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President's Welcome

John Douglass

member photo

On behalf of Reading Rotary, welcome to our website.  Reading Rotary is made up of community leaders with a desire to give back to our community. 

 
Reading Rotary supports many projects in our community as well as around our world including:  Reading Food Pantry; Reading Scholarship Foundation; purchase of a wheelchair accessible van for disabled and elderly residents; purchase and support of defibrillators for the Reading Fire Department; promote literacy by providing reading books to Reading Kindergarteners and First Graders; distribute trees to all Reading fifth graders for Arbor Day; Adopt a Family program; purchase of the Reading High School Band golf cart; Reading Education Foundation; RMHS Robotics team; Homelessness and Hunger Initiatives; Rotaplast project to treat cleft lips and palates; Polio Plus; Burbank YMCA; Cure Alzheimer’s; Understanding Disabilities; the Pan Mass Challenge; RCASA; Scouting; sponsor Interact Clubs; run the Snack Shack; run the Reading Fall Street Faire; and much more.
 
Reading Rotary joins over 1.2 million Rotarians in 33,000 Rotary clubs worldwide working to eradicate Polio, helping young children live healthier lives and rebuilding communities devastated by disaster.  Rotary International partners with the Gates Foundation, the WHO, UNICEF and the CDC in the effort to make polio only the second infectious disease eradicated.  
 
The Rotary motto is “Service Above Self.”  We are Rotarians because we believe in community service and helping make our communities better.
 
Please consider becoming part of our Rotary Club and help us make Reading and the world better places.  If you aren't able to join now, you can volunteer with us.  Please be our guest at a meeting and learn more about us. (See our Event Calendar for specifics.)  All are welcome.
 
To learn more about us, you can ask any Rotarian, look through our website or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ReadingMaRotary.
Reading Rotary Information
We have fun serving the community. Join us!

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Mondays at 12:15 PM
Fusilli's usually (check our schedule)
107 Main Street
Reading, MA 01867
United States of America
Sometimes we mix it up. Check out our schedule: http://www.readingmarotary.org/events/calendar
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Home Page Stories
Calling RFSF Sponsors!
Posted by Tim Kelley on Jul 20, 2021
Reading Fall Street Faire needs sponsors.  If you or your business can sponsor, please contact Jenn Rogers.
 
Information about sponsorship and vendor sign ups are on our RFSF website:  fallstreetfaire.com.
 
Please share our posts on Facebook, email, etc.  We need members' help getting the word out.  If you have any leads on vendors, sponsors or anything else, please pass them along.  John Feudo and Gregg Johnson are co-chairing the RFSF Committee this year.
 
Remember the Reading Fall Street Faire is back on September 12.
Welcome our New Members
Posted by Tim Kelley on Jul 20, 2021
Welcome to our new Rotarians inducted on July 12 at the Club Installation Celebration.  
 
Brenda Simblaris is joining a Corporate Member from Austin Prep.  Brenda is the Assistant Director of Admissions at Austin.  Brenda joins along with other AP members Sue Belanger and Dr. Jim Hickey.  Fun fact about Brenda is that she is married to Peter Simms of Simms Jewelry.  A little bird also told us that it is Brenda and Peter's Wedding Anniversary today.
 
Kathy Kinney was officially inducted on July 12, but she has been a member of Reading Rotary for over a year.  She joined just about the time the pandemic hit.  And it took us a while formally to induct her.  Kathy is on the Board of Directors.  Kathy has been very involved in volunteer activities in Reading.  Kathy coordinated our first Senior Sign project, from the parent side in 2020. 
 
Welcome, Brenda and Kathy.
 
Also, note that we have a new member application from Nadia Haddad, branch manger for Northern Bank in Reading.  We look forward to Nadia's induction coming soon.
New Rotary Year Starting off Strong
Posted by Tim Kelley on Jul 13, 2021
Our Club Installation Celebration was a fun time and great kick off to a new year.  John Douglass was installed as the once and present President.  DG Terry Curran was on hand to administer John's oath.  The celebration was held at the Horseshoe Grille outside in the tent.  The rains subsided and it was a lovely evening.
 
Joining John's Board of Directors are:  Treasurer Mike Bonsey, Directors Sheila Clarke, Gregg Johnson, Kathy Kinney, Mike Collins, Lisa Gibbs and Tim Kelley.
 
Dear Rotarians, the Club is in need of a Secretary and a President Elect.  Please consider whether you can help out with either positions.  John will also consider people sharing roles.
 
We had a large crowd of Rotarians, family and guests.
 
Another highlight of the evening was the inducting of two new members:  Kathy Kinney (who joined as COVID hit, so her installation was delayed) and Brenda Simblaris (joining as a Corporate Member from Austin Prep).  Please make sure to welcome them to our numbers.
 
Pictured here is District Governor Terry Curran with President John.
 
Congratulations, John, and thank you for volunteering your leadership!
 
 
Shop the Readings
Posted by Tim Kelley on Jul 06, 2021
Looking for a place that offers outdoor dining or a want to pick up a gift curbside?  Support our local businesses and find these options and more on the business directory at www.ShoptheReadings.com.  Sign up for the Friday Preview text of local happenings and promotions by texting “ShopReadings” to 313131.  Be Loyal, Buy Local and Shop the Readings.  Thank you for your support!
 
For Rotarians or local businesses, the Chamber has lawn signs and posters for store windows that they are happy to share with any local businesses.  Folks can request those by emailing Lynn at Lynn@rnrchamber.com.  RNR Chamber is dropping them off over the next week or so.  Please help spread the word on this project, which is partially grant funded and aims to support local businesses.  
Food Bank Help Needed
Posted by Tim Kelley on Jun 25, 2021
Please let Art Hayden know if you can help out with any of the Food Bank Run dates he has sent out by email.
RFSF Updates
Posted by Tim Kelley on Jun 25, 2021
The Fall Street Faire committee met last Wednesday to start our accelerated planning of the Faire.  
 
Please be ready to step up and volunteer.  We have the following committees:  Sponsorship; Food; Marketing/Outreach; Entertainment; Public Relations; Children's Area; Amusements; Logistics; Registration and Website; and Volunteers.
 
We will be meeting bi-weekly until further notice.  When you are approached and asked to help, please have mercy on us and say yes.
 
You can direct questions to John Feudo, Gregg Johnson, Sheila Clarke, Jeanne Borawski or Tim Kelley.
 
Remember to save the date of September 12 for the Faire.
 
Please direct people to the website:  fallstreetfaire.com.  Online booth and sponsor registration will be up and running soon.  Jeanne has already been working on website updates.
 
Of note we are partnering with Porchfest on September 11 to provide support through our website and publicity and we are sponsoring a writing contest to be part of a commemoration on the Common on 9/11.
Save the Date:  Club Installation
Posted by Tim Kelley on Jun 25, 2021
We will hold our Club Installation on July 12 at the Horseshoe Grille in North Reading.  John Douglass will be enthroned as our new Club President.  Tentative start time is 6 (time to be confirmed).
 
With the pandemic restrictions over, we hope to see a good crowd there to support our incoming Prez an Board.
 
You should have received an invite from Sheila.  Please respond. If you haven't received it, please contact Sheila.
In Person Meetings Restarting
Posted by Tim Kelley on Jun 15, 2021
With the pandemic restrictions ending, we are restarting regular in person meetings.
 
A survey will be going out to membership to gauge people's preference for meeting times, dates, frequency, in person/hybrid/etc.
 
COVID-19 has presented a difficult time to maintain meeting continuity.  However, we have remained very active with our Service. 
 
Kudos to Jenn Rogers for captaining the ship during the most unique, challenging year.  Jenn has also started a new job and is in school full time to boot.
 
Please note our Calendar for our upcoming meetings.  Any comments or request regarding meetings before the survey goes out can be directed to Pres Elect John Douglass.
 
On July 21, we will have our new AG Domenic Ribello visiting.  
RFSF 2021 is On
Posted by Tim Kelley on Jun 16, 2021
We have just received the green light from the Town so the Reading Fall Street Faire will be on Sunday, September 12.
 
John Feudo, Gregg Johnson and Sheila Clarke will be helming the crew and we will need a lot of help.  So please be ready to pitch in. 
 
We will need help in seeking sponsors, reaching out to vendors, coordinating various events.  Announcements will be forthcoming soon.
 
It will be a fast and furious summer planning it.
 
Snells Welcome Granddaughter
Posted by Tim Kelley on May 16, 2021
Congratulations to Brian and Linda Snell on becoming grandparents to Margaret Claire born May 14.  According to Linda, Mom Kate and baby are reportedly doing well.
 
2021 is looking up.
 
Rotary Sponsors Senior Signs
Posted by Tim Kelley on May 07, 2021
In another year of Corona, RMHS Senior Class Parents and volunteers planted an array of lawn signs with each graduating Senior’s picture and the message “We Love Our Seniors Reading Memorial High School Class of 2021.”  The signs were arranged in front of the Town Hall and Town Hall Annex facing the Reading Common.  The display is sponsored by Reading Rotary.  The set up was spearheaded by Senior parent Mrs. Maria Casarano.  The signs were printed by Boyd’s Direct in Stoneham.
 
Rotarian Mike Collins, who chaired this project said:  “We are so happy to be able to provide these signs for the Seniors who have faced a lot of adversity this year.  It makes it worth our efforts to see so many people enjoying them.” 
 
 
Read more...
Rotary Readers' Thank You's
Posted by Tim Kelley on May 02, 2021
We have received lots of beautiful Thank You Notes from our Rotary Readers project.
 
Pictured here are a bunch from Birch Meadow School.
 
Can't wait for the next time we can do this project in person.
Food Bank Update
Posted by Tim Kelley on May 02, 2021
Art Hayden is looking for drivers and helpers for the Food Bank Run.  The Food Pantry now goes into the GBFB twice a month.  If you can help, please respond to Art.  If you did not receive an email from Art recently, please let Art or me know.
 
Shout out to Art for coordinating this important ongoing service project.
Rotary "Adopting" Seniors
Posted by Tim Kelley on Apr 26, 2021
Reading Rotary is pitching in with another project to help boost RMHS Graduating Seniors with the community Adopt a Senior project.  Parents of the Class of 2021 have organized this project to match enthusiastic community helpers with each Senior to give them some gifts and goodies over several weeks.  To make sure every Senior was included, the parents reached out to the community. 
 
Reading Rotary has adopted 10 Seniors.  Thanks to the following Rotarians for jumping in to help with these 10 individual Seniors:  Michael Bonsey; Lisa Gibbs; Jenniffer Rogers; John Douglass; Tim Kelley; Andrea Zoia; Brian Tobin; Pooja Parsons; and Kathy Kinney.
 
We are likewise impressed by the many community members who volunteered to help make this pandemic class feel a little more special.
 
Pictured here is Caroline showing off some of her new swag.
Senior Signs Update
Posted by Tim Kelley on Apr 06, 2021
We have had an inspiring initial response to our fundraising effort for RMHS Senior Signs.  Since March 23, the community has donated over $2,300.00.  We are close to fully funding this project and there is time for people to donate, if they would still like to do so.
 
Here's the Paypal link or send a check to Reading Rotary Charitable Trust, PO Box 61, Reading, MA 01867.
 
We were so pleased how this project turned out last year, especially seeing so many students and their family and friends walking through the Town Hall lawn to find their sign.
 
We are again so delighted to head up this community project for the Class of 2021.  
 
A heartfelt thank you from Reading Rotary for the generosity of all those who have donated to support the Senior Class.
Donate to Reading Rotary
Donate to Reading Rotary via PayPal.  Reading Rotary Charitable Trust is a 501(c) tax exempt organization.  Tax Id 47-7416401.  You may designate the purpose of your donation.
 
Club Executives & Directors
President
John Douglass
Treasurer
Michael Bonsey
Immediate Past President
Jenniffer Rogers
Foundation Chair
Michael Bonsey
Director - Public Image Chair
Tim Kelley
Director - Membership Chair
Lisa Gibbs
Director
Sheila Clarke
Director
Mike Collins
Director
Gregg Johnson
Director
Kathy Kinney
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For information about joining Reading Rotary, please contact Past President Mike Collins or Membership Chair Lisa Gibbs.  Join us!
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