Welby Broaddus is the chief owner and operator of the business consulting firm, Broaddus Business Solutions. As a visually impaired businessman, he hopes to use his influence to help the disabled community and those without a voice. It's been often said that Welby is able to hold a conversation with anyone, and he likes to say that he “never meets a stranger.”
Welby wrote Leading Blind without Vision to educate business owners, executives, and HR professionals on the benefits of hiring individuals who are blind and visually impaired. He hopes to use this book to help educate the business community about the qualities and skill sets that the blind and visually impaired community can bring into the workplace.
Text PLXPolarBear14 to 71777 to Register or Donate and select Akron Rotary Camp
$50 minimum donation to jump, or Raise $500+ and become a VIPB (Very Important Polar Bear)
Your donation will allow us to continue to offer assistance to families in need. Campers are never turned away for their inability to pay. In 2022 we provided over $105,000 in financial assistance.
Online registration closes Tuesday, February 21.
In-person regsitration, live DJ, food and beverages will be available the day of the event. Jump starting at 2PM!
The Rotary Club of Akron has a longstanding commitment to the greater Akron community. Rotary is dedicated to causes that build relationships, improve lives, and create a better world—locally and globally.
The 2022-23 Grant Cycle is officially open and IT’S BEEN EXPANDED! Grants between $1,000 and $15,000 will be considered via an application process which ends March 14, 2023. Projects must have an Akron Rotarian “sponsor” and must include direct volunteer service opportunities for Akron Rotarians. Akron Rotary doesn’t just write checks, we’re action oriented and live by the motto, “Service Above Self.”
For decades Akron Rotarians have been involved in community service activities and awards funding through its Akron Rotary Foundation and through a matching grant made possible through Rotary International and Rotary District 6630.
ROTARIANS: Spread the word to impactful community service providers! Encourage them to apply by March 14, 2023 via the application. If you have questions, email Sandy_Naragon@yahoo.com.
The Rotary Club of Akron had the pleasure of listening to one of our own members during our Tuesday, February 21st luncheon meeting. Thane is a Funeral Director and also serves as the Executive Vice President & Treasurer of The Billow Co. Prior to working in the funeral profession, Nathanael worked for Ford Motor Company as a Senior Financial Analyst at Ford's Global Product Development Center in Dearborn, MI. He, along with his sister Stacy, are sixth-generation members of the family to serve at Billow's and Bissler's. Growing up in the family business helped shape his personal belief that working as a funeral director is not only a career but a life-dedicating vocation.
Thane provided the Club with some interesting facts about the history of the funeral home industry and the changes that have taken place over the years, including the impact COVID has had on the industry and the individuals served by the industry.
Thane began his presentation asking “What is a Good Funeral?” The following were quotes from the book, The Good Funeral:
Defined as doing two things:
“Get the dead where they need to go” (Logistics) and
“Get the living where they need to be” (Ceremony/Ritual)
Opportunity to say goodbye “Take physical leave of body”
Opportunity to gather and acknowledge:
A life was lived
A life has been lost
Accompanied through the sharing of stories. The “ministry of presence,” and going through rituals and ceremonies that provide comfort to those who mourn.
History of Funerals
Funerals, as we know them today began to be celebrated differently in the post-Civil War era:
Embalming became routine.
Many deaths occurred at home; embalming took place on site; “Laid out in the parlor.” Viewings and Services (as we know them) became established parts of society.
Location of services moved from home/graveyard to funeral parlor/church.
Invention of the automobile allowed for specialized funeral processions from church to cemetery.
Many funeral companies expanded into ambulance services.
Coffin production transitions from small artisan carpenter/furniture makers to specialized large scale casket manufacturers.
Families insulated from the death (which usually occurred at a hospital)
ALL families used the limousine.
Services were run by clergy and funeral director…family had little input
And Now….
A series of scandals in the 1970’s and 1980’s resulted in the FTC beginning to regulate the funeral service.
1984 – Passage of the FTC Funeral Rule (commonized price list for services, caskets, and vaults). Mandated wording for direct cremation.
Cremation grew as a method of disposition.
Location of death transitions away from hospitals to dedicated hospice facilities or nursing homes.
Nathanael Billow summed up his family's business: "For generations, the Billow's have been a family of firsts. The only way my sister and I can properly honor the legacy of our ancestors is by continuing our family's tradition of placing the dignity of local families and their departed loved ones first."
Youth is the future of Rotary. Through Youth Exchange, clubs are able to get the word of Rotary into the community. As a real benefit to most Clubs, many Host Families and Outbound Parents have become Rotarians. Each fall our district has to commit to a specific number of Inbound Students for the following year. D6630 has already committed to 10 inbound students for the 2023-2024 year.
The D6630 RYE Committee would like the Akron Rotary club to be a part of this wonderful Rotary program. We will try to match your interests in hosting a student from a particular country or a specific gender to suit your host family wishes.
Hosting an exchange student is a very rewarding endeavor for a club and a great contribution to the community and school district. It is a window to the world, and fosters lifetime friendships. But there is also a serious side to Hosting; all inbound foreign Students are monitored by the US Department of State, (DOS) and there are specific requirements our district is required to meet to keep our certification with Rotary International and the DOS. For this reason, we would like the Akron Rotary club to know what needs to be done to ensure that a successful exchange is put in place. Additional information about counselor, host family and other requirements can be found at Rotary District 6630 - Youth Exchange.
Will you help the Akron Rotary club find a “host family” for an inbound student from a foreign county today?
Please contact: Susan Colville-Hall, Olivia Pilon or Lynda Farkas with your answer of, “Yes, I will be a host family for the 2023-2024 school year.”
The Akron Community Foundation modified their On The Table event to give the opportunity for people to learn about people and issues in our community. Everyone who completes the challenge by the end of February will be entered to win the opportunity to grant $2500 to your favorite charity. Here is a link to the website where you can register and begin:
Our Annual district Conference of Clubs is approaching quickly as it will be on Friday, April 28th through Friday, April 29th at the Marriott Cleveland East in Warrensville Heights.
It is going to be a spectacular event and The District Leadership Assembly is going to be awesome. I need your help. I need about 15 Rotarians to be Sgt. of Arms during the two days to help others find out where they need to go, checking credentials at the business meetings and help sitting people for meals. If you could kindly help, please send me your times available and I will fit you in.
The more we have, the less time per shift will be needed. Please email either Conference Chair Bob Oborn boborn@kentelastomer.com or Conference Secretary/Timeline Chair Lynda Farkas lfarkas2@neo.rr.com
Lynda Farkas, Cyndi Kane and Susan Colville-Hall attended Rotary Club of Cleveland’s International Fellowship Day honoring United Ukrainian Organization of Ohio February 23, 2023. Windows on the River provided a rich environment for a gathering of current members, past officers, international and local guests. Jessica Hanes, CLE President Elect, extended a warm welcome to everyone. The agenda consisted of an International Service Award Ceremony with Marta Liscynesky, President of the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio accepting the award. It was interesting to note that most Ohio elected officials were documented supporters and contributors to the Ukrainian effort, including former Senator Portman, Senator Brown, Congressman Ryan, Governor Dewine and others. We were happy to be among those who support the people of Ukraine and their effort to keep their freedom.
The Rotary Club of Akron had the pleasure of listening to one of our own members during our Tuesday, February 21st luncheon meeting. Thane is a Funeral Director and also serves as the Executive Vice President & Treasurer of 
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