Reporting Meeting of 26 February 2007

For Distribution 5 March 2007

· The meeting was opened with a moment of silent prayer.

· Steve Caine was welcomed back from his vacation in Hawaii.

· The dinner meeting at the Schenectady Community was great. Thirty-five people attended. John Fettke and David Waldron were inducted as new members at the dinner.

· Garry Morrow reported on how Eliane Martint, one of the Brazilians who visited our club last month, was recruited to teach English teaching for a month to English teachers at our project in Pakistan.

· Peter Sawyer was welcomed as a guest. He is an assistant professor at Hudson Valley Community College, whose father had been a member of the club, and who is considering joining himself.

· President Linda is still off performing good works in Uganda, and is scheduled to report to the club on 19 March.

· Preparations are underway for the 10 March Pancake Breakfast. Additional tickets were handed out for advance sale. Co-chairs Mark Gasparovic and Sandy Kominoski recruited volunteer workers.

· Ken Crotty appealed for members to bring their dues up to date. Eight or nine members are overdue with a negative impact on the budget.

· Ken urged the membership to consider contributing to the Rotary Foundation.

· Rey Whetten described the Rotary grant process. His talk was illustrated by a handout illustrating the complex rules.

· Bob Youmans led the singing of “You are My Sunshine”.

· The major topic was a discussion of our meeting place and possible alternatives. The Millstone Lodge wishes to raise the dinner price to $15, a matter of concern to the membership, and is considering reopening the bar on Mondays for Monday Night football. If so, we would need to change our meeting night - perhaps to Tuesday. Possible remodeling of the building may make the meeting room less suitable for our needs. As a short-term solution it was proposed that the club accept the meal price increase, continuing at the Millstone through the end of the Rotary year this June, meanwhile evaluating longer-term solutions. The proposal was moved, seconded and passed by voice vote. Ron Serapilio emphasized the importance of having a well-defined meeting place and time so that speakers can be scheduled well in advance.

· Laura Linder stated that the Town of Charlton wants to know if the Club wants to support the kids’ games at the “Picnic in the Park” again this year.

· Sandy Kominoski stated that our participation in the Charlton Founders Day parade is less than exciting, asking for suggestions for livening it up. Music on the float was suggested.

· Laura commented that the parade theme this year will be Sons and Daughters of Liberty.

Reported by Fred Baily