Our Mission:

An inclusive, action oriented service organization, Akron Rotary improves our community
and the world while having fun and building friendships.
 
Our Vision:
Together, we aspire to make a lasting, positive impact in the lives of those
in our Akron community and beyond. 

SERVICE & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer for One Hot Meal Program & Food Pantry (through Dec 29, 2026)
 
 
SERVICE EVENT - PLEASE VOLUNTEER!
 
Volunteers are needed for the One Hot Meal and Food Pantry at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.  
 
 
Time: 4:45 pm - 6:30 pm
Location: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 129 S. Union Street, Akron, OH 44304
 
We appreciate your participation and look forward to continuing to make this a great event together!
 
Chair: John Matheos
 
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Jul 14, 2026 12:00 PM
Akron Rotary Foundation Christmas in July / Grant Recipients
Akron Rotary Foundation Christmas in July / Grant Recipients

Laura Smiley will be our master of ceremony as we explore all the wonderful “gifts” we have as a Rotary Foundation. You will meet the grantees that our Rotary Club awarded grants to last year. You will hear about our successful partnership with Akron Public Schools and the scholarships we awarded. We will talk about the partnership we have with the Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs. After you hear about the power of our Club’s Foundation you will hear about an opportunity to give a “gift” as part of our Christmas in July celebration. 

 

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CLUB NEWS
Your Akron Club 2026-2027 President and Board

This week marked the beginning of a new Rotary year as Michael Gladysz was installed as our Club President for 2026–27!

Michael was joined for this special occasion by his wife, Stacey, and their two sons, Evan and Ethan. We look forward to Michael's leadership in the year ahead and wish him and his family a wonderful and successful Rotary year.

 

Following Michael's installation, the Club's Board of Directors was also sworn in to serve during the 2026–27 Rotary year. We congratulate our incoming Board members and look forward to their leadership and service as we continue making a positive impact in our community.

Our Newest Akron Club Honorary Rotarian

President Michael Gladysz performed his first official induction on July 7, 2026 by inducting new Honorary Rotarian, Cheryl “Cherie” Buchanan who was sponsored by PDG Cheryl Warren.

Honorary Rotarians are individuals recognized for their exceptional service and support of Rotary ideals and values. When presented to the Board for approval, they were all in agreement that Cherie definitely met the criteria.  Honorary Members cannot vote or hold office in the Club.

Cherie been a very active friend of Rotary for over 40 years.  She has volunteered at Club and District events, attended several International Conventions and is a Rotary Benefactor.  

She has been married to PDG Stew Buchanan for 42 years. One of her major achievements in our District includes helping Stew structure, run and obtain matching grants for the End Polio Now event hosted at the Guardians annually. She continues to volunteer at the event along with many other Rotary initiatives. 

Cherie is a retired Registered Nurse and taught nursing at The University of Akron.  She and Stew have 5 children (5 boys and 2 girls) and 7 grandchildren.   Her hobbies include taking Stew to the ballpark to usher at baseball games and fortunately she thoroughly enjoys all kinds of spectator sports - especially baseball.  Whenever possible she takes time to go their family cabin in Madison and loves boating.   

Photo L-R:  President Michael Gladysz, Cherie & PDG Stew Buchanan, PDG Cheryl Warren

Why did America create the Fed? Free talk explores the crises that led us here

Tom Knauer was contacted about this Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland presentation on July 16.  It is offered virtual and in person - Register now.

It is not a “Club” event but after discussion with our program chair it was decided to share it in case it is something that interests you and you wish to attend on July 16th.  

Our program chair may also look into a program for our club in the future should they be willing to do onsite presentations.  Sounds interesting!!

Hi Akron Rotary,

 We're hosting on July 16 a look at American monetary history, specifically the crises and unsuccessful institutions that led to the Federal Reserve's creation in 1913. Given your members' interest in lunchtime programming, we thought they'd appreciate a direct invitation.

 This event is virtual and in-person (with a building tour of our 1923 headquarters for those attending in Cleveland).  I've included ready-to-use copy below for your newsletter, social media, and website.

The Crises That Led to the Fed's Creation: free history talk, July 16

How did America handle monetary policy before 1913? Join Cleveland Fed economist emeritus Owen Humpage for a journey through the 19th- and 20th-century institutions, crises, and political battles that led to the Federal Reserve's creation. Virtual and in-person (Cleveland) options available, 1–2 pm EDT. Includes Q&A and optional building tour. Register now

Before the Federal Reserve existed, America's monetary policy was handled by a rotating cast of institutions—all of which didn’t succeed. Join Cleveland Fed economist emeritus Owen Humpage on July 16 (1–2 pm EDT) to explore the 19th- and 20th-century economic crises and political battles that ultimately led to the Fed's creation in 1913. Virtual and in-person participation available, and those in person can tour the Bank's 1923 building. Register.

Thanks for considering! 

Join Us at a Camp Cookout with the Kids Thru August 6th

August 29th - Cornhole Tournament Benefiting Akron Rotary Camp

September 26th - Rotary Camp Regatta

For over 100 years, Rotary Camp has served children with special needs throughout Northeast Ohio. Thanks to the generous support of so many in our community, we have made tremendous strides to fulfill our mission of “Creating a world where there are only abilities!” We need your support as we continue this voyage of making a difference in the lives of special needs children and their families.

Mark your calendar for September 26,2026, and join us for our Akron Rotary Camp Regatta, held at our facility in the scenic Portage Lakes. Come enjoy an evening filled with cocktails, entertainment, delicious food, and fireworks as we celebrate embracing the future together.

A formal invitation will follow. Please visit rotarycampregatta.com for additional information, or contact Amanda Warner at 330.644.4512, ext. 3205 or email amandaw@akronymca.org.

Catering by Beau’s Grille and the Doubletree by Hilton Akron/Fairlawn.

 

 

2026-2027 Club Sponsors Make a Difference
A huge THANK YOU goes out to the following companies and individuals who have stepped up to be Club Sponsors for the 2026-2027 Rotary Year:
 
Premier Sponsors
  • BILLOW'S FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY
  • TIM MILLER'S INSURANCE SERVICES AGENCY
  • WRIGHT-LAHAIE-JARVIS 
Company/Individual Name Sponsors
  • ARTISTS INCORPORATED
  • HONORABLE JUDGE KATHRYN MICHAEL
  • LONAROCK
  • NARAGON COMPANIES
  • WIND RIVER GROUP
 
ImageImage
Akrotarian
Supporters

Wind River Group

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Member Birthdays
Jacinto Nunez
July 1
 
Sarah Buccigross
July 13
 
David Koly
July 15
 
Janet Palcko
July 26
 
Karen Dorn
July 28
 
Rosanne Shovlin
July 30
 
Thomas Gedelian
July 30
 
Mella Castner
August 3
 
Laura Smiley
August 5
 
Janey Ames
August 8
 
Katerina Papas
August 8
 
Douglas Hausknecht
August 10
 
Abraham Pannikottu
August 11
 
Doug Kohl
August 11
 
Roger Read
August 11
 
Julie Ann Sweet-Buntin
August 13
 
Kathryn Michael
August 13
 
Brian Kosarko
August 16
 
Marissa Rufe
August 17
 
Marcia Holcomb
August 21
 
Rick Rogers
August 22
 
Robert McGregor
August 22
 
Fred Swartz
August 23
 
Matt Long
August 28
 
Anniversaries
Rachel Shepard
Chuck Shepard
July 2
 
Rosanne Shovlin
Tim Shovlin
July 2
 
Morgan Lasher
Matt Lasher
July 25
 
Bill Manby, Sr.
Sally Manby
July 26
 
Richard Brandenburg
Heather Brandenburg
August 1
 
Cheryl Warren
Steve Warren
August 3
 
Greg Skinner
Jessica Skinner
August 3
 
Brian Harding
Michelle Harding
August 5
 
Jacinto Nunez
Rachel Nunez
August 5
 
Aimee Wade
Ryan Wade
August 6
 
Karen Hrdlicka
Jeff Jones
August 11
 
Dan Sveda
Victoria
August 13
 
Julie Brandle
Steven Brandle
August 20
 
Jeff Sitz
Nichole Sitz
August 23
 
Carrie Pozsgay
Mark Pozsgay
August 28
 
Join Date
Bill (JR) Manby
July 1, 1995
31 years
 
Karen Dorn
July 1, 2011
15 years
 
Janey Ames
July 3, 2007
19 years
 
Paul Hummel
July 3, 2001
25 years
 
Carol Marturano-Becker
July 7, 2020
6 years
 
Lynne Hastings
July 8, 2009
17 years
 
Marissa Rufe
July 11, 2023
3 years
 
Aimee Wade
July 20, 2021
5 years
 
Elizabeth Campbell
July 21, 2015
11 years
 
Johnna Economou
July 21, 2015
11 years
 
Rich Fry
July 21, 2020
6 years
 
Cheryl Warren
August 1, 1995
31 years
 
Hugh Alpeter
August 1, 1983
43 years
 
Rick Rogers
August 1, 2005
21 years
 
Thane Billow
August 1, 2017
9 years
 
Amanda Leffler
August 5, 2025
1 year
 
Janet Palcko
August 5, 2025
1 year
 
Morgan Lasher
August 5, 2025
1 year
 
Daniel Riemenschneider
August 8, 2000
26 years
 
Robert McGregor
August 19, 2014
12 years
 
Vivian Harig
August 22, 2017
9 years
 
Brian Kosarko
August 26, 2014
12 years
 
Mella Castner
August 26, 2014
12 years
 

THANK YOU TO OUR 2025-2026 PREMIER SPONSORS
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
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