Another new page for our website

If you make a habit of checking the page names at the top of this site, you’ve noticed we have added several new ones in recent weeks — YOUTH EXCHANGE and SHELTERBOX. Today, one more has been added.

It is RYLA, an introduction to the 2016-17 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards training program for upcoming high school juniors in District 7190. Copies of the RYLA Guide have been sent to club members involved in education and/or youth activities, but it also is available to anyone for downloading on the new page.

---

District Conference a lot more than just a meeting

The District 7190 Conference, scheduled for Friday through Sunday, May 13-15, in Lake Placid promises to be a lot more than just sitting around at a meeting.

As was the case last year when Schoharie County hosted the event and Rotarians pitched in for a community service day as well as lots of socializing and fun activities, this year’s conference promises great variety.

The base of activities will be the High Peaks Resort Hotel, 2384 Saranac Avenue, Lake Placid.

As District Governor Milan Jackson describes it, “Like we did last year, Friday will be a work day to help the communities of Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. Projects are being planned at this time. Then, Friday night we will have some entertainment in the House of Friendship and a game or two of trivia. Join us in the hospitality suite that evening.

“Saturday will start off with the general session meetings and conclude with the March of Flags by our Exchange students. Our lunch will be highlighted by a presentation from Rotary International Director Jennifer Jones. The afternoon will feature a photo contest, the assembling of aid packages for Haiti, another opportunity to help the Lake Placid Museum by cleaning their glass plate negative collection from 2 to 4 p.m. — a good way to keep your hands clean, and a walking tour of Lake Placid. That evening we will have another presentation by Jennifer Jones and a dinner theater event called ‘The Mystery In the Mountains.’

“Sunday morning we will hold a memorial service to honor those Rotarians who have left us, and conclude the morning with some individual and club awards. A good and busy weekend, and one that will let the communities of Lake Placid and Saranac Lake know that Rotary cares.”

---

Things going downhill for Chestertown Rotary

A “helicopter” sled was one of the many creative entries.

The Chestertown Rotary Club seems to be an energetic bunch.

In addition to sponsoring and running a community event called the “Krazy Downhill Derby,” the Warren County club entered a sled of its own in the competition.

However, it also wound up disqualifying that entry, the Rotary Rocket.

Say what?

Go here for the full story.

---

2017-18 DG nominee announced

Fred Daniels

District Governor Dave Hennel has announced the nomination of a Schenectady Rotarian for the 2017-18 governorship.

Fred Daniels, a longtime Rotarian and currently an Assistant District Governor, was selected by a vote of an interviewing panel representing eight of the District’s nine areas Monday night.

“Per protocol, this announcement serves notice to our clubs and allows a challenge period of 14 days for clubs to formally challenge this nomination,” Hennel said in making the announcement.

“Should a club find cause, the procedures and protocol are outlined in our District bylaws that are posted on the rotary7190.org website. Any challenge should be directed to our nominations chair, Past DG John Eaton (jeaton1@earthlink.net), and myself. Following that period, our District Governor Nominee Designee will officially be confirmed by a vote to be conducted at our District Conference in May.”

Fred has owned and operated his own company, Daniels Media and Communications, LLC, for the past five years. Among his past endeavors have been management positions with the Palace Theater in Albany and Proctors in Schenectady, and in a fundraising role for WMHT. He was club president in Schenectady for the 2010-11 Rotary Year.

---

District Conference a weekend of work, play

The 2015 District Conference will be a three-day work-and-play session in the heart of the Schoharie Valley.

Details of the schedule and events will be posted on the District’s website as they are firmed up. Registration already is open.

The conference will open with a work day on Friday, May 15, to help just a bit more in an area ravaged by flooding several years ago and still struggling to get back to normality. Various workshops will be available on Saturday, May 16, and a Sunday, May 17, limited-space brunch at the historic American Hotel in Sharon Springs is planned.

The aforementioned District website page has links to more specific postings, as well as suggestions for sightseeing in the Schoharie Valley.

Paid registrations will be processed in order received. The registration packet and form are listed on the left side of the District website page, under to the left under “SIGN UP / REGISTER.” Simply download one, fill it out and return it.

The drive from the Southern Rensselaer County area isn’t very taxing, but if you are interested in obtaining lodging for the conference, it will be available at special rates at several venues:

• Best Western of Cobleskill (features indoor pool and attached bowling lanes). Ask for the Rotary rate of $89.99.

• Quality Inn of Schoharie. Ask for the Rotary rate of $79.99.

• Alumni Commons on the campus of SUNY Cobleskill. (Check back on the District website for details.)for details)

• American Hotel in Sharon Springs. (Check back for details.)

---

Go jump in the lake — to fight polio

A scene from the 2014 plunge.

One of District 7190’s traditional events is the New Year’s plunge into frigid Lake George, part of the “End Polio Now” fundraising push.

The self-dunking will take place at 12:30 on the afternoon of January 1 at Shepard Park in downtown Lake George. If you’re willing to take part, simply pre-register with the tireless district mover-and-shaker Anne Cargile by phone (877-5530) or e-mail (annec@nycap.rr.com).

As an add-on to the plunge, the District is planning a bowling fundraiser from 2 to 4 p.m. while plungers are thawing out and others are congratulating them.

The event will begin with a hearty breakfast at the Lake George Bowl, 2211 Canada Street (the village’s main street) at 10 a.m., after which Lake George Rotarians will take victims …. er, participants … to the lakeside.

If you can’t make it to the plunge, you can take part by sending along a contribution to the event, using this form:

---

---

A good way to channel your inner artist

Milan W. Jackson, who will be our 2015-16 District Governor, has issued an artistic challenge to all District 7190 Rotarians.

“With all the changes we have had over the years,” he explains, “our District logo needs to reflect our very special district and what it stands for. There is a challenge to each club to come up with a submission for a new district logo.

“Remember, we have Lake George, the Capital Region, the Hudson River, the Erie Canal, local Indian tribes, Howe Caverns, Saratoga Race Track, and so much more.

“Can you come up with a logo that would make our District distinctive and represent our geographic location? Submit your idea. If it wins, you will receive a Paul Harris.”

Entries should be submitted as e-mail attachments to dgmilan7190@gmail.com by February 1, 2015. A winner will be announced at the District Assembly to be held on April 11, 2015.

---

District honors SRC for ‘changing lives’

Those of us who stay active in the Southern Rensselaer County club do so because we enjoy helping improve the quality of life for as many people as we can.

In typical Rotary fashion, we do it quietly without calling much attention to ourselves. But, every now and then it is nice to be noticed.

That happened at the recent District 7190 Conference in Lake Placid, where SRC was one of several clubs honored with certificates “For Changing Lives.”

The others in that category were the Colonie-Guilderland, Malta Sunrise and North Creek clubs.

---

District 78190 selects finance chair

Francesco Pecoraro

Francesco M. Pecoraro has been selected to serve as District 7190 Finance Chair for the 20-14-15 Rotary Year.

“I look forward to working with District Governor-Elect David Hennel, who will by then be our District Governor,” Francesco said.

He currently is treasurer of the Rotterdam Sunrise Rotary Club. He is a founding partner of Fundabilities, a Crowdfunding site that brings individuals, charities, clubs, schools, businesses and others together to meet fundraising goals, and president/CEO of The Pecoraro Companies.

---

District Governor nominee picked for 2016-17

John S. Mucha, a longtime member of the Glens Falls Rotary Club, has been selected as district governor “nominee designate” for District 7190.

“John was confirmed by the district nominating committee [for the] 2016-17 Rotary Year,” said Susan Austin, current district governor. “His training will begin immediately and will continue over the next several years.”

John most recently served as the District Treasurer from 2011-2013, and has been an Assistant District Governor for Area 4 since July 1, 2013. He will assume the title of District Governor Nominee on July 1 of this year.

At 116 members, the Glens Falls club is the largest in District 7190.

---