Welcome to The Rotary Club of Akron, Ohio

Join Us at a Meeting

We meet each Tuesday

We begin promptly at Noon

(we suggest arriving at 11:45 am to allow
time for check-in and to get your lunch).

Portage Country Club

240 North Portage Path | Akron, OH  44303

Tel: 330.644.4512

$13.00 per person for lunch
  VenueMap Venue Map

Meet Our Club President
John Margida

 

View Calendar of
Weekly Speakers
& Our Events

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Join Our Conversations

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Get Involved


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

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.
 
 
 

Club President's Message

John Margida

member photo
Thanks to everyone who attended this week - we had standing room only and will be working with the facility to obtain the larger room when possible.  Our speaker was Don Mullen, Executive Director - Stark State Akron. He serves as the interim Dean - Business & IT and is Department Chair of Accounting & Finance.  Don explained the benefits for students at Stark State Akron.  He elaborated on the courses and work force training they offer.  He also talked about Direct Connect - the opportunity for students to be dually enrolled as they complete their associate degree at Stark State while preparing for transfer to earn a bachelor's degree at The University of Akron. 
 
 
We continue to bring great speakers to our Club.  Next week our featured speaker will be Laura Thompson,  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.  Thompson was appointed executive vice president and chief financial officer in 2013. She also has served as vice president of finance of Goodyear North America, and led business development and investor relations efforts for the company.  She is a recipient of The University of Akron's Alumni Honor Award and the Dr. Frank L. Simonetti Distinguished Business Alumni Award, and was recognized by Treasury & Risk magazine on its list of "30 Outstanding Women in Finance."   View her full bio.
 
I look forward to seeing you Tuesday!
 
John Margida, Club President
 

It's Almost Here!!
Posted by Amanda Warner on Jan 17, 2019

Excitement is building – the Chili Open is just 17 days away… CLICK to watch this great video from our Co-Chairs – Dr. Rob McGregor & Wanda Whipkey

❄⛳❄⛳ Just a few more weeks to go! Purchase your raffle tickets here: http://chiliopen.net

GIVEAWAY! 🏌🏾‍♂️ Stay tuned until the end to find out how you can win. ❄️ Join us on February 2nd at the Chili Open! Register your foursome and purchase raffle tickets here: www.chiliopen.net.

 
 

 

Join us at Whitey's
Posted by Amanda Warner on Jan 17, 2019
The Chili Open kick-off will be held on Friday, January 18th at 5:30pm at Whitey’s Booze N’ Burgers.
 
Everyone is invited to join us --- happy hour will include special drinks from our friends at the House of LaRose. Come out and show your support to Whitey’s, the official “Chili” sponsor of the Chili Open.
 
Whitey’s Booze N’ Burgers located at 3600 Brecksville Road, Richfield, OH 44286.
 
 
 

John Daily, A True Rotarian, An Accomplished Athlete!
Posted by George Rooney on Jan 08, 2019

[Following a series of referee whistles to position the swimmers]

"Take your mark"

[Then the starting signal, and they're off!]

 

That's competitive swimming, something that is near and dear to John Daily’s heart.      

John Daily is a most interesting man, and has lived a most interesting life.  I recently had the pleasure of meeting with John for some hours at his home.  My purpose was to gather some information regarding his swimming prowess; but, in doing so, I learned so much more. For sure, among John’s accomplishments are those in the area of swimming, but there is much, much more, so I’ll first provide a brief sketch of John’s life.
 
Shortly after John’s birth in Cleveland in December 1927, his family moved to Detroit. The Great Depression soon followed, and, to survive, the family moved to Colorado Springs CO, to Richmond CA, back to Colorado Springs, on to Columbus (where John spent his younger school years through part of grade 3), and finally back to Detroit, where John spent the rest of grade 3 through 12.
 
Upon graduating from high school in January 1946, on the heels of WW II, John enlisted in the Army, where he served 1-1/2 years and was discharged in 1947 as a PFC. John then attended Michigan State College (now Michigan State University), studying Park Management and Municipal Forestry, graduating in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry.  Along the way, John enrolled in ROTC for his junior and senior years, which seems prescient, as South Korea was invaded in 1950.  Upon graduation in 1951, John also received his Army officer commission as a 2d Lt, and served for another 2 years in the Korean War before being discharged as a 1st Lt in 1953.
Read more...

29th Annual Chili Kick-Off
We can’t believe that the Chili Open is only 22 days away and we are excited to share that we are in reach of our goal of $275,000!
 
The thermometer has climbed to over $202,000, and we are extremely grateful for everyone’s support.
 
The Chili Open kick-off will be held on Friday, January 18th at 5:30pm at Whitey’s Booze N’ Burgers. Please join us, as happy hour will include special drinks from our friends at the House of LaRose. Come out and show your support to Whitey’s, the official “Chili” sponsor of the Chili Open.
 
Whitey’s Booze N’ Burgers located at 3600 Brecksville Road, Richfield, OH 44286.
 
 
Please remember to sell your raffle tickets and help us spread the word about the Chili Open. 
 
Visiting other clubs is a great way to help out - team up like Mella and Cheryl who sold some at the Green Club and the members then took more tickets to sell for us as well!! 

Lots of tee-times are still available for golfers brave enough to endure a cold day of golf in the snow.  For raffle tickets, or to register for golf, and/or clubhouse passes, please visit chiliopen.net.
 
Remember, Friday, January 18th at 5:30pm at Whitey’s Booze N’ Burgers located at 3600 Brecksville Road, Richfield, OH 44286.
 
Thank you again for all the hard work and support to help us make this another successful event!
 
Dr. Rob McGregor and Wanda Whipkey
Co-Chairs, Chili Open 2019

Treasures Needed
Posted by Lynda Farkas
On February 2, 2019 over 500 golfers, Rotarians and volunteers will come together to golf, win prizes, and celebrate the great work that Rotary is doing in our local community.   
 
We would appreciate any donation of an item that can be used for a door prize raffle to make it a fun event for. Anything from a $5 gift card, coffee mug, small baskets of goodies, candy, etc. 
Use your imagination . . . You can even just give us $5 or $10 and we'll do the shopping for you!!
 
Bring it to the Tuesday or drop it off at the Camp office!
 
Thank you for your support!
Lynda Farkas, Door Prize Chairperson

Interact Students Visit Fort Romig
Posted by Steve Buie
 

 

 

 

Our North Hill Interact students and Rotarians had a great time visiting the Salvation Army Hydroponic Farm - Fort Romig.

 

Dubbed Fort Romig, the facility is at at 2205 Romig Road.

 

Fort Romig is a learning center for children in the group's Learning Zone, ages 18 months to 12 years old, who attend preschool, after-school and summer programs. 

 

They now have a 5,300 square foot hydroponic growing operation designed in collaboration with Crop King of Lodi, Ohio, and the Ohio State Agricultural Extension Office.

 

They produce over 20,000 pounds of tomatoes and 19,000 heads of lettuce each year.  Proceeds are divided in thirds between a scholarship program for kids, the Salvation Army's Community Table mobile feeding program and Fort Romig programming.

 

There are many great photos from the day ... click here to view all the photos both Cyndi Kane and Steve Buie took at the event!

State of the University Address

- PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE -

STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY ADDRESS

by Dr. John C. Green, Interim President

FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 2019, 10 A.M.
JEAN HOWER TABER STUDENT UNION
GARDNER THEATRE
 

RSVP Here
 

Questions? Please call 330-972-8075.

Community Assessment Builds Relationships
Posted by Claudine Schooley on Dec 12, 2018
Since July 1st 2018, community assessment is mandatory for any global grant application with Rotary International. Leading a community assessment in the country where Rotary Club project is being developed is not always an easy task but it is a guarantee that relationships will be built between the involved Rotary clubs and their partners in country. It is my hope that telling you the story of the Ukraine community assessment from our Akron Rotary club, will help any club to fathom the great benefits of such a task. The first step for our Akron club was to gather enough volunteers, interested in our project of developing a new type of pediatric wheelchair and in exploring transportation in Ukraine for wheelchair users. We started a new committee composed of 5 professionals in marketing and surveys, willing to work together to start investigating the sustainability of our project. How not to be impressed with the high level of proficiency of this new team: two retired professors from the University of Akron in entrepreneurship and languages specialists, one director of marketing study company and a student in anthropology with MPH in epidemiology? All of them have a heart for people with disabilities and the desire to extend their high level of skills to Rotary international projects. My first experience was to build relationship with them and to know them better. Following the general guide lines from Rotary international, we decided to start working on the questionnaire that would be used in Ukraine. First, we needed to collect data and statistics concerning people with disabilities in Ukraine, then to determine who will fill up the questionnaire. Accessing statistics in Ukraine from the government was not simple. It was not like "you just ask". You need to find the people who care enough to navigate for you the country administration and bureaucratic system to obtain information. We live in a world full of statistics and surveys (good and bad), and some categories of population, like hidden people with disabilities, are more difficult to contact then other. How do you engage with those who tell you "we don't have people with disabilities in our country!"? You have to keep in mind that you are dealing with a different culture than yours. Some of our questions could not be answered.
 
We had to face unexpected barriers with our project like virulent opposition from a Rotarian who did not like that our main partner in Ukraine was a godly woman. Religion, and political opinions become obstacles to avoid. Ukraine is a country at war and we found a lot of hurt and divisions. Community assessment is a great tool to understand better the culture of the country.
 
The best of all is when community assessment becomes a tool to help people in a specific situation. Let me explain what I experimented. Home visits of families affected by disability were part of my program in the city of Bila Tserkva. I was explaining the questionnaire to the mom of Pauline, a 14-year-old girl affected by cerebral palsy, when the mom talked about a problem she could not solve. The building the family was living in had a very poor and dangerous ramp for wheelchair users. Pauline's mom was able to mobilize other families in the building to give money to build a new ramp, accessible for wheelchairs. The project was stopped, not because of a lack of money but because they could not obtain the authorization from "the jack", the person responsible for all work in their building. They could not reach him. The next day I asked Nita our partner in Ukraine, what can we do to help Pauline's mom? Nita knew a lawyer who would talk to "the Jack" and she assured me he would not be an obstacle any longer. She will make sure that Pauline get her new ramp.
 
Finally, I know very well that there is no respite for the one who cares for the poor, the orphan and disabled. This community assessment in Ukraine was a great adventure and will be a great addition to our Global Grant. I want to thank those who participated for their efforts and dedication.
 
Submitted with love and peace by Claudine Schooley, member of Akron Rotary club.
Picture of Pauline in Bila Tserkva – Ukraine
Picture of kids with disability – Orphanage in Bila Tserkva - Ukraine

District RYE Students Capture Spectacular Images
Posted by Susan Colville-Hall on Dec 12, 2018
Our District 6630 Rotary Youth Exchange students had an assignment to work in pairs to capture the best image of “Winter in Ohio - Local natural wonder.”  The photos were taken at The Akron Rotary Camp.  Our students have shown so much creativity!!  
 
 
by Ada Bícego (Brazil) and Jacob Weitman (Outbound)
by Patitta Kitcharoenchai (Thailand) and Gwendolyn Estep (Outbound)
by Lea Lafond (France) and Natalie Sadkova (Czech Republic.)
 
by Ana Crespan Fontenla (Spain) and Austin Brewster (Outbound)
 
by Jacob Scharnweber (Germany) and Eduardo Nunes Machado Flore (Brazil)
 
by Sotaro Yamaski (Japan) and Patrick Culliton (host brother of Sotaro)

Weekend at Camp for Youth Exchange Students
Our breakfast crew from the Rotary Club of Akron prepares vittals for the District 6630 Rotary Exchange Students Overnight Training weekend.  8 Inbounders, 4 Outbounders and 2 Rebounders and  the RYE training team were present.  Wow!  What a gourmet delight!  Thank you, Emily Patterson, Jacinto Núñez, Laura Fink and Doug Hausknecht.  How nice to wake up to enjoy eating in the U.S.
Sotaro Yamaski and Patrick Culliton (Sotaro’s new host brother work on a cultural grid activity. 
 
Jacob Weitman signs Ana Crespan Fontenla’s flag as RYE students share in internationalizing this event.
 
Ana team and Sotaro’s team compete in tower building contest using spaghetti and marshmallows in which each team member was assigned a different cultural role to assume during the project.  The end goal was to build the tallest, sturdiest tower while behaving under cultural norms that might be foreign to the student. 
 

A Wheelbarrow of Good Cheer!
The 2019 Chili Open silent auction will feature a Wheelbarrow of Good Cheer!
 
Please help us fill the wheelbarrow with any donation of unopened bottles of spirits and mixers, bar glassware, cocktail napkins, etc.
 
Please bring your donation to a Tuesday Rotary Club luncheon. This will be a very desirable item to bid on during the auction, and the winning bidder gets to take home their new wheel barrel along with all of its contents.
 
Thank you in advance for your donations to help make the Chili Open a continued success to benefit Akron Rotary Camp!
 
Dr. Rob McGregor and Wanda Whipkey
Co-Chairs, Chili Open 2019
 
Join Our Conversations . . .
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Upcoming Speakers

Laura Thompson
Jan 22, 2019
Executive Vice President of Goodyear
Steve Millard
Jan 29, 2019
President & CEO of the Greater Akron Chamber
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This Video Shows Your
Donations at Work!
Click on the icon below and learn 
how you can continue your support 
by participating in our
2014 Chili Open!
 

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