When/Where we Meet:
Tuesday at NOON

Doors open at 11:45am

NOTE: No lunch meeting April 29th
Our Scholarship Dinner will be held at 5pm on April 29th at 5pm

Our Lady of the Cedars 
507 S. Cleveland Massillon Rd., Fairlawn, OH
RSVP HERE (deadline is April 21st)

Regular Tuesday Meeting Location:
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
129 South Union Street
Akron, OH 44304
 
$20.00 per person
____________________________

Nathanael Billow
2024-2025 Club President

 
The Club Board of Directors meet the
2nd Tuesday of each month at 10:45 a.m.
Board meetings are open to Club members. 
____________________________

Subscribe to our eBulletin

View Historical eBulletins

____________________________

Join Our Conversations

Image  Image  
____________________________
 
Interested In Joining a Rotary Club?
Visit rotary.org/join
to find a  club in your area.

Upcoming Speakers

NO LUNCH MEETING
Apr 29, 2025
THE SCHOLARSHIP DINNER REPLACES LUNCH
SCHOLARSHIP DINNER REPLACES LUNCH TODAY!
Apr 29, 2025 5:00 PM
LOCATION: Our Lady of the Cedars - 507 S. Massillon Rd - Fairlawn, OH

RSVP by clicking here

TBA
May 06, 2025 12:00 PM
Mathew Carter, Sr. Loan Advisor
May 13, 2025 12:00 PM
Cross Country Mortgage & RC of Kent Treasurer
Laura Preston
May 20, 2025 12:00 PM
Akron Garden Club
View entire list...

 Get Involved

Change Your Community


Change your community with us by volunteering on a local project or attending a community event.
Email our Service Committee Chair.

Partner With Us


We work with groups and organizations of all sizes to accomplish even more.
Email our Service Committee Chair.

Discover and celebrate diverse perspectives with a global organization.  
Email our International Exchange Chair.
 
News and Activities
Rotary Cares
Posted on Apr 20, 2025
 
The purpose of Rotary Cares is to show our support for Akron Rotary members and their families when dealing with the loss of a loved one, the hardship of illness and also to celebrate the joy of a new baby, job, marriage or other events in their lives. Please <Click to Email us> to let us know of any news you would like placed here. Note that health related information is posted only with permission of the individual(s).
 
 
CONGRATULATIONS STEVE BUIE
LEADERSHIP OHIO Class of 2025
 
Steve wrote "I am humbled, thankful, and honored to be welcomed into the Leadership Ohio class for 2025 with 34 other civic and business leaders from all over our wonderful State. I look forward to building new friendships, learning, and discovering ways on how we, together, can better serve Ohio and her people."
Honorable Emilia Sykes spoke at our April 15th Meeting
The Honorable Emilia Sykes, U.S. Representative (OH-13) took time from your very busy schedule to spend time talking with Rotarians and guests on April 15th. 
 
She discussed some of her current projects, initiatives and shared many interesting stories and insights about serving as a U.S. Congresswoman.    
 
Photo:  Club President Nathanael Billow and Congresswoman Sykes
 
 
About Congresswoman Sykes:
 
Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, Congresswoman Emilia Strong Sykes grew up on the city’s west side and has dedicated her career to strengthening her community. 
 
For 8 years, Emilia served as the State Representative for Ohio House District 34, otherwise known as the “Birthplace of Champions.” During that time, she served for four years in Democratic leadership, including three years as the House Minority Leader. In her first year as the leader of the House Democratic caucus, despite serving in the minority, the percentage of bipartisan bills passed in the Ohio House was nearly double each of the previous four years combined.
 
In 2022, Congresswoman Sykes became the first Black person elected to represent Ohio’s 13th Congressional District, where she has committed to fighting for economic opportunity, safer communities and affordable healthcare for Northeast Ohioans, bringing along a spirit of bipartisan cooperation to get things done for those she serves.
 
Congresswoman Sykes has received numerous awards for her advocacy, including the EMILY’s List national Rising Star award, Legislator of the Year from the Ohio Minority Business Enterprise, the Champion for Children award from Summit County Children’s Services, and 30 for the Future award from the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce. Outside of elected office she engages her community as a lifelong member of her church, a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and a life member of the NAACP.
 
Congresswoman Sykes graduated with high honors from Kent State University with a B.A. in Psychology and later went on to the University of Florida, where she earned a Juris Doctor with a Certificate in Family Law and a Master of Public Health.
 
Congresswoman Sykes is a newlywed, married to Kevin Boyce and enjoys spending time with family, engaging in the arts, and enjoying the many blessings of life.
Rotary Cares
Posted on Apr 08, 2025
 
The purpose of Rotary Cares is to show our support for Akron Rotary members and their families when dealing with the loss of a loved one, the hardship of illness and also to celebrate the joy of a new baby, job, marriage or other events in their lives. Please <Click to Email us> to let us know of any news you would like placed here. Note that health related information is posted only with permission of the individual(s).
 
 
CONNOR JARVIS
 
Thoughts and prayers are with Connor.  He gave us permission to share that he had a medical emergency recently but is now at home resting.  We look forward to seeing him back at our meetings soon!
 
Notes can be sent to him (Rotarians have access to his contact information through our website) or you can snail mail them to the Rotary Camp address which is 4460 Rex Lake Drive, Akron, OH 44319.
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONGRATULATIONS AMANDA WARNER
 
Amanda is the Director of Volunteer Opportunities and Special Events for our Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs. 
 
She shared on Facebook "Grateful to be granted Citizenship to the USA. Hopeful for a better future. And blessed to have shared the moment with family and friends."  
 
OPEN M Service Project - Volunteers Still Needed for a Few Dates
Akron Rotary's Open M has resumed their Food Backpack Program for food insecure students at Innes Middle School for 200 kids in need. 
 
Thanks to all who are signed up to help through June 4th. 
 
At this time we still are in need of additional volunteers on three dates:  April 30, May 14 and May 28th.
 
 
Wednesdays at 2:30pm 
 
Location: Open M 
941 Princeton Street, Akron, OH 44311
 
You can sign up directly on the Rotary Club of Akron website by clicking here. We appreciate your participation and look forward to making this a great event together!
 
Sandy Naragon, Chair
Grant Committee
330-256-5315 - Cell
 
 
Eleni Pamboukis of ACCESS spoke on April 8th

Eleni Pamboukis is the Marketing and Communications Coordinator at ACCESS Shelter for Women and Children. She works closely with the Director of Development to maintain brand standards, engage stakeholders, and promote philanthropic support. Eleni leads social media strategy, strengthens media relationships, and creates impactful marketing materials to amplify the agency’s mission. She also represents the shelter at public events, fostering community partnerships and enhancing visibility.

ACCESS is dedicated to serving women and children experiencing homelessness in our community.
 
ACCESS encourages women in the attainment of permanent housing by providing a supportive environment that includes programs of education, advocacy, and empowerment.
 
Here are few points Eleni discussed:
  • ACCESS is a low barrier shelter, so all that is required is to say “I need a place to stay”.  
  • The average stay is 3 months but can be longer.
  • The goal is to get them into permanent housing and ACCESS has a 57% placement into permanent housing.
  • ACCESS served 313 households in 2024.
  • Within 48 hours of entering ACCESS, the women are paired with a case worker.
  • All wrap-around services are at no cost.
  • They serve a continental breakfast and two hot meals each day.
  • Their maximum capacity is currently 30-35 women in the shelter.  Single women are housed separately from women with children.
  • They provide an on-site medical clinic and life skills programs.
  • There is a boutique filled with new items. 
  • After ACCESS program is available for one year after leaving the shelter.
  • The #1 need is currently diapers.
Discover how ACCESS is making a difference by scheduling a tour (CLICK HERE) of the shelter. You'll see firsthand the impact of their programs and meet the dedicated team working to empower women and children in need. Schedule your tour and experience the heart of ACCESS in action!
Please Volunteer to Help at our Meetings!
Happy New Year!  I hope that each of you and your families had a wonderful Christmas and holiday season overall!
 
It's that time of year again where I send out everyone's favorite email - plus, you will get to hear my voice even more than usual at club meetings (cue the eyerolls and groans - I know you can't wait!) as I announce the need for volunteers to assist with the following roles at our club meetings for the 1st half of 2025: Greeter (& "Daily Lotto" sales), Invocation Speaker, & Meeting/Technology Set-Up. 
 
My most sincere appreciation and gratitude goes out to the faithful “regulars” I have been able to consistently count on to help fill the respective roles or jump in last minute to cover an empty slot (you know who you are).  I also appreciate the handful of "newcomers" (both established and newer members) who helped throughout the course of last year or expressed a willingness to do so moving forward. 
 
I would like to encourage anyone that has either never served as Greeter or Invocator (or who has only done so sparingly) to consider volunteering for a few slots during this 1st half of 2025 - I'd be immensely thankful to see my list of "regulars" grow.  Not only are these roles a much appreciated and valued service to the club, but they also present an excellent opportunity to immerse oneself in the weekly meetings. 
 
If you need help signing up, please let me know and I can direct you to the appropriate location on the Rotary Club of Akron website, or I will gladly fill in your name for whatever date(s) you are able and willing to volunteer.  For convenience, here is the public URL to the relevant volunteer sign-up page:
 
CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER 
 
For Greeters, please plan to arrive by 11:40ish (if possible) and be prepared to help sell Daily Lotto raffle tickets and have the speaker pull the winning ticket at the end of the meeting.
 
For Invocation Speakers, I have provided some links with sample invocations below.  You are quite welcome to create your own invocation, of course, but please know that custom content is not a requirement!  I am happy to assist with this too.  In fact, I'll even provide an invocation for you to read if that's what it will take for you to sign up.  I assure you, this need not be an intimidating volunteer role for the meeting! 
 
For Meeting/Technology Set-Up, the duties currently require:
  1. Ensuring the computer, projector, and microphones are all up and running smoothly before the start of the meeting.  NOTE: Brian Kosarko, Michael Gladysz, or I can/will help train new volunteers - we would certainly appreciate expanding the rotation for this role. 
  2. If necessary, correcting the flag positioning so that when viewed from the audience, the U.S./American Flag is to the left of the speaker/podium and the Ohio Flag is on the right. 
 
Thank you in advance for volunteering!  
 
Yours in service,
CJ
 
Connor G. Jarvis, CFP®
Sergeant of Arms
Rotary Club of Akron
 
 
 
Some links with sample invocations (if needed/desired):
 
 
 
 
Akron Club Celebrates 111 Years of Service Above Self
Architect M.E. Harpster and Harry A. Bauman, an executive with the B.F. Goodrich Co. discussed their vision to start a Rotary Club in Akron, Ohio.
 
Mr. Bauman was quoted as saying "We met with considerable skepticism. 'Akron won't stand for such a club' was quite the common talk.
 
But we put into practice that slogan- Fools Don't Know What Can't Be Done, and we went ahead and did it."
 
111 years later we thank them for their vision and determination!!
 
Rotary Club of Akron - Chartered April 1, 1914.
 
All-Ohio President Elect Training Seminar Weekend
 
Photo: Katy Miller with her District 6630 President-Elect classmates.
 
I knew going into this weekend that I would be attending formal training sessions, but what I didn’t expect was how much I would learn from my fellow President-Elects. The honor and privilege of representing our club moved me deeply. Most of you know I can be a bit sarcastic and maybe even irreverent at times, but this experience truly humbled me while also filling me up in ways I never anticipated.
 
Sharing best practices, brainstorming ideas, and discussing what’s working—and what isn’t—in other clubs was just as impactful, if not more so, than the structured training sessions.
 
People always say that as a Rotarian, you are welcome in any Rotary Club. Now, I truly understand what that means.
 
Throughout the weekend, I sent myself emails to capture my thoughts and feelings in the moment, and the common theme in all of them was this: I felt I was exactly where I was supposed to be, surrounded by like-minded leaders.
 
Looking ahead, I am both excited and inspired. As Rotarians, we love to serve—it’s who we are as an organization. But sometimes, when we talk to those outside our Rotary “bubble,” we forget to highlight one of the most magical aspects of our experience: the friendships.

As we work to bring in new members, let’s remember to share not just our passion for service, but also the friendships we build—while eating together, volunteering together, and learning together. Because that is where the magic  truly happens and from there we can UNITE FOR GOOD!

Katy Miller
President Elect

President Elect Katy Miller Commissioned
Akron Rotarians were on hand March 15th to celebrate Katy Miller's commissioning and subsequent pinning by Immediate Past District Governor Julie Brandle at All Ohio PETS Training in Columbus.   
 
Katy will officially take on the role of Club President July 1, 2025.
 
L-R: PDG Stew Buchanan, President-Elect Katy Miller, PDG Cheryl Warren, IPDG Julie Brandle.
Akron Rotarians at Torchbearers Celebration
Akron Rotarians out for the Torchbearers 22nd Anniversary Celebration!
 
Amber Genet Barkoukis Mella Hawk Castner Marissa Rufe and President Elect Katy Miller . Looking forward to seeing how we can link arms with this organization and move the needle in Akron.
George Rosche Discussed Being a Chick-fil-A Franchise Owner
George Rosche owns and operates the Chick-fil-A on Dressler Road in North Canton, and previously worked a 21-year career with Owens Corning in a variety of senior leadership roles. George and Janine both graduated from Ohio State in 2001, and both later completed Masters degrees.
 
Although his background was not in fast-food service, when the opportunity presented itself, he jumped in with both feet and the support of his family to purchase the franchise. 
 
He discussed the history and values of Chick-fil-A and the impact their internal processes have on building character, sustainability and helping communities.
 
The franchisees and corporate organization are dedicated to the communities they serve and give back through helping with fundraisers, the local food banks and many other avenues.  They also have a special, highly developed program, that allows them to avoid wasting food products they can then give to those in need.  Roche graciously matched our Happy Dollar donations that are going toward the Soles for Souls campaign that our President-Elect Katy Miller is working on for the District.
 
Their vision is to have a positive influence on all who come into contact with Chick-fil-A.
 
He played a very impactful video called Every Life Has A Story.  You can view it HERE or copy and paste this link: https://youtu.be/BWNfzVAofcQ
 
The PowerPoint slides (PDF) he shared are available to download by clicking HERE.
 
George and Janine both served as volunteer Young Life leaders as young adults and have since served on Young Life committees and boards including here in Stark County. George is a musician with the band Willy Pete, a band whose mission is to serve the troops through entertainment, encouragement, and music therapy to those wounded emotionally or physically through military service. George has previously served on leadership teams for Storyline Church (Denver, CO), and Five Lakes Church (Toledo, OH), has previously served on worship teams at various churches, and currently serves as an Elder at First Christian Church in Canton. 
Join Our Conversations . . .
ImageImage
Club Boosters & Sponsors
Club Events
Club Information
Rotary Links
 

Celebrating Over a Century of Service in the Akron Community!

 
The History of The Rotary Club of Akron
 
Honoring the Past.  Driving the Future.
 
April 5, 2014 Centennial Celebration