Our Mission:

An inclusive, action oriented service organization, Akron Rotary improves our community
and the world while having fun 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. 

 

SERVICE & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

New Service Project - May 7th

Akron Rotarians will be assembling the bins on Thursday, May 7th at 4:30 pm at the Beck Center, 2114 Lindbergh Avenue in Cuyahoga Falls.  Volunteers will spend an hour assembling the bins following a quick tour. 

 Sign up via Club Runner - CLICK HERE!

Read the article below from Sandy Naragon about this project -a grant from our Akron Rotary Foundation was presented to fund this project for the foster system.

 

Volunteer for One Hot Meal Program & Food Pantry (through Dec 29, 2026)
Volunteers are needed for the One Hot Meal and Food Pantry at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.  
 
Upcoming date:  February 24, 2026
 
SIGN UP - CLICK HERE (scroll past 2025 to the 2026 dates)
 
Time: 4:45 pm - 6:30 pm
Location: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 129 S. Union Street, Akron, OH 44304
 
We appreciate your participation and look forward to continuing to make this a great event together!
 
Chair: John Matheos

 

Volunteer for 2026 at Open M
FEATURED SPEAKERS
Mar. 03, 2026 12:00 p.m.
Magical Theatre Company
Magical Theatre Company

Dennis O'Connell began his career in the Theatre as a professional actor while still in elementary school. Before graduating from the University of Akron (B.A.), he became the Director of Drama at Walsh Jesuit High School for three years. He then spent six years as a free-lance stage actor and director, working in 16 states and Canada. Dennis began directing professional productions in 1989 and also got his feet wet in arts administration at the numerous theatres where he was acting and directing. They include: Gateway Playhouse (FL), Starlight Productions (FL), Nebraska Theatre Caravan (NE), White Hart Inn (CT), Petrucci's Main Street Theatre (MD), Fort Salem Theatre (NY) and Naples Dinner Theatre (FL).

He has had the pleasure of directing or acting with Connie Britton, Jami Gertz, Melina Kanakaredes, Doug McKeon, the late Kelly Preston, and Carrie Ann Spellman, as well as the late internationally known playwrights Fred Carmichael and Aurand Harris.

Professional affiliations include: Ohio Alliance for Arts Education, Creative Ohio, Association of Fundraising Professionals, and SAG-AFTRA. He is Past President of the erstwhile Akron Area Arts Alliance and served on the Board of the Summit County Regional Arts District, as well as being in Class 2 of Leadership Akron’s Barberton Community Leadership Institute. Along with Holly Barkdoll, Dennis was named Co-Producing Director of Magical Theatre Company, in 1992 - making him one of the longest-tenured arts leaders in Summit County. Under their leadership, Magical Theatre Company has received the Game Changer Award from Barberton Community Foundation, the Impact Award for Imagination from Peg’s Foundation, the Outreach Award from the Akron Area Arts Alliance, and the Community Collaboration Award from Summit County Housing Network.

DENNIS O’CONNELL
Co-Producing Director
Magical Theatre Company
Phone: 330-848-3708
E-mail: dennis@magicaltheatre.org www.magicaltheatre.org
 

View entire list
CLUB NEWS
Packers for OPEN M Rock!!

OPEN M Ministry packing team this week. Thankful for consistent volunteers to help Open M feed students at Innes School who need food over the weekend. Thanks to Doug Kohl, Cyndi Kane and Sandy Naragon.

Calling ALL Members & Friends of Rotary!

Click here to view the District Conference information page

Register | Book a Hotel Room| View the Schedule | Become a Sponsor 

 

Hello Fellow Rotarians and Friends – 

We’re excited to invite you to the District 6630 Conference of Clubs & DLA. Registration is NOW OPEN!  This year's updated schedule is designed to make the event more accessible and welcoming for everyone. We look forward to coming together for meaningful conversations, inspiring speakers, and time with fellow Rotarians. 

The at-a-glance schedule is below for you but here’s what you can look forward to:

Friday:

  • Afternoon Start: We’ve condensed the schedule so those who work during the day can easily join us.
  • Business Meeting & Celebration of Life: Important updates and a moment of reflection.
  • Evening of Fellowship and Fun: A chance to reconnect and network while enjoying food and beverage stations, an inspiring speaker and then. . .
  • Rotary Jeopardy: Join your cluster in a fun, competitive game of Rotary Jeopardy! Big bragging rights are up for grabs.

Saturday:

  • Breakfast & District Learning Assembly (DLA): Learn and grow through valuable district-led sessions.
  • Youth Lunch: Our signature event, where you’ll experience the impact of Rotary through the eyes of our youth. This is a fun and well-attended event you won’t want to miss!
  • District Service Project: Participate in this exciting new hands on service project.  In partnership with Pack Away Hunger we’ll pack at least 20,000 meals in ONE HOUR! These meals will be distributed to food banks and pantries within our district.

We’ll be sharing more updates leading up to the event, but we wanted to get this information to you early so you can register and mark your calendars.

We look forward to seeing you there!

42nd Woman of the Year Awards

 

On February 24th,  the Akron Club welcomed our guest speaker, Leianne Heppner, President & CEO of The Summit County Historical Society.

She talked about the Women's History Project 42nd Woman of the Year Awards. 

Over 300 women have been recognized – Check out the wonderful slide presentation from the 2025 awards HERE.  You will definitely see many familiar faces. 

This 2026 event will be held March 25, 2026 at St. George Fellowship Centre, Fairlawn OH 

Click here to get a ticket and for more information.

Help celebrate local women in the community!

 

 

 

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Member Birthdays
Ham Amer
February 3
 
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February 4
 
Jeff Sitz
February 4
 
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February 5
 
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February 6
 
Brian Harding
February 10
 
Susan Colville-Hall
February 14
 
Dan Sveda
February 15
 
James Redmond
February 15
 
Morgan Lasher
February 19
 
Fr. Dean Kokanos
February 20
 
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February 25
 
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February 28
 
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March 17
 
Johnna Economou
March 25
 
Evey Williams
March 28
 
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Judy Seward
March 18
 
Join Date
Timothy DelMedico
February 1, 1989
37 years
 
Mike Wojno
February 3, 2004
22 years
 
Tom Knauer
February 3, 2015
11 years
 
Steve Bossart
February 16, 2021
5 years
 
Amber Barkoukis
February 25, 2025
1 year
 
Jim Slater
February 25, 2025
1 year
 
Jack Harig
March 1, 1961
65 years
 
Michael Gladysz
March 1, 2012
14 years
 
David Koly
March 6, 1984
42 years
 
David Showers
March 13, 2001
25 years
 
Dan Sveda
March 15, 1988
38 years
 
Malcolm Costa
March 18, 1997
29 years
 
Katerina Papas
March 22, 2005
21 years
 
Bill Manby, Sr.
March 27, 1973
53 years
 
Connor Jarvis, CFP
March 28, 2017
9 years
 
Laura Duda
March 29, 2016
10 years
 
Katy Miller
March 31, 2015
11 years
 

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