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The Rotary Club of Akron | |
Executive Team: July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022
| Directors: July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2024
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The Akron Rotary Foundation |
Directors: Terms as noted
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The Akron Rotary Camp |
Directors: January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2022
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Ali Miller and Chris Meyers
Playhouse Square
Hear about the educational programming our Community Engagement & Education department is providing even though our stages are dark at Playhouse Square. This includes sensory friendly programming, virtual teacher training, commissioning pieces for asynchronous playback, and the Disney in Schools program.
Ali Miller
I am an Akron native and graduate of Firestone High School. I’ve been involved in the arts in some fashion since I was young and was able to turn that into a career. I graduated with my degree in Arts & Entertainment Management from Eastern Michigan University in 2014. My work experience includes the Akron Civic Theater, The Public Theater in New York City (famous for some little shows called A Chorus Line and Hamilton, perhaps you’ve heard of them), Broadway.com and Broadway Across America in New York City, and finally a return to Ohio to work with Playhouse Square.
Chris Meyers
Originally from Illinois, has been with Playhouse Square for the past 18 years. Started as Season Ticket Manager for 6 years, then switched over to Sales Manager (Group Sales) for the past 12 years. Previous to Playhouse Square, I worked for the Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Cubs. From Parma, wife Joanne and 2 sons Nick and Jake.
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Julie Frey, Curator, Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Julie attended the University of Dayton where she majored in History and English. After completing an 
internship with the Montgomery County Historical Society, she decided to become a museum curator and attended graduate school at the Cooperstown Graduate Program in upstate New York.
internship with the Montgomery County Historical Society, she decided to become a museum curator and attended graduate school at the Cooperstown Graduate Program in upstate New York. Before moving back to Ohio, Julie pursued her museum career first at the Rye Historical Society in New York and then at the Litchfield Historical Society in Connecticut. Here in Ohio, she worked at the Gund Gallery, a contemporary art museum on the campus of Kenyon College. She started her current position at Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens in April 2014.
As Curator, Julie oversees the Collections, Tour Services and Education departments. During her tenure with SHH she has written five books on the history of the Seiberling family and Stan Hywet Hall estate as well as completed the installation of the permanent exhibition “The Seiberling Legacy” in the lower level of the Manor House and "Henrietta Seiberling: A Spark for a Movement" in the Gate Lodge.
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Meeting ID: 989 441 809
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Meeting ID: 989 441 809
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Meeting ID: 989 441 809
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By Katy Miller and Sandy Naragon
This year has been difficult—especially for those who are isolated from friends and family who typically visit during the holidays.
Akron Rotary’s Social and Rotary Cares Committees have teamed up to launch Operation Rotary Holiday Outreach! Chairs Katy Miller and Sandy Naragon are calling on volunteers to call or send cards to fellow Rotarians throughout the holiday season.
Want to volunteer?
Know someone we should reach out to?
Want to be included in outreach?
Thank you!
Katy Miller and Sandy Naragon
We are currently accepting donations of toys and gift cards for our annual Holiday Party on December 20th. Like all of us, our campers’ and their families’ lives have been completely turned upside down this year. This year’s Holiday Party for Camp will most likely be a drive through event due to COVID-19 precautions but for many of our campers it is the only time they see Santa, so our goal is to make it as joyous as possible. Help us spread a little joy by purchasing a gift that Santa can share or a gift card for groceries.
Here is the link to our Amazon wish list: https://a.co/dFuovVo.
Gift cards in any amount from major stores such as Target, WalMart, ACME, and Giant Eagle are also being accepted.
Gift cards and donations can be mailed or dropped off at Akron Rotary Camp, 4460 Rex Lake Dr., New Franklin, OH 44319. Questions? Call camp at 330.644.4512 or email Dan Reynolds at danr@akronymca.org.
Thanks!
Dan
Dan Reynolds
District Executive Director
Akron Rotary Camp
YMCA Camp Y-Noah
330.926.4952
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Here are the most current numbers.
Thank you and please keep up the great work...we WILL get there!!
Although the Chili Open will look different from previous years due the impact of COVID-19, and whether you choose to attend in person or virtually, your gift will make a significant impact allowing us to continue to serve the vulnerable youth in our community.
The annual fundraiser represents 30% of operating costs to the Rotary Camp's annual budget. This ensures that no child is turned away due to their family’s inability to pay. We are extremely thankful to our Chili Open Presenting Sponsor, Wayne Homes for their continued commitment to the camp.
Each raffle ticket includes $25 in discounts:
- $10 off oil change at The VanDevere Bunch
- Purchase two entrees and receive $15 off your bill at Lala’s on the Lakes, located on Manchester Road, Akron.
There are great chances to win the following prizes:
- 1st prize is a 2021 Chevrolet Trax LS, or $13,000 cash prize – Thank you The VanDevere Bunch!
- 2nd prize is a 55” 4k Smart LED TV, courtesy of the S Group, Inc. – Thank you Rotarian Jeff Sheeks!
- 3rd prize is a behind-the-scenes media package at a 2021 Cleveland Indians Game – Thank you Rotarian Steve Warren!
Follow us on Social Media
- Facebook (@AkronChiliOpen)
- Instagram (@akronchiliopen)
The Annual Meeting of the Rotary Club of Akron was conducted on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 The purpose of our Annual Meeting is to announce the election of Officers and Directors for the Club, the Rotary Camp Board, and the Akron Rotary Foundation (See the results elsewhere in this newsletter), provide an update of the Club’s financial condition, an overview of the past year’s activities, and potential goals and activities for the next year.
Shared below is a synopsis of the Annual Meeting presentation.
Financial Report for the fiscal year July1, 2019 through June 30, 2020:
The year ended with the Club in a positive financial position. The 990 has been filed and is posted online accordingly.
Achievements in 2020:
While the past year has been challenging with the onslaught of COVID 19, the Club has much to be proud of.
Membership: As of November 30, 2020, the Club has 136 Active Members (plus 3 approved/pending induction)
Club Activities:
New Council of Chairs meeting monthly, new Risk Management Committee meeting monthly, broader approach for Virtual Speakers.
Creation of Diversity team including a small socially distanced service project with PPE distribution to minority owned businesses.
A sampling of the Club’s Service to the Community projects: Shoe Box Project, Paul Harris Award Presentations, Assisted Urban League in PPE Distribution, James Bond virtual cocktail party, Together but Apart - # Akron Rotarians hiking the Summit Metro Parks Fall Hiking Spree (made Fox News), ICC launched with former Club member Claudine Schooley leading the effort, virtual service project – Interview Coaching for North High School Seniors, Collaboration to plant trees with Davy Tree and Akron Public School Supply Distribution, Planting of Monarch Butterfly garden at Rotary Camp, End World Polio Day activities, Kicked of 2021 Chili Open fund raising, Rotary Disaster Grant award presented PPE to Akron Children’s, Coordinating Akron Rotary Holiday outreach.
2020 – 2021 Outlook:
Optimism – Glass Half-full, Victim versus forward thinking
Revisit our Strategic Plan and move forward on our various goals and strategies.
And finally, quoting Dr. McGregor “We can’t let what we can’t do, interfere with what we can do!”
For the full presentation, a PDF of the PowerPoint can be viewed by clicking here.
Yours in Rotary Service
Terry Dalton
Rotary Club of Akron Secretary
At the District Foundation event November 19, 2020, we celebrated successes from the 2019-2020 Rotary Year.
It was truly an honor to have Jennifer Jones, Rotary International President-Nominee (2022-2023 RI President) at the celebration. She will serve as RI's first female president in its history.
Clubs, Rotarians and Non-Rotarians were recognized for their generous gifts and for living by the “Service Above Self” motto and the 4-way Test.
The virtual event was kept to one hour and can be viewed by clicking here.
Congratulations to our members and Club for the following recognitions:
- PDG Cheryl Warren and her husband Steve were recognized for becoming Major Donors.
- Club Members that are in the Paul Harris Society were recognized.
- The Akron Club for the Disaster Relief Grant providing PPE Donations to Akron Children's Hospital.
- The Akron Club for its support of the End Polio Now Campaign (Clubs that contributed at least $1,500 to the End Polio Now Campaign).
Here are the images shared at the event - click on each to view larger.
District Governor Myers presented member Terry Dalton with the District Governor's Citation - the Unsung Hero Award.
The unsung hero award is designed for Club Presidents to pay tribute to a person whose special service to Rotary has placed them in a category all of their own. A person whose dedication and commitment to Rotary has been given without recognition, without reservation and unselfishly. Many times it's done very quietly and behind the scenes.
Each Club President is asked to select only one member annually from their Club for this prestigious award from the Governor.
Dr. McGregor said "Terry has an uncanny ability to read my needs before I even know what they are." He added that Terry is quite the parliamentarian and is the Robert's Rules champion.
You can view the presentation of the award by clicking here (at approximately 28:16 in the video)
Terry has served the Club for many years as our Club Secretary and chair of the Scholarship Committee. He is a veteran, has a degree in Social work and is an Eagle Scout.
Terry does a lot of things behind the scenes that most of us never see... organizing the scholarship interviews, finalizing the recipients, awards, and attendees for their presentations. He facilitates putting together all the board meetings, records minutes and keeps our Club records in great order. In addition, this year, he has organized several special meetings for our Club President and stepped in to help with the virtual w
eekly meetings and provides a recap of the speaker presentations so we can share them with others. "No" is simply not in his vocabulary!
eekly meetings and provides a recap of the speaker presentations so we can share them with others. "No" is simply not in his vocabulary!He shared that the the reason Rotary has been so meaningful and impactful in his life is that he truly lives by Service Above Self in all he does.
CONGRATULATIONS TERRY! A well-deserved award!!
Every year, the Rotary Club of Akron (RCOA) is eligible to apply for Rotary District Matching Grants up to $7,000 ($3,500 from District; $3,500 from RCOA). Projects must fall in the following areas of service: Peace & Conflict (Prevention/Solution); Disease Prevention & Treatment; Water & Sanitation; Maternal & Child Health & Welfare; Basic Education & Literacy; Economic or Community Development and new in 2020—Supporting the Environment.
The recipient of the 2020-2021 Matching District Grant is The Well CDC! The RCOA Board of Directors selected The Well’s Akron Hope program after reviewing seven proposals from worthwhile area non-profits. The Akron Hope program serves Mason Community Learning Center, the local elementary school in the Middlebury neighborhood on the eastside of Akron.
The goals of Akron Hope are to connect families to stable housing, living wage jobs, and other community resources; provide resources for students to succeed academically, emotionally, and socially; and increase the civic engagement of parents within the school and the community. The program hopes to serve 600+ students (including 300+ at a second elementary school) and 100+ families.
One of the requirements for receiving the matching grant is including meaningful Rotarian involvement. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Akron Hope program has adjusted its Community Connection programming. They still plan to involve Rotary with safe volunteer opportunities to connect with students and parents—either virtually or via socially distanced outside events. Please watch for news on how to participate in coming months!
To learn more about Akron Hope, visit their website: https://thewellakron.com/akronhope/ .
Fellow Rotarians, it's that time again! Help Akron Rotary Camp earn $ to send kids to Camp! Save your ACME receipts from August 6 to December 26 to earn some Community Cash Back on ACME Fresh Market Store Brands. Receipts can be mailed or dropped off to Akron Rotary Camp, 4460 Rex Lake Drive, Akron, Ohio 44319. As always, thank you for your support!
Regards,
Mella
Do you shop on Amazon? If yes, AmazonSmile is an easy way to support Rotary Camp with every purchase. Just takes a few minutes to set up.
At no cost to you, Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases
If you are not already an AmazonSmile member, sign up on your web browser. Simply select Rotary Camp for Children With Special Needs Inc to start generating donations.
AmazonSmile customers can now support Rotary Camp for Children With Special Needs Inc in the Amazon shopping app on iOS and Android mobile phones. Simply follow these instructions to turn on AmazonSmile and start generating donations.
- Open the Amazon Shopping app on your device
- Go into the main menu of the Amazon Shopping app and tap into 'Settings'
- Tap 'AmazonSmile' and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process
If you do not have the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app, you will need to update your mobile app. Click here for instructions.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Mella Castner, director of development at Rotary Camp (330) 644-4512.
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