Welcome to the Rochester Rotary Club! 

We meet every Tuesday from noon - 1:15 at the Rochester Community House, 816 Ludlow, Rochester, MI 48307
You can join us via Zoom  https://zoom.us/j/83148224700
 
 
NEWS & VIEWS
Christine Hage, Ron Lichtle, Shirley Gofrank and Vince Mattina
 
Living up to the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self,” Rotarians gathered at the Neighborhood House (NH) office on Livernois to help fill bags with school supplies for hundreds of children served by NH. Supplies included crayons, pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, glue sticks, spiral-bound notebooks, scissors, etc.  Specific supplies are designated by grade level.
Although it only took a few hours, needy students will appreciate the new supplies during the coming school year. NH will distribute the supplies in the next week so students are ready for the new school year.
Kiwanians Jean and Roger Bajorek with collected supplies
Over 115 years ago, Rotary International formed the world’s first service club in Chicago. Today, millions of people worldwide belong to service clubs like Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, and Optimists. People join local service clubs for various reasons, whether for business networking, making friends, fellowship, or learning about their community through thoughtful speakers. Still, surveys have shown that giving back to the community is the primary reason most people join a service club.
 
For the second year, the Rochester and Rochester Hills Kiwanis Clubs, the Rochester Rotary, and the Rochester Hills Lions jointly sponsored a community-wide service project. Each organization focuses on slightly different tasks; however, community service is the common factor. 
In 2021, the international parents of these organizations encouraged local clubs to collaborate to demonstrate this commitment to community service. The Kiwanians, Rotarians, and Lions gathered school supplies for foster children this year. President of the Rochester Kiwanis Club Chuck Bissell said, “We are overwhelmed with the community response to this project!” The club took a van full of school supplies to Samaritas, which serves the Detroit metro area.
 
“Foster children experience great stress being separated from their birth families and friends, for whatever reason,” said David Meyers, President of the Rochester Hills Lions Club. “A new backpack, crayons, pencils, pens, rulers, and notebooks mean a lot to these students.”
 
The combined service clubs collected 80 backpacks, 300 pens, 218 packages of pencils, 148 filled pencil pouches, 110 glue sticks, 53 packages of highlighters, 84 spiral notebooks, 70 boxes of crayons, 48 packets of lined looseleaf paper, erasers, scissors, protractors, paper punches, report folders, rulers, index cards, construction paper, and looseleaf dividers.
 
“Through this project, we harnessed the power of these service organizations and local businesses, all of whom share a passion for taking action and creating lasting change,” said Rotary President Kyle Johnson. Eugenia’s 3rd Street Hair Gallery was again highly generous in allowing the public to drop off items. “We were happy to support this community project,” said Kris Liebzeit, owner of Eugenia’s.
 
Individuals interested in joining one of these service clubs can get more information on membership on each club’s website; www.facebook.com/KiwanisClubOfRochesterhttps://e-clubhouse.org/sites/rochesterhills/; or www.rochesterrotaryclub.org.
It is time to mark your calendars for our Club's 2023 golf outing on Tuesday, September 19th, at Fieldstone Golf Course in Auburn Hills.  Registration will begin at 10, with a shotgun start at 11 and an awards ceremony at 4 p.m.
Go to the "Fundraising" tab above and click on "Fundraising Events" and then "Charity Golf Outing" for details, registration, and sponsorship opportunities!
 
President Kyle Johnson welcomed Carol Franciosi back to Rochester Rotary. Carol was a member here about fifteen years ago. Carol has worked as an international traveling nurse based in Naples, FL. She is now back living in our area and is looking forward to renewing her commitment to service through the Rochester Rotary.
Gwen, Jennifer, and Marianna
 
Three former Rotary Youth Exchange Students gave a presentation today. Gwen just returned from her year in Sweden and will make a full presentation to the club later.  Jen did her exchange in Japan many years ago and explained the impact that exchange had on her life, including encouraging her daughter Gwen to become an exchange student.  The third young lady, Marianna, will be returning to her home in Mexico next week and was very appreciative to Rochester Rotary for hosting her.
If you know someone interested in studying abroad for a year, they can apply online at: https://studyabroadscholarships.org
 
Timo Nicholaou joined the Rochester Rotary over 30 years ago and today was awarded his third Paul Harris Fellowship. Way to go Timo!
The Rochester Kiwanis, Rochester Hills Lions, and the Rochester Rotary clubs are working together to celebrate and give back to the community with a joint service event held July 14 – August 1. Starting a new school year can be difficult and frightening for any child, especially for children in foster care. The project will focus on collecting new backpacks for children in the foster care system.
The three service clubs are again combining efforts to help foster kids by providing them with school backpacks through the Samaritas backpack drive. School supplies are needed for all ages and genders and include backpacks, notebooks, crayons, #2 pencils, erasers, markers, rulers, scissors, and more.
"Imagine the difference we can make when we harness the power of our three service organizations, all of whom share a passion for taking action and creating lasting change," said Kiwanis President Chuck Bissell.
Rochester Rotary President Kyle Johnson said, "We looked around for a project that would serve children in particular and decided to focus on foster children again this year."
“The Rochester Hills Lions believe children in the foster care system need this special support,” said the club president David Meyers.
Foster care is a temporary living situation for children whose parents cannot care for them and whose need for care has come to the attention of child welfare agency staff. While in foster care, children may live with relatives, with foster families, or in group facilities. Over 13,500 children in Michigan are fostered.
Drop boxes for donated items will be available at  Eugenias 3rd Street Hair Gallery in downtown Rochester. Donation boxes will be available from July 14th – August 1st.
Founded in 1915, Kiwanis International clubs and members are dedicated to serving the world's children in 85 nations and geographic areas.
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer business leaders dedicated to improving lives at local and international levels, from helping those in need in their communities to working toward a polio-free world.
The Lions support global services that present significant challenges to humanity.
Although all three local clubs are associated with international organizations, the backpack service project is designed to help foster children throughout the Detroit Metro Area.
Typical Club Accomplishments & Activities

Grants Totaling Over $100,000/Year

Local & Regional Charities

  • Neighborhood House
  • Rochester Community Schools Foundation
  • Rochester Area Youth Assistance
  • Dutton Farms
  • Dynamic Kids - Rochester Hills
  • Grace Center for Hope
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Haven
  • Know Resolve
  • Older Person's Commission (OPC)
  • Paint Creek Center for The Arts
  • Community House
  • Rotary Gateway Park
  • Rochester Christmas Parade

Youth Programs

  • Eight, 4-year College Scholarships
  • Rotary Youth Leadership Awakening (RYLA)
  • International Youth Exchange Program
  • Job Shadowing
  • Boy Scouts
  • Girl Scouts
  • Oakland University Rotaract Graduate Scholarship

International

  • Casa Colibri Medical Mission – Guatemala
  • “Play For Peace" Project – Nigeria, Africa
  • Polio Plus (Global Polio Eradication, established in 1988)
  • Rotary Club of Accra-Spintex-Accra  Ghana, Africa (school)
  • Shelter Box

Annual Hands-On Service Projects

Local & Regional Charities

  • Assistance League - assistance with “Operation School Bell”
  • Neighborhood House
    • Packed school supplies for “Back-to-School” event
    • Sort Christmas presents for Christmas Party
    • Rotary Christmas Party (with presents & Santa Claus for needy kids)
    • Load trucks to “Stamp Out” hunger
  • Older Person's Commission (OPC): Act of Kindness & Meals on Wheels
  • Polio Plus (October Polio Awareness Month
  • Rotary Club of Accra-Spintex-Accra  Ghana, Africa (school)
  • Rochester Christmas Parade: Float - with Interact involvement
  • Grace Center for Hope
  • Literacy Program: Greater Rochester Area
  • Salvation Army - Bell Ringing at Lagniappe in Rochester
  • Rotary Gateway Park operations (a peaceful area we built for our community)

Youth Programs

  • 5 Local Area High School Interact Clubs (ACE, Adams, Rochester, Stoney Creek, and Avondale High Schools) (a collaboration with Rochester Communities Schools)
  • Scholarship Recipient Recognition Luncheon
  • Rotary Youth Leadership Awakening (RYLA)
  • International Youth Exchange Program
  • Job Shadowing
  • Grace Center for Hope
  • Oakland University Rotaract Club (a collaboration with Oakland University)

International

  • Polio Plus (Polio Eradication Globally: created in 1988 to eradicate polio globally) add web link
  • Casa Colibri Medical Mission – Guatemala
    “Hands-On” Clint Support & Literacy Project Teaching Teachers English

Social Activities

  • Club Christmas Party – Members and spouses celebrate the years accomplishments
  • Club Golf Outing (social event and fundraiser)
  • Presidents Transition Dinner - Members and spouses congratulate the immediate past President for a job well done and welcome the incoming Club President.
  • Rotary Gateway Park picnic –
  • Rochester Christmas Parade – Rotarians and youth affiliates celebrate the Christmas season together

Leadership Activities

  • Monthly Club Board Meetings
  • Regular Rochester Rotary Charities, Inc., Board Meetings
  • Committee Meetings
  • Fundraising Project Team Meetings
  • Past President’s Dinner – Leadership feedback regarding Club initiatives
  • President’s Appreciation Dinner – Club President expresses appreciation to Board Members for their support during his term 
Click HERE to see a typical list of Rochester Area Affiliate High School and College Clubs Accomplishments
Rotary Gateway Park
 
The Rotary Gateway Park is a hidden gem in downtown Rochester. Built by the Rochester Rotary Club in 1997, the park features beautiful flower beds, a cascading water feature, and benches to sit and enjoy a few quiet moments. The Rochester Rotary Club continues to upgrade and enhance the park through the volunteer efforts of club members and funding from the purchase of memorial bricks.
 
CLUB LEADERSHIP
President
President Elect
Vice-President/Weekly Programs
Treasurer
Secretary
Assistant Secretary
Immediate Past President
Director
Director
Director
Director
Membership
Rotary Foundation - Co-Chair
Youth Exchange
Spring Fling Co-Chair
Shred It - Chair
Spring Fling Co-Chair
Wine & Beer Tasting Co-Chair
Wine & Beer Tasting Co-Chair
Golf Outing Chair
Poinsettia Sale Co Chair
Poinsettia Sale Co Chair
Marketing Chair
Rotary Foundation Co-Chair
Youth Services Co-Chair
Youth Services Co-Chair
Website Administrator
Charities President
Charities President-Elect
Charities Secretary
Charities Director
Charities Director
Charities Director
Charities Director
Speakers
Lori Grein
Oct 03, 2023
An Update on Rochester Community Schools
Tel Ganesan
Oct 10, 2023
Escape from Life’s Maze
Elliot Kim
Oct 17, 2023
Kristina Schofer
Oct 24, 2023
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards
Ed Terebus
Oct 31, 2023
The Haunted History of Erebus
Club Activity Photos
Upcoming Events
Photo Albums
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