On Wednesday, Aug. 2, the Rotary Club of Burton-Middlefield was visited by Rotary District 6630 District Governor for the 2023/2024 Rotary Year, Julie Brandle. Julie spoke to the club members about the current status and programs going on in the district and plans for the upcoming Rotary year which runs from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. Julie discussed some fund raisers being planned to benefit Rotary's polio eradication program which is down to two countries worldwide and the three year waiting period to verify eradication. She also discussed major district events including the Foundation Event and next year's District conference of clubs and various training sessions for incoming club presidents and ther officers.
Julie was amazed at the success of our new Maple Splash Raffle (MSR) that has replaced our 70-year run of Pancake Breakfasts that ended with COVID in 2019. Maple Splash Committee Chair Larry Fox explained the operation of the raffle, the Maple Splash Festival and the MSR Appreciation event. The three operations together raise funds, give community exposure to non-profit recipients of our donations at the festival and show appreciation to our sponsors and vendors at our appreciation event.
Julie is not only a dedicated Rotarian and member of the Rotary Club of Akron, but she is also a woman minority business owner of a large construction company. Also, she does this while donating time on several Boards of Directors and being an active volunteer with Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio. Julie is a committed community advocate and currently serves on the boards of Kent State University's Construction Management program, the Portage Development Board (economic development), Akron Civic Theatre, Akron Urban League, Greater Akron Chamber, ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors) Northeast Ohio, and the Coleman and Hattie Larlham Foundations. Julie volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together and The Rotary Club of Akron.