trustees.

Highlights of his presentation included:

• Lay president searches for Catholic colleges and universities began in the 1970’s
• Larger picture for colleges:
  • Uncertainty over government funding because of the federal attempt to implement accountability with a one-size-fits-all scorecard
  • Concerns of the public over the increasing cost of higher education
  • $1,000,000,000,000 in student loan debt currently outstanding now exceeds all other consumer debt except mortgages
  • The number of high school graduates has declined 16% in New York State.
• Need to balance good fundamentals of higher education with the need to show “value” to students and parents
• Canisius needs to focus in an area of strength:
  • Concentrate less on content and more on how to assess and deal with content
  • This means knowing how to think critically and what constitutes wisdom

This week’s speaker was Tim Herzog, founder of the Flying Bison Brewing Company.  Tim grew up and attended schools in Rochester, NY.

He graduated from Buffalo State College and started his career as an Art teacher in the Buffalo School System.

While teaching he took on several jobs working in restaurants and bars.  During that time he took up the hobby of brewing beers at home.

In 2000, he turned his hobby into founding a "full fledged" micro brewery....Flying Bison Brewing Company locating his brewery in the Riverside section of Buffalo.  Having outgrown their existing building, Flying Bison Brewing announced they will be moving into a larger facility in Buffalo's Larkinville community this spring.

Tim has been married for 33 years and has 2 sons.

Highlights of his presentation included:

• Graduated from Buffalo State with a degree in art education.
• Started brewing in 1991, at which time there were a total of 49 breweries in the entire US.
• By contrast, in 2000 there were 50 breweries in NYS alone; 151 by the end of 2013
• Buffalo Brewing Company opened in 1990
• Buffalo is the highest per capita consumer of beer in NYS, followed by Albany. Both have large European ancestry bases, especially German and Polish—BIG beer consumers.
• There are 1700 on-premise licenses in Erie and Niagara counties.
• Prohibition had major impact on economy—major job losses not only at the breweries and distilleries, but suppliers, restaurant workers, etc.
• Principal ingredients: malted barley, hops, water, and yeast
• Only difference between ale and lager are the yeasts, which are active at different ambient temperatures.
• Both ales and lagers can be produced that are heavy/ light, dark/ light, etc.—it is a matter of how they are brewed.
• In 1900, the amount of beer produced in Buffalo would have taken six minutes to flow over all the major waterfalls in the US!!
• A key is cycled through production, into distribution and back in 7 days.

50/50 Ticket Sales:  $297   Joe Fiorella drew the three of clubs and won $3. He donated it back.

Visiting Rotarians: None

Guests: None

Program:

This week’s speaker was Tim Herzog, founder of the Flying Bison Brewing Company.  Tim grew up and attended schools in Rochester, NY.

He graduated from Buffalo State College and started his career as an Art teacher in the Buffalo School System.

While teaching he took on several jobs working in restaurants and bars.  During that time he took up the hobby of brewing beers at home.

In 2000, he turned his hobby into founding a "full fledged" micro brewery....Flying Bison Brewing Company locating his brewery in the Riverside section of Buffalo.  Having outgrown their existing building, Flying Bison Brewing announced they will be moving into a larger facility in Buffalo's Larkinville community this spring.

Tim has been married for 33 years and has 2 sons.

Highlights of his presentation included:

• Graduated from Buffalo State with a degree in art education.
• Started brewing in 1991, at which time there were a total of 49 breweries in the entire US.
• By contrast, in 2000 there were 50 breweries in NYS alone; 151 by the end of 2013
• Buffalo Brewing Company opened in 1990
• Buffalo is the highest per capita consumer of beer in NYS, followed by Albany. Both have large European ancestry bases, especially German and Polish—BIG beer consumers.
• There are 1700 on-premise licenses in Erie and Niagara counties.
• Prohibition had major impact on economy—major job losses not only at the breweries and distilleries, but suppliers, restaurant workers, etc.
• Principal ingredients: malted barley, hops, water, and yeast
• Only difference between ale and lager are the yeasts, which are active at different ambient temperatures.
• Both ales and lagers can be produced that are heavy/ light, dark/ light, etc.—it is a matter of how they are brewed.
• In 1900, the amount of beer produced in Buffalo would have taken six minutes to flow over all the major waterfalls in the US!!
• A key is cycled through production, into distribution and back in 7 days.

Announcements: 

Youth Exchange: Lee Broad is looking for host families for our Inbound YE Student from Paraguay, Gabriel Yugovich. We also need two YE counselors: one for our Outbound YE Student, Libby Overfield, who is going to Germany; and another for Gabriel.

E-Club: From last week's meeting an overview of the E-club and how to sign-in for meeting attendance credit to your home (Williamsville) club was sent to all members in an email.

Letter from RI President Ron Burton:  Ed S. forwarded a letter from Ron Burton regarding Comely Bank, Paul Harris’ home previously to all members by email.   There is an RI initiative to preserve this residence.  What do you think?

Club’s Facebook Page:  Take a look at the Club’s Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RotaryClubOfWilliamsville) page that was developed by Gary Skaylo and “Like” our page.

Foundation Annual Meeting:  The Foundation’s Annual Meeting will be held on June 9, 2014. The Annual Report will be presented by Foundation President William Thuman. There will also be an election for Board Members to the Foundation Board.

Strawberry Festival Event: Planning has started for this year’s SF event (June 18^th    5:00 pm to 8:00 pm for guests) at Island Park.  Chairman Kevin Flint is seeking volunteers for the numerous planning activities.  On the day of the event, activities will begin in early morning picking up supplies, shucking strawberries, and setting up the Pavilion and the adjacent park. Clean up after the event will continue for at least 1½-hours after the closing of the event.

Rotary Park & Circle Clean Up: As the weather is improving and getting warmer our annual spring clean up for Rotary Park & Circle is to be scheduled.  The date is Saturday- May 17^th at 9:00 AM.  This work should take about 3+/- hours to complete, and can be less with full Club member participation.  Inclement weather date is May 24^th. Volunteers are requested to bring their own gardening/landscaping tools.  We need a wheel barrel to haul the mulch!!!

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

50/50 Ticket Sales:  $143.   Joe Fiorella drew the seven of something and won $7. He donated it back.

Visiting Rotarians: None.

Guests: None.

 

Program:

This week’s speaker was Club Member Catherine N. Dulmus, PhD., LCSW-R who is Professor, Associate Dean for Research, Director for the Buffalo Center for Social Research at the University at Buffalo, School of Social Work and Co-Director of the UB/Amrita Social and Behavioral Sciences Research Institute housed at Amrita University in Kerala, India.  Her presentation will be an overview of the profession of social work, how she found her way to this profession, and what her current job entails.

 

She also serves as Research Director at Hillside Family of Agencies (HFA) through an innovative research partnership she developed between HFA and the University at Buffalo. This vibrant research partnership garners the strengths and assets of both partners to realize a true research to practice and practice to research agenda.

 

Dr. Dulmus received her baccalaureate degree in Social Work from Buffalo State College in 1989, a master’s degree in Social Work from the University at Buffalo in 1991, and a PhD degree in Social Welfare from the University at Buffalo in 1999.   Her research focuses on child mental health, serious mental illness, evidence-based practice and community-university

research around the world. In 2014 she was elected to the National Academies of Practice and the Social Work Academy as a Distinguished Scholar & Fellow. Prior to obtaining her PhD Dr. Dulmus’ social work practice background encompassed almost a decade of experience in the fields of behavioral health and school social work.

 

Highlights of her presentation included:

·         Levels of degrees in social work: BSW, MSW, DSW, Ph.D.

·         Social work is growing at 25% per year.

·         Social workers are employed in many sectors of the economy.

·         Social workers are the fastest growing group of mental health workers.

·         Catherine engaged in a variety of practical experiences to support her desire to teach with real world views.

·         She has focused on research.

·         Use of psycho-tropic drugs is a driver behind a 25-year differential in life expectancy (i.e., lower) notwithstanding benefits of being able to function in society.

·         Has a research partnership with Hillside Family of Agencies in Rochester to provide critical focus to her work.

Announcements: 

Club’s Facebook Page:  Take a look at the Club’s Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RotaryClubOfWilliamsville) page that was developed by Gary Skaylo and “Like” our page.

 

Foundation Annual Meeting:  The Foundation’s Annual Meeting will be held on June 9, 2014.  The Annual Report will be presented by Foundation President William Thulman.

 

District 7090 Annual Fund Report:  The April 16th status was distributed to each table for members’ information / review.

 

Meeting Attendance Option:  Mark April 28^th 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 3^rd, 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.

 

Strawberry Festival Event: Planning has started for this year’s SF event (June 18^th    5:00 pm to 8:00 pm for guests) at Island Park.  Chairman Kevin Flint is seeking volunteers for the numerous planning activities.  On the day of the event, activities will begin in early morning picking up supplies, shucking strawberries, and setting up the Pavilion and the adjacent park.  Clean up after the event will continue for at least 1½-hours after the closing of the event.

 

Rotary Park & Circle Clean Up: As the weather is improving and getting warmer our annual spring clean up for Rotary Park & Circle is to be scheduled.  A date is Saturday- May 17^th at 9:00 AM.  This work should take about 3+/- hours to complete, and can be less with full Club member participation.  Inclement weather date is May 24^th.

 

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. The Club has one (1) current applicant.

 

This week’s speaker was Pat Herberger, President of Herberger Consulting Group and Independent Associate for LegalShield^SM.   She consults with executives and human resource professionals on identity theft, data breaches, related compliance issues and solutions, and has achieved the designation of Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist.  She has BS and MBA degrees from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

 

Pat has appeared on television programs including Crossroads, and Conversations with NYS Senator George Maziarz.   She also filmed a special program on Identity Theft for the Government and Media News Network, which ran for 7 weeks in the WNY area.  Pat has presented programs to CPAs, HR professionals, business owners, the NYS government, retired law enforcement, teachers, and numerous other organizations.

 

Prior to becoming President of Herberger Consulting Group, she was the V.P. of Human Resources for FedEx Trade Networks, and worked for 25 years in the Human Resource field.   She presented many training, compliance and personal development workshops to employees and management.

 

Pat is a member of InfraGard (a group affiliated with the FBI), Buffalo Niagara Human Resource Association, National Association of Women Business Owners, Amherst Chamber of Commerce, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, and is a Board Member and Immediate Past President of the Board of Directors for the Buffalo/Niagara Sales and Marketing Executives.  

 

She resides in Porter, NY with her husband Tom.

 

Highlights of her presentation included:

·        Discussion of the “heartbleed” virus

·        Lots of ID theft in trying to sign up for Obamacare

·        Discussed the wide array of ID theft types

·        Particular focus on being aware of ATM scams

·        Covered how to protect from ID theft

Announcements: 

Club’s Facebook Page:  Take a look at the Club’s Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/RotaryClubOfWilliamsville) page that was developed by Gary Skaylo and “Like” our page.

 

Club Board Meeting: The Club’s monthly Board of Directors meeting will be held on Thursday, April 17^th at 8:00 AM at the offices of the Amherst Industrial Development Agency, 4487 Main Street, and corner of Main/Berryman.   This is just west of Amherst Central High School, and across from Daemen College.

 

Foundation Annual Meeting:  The Foundation’s Annual Meeting will be held on June 9, 2014.  The Annual Report will be presented by Foundation President William Thulman.

 

Glen Park / Rotary Park:  A draft procedure was distributed previously by email to all members for the 2014 clean-up and maintenance of Rotary Park-Rotary Circle for Club member review / comment / recommendations / suggestions.  Any review comments?  The Board will act on this procedure at the April 17^th meeting.

 

Meeting Attendance Option:  Mark April 28^th 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

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 30^th 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

·        4^th 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 28^th 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 3^rd, 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.

 

Good Morning – Common Core Learning Standards? Testing?  School Taxes?  School Security? Future Consolidation Potential?  Universal Pre-K?   State Assessment Results?  Sit 'n Stare?  Graduation Rate?  Future Outlook for Education? Electronic Teaching Tools? Etc.  ---

 

Ask the questions, hear the answers.  This week’s speaker is Scott G. Martzloff, Ed.D., Superintendent of the Williamsville Central District (WCSD), the Town of Amherst’s largest.  WCSD encompasses 40 square miles (parts of Amherst, Cheektowaga, Clarence), has over 10,200 students K>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 30^th at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens the Award of Excellence for school superintendent’s 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.

 Door: Matt Balling

50/50 Ticket Sales:  $110.  Gary Skalyo drew the ten of clubs and won $10. He donated it back.

Visiting Rotarians: None

Guests: None 

 

Program:

This week’s speaker was Barry Weinstein, M.D., Supervisor, Town of Amherst.  Dr. Weinstein, a family practice physician and attorney, has a long history of public service including: 14 years on the Williamsville School Board, where he also served as President; 10 years representing the 15^th District in the Erie County Legislature; and as an Amherst Council member. He is in his 2^nd consecutive 4-year term as Town Supervisor, being first elected to that position in 2009.   Dr. Weinstein has been recognized for his firm stance against property tax increases, his “no nonsense” attitude, and his public accessibility.

Dr. Barry’s election focus mantra was fourfold. First, reduce the size and cost of government and lower taxes. Second, apply creative solutions to Amherst’s flooding, sinking homes, deer and sidewalk problems.  Third, modify rezoning regulations to increase development and revitalization of commercial areas.   Fourth, reform Amherst government including downsizing the Town Board and redefining and restructuring the Town’s branches of government to improve efficiency.  He also is a board member of the Amherst Industrial Development Agency (AIDA) and the Erie County IDA. 

Dr. Weinstein and his family have been residents of the Town for almost 40-years.

Highlights of his presentation included:

·        In first 3 years as Supervisor, Town expenses decreased.

·        Privatized composting (losing $400M per year; sold for $1.5MM) and the Amherst Museum (Town still provides a subsidy)

·        Wastewater treatment facility is a top issue:

o   Built in the late 70’s with a useful life of 30 years

o   Town was cited for adding too much 0₂ to water

o   Put $28MM in the facility over last 4 years; no end in sight for need to invest

o   Capacity is 125 million gallons per day (up from 36 MGD in 1999); big rains tax that capacity; normal demand is approx. 25 MGD.

·        Collective bargaining with 5 unions is another challenge

o   Have instituted a 2-tier wage and benefit structure

o   Just completed binding arbitration with the Police Department

·        Third major challenge is litigation—Wehrle Drive incident in 2006/7. Judgment for $31MM, reduced on appeal to $17MM. Major struggles with AIG, the insurer.

·        Discussed Hyatt Place—probably behind us

·        Banners over Main Street—probably not going to be permitted for a long time, if ever, because of injury accident in 2012.

·        Westwood CC was bought by speculators and they have revised the Club. They are drafting a proposal to develop: commercial space, hotel, housing.

·        Relocation of Town Hall is dead—too expensive

o   May take over library next door (library is run by County, but the building is owned by the Town).

Announcements: 

Annual Celebration:  The date is Saturday – March 29, 2014, 7PM-10PM at the Park Country Club.  Tickets for the event have been distributed to members for both the Event tickets at $35.00 each and the Grand Prize Raffle Drawing / Wegmans Groceries for 1-year ($35.00 per raffle ticket).   Mark your calendars to attend this major  

Club Meeting Date Policy: At the 03.20.2014 Board meeting the attached 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 28^th 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 3^rd, 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 Preliminary 3/6/14 Program, Workshops, Topics sent by Ed S. to all members by email.

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.

 

·        Richard W.--$1, great AYF dinner

50/50 Ticket Sales:  $110.  Gary Skalyo drew the ten of clubs and won $10. He donated it back.

Visiting Rotarians: None

Guests: None  

 

Program:

This week’s speaker was Barry Weinstein, M.D., Supervisor, Town of Amherst.  Dr. Weinstein, a family practice physician and attorney, has a long history of public service including: 14 years on the Williamsville School Board, where he also served as President; 10 years representing the 15^th District in the Erie County Legislature; and as an Amherst Council member. He is in his 2^nd consecutive 4-year term as Town Supervisor, being first elected to that position in 2009.   Dr. Weinstein has been recognized for his firm stance against property tax increases, his “no nonsense” attitude, and his public accessibility.

Dr. Barry’s election focus mantra was fourfold. First, reduce the size and cost of government and lower taxes. Second, apply creative solutions to Amherst’s flooding, sinking homes, deer and sidewalk problems.  Third, modify rezoning regulations to increase development and revitalization of commercial areas.   Fourth, reform Amherst government including downsizing the Town Board and redefining and restructuring the Town’s branches of government to improve efficiency.  He also is a board member of the Amherst Industrial Development Agency (AIDA) and the Erie County IDA. 

Dr. Weinstein and his family have been residents of the Town for almost 40-years.

Highlights of his presentation included:

·         In first 3 years as Supervisor, Town expenses decreased.

·         Privatized composting (losing $400M per year; sold for $1.5MM) and the Amherst Museum (Town still provides a subsidy)

·         Wastewater treatment facility is a top issue:

o   Built in the late 70’s with a useful life of 30 years

o   Town was cited for adding too much 0₂ to water

o   Put $28MM in the facility over last 4 years; no end in sight for need to invest

o   Capacity is 125 million gallons per day (up from 36 MGD in 1999); big rains tax that capacity; normal demand is approx. 25 MGD.

·         Collective bargaining with 5 unions is another challenge

o   Have instituted a 2-tier wage and benefit structure

o   Just completed binding arbitration with the Police Department

·         Third major challenge is litigation—Wehrle Drive incident in 2006/7. Judgment for $31MM, reduced on appeal to $17MM. Major struggles with AIG, the insurer.

·         Discussed Hyatt Place—probably behind us

·         Banners over Main Street—probably not going to be permitted for a long time, if ever, because of injury accident in 2012.

·         Westwood CC was bought by speculators and they have revised the Club. They are drafting a proposal to develop: commercial space, hotel, housing.

·         Relocation of Town Hall is dead—too expensive

o   May take over library next door (library is run by County, but the building is owned by the Town).

Announcements: 

Reminder: No Club meeting next week, March 31.

Annual Celebration:  The date is Saturday – March 29, 2014, 7PM-10PM at the Park Country Club.  Tickets for the event have been distributed to members for both the Event tickets at $35.00 each and the Grand Prize Raffle Drawing / Wegmans Groceries for 1-year ($35.00 per raffle ticket).   Mark your calendars to attend this major Club event date.  As Tim would say, to “break even” on the Wegmans prize alone, we need to sell a minimum 148 tickets.”  If each member sold 10 (actually 8, since the member and wife or significant other would be 2 of the 10), the Club would have net proceeds from this alone of $12,250.   This would provide approximately $7,000 for Club donations.   If 15 tickets per member were sold, this would increase to $13,175.  Sponsor donations would further enhance the “donation pool.”  Wegman’s and Global Wines and Spirits are two sponsors to date.  To see the impact of ticket sales, sponsors, etc., see the “What if ….”   Analysis sent by email to all members and the event goal. SELLING ALL 400 PRINTED TICKETS WOULD HAVE A NET $$$ EFFECT FOR CLUB DONATIONS ON THE ORDER IN EXCESS OF $20,000 --- 3X’s the impact of doing just the minimum.   Please, Go Out and Sell Those Tickets!!!!

 

WINE WALL DONATIONS NEEDED!!!!! Tonight was the last night to bring a bottle of wine or a gift certificate (UP TO $25.00 in value). If you have not done so or If you have any questions, please E-mail Carolyn Leed at Carolyn@cleedlaw.com.  If you would prefer to make a cash donation towards the Wine Wall, Carolyn would be happy to make the purchase of bottles of wine or gift certificate(s) on your behalf.   Thank you for your generosity!

 

Club Meeting Date Policy: At the 03.20.2014 Board meeting the attached 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.

 

Rotary Leadership Institute:  RLI will be meeting March 29, 2014 from 8:00 AM until 4:00 PM at the Niagara Community College (3111 Saunders Settlement Road, Sanborn, NY).   Information can found at the District web site http://www.clubrunner.ca/portal/home.aspx?did=7090.  Course materials can be found at http://rlifiles.com/ for Parts I, II and III of the RLI courses.  Sign up for the course is accomplished on the above noted District web site.  The Club will reimburse to you the $65.00 fee.  Please confer with a Club Board member if you are interested in attending. Materials were distributed previously by email to all members.

 

SLAPSHOT Event: For youths aged 15-18.   Do you have an interested candidate?  Since the SLAPSHOT event (April 25-27, 2014) is in Canada, the candidate must have either a current U.S. Passport or a NYS Enhanced Driver’s license for entry into Canada (Ancaster, Ontario) and back into the U.S.  SLAPSHOT = Student Leadership Award Program for Students High On Training. Registrations must be in by 3/31/2014.

 

Meeting Attendance Option:  Mark April 28^th 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.

 

This week’s speaker was Barry Weinstein, M.D., Supervisor, Town of Amherst.  Dr. Weinstein, a family practice physician and attorney, has a long history of public service including: 14 years on the Williamsville School Board, where he also served as President; 10 years representing the 15^th District in the Erie County Legislature; and as an Amherst Council member. He is in his 2^nd consecutive 4-year term as Town Supervisor, being first elected to that position in 2009.   Dr. Weinstein has been recognized for his firm stance against property tax increases, his “no nonsense” attitude, and his public accessibility.

Dr. Barry’s election focus mantra was fourfold. First, reduce the size and cost of government and lower taxes. Second, apply creative solutions to Amherst’s flooding, sinking homes, deer and sidewalk problems.  Third, modify rezoning regulations to increase development and revitalization of commercial areas.   Fourth, reform Amherst government including downsizing the Town Board and redefining and restructuring the Town’s branches of government to improve efficiency.  He also is a board member of the Amherst Industrial Development Agency (AIDA) and the Erie County IDA. 

Dr. Weinstein and his family have been residents of the Town for almost 40-years.

Highlights of his presentation included:

·         In first 3 years as Supervisor, Town expenses decreased.

·         Privatized composting (losing $400M per year; sold for $1.5MM) and the Amherst Museum (Town still provides a subsidy)

·         Wastewater treatment facility is a top issue:

   Built in the late 70’s with a useful life of 30 years

   Built in the late 70’s with a useful life of 30 years

This week’s speaker was David C. Dean, M.D. who will present the Pros and Cons of the Affordable Care Act (“Obama Care”).  The winners and losers of the ACA will be discussed by Dr. Dean, whose specialty is Interventional Cardiology and who is also Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Internal Medicine. He is a graduate of the John Hopkins School of Medicine and had residency at Boston Medical Center, Strong Memorial Hospital, West Roxbury VA Hospital, and Massachusetts General Hospital.  He is associated with Millard Fillmore-Suburban Hospital.

The ACA was signed by the President on March 23, 2010 and will change the way all of us will experience health care in the U.S. The legislative bill has had a rough rollout, as it was passed by the House by 5 votes, and survived the challenge in the Supreme Court by 1 vote.

The major goal of ACA is to insure the estimated 50-million Americans who do not presently have health insurance. This group is too rich for Medicaid, too young for Medicare, and not rich enough to afford private health insurance when it is not provided as an employment benefit.

The need for the ACA was prompted by the facts that health care in the U.S. trails far behind the rest of civilized world …. life expectancy is lower (i.e. lower than Cuba), the U.S. infant mortality rate is higher than many countries, and the U.S. per capita expenditure on health care is the highest in the world and continually climbing.

 

Highlights of his presentation included:

·         Voting history—not one Republican voted in favor of ACA

·         25 states with Republican governors have refused to increase Medicaid or set up exchanges.

·         Reviewed the troubled roll-out of ACA

·         16% of the population of the US is uninsured

·         Many uninsured are covered by other means, e.g., military personnel, veterans, American Indians, and prisoners

·         The ACA has a multi-year timetable

·         Individual mandate tax increases to greater of $695 or 2.5% of AGI to a max. of $2,085

·         2012 Poverty Levels:

o   1 person--$11,170

o   2 people--$15,130

·         20 new taxes:

o   Tanning salons—10%

o   Tax on medical devices

o   New 3.8% unearned income tax

o   40% tax on “Cadillac” health plans

o   Tax on use of HSA to buy OTC drugs

o   Deductibility of medical expenses limited to amount over 10% of AGI, up from 7.5%

Door: Matt Balling

50/50 Ticket Sales:  $663. Lee Broad drew the ace of hearts and won $331.50 He donated it to Rotary Polio Plus.

Visiting Rotarians:

·         Julie Pankow, Past President, Amherst South

·         Lee Abell, financial advisor at Merrill Lynch and friend of our speaker.

·         Akhtar Mirza, Past President of the Rotary Club of Grand Island

 

Guests: Gary Bird, UB professor and friend of our speaker.

 

Program:

This week’s speaker was David C. Dean, M.D. who will present the Pros and Cons of the Affordable Care Act (“Obama Care”).  The winners and losers of the ACA will be discussed by Dr. Dean, whose specialty is Interventional Cardiology and who is also Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease and Internal Medicine. He is a graduate of the John Hopkins School of Medicine and had residency at Boston Medical Center, Strong Memorial Hospital, West Roxbury VA Hospital, and Massachusetts General Hospital.  He is associated with Millard Fillmore-Suburban Hospital.

The ACA was signed by the President on March 23, 2010 and will change the way all of us will experience health care in the U.S. The legislative bill has had a rough rollout, as it was passed by the House by 5 votes, and survived the challenge in the Supreme Court by 1 vote.

The major goal of ACA is to insure the estimated 50-million Americans who do not presently have health insurance. This group is too rich for Medicaid, too young for Medicare, and not rich enough to afford private health insurance when it is not provided as an employment benefit.

The need for the ACA was prompted by the facts that health care in the U.S. trails far behind the rest of civilized world …. life expectancy is lower (i.e. lower than Cuba), the U.S. infant mortality rate is higher than many countries, and the U.S. per capita expenditure on health care is the highest in the world and continually climbing.

 

Highlights of his presentation included:

·         Voting history—not one Republican voted in favor of ACA

·         25 states with Republican governors have refused to increase Medicaid or set up exchanges.

·         Reviewed the troubled roll-out of ACA

·         16% of the population of the US is uninsured

·         Many uninsured are covered by other means, e.g., military personnel, veterans, American Indians, and prisoners

·         The ACA has a multi-year timetable

·         Individual mandate tax increases to greater of $695 or 2.5% of AGI to a max. of $2,085

·         2012 Poverty Levels:

o   1 person--$11,170

o   2 people--$15,130

·         20 new taxes:

o   Tanning salons—10%

o   Tax on medical devices

o   New 3.8% unearned income tax

o   40% tax on “Cadillac” health plans

o   Tax on use of HSA to buy OTC drugs

o   Deductibility of medical expenses limited to amount over 10% of AGI, up from 7.5%

New Member Induction

Catherine Dulmus, Professor-Social Work, was inducted this evening. Welcome, Catherine!  

Announcements: 

Club Board Meeting: Thursday, March 20, 2014, 8:00 AM at Amherst IDA offices, 4487 Main Street (corner of Berryman Drive). All Active Club members are invited.

Annual Celebration:  The date is Saturday – March 29, 2014, 7PM-10PM at the Park Country Club.  Tickets for the event have been distributed to members for both the Event tickets at $35.00 each and the Grand Prize Raffle Drawing / Wegmans Groceries for 1-year ($35.00 per raffle ticket).   Mark your calendars to attend this major Club event date.  As Tim would say, to “break even” on the Wegmans prize alone, we need to sell a minimum 148 tickets.”  If each member sold 10 (actually 8, since the member and wife or significant other would be 2 of the 10), the Club would have net proceeds from this alone of $12,250.   This would provide approximately $7,000 for Club donations.   If 15 tickets per member were sold, this would increase to $13,175.  Sponsor donations would further enhance the “donation pool.”  Wegman’s and Global Wines and Spirits are two sponsors to date.  To see the impact of ticket sales, sponsors, etc., see the “What if ….”   Analysis sent by email to all members and the event goal. SELLING ALL 400 PRINTED TICKETS WOULD HAVE A NET $$$ EFFECT FOR CLUB DONATIONS ON THE ORDER IN EXCESS OF $20,000 --- 3X’s the impact of doing just the minimum.   Please, Go Out and Sell Those Tickets!!!!

 

WINE WALL DONATIONS NEEDED!!!!! Tonight was the last night to bring a bottle of wine or a gift certificate (UP TO $25.00 in value). If you have not done so or If you have any questions, please E-mail Carolyn Leed at Carolyn@cleedlaw.com.  If you would prefer to make a cash donation towards the Wine Wall, Carolyn would be happy to make the purchase of bottles of wine or gift certificate(s) on your behalf.   Thank you for your generosity!

 

SLAPSHOT Event: For youths aged 15-18.   Do you have an interested candidate?  Since the SLAPSHOT event (April 25-27, 2014) is in Canada, the candidate must have either a current U.S. Passport or a NYS Enhanced Driver’s license for entry into Canada (Ancaster, Ontario) and back into the U.S.  SLAPSHOT = Student Leadership Award Program for Students High On Training. Registrations must be in by 3/31/2014.

Meeting Attendance Option: 

Mark April 28^th 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 3^rd, 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 Preliminary 3/6/14 Program, Workshops, Topics sent by Ed S. to all members by email.

 

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. 

 

50/50 Ticket Sales: $592.  Lee Broad drew the two of hearts and won $2. He donated it back.

Visiting Rotarians: Akhtar Mirza, Past President of the Rotary Club of Grand Island

Guests:           

·         Michelle Skalyo, wife of Rotarian Gary Skalyo

·         Cecilie Kragelund, Rotary Exchange Student being hosted by the Skalyo’s

·         Catherine Dulmus, who is a candidate for membership in our Club

 

Program:

This week’s speakers were Debra Hall-Stonish and Brad Hahn from Explore Buffalo, an organization that provides docent led tours (http://explorebuffalo.org/about-2/).  The docents are highly trained and experienced.  Tour programs include:  Walking Tours (i.e. downtown architecture – focusing on national architects); Buffalo Classics focusing on local architects; Silo City Vertical and Grounded; Down by the River; Gilded Age Series (Buffalo Mansions); Crime in the Queen City / School Tours / Custom Group Tours / and, Behind-the-Scenes Tours.   Through tours and events, they promote the incredible assets found in Buffalo.

 

Debra Hall-Stonish is currently CFO for The Sisters of St. Mary of Namur after spending many years in banking including M&T Bank.  She is one of the instrumental people who formed Explore Buffalo and is the current Treasurer.  An active alumna of Mount Saint Mary Academy, she has a passion for the history, culture and architecture of Buffalo.

 

Brad Hahn, Executive Director of Explore Buffalo, is a graduate of Williamsville South HS and the SUNY-AB, with a triple major in political science, English, and geography.  He is actively involved with numerous community organizations, including the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Friends of the Night People, and the VFW.

 

Highlights of their presentation included:

·         Several fun facts about Buffalo’s history:

o   Grover Cleveland married Frances Folsom, a Buffalo native who, at the age of 21, is the youngest First Lady in history.

o   Grover Cleveland was 27 years older than his wife.

o   The greatest population that Buffalo has had was 580,000.

o   The Knox fortune is from FW Woolworth

·         Explore Buffalo holds many kinds of tours and collaborates with other organizations:

o   Downtown and neighborhood tours

o   Bus, boat, and bicycle tours

o   Step-on guides for private bus tours

o   Custom tours for schools, clubs, and other groups

·         The organization also holds regularly scheduled speaker series.

Annual Meeting

The Club’s annual meeting and election of officers and the Club’s Board of Directors was held on March 3. The following officers were elected for the 2014-2015 term beginning July 1:

·         President: Kathy Behan

·         President-Elect: Lee Broad

·         Treasurer: Carolyn Leed

·         Secretary: Richard Wojtowicz

In addition, the following members were elected to the Board of Directors:

·         Paul Banas

·         Ron Prazmark

·         Vern Anderson

·         Vicki D’Angelo

·         Roger Gross

·         Mary Biddle-Widman

·         Gary Skalyo

·         Joe Fiorella

Ed Stachura will serve on the Board in an ex-officio capacity as Past President.

 

This week’s speakers were Debra Hall-Stonish and Brad Hahn from Explore Buffalo, an organization that provides docent led tours (http://explorebuffalo.org/about-2/).  The docents are highly trained and experienced.  Tour programs include:  Walking Tours (i.e. downtown architecture – focusing on national architects); Buffalo Classics focusing on local architects; Silo City Vertical and Grounded; Down by the River; Gilded Age Series (Buffalo Mansions); Crime in the Queen City / School Tours / Custom Group Tours / and, Behind-the-Scenes Tours.   Through tours and events, they promote the incredible assets found in Buffalo.

 

Debra Hall-Stonish is currently CFO for The Sisters of St. Mary of Namur after spending many years in banking including M&T Bank.  She is one of the instrumental people who formed Explore Buffalo and is the current Treasurer.  An active alumna of Mount Saint Mary Academy, she has a passion for the history, culture and architecture of Buffalo.

 

Brad Hahn, Executive Director of Explore Buffalo, is a graduate of Williamsville South HS and the SUNY-AB, with a triple major in political science, English, and geography.  He is actively involved with numerous community organizations, including the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Friends of the Night People, and the VFW.

 

Highlights of their presentation included:

·        Several fun facts about Buffalo’s history:

o   Grover Cleveland married Frances Folsom, a Buffalo native who, at the age of 21, is the youngest First Lady in history.

o   Grover Cleveland was 27 years older than his wife.

o   The greatest population that Buffalo has had was 580,000.

o   The Knox fortune is from FW Woolworth

·        Explore Buffalo holds many kinds of tours and collaborates with other organizations:

o   Downtown and neighborhood tours

o   Bus, boat, and bicycle tours

o   Step-on guides for private bus tours

o   Custom tours for schools, clubs, and other groups

·        The organization also holds regularly scheduled speaker series.

  
 50/50 Ticket Sales:$_53.00 drew the Larry Reed and won $_3.00 donated it back. 

Visiting Rotarians: Robert Banas – E-Club

        

Guests: Catherine Dulmus      

       

Program:

This week’s speaker was Vern Anderson who presented information, tools, tips, etc. for electronic access to ClubRunner and information on the Club.   This could be considered somewhat of a prelude to the April 28th meeting presentation on the Rotary E-Club of Southern Ontario-Western New York (SOWNY). There are 14 Club members (40%) who have never used the resources that are on the Club’s ClubRunner site.

 

Highlights of Vern’s presentation included:

        Use e-mail to sign in and use you pass word

        Go through the District web site to view other clubs

        Also view the list of speakers

        Important to have your month date and year in your profile only the month and date is public and the year is private only to the administrator        

        Ed Stachura’s comments: Glen park-Rotary Park, monthly maintenance needs full club commitment

        Details and work schedules will be submited at a later date.

        Using e-club should increase our attendance

        We have 33 members and only half show up at meetings, good speakers bring up attendance

        Some members have only 5% attendance

      Annual Meeting

The Club’s annual meeting and election of officers and the Club’s Board of Directors was held at this meeting. The following officers were elected for the 2014-2015 term beginning July 1:

·         President: Kathy Behan

·         President-Elect: Lee Broad

·         Treasurer: Carolyn Leed

·         Secretary: Richard Wojtowicz

In addition, the following members were elected to the Board of Directors:

·         Paul Banas

·         Ron Prazmark

·         Vern Anderson

·         Vicki D’Angelo

·         Roger Gross

·         Mary Biddle-Widman

·         Gary Skalyo

·         Joe Fiorella

·         _____________________

Ed Stachura will serve on the Board in an ex-officio capacity as Past President.

 

Announcements: 

Annual Celebration:  The date is Saturday – March 29, 2014, 7PM-10PM at the Park Country Club.  Tickets for the event have been distributed to members for both the Event tickets at $35.00 each and the Grand Prize Raffle Drawing / Wegmans Groceries for 1-year ($35.00 per raffle ticket).   Mark your calendars to attend this major Club event date.  As Tim would say, to “break even” on the Wegmans prize alone, we need to sell a minimum 148 tickets.”  If each member sold 10 (actually 8, since the member and wife or significant other would be 2 of the 10), the Club would have net proceeds from this alone of $12,250.   This would provide approximately $7,000 for Club donations.   If 15 tickets per member were sold, this would increase to $13,175.  Sponsor donations would further enhance the “donation pool.”  Wegman’s and Global Wines and Spirits are two sponsors to date.  To see the impact of ticket sales, sponsors, etc., see the “What if ….”   analysissent by email to all members and the event goal.

 

WINE WALL DONATIONS NEEDED!!!!! Please remember to bring a bottle of wine or a gift certificate (UP TO $25.00 in value) to the March 10^th, or  March 17^th Club meetings.  If you have any questions, please E-mail Carolyn Leed at Carolyn@cleedlaw.com.  If you would prefer to make a cash donation towards the Wine Wall, Carolyn would be happy to make the purchase of bottles of wine or gift certificate(s) on your behalf.   Thank you for your generosity!

 

SLAPSHOT Event: For youths ages 15-18.   Do you have an interested candidate?  Since the SLAPSHOT event (April 25-27, 2014) is in Canada, the candidate must have either a current U.S. Passport or a NYS Enhanced Driver’s license for entry into Canada (Ancaster, Ontario) and back into the U.S.  SLAPSHOT = Student Leadership Award Program for Students High On Training.Registrations must be in by 3/31/2014.

 

District Assembly:  May 3^rd, 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.   More information coming.

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.

 

Pres. Ed sent out by email the 2014 application form, poster, and a document to provide members with some background information about RYLA. 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.

 

 

Bornhava is approved by the NYS Education Department to provide programming for young children with developmental disabilities and to offer support and resources for their caregivers.  Established in 1983, Bornhava's intent is to offer a home-like atmosphere where high quality therapeutic and educational interventions are provided for children with special needs from birth to 5-years of age. The focus is not only on the specific needs of these children, but also on family involvement and interaction with typical children.

 

Currently, Bornhava's staff serves approximately 150 children, with a commitment for personalized attention to address each of their unique strengths and weaknesses. Intervention plans are developed for children with mental and physical challenges, sensory deficits, communication delays, and various developmental disabilities. These comprehensive services to children and their families are made possible through the Departments of Health in Erie and Niagara County, the NYS Education Department, and private donations.

 

Highlights of Ms. Ringholz’s presentation included:

·         Bornhava started in 1983 with 9 children and 6 staff members.

·         The school uses developmentally appropriate practices to support, e.g., five-year olds with two-year old capabilities.

·         Bornhava serves Erie, Niagara, and Orleans counties.

·         The main facility is on Chateau Terrace in Snyder, but the school has other smaller facilities to reduce transportation costs.

·         There are 7 major funding sources; parents are not required to pay.

·         The school has integrated classrooms where “normal” children are grouped with developmentally disabled children

·         School cares for children up to five years old.

·         About 125 children attend the school.

Door: Richard Wojtowicz

50/50 Ticket Sales:  $457.  Bruce Lucsok drew the ten of diamonds and won $10. He donated it back.

Visiting Rotarians: None

Guests: None  

 

Program:

This week’s speaker was Ms. Donna Ringholz, the Executive Director of Bornhava in Amherst, NY. Bornhava is an early intervention and preschool program, nurturing and educating children with developmental disabilities in partnership with families to prepare the students for a full and productive life through encouragement and support.   Bornhava is a Danish word meaning: "a high-quality early childhood program with a home-like environment." 

 

Bornhava is approved by the NYS Education Department to provide programming for young children with developmental disabilities and to offer support and resources for their caregivers.  Established in 1983, Bornhava's intent is to offer a home-like atmosphere where high quality therapeutic and educational interventions are provided for children with special needs from birth to 5-years of age. The focus is not only on the specific needs of these children, but also on family involvement and interaction with typical children.

 

Currently, Bornhava's staff serves approximately 150 children, with a commitment for personalized attention to address each of their unique strengths and weaknesses. Intervention plans are developed for children with mental and physical challenges, sensory deficits, communication delays, and various developmental disabilities. These comprehensive services to children and their families are made possible through the Departments of Health in Erie and Niagara County, the NYS Education Department, and private donations.

 

Highlights of Ms. Ringholz’s presentation included:

·         Bornhava started in 1983 with 9 children and 6 staff members.

·         The school uses developmentally appropriate practices to support, e.g., five-year olds with two-year old capabilities.

·         Bornhava serves Erie, Niagara, and Orleans counties.

·         The main facility is on Chateau Terrace in Snyder, but the school has other smaller facilities to reduce transportation costs.

·         There are 7 major funding sources; parents are not required to pay.

·         The school has integrated classrooms where “normal” children are grouped with developmentally disabled children

·         School cares for children up to five years old.

·         About 125 children attend the school.

Announcements: 

Annual Celebration:  The date is Saturday – March 29, 2014, 7PM-10PM at the Park Country Club.  Tickets for the event have been distributed to members for both the Event tickets at $35.00 each and the Grand Prize Raffle Drawing / Wegmans Groceries for 1-year ($35.00 per raffle ticket).   Mark your calendars to attend this major Club event date.  As Tim would say, to “break even” on the Wegmans prize alone, we need to sell a minimum 148 tickets.”  If each member sold 10 (actually 8, since the member and wife or significant other would be 2 of the 10), the Club would have net proceeds from this alone of $12,250.   This would provide approximately $7,000 for Club donations.   If 15 tickets per member were sold, this would increase to $13,175.  Sponsor donations would further enhance the “donation pool.”  Wegman’s and Global Wines and Spirits are two sponsors to date.  To see the impact of ticket sales, sponsors, etc., see the “What if ….”   analysis sent by email to all members and the event goal.

 

WINE WALL DONATIONS NEEDED!!!!! Please remember to bring a bottle of wine or a gift certificate (UP TO $25.00 in value) to the February 24^th, March 3^rd, March 10^th, or  March 17^th Club meetings.  If you have any questions, please E-mail Carolyn Leed at Carolyn@cleedlaw.com.  If you would prefer to make a cash donation towards the Wine Wall, Carolyn would be happy to make the purchase of bottles of wine or gift certificate(s) on your behalf.   Thank you for your generosity!

 

SLAPSHOT Event: For youths ages 15-18.   Do you have an interested candidate?  Since the SLAPSHOT event (April 25-27, 2014) is in Canada, the candidate must have either a current U.S. Passport or a NYS Enhanced Driver’s license for entry into Canada (Ancaster, Ontario) and back into the U.S.  SLAPSHOT = Student Leadership Award Program for Students High On Training. Registrations must be in by 3/31/2014.

 

District Assembly:  May 3^rd, 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.   More information coming.

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.

This week’s speaker was Marlene Killian, a private piano and voice teacher in Williamsville.  She has a B.M. (Bachelors Music) degree from SUNY - Fredonia, an M.M.E. (Masters – Music Education) degree from Indiana University, and a French teaching certification from Buffalo State College.   She was a full-time vocal music teacher for many years and also worked in the field of Arts Management at Theater Place and with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.  Upon adopting two daughters from China she started a private business at her home.

 

In August 2013 when both girls started college, Ms. Killian was able to realize her dream of traveling to Africa. She went on an adventure trip involving a climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro followed by a 5-day safari. She prepared for the climb for several months and thought that reaching the summit of the 19,370-foot (5,895-meters) mountain would be the greatest experience of her life. Little did she know that her trip would evolve into a passionate mission to help the African people.

 

While in Africa, Ms. Killian witnessed deplorable living conditions first-hand. Most Tanzanians live in shacks with no electricity, running water or paved roads. They survive mainly on subsistence agriculture, working on tiny plots of land with primitive tools.

 

Nkowe Secondary School is in the rural Lindi Region in southeast Tanzania. There are few teachers in the school and often 100 students are packed into a classroom. Many students drop out of school because their families cannot afford the nominal annual fee charged by all government schools. Learning takes place solely by copying notes from the chalkboard, all written in English.   Most of the students have a very poor understanding of the English language and so they “blindly” try to memorize their notes.   They are unprepared for the national examinations and, therefore, most of the students don’t pass. Without a basic high school diploma, jobs are impossible to find. In order to find work to support a family, a high school diploma and a good command of the English language are necessary because the best paying jobs are in tourism.

 

Being a teacher, Marlene Killian understands that education is the way out of poverty. Before leaving Tanzania, she promised to help at least one school and she chose the school that was the poorest.  Ms. Killian is in regular contact with the headmaster of the Nkowe Secondary School and he has compiled a complete list of all the textbooks needed by his students.

 

Nkowe Secondary School Project is a branch of Journeys of Solutions, Inc. (www.journeysofsolutions.com), an existing umbrella charity (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization ) with its office in Webster, NY.  Ms. Killian’s fledgling charity is connected as well with the SUNY-AB Buffalo Tanzania Education Project.  The Chinese Club of WNY has supported the charity since its inception.

 

 Dr. Dyson is the Park Professor and Distinguished Professor of Roman History and Archeology, Roman Italy and Western Empire Archeological History and Theory at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

 

Dr. Dyson has a Diploma in Classical Archeology from Oxford and both an M.A. and a Ph.D. from Yale. From Middlefield, Conn., he taught at Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT) from 1963 to 1991 and has been on faculty at SUNY-AB ever since.

 

He and his wife, Pauline, live in a late Federal period style 1840’s home in the Village of Williamsville, which was built by a carpenter for his family.

 

Door: Matt Balling

Pledge: Bob Chur

Anthem: Ed Stachura

Four Way Test: Larry Read

Grace: Joe Fiorella

This week’s speaker was John Murphy, Broadcaster and “Voice of the Bills” on the Buffalo Bills Radio Network and host of The John Murphy Show on WGR radio.  He has also served as commentator for Buffalo Bisons baseball, Canisius College Golden Griffins, SUNY-University at Buffalo Bulls , and Niagara University Purple Eagles in the 1980s.

 

Murphy served as Sports Director at WBEN from 1984 to 1992 and hosted a talk show on the station until 1995. In 1989, Murphy succeeded Rick Azar as WKBW-TV's 6 PM sports anchor, joining Irv Weinstein and Tom Jolls in WNY’s most popular (at the time) newscast. Murphy was named Sports Director in 1992.  He held the position for 18-years, until September 2007. During his time at WKBW-TV, he made a cameo in the film Bruce Almighty, the only anchor to do so.

 

Murphy remained off television until his WKBW non-compete contract clause expired, after which he joined WIVB-TV in March 2008, as its Sports Director.  Murphy left WIVB in June 2012 to focus full-time on his Bills duties. He serves as the play-by-play voice of the Buffalo Bills radio network, a position held since the retirement of Van Miller following the 2003 season. Murphy is best known for his association with the Buffalo Bills. From 1984 to 1989, and again from 1994 to 2004, Murphy served as the Bills' color analyst, alongside Miller. Starting in July 2012, he has hosted The John Murphy Show, a Bills-themed talk show on WGR in Buffalo.

John Murphy is originally from Lockport and currently resides in Orchard Park. He is married to the former Orchard Park Town Supervisor (and former WKBW Consumer Affairs reporter) Mary Travers. The couple has two children.

 

Highlights of Mr. Murphy’s presentation included:

·         He thanked our Rotary Club for supporting the Family Justice Center where his wife volunteers

·         Enjoys being involved with the Bills

·         Super Bowl was the most watched TV program ever: over 111 million viewers

·         Discussed some specific changes in Bills personnel

·         Management has solidified 4 key positions

·         Other additions will be accomplished mainly through the draft

Announcements: 

New Member Induction:  At this week’s meeting we inducted a new Rotarian and Club member, Stephen L. Dyson, PhD.  Steve is a Professor in the Classics Department at SUNY at Buffalo. Steve’s sponsor is Roger Gross.

 

Gateway-Longview:   Ed S. distributed by email a copy of a Thank You letter for the Club’s participation in the Adopt-an-Angel program.

 

Alzheimer’s Association Presentation:  The Club presented a $2,000 check to the Alzheimer’s Association from the proceeds of the 2013 Golf Event.

 

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 you  have you not already done so, please see Treasurer Matt Balling to make payment.   Over 26% of your dues payment goes to cover this RI invoice. As of 01.31.14, nine (9) members have yet to pay their dues.  The Club has paid the $1100 RI dues payment based upon membership continuance, and lack of timely receipt of dues is impacting the Club’s cash-flow/finances.   We have paid the RI dues based on these nine continuing to be in the Club since they did not communicate that they no longer wanted to be a member.

 

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. 

 

Archiving Historical Data: The Board approved a Document Retention Policy at last week’s Board meeting. We need a task force to go through about six boxes of materials, catalogue them and make decisions about whether to keep the items. Looking for volunteers. Please let Ed S. know.

 

Valentines Dinner:  A Club Valentines Dinner is being planned for next Monday – February 10^th here at Milos.  Cost is $25 per person. Members were asked to mark their calendars for a special dinner with a special someone to celebrate the day.  Richard W. has sent an email for sign-ups of members and their guests along with selection of entrees.

 

SLAPSHOT Event: For youths ages 15-18.   Do you have an interested candidate?  Since the SLAPSHOT event (April 25-27, 2014) is in Canada, the candidate must have either a current U.S. Passport or a NYS Enhanced Driver’s license for entry into Canada (Ancaster, Ontario) and back into the U.S.  SLAPSHOT is a  Student Leadership Award Program for Students High On Training.

 

RYLA Event: Rotary Youth Leadership Award for youths ages 19-25.  Do you have an interested candidate?  This annual event (June 8-14, 2014) is held at SUNY  Fredonia.

 

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 reports that she has the Nominating Committee in place (Ed S., Mike S., Ron P. and Matt B.) to identify potential candidates for the Board.  Express to Kathy and/or the NC your interest in 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.  Ed S. will have each member’s membership number at the Club meetings for information and ease of reference.       Thank You! 

 

Program Schedule: The January 27^th issue of the Speakers’ Schedule was distributed by 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 January 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); Maria Lehman (Peace Bridge); Brian Kulpa, Mayor-Village of Williamsville; and Dr. Barry Weinstein, Supervisor, Town of Amherst.

 

This week’s speaker was John Murphy, Broadcaster and “Voice of the Bills” on the Buffalo Bills Radio Network and host of The John Murphy Show on WGR radio.  He has also served as commentator for Buffalo Bisons baseball, Canisius College Golden Griffins, SUNY-University at Buffalo Bulls , and Niagara University Purple Eagles in the 1980s.

 

Murphy served as Sports Director at WBEN from 1984 to 1992 and hosted a talk show on the station until 1995. In 1989, Murphy succeeded Rick Azar as WKBW-TV's 6 PM sports anchor, joining Irv Weinstein and Tom Jolls in WNY’s most popular (at the time) newscast. Murphy was named Sports Director in 1992.  He held the position for 18-years, until September 2007. During his time at WKBW-TV, he made a cameo in the film Bruce Almighty, the only anchor to do so.

 

Murphy remained off television until his WKBW non-compete contract clause expired, after which he joined WIVB-TV in March 2008, as its Sports Director.  Murphy left WIVB in June 2012 to focus full-time on his Bills duties. He serves as the play-by-play voice of the Buffalo Bills radio network, a position held since the retirement of Van Miller following the 2003 season. Murphy is best known for his association with the Buffalo Bills. From 1984 to 1989, and again from 1994 to 2004, Murphy served as the Bills' color analyst, alongside Miller. Starting in July 2012, he has hosted The John Murphy Show, a Bills-themed talk show on WGR in Buffalo.

John Murphy is originally from Lockport and currently resides in Orchard Park. He is married to the former Orchard Park Town Supervisor (and former WKBW Consumer Affairs reporter) Mary Travers. The couple has two children.

 

Highlights of Mr. Murphy’s presentation included:

·         He thanked our Rotary Club for supporting the Family Justice Center where his wife volunteers

·         Enjoys being involved with the Bills

·         Super Bowl was the most watched TV program ever: over 111 million viewers

·         Discussed some specific changes in Bills personnel

·         Management has solidified 4 key positions

·         Other additions will be accomplished mainly through the draft

50/50 Ticket Sales:  $322  Lee Broad (What?? Again??) drew the 8 of hearts and won $8. He donated it back to the Club.

o   Visiting Rotarians: “Stephanie”—young, single, hip, attuned to electronic communications

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. 

 

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.  Mike provided information and an overview of the YE responsibilities at the meeting.

 

We discussed that we have an expressed interest from a Williamsville student to be an Outbound YE.  The family is also interested in being a “Host Family” for a YE Inbound student.  Without a YE Officer, we (Club) cannot participate in the YE program. Lee Broad volunteered for the position.

 

Archiving Historical Data: The Board approved a Document Retention Policy at last week’s Board meeting. We need a task force to go through about six boxes of materials, catalogue them and make decisions about whether to keep the items. Looking for volunteers. Please let Ed S. know.

 

Amherst Youth Foundation (AYF):  At the AYF’s Board Meeting of 1/23/14, Club member and Chair of the Classic Auto Show event, Richard Wojtowicz presented a $3,550 check to AYF.  This represented 60% of the proceeds from the August 2013 event.   Both the Amherst Rotary and our Club will each receive $1,075 as their share as volunteer sponsors/participants in the annual event.  Checks will be presented at the Area 11 Mix ‘N Mingle event, January 30^th.  A $100 check will also be given to Youth Engaged in Service (YES) for their event participation to reimburse them for supplies.   YES has always provided youth volunteers to aid in the event’s many functions.

 

Valentines Dinner:  A Club Valentines Dinner is being planned for Monday – February 10^th here at Milos.  Cost is $25 per person. Members were asked to mark their calendars for a special dinner with a special someone to celebrate the day.  Richard W. will send an email for sign-ups of members and their guests.

 

Area 11 Mix-n-Mingle: This Thursday, January 30th, 2014 at 6PM - 8PM at Westwood Country Club, 772 North Forest Road (at Sheridan Drive).   Dinner is $25.00.  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 we expect other Club participation when we are the host Club, we need to make every effort to attend the other Club’s events. Reciprocity is the key word. To provide an estimate of our attendance, please let Ed S. know if you are attending.

 

SLAPSHOT Event: For youths ages 15-18.   Do you have an interested candidate?  Since the SLAPSHOT event (April 25-27, 2014) is in Canada, the candidate must have either a current U.S. Passport or a NYS Enhanced Driver’s license for entry into Canada (Ancaster, Ontario) and back into the U.S.  SLAPSHOT = Student Leadership Award Program for Students High On Training.

 

RYLA Event: Rotary Youth Leadership Award for youths ages 19-25.  Do you have an interested candidate?  This annual event (June 8-14, 2014) is held at SUNY – Fredonia.

 

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 reports that she has the Nominating Committee in place (Ed S., Mike S., Ron P. and Matt B.) to identify potential candidates for the Board.  Express to Kathy and/or the NC your interest in the Board. The positions of Treasurer and Secretary are positions of the Executive Board, which are “open.”

 

Program:

This week’s speaker was Carol Horton, VP Marketing & Public Relations – The Buffalo News.   Carol is a Board member of the Buffalo Better Business Bureau, and the Buffalo Zoo – Cotillion Committee.  Her prior employment included various responsibilities with Gannett’s The Desert Sun (Palm Springs, CA).  She has also had responsibilities as TV, including cable, News and Weather Anchor, TV Weekend Producer, Assistant Editor for a magazine, and as a Radio News Director.  She spoke about the changing nature of providing news content and the need to speak to different audiences in ways they want.

 

 Highlights of Ms. Horton’s presentation included:

·         A number of handouts that demonstrated publication targeting, e.g., Buffalo magazine

·         Buffalo News (“BN”) Paywall launched in October 2012

·         A key business issue is how to get paid for creating news content in e-form (internet)

·         BN has identified three groups in which it needs to establish and sustain a strong position:

o   “Stephanie”—young, single, hip, attuned to electronic communications

o   “Janet”—middle aged, both print and electronic media users, wanted by advertisers

o   “Bill”—loves print media (where BN and all papers make the most money)

·         BN penetration (i.e., at least one access to a BN publication during the last 30 days) in the WNY market is 78%. This compares to 20% for other papers in other markets.

·         The consumer is still confused about print/ digital options, especially vs. websites

·         Warren Buffet (Berkshire Hathaway owns Gannett Publications which owns BN) loves newspapers: he grew in a newspaper family, met his wife working at a newspaper, and believes they contribute to a strong community.

50/50 Ticket Sales:  $283. Paul Banas drew the Queen of Spades and won $10. Paul donated it back to the Club.

Visiting Rotarians: Sandy Yeager, Buffalo Rotary Club

Guests: Professor Steve Dyson (who has submitted a membership application)     

Program:

This week’s speaker was Philip Wiggle, CSE, CME, CPA / Business Professor at Medaille College. He teaches Strategic Management at Medaille, is a Business Coach to local businesses, and is a Professional Speaker.   A 1959 UB graduate, he worked for an international CPA firm for several years, then joined a Fortune 500 client of that firm in New York City.  Phil then founded a CPA firm in Amherst.  His 1^st client?   The Little White House restaurant, which was located for many years in this very building.  Concurrently, Phil has written newspaper columns for over 25 years and has been a Professional Speaker throughout the United States and Canada since 1985.

 

Highlights of Mr. Wiggle’s presentation included:

·         The need to choose a strategy that is relevant to your business and strengths.

·         Understanding key costs—those costs that drive/ determine profitability.

·         Several illustrative client stories

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. 

 

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.  Mike provided information and an overview of the YE responsibilities at the meeting.

 

We discussed that we have an expressed interest from a Williamsville student to be an Outbound YE.  The family is also interested in being a “Host Family” for a YE Inbound student.  Without a YE Officer, we (Club) cannot participate in the YE program. Lee Broad volunteered for the position.

 

Archiving Historical Data: The Board approved a Document Retention Policy at last week’s Board meeting. We need a task force to go through about six boxes of materials, catalogue them and make decisions about whether to keep the items. Looking for volunteers. Please let Ed S. know.

 

Club Weather Cancellation Policy:  Discussed the Club’s new Weather Cancellation Policy. The policy is also available on the Club’s web page under Club Documents. 

 

Member Contact List:  The January 6th adverse weather brought to light the importance of having an updated and current member contact list.   The current information from the Club’s records was distributed and members were asked to review their particular information.  If any revisions, etc. are necessary, members were asked to inform Ed S. of the changes (efs4170@aol.com).

 

Valentines Dinner:  A Club Valentines Dinner is being planned for Monday – February 10^th here at Milos.  Members were asked to mark their calendars for a special dinner with a special someone to celebrate the day.  More details will be forthcoming.

 

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.

 

SLAPSHOT Event:  Distributed information on this youth event.  Do you have an interested candidate?

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

 

Program Schedule: The January 16^th issue of the Speakers’ Schedule was distributed. 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 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?”

 

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

 

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.

Meeting Attendance:  Ed S. encouraged members to start 2014 with a resolution to be in attendance at the Club’s scheduled weekly meetings on Monday evenings.

 

Ed S. noted that the Club, as a whole through the 6-month period ending December 2013, has an average meeting attendance rate of approximately 48%.   Nine (9) Club members have a meeting attendance rate of less than 50%.  That is 26% of the Club’s membership who are not participating in a Club they wanted to join.

 

Ed S. also noted that members can make-up a meeting via the District’s new eClub (www.rotaryeclub7090.org ), Rotary E-Club of SOWNY.

 

2014 Calendar Marks:

Club: January 30^th – Amherst Mix ‘N Mingle; February 10^th – Valentines Dinner;  March 3^rd – Club Annual Meeting & Elections;  March 29^th -- Club’s Annual Celebration;  June 18^th – Strawberry Festival; August 10^th – Classic Car Show.

 

District: February 1^st – Council Meeting; February 20^th and March 21^st – PETS Training; March 31^st – Registration Closes for SLAPSHOT;  April 25-27^th – SLAPSHOT;  June 8-14^th – RYLA /// (See District 7090 web page for details.)

 

Fines: Vern Anderson, Fine Master.

·         Carrie Leed--$1 for being late

·         Mike Sirianno--$5 for not following the dress code, exceptional circumstances notwithstanding

·         Kevin Flint and Tim Henderson--$1 each for challenging Vern’s Fine Master authority

·         Mike Burns--$1 for not wearing a Rotary pin

·         Lee Broad--$1 for some reason

·         Ed Stachura--$1 for not recognizing our Guest, Steve Dyson

Happy Dollars:

·         $1 for someone’s birthday (sorry, missed it!!)

·         $8.40 from Roger Gross on his 84^th birthday ($0.10 for each year); has a goal of writing a $10.00 check.

·         $1 from Paul Banas for a great vacation

·         $1 from Lee Broad for Matt Balling’s work as Treasurer.

We missed you this evening: 

Ron Axelrod, Mary Biddle-Widman, Tony Cangialosi, Shirley Carnall, Rashmikumar Desai, Elizabeth Ingold, Norm Mattar, Mike Prinzback, Ed Rath, Larry Read, Jim Rumsey, Gary Skalyo, Mark Storch,

 

Highlights of Mr. Wiggle’s presentation included:

·         The need to choose a strategy that is relevant to your business and strengths.

·         Understanding key costs—those costs that drive/ determine profitability.

·         Several illustrative client stories

  

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 Schedule: 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 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

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.

  

50/50 Ticket Sales:  52 cards left / Lee Broad was the 50-50 winner of the anticipated $2,216 pot at the 11/25/2013 meeting. (The exact amount needs to be confirmed with the Treasurer.) Lee donated $1,000 for a Paul Harris for his son, and the balance back to the Club.  Thank You Lee!!!

 

Tonight’s pot is $158. Lee Broad (again!) drew the Jack of diamonds! He won $10 and donated it back to the Club.

 

Visiting Rotarians: None

 

Guests:           

·         Laurie and Paul Kullman (Laurie is Doug Littlewood’s sister)

·         Marlene Killian (Marlene is our speaker on February 17)

·         Scott Martzloff (Superintendent of Schools - Williamsville Central School District).

·         Amanda Roehn (Assistant to our speaker, Danny White)

 

Program:

This week’s speaker is Daniel J. "Danny" White who was named University at Buffalo Director of Athletics by U.B. President Satish K. Tripathi on May 8, 2012.   With an aggressive plan for the athletics program, Danny immediately laid the blueprint to capitalize on the unlimited potential of UB Athletics as the largest public institution in the state of New York and the flagship of the SUNY system 

Highlights of Danny’s remarks included:

• UB has great potential, but needs coaching
• College football has become a media giant
• UB is largest and most comprehensive university in NY
• UB is a member of 62 AAU institutions
• Overall, UB’s academic programs rank in the Top 100 in the US
• UB has over 220,000 alumni
• UB is located in a big area—WNY—not a small college town
• UB is within 500 miles of the Top 50 markets in the US
• UB football has had a record attendance at home games

 

Announcements: 

New Member Induction:  We inducted a new member to our Club. Bruce Lucsok (pronounced Loo-Shock). Joe Fiorella was Bruce’s sponsor. Congratulations to both!!!

 

New Board Member:  With the resignation of David Whipple from the Club, his position on the Club’s Board of Directors was vacant.  Gary Skalyo has been appointed to fill this vacant position.  Congratulations, Gary!!!

 

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 KB your interest in either the NC and/or the Board.

 

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!  (See also attached EREY form)

 

Gateway-Longview “Adopt-an-Angel”:  The Club made a commitment of providing 35 Christmas gifts to children at Gateway-Longview.  There were still three (3) children’s names left still to pick from at the beginning of the meeting, but members stepped forward and all are now covered.  Again, Thank You! 

  Next Week’s Meeting / Field Trip:  Please note that on December 9^th the Club meeting will be a field trip to Colvin Cleaners, 2375 Elmwood Avenue (just north of Kenmore/Elmwood intersection – east side of Elmwood Avenue).  It is suggested that perhaps Club members could car pool for this off-site event.

Program:

This week’s speaker is Daniel J. "Danny" White who was named University at Buffalo Director of Athletics by U.B. President Satish K. Tripathi on May 8, 2012.   With an aggressive plan for the athletics program, Danny immediately laid the blueprint to capitalize on the unlimited potential of UB Athletics as the largest public institution in the state of New York and the flagship of the SUNY system.

Since his arrival at SUNY- Buffalo, Danny addressed coaching changes adding experience and depth through recent hires Felisha Legette-Jack (women’s basketball), Sandy Calfo (rowing), Stu Riddle (men’s soccer), Bobby Hurley (men’s basketball), John Stutzman (wrestling) and Trena Peel (softball).

Through a collective effort of athletics senior administration, coaches and staff, Danny recently introduced a comprehensive strategic plan that outlines a path for success in the coming years. Most notably the vision is to build America’s next big time college athletics brand.

Danny is overseeing a number of capital projects that will create new as well as upgraded facilities on the athletics blueprint. These include the recently dedicated $1-million Murchie Family Football Center and soon to break ground, a multi-million dollar state-of-the-art Ortman Tennis Center. Also in the works is a transformational capital project, the first in the 20-year history of UB Stadium to include a sport medicine

He has also been active on the external front most notably initiating a new 3-year radio broadcast partnership deal with CBS Sports Radio THE FAN 1270 AM. With an aggressive mission to expand coverage into the metropolitan New York area where a significant alumni base resides, Danny also introduced plans for Bulls radio broadcast deals with both WFAN and Bloomberg.

Prior to Buffalo, Danny served as Senior Associate Athletic Director at the University of Mississippi from 2009-12. From 2007-09, Danny was Associate Athletic Director for Development at California State University-Fresno. He was Assistant Athletic Director for Development at Northern Illinois University from 2006-07. Danny began his career in athletic administration as a Development Associate for the UMAA Foundation at Mississippi in 2005.

A collegiate basketball player at Towson University and the University of Notre Dame, Danny was Director of Basketball Operations for men’s basketball at Ohio University for the 2003-04 seasons before being promoted to Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach for the 2004-05 campaign.

Danny is a 2002 graduate of Notre Dame with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He earned master’s degrees in both business administration and sports administration from Ohio University. He is working to complete a doctorate in higher education from Mississippi.   He and his wife, Shawn, have four children: Aidan, Molly, Caitlin and James.

 

Highlights of Danny’s remarks included:

·         UB has great potential, but needs coaching

·         College football has become a media giant

·         UB is largest and most comprehensive university in NY

·         UB is a member of 62 AAU institutions

·         Overall, UB’s academic programs rank in the Top 100 in the US

·         UB has over 220,000 alumni

·         UB is located in a big area—WNY—not a small college town

·         UB is within 500 miles of the Top 50 markets in the US

·         UB football has had a record attendance at home games

             Mike graduated from the State University of New York at Morrisville with a degree in Journalism, spent 12-years in the newspaper business as a reporter and editor for the Tonawanda News and the former Buffalo Courier-Express.  In 1982 he began a 14-year career with the Buffalo Bisons baseball team, working with the Rich family on the building of a downtown ballpark and leading the Buffalo franchise to the top drawing team in minor league baseball history, drawing more than 1-million fans for 5 straight seasons.

            While serving as Vice President and General Manager of the Bisons, Mike’s responsibilities also included public relations, publicity and event marketing.  Upon his retirement from the Bisons in 1996, he was inducted into the Buffalo Baseball Hall of Fame.  He then spent nearly 3 years successfully managing a foundation of a local not-for-profit agency, again relying on his local public relations contacts.

In 1999, he founded and became the principle of Billoni Associates, which specializes in writing, public relations, marketing and event management.  Among other projects, he worked on the public relations for local heavyweight boxer, “Baby Joe” Mesi, authored the biography of Robert E. Rich, founder of Rich Products and was a special assistant to Gene Vukelic, chairman of Try-It Distributing.

            Mike, who has always wanted to use his God-given talents to give something back to the community, handles all aspects of development and fund raising for the Food Bank organization which feeds more than 101,000 hungry Western New Yorkers each month.  The Food Bank distributes more than 1-million pounds of food each month through 340 member agencies.

Mike and his wife, Debbie, have lived on Grand Island for 4 years.

Highlights of Mike’s comments included the following:

·         The Food Bank of Western New York is 30 years old.

·         The Food Bank belongs to a national network of over 200 food banks that support each other as needs arise.

·         The Food Bank of Western New York serves over 90,000 people and 36,000 households in a typical year.

·         The Food Bank recently instituted a Weekend Backpack Program in response to the finding that many children do not have enough nutritional food to eat over the weekend. This has been expanded to provide food for the entire family, not just the children. This program is currently implemented in 15 schools and includes 900 families.

Dan Gluschefski,  Updating the situation in Honduras.

Sponsor - Doug Littlewood.

This week’s speaker is Francisco M. Vasquez, Ph.D. , President/CEO of Child and Family Services.   Dr. Vasquez hails from the state of Arizona. He and his wife, Janet, have been residents of the City of Buffalo for the past 25 years.

 

Dr. Vasquez received his Bachelor of Science Degree as well as his Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix in Arizona. He received his Ph.D. in Social Foundations of Education from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

 

In his remarks, Dr. Vasquez noted:

·         A focus in America is on what we do. It symbolizes our productivity and contribution to society and demonstrates our self-reliance.

·         None of us has done everything on our own. Others have helped us.

·         Many in society do not have the kinds of help many of us have received and key to our own success.

·         3 personal stories

·         Emphasized that none of us would choose to be vulnerable and dependent, but those are the circumstances for many people.

Cecilie is the  Williamsville Rotary Club's Exchange student from Denmark and she covered several topics during her PowerPoint presentation: 

Announcements: 

·         Ed Stachura:

o   Golf event on 9/23. No meeting. Dinner after golf, around 7:00pm.

o   Rotary grant seminar on Saturday, October 5 at Salvatore’s. Kathy Behan is going. Need one more attendee or we can’t submit any grant applications this coming year.

o   District Conference on October 25, 26, 27 in Niagara Falls, Ontario. He sent out the information in an email.

o   Board meeting this Thursday at 8:00am. All members are welcome to attend.

o   We need more speakers

o   Everyone should consider pledging under Every Rotarian, Every Year to support the Paul Harris Foundation.

         Bill Thuman: Do we want to participate in the Gateway Longview Christmas gift program this year? We donated 30 gifts in 2012. Answer: YES!! We committed to 35 gifts. Gift and child information to follow.

o   Rotary Foundation meeting will be held on September 26 in Vicki D’Angelo’s office.

·         Paul Banas and Roger Gross: Plea last week to help the Haitian Health Foundation met and exceeded the goal of raising $1,000 to build a house. Have $1,050 and expect a little more soon.

 

Fines: Paul Banas, Fine Master.

·         Norm Mattar—late to the meeting (and settled big case)

·         Carrie Leed—no pin

·         Mark Storch—no pin

·         Ron Prazmark—no pin

·         Tony Cangialosi—no pin

Happy Dollars:

·         Richard Wojtowicz—happy dollar for great speaker

·         Lee Broad--$10 for selling over 10,000 Kindle ebook copies of his book

·         Roger Gross—happy dollar—Lee’s book is good

·         Paul Banas—happy dollar—Lee’s book is good

·         Michael Sirianno—the countertop showed up so we can have a place to eat

·         Doug Littlewood—daughter Catlin won her tennis match

·         Tim Henderson—happy dollar for the Tall Ships and Waterfront being so wonderful and getting people to talk about moving back to Buffalo

50/50 Ticket Sales:  Ace of Hearts Winner: Kathy Behan drew the 4 of hearts and won $4. She donated it back. The pot is now $1,628  

                        We missed you on Monday: Vern Anderson, Ron Axelrod, Richard Bergman (Leave of Absence), Mary Biddle-Widman, Mike Burns, Shirley Carnall (Leave of Absence), Bob Chur, John Crawford, Vicki D’Angelo, Rashmikumar Desai, Jay DiPasquale, Joe Fiorella, Elizabeth Ingold, Mike Prinzback, Frank Ralabate, Ed Rath, Larry Read, David Whipple.

 
            

Program: Mr. Joel Kanick, President & CEO of Kanick And Company. Mr. Joe Raymond, VP of Sales, Kanick and Company.

Joel Kanick was one of the first HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) certified professionals in the eastern U.S.   He is the primary architect and developer of interfaceMD Custom EMR Solutions (electronic medical records), which was built to match the present and future framework of the Federal and State health care legislation.

Mr. Kanick is a graduate of Canisius College with a B.A. in Information Systems. He has a 20-year professional career in the computing services industry, having held positions in project management, network administration, application development, and business consulting.   Mr. Kanick has also been active as volunteer coach for the Southline Little League (baseball).

 Medical records belong to patients. They must be given to patients at a nominal charge in a timely fashion.  Healthy-Link, funded by NY State and Federal grants along with insurance companies, is building a network that will allow doctors, facilities, etc. to share patient information electronically. This will help doctors using different electronic medical record (“EMR”) systems to communicate.

 Dentists, long-term care facilities, and private practitioners use different EMR systems. Same for the various federal agencies. For example, the VA has a system that cover veterans only, and that system is over 20 years old.

 Many doctors rushed out to purchase EMR’s when the requirement to move to electronic records was first established because there was a financial incentive, in the form of reimbursement grants, to do so. Many are unhappy with those systems and are replacing them. 20% of doctors have no EMR system.

50/50 Ticket Sales:  Ron Axelrod. Beginning pot is $1,329. Ace of Hearts Winner: Joe Fiorella drew the 10 of diamonds and won $10, which he donated back. The pot is now $1,411, with 18 cards left.

Visiting Rotarians:  Mr. Brian Rusk, Amherst South

Guests: Ms Cecilie Kragelund, Rotary Exchange Studen Michelle Skalyo, wife of Rotarian Gary Skalyo, who are hosting Cecilie

Program: Mr. Joel Kanick, President & CEO of Kanick And Company. Mr. Joe Raymond, VP of Sales, Kanick and Company.

Joel Kanick was one of the first HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) certified professionals in the eastern U.S.   He is the primary architect and developer of interfaceMD Custom EMR Solutions (electronic medical records), which was built to match the present and future framework of the Federal and State health care legislation.

Mr. Kanick is a graduate of Canisius College with a B.A. in Information Systems. He has a 20-year professional career in the computing services industry, having held positions in project management, network administration, application development, and business consulting.   Mr. Kanick has also been active as volunteer coach for the Southline Little League (baseball).

Joel Kanick will discuss "How quickly can doctors and hospitals get your records in time of need?”  This should be an extremely interesting talk about the constantly changing delivery of medical care to you.   How universal is EMR?  How secure is it?  Can all medical professionals get access?  What about tests?  Is interfaceMD compatible with other type systems?

 

In his remarks, Mr Kanick noted:

 Medical records belong to patients. They must be given to patients at a nominal charge in a timely fashion.  Healthy-Link, funded by NY State and Federal grants along with insurance companies, is building a network that will allow doctors, facilities, etc. to share patient information electronically. This will help doctors using different electronic medical record (“EMR”) systems to communicate.

 Dentists, long-term care facilities, and private practitioners use different EMR systems. Same for the various federal agencies. For example, the VA has a system that cover veterans only, and that system is over 20 years old.

 Many doctors rushed out to purchase EMR’s when the requirement to move to electronic records was first established because there was a financial incentive, in the form of reimbursement grants, to do so. Many are unhappy with those systems and are replacing them. 20% of doctors have no EMR system.

Announcements: 

Frank Ralabate discussed the Golf Outing on September 23. Please distribute the flyers. If someone does not want to golf or want their spouses to join afterwards, Frank noted that people can order dinner only. Ways to help: provide gifts for auction, sponsorships, or volunteer to help at the event. Putting together foursomes is a great way to help, too. Note: the date is a Monday, so no regular meeting.

 Vern Anderson noted that the Speaker Program needs to be updated because the 9/16 and 10/7 dates have been filled. Our Rotary Exchange Student, Cecilie Kragelund, will be speaking on 9/16.

Vern Anderson distributed Amherst Youth Foundation brochures.

Fines: Paul Banas, Fine Master. $3 fine for all who did NOT attend the Classic Car Show 

President Ed Stachura expressed his wish that fines be related to not following Rotary rules or our Club protocols. This would include: wearing a name badge to the bar downstairs, failing to wear a Rotary pin, being late, talking while a speaker is presenting, or a cell phone ringing during the meeting. He does not want fines to be levied for items unrelated to Rotary rules such as wearing a loud tie.

Happy Dollars:

·         Richard Wojtowicz: $1 for being without electricity this morning and $1 for winning a trophy for his car.

·         Bob Chur: $3 for being (finally, almost, nearly) unemployed.

·         Lee Broad: $2 for setting out tomorrow on a cruise on his brother’s boat.

·         Matt Balling: $1 for his wife being selected as the Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year for the entire New York State.

·         Mike Prinzback: $3 for babysitting his grandchildren in stead of attending the Classic Car Show.

·         Vern Anderson: $3 in honor of his tie.

                        We missed you on Monday: 

                      Kathy Behan, Richard Bergman (Leave of Absence), Mary Biddle-Widman, Tony Cangialosi, Shirley Carnall (Leave of Absence), Rashmikumar Desai, Jay DiPasquale, Laura Favaro,                           Norm Norm Mattar, Ed Rath, Michael Sirianno, Tim Stevenson, Mark Storch, Bill Thuman, David Whipple Elizabeth Ingold, Kevin Flint.

Guest Speaker  Mr. Kevin Crouse, District Governor 7090, 2013-14

 

Kevin was a charter member of the Dundas Valley Sunrise Rotary Club, where he served As Club President in 1995-96. He is currently a member of the Brantford Sunrise Rotary Club.

At the District level, Kevin served for six years as the New Generations Director of Youth Services and Chair of the SLAPSHOT Committee. A four- time Paul Harris Fellow, Kevin created, administered and conducted the SLAPSHOT program, a program for 14 — 18 year-olds that has been sold out every year since its inception 8 years ago.

Kevin has served as a teacher, coach and administrator at the elementary and secondary levels for 35 years, developed a variety of teacher resources as Resource Development Director for two provincial organizations, won the Mr. Ontario and Mr. Canada titles, wrote a book on Food and Fitness for the Forty Plus, and currently lives in Brantford with the love of his wife, Rebecca. They have four children and five grandchildren.

Kevin has three university degrees — a Bachelor of Arts in English and Math from Wilfred Laurier University, a Bachelor of Physical Education, and a Master of Science in Teaching from McMaster University.

In his remarks, Governor Crouse emphasized youth and the many Rotary activities directed at them. The District Conference will dedicate a significant portion of its agenda to youth. He discussed his vision for “Engage Rotary/ Change Lives” and what it means. He offered his plan of action as outlined in a bookmark that he distributed. The challenges of maintaining and growing membership were acknowledged.

Michael Sirianno summed up last year’s fundraising effort and presented to District Governor Crouse one check in the amount of $2,000 toward Polio Plus and another check in the amount of $1,500 for Rotary International Foundation .

 
Door: Tony Cangialosi and Jim Rumsey

Pledge: Vern Anderson

Anthem: Both Canadian and American—Ed Stachura

50/50 Ticket Sales: Not held because of DG visit

Visiting Rotarians: Sandy Noble of Amherst South

Guests:           

·         Sylvia Stachura

·         Kevin Crouse, District Governor

Program: Mr. Kevin Crouse, District Governor 7090, 2013-14

 

Kevin was a charter member of the Dundas Valley Sunrise Rotary Club, where he served As Club President in 1995-96. He is currently a member of the Brantford Sunrise Rotary Club.

At the District level, Kevin served for six years as the New Generations Director of Youth Services and Chair of the SLAPSHOT Committee. A four- time Paul Harris Fellow, Kevin created, administered and conducted the SLAPSHOT program, a program for 14 — 18 year-olds that has been sold out every year since its inception 8 years ago.

Kevin has served as a teacher, coach and administrator at the elementary and secondary levels for 35 years, developed a variety of teacher resources as Resource Development Director for two provincial organizations, won the Mr. Ontario and Mr. Canada titles, wrote a book on Food and Fitness for the Forty Plus, and currently lives in Brantford with the love of his wife, Rebecca. They have four children and five grandchildren.

Kevin has three university degrees — a Bachelor of Arts in English and Math from Wilfred Laurier University, a Bachelor of Physical Education, and a Master of Science in Teaching from McMaster University.

In his remarks, Governor Crouse emphasized youth and the many Rotary activities directed at them. The District Conference will dedicate a significant portion of its agenda to youth. He discussed his vision for “Engage Rotary/ Change Lives” and what it means. He offered his plan of action as outlined in a bookmark that he distributed. The challenges of maintaining and growing membership were acknowledged.

Announcements: 

·         Frank Ralabate reminded us of the Golf Outing on September 23. He passed out registration forms which he encourage the members to give to contacts. Looking for sponsors.

·         Ed Stachura discussed the obligation that all members have to attend meetings and the importance of contributing to the mission of Rotary and the local Club. He reinforced the understanding of RI policy that holds that in the event that a member has missed four consecutive scheduled meetings without making up at least one of those meetings, that member has terminated his/her membership in Rotary.

·         Ricky Lincoln thanked all for making this year’s Classic Car Show at wonderful success. He showed an example of one of the trophies given out at other car shows—the trophy he won over the weekend!!

·         Michael Sirianno summed up last year’s fundraising effort and presented to District Governor Crouse one check in the amount of $2,000 toward Polio Plus and another check in the amount of $1,500 for Rotary International.

·         Ed Stachura presented a gift to District Governor Crouse on the event of his visit to the Rotary Club of Williamsville.

Fines: Paul Banas, Fine Master. No fines were levied on the occasion of the visit by District Governor Crouse.

Happy Dollars: No happy dollars were solicited on the occasion of the visit by District Governor Crouse.

                        We missed you on Monday: 

Ron Axelrod, Matt Balling, Richard Bergman (Leave of Absence), Mary Biddle-Widman, Mike Burns, Shirley Carnall (Leave of Absence), Bob Chur, Rashmikumar Desai, Tim Henderson, Elizabeth Ingold, Doug Littlewood, Ed Rath, Larry Read, Tim Stevenson, Mark Storch, David Whipple.

 Tonight's (07.22.2013) speaker is motivational speaker Nancy Rizzo.

Nancy Rizzo works with clients who are ready to start living the life they create in their heads but never take any action to get there. We take all those ideas, plans, best intentions, & endless conversations & finally get there more effectively, faster, & with fewer struggles than if you go it alone. It's time to stop that tug-of-war! You don't have to get stuck or settle, you just have to make another choice

Honors & Awards: Book: Contributing Author in Speaking Your Truth: Courageous Stories from Inspiring Women Vol III launched August 28, 2012 on Amazon. Awarded Best Sellers Listings in Eight (8) Categories including Hot New Releases, Motivational Self Help, and Personal Transformation. Nancy's Contribution: Trust: A New Way To Navigate shares her journey in paralyzing fear and leaping faith as she launched her coaching practice when everyone was asking, "What's a life coach?!?" You will learn the formula she created to keep her going and how to bring trust into your life. ABWA Ambassador Award 2012 (American Business Women's Association)

Organizations: New York State Women , Inc. Secretary 2012-2014 - ABWA American Business Women's Association - Canisius College Women In Business WIN - NAWBO National Association of Women Business Owners - Women in Business in Buffalo Mixers - The Heartlink Group, Lockport Chapter - Women On The Rise in WNY

Tonight's (07.15.2013) speaker, Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, came to the U.S. in 1985 to work at the Somalia Embassy in Washington, DC.  When civil war broke out in Somalia in 1991, Mr. Mohamed remained in the U.S. and earned a BA in History and an MA in Political Science from the State University of New York at Buffalo.  After serving in various government jobs in WNY, including as the Civil Rights Compliance Specialist with the NYS Department of Transportation, Mr. Mohamed was recruited by then Somali President Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed as Prime Minister of Somalia on October 14, 2010.  What happened next is an up-lifting story of national devotion, the harsh reality of poverty and drought on the African continent, and the politics of rebuilding a severed nation-state

50/50 Ticket Sales:  $72   Ace of Hearts Winner: Jim Rumsey (two in a row!) drew the nine of hearts and won $9. Jim donated it back. The pot is now $1,170

Guests:            Rotarian M.A. Mizra from Grand Island

                        Rotary Exchange Student Ana Villanueva-Bellosa

Program:

Our speaker tonight was former New Englander Dr. Stephen L. Dyson. Dr. Dyson is the Park Professor and Distinguished Professor of Roman History and Archeology, Roman Italy and Western Empire Archeological History and Theory at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

 

Dr. Dyson has a Diploma in Classical Archeology from Oxford and both an M.A. and a Ph.D. from Yale. From Middlefield, Conn., he taught at Wesleyan University (Middletown, CT) from 1963 to 1991 and has been on faculty at SUNY-AB ever since.

 

He and his wife, Pauline, live in a late Federal period style 1840’s home in the Village of Williamsville, which was built by a carpenter for his family.

 

Dr. Dyson spoke on "Age, Sex and Status: The View from the Roman Rotary Club." He provided a picture of entrepreneurial activity and small business that largely supported the entire Roman economy. Dr. Dyson also gave examples of how slaves were able to obtain their freedom and become prosperous and, often, citizens of Rome.

Announcements: 

·         Ed Stachura: Cruise Night at St. Gregory’s in Amherst from 6-9 on Thursday, July 11.

District Conference at the Marriott Gateway in Niagara Falls, Ontario from October 25 thru 27.

·         Michael Sirianno: This is Ana’s last week here ad asked for ideas on possible Amherst High School host families for Rotary Exchange Students. Typically set up in three 4-month hostings.

·         Kevin Flint: Waiting for final revenue numbers on Strawberry Festival. Hopes to report next meeting.

·         Frank Ralabate: Golf Outing this September 23. $100 per person, which includes golf, cart, lunch, and prizes.

Fines: Paul Banas, Fine Master. $5 for being late—Michael Sirianno, Mike Prinzbach, and  Gary Skalyo. $2 each general sympathy fine to help the Fine Master feel better about not having fined people for a while.

Happy Dollars: Matt Balling for his son’s baseball team championship. Ricky Lincoln for receiving the People’s Choice Award at the Darien Lake Car show.

We missed you on Monday: 

Axelrod, Behan, Bergman, Biddle-Widman, Braisted, Burns, Cangialosi, Carnall (Leave of Absence), Crawford, Desai, DiPasquale, Favaro, Gillick, Ingold, Leed, Mattar, Prinzback, Rath, Stevenson, Whipple.

The Williamsville Rotary Strawberry Festival will be held at Island Park behind the Amherst Town Hall between 5 and 8 PM on June 19, 2013. In addition to strawberries and ice cream, hotdogs, snow cones, pop corn and soft drinks will be available for purchase. There will be music, face painting fun and games and much more, There is fun for all, so bring the whole family.

ROTOSCOPE June 10, 2013 Meeting

 

Anthem:   Mike Sirianno

Pledge:     Roger Gross

Four Way Test:  Frank Ralabate

Grace:       Joe Fiorella

Door:        Matt Balling

50/50:      Tim Henderson 

 

Guest Speaker:  Stephan Mychajliw, Comptroller for Erie County.   Elected in November 2012 by the residents of Erie County, it the role of the Comptroller to be an independent fiscal watchdog.  The comptroller does not report to either the County Executive or the Legislature. However, the Comptroller does provide an independent source of financial information to all branches of government and the public.  The Office of Comptroller is comprised of 3 divisions: Administration, Accounting, and Audit and Control. To lead by example, Comptroller Mychajliw’s first hard hitting review was of his own department: the Office of Erie County Comptroller.  The top to bottom review revealed troubling inefficiencies.  Numerous reforms were implemented to re-organize and create effective efficiencies, which included hiring a CPA to lead the Audit Division for the first time since 1986.   Stephan Mychajliw believes in working hard, telling the truth, staying humble and hiring good people to get the job done.

 

Williamsville Foundation Annual Presentation to the Club:  Bill Thuman presented the Foundations current financial report and reminded the club that any ideas and suggestions are welcome.  John Crawford further reminded the members that “Planned Giving” to the Williamsville Foundation is something we should all keep in mind.  It was mentioned that funds for the Video Camera at Glenn Park and the Family Justice Center, (“FJC”), did not appear in this report for the past fiscal year, but had been designated for this coming fiscal year and would be reflected in the next report.  Kevin Flint asked how much the Foundation was going to give to the FJC.  Vicki D’Angelo stated it was a living room suite which is estimated to be between five and ten thousand dollars.

 

Foundation Board of Officers Election: Bill Thuman, President; Michael Prinzbach, Director; Robert Chur were elected by the Club to another term on the Foundation Board. 

 

Membership Certificate:  Mike Sirianno thanked the club membership committee’s over the last five years for the hard work in assisting with our membership growth.  Our club won an award at the District Governors changing of the gavel dinner at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens on June 9^th for our 37% increase in membership.  THANK YOU to EVERYONE!

 

Youth Exchange Student:  Anna from Spain joined us for her last meeting with our Club.  She asked for donations that she would take with her to her Youth Exchange meeting at Niagara On The Lake where the donations would be contributed to the International Youth Exchange Organization.  Our Club was extremely generous in meeting Anna request for donations!

 

Changes to the Youth Exchange Program for the coming year!  The age has been dropped to 15 for students who wish to participate in the Rotary International Youth Exchange.  Our next student will be a girl, 15 years old coming from Denmark.  She speaks very good English. 

 

Strawberry Festival, Wednesday June 19, 2013!!!!    This year there is a child size portion and an adult size portion.  There will be two different color tickets.  One for child one for adults.  Shucking of strawberries starts at 8am at Island Park.   

 

Mix N Mingle, THANK YOU!  Richard read a thank you letter from Nathan Young who performed at our Mix N Mingle for the Scholarship the club extended to him.  He is attending Baldwin Wallace College in the Fall.

 

DUES:  Matt Balling had the dues envelopes at the meeting.  Kindly return payment to Matt before July 1, 2013.

 

New Speakers:  Vern requested everyone fine at least one speaker for the 2013-2014 speaker list. 

Our club won the second award for 37% growth rate of our membership.

 

50/50:   Total, $1012.00.    Vern Anderson drew the winning ticket, chose a six card and donated the $6.00 back to the Club.   

 

NEXT MEETING, MILOS JUNE 24^th, 2013 for President Mike Sirianno.  Please make your reservation and remember guests are welcome!

The Comptroller is the independent fiscal watchdog, elected by the residents of Erie County. The comptroller does not report to either the County Executive or the Legislature. However, the Comptroller does provide an independent source of financial information to all branches of government and the public . 

The Office of Comptroller is comprised of 3 divisions: Administration, Accounting, and Audit and Control.

Erie County Comptroller Stefan Iwan Mychajliw (“Me-Hi-Lou”) is the son of Polish and Ukrainian immigrants, the youngest of 7children, who grew up in blue-collar beginnings near the corner of William and Fillmore on the east side of Buffalo.

Comptroller Mychajliw’s father and paternal grandparents were born in the Ukraine and came to America in 1965.  They settled in the Broadway-Fillmore section of the city.  The nucleus of the neighborhood is the Broadway Market and numerous Catholic churches, including Saint Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church (Fillmore and Oneida) where Mychajliw was baptized.

While attending Buffalo Public School Bilingual Academy #33 and the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts High School, Mychajliw spent his youth at the Babcock Boys and Girls Club and Seneca-Babcock Community Center.

He has a lengthy career looking into the interests of taxpayers, following his education at Syracuse University, in his role as an investigative journalist at WKBW-TV and WGRZ-TV in Buffalo.  His award-winning investigative reports uncovered cases of fraud, waste, and abuse in Erie County government that led to government reforms that better served taxpayers.

To lead by example, Comptroller Mychajliw’s 1^st hard hitting review was of his own department: the Office of Erie County Comptroller.  The top to bottom review revealed troubling inefficiencies.  Numerous reforms were implemented to re-organize and create effective efficiencies, which included hiring a CPA to lead the Audit Division for the first time since 1986.

Mychajliw was elected Erie County Comptroller in November 2012.  He is the proud father of a 7-year-old daughter, a 2nd-grade student.  Mychajliw is 39-years old.

Steve Dyson is a historian, archaeologist of ancient Rome and named professor of classics at the University of Buffalo. He will speak on a paper he has done titled "Age, Sex And Status: View from the Roman Rotary Club.

President Ed will talk about his plans for his term in office. Please attend and show your support

Scott Hunt, President of Jack Hunt Coin Brokers, Inc.    Scott explained that the  Family business was started in 1968 in his parents second floor office. “Through 1979, our business was primarily a wholesale numismatic operation. In 1980, emphasis shifted to bullion, coins and scrap precious metals. Since then, Jack Hunt Coin Broker, Inc. has bought and sold over 35 million troy ounces of silver, gold and platinum. We have developed our reputation in the scrap and bullion business through an emphasis on fast and honest service. This diligent effort has enabled us to become one of the top scrap purchasers and bullion wholesale distributors in the United States. Since the spring of 1987, Jack Hunt Coins has been a United States Mint authorized purchaser of US Silver Eagle Coins. One of the major building blocks in the development of our reputation is our financial strength. Years of successful business have allowed us to develop a strong financial base. Jack Hunt Coin Broker, Inc. is a member of The American Numismatic Association (ANA) , Industry Council for Tangible Assets (ICTA), National Pawnbrokers Association (NPA), and several other national and regional industry organizations.”   [This paragraph copied from the About US section of the Jack Hunt website. www.jackhunt.com ].

Mary Travers-Murphy, Elizabeth Greno, and  a volunteer from the Family Justice Center.  Mary and her associates spoke to the club about the services the Family Justice Center offers to spouses who are affected by domestic violence.  The center currently has two locations, 237 Main Street, 14^th floor Buffalo NY and 4383 South Buffalo Street, Orchard Park with a North-town location being developed in Williamsville at the intersection of Union and North Forest Roads.   Domestic violence is a taboo subject to many, Mary and her associates provided emotional and inspirational examples of how important these centers are to our community.   You may learn more about the centers at www.fjcsafe.org .    

ROTOSCOPE APRIL 8, 2013

Anthem: Mike Sirianno

Pledge: Mike Sirianno

Grace: Ed Stachura

Four Way Test: Roger Gross

Door: Matt Balling

50/50: Mike Burns

GUESTS: Mary Travers-Murphy, Elizabeth Greno, and a volunteer from the Family Justice Center. Mary and her associates spoke to the club about the services the Family Just Center offers to spouses who are affected by domestic violence. The center currently has two locations, 237 Main Street, 14^th floor Buffalo NY and 4383 South Buffalo Street, Orchard Park with a North-town location being developed in Williamsville at the intersection of Union and North Forest Roads. Domestic violence is a taboo subject to many, Mary and her associates provided emotional and inspirational examples of how important these centers are to our community. You may learn more about the centers at www.fjcsafe.org .

District Assembly: President Mike reminded the Club about the May 4, 2013 District Assembly and strongly encourages the membership to attend this worthwhile day long Rotary event!

NO MEETING April 15, 2013 due to the Mix N Mingle at Westwood CC on Arpil 18, 2013. 6PM. The Nix & Mingle replaces our regular meeting and counts toward your attendance.

50:50: April 8, 2013; $708.00 in the pot. Vicki D’Angelo won the opportunity to draw a card from the deck, she pulled an Ace of Spades and donated it back to the club.

Youth Exchange Coordinator needed for our club! Mike Sirianno will be stepping down after several Years as our club Youth Exchange Coordinator. The main focus of the position is to work with the High School our Exchange Student will be attending to place the student in the School as well as help find one or several Families within the school district for the Exchange student to stay with. Mike continues to express the wonderful experience he has had in this position and encourages our clubs participation with this program. Without a Club Youth Excahnge coordinator our club would not be able to participate in the program which means students such as Anna, Max, and Sibel would not have come into our lives. Please contact Mike is you have any questions or would like to be our Clubs Youth Exchange coordinator.

 Literacy Campaign: Mary Biddle-Widman is collecting books for children in primary through elementary school in he month of April 2013. You may bring the books to our meeting or call Mary and give them directly to her.

RYLA: Vicki reminded the club that the RYLA applications need to be in this week. The leadership program this year is again at Fredonia college June 19-15th. Contact Vicki if you have a candidate.

Club adjourned at 8:04pm.

NEXT MEETING: April 18, 2013 - Mix N'Mingle at Westwood Country Club, 6:00pm.

Capt. McGonnagle has been a police officer for 26 years at the ranks of patrolman, lieutenant and captain. Currently, I am a part of the administration responsible for the patrol division (3-11 shift) and all 911 communication operations. I hold BS and MS degrees from Buffalo State College and Boston University respectively, and I'm also an adjunct professor in criminal justice at Buff State. He spoke in detail about the state of the Amherst Police Department. He also talked about some of his personal experiences as a police officer.

As a member of the ECIDA business development team, Beth works with local businesses assisting their growth supported by ECIDA programs such as microloans, participation loans and tax incentives. Beth also focuses on the agency's business outreach - playing a key role on the Ambassador Program team and other business retention campaigns. The agency's various campaigns are across organizational outreach efforts aimed at raising awareness of the various economic development programs available to businesses within Erie County.

Prior to joining the ECIDA in 2008, Beth worked in various roles within the finance industry, most recently as a Client Relations Executive serving major banking clients of Fiserv Lending Solutions. Her experience includes 10 years in automotive finance at Mercedes Benz Credit Corporation and Remarketing Services of America in Amherst, NY. She serves on the Board of the Buffalo Niagara Sales and Marketing Executives, is a member of several area Chambers and is a volunteer with Compeer of WNY. A native of CT, Beth received her MS degree in Finance from Fairfield University and relocated to WNY in 1997. Beth resides in Clarence with her husband and 2 sons.

November 13, 2012

 

PlEDGE: Vern Anderson

Anthem: Vern Anderson

Four Way Test: im Rumsey

Grace: Joe Fiorella

Door: Matt Balling

50/50: Ed Stachura

Fine Master: Paul Banas

 

Guests:  District Governor Rick Sterne, Jay DiPasquale, Gary Scalio.

 

Williamsville Rotary Foundation:  next meeting, December 5, 2012, 7:45am at Bob Chur’s office.

 

Gateway Longview Holiday Angel Gift Donation:  Bill Thuman took 35 names of children from Gateway Longview who are in need of an Angel this holiday season.  He passed around the sign-up sheet and names/descriptions of those in need.  If you were not at the meeting and want to participate in our clubs annual giving event contact Bill at 635-8420 or William.thuman@rbc.com.   Deadline for gift drop off at Bill’s office is December 3, 2012.

 

New Club Polo Shirts:  Must be ordered by the next meeting.  Men and Ladies shirts in various sizes are on display at the meetings.  Cost of each shirt is $23.00.  Give payment to Matt Balling.

 

District Governor Sterne presented a power point and spoke to our club regarding this years “Peace Through Service” campaign as well as the Rotary International Foundations positive influence in continuing the fight to eradicate Polio. The Governor was please to share with our club that in 2012 there have been NO NEW cases of Polio reported in India.  Further he stated that our District 7090 was known at Rotary International as one of four

 

On a personal note, the Governor has initiated the “High Five” campaign during his term for all Rotarians.  Using the five fingers from one hand beginning with the thumb, 1. Have Fun in Rotary. 2.  Think outside the box.  3. Three “P’s” [People, Programs, Project Work].   4. Make Rotary Foundation one of your Charities of choice. 5. Join Rotary.  (Be sure to “High Five” someone today!).

 

 Fine Master Paul Banas did a great job this evening with fines.  The scribe was so interested in his fining technique at this meeting she neglected to write down who was fined…. I guess that could be a fine at the next meeting! 

 

50/50:  $ 2448.00 in the pot.  Vern Anderson drew the ticket to pick from the deck. He drew and 8 and gave it back to the club.   

 

Next meeting November 19, 2012 6:15pm at Milos on Main Street in Williamsville.

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:46pm.

September 17, 2012

Pledge:  Vern Anderson

Anthem: Vern Anderson

Four Way Test: Paul Banas

Grace: Jim Rumsey

Door: Matt balling

50/50 Richard Wojtowicz

Fine Master: Paul Banas

Guest(s):  Jeff Wright, Business First Editor, Mary Chu For , PCB Piezotronics; Lee Broad, Ana Belloso, exchange student from Spain, ,Julie Ponkow, President  Amherst South visiting Rotarian.

$1898.00 starting amount in 50/50 pot BEFORE  this evenings 50/50 drawing.

Mike Sirianno reminded the club about the District  being held Saturday September 29th at Transit Valley CC.  Mike requested a second member of the club join him at this meeting and Richard Wojtowicz volunteered to attend the meeting with him. 

Jim Ramsey reminded the club that September 18^th was the LAST day to sign up for the Golf Tournament.  Contact Jim, jimrumsey@benderson.com  or Frank Ralabate, frankralabate@aol.com  if you would like to attend the day of golf and dinner or just attend the dinner only.  The event is being held at Glen Oaks Golf Course in Amherst on September 24th.  Volunteers needed to stuff the take away bags.   Dinner starts at 6:30pm.  

Due to the GOLF OUTING on September 25^th there will be NO MEETING on September 24^th.  You will be given credit for a meeting if you attend the dinner after the golf outing on September 25^th.  

Amherst South is celebrating its 75^th anniversary.  Julie Pankow, President of Amherst South invites all of us to help them celebrate by attending their event on Saturday September 22^nd at the Park CC.  Individual tickets are $50.00 per person.  Couple tickets are $95.00.  Contact Julie at ponkow@gmail.com if you wish to attend.  

Vern Anderson reminded us about the District Conference in Brantford Ontario the weekend of October 12-13 and 14^th.  Anyone interested in going should contact Vern or Mike Sirianno.  Vern also asked if our club wanted to participate in sharing a hospitality room with any other club.  

Ron Prazmark introduced Jeff Wright, our speaker for the evening and the Editor of Business First Buffalo for the last 17 years.  Jeff began his talk by telling the club that he had met Ron when his oldest daughter was a participant in SABAH many years ago and further that his second daughter has been the recipient of a Rotary Club of Akron Scholarship, which helped with her college expenses, something he never forgot.  

Jeff described how the Buffalo papers manage to maintain/increase its revenue as a print publication in this world of electronic media.  He mentioned that 95% of the papers revenue is in the print media.   Outside of the paper, the book of lists is the next largest revenue generating product the paper produces. 

September 10, 2012 

Pledge: Mike Sirianno

Anthem: Mike Siiranno

Grace: Joe Fiorella

Four Way Test: Roger Gross

Door: Matt Balling

50/50 Jim Rumsey

 

Guests:  John Deptula, Amherst East Rotary Club

 

President Mike introduced the idea of utilizing a number assignment for tables so all Rotarians were at different tables each week.

                                                                

Williamsville Rotary Golf Tournament:  September 25^th at Glen Oaks. It will be a Scramble format.  Frank asked for you to get your reservations in.  He needs to give the course a head count by September 23^rd.  Volunteers are also needed for the day, contact anyone on the committee if you are interested in golfing or volunteering.

You may also, sponsor a hole for $100.00. 

 

 

9-11 Presentation:  Shirley spoke on behalf of Vern Anderson in presenting the evenings program on the 9-11 Memorial and events of that day.  The video on the historical perspective gave a variety of opinions from lay people and historians alike.  Shirley, Roger, Ed Rath, Bobby Mills, and Paul Banas also shared with the club their experiences and memories of that awful day. 

 

Fines: 

Paul Banas was at his best by collecting $59.00 in fines  this evening. 

 

Total 50/50 pot $1898.00.  Vicki D’Angelo won $10.00 and donated back to the club. 

 

Meeting Scribe:  Our club is in need of a back-up scribe for when Kathy is unable to attend the meetings.

If you are able to fill in from time to time please email Kathy and let her know. 

 

Thank you to Vicki D’Angelo for taking the minutes for the September 10^th  meeting!

 

Next meeting September 17, 2012, 6:15pm.  Milos Restaurant on Main Street in Williamsville.

MEETING MINUTES

We held our annual Valentines Day Party last night, February 13th, at Milo's Restaurant on Main Street in Williamsville. The party was well attended and a good time was had by all. The food and service was excellent. The room was nicely decorated in a Valentines Day theme and a huge apple covered with chocolate and pecans was given to the attendees.

January 30, 2012 Tour of Harvest House and New Hope Educational Center  

The Williamsville Rotary Club toured the Harvest House and New Hope Educational Center created by Linda and Gary Tatu. Those that were able to attend thanked Jim Rumsey for organizing this very informative evening. The Tatu’s are examples of how perseverance, determination and faith can bring about action. Below are descriptions of what we toured and how the Ministry and Community Services help those in need. After the tour pizza was served for the Rotarians in the cafeteria of the Harvest House retreat area.

 

What is Harvest House ?
Physically, Harvest House is the former South Presbyterian Church and Sunday school building. It is a 22,000 square foot red brick building with high white columns holding up a large over-hanging roof. The building is used for spiritual retreats and community meetings. A 2,100 square foot addition at the rear of the parking lot houses the Harvest House Baby and Children's Ministry, the area’s largest supplier of free clothing and furnishings for children newborn to size 14. Located at 1782 Seneca Street, Buffalo NY 14210

What is New Hope Educational Center

 

A former Mack Truck dealership and service center, with ample fenced parking and surrounding property. This facility was donated to Harvest House. They named the building the Harvest House Ministry Center and envisioned it becoming a one-stop center to help the community with medical and educational needs. This location is currently serving as the Good Neighbors Health Care and New Hope Education Center. In March they plan to commence with a 17,000 SF interior modification of the remaining service center. Once completed the plan is to bring the Harvest House Baby and Children’s Center over to this building and increase the education services by including carpentry and plumbing trade classes in the expansion area.

The medical clinic offers Doctors, Dentists, Chiropractic Care and Optometrist who all volunteer their professional services to assist the people of the area. An attorney is at the education center Wednesday mornings to provide free legal advice to the community.

The New Hope Education School caters to students over 21. New Hope is unique in that it has different education providers offering different classes in the same space, at the same time. New Hope Education Center strives to provide students with the necessary skills needed for self sufficiency through intellectually stimulating learning and support. Students will then acquire job preparation skills, attain gainful employment, and pursue continuing education options. Classes are offered mornings, afternoons and evenings. Current providers offering classes are:

Erie Community College , Erie2CC Boces, Buffalo Public Schools Adult Education
Classes are taught by professional instructors certified and paid by the providers. Volunteer receptionists are at the desk each hour the school is open. Harvest House provides volunteer tutors for the students. New Hope Education Center is located at 175 Jefferson Ave. Buffalo, NY 14210.

 

 

 

Kim spoke to us on how the Chamber is "Not your Grandfathers Chamber". She presented the Chamber happenings and services that are available to all Chamber members. An important aspect of the Amherst Chamber, it is the only chamber that offers their own in house insurance agent that can assist members with health insurance benefits, together with other insurance products. Further Benefits to members are Business After Hours events, great for networking, numerous councils and committees, electronic newsletters, and an at home business council that is being started this year to address the needs of those members who work from home. Kim also spoke about the added value in assisting members that do not have meeting or conference space by providing space for them to use in the Chamber office.For more information on the Amherst Chamber call Kim at 632-6905

Jeannette Kreher

When Kreher’s Farm Fresh Eggs says they are a family farm, they really mean it. Jeannette is the first member of the fourth generation involved in the management of the farm started by her great grandparents in 1924. Jeannette remembers the values she learned as a child on the farm and the lessons from her grandfather that quality care of the flock means safe and wholesome eggs for consumers. Today Jeannette is responsible for keeping the weekly flock records and is committed to the values that have guided the Kreher family for 87 years. From providing for the well-being of the hens to participating in the community, Jeannette knows that doing what’s right is a value important to her neighbors.

 

Sherrie Gustas was brought into our club as a Corporate Member from Daemen College on December 19, 2011. Sherrie is the Executive Director for the Office of the President-Board of Trustes. She has three adult children and lives in Haburg.

Richard bergman was inducted into our club on December 19, 2011. He owns Heartland Homes,Inc. He is also a US Army veteran and he lives in Amherst.

 

Curt Vogelsong, nephew of Williamsville Rotary Club member Doug Littlewood, gave a very exciting presentation regarding his RYLA experience at Fredonia. He used a multi medas presentation showing some of their activities. The group was between 40-50 participants.  His group has met three times since RYLA.  They focused on trust activities; speak ups, music and a celebration.  They also raised $2,000.00 for Haiti. He said he “had a blast”.