It is difficult to comprehend how fast the past 28 months have gone since I became District Governor Nominee Designate, and we now find ourselves in a new Rotary year. As we move from “Be The Inspiration” to “Rotary Connects The World,” we find ourselves in an exciting time.
Both of these themes were selected after considerable thought. While each was arrived at independently, they coordinate well and help us to continue moving the District forward as seamlessly as possible from one year to the next and from one District Governor to the next. Rotary as an institution is clearly inspiring, and much of that inspiration comes from the actions of our individual clubs and their respective activities. It is my hope and goal to use that inspiration as a motivating foundation to move forward to connect the world.
We have all seen the manifestation of both being the inspiration and Rotary connecting the world in the many projects that our clubs undertake. While our Shoe Box campaign begins locally, it connects us with children halfway around the world. It was only a few years ago that the Barberton Club initiated its long-running micro-lending project in Togo. More recently, the Kent Club has been continuing its good work with water projects in Latin America.
Our attempts to inspire and connect also involve local projects. Many clubs such as Strongsville and Green actively work with their local food banks. Others, such as Akron, work extensively with children with special needs. All of these actions speak loudly to both inspire and connect. This inspiration and connection works not only between our Rotarians, but also with our friends and neighbors locally and worldwide.
I was recently privileged to attend the first Grants Committee meeting of the new Rotary year. Exciting prospective grant-based projects continue to work their way through that committee and we should all extend our thanks to both the committee members and clubs for their exciting ideas and the hard work necessary to make them a reality.
The existence of both inspiration and desire to connect the world has been apparent in the multiple clubs I have visited as they install new officers and directors. The enthusiasm, energy, and planning have all been impressive.
As we move forward in 2019-2020 Rotary year, I both encourage you and stand ready to assist you as we build upon the superb accomplishments of Past District Governor Beverly and our entire team. As you know, we are moving forward from a successful District Conference, an energetic year in building membership and a remarkably successful year in advancing our many youth-oriented activities, including Rotaract, Interact, the Four-Way Test Speech Contest, and Youth Exchange programs. We have every right to be confident that we can build upon these successes and add new areas of endeavor.
I look forward to visiting all of the clubs in the coming weeks. In the interim, we will continue to move forward with planning for our second regionalized Membership Summit by joining together with our neighboring districts. We are also excited to explore opportunities to work in our new Rotary Zones 30-31, as DGE Pat Myers and DGN Larry Lohman recently did at the Leadership Seminar in Columbus on July 12-13.
Special thanks to all of those who came to the Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs in Rex Lake to celebrate the Awards and Banner Exchange on Saturday, July 20, 2019. While it is impossible to thank everyone individually, special thanks to Rotary International Director Stephanie Urchick for coming to the event and adding a very special contribution. Special thanks are also due to Julie Brandle, Dan Reynolds, Mella Castner, and Amanda Warner for all of their work in planning and implementing the event. Finally, special thanks to Past District Governor Beverly Ghent-Skrzynski and her designated driver for providing the official District Governor’s Survival Kit for the 2019/2020 Rotary Year! Click to view all Banner Exchange Photos
In closing, my best wishes for an exciting and successful year to come. I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you.
Sincerely,
John Reyes Rotary District 6630 Governor 2019-2020 Tel: 330.258.6469 Email: jreyes@bdblaw.com
Congratulations to All of
Our New Club and District Leaders
If your Club subscribes to ClubRunner create an event within ClubRunner and mark the event to be shown on the District. It will then appear in this area for the Bulletin and on the District home page.
Both District Governor John Reyes and I, for our 2018-2019 Awards Ceremony and 2019-2020 Banner Exchange and Induction Ceremony, were extremely honored to have Rotary International Director Stephanie Urchick in attendance to participate in our celebration “of the past” and “kick-off to the new Rotary year.” Thank you, Director Stephanie!
This past year many members of our Family of Rotary have provided invaluable service to each one of us, and our district, in so many different capacities. They are, first and foremost, our club members and the Presidents of Action followed by our committees, our board, officers and district leaders – all supported by our family members. The participation by our club presidents in the A.Z. Baker Award recognition was outstanding and they are to be congratulated! Below is a list of just a few of those we formally recognized on July 20, 2019.
There are hundreds of people who have “been the inspiration” in 2018-2019 and we all owe them a debt of gratitude – now it is up to each of us to support our 2019-2020 leaders going forward.
A.Z. Baker Award(the following Club Presidents have achieved enough points to receive this recognition)
Rotary Club of Akron, John Margida
Rotary Club of Ashtabula, Lou-Ann Wilkinson, Mary Lou Howe, Bruce M. Schlosser, Steve Schonneman
Rotary Club of Aurora, Peter DeSouza
Rotary Club of Berea, Robert Huge
*Rotary Club of Brunswick, James Collins
*Rotary Club of Burton-Middlefield, Kathy Vatty
Rotary Club of Chagrin Valley, Mathew Gillen
Rotary Club of Chardon, Scott Hildenbrand
Rotary Club of Chesterland, Bob Piecenski
*Rotary Club of Cleveland, Bryan Schauer
Rotary Club of Conneaut, Daniel Pritchard
Rotary Club of Cuyahoga Falls, Kevin Rosswurm
*Rotary Club of Fairlawn, Cameron Guild
Rotary Club of Heights of Greater Cleveland, John Sobotincic
Rotary Club of Hillcrest Sunrise, Dana DeCapite
Rotary Club of Hudson, Evan McCauley
Rotary Club of Hudson Clocktower, Angus McArn, Kathleen Cybulski
*Rotary Club of Kent, Larry Lohman
*Rotary Club of Lakewood-Rocky River, Doug Cooper
*Rotary Club of Lakewood-Rocky River Sunrise, James Rowe
Rotary Club of Mantua, Kendra Becker
Rotary Club of Medina Sunrise, Shail Jain
*Rotary Club of Nordonia Hills, Diana Colvecchio
Rotary Club of Northampton-Cuyahoga Valley, Dean Timmons
Rotary Club of North Ridgeville, Joseph Martin
Rotary Club of Solon, Chris Janson
*Rotary Club of Stow-Munroe Falls, Annie Hanson
Rotary Club of Wadsworth, Tim Manion
*TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL AWARDS- a RotaryLeadership Award going to a Club who has demonstrated a commitment to the ideals and spirit of Rotary this past year through attendance at and support of district educational programs and activities. The following are the individual Rotarians who also qualified for this award.
Individual Rotary Leadership Awards
James Collins, Brunswick
PDG Robert Johnson, Burton-Middlefield
Paul B. Qua, Cleveland
Larry Lohman, Kent
Kathryn Berkshire, Lakewood-Rocky River Sunrise
Stephen L. Zabor, Mantua
Robert Oborn, Stow-Munroe Falls
Literacy Award
Rotary Club of Burton-Middlefield
District Governor “Rotary Unsung Heroes” - Assistant Governors
Paul Qua – Cuyahoga County Northeast
Adam Sonnhalter –Cuyahoga County Northwest – Lorain County
Bruce DeBerry – Cuyahoga County Southeast-Summit
Linda Kramer – Cuyahoga County Southwest
Bob Voss – Geauga County
Bob Fratino – Lake County
Kevin Wermer – Medina County
Karen Bordonaro – Portage County
Bob Oborn – Summit County North
Tom Craig –Summit County South
Awards of Excellence
Rotary Club of Aurora, 4-Way Test Speech Contest
Rotary Club of Westlake-Bay Village, Shoebox Project for Nicaragua
Outstanding Leadership & Service Award(presented for years of leadership in a given area of responsibility)
Notes from the District 6630 Leadership, Education, and Development (LEAD) Committee.
Congratulations to all of the new (and returning leaders) in District 6630 for the 2019-2020 Rotary Year and a strong thank you to all of the leaders who completed their position at the end of the 2018-2019 Rotary Year!
The District LEAD Committee looks forward to assisting current leaders and future leaders to be successful as they guide their clubs and take on roles beyond their club. Please take advantage of online courses from the learning center on everything from positional roles to membership and many more! You can access the Learning Center through the Rotary International Website. You must have a Rotary.org log in to access this material. https://learn.rotary.org/members/learn/catalog
In addition to the Learning Center, please save the date for the following District 6630 Initiatives:
(Tentative) Saturday, October 26 Tri-District Membership Seminar (Club Leaders)
Saturday, November 23 P.E.T.S. 1 (Club Presidents-Elect)
(TBA) P.E.T.S 2 Webinar (Club Presidents-Elect)
Friday, March 13 - Saturday, March 14 All Ohio P.E.T.S. (Club Presidents-Elect)
Saturday, April 25 District Leadership Assembly
If you served as a club president for the last three Rotary Years, you should have received a survey on Monday, July 15. We ask that you complete this survey by July 31, as this will help the LEAD Committee in preparing future leaders.
If there are any additional ways the LEAD Committee can be of help, please reach out (jayhawkrk@gmail.com).
The Annual Charity Cornhole Tournament, presented by Buckeye Corrugated, Inc. will be held on July 27th. This year marks the 10th anniversary for the Tourney and what better way to celebrate it than to hold it on the grounds of Akron Rotary Camp with the Menches Bros. Food Truck and beverages from our friends at the House of LaRose to help you cool off. Please invite your neighbors and family too for some friendly rivalry, and help us make this the most successful tournament yet!
Some more exciting news is our raffle for this year, open to anyone, and you don’t have to be present to win. Click this link http://bit.ly/dreamcarday to purchase your tickets for your chance at winning a one-day rental of a Ferrari or Lamborghini from Dream Car Adventures.
Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $25. You can designate whether you want your raffle ticket to go to the Lamborghini or the Ferrari (you can mix & match when you buy the 3 for $25 packages).
See you on the 27th!
Scott Kolligian Co-Founder, Charity Cornhole Tournament
Rotary Club of Solon Helps with the Perkins Beach Clean-uo – by Irina P’Simer
On July 13, the Rotary Club of Solon partnered with Drink Local Drink Tap (DLDT) and Kids2Kids at Perkins Beach in Cleveland, in support of local efforts to get and keep Lake Erie clean.
It was a great experience all around. As always, it was great to see our community come together and put Service above Self! With over 50 participants, we outnumbered every other team at the beach cleanup. What was even more awesome was that the kids outnumbered the adults!
While many of our efforts focus on hunger and poverty, clean water has also become a key focus area for our club. Last year was our first major clean water effort, as we completed a well project to deliver water to a remote village in El Salvador. Residents would walk many miles and spend many hours each day carrying water back to their village. We didn’t just bring water to them; we changed their lives. In return, working on this project and getting to know the villagers was a life changing experience for our club members as well. (Photo to right includes Rotarians Irina P'Simer, Tom P'Simer, Chris Janson, Donna Thomas, Bud Thomas)
As we considered our next international project, we were fortunate to be introduced to Erin Huber from DLDT. When she showed us the unimaginable conditions in Uganda, we knew that we needed to get involved. Also, as DLDT supports clean water conditions everywhere, they coordinated they beach cleanup along the shores of Lake Erie, and we jumped at the opportunity to make a difference right here in our back yard.
During the cleanup, we were reminded about the staggering amount of plastics we use; we talked about the almost unbelievable amount of time those plastics take to decompose; and we listened to the kids brainstorm ways to make a change. The younger generation came prepared with reusable water bottles and reusable straws. Although Perkins beach was in pretty good shape from cleanup efforts during the previous month, we still managed to pick up more than 100 pounds of trash! Imagine the huge impact if such a small effort was undertaken at 100 beaches around the world! It was a perfect morning with friends, in the sun – “saving the turtles,” as the kids said. While it didn’t seem like much of an effort at all, we kept 100 pounds of trash out of our lake, made fond memories, and inspired our next generation!
“This was the best week of my summer and possibly my life,” RYLA camper Mikala Minerd told Berea Rotarians on Tuesday, July 9. “It was life-changing. I quickly learned what it means to be a good leader.”
Mikala, a senior at Berea-Midpark High School, and John Munoz, a senior at Olmsted Falls High School, were sponsored by Berea Rotary at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp on the campus of Baldwin Wallace University in June.
Mikala said she learned that “leaders know when to step up and when to step back.” She said she also learned that other people may live different lives. “Some could be targets for harassment, for example. Leaders cannot forget about those who are struggling,” she said.
“It only takes small things to make a difference – a smile, a hug. I learned I can make a difference. It inspired me.”
John described RYLA as “an experience like no other.” He said it was the first camp he’d ever been to where he didn’t know anyone. But he connected almost immediately. One fellow camper and he still talk almost daily.
He said he was impressed by the diversity of campers. “We were different but we were like a family,” he said.
John was impressed by the team concept. “It taught me patience,” he said. “I learned I don’t have to know everything and neither does anyone else. It really does take a village to get things done.”
“I learned that you don’t need to be perfect. Let things go.”
Mikala is a member of National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society and Model UN. She plans to become a teacher.
John is interested in joining the military. At school he is on the swim team and is active with Drama Club.
Both students were invited to stay in touch and to visit Berea Rotary in the future.
Rotarians help dedicate Student Veterans Center
The Berea Rotary Foundation donated $5,000 to furnish Baldwin Wallace University’s new Student Veterans Center and on July 5, we were invited to the official dedication.
The center is housed in a totally rehabbed former vacant home on E. Grand St., behind Strosacker Hall. The project was an All-Star Legacy initiative by Major League Baseball and the Cleveland Indians as part of All-Star Weekend. The All-Star Game was played in Cleveland on July 9.
Berea Rotarians tour the new BW Student Veterans Center. From the left, Judy Stull, Bob Hammer, Bob Huge, Jim Slater and Linda Kramer. Judy is pointing to the Rotary logo on the sponsors wall.
The house features quiet areas for study, a full kitchen, a patio out back and small garden. The house is handicapped accessible. It is meant to be a place for veterans to meet and talk with fellow vets and to help with that often difficult transition from military to civilian life. BW has about 100 student veterans.
Cutting the ribbon officially opening the Student Vet Center is Navy veteran Brittany Davis,
president of the BW Student Veterans Association.
Michele Blazina of Court Appointed Special Advocates.
Volunteers stand up for abused kids
Almost 3,000 children in Cuyahoga County are in custody – either in foster care or other facilities because of violence or neglect at home. Another 751 are at home but under protective supervison.
Social worker Michele Blazina and volunteer Kevin O’Boyle told Berea Rotarians about the CASA program to help these children and their families. CASA (court appointed special advocates) are volunteers who advocate for kids as they and their families deal with the court system. CASA is one part of Child and Family Advocates of Cuyahoga County. CASA plus guardians ad litem (GAL) look after the best interests of children in crisis. Guardians ad litem are attorneys appointed by the court. Their main concern is a child’s legal status. They meet with the child and perhaps the family once or twice. Social workers handle dozens of cases and are often switched among clients every few months. A CASA volunteer fills a much-needed gap among the GALs, social workers and the court. CASA volunteers get to know the child, their circumstances and their needs, spending perhaps 10-12 hours a month at first with home visits, court hearings, and reports to the judge. CASA volunteers are “everyday folks,” Blazina said. They are teachers, truck drivers, businessmen and women or like O’Boyle, retired UPS drivers. Volunteers are trained and supervised while they handle one or two cases at a time.
Blazina said CASA is a nation-wide program founded in 1977. It didn’t come to Cleveland until 2016 with major help from O’Boyle. O’Boyle said he first trained as a volunteer in Chicago. When he moved to Ohio, he was surprised this area didn’t have a CASA program. Instead, he volunteered with the Akron CASA, which was started 40 years ago. The long drive prompted him to push for a Cuyahoga County chapter.
CASA is actually a 501c3 non-profit. There are only five states in the U.S. that don’t fund CASA. Ohio is one of them. Fortunately, O’Boyle said, Gov. Mike DeWine is pushing to change that.
Last year, 270,000 children were seen by 94,000 CASA volunteers through 1,000 CASA programs nationwide. In Cuyahoga County, 81 volunteers worked with 441 children.
“We need more volunteers, especially men and people of color,” Blazina said. “We are relatively new so we are trying to get the word out.”
O’Boyle has been a volunteer for nine years. “At the end of the day, I asked myself have I made a difference,” O’Boyle said. “This is the most satisfying thing I’ve done in my life outside of raising five kids.”
Thank you to all who turned out for a spectacular night of fundraising for the End Polio Now campaign at Progressive Field ... we raised some much needed funds while watching a wonderful baseball game and had tremendous fun socializing with everyone. Also thanks to everyone who donated items for the auction and sponsored the event!
"Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For 25 years, Medina Sunrise Rotary's people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects," stated President Shail Jain. From literacy and peace to water, food security and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to making a difference in the lives of children in our community and beyond through our time, talents, and treasures.
PHOTO Top (L-R): Rob Starcher, Dale Huefner, Will Koran, Brendan Rose, Mike Davanzo, Shail Jain, Frank Festi, Becky Shotwell, Dennis Powers, Than Jain, John Verdile, Rich Pace, Daryl Kubilus, Roger Hassler, Reid Miller, Mike Morse, Kevin Wermer, Ed Jakubick, David Vogelgesang, David Loeper
Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs, Inc., is excited to have Rotary Club of Aurora’s support of our Portage Trailblazers summer camp. Celebrating its 10th summer season, the camp is located at the Happy Day School campus in Ravenna. This summer over 300 children with special needs will be served from Portage County. Every day campers experience traditional camping activities – arts and crafts, nature, sports and leisure, and swimming. Rotary Camp provides opportunities for campers to learn and grow in a safe environment, a place where they develop friendships, learn and sing camp songs, create memories that will last a lifetime and so much more.
Prior to camp starting, Aurora Rotarians lended a hand to move-in equipment and program supplies, unpacked and organized everything, moved tables and chairs in preparation for the first day of camp. On July 12th, Rotarians were back at it volunteering during Carnival Day assisting campers in enjoying a variety of carnival games, face painting and even snow cones.
We are grateful to the Rotary Club of Aurora for your Service Above Self partnership in providing your time, talent and treasure to help enhance our Trailblazers camp for not only our campers but their families and our camp staff. Your support is helping us to continue creating a world where there are only abilities!
In the spirit of camping,
Dan Reynolds
Director of Endless Possibilities, Akron Rotary Camp
As we Begin the new Rotary year of 2019-20, Below are just some of the experiences that Shelter Box shares with Rotarians and future Rotarian's of the world. The only project partner of the Rotary Foundation continues to serve those in need who have lost their homes and jobs to various disasters. With the support of Rotarian's, Rotary Clubs and Friends of Rotary Shelter Box has given hope to those who need our support. All of those who have supported Shelter Box, we thank you. For more information as to how you can help, please contact PDG and Past Board of Director of Shelter Box USA, Jack Young at jack1villa@aol.com.
Shelter Box at All Ohio PETS in Columbus, Ohio.
Shelter Box at District 6670 Conference in Columbus, Ohio with late Mr. Hemlich, founder of the Life Saving Hemlich maneuver.
Shelter Box at March 2019 All Ohio PETS in Columbus with Rotary International President Elect Mark Maloney with PDG Jack Young, Past Shelter Box USA Board of Director member.
Together with our partners, Rotarians promote peace, prevent and cure disease, provide clean water and sanitation, improve the health of mothers and children, support basic education and literacy, and provide economic and community development.
The World Peace Conference 2020 will give each of us, Rotarians and non-Rotarians from all sectors of society, an opportunity to come together, learn from experts, become inspired and leave with immediate action plans to implement within our communities. Together, we can make the changes needed to create world peace!
OUR MISSION
The mission of the World Peace Conference 2020 is to bring together experts with solutions to major issues that are occurring in our personal lives, homes, schools, businesses, and communities, not just in Southern California, but, also, around the world. We are inviting leaders from health care, academia, government, public safety, religions, business, and communities to meet together to share the solutions presented by experts. The format will allow for action plans to be developed such that real and measurable actions can be undertaken when attendees return home. In addition, the conference will showcase learnings and positive change that have occurred in the four years, since the Rotary World Peace Conference 2016.
Inspired by his theme, Rotary Connects the World, 2019-20 Rotary International President Mark Daniel Maloney is convening five presidential conferences at key United Nations offices around the world. Join Rotary leaders, International officials, friends, and guests as we celebrate our longstanding relationship with the UN and commemorate the organization’s 75th anniversary.
Do you know about the Rotary Global Rewards Cash Back Mall? You can shop at thousands of stores and choose to earn cash back for yourself or give the cash to Rotary and help your club meet its Foundation giving goals. There are no fees to your club or to you.
Prime day starts on 15 July, and when you shop at Amazon, Rotary recevies up to 5% of your purchase price. Bookmark this special Amazon link —on.rotary.org/amazon — and use it each time you shop.
Enjoy exclusive discounts of up to 20% on tickets to theme parks, top attractions, shows, tours, sporting events, movies, and much more! In addition to these deep discounts, up to 3% of your purchase goes back to Rotary.
