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Akron
Tel: 330.644.4512
We meet Tuesdays at 12:00 PM

Portage Country Club

$13.00 per person

240 North Portage Path
Akron, OH  44303
United States
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Club President's Message

Sandy Naragon
member photo

Fifty Seven Heads are Better than One!

By Sandy Naragon, President
 
The April 12th Akron Rotary luncheon was my favorite one so far!  We conducted a club assembly and rather than give committee reports, table talks were held.  The 57 Rotarians in attendance were able to share their thoughts and ideas on two topics.
 
Table hosts lead the discussions—that were all about gathering feedback, seeking ideas, finding out what Rotarians want to learn about and how to get and keep them engaged in Akron Rotary!
 
Topics included:
  • Making Diversity a Priority hosted by Keryl Whetstone
  • Hitting the Fundraising Sweet Spot hosted by Blake Babcock
  • Spreading our Wings (Rotary International) hosted by Cathryn O’Malley
  • Share Your Connections  (Programs & Speaker Ideas) hosted by Amanda Barna
  • Service Above Self hosted by Steve Buie
  • Rules of Engagement hosted by Joe Horák
  • Why I Value Rotary hosted by Sandy Naragon
  • Potpourri ~ Idea Exchange hosted by Bob Pacanovsky
After about 30 minutes, our table hosts share the ideas and feedback generated.  That’s when the magic really happened!  Host after host reported on terrific ideas sure to inspire us to go from great to amazing!
 
Each table host took notes and will be submitting them to me for follow-up.  The ideas and concepts will be shared with Committee Chairs so they can be incorporated into upcoming plans.
 
Highlights from Making Diversity a Prioritynotes captured by Keryl Whetstone
 
We defined diversity has a vast collection of physical and cultural components including ethnicity, ideology, religious beliefs, organization ties, disability, personality, culture skills, personal experience, also including demographics of color, gender, and/or age.
 
Ideas:
  • Demonstrate inclusion by developing a core group of diverse members as a starting goal.
  • Invite this year’s Leadership Akron Class to attend an upcoming Rotary meeting—perhaps following their graduation in June.  This year’s class has 42 and is a diverse group.  Torchbearers and Alpha Phi Alpha were additional diverse groups we could invite to learn more about Akron Rotary. To cover costs, Rotarians will be asked to consider buying two lunches on days when we have groups visiting Rotary.
  • Consider linking Akron Rotary’s page to the Akron Diversity Facebook Page  (Keryl to investigate).
  • Schedule a Diversity Speaker to raise awareness on Diversity.
  • Remind the Rotarians to have “Top of Mind Awareness” to invite more members including diverse, minority and majority business owners.
My next article will highlight more of the ideas generated at the other tables.  The room was buzzing with energized Rotarians!  Let’s keep the momentum going!!
 
Yours in Rotary Service,
Sandy
 

Survey Respondents Still Needed!

The Rotary Club of Akron is doing amazing things!  Our club is vibrant, fun and growing. What better time than now to become even better?  As leaders we should never ignore an opportunity to improve.  Your feedback on the Akron Rotary Survey will reinforce those areas where we’re strong, will help identify and change where needed and most importantly, gives you an opportunity to share new ideas!
 
Go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RotaryClubSurvey to share your thoughts on Akron Rotary!

Rotary Club Directors in Action - April 2016

The Akron Rotary Club Board of Directors met on April 12th.  The following items were discussed and/or action taken:
 
President-Elect Jeff Sitz has started meeting with committee chairs to hear any goals planned for 2016-17.  His purpose is to pledge his support for a successful Rotary year.
 
President Sandy Naragon reported that to date 47 Akron Rotarians have completed the survey.  She encouraged all to go https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RotaryClubSurvey to complete it.  Her goal is for at least a 50% response rate or 72 respondents.
 
Directors were encouraged to register to attend the District conference, ROCK ‘N THE CHANGE  planned for April 22nd and 23rd.  Akron Rotarians have been very instrumental in planning this year’s conference which includes some exciting program changes.  If you can’t attend the full conference, come for lunch, dinner or a few sessions.
 
Three proposed Rotarians were approved including Scott Downey, Dan Gordon and Kimberly Hoch. 
 
Directors also considered a proposal from Membership Chair Steve Shechter to amend the Bylaws to allow proposed members to be presented and considered by the Club Membership at time of proposal vs. after Board of Director approval.  Directors took action to approve the Bylaws Amendment. Their rationale:  The earlier in the process an objection to a proposed Rotarian is received, the quicker the Membership Committee and Directors are able to work for resolution.  Currently, presentation to the membership is the last step in becoming a Rotarian. Click to view proposed amendment.
 
Rotary International Foundation Chair Bill Manby, Sr. reported that the goal for Paul Harris Fellows is 100—in honor of the 100th Anniversary of the RI Foundation.  We’re currently at 60.
 
Scholarship Chair Terry Dalton reported that he is currently accepting and reviewing applications for scholarships to the 2016 RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards). RYLA is a five-day leadership conference for high school juniors who are aspiring young leaders. 
 
Yours in Rotary Service - 
Sandy
Bylaws Proposed Amendment
 
Amendments to the Rotary Club of Akron have been proposed by the Rotary Club of Akron Board of Directors.  
 
These amendments will be voted on at the weekly meeting of the club on May 3, 2016.  
 
Please plan to be present as we must have 1/3 of our members present for a quorum.
 
Thank you!

Rotary Cares

 
The purpose of Rotary Cares is to show our support for Akron Rotarians
dealing with the loss of a loved one, the hardship of illness but also to
celebrate the joy of new baby, job or marriage.
 
 
>> Congratulations to Cathryn O’Malley and her husband Michael.  They are expecting twins!
 
>> Hats off to Bill Manby, Jr. for being named YMCA Akron Rotary Camp’s Adult Volunteer of the Year on April 28th!
 
>> Kudos to Kimberly Brandle, a Rotarian in spirit, for receiving the Youth Volunteer of the Year award from the Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs!
 
>> Pat O’Neill and his wife Sarah are adding to their family as well!  Congratulations on the baby news!
 
>> Prayers and well wishes go out to Lance Chima who is scheduled for heart surgery on May 18th.  
 
>> Speedy recovery wishes are sent to Jack Harig who is healing from hand surgery.  

2016 Rotary District Conference Details

APRIL 22-24, 2016

700 Beta Center, Mayfield, Ohio

Your conference committee selected this theme to represent the changes
we all have embraced 
to secure Rotary’s future as the
most vibrant and effective service organization in the world.
 
As leaders continue to join our clubs, Rotary will continue to thrive and the
service we provide will grow 
because of the committed work of each of you.
 
We will Join Leaders, Exchange Ideas,
Celebrate our Clubs, Members and Students!! 
There will be a lot of fellowship, fun, laughter and
yes, probably a few tears will be shed as
we honor Rotarians who have given of their time
and utilized their talents and efforts
to make a difference in the lives of others to
Be a Gift to the World.
 
Our 2016 Sponsors




  

Rotary Global Rewards

The good you do comes back to you.

Rotary's member benefits program gives Rotary and Rotaract club members access to discounts on a variety of products and services selected with their interests in mind.

DISCOUNTS & SPECIAL OFFERS

Rotary Global Rewards offers discounts on vehicle rentals, hotels, dining, and entertainment. Products and services from companies around the world are being added every week. Check back often to see what’s new in Rotary Global Rewards.

Tell us how you've benefited from Rotary Global Rewards. Share your #rotarystory on social media or email us at .

HOW TO REDEEM OFFERS

Anyone can view the offers and discounts on Rotary Global Rewards. But onlyRotary and Rotaract club members who are signed in to their My Rotary accounts can redeem them. You can access and redeem rewards from your computer, smartphone, or tablet.

Rotaractors must be in our records to redeem or add offers on Rotary Global Rewards. If after signing in to your My Rotary account, you are unable to use Rotary Global Rewards, send your Rotaract club name and membership start date to using your My Rotary sign-in email so we can update your membership in our database. Please allow 3-5 business days for the change to take effect.

If you need help creating a My Rotary account, review the .

Special Opportunity - Advance Sale Tickets for Foundation Centennial Celebration Concert!!

Dick Farkas was selected to serve as District Governor for District 6630 for our 2016-2017 Rotary year.  When Dick passed away suddenly last July, many of us, including his wife and fellow Akron Rotarian, Lynda, continued to work diligently to ensure that his dream is realized for the Rotary Foundation Centennial Celebration.  Two great events will take place October 23, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.    
 
Dick understood that our District (Rotary International District 6630), as the Home of Arch C. Klumph, Father of The Rotary Foundation, has a special responsibility and privilege to honor Arch Klumph’s memory and his vision while celebrating The Foundation’s accomplishments over the past 100 years.  Dick was excited and committed to doing something very special because Dick was also a passionate Rotarian with a vision.
 
Once of Arch's many achievements included bringing professional music to Cleveland. Because of the relationship between Arch C. Klumph and the Cleveland Orchestra and because the Cleveland Orchestra entertained the attendees at both Rotary International Conventions held in Cleveland in 1925 and 1939 where Arch was involved in coordinating the Orchestra’s performance
 
We are hosting are TWO separate events on October 23, 2016:
A private afternoon Concert at Severance Hall featuring the Cleveland Orchestra.  See below for advance-sale ticket  information.
 
A dinner recognizing those who have made new donations and commitments to The Rotary Foundation in honor of the Foundation’s 100th Anniversary.  Featured speakers will include Rotary International President-Elect John Germ and The Rotary Foundation Chair-Elect Kalyan Banerjee.  You will have the opportunity to create your own legacy with a 100th Anniversary contribution to the Rotary Foundation and become a Foundation Centennial Celebration donor or a member of the Foundation Centennial Celebration class of the Arch Klumph Society. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you don’t want to miss.​  Tickets for the Donor Dinner event will go on sale soon.
 
Dick's spectacular vision is coming to fruition, but we need your help to truly make it a reality - here are ways you can join the Celebration:
1. Be a Sponsor
2. Purchase Individual Concert Tickets
(Advance Sale Offering until Feb. 1st)
 
  • Advance Sale Tickets are available to our District but only until midnight February 1, 2016.  
    Then they go on sale to the entire Rotary International community and will be first come, first served.  
  • To request your Advance Sale Concert Tickets please e-mail PDG David Skrzynski at dnb9899@aol.com​
Note:  Advanced sale tickets are being offered as a special opportunity only to our Club and District.
Read more...
Stories from Rotary International
As of 1 May, the Rotary shop will be available on a new platform. We may experience some downtime during the transition and apologize for any inconvenience. If you have any questions, please contact us at shop.rotary@rotary.org or at 847-866-4600.
 
After a series of three earthquakes -- two in Japan and one in Ecuador -- killed hundreds of people, injured thousands, and caused billions of dollars in damage late last week, Rotary members in those regions have created disaster relief funds to help survivors. In Ecuador, the powerful 7.8-magnitude quake that struck Saturday night has killed more than 400 people, with 2,500 injured. Those figures are expected to rise. Rotary District 4400 established a service fund to raise money for relief efforts. Contact District Governor Manuel A. Nieto Jijon for information on how to donate. In Japan,...
 
Get live updates and vote totals from the Council on Legislation on Rotary.org beginning on 11 April. Representatives from Rotary clubs worldwide will gather in Chicago 10-15 April to consider changes to the policies that guide Rotary International and its member clubs.  Many of this year’s proposed changes are designed to increase membership by giving clubs greater flexibility in the timing and the nature of their meetings. Other proposals would amend membership requirements.
 
The Rotary Foundation and UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education are offering up to 10 scholarships for graduate study at UNESCO-IHE's Delft campus in the Netherlands. The aim is to increase the number of trained professionals who can devise, plan, and implement water and sanitation solutions in developing areas. The scholarships also are designed to promote long-term relationships between Rotary members and skilled water and sanitation professionals. Scholars will receive a Master of Science degree in urban water and sanitation, water management, or water science and engineering. The...
 
Interact clubs are making a positive difference in schools and communities around the world. Leaders of sponsor Rotary clubs and districts should make sure their Interact clubs get the recognition they deserve by verifying that they qualify for a Presidential Citation. First, ensure that the Interact club status is active in Rotary's database by checking the Listing of Club-Sponsored Organizations report in Rotary Club Central. If a sponsored club is not listed, submit the Interact Club Certification Form by 1 March. Then, verify by 15 April that your Interact clubs have qualified for the...
 
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