Well in case you’ve been sleeping under the proverbial rock there was an election in our country last week. In which the results were surprising to many and troubling to others. Many are demonstrating and voicing their disapproval and concern for our nation and the direction it’s headed. While others celebrate hoping that the change they’ve longed for is coming sooner rather than later. All of this has left me wondering where does this leave us as Rotarians? As an organization that encourages political involvement outside of the club, but inside asks Rotarians to put their differences aside and be apolitical, where are we?
For me the only word that comes to mind in a time like this is empathy. Empathy - the ability to recognize and share other people’s feelings. This is probably the most powerful tool we as leaders can have in our skillset. When people see that you can empathize with them and where they’re coming from they’re more likely to listen to what we have to say and the conversation is elevated. We’re more likely to garner support and have influence on their lives and having influence whether you like that word or not is leadership.
Our ability to empathize with others who are different will give us the ability to fulfill the mission of Rotary International. How better to serve one another than when we’re able to see the world through their eyes? How better to promote integrity, goodwill and peace than to seek the advancement of others all while reaping none of the benefit? This is the call for Rotarians in our nation to be the voice of calm, peace and empathy.
Lastly, Rotary is an organization that embraces all faiths and does not discriminate against any religion for membership and for that I’m grateful. I’m also grateful that I do not put my faith in any one man/woman or government but in a creator. If you are a person of faith I ask that you pray for our country and pray for our elected officials on both sides of the aisle.
At the Veterans Day outdoor ceremonies, President Matthew Wilson told the story of our Korean War Memorial, located on the east lawn of Bierce Library, facing Olin Hall. It was dedicated 15 years ago today.
UA alumnus Thomas Blair, a successful local businessman, was a Marine and an infantryman during the Korean War. He worked with artist Carl Floyd to design the memorial, and paid its $160,000 cost.
The monument features a semi-circle of five columns, each adorned with the symbol of one of the branches of the United States Armed Forces. A low, white
dome rises out of the ground, representing the Earth as it extends up from the 38th Parallel North — the border between North and South Korea when hostilities began in 1950.
On top of the dome is a large metal rectangle, inscribed with:
the story of that war
a map of the region
the number of U.S. servicemen and women who were killed, wounded and missing there, as well as corresponding numbers for United Nations troops.
The metal block is dark and rusted from rain and snow. That rust has flowed onto the white dome and the ground — just as Blair envisioned. The block represents the machinery of warfare, and the rust represents how war stains the world.
Blair died not long after the memorial was finished, but his hope for future generations remains clear.
The block bears the words, "The location of this memorial on The University of Akron campus has been selected to preserve the importance of this event for those who did not live through it."
If you look for Blair’s name on the memorial, you won’t find it. He didn’t intend it to be a memorial to himself, but an educational tool. Maybe that helps explain why this university is a bit different when it comes to veterans.
The sacrifice of our service men and women is not a distant concept, or a historical footnote to us. That sacrifice is very real because veterans are part of who we are as a university.
Veterans of the Civil War helped to found this institution. Veterans from the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan conflicts sit in our classrooms and stadiums. Veterans are what our ROTC students will become, when their service is complete.
Douglas Hausknecht, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Marketing and International Business
Rotary Veterans who served in reserve, national guard, and active duty were honored at our Club meeting on Tuesday, November 8, 2016.
Jack Harig began with talking about Armistice Day Nov 11, 1918 11th hour, 11th day 11th month.
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words:
"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"
On June 4, 1926, Congress passed a resolution that the “recurring anniversary of [November 11, 1918] should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations” and that the president should issue an annual proclamation calling for the observance of Armistice Day American effort during World War II (1941-1945) saw the greatest mobilization of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force in the nation’s history (more than 16 million people); some 5.7 million more served in the Korean War (1950 to 1953). In 1954, after lobbying efforts by veterans’ service organizations, the 83rd U.S. Congress amended the 1938 act that had made Armistice Day a holiday, striking the word “Armistice” in favor of “Veterans.” President Dwight D. Eisenhowersigned the legislation on June 1, 1954. From then on, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all.
As a nation we smile and say in passing, “Thanks for your Service”
What does that mean?
To the Combat Veteran
To the wounded, physically and mentally
To those who served in support units or a peace time army
To families and loved ones who remain behind, follow along, worry, and pray
Can we offer more?
King David, who commanded armies and trusted in the Lord during times of battle, wrote these words in
O LORD, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. So many are saying, "God will never rescue him!" But you, O LORD, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
Thank you to our Rotarians who are veterans and all the veterans who have served our country.
The Akron Rotary Club will be ringing the bell for the Salvation Army on Friday, December 9th from 9:00 am-9:00 pm at ACME #1 (1835 W. Market Street). We will need two volunteers to cover each hour that day. This is a great opportunity for your children or grandchildren to experience the joy of individuals in the community giving to help our community. It is also a chance to showcase your ability to play a musical instrument, demonstrate your singing talents, or just hang out with other Rotarians and friends for a good cause. There will be an opportunity to sign-up in the near future. In the meantime, if you would like to volunteer, or have questions, please contact Mark Seward at markdseward@gmail.com or 330-414-2075. Thank you.
Promote your product or service to Akron Rotarians! Each week, IT sponsorships are available for $50. Sponsors get their name and logo (or name if no logo submitted) on screen as part of the loop of announcements. Sponsorship dollars are offsetting the cost of projector and screen used by speakers and to promote upcoming Rotary activities and programs.
Are you willing to help get the weekly sponsor PowerPoint going on the projector? Knowledge of PowerPoint is helpful in case last minute updates are necessary. Email me if you’re interested.
We are pleased to announce the debut of the new Grant Center, formerly known as the grant application tool.
The new site has a fresh look and better organization. The grant application includes clearly defined steps so it’s easier for you to track your progress.
Learn more about grants and how to apply.
CNBC has ranked The Rotary Foundation No. 3 in its annual list of Top 10 Charities Changing the World in 2016. The list includes some of the largest and highest-rated charities that help women, children, the poor, and the environment throughout the world, according to Charity Navigator, and that maintain high standards of financial health, accountability, and transparency of reporting.
The Foundation was noted for connecting 1.2 million members from more than 200 geographic areas to tackle the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges, including projects that focus on disease prevention,...
On Wednesday, over breakfast with the Rotary Club of Wahroonga, New South Wales, Australian entrepreneur and philanthropist Dick Smith announced a donation of AU$1 million to Rotary (about US$750,000), citing admiration of Rotary members for the time they devote to others.
The Rotary Australia Benevolent Society (RABS) will administer the funds.
“With 29,500 Rotarians in 1,100 clubs throughout Australia, we have an army of volunteers eager to assist those in need,” says Michael Perkins, RABS chair. “The impact of this donation will be felt throughout all of Australia, from the cities to the...
Each month, eBay, the world’s largest auction website, selects a set of upcoming Live Auction events and donates a portion of all sales proceeds to Rotary. Only U.S. auction sales are eligible. See the schedule of December auctions.
Though Atlanta has seen its share of violence and inequity over time, today it brims with reminders that there is another way. Get inspired while you’re visiting for the 2017 Rotary International Convention from 10 to 14 June.
Take a short walk from the convention center to the Center for Civil and Human Rights. There, you can see the handwritten notes, speeches, and sermons of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., experience an interactive 1960s-era lunch counter “sit-in,” and learn more about persecuted groups all over the world.
A streetcar will take you to the Martin Luther King Jr...
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Lisa King
January 4
Tristan Griffin
January 11
Daniel Riemenschneider
January 12
Pamela Kiltau
January 12
Stan Martin
January 14
Rennick Andreoli
January 21
Greg Genega
January 27
John Reyes
January 31
Michael Gladysz
January 31
Charles Billow
December 3
John Daily
December 3
Ken Babby
December 4
Rick Rockich
December 5
Scott Kolligian
December 5
Steve Shechter
December 7
Earl Hamlin
December 9
Ingaborg Gross
December 12
Cheryl Warren
December 14
Barry Hollis
December 18
Rachel D'Attoma
December 21
M A Weaver
December 27
Brian Parana
December 28
Cathryn O'Malley
December 28
Oscar Hunsicker
December 28
Join Date
CJ Haines
January 1, 2015
2 years
Jerome Wagner
January 1, 1970
47 years
John Daily
January 1, 1966
51 years
Sandy Naragon
January 1, 1999
18 years
Stuver Parry
January 1, 1959
58 years
Jennifer Halcomb
January 6, 2015
2 years
Brooks Ames
January 10, 2006
11 years
Lance Chima
January 11, 2009
8 years
Wanda Whipkey
January 12, 2016
1 year
Pat O'Neill
January 13, 2015
2 years
Bud Rogers
January 14, 1975
42 years
Hugh Alpeter
January 16, 1996
21 years
John Mogen
January 16, 1979
38 years
Alana Daveduk
January 27, 2015
2 years
Leslie Tierney
January 27, 2015
2 years
William Zufall
January 31, 2012
5 years
Scott Scarborough
December 2, 2014
2 years
Mark Seward
December 4, 2012
4 years
Thomas Gedelian
December 9, 1986
30 years
Alfred Nicely, MD
December 21, 1976
40 years
Ed Wagner
December 30, 2004
12 years
Richard Wright
December 31, 2011
5 years
Since 1914, The Akrotarian has been the
official publication of The Rotary Club of Akron, Ohio.
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