Rochester Rotary Club 2021

Weekly Speakers

Masters Tournament Raffle

Medical Mission in Guatemala

Our Club meets weekly at the Rochester Community House, 816 Ludlow Ave, Rochester, MI. Weekly meetings start at noon and conclude by 1:15. If you can't attend in person, you may join us online. All Zoom meetings are recorded and posted online for viewing later. Please join us on Tuesdays at noon by clicking here to join us online! The passcode is 317669.

Welcome to the Rochester Rotary Club!

Thank You President David Eardley!

Typically July 1st is the changeover in Rotary leadership, but due to a job relocation, this activity took place on June 14th for our club.,

As a Rochester Rotarian for the last nine years, and especially in this previous year as our President, David has been a gentle, kind, thoughtful, caring, and friendly leader. His experience as the Senior Pastor of St. Paul's United Methodist Church here in Rochester has served the community and our club very well.

Dave moved to Rochester with his wife Sarah and son Ryan from Frankenmuth, MI. They now move on to a church in Grosse Pointe, MI.

During the past year, David completed our transition from our hybrid (online/in-person) meeting, moved the club to a new meeting venue at the Rochester Community House, oversaw the adoption of new bylaws, helped establish a solar lighting project in Ghana, brought in 17 new members, restarted the club's fundraising activities, and hosted several club social events.

Our loss is Grosse Pointe's gain, and we encourage the Grosse Pointe Rotary Club to take advantage of David's extraordinary leadership skills!

At Last Paula is a Member!

Paula D'Ambrosio is the newest member of the Rochester Rotary Club. A long-time resident of the Rochester area, Paula graduated from Rochester High School, attends St. Paul's United Methodist Church, and has been the pianist for the Rochester Rotary for the past 16 years. The joke in the club is that Paula has the best attendance record in the club! The Club is honored to recognize Paul's dedication to Rotary and the community by making her an honorary member with all the rights and responsibilities of membership. Welcome, Paula!!

Latest Paul Harris Fellows

Rochester Rotary Foundation Chairperson Ernie Schaefer announced that the club had reached and exceeded its goal of raising funds for the Rotary Foundation. This year's goal was $20,000, and we ended up giving over $27,000! The money was raised by purchasing eleven Paul Harris Fellowships ($1,000 each plus some matching money from the club), $3,948 raised with the Shred-It event, $2,580 raised at the Spring Fling, and $7,800 raised through individual member contributions to Every Rotarian Every Year.

The Rotary Foundation is a national foundation that he's Rotary members to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty. This is accomplished through such projects as eradicating polio, providing clean water worldwide, and encouraging literacy-related projects.

At the June 8, 2022 meeting, three more Paul Harris Fellowships were awarded to Tom Neveau, David Archbold, and Stuart Siegner (pictured left to right).

2022 Scholarship Winners

Rochester, MI – Graduation season is a time to celebrate students' accomplishments was particularly true when the Rochester Rotary Club announced their scholarship winners. This year's winners are (students in the picture with Phil McPeek and Roger Roller):

Paul Harris scholar Christopher Rivel who will attend Michigan State University.
Paul Harris scholar Pranavi Gudi will attend the University of Michigan,
Evelyne Lee will attend the University of Michigan
Don Pixley Memorial Scholar Rahi Shah will attend George Washington University,
Rochester Rotary Community Service scholar Alyssa Catsburg will attend Hope College,
Rochester Rotary Community Service scholar Remy Doe (not pictured) will attend the University of Michigan.

All six students were involved in their school's Interact Club, the high school version of Rotary.

"Scholarships are an investment in our community's future," said Rotary President David Eardley. "These students have shown outstanding service to the community and outstanding scholarship!"

Scholarship Chair Roger Roller explained the scholarships awarded. "The Paul Harris Scholarships are for four years. Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary International back in 1905. The Don Pixley scholarship is sponsored by the Pixley family in memory of the former Rotarian and funeral director. The Community Service Scholarship is non-renewable and acknowledges the student's commitment to community service. The Sally Case Courage scholarship memorializes the Rotary Club's late but long-time pianist."

Ray Doerr Remembered

Rotarian Raymond E. Doerr Jr., age 77, passed away on April 23, 2022. A dedicated Rotarian for 13 years, Ray led and served on many committees within the Rochester Rotary Club. He worked on the club's bylaws and constitution. He was responsible for leadership training for senior board members and served on the Club Board.

Ray's commitment to service above self gained him various awards and medals, including three Purple Heats, two Bronze Stars, a Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and a Paul Harris Fellowship.e was a devoted husband, father, brother, and grandfather (Pops).

Our Newest Paul Harris Major Donor

Paul Harris Fellows

On April 5, 2022, Jerry Carvey became our newest Paul Harris Major Donor! Jerry has been an active member of our club since March of 1977. He served as club president in the 1985 - 86 Rotary year.

The Paul Harris Fellow recognition acknowledges individuals who contribute or have contributions made in their name of $1,000 to the Rotary Foundation.

Rotary established the recognition in 1957 to encourage and show appreciation for substantial contributions to what was then the Foundation’s only program, Rotary Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Study, the precursor to Ambassadorial Scholarships.

Many notable figures have been named Paul Harris Fellows, including Mother Teresa, U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Russian President Boris Yeltsin, U.S. astronaut James Lovell, UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, and polio vaccine developer Jonas Salk.

However, the majority of Paul Harris Fellows are Rotarians. Over 50% of Rochester Rotarians are Fellows. Our current members have purchased a total of 226 Paul Harris awards! Currently, eight members are considered “major donors,” giving over $10,000 each. One member is an “Arch Clump” donor, having donated over $250,000!

Internationally, the number of Paul Harris Fellows reached the 1 million mark in 2006.

We extend congratulations to Jerry on reaching his major donor status!

Masters Tournament Winner Announced

On March 15^th, the Rochester Rotary held its drawing for a trip f.or two to the Masters Tournament in August, Georgia. Two hundred fifty-two tickets were sold, and $835 was raised as part of the live auction. Almost $10,000 was raised, which helps support organizations like Neighborhood House, Casa Colibri, Dutton Farm, scouting, college scholarships, and leadership training for young people.

This year’s winner was Bob Carabelli! Coincidently, Bob’s friend Tim Crawford won the raffle\ in 2018 and took Bob as his guest. “Fair is fair, so Bob will be taking me this year!” joked Crawford. Lars Nordberg was the raffle winner last year and he too will be attending the tournament this year

Rotary President David Eardley said, “This is the fourth year that Rotary has raffled off a trip for two to the Masters. The trip includes a round trip, charter flight to Agusta, tickets to the Tournament on Saturday and Sunday, hotel accommodations, and meals.”

The Rochester Rotary Club consists of 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.

The Club’s website (www.rochesterortarycub.org) provides more details on club activities.

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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

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.

Learn More About our Park