Lesotho letters; Civil War book

Recent letters from two of our students sponsored via Qholaqhoe Mountain Connections were passed around at Thursday's meeting.

We also had a guest, 25-plus-year Rotarian Dean Stanley, the father of our member Kristen Stanley. Dean is past president of the Rotary Club of Cornwall, Ontario, Canada. 

The speaker was club member Bob (Robert C.) Conner, on his most recent Civil War era book, a biography of James Montgomery to be published by Casemate next month.

 

Addressing Problems of Poverty in Ballston Spa District

 

Ballston Spa Schools Superintendent Ken Slentz was our speaker on Thursday, telling us about district programs to reduce the dropout rate, address academic and disciplinary problems, improve reading and upgrade standards. While Ballston Spa remains an "average need" district as assessed by the state, it "and pretty much every other district" are grappling with increased poverty among students, he said.

The club voted to increase this year's scholarship total to $2,000, to allow for a $1,000 winner and two $500 runners-up, out of a strong group of candidates.

And it was announced that our fund-raising total contribution to ShelterBox for the Ukraine crisis has gone up to $2,000 from the $1,500 figure announced last week.

Ukraine ShelterBox Donation Grows to $2,000

 At last week's meeting, we donated $200 from the club to Rotary-affiliated ShelterBox for the Ukraine crisis, and undertook additional fund-raising. Our total donation, mostly individual contributions from Rotary members, will be $2,000, it was announced this month. (Post updated from $1,500 previously.)

At Thursday's meeting, Kathy Eitzmann, president of Malta Seniors, updated us on the progress of the organization, which has increased in membership from 90 to 276 over the past half-dozen years. It fosters connection and combats isolation, she said, and has two upcoming bus trips scheduled (see link above).

Mike Williams received a Paul Harris fellowship award from club President Miles Cornthwaite.

Next week's speaker (on March 17) will be Ballston Spa schools Superintendent Ken Slentz.

Ukraine and other matters

 At Thursday's business meeting, we donated $200 to ShelterBox for the Ukraine crisis; several members in attendance made additional individual contributions, and others are being sought.

Also Thursday, we voted to send $100 to the Malta Veterans Appreciation Program for a memorial brick honoring former president and Air Force veteran Tom Disinger, at the walkway by the monument near Town Hall on Route 9. 

Our Scholarship Committee is starting the interview process. We discussed updating Rotary signs around town, and potential board members for the Rotary year starting July 1.

Next week's speaker will be Kathy Eitzmann from Malta Seniors.