Home Club of the Van Rensselaer Division Lt. Governor Chester A. Melius, Jr.

Meets 6:30 PM Mondays at The Lakeview Inn Restaurant
President Alison M. Greene                                                                                                                      Secretary David E. Booker
President-Elect Robert R. Loveridge                                                                                                 Treasurer Robert S. Pasquarelli
Vice-President Joseph M. Behson                                                                                            Immediate Past Pres Kathy Evensen

Sandpiper  Editor Peg Weiss

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Barbara K. Fioravanti, E. Kenneth James, William M. Whipple

 James M. Colabelli, Fred Jeschke, Kelly L. Stone

Christopher R. Blais, Ron Wagner, Eve Ward

MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2006  

PRESIDENT Alison M. Greene presiding

GREETINGS & INVOCATION by Fred Wurtemberger

WELCOME BACK, Editor Peg, Kelly, Scott and Joe Melius

ANNOUNCEMENTS

·         SOCCER SEASON IS HERE AGAIN!  P-E Bob thanked those who worked on short notice yesterday in the Food Trailer:  Bob & Joanne, Jerry, Eve, Peg, and especially Botsy who hauled in and out.  Chet thanked the crew for a “better than average” cleanup job!  Signup sheets were circulated for the 8-week schedule, Sundays from 12-5 PM.  EVERYONE should work at least one shift.  Especially needed are those with trailer hitches to tow the trailer!

SUNDAY, SEPT 17^th:  WE NEED HELP!!!  Bob, Eve, & Ken James have signed up for the 1^st shift,

                       but NO ONE is on from 2-5 PM.  Call Bob @ 479-0017 and VOLUNTEER NOW!!!

·         INTERCLUBS:  Fred Wurtemberger announced one “out” to York, Maine this Thursday, Sept 14^th:  Booker, KVP, Fred, Peg. 

Chet’s final DIVISION COUNCIL is Tues, Sept 26^th, hosted by the Troy Club at LoPorto’s Ristorante @ 6:30 PM:  Booker, Alison, Chet, Eve, Peg.   

SLK’s installation is Oct 1^st, when we should have several interclubs “in”. 

Tues, Oct 2^nd is Hoosick Falls’ installation:  Booker, Pasquarelli, KVP, Peg

·         COMMUNITY SERVICE:  John Brownrigg thanked those who worked on the recent blood collection 8/31 when 36 units were collected, bringing our year to date total to 111 units!  Signup sheets were circulated for other projects:  BUTLER PARK REFURBISHING this Sat 9/16 @ 9 AM, and DOORS OF HOPE FOOD UNLOADING Tues 9/19 @ 10 AM.

·         SPONSORED YOUTH:  Barb announced 2 Key Club activities that really need a Kiwanis presence.  This Sat 9/16 the bands which were rained out at SummerFest will be in CONCERT at Butler Park from 3:30-6:30 PM.   Kiwanis International FAMILY SERVICE DAY is Sun, Oct 1^st and is a workday at the Regional Food Bank in Latham.  Sign up for a shift from either 1-3 or 3-5 PM.  Both of these efforts really need our support!

·         CORRESPONDENCE:  From the Valley Cats, for support during this great year.

From Margot Kopache, APHS student, for support to attend HOBY seminar.

From the Let Hope Live Foundation, for $100 donation to Andrew’s Warriors for pediatric brain cancer research.

·         John Brownrigg distributed copies of a Times Union feature article on Bryce Cutler and his collection of baseballs.  There was no mention of Kiwanis in the write-up of Bryce’s interests, nor did the picture show a Kiwanis pin on his lapel, or the doo-hickey Bryce claims to have sitting on his desk!  John figured Bryce owed $15 for these lapses, especially when Bryce’s employer was prominently featured!

·         There will be a monthly Board of Directors meeting following the regular meeting tonight.

PERFECT ATTENDANCE AWARDS

       Pins were awarded (left to right) to Bob Loveridge for 3 years, Chet Melius for 6 years, and to Clayton Besch for 15 years!  Congratulations to all!

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS:   Ken Noland, Joe Behson & Jim Rogers and the absent Bill Rosenberger, Ron Wagner, and Joe Melius (present but not in picture)

SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES:   Barb & Gene Fioravanti, Clayton & Louise Besch (Clayton was somewhere else when the picture was taken) and Dick & Carol Johnsen

                 We sang to those present, and enjoyed Eve’s delicious chocolate cake.

DISTRICT CONVENTION REPORT FROM SARATOGA

The biggest news was the defeat of the dues increase, but we know that it will reappear next year.

Joe Behson attended workshops (Parents of youth good membership prospects) & (School projects to benefit disaster victims).  Jim Rogers attended a workshop on Power Point Presentations, and found a good restaurant, Augie’s, on Route 50.  Chet went to his final District Board meeting, and was “de-installed” as Lt Governor.   Bob Loveridge related a story about a “math-challenged” maitre’d who couldn’t seat 6 people because there were only 2 chairs to a table in the preferred area! Dave attended several forums, and the consensus was poor scheduling judgment for after Labor Day, even if it WAS Saratoga!  Alison attended a workshop that presented a video available for new members to learn about various Kiwanis activities. 

PROGRAM 

          VP Joe Behson outlined the duties of Program Chair beyond scheduling a program for each weekly meeting.  He reminds the member responsible of his date, and that besides the program, that member is to provide the door prize, and make sure any necessary equipment is in place.  The member responsible for being the Greeter is reminded to arrive early, wear the special badge, have an appropriate invocation prepared (original or borrowed), and to thank and present our Certificate of Appreciation to the speaker.   Joe reviewed the many interesting programs we had this past year.  Each SLK should take a turn presenting a program to the Club.

HAPPY DOLLARS

·         Peg, for a wonderful 2200-mile trip (including the infamous Beltway!) to NC, VA, MD, DC & PA visiting family & friends.  No trouble on the road, but after an oil change and state inspection this week, had a flat tire the very next day!

·         Chris:  Glad to be back in school.  Better having the kids than going to all those meetings!

·         Skip, for a great sailing adventure with 2 other SLKs, Breselor & Perry, to Block Island.  Weather was clear, and the winds were brisk—perfect for sailing on the ocean!

·         Behson:  After a clinic at Siena College I am now a certified recreational tennis coach!

·         Barb, for my 41^st wedding anniversary with Gene!

·         Clayton:  Guess I have to put one in for my 50^th with Louise!  {Congratulations to all!  ED}

·         Jim Rogers:  Thanks for the opportunity to be a convention alternate delegate.  Also, after 5 long weeks of renovations, our kitchen is finally done!!!  {Giving tours, Jim?  ED}

·         Gary:  KELLY’S BACK!!!  We missed her!

DOOR PRIZE, provided by Joe Behson, was won by Ken Noland!  {Bottle of turpentine?} 

50/50 for $ 28 was won by Jim Colabelli!

MEGA 50/50, starting up again @ $45, will grow.  Kelly Stone picked the Ace of Hearts from 50!

NEXT WEEK   PROGRAM:  Doug Baldrey

SEPT 18                  GREETER/INVOCATION/CERTIFICATE:  Kelly Stone 

SEPT 25                  PROGRAM:  ???   

                             GREETER/INVOCATION/CERTIFICATE:  Jim Rogers 

OCT 2                     INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

                                      GUESTS INVITED – MAKE RESERVATIONS

                             GREETER/INVOCATION/CERTIFICATE: Doug Baldrey

OCT 9                     PROGRAM:  Peg Weiss, Sandpiper Editor

                                      BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

                             GREETER/INVOCATION/CERTIFICATE: KVP  

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT ON THE 5^TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11:

“America is not perfect, but it’s much better than anywhere else in the world.”

                                                                                                                   Catherine Zeta-Jones

May we never forget………………

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

ROLL CALL – All officers and directors present except Evensen and Wagner

SECRETARY’S MINUTES – approved as read

TREASURER’S REPORT – balance $39,231.89

(includes approx $1300 given in memory of Phil Pierce)

HIGHLIGHTS OF COMMITTEE REPORTS

Community Services (Brownrigg):  SummerFest wrapup, Food @ Doors of Hope, Bloodmobile

Education & Membership (Pasquarelli):  Inducted 1 new member, Ken Noland

Interclubs (Wurtemberger):  1 out to Castleton for Division Council

Sponsored Youth (Fioravanti):  Key Club bake sales @ concerts & worked on park refurbishment

OLD BUSINESS

• Aktion Club formation permanently tabled {oxymoron?}

• Club Lettered potable signs wearing out.  Committee appointed to investigate replacement:  Loveridge chair, Whipple, and Colabelli to report next month.

NEW BUSINESS

• Key Leaders to meet in eastern NY in 3 wks.  Funding of 3 positions @ $150 each approved.  Kelly Stone to provide names of students.

• Payment of $84 for 8’x3’ KIWANIS banner approved.

• Resignation of Bruce Coyne accepted.

• After months of no response from Jim Stacy re dues, suspended for not meeting a financial obligation to the club for over 2 months, termination automatic after 30 days.

• Purchase of administrative software for club management approved for one-year trial.

• 6 month extension to leave of absence approved for Dale Hall for medical reasons.

• $100 donation to AP Fish & Game Club for use of their lakeside facilities for Steak & Lobster Roast approved.

• Request approved from Youth Services to spend up to $500 @ DEA Computing for 5 computer systems to be given to needy students.

• Authorized payment of up to $287 to Albany Med for Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Unit.

DIVISION

• Next Division Council, hosted by Troy Club, is at LoPorto’s Ristorante on Sept 26^th.

DISTRICT

• 6 Club members attended convention in Saratoga last week.