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Our Next Meeting
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Featured Speaker:
KYLE KUTUCHIEF
Program Director
The Knight Foundation/Akron Civic Commons
Kyle Kutuchief was named program director in Akron for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in May 2015. The foundation invests in journalism, the arts and the success of cities where its founders once published newspapers.
In Akron, the birthplace of Knight Newspapers and the foundation, Knight focuses on downtown and inner ring neighborhoods through investments in public space and public life to increase population and advance equity. Akron is also part of Reimagining the Civic Commons, a Knight-supported national initiative that seeks to counteract economic and social fragmentation by revitalizing and connecting public spaces.
Previously, Kutuchief worked in higher education and was a part of two initiatives to strengthen regional collaboration. He has served on a number of nonprofit boards and acted as president of Torchbearers, a young professionals organization focused on leadership development and community service. Kutuchief has received Akron’s 30 for the Future Award, Cleveland’s 25 Under 35 Movers and Shakers Award, Torchbearer’s Friend of Young Leaders Award and the Read Family Difference Maker Award.
Kutuchief earned his Bachelor of Arts in political science from The Ohio State University and a Master of Public Administration from The University of Akron.
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 be sure to email me(click here) with any news you would like placed here. Note that information is posted only with permission of the individual(s).
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS FOR JOHN DAILY
Please keep fellow Rotarian John in your thoughts and prayers for a full recovery. He has been unexpectedly laid up and is now recuperating at Concordia at Sumner.
We wish to thank Jack Harig for all his diligence in helping John get to the doctor appointments and for keeping us informed.
Jack has been looking after John and worked closely with John's son Mark until he could arrive in town.
We hope you will all help rally to keep up John's spirit during this challenging time for him to rebuild his strength.
He is doing well but would very much welcome visitors and calls.
Concordia at Sumner, Memers Building, Room 223. Visiting hours are 9am-6pm. Direct phone to John: 330-664-1173. Masks are required at the facility.
Please send cards to John Daily c/o Jack Harig 235 Oak Grove Drive, Coventry Twp., Ohio 44319. He will be sure to get them to John!
Akron Rotary Club Service Project - Meeting location: TBA
Another service day project in Kenmore. We will be helping to paint and beautify some of the storefronts along Kenmore Boulevard. Plan to come out and enjoy a safe, fun time with fellow Rotarians, as well as friends from 100 Black Men and local residents.
It’s that time of year, Messiah Lutheran Church is holding their annual Spaghetti Dinner in memory of Dick Farkas benefiting Akron Rotary Camp. The event is Saturday, October 9th from 6pm – 8pm at Messiah Lutheran, 4700 South Main Street, Akron. Please join us for a delicious Italian cuisine and help send kids to Camp. Dinner tickets are $10 per person, includes salad, spaghetti with or without meatballs, homemade bread, beverages and dessert. You can also purchase dinners to go. This year’s event will also feature a Dessert Auction.
Purchase your purchase tickets by calling Messiah Lutheran Church at 330-644-5766 or email at office@messiahluthern.cc. We hope to see you there!
> > October 16th 5pm-7pm:Reception, given by Virginia Wojno
The drawings comprise imaginative places inspired both by historical reproductions (exploratory sketches, Chinese brush paintings, historical maps) and by Dr. Kiefer’s processes of making, which include soaking watercolor papers in coffee-based solutions, then drawing and/or collaging over them. The colored-pencil-overlaid photographs were taken both by Dr. Kiefer and her late husband, Bruce Kiefer, architect and master art photographer.
Please mark your calendars for Thursday, September 30th, for a much needed night out with fellow Rotarians! At 6:00pm all are welcomed to attend our next Rotary social event at The Cigar Lodge where you will find some of the best selections of cigars, bourbon, & whiskey in the Akron area.
With plenty of room on their outdoor patio, or indoors if the weather were to take a turn, the night will be about fellowship. There is no cost to attend, other than the cigars and libations you may choose to purchase, and guests are welcomed!
The Cigar Lodge is located 2989 S. Main St in Akron and their website is www.thecigarlodge.com if you would like more information about the venue.
The Rotary Club of Akron had the pleasure of listening to James Knight, an individual with extensive research in cultural humility and who specializes in cultural sensitivity trainings, at our Tuesday, September 14 Club meeting. Mr. Knight has developed an innovative approach to building equity and belonging rooted in cultural humility.
Mr. Knight is an educator, coach/mentor, consultant, author, itinerant speaker, and equity and inclusion strategist. Much of his works revolves around leading with humility and partnering with other leaders to build dynamic and inclusive communities where people collaborate, innovate, and engage in fearless dialogue.
Annually, he designs training programs on cultural competency, cultural humility, cultural safety, and a wide array of topics designed to increase awareness and support of diversity and equity.
What is Cultural Humility?
According to Mr. Knight:
“Cultural humility, a process of reflection and lifelong inquiry, involves self-awareness of personal and cultural biases as well as awareness and sensitivity to significant cultural issues of others.
Cultural humility is a way of leading and managing self (and personal biases) with the goal of bringing your highest self into diverse situations so that you can create, influence, and sustain culturally safe environments where others can bring their best selves.”
“Cultural humility is a posture of the heart that shows in how you live, lead, and listen. Culturally humble people recognize the value in others and therefore are always looking for ways to inspire, connect, check-in, and elevate those they touch.”
According to Mr. Knight, there are three tenants of Cultural Humility
Lifelong Learning – involves self-critique, where can I change? Where can I grow? Intentionally engage in self-critique to recognize and accept biases and assumptions.
Redressing Power Imbalances – Know our audiences. Really listen.
Institutional Accountability - Importance of strategic partnerships.
Some of Mr. Knight’s favorite quotes either from himself, or others addressing cultural humility:
“Humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less.”
“Humility makes transparency authentically possible.”
“The only thing more dangerous than ignorance is arrogance.” Albert Einstein
“Being seen and heard can produce a force of healing that you could have never imagined.” Dr. Mariel Buque
“Be the reason someone feels welcomed, seen, heard, valued, loved, and supported.”
Mr. Knight believes one of the major goals of his work is to “assist others in building safe environments where everyone can thrive and bring their best selves”.
Cultural humility is a continuous self-study: It is…
Learning to lower your own sense of self-importance
Understanding that we all have things to share
Creating partnerships…. In other words, what can we create together?
Recognizing that you don’t have all the answers
Understanding that body language is important
Being okay with maintaining the posture of a “student”
Empathy – seeing what others see and feeling what others feel
Mr. Knight provides a variety of services including:
Professional Development -Customized to meet an individual or organizational needs. This can include 1-on-1 and executive coaching: small group or team coaching and larger workshops and trainings rooted in cultural humility.
Anti-Racism Work – In partnerships with schools, non-profits, and institutions, he offers a comprehensive and holistic approach to dismantling systems of oppression that hinder people from being their best selves.
Thought Leadership – Public speaking engagements, such as panels and keynote speeches. He works with numerous clients in designing new frameworks rooted in humility.
Framework Design – Developing customized frameworks rooted in cultural humility that will assist your leadership and organization in disseminating your diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.
To learn more about Cultural Humility and the services available through Mr. Knight, check out his website at https://www.leadwithhumility.org
The relationship between Rotary International and the Peace Corps, made official with a 2014 partnership agreement, has its foundation in the organizations’ shared values.
Rotary joined its partners in the GPEI to mark the first anniversary of a public health milestone: the WHO's African region being certified free of wild polio.
Please keep fellow Rotarian John in your thoughts and prayers for a full recovery. He has been unexpectedly laid up and is now recuperating at Concordia at Sumner. 
, and engage in fearless dialogue.
