Welcome to The Rotary Club of Akron, Ohio

Join Us at a Meeting

NOTE DATE CHANGES
(due to Portage CC being closed)

January 8 - April 1, 2020

We meet each Wednesday at 11:45 am

On April 7, 2020 we return

to Tuesday meetings. 

No meetings: December 24 & 31, 2019 or January 1, 2020

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 2019-2020
Club President
Patrick T. O'Neill

 

View Calendar of
Weekly Speakers
& Our Events

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Subscribe to our eBulletin 
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Join Our Conversations

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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.
 
 
 
 

Salvation Army Bell Ringing Day on Dec. 13th

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER

On Friday, December 13th, our Rotary Club will be ringing the bell from 10:00 am - 8:00 pm for the Salvation Army at ACME #10 on 2226 State Road in Cuyahoga Falls. We will need two Rotarians (and friends) to volunteer for each hour we are covering that day.

This is a fun and popular service project for the Club that fills up quickly. Creativity is encouraged, as we have had singers, musicians, children and grandchildren participation in the past.

After you sign-up, you will receive an email confirming your participation and additional information will be forthcoming regarding what to expect and how to plan for your participation. Questions? Contact Mark Seward at markdseward@gmail.com or on 330-414-2075. Thank you for volunteering!


 

SUPER Learning Center Christmas Party
Posted by Bill Manby Jr.

Click to Register Now!!

Come join us, Santa Claus and over 150 special needs children for the Rotary Club of Akron’s Annual Christmas Party at SUPER Learning Center! An Hour of Your Day Will Create a Lifetime of Christmas Memories!

What: SUPER Learning Center Christmas Party

When: Thursday December 19th, 2018 from 9:15 AM to about 3:30 PM

Where: SUPER Learning Center is located at: 1584 Wilson Ave, Lakemore, OH 44250

Description: Come join us, Santa Claus and over 150 special needs children for the Rotary Club of Akron’s Annual Christmas Party at SUPER Learning Center! An Hour of Your Day Will Create a Lifetime of Christmas Memories!

Thank you,

-Matt Slonsky  National Social Security Advisor® Certificate Holder

Assistant to Bill Manby CLU®, ChFC®, CFP®, AEP®, National Social Security Advisor® Certificate Holder
Manby Financial Strategies, Inc.
Creating Financial Independence, Inc.
1611-A Akron-Peninsula Rd.
Akron, OH  44313
(330) 475 - 8575 (Phone)
(330) 475 - 8571 (Fax)


 

Camp News
Posted by Amanda Warner on Nov 22, 2019
 
Santa is Coming to Rotary Camp!

Join us on Sunday, December 15th, 2019, 3pm-5pm for our annual
Holiday Party at Akron Rotary Camp.
Our Holiday Party is fun for all to enjoy with some sing-a-long songs,
holiday crafts and cookies.
Santa will be stopping by with a bag full of gifts for our campers. 
Please consider supporting this event by buying a gift for our campers from our Wish List on Amazon, just visit bit.ly/campholiday
Gifts will be shipped directly to camp.
 
RSVP to Tina Gardner at tinag@akronymca.org, (330) 644-4512 x 32054 by Wednesday, December 11, 2019 if you will be attending.
 
 
 
Support Akron Rotary Camp while
shopping on Amazon!
 
 
Start shopping at smile.amazon.com and link your
account to support Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Amazon will donate 0.5% of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to Rotary Camp.
 

Tri-District Membership Summit Akron Participants
These Akron Rotarians dedicated their Saturday morning to exchange ideas with other Rotarians from District 6600, 6630 and 6650.  With over 140 attendees present there were several breakout sessions with discussion of best practices for engaging members, managing membership leads and much, much more.  Membership is critical to Rotary's Success and we look forward to continuing to strengthen and build upon the membership in the Akron Club which has served our community for over 105 years!
 
Akron Rotarians: L-R: George Rooney; President Pat O'Neill, Lynda Farkas; Doug Hausknecht; PDG Cheryl Warren; Membership Chair Tom Knauer; President Elect Dr. Rob McGregor; District Governor John Reyes; Assistant Governor Julie Brandle.

Congratulations Akron Rotarians!

Mella Castner

Outstanding Professional Fundraiser, Mella Castner was honored at the AFPNO awards November 1st. Many Rotarians were present to show their support.
Nominated by AFPNEO member Vondea Sheaffer, The Village of St. Edward.
Mella A. Castner
 

Cleveland Clinic Akron General Women's Board
(Rotarian Rima Muakkassa, President)

Recipient of a Special Recognition Award from AFPNEO for their outstanding contributions and dedication to our community.

 

Pam Kiltau

Special evening for the 2019 Athena Leadership Awards Dinner and celebrating all the inspirational finalists and award winners representing women leaders in our community!
 
Congratulations to all the award winners and finalists and a special special shout out to our fellow Rotarian and Rotary Camp board President Pamela Kiltau for being a Leadership Award Finalist.
 
The event recognizes exemplary women leaders for their professional achievement, community involvement, and for actively assisting women in reaching their full leadership potential.This year’s Leadership Award recipients will join more than 60 local women leaders who have been honored as recipients or finalists of this important award.
 
Photo L-R:  Mella Castner. Pam Kiltau, Dr. Rob McGregor
 

Julie Brandle - Metis Construction

Contributed photo
Metis Construction Services has swelled to 57 employees since its founding in 2009. The company's fortunes really took off when it worked on the Acorn Alley II development, seen here, in Kent.
 
As featured in Crains Cleveland:   Born from recession, Metis Construction Services keeps on steady growth track. Read the story here
 

Roger Read

Fellow Rotarian philanthropist and community leader Roger Read will be the 16th recipient of the H. Peter Burg Economic Development Leadership Award.

The Greater Akron Chamber announced Read will be honored on March 18 at the chamber’s 113th annual meeting at the John S. Knight Center in downtown Akron.

The chamber award was created in memory of the late H. Peter Burg, former chairman and chief executive of FirstEnergy Corp. The award recognizes a leader who embraces economic and community development in the Akron area.

Information on the Greater Akron Chamber’s upcoming annual meeting can be found at www.greaterakronchamber.org/annualmeeting2020 or by calling 330-376-5550.

Chili Open 2020
Posted by Amanda Warner on Nov 07, 2019

Chili Open Golf Classic

30th Birthday Tee-Off

 
Happy 30th Birthday to Akron Rotary’s Chili Open Golf Classic! In celebration of 30 years, the committee has set the Chili Open goal at $300,000! Last year, we raised $287,391 we feel confident that with the support of our Rotary Club and community that we will reach our 2020 goal. 
 
We are extremely thankful to our Chili Open Presenting Sponsor Wayne Homes for their continued support. Plus the Chili Open wouldn’t be complete without Chili. Thank you to Whitey’s Premium Chili as the official Chili Sponsor!
 
Funding from the Chili Open helps ensure that no camper is ever turned away from Akron Rotary Camp due to inability to pay. Sponsorships and Camperships make up 75% of our event goal. Rotarians are needed to help support with sponsorships, view the updated sponsorship benefits packet here. Please consider increasing your sponsorship, renewing your sponsorship or becoming a first time sponsor.  We are also looking for new prospective sponsors, so please let our Sponsorship chairs Christina Horak or Jeff Sheeks know if you have someone you would like to reach out to.   Your support makes the Chili Open an annual success for our Club.
 
We also ask every Rotarian to purchase or sell a minimum of ten raffle tickets at $20 each. There are great chance to win the following prizes:
  • 1st prize is a 2020 Chevrolet Sonic LS, or $10,000 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 2020 Cleveland Indians Game – Thank you Rotarian Steve Warren! 
Each ticket also includes $20 in discounts – which is the cost of the ticket:
  • $10 off oil change at The VanDevere Bunch
  • Purchase two entrees and receive $10 off your bill at BRAVO, Summit Mall
 
Raffle tickets were distributed to Rotarians who attended Tuesday’s Club luncheon. If you did not attend, you will receive your ticket in the next few days by mail. 
 
Still wondering what the Chili Open is about?
This is a short video for you to share with prospective sponsors and donors to help promote the Chili Open and help secure sponsorships (or click here to watch it on YouTube). Thank you to Rotarian, Mario Micale and Narrative Digital Design for creating the video!
 
 
 
For 96 years, Akron Rotary Camp has been the main project of our Rotary Club. Every Rotarian is needed to help us raise $300,000 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 look forward to seeing you on February 1, 2020 at Hale Farm and Village for the 30th Akron Rotary’s Chili Open Golf Classic.
 
Again, thank you for helping us to celebrate 30 years of greatness!
 
Dr. Rob McGregor and Wanda Whipkey
Co-Chairs, Chili Open 2020
 

New Members Inducted
Posted on Oct 22, 2019
Welcome our newest members who were inducted October 29, 2019:  Blake Gerny, Morgan Goldthwaite and Julie-Ann Sweetbuntin
 
Watch for our New Member eNews that will share more about all new members who join us in October!
 
Photo L-R: 
Sponsor John Margida, Blake Gerny;  Morgan Goldthwaite, Sponsor Andrea Moore; Julie Ann Sweet-Buntin, Sponsor Katy Miller; Club President Pat O'Neill.

On the Road to a Polio Free World
Posted on Oct 24, 2019
On Tuesday, October 22nd, Past District 6630 Governor, Steve Zabor shared his experience participating in a Polio National Immunization Day (NID) in India and why our continued efforts to eradicate this disease are so important. 
 
 
Thank you for your ongoing support to help us End Polio Now.
 
 
 

Rotarian Becomes a Paul Harris Fellow
Posted on Oct 10, 2019

The presentation of Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) Recognition is The Rotary Foundations’ way of expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian and educational programs.  It is named for our founder, Paul Harris, a Chicago Lawyer who began Rotary International with three business associates in 1905.

Rotary Foundation Club Co-Chair, Lynda Farkas. presented JIm Durr with his first Paul Harris Fellowship - he received his certificate and pin.
 

Elin and Zoe Update
Posted by Susan Colville-Hall on Oct 07, 2019

Our Youth Exchange Students Keep Busy!

Elin Na and Zoé Mayeur, our exchange students at Stow Munroe Falls High School football game in the Marching Band
 
Elin tests her skills in the dragon boat!
  
Elin Na and Zoé Mayeur at Stan Hywet Ohio Mart with Host mom Jennifer Carroll and Susan Colville-Hall
 
Homecoming was a new and exciting event for Elin and Zoe shown with Jennifer Carroll
 
Join Our Conversations . . .
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Upcoming Speakers

Club Holiday Luncheon - RSVP under Club Events
Dec 10, 2019
Please join us for our Club Holiday Celebration
Paul LaGuardia - Hartville Potato Chips
Dec 17, 2019
Meet the CEO Series
View entire list...
 
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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