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The Akrotarian
eBulletin

 
Weekly Club Meetings are currently being held virtually via ZOOM.
 
We meet at Noon each Tuesday. 
 
 
 
 

Our Speaker June 22, 2021

JACQUELINE FLAHERTY-RICCHIUTI, CEO
Keep Akron Beautiful

Jacqui Flaherty-Ricchiuti was named the Executive Director & CEO of Keep Akron Beautiful (KAB) in December 2014. Keep Akron Beautiful is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve Akron’s quality of life through beautification and responsible environmental management. A city and private sector funded agency, Jacqui is responsible for raising over $800,000 annually to operate the agency by extensive grant writing.  Keep America Beautiful, Inc. awarded the agency second place recognition in 2014 for comprehensive program excellence of affiliates serving similar populations and Akron has been a President’s Circle Award annually since 2003.
 
Mrs. Ricchiuti is a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Jacqui is a trained Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) - Guardian Ad Litem with the Summit County Juvenile Court System, advocating for children in the custody of the Summit County Children’s Service. Since 2012, Jacqui has advocated for eight families, ensuring at the end of the case the children were in safe homes.   
 
Jacqui serves the community in other ways, such as dedicating herself as the Recycling Coordinator for the Akron Marathon since 2013; as the Marketing Coordinator and ten year volunteer for the Summit County Italian Council, which puts on the Akron Italian-American Festival at Lock 3 Park; and serves as a volunteer for multiple events at the Carovillese Club in North Hill, a nonprofit club celebrating her families Italian heritage.
 
Jacqui is a dedicated Junior League of Akron Sustaining Member. After joining in 2011, Mrs. Ricchiuti has served the League in a variety of capacities. In 2012 she joined the Membership Council and in 2013 & 2014 she helped organize member events, as part of the Membership Council. In 2014, Jacqui served as a co-chair for the Early Bird Bustle 5K Run/Walk at Old Trail School, which raised over $3,000 to do educational programs with the Boys and Girls Club on childhood health and wellness through the Junior Leagues’ Kids in the Kitchen program. Jacqui served the League as the Vice President of Communications in 2015 and served as one of the 2016 ShowHouse Co-Chairs. Jacqui planned the League’s signature fundraiser and event, ShowHouse, with two other event chairs, raising $30,000 for the ShowHouse and $60,000 for a capital campaign that she helped to organize. Jacqui was the Vice President of Nominating & Placement for the 2016-2017 League year and became a Sustainer in 2020.
 
Jacqui is an alumni member of Leadership Akron Class 34- she graduated in June 2018 and was part of the Women’s Network Community Leadership Institute through Leadership Akron in 2016. She also is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
 
Jacqui began her career as an event planner for a local running event and knew her true passion was to get into non-profit work. She heard of an opportunity to fill a Program Manager position with Keep Akron Beautiful, from a trusted friend and advisor, who is now a board member of Keep Akron Beautiful. Mrs. Ricchiuti was promoted to CEO in December of 2014.
 
Jacqui is a graduate of Wadsworth High School.  She received her B.A. degree in Business & Organizational Communication and Public Relations from The University of Akron in 2011.  As the Philanthropy Chairman for Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, she worked hard to raise money for Juvenile Diabetes through the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation, by hosting and planning events such as Alpha Gam Lip Jam (a lip synching competition) and held an Alpha Gam Man Competition to raise funds.  Jacqui attended skill-building conferences sponsored by The Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values, The Association of Junior Leagues; The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency- Division of Natural Resources, Keep America Beautiful and The Association of Fundraising Professionals.
 
Jacqui and her husband, Bruno, were born and raised in the Akron area, Jacqui in Wadsworth and Bruno in Green. Currently, Jacqui and Bruno reside in West Akron. Jacqui’s parents still reside in Wadsworth. Jacqui is one of four children, two of her siblings live locally, and her brother lives in Las Vegas, NV. Jacqui welcomed her first child, daughter Giuliana, in June 2018 and her second daughter, Mia, in December 2020.

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Club News
"End Polio Now" Night at the Indians 2021
WE ARE BACK!!!!
“End Polio Now ” Night at the Indians 2021
 
Once again the annual Rotary Night at the Indians can be held without restrictions. While we missed last 2020, we are glad to be back now and raising money for End Polio Now.
 
On July 22, 2021, the Cleveland Baseball team will play the Tampa Bay Rays. And Rotary will be there too—in the Terrace Club,  walk on the field with “End Polio Now “ T shirts, having the First pitch raffle and other exclusive raffle auctions. Now we just need YOU!!!
 
Please see the attached flyer and get your reservations in as soon as possible.
 
We need you at the “End Polio Now “ Indians game.
 
Stew Buchanan
 
 
June 10, 1924 . . .Rotary Camp was Born
June 10, 1924 - Rotarians, Hez Simmons and Walter Hoyt rented a YMCA camp for 10 days to provide a summer camp to meet the specific needs of children with disabilities and Rotary Camp for Crippled Children was born. During the early days the campers had mostly polio and cerebral palsy. When campers would get homesick during their stay at camp, Hez would say: “Sure, we’ll take you home, but first I need a new lanyard.” He and the camper will talk and work on the lanyard until homesickness was overcome. Thank you Hez and Walter, for founding Rotary Camp, where we, for the last 97 years, Create a world where there are only abilities!
 
Dan Reynolds
Director of Endless Possibilities
Akron Rotary Camp
 
 
SAVE THE DATE!!
Join us for a Rotary BBQ to honor
President Dr. Robert McGregor.
 
 
 
 
Come join us for fun and fellowship around the campfire.
July 10, 2021 ∙ 4-8pm

Akron Rotary Camp
4460 Rex Lake Drive
Akron, OH 44319
Details to follow soon!
 
Look forward to seeing you soon!
Your past President, Pat O’Neill
Beautification Project 
Thank you to everyone who was able to volunteer for our beautification project!! Enjoy pictures from the day. ▶ View photos and start slideshow
 
June 12th - The Akron Rotary Foundation, a 501 C3 partnered with The Well Community Corp, also a 501C3 to provide landscaping enhancements to 5 homes located in the Middlebury area of Akron. This project is designed to rehabilitate the housing in a depressed area of the community that dates back to the founding of Akron. The Rotary Club of Akron's commitment was to provide materials and volunteers to enhance the appearance of the home by trimming and cleaning up existing landscaping as well as planting of annual and perennial flowers, and mulching of flowerbeds to brighten the curb appeal and encourage other property owners to do likewise.
 
Steve Millard, President & CEO Leads Chamber's Efforts
Steve Millard, President & CEO of the Greater Akron Chamber was our featured speaker at the Tuesday, June 15 Club meeting.  Mr. Millard provided an overview of the Greater Akron Area Chamber of Commerce.   The Greater Akron Chamber serves Medina, Portage and Summit Counties.
 
 
Mr. Millard’s work is focused on leading the chamber’s efforts to drive jobs and investment in the Greater Akron region, improve the region’s competitiveness and to advocate for the needs of the business community in the region with its elected and appointed officials.
 
Steve is a certified chamber executive, serves on the Boards of Leadership Akron, the Summit Education Initiative (data-based school performance collaborative), Conexus/NEO (regional workforce intermediary) and Medical Services Company. He is a frequent adviser to businesses and a regular facilitator for strategic planning and leadership team retreats.
 
What is the Mission of the Greater Akron Chamber?
The mission of the Greater Akron Chamber is to drive economic growth and prosperity for Greater Akron by supporting the success of the business community and acting as a convener of stakeholders on key issues facing the region.
 
Who does the Greater Akron Chamber Serve?
The Chamber represents a membership of diverse businesses ranging from global manufacturers to small machine shops and professionals to non-profit organizations and educational institutions. The Greater Akron Chamber is committed to continual improvement of our community, our economy, and our quality of life. The Chamber serves more than 1,500 member companies, offering the best bottom-line, result-producing benefits; networking and marketing opportunities; small business support; public representation; and information services.
 
What Strategies Drive the Focus of the Greater Akron Chamber?
 
  1. Support Company Growth; Jobs and Investment
Grow company revenue, capital investment and jobs in Greater Akron by leading targeted business attraction, retention and expansion efforts for high potential opportunities. 
  1. Support Small and Mid-Sized Businesses
Create advantage for the region’s small and middle market businesses by connecting them to customers, capital, content and ecosystem support resources. 
  1. Drive Economic Inclusion
Advance economic opportunity through diversity and inclusion to accelerate the growth and success of Greater Akron’s companies. 
  1. Facilitate Employer Workforce Solutions
Drive employer focused solutions to critical skill gaps by increasing job access and employer engagement with the talent development system.  
 
What Can the Chamber Do for My Business?
While the Chamber can help your business in many ways, there are four competencies of the Chamber that can be of great assistance!
  1. Catalytic Research and Advocacy -- Drive ideas and decision-making on action to further Greater Akron’s economic success from the perspective of the business and employer community. 
  2. Storytelling -- Bring visibility to the region’s assets, companies, needs and opportunities with a focus on driving value for the business community, its employers and their workforce. 
  3. Convener and Facilitator -- Bring companies, organizations, and key stakeholders together to dialogue and connect around opportunities for mutual economic success in Greater Akron. 
  4. Distinctive Products, Services and Resources to Support Members -- In places where gaps exist and the mutual needs of our members can be supported, the Chamber will invent and/or invest in capacity to fill the need and support their success. 
How Has COVID-19 Impacted the Chamber and the Businesses it Represents?
The past 15 months has been challenging for the Chamber, as it has for its members.  What has happened as a result of the pandemic and the political polarization confronting the country has created some new opportunities as well as challenges for the Chamber and its members.  The Chamber and its members are addressing economic disparities, systemic racism, etc.
CEOs are thinking about greater growth opportunity based on pent up demand, keeping new customers as a result on the expansion of online purchasing, earning back previous customers, winning back workers, providing new kinds of flexibility in working conditions, addressing cyber-security, and being more transparent in the areas of diversity, environment, inclusion, and a changing regulatory environment.
 
2021 Strategic Planning Sessions
To address some of these new challenges, the Chamber will be holding several opportunities for an open discussion about ideas, initiatives, and opportunities for the future work of the Chamber.  The Chamber is currently going through an update of the Chamber’s strategic plan and blueprint to reflect changes in their work and some of the new realities of the post COVID-19 environment.  
According to Mr. Millard, this is an opportunity not only to provide input on the work of the Chamber and its priorities, but to have an opportunity to get together and share ideas with other business owners and leaders as we all emerge from a more restricted meeting and events environment due to COVID-19. 
 
To attend one of these sessions, interested individuals can go to the Chamber website https://greaterakronchamber.org.  or click here for the 2021 Strategic Planning Sessions link.
 
Yours in Service -
Terry Dalton
Rotary Club of Akron Secretary |Club Scholarship Chair
 

AmazonSmile


We are happy to share that you as supporters can now use the Amazon Shopping app on your mobile phone to sign up for AmazonSmile and select "Rotary Camp for Children With Special Needs Inc" as their favorite charity. This is a great opportunity to engage with your supporters to help increase your AmazonSmile donations.
 
Feel free to send these sample messages out to remind your family/friends and co-workers who may also wish to support the Camp via Amazon Smiles:
 
Sample Message:
Want to help make a difference while you shop in the Amazon app, at no extra cost to you? Simply follow the instructions below to select "Rotary Camp for Children With Special Needs Inc" as your charity and activate AmazonSmile in the app. They'll donate a portion of your eligible mobile app purchases to us.

How it works:
1. Open the Amazon app on your phone
2. Select the main menu (=) & tap on "AmazonSmile" within Programs & Features
3. Select "Rotary Camp for Children With Special Needs Inc" as your charity
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app
 
 
 
 
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact Mella Castner, director of development at Rotary Camp (330) 644-4512.
 
Mella A. Castner
Director of Development
Akron Rotary Camp
4460 Rex Lake Drive
Akron, OH 44319
330.644.4512 ext. 3206
330.322.7206
Happy Dollars: Photos Welcome for Our Meetings
Plan to participate in Happy Dollars during the Tuesday meetings? 
 
We want to bring even more joy to our meetings and include a photo associated with what you are happy about!! 
 
Simply email it to Cheryl Warren (click here to email her) and put HAPPY DOLLAR PHOTO in the subject line.  Photos must be received by 5pm on the Monday prior to the meeting. Those sending photos will be called on first during the meeting to share your happiness as we show the photo! 
 
Even if you don't have a photo, plan to share your joy during our meetings - you will all have a chance to do so as usual after the photos run!!
 
If you also wish for the information/photo to be included in our newsletter that will go out after our meeting, please indicate this in your email and provide me with a brief description of the reason you are submitting it (such as "So happy that my son Joe has received his Master's Degree from The University of Akron in the field of ABC!).  This text will only be used for the newsletter - you will share it at the meeting!! 
Rotary International
Convention
4-8 June 2022
 
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Akrotarian Supporters
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Speakers
Jun 29, 2021 12:00 PM
Let's celebrate our "Year of Lemonade. Turning lemons into Lemonade."
Jul 06, 2021 12:00 PM
Induction of New Club President and Board July 1 2021 - June 30 2022: The Year Ahead
Jul 13, 2021 12:00 PM
Lebron James Family Foundation
Jul 20, 2021 12:00 PM
Akron Urban Agriculture
Jul 27, 2021 12:00 PM
North Hill Community Development Corp.
Aug 03, 2021 12:00 PM
Asia Inc.
Aug 10, 2021 12:00 PM
Junior League of Akron
View entire list
Upcoming Events
2021 Greeter/Moderator & Invocation Speaker signup
Portgage Country Club
Jan 05, 2021 – Dec 28, 2021
 
President's Party honoring Dr. Robert McGregor
Akron Rotary Camp
Jul 10, 2021
4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
 
Club Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Pat O'Neill
June 4
 
Paul Catania
June 4
 
Scott Manby
June 4
 
David Hall
June 6
 
Mike Wojno
June 8
 
Chaz Billington
June 10
 
Gerry Kiefer
June 10
 
Kimmie Hoch
June 10
 
Stew Buchanan
June 10
 
Connor Jarvis
June 11
 
Timothy DelMedico
June 11
 
Steve Bossart
June 17
 
Julie Brandle
June 19
 
June Ring
June 20
 
Alfred Nicely, MD
June 26
 
Blake Babcock
June 28
 
Malcolm Costa
June 30
 
Jacinto Nunez
July 1
 
Morgan Goldthwaite
July 10
 
Jim Durr
July 11
 
David Koly
July 15
 
Nichole Major
July 15
 
Caroline Altizer
July 25
 
Thomas Gedelian
July 30
 
Tamara Mora
July 31
 
Join Date
Deborah Cook
June 1, 1995
26 years
 
Kathryn Michael
June 7, 2016
5 years
 
Jack Harig
June 10, 1961
60 years
 
James Redmond
June 11, 1985
36 years
 
GK Maddox
June 12, 2001
20 years
 
Janice Radl
June 16, 2020
1 year
 
Laura Lederer
June 18, 2013
8 years
 
Paul Hummel
June 18, 2013
8 years
 
Morgan Goldthwaite
June 25, 2014
7 years
 
Anne Jorgensen
June 30, 2020
1 year
 
Brad Jeffries
July 3, 2007
14 years
 
Carol Marturano-Becker
July 7, 2020
1 year
 
Lynne Hastings
July 8, 2009
12 years
 
George Romanoski
July 12, 2011
10 years
 
Colleen Iacianci
July 18, 2017
4 years
 
Elizabeth Campbell
July 21, 2015
6 years
 
Johnna Economou
July 21, 2015
6 years
 
Rich Fry
July 21, 2020
1 year
 
Ann Marie O'Brien
July 23, 2019
2 years
 
Bill Manby Jr.
July 25, 1995
26 years
 
Mark Krohn
July 25, 2000
21 years
 
Jay Rutter
July 30, 2019
2 years
 
Russell Hampton
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