When/Where we Meet:
Tuesday at NOON

Doors open at 11:45am

 
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
129 South Union Street
Akron, OH 44304
 
$20.00 per person
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Nathanael Billow
2024-2025 Club President

 
The Club Board of Directors meet the
2nd Tuesday of each month at 10:45 a.m.
Board meetings are open to Club members. 
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Upcoming Speakers

Nathanael Billow
Feb 18, 2025 12:00 PM
Club Assembly

Join us to discuss the Club and exchange ideas about how to continue to grow and serve our community. 

The Honorable Linda Tucci Teodosio
Feb 25, 2025 12:00 PM
Summit County Juvenile Court
George Rosche
Mar 04, 2025 12:00 PM
Chick-fil-A Franchise Owner/Operator
Ed Morrison
Mar 11, 2025 12:00 PM
Ancient Order of Hibernians
Dave Yost
Mar 18, 2025 12:00 PM
Ohio Attorney General
View entire list...

 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.
 
News and Activities
35th Annual Chili Open Golf Classic Celebrates Success!
Posted by Amanda Warner
 
Excitement was in the air for the 35th Annual Chili Open Golf on Saturday, February 1st. Despite facing some challenges during set-up day due to rain and muddy conditions, the skies cleared to a brilliant blue on the day of the event, which was proudly presented by Wayne Homes. This event was held again at the scenic Hale Farm and Village in Bath, Ohio. With final numbers in, we are excited to announce the total raise is $362,098!
 
Akron’s own WAOH’s broadcasting services were on site and captured some great moments of the day! Click here to watch a short video.
 
A special shout out to Wayne Homes for being the presenting sponsor of the event. They have been part of the event since 1993, and the Presenting Sponsor for the last 23 years. Their leadership and support play a crucial role in the success of the Chili Open, and we are sincerely thankful for their contribution.
 
We are grateful to our Community Partners:
  • Barrington Carpet & Flooring Design
  • Industrial Tube and Steel Corporation
  • Integrated Project Solutions
  • The VanDevere Automotive Family
We also want to thank our Corporate Partners for their support:
  • Air Control Products, Inc.
  • Akron Tractor and Equipment, Inc.
  • the ASAP Foundation
  • The Billow Funeral Homes and Crematory
  • Buckeye Corrugated, Inc.
  • Rubber City Radio
  • S.A. Comunale Company
  • Sandridge Crafted Foods
  • SeibertKeck Insurance Partners
  • Summit DD
  • Wealth Impact Advisors
  • Willoughby Supply
A heartfelt thanks to all our Premier Partners, Caring Partners and those who supported with a campership, donations, and in-kind donations. 
 
A special shout-out to Whitey’s, the official Chili sponsor of the Chili Open!
 
Please click here for a full list of our sponsors.
 
The Chili Open is the Rotary Club’s primary fundraiser in supporting the operational needs of Akron Rotary Camp. This event's success is due to the commitment of our Rotary Club and our Corporate Community.
 
We appreciate everyone’s efforts and support in making our 35th annual Chili Open a continued success to benefit our campers and their families served by the camp.
 
Mark your calendars for Akron Rotary’s 36th annual Chili Open Golf Classic on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Hale Farm and Village!
 
Rotary Cares
Posted on Feb. 12, 2025
 
The purpose of Rotary Cares is to show our support for Akron Rotary members and their families when dealing with the loss of a loved one, the hardship of illness and also to celebrate the joy of a new baby, job, marriage or other events in their lives. Please <Click to Email us> to let us know of any news you would like placed here. Note that health related information is posted only with permission of the individual(s).
 
 
ROTARIANS RECOGNIZED BY LEADERSHIP AKRON
 
The New Executive Leader Reception celebrates individuals who have stepped into a top executive or decision-making role in 2024, highlighting those poised to impact our community significantly. Whether new to the area or stepping into a new significant leadership role, these leaders are at the heart of our event. We'll recognize, celebrate, and introduce them to our vibrant community of established leaders and Leadership Akron Alumni.
 
Congratulations to these fellow Rotarians receiving this recognition and all the other honorees.  View at https://www.leadershipakron.org/nelr2025 :
 
Mella Hawk Castner in her new executive role with Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs, Chief of Akron Police Department Brian Harding and Evelyn Williams with Global Ties Akron.
 

Criteria for Honorees are leaders who:

  • Serve as a top decision-maker or C-suite executive in a private, public, or nonprofit organization located in Greater Akron (Summit County or nearby counties with strong Akron ties).

  • Lead organizations that are well-established and make an impact on our community.

  • Are in roles with significant community influence, such as reporting to the CEO, Board of Directors, or overseeing a major operation.

  • Have accepted prestigious roles outside Greater Akron that elevate their leadership profile (Alumni only).

Laura Duda Selected as 2025 Captains Ball Honorary Canal Boat Captain
We are excited to announce the Honorary Captain of our 2025 Canal Boat Captain's Ball: Laura Duda, Senior Vice President & Chief Communications Officer of Goodyear! ⚓
 
We are proud to spotlight Laura for her exemplary commitment to the Northeast Ohio community and her support of the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area. As the chief communications officer, Duda leads all internal and external communications for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, including public and media relations, employee communications, corporate reputation management, philanthropy and community relations, as well as Goodyear’s fleet of world-famous airships.
 
To learn more about Laura or to make a contribution to the Canalway's Towpath Trail, connector trails and public parks in her honor, please visit ohioeriecanal.org/captains-ball and stay tuned for our Virtual Auction fundraiser April 30 - May 7!
Thank you for your time, talents and treasures!
 
Thank you to everyone - our partners, volunteers, people who bought raffle tickets, golfers and guests!

By the close of the event Saturday, we had raised $353,000.  More will trickle in as the auction items close and some late checks arrive.
 
WE COULDN’T DO THIS WITHOUT EACH OF YOU!
 
and some are posted on our home page banner at www.AkronRotary.org
 
Have more photos?
Email them to cawarren@neo.rr.com (NOTE: please attach them in your emails - do not put them in the body of the email). 
Marilyn Buckey Receives Ambassador of Service Award
Congratulations to Marilyn Buckey, was honored at the 2025 Akron Rotary Club’s Chili Open Golf Classic as the recipient of the 2025 James Redmond Ambassador of Service Award.
 
The award was established in 1991 in recognition of community leaders who have gone above and beyond in support of the Rotary Club of Akron and the community.
 
She has been an Akron Rotarian since 1988 and served in numerous capacities, including chair of the Akron Club Foundation.
 
We’re appreciative of Marilyn’s dedication and support the Rotary Club of Akron and the Akron community.
 
Now packing lunches - OPEN M Backpack Service Project 
Akron Rotary's Open M has resumed their Food Backpack Program for food insecure students at Innes Middle School for 200 kids in need. 
 
We are continuing our support of the supplemental food service through June 4, 2025.
 
 
Wednesdays at 2:30pm now through June 4, 2025
 
Location: Open M 
941 Princeton Street, Akron, OH 44311
 
You can sign up directly on the Rotary Club of Akron website by clicking here. We appreciate your participation and look forward to making this a great event together!
 
Sandy Naragon, Chair
Grant Committee
330-256-5315 - Cell
 
 
Rotary Cares
Posted on Jan. 29, 2025
 
The purpose of Rotary Cares is to show our support for Akron Rotary members and their families when dealing with the loss of a loved one, the hardship of illness and also to celebrate the joy of a new baby, job, marriage or other events in their lives. Please <Click to Email us> to let us know of any news you would like placed here. Note that health related information is posted only with permission of the individual(s).
 
 
CONGRATULATIONS DAVID MILLER
 
Akron Rotarian David Miller has been named as one of the upcoming Achievement in Excellence Award Recipients. Congratulations to David and the rest of those named.
Please Volunteer to Help at our Meetings!
Happy New Year!  I hope that each of you and your families had a wonderful Christmas and holiday season overall!
 
It's that time of year again where I send out everyone's favorite email - plus, you will get to hear my voice even more than usual at club meetings (cue the eyerolls and groans - I know you can't wait!) as I announce the need for volunteers to assist with the following roles at our club meetings for the 1st half of 2025: Greeter (& "Daily Lotto" sales), Invocation Speaker, & Meeting/Technology Set-Up. 
 
My most sincere appreciation and gratitude goes out to the faithful “regulars” I have been able to consistently count on to help fill the respective roles or jump in last minute to cover an empty slot (you know who you are).  I also appreciate the handful of "newcomers" (both established and newer members) who helped throughout the course of last year or expressed a willingness to do so moving forward. 
 
I would like to encourage anyone that has either never served as Greeter or Invocator (or who has only done so sparingly) to consider volunteering for a few slots during this 1st half of 2025 - I'd be immensely thankful to see my list of "regulars" grow.  Not only are these roles a much appreciated and valued service to the club, but they also present an excellent opportunity to immerse oneself in the weekly meetings. 
 
If you need help signing up, please let me know and I can direct you to the appropriate location on the Rotary Club of Akron website, or I will gladly fill in your name for whatever date(s) you are able and willing to volunteer.  For convenience, here is the public URL to the relevant volunteer sign-up page:
 
CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER 
 
For Greeters, please plan to arrive by 11:40ish (if possible) and be prepared to help sell Daily Lotto raffle tickets and have the speaker pull the winning ticket at the end of the meeting.
 
For Invocation Speakers, I have provided some links with sample invocations below.  You are quite welcome to create your own invocation, of course, but please know that custom content is not a requirement!  I am happy to assist with this too.  In fact, I'll even provide an invocation for you to read if that's what it will take for you to sign up.  I assure you, this need not be an intimidating volunteer role for the meeting! 
 
For Meeting/Technology Set-Up, the duties currently require:
  1. Ensuring the computer, projector, and microphones are all up and running smoothly before the start of the meeting.  NOTE: Brian Kosarko, Michael Gladysz, or I can/will help train new volunteers - we would certainly appreciate expanding the rotation for this role. 
  2. If necessary, correcting the flag positioning so that when viewed from the audience, the U.S./American Flag is to the left of the speaker/podium and the Ohio Flag is on the right. 
 
Thank you in advance for volunteering!  
 
Yours in service,
CJ
 
Connor G. Jarvis, CFP®
Sergeant of Arms
Rotary Club of Akron
 
 
 
Some links with sample invocations (if needed/desired):
 
 
 
 
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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