Posted by Lori Orestano-James on Sep 04, 2017
Monti Meeting Happenings
August 29, 2017             6:30pm            Albella’s Restaurant
 
Call to Order
President Barbara Carr called the meeting to order at 6:30pm followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and The Rotary Four Way Test.  She then welcomed all members and introduced guests.
 
Guests: Bejan Kerendian, Cathy Paty
 
Montigram Editor Report
 
This Montigram is packed with information from the past few weeks.  Please take a moment to look at all the good that Rotary is doing locally and beyond! Truly doing "Service Above Self!"  Come join us in making our community and world a better place for all!  
 
President's Reminders
 
President Barbara Carr shared upcoming dates and reminders with the club.  Remember to visit our website or view in this newsletter our upcoming events. http://monticellonyrotary.org/events/calendar
 
The Liberty Rotary is holding its 5th Annual Spirit, Beer & Wine Tasting a the Downtown BARN in Liberty (14 Darbee Lane) on Friday, September 15, 2017 at 6pm.  (Live Music by Cathy Paty!) Tickets are limited so be sure to call for information and reservations.  Contact Liberty Rotary President Judy Siegel at (845) 798-2188 or hassiegel@aol.com The Monticello Rotary Club made a $250 donation to the Liberty Scholarship event. 
 
We received notes from David Braunstein and CC DeCosto to thank us for the scholarships they received from the Monticello Rotary Club.  Wish them luck with their future endeavors. 
 
Rotary Means Business will be meeting soon.  President Carr will forward information once the first "meeting" is established.  Please stay tuned for more information regarding this new program. 
 
Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts
President Carr sent out information under separate cover (see below).  More will be reported at the August 5, 2017 meeting with specific efforts. VP  Lori Orestano-James will be our Club Contact for continued efforts on this project and liaison for outreach in working with Liberty Rotary, Interacts and others to unite in this needed effort.  
 

Also, our club is joining forces with the Liberty Rotary Club to aid victims of Hurricane Harvey.

Local groups are headed to Texas to assist the regions affected by Hurricane Harvey, according to a press release from the Liberty Rotary Club and Monticello-based nonprofit Operation Endeavor....  The groups are working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to plan a response for areas that aren’t receiving as much assistance as the urban areas. Aid efforts are also being coordinated through Rotary Clubs in the Houston area.

The five-member team includes Stuart Hirsch, director of operations for St. Mary’s Hospital Emergency Services in Connecticut. The other members on the team are Naval Corpsman Lawrence Smira and paramedical and rescue professional Charles Atwell, Charles Lee Miller and Thomas Andryshak. Hirsch, a Liberty Rotarian, is also the president of Operation Endeavor. Gary Silver, Susan Kraycer and Gary Siegel are other Liberty Rotarians on Operation Endeavor’s board of directors.
The Liberty Rotary Club has contacted thousands of Rotarians in the New York region to donate to the effort.

Monticello Rotary is proud to join the effort! We're asking members and friends to contribute to Operation Endeavor by making a donation online via this link:

https://www.youcaring.com/hurricanevictimsoftexasusa-914276

OR you can make a check payable to Monticello Rotary Club with "Operation Endeavor" noted in the memo space and bring it to a meeting.

THANK YOU for your support!

Please help in any way you can.  United with Texas throughout this difficult time is what is most important.  "Operation Endeavor" has a Rescue Crew with feet on the ground already providing services to those in need.   They have reported back to Gary Siegel of Liberty Rotary as to what the needs are so we can assist appropriately.  We are lucky to have Rotarians on the "Operation Endeavor" Board of Directors as well as participating in the mission with feet on the ground in Texas.  Please remember that "Shelter Box" is also working with Rotary International to assist in this cause and would appreciate your consideration as well.   
 
Member Happenings
Congratulations to Les Kristt on being honored for his work in our community and Service Above Self by the Sullivan County Partnership on October 5, 2017 at 5:30 at The Sullivan in Rock Hill. 
 
Congratulations to Richard Sush on being honored at the Town of Thompson Democratic Committee Annual Gala Cocktail Party and Dinner for his commitment and Service Above Self on behalf of our community.  The event is on October 11, 2017 at 5:30pm at Ciao Bella Restaurant in Monticello. 
 
Guest Speaker
 
Cathy Paty, President/CEO of the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce shared the wonderful work the SC Chamber is doing.  There are a plethora of ways the Sullivan County Chamber can help you and your business, clubs or organizations!  Here were some of the highlights from the meeting: 
 
  • Chamber Guide
  • Post/Search for Job Opportunities
  • Hot Deals/Promotions
  • Calendar Listing (Check out the Monticello Rotary Scholarship Golf Outing Posting just submitted!) 
  • Chamber and community growth over the past 5 years
  • Representation of Members with numerous groups and boards (reciprocal)
  • Developed a 3 year Strategic Plan
  • New Customer Advantage Progam
  • Look for New Streamlined Pride Awards Event in November
Past Meeting Speakers: 
 
Alzheimer's Association: Susan Buckles and Sheila Lashinsky 
 
Susan Bunce and Sheila Lashinsky joined us at our August 22, 2017 meeting to speak with to us about the Alzheimer's Association.  Susan gave those in attendance a great deal of information about this disease.  Here are some of the key points shared: 
  • There currently is no cure for Alzheimers
  • Medications are available to help with symptoms but only prolongs the symptom on-sets (approximately 18 months)
  • 5 million people in the US have been diagnosed with the estimation that by 2050 16 million will be affected by Alzheimers
  • Every 66 seconds, someone develops Alzhiemers
  • Caregivers give approximately 18.2 Billion hours of care a year
  • Music makes a difference in how people with Alzheimers respond to surroundings (Alive Inside - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HLEr-zP3fc )
Sheila shared what our local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association is doing. Some highlights are: 
  • Music Socials
  • 24 Hour Helpline
  • Service Assistance for those in need
  • Fundraising efforts - They have a bus to transport those interested in participating in this year's Alzheimer's Walk.  Monticello Rotary will work on creating a team to assist in this venture.  The team will include the Monticello and Fallsburg Interact Clubs.  We will reach out to our neighboring Rotary Clubs to explore if they are interested in joining us.  We have a donation can available at each meeting as well.  Our member contact for this event is Janet Kaplan. THe walk is On Saturday October 7, 2017. 
Committee Reports
 
Monster Run – Les Kristt
Les Kristt gave an accounting on this years event and was proud to announce that we garnered more funds than in years past.  The event is growing and he thanked all those who volunteers and assisted in making this event the success it was. 
 
Orshii Boldiis reported that we still have a limited amount of Monster Run T-Shirts available.  Please contact him directly or attend a meeting to purchase.  The shirts are $10.00 each.
 
Golf Outing - Bob Ernst
 
Plans are underway and brochures were distributed for this years event.  
Please check out the link on our website page or Facebook page for details. 
 
http://monticellonyrotary.org/SitePage/scholarship-golf-outing-2017 
 
Bob is asking for volunteers to assist.  Please contact him if you are able to help. All proceeds benefit the Rotary College Foundation Scholarship
Four member teams are being sought with Registration at 9 and Shot Gun Start at 10am at Tarry Brae Golf Course.  Steak Dinner (BBQ) when Golfing is completed. 
 
Friendship Friday - Barbara Carr
Another successful Friendship Friday was held on Friday September 1, 2017! A great opportunity to network and enjoy the company and fellowship of others! Our next Friendship Friday is October 6, 2017 from 5:30 - 7:00pm.  Stay tuned for more information!
 
Youth Exchange - Helen Diehl
Helen shared postcards from Leo who thanked the Monticello Club for her wonderful experience this past year.  Leo is currently in a BA/FA Program to work with students at a Summer Camp.