Friends of the Albany Roundtable

2016-17 Annual Report

The following are highlights of the Luncheons and activities of the Albany Roundtable Civic Luncheon
Series during its 37th season:

2016-17 LUNCHEONS

In October, Adam Frelin and Judie Gilmore of Breathing Lights kicked off the season.
Concentrated in neighborhoods with high levels of vacancy, Breathing Lights transformed
abandoned structures from pockets of shadows into places of warmth.
In November, Troy Mayor Patrick Madden joined us to discuss his goal to strengthen the
citys neighborhoods, confront the challenge of urban blight, improve fiscal oversight of city
finances, and expand economic opportunity.
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan gave us the annual Mayoral talk about the state of the city at the
January 2017 luncheon, which drew a capacity crowd of over 100 and was sponsored by
KeyBank for $2,000. Mitch Miller, Senior Vice President of KeyBank, introduced the Mayor.
Seniors David Powell, Juliette Pluviose-Phillip and Jacob Citone from Albany High Schools
International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme, addressed the Roundtable in February. We
heard from the unique perspective of these students what Albany High School means to them.
Tony Iadicicco, Executive Director of Albany Center Gallery spoke at the March luncheon.
The Albany Center Gallery is a non-profit art space dedicated to exhibiting skillful contemporary
art of the Mohawk Hudson region, and building a strong, knowledgeable audience for the visual
arts.
In April, we were joined by Amanda Dillon, Field Ecologist & Entomologist for the Albany
Pine Bush Preserve Commission. Dillon provided us with insight to recent research taking
place in the Pine Bush Preserve regarding birds, with a focus on the Northern saw-whet owl.
The Albany Roundtable hosted its annual meeting in June with a cocktail reception featuring
visiting speaker, Dr. Lawrence Paska, Executive Director of the National Council for the
Social Studies. Dr. Paska provided an engaging presentation on the critical need for civics in
todays educational system.

NEW PATROON AWARD

At the January luncheon, the Roundtable presented the New Patroon Award to the Global Institute for
Health and Human Rights and directors Drs. Kamiar and Arash Alaei, for efforts to find hope in
the act of learning and teaching at the intersection of health and human rights.

GOOD PATROON AWARD

At its annual meeting in June, the Albany Roundtable presented its Good Patroon Award to Mr. Paul
Grondahl for his 3 decades of work in the humanities, specifically as a journalist, author and educator,
and for championing the history and human interest stories that make our region unique.

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SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

At the annual meeting in June, the fifth annual Albany Roundtable Scholarship was presented to Kyle
Pearlman, a senior from Albany High School. The Scholarship Committee received seven applications,
and chose Mr. Pearlman to receive a $1,000 scholarship based on his essay and volunteer achievements.

2017-2018 LUNCHEONS

The luncheon dates for 2017 and 2018 are: October 11th, November 8th, Thursday January 11th, February
14th, March 14th, April 11th.

Scheduled Albany Roundtable luncheon speakers for the 2017-2018 season include:

October 11 Gene Bunnell, Urban planner/geography professor emeritus

January 11 Mayor, City of Albany
February 14 Dr. Havidn Rodrguez, SUNYA

2015-2016 ACHIEVEMENTS

Based on the Finance Committee recommendation, the Board approved a $1,000 Roundtable
scholarship, and four donations of $500 each to Alaei Global Institute for Healing and Human
Rights, Breathing Lights (care of the Albany Barn to expose local youth to the project), EBA
Life Circle Ensemble, and the Albany High School Theatre Ensemble.
Students and a chaperone from Albany High Schools International Baccalaureate program
began joining us again at luncheons after a hiatus of a few years.
Individual and corporate membership support included 91 members for an annual total of
$4,255.00 as of August 2017.
Corporate support of $2,000 from KeyBank was provided for a luncheon sponsorship.
The organizations financial stability remains secure with $5,947.21 cash on hand as of August
2017.
Attendance at Roundtable luncheons averaged about 60 guests.

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