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News from Around the District

 
 
Happy New Year!  It is hard to believe that we are halfway through the Rotary Year!  It has been a fun and motivating year already.  We had a successful Club Experience Summit in October, a great Foundation Gala in November and a well-attended kickoff to our District Disaster Response Committee in the beginning of 2025.  The response of those interested in being part of that committee has been wonderful!  As of January 10, I have visited 40 of our 48 clubs with six of the remainder scheduled!  I hope to participate in many service projects with you during the remainder of the year - keep me in the loop on your upcoming service opportunities!
 
Coming up we have Grant Management Seminars in February and March, the 4 Way Test Speech Contest on April 12,  and the District Conference on April 25 and 26.
 
We have added 80 members since July 1.  Unfortunately we have lost 99 members in the same time period.  While we must continue to attract people who have our hearts and hands for service and high ethics, it is just as important that we retain our members.  Over the last five years, just 34% of those leaving cited business, relocation or family reasons.  51% have been for personal or miscellaneous reasons.  I firmly believe that a large number of that 51% are members whose expectations for service or fellowship were not met.  As I have asked in my visits, please assign an experienced member to be a "host" for new members to share Rotary knowledge and introduce them to members.  Also - find out what new members want from Rotary and meet those expectations if you can.  If you notice a Rotarian is not attending meetings or otherwise involved like they have been in the past, give them a call.  Begin the conversation by asking how they, their family, their business and pets are and eventually tell them you miss them at Rotary and can you help to get them re-engaged.
 
I look forward to hearing how you are using the learnings from the Club Experience Summit and look forward to hearing about your successes!  If I can help you understand my notes from the Summit, please do not hesitate to email, text or call me.  Growing our organization is my passion, and I want to help you!
 
Dale Smith
District Governor 2024/2025
Rotary International District 6630
Past-President
Rotary Club of Mentor
The Magic of Rotary
330-968-7683 (m)
 
As we enter this new year, the Grants Committee is starting to prepare for the Rotary year 2025-2026.  The first step for us is to host the Yearly Grants Management Seminars (GMS).  Like in years past, we will be hosting three sessions, the dates are listed at the end of the letter.  We will host two in February and one in March. 
 
Now listen up, I am going to share with you who should attend!  Remember if you have questions at anyti…. Ok, please put your hand down, if after reading this you still have questions, I will provide email contacts at the end of this letter for you. 
 
Let’s get back to it. First you will need a minimum of TWO members of your club to attend at least One session. Those who should attend are the 2025-2026 Club President and President Elect, The Rotarian who will be responsible for writing and reporting on the grant, and anyone else that may need to access the District Club Runner Grant Module to report or add information to their club’s grant.  It is very important to understand that only those who attend the GMS will be able to access the District Club Runner Grant Module!  There are other eligibility requirement’s which we will discuss at the GMS.
 
Now that we have laid the initial ground work for who needs to attend the Grants Management Seminar, can I see the hands of those who are going to attend.  WOW, you actually raised your hands.  Now I expect to see all of you at the upcoming Grants Management Seminars. 
 
Grants Management Seminar Dates
 
REGISTER NOW - CLICK ON THE DATE YOU WISH TO ATTEND:
 
 
 
 
If you have any questions please contact: 
 
District Grant Committee Chair:
 
District Foundation Chair:
 
Yours in Rotary Service,
 
Larry Lohman
2022-2025 District 6630 Rotary Foundation Chair
2021-2022 Rotary International District 6630 Governor
Home Club:  Rotary Club of Kent, OH USA
Cell: 330-322-2474 | Email: D6630DG2122@gmail.com | www.RotaryDistrict6630.org
As All Ohio P.E.T.S. is approaching, Rotary Clubs in District 6630 are joining together to raise funds to support Soles4Souls' 4EveryKid initiative.
 
4EveryKid aims to provide new shoes to students experiencing homelessness across the state of Ohio.
 
Our District aims to be the top fundraising District in Ohio, so as many kids in need across our local public schools can experience the joy and confidence that comes with new shoes!
 
Your donation on our district donation page will send us to the top of the leaderboard, all while helping kids in need.
 
Here's our District 6630 link to donate 👇
 
 
 
 
The Westlake-Bay Village Rotary Club recently demonstrated the true spirit of community service with their heartwarming Epiphany Day project. On January 6, 2025, members of the club, along with volunteers from St. Paul Lutheran Church and School, brought smiles to hundreds of families in the neighborhoods surrounding the Redeemer Hunger & Crisis Center on Cleveland's West 30th Street. 
 
 
The Gift of Giving
The project, which began in late December 2024, involved the preparation of 300 gift boxes for children of the center's clients. These boxes were thoughtfully packed with a variety of items, including:
  • Ornaments
  • Towel sets and blankets
  • Bibles and books
  • Hygiene products
  • Games and puzzles
  • Stuffed animals and toys
  • Winter accessories (hats, gloves, scarves)
  • Sewing kits for older children
 
The packing event, held at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School in Westlake, brought together volunteers ranging from 8 to 80 years old, all working together to create these special gifts.
 
A Day of Joy and Celebration
On Epiphany Day, Rotarian Jeff Appel and church members donned golden crowns and colorful capes, embodying the Wise Men as they distributed the gifts to grateful families. Despite the bitter cold, the warmth of community spirit shone brightly as volunteers helped load carts, wagons, and cars with these precious presents.
 
Community Collaboration
This successful service project was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Westlake-Bay Village Rotary Club members, St. Paul Lutheran Church and School,  St. Paul Generosity and Service Board, and community volunteers and donors.
 
The project exemplifies Rotary's commitment to service above self and demonstrates the power of community partnerships in positively impacting people's lives.
 
Impact and Reflection
The Epiphany Day service project provided material support to families in need and spread a message of hope and love. This Westlake-Bay Village Rotary Club initiative is an inspiring example of how local service organizations can make a significant difference in their communities. It embodies the Rotary spirit of bringing together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service and advance goodwill and peace worldwide.
 
As we reflect on this successful project, we are reminded of the power of kindness and the impact a group of dedicated individuals can have when they come together for a common cause.
Sure, there is still time and more events, but it's not to early to get started on filling in your A.Z. Baker Service Award form. Your club and members have probably already achieved many of the activities. 
 
This coveted award will be presented to all clubs that qualify.
The required points must be achieved by May 31, 2025.
The deadline for receipt of the form is June 6, 2025.
 
 
ABOUT THE A.Z. BAKER SERVICE AWARDS
 
To encourage a reaching out in total service and the "development of resources" on the part of all clubs in District 6630, the A. Z. Baker Service Awards were established in 1978 at the recommendation of then District Governor James P. Banks, and by action of the District Board of Trustees. This award honors our own "Mr. Rotary," A.Z. Baker, from the Rotary Club of Cleveland who served as Rotary International President in 1955-1956. His dedication and commitment to Rotary truly exemplified SERVICE ABOVE SELF and this award was designed to honor his memory by encouraging all clubs in the district to participate in each of the Avenues of Service which are the foundation of club activity.
 
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ALBERT Z. (A.Z.) BAKER
 
He was born in 1890 in Whitesboro, Texas, and was named Albert after his father and Zachary after General Zachary Taylor. He attended county schools in Tennessee (the log cabin kind), graduated from Sparta (Tennessee) High School, and then enrolled in the University of Tennessee. He hoped to be an engineer, but the Great Depression dictated that he leave school. He later studied law at the John Marshall Law School of Ohio Northern University and was admitted to legal practice in 1922. He married Grace Anderson and they had twin girls and one son.
 
Albert Z. (A.Z.) Baker joined the Rotary Club of Cleveland in 1929 and his Rotary classification was "Stockyards," as he was President and General Manager of the Cleveland Union Stockyard Company. He was also President of the American Stockyards Association and Director of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce. He was a Member of the Cleveland Bar Association and Delta Theta Phi, the legal fraternity. He served as a trustee of Baldwin Wallace College and as an Advisory Board member for the Salvation Army. He also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Cleveland Auto Club and as Director and Deputy Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland. In 1939, he was elected a Director; in 1940, Vice President; and in 1941, President of the Rotary Club of Cleveland. In 1942-43, he was elected District Governor of District 158.
 
At the international level, A. Z. served on many Rotary International committees. In 1946, he was chairman of the R. I. Convention Committee, for the meeting at Atlantic City; in 1948, he was a Director from Zone 2 of R.I. In 1949, he was a member of the Executive Committee of the R.I. Board of Directors and was Chairman of the Aims and Objects Committee. In 1949 and 1950, he was a member of the Convention Committee and a member of the Youth Committee and an alternate member of the Nominating Committee for President of R.I. In these roles, A.Z. made many significant contributions to the development of area conclaves and conferences at which Rotarian leaders from throughout the world discussed future plans for Rotary International as an organization and whereby many policies and procedures were developed under his leadership.
 
In January of 1955, A. Z. was nominated to be President of Rotary International. Though he had been reluctant to allow his name to be placed in nomination, A. Z. Baker was elected President of Rotary International on June 2, 1955 at the Golden Year Convention held in Chicago.
 
A.Z. set many records for travel in his Presidential year. The whole world, and not merely the Rotary frontiers, became his work ground. He carried Rotary leadership in person to the clubs of the entire Orient; he traveled more thousands of miles in Africa than any other R.I. President. The infinite good he did for Rotary everywhere with his quiet manner and disarming smile was recorded in media around the entire world. They chronicled the acceleration of A.Z.’s Rotarian visits back and forth across hemispheres and oceans, his record of attendance at international and district conventions, and various other ways in which the imprint of a fine leader becomes a blazed trail.
 
The theme for President A. Z. Baker's year was "Develop Your Resources." Following his year as President A.Z. served longer than any other Rotarian as a member of The Rotary International Foundation and of the International Council on Legislation. He served four years as Foundation Chairman, far more than any other person previously had. During his chairmanship, The Foundation celebrated its 50th Anniversary in Cleveland in December of 1966.
 
The World of Rotary was saddened on March 16, 1976, with the passing of A. Z. Baker. He had been a Rotarian for 47 years and had been a tower of strength in giving leadership to Rotary, having held every important post in Rotary at the Club, District, Zone, and International levels.
 
This year we are creating care packages for cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy. We plan on donating the baskets to cancer patients at Hillcrest Hospital (part of the Cleveland Clinic) located in Mayfield Heights in Cuyahoga County. I have spoken to several workers there, and they have given me a good idea of what to include in each basket. Here is a list of items that we recommend:
 
  • Unscented lotion
  • Puzzle/Adult coloring books (Sudoku, crossword puzzles, word searches - anything to help pass the time during treatment sessions)
  • Hard candies, especially ginger flavored (to help with dry mouth, ginger helps reduce nausea)
  • Gatorade/Pedialyte drink mix packets
  • Fuzzy socks
  • Blanket
  • Non-metal utensils
  • Non-metal water bottle
  • A card or note of encouragement
 
Some of my students created a Google Doc with links for each product, plus a link for a basket to put everything in. We predict each basket will cost approximately $75-$85 to put together. 
 
If your club decides to do any sort of collection drive for these items, we ask that all items be new (not previously used).
 
Here is the Google Doc from my students with Amazon links for everything. These are suggestions - you do not have to purchase these exact items! You could make an Amazon Wishlist for your school or club if you want to send it out to parents and community members as well. There is a blanket linked on here, but if your club would like to make tie blankets themselves that would also be great! Again, you do not have to purchase these exact items, but please use these as examples. 
 
 
Please let me know any questions you might have regarding this project. 
 
Thank you!
 
Chelsea Talty
District 6630 Interact Chair
On Jan.29, 2025 following their monthly Board of Directors meeting, the Rotary Club of Burton-Middlfield held their first Maple Splash Raffle (MSR) drawing for the monthly "Instant Winner".  This year's raffle was changed to award 2- $500 Instant Winners instead of one $1000 winner in last year's drawings.  The MSR committee felt that it was better to have 2 winners than 1 and most folks would be just as happy winning $500 as they would with $1000.
 
The first two winners were Donna Borsi and Dave Kleve. Their $500 checks will go out on 1/30/2025. This drawing marked the kick off for the long list of winners from the MSR.  The main drawing and MSR Festival will be on July 12 of this year at Century Village where we are planning bigger and better facilities and even more participants.  Fun is the main goal of the MSR Festival and offers an opportunity to learn about many non-profits that offer a multitude of services to Geauga residents. 
 
The excitement of the attendees when the winners are drawn and announced is electric along with announcement of the MSR 50/50 raffle winner.  This is a separate drawing and last year handed a $7000+ check to an overwhelmed purchaser of a $5 - 50/50 ticket go to maplesplashraffle.com to learn all that the raffle has to offer, including our "Outdoor Adventure" ticket and  money saving ticket bundles.
 
The MSR is the major fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Burton-Middlefield and funds all club operations throughout the year and also our generous donations to over 30 non-profits that serve Geauga County.  Last year these donations totaled over $90,000.  As our raffle continues to grow we expect profits to increase this year as they have every year to date.  The club continues to receive many thank yous and letters of appreciation from their sponsors for the great visibility and increased traffic the raffle has given them.  Buy some tickets and join the fun and become a winner of one of our dozens of great prizes including that beautiful Ford F-150 pick-up from Preston Ford.
 
Bob Johnson, PDG
Secretary - BMR

Giving back to the community by bringing people together and working toward an event which raises awareness of local needs, encourage local unity, and brings in funding for non-profit organizations.

 
Congratulations to Marilyn Buckey, was honored at the 2025 Akron Rotary Club’s Chili Open Golf Classic as the recipient of the 2025 James Redmond Ambassador of Service Award.
 
The award was established in 1991 in recognition of community leaders who have gone above and beyond in support of the Rotary Club of Akron and the community.
 
We’re appreciative of Marilyn’s dedication and support the Rotary Club of Akron and the Akron community.
 
This is a great chance to join the Exchange Students for the CAVS game against the Miami Heat on March 5, 2025 at 7:00pm.  The CAVS are the BEST team in the NBA!!!
 
All Rotarians and friends are welcome for the pregame reception and CAVS game on the 5th.
 
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.
 
 
Any questions, call Stew at 330-607-1442.
 
 
GO CAVS!!!!!!
Save the Date for Rotary Club of Cleveland’s 47th Thesmacher High School Recognition Day Luncheon – Thursday, March 6, 2025, 8:30am – 1pm at Windows on the River in Cleveland
 
The top 125 high school seniors graduating from CMSD will be honored and recognized for outstanding achievement. Each year, students participate in the New Generations Conference, which gives the students the microphone to share with local civic leaders topics affecting teenagers today on their path to adulthood.
 
Once again, we are looking for businesses with internship, training or employment opportunities to have a table to meet these exceptional students, perhaps offering an alternative pathway to success, work or a career.
 
If you are interested in having a table, contact Sharon Lerch at rotarycle@gmail.com.
 
All Rotarians are invited to attend the luncheon. More details on tickets to come.
 
 

"When we talk about The Rotary Foundation and POLIO PLUS, we know we are eradicating polio world-wide, but do we realize how many added benefits the program brings?" asked Albert Tien, Rotary District #6630 Polio Plus Chair. The “plus” is something else that is provided as a part of the polio eradication campaign. It might be a hand-operated tricycle or access to water. It might be additional medical treatment, bed nets, or soap. A 2010 study estimates that vitamin A drops given to children at the same time as the polio vaccine have prevented 1.25 million deaths by decreasing susceptibility to infectious diseases.
 
Did you know that the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), of which Rotary is a spearheading partner, funds 91 percent of all immunization staff in the World Health Organization? And the partnership between Rotary and the Gates Foundation has yielded $2 billion, in addition to the countless volunteer hours Rotarians give to fight polio since Rotary started its PolioPlus program in 1985.
 
Help us continue to make a difference in the lives of children. Go to rotarydistrict6630.org and rotary.org to learn more. #PolioPlus
 
 
 
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

Have you updated your Club web and social media sites with the new theme?

Need help building a logo for your Club to include the theme?
For assistance, Email or call Cheryl Warren 330-495-9814. 

2024-25: The Magic of Rotary

2024-2025 Theme logo - EN

RI President-elect Stephanie Urchick celebrates the magic of Rotary. She says members create that magic with every project completed, every dollar donated, and every new member of Rotary.

Download 2024-25 theme logo materials (.zip)

2024-25 presidential theme branding guidelines (PDF)

Club & District Events Calendar
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2024-2025 District Leadership
2025 ROTARY INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION

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.