Port Jefferson Rotary (December 15, 2015) (Dec 15, 2015)

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President

Archana Gautam

Secretary

Susan Hanson

Treasurer

Nancy Uzo

Membership

Edward Dinunzio

Publicity

Yvette Hohler

Club Service

Susan Hanson

Attendance

Yvette Hohler

President Emeritus

Dennis Brennan

Bookkeeper

Karl Janhsen

Bulletin Editor

James Rhatigan

President Emeritus

Sharon Brennan

Ex-Officio

Debbie Engelhardt

Media Coordinator

Debbie Engelhardt

President Elect

Michael Sceiford

Program Chair

Bob Huttemeyer

News of the Meeting of December 15th:

Posted by Yvette Hohler on Dec 15, 2015

Today, we welcomed as our guest speakers Brandon Muir, Executive Director of Reclaim NY, and Maureen Blum, who discussed the LI Affordability Report- or the affordability crisis on LI. Reclaim NY is "a non-partisan nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing a state-wide, grassroots conversation about the future of NY, its economy and its people." Brandon began by asking each club member what they do/did for a living and noted that we represent a great cross section of jobs/entrepreneurs. He wondered what trajectory our state is headed for and suggested that based on his organization's studies, we should not trust what the politicians at any level of government say about our financial status and needs. He and his organization spend most of their time studying the costs of government and believe that there is and has been over a long period of time a lot of waste. They conclude that NY has an affordability crisis that leads to a savings struggle for virtually everyone. They ask why it is so expensive to live and run a business here. Brandon pointed out that our tax bill is between 28-40% of our total income. NY leads the states in outward migration. How can we attract more people to come to rather than leave LI? It's hard to stay here when 1/3 of one's income goes to the government via income, property, and sales & excise taxes . Our state has so many mandates that under the system now in place, it's hard to lower taxes without compromising infrastructure- yet so many other states manage to get along well with much lower taxes. In other states (ie., Texas & North Carolina) the cost of living is so much lower, and it's easier for a recent college grad, for example, to live comfortably on the national average starting salary of $48,778- and to actually enjoy some personal savings by year's end. Reclaim NY seeks to learn what our taxes are really paying for and whether we're truly getting what we think we're paying for. It is collecting data mostly through FOIL requests and is training people to join in questioning government entities on all financial transactions. Reclaim NY is attempting to educate people and have them let government know that they are carefully "watching the store."

We also welcomed back as a guest Eddie Miller, on a brief visit from far off Virginia.

Michael ran today's meeting for Archana, who was tending to a business obligation elsewhere.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS: THE POT NOW STANDS AT $545- with a mere 9 cards left to pick from!! The next opportunity to win will be at next week's meeting, 12/22. Ya gotta be in it to win it! Next week, we will have our annual holiday celebration. Singing songs of the season and exchanging Secret Santa gifts (value of approximately $10) will be part of the reason to attend and enjoy this last meeting of the year. Please plan to join us. NO MEETING ON 12/29! Michael passed along Archana's assessment of our Annual Gift Wrapping Event last week: it was extremely successful- and much appreciated by the folks at The Open Cupboard. Kudos to all participants for a job well done, especially to Kevin, who planned and managed this activity. The fellowship gathering at Billie's that followed was also much enjoyed. The club's stunningly-decorated Christmas tree displaying this year's Rotary theme is still on view at The Village Center. Check it out! Our next Stuff-A-Van event is scheduled to take place on January 9th. We already have all the volunteers we'll need. Thank you, volunteers! We were reminded that the 2016 Annual RI Convention will take place 5/28-6/1 in Seoul, S. Korea. For info or to sign up to attend, go to Rotary.org. Debbie read to us part of a letter from Gene Gerrard, who now resides in Canandaigua, NY. Gene was pleased to report is that he is keeping active. The Executive Board will meet next Monday, 12/21, at 5 PM in Ed's office. All members are welcome to attend.Bob Huttemeyer is still calling for future speakers. Kindly volunteer yourself or others who would be interesting future Rotary guests.

Please check out our Facebook page frequently. "LIKE" us, and encourage your friends and relatives to do so, too.

If you missed today's meeting, kindly inform Yvette about make-ups in a timely fashion.

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Mark Your Calendars!

Posted by Yvette Hohler on Dec 15, 2015

Here you can post little tidbits of information, reminders, or anything else!

DECEMBER CLUB ASSIGNMENTS:

TABLE: ERIKA JURASITS & NANCY UZO

INVOCATION: SHARON BRENNAN & ED DINUNZIO

SERGEANT AT ARMS: DEB ENGELHARDT & BILL CURRY

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DECEMBER CLUB SERVICE ROSTER

Posted by Yvette Hohler on Dec 15, 2015

Table: Erika Jurasits & Nancy Uzo

Invocation: Sharon Brennan & Ed DiNunzio

Sergeant At Arms: Deb Engelhardt & Bill Curry

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

Posted by Yvette Hohler on Dec 15, 2015

...BOB HUTTEMEYER, who celebrated his birthday on December 1st; HOWIE WUNDERLICH, who had a birthday on December 13th; and WARD CLARKE, whose anniversary is December 28th and who is celebrating his 53rd year in Rotary, while JIM RHATIGAN celebrates his 31st!

Quote of the Week

Posted by Yvette Hohler on Dec 15, 2015

"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."

-William Arthur Ward

Thought for the week:

Posted by Yvette Hohler on Dec 15, 2015

Fight organized crime. Vote them out!

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Your OPEN CUPBOARD Donation List

Posted by Yvette Hohler on Dec 15, 2015

***The following is a list of donation "assignments" for members' once-a-month donations via the Club to the Open Cupboard:

Betts, Judi: Toilet Paper

Bossert, Ken: Shampoo/Conditioner

Brennan, Dennis: Canned Fruit

Brennan, Sharon: Spaghetti Sauce

Berner, Cynthia: Rice

Curry, Bill: Apple Juice

Dinunzio, Ed: Diapers

Engelhardt, Debbie: Juice Boxes

Gautam, Archana: Baby Wipes

Hanson, Susan: Baby Formula

Hohler, Yvette: Beans

Jaeger, Bill: Canned Vegetables

Janhsen, Karl: Milk (Dry or Boxed)

Jurasits, Erika: Cereal (Hot or Cold)

Kopcienski, Al Cereal (Hot or Cold)

Lund, Amy: Canned Chicken

Murray, Kevin: Tuna

Rhatigan, Jim: Diapers

Sabo, Pat: Beans

Sceiford, Michael: Grape Juice Boxes

Vigliante, Paul: Milk (Dry or Boxed)

***Check the list for your name and assigned item. (If you are not listed, you may donate any listed item. Corporate members are encouraged to donate individually. If you would like to be listed with a specific item, contact Debbie and specify your item of choice.)

***Bring contributions to the Heritage Diner on the 2nd Tuesday of the month or give to another Club member who will be attending.

*** If you would like to be reimbursed, bring receipt(s) to the meeting.

***Thanks for your community and Club support!***