Welcome to the Rochester Rotary Club!

NEWS & VIEWS
Order Your Poinsettias Now
The 2022 Poinsettia Fundraiser Sale is open! Our club sells beautiful poinsettia plants to our friends and neighbors yearly to help celebrate the holiday season. All the money raised goes to Rochester Rotary Charities, a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, to fund charity projects in the Rochester area and worldwide. The 2022 Rochester Rotary Charities Poinsettia Sale will benefit local charities and scholarships.
 
You can order and pay for your beautiful poinsettias online at https://www.rochesterrotaryclub.org/page/poinsettias .

Order Deadline: Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Delivery (Orders of 15+): Wednesday, November 30, 2022, ·8 am to noon, or
 
You can pick up your order at Bordines:  Thursday, December 1, from 8 am to noon
 
 
Rotary Fights to Eradicate Polio
In 1985, Rotary International launched its PolioPlus program, the first initiative to tackle global polio eradication through the mass vaccination of children. “Rotary has contributed more than $2 billion and countless volunteer hours to immunize more than 3 billion children in 122 countries”, said Rochester Rotary President Tim Duncan.
Today, only two countries have not stopped the transmission of the wild poliovirus: Afghanistan and Pakistan. Six wild polio cases were confirmed worldwide in 2021, a more than 99 percent reduction since the 1980s when the world saw approximately 1,000 children paralyzed by polio every day. Even here in the United States, a few cases have popped up in unvaccinated people in New York State. The world has never been so close to eradication, so Rotary’s continued commitment and focus on polio eradication remains critical.
The Rochester Rotary Club has supported this program for over 30 years. Members contribute money to the Polio Plus program, and the Club holds several fundraisers throughout the year, with all proceeds going to the program. On October 17, the Club had a community Shred It event where individuals and businesses could bring paper to be shredded. On that single morning, $3,000 was raised! “Thanks to a double match from the Gates Foundation, our $3,000 with turn into $9,000”, said Linda Eastman, one of the Rotarians who worked on the project this year. 
The Rochester Rotary Club comprises about 100 individuals living or working in Rochester, Rochester Hills, or Oakland Township. The Club meets for lunch every Tuesday at the Rochester Community House. For more information on the Club, visit www.rochesterrotaryclub.org.
Economic Devlopment in Rochester Hillls
Pamela Valentick, the Economic Development Manager for the City of Rochester Hills, explained how the City attracts, retains, and redevelops businesses in the City. Known as the hub of the robotics industry in North America, and some would say the world, Rochester Hills pulls in new business from around the world. Four of the top ten businesses in the City are international businesses!
"Why Rochester Hills?" she says businesses should move here because of the following:
  • Michigan's proximity within the U.S. and Canada
  • Michigan has one of the lowest corporate tax rates in the country
  • It is a hub of mobility
  • It has the largest concentration of automotive engineers in the country
  • Has a Highly educated workforce
  • Is the robotics capital of North America
  • Safest City in Michigan, 6 years in a row, and
  • Voted numerous times as the best place to live within the U.S.
It is a great place to live, work, and to raise a family!
 
Exchange Student From Mexico Presents at Rotary Meeting
The Rotary Youth Exchange program was started in 1929 by Rotary International, and currently, about 9,000 students are sponsored by Rotary Clubs every year. Rotary Youth Exchange builds peace one young person at a time. Students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens. Exchanges for students ages 15 -19 are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries.
 
Room and board are provided, as well as any school fees. Still, students are usually responsible for round-trip airfare, travel insurance, passports, and visa and spending money for any additional travel or tours. To apply, contact your local Rotary Club for details.
 
Today, Mariana said her favorite thing so far is attending Rochester High School, which is MUCH larger than her hometown high school. She was surprised that students move from class to class, while in Mexico, the students stay in one classroom, and the teachers move from class. She also loved her first football game. Go Falcons!
Community Service Organizations Collaborate
Left to right: Roger & Eugenia Bajorek (Kiwanis), Chuck Bissell (Kiwanis), Jean Mardevsz (Rochester Lions), Tim Duncan (Rochester Rotary), Juliane Morian (Rochester Hills Public Library), Kris Liebzeit, (Eugenia’s 3rd Street Hair Gallery) and David Meyer (Rochester Hills Lions).
 
 
 
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.
Rotary’s mission is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. Founded in Detroit in 1915, Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child, and one community at a time, providing services from adult, college, high school, and elementary school level clubs.   Lions Clubs International is the largest service club organization in the world, with over 1.4 million members; strengthens local communities through hands-on service and humanitarian projects, particularly in the area of low-vision. The Rochester Hills Public Library serves people living or working in Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Oakland Township. Each organization focuses on slightly different tasks; however, community service is the common factor. 
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.
In 2021, the international parents of these organizations encouraged local clubs to collaborate to demonstrate this commitment to community service. This year the Rochester and Rochester Hills clubs gathered new clothing necessities (socks, underwear, and pajamas) for foster children. Chuck Bissell, President of the Rochester Kiwanis Club, said, “We are overwhelmed with the community response to this project!” The club took seven car loads of donated necessities to the Faith Communities Coalition on Foster Care (www.faithcommunitiescoalition.com), which serves the Detroit metro area.
 
Read more...
Shred it and Help Eradicate Polio 
Last year our club raised about $3,000 for the Rotary Foundation to help in the fight to eradicate polio. This year, we join our major sponsor Endo Pharmaceutical to attempt to beat that amount.
 
On October 17, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m., the public was invited to bring old documents to Bordine’s parking lot at 1835 S. Rochester Road to have them shredded. The fee is $10 per carload, approximately five boxes or bags. We are looking for paper & light cardboard ONLY.
 
We have volunteers who will come and pick up the materials to be shredded for a fee of $20. If you have any questions or want to schedule a pickup, you can call 248/408-9868
Rotarians Helping Neighbors
 
At our September 6th meeting, Rochester Rotarians collected $535 for Neighborhood House (NH). The money will be taken to the Meijer store on South Rochester Road and donated to the Meijer Simply Give program Meijer has pledged to double match all donations made on Saturday, September 10th. This week’s gift will realize $1,755 in gift cards for NH’s Food Pantry. The money comes at a very appropriate time, as the recent area power outage required that NH quickly disperse all food in their large refrigerators. Now they have to restock those refrigerators.
 
Over the years, Rochester Rotary has supported the excellent work of NH. Most notable was a $15,000 gift for NH’s capital campaign. Some projects have been much more hands-on, like sorting school supplies as part of NH’s Blast Off to School program and Christmas parties for NH kids.
 
As its mission statement says, Neighborhood House walks the path toward self-sustainability with our neighbors during times of hardship. “Our vision is a community of neighbors helping neighbors thrive,” said Rotarian and NH Executive Director Michael Dreon.
 
Rotary President Tim Duncan said, “This was a quick project where Rotarians were able to come to the aid of an important community organization and service.”
 
 
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 upgrade and enhance the park through the volunteer efforts of club members and funding from the purchase of memorial bricks.
 
WEBSITE SPONSORS
CLUB LEADERSHIP
President
Tim Duncan
President Elect
Kyle Johnson
Vice-President/Weekly Programs
Christine Hage
Treasurer
Tom Neveau
Assistant Treasurer
Tami Salisbury
Secretary
Jeff Whitbey
Assistant Secretary
Rachel Aviles
Director
David Archbold
Director
Cindy Purdy
Director
Linda Eastman
Director
Stuart Siegner
Membership
Stuart Siegner
Youth Exchange
David Archbold
Fundraising - Other Sources
Steven Oehler
Hands-On Service
Rachel Aviles
Mentoring & Development
Stuart Siegner
Social
Yolanda Udell
Rotary Foundation Chair
Ernie Schaefer
Think Tank
Steven Oehler
Website Administrator
Christine Hage
Youth Services - Chair
Phil McPeek
Youth Services
Tom Neveau
Youth Services
David Archbold
Charities President
Alan McLellan
Charities President-Elect
Ron Lichtle
Charities Treasurer
Tami Salisbury
Charities Director
Peter Stuhlreyer
Charities Secretary
Rachel Aviles
Charities Director
Ethan Hoffman
Charities Director
John Modetz
Charities Director
Juliane Morian
Reporting & Financial Review
Vince Mattina
Speakers
A. Michael Deller, Santa's Agent
Dec 06, 2022
Kids Say the Darndest Things to Santa!
Kyle Johnson, Rachel Aviles, Roger Roller, & Ethan
Dec 13, 2022
Investing in Today's Market
Rochester Rotary Rototones
Dec 20, 2022
Holiday Cheer
No Meeting - Happy Holidays
Dec 27, 2022
Tim Duncan and Alan McLellan
Jan 03, 2023
Mid-year Club and Charities Update
View entire list...
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