Rondequoter

Terri Bastuk took notes tonight.  Thanks, Terri!

The Decker Family is once again supporting this year’s MS walk.  If you can’t attend the walk (Sunday, May 3, 2026,Genesee Valley Park), you can support Doug’s Team by donating https://events.nationalmssociety.org/participants/845620

Irondequoit Rotary Drawdown -All tickets have been sold.  Reservations for an incredible dinner are still an available for Glendoveers on May 13th at 6:00 PM-$55/person.  Contact Dave Shaheen, if interested.  

Steve is working on the menu for the installation dinner on June 24th which will also take place at  Glendoveers.  Lynn shared that the surplus funds from weekly dinners will be applied to the installation dinner costs lower cost per person. 

Dan wants to do a lighthouse project.

Lynn is working on the grant report.

Rotary Youth Leadership Award – This is a 5 day Rotary Leadership Training camp at Finger Lakes Community College for sophomore or juniors in high school.  Our club has budget to send 2 students at $750 each.  Jim contacted Irondequoit High School with help from Aaron and Eastridge with help from Bob Spatola.  We are trying to identify RYLA students for participation.   If anyone knows of a student that is interested please contact Jim Kozlowski.

The Shire is looking to have garden boxes.  This could be done with new member project money. Doug could contact the Boy Scouts for involvement.  Lynn also shared that the residents  want to get off campus.  One thought was National Night Out. There would be about 15-20 residents attending.  Buddies (possible Rotarians) for the residents would also need to attend.

Rick Tantalo contacted the club about  the Monroe County Department of Public Safety annual event at St. Michael's Church, focusing on educating young riders..  They don’t want money, but they want items associated with bike safety (Helmets, pads, etc.). This will be the second week of May. 

There will be a rededication of a Durand Eastman bench and plaque on May 30th  for Donald Spain who the second winner of the Soap Box Derby.  Donald Spain was also a Private First Class (PFC) who served in Company L, 349th Infantry during World War II. Born on July 24, 1918, he passed away on December 18, 1965, at age 47.  Our club is replacing the bench and plaque which overlooks the start of the Soap Box Derby.  

The club has budgeted $2000 dedicated to global grants.  The board approved twelve projects for further review and Lynn identified three projects for support. The motion was for Lynn to confirm that the three projects were still available,  and the motion would pass to support the three projects plus an additional $150 needed above the $2000 budget. 
 

Gananda Rotary members, Don Reeners and Wanda Arnold, attended our meeting to share the backstory of how their club started the Rotary Bike Rack Program. 

It all started when Don was visiting a dairy farm one day and noticed a cow stanchion. He thought to himself, “if that was turned upside down, it would make a great bike rack.”

Always looking for ways to promote Rotary and fundraise for his Rotary Club, Don spoke with the owner of Seneca Dairy Supply and asked the cost to make a bike rack from the already produced stanchion. He worked with a manufacturer to get a cost on incorporating the Rotary Logo Wheel and the name of his club. With that in mind, Don brought the idea back to his Club and suggested that these racks could be used for the Bike Rack project the club had discussed with the Gananda Central School District.

Three racks were ordered and the Gananda Rotary name and logo were added to each end of the stand. It will hold 6-12 bikes ore-bikes. and is very sturdy. The club agreed that it not only allowed them to offer a great service to the school, but it puts the Rotary name out there in the community. The school felt a need to incorporate bike racks, as e-bikes are becoming more popular and must be locked up while the students are in school.

The bike racks were ordered and delivered within weeks. They were on display at the Rotary 7120 District Learning Assembly last month to a great deal of positive feedback. The three racks were presented and installed at the Gananda School District last month.

The thought of coordinating with other local Rotary Clubs to give them an opportunity to serve their community and shine a light on Rotary projects, led Don to suggest that the club begin to take orders. 

Don and Wanda (from Gananda!) delivered the two bike racks our club ordered.  The racks will be installed at the back of town hall.  Our club logo is on one side of the rack and “In memory of Guy Kittelsen” is on the other side.  The Kittelsen Family donated money toward the club’s trail project and the bike rack.  
 

Many contributions for program, for Easter, Bill Mendick, foundation and polio.  Tom for March Madness.  Lynn for Easter and not at hospital all day.  Brandon for Steve taking over tonight and fun coaching Lacrosse.  Peter for passing of Bill Mendick.  Jim for the sure sight of spring - John Mendick in shorts.  Dave for club support for Reverse Drawdown.  Steve for Brandon and Board for support for next year.