Why does the Rotary year seem to fly by but winter seems to never end? I, for one, am ready for spring! Spring has begun in my basement - I have started my onion seeds under grow lights. I cannot wait for Spring!
February is Peace and Conflict Prevention month. This month is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of peace-building efforts and the role Rotary plays in preventing conflict and fostering understanding in communities around the world. When we think of peace and conflict prevention, we often think of troubles in far off lands.
The work of a Rotarian in peace and conflict prevention begins at home, in our own neighborhoods, and within our families. It’s about creating a culture of understanding, respect, and collaboration in our immediate surroundings. It is through small acts of kindness, listening, and resolving conflicts peacefully that we can lay the foundation for broader peace efforts. Peace and conflict prevention starts with each of us, and it is important that we use our 4 Way Test to guide our thoughts, words and deeds to build peace and act as examples for others.
Communities are the building blocks of society, and fostering peaceful, inclusive environments where individuals feel safe and valued is essential. Rotarians are encouraged to engage in dialogue, embrace diversity, and work toward common goals. Whether it’s mediating a local dispute, supporting an at-risk youth, or advocating for social justice, each action contributes to a larger vision of peace.
By starting with our own homes and communities, we set an example that ripples outward, strengthening the Rotary commitment to peace, understanding, and conflict prevention on a global scale.
In the next couple months, your clubs will be having 4 Way Test Speech Contests leading to our District Competition on April 12. Hearing our future leaders use the 4 Way Test to issues of importance to them opens our minds to those issues and often challenges our own mindset. I look forward to this event every year. The DG line is usually the judges of the District Final rounds. I cannot express how difficult it can be to rank the great talks that reach that level!
Registration for our District Conference and District Learning Assembly will be opening very soon! The Conference and Learning Assembly is for all Rotarians! We will have great speakers and panelists who will share best practices and learnings that help you grow your club and your service. I hope to see each of you April 25 and 26 at the Cleveland Marriott East in Warrensville Heights!
Dale Smith District Governor 2024/2025 Rotary International District 6630 Past-President Rotary Club of Mentor The Magic of Rotary
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.
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:
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
The long history of a Rotary International President launching a theme for their presidential year is going away in 2025-2026. This decision was made by the RI Board of Directors at their October 2023 Meeting.
The rationale behind the decision is based on the importance of standardizing branding and communications. The presidential themes were to be used only for internal communications to motivate Rotary members. However, too many clubs and districts used the theme as a logo to promote Rotary projects and events to the public. Additionally, the themes changed every year, and some clubs and districts preferred promoting a past theme over the current theme due to personal preference. This causes confusion with helping the public understand the focus of Rotary and what we stand for.
Our Message
One of the most important things we can do to tell our Rotary stories in an effective, compelling way is to make sure we all use consistent and unified messaging. You can use the president's message for 2025-26, Unite for Good, to inspire members, participants, and the public with an idea that aligns with our Action Plan and calls on us to work together. Using the presidential message in your club and district communications helps to convey Rotary’s global impact and create stronger recognition of Rotary’s name in our communities and with potential service partners. It can help people understand who we are and what we do and might even inspire them to join us.
Visual Messaging
Logo lockup templates
Remember, your official club and district logos are the primary way to promote Rotary in your community, but you can visually incorporate the presidential messaging by joining your club or district logo in a lockup with the message on assets such as:
Club and district newsletter templates
Rotary email signatures
District conference materials (badges, invitation templates, logos, etc.)
Presidential messaging graphics for use on club and district social media channels
Other Ways to Share
Incorporate the presidential message when speaking with your clubs, districts, and your community. Incorporate our annual message by using it in communications such as:
Club and district presentations
Conversations with potential partners and donors
Interviews on podcasts, TV, or radio
Social media content and blog posts
District and Club Themes or Messages
Clubs and districts should use the Rotary-wide presidential message rather than creating their own theme or message so we can all speak with one voice. Any other themes that clubs and districts have developed should now be replaced by the annual presidential message or retired.
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.
The Java Jive here is that Rotary Club Of Stow Munroe Falls needs help meeting its goal of 300 cans/containers of coffee to donate to homeless shelters in Akron. We all know how a good cup of Joe warms a person from head to toe.
See details below and share a can or a pound and Together, we HELP THE HOMELESS.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Congratulations to Marilyn Buckey who 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.
She has been an Akron Rotarian since 1988 and served in numerous capacities, including chair of the Akron Rotary Club Foundation.
We’re appreciative of Marilyn’s dedication and support to the Rotary Club of Akron and the Akron community.
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.
Thank you to all who attended the Foundation Gala, we collected: 3 pk boys tshirts, 1pk pants 10 scarves/neck warmers 15 hat/gloves/scarf sets 149 Hats 466 pair Socks 162 pair Gloves/Mittens
Immediate Past District Governor Julie Brandle sorted and delivered to the following organizations across the District: Shepherd's House - Portage County Akron Snow Angels - Summit County Haven Center - Lorain County Next Steps - Geauga County Sub Zero Mission - Lake County Ashtabula County Community Action - Ashtabula County The Salvation Army - Cuyahoga County
Save the Date for Rotary Club of Cleveland’s 47thThesmacher 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.
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Please let me know any questions you might have regarding this project. 
