I cannot believe how fast this first month went. I had a total of nine club presidents and Rotary Board installations, along with my first four "official" club visits. I added a Rib Fest in Berea, an art show in Westlake, a great get-together of Past District Governors, topped off with a visit to the Akron Rotary Camp to round out the month. What I saw at each visit were engaged, passionate Rotarians having fun while changing the world. Your passion and "Service Above Self" truly inspire me. Thank you all for everything you do.
Celebrating Membership and New Club Development Month
What a great segue into August! This month is Membership and New Club Development Month, two vital topics each deserves a separate celebration.
First, let's celebrate Membership. The world's largest service organization is only the greatest because of you, our members. Members are the ones who plan events to help the community, raise money for projects, and create and finish domestic and world projects in our seven areas of focus. We need to celebrate our incredible members every day. Without you, we are just an idea. Without you, so many needs throughout our communities and world would not be met. I hope each of you knows how important you are to our daily successes, from building a playground in our community to installing a water well where one has never existed. And let's not forget your contributions to ending Polio. Without you, none of this happens.
The second part of the celebration is New Club Development. As with any organization, we are only as strong as our members. Developing and retaining new members is crucial to our mission. We must continue to use the Rotary Action Plan to expand our reach and adapt to the changing world. Rotary consistently adapts to our evolving times. Our workforce, family unit, industry, and environment continue to shift, and we must adapt with them.
Expanding our reach isn't new, but the approach is different. Increasing clubs with different models, like internet-based passport clubs, and expanding our existing clubs with companion clubs are new directions. During Dale Smith’s year, we formed the first-ever Rotaract passport club. Several clubs are currently forming companion clubs. Impact clubs allow potential members to bring people together for a common cause. There are so many ways we can grow and continue to thrive.
Resources for Club Growth
Please remember, this year we have a $9,000 project to help clubs grow. The District will match up to $2,500 for a club that has a committee, forms a plan to grow membership, and has metrics to measure the program's success. This is your money, reinvested in the clubs to help with growth. We also have the Club Membership Toolbox on the District website to help any club to grow and expand. Please reach out to Dale Smith (d6630dgdale@gmail.com) for additional information and guidance.
Zone Institute in Columbus
You still have time to register for the Rotary Zone 30 & 31 Instituter training event in Columbus, Ohio September 2-6, 2025. This unique networking and learning experience allows you to see beyond your district and build connections with Rotarians from all over the Heart of America. We hope you will bring back new ideas, ready to share and implement with your clubs. Past Rotary International Presidents Ravi Ravindran and Ian Riseley, along with many other dynamic and engaged leaders will be on hand to inform and inspire. Registration is open for the Zone Institute from August 4-6 or special registration for Saturday only August 6th. Please register at https://www.rizones30-31.org/institute/2025-columbus/ Deadline to register is August 24th.
Promote Your Club Events!
We are so fortunate to have so many active clubs doing service, community, and funding projects. Let us help you! Please send Tina Ingraham (tina@marketing101adv.com) and Cheryl Warren (cawarren@neo.rr.com) any information and/or pictures for club events, projects, or fundraisers so we can promote them on our district social media pages and website. Rotarians love supporting Rotarians, and reciprocity is always great. Support your fellow clubs by attending each other's events.
Highlighting Our Clubs
Beginning this month, we will launch our series called Beyond the Banner to highlight clubs in our district. I think it's important to understand and celebrate what other clubs are doing. We're going to start with our first internet-based club, E-ClubNEO. Starting in September, we will highlight each of the eight clubs celebrating their 100th anniversary this Rotary year. It is my hope we continue these so each of you has a better understanding and appreciation of our sister clubs. Don't forget to support all our clubs whenever you are able. Let's make these events feel like a big family reunion!
Spotlight on Assistant Governors
Starting next month, I will also do a three-part series on our Assistant Governors (AGs). We are fortunate to have such great people who have volunteered for this important role. I view the AGs as your spokesperson for the club. I also see this role as our conduit to help our area clubs, or "clusters," act in unison to support each other. I plan to make this position much more visible and active in helping all our clubs.
Youth Exchange: A Life-Changing Opportunity
My final thought for the month is on Youth Exchange. We have such a wonderful program that offers opportunities for our students to do a one-year or one-month "study abroad" program that truly would be a life-changing event. This is a $35,000 scholarship that reduces the cost to about one-quarter of that amount. If you have teenage children in high school who have an interest in studying and living abroad for one month or one year, please reach out to me or the Youth Exchange General Chair Kevin Wermer (awermer57@gmail.com), and let's talk more about it. I regret not being in Rotary when my kids were that age, as it is a tremendous program.
Looking Ahead
That is all for now. The second part of August and most of September are filled with club visits, which are my favorite part of this job. If your club has not signed up for a date, please call, text, or email me so I can get you on the schedule. Please reach out if you or your club needs any help. We have a great district with great people who are always willing to help.
Let's Unite for Good and continue to make this world a better place.
District 6630 Rotary E-ClubNEO was launched in June 2020 as a Satellite Club of the Rotary Club of Northampton-Cuyahoga Valley. The vision behind creating an online-based Rotary Club was to provide a flexible and meaningful Rotary experience for individuals whose professional or personal commitments make it difficult to attend traditional, in-person "meal" club meetings.
In 2023, the Rotary E-ClubNEO was officially chartered as an independent Rotary Club. Despite being a small group, the Club has been impressively active—completing or participating in more than 30 service projects in just a few years (listed below). Every member plays a leadership role, whether as a club officer or a committee chair.
In 2024, our name was changed by Rotary International to The Rotary Club of Northeast Ohio, however, we still use the short version of Rotary E-ClubNEO since our website www.eclubneo.org, Rotary shirts and materials still reflect this name.
Many of our members are spouses/partners of Rotarians from other clubs with less accommodating schedules. The E-ClubNEO’s flexibility allows them to stay actively engaged in Rotary service and fellowship.
Meeting Schedule:
Virtual Meetings: 2nd and 4th Saturdays each month via Zoom
In-Person Gatherings: Occur periodically for service projects or social events, either in addition to or in place of virtual meetings.
As a small but energetic club, we always welcome opportunities to collaborate with other Rotary or Rotaract Clubs on service initiatives and fundraising events.
If you or someone you know would like more information, or would be interested in attending a meeting, service project, or social event, please reach out to:
Steve Warren, Club President 📧 rhobesp@neo.rr.com 📞 216-538-1012
Service Project June 2020 to present
► Suitcase Project for Caley Receiving Home (suitcases for emancipated foster children)
► Provided personal care packages for female Veterans in need in Akron
► Created and distributed My First Blanket for Foster Children
► Raised funds for Harvest Home Shelter- Akron area shelter for homeless women & children
► Joined forces with Woodworkers with Heart completing wooden toys for Akron Children’s Hospital
► Provide hats/gloves/socks to needy in NEO (northeast Ohio) counties
► Hosted Paws for Claus photo shoot for pets
► Created and donated pet chew toys to animal shelter
► Supported Center of Hope and Kent Social Service Campaign: Hope for the Holidays
► Provided personal care items for unhoused Veterans in Summit County via Valor House
► Raised funds for SC4K Attendance Network and Shoes and Clothes for Kids
► Supported Akron-Canton Food Bank
► Supported Rotary International Polio Plus campaign
► Established and assist in maintaining three Little Free libraries
► Sort and prep books at KidsBookBank
► Assisted in Rotary Four-Way Speech Contest providing scholarships to High School students
► Provided support for Akron Snow Angels –providing for the homeless in the Akron area
► Support Westpoint Moms providing items to persons serving in our military
► Provide Christmas to teenagers in need at Crestwood High in Mantua, Ohio
► Provide Christmas to child/mother in need in Lake County
► Planted trees in Hudson Barlow Farm Park
► Create fleece blankets for Akron Children’s Hospital
► Assist with Habitat for Humanity build
► Provide birthday bags for Portage County Foster Care children
► Collected plastic bags for community benches
► Sponsored free Cuyahoga Falls ShredFest
► Provided personal care kits for unhoused community members in Akron
► Assisted in Girls on the Run Cleveland project
► Provided items for Children of the Dump - Shoebox project (clothing, shoes, school supplies, toys, etc.)
► Assist Rotaract Northeast Ohio Plus with project stuffed animals
► Assist in various park clean-up projects
► Assist in District 6630 Earth Day Service project
► And much more……….
Want to know how you can get involved and/or how you can help?
The week of 7/6 to 7/12/2025 was a very busy week for the Rotary Club of Burton-Middlefield (BMR). At our regular Wednesday evening meeting at Welshfield Inn we had our yearly changeover where we induct a new club president and Board of Directors. Rotary has a long-standing tradition of changing leaders every year as their new year starts on July 1st. Every officer at the club, district, zone and Rotary International level is renewed to take advantage of new ideas and enthusiasm. Club member Jeff Pascoe took the reigns of BMR from last years president Larry Fox. They exchanged club leadership pins and then presented some awards to deserving club members. With the new club president installed we then inducted the Board of Directors where 11 club members officially became the new Board.
With our new leadership team in place we moved on to Friday afternoon and the set up for the 2025 Maple Splash Raffle Festival (MSR). Set up and prep. continued through Saturday morning up to the start of the MSR at 2:00PM. A larger tent that included a stage was in place and provided shade from the intense sunshine in the afternoon. We believe that the heat and a short shower of rain impacted the attendance that was down a little from last year. But intense enthusiasm from fans and followers of the Rockability band followed by the incredible Todd Meany and his Ace Molar band. They ramped up the singing and dancing fun and overall excitement. Last minute ticket sales were brisk with the event- only 50/50 drawing generating over $2000, half of which went to a very excited attendee. The on-line 50/50 raffle that has been going on since January raised over $16,000; half of which went to a winner who was not present but went wild when phoned later and notified of their win. Drawings for the prizes began at 8:00PM with the first pick who was the winner of the brand new Ford F-150 pickup provided by Preston Ford. A ticket purchaser from Florida was the name drawn who said “he couldn’t believe it since he never won anything!” The truck will be delivered to him by a willing Rotarian who is scheduled to visit Florida in the next month. Other winners of prizes from four different drawings kept the excitement high for the next hour with several winners being present but many who were not. They were notified directly after the drawing by phone.
The raffle basket portion of the MSR Festival also created a lot of traffic and enthusiasm, especially with the plinko board being used to increase the number of tickets purchasers could use to place in the baskets. The raffle basket crew who put the baskets together produced an incredible 75 baskets and generated a record amount of funds for this part of BMR’s fundraiser.
Food trucks and non-profit organizations who filled the Century Village grounds made the day very pleasant for attendees. We offered the non-profits a chance to intermingle with the mostly Geauga County event goers and explain the importance of their programs and the work they do. A “Passport” program that allowed attendees a chance to visit with the reps. of the non-profits and have them sign their “passport sheets” which were then turned into the passport table and made them eligible for a massive $1000 gift basket containing a multitude of gift cards, lottery tickets and many other prizes. This made this event very popular. There was also a child’s part of this passport project that allowed children to participate and win ice cream prizes that were very popular and had them lined up at the Cowboy Creamery food truck.
The BMR club and event committee reported that profits for the Maple Splash Raffle event which takes place starting around January 1st. every year, were up again and will allow the Rotary Club of Burton-Middlefield to increase their non-profit giving. It will also allow us to contribute to more non-profits than in past years. If any non-profits that we currently do not serve would like to join in this very successful endeavor in the future we urge you to contact BMR and join in the fun and support that BMR provides. Also, any professionals out there; young or old, male or female who want to join our non-denominational and non-political humanitarian organization of Rotary, and join in the very rewarding work that we do please contact us at: burtonmiddlefieldrotary.com
Rotary Club of Mantua is the proud sponsor of the Crestwood Primary School’s Safety Town. Rising Kindergardeners are given the opportunity to learn about safety at school and at home through activities, mysic, and art, while being exposed to being in the school situation. Mantua Rotary’s funding assures that children can attend the week’s activities at no charge. Rotary members Sandy Karm and Sue Steinberg are donating their time to help out this week.
The Rotary Club of Hudson celebrated its 2024-2025 fiscal year with an awards dinner at the Blue Canyon presided over by outgoing President Kelly Brennan. Kelly’s innovations for the year include offsite meetings at historical sites, the preparation of inspirational Club videos and the initiation of strategic planning for the future. Incoming President, Keith Viers, pledged to implement the Strategic Plan by identifying a new community service project, restructuring the weekly meetings, expanding the relationships with Hudson schools and devising new fund-raising opportunities. The Club’s most recent major community project was its successful campaign to raise over $270,000 for restoration of the historic log cabin on the Hudson Green.
Recognitions at the annual dinner featured a presentation of the Jimmy Sutphin Award to Marilyn Orr for her service to Rotary and the Hudson community. Marilyn has prepared the weekly newsletter for Club members and chaired the Gala committee for many years. She has also worked with the Hudson elementary schools to establish two pollinator gardens and is regularly involved with HHS’s Service Learning program. In addition, Marilyn is an innovative member of the Friends of the Hudson Library, current President of the Board for Music from the Western Reserve and a member of the Hudson Cemetery Board. The Jimmy Sutphin Award was established in 2015 to recognize deserving community leaders who reflect Rotary’s “Service Above Self” standard. The initial recipient was Jimmy “Inky” Sutphin, a friend and colleague of both the Rotary Club and the Hudson community at large.
The Rotarian of the Year award was presented to James Yard who led the Club in updating its Strategic Plan. And, recently, Tom Tobin was honored with a Paul Harris Foundation award for contributions to community projects worldwide. A commemorative pin was presented to Tom by his Father Phil Tobin.
Year 2025-2026 initiatives will include innovative communications to reach a broader audience of potential members who might enjoy associating with the Rotary Club of Hudson and be involved with community service projects. Rotary membership includes young community leaders, retired successful business people, professionals, educators, clergy, community officials and health care administrators. The idea exchanges at regular meetings are very stimulating and connecting with Service Learning students and local Scouts can also be very meaningful and rewarding. Participating as a club member in community events and celebrations provides fun and camaraderie for all members.
Learn more about the Rotary Club of Hudson at www.rotaryhudson.org. View our meeting videos on YouTube and HCTV channel 1021 and follow us on Facebook. Watch for our notices of opportunities to submit grant applications to our Rotary Foundation. And, join us any Wednesday at Hudson Meadows on Barlow Road from 7:00 to 8:30 am.
Medina Sunrise Rotarians joined our local First Responders, representatives of the US Armed Forces and other community organizations to observe National Night Out at the Medina Rec.
National Night Out started in the 1980s as a way to bring law enforcement and citizens together nationwide on the same night each year. We have expanded on that principle and put together an event that focuses on bringing many agencies and organizations together for the annual National Night Out date each year.
Participants in this event include law enforcement from throughout the county, fire agencies, EMS responders, civic organizations and other groups that provide activities and giveaways. Some of the big hits from this community event are the medical helicopter, police dogs, classic cars, emergency vehicles, party music with a DJ, and refreshments for the whole family.
Our mission is simple: to offer a free community event where families can come and have fun in an environment that is free of violence, alcohol, tobacco and drugs. We hope citizens can meet members of our local organizations and get to know the services they provide to our community.
PHOTOS:
National Night Out at the Medina Rec Poster
Dave Wyatt & Matt Strehle
David Lariviere - Trooper David Shubert - Sergeant Josh Hamblin, USAF
Mentor Rotary Club is Putting to #EndPolioNow at this Family-Focused event! All ages are invited to join August 21st, 4-8pm, (pay at the door) and it looks like some great prizes too. PLUS the ice cream is delicious. Have an east-side business?
Join Rotary Club of Cleveland at St. Sava Pavilion (2151 W. Wallings Rd., Broadview Heights) for Growing for the Greater Good, an exquisite culinary fundraising event to benefit the many humanitarian projects of The Cleveland Rotary Foundation. Fabulous local chefs, including the Cleveland Club’s “First Fella” (aka President Laura Gambrell’s husband) Chef Brad Gambrell will be bringing out their best farm-to-table plates, from meaty appetizers, to savory sides and delicious desserts.
PLUS – truly unforgettable live auction items, silent auction items and raffle prizes too. Join us all in this “Taste of Kindness”. Stay tuned to our social media pages for specific details on auction items.
Event Details: Sunday, September 21, 2025
4pm – 7pm
St. Sava Pavilion, 2151 W. Wallings Rd., Broadview Heights
The Rotary Club of Fairlawn will host its14th Annual Gala on October 4, 2025, from 5:30 -10:30, at the Doubletree (Hilton) in Fairlawn.
This year’s theme is “Benefit Children’s Health, Education, and Wellbeing.” The Rotary Club of Fairlawn joins forces with the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, the New Leaf Center, The Blick Center, and the Fairlawn Rotary Foundation to make this a very special event. This year’s Community Service Award will be presented to Dan Flowers, for his service and dedication to our community. Mr. Flowers is president and CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank. At this event Mr. Flowers will also be presented with Rotary’s distinguished Paul Harris Award.
The Rotary Club of Fairlawn has raised over $1.5 million for children in this community and around the world since 1964. The Annual Gala is the club’s only fundraiser. Its purpose is to help fund special projects for local charities. Through the Fairlawn Rotary Foundation, this year’s proceeds will help local organizations that support children’s health, education, and wellbeing. As this year’s recipients, the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, the New Leaf Center, The Blick Center, and the Fairlawn Rotary Foundation will receive proceeds from this event. At our last event, the Rotary Club of Fairlawn raised nearly $50,000 for local organizations.
The Annual Gala fundraiser will be a fun-filled evening including a sit-down dinner, an open bar, a live and silent auction and entertainment. The ticket price is $150 per person. Table sponsorships are also available. Raffle tickets for many wonderful gifts are also available for purchase. Of course, the real winners will be the children of our community.
The Rotary Club’s efforts to support local charities and build goodwill throughout the community stem from Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self.” Rotary’s compassion stretches well beyond Akron as it works to combat polio, poverty, and illiteracy on national and international levels. Rotary was started in Chicago in 1905 by Paul Harris bringing together professionals with diverse backgrounds to exchange ideas and to form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Now it is an international organization spanning the globe. Rotary focuses on service projects encompassing peace and conflict prevention and resolution, disease prevention and treatment, maternal and child health, and economic and community development.
To purchase event/raffle tickets or to donate to the Gala fundraiser, visit gala.fairlawnrotary.com. For additional information, please contact Mark Whitlam at 330-321-8141 or at mark@jcwhitlam.com.
Corporate sponsorships start at $395, and program advertising starts at $75.
If you are unable to attend, but would like to help, please send your check to the Fairlawn Rotary Foundation, Inc, at P.O. Box 13063, Fairlawn, Ohio 44334. The Fairlawn Rotary Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3).
Wadsworth Rotary is proud to celebrate 100 years of service with a special evening featuring keynote speaker Lt. Governor Jim Tressel!
This is more than a celebration — it’s an opportunity to support the future. 100% of proceeds from this event will directly benefit local community projects.
Tickets and sponsorships are available now. Visit www.wadsworthrotary.org to reserve your seat and support a century of service.
Make history with us- Be part of the next 100 years of impact.
