Rotary Club of Buffalo

Feb 2-Buffalo Building Reuse Project

2012-01-27T17:50:00.000-05:00

Buffalo Rotary Club meeting of February 2, 12:15 at Templeton Landing.Laura St. Pierre Smith serves as Vice President of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, the region’s business advocacy
organization and chamber of commerce. She will make an interesting presentaion about the Buffalo Building Reuse Project (BBRP), a yearlong study of the downtown real estate market conducted by the Partnership at the request of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown. Recognizing the oversupply of commercial real estate in downtown Buffalo, Smith and a team of several
dozen volunteers researched current development patterns, national trends, and the best practices of peer cities before outlining recommendations and key steps to advance downtown Buffalo.
BBRP’s core recommendations include:
• Designating the Buffalo Urban Development Corporation as the lead entity for downtown development
Utilizing a dedicated funding stream and enhanced tools to encourage downtown investment
• Implementing a housing in-fill strategy to transition class “B” and “C” commercial properties into residential use.
Laura Smith will be joined by two key BBRP volunteers: David Stebbins of the Buffalo Urban Development Corporation and Brendan Mehaffey of the City of Buffalo to brief us on the public/private commitment to downtown’s future and critical
future. to learn more, go to: http://www.thepartnership.org/Expertise/BuffaloBuildingReuseProject/BuffaloBuildingReuseProjectRecommendations

Buffalo News article about Read To Succeed

2012-01-24T11:50:00.002-05:00

The Buffalo News published an article entitled "Giving books to young readers" in the Jan 23 on page B3. Read it Online at:http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/east-side/article715277.ece

An important quote states: "Armed with a $60, 000 donation from the Rotary Club, the Buffalo Agency was able to bring the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to families with children 5 and younger." A copy of the full article is available from jmcclive@buffalorotary.org.

Our upcoming Buffalo Rotary Fondation's fundraiser, "Wines Of the World" on March 2 at the Statler is a major source of income that enable us to make this contributions to the community. Thank you for your support

Ellsworth Statler's Buffalo

2012-01-17T10:24:00.004-05:00

Ellsworth Milton Statler arrived in Buffalo in 1896 from Wheeling, West Virginia, brimming with confidence and ideas. He saw a booming city with the same attitudes as he and decided to grow with the Queen City. Like most Buffalonians of the time, he was an outsider but by 1923 he was acclaimed "Buffalo's First Citizen." Before he died, he was nationally recognized as the "father of the American hotel industry." Everyone knows the Statler Hotel in Niagara Square where we are holding our 7th Annual Wines of the World fundraiser on March 2. Few know that he built two other hotels in Buffalo, a ground-breaking restaurant, and a grand estate on Soldier's Place. Between 1896 and 1925, both E. M. Statler and his adopted city achieved breathtaking expansion and prosperity.

Our speaker, Susan Eck, is a native Western New Yorker. After a career in teaching, she was an administrator at UB. It was there she became technologically literate and, since retiring, she has applied those skills to illuminating local history on the web. Now in her third career, she was guest curator of the Niagara Square Exhibit at the Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society and creates virtual exhibits for BECHS. For the last ten years, she has researched and published biweekly historical pictorials on the Western New York Heritage Press web. And she is a Pan-American scholar, with her own web on Buffalo's 1901 Exposition (panam1901.org).

Dr. Satish Tripathi's talk before Buffalo Rotary on TV

2012-01-13T17:01:00.002-05:00

A story on WBFO-FM reports UB President Satish K. Tripathi spoke at a Buffalo Rotary Club meeting Thursday about plans for UB 2020 and moving the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences downtown. The story also reports that Tripathi plans to visit 20 cities in 20 months, meeting with UB alumni to share the vision of UB 2020 and how they can participate. A story also appeared on YNN.
http://news.wbfo.org/post/university-buffalo-president-takes-ub-2020-road

http://buffalo.ynn.com/content/570040/ub-president-on-billions-for-buffalo/

Meeting Jan 12 at Templeton Landing University at Buffalo

2012-01-06T17:18:00.003-05:00

Dr. Satish Tripathis, President, will discuss the Vision and Mission of the University at Buffalo.

Internationally recognized as an accomplished researcher and transformative higher education leader, Dr. Satish K. Tripathi was appointed the 15th president of the University at Buffalo on April 18, 2011.
Dr. Tripathi, who served as UB’s provost and executive vice president for academic affairs from 2004-2011, was one of the principal creators of the UB 2020 strategic plan to achieve academic research excellence, and has led the university to achieve significant growth in research and scholarly activity, enhanced student quality and diversity, and an expanded international presence. Building on this strong foundation, Dr. Tripathi’s vision for UB’s future focuses on moving the university into the highest ranks of the nation’s leading research universities through expanding its reach and impact locally as well as globally.

Meeting Jan 5 at Templeton Landing Internatioanl students at Buffalo Seminary

2012-01-04T14:12:00.002-05:00

In recent years, more and more students from around the world are studying in the United States during their secondary school years. Colleges and universities continue to host international students... in large numbers, and Buffalo has ranked in the top ten cities for the number of international students studying at the university level. Now, high school students are joining them! Buffalo Seminary began its residential program three years ago, and this fall twenty five young women moved into four homes in Buffalo to live and study here. The trend to encourage students to study abroad is something the Rotary has supported for years, but the opportunity to add residential programs at the secondary level in Buffalo offers new opportunities for our city and our students. The economic impact cannot be underestimated in this difficult economic time, but the knowledge and insight into the larger world constitute the real benefit for students. High school students today will make a difference tomorrow. The greater their understanding of what it means to live as global citizens, the more all of us stand to benefit. Jody Douglass is in her fifth year as Head of School at Buffalo Seminary. Previously she served as Head of School at George Stevens Academy in Blue Hill, Maine, where she helped start an international boarding program. She was Assistant Head of School and Dean of Faculty at Brooks School in North Andover, Massachusetts, and served as Assistant Dean of Admission at Middlebury College and at Bates College. In 2001, Ms. Douglass and her husband spent a year in Beijing, China, teaching for School Year Abroad. She has a BA in Sociology from Bates and an MA in English from Middlebury.

2011-12-16T12:51:00.001-05:00

Read to Succeed, with the support of the Rotary Foundation of Buffalo, is bringing Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to children under age five living in zip code 14215!Your child is eligible:
From birth until he or she is 60 months (five years) old If he or she resides in the 14215 zip code on Buffalo's East side
Country music star and literacy advocate Dolly Parton created the Imagination Library to provide free books to disadvantaged children to foster a love of reading and to improve literacy skills among young children!
Each month all registered children from birth to age five will receive a new, age-appropriate book through the mail that will be theirs to keep! The child will continue to receive a free book every month until their fifth birthday - that's 60 books if a child is registered in the program from birth! This is a great way for children to start creating their own library at home.
Books in the Home Make A Difference!Research shows that children who grow up with books in their home typically reach higher education levels. A love of reading begins at home with an adult sharing story time with a child or group of children or by an older brother or sister reading to younger siblings. For children in the 14215 zip code in Buffalo, this is an opportunity to make reading fun and to make story-telling come alive with a new story each month!
Without early literacy skills, many children will struggle as they begin school. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library will provide new books to children in one of Buffalo's largest neighborhoods allowing children and families to start creating a culture of literacy at home.

2011-12-05T09:35:00.003-05:00

Magical Memories on Main Street has begun. We are very grateful to NOCO for sponsoring this wonderful event again this year. James Newman, President of NOCO joined us at the dedication ceremony Saturday, December 3, when Rotary President Ron Caruso presented a check for $12,500 to Brian Dusenberry, President of the Theater District of WNY. Congressman Brian
Higgins and County Executive-Elect Mark Poloncarz extended their congratulations to all who worked so hard to restore these beautiful displays.
Be sure to see the dazzling display of decorated windows from the old A M & A's days. They are located on Main street, north of Chippewa. The displays will be lit and operating from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for lunchtime browsers and again for the evening crowd from 5 to 10 p.m.
The displays will be available until January 8, 2012
The Buffalo Rotary window is located in the building north of Market Arcade, home of the Rotary Club of Buffalo, located at 617 Main. Thanks to Anne Martin, and Therese Vita for their hard work decorating our window and to Mike Ryan and Richard Ridenour for helping them

2011-12-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, December 3, 2011, First Niagara Bank presented the 2011 Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration! This annual holiday event is held at Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza (Main at Chippewa Street) and marks the official opening of the free ice-skating season at Rotary Rink. Festivities began at 5:00 p.m. with free ice-skating. At 6:00 p.m., First Niagara Bank and Buffalo Place officials conducted lighting of the tree and Santa Claus lit a fireworks display over Fountain Plaza.
Immediately following the Tree Lighting, the fun continued with visits with Santa, holiday gifts, horse and wagon rides, clowns and balloon art, face painting and free ice-skating. Buffalo & WNY children enjoyed free ice-skating.

2011-12-02T09:14:00.003-05:00

The Buffalo Rotary Youth Exchange "Winter Weekend" is being held Dec. 2-4. All the exchange students within the district come to Buffalo for a weekend of fun that includes tours of downtown and ice skating at Rotary rink.

On Saturday, December 3, 2011, First Niagara Bank will present the 2011 Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration! This annual holiday event is held at Rotary Rink at Fountain Plaza (Main at Chippewa Street) and marks the official opening of the free ice-skating season at Rotary Rink. Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. with free ice-skating. At 6:00 p.m., First Niagara Bank and Buffalo Place officials will countdown the lighting of the tree and Santa Claus will light a fireworks display over Fountain Plaza.
Shortly after, Magical Memories on Main Street will begin. The Buffalo Rotary window, designed by Anne Martin and Therese Vita, is located in the building north of Market Arcade, home of the Rotary Club of Buffalo, located at 617 Main. THANKS TO ANNE MARTIN and THERESE VITA FOR THEIR HARD WORK SETING UP OUR DISPLAY and to MIKE RYAN AND RICHARD RIDENOUR for helping them

Meeting Dec 1 at Templeton Landing Community Grants

2011-11-29T08:59:00.004-05:00

The Fall Cycle has two grant requests:

1 The Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center, Inc.’s mission is to improve the quality of life for adults, children and infants with communication disorders by delivering cutting edge diagnosis and treatment of hearing and speech impairments and related special education services.
Description of Buffalo Rotary's project: BHSC is raising funds to install an “Inclusive Play” or “Universally Accessible” playground at its main facility in the City of Buffalo that will be incorporated into therapeutic and educational programming for developmentally disabled children.

2. The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, (BOPC), is a 501c3 not-for-profit, independent, community organization that promotes, preserves, restores, enhances and ensures maintenance of Olmsted Parks and Parkways in the greater Buffalo
area to guarantee Olmsted Park experiences for current and future generations.
Description of Buffalo Rotary's project:When the citizens of Western New York and Buffalo exercise, visit, and play in the 1200-acres of pristine, landscaped parkland maintained by the BOPC, people interact with each other, smile and benefit socially and physically. This grant request involves a Buffalo Rotary “Welcome Location” at Delaware Park, which includes:

A three tiered drinking water fountain (child, adult and animal level)

Two plaqued park benchesplanting

Ten strong, healthy trees.

Nov 23 meeting at Templeton Landing

2011-11-21T11:31:00.005-05:00

The Made in America Store opened on April 3, 2010. Located just 20 minutes from Buffalo and less than an hour from Niagara
Falls, NY, it is the only general merchandise store in the country that sells 100% American Made Products, down to the packaging. Their mission is to restore U.S. manufacturing jobs by providing American consumers a brick & mortar store and e-commerce site that guarantees that each product sold is entirely American in materials and labor.
Since Opening Day, the Made in America Store has been featured on ABC’s World News Tonight, FOX & Friends, and nationally
syndicated and satellite radio. AP articles have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and newspapers across the
country. Reporters from Japan and Russia have come to the store, making it an international story. To date, more than 50 tour buses have added the Made in America Store as a destination. And, buses are added every week, some from as far as Missouri!
In addition to requiring that all products sold are 100% American Made, down to the packaging, the Made in America Store insists on top quality at comparable pricing. Their customers know they are helping to feed an American family when they shop at our store. And, each manufacturing job has a positive economic impact of providing four additional jobs for the benefit of the U.S. economy.

You will enjoy this video of Diane Sawyer on ABC News. It is a good endorsement of Mark and his store. Share it with friends http://abcnews.go.com/Business/made-america-store-30k-items-buy-growing/story?id=13943386

2011-11-14T09:04:00.001-05:00

There will NOT be a regular meeting and lunch at Templeton Landing this Thursday!
Instead, Vocational Service Committee's Laurie Albertsson has arranged for us to visit, participate and enjoy lunch at one of the dynamic agencies of the Rotary Club of Buffalo. The choices are:
Goodwill Industries Tom Lynch 1119 William Street Buffalo 14206 854-5283
Gateway Longview Jim Sampson 605 Niagara Street Buffalo 14201 883-4531
Food Bank Mike Billoni 91 Holt Street Buffalo 14206 852-1305
Salvation Army Major Tom Applin 960 Main Street Buffalo 14202 888-6201
Boy Scouts of America. Pat Coviello 2860 Genesee Street Buffalo 14225 512-6206

Monument will honor Hispanic American Veterans

2011-11-11T09:11:00.008-05:00

Buffalo Rotarian Cas Rodriguez invites all Buffalo Rotarians to join him at the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park today, Nov 11, 2011 at 4 p.m. for the Hispanic American Veterans Memorial Ground-breaking ceremony. A reception will follow.
Read more from the Buffalo News at:
Buffalo News article

2011-11-07T13:41:00.000-05:00

The November 10 meeting will be held at Templeton Landing beginning at 12:15 p.m. It promises to be a big meeting. Mayor Brown is our speaker and that is a big appeal for guests. In addition, the Foundation will present two checks: Our final check of $23,000 to complete our $500,000 contribution to Frank Lloyd Wright's Fontana Boathouse and a check to the Buffalo Zoo of $19,902 for the Bungee Trampoline Project. Also, Cas Rodriguez will tell us more about the Hispanic-American Veterans Memorial at the Naval & Military Park that will be dedicated on November 11, as reported in the Buffalo News, Saturday Nov 8.

Mayor Byron W. Brown took the Oath of Office as the 58th Mayor of Buffalo, New York on December 31, 2005.
Elected Mayor with over 60 percent of the vote in the November 2005 General Election, Mayor Brown came into office emphasizing greater accountability and efficiency in City Hall, improving the quality of life for all city residents and a commitment to strengthening and expanding the city's economic development activities.
Since taking office, Mayor Brown has followed those three guiding principles by launching a Zero Tolerance Law Enforcement initiative targeting quality of life crimes, along with other criminal activity in the city; implemented the management accountability CitiStat Buffalo program, which monitors city departments' service delivery activities on a weekly basis; and reconfigured the city's economic development activities by creating the Department of Economic Development, Permit and Inspection Services, a change that has provided greater coordination and cooperation in all development activities taking place in the City of Buffalo.

A surge of economic development activity has followed Mayor Brown's election, including over $4.5 billion in planned, ongoing or completed development projects occurring throughout the City since 2006. Mayor Brown will update us on this activity.

Rotary meeting Nov 3

2011-10-28T10:28:00.003-04:00

We welcome back, Bob McCarthy, Political columnist for the Buffalo News.
He will give us his analysis of the coming election, particularly the race for Count Executive.
Over the years we have looked forward to hearing Bob each year for his insights into the local political scene
The public is invited, cost is $20

Rotary meeting Oct 27

2011-10-25T10:02:00.001-04:00

This meeting will be held at Templeton landing beginning at 12:15 p.m.

Judge Barbara Howe is completing her twenty-fourth year as a New York State
judge:first in Buffalo City Court; then,from 1992 through 2003,in State Supreme
Court; and since 2004 as New York State Surrogate Judge for Erie County.

Judge Howe has a bachelor's degree, with highest honors and Phi Beta Kappa,
from the University of Connecticut at Storrs.She earned her master's and Ph.D.
degrees in sociology from Cornell University, and the J.D. degree from the State
University of New York at Buffalo.She joined the faculty at SUNY/Buffalo in 1974
and became a tenured sociology faculty member there in 1981.Judge Howe
maintains appointments at SUNY/Buffalo as adjunct associate professor of sociology
and adjunct clinical professor of law.

Judge Howe is the author of numerous published articles and decisions,is a
frequent speaker at legal education programs,and has received numerous citations
and awards for professional leadership and community service.

2011-10-07T11:04:00.027-04:00

The meeting of the Rotary Club of Buffalo on Thursday October 20 will salute the National Trust for Historic Preservation who are holding their conference in Buffalo, October 19-22

The meeting will be held in the Statler Towers. Lunch will be served promptly at 12 Noon. The public is invited. Cost for Lunch is $20. Please call the Rotary office at 854-3397 by October 14 for reservations. There will be two speakers:

At 12:30 p.m. Erie County Executive, Chris Collins, will discuss "The Role of Govenment in Preservation."

At 1:00 p.m. Valecia Crisafulli, Senior Director for Partnerships, Preservation Division, at the National Trust for Historic Preservation will tell us "Why They Selected Buffalo" for their meeting which will draw about 2000 people.

Following is a brief summary of her talk:
"A vibrant city rich in culture and filled with historical gems, Buffalo, NY was an obvious place to host the 2011 National Preservation Conference. The National Trust believes that Buffalo is the perfect city for preservation leaders to build connections and discuss hot topics ranging from saving historic places to community revitalization."

Visit their website for more information: http://www.preservationnation.org/resources/training/npc/ . "From our Blog" has many articles showing why this event means so much to Buffalo. Scroll further down the page to the photo of Shea's Buffalo and click to see and hear some postive comments about Buffalo in Rotarian John Paget's video "Why This Place Matters."

Oct 6 Buffalo Niagara Enterprise

2011-10-05T12:15:00.005-04:00

Tomorrrow's Rotary meeting will be held at Templeton Landing beginning at 12:15 p.m.
This will be a very significant meeting for people interested in the future of Buffalo-Niagara. Invite friends and prospects.

The Buffalo Niagara Enterprise (BNE) is a nonprofit, private business development and regional marketing organization dedicated to the proposition that, as a place where life works, the Buffalo Niagara region is the ideal place for businesses to locate, grow, and start up.

Speaker Thomas A. Kucharski has served as President and CEO of Buffalo Niagara Enterprise (BNE) since 2000. Under his leadership, BNE has grown from a start-up initiative to an innovative regional economic development organization that has secured more than 250 successful project wins representing $3.8 billion in investment in the region and over 35,000 jobs created and/or retained.

Our other speaker, Research Manager Christopher Finn, holds a Masters in Urban Planning from the University at Buffalo and is an expert at economic impact modeling, ImPlan software, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping, and regional comparative analysis

2011-09-28T09:25:00.000-04:00

Come to hear District 7090 Governor, John Heise, update us on District programs and direction of our dynamic District with a preview of events during the District Conference, October 38 through 30, at the Niagara Falls NY Convention Center. He willl meet with President Ron Caruso and your Board of Directors before. Following is some information about DG John:

A three time Paul Harris Fellow, John joined the Holley Rotary Club in 1982.
The Holley Rotary Club is located in the eastern end of District 7090, in New York State. John served as Club President in 1988-89 and again in 2003-04.

John has also been active at the District level, serving as Youth Exchange Chair, Director of Youth Services, and Service Director. He has also served two terms as an Assistant Governor and was an area Foundation representative.

A retired administrator, John was an elementary teacher, elementary school principal, secondary principal, and a Director of Instruction. An active community member, John is in his eighth year as President of the local school board and has also served three terms as a village trustee. He served on the Boards of the Lakeside Hospital Foundation and the Holley Community Free Library. John was a member of the ARC of Orleans County, which serves developmentally disabled citizens, and was honored with the ARC’s Best Friend Award for his fundraising efforts on its behalf.

John has been married to his wife, Sandy, for 41 years. They have two children. Their daughter, Samantha, is a social worker in the local school district. Their son, Kevin, is the Coordinator of Academic Integrity for Virginia Commonwealth University. John and Sandy are also the proud grandparents of a three year old grandson, Alexander, who was born on John’s birthday.

2011-09-28T08:53:00.002-04:00

Plan now to come early on October 27 to meet the Group Study Exchange (GSE) team from Brazil . It will be your only opportunity to meet them at Templeton Landing by 11:30 a.m. We will start the meeting early to hear from them but you will not be able to talk with them after the meeting because they have to leave exactly at 1:30 (or before) so Al Stocker can get them to the Lockport Interact Club by 2:15

Here is the team:
Team Leader is Alex Knapp Bakof, Businessman and University Professor
Alessandra Luther who is a Geography Teacher
Claudio Correa Filho who is a Public Employee-Federal Judiciary
Gustavao Hansel who is a Graphic Designer and Businessman
Larissa Ferreira Varias Marafiga who is a Lawyer & Professor of Law

2011-09-21T12:56:00.003-04:00

The speaker for tomorrow's noontime meeting at Templeton Landing is Ted Black.
As president of the Buffalo Sabres, Ted oversees all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the franchise, with specific focus on making the Buffalo Sabres the premier destination for NHL players and the Sabres’ current and future employees. In addition, Ted will provide strategic and creative leadership in areas including corporate partnerships, advertising, NHL relations, team marketing, Sabres’ television broadcasts, fan relations and ticket sales.

Over the last decade, Ted has compiled a track record of success and experience that few sports executives can match. Ted is an accomplished leader who contributed to and presided over unprecedented growth with both the Pittsburgh Penguins and FSN Pittsburgh. He enjoys close relationships with top executives, corporate sponsors, professional sports teams, television networks and at the National Hockey League.

In late 2010, Terry Pegula enlisted Ted to undertake the task of assembling and leading the group of professionals to advise Mr. Pegula on the acquisition of the Buffalo Sabres. Ted’s responsibilities included guiding the transaction negotiations, due diligence and NHL approval process.

2011-09-15T14:50:00.003-04:00

Buffalo Sabres President Ted Black to Speak at Buffalo Rotary
Public is invited to meet and greet on September 22
The public is invited to meet and ask questions of Ted Black, President
of the Buffalo Sabres, on September 22 from 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. at Templeton Landing (2 Templeton Terrace, Buffalo). Black oversees all aspects of the day-to-day operations of the franchise and believes listening to fans is the foundation of any successful business. He will present his “Outlook for the Buffalo Sabres” as the guest speaker of Rotary Club of Buffalo’s weekly luncheon series.

“I look forward to speaking at Buffalo Rotary and invite the fans to join in the conversation as we work to bring the Stanley Cup to Buffalo,” said Black. “No city deserves it more, no city will cherish it more and no city will celebrate it more.”

Over the last decade, Black has compiled a track record of success and experience that few sports executives can match. He is an accomplished leader who was enlisted in late 2010 to guide the transaction negotiations, due diligence and NHL approval process for Terry Pegula’s purchase of the Buffalo Sabres. Previously, Black contributed to and presided over unprecedented growth with both the Pittsburgh Penguins and FSN Pittsburgh.
He served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of FSN Pittsburgh, a regional sports television network that produced and telecast more than 220 live pro events and 1,500 hours of programming per year. Prior to his tenure at FSN, Black was a member of Mario Lemieux’s senior management team. He served as Vice President
of the Pittsburgh Penguins from 1999 to 2008.

The event is $20 and includes a buffet lunch. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling Rotary Club of Buffalo at 716-854-3397. Funds raised at the weekly luncheon series help support The Buffalo Rotary Foundation. Attendees are encouraged to become a member of Rotary Club of Buffalo.

Media interviews can be arranged prior to or after the event. To arrange an interview or for questions about this release, please contact Marian Hetherly at 716-308-9649 or hetherlym@gmail.com.
*****
More About Rotary
The mission of Rotary Club of Buffalo is to provide fellowship and networking opportunities for business, professional and community leaders, to provide service to the community, and to promote high ethical standards and to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace. In 2010, Rotary Club of Buffalo officially marked 100 years of service to Buffalo, with 150 current active members serving the local and international communities. In addition to distributing many one-time grants, Rotary Club of Buffalo has contributed to such significant projects
as the founding of the Boy’s and Girl’s Club (1926); establishing Sunshine Day at Cradle Beach (1945); Rotary Lane next to Mirror Lake (now Hoyt Lake) in Delaware Park; Rotary Rink in Fountain Plaza; Rotary Park next to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fontana Boathouse (for which Buffalo Rotary was a large contributor) and installing
the 100-foot-high Rotary Flagpole with 30’ x 60’ flag at the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park in downtown Buffalo. Rotary Club of Buffalo is part of Rotary International, a worldwide organization founded in1905 in Chicago. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 33,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary Club of Buffalo was the 28th club in the world. For more information about Rotary Club of Buffalo, visit www.buffalorotary.org.

2011-08-21T14:13:00.001-04:00

Media and public invited to hear Mohamed A. Mohamed,
Buffalo’s former Prime Minister of Somalia

What: Area media members and the public are invited to a presentation including Q&A before the Rotary Club of Buffalo by former Somalia Prime Minister Mohamed A. Mohamed. Mohamed is recently back in Buffalo working again at the New York State Department of Transportation after a whirlwind seven-month reign as the Prime Minister of an African country that has been struck by the worst drought in 60 years, killing tens of thousands in just the last few months and forcing an exodus by millions to find food and relief. He was appointed Prime Minister of Somalia in October 2010 and resigned in June 2011. Event tickets for the public include lunch and are $20.

Who: Mohamed A. Mohamed was born in Mogadishu, Somalia, and holds both Somali and American citizenship. He was educated in the United States, completing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University at Buffalo. From 1985-1988, Mohamed acted as First Secretary in the Somali embassy in Washington and worked with various human rights organizations. He also worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Somalia before the collapse of the federal government in 1991 and the ensuing civil war. In Buffalo, Mohamed has served as an at-large commissioner for the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority, a case manager for the city’s lead abatement program, a minority business coordinator for the Erie County Division of Equal Employment Opportunity,
and a teacher of leadership skills and conflict resolution at Erie Community College.

Where: Templeton Landing, located at 2 Templeton Terrace, Buffalo, NY 14202

When: August 25, 12:15-1:30 p.m.

Background: The mission of Rotary Club of Buffalo is to provide fellowship and networking opportunities for business, professional and community leaders, to provide service to the community, and to promote high ethical standards and to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace. In 2010-11, the Rotary Club of Buffalo officially marked 100 years of service to Buffalo, with 150 current active members serving the local and international communities. In addition to distributing many one-time grants, Rotary Club of Buffalo has contributed to such significant projects as the founding of the Boy’s and Girl’s Club (1926); establishing Sunshine Day at Cradle Beach (1945); Rotary Lane next to Mirror Lake (now Hoyt Lake) in Delaware Park; Rotary Rink in Fountain Plaza; Rotary Park next to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fontana Boathouse (for which Buffalo Rotary was a large contributor) and installing the 100-foot-high Rotary Flagpole with 30’ x 60’ flag at the Buffalo & Erie County Naval and Military Park in downtown Buffalo. Rotary Club of Buffalo is part of Rotary International, a worldwide organization founded in 1905 in Chicago. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 33,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary Club of Buffalo was the 28th club in the world. For more information about Rotary Club of Buffalo,
visit www.buffalorotary.org.

2011-08-01T14:02:00.002-04:00

Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Rotary Foundation announces the installation of its new board of trustees for 2011-2012. Edwin L. Meyer, president, E.L. Meyer Associates, has been installed as president and will serve a one-year term. Mr. Meyer has been a member of Rotary Club of Buffalo since 2000. He is a resident of the City of Buffalo. Dr. Antone F. Alber, dean of the Wehle School of Business at Canisius College, has been installed as vice president; Charles Telford, partner, Damon & Morey, LLP, has been installed as secretary; Charles C. Martorana, partner, Hiscock & Barclay, LLP, has been installed as assistant secretary; Sandra Yeater, executive director, Tonawanda Pediatrics, has been installed as treasurer; Wayne M. Mertz, president, Goergen Mackwirth Co. Inc., has been installed as assistant treasurer, and Richard B. Adams, retired general manager of SFC Adams, has been installed as immediate past president.
Newly-installed trustees include Robert D. Eck, area manager, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp., and Therese M. Vita, financial advisor, Merrill Lynch, who join current trustee Wayne D. Bacon, president, Management Strategies of WNY, Inc.
Ex-officio officers include Ronald H. Caruso, president, R.H. Caruso & Co. and current president of Rotary Club of Buffalo, and Michael J. Grimaldi, partner, Lumsden & McCormick and president-elect of Rotary Club of Buffalo.

About Rotary Club of Buffalo
The mission of Rotary Club of Buffalo is to provide fellowship and networking opportunities for business, professional and community leaders, to provide service to the community, and to promote high ethical standards and to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace. In 2010-11, the Rotary Club of Buffalo officially marked 100 years of service to Buffalo, with 150 current active members serving the local and international communities. In addition to distributing many one-time grants, Rotary Club of Buffalo has contributed to such significant projects as the founding of the Boy’s and Girl’s Club (1926); establishing Sunshine Day at Cradle Beach (1945); Rotary Lane next to Mirror Lake (now Hoyt Lake) in Delaware Park; Rotary Rink in Fountain Plaza; Rotary Park next to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fontana Boathouse (for which Buffalo Rotary was a large contributor) and installing the 100-foot-high Rotary Flagpole with 30’ x 60’ flag in the Naval and Military Park in downtown Buffalo. Rotary Club of Buffalo is part of Rotary International, a worldwide organization founded in 1905 in Chicago. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 33,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary Club of Buffalo was the 28th club in the world. For more information about Rotary Club of Buffalo, visit www.buffalorotary.org.

About Buffalo Rotary Foundation
The Buffalo Rotary Foundation awards grants to tax exempt organizations organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals. The Club Board of Directors has ultimate responsibility and authority regarding grant approvals that, after being acted upon, are sent to the Buffalo Rotary Foundation’s Board of Trustees for their consideration and action.

2011-07-01T13:49:00.001-04:00

Rotary Club of Buffalo Installs New President and Board of Directors.

Buffalo, NY – As Rotary Club of Buffalo winds down its 100th year of service to Buffalo, the not-for-profit organization that fosters the ideal of “Service Above Self” has announced the installation of its new president and board of directors, effective July 1, 2011. Ronald H. Caruso has been installed as Rotary Club of Buffalo’s 101st president and will serve a one-year term. Mr. Caruso is the president of R.H. Caruso & Co., Inc. and has been a member of Rotary Club of Buffalo since 2004. He has served on the board of directors since 2008.
David E. Knauss, president, Lehigh Construction Group, Inc., has been installed as vice president; Joseph P. Brennan, commercial loan officer for M&T Bank, has been installed as treasurer; Charles Telford, partner, Damon & Morey, LLP, has been installed as secretary and Michael J. Grimaldi, partner, Lumsden & McCormick, has been installed as president-elect.
Directors include Bryce Bixby, architect, Foit-Albert Associates; Megan Burns-Moran, executive director, Lancaster Chamber of Commerce; Brian Casey, financial services professional, New York Life Insurance Company; Joyce DeLong, owner, Insty-Prints of Cheektowaga; Anthony N. Diina, president, Metrodata Service, Inc.; Robert D. Eck, area manager, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp.; James E. McNicholas, retired Buffalo Board of Education & U.S. Army; Carolyn M. Murray, associate broker, Ellicott Development Company, and Charles C. Martorana, partner, Hiscock & Barclay, LLP and past president of Rotary Club of Buffalo.
(more)

About Rotary Club of Buffalo
The mission of Rotary Club of Buffalo is to provide fellowship and networking opportunities for business, professional and community leaders, to provide service to the community, and to promote high ethical standards and to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace. In 2010-11, the Rotary Club of Buffalo officially marked 100 years of service to Buffalo, with 150 current active members serving the local and international communities. In addition to distributing many one-time grants, Rotary Club of Buffalo has contributed to such significant projects as the founding of the Boy’s and Girl’s Club (1926); establishing Sunshine Day at Cradle Beach (1945); Rotary Lane next to Mirror Lake (now Hoyt Lake) in Delaware Park; Rotary Rink in Fountain Plaza; Rotary Park next to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fontana Boathouse (for which Buffalo Rotary was a large contributor) and installing the 100-foot-high Rotary Flagpole with 30’ x 60’ flag in the Naval and Military Park in downtown Buffalo. Rotary Club of Buffalo is part of Rotary International, a worldwide organization founded in 1905 in Chicago. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 33,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary Club of Buffalo was the 28th club in the world. For more information about Rotary Club of Buffalo, visit www.buffalorotary.org.

2010-11-12T10:12:00.001-05:00

Rotary Club of Buffalo
617 Main Street, Suite M104 • Buffalo, NY 14203
Telephone: 716-854-3397 • Fax: 716-854-1613

Rotary Club of Buffalo
Celebrates 100th Year of Service
Western New York community invited to join the birthday bash

Buffalo, New York; October 29, 2010—The Rotary Club of Buffalo will celebrate its 100th Year
of Service to the community with an enchanted evening of food, entertainment and surprises on November 4 from 6-8 p.m. at the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park (One Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, NY). Western New York is welcome to join the birthday bash and hear about the exciting lineup of community events
planned for Rotary’s Centennial Year. The cost is $25 per person and proceeds will benefit the Buffalo Rotary Foundation, which over the last 20 years alone has provided more than $1 million in charitable grants to address poverty, health, hunger, illiteracy and the environment across our region.
For more information about the Rotary Club of Buffalo visit www.buffalorotary.org. Tickets will be sold at the door or can be reserved by calling 716-854-3397. Valet and free parking will be available. For questions about this announcement, please contact Marian Hetherly at 716-308-9649 or mhetherly@yahoo.com.
******
About Rotary
Founded in 1905 in Chicago, Rotary International is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders whose motto “Service Above Self” inspires members to provide fellowship and networking opportunities for business, professional and community leaders, to provide service to the community, and to promote high ethical standards and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. In 1911, the Rotary Club of Buffalo became the 28th club in the world and currently has more than 150 active members serving the local and international communities.

59th NYS Senate District Candidates Forum

2010-11-12T10:11:00.000-05:00

Rotary Club of Buffalo
617 Main Street, Suite M104 • Buffalo, NY 14203
Telephone: 716-854-3397 • Fax: 716-854-1613

For Immediate Release CONTACT: Marian Hetherly
716-308-9649, mhetherly@yahoo.com

Rotary Club of Buffalo Hosts
59th NYS Senate District Candidates Forum
Cynthia Appleton, David DiPietro and Patrick Gallivan face off on the issues

Buffalo, New York; October 9, 2010—And then there were three. The race for the 59th New York State Senate seat held by retiring Senator Dale Volker is heating up, as James Domagalski (Conservative-Independent) recently announced his withdrawal as a candidate.
The Rotary Club of Buffalo is pleased to host a forum of the three remaining candidates during its luncheon speakers series on October 14 at noon at Templeton Landing (2 Templeton Terrace, Buffalo, NY). Guests are welcome to hear Warsaw Trustee Cynthia Appleton (Democrat), former East Aurora Mayor David DiPietro (Tea Party) and former Erie County Sheriff Patrick Gallivan (Republican) discuss the issues facing voters in November in a forum moderated by Dr. Antone Alber, Dean of the Wehle School of Business at Canisius College. The cost is $20 per person and a buffet lunch is included.
More information about the Rotary Club of Buffalo and its speakers series can be found at www.buffalorotary.org. For questions about this announcement, please contact Marian Hetherly at 716-308-9649 or mhetherly@yahoo.com. Media note: The forum portion of the event is expected to take place at 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
******
About Rotary
Founded in 1905 in Chicago, Rotary International is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders whose mission is to provide fellowship and networking opportunities for business, professional and community leaders, to provide service to the community, and to promote high ethical standards and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. The Rotary Club of Buffalo was the 28th club in the world and currently has more than 150 active members serving the local and international communities.
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58th NYS Senate District Candidates Forum

2010-11-12T10:09:00.001-05:00

Rotary Club of Buffalo
617 Main Street, Suite M104 • Buffalo, NY 14203
Telephone: 716-854-3397 • Fax: 716-854-1613

Rotary Club of Buffalo Hosts
58th NYS Senate District Candidates Forum
Tim Kennedy and Jack Quinn to face off on the issues

Buffalo, New York; October 5, 2010—As the Rotary Club of Buffalo celebrates 100 years of service to the Western New York community, it is pleased to host a forum of the candidates vying for election in the 58th New York State Senate District. Dr. Antone Alber, Dean of the Wehle School of Business at Canisius College, will moderate as candidates Tim Kennedy (Democrat-Conservative) and Jack Quinn (Republican) face off on the issues during Rotary’s luncheon speakers series on October 7 at noon at Templeton Landing (2 Templeton Terrace, Buffalo, NY). Guests are welcome and a buffet lunch will be available for $20 per person.

During his tenure as county legislator, Tim Kennedy has been an advocate for economic development, public safety and fiscal accountability. Kennedy has a plan to bring change to Albany and to deliver progress for Western New York by creating jobs, cutting taxes and cleaning up the dysfunction and corruption in Albany.

Jack Quinn currently represents the 146th District in the New York State Assembly. His priorities include putting Western New York residents back to work; holding Albany accountable for every taxpayer dollar spent; bringing about comprehensive pension reform; eliminating fraud, waste and abuse in our Medicaid system; and fighting for ethics reform.

More information about the Rotary Club of Buffalo and its speakers series can be found at www.buffalorotary.org. For questions about this announcement, please contact Marian Hetherly at 716-308-9649 or mhetherly@yahoo.com.
******
About Rotary
Founded in 1905 in Chicago, Rotary International is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders whose mission is to provide fellowship and networking opportunities for business, professional and community leaders, to provide service to the community, and to promote high ethical standards and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. The Rotary Club of Buffalo was the 28th club in the world and currently has more than 150 active members serving the local and international communities.
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Centennial Kick Off

2010-11-12T10:01:00.001-05:00

Rotary Club of Buffalo
617 Main Street, Suite M104 • Buffalo, NY 14203
Telephone: 716-854-3397 • Fax: 716-854-1613

For Immediate Release CONTACT: Marian Hetherly
716-308-9649, mhetherly@yahoo.com

Rotary Club of Buffalo
Celebrates 100th Year of Service
Western New York community invited to join the birthday bash

Buffalo, New York; October 29, 2010—The Rotary Club of Buffalo will celebrate its 100th Year
of Service to the community with an enchanted evening of food, entertainment and surprises on November 4 from 6-8 p.m. at the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park (One Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, NY). Western New York is welcome to join the birthday bash and hear about the exciting lineup of community events
planned for Rotary’s Centennial Year. The cost is $25 per person and proceeds will benefit the Buffalo Rotary Foundation, which over the last 20 years alone has provided more than $1 million in charitable grants to address poverty, health, hunger, illiteracy and the environment across our region.
For more information about the Rotary Club of Buffalo visit www.buffalorotary.org. Tickets will be sold at the door or can be reserved by calling 716-854-3397. Valet and free parking will be available. For questions about this announcement, please contact Marian Hetherly at 716-308-9649 or mhetherly@yahoo.com.
******
About Rotary
Founded in 1905 in Chicago, Rotary International is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders whose motto “Service Above Self” inspires members to provide fellowship and networking opportunities for business, professional and community leaders, to provide service to the community, and to promote high ethical standards and advance world understanding, goodwill and peace. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. In 1911, the Rotary Club of Buffalo became the 28th club in the world and currently has more than 150 active members serving the local and international communities.
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March 18th Meeting: OFFSITE-Boys & Girls Clubs-Southside

2010-03-17T13:16:00.002-04:00

NOTE: THIS MEETING WILL BE OFFSITE AT Boys and Girls Clubs, Southside (17 Tamarack Buffalo, NY 14220) AND WILL BEGIN AT NOON. A MAP IS ATTACHED. A larger PDF will be sent by E-mail on March 16

In June 2007, the Buffalo Rotary Foundation, Inc. contributed $3400 for library equipment in the new Southside Buffalo Boys and Girls Club located at 17 Tamarack Street in St. Thomas Aquinas RC church. Our Rotary Club also obtained another $2000 for the library through a simplified grant from District 7090.
On Thursday, March 18, the Thursday meeting will be held at this facility to hear about it from Diane Rowe, Chief Professional Officer.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Buffalo include 6 major clubhouses and 9 satellite locations in addition to Southside. This location was an important addition to their program offerings, as the community is a high poverty, low education level area. We have several Rotarians on the Board of the Boys and Girls Clubs. Tours of the facility will be offered.
The Boys Club was established in 1926 by the Rotary Club of Buffalo. The Rotary Club's intent was to create a youth agency, which would provide after school programs and guidance to the juvenile delinquency problems.
Since 1926, Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo has been in the forefront of youth development, working with young people from disadvantaged economic, social, and family circumstances. They have actively sought to enrich the lives of girls and boys whom other youth agencies failed to reach and are dedicated to ensuring that disadvantaged youngsters have greater access to quality programs and services that will enhance their lives and shape their futures.
Today, Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo serves 8,000 youth between the ages of 6-18. The Clubs are not only a place where youth can come and hang out after school, but a safe haven that allows them to develop into young adults with the necessary skills and sense of self to succeed outside of their buildings.

This meeting will be held Thursday, March 18th, 2010 at 12:15pm Boys and Girls Clubs - Southside - 17 Tamarack
Buffalo, NY 14220

Click here for a complete list of upcoming speakers at our weekly meeting.

If you'd like to attend a meeting, contact John McClive.

For more information about Rotary Club of Buffalo, visit our website, www.buffalorotary.org.

REMINDER: "Service Above Self" and "Pride of Workmanship" applications due April 1

2010-03-17T13:03:00.000-04:00

REMINDER: "Service Above Self" and "Pride of Workmanship" applications due April 1st!

Download Application PDF here

The awards will be presented at the April 15, 2010 Rotary meeting at the Shanghai Red’s.
Applications need to be submitted by April 1st!!!

Service Above Self: We are looking to honor one or more community leaders who have made outstanding personal and professional sacrifices to serve their profession and/or the community.

Pride of Workmanship: Encourages employers to recognize employees displaying talent and the positive attitude meriting. Great way to recognize your best employees.

(We should have all Rotarians nominate their employee (s) for this category! )

Please forward your applications to Megan Burns-Moran, megan@citymade.com,
or call Megan at 716-400-9831.

March 11th Meeting: BEERFEST + Irish Famine Memorial, speaker Laurence Shine

2010-03-09T13:29:00.002-05:00

NOTE: This meeting will start with an BEER FEST for St. Patrick's Day at 11:30 a.m. in SHANGHAI RED'S, 2 Templeton Terrace, Buffalo 14202
BRING PROSPECTIVE ROTARIANS TO ENJOY BEER, COURTESY OF BUFFALO ROTARY, AND HEAR AN INTERESTING PRESENTATION.

Our speaker, Laurence Shine is a professor of Anglo-Irish studies at Buffalo State. He was narrator and co-writer of the documentary film: Following James Joyce: Dublin to Buffalo, directed by Patrick Martin. He is also co-founder and host of Bloomsday Buffalo and founder of the Ulysses Reading Circle.
He will discuss the history of the Irish Famine Memorial (which you can see from the Grand Ballroom where we meet).

THE SITE
From the mid- to late-19th Century, the Buffalo Waterfront became one of the world's largest inland immigration points. Many immigrants from Ireland sailed across the Atlantic and continued their journey to the eastern ports of North America and onward to Western New York. Those entering the country through the port of New York often crossed the State on the Erie Canal in search of work. Thousands of Irish settled here at this monument.
The Western New York Irish Famine Memorial is within view of the Old Erie Canal, the grain and steel mills, and other industry that flourished with Irish labor. It is here that the Irish lived, worked and secured liberty for themselves and their families.

DESIGN OF THE MONUMENT
Traditional in character, symbolic in nature, the monument contains elements important in Irish culture.
The granite standing stone from Carraroe, County Galway, is set off center to represent the Irish Diaspora. The well surrounding the standing stone symbolizes "The Great Silence", that period following the Famine when no one dared speak of it.
The biblical inscription in Irish below the standing stone is an expression of a culture and language and a memory nearly lost. It translates "If these walls were to be silent, the very stones would cry out." The circular memorial field, filled with names of Famine victims, those who survived, their descendants and friends symbolically ends "The Great Silence." Those stones left blank honor the unknown who died as a result of An Gorta Mór, The Great Hunger.
32 limestone boulders form the monument's outer ring. They represent Ireland's 32 counties. These rough-hewn stones, a gift of the people of Cork, Ireland, once formed Penrose Quay in Cork Harbor. Upon these, many emigrants walked to make their journey from Ireland, some for the last time.

THE MEMORIAL
In 1995, 26 Western New York Irish Cultural organizations through the Western New York Irish Famine Commemoration Committee and with cooperation from the City of Buffalo, County of Erie, Buffalo Arts Commission, and interested persons from many places, joined with the City of Cork, Ireland, to erect and dedicate this monument in recognition of the terrible cost of "An Gorta Mór", The Great Hunger, and the struggle and achievements of the Irish people in this country.
Dedicated August 23, 1997
From: http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM9RB

This meeting will be held Thursday, March 11th, 2010 at 12:15pm in Shanghai Red's, 2 Templeton Terrace, Buffalo, NY 14202. Special BEERFEST for St. Patrick's Day begins at 11:30am.

Click here for a complete list of upcoming speakers at our weekly meeting.

If you'd like to attend a meeting, contact John McClive.

For more information about Rotary Club of Buffalo, visit our website, www.buffalorotary.org.

Rotary Club of Buffalo Awards Grant to Girl Scouts of Western New York; Funds Used to Build Tent Cabin at Camp Seven Hills in Holland, NY.

2010-03-04T12:00:00.009-05:00

The Rotary Club of Buffalo presented a check to the Girl Scouts of Western New York, Inc. in the amount of $5,797.00, announced Rob Eck, chair of Rotary’s Community Grants Committee. The funds represent the cost to replace one of the deteriorating platform tents at Woodland Way at Camp Seven Hills in Holland, New York with a brand-new tent cabin.
   Girl Scouts of Western New York offers summer overnight and day camp programs at Camp Seven Hills, and serves approximately 3,000 campers each year from May until September. The camp is an American Camping Association accredited camping facility, meeting rigorous safety standards. In its year-round facilities, Camp Seven Hills serves an additional 7,000 campers.
    The council provides camping opportunities to more than 22,000 girl members in Western New York, ages 5 to 17. Girl Scouts offer camping opportunities subsidized with financial aid for many girls residing in the underserved urban and rural areas of the council’s jurisdiction.
   “Thank you to The Rotary Club of Buffalo. Girl Scout camp is a long-standing tradition in Girl Scouts. It is where friendships and fond memories are made. With Rotary’s generous support, the tradition will continue for years to come,” says Cindy Odom, Chief Executive Officer for the Girl Scouts of Western New York.
    “Rotary is very pleased to be able to help the Girl Scouts,” says Eck. “This organization plays a very important role in the development of young girls in Western New York and, since Rotary is also a service organization, our missions are similar and this project was a good match for us.”

About Girl Scouts of Western New York

   Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts of Western New York serves 22,000 girls in Erie, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Genesee, Livingston, Niagara, Monroe, Orleans and Wyoming counties. The council’s temporary administrative headquarters is located in Buffalo. Program and service centers are located in Batavia, Lockport, Rochester and Jamestown. For more information on how to join, volunteer, or donate, call (716) 837-6400 or go to www.gswny.org.

About Rotary Club of Buffalo
Founded in 1905 in Chicago, Rotary International is a worldwide
organization of business and professional leaders whose mission is to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards and to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through its fellowship of business, professional and community leaders. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. The Rotary Club of Buffalo was the 28th club in the world and currently has more than 175 active members serving the local and international communities. For more information about Rotary, contact John McClive at the Buffalo Rotary office at 854-3397 or e-mail jmcclive@buffalorotary.org or visit our website: www.buffalorotary.org.

March 4th Meeting: The Economy - Gary Keith, M&T

2010-03-03T11:31:00.000-05:00

Throughout a 26-year career at M&T Bank, Gary D. Keith has provided economic research and analysis support to M&T's executive management and commercial banking business units. In addition to giving frequent updates to M&T customers, business and trade groups and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, he writes a monthly column on regional economic trends for the Rochester Business Journal.

Keith has extensive experience tracking the Western New York economy and forecasting regional performance trends. Over the past two decades, as M&T expanded its geographic footprint beyond Upstate New York, his insights have been sharpened by observations on the economic "success factors" that can be applied to our own region.
He holds frequent discussions with M&T commercial customers, who are, in Keith's words, "his eyes and ears," helping to tie together the economic variables that describe the macroeconomy with real world decisions that businesses make every day.
Western New York performed much better than many areas of the country during the Great Recession. With the national economy beginning to expand again, it is better positioned to compete for new growth than in past recoveries.
The area's continuing transformation from an industrial to a service-based economy provides new opportunities for our region. The task going forward will be to capitalize on our economic assets and re-define the breadth and depth of the Western New York economy, both to outsiders and to local residents.

This meeting will be held Thursday, March 4th, 2010 at 12:15pm in Shanghai Red's, 2 Templteon Terrace, Buffalo, NY 14202.

Click here for a complete list of upcoming speakers at our weekly meeting.

If you'd like to attend a meeting, contact John McClive.

For more information about Rotary Club of Buffalo, visit our website, www.buffalorotary.org.

Wines of the World: Wine, Food and Auction List

2010-02-16T12:23:00.000-05:00

Here's the latest list of Wines, Restaurants and Auction Items for the 5th Annual Wines of the World on February 26th. Get your tickets online today! Click here to order.

WINES:
Premier Wines Group, Martin Scott Wines, Empire Merchants North, Opici Wine Group, Southern Wine & Spirits, Dr Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars, Lauber Imports, and Warm Lake Estate.

RESTAURANTS:
Bing's, Buffalo Yacht Club, Trattoria Aroma, May Jen Chinese Restaurant, Stillwater, Verbena, Oliver's, Old Orchard Inn, Spot Coffee, Left Bank, Muscoreil's

LIVE AUCTION ITEMS:

Buffalo- with a Twist!
Four lucky individuals will share an extraordinary evening of gourmet dining at O'Connell's American Bistro and be regaled by one of Buffalo's finest storytellers-Kevin O'Connell of Channel 2. Kevin will share his memories and experiences growing up in Buffalo and embarking upon his very successful career, the people he has met, the places he has gone and the things he has done (at least some of them)! (Please note -wine and spirits are not included.) Donated by: Ron Caruso, Value: Priceless
Refurbished Aud Orange Seat, 2 Sabres tickets and book of the history of the Aud
Watch the Sabres play from the comfort (or discomfort) of the Aud! One seat from the Oranges, reassembled and mounted on a new, free-standing bracket (without the original tasty lead paint) will be yours, to plant in front of the wide-screen, or anywhere you like. Included are AUDieu:Buffalo Says Farewell to the Aud, a 120-page book about the Aud from beginning to the sad end in 2009, and a companion 2010 calendar. For the non-readers, AUDieu includes a flip-book of the web cam photos of the demolition, and for the collectors, it is signed by the author, Rotarian Suzanne K. Taylor.
And finally, to bring you back to the present, the package includes two tickets for the Sabres-Montreal game on March 24, 2010 - section 113, next to the Pour Man's Aud Club in the end where the Sabres shoot twice. The seats are by the Zamboni entrance, where one of the cameramen is posted, so bring a sign and get on the Jumbotron!
Donated by: Suzanne Taylor ,Value $600
Two Round-trip tickets for Southwest Airlines
Be the lucky winner of these 2 roundtrip passes that are good for travel between any two cities within the Southwest Airlines system! These passes have no restrictions or blackout dates.
Expires 3/1/201. Value $800
Wine Tasting for 10
A private store tasting for 10 people at the Wine Room in Williamsville. Seven premium wines will be paired with special hors d'oeuvres to create a unique tasting experience. The event will be scheduled at a mutually agreed time. Donated by: The Wine Room, Main Street in Williamsville Value: $500
Oriental Rug
6 by 9 hand-knotted Oriental rug from the ancient country of Rumania, classic design with rich jewel-toned colors. Donated by C. Markarian & Sons Rugs Value: $995
Cooking Class for 12 Welcome to the Culinary Arts Center at Auburn Watson
Twelve lucky people will be able to enjoy a great evening of cooking together. Slip on an apron and roll up your sleeves for our hands-on cooking classes! Our professional chef instructors guide you through a memorable evening. Sauces are simmering, pans are sizzling. And after the class is over, everyone is invited to enjoy an unforgettable student-created meal. Our highly trained staff makes sure you leave the class armed with the essential cooking tips and techniques needed to re-create the magic at home. Donated by: Culinary Arts Center at Auburn Watson Value: $ 800
One week of accommodations for 8 at "The Field Cottage" in Ireland
Come and live Ireland in this beautiful Irish cottage, site of the movie "The Field" with Richard Harris (1991). This charming cottage has Irish pine antiques throughout, a fully equipped modern kitchen and a soft turf fireplace. Take a drive to Galway City and explore Lynch Castle, the Spanish Arch, the oldest pub in Ireland, The King's Head and watch the sunset over Galway Bay. Available dates for 2010 are:
Jan 16- Mar 1, April 1- June 20,
Aug. 1- Sept. 30 , Nov. 1- Dec. 20,
Donated by: Buffalo Sunrise Rotary Value: $1200
4 days & 3 nights in the WILDFLOWER Condo in ELLICOTTVILLE, NY
Beautifully furnished ground floor, two-story condo, accommodations for 4 people Open floor plan includes :-a queen size sofa bed in living room with w/b fireplace.-one-bedroom loft with queen size poster bed. dining area comfortable for nice dinners with washer/dryer in unit.
Available - Sept.14, 2010 - Jan. 31, 2011
Excludes FALL FESTIVAL - Security Deposit...$200.
NO PETS/ NO SMOKING
Elegant Finger Lakes Get-a-Way
You and your guest will have the opportunity to experience Geneva on the Lake, a AAA Four Diamond award winning resort in Geneva, NY, located on Seneca Lake in the midst of the scenic Finger Lakes Wine Country. Perfect for a romantic getaway or a short escape with friends, Geneva on the Lake is European Elegance in the Heart of the Finger Lakes. Experience the exceptional beauty of the villa and lakeside setting, and the gourmet cuisine that has attracted guests from all over the world. Service is attentive to the smallest detail. The terrace, formal gardens, classical sculptures, 70 foot pool and boathouse enhance the old-world charm that awaits you.
Your package includes: 1 night luxurious accommodations at Geneva on the Lake
Gourmet candlelight dinner for two
A full breakfast in the morning
All taxes and gratuities
Donated by : AAA Value: $500

Feb. 18th Meeting: Jan Nichols on Polio Plus

2010-02-16T11:31:00.000-05:00

Janice Flood Nichols is a survivor of a polio epidemic that struck her suburb of DeWitt, NY, in fall 1953.
Nichols received a BA in psychology from Seton Hill University and a MEd. in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Pittsburgh (Jonas Salk's research institute).
In 2003, Janice received a March copy of the Rotarian from her college friend and grad school roommate, former First Lady of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Michele Moore Ridge. Michele's note was a simple one: "Jan, now you have to tell your story."
That night, she spoke to her husband and decided that she had to do something to bring attention to the disease. Her book, Twin Voices: A Memoir of Polio, the Forgotten Killer, was published in 2007 (with a second edition released in fall '08). The book wraps her family's personal story around the greater story of polio, the disease. A concise history of Rotary's PolioPlus program is included in one of the book's appendices.
Today, she spends her time speaking to Rotary clubs and districts, other civic groups, high school health classes, book clubs, immunization coalitions and conferences, and medical personnel regarding the importance of polio eradication and vaccination.
Her book received honorable mention in both nonfiction and biography at the 2007 London Book Festival. She received the 2008 Distinguished Alumni Leadership Award from Seton Hill University for her work with polio.
Her short story entitled, "A Twin Nudge," appears in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Twins and More (published in March 2009). The short story traces her present work to the 2003 Rotarian magazine sent by her friend. As Jan likes to put it, she's a woman on a mission.
Jan resides with her husband, Dr. David Nichols, in Lockport, NY. The couple has a grown son, Dr. Kevin Nichols.
Learn more at: www.twinvoices.com. The Web page provides links to vaccine sites, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Post-Polio Health International, and an international relief organization.

This meeting will be held Thursday, February 18th, 2010 at 12:15pm in Shanghai Red's, 2 Templteon Terrace, Buffalo, NY 14202.

Click here for a complete list of upcoming speakers at our weekly meeting.

If you'd like to attend a meeting, contact John McClive.

For more information about Rotary Club of Buffalo, visit our website, www.buffalorotary.org.

February 4th Meeting: Offsite at THE CHARTER SCHOOL FOR APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES

2010-02-03T11:22:00.000-05:00

This meeting will be held at Noon in THE CHARTER SCHOOL FOR APPLIED TECHNOLOGIES, 2245 KENMORE AVENUE,CORNER OF ROESCH AVE, KENMORE, NY 14207. PLENTY OF PARKING IN THE LOT NEXT TO THE HIGH SCHOOL
A map is attached.Click to enlarge.

There will be a seated lunch prepared and served by students in the school's Culinary program. Lunch will be served at 12:15 p.m.

After announcements and a presentation by Superintendent Efrain Martinez, we will be given tours of the high school by the students

In September 2001, the Charter School for Applied Technologies (CSAT) opened its doors to 708 students in kindergarten through sixth grade. Today, CSAT is a bustling campus of three distinct buildings (Elementary, Middle, and High Schools), serving 1,600 pupils representing 16 different school districts throughout Western New York. It has evolved to become the largest charter school in New York State and one of only two state charter schools to offer a comprehensive K-12 experience.
Admission to CSAT is free and open to all students eligible to attend public school in Erie and Niagara Counties. As a "school of choice," CSAT's student population is diverse. Forty-one (41) percent of its students are African American, 41 percent are Caucasian, 16 percent Hispanic, two percent American Indian/Alaskan Native, one percent Asian/Pacific Islander, and another one percent indicate that they are "Multi-racial." CSAT's student body reflects a significantly high rate of poverty, as evidenced by the large number of youths who consistently qualify for Title I programming. Currently, 81 percent of the school's students have applied and qualified for either free or reduced-price meals. Further, the actual percentage of students who qualify for such programs is most likely higher, as some, especially those in the upper grades, often do not apply for the program due to its perceived negative stigma. As evidence, the percentage of qualifying students is at 83 percent in the Elementary School (K-6), dipping to 68 percent in the High School (9-12).
Not only is CSAT the largest charter school in New York, it is consistently seen as one of the best, demonstrated by numerous factors:
(1) 80% of CSAT students out-scored their home districts on the New York State English Language Arts and Math assessments;
(2) High School students scored above the State average on eight of nine Regents Exams; and,
(3)its second graduating class, the class of 2009, posted a 100% graduation rate, (all 85 students). This compares favorably to city (52%)and state (63%) averages;
(4) anecdotal support has come from former Regents Chancellor Bob Bennett, who referred to CSAT as "the best charter school in the state" in 2008 and former U.S. Education Department staffer Doug Mesecar, who called CSAT a "model charter school" after a 2008 visit;
(5) The average per-pupil expenditure of the school districts with pupils at CSAT in 2009 was $17,260. Due to state law limiting charter schools to 2/3 of the funding received by traditional districts, CSAT was able to provide a better educational experience for thousands less – approximately $12,000/student.

What Makes CSAT so Different?
It's the school's commitment to its motto - "Every Day is Career Day" - though, that sets it apart from others. CSAT's school-to-career component prepares all students, including those who may not be college bound, for the world of work. Career preparation starts for our students in kindergarten with field trips and visits by community business leaders and extends throughout their entire educational career, culminating in student enterprise programs, job shadowing, and individualized work study and internships for those in higher grades.
For more information on the school, please see the CSAT website at
http://csat-k12.org/csat/site/default.asp

Click here for a complete list of upcoming speakers at our weekly meeting.

If you'd like to attend a meeting, contact John McClive.
For more information about Rotary Club of Buffalo, visit our website, www.buffalorotary.org.

Jan. 28 Meeting: BNMC Chief Operating Officer Patrick J. Whalen

2010-01-26T10:14:00.000-05:00

Our speaker for January 28th will be Patrick J. Whalen. Patrick Whalen joined the BNMC as Chief Operating Officer in March of 2008. A former Buffalo Rotarian, he directs the day-to-day operations of the growing not-for-profit corporation. He is also spearheading the renovation, build-out, and tenant recruitment of the BNMC's Innovation Center at 640 Ellicott Street (the four-story former Trico Products Corp. building).
Whalen has extensive experience on a wide variety of international supply chain issues including marketing access, warehousing, distribution, sourcing, and freight forwarding. Whalen conceptualized and established Fulfillment Systems International, a distribution services provider offering marketing support, warehousing and distribution, freight forwarding, and transportation service to firms operating in the US and Canada, with annual sales of $10 million and one hundred employees in five locations. He sold this company to a UPS subsidiary in 2000 and became division manager of UPS Supply Chain Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of United Parcel Service, providing supply chain management solutions to businesses worldwide, with 14,000 employees and $750 million in sales.
The Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus is a consortium of the region's premier health care, life sciences research, and medical education institutions, all co-located on 120-acre in downtown Buffalo, New York. The BNMC is dedicated to the cultivation of a world-class medical campus for clinical care, research, education, and entrepreneurship. The BNMC:
•Coordinates activities related to the planning, development, and enhancement within their 120 acres footprint.
•Facilitates collaboration among our member institutions, as well as the community at large.
•Addresses issues of common concern to our member institutions and neighbors.
•Creates a distinct environment that provides opportunities for active living.

The meeting will be held at the Harbour Club in HSBC Arena at 12:15pm, Thursday, January 28th, 12:15pm.

The public is invited to attend and hear interesting programs each week. Call our Executive Director, John McClive, at 854-3397 if you have any questions or would like to attend.

Jan. 21st Meeting: Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. President Thomas P. Dee

2010-01-19T19:13:00.000-05:00

Spanning a career of 37 years at Cannon Design, with 28 years as a principal, our speaker, Thomas P. Dee, has been involved in large-scale public projects locally such as the HSBC Arena, the HSBC Atrium Office Complex, the Erie Community College Flickinger Field House and the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

As President of ECHDC, Mr. Dee is well qualified to lead one of the Western New York region's most exciting economic development projects, one that involves the revitalization of over 20 acres of prime waterfront lands within the City of Buffalo's historic Erie Canal district.

Commonly known as "Canal Side," this dynamic project features roughly $300 million in public and private investment, comprising more than one million square feet of retail, cultural, residential, office and other mixed-uses. The Canal Side project is designed to not only evoke City heritage as America's "gateway to the west" for commerce, transportation and immigration, but also to accentuate downtown Buffalo's connection to its waterfront, through construction of various interpretive water features and towpaths, reminiscent of the area's historic canal network.

This well documented "hustle and bustle" of the Erie Canal, Commercial Slip and Prime Slip is central to the Canal Side theme, and will be brought back to life through various year-round offerings and experiences, including restaurants, entertainment venues, retail outlets, cultural attractions, public spaces, and increased access to Lake Erie and the Buffalo River. Canal Side will appeal to a wide demographic of visitors and residents. More succinctly, it will be Buffalo's next great place!

This meeting will be held at the Harbour Club in HSBC Arena beginning at 12:15 p.m. - Thursday, January 21st, 2010.

Click here for a complete list of upcoming speakers at our weekly meeting.

For more information about Rotary Club of Buffalo, visit our website, www.buffalorotary.org.

Network at North

2010-01-19T19:05:00.000-05:00

Come to the first networking event of 2010:

Wednesday
January 20th
5 to 8 ppm

at

NORTH
140 North Street (located in the Hotel Lenox)

This is a FREE event and a great opportunity to network with club members and to introduce potential Rotarians to the club in a relaxed environment.

Free parking in rear/side lot.

Free Hors D'Oeuvres
Discounted cash bar

Help for Haiti - Message from District Governor Suchak

2010-01-19T19:00:00.000-05:00

Following is an important message from District Governor, Pravin Suchak, for members and friends of The Rotary Club of Buffalo:

As everyone in the district is well aware by now, the needs of the Haitian people are very great as up to three million people deal with the aftermath of a 7.0 earthquake in and around the capital Port-au-Prince.The city was leveled, a vast number of people killed, and transportation and communication disrupted. The injured are struggling for care as most medical facilities in the capital were damaged or destroyed and people have nowhere to live.

Many of our clubs are asking what they can do. As a district we are suggesting that Rotarians and Rotary clubs who want to help should have a district option. Jos Nolle, Chair of our Disaster Relief Committee has suggested two options.

First, we know that many injured are taken to Hopital Albert Schweitzer in Deschapelles, a town about 40 miles NW of Port-au-Prince. We are fortunate because Roy Sheldrick from the Rotary Club of Ancaster uses Hopital Albert Schweitzer to administer the Haiti Water for Life Program and through them has brought over 1.2 million dollars of wells, piping and latrines to Haiti. Roy has close and regular contact with the hospital administration and they have indicated that their facility is coping with the influx of those injured in the earthquake, but the hospital is fast using up its budget on supplies of medicines, diesel fuel and additional operating expenses.

Second, most inhabitants of Port-au-Prince have lost their homes and shelter and have nowhere to live. The ShelterBox Program keeps a stock of shelter boxes on hand and some of these boxes are already on their way to Haiti. The supply, however, always needs to be replenished.

For these reasons, we are encouraging donations to Hopital Albert Schweitzer and/or ShelterBox. A trust fund keeps Hopital Albert Schweitzer running. In NY, clubs and individuals are asked to forward donations to The Rotary Club of Kenmore and it will issue charitable receipts.

Your donation will then be forwarded so that Hopital Albert Schweitzer can continue caring for the onslaught of injured.

Please make checks payable to Kenmore Rotary Charities and mail to Kenmore Rotary Club, 3200 Elmwood Avenue, Kenmore NY 14217, Please indicate Haiti Disaster Relief as the reason for the check.

Those clubs wishing to support ShelterBox should send funds directly to that organization at either ShelterBox USA, 8374 Market Street #203, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202 or ShelterBox Canada, 1272 Mysty Woods, Victoria BC, V8Y 3G6. http://www.shelterbox.ca/

Pravin Suchak,
District Governor
Jos Nolle, Disaster Relief Chair

Holiday Party December 17th

2009-12-09T11:09:00.000-05:00

Join us for our Annual HOLIDAY PARTY at the HARBOUR CLUB in HSBC Arena.
Cost for guests is $20, no charge for Buffalo Rotary members.
CASH BAR with beer and wine begins at 11:30 a.m.
Entertainment will be by the FRIENDS of HARMONY Barbershop Quartet.

Invite spouses, friends and prospective Rotarians.

Be sure to make reservations and let us know the names of your guests so we can have name badges ready. We must give Harbour Club the count by Tuesday December 14.

December 10th: Presentation of Community Grants

2009-12-09T11:04:00.000-05:00

Dec. 10th meeting will be held at 12:15 p.m. in the HARBOUR CLUB, HSBC Arena

Community Grants Chair, Rob Eck and members of the committee will make presentations about the organizations they have studied for the fall cycle.
Members of the committee include: Pat Cunningham, Don Enslin, Chip Ivins, Dave Knauss, Dolores McCarley, Carolyn Murray, Dale Schwenk and Deann Sheppard

Summary of Projects:
Hispanics United of Buffalo (HUB) was founded in 1989, and it's mission is to advance and improve the social, educational, cultural and economic status of members of the Latino community in Western NY through the rendering of advice, assistance and operation of programs. Currently, with the economy worsening, low and moderate income Hispanics are finding it more difficult than ever to secure and keep a job. There is a need for a program to give these people the training and assistance to help them compete in today's economy. HUB has recently established an Employment Center, which will help prepare these clients for employment and education opportunities. They are requesting $6,848 for the purchase of 8 new desktop computers/printers to help expand the capabilities of this new program.
St. Vincent de Paul Society was founded in 1847, and it's mission is to seek out the forgotten, the suffering and the deprived, and treat them with dignity and compassion. Currently, they have seen a surge in demand for services for those in need, especially in the number of meals being provided. St. Vincent de Paul has been offering free meals since 1982 to over 8,000 clients each month. However, to continue this program, they are in need of replacing a 20 year old refrigerator. They are requesting $3,574 to help purchase a commercial refrigerator to store large quantities of food to support their existing free meals program.
The Olmstead Center for the Sight Impaired is 100 years old and was formerly known as The Blind Association. Their mission is to help individuals with visual impairments to achieve the highest level of independence possible. Currently, they provide a program to address the special needs of this growing population. The Statler Center for Careers in Hospitality Service was established in 1999 to create meaningful job opportunities in the Hotel and Call Center job marketplace for the sight impaired. They are requesting $5,280 for capital improvements to their classroom training facility to help maintain and grow this vital program.

Past speaker Dr. Fasula in the News

2009-12-09T10:24:00.000-05:00

Dr. Vivian K. Fasula, who presented at the Buffalo Rotary meeting on November 25th, was recently featured in the Buffalo News. Click here to read.

December 10th Meeting: Fall Cycle Community Grants and ELECTION

2009-12-02T12:12:00.002-05:00

The slate of officers and directors will be presented at the Meet the Candidates forum at Shanghai Red's, Noon on December 3.
Elections will be held on December 10 at the Harbour Club in HSBC arena from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Officer candidates include: Ron Caruso, President-Elect; John Bradley, Vice President-Director; Charles Telford, Secretary-Director; and Joseph Brennan Treasurer-Director, each elected for one year. Each Officer is also a Director for one year. President-Elect Caruso serves for one year and then automatically becomes President in the following year
There are Four Directors, each elected for two years: Bryce Bixby, Megan Burns-Moran, Carolyn Murray and Anthony Diina.
You will want to hear what their sponsors have to say about each candidate.
In addition we are welcoming 8 members of the Credit Valley A.M in Mississauga who are coming for the hockey game that night. They are: Steve Brown, Dale Scheerer, Jim Kitchen, Wendell and Dustin Stanley, Jim Joeseph, Paul Kuel and President Elect Tim Doyle
Come early and say Hello.

Donate your used eye glasses through Dec 15

2009-12-02T12:12:00.000-05:00

Our speaker on WEDNESDAY Nov 25 will be Dr. Vivian Fasula who will talk about her work at the Medical Missionary in Nicaragua. She has requested Rotarians donate eye glasses they no longer need so she can share them with those who do.
You can bring them to a Rotary meeting through December 15 or make arrangements with Barbara Campagna at 639-0630
Barbara has the posters, shown in the photograph, which can be displayed in offices and buildings now. See her at a Rotary meeting to obtain a supply.

Youth Exchange Winter Weekend Dec 4 through 6

2009-12-02T12:10:00.000-05:00

The Buffalo Rotary Youth Exchange "Winter Weekend" is being held Dec. 4-6th. All the exchange students within District 7090 come to Buffalo for a weekend of fun that includes tours of downtown and ice skating at Rotary rink.
We need "host families" for the weekend. Each host family typically will host 2 (or more) students for the weekend. What's involved? A host family simply picks up the students on Friday night after their scheduled function. The students stay with you Friday night and we ask that you drop them off downtown (usually around 12pm).
The students have a full agenda downtown until roughly 4pm. At 4pm we ask that you pick them up and they join you for dinner. That night we invite you and your family to join us for a party at Greg Norton's house (Elmwood and W. Ferry) with all the exchange students and "weekend" host families. It's a lot of Fun!! The kids spend the night with you on Saturday and we ask that you drop them off downtown usually around 12-1pm.
It's a great chance to participate in a weekend that exposes the youth exchange students to our wonderful city, the great people and the members of our Rotary Club.
Please call John Bradley at 626-9500 with questions and let him know if you would be interested in hosting.

Ring the bell for Salvation Army Dec. 12th

2009-12-02T12:09:00.000-05:00

Did you see the picture page (C12) in the Buffalo News, November 5? Attached is the photo of Buffalo Rotarian Major Robert Dixon next to the kettle that we will be using on
ROTARY DAY
Saturday, December 12th
at Wal-Mart
5033 Transit Road, Clarence
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Following is the list of those who have signed up already
We have TWO for each hour BUT YOU WOULD BE WELCOME TO HELP AT ANY TIME. Just let us know. It's a great experience!
9:00 to 10:00 John McClive & Joe DePaolo
10:00 to 11:00 Dick Klepfer & Jerry Kelly
11:00 to Noon Pat Coviello & Tony Diina
Noon to 1:00 Andy Streng & Bill Keefer
1:00 to 2:00 Don DeMeo & Jim Sutherland
2:00 to 3:00 Susan Keefe & Dennis Buckley
3:00 to 4:00 Michele Longley & Lauren Solak
4:00 TO 5:00 Chet Dann & Bob Dixon

Rotaract Information: Dec 15, from 5 to 7 at Pearl Street Grill

2009-12-02T12:00:00.001-05:00

Are you, or do you know any young professionals or college students who would like to get involved in local community service or international humanitarian projects?
Would they welcome the chance to expand their circle of friends locally and around the world?
The Rotary Club of Buffalo is assisting the Buffalo Sunrise Rotary Club to sponsor the formation of a community-based Rotaract Club in the Buffalo area.
So, what is a Rotaract Club? Rotaract is an international program for adults ages 18 to 30 who want to make a difference. It was founded in 1968 by Rotary International (www.rotary.org), an association of clubs made up of service-minded business and professional leaders. Today, there are more than 7,000 Rotaract clubs with some 170,000 members in over 160 countries.
Rotaract clubs enable members to grow personally and professionally, address community needs, and promote international understanding through friendship and service.
Rotaract clubs hold meetings, usually every two weeks, which feature speakers, discussions, and visits to other clubs. Rotaract members also get together for service projects, social activities, and leadership workshops. You can find out more about Rotaract at www.rotaract.org
If you are interested, or just curious, please join us for a free informational meeting:
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Pearl St. Grill & Brewery
76 Pearl Street
Buffalo, NY 14202
There will be a presentation by Jen Middleton, President of the Brantford (Ontario) Rotaract Club. Although there is no fee to attend this meeting, please let us know if you plan to attend by contacting Sue Spindler at violetakasu@roadrunner.com or by calling (716) 681-2136.

December 3rd Meeting: Meet the CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION

2009-12-02T11:59:00.001-05:00

Rotary Club of Buffalo Gives Grant to Gerard Place

2009-11-17T15:00:00.000-05:00

The Rotary Club of Buffalo recently presented a check for $10,000 to Gerard Place, a transitional housing and supportive services program for homeless single parent families, announced Rob Eck, chair of Rotary’s Community Grants Committee. The funds were used to help purchase and renovate a building to house the organization’s Community Education Program, which will serve the surrounding communities.
    “The Education building is an integral part of Gerard Place programming for our homeless families,” says David Zapfel, MPA, executive director. “Rotary was a key contributor to this project, and we are extremely grateful for their generosity, which allowed us to expand our facility and better serve our clientele.”
    “Rotary was very pleased to be able to assist Gerard Place with its new building,” says Eck. “They do a wonderful job helping homeless families develop the skills they need to become employed, educated and self-supporting. Their mission fits in perfectly with Rotary’s mission, and we’re glad to see them settled nicely in their new building.”

About Rotary Club of Buffalo
Founded in 1905 in Chicago, Rotary International is a worldwide
organization of business and professional leaders whose mission is to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards and to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through its fellowship of business, professional and community leaders. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. The Rotary Club of Buffalo was the 28th club in the world and currently has more than 175 active members serving the local and international communities. For more information about Rotary, contact John McClive at the Buffalo Rotary office at 854-3397 or e-mail jmcclive@buffalorotary.org or visit our website: www.buffalorotary.org.

About Gerard Place
    Since 2000, Gerard Place has provided transitional housing and supportive services for homeless single parent families. We strengthen families by empowering parents to achieve greater self-sufficiency. For more information about Gerard Place, please visit www.gerardplace.org.

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Buffalo Blog

2009-11-09T14:46:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Buffalo offiical news blog.

Buffalo Rotary Foundation Installs New Officers and Trustees; Paul J. Marzello Sr. to Serve as President.

2009-08-12T15:00:00.000-04:00

The Buffalo Rotary Foundation announces the installation of its new board of trustees for 2009-2010. Paul J. Marzello Sr., president of D.F. Williamson Co. Inc., has been installed as president and will serve a one-year term. Mr. Marzello has been a member of Rotary Club of Buffalo since 1984.    Richard B. Adams, retired general manager of SFC Adams Inc., has been installed as vice president; Antone F. Alber, Dean, Wehle School of Business, Canisius College, has been installed as secretary; Wayne D. Bacon, retired president of Mills Welding & Specialty Gases, has been installed as assistant secretary; Edwin L. Meyer, president, E.L. Meyer & Associates, has been installed as treasurer; Wayne M. Mertz, president, Goergen Mackwirth Co. Inc, has been installed as assistant treasurer and Robert J. Galdys, president, BCS, is immediate past president.
    Newly-installed trustees include: Donald A. DeMeo, chief financial officer, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Stanley Kaznowski, treasurer, Curtis Screw Company, and Wayne D. Bacon.
Ex-officio officers include: Sandra L. Yeater, executive director, Tonawanda Pediatrics and current president of The Rotary Club of Buffalo, and Charles C. Martorana, partner, Hiscock and Barclays, LLP, president-elect of The Rotary Club of Buffalo.

About Rotary Club of Buffalo
Founded in 1905 in Chicago, Rotary International is a worldwide
organization of business and professional leaders whose mission is to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards and to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through its fellowship of business, professional and community leaders. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. The Rotary Club of Buffalo was the 28th club in the world and currently has more than 175 active members serving the local and international communities. For more information about Rotary, contact John McClive at the Buffalo Rotary office at 854-3397 or e-mail jmcclive@buffalorotary.org or visit our website: www.buffalorotary.org.

About Buffalo Rotary Foundation
    The Buffalo Rotary Foundation awards grants to tax exempt organizations organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, literary or educational purposes or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals. The Board of Directors has ultimate responsibility and authority regarding grant approvals which are, after being acted upon, sent to the Buffalo Rotary Foundation’s Board of Trustees for their consideration and action.

Rotary Club of Buffalo Gives Grant to the Food Bank of WNY

2009-07-29T15:00:00.000-04:00

The Rotary Club of Buffalo recently presented a check to the Food Bank of Western New York in the amount of $7,700, announced Rob Eck, chair of Rotary’s Community Grants Committee. The funds will be used for new equipment as the Food Bank renovates its test kitchen.
    “The Food Bank is offering very important programs that teach children and adults to prepare healthy snacks and meals,” says Eck. “The new equipment will help further the mission of the Food Bank, and also supports the mission of Rotary. We are pleased to able to assist this wonderful organization that helps so many of our fellow Western New Yorkers.”
    The two programs offered by the Food Bank in its test kitchen include Kids In The Kitchen, a unique program that puts kids in control in the kitchen. Children throughout Western New York come to the Food Bank to learn about cooking and healthy eating. Guided by the Food Bank nutritionist, kids get a chance to understand how their eating habits affect their health. They learn how to prepare simple snacks and meals (many of the recipes use products available at the Food Bank) and how to choose foods wisely to benefit their health. Good Cookin’ is a program whereby a registered dietician teaches adults menu planning, budgeting and healthy meal preparation.
    “This generous grant from Rotary allows us to upgrade our facility so we can accommodate more of our clients into these two very important programs,” says Marylou Borowiak, president and CEO of the Food Bank of WNY. “We are very grateful to Rotary.”

About Rotary Club of Buffalo
Founded in 1905 in Chicago, Rotary International is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders whose mission is to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards and to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through its fellowship of business, professional and community leaders. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. The Rotary Club of Buffalo was the 28th club in the world and currently has more than 175 active members serving the local and international communities. For more information about Rotary, contact John McClive at the Buffalo Rotary office at 854-3397 or e-mail jmcclive@buffalorotary.org or visit our website: www.buffalorotary.org.

About the Food Bank of WNY
Each month, 91,000 hungry Western New Yorkers – 40 percent of whom are children – turn to soup kitchens, food pantries and other emergency food providers. The Food Bank of Western New York acts as a bridge between available food sources and the hungry. The Food Bank of WNY is a nonprofit clearinghouse for food solicited from the private sector. This food, deemed “edible but unmarketable” by the food industry, is safely stored in our 50,610 square foot warehouse and then distributed to qualified charitable agencies working to feed the needy. The Food Bank of WNY is one of more than 200 food banks nationwide affiliated with the America's Second Harvest Food Bank Network. For more information, visit www.foodbankwny.org.

Rotary Club of Buffalo Installs New Officers and Directors; Sandra L. Yeater to serve as 99th President

2009-07-07T15:00:00.000-04:00

The Rotary Club of Buffalo announces the installation of its new board of directors, effective July 1, 2009. Sandra L. Yeater has been installed as the 99th president of Rotary Club of Buffalo and will serve a one-year term. Ms. Yeater is the executive director of Tonawanda Pediatrics and has been a member of Rotary Club of Buffalo since 2002. Previously, she was a member of the Orchard Park Rotary Club.
Ronald H. Caruso, president, R.H. Caruso & Co., Inc., has been installed as vice president; Michael J. Grimaldi, partner, Lumsden & McCormick, has been installed as treasurer; William P. Keefer, partner, Phillips Lytle, has been installed as secretary and Charles C. Martorana, partner, Hiscock & Barclay, LLP, has been installed as president-elect.
Newly-installed directors include John Bradley, sales manager, The Alcott Group; Joseph P. Brennan, commercial loan officer, M& T Bank; Anthony N. Diina, president, Metrodata Service, Inc.; Robert D. Eck, area manager, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp.; Paul Hurley, Jr., president, Trocaire College; David E. Knauss, president, Lehigh Construction Group, Inc.; Carolyn M. Murray, Hunt Commercial Real Estate; Donald Ogilvie, superintendent, Erie 1 BOCES; Charles Telford, partner, Damon & Morey, LLP, and past Rotary Club of Buffalo president Dr. Antone F. Alber, dean of the Wehle School of Business at Canisius College.

About Rotary Club of Buffalo
Founded in 1905 in Chicago, Rotary International is a worldwide
organization of business and professional leaders whose mission is to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards and to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through its fellowship of business, professional and community leaders. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. The Rotary Club of Buffalo was the 28th club in the world and currently has more than 175 active members serving the local and international communities. For more information about Rotary, contact John McClive at the Buffalo Rotary office at 854-3397 or e-mail jmcclive@buffalorotary.org or visit our website: www.buffalorotary.org.

Anthony J. Baynes to Receive Service Above Self Award from Rotary Club of Buffalo; Nine Others to Receive Pride of Workmanship Award at June 11 Meeting

2009-06-09T15:00:00.000-04:00

Rotary Club of Buffalo will present its annual Service Above Self Award to Anthony J. Baynes, founder and owner of A.J. Baynes Group, at its June 11, 2009 luncheon at the Harbour Club in HSBC Arena. The A.J. Baynes Group, headquartered in Buffalo, is one of the leading third-party logistics and freight management providers in the country. The A.J. Baynes Group encompasses A.J. Baynes Freight Contractors Ltd., Extra Mile Transportation, LLC and Evolution Development.
    The Service Above Self Award is given out annually by each local Rotary Club chapter. The recipients must have demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service, in any form and at any level, with an emphasis on personal volunteer efforts and active involvement in helping others through Rotary. Service rendered by the recipients through Rotary must have been on a continuing basis. Baynes is receiving the award from the Rotary Club of Buffalo “in recognition and appreciation of his exemplary leadership and relentless dedication to serving our community.”
    Baynes, a graduate of Buffalo State College, resides in Williamsville, New York with his wife. Elaine.
    Also at the luncheon, nine individuals will be presented with the Pride of Workmanship Award, which “recognizes employees who are the unsung heroes of their companies, who get the job done right the first time, and who display talent and the positive attitude meriting the Pride of Workmanship.”
    Recipients of this year’s Pride of Workmanship Award are Judy Armantia, LPN, Tonawanda Pediatrics; Barbara DeMartino, Fernwood Capital/Leasing; Kathleen Diina, Metrodata Services, Inc.; Justin Guerin, Food Bank of WNY; Deborah LaBounty, City Mission/Cornerstone; John McEnroe, Goodwill Industries/WNY; Nancy M. Muroff, Greater Niagara Frontier Council, BSA; Cecilia Smith, Hyatt Regency Buffalo, and Christy Stoebe, Foit-Albert Associates.
    The mission of Rotary International, a worldwide association of Rotary clubs, is to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards, and to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. Rotary Club of Buffalo presents a variety of speakers at its weekly luncheon meetings. The public is welcome. For more information, visit www.buffalorotary.org.