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By Peggy Murphy
30 August 2017
President Alix presided over the meeting
 
Members PresentAlix, Barbara, Peggy, Sundra, Bina, Mahbub, Jeffrey, Richard, Boniface, Sandy, Pete, Lisa, Jessica
 
Guests Present:  Det. Emil Cavorti and Lt. Larry Block (Fourth Precinct-YPD), Bob Walters (Beczak Center/Science Barge), Jay Akulin, Marc Winter (prospective Member), Shawnee Jenkins, Tom Meier
 
Meeting Highlights:
 
Alix opened the Meeting at 6:30 with a Prayer for Rotary and the community and the recitation of the Four-Way Test. Out of respect to Det. Cavorti and Lt. Block, Alix proposed that they deliver their presentations before proceeding with our usual business meeting.   The Meeting adjourned at 8:00.
 
Guests -Det. Cavorti of YPD Fourth Precinct spoke with us this evening.  He has been a member of YPD for 39 years.  He informed us that he and Lt. Larry Block speak with several different groups, among them senior citizen groups, tenant associations, and civic groups.  Many events occur in the Fourth Precinct, including Riverfest and the Yonkers Marathon.  He indicated that there has been conversation among City Officials about establishing a Fifth Precinct, which would be comprised of the waterfront area as well as part of the Third Precinct.  YPD receives approximately 170,000 calls per year for services.  Det. Cavorti entertained many questions from attendees, and there were numerous questions relating to quality of life issues in Yonkers.  The Fourth Precinct holds a Community Meeting on the third Thursday of each month at the Shonnard Place station.
 
Minutes of the 9, 16, and 24 August Meeting were unanimously approved.
 
Member Introductions – Alix requested Members and Guests present to introduce themselves to all.
 
Presidential Citation and Foundation Banner Achievement – Mahbub reported that Y-EY achieved 24 goals and will be receiving the 2016-2017 RI Presidential Citation.  Some of these goals included Member retention, Rotary-giving goal, humanitarian service, and public image.  RC of Metro NYC was the only other District Club to achieve this distinction. PDG Lora Hugelmeyer and past AG Mary Chiamarra have congratulated the Club on this achievement. Congratulations to all Y-EY members.
Foundation Banner AchievementFoundation Giving – Clubs that achieve an average of $100 per capita, 100% participation, with each Member contributing at least $25.  We had 100% participation and average per member contribution of $534.24.  Every Rotarian, Every Year (EREY)Clubs achieving minimum Annual Fund contribution of $100 per capita and every dues-paying member must personally contribute at least $25.  We had 100% participation and average member contribution of $192.53.  Y-EY will soon be receiving these banners. Club Rotary Foundation Chair Bina thanked all members for their support.
 
Hostos Micro Society School – Alix, Bina, Mahbub, and Sundra attended a recent meeting at the School in preparation for applying for a District Grant on Education and Literacy.  The school recently lost its librarian and arts programs. Due to population increase, 500 students are currently enrolled; their current library space is being remodeled to accommodate three classrooms. The new library space will be approximately one-third the size.
 
Family Services Field Day Kinship Program – August 31 from 11:00 – 2:30, at Macy Park, Ardsley.  As a recent Community Service Grant recipient, their Grant was to assist them in their on-going program of grandparents as caretakers.  The Field Day event will include an art project for grandparents, which Sundra will oversee.
 
Disaster Assistance – Hurricane Harvey – Alix reported that District 7230 will hold off on this at the moment.  District will likely work on a Grant at some point in the future.  Subsequent to the Meeting, Alix learned from DG Barbara that the Trustees of District 7230 Foundation have approved a custodial account for the purpose of accepting funds for Projects, Grants, Programs, and/or other activities to assist in the disaster relief efforts resulting from Hurricane Harvey.  PLEASE NOTE:  This fund is for long-term future activities, and contributions are TAX DEDUCTIBLE. Those wishing to make immediate donations should write checks payable to Rotary 7230 District Foundation, Inc., noting “Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Fund”.  Send check to:  C. Jerry Ploss, Treasurer, Rotary District 7230 Foundation, Inc., C. Jerry Ploss & Co., 111 Bowman Avenue, Rye, New York 10573.
 
Bangladesh – Mahbub reported that the massive rains in Bangladesh have resulted in 30% of the country being flooded in the last 45 days.  This has resulted in mud slides, homes and livestock being washed away, standing water, among others.  The country is the about the size of NY state with a population of about 160 million – about half that of the US. RC of Uttara is providing urgent assistance and will coordinate continued efforts.  WHO and UNICEF are also there.  Donation checks may be written to Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers Foundation noting “Bangladesh Flood Relief” in the memo area.
 
RI Foundation Meeting – Bina informed us that she, Mahbub, Sundra, and Matts were invited to attend a reception meeting on 17 August at the Harvard Club in NYC, at which Clubs were thanked for their efforts to increase contributions for the Rotary Foundation in the 2016-2017 Rotary Year. A number of PDGs, the DGE and DGN were also present.
 
Rotaract – Jessica Bunch presented the idea of a community-based Club vs a college-based Club that is currently being explored.  This concept has been recommended by DG Barbara Edwards who reasons that college Rotaract Clubs lose their members each year due to graduation, this is not an issue for community based clubs.
 
Dream Court – Jeffrey offered to set up a meeting next week with Anthony Landi, Commissioner of Parks, Recreation, and Conservation in Yonkers to discuss the proposed Dream Court.
 
Fundraiser for Cameroon Roads – Boniface reported that no Rotary Members attended the 12 August fundraiser.  Alix explained the need to work with another local RC in order to proceed with any Grant for that project.  Jessica will be in Cameroon in October and hopes to be able to attend a Rotary Club meeting while there.
 
50/50
 
No 50/50 was held this week.
 
QUEEN’S DOWRY
The winning card is the Queen of Hearts
 
Happy Bucks – $32.00
 
Meeting Glimpses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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