Posted by Michelle Brandstadt on Jan 25, 2019
Here is what you missed at this week's Rotary meeting!
Meeting Recap 1/24/19
 
Visitors:
  • Sam Koch – guest of Jill Koch
  • Tom Serwatka – guest of Mary Ann Hallak-Serwatka
  • Travis Rubbers – Delta Hotel; previous Rotary member outside of area
  • Ophelia Lui – RCU exchange student
 
50-50 Winner: Tom Webb
 
Rotarians in the News by Dr. Roger Breslow: Anna D’Ambrosio, Joanne Donaruma, David Mathis, Cassandra Harris-Lockwood, Michael Simpson
 
Additional News:
  • Joe Caruso mentioned that Joe Marino’s 11-year-old son made a national baseball team that competed for two weeks in Florida; the tournament was sponsored by ESPN.
  • Dom Passalacqua gave an update on his granddaughter Leah’s health. He said she is doing well. She is soon undergoing chemotherapy treatment number five of six, after which she will begin an auto-immune program at Sloan Kettering.
 
Announcements
  • The monthly (last Tuesday of the month) volunteer effort at the Utica Zoo starts Tuesday, January 29 at 5 p.m. For more information contact Kristine Theodorakos.
  • The District Foundation Gala is Friday, February 1, at 6 p.m. at the Yahnundasis. Deadline to register is January 29. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased at  https://rotary7150.org/page/foundation-gala. Items valued over $50 are needed for silent auction baskets; to donate contact Linda Iannone.
  • A benefit for former RCU member Melissa Kehler, who is battling cancer for the third time, will be held February 10 from 2-6 p.m. at Daniele’s, New Hartford. Contact Deborah Burke or at club meetings to purchase tickets.
  • District Conference will be May 3-4 in Lake Placid. Information can be found at https://rotary7150.org/page/district-conference-2019/.
  • Details regarding our club website are still being worked out. President David Bagley will continue to update members.
  • President David Bagley mentioned that Adirondack Foothills Rotary Club is hosting an ice fishing derby on February 9; he thought this was a unique idea for a fundraiser.
  • Member Mixer information:
  • Our club Member Mixer to promote membership is on Wednesday, February 20, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Uptown Theatre for Creative Arts. Tickets are $25 for Rotarians and free for guests interested in learning about becoming a Rotarian. Contact Michelle Brandstadt or at weekly meetings for tickets.
  • Stephen Turnbull announced that the Membership Committee is seeking $50 sponsorships to help offset the costs of the Member Mixer. Sponsors will be listed in the program and on signage. Contact Stephen for more information.
  • The committee is looking for donations of The Rotarian magazines from the past year in good condition. The magazines will be placed on an information table and available for interested guests to take home. Contact Michelle Brandstadt or at weekly meetings to donate magazines. (Note: address labels will be removed.)
  • The Recap News Committee is looking for additional members willing to help with the recap news on a rotating basis. If interested, contact Michelle Brandstadt or Tina Pavlot.
 
Program
Dom Passalacqua, Rotaract Chair, discussed the club’s new partnership with the Oneida County Sheriff’s Department. Rotaract member Devin Bryant, a Utica College student, has started an internship with the department. Dom and Jennifer DePasquale, Rotaract committee member, presented Robert Swenszkowski, Oneida County Assistant Sheriff, with a check for $1,000 to help underwrite the cost of the internship. Mr. Swenszkowski thanked the club for its support and gave a brief overview of his law enforcement career and the divisions and responsibilities of the Oneida County Sheriff’s Department.
 
Note: Sheriff Robert Maciol could not attend because of duties in Albany. Devin Bryant could not attend because of school responsibilities.
Rotaract Presentation to Oneida County Sheriff
 
 
Jan. 31 Program:  Alex Simon, Director of Development, Masonic Medical Research Institute