Welcome to The Rotary Club of Akron, Ohio

We meet each Tuesday at NOON

We now offer hybrid meetings so you may
join us in person or virtually via Zoom.
 
In person meeting: RSVPS REQUIRED
So we may set up socially distanced seating and have enough meals.

Bounce Innovation Hub
526 S. Main Street | Akron, OH 44311
Lunch $13.00 per person
________________________________
 
OR Join via Zoom
Meeting ID: 989 441 809
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Meet Our 2021-22
Club President
Steve Buie

 

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Weekly Speakers
& Our Events

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Our Meeting December 7, 2021

Rotary Club of Akron


TUESDAY,
DECEMBER 7, 2021
at Noon
 
RSVPS REQUIRED
So we may set up socially distanced seating and have enough meals.

Bounce Innovation Hub
526 S. Main Street | Akron, OH 44311
Lunch $13.00 per person
 
We ask that all
active Akron Rotary members please plan to attend this meeting either
in-person or virtually.
 
 
 
Meeting ID: 989 441 809
 
One tap mobile
+19292056099,,989441809# US (New York)
+13017158592,,989441809# US (Germantown)
 
Dial by your location
        +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
        
Meeting ID: 989 441 809

 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.
 
Join Our Conversations . . .
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JOIN US 

We are excited to share that we will be back on the grounds of Hale Farm & Village  at 2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath, Ohio. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to golf, participate in putt-putt and hole-in-one challenges, enjoy some Whitey's Premium Chili, arctic beverages and much more!

>CLICK HERE TO REGISTER<

ONLINE AUCTION:

Our Auction, will continue to be online this year. It will open for a week beginning on January 28, 2022 6pm and will conclude on February 5th at 1:30pm. 
Text chiliopen22 to 76278 to register for the auction.

 Please be sure to check back for updated information closer to the event.
   
 
                                                                                  

What is the Akron Rotary Chili Open Golf Classic?

<Watch the video on the left to experience the Chili Open.

Your participation in Akron Rotary’s Chili Open Golf Classic presented by Wayne Homes will help serve more than 1,800 children and adults along with their families with a wide range of developmental and physical disabilities and mental health disorders through our day, overnight and year round respite camp programs. 

At Rotary Camp, campers are provided the opportunity to experience traditional camping activities, develop relationships, learn life skills and create memories that last a lifetime. When campers leave Rotary camp at the end of each session, they not only leave with lifelong memories and friends, but they often show more independence as well as a greater understanding of themselves and their abilities. 

            
News and Activities

MERGE Program - Facilitator & Participant Recruitment
Posted by Susan Colville-Hall
MERGE Program - Facilitator &amp; Participant Recruitment
Global Ties Akron is working with Global Ties US and the Stevens Initiative to recruit participants and facilitators for the MERGE Program.  Fellow Rotarian, Michelle Wilson, is Executive Director of Global Ties Akron.
 
Seeking female facilitators for virtual mental-health-focused youth exchange 
Are you a 22 to a 29-year-old woman from the United States or a MENA region country who is passionate about mentorship? Do you have an interest in community building, mental health, and international exchange? Then apply to become a facilitator for the first-ever cohort of the MENA-USA Empowering Resilient Girls Exchange (MERGE). MERGE brings together 15 to 19-year-old girls from the United States and MENA region in a supportive virtual space to learn about their own mental health, develop emotional resilience skills, and share this knowledge with their communities. MERGE facilitators serve as learning guides and coaches for their participant sections throughout the exchange and support their participants on the identification and creation of their contribution to a final digital strategy resource bank. Training and a modest stipend are provided. Apply here by December 10, 2021. / Apply at gties.us/merge (for places where you can’t link)
 
Are you a 15 to a 19-year-old young woman interested in mental health & international exchange? Then we’re looking for you!
Applications are now open to participate in the first-ever cohort of the MENA-USA Empowering Resilient Girls Exchange (MERGE). MERGE brings together 15 to 19-year-old girls from the United States and MENA region in a supportive virtual space to learn about their own mental health, develop emotional resilience skills, and share this knowledge with their communities. Over the course of this eight-week virtual exchange program, participants discuss and experiment with a variety of stress-relief and coping techniques while guided by trained facilitators, engaging in both synchronous (live) and asynchronous exchange. In MERGE’S final two weeks, participants work together to create an entry for MERGE’s digital resilience strategies website to share with their community and the world! Interested? Apply here by December 10, 2021. / Apply at gties.us/merge (again if linking isn’t possible)
 

Akron Members Enjoy District Foundation Awards
L-R:  Lynda Farkas, PDG Stew & Cheryl Buchanan
Linda & PDG John Reyes,
DGN Julie Brandle,
PDG Cheryl & Steve Warren
 
Our Club members took part in the 2021 District 6630 Foundation Awards Gala on November 11, 2021. 
 
The evening was a celebration of the great works of the Rotarians/Clubs during the 2020-2021 Rotary Year. 
 
With almost 100 people in attendance, there was wonderful fellowship and some fun that included an "ugly sweater" contest!  Click to View All of the Event Photos 
 
The event theme was "Warm Hands, Warm Hearts" - gloves, mittens, socks and hats were donated at the event and will be shared among the 7 counties here in NE Ohio.
 
 
DGN Julie Brandle is shown gathering up the donations of: 
  • 45 hat & glove sets
  • 268 hats
  • 338 pairs of gloves & mittens
  • 30 ear warmers
  • 49 Scarves
  • 3 packages of underwear
  • 556 pairs of socks

The Rotary Foundation: Presented by Thane Billow and Bill Manby, Jr.
The Rotary Club of Akron had the opportunity to learn more about the Rotary International Foundation with a presentation by our own Rotarians, Thane Billow and Bill Manby Jr., co-chairs of our Rotary International Foundation Committee during our Tuesday, November 23, 2021, Club meeting.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
What is The Rotary International Foundation?
 
The Rotary International Foundation is a non-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary International to achieve world understanding and peace through international humanitarian, educational, and cultural exchange programs. It is supported solely by voluntary contributions.
 
It was founded in 1917 by Arch C. Klumph.
 
What is the mission of The Rotary International Foundation?
 
“The Rotary Foundation helps Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.”
 
The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world.
A portion of our individual Club members’ dues goes to our District and to Rotary International to fund many of the worldwide, district and local projects.
 
Since the Foundation was founded more than 100 years ago, the Foundation has spent more than $4 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects.
 
With all of our help, we can make lives better in our community and around the world.
 
What impact can one donation have?
  • For as little as 60 cents, a child can be protected from polio.
  • $50 can provide clean water to help fight waterborne illness.
  • $500 can launch an antibullying campaign and create a safe environment for child
What are the areas of interest that The Rotary International Foundation focuses on?
 
Rotary has identified specific causes to target to maximize our local & global impact. Through global grants and other resources, we help clubs focus their service efforts in the following areas:
  • Peacebuilding and conflict prevention
  • Disease prevention and treatment
  • Water, sanitation, and hygiene
  • Maternal and child health
  • Basic education and literacy
  • Community economic development
  • Support the environment
An example of one of Rotary International’s specific causes is the “End Polio Now” project.
 
Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for 35 years. The goal of ridding the earth of this disease is closer than ever. Rotary International started in 1979 with vaccinations for 6 million children in the Philippines. Today, Afghanistan & Pakistan are the only remaining countries where polio remains endemic.
 
So, how does The Rotary Foundation affect each Rotarian?
 
The specific causes mentioned above can only come about by the generous donations of individuals, businesses, etc.   There are several areas Rotarians can participate.  Individuals can donate to the Arch Klumph Society, the Bequest Society, the Major Donor category, the Paul Harris Society, or being a Paul Harris Fellow.
 
Rotarians wishing to know more about each of these categories can reach out to Thane or Bill who would be more than willing to explain these categories. 
 
An easy way to get started is to become a Paul Harris Fellow. The Club will be reinitiating the Paul Harris Fellow Lotto in the very near future. 
 
Of the 137 Akron Club Rotarians and 7 Honorary Rotarians 58 are either current Paul Harris Fellow recipients, on their way to becoming a Paul Harris Fellow, or as in many cases, adding another Paul Harris Stone.
 
To learn more about the Rotary Foundation, go to https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary/rotary-foundation.
 
Yours in Rotary Service - 
 
Terry Dalton
Rotary Club of Akron
Secretary and Scholarship Chair

New Member Spotlight:  Tina Boyes of Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance
CLUB PRESIDENT STEVE BUIE
INDUCTS NEW
ROTARY CLUB OF AKRON MEMBER
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
 
Steve Buie and Tina Boyes
 
Tina Boyes is a 20+ year marketing and communications veteran who uses her skills to improve life in Akron’s Kenmore neighborhood.
 
In 2017, Tina chaired the Kenmore Better Block, a two-day popup event that transformed three blocks of Kenmore Boulevard into a walkable, bikeable, vibrant cultural space where neighbors and visitors could gather and where businesses could thrive.

Tina is working to make permanent improvements to the area as executive director of Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance, a nonprofit community development corporation focused on creating an enjoyable, engaging Boulevard experience. This work involves building on the Boulevard District's existing assets, including five recording studios, two guitar shops, an internationally known guitar luthier and The Rialto Theatre, a former movie theater that now serves as a live music and theater venue.

Before her community development work, Tina served for 13 years as the vice president of marketing and communications at Akron Community Foundation. She and her family live in Kenmore, where she is a closet karaoke queen and air-guitar junkie.
 
Tina is married to Ryan and is a graduate of Leadership Akron Class 32.

She currently serves on the City of Akron Planning Commission, Akron Civic Commons Core Team, United Way Community Investment Task Force, Summit Lake Community Council and is a past president of the Public Relations of America Akron Chapter.
 
Welcome to the Rotary Family Tina! 
 

SUPER Learning Center Project Support
For the last 70+ years, our Club has sponsored an event to bring Christmas cheer to children with autism and other life challenges at the S.U.P.E.R Learning Center. This year, we have “Great Expectations” for the event, and we need your help to make it happen.
 
As in the past, Santa Claus (Bill Manby Jr.) will be delivering presents to the children and there will be a brief concert with the children singing to the group. This year, we are also looking to support a special project for the children and will be sharing details soon. You can help make this event SUPER by attending the event and/or by making a financial donation.
 
We have decided to take a one-year hiatus on participating in the Salvation Army Bellringing Event to double down on our support for the kids at the S.U.P.E.R Learning Center. Over the next few weeks, you will be hearing from Lyn Godwin (Founder of the Center) and Bill Manby Jr. as they share more details about the event and how you can participate.
 
Date: Thursday, December 16th
Time: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm (Santa will be delivering presents from 10-12 and 2-3)
Location: S.U.P.E.R Learning Center, 1584 Wilson Avenue Akron, OH 44250
 
Please contact one of us if you would like to participate so we can plan for the event. It would be great to have the gym filled!
 
Sincerely,
 
Steve Buie
Bill Manby Sr
Bill Manby Jr
Mark Seward

BE THE MATCH: Presentation Recap
Posted by Terrence Dalton
BE THE MATCH: Presentation Recap
The Rotary Club of Akron was presented with information on the “Be the Match” program at our Tuesday, November 16, 2021, Club Meeting.  View the presentation by clicking here or cut and paste the link into your browser https://youtu.be/wAAVLNDpEcs
 
Dale Smith is a manufacturing quality and process improvement leader, having worked in industries ranging from ceramic tile to undersea telecommunication systems manufacture.  Dale retired in May from Avery Dennison after seven years there.  Dale has a B.Sc. in Ceramic Engineering from the Ohio State University, a Six Sigma Blackbelt from Sigma Breakthrough Technologies and is an certified and experienced Kepner-Tregoe problem-solving facilitator.
 
Dale has been a Rotarian since 2003, belonging to the Cambridge, Downtown Macon, Kent, Camden (SC) and Mentor Rotary Clubs as his career progressed.  Dale has been active in many roles in these clubs and served as President of the Cambridge (05/06) and Mentor (19/20) Rotary Clubs.  Dale is a member of the District 6630 Membership Steering Committee.
 
Dale is married to Jeri Ann and resides on Raccoon Ridge in Newbury, Ohio.  He enjoys gardening, winemaking and taking daily hikes in retirement with his three yellow labs Murphy, Quinn and Keeva.
 
Tonya Davis is a marketing, PR, and community engagement specialist who has been swabbing cheeks with Be The Match for more than 10. 
 
Her passion for making a difference in the world is only rivaled by her love for karaoke. 
 
Give her a microphone, and Tonya will either entertain or educate you! 
 
She loves her job and living Be The Match's life-saving mission daily. 
 
 
 
 
 
What is Be the Match?

The mission of the organization is “We save lives through cellular therapy.”

The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1986 and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that operates the Be The Match Registry of volunteer hematopoietic cell donors and umbilical cord blood units in the United States.

The Be the Match Registry is the world's largest hematopoietic cell registry, listing more than 22 million individuals and more than 300,000 cord blood units. Hematopoietic cells from NMDP donors or cord blood units are used to transplant patients with a variety of blood, bone marrow or immune system disorders. As of December 2020, the NMDP had facilitated more than 100,000 transplants worldwide.
 
What is the Impact of Be the Match?
  • Every Three Minutes, someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer
  • Every 10 minutes, someone dies from a blood cancer. 
  • Every year, more than 14,000 patients are diagnosed with life-threatening blood cancers or other diseases for which a marrow or cord blood transplant from an unrelated donor may be their best or only hope of a cure.
  • 70% of all patients who need a transplant do not have a matched donor in their family
  • Approximately 70% of transplants facilitated by the National Marrow Donor Program® are leukemia or lymphoma.
What Treatable Diseases use Blood Stem Cells?
70+ blood diseases & blood cancers can be treated/cured by blood stem cell transplant, including:
  • leukemia and lymphoma
  • sickle cell disease
  • severe aplastic anemia
  • inherited immune disorders
Be The Match currently covers the US, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. There are @ 50 National databases around the world.
 
How does matching work?
Matching is much more complex than blood types. It's your heritage or ancestry.

It’s based on genetic typing involving the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA).
 
Patients are most likely to match a donor who shares their ethnic heritage.
 
Currently, not all patients have an equal chance of finding a donor.
 
The odds of finding a match based on ethnic background is alarming for some ethnic categories.  The odds currently are as follows:
  • White 79%
  • Native American 60%
  • Hispanic   48%
  • Asian or Pacific Islander   47%
  • Black or African American 29%
Peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donations

PBSC is one of two methods of collecting blood-forming cells for bone marrow transplants. The same blood-forming cells that are found in bone marrow are also found in the circulating (peripheral) blood. PBSC donation is a nonsurgical procedure, called apheresis.
83% of donors give by PBSC.
  • Similar to donating platelets
  • Shots for 5 days (4 days before collection & 1 the day of collection)
  • A machine filters out stem cells and
    returns remaining blood to the donor
  • Most donors visit with friends or
    watch TV during the procedure
Marrow donations
 
17% of donors give blood stem cells collected from bone marrow.
  • Surgical procedure
  • Anesthesia = no pain during the procedure
  • Same day, usually outpatient
  • Doctors withdraw blood stem cells
    from back of the pelvic bone
  • Your cells replenish themselves in 4-6 weeks
Why is the Mentor Rotary Club involved with Be the Match?
  • In 1992, Carolyn Shandle-Cobb, daughter of Rotarian Cliff Shandle, was diagnosed with leukemia and needed a bone marrow transplant.  There was no family match.
  • Cliff asked fellow Rotarians to consider being donors.  Not stopping there, the club decided to have an event to recruit other people in the Mentor Community. 
  • The first event was May 23, 1993 - more than 800 people showed up.  A second event was held June 23 with another 222 registered. 
  • A donor was found for Carolyn but sadly she passed from an infection in July before the transplant could occur.
  • The Shandle family and Mentor Rotary Club vowed to host recruitment events and fundraise to support Be the Match and other families in need.
  • Recruitment events have been hosted at Lakeland CC, Lake Erie College, and Notre Dame College
  • The Mentor Club raises about $5000 annually.
How Can the Akron Rotary Club Help?
  • The Rotary Club of Akron has a focus on engaging diverse populations where there is the most need for people to join Be the Match. 
  • Can the Mentor Club partner with the Rotary Club of Akron and 100 Black Men to raise awareness and recruit new donors?
  • College donors are young, diverse, and provide the best outcomes for patients.  Is there an opportunity to work with the Rotary Club of Akron and your diverse partners to have a recruitment event at the University of Akron or other colleges in the area?
  • The Rotary Club of Mentor has donated $5000 to Be the Match to cover testing costs of these events.
To learn more about getting involved with Be The Match, you can contact Tonya Davis at 216.406.6236.

Chili Open Tee Off Presenters Follow-up
Thank you to all who joined us in person and virtually for the tee-off to the 32nd annual Chili Open Golf Classic! We are extremely thankful to our Chili Open Presenting Sponsor Wayne Homes, and appreciate their continued support.
 
Funding from the Chili Open help ensures that no camper is ever turned away from Akron Rotary Camp due to inability to pay. The Chili Open provides significant operational camperships for families who otherwise would not have the opportunity to send their child with special needs to camp.
 
Your involvement as an Akron Rotarian will assist in helping to send children and adults with disabilities to summer day and overnight camps, as well as year-round respite programs. For over 97 years, Rotary Camp has been a viable resource for the Akron community, in providing campers with the opportunities to experience traditional camping activities, develop friendships, learn life skills and create memories that will last a lifetime.
 
The easiest way to support the cause is Raffle Tickets! We ask every Rotarian to purchase or sell their ten raffle tickets or more.  1st prize is a 2022 Kia Forte LXS, or $16,000 cash prize; 2nd prize is a Goodyear Blimp Ride for Two; and 3rd prize is a 55-inch 4k Smart LED TV. Raffle tickets were distributed to all Rotarians that attended the meeting. If you did not attend in person, you should receive you raffle tickets in the next few days by mail.
 
Another way to support the Chili Open would be through a sponsorship. View the updated sponsorship benefits packet here. Please consider to increase your sponsorship, renew your sponsorship or even to become a first time sponsor.  Your support makes the Chili Open an annual success for our Club.
We also need help with Camperships, Door Prizes, Silent Auction Items and Volunteers to help with set-up, during the event, and tear-down.
 
Still wondering what the Chili Open is about? Click here for a short video to share with prospective sponsors and donors to help promote the Chili Open and to help secure sponsorships. Thank you to Rotarian, Mario Micale and Narrative Digital Design for creating it.
 
For 97 years, Akron Rotary Camp has been the main project of our Rotary Club. Every Rotarian is needed to help us raise $320,000 for Rotary Camp continue with their mission of “Creating a world where there are only abilities!” Thank you for teeing off with us and we are looking forward to seeing you on February 5, 2022 at Hale Farm and Village for Akron Rotary’s 32nd Annual Chili Open Golf Classic.
 
We are honored to serve as the Chili Open co-chairs, please reach out to us on how you can help.
 
Jeff Sheeks
(330) 535-2103
Cyndi Kane
(330) 606-6041

Akron Rotary Camp Update & Chili Open Kick-Off
Posted by Terrence Dalton
Akron Rotary Camp Update &amp; Chili Open Kick-Off
Rotarian Dan Reynolds, Director of Endless Possibilities with Akron Rotary Camp and Vice President of Camping Services and Properties with the Akron Area YMCA provided a Rotary Camp update on the impact of COVID, summer camp program success, respite camp programs, strategic planning, and the importance of the Chili Open.
 
Chili Open co-chairs Rotarian Jeff Sheeks, Owner of the S Group and Rotarian Cyndi Kane, Realtor with RE/MAX Crossroads Properties were excited to formally kick-off the 2022 Chili Open!
 
 
 
Dan reported that the camp had a fantastic Summer!  Camper numbers were still reduced, at ½ capacity, for COVID precautions – but the most important thing is – the camp was open and continued to find ways to safely meet the needs of campers, families, and staff through these most challenging times. 

Some camp highlights shared by Dan included:
  • The Bud Rogers Adventure Park was a great experience.  For many campers, this was a first time experience.
     
  • Hammocks – Campers loved having some down time in the hammocks around camp this summer.
     
  • Happy Day School - The return of day camp in Portage County at the Happy Day School.  We served about 40 campers every day at that site for 8 weeks. 
New Staff - we’ve had the opportunity to hire some new full time staff this year: 
  • Our new nurse is Jess Selden. She started in June. 
     
  • Our newest addition to our team is Ben Fink, our new program director.  Ben joined us in August. We just bid farewell to Tina Gardner, our past program director a couple weeks ago.  She’s moved to Florida to study zoology.  
Summer 2022:
As the camp plans for the summer of 2022 – the 98th year:
  • Excited about continuing to grow programs closer to pre-pandemic levels. 
     
  • Planning on operating at 75% capacity. 
     
  • Biggest challenges moving into the next summer season is staff recruiting. 
     
    • Not unlike every other industry right now, the camp community has struggled greatly the past few years to recruit and retain great camp staff.       
       
    • Camp board has been very proactive in supporting recruiting efforts.  This year camp increased weekly rates from $265/week to $325/week. 
       
    • 2022 draft budget has a starting rate of $450/week. 
Strategic Plan:
The camp board held a strategic planning retreat a few weeks ago and Dan is looking forward to sharing the outcomes of that plan once it is approved. 
As part of the planning process camp board and staff surveyed the Akron Rotarians, summer staff, and camper families.  This baseline feedback has been extremely valuable to the planning process. 
Listed below are just a couple pieces of information parents have shared as part of this survey process:
  • “Angie loves to come there, and I appreciate that I can leave her and not worry about her safety.”
  • “Rotary Camp is the highlight of my child’s year – especially this year with limited social experiences available.  Staff are amazing.  We are so grateful.” 
     
  • “Camp gives my camper a sense of belonging, teaches independence, and how to get along with others.”
     
  • “Camp provides two weeks of respite for us and two weeks of outdoor summer fun for our son.”  
     
  • “Camp gives our family a little break from Autism life.  We find it so valuable, especially for my typical kids to go do typical things and have my full attention.” 
     
  • “As a single parent, I value the respite time.  It’s been very difficult to find care for Adam.”
     
  • “Kenny’s year revolves around three dates – his birthday, Christmas, and Camp!”
Dan concluded his presentation with the following:
 
“In the past you may have heard me speak about the butterfly effect – the idea that your actions cause actions in other people who influence others that you will never know.  What we do as Akron Rotarians is the best example of the Butterfly Effect.” 
 
“Our efforts and successes at the Chili Open provide for life changing, meaningful experiences, to our campers, families, and staff.  For many of us, the Chili Open is a day of hard work, good times, beer, and Whitey’s chili but for countless others this event is a lifeline for support and respite, a sense of independence and belonging, and the most developmental growing experience in a college student’s life.” 
 
With that being said, let’s get behind the 2022 Chili Open campaign to raise $320,000 through sponsorships, camperships, raffle ticket sales, online auction, and volunteering on February 5, 2022 at Hale Farm and Village in Bath, Ohio.
 
Terry Dalton
Akron Rotary Club Secretary and Scholarship Chair

Sojourner Truth Project: Presentation by Theresa Carter and Towanda Mullins
Posted by Terrence Dalton
Sojourner Truth Project: Presentation by Theresa Carter and Towanda Mullins
The Rotary Club of Akron had the pleasure of listening to Theresa Carter and Towanda Mullins at our Tuesday, November 9, 2021, Club meeting.  The purpose of their presentation was to discuss with the Club, the Sojourner Truth Project.  
 
View the presentation by clicking here or copy and paste this link https://youtu.be/LgbZLYHdDF4
 
So, why is the Sojourner Truth Project so important to Akron?
 
Sojourner Truth was a brave example of leadership in the women’s suffrage and civil rights movements of the 19th century. Although born into slavery, she transformed herself into Sojourner Truth, traveling America as an itinerant preacher, advocating for abolitionism, women’s rights, woman suffrage, temperance and denouncing slavery.
 
In May of 1851 Sojourner Truth spoke at the Akron Women’s Rights Convention. She was not invited but attended anyway. She was not asked to speak but rose to advocate for all women’s rights, including women of color. Her speech challenged the exclusion of women of color from the women’s movement, allowing Akron to play an extraordinary role in the fight for voting rights for all women.
 
What is the Summit Suffrage Centennial Committee and the Sojourner Truth Statue Fund Committee?
 
The Summit Suffrage Centennial Committee was convened to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. The Committee strives to:
  • educate the public on he progress made over the last 100 years,
  • honor the fight for voting rights for all women — especially many women of color who were excluded from voting until the 1960s,
  • help our community reflect on today’s voting equality and the future of equity for all women. 
So, who is Sojourner Truth and Why Akron?
 
Sojourner Truth, was born Isabella Baumfree, a slave in Dutch-speaking Ulster County, New York in 1797. Her early years were hard. She was bought and sold four times and subjected to harsh physical labor and violent punishments, and then watched helplessly as her brothers, sisters and children were taken from her and sold.  In May of 1851 Truth came to Akron to attend the Second Ohio Women’s Rights Convention. The convention took place in the Universalist Old Stone Church. Her speech electrified the civil rights and women’s movements for decades to come.
 
Where will the statue honoring Sojourner Truth be located and who will be commissioned to create the sculpture?
  • A committee was formed to consider several sites around Akron for the statue.
  • Based on survey results it was clear that the statue should be on or near the site of Sojourner’s original speech.
  • The appropriate site was found and with thanks to The United Way of Medina and Summit County, they embraced the opportunity wholeheartedly.
  • Prior to United Way occupying the building at their current location, the building historically housed the income maintenance offices of the Summit County Department of Job and Family Services and was dedicated in 1991 as the Sojourner Truth Building.
  • The Sojourner Truth Plaza will be created in a space that currently is a small parking lot on the north side of the United Way building.
  • This plaza will commemorate the legacy of Sojourner Truth. It will not only elevate and focus on the statue of Sojourner Truth but will also be rich with historical symbolism and interpret her life and her impact. Throughout the plaza there will be seating, lighting and her famous speech will be highlighted. It is the committee’s intention to create a gathering space for students and be a destination for downtown visitors as it marks the northern entrance to the city along North High Street.
  • In moving the project forward the committee decided, instead of a competition, to look within our own community for a local artist, Woodrow Nash, an internationally known artist who had created the first prototype more than 20 years prior, so we reached out to him to re-engage him in this project.
 
Where can we find out more about the women’s suffrage, Sojourner Truth, and the 19th Amendment?
 
The Summit Suffrage Centennial Education committee created tools to teach about Sojourner Truth, and these are all available for public use. Hosted by Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro’s office, the web portal featured here has resources for educators and community members alike. The web link summitsuffragecentennial.com/resources allows you to access these resources.
 
How Can Rotarians Help?
  • Fundraising efforts have gone well so far with the Akron Community Foundation acting as the fiscal agent.  To date, more than $200,000 with an additional $750,000 pledged.  The total cost for the project is $1.5 million.
    • Individuals wishing to donate can visit the Akron Community Foundation’s website.  Click GIVING tab and select Sojourner Truth Project – Akron Fund
    • Every donation will be recognized from $1.00 and up.  Individuals or organizations donating $25,000 or more will be permanently recognized at the site.
  • The committee can use help to tell their story and to share the opportunity throughout our personal networks.
  • Sponsoring educational events
  • Inviting the Committee members to present to other organizations you might belong to.
To learn more about the Sojourner Truth Project, visit their website at www.truthstatue.org. or their Facebook page:  facebook.com/Sojournertruthprojectakron/.

Pumpkin Pie Lovers
Posted by John Daily on Oct 17, 2021
Pumpkin Pie Lovers
Not all of our members are pumpkin pie fans but those who are asked me to republish this! 
 
Dr. McGregor and his wife Sharon made it and said how absolutely delicious it was and cannot wait to make it again!
 
Last year, John Daily offered up his grandmother's recipe and shared that it is "not your standard pumpkin pie". 
 
He said, "I have never actually done this myself (not much of a cook) but I feel pretty confident this is the pie I remember enjoying for many years."   He added that his late wife, Ardell, was the baker and continued making it for the family over the years.
 
RECIPE:
2 cups canned pumpkin
3 egg yolks beaten (save egg whites for later)
1 cup milk
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
 
Blend all ingredients together.  Fold in 2 stiffly beaten egg whites.
Place into 9 inch unbaked deep dish pie shell.
Bake in hot oven (450 degrees) for 10 minutes, then low oven (325 degrees) 45-50 minutes.

Steve Stivers, Ohio Chamber of Commerce Presentation Recap
Posted by Terrence Dalton
Steve Stivers, Ohio Chamber of Commerce Presentation Recap
 
The Rotary Club of Akron had the opportunity at our Tuesday, October 26, 2021, Club meeting to listen to Mr. Stivers present information on the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

View the presentation by clicking here or cut and paste this link https://youtu.be/1p7jR-dKSMs
 
Mission of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce:
 
“As the State’s leading business advocate and resource, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce aggressively champions free enterprise, economic competitiveness, and growth for the benefit of all Ohioans.”
 
Mr. Stivers began his presentation noting the three biggest challenges facing the State of Ohio from an employment perspective.  The three challenges according to Mr. Stivers are:
  •  Education and the Workforce:  We need to work on providing training for those who are unemployed or underemployed.
  • “Not getting enough stuff:” Supply chain issues.
  • Price increases: Inflation is a real issue.  Current inflation rate is 5.9%
Challenges affecting the Ohio Employment Picture:
  • Artificial Intelligence:  both a challenge as well as an opportunity.  Artificial Intelligence (AI) can provide growth opportunities for businesses, but it is predicted that AI could displace 40% of the workforce in the next 10-15 years.  To combat this potential outcome, we must ensure the existing workforce is trained for new opportunities.
  • Work from Home:  Work from home is here to stay.  Companies will need to accommodate this work approach.  Cities need to look at how they need to adjust to lower tax revenues since they will no longer collect income taxes on commuter employees who are no longer commuting into the city where the employer is located/headquartered.
  • Movement to electric vehicles:  17% of Ohio business is automotive related.  Ohio needs to gear up to the opportunities in producing electric vehicles, parts, etc.
  • Equity Capital:  or the lack thereof.  Ohio needs to ensure we increase our equity capital to be competitive with other States and Countries.
The Ohio Chamber of Commerce has produced a “Blueprint for Ohio’s Economic Future” which is a 15-year plan.  The Ohio Chamber of Commerce sees the need for Ohio to make technology improvements over the next ten years to ensure each region of Ohio has growth capacity.  This growth capacity is contingent on having the IT technology infrastructure to allow regions to grow.
 
Several of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce’s Public Policy Categories are:
  • Civil Justice: The Ohio Chamber supports efforts to improve the legal climate in Ohio by promoting fairness and reducing liability and incentives for litigation.
  • Education and Workforce:  The Ohio Chamber urges policies that meet the demands of today’s workplace and respond to the needs of Ohio employers for qualified, well-trained employees.
  • Energy and Environment:  The Ohio Chamber encourages energy policies that protect businesses’ access to affordable, dependable energy and seeks environmental regulations based on sound science and comprehensive information.
  • Health Care:  The Ohio Chamber seeks to lower the overall cost of health care, so it is more affordable for employers.
  • Labor and Employment:  The Ohio Chamber supports protecting employers from unfair and harmful workplace rules and mandates.
  • Public Affairs:  The Ohio Chamber seeks to preserve employers’ ability to effectively advocate for policy solutions and engage in political activity.
  • Taxes:  The Ohio Chamber encourages a fair and equitable tax system that stimulates growth, innovation, and job creation.
  • Worker’s Compensation:   The Ohio Chamber supports a workers’ compensation system that runs efficiently and effectively and keeps premium costs competitive with other states’ systems.
To learn more about the Ohio Chamber of Commerce as well as their priorities under each of the categories listed above, I encourage readers to go to the Chamber’s website at https://ohiochamber.com.
 
Yours in Rotary Service - 
 
Terry Dalton
Rotary Club of Akron
Secretary and Scholarship Program Chair

Dragon Boat Teams Featured on Good Morning America
Posted by Susan Colville-Hall
Dragon Boat Teams Featured on Good Morning America
The Dragon Dream Team was on Good Morning America on Oct. 5.   GMA chose our organization and achievements to introduce Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
 
GMA spent a day with us in Pittsburgh September 26 filming at the Pittsburgh Dragonboat Festival (where we were competing) and interviewing various members.  GMA will be broadcasting a live segment from our boathouse on Rex Lake this Tuesday morning! 
 
It's exciting to be able to showcase the camaraderie and support this group provides to our members and newly-diagnosed patients in our area, and to encourage survivors to live an active life after breast cancer!
 
Many Rotary members have participated in the Dragon on the Lake Festival and know how beneficial and fun paddling together can be!  
 
 
 
 
Akron Rotary Foundation
Posted by Doug Kohl on Dec 15, 2020
Akron Rotary Foundation
Those of us who serve on the Rotary Club of Akron Foundation board wish you the best as 2020 comes to a close. Many members of Rotary have asked what the Akron Rotary Foundation does as opposed to Rotary International Foundation. Some even didn't know a local foundation existed. Below is a communication to help concisely answer what your Foundation focuses on and supports. Please read on (click on image to enlarge)...
If you have the ability, we hope you will include the Akron Rotary Foundation in your year end giving. You can  click here to donate  now or simply send a gift by US Mail to the Rotary Camp. Thank you for your consideration and let's have a great year in 2021!
 
Our Sponsors
What Our Members are Saying
Our members support numerous causes.  We are People of Action.

Upcoming Speakers

Michael J. Irby
Nov 30, 2021 12:00 PM
One Hundred Black Men of Akron
President Steve Buie
Dec 07, 2021 12:00 PM
The Rotary Club of Akron Annual Meeting
Doug Kohl
Dec 14, 2021 12:00 PM
The Akron Rotary Foundation Update
HOLIDAY FUN
Dec 21, 2021 12:00 PM
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Club Events
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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