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News from Around the District

SHARING OUR ROTARY 'WHY'
 
Hello Rotarians!
 
Tina Ingraham here, Public Image Chair for District 6630. First of all, I'm wishing all our District 6630 Rotaians who are in Calgary a wonderful, impactful, and inspirational time at International Assembly. I'm sure it'll be awesome and I can't wait to hear about it.
 
I wanted to share this link to a YouTube video the Public Image team created at our District 6630 Conference in April to answer "Why Rotary". I hope it helps tell the story of why we love Rotary, what it means to be a Rotarian, and why someone should join.  We think it can be a great tool to use in your own club's public image efforts and for membership initiatives too. In fact, we just shared it to our District's Facebook page and have included a link to it in the District's Membership Toolbox. 
 
Thank you to all who gave us a minute for a quick interview while at the conference. I wish we could have used them ALL in this short video, but know we are going to use each one individually throughout the year. You'll likely see your smiling faces sometime soon.  It's so wonderful to be a part of a District with such enthusiastic members. 
 
My ask is simple: please share it out on your club social pages, personal social pages as well as any community groups you participate with to help share our Rotary mission with all. Here is the link again:
 
Yours in Service,
Tina Ingraham
Rotary District 6630 Public Image Chair
JUNE 2025 DISTRICT GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE
 
 
As the Rotary year winds to a close, and I prepare to be "Past", I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your work, support, encouragement, counsel, a few corrections (pleasantly delivered!), and - most importantly - your trust in my leadership of our district.
 
As you know, my primary focus has been membership.  This has been a foundational year for future growth.  The Club Experience Summit created inspiration.  The Action Plan and Companion Club DLA sessions added to that.  We built and launched a Membership Toolbox on our website to provide ideas, inspiration and tools to allow clubs to focus on the harder work of recruiting new members and not spinning their wheels with recreating tools that they can download from our toolbox.  There is also an important section on planning to grow - the first step.  We must be intentional in our growth strategies and ensure that they compliment the individual club and community.  I will be moving to District Membership Chair in the coming year - I want to be an activist for growth and help our clubs grow.  I want to be an active participant in your club growth in the coming years - not by telling you what to do but instead sharing with you what has worked elsewhere so that you can choose what will work for your club and community.  Call, text or email me!!!
 
 
Our Disaster Response Committee has launched with returning Stow-Munroe Falls Rotarian Mike Dunton - a retired first responder in the lead with vital advice from Cleveland Rotarian Mike Parks.  An innovative vision for how we will be ready to help our neighbors has been developed and is in review with the Disaster Response Committee.  Following this review, our Board of Directors will review this vision prior to broader distribution.  Our committee would like to give programs to your club in the coming year so that we can share our vision.
 
None of this would be possible without the aforementioned work, support, encouragement, counsel, a few corrections (still pleasantly delivered!), and - most importantly - your trust. 
 
Thank you for an amazing year and experience.  I love our Rotary Family and felt that love returned.  I wish DGE Bob much success!!!
 
Warm regards,
Dale
 
 
Dale Smith
District Governor 2024/2025
Rotary International District 6630
Past-President
Rotary Club of Mentor
The Magic of Rotary
 
330-968-7683
CLUBRUNNER: DEEP DIVE JUNE 3rd WEBINAR RECORDING + WHAT IS NEW AND COMING SOON ...
 
 
 
 

NOVA DEEP DIVE Recording from June 3rd webinar:

This was an excellent webinar.  All clubs will be expected to transition to Nova by the end of 2025.  
 
For those of you who could not attend June 3rd, the webinar was recorded and can be found at:
 
 
 

Big changes are here and even bigger things are on the way! 🎉

We recently hosted our What's New webinar to unveil exciting updates and provide a sneak peek at what's next. Whether you joined us live or missed it, we’ve got you covered. Webinars are training sessions are available on www.clubrunnersupport.com - check them out!!
 

🌟 What's New and Coming Soon

 
We’ve been hard at work behind the scenes to deliver new features that make your ClubRunner experience smoother, smarter, and more connected.
 
  • Mobile App Enhancements: Learn what's new and what's coming soon with a brand new version of our mobile app.
  • Cloud Events and Donations: New Payment Processors and Service Fee option
  • Login Enhancements: Universal login and magic links
  • Automated Email Campaigns: Celebrate milestones like birthdays and anniversaries
  • Multi-factor Authentication: Secure your member data with extra protection
  • Quickbooks and Xero Integration: Manage your finances within your own accounting system
  • AI Generated Email Content: Your go-to assistant to help you craft engaging emails to your members
  • and much more!
 
 
Sincerely,

ClubRunner Team
 
 
MENTOR CLUB DONATES AEDs to MENTOR POLICE DEPARTMENT

ARTICLE COURTESY OF NEWS-HERALD

By William Tilton

The Rotary Club of Mentor recently purchased six Automated External Defibrillators for the Mentor Police to replace outdated ones.

Portable AEDs save lives by providing immediate treatment to people suffering from heart-related emergencies. The department carries the AEDs in patrol cars, which allows them to reach victims as soon as possible.

Captain Robert Valley, Sgt. Jeremy Calhoun, Mentor City Manager Ken Filipiak and Gina Alberti from the city’s communication office recently were guests of the Mentor Rotary Club.

As part of the purchase, Valley said the department was able to negotiate the purchase of an additional seven units plus receive a discount on the return of the older, outdated units.

Valley thanked the Rotary Club and noted the department now has enough units to place one in each on-duty police cruiser, covering the entire city.

Calhoun, who oversees the internal training for the AEDs, explained these units were extremely easy to use and state-of-the art.

He added that the department is sometimes first on the scene of a medical emergency, since their officers are already out on the road. Arriving first and encountering a heart-related emergency, the department can immediately provide life-saving aid, while they await the arrival of EMS personnel.

Valley and Calhoun also explained the amount of training each officer undergoes and noted each cruiser carries a large amount of equipment.

Calhoun said he appreciated the smaller size of the AEDs, as they fit in well with the other equipment.

Filipiak said he felt the Mentor Police Department was one of the best trained forces in Northeast Ohio and he was incredibly proud of the city’s officers.

Neil Sawicki, president of the Mentor Rotary Club, expressed how pleased the club was in providing such essential equipment to the city. He explained the Rotary’s mission is “Service Above Self” and said “the donation of these AEDs epitomizes Rotary’s commitment to our community.”

Mentor Police Sgt. Jeremy Calhoun explains the use of new AEDs donated by the Mentor Rotary Club.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF MENTOR

ASHTABULA CLUB MAKES A DIFFERENCE AT CITY CLEANUP DAY!
Members of the Rotary Club of Ashtabula proudly joined forces with our community for Ashtabula City Cleanup Day — doing our part to make the city we love a cleaner, more beautiful place to live.
Living out Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self,” our team came together not just to pick up litter, but to demonstrate the spirit of community, care, and commitment that defines who we are.
Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make a difference — one bag, one block, and one act of service at a time!
 
 
BIENVENIDA SELENA!
Rotary Club of Medina Sunrise sponsors Selena Pintos, District 6630 Rotary Youth Exchange Student from Black River High School.
Selena arrived in Mexico City, Mexico, welcomed by her Rotary Host Family to begin her Short Term Exchange Program.
 
GARRETTSVILLE-HIRAM CLUB WELCOMES HOME RYE STUDENT 
We would love to shout out a "Welcome Home" to our outbound student Owen Bass who has just returned from his year abroad in India. WELCOME HOME Owen!! We look forward to hearing your stories!! I am sure your family is happy to see you!
 
PAINESVILLE AND MENTOR CLUBS HOST 50th ANNUAL ROTARY DRAMA AWARDS PROGRAM
The Painesville Rotary Club and Mentor Rotary Club recently held the 50th Anniversary of the annual Rotary Drama Awards program at Mentor High School. The Drama Awards program was started by Painesville Rotarian Robert Tischer in 1974 to recognize and reward students who participate in their Theater Department’s Fall and Spring performances. The dedication and hard work of these students, along with their Directors and many other volunteers, is worthy of a night of recognition. Thank you to John Greene and Mentor High School for hosting the event and Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!
 
 
 
ROTARIANS SHOW UP TO HELP!
How many Rotarians does it take to build a Habitat for Humanity house? Don't answer that! It was Women Build Week and in Portage County in May and Rotarians from Rotary Club of Akron, OH, Rotary Club Of Stow Munroe Falls, Tallmadge Rotary Club, Rotary Club of Kent Ohio and PDG David Jones, Habitat NR Specialist, Northampton Cuyahoga Valley Rotary Club met up coincidentally to build this home for the Strebbler family.
 
RYE STUDENT ENJOYS CLEVELAND 
Elia Escarmelle, District 6630 Rotary Youth Exchange Student from Belgium, enjoys a visit to Cleveland’s world famous Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Toby & and Chris Butt from host club Medina Sunrise Rotary.
2026 ROTARY ROSE PARADE FLOAT ANNOUNCED
We are excited to unveil the 2026 Float, inspired by Rotary International’s message of "Unite for Good” and the Tournament Theme, “The Magic in Teamwork." Our Float serves as a powerful reminder that when Rotarians come together to Unite for Good, our global network of more than 1.2 million members volunteer their skills and resources to solve issues and address community needs.
As Rotary expands our global reach; our Float is expanding as well. This 45-foot structure is larger than previous Floats. This increase in size will provide an appropriate platform to showcase this fabulous design. This expanded footprint offers enhanced visibility, helping Rotary make a stronger impact.
For more information visit: www.rotaryfloat.org
AKRON MEMBER GERRY KIEFER HAS ART SHOWING JUNE 1-JULY 31 2025
Akron Woman’s City Club Art Gallery
“Cabinets of Curiosity” and Iceland, June 1-July 31, 2025
 
The title of the June-July AWCC show, by Akron artist Geraldine Kiefer, is "'Curious and Curiouser'": Cabinets of Curiosity and the Fascination of Iceland." It will comprise original drawings; inscribed maps and engravings; shadow box-framed, hand altered prints; and inscribed illustrations from travel and diaristic books (several of which will be on display).  The originals date from the late 16th through the 19th centuries, and are in Dr. Kiefer’s collection.
 
A number of shadow boxes will contain actual objects, namely Icelandic spar and Icelandic lava specimens. Dr. Kiefer takes her lead from the AWCC library's design, with multiple shelves in glass-lined cabinets, to show how the exotic shape and feel of Iceland (as mapped by Icelandic clerics, then remapped by northern European geographers) may have drawn inspiration from the exotic object cabinets assembled first, by Dutch wealthy merchant families and later, by the publications of explorers and writers primarily in northern Europe.
 
Geraldine Kiefer holds the title Professor Emeritus of Art. A native of Akron, she taught art, art history and art appreciation at Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, for 17 years. The Iceland work displayed here derives from her second sabbatical year, 2019-20, with additions and alterations completed in 2025.
 
Direct questions to gkiefer@su.edu
 
Classic Iceland, 2016, colored pencil, pen and ink
 
FAIRLAWN MEMBER DENNIS KLEIDON SOLO ART SHOW JULY 10-AUG 16
For Immediate Release                                                                                          
Media Contact: Dennis Kleidon, dennis@kleidon.com 330-329-7408
 
Kleidon Has Solo Art Show at The Little Art Gallery
 
Dennis Kleidon, a member of the Rotary Club of Fairlawn, Professor of Art Emeritus of the University of Akron Myers School of Art, and co-founder of Kleidon & Associates, a marketing communications firm in Bath, will show more than twenty recent paintings at The Little Art Gallery in North Canton, Ohio. The Gallery adjoins the North Canton Public Library. The show runs from July 10 through August 16, 2025, with an opening reception July 10, at 5:30-7:30 PM.
 
Kleidon is represented by the Walter Wickiser Gallery in New York City. His paintings have been shown in major exhibits and galleries throughout the United States, including the Los Angeles Modern & Contemporary Art Show, Seattle Art Fair, Art Miami Context, Art on Paper in New York City, Palm Beach/Art Miami, the Vista Center for the Arts in Phoenix, Gallery Andrea in Scottsdale, Art Space 349 in Palm Desert, California, and many others.
 
His work has been recognized by the world-renowned art critic, Edward Luci-Smith, as “deeply personal” and bursting with life.” Recent reviews have appeared in Art & Antiques Magazine, White Hot Magazine, Art Miami, and the Frank Lloyd Wright Quarterly Newsletter.
Art critic Lorien Suarez-Kanerva says “He works to create paintings where all the compositional elements with their distinct details achieve a unifying form of balance that draws inspiration from the beauty of nature….It’s an aspiration that Kleidon has extended towards his creative way of being.”
 
Among the most recent work, Transcendence paintings symbolize the conversion of one’s life to a new and exciting future vision. In another recent series, Transformation, paint explodes from graphic shapes to contrast an aggressive dynamic over a thoughtfully relaxed background. This series shares its title with a book by Kleidon, Unleash Your Imagination: Transform Your Life, which encourages readers to unleash their imaginations and find their hidden passions.
 
Kleidon has dedicated his professional life to advancing excellence in design and art and to improving the visual environment. His Designer Grids and other products have been used by designers, architects, and artists around the world. Always a teacher, Kleidon wants the freedom, power, and optimism of his paintings to enrich the lives of all who see and own them. He says, “Experience the excitement of bold colors in motion and their abstract implications. Become saturated with their visual and transformative potential.”
 
The Little Art Gallery is located at 185 North Main Street, North Canton, Ohio 44720. Their website is www.northcantonlibrary.org/little-art-gallery. Kleidon’s paintings can also be seen at www.denniskleidon.com.                               
 
330-329-7408  dennis@kleidon.com  
JULY 19th - RC OF BEDFORD POKER TOURNAMENT
July 19, 2025
 
Poker Tournament
 
Attention!: You can NOT register or pay vendor fees online.
Contracts will be sent directly to vendors and payment by check or money order mailed to address on the contract.
There once again seems to be scammers out there trying to collect vendor fees for the ribfest.
 
Calling all vendors:
We are now accepting applications for this years event.
Please reach out to Chris at 216-338-7124 or chrisb@berwyntech.net
 
The Poker tournament will take place on July 19th (Saturday)
 
 
JULY 26th ART FEST HOSTED BY WESTLAKE-BAY VILLAGE ROTARY
Westlake-Bay Village Rotary Club Art Fest Celebrates 5th Anniversary—Join the Fun!
Mark your calendar for Saturday, July 26, 2025, as the Westlake-Bay Village Rotary Club hosts its 5th Annual Art Fest—a vibrant celebration where creativity and community service come together. Set on the scenic lawn of the Westlake Porter Public Library in Westlake, Ohio, this event is more than a showcase of local talent—it’s a fundraiser that fuels meaningful change right here in our community.
 
Event Highlights
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025 
Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm 
Location: Westlake Porter Public Library lawn, Westlake, Ohio 
Admission: Free, with plenty of free parking 
 
Features:
  - Over 60 artists displaying and selling their work 
  - Food trucks 
  - Beer and wine garden 
  - Live music performances
 
Making a Difference
Proceeds from Art Fest support Rotary initiatives, including youth scholarships, educational programs, and local nonprofit organizations, helping us make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors. For event details and photos from last year’s celebration, visit:  http://www.westlakebayvillagerotaryartfest.com
 
Meet Our Featured Artist
This year’s featured artist is internationally recognized JoAnn DePolo, celebrated for her expressive cityscapes, serene waterscapes, and bold abstract works. Attendees will have the chance to meet JoAnn in person and experience the creativity that has inspired art lovers across Northeast Ohio and beyond. Learn more about JoAnn at: http://www.joanndepolo.net
 
Get Involved
Artists: Interested in exhibiting your art? Applications are still open—registration materials are available on our website.
Sponsors: Want to support the cause? We’re accepting individual and corporate sponsorships. Details and forms are available online.
 
Join the Celebration!
Whether you’re coming for the art, live music, food trucks, or the opportunity to give back, we look forward to welcoming you to this special milestone celebration!
 
BEST PRACTICES FOR ORGANIZING EVENTS INVOLVING CHILDREN AND YOUTH (A Supplemental to the RI District 6630 Youth Protection Policies and Procedures Manual)
The District 6630 Youth Protection Committee has been working to assist Club Youth Protection Officers in their efforts to assist club planning and execution of safe youth related activities. The District Website already contains detailed video presentations, as well as power point downloads of the September 18, 2021 youth protection training seminar. The actual policy and procedures manual is also contained on the District website.
 
In an endeavor to assist in using the policies and procedures manual a subcommittee of the District Youth Protection Committee has created the Best Practices for Organizing Events Involving Children & Youth (click here) for your review, study and use.
 
I would like to thank Beverly Ghent-Skrzynski and her subcommittee for their efforts in preparing this document.
 
On a different topic, District Youth Protection Officer Carrie Malotte and her team of Assistant District Youth Protection Officers have been working diligently to implement the District’s Youth Volunteer Management System, including the Youth Protection Course which is part of the system. If your club is one of the dozen or so clubs who have not responded to District Youth Protection Officers attempted contacts please do so (Carrie can be reached at CarrieMalotte@Westfield-bank.com)
 
Sincerely,
 
John L. Reyes
Rotary International District 6630 Youth Protection Committee Chair
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Mark Your Calendars for These Events!
2024-2025 District Leadership
2025-2026 District Leadership
 
 
District 6630 Governor
Dale Smith
 
 
2025-2026
District eDirectory with Club Officers (requires login)
2026 ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION IN TAIPEI

 

What is an RI Convention?
Rotary International organizes a “Rotary International Convention” every year. The goal of the conference is to bring together members of the Rotary International family from around the world and give them a platform to exchange ideas and come together in friendship. The conference takes place in a different country every year. In 2026, 12 districts in Taiwan have the unique opportunity to host the 2026 Rotary International Convention in Taipei!

Why attend the 2026 Rotary International Convention in Taipei?
Attending an RI Convention is a highlight for the members of the Rotary International family. Rotarians and Rotaractors come together in a welcoming atmosphere to exchange ideas, inspire each other and start the new Rotarian year with fresh ideas. Because the Convention takes place in a different country every year, it is an honor for the 2026 Convention to take place in Taipei, Taiwan. This is the second time, 1994 was the first, for Taipei to host the Convention!

When is the Convention taking place in Taipei?
June 13-17, 2026

Where is the Convention taking place?
Taipei Dome
Address: No. 515, Section 4, Zhongxiao E Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei City, 110
TaiNEX Hall 1 & Hall 2 (Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center)
Address: No. 1, Jingmao 2nd Road, Nangang District, Taipei City, 115
Where can I register 2026 Rotary International Convention in Taipei?

For the Convention registration, please visit https://convention.rotary.org/en-us/2026-rotary-convention-taipei

OUR CAUSES

The collective leadership and expertise of our 1.2 million members helps us tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges, locally and globally. We are united by common values and vision for the future as we sharpen our focus with targeted specific causes that will reach communities most in need.

We have identified specific causes to target to maximize our local and global impact. At the same time, we understand that each community has its own unique needs and concerns.
Through  and other resources, we help clubs focus their service efforts in the following areas.

PEACEBUILDING AND CONFLICT PREVENTION

Today, 42 million people are displaced by armed conflict or persecution. Through our partnerships with several leading universities, Rotary Peace Fellows develop the skills to strengthen peace efforts, train local leaders to prevent and mediate conflict, and support long-term peace building in areas affected by conflict. We provide up to 100 peace fellowships per year at Rotary Peace Centers.

DISEASE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

More than 100 million people are pushed into poverty each year because of medical costs. We aim to improve and expand access to low-cost and free health care in underdeveloped areas. Our members educate and mobilize communities to help prevent the spread of major diseases such as polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. Many of our projects ensure that medical training facilities are located where the workforce lives.

WATER. SANITATION, AND HYGIENE

More than 2.5 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation facilities. At least 3,000 children die each day from diarrheal diseases caused by unsafe water. Our projects give communities the ability to develop and maintain sustainable water and sanitation systems and support studies related to water and sanitation.

MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH

At least 7 million children under the age of five die each year due to malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. To help reduce this rate, we provide immunizations and antibiotics to babies, improve access to essential medical services, and support trained health care providers for mothers and their children. Our projects ensure sustainability by empowering the local community to take ownership of health care training programs.

BASIC EDUCATION AND LITERACY

Sixty-seven million children worldwide have no access to education and more than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy.

COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Nearly 1.4 billion employed people live on less than $1.25 a day. We carry out service projects that enhance economic and community development and develop opportunities for decent and productive work for young and old. We also help strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.

SUPPORT THE ENVIRONMENT

Providing our members more ways to bring about positive change in the world.

Community Minded People Like You and Me
If you like talking and tweeting about issues that matter
in both your local community and communities abroad,
come and see how you can join the conversation at Rotary
and do something to make a real difference in the lives of others.