January 6, 2010

The Bulletin -- January 6, 2010 (#1023)

VISITING ROTARIAN DAVE MALONE VISITS WITH NORTH COUNTRY COMMUNITY COLLEGE PRESIDENT DR. CAROL BROWN.

Program: Dr. Carol Brown — New President at North Country Community College

Dr. Carol Brown has had a busy beginning since taking over as the fifth president at North Country Community College,
The college has three different campuses — Saranac Lake, Malone and Ticonderoga — and they are all working diligently to sustain the needs of the local communities. Many of the students are first generation college students. They come from different counties, states and four different countries. Two percent of NCCC students are veterans, and Dr. Brown described a new program on the Malone campus geared for veterans coming back from overseas active duty. The goal is to help them acclimate and receive the help they need to take advantage of the GI Bill.

The economic downturn has encouraged a younger population of students to take classes. NCCC’s Bridge Program allows high school students to enroll in dual credit college courses. Dr. Brown explained that many students are able to get up to 21 college credits by the time they graduate high school.
Many things have changed in the field of education over the years. Children are exposed to technology at younger and younger ages, and continued education is working hard to keep up with that.

Another change, Dr. Brown explained, is that of interdependency. All local colleges and even K-12 teachers are responsible for educating future generations. Preparing the region for that future requires, as Dr. Brown says, “coopetition” - finding the balance between competition and cooperation. New legislation coming from Washington is expected to help bolster community colleges across the nation. The program, the American Graduation Initiative, is a 10-year plan to create an additional five million community college graduates, increase work placements and focus on access and completion.

Relatively new to the area, Dr. Brown said she is struck by the amount of reflection and renewal to which the community is committed. The quality of life here is wonderful, she said, and it is exciting to be part of it in a productive way through NCCC. Having lived in many parts of the country including Texas, Michigan, New York City and SUNY New Paltz, her return to upstate was emotionally motivated. At the end of the day, Dr. Brown explained, “I hope I can give the students at North Country what the SUNY system gave me.”

THIS IS A FANTASTIC MEMBERSHIP MILESTONE! (ABOVE) FIVE NEW MEMBERS WERE INDUCTED TO THE CLUB. HOLDING THEIR BLUE FOLDERS (L-R) ARE: BETSY VICENCIO, DAVID BRAY, PETER GROSSKOPF, STEPHEN KENDE AND AMANDA PALMER. WITH SO MANY NEW MEMBERS JOINING THE CLUB, NEW MEMBER TALKS ARE SCHEDULED BACK TO BACK FOR SEVERAL MONTHS OUT. (BELOW) NEW MEMBERS AND THEIR SPONSORS FORMED A RECEIVING LINE AT THE END OF THE MEETING TO BE CONGRATULATED BY CURRENT ROTARIANS.

This Week:

President Bonnie received word from Bob Hanna (District Membership Chair) that the Plattsburgh club, at 109, is second in size only to Watertown, which has 152 members.
Please remember to pay your dues by Wednesday, Jan 27. RI needs the dues, and it creates a cash flow problem if people are not timely with their dues.
First Thursday is at Geoffrey’s Pub at 5 p.m.
Bob Kidwell needs to know how many members are planning to attend the Plattsburgh Aeronautical Institute so lunches can be provided. Boxed lunches are $11. Check your email or the website for directions to the PAI.
The membership committee is meeting at 11:10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan 20, at the Elk’s Lodge.
New Member Orientation is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 29 at 8 a.m. at West Bay Financial.
There will be a Board of Director Meeting on Monday, Jan. 25, at noon at CCC Dining Hall (PARC).

Visiting Rotarians: David Malone (Watertown, NY)

Guests: Betsy Vicencio and David Bray (Bob Parks), Stephen Kende (Peter Cadieux), Amanda Palmer (Jack Prim), Carol Blakeslee-Collin (Stan Ransom) and Pete Grosskopf (John Seiden).

Fines: Jack Prim was fined $4 for not signing in his guest. John Bernardi was fined $2 for two photos in the Press-Republican.

Committee Moments:
Foundation—Steve Frederick: Steve recognized Hope Coryer, Bob Miller, Roger Forrence, Jody Carpenter, Lori Mathieu, Theresa Meseck, Barb Straw, John Prim and MaryAnne Bukolt-Ryder for filling their Rotary coin boxes. They collectively raised $200.42 for Polio Eradication. Overall, the club is a few dollars shy of the $2,000 goal.

Auction Items: Bill McBride donated two Adirondack Life calendars. Terrianne Pavone and Tony Searing each bought one for $10.

Announcements:

Jack Helfgott answered a question about the 4-way test correctly.
Rosemary Souza-Botten reminded new members that Past Pres. Rod Giltz will be celebrating his birthday this week and joined Rotary in Jan. of ‘63.
Elle thanked Vicki Marking and the club’s PR Committee for the information about the club in the newspaper last Sunday.
Peter Cadieux’s daughter, a SUNY Plattsburgh student, is now interning with Don Moore at his office.
After one year as Exe. Dir. of the Senior Citizens Council, Maria Alexander was proud to announce that construction on Catherine Gardens Housing Community was about to begin!
Bob Smith’s youngest has graduated from UVM, and he’s quite pleased!

Bonnie’s Bucks:

Rick Leibowitz had $5 to congratulate Colin Read who was married on New Year’s Eve. On Friday, the North Country Small Business Development Center is hosting an open house from 1-4 p.m.
Past Pres. Steve Frederick had $3 to brag about his daughter. She had a birthday and asked people to make a donation to Hanna’s Hope Fund instead of bringing her presents. She raised $400!

50/50: There are 51 cards left in the deck, and the pot is worth $500. Alice Church drew the 3 of Hearts.

Another Candle Burning For: Tammy Bell (1/2), John Seiden and Bill Rowe (1/7), Phil Green and Chuck Paepke (1/10) and Rosemary Souza-Botten (1/14).

Did You Know? Youth Exchange is an RI program that annually allows approximately 7,000 students, ages 15-17, to live and study abroad for up to one academic year.