Stew was born in Greensburg, PA and moved to northeast Ohio when he was 10. His parents owned cottages on the shores of Lake Erie and Stew and his siblings helped with the maintenance and clean up during the summer months. His children and grandchildren still enjoy a cottage on the old homestead during summer months.

He graduated from Madison High School and participated in band, choir, track, football, baseball and basketball. He received his BA from Wittenberg University in 1958 and became the first graduate to be hired by Arthur Anderson, Co., (a big accounting firm at the time). Again, he was president of the student senate, participated in track and choir and president of his fraternity. He received his license in public accounting (CPA) in 1960 and has been actively practicing for over 60 years.

His involvement in Rotary began in 1982 and he has continued his legacy of service to others and being involved.  He has been club president, club secretary, and club treasurer. 

After his time as District Secretary, he realized how important it was to be the District Governor to help bring more cohesiveness to the District and help transition to a new leadership group every year.  He has served on numerous committees, attended many Reverse Raffles and participated in club outings. 

He hosted a Rotary Exchange Student, Group Study Exchange, attended 10 International Conventions, 10 Zone Institutes, and has been on a Zone committee to select a new Rotary Director.  Currently, he serves as the Vice Governor for DG Bob Oborn, 2025-2026.

Since being District Governor in 2010-2011 when the theme was “Building Bridges…..Bridging Continents”,  he has visited Haiti for possible grants to provide water, went to Nicaragua three times to help deliver Shoe Boxes to the Children of the Dump along with Rotarians from Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Texas and Nicaragua. Eye opening experiences as to what Rotarians can do.

But possibly, one of his more lasting accomplishments, is what he has done for The End Polio Now campaign for Rotary International (RI). 

He took the annual “fun at the ballpark” for District 6630 Rotarians to an event that hosts 300 people to watch a Guardians game, enjoy the fellowship of others and raise money to send to the RI End Polio Now Campaign. Over $20,000 has been raised and sent to RI which was then also matched by the Gates Foundation!

Stew had the chance to be photographed for the “We are this Close to Ending Polio” ad campaign during the 100^th Rotary International convention in Birmingham, England. 

Stew upholds and practices “Service Above Self” every day and looks forward to continuing on that road to see what Rotary adventures are ahead.

Mike grew up in Boardman, Ohio and attended Kent State University. There, he majored in Latin and minored in German. After his bachelor’s, he earned his MA in Latin and then his Ph.D. in educational and athletic administration.

He was employed by the Medina City Schools where he taught Latin for 17 years and then was the athletic administrator.  While teaching at Medina, he started the soccer club and then the varsity soccer team.

Mike was asked to join the Rotary Club of Medina Sunrise (MSR) when he was the Athletic Administrator for the Medina City Schools. He joined the club in 1996 and due to his work schedule, could not devote much time to Rotary.  He retired in 2003 and started to get more involved.

He was elected President of MSR in 2008 and then became involved in the District as an Assistant Governor.   Mike was elected as the 2014-2015 District Governor - the Presidential Theme was “Light Up Rotary”.  

In addition, he has  been the District Trainer,  District Secretary and currently is the District Vice-Secretary. He also served Zone 28/29 as the education co-chair for the Erie Zone.

He enjoys working with the other Rotarians and clubs in the District. The members of the District are enthusiastic and altruistic individuals.  Their desire to help others and ” Light Up Rotary” is a guiding light for all.

Outside of Rotary, Mike is married to Judy and resides in Medina for half the year. They spend the winters in Venice, Fl. 

He is also the community director and  secretary of the Knights of Columbus (Florida Council 7052). Mike and Judy volunteer at the local community theater in Venice. He is also an usher for the Cathedral in Venice and St. Francis Xavier in Medina. 

Most recently, he just  completed his twentieth and last year  on the Board of the Medina County Historical Society where he had served as  president (2007) and  secretary (2019-2025).

Cheryl Warren spent the first decade of her life in St. Louis, Missouri, where her home was just a few miles from the “Mighty Mississippi.” In 1969, her family moved to North Canton, Ohio, because the company her father worked for had been acquired by the Hoover Company. Her father was transferred to North Canton to head up the marketing efforts for Hoover.

Although she was a shy and quiet child, Cheryl developed her outgoing personality and strong drive for volunteerism through the influence of her parents, who encouraged her to get involved in a variety of projects. Cheryl helped her mother deliver meals to the elderly, assisted her father with the Junior Achievement Club he mentored, and worked with Special Olympics and local animal groups. As the youngest of three sisters, Cheryl developed a love of fishing, gardening, and observing nature due to her family’s habit of spending summers on her great uncle’s multiple working farms. It was on the farms that she learned firsthand about hard work, dedication, and how to work with a team to accomplish a common goal.

After graduating from Hoover High School in North Canton, Cheryl earned a B.A. from the University of Akron. During her time at the university, she not only carried a full-time schedule of courses, but she also kept busy with several internships and a full-time job. She also supported the school by being a member of the cheerleading squad and the dance team.

Cheryl’s career path has spanned the areas of sports and corporate broadcasting, marketing, strategic planning, branding, corporate and public communications, and social media. She currently owns and operates a marketing consulting business and serves as a speaker, trainer, and facilitator for corporations and non-profit organizations globally.

Cheryl joined the Rotary Club of Akron in 1995 and served as its President in 2002-2003. In addition to serving on the club’s board of trustees for a total of eight years, she has been co-chair of the Chili Open fundraiser, chair of the Board Administration Committee, member of the Program Committee, chair of the Website & Newsletter Committee, and co-chair of the Akron Rotary Centennial Celebration Committee. 

She and her husband are Level 1 Major Donors, Paul Harris Fellows and Bequest Society members.

Thanks to PDG Jack Harig, Cheryl first became involved with District 6630 as a member of the District Conference, Public Image and RI Branding committees and helped launch a new Website for PDG John Bosco using ClubRunner.  Cheryl was honored to serve as District Governor in 2015-2016 when the theme was “Be a Gift To The World”.  In June, 2019, she helped move the newsletter to an online format.  

She supervised the production of three District 6630 videos and assisted PDG Julie West with the  launch of a Public Relations billboard campaign. She has been a presenter at district training assemblies and other Rotary functions and also served on the Zones 30-31 Communications Team among other committees.

Outside of Rotary, Cheryl has served or is currently serving on numerous community boards/committees. She is a proud recipient of the Sales & Marketing Executive’s Excellence Award and numerous broadcasting and advertising awards.

Cheryl has been married to Steve Warren since 1991. Steve is currently the Director of Operations for FanDuel Sports, formerly known as Bally Sports, Fox Sports Ohio and Sports-Time Ohio (STO).  Steve had spent 12 seasons with the Cleveland Guardians managing their broadcasting and scoreboard operations then helped the owners launch their network in 2006.   He has been a sports director/producer for over 35 years, earning numerous Emmy Awards beginning with his work on the 1988 Olympics in Seoul Korea, with many other awards and accolades since.   

Steve became a dues-paying member of the Rotary Club of Akron and then transferred to the E-ClubNEO due to his busy schedule.  He served as the first Club President of E-ClubNEO and is now serving again as the 2025-2026 President.  Steve is a Master Mason and a 33^rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. He is a member of the Tadmor Shrine, Canton York Rite Bodies, and Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association. 

Steve and Cheryl have attended several Rotary International Conventions and currently reside in North Canton.  They enjoy spending time with family and friends, traveling internationally and in the USA, boating, flying planes, motorcycle riding and touring/camping in their RV. 

Their holiday schedule is especially busy from October until Christmas as they create a large Christmas light display at their home and also act as Santa and Mrs. Claus for various events and charities.  Steve is also one of the Santas on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad North Pole Adventure.

Happy holidays! I cannot believe that it is December already and it is freezing outside. The year continues to fly by. Before we get to the news of the month, I wanted to thank each one of you for all you do for Rotary. Especially during the holidays. You help make the holidays special for those who need our help. You tirelessly donate, work on projects, donate gifts and food and more. You think of others during this special time. It takes a special person to go beyond themselves and think of others. There is a special name for all of you, it is called ROTARIANS. You make each day brighter for so many who need light in their lives. I am honored to be counted as one of you! Thank you again for all you do.

December is Disease Prevention and Treatment month, focusing on global health, especially polio eradication, mental health, and access to care. Our efforts targeting malaria, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, maternal health and improving clean water and sanitation are highlighted in December. Increased focus on recognizing and treating mental health issues including addiction to reduce stigma and increase awareness are in the forefront. December is a month to invite medical professionals to your meetings to learn more on how to help.

December is also traditionally “Family Month” for holiday events and features club elections for next year, combining service with community bonding and end of the year charity drives. Do not forget about Operation Full Plate!

Foundation Celebration

Congratulations to IPDG Dale Smith, Foundation Chair Dave Jones, and the entire team for an outstanding celebration of our Foundation giving. Our district made us proud as we had fifty-four new Paul Harris Society members (members who donated $1,000 during the Rotary year) in 2024-25. We had four clubs that attained Every Rotarian Every Year status for the year as well. We also had six graduates from our own Leadership 6630 class of 2025. Our top giving clubs per capita were:

Mentor  $379.63

Westlake-Bay Village $324.57

Lakewood-Rocky River Sunrise $314.29

Our dessert dash raised over $3,400 for the Polio Plus campaign.  We collected a significant amount of warm clothing we donated to warming centers in each county in our District. Thank you all for your generous contributions and support of the Rotary Foundation.

Interaction 2025

This is like a broken record with touting how well Interaction 2025 was celebrated this year at Aurora High School. If you have never been to this event, I highly recommend it as it shows that our youth are ready and able to take the baton of the future. We had over two hundred students from over twenty schools come together for celebration and planning for the coming year. The students picked assisting foster kids with supplies and care gifts as they move from one foster location to the next. We cannot imagine what these children go through, but the Interact Clubs want to be there to support and help them in their transitions. Stay tuned for more extras than we have planned for the district conference.

Peace Scholars

Did you notice the slide show on Rotary Peace Scholars at the Foundation Celebration? We hope so. Rick Pollak of the Rotary Club of Cuyahoga Falls is the chair of our Peace Scholars committee for the District. We have recently re-imagined the message that we want all in our district to hear. Each year Rotary awards up to 130 fully funded fellowships for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of our Peace Centers. Over 1,800 leaders have trained in this program since 1999. There are eight Peace Centers worldwide. District 6630 has always been a supporter, with our last candidate Wisdom Ado has focused on disability inclusion and women/youth in peacebuilding. We have shaken up the committee that now includes Rick Pollak, Elana Koh, and Tina Ingraham to market this wonderful program. Here is a taste of what you will be seeing:

Have you seen our social media postings yet? There will be many more, as well as a few follow up emails. We will not overburden you, but we would be remiss if we did not make you aware of this amazing Rotary Program!

Peace is so much more than an absence of war!

“Peace” is not just what happens when conflict stops; it is what happens when people feel safe, respected, and able to live with dignity. True peace includes:

• Emotional peace — a sense of calm, security, and trust.
• Social peace — fairness, justice, and healthy relationships between people.
• Economic peace — stability, opportunity, and freedom from constant worry.
• Inner peace — clarity, balance, and acceptance.
• Community peace — environments where people can thrive, not just survive.

It is the presence of conditions that allow life to flourish — not just the absence of violence.

Rotary’s Peace Fellowship Program has been training and uniting global leaders working to create lasting peace since 2002. Since that time, our district has trained seventeen successful Peace Fellows to date and we have the power/opportunity to send the next generation of changemakers into the world.

Rotary’s extremely competitive Peace Fellowship Program offers a no-cost master’s degree to up to ten candidates at each of the five Rotary Peace Centers around the globe annually. (A no cost professional development certificate program, at one of two different Rotary Peace Centers, is also an option.) Do you know of someone who has a passion for positive peace?  Try Peace Fellowships | Rotary International or contact Rick Pollak (grantmakingservices@gmail.com) with questions.

PEACE,

District 6630 Peace Fellowships Committee

Stay tuned for more on Peace Scholars and Peacebuilding Clubs!

Peace Building Clubs 

We are on a slow but steady path introducing clubs to the opportunity to be Peacebuilding Clubs within our District. Currently The Rotary Club of Stow-Munroe Falls has become the first member of the Rotary Action Group for Peace Ohio Chapter. We hope this grows exponentially in the next year. What club would not want to have the moniker Peacebuilding club next to their name? What does it mean? It means your club is dedicated to promoting and setting an example of peace in everything we do. We all do that now, but this gives us a chance to shout to the world that our goal is world peace and our actions each year demonstrate just that. From education with the dictionary project to our efforts to eliminate conflict, this is a great way to further our four-way test. I will be sending out in a separate email the steps to take to have the Peacebuilding logo next to your name. This aligns us with the Peace Scholars program and gives us a path moving forward! PLEASE discuss making your club a Peacebuilding club for our district. My goal is to have fifty clubs be Peacebuilding clubs at some point in the future. Reach out if this is something your club would like to do.

ALL OHIO Presidents Elect Training (AOP)

Is it that time of year again? Yes it is! Each Rotary Club is charged each year with naming and replacing their club leader. It is an honor and privilege to be nominated for this position to lead their club. Being a realist, there are several clubs that have not made that choice. Please look within yourself and step up to fill this important position. I can tell you it was one of the most gratifying and rewarding jobs I have ever had. Your club has your back and will support your leadership during the year. If your club does not have a President-Elect for next year, what about you? You will thank me if you throw your hat into the ring.

District Governor Elect Terri Speck has been working hard on making this a life changing experience for all our fifty Presidents-Elect. Terri was once a club President-Elect and her and her group of four other DGEs of our state has developed a great program. We are excited for you to attend. All Ohio PETS training is at the Renaissance hotel in Columbus from March 13-15^th. Registration for the event starts on 1/1/26 at allohiopets.org. Hotel reservations are now open, but registration for the event opens January 1^st. We have great speakers scheduled including our own Director Brian Hall, Rotary International President Elect Larry Lunsford, and internationally renowned speaker Michael Angelo Caruso. Remember, the District has allocated a $400 stipend for PE’s that attend to offset the cost of the event. Last year we had 57% of PEs attend. We added the stipend to get that number at 100%. Step up and register, your club needs you to be well prepared.

Youth Exchange

Let us talk about my favorite program of Rotary. What a concept. Let's find young adults who are willing to explore the world and have Rotary pay for it! We are looking for High School students, ages 14-19 that are looking to expand their horizons and travel to different lands. One year and 80-day programs are available for the asking. These programs usually cost over $40,000 on as a pay as you go, but Rotary makes those costs manageable. Rotary is usually ¼ of the cost of private programs. Not willing to commit to a one-year program? We have Youth Exchange Lite or a Short-Term Exchange program that your child spends 30 days in a different country and then brings back a fellow student from another country to spend with your family for a month. Come explore the opportunities for your children and grandchildren with the Rotary Exchange Program.

Youth Exchange Cavaliers Game

We have four international Youth Exchange Students along with five exchange candidates that will be attending the Cavaliers-Wizards game on February 1, 2026, 7pm at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. There is a reception with the students for all Rotarians to attend at the Clevelander (834 Huron Road) at 5:00PM. Come spend some time with our future world travelers and learn more about this tremendous program before an exciting Cav’s game as we march toward our next championship. Please see our website for more information or call Youth Exchange Chair Kevin Wermer at 330-592-1622. Sign up and see our future leaders (download the form here).

Operation Full Plate

I am so happy to report the support the district has shown for this much needed and exciting “competition” within our Zone. Each year, as clubs and districts, we strive to find ways to provide resources to those that need our help. This year Zones 30 & 31 has developed a way to quantify and celebrate what we do each year. Since the start of this program on December 10^th, I have been amazed by what this District has done. The money, food, hours donated by Rotarians and hours worked by non-Rotarians have been phenomenal. We still have a long way to go until the “contest” ends January 10^th. We are tracking money donated, hours spent and Public Image posts made to help end hunger and food insufficiency. Please CLICK HERE and log in any time or treasures donated to this cause. We will have totals after January 10^th. Grand prize district winner will receive $5,000 toward a membership program. Do not just sit there, step up and help, your talent, time, and treasure are what makes Rotary great!

RYLA Camp

One of our best Leadership Programs to help build our future is being held at Hiram College June 21^st-25^th, 2026. District 6630 Camp RYLA is a 5-day leadership training camp which focuses on personal and professional development of high school students. Rotary Clubs throughout the world are committed to helping shape the leadership skills of today’s youth. Camp RYLA IS ONE WAY Rotarians achieve this goal. Do you want to give your child/grandchild the skills to exceed in life? Camp RYLA is a good start. This 5-day program only costs $600, but the benefits are immeasurable. We have less than 75 spots available so please reach out to Marc West bwmarcwest@gmail.com to learn more and to register. Trust me, this is an investment in your children you want to make.

Grant Management Seminars

Each year, the funds we donate to The Rotary Foundation come back and support our district. Fifty percent of the funds donated come back to our district to fund District and Global grants, as well as the Peace Scholarship Program and Polio Plus. This year we received over $45,000 to fund our local projects. To qualify for these grants, clubs must have an average per capita donation of over $40 and have two club members attend a grants management seminar. These seminars are important as they help clubs maneuver through the process of qualifying and applying for these grants. Grant totals are a match of up to $2,500 of a club amount for a district project. Two members must attend the seminars, which are zoom meetings on the following dates:

Saturday, February 21^st – 9:30am

Wednesday March 4^th – 6:30pm

Saturday, March 21^st – 9:30am

These are the only three seminars scheduled to qualify for grants so make sure your club has two members signed up to attend. REMEMBER - GRANTS MUST BE FILED BY MAY 15^th TO QUALIFY! Do not miss the seminars or the filing dates to qualify.

Membership Events

Remember, the District has allocated $9,000 to help clubs with membership events to attract new members. Clubs must complete three things:

1. Have a membership committee of three or more people.
2. Develop an action Plan to increase Membership.
3. Implement a way to measure the success of the program.

Clubs that meet these goals are eligible for a match of up to $2,500 for a membership event for their club, neighboring clubs, or clusters. So far, we have four clubs that have either applied or are applying for this free money! Once the $9,000 is spent, it is gone so apply today. Please contact IPDG Dale Smith at D6630DGDale@gmail.com for more information and examples of the action plan for you to use. Please take advantage of these District programs!

District Conference

We are so excited about our Annual District Conference, which will be held at the Marriott East in Warrensville Heights starting at 2pm, Friday, April 24^th through Saturday April 25^th. We have so much planned for you! More information will be posted in our next newsletter along with the registration information and schedule of events. If you liked last year’s conference, you will love this year! We have shortened the conference to begin on Friday afternoon instead of morning to accommodate all those working and to be less expensive both monetarily and time wise. Please make plans to attend and celebrate with fellow Rotarians how we Unite for Good. I promise it will be a wise investment of your time.

Make that next step and register and attend many of our great events. We are only as good as our members, and we need to see your smiling faces at these events.

Whew, that was a lot! I hope I have informed you without boring you. We have a great District with so much going on! Please participate in any way you can.  

Please let me know how I can make this newsletter more informative or anything that I can do to make your Rotary experiences greater. 

Remember, I work for you and I want to make this year your best Rotary year ever! Happy Holidays, enjoy your family and friends and help your neighbors and friends whenever possible!

Yours in Rotary,

Bob Oborn
District Governor Rotary International District 6630
Stow-Munroe Falls Rotary Club
Tel: 330-801-0159
Email: rorotary20252026@gmail.com

Please call Bob Oborn at 330-801-0159 or rorotary20252026@gmail.com for pickup at your location.

2025 Holiday Hours & Support Availability

Please note our holiday hours for this season: Monday, December 22 – Friday, December 26: Closed Thursday, January 1: Closed Regular office hours will resume on Monday, December 29, and again after New Year’s on Friday, January 2, 2026. During these times, support will be limited as our team enjoys a well-deserved break. If you have an urgent issue, please reach out via email at support@clubrunner.ca or submit a ticket through our Knowledgebase: https://www.clubrunnersupport.com/new-ticket. From all of us at ClubRunner, we wish you a safe, warm, and joyous holiday season! View on ClubRunnerSupport.com

Christmas at First JOY: As Medina Sunrise Rotary and Medina Breakfast Kiwanis gather in service, praise and thanksgiving this Yuletide Morn, we wish everyone the gift of Faith, the blessing of hope, and the peace of God's eternal love at Christmas and throughout the New Year. -- Thank you Pastor Kurt Alber and Medina Christian Academy

On Tuesday, Nov. 25^th, eight Rotarians and several of their spouses showed up at Claridon Community Church to work with Judy Maloney and her team at Claridon Community Helps (CCH) to pack and deliver the meals CCH had prepared for some of the needy families in Geauga County.  CCH is the organization that provides summer lunches (Called: “That’s What I’m Talking About”) throughout Claridon and Chardon for needy children who aren’t guaranteed a meal during the day like they would be provided during school. CCH has provided thousands of meals over the years for these children and again this year prepared meals for the Thanksgiving holiday for the needy.  Judy and her team put in countless hours and work to provide some very nutritious meals with all the fixings.  Rotary was proud to step up and complete the deliveries around Geauga County.  Eight Rotarians with three additional family members helped Judy with the organizing and packing of the food to prepare for delivery.

There was a surprise for Judy as the Rotarians presented her with a check for $500 to support the CCH cause and continue their work.  As Judy and her staff continue to grow their project, Rotary has stood by and increased our support for them.  You can come and meet Judy and her staff at the Maple Splash Festival which will be held next August at the Geauga County Historical Societies Century Village at the culmination of Rotary’s Maple Splash Raffle for 2026.   CCH is just one of the non-profits supported by the Maple Splash Raffle that provides a critical need in Geauga County.  

Thank you to Judy and her staff at CCH.

Robert Johnson, PDG
Secretary, Rotary Club of Burton-Middlefield

Download Files:

• Auction Donation Request Form
• Sponsorship Form
• Raffle Poster

Summit County South Cluster Rotary Clubs: Akron, Barberton, Fairlawn, Medina Sunrise, Wadsworth
 

When Doug joined the faculty of The University of Akron Marketing department in January 1986, he didn’t really know anyone outside of work.  Having joined the Akron Jaycees in 1987, he later helped to run a service project on the Ohio & Erie Canal at the Mustill House and Store.  “It’s just a one-day clean-up,” they said.  “It’ll be over before you know it,” they said. “It’s just a couple of old buildings,” they said.

Through this project, Doug was invited to join the Rotary Club of Akron and later served as president in the Rotary Centennial year of 2004-2005. He remains active with the canal, and other non-profit organizations. Now (mostly) retired from UA, Doug was able to dovetail his community interests with interactions with students and student groups to encourage participation across organizations. Recently, Doug has begun connecting the UA School of Disaster Science and Emergency Services with ShelterBox USA. 

Doug and his wife, Carol, live about a half mile from the Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs in New Franklin (where Doug has been known to prepare breakfast for Exchange Student weekends). Their two children live in the area as do the five grandchildren (well, the oldest is 9).  Doug and Carol have one dog and “some” cats.

Ashtabula County Cluster Rotary Clubs: Ashtabula, Conneaut, Geneva, Jefferson

Mary Lou was asked to join the Ashtabula Rotary Club in 1997 after speaking at a club meeting.  She already knew many of the members from the community and realized she had found an organization of professional men and women who share her love of volunteering.  She has served as president twice and is the long time treasurer of the club’s foundation. Retired from her Key Bank career now allows her to be involved in most fund raising and service projects. Also, she ensures the club qualifies for the AZ Baker award each year and applies for District grants.  She is a member of this year’s district leadership class.
 

Her spare time is spent taking care of their 150+ year old home and gardens.  Favorite travels are to Colonial Williamsburg and Hilton Head Island.  She has served on several community boards and continues to be active on church committees and the local hospital community advisory board.

Mary Lou and her husband Bill (also a Rotarian) recently celebrated their 49^th wedding anniversary and are proud parents of two daughters, Sarah and Jennifer, son-in-law, Stephen and one-of-a-kind amazing granddaughter, Eva.

Cuyahoga County NW Cluster Rotary Clubs: Baldwin Wallace University Rotaract, Berea, Lakewood & Rocky River, Lakewood and Rocky River Sunrise, North Ridgeville, Westlake-Bay Village, West Shore

Andrew has been the Director of the nationally recognized five-star Westlake Porter Public Library for the past nineteen years. In 2020, he and his wife Christine were named Mr. & Mrs. Westlake for their involvement in the community including Connecting for Kids, Rotary, Kiwanis and many other philanthropic organizations.
 

He has been the recipient of the West Shore Chamber of Commerce’s Hugh Dawson Service Award, Elks Distinguished Citizenship Award, Westlake PTA Helping Hands Award, and was the Leader Among Leaders for his 2018 Leadership Ohio cohort.
 

Andrew has been a Rotarian for eleven years and has served two terms as president of the Westlake Bay Village Club.  With a passion for connecting with other people and organizations to benefit all concerned, Andrew felt that in taking on the role of Assistant Governor he could make an even larger impact.

Operation Full Plate is here! Our district is joining Zones 30 & 31 in a friendly competition to fight hunger in our communities. Clubs are encouraged to choose any hunger-focused projects: food drives, backpack programs, community meals, tiny free pantry, etc., and engage volunteers (including non-Rotarians!) to maximize impact. All your current projects count for this competition from 11/10/25 to 1/10/26.  Every item, dollar, volunteer hour, public image activity, and new member earns points toward our district’s total. An Excel spreadsheet is available for those not as computer savvy (Click here for excel doc) or use the google form (click here) to record your events and point activity. There is no need to total points, just total each category per event. Let’s turn fellowship into full plates and show our communities what Rotary can do. Let’s show Zone 30 & 31 and the Other 1,453 clubs in the Zones that District 6630 is the best in the Heart of America!

Points Earned per event:

1 point per food item donated

1 point per dollar contributed

1 point per public image activity

3 points per Rotarian volunteer hour

5 points per non-Rotarian volunteer engaged

Incentives:

Winning Zone: Virtual Happy Hour with Director Brian Hall

Top District: Membership Grant cash award (to be determined)

Losing Zone Coordinator Team: Volunteers an extra 10 hours fighting hunger

Frequently Asked Questions:

What resources are there to help districts and clubs with the campaign? 

There are a variety of clubs to support club and district level success. These tools include social media assets, sample captions, flyer templates, newsletter excerpts, sample communications, project ideas, and more. Links to these tools will be sent in an email to all District Rotarians by Wednesday, 11/12/25.
 

When does Operation Full Plate start and end? 

The campaign runs November 10 through January 10. 
 

Do districts or clubs need to calculate points? 

No. Districts and clubs should only report raw totals. The zone team will calculate points at the end of the campaign. 
 

Do districts have to verify projects? 

No. We are relying on the 4 Way Test for reporting purposes. 
 

What if a club has an existing food insecurity project? Does it count? 

Yes! Many clubs carry out eligible projects throughout the year and especially during the holidays. Clubs should be encouraged to think of ways to strengthen existing projects by engaging more members in the effort, inviting community volunteers, and telling their stories. 
 

What counts as a public image activity? 

Any activity that helps tell the story of the club’s impact to the wider community. These include social media posts, news releases, radio PSAs, announcements through community forums, and more. 
 

What if we have questions? 

Please reach out to Bob Oborn at rorotary20252026@gmail.com or call or text him at 330-801-0159

This is a great chance to join the Exchange Students for the CAVS game against the Washington Wizards  on February 11, 2026 at 7:00pm.  

The District 6630 and 6600 Inbound Exchange Students will have a once in a lifetime opportunity to HIGH FIVE the Cleveland Cavaliers players at halftime on February 11, 2026.

All Rotarians and friends are welcome for the pregame reception and CAVS game on the 11th.

The reception with the students begins at 5:00 pm and includes a snack with soft drinks at The Clevelander Bar and Grille at 834 Huron Street, Cleveland, Ohio. 

In addition, we will have a few door prizes and a raffle for the exchange students and their guests.

This has always been a fun night, a chance to see the young CAVS and have some great fellowship.

Please click here to download  the flyer to order tickets. 

We have 75 tickets for the game. 

Any questions, call Stew Buchanan at 330-607-1442.

GO CAVS!!!!!!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FLIER

Please sign up online for the 2026 Grant Seminars.  

Each club will need at least two participants to complete one of the three seminars in order to qualify for grant submission.

You can click on the date(s) below to register.  The Zoom link will be sent a couple days prior to the event to those who register. 

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 9:30AM-11:30AM

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 6:30PM-8:30PM

SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 9:30AM-11:30AM

WHY SHOULD YOU AND YOUR CLUB BE INVOLVED IN YOUTH EXCHANGE?

Youth Service recognizes the importance of empowering youth through leadership development programs.  
 

Rotary Youth Exchange builds peace one young person at a time. Living in a foreign country is a powerful way to gain global understanding and promote peace.  Students learn a new language, discover another culture and truly become global citizens. Exchanges for students ages 15-18 are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries.
 

The objectives of the Rotary Youth Exchange program include:

• Instilling international understanding and goodwill in students
• Creating positive change by empowering youth through a cultural exchange
• Making lasting connections for host clubs, host families, communities and the students involved

Being involved in Youth Exchange is also a great way to increase the visibility of your club in your community and to energize members.
 

If you are ready to commit to host an Inbound student for 2026-27, please complete the attached Hosting Commitment form and return to me at ryekevinwermer@gmail.com
 

If you have questions or would like to learn more about Youth Exchange, please contact:
 

District 6630 RYE:

• General/Inbound Chair: Kevin Wermer - ryekevinwermer@gmail.com  330-592-1622
• Outbound Chair: Patrick Kelley - ryepatrickkelley@gmail.com      330-233-7200

Thanks for giving your full consideration to this wonderful opportunity!

DOWNLOAD the 2026-2027 Club Contract Commitment to Host

Cordially,

Kevin

Kevin L. Wermer, District Youth Exchange Chair

Medina Sunrise Rotary, Past President

FLEECE BLANKETS FOR FOSTER CARE

Members and guests finished another batch of fleece blankets for My Very Own Blanket and will donate them to Lake County Foster Care. Thanks to Dietz Floral Studio for hosting.

PAWS AND CLAUS

Thanks to everyone who came out to help with the "Paws and Claus" event!  Not certain of the exact count of "Paws" that had their photos taken … we had more people bring dogs and cats than last year and sincerely appreciate the extra support from our other Clubs who visited.  

Big shout out to Georgeann and her husband Dave Jones who really went above and beyond to make it a fun and successful event and everyone else who helped make is run smoothly. 

DG Bob Oborn shared the following:

I was honored to be a part of the dedication ceremony recently of a Peace Pole at the Rotary Park Red Line Greenway by the West 25th rapid transit station in Cleveland. 

Although the weather was less than ideal (and that is an understatement), it was a wonderful ceremony. We are proud of all that the Rotary Club of Cleveland does for their community and this is a shining example.

If you never have been there, I recommend it but maybe wait for a little better weather!

Thank you Rotary Club of Cleveland for including me.

This is the third year of the RC of Burton-Middlefield’s (BMR) new Endowed Scholarship in partnership with Kent State University’s Geauga campus in Burton, Oh.  

We originally seeded the scholarship with a $25,000 donation which has since grown to over $36,000.  So far six; two per year; students have received scholarships of $500 each. These scholarships are to be used in the new KSU nurse training unit.  Our goal was to fill a desperate need for nurses in many local hospitals.  As the size of the endowed scholarship grows more individual scholarships will be made available.   

BMR has found that working with administrators at KSU Geauga has been both successful and rewarding. 

At the scholarship awards program on Oct. 9^th. BMR members Club Pres. Jeff Pascoe, club secretary Bob Johnson and Endowed Scholarship creator Jim Dvorak were able to present to scholarship recipients Riley Zugan and Loreali Gandof their certificates.  

BMR would also like to say that the Endowed Scholarship is partially funded by a $2000 yearly donation from a former Rotary scholarship winner in the early 70’s who had a successful nursing career and now resides in Oregon.  Thanks to all who support our scholarship programs.

Robert Johnson, PDG
Secretary, Rotary Club of Burton-Middlefield

The Past District 6630 Governor's came out in force to hear District Governor Bob Oborn present at The Rotary Club of Cleveland.  

Thank you RC of Cleveland for hosting the PDGs again this year at your luncheon!

The Rotary Club of Northampton Cuyahoga Valley hosted a prospective member event, “Discover Rotary”, on September 18. We are very pleased with our initial results. 

Keys to our success: 1). Have a prospective member plan. Keep it simple. 2). Fill the room with Guests and Rotarians. (Make sure the venue’s room is a little smaller that you need). 3). Use an “ice breaker” to get guests and Rotarians to socialize. 4). Give a short video presentation about Rotary. 5). Then give a fast-paced video presentation about our Club and what service and other projects we do. 6). Follow up, follow up, follow up. 

Club members were asked to invite a friend, or friends, to be their guest and learn about Rotary and TRC Northampton Cuyahoga Valley. 

Heavy hors d'oeuvres and wine were provided for all guests and Rotarians. Our “Discover Rotary” event was held a Vinifera, an upscale, cozy Wine & Whiskey Bar in a private room big enough to hold around 30 people.

Our goal: attract 10 – 12 guest prospects. 16 guest prospects attended. 11 Members of TRC Northampton Cuyahoga Valley attended … as did invited Rotary members from the Passport Rotaract Club, the NEO e-Club, and a couple of District 6630 officers. The room was packed.

When Guests signed-in they were given a “Bingo” style card to use as an ice-breaker to mingle and visit with Rotary members to find out about Rotary. The Guest with the most squares initialed by Rotary members won a $100 gift card to Vinifera Wine and Whiskey Bar. This ice-breaker worked really well with all guest participating. We planned for a 30-minute ice-breaker. It went on for over 50 minutes before we moved on.

The video produced at the 2025 District Conference, “Why Join Rotary, District 6630 Answers”, was shown to give an overview of what and who Rotary was. Then a power point presentation was given to show and talk about what service projects TRC Northampton Cuyahoga Valley does and what causes we volunteer to help.

By the end of the event, 5 - 6 guests expressed interested in joining our Club and were invited by their Rotary friend to attend a future regular meeting.

The remaining guest are being contacted by their Rotary friends to encourage them to attend one of our future regular meetings to see more about what our Club does. Future follow up will be ongoing.

Expenses for the Discover Rotary event: $462.23 for food and wine and $100 for the gift card, totaled $562.23. $281.11 District 1:1 matching funds have already been received.

TRC Northampton Cuyahoga Valley felt the initial results of this event was excellent. We are eager to see how many of the 16 prospects can be turned into new members during this Rotary year.

Yours in Service,

Ray Krusinski
Rotary Club of Northampton Cuyahoga Valley