I hope all of you enjoy the coming holidays with friends and family! The holiday season is a great chance to recharge our energy and spirits with the love of our friends and family. Then we meet the new year with our batteries fully charged. All I want for Christmas is a bigger family of Rotary!
It is imperative that we put in place the lessons learned at the Club Experience Summit to grow our great organization. If we want to see our vision - a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves - we need to grow Rotary! The Club Experience Summit was a wonderful sharing of very successful best practices of clubs and members in our district. Now is the time to build and implement a membership growth plan based on the ideas generated from the summit to grow your club and the Family of Rotary. Every club is unique; the Summit provided a range of proven growth practices. Pick those that best suit your club and community. Grow Rotary!
It is hard to believe that we are approaching the halfway point in the Rotary year. As you begin planning 2025, save the following dates. On February 8, February 19, and March 8 we will have our Grant Management Seminars. If your club wants to take part in a matching district grant (up to $2500!) or a global grant in the 25-26 Rotary year, at least two people from your club must attend one of these sessions. The project manager for your potential project must be one of these attendees, and it is expected that your 25-26 and 26-27 club presidents attend a session. Our District 4 Way Test Speech Contest will be on April 12 so please plan your club's 4 Way Test Speech Contest accordingly. I look forward to hearing these speeches each year, and I recommend coming to hear the best of the best! The quality of these is great, and the students very often challenge our own thoughts. Often these "challenging" speeches have the most emotional impact. Lastly - mark April 25 and 26 on your calendars for our District Conference of Clubs and the District Learning Assembly. We are working on some great speakers and will have a social with heavy appetizers on Friday instead of a dinner so that we can enjoy the Family of Rotary without a formal program. Traditional highlights that will not change are the Celebration of Life on Friday morning and our Celebration of Youth at our Saturday Lunch. We are also working on District Learning Assembly sessions in the spirit of the October Summit. This District Conference of Clubs is for all Rotarians, not just club and district leaders. All who attend will come away excited about Rotary. Join us there!
Dale Smith District Governor 2024/2025 Rotary International District 6630 Past-President Rotary Club of Mentor The Magic of Rotary
The Rotary Clubs of Barberton, Tallmadge and Wadsworth welcome all clubs in District 6630 to join them for a special breakfast meeting on January 2nd, 7:30 am at Soprema Senior Center & Café in Wadsworth.
Tallmadge native Thom Weiss, and his wife Brenda, both 20-year Rotarians, will share the path (and adventure) that lead them to become United States Peace Corps Volunteers in Kaçanik, Kosovo.
For those attending in person, a hot breakfast buffet and coffee will be served for $10 (accepted in cash or check at the event).
Thom was born and raised in Tallmadge, Ohio. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Miami University of Ohio where he also met his wife, Brenda. After several moves across the country, Thom and Brenda landed in Madison, Wisconsin where they raised their two children, Kim and Matthew.
After hosting their first Rotary exchange student in 2003, Thom and Brenda joined Rotary. Since then, they have hosted twelve Rotary exchange students. Thom is currently a member of the Madison Area Breakfast Rotary Club where he is a past president and past youth exchange officer. From 2014 – 2022, Thom directed the work of the Wisconsin chapter of Rotary Books for the World. This non-profit organization collected used school and library books from around Wisconsin and shipped them through a Rotary network to developing countries where the books could get a second chance.
Brenda received a degree in Political Science and Public Administration from Miami University and a teaching certification in Business and Technology from Ashland University, Ashland, Ohio. She has a master's in Instructional Technology from Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin. Brenda has taught business and computer technology at all grade levels including adults. She spent the last 19 years of her teaching career working both at the middle and high school for the Middleton Cross Plains Area School District in Middleton, Wisconsin. Brenda has been active with Rotary Youth Exchange at the club and district levels. She served as the Rotary Youth Exchange trainer for District 6250 in south central Wisconsin and was the Youth Protection Officer for the Madison After Hours Rotary Club.
Currently, Thom and Brenda are serving as United States Peace Corps Volunteers in Kaçanik, Kosovo. He is supporting an environmental NGO as a community and economic development volunteer. She is co-teaching English in a professional high school in Kaçanik as a TEFL volunteer.
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.
Crossing two continents and traveling over 5,000 miles from his home in Brazil to enroll as a full time student at Aurora High School, Henrique Rossi Soares smiled and said, "The best part about being a Rotary Youth Exchange Student is not just the goals we wish to achieve but the journey we take to get there together."
Henrique was one of a dozen adventuresome Northeast Ohio students attending Rotary Youth Exchange Inbound/Outbound overnight training and outbound interviews at the Akron Rotary Camp this past weekend hosted by Rotary counselors, parents, youth exchange officers and RYE chairpersons from Districts 6600 and 6630. This continuing education was also a fun and welcome workshop for students and all those involved in the Rotary Youth Exchange program as a lead up to the holiday season.
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.
What a great day with our young servant leaders at Interaction 2024 at Woodridge HS!
It is so inspiring seeing Interactors in action. The project they selected is care packages for chemotherapy patients at The Cleveland Clinic. What a great group of young leaders - the future is very bright!
Shopping for our HALO Christmas family children is a beloved project of Ashtabula Rotary members.
Thanks to the Ashtabula community for supporting our fundraisers throughout the year. Special thanks to Ashtabula Walmart and Brennan for your generosity.
On Sat. night, 11/16, 11 Rotarians enjoyed and helped out at the NPower Services "Night of Gratitude" fundraiser at EOUV Hall in Russell Twp. NPower produces several programs in our local communities, among them: Geauga Joggers & Walkers that provides walking and running opportunities to adults of all abilities; RockAbility, a music platform for musicians with disabilities that practice weekly and provide entertainment at various community centers and social events; FolkAbility, which is similiar to RockAbiliy but perform in smaller groups; Project Kindness, provides self-care and service opportunities for adults who want to contribute to making a kinder world; Athletic Programming including "Power Ups" at the arena at Wembley in Bainbridge that teaches fundamental skills and challenging work outs geared to working towards a more active life style.
NPower Services was founded by Lori Weber a musician and mother who lives in Bainbridge. Her endless energy and dedicated staff have built their program with the goal of providing opportunities for people of all levels of abilities to build themselves a better life. Lori and her staff have reached out to encourage others to establish RockAbility-like groups in other communities, using their great success as motivation.
The evening consisted of great music and dancing and several fund raising activities. Among them were a silent auction, a live auction that was super lively with their great auctioneer keeping the crowd laughing and bidding and bidding and bidding! Their were also very impressive raffle baskets that could be bid on. These received lively support all night. The energy and commitment of the crowd was palpable and contagious and the high level of financial support was appreciated by all.
NPower is one of the non-profits supported by funds raised from The Rotary Club of Burton-Middlefield's (BMR) Maple Splash Raffle. Over 30 such non-profits receive support from BMR as this highly motivated group of Rotarians strives to make our community and many places around the world a better place to live. Come join us! We are always looking for members who share our love of community and doing good in the world.
Bob Johnson Secretary, The Rotary Club of Burton-Middlefield
The Rotary Club of Berea and the Rotaract Club of Baldwin Wallace University passed out 40 gallons of hot chocolate and hundreds of chocolate chip and sugar cookies at Berea's annual Jack Frost Festival on Dec. 7. The hot chocolate was donated by BW. Rotarians on hand included PDGs David Skrzynski and Beverly Ghent-Skrzynski, Past Club President Linda Kramer and Marc West, Rotaract adviser.
Father Dean of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church asked for our help with a very important service project that took place November 26th.
On this night, the Food Pantry and Hot Meal programs were combined.
Akron Rotarians showed up in force to volunteer between 4pm-7pm -- THANK YOU.
The food pantry included a variety of produce, canned goods, boxed goods, paper products and much more! There was also a clothing area.
Guests were offered a hot meal and in addition they could get a take-home hot meal that included turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, and side dishes to serve a family of four.
Our volunteers helped in all areas: the food pantry line, serving hot meals, bussing/cleaning tables, monitoring the dessert tables and clothing areas and assisting those who needed help to take packages to their cars.
The need in our community was evident - people were there 2 hours prior to the doors opening and the line was continuous through the 5pm-7pm time frame.
It is estimated that they will feed between 1200-1600 people through their program in December.
Following the project, a little pizza and libations were enjoyed by those who could attend.
November 23, 2024 members from Burton-Middlefield Rotary and Berkshire High School Interact club gathered at Peace Lutheran Church to package 17 Thanksgiving meals that were distributed throughout Geauga County. The meals included Thanksgiving staples such as turkey, stuffing, and various side dishes. Burton-Middlefield Rotarians Jeff, Bob, Brian & Mike delivered the meals to local families facing food insecurity.
“This partnership embodies the essence of service above self,” said Rotary Club member Mike Valentino. “We are excited to work alongside the young leaders of the Interact Club, who bring enthusiasm and creativity to our community efforts. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those who are in need.”
This was the first project from the newly formed Interact club and Burton-Middlefield Rotary club. The next Interact project for December is the adoption a family for Christmas from Geauga Job & Family Services.
Upper left photo:Interact members Frankie, Ryan, Rotary member Mike, Interact members Mario & Noah
Rotary, Kiwanis, the Military and Many Others Volunteer with Feeding Medina County to Reduce Food Insecurity Among Children
Janet Newcomer, Executive Director of Feeding Medina County, stated," Feeding Medina County is grateful to Rotarians, Kiwanis, the US Military, Veterans and many other organizations and companies that made today possible and successful."
Thanks to the generous support of this community, we were able to provide the ingredients for a complete Thanksgiving dinner, including a turkey, for over 1000 individuals. It was a frosty November morning but our hearts were warmed by the gratitude of the people we were able to help.
Happy Thanksgiving!
PHOTO: Feeding Medina County & Thanksgiving Volunteers
"When we talk about The Rotary Foundation and POLIO PLUS, we know we are eradicating polio world-wide, but do we realize how many added benefits the program brings?" asked Albert Tien, Rotary District #6630 Polio Plus Chair. The “plus” is something else that is provided as a part of the polio eradication campaign. It might be a hand-operated tricycle or access to water. It might be additional medical treatment, bed nets, or soap. A 2010 study estimates that vitamin A drops given to children at the same time as the polio vaccine have prevented 1.25 million deaths by decreasing susceptibility to infectious diseases.
Did you know that the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), of which Rotary is a spearheading partner, funds 91 percent of all immunization staff in the World Health Organization? And the partnership between Rotary and the Gates Foundation has yielded $2 billion, in addition to the countless volunteer hours Rotarians give to fight polio since Rotary started its PolioPlus program in 1985.
This is an important notice that the 2024-2025 District 6630 Nominating Committee is currently seeking candidates for 2027-2028 District 6630 Governor and we need your assistance in reaching out to those qualified Rotarians in your clubs and encourage them to consider submitting their application for consideration! Please remember that ALL applications must be received no later than January 30, 2025. Please email IPDG Julie Brandle at jbrandle@metisconstruction.com for application information.
APS -Tree Planting at Voris, Sam Salem, David Hill, Mason and Leggett CLCs
by Marilyn Miller Paulk, APS Storyteller
Dec. 2, 2024 -- Fourth-graders were excited to get their hands dirty after learning they were going outside to plant trees.
About 150 students from five Akron public schools got a lesson on the environment and the proper way to plant a tree. Voris, Sam Salem, David Hill, Mason and Leggett CLCs were chosen by APS Facilities Services as the CLCs that had the least amount of greenery in the school system and could use more shrubbery.
“Are you ready to get dirty? Who wants to help me?,” said Tina Graver, a certified master arborist or ‘tree doctor,’ as she cheered on the students at Voris. “The first step is to break the roots up at the bottom of the tree so the tree knows it is no longer in the pot.” She and the children shed off the layers of dirt on the trunk of the tree.
“Now we fill the hole up with the dirt and pat down on the dirt. Who wants to get their shoes dirty?,” she asked.
The students thought this was one of the best parts of the lesson, gently patting down the dirt or, for some, stomping on the dirt but only using one foot.
“Okay, now we mulch," said Graver, who works for Petrarca Landscape Inc. “Think of a doughnut when you mulch -- thick on the outside -- so let’s put more on the outside and very little, if any, around the middle. Remember, like a donut, not a volcano.”
The mulch was made out of wood chips. The students took turns scooping up the chips, eagerly covering up the dirt.
Graver refers to the first three years of a tree’s growth as sleep, creep and leap.
“The first year you won’t see any growth; it will grow underground. The second year, you will see a little bit of growth but not much because it will be matching what’s going on underground,” Graver explained. “But in the third year, you will start to see some growth.”
Akron Public Schools teamed up with the City of Akron’s Keep Akron Beautiful and Graf Growers for the tree planting event. The school board approved the initiative last month. Graf Growers donated 10 trees, two for each school.
“We’ve been working with Keep Akron Beautiful on the plant-a-tree initiative and learned that parks and schools could benefit,“ said Lisa Graf, co-owner of Graf Growers. “They are maple trees, which give off a brilliant orange color in the fall. They are big trees and will grow 40-50 feet tall and 30-40 feet wide.”
She said the best time to plant them is in the fall and spring.
The CEO of Keep Akron Beautiful, Jacqui Ricchiuti, worked with Katrina Halasa of APS in an effort to revitalize an Arbor Day (April 25) activity when this opportunity came up.
“Keep Akron Beautiful wants to plant 100,000 trees by 2034.” said Ricchiuti. “If we don’t do this, the canopy will decrease to 30 percent by 2040. We are losing 6,540 trees annually; this is why we are doing our best to get all of these trees planted.”
Katrina Halasa, the supervisor of science and health for grades K-12, said the purpose was to educate the children about why it’s important to have trees and to expose them to different job opportunities, like forestry.
Bryan Ressler, APS grounds foreman, said his department dug the holes for the trees ahead of time and selected open areas, not too close to the curbs and in areas where people can see them.
Ressler said that since Leggett doesn’t have a lot of space, the trees were planted at the corner of Allen and Thornton streets. The trees at Mason were planted in the playground area. Graver said, in about 10 years, each tree could grow as tall as 60 feet, sizable enough to put a swing on it.
The students were all smiles after their hands-on learning experience as they headed back to the school building.
“This was a wonderful opportunity for the students,” said Amber Steele, principal at Voris CLC. “The trees are right in front of the classrooms, so they get to watch their progress.”
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