April and May each Rotary year are jam packed with speech contests, District Conference, and so many service projects and events around the District. We combined these two months to form this one newsletter.
May was Youth Service Month
Youth Service recognizes the importance of empowering youth and young professionals through leadership development programs.
Rotaract- emerging professionals or Rotary on college campuses
Interact - Rotary in high schools
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards - leadership development camp
Rotary Youth Exchange - Inbound and outbound high school exchange program
April's Rotary International’s theme was the environment. Rotarians are committed to supporting activities that strengthen the conservation and protection of natural resources, advance ecological sustainability, and foster harmony between communities and the environment. They empower communities to access grants and other resources, embrace local solutions, and spur innovation in an effort to address the causes and reduce the effects of climate change and environmental degradation. Read more here - https://lnkd.in/eq4aQ_J
A great big thank you and much appreciation to all who came out and supported our District Conference in April, especially our dedicated committee, under the leadership of Bob Oborn, DGN, Stow-Munroe Falls Rotarian and all around fun guy!
April and May were highlighted by visits to Wadsworth Rotary, celebrating 100 years with the Geneva Club, Judging the District Speech Contest, attending Cuyahoga Falls Rotary Flavours of the Falls and Aurora Rotary Taste of Aurora, unveiling a new beer at Hoppin' Frog to benefit Akron Rotary Camp, attending Lakewood-Rocky River Sunrise Run for the Roses, and volunteering at Akron Rotary Moms for Moms at the Akron Children's Museum.
I'm looking forward to sharing my adventures with you from International Convention in Singapore with a quick stop on my way in Thailand in my next article.
Special thanks to our 2024 District Conference Planning Committee for all your work
in putting together this wonderful weekend for our
Rotarians to connect, engage and celebrate: Create Hope in Our World.
Beverly Ghent-Skrzynski Bob Oborn Bob Voss Carrie Heppner Chelsea Talty Cheryl Warren Dale Smith David Jones David Skrzynski Jackie Minotas Jeff Roeger John Reyes Julie Brandle Julie West Karen Melton Kathy Berkshire Larry Lohman Lynda Farkas Maureen Garnett Mike Davanzo Pat Kelley Pat Myers Randy Rininger Rich Cole Rich Warfield Shelia Hedrick Steve Warren Tina Ingraham
In a vibrant display of community engagement, the Stow-Munroe Falls Rotary Club hosted a Membership Drive Event on February 29th, 2024, at the esteemed VFW Post #4738. Led by Membership Committee Chair, Brad Ruth, and his dedicated team comprising Todd Hearty, Scott Miller, Maria Ferrara, and Leslee Salhany, the event proved to be a resounding success, attracting approximately 45 enthusiastic attendees.
The event, marked by an atmosphere of camaraderie, featured an array of festivities including food catered by Pancho & Leftys, music, cornhole, and beverages, ensuring a delightful experience for all who attended. Attendees were not only treated to a jovial atmosphere but also received an insightful Welcome to Rotary presentation. This presentation, created by Maria Ferrara, delved into the rich history of Rotary, benefits of membership, and showcased exemplary works of the organization in fostering community development, service, and fellowship.
The success of the event was not left to chance but was the culmination of meticulous planning and strategic outreach efforts. The organizers left no stone unturned in spreading the word about the event, leveraging Rotarian referrals, personal engagement, and social media platforms to reach out to prospective members.
Reflecting on the event's success, Membership Committee Chair Brad Ruth expressed his gratitude, stating, "We are thrilled with the turnout and the enthusiasm shown by all who attended. This event was a testament to the strength of our community and the enduring appeal of Rotary's values and mission."
Indeed, the fruits of their labor were evident as between 5 to 10 new member applications have already poured in, signaling a promising influx of fresh perspectives and energy into the Stow-Munroe Falls Rotary Club.
The organizers extend their heartfelt appreciation to all committee members, Rotarians, and staff of VFW Post #4738 whose unwavering support and dedication contributed to the event's triumph. Their collective efforts have not only bolstered the ranks of the club but have also reinforced its commitment to service and fellowship within the community.
As the Stow-Munroe Falls Rotary Club looks ahead, buoyed by the success of this Membership Drive Event, it remains steadfast in its mission to make a tangible difference in the lives of others, one member at a time. The group now turns its sights to the next major event, the annual golf outing!
With a spirit of optimism and purpose, the Stow-Munroe Falls Rotary Club marches forward, guided by its enduring motto, "Service Above Self."
Capping a week of sunshine and hope, Rotarians from Northeast Ohio gathered at the District 6630 Conference of Clubs to honor Toby Butt for 50 years of Service Above Self and perfect attendance!
Together, with his wife Chris, Toby's leadership and his many contributions to our local and global community were recognized at a special luncheon.
"Toby and Chris have been a living legacy, representing the call for Rotary to create hope in the world by working for peace and mental wellbeing," stated Kerry Gregoire, President of Medina Sunrise Rotary.
PHOTO (LtoR):
Dr. Michael Davanzo, Kerry Gregoire, Chris & Toby Butt, Dr. Shail Jain, Daniel Thiel, David Lariviere
The Rotary Club of Barberton was honored to receive the recognition and Congressional Proclamation by Ohio's 13th Congressional District Representative, Emilia Sykes.
We are Rotary Youth Exchange Students from northern Ohio Districts 6600 and 6630. Since August of last year, we have been involved with intensive language and cultural training courses as we prepare to study abroad for an exciting school year as Rotary Outbound Scholarship Students. We are honored to have been accepted as Rotary youth ambassadors and presented with our official scholarship blue blazers at the Rotary District Conference of Clubs:
OWEN BASS (Garfield HS), from Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary, will be going to INDIA. ABIGAIL SZYNDLER (Maumee HS), from Hillcrest Sunrise Rotary, will be going to CHILE. MEADOW MARUNA-PLICKERT (Grand Valley HS), from Jefferson Rotary, will be going to POLAND. ASMIT MEHTA (Oberlin HS), from Westlake-Bay Village Rotary, will be going to TAIWAN. LUKE SMILLIE (Bay Village HS), from Westlake-Bay Village Rotary, will be going to THAILAND. KAMDEN STOLLSTEIMER (Tinora HS), from Westlake-Bay Village, will be going to HUNGARY.
We were fortunate enough to attend many Rotary club’s weekly meetings and community service projects, and witness first hand the true purpose of this world-wide service organization, “Service Above Self.” Everyone with whom we have come in contact, in the preparation of this exchange, has been very helpful and truly made the process fun and intriguing. They have been supportive of the decision to study abroad and have done everything needed to make the idea come true. We are very grateful for all the support we have received from our parents, and everyone else who has made this dream a reality.
In case you didn’t have a chance to visit Philip Case’s table in the Hall of Friendship at the District Conference, I’m sharing a link to his fundraising page which also includes his story. https://give.loveyourbrain.com/philip
Last year he had a sledding accident that resulted in a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) along with a number of broken bones.
He is a very appreciative of the support he received during his recovery from the Love Your Brain organization and is riding his bike across the U.S. starting this month to raise $ for their foundation. He would also be appreciative of any Rotarians who could provide an overnight place to stay for him on any legs of his journey.
Below is a photo of Philip and his HOF display and one of his route (click on the photo to enlarge it).
Our 3rd annual Kids Free Fishing Tournament was a huge success. We had 110 kids outside fishing with their families enjoying nature.
We provided a hot dog lunch and gave away a kids kayak. We had a blast on a beautiful day at Beaumont Scout Reservation.
Thank you to all the Rotarians, BSA Troop 41 of Jefferson, OH for your help, the Ashtabula Fire fighters Association Safety House, FirstEnergy Corp. Green Team for stocking the pond and Bestbait.com for the worm donation!
On March 18, I had the honor of attending the Boy Scout Troop 99’s Court of Honor Awards ceremony held at Big Creek Park in Chardon. The ceremony is a bi-yearly program to honor scouts for their rank changes and the badges they have earned over the past six months. Approximately 20 scouts from Troop 99 in Newbury attended and took part in the ceremony that recognized a broad range of accomplishments of their efforts.
After the Scout and Scouter awards were presented, Dave Terrill and I from the Rotary Club of Burton-Middlefield presented a special Paul Harris Fellowship Award to Assistant Scout Master Bob Brooker. The Paul Harris award is given to Rotarians in recognition of their contribution of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation. Additionally Rotary Clubs will use the award to recognize Rotarian members for special humanitarian service to the community. Finally, the award may be presented to members of the community that have demonstrated extraordinary levels of service and giving to their community. Bob has demonstrated his service to Troop 99 over the years as well as by his service to the FBI.
Last fall, Bob gave a presentation to Burton Middlefield Rotary about experiences he and his fellow FBI field office members had during the 9-11 attacks in New York city. As part of the New York City FBI field office, Bob was located about two blocks from where the twin towers stood. As that day’s events began to unfold, Bob and other team members heard the planes crash into the towers and the first tower collapse. As they began to understand the severity of the strikes from news on TV, Bob and other team members began to make their way to the twin towers against a mass group of people that were fleeing the scene. As they approached the towers and could begin to see the destruction, they were forced to seek shelter as the second tower collapsed.
After regrouping with the rest of the FBI field office, Bob and fellow FBI agents began working with other first responders to assist people in need, getting people evacuated from the area, and making sure the area was secured.
Soon the FBI’s task turned from the immediate response of helping people at the scene of the two collapsed towers to the search for clues explaining happened and for the black boxes from the planes that struck the towers. Bob spent almost six months sifting through debris, interviewing witnesses at all hours of the day and night, and working to try to come up with anything that could help explain exactly what happened. Though they never did find the planes black boxes, Bob shared what he witnessed and how people in New York came together during the days, weeks, and months after the attacks and people would line the bridge into Manhattan holding signs and waving flags thanking the first responders as they would head back into the city each day to continue their mission on investigating this tragedy.
Burton Middlefield Rotary is very grateful for all the work that Bob and other first responders did during 911 as well as for our military men and women who stepped up and continue to step up to serve and protect our county. After hearing about Bob’s experience in New York as well as for his tireless work with Scout Troop 99. The Rotary Club of Burton-Middlefield felt Bob Brooker deserved a Paul Harris Fellowship Award as a true community hero. Burton Middlefield Rotary is truly grateful for his service.
Photo (l-r)BMR member, Bob Johnson, Paul Harris Fellowship Award recipient Assistant Scout Master Bob Brooker and BMR member Dave Terrill.
Delicious food from some of the city's finest restaurants will help the Rotary Club of Cuyahoga Falls do their good work. DG Julie Brandle was on hand to support the club and enjoyed visiting with Cuyahoga Falls Rotarian Mayor Don Walters, Club President Lisa Coates, club members Jill Kolesar, Sheila Hedrick, Shay Somerville-Shropshire, Rick Pollak, and so many others! Special shout-out to all of the Cuyahoga Falls Chamber Commerce members who were out to support.
On Wednesday, April 3, Hudson Clocktower Rotary President Bob Drew (left) inducted three new members into the club. We are pleased to welcome Tom Sheridan, Julie Erickson and Cathy Cook to our roster!
On Tuesday, 3/19/2024, the Rotary club of Burton-Middlefield (BMR) finished their 2023/2024 District matching grant project with the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office. The project consisted of the purchase of two new AED devices that are carried in sheriff’s cruisers and used by their first responders at the scenes of accidents or medical emergencies. The devices were similiar to the dozens of units that BMR purchased in 2005 with funds from their “Victorian Potting Shed” project that raised $60,000 at the time. AEDs were installed in all sheriff’s vehicles and other law enforcement cars at this time. Over the years some of these units have worn out and become inoperable so BMR revisited the situation and decided to purchase two new units through funds from a matching grant they received from the grants committee of Rotary District 6630. The District matches funds dollar for dollar with money earned by the various Rotary clubs. Criteria for receiving a grant is that Rotary members have to take an active part in the grant so Rotarians Brian Brockway and Kathy Vatty set up and worked one of the training sessions put on by sheriff’s office staff and deputies. Thanks also to Carole Cashion, another Rotarian, who wrote and submitted the grant for BMR.
The Rotary Club of Akron had an enjoyable time Tuesday evening recognizing 15 graduating seniors from the Akron Public Schools. Our keynote speaker was Dr. Michael Robinson, Jr. Superintendent of Akron Public Schools, and an Akron Rotary Club member.
Students being recognized were: Public Service Pathway – Nadia Lee, Fabian Mathis, and Peighton Valentine; Health and Human ServicesPathway – Aubrey Rock, Meliyse Sandidge, and Serena Xiong; Business, Marketing & Information Technology Pathway – Ke-Aira Ferguson, Rupesh Kami, Sanjil Magar, Ashley Tojil, and Al-Linaye Blake; and Manufacturing, Engineering & Skilled Trades Pathway – Justin Barnes, Isabella Baughman, Jacob Flossie, and Cameron Hinkle.
A big Thank You to the Akron Rotary Foundation for funding these scholarships each year, and to the family members and school personnel who have been so instrumental and encouraging the success of these amazing students.
During the month of March the Rotary Club of Akron collected Happy Dollars from their members to benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank Harvest for Hunger campaign.
With a matching donation from the club, President Tom Knauer and Vice President Katy Miller presented President and CEO Dan Flowers with a $700.00 donation today.
Another engaging week of community service for Medina Sunrise Rotarians began at the Windfall School in Medina with a lively basketball game of young athletes representing Empower Sports.
"Empower Sports is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization committed to providing sports and exercise programs for children and adults with physical and cognitive challenges," said founder and Executive Director Tom Heines.
Our vision is that all athletes with special needs would have access to meaningful sports and exercise programs that foster inclusion, diversity, tolerance and friendships between those with disabilities and their typically-functioning peers. Founded in 2011, Empower Sports hosts year-round programming which serves more than 300 families in Northeast Ohio. We are grateful for the generous support and participation form Medina Sunrise Rotary which partners with us to have a positive impact in the community, helping children in need, and making a difference.
"When you empower someone, you turn a disability into an ability. You transform doubt into confidence. You allow the impossible to become possible."
Yours in Rotary Service -
David Paul Lariviere, COI District 6630 RYE Outbound Scholarship Chair 2022-2023 OHIO-ERIE ROTARY MULTI DISTRICT YOUTH EXCHANGE District 6630 PI Co-Chair 2022-2023 mobile 330.421.2225
DG Julie Brandle was on hand with the camp team and Rotary Club of Akron, OH members tonight to celebrate the unveiling of Smashing Century Ale, the beer celebrating 100 years of Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs. Congratulations on 100 years! Thank you Hoppin' Frog for helping fundraise for camp in this generous way.
Kent Morgan, Scholarship Chair of Medina Sunrise Rotary welcomed the 2024 High School Graduating Class recipients of the "Service Above Self" and "Walter Kanieski Vocational" Memorial Rotary Scholarships.
Following an inspirational address by Rotarian Don Spicker, which highlighted his personal reflections of Rotary's positive influence in his career and the continuing legacy of "Excellence, Service and Leadership," Kent Morgan presented a $2,000 scholarship to each of the college-bound students:
Vocational Scholarship - Case Hummel (Highland)
Madelyn Kost (Buckeye)
Edwin Ortiz (Buckeye)
Emma Bazemore (Cloverleaf)
Avery Kott (Cloverleaf)
Kelly (Highland)
Braden Schuck (Highland)
Madelyn Emrickan (Medina)
Cameron Rogazzo (Medina)
And in closing, Club President Kerry Gregoire congratulated the scholarship award winners and their families, expressing every confidence in their future success and said, "We are thankful for the generous contributions from our community to Medina Sunrise Rotary Club which made these scholarships possible and for the 1.4 million Rotarians worldwide who show continued faith in youth, that today’s scholars will become tomorrow's community and world leaders."
Rotary Districts 6630, 6650 and 6600 Fundraiser with the Cleveland Guardians, 2 August 2024
Dr. Albert J. Tien, Chagrin Valley Rotary Club, District 6630 Polio Plus Chair
Did you know that 12.5 million children are totally unvaccinated? The wild strain of polio WPV1 still exists in Afghanistan and Pakistan? Outbreaks of the weakened strain of polio cVDPV1 and cVDVP2 are presently occurring in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and in northwestern Nigeria? Cross border spread has re-infected countries such as Angola, Liberia, Senegal and Sierra Leone? A new strain of cVDPV2 has emerged from the OPV2 vaccine in South Sudan although that vaccine had never been used in this country?
The reservoirs of the wild strain and the spread of the weakened virus are due in part to “Zero Dose Children”. These are children which have never been vaccinated against any communicable diseases. The causes include living in conflict zones, remote villages and dense low-income urban areas.
Since 1979, Rotary members have advocated for government support, volunteered, helped build a global network of clinics and health professionals to store, distribute and vaccinate zero dose children and at risk individuals. Together with our partners, over 3 billion children have been vaccinated against polio in 122 Countries and geographic regions. Rotary members have contributed more than US $2.6 Billion to polio eradication efforts worldwide.
In the USA, the last wild strain was eliminated in 1979; however, in 2022, an unvaccinated man in Rockland county, New York was infected by a weaken strain. The Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization (March 2024) agree that “antivaxxers” and “Zero Dose Children” pose a continued risk of international spread of polio virus and still remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
So how can enjoying America’s favorite pass time help eliminate polio and other preventable communicable diseases? First, just by purchasing tickets to the August 2nd Cleveland Guardians vs. Baltimore Orioles
Game. Tickets can be purchase from the District website. Tickets must be obtained by July 10th. Second, purchase raffle tickets. Grand Prize: First pitch at a future Guardians Game; Second Prize: 2 field box tickets for a future game; Third Prize: Autographed Baseball. Third, bid on silent auction baskets. Individuals, local clubs, clusters are encouraged to donate baskets. All proceeds from the raffle tickets and the silent auction as well as a portion of the ticket price will be donated to Rotary International End Polio Now Campaign for our winning homerun against Polio!!
For details, contact Stew Buchanan: (330) 607-1442 e-mail: stewb1898@aol.com
Clubs have been adding speakers but we want more!! Has your Club had a speaker that they would recommend to speak at other Clubs? If so, follow the directions here and we will add them!
Only Rotary Clubs and their members may submit speaker names. We ask that the speaker has been vetted/heard prior to being recommended.
This page is designed to help clubs find and share speaker information.
This is only effective with your input. The page will include speaker names and contact information submitted from Clubs.
To submit a speaker name: On the page is a short form you can complete with the speaker name and information.
After you submit that form we will post the information.
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Did you know that 12.5 million children are totally unvaccinated? The wild strain of polio WPV1 still exists in Afghanistan and Pakistan? Outbreaks of the weakened strain of polio cVDPV1 and cVDVP2 are presently occurring in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and in northwestern Nigeria? Cross border spread has re-infected countries such as Angola, Liberia, Senegal and Sierra Leone? A new strain of cVDPV2 has emerged from the OPV2 vaccine in South Sudan although that vaccine had never been used in this country?
conflict zones, remote villages and dense low-income urban areas. 
So how can enjoying America’s favorite pass time help eliminate polio and other preventable communicable diseases? First, just by purchasing tickets to the August 2nd Cleveland Guardians vs. Baltimore Orioles
