We were honored to hear from fellow Rotarian Karen Hrdlicka at our June 21st meeting. Karen provided the following recap of her presentation which can also be viewed by clicking here or copy and paste this link in your browser https://youtu.be/YlcOvuL6rsk
Here is a recap she provided:
The word “philanthropy” simply means “love of mankind”. Paul Harris started Rotary in 1905 so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Now it is also an organization that seeks to solve complex humanitarian problems both globally and locally. Certainly a way to “love mankind”. As you know, Rotary International is intentional in how they achieve results. Shouldn’t you follow that example by being intentional about how you love your community?
The 4 T’s of Philanthropy is simply a framework that allows you to intentionally think about the way you show up in the community around an issue you are passionate about. If every person found a cause and was intentional about how they affected that issue, we could make a real difference in the world. The 4 T’s are:
- Time
- Treasure
- Talent
- Ties
Our very own Virginia Wojno-Forney is a great example. Last week she was honored by the Women’s History Project with the Imagination Award. Her passion is preservation. She gave her time volunteering with Progress through Preservation. She used her treasure by giving her own money to preservation projects in our community. She used her talent of vision to help envision a run down urban area into Cascade Lock Park and other projects. She used her ties with the GAR Foundation, city institutions and volunteers to achieve preservation goals. By using all 4 of her T’s towards a goal of preserving history and beautifying our community she produced real results.
Consider how you can be intentional as well. What are you passionate about? Where do you want to make a difference in the world? What change do you want to make in the community?
Time Find a nonprofit organization that is working in that area and sign up to be a volunteer. According to a study done by Volunteer Hub the value you bring to that organization as a volunteer is $28.54 an hour. In return a Cleveland Clinic study showed that when you volunteer you get a health benefit by strengthening your body, improving your mood and lessening your stress. 96% of volunteers reported the action enriched their sense of purpose in life. In Ohio, 33.2% of citizens 18 years and older volunteer. Imagine the difference it would make if we could increase that to even 40%.
Treasure Donate to that nonprofit. Many people have non-cash items (i.e. appreciated stocks, IRAs required minimum distributions, cryptocurrency, etc.) that can be donated through a donor advised or endowment fund at a community foundation and liquidated to give to nonprofits. Don’t forget to check if your company has a matching donation program. It is estimated that between $4-$10 billion is left on the table each year from corporate matching gift programs.
Talent Nonprofits are constrained in terms of the staff they can afford. Giving talent leverages specific skills. Board service is a great way to support a nonprofit organization you are passionate about. However, if that is not available or conducive to your schedule, consider project based work like setting up computer systems, social media management, or any other project that you are skilled to perform and the nonprofit needs.
Ties This is probably the easiest one of all, but no one thinks about it as an intentional step. As Rotarians we get how important networking is and this is just connecting it to a nonprofit. When you volunteer, bring along a friend. When you have to say “no” consider saying “no, but let me introduce you to…”. When you see a nonprofits social media post, share it and tell others why you love that nonprofit.
The Akron Community Foundation opened the Center for Family Philanthropy for the very reason of getting more people involved in supporting the nonprofits in Summit and Medina counties. If you are passionate about changing something in the world, our doors are open to help you think about how you can make a difference. And Karen Hrdlicka, as a fellow Rotarian, is always willing to take your call or have coffee to help you be more intentional in how you show up in the world and make a difference.
Respectfully,
![]() ![]() | Karen Hrdlicka Director, The Center for Family Philanthropy Akron Community Foundation 345 W. Cedar St., Akron, OH 44307 330-436-5640 | www.akroncf.org |
Want to have some fun while rowing for a great cause?
Please consider being on the Dragon Boat team!
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We need to verify if we can support a full team very shortly so let me know if you are fully interested in participating and if you have anyone else who may like to participate.
CONTACT:
Brian Kosarko
briank@twinpines.technology
Direct:330-606-3490
briank@twinpines.technology
Direct:330-606-3490
DETAILS:
We need at least 8 women in the boat at any point in time and the boat holds 20 people, our team can have up to 24 people.
Here is the website for the event http://dragonsonthelake.com/
COST:
It costs $1200 for the team to participate in the event so expect about $50 per person out of pocket.
I will check with our Rotary Club to see if they will sponsor us again ... but we cannot count on this right now.
PRACTICE:
There will be 1 practice before the day in an evening decided by the event organizers.
On the day of, the event starts at 7:30am but as we have learned, only the captain or 1 person needs to be there to sign us up. The rest of the people need to be there around 8:30 to get ready. The races start at 9am so all the team would need to be there and ready in case we are in one of the first races.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
SHIRTS:
We will have to check with fellow Rotarian Tom Knauer to see if he can help with shirt logo again if anything needs changed.
Otherwise, I think I can get new shirts at about $25 each if we get 12 or more, $22 if we get 18 or more. These are performance t-shirts with the logo on them.
OUR TEAM:
Our current team is below with the indented people being invited by the Rotarian above them:
Brian Kosarko
Angela Kosarko
Hannah Lingel
Connor Jarvis
David Hall
AnnMarie Hall
Olivia Pilon
1 or 2 work associates?
Maybe
Julie Brandle
Karen Hrdlicka
Susan Colville-Hall
Brian Shanower (Brian K)
Natalie Shanower (Brian K)
Garrett Morgner (Brian K)
Bri Hastings (Brian K)
If you know anyone who would be interested or wants to participate, let me know and we can add them to the list.
Hoping you can join us!!
Brian Kosarko
For 2022-2023 we have an exciting level of RYE activity. Two Long-term Outbound students Manny Nunez (S. Korea) and Samantha Kramer (Brazil) and a Short-term student, Serena Guo, who is going to Belgium on a direct exchange.
Our Outbound Exchange student Samantha (Sammy) Kramer attended with her father, Keith Kramer (photo). She will leave in July for Brazil to be there on time to start school. She wore her RYE jacket with a collection of pins already evident, so it’s obvious she will have a fabulous time. She has communicated with her host family and is excited about going. Sam’s grandfather is a Rotarian from Cincinnati and was the pin donor to her early start.

The Kramers, who live in Stow, are going to host Yara while Sammy is in Brazil. Yara has already made out her schedule with help from Sam’s mom, Tonya Kramer, and hopes to play volleyball for SMFHS. Liv Pilon will serve as Counselor to our Inbound student Yara Martin Salas.
July 12 our short-term exchange student Serena Guo will join Akron Rotarians for lunch with her exchange sister from Belgium and Serena’s mother.
The RYE Committee will meet next week, June 28, to plan activities for our Inbound student following the regular meeting at Bounce. If you are a Rotarian who is interested in supporting young people in an international adventure, please join us.
July 12 our short-term exchange student Serena Guo will join Akron Rotarians for lunch with her exchange sister from Belgium and Serena’s mother.
The RYE Committee will meet next week, June 28, to plan activities for our Inbound student following the regular meeting at Bounce. If you are a Rotarian who is interested in supporting young people in an international adventure, please join us.
Yours in Service -
Susan Colville-Hall
FUN AT THE BALLPARK!
Mark your calendar and sign up NOW for the “ End Polio Now” Guardians Game against the Chicago White Sox on July 13, 2022.
Always a fun night, dinner in the Terrace Club, good lower bowl or upper bowl seats, silent auction and a raffle for a chance to throw out the first pitch at a future Guardians game and receive a Paul Harris Fellow Recognition.
You will be able to join with fellow Rotarians from our District 6630 along with District 6600 and 6650.
What a deal!
- See you at Progressive Field -
Wednesday, July 13th
Chicago White Sox vs Cleveland Guardians
Terrace Club and Non-Terrace Club Tickets Available