Members Present: Sundra, Alix, Bina, Mahbub, Matts, Jeffrey, Ali, Harvey, Pete, Barbara, Loren, Lee, Tim, Steve, Shaw, Peggy
Guests: John Baboo (Prospective Member), Douglas Hostetter (Prospective Member) Taylor Eskew (DRFC)
Meeting Highlights:
Sundra Opened the meeting with the Pledge. The invocation was by Douglas. Members recited the 4-way Test and sang the Rotary Song.
Happy Bucks in the amount of $29 was collected.
Board Meeting Summary: Mahbub summarized the Board meeting proceedings:
The Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers Foundation Financial Report: Club Foundation Chair Matts reported that the Report of the Foundation is not ready and will be presented when it is ready by the next meeting
Discussion about My Sister’s Place donation: Our Donation of $500 for my Sister’s Place was given to the organizer of the Drive – the Yonkers 1st Precinct Community Council, Coordinator Rose Fink collected the check on behalf of the Council and delivered it to My Sister’s Place. Our donation stipulated that it would be used solely for buying essential items for the affected women who are living in Shelters provided by My Sister’s Place.
Unpaid Members that have been removed: Mahbub said on the basis of the decision at the last Board Meeting the following members have been removed from the membership rolls on 28 December, for non-payment of their annual dues for 2018-19 despite numerous reminders and follow-up phone calls. (1) Jessica Bunch, (2) Lou Cole (3) Pattie Savone (4) Patty Marlow (5) Boniface Tankeng (6) Lisa Summa-Guarino. On the basis, of the same Board decision, Dr. Constantine Flokas has been made an Honorary Member.
International Project: Girls Orphanage (Bangladesh) donation: A presentation was made by Bina on providing school supplies and health-check-ups for the 30 orphan girls at the Sultana and Monu Mia Orphanage in Chandpur, Bangladesh. Ali suggested that in order to have a meaningful impact the amount should be $3,000 for the project. After discussion, the Board agreed to an amount of $2,500 for the project, which will be carried out through the Rotary Club of Dhaka Phoenix. Bina will personally contact and work with the Secretary of the Dhaka Phoenix Club Nazrana Yeasmin, who is also on the Board of the Orphanage. The Board has asked the Foundation Trustees to approve the money and give the check to Bina.
The Holiday Party – The Board thanked Greg for successfully organizing the great Holiday Party.
The Holiday Raffle result: Harvey announced the results of the Holiday Raffle. A total of 60 tickets were sold and paid for resulting in a net gain of $1,000 for the Club Foundation. Added to that, the donation of all three winners (Bina and Greg $1,000 each and Debbie $100) will make the total inflow of $3,100 for the Club Foundation.
Thanks to Greg & Bina for their donations to Liberia: The Board thanked Greg and Bina and Debbie for their donations back to the Club.
Rotary Club of Yonkers-East Yonkers Tax Returns: Club Foundation Chair, Matts said that Shaw and Treasurer Ali will discuss with the Accountant for the filing of the Tax Returns for the Club. Ali will provide the Bank statements and the Accountant will handle the filing of the returns for both the Club and the Foundation.
Possible Account with Apple Bank and deposit of Funds at higher interest: The Board decided that the Club Operating Account will remain with Sterling Bank. The Foundation Trustees will decide to open a Money Market Account for $25,000, as an investment account.
Roy Letsen Memorial Dedication: President Sundra, PDGs Greg Arcaro and Matts Ingemanson, DGE Mahbub Ahmad, Jim Letsen and his family and other Club Members including Past President Alix Schnee, Shahid Latif, Steve Simpson, Barbara Hanna, Harvey Bernstein, Parul Bhatnagar were present at the ceremony dedicating a memorial to the Club's Founding President Sen. Roy Letsen at the St. Johns Hospital where he served as a Board Member for nearly 30 years. Present at the ceremony were Yonkers City Council President Mike Khader, NYS Senators Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Shelley Mayer were present. The main attraction of the memorial was a Kids Corner where there was play equipment and tablet computers. The first user of the Play area was Steve’s Son, Connor.
Anti-Bullying Program: A committee has been set up with Steve, Barbara, Sundra, Peggy, Pete and Alix.
Basketball Court and Rotary Logo: Barbara informed the meeting that the Rotary Logo would feature in center-court of the second Dream Court. However, for the first Court installation of the logo will entail an additional cost of $750. Club Board Members and Foundation Trustees present approved this additional expenditure from the Foundation.
Guest Speaker: Taylor Eskew, DRFC, explained the importance of Every Rotarian Every Year and how the donations keep coming back to the District and the Club for District and Global Grant Projects. She encouraged all members to donate a minimum of $100 a year to the Rotary Foundation and consider leaving a legacy of $1,000 or more in their will for the Rotary Foundation and become a Bequest Society Member. She also mentioned about the RotaryDirect by which members can enroll to have money automatically transferred to the Rotary Foundation every month. For $85 a month, you become a Paul Harris Fellow. Bina mentioned that the Rotary Foundation has been designated as a top Charity by Charity Navigator for the last 11 years.
Interact Club: For our new Interact Club Project, Bina brought in a bagful of towels and blankets. Peggy will deliver these items.
Ad hoc Item: $200 from the Operating account was approved as a tip to be given as a Holiday gift to our waiter at the Diner.
