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The Akrotarian
eBulletin

 
Our Mission:
An inclusive, action oriented service organization, Akron Rotary improves our community
and the world while having fund 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.
 
 
Weekly Club Meetings are currently being held virtually via ZOOM.
 
We meet at Noon each Tuesday. 
 
 
 

Our Next Meeting

Tuesday, August 24, 2021
 

Featured Speaker:
TOMMY BRUNO
General Manager and Executive Director
WAPS-FM "The Summit"

Mr. Tommy Bruno is the General Manager and Executive Director of WAPS-FM “The Summit,” an award-winning, public radio music station broadcasting in Akron - Canton at 91.3FM, throughout Youngstown – Warren, Ohio and western Pennsylvania at 90.7FM, and worldwide via mobile and thesummit.fm.
 
Bruno is responsible for fundraising, business development, and the strategic growth plans of the radio station, and its brands. He also works closely with Friends of The Summit, an independent support and management organization dedicated to growing the mission. Prior to being named general manager in 2000, Mr. Bruno served
as a producer for WJW-TV, a FOX network television station in Cleveland, Ohio.
 
Through a variety of regional and national partnerships, Mr. Bruno been selected for numerous recognitions and awards. These include: ADM Board “Dr. Bob Smith” awarded for Rock and RecoveryTM, MAR COMM Platinum Winner Rock and Recovery website; 2W3 award Rock and Recovery, recipient of Margaret Clark Morgan Foundation Impact Award for innovation; Pinnacle Awards of Summit County presented by United Way of Summit County, and Inside Business; Ohio Recovery Advocacy Award in recognition of exemplary contributions in supporting long-term recovery for all Ohioans. In addition, he has won awards in journalism from The Press Club of Cleveland and is a graduate of Leadership Akron Class XXVI.

Together with a talented team at The Summit, Bruno co-created and operates three award-winning online, streaming radio stations: “KIDJAM!TM” Radio kidjamradio.com featuring positive music and programming for young listeners and “Rock and RecoveryTM,” rockandrecovery.com, mixes music with stories that will inspire listeners, and messages to give strength and hope, and The 330 – the past, present, and future of Northeast Ohio music.

Bruno has served on numerous nonprofit boards and advisory groups throughout the region Akron Community Foundation, Northern Ohio Golf Charities, SEI Summit Education Initiative, Akron Public Schools, John Carroll University and Walsh Jesuit High School.
 
 
 
Meeting ID: 989 441 809
 
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+19292056099,,989441809# US 

 
Dial in by phone
+1 929 205 6099
then enter 
Meeting ID: 989 441 809
 
Club News
Upcoming Events
On Sunday, August 22nd, we have a golden opportunity for some rest and refreshment. Laura Smiley and her radio station, The Summit.FM gifted our club membership 20 free tickets to Blossom Music Center - "Romantic Brahms". This is a lovely opportunity to get outside, relax, and enjoy some fellowship with other club members. We still have 16 tickets available for anyone interested in a fun-filled evening. The performance begins at 7:00 p.m. but we can gather ahead of time on the lawn for food and drinks.
 
Secondly, we will be having a club service project on Saturday, August 28th 9:00-11:00. We will be working with Tina Boyes and the Kenmore Community Development Corporation along with "Keep Akron Beautiful" to help pick up trash along Kenmore Boulevard and into some of the adjoining neighborhoods. We will be joined by members from 100 Black Men, as well as some of the local residents. This is a fabulous opportunity to serve OUTDOORS and help beautify the city. Let's see if we can have a strong turnout of Rotarians to do what we do best..."Service above Self".
 
Yours in Rotary Service,
 
Steve Buie
2021-2022 Rotary Club of Akron President
Tel: 330-701-2970
Email: sbuie@learningrx.net
Club Welcomes Olivia Pilon as Newest Member
 
Our Club was pleased to welcome Olivia (Liv) Pilon on August 10, 2021.  
 
Due to a job relocation, she transferred to the Akron Club from the Kent Club where she had been actively serving since October 1, 2019.
 
She ran the Four-Way Test Speech contest for the Kent Club and volunteered on all their service projects.
Liv is the District Executive at Summit County Boy Scouts of America (BSA). She has been with BSA since July, 2019 and was previously based in Portage County. 
 
In addition, she volunteers with Hudson Alzheimer's Association and the Young Professional Group - Benjamin Rose for young Alzheimer's volunteers.
 
Liv is also a member of Kent Jaycees.
 
She graduated from KSU in 2019. with her Bachelors in Sociology.
 
Liv has a tremendous dedication to community service and we look forward to serving beside her to make a difference in the lives of others.
 
The following quote from Margaret Mead is shared on Liv's LinkedIn profile:
 
All social change comes from the passion of individuals. 
12th Annual Cornhole Tournament benefiting Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs

Join us for Rotary Camp’s 12th Annual Cornhole Tournament, presented by Buckeye Corrugated, Inc. The tourney will be held on August 28, 2021 at 9:30am on the grounds of Akron Rotary Camp, in the beautiful Portage Lakes! 

Sign up your team today for either the Skilled Ringers Division ($110) or the Recreational Division ($60). Winners walk away with cash prizes! Also participate in an Air-Mail toss or Long-Toss for some bragging rights and awesome giveaways! Bring your friends, neighbors and family for a fun day! All registered players will receive a food voucher to the Menches Bros. Food Truck, and an ice-cream station. Beverages from our friends at the House of LaRose will be available for purchase to help keep you cool.

There are multiple ways to support this great event to benefit Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs by registering to play, participate with a sponsorship or recruit teams. Your participation will continue to strengthen the Camp's mission of Creating a world where there are only abilities!

 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE

 Any questions? Please call Rotary Camp at (330) 644-4512. Thank you in advance for helping us to make this a successful tournament to support Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs!

We are looking forward to seeing you at the event!


Scott Kolligian
Co-founder and Chair
Annual Cornhole Tournament

DOWNLOAD THE SPONSORSHIP FORM

 

 

My Life with Polio
The grandmother of a good friend of mine just passed away. Nick Neral posted this on Facebook to honor the memory of his grandmother.
 
Especially for the youngest of our members, polio is a history lesson and a distant problem.
 
I am old enough to have seen some of the after-effects, but not the immediate dangers. 
 
This story may help to personalize our efforts to eradicate Polio.
 
Douglas Hausknecht, Ph.D.
 
 
Carla L. Chapman Discusses Diversity Efforts in Akron Public Schools
The Rotary Club of Akron had the pleasure of listening to Ms. Chapman at our Tuesday, August 17th Club meeting.   Ms. Chapman shared with the Club information about the Diversity efforts being implemented throughout the Akron Public School District. 

Click to view the recording of the meeting.
 
Chapman began her career with Akron Public Schools in 1995. Recently appointed as the district’s Chief Diversity Officer, she works to promote equity and inclusion across the district, staff, and community engagement. Her recent work includes a focus on diversity training and coaching for teachers, school leaders, families, and other professionals.
 
The Akron Board of Education is committed to preparing each child for success. They believe that every student, parent/guardian and staff member bring their own personal backgrounds and experiences into their schools; and the schools are richer for it. Each of them has a legitimate expectation to  have a barrier-free learning environment counteracting the contemporary and historical impact of bias, prejudice and discrimination which for generations has produced a predictability of learning outcomes based on race, ethnicity, class, socioeconomics, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, diverse language fluency, religion, and cognitive/physical ability.

The Board believes that the responsibility for student success is broadly shared by district staff, families, community and students' own efforts. The APS Board members believe It is the obligation of the district to embrace the diversity within the school district while actively
eliminating practices that perpetuate the disparities among students so that all students have the opportunity to benefit equally.
 
With this Board member backdrop, the district created the Chief Diversity Officer position that Ms. Chapman occupies.   Ms. Chapman mentioned that diversity is more than just “race” relations.  Diversity has many dimensions.  I refer readers to the slides below that were included in this article and shows the various dimensions of diversity.  All areas included in the diversity chart intersect in some way. 
 
To ensure a successful learning environment, the APS District is committed to ensuring an equitable opportunity for all students.  To ensure “equity” within the APS environment, the following areas are being addressed in various ways:
  • Business Engagement
  • Fiscal Equity
  • Student-Centered Learning
  • Culturally Responsive Teaching
  • Family and Community Engagement
  • School Climate
  • Diverse Staff of Excellent Educators
  • Equitable Student Access
  • Teacher Quality
The APS District believes in student-centered learning and a barrier-free environment.  To accomplish this, the district believes in:
  • Student Voices being listened to
  • Access based on individual needs
  • Access to learning that meets individual student needs (including learning disabilities, illness/physical limitations, cultural and language difficulties
  • Providing the necessary guidance and supports – across all the many unique and different ways people come to the education table.
Ms. Chapman noted that the pandemic has been challenging but there is some good that has come out of the challenges the district encountered.  Without a doubt, Ms. Chapman believes virtual learning will remain as an option for those families who wish to participate in virtual learning long after we return to “normal” face-to-face learning.
 
To learn more about the APS diversity initiatives, I encourage you to listen to Ms. Chapman’s presentation. Click here to view our meeting or cut and paste the link into your browser https://youtu.be/-VZ6hBPvbGg
 
CLICK ON THE RESPECTIVE IMAGE TO ENLARGE
Earthquake Appeal for Haiti in coordination with Akron Children's Hospital and Gift of Life
EMERGENCY APPEAL:
EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI

..
 
Haiti has been struck by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. The poorest country the western hemisphere is in real trouble. COVID infections and deaths are increasing, the government is struggling after the assassination of the president and gangs have increased civil unrest. Now an earthquake and unstable weather makes life unbearable. The fear is palpable. 
 
Gift of Life Northeast Ohio has supported improved health care for children now for almost 10 years. Working with local Haitian Rotarians we have made great stride improving care at St. Damien Pediatric Hospital. Now is not the time to give up. 
 
We are working with Akron Children’s Hospital to urgently prepare a 40 foot container with much needed medical supply to enable the hospital to care for children. We are asking for your help as this will take money to equip and send the supplies.
 
Donations for St. Damien Pediatric Hospital in Haiti should be made through Akron Children’s Office of Pediatric Global Health. This is lead by Dr. John Pope who many of you may have seen on channel 8 TV news this week with pictures of our last heart surgery mission into Haiti. 
 
Giving can be through Akron Children’s hospital at giving.akronchildrens.org/globalhealth or contact Tim Dufore 330-810-5826 or tdufore@akronchildrens.org.
 
Thanks for your help. 
 
Ken
Kenneth J. Fogle, Chair
Gift of Life North East Ohio, Inc.
216-861-5151
What's Happening Around Town

 

 
 
 
 
 

 

Tuesday July 20 – Sept. 19 2021

Akron Art Museum – “Bold Color in the 1980’s”

Free on Friday and Saturday 11:00 A.M. -5:00 P.M.

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Friday- Aug. 20, 2021

Stan Hywet Gala Speakeasy

Stan Hywet’s Annual big event being co-hosted by our own – Pat O’Neill and his lovely wife, Sarah.
Dinner, dancing, and prohibition spirits- contact Stan Hywet for tickets.

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Saturday Aug. 21, 2021

Highland Square’s Porch Rockr – 160 bands from all over, performing on porches throughout Highland Square. The event is free, and it is an all-day event.

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Sunday, August 22

“Romantic Brahms” at Blossom Music Center, 7pm-10pm.

We have 14 Free tickets remaining for interested folks.

If interested: Contact Steve Buie or Cheryl Warren

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Saturday, August 28, 2021 –Two CLUB events!

9am-11am

Kenmore Cleanup Day – Club Service Project: pick up trash, cans, bottles – Keeping Akron Beautiful working with Kenmore Community Development Corporation and Tina Boyes.

Meeting location: 952 Kenmore Boulevard and co-laboring with members from Akron’s 100 Black Men as well as members from Goss Memorial Church in Kenmore.  Keep Akron Beautiful will be having one of their trucks there. 


8:30am–2pm

The Annual Cornhole Tournament benefiting The Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs.

All proceeds benefit our wonderful camp!

________________
 

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Upcoming Events
2021 Greeter/Moderator & Invocation Speaker signup
Virtual Currently
Jan 05, 2021 – Dec 28, 2021
 
Rotary Club of Akron Weekly Meeting
Virtual currently
Aug 31, 2021 12:00 PM
 
Rotary Club of Akron Weekly Meeting
Virtual currently
Sep 07, 2021 12:00 PM
 
Board of Directors Meeting
Virtual currently
Sep 14, 2021 11:00 AM
 
Rotary Club of Akron Weekly Meeting
Virtual currently
Sep 14, 2021 12:00 PM
 
Rotary Club of Akron Weekly Meeting
Virtual currently
Sep 21, 2021 12:00 PM
 
Club Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Mella Castner
August 3
 
Ed Wagner
August 4
 
George Romanoski
August 4
 
Laura Smiley
August 5
 
Hilary DeSaussure
August 6
 
Katerina Papas
August 8
 
Nicholas George
August 8
 
Douglas Hausknecht
August 10
 
Doug Kohl
August 11
 
Roger Read
August 11
 
Julie Ann Sweet-Buntin
August 13
 
Kathryn Michael
August 13
 
Brian Kosarko
August 16
 
Mike Shearer
August 20
 
Marcia Holcomb
August 21
 
Rick Rogers
August 22
 
Robert McGregor
August 22
 
Fred Swartz
August 23
 
Lance Chima
August 25
 
Andrew Grover
September 6
 
Terrence Dalton
September 7
 
Karen Hrdlicka
September 10
 
Chris Richardson
September 11
 
Nick Browning
September 11
 
Jim Mullen
September 20
 
Jay Rutter
September 25
 
Brian Chima
September 27
 
Paul Jarrett
September 29
 
Ginny Wojno
September 30
 
Join Date
Cheryl Warren
August 1, 1995
26 years
 
Hugh Alpeter
August 1, 1983
38 years
 
Nick Browning
August 1, 1992
29 years
 
Rick Rogers
August 1, 2005
16 years
 
Thane Billow
August 1, 2017
4 years
 
Laura Horovitz
August 2, 2016
5 years
 
Daniel Riemenschneider
August 8, 2000
21 years
 
Tamara Mora
August 8, 2017
4 years
 
Kevin Smith
August 15, 2017
4 years
 
Robert McGregor
August 19, 2014
7 years
 
Vivian Harig
August 22, 2017
4 years
 
Brian Kosarko
August 26, 2014
7 years
 
John Margida
August 26, 2014
7 years
 
Mella Castner
August 26, 2014
7 years
 
Marilyn Buckey
September 1, 1988
33 years
 
Pamela Kiltau
September 1, 1987
34 years
 
Gerry Kiefer
September 9, 2010
11 years
 
Marcia Holcomb
September 9, 2003
18 years
 
Cyndi Kane
September 11, 2018
3 years
 
Hilary DeSaussure
September 22, 2020
1 year
 
Zach Prosser
September 27, 2016
5 years
 
Patty Graves
September 29, 2015
6 years
 
Brian Steere
September 30, 2014
7 years
 
Russell Hampton
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