Upcoming Events
President's Welcome

Jenniffer Rogers

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. We are presently meeting mostly on Zoom.  (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 & Online
Mondays at 12:15 PM
Zoom
Online
Reading, MA 01867
United States of America
Sometimes we mix it up. Check out our schedule: http://www.readingmarotary.org/events/calendar
Join Us Online [Login to view details]
District Site
Bulletins
Venue Map
Home Page Stories
Rotary Foundation Gets Top Rating...Again!
Posted by Tim Kelley on Jan 25, 2021
We are excited to start this new year with great news: The Rotary Foundation has been honored with Charity Navigator's Four Star rating for the 13th year in a row. 
 
"Your achievement and 4-star rating will enhance your organization’s fundraising and public relations efforts,” says Michael Thatcher, president and chief executive officer of Charity Navigator. "This exceptional designation sets the Foundation apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public its trustworthiness."
 
 
District Newsletter
Posted by Tim Kelley on Jan 19, 2021
You may have noticed that I am now the Editor of the Rotary District 7930 eBulletin.
 
This year, I joined the District Public Image Committee.  Andy Maddox of Rockport Rotary and I have taken on this role from Tracy Arabian.  Tracy was Editor for several years.  She stepped down because she will be the incoming President of the Gloucester club.
 
The District eBulletin is bi-weekly.  Please review to stay updated on District goings on.  I will greatly appreciate it!
 
I am not so rigid in sending out the Reading Rotary Nut, which is "periodic," or whenever we have enough content.  Please let me know if you have any news Rotary or not to be included.
Election Coming
Posted by Tim Kelley on Jan 19, 2021
John Douglass is ready to take the reigns as President for 2021-22.  Thank you John for answering the call once again?
 
We need a President-Elect also.  If you have not yet served as Club President (or would like to return to the role), please let Jenn or John know.
 
In addition, we will be electing Secretary and Treasurer.  David and Mike have agreed to stay on in those roles. 
 
If you are interested in serving as one of the six Directors, please contact John.
 
If you feel the call, please answer.
Adopt-a-Family
Posted by Tim Kelley on Jan 11, 2021
Each year Reading Rotary partners with the community for the Adopt-a-Family project for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Rotary works with the local organization ReadingCares and the Town to coordinate this long-standing community giving program.  Receiving families are matched anonymously with donor families and/or groups to provide meals for Thanksgiving and meals and gifts at Christmas.  Donor drop off in the first shift, then recipient families pick up their food and gifts during a later shift. 
 
There were approximately 60 families in need and donor families/groups were matched to provide Christmas gifts and holiday meals to these families anonymously.  Reading Rotary’s efforts were coordinated by Gregg Johnson and John Douglass.
 
This is a truly inspirational and humbling event to see the community come together to help others.  The generosity of the donors is overwhelming.
 
Thanks also to DPW employees, Reading Elder Services, RPD and all the other folks (especially the donors) who bring this together.  Service Above Self, indeed.
Happy Holidays from Reading Rotary
Posted by Tim Kelley on Dec 21, 2020
Wishing a happy, healthy Holiday Season to all!
 
We will have no meeting the week of December 28.  Our next meeting will be on Zoom on January 4.
 
Some Club news.  We will be holding elections for our next Rotary year soon.  John Douglass will be reprising his role as Club President.  Thank you John for stepping up.  We are in need of a President Elect (to be President in year 2022-23).  In addition, if you are interested on serving on the Board of Directors or becoming more involved in the administration of the Club, please contact John Douglass, Jenn Rogers or any Board Member.  Rotary needs volunteers to lead.  Perhaps now is your time.
 
Adopt-a-Family is Tuesday, December 22.  We still need helpers for both shifts.  Please contact John Douglass if you can help, or show up at the DPW garage in the morning.
 
(Graphic credit:  Evan Burrell)
New Beginnings for Art
Posted by Tim Kelley on Dec 21, 2020
Join us in congratulating Art Hayden on two recent milestones.  Number one, Art recently retired from his printing business.  Congrats and well wishes on this new chapter.  Enjoy yourself.
 
Number two, Art was recently married to his new bride, Patty.  Those of us who could make it to our Holiday Evening Meeting on Dec. 16 were lucky to meet Patty remotely.  Congrats to Art and Patty.  Here's to the happy couple!
RFSF Bingo Winner
Posted by Tim Kelley on Dec 21, 2020
Congratulations to the Grand Prize winner of Reading Fall Street Faire Bingo, Laura DeMichele!
 
Laura was the lucky winner drawn from the qualifying entries.  The winner was eligible to receive $500 in gift cards to local businesses.  Laura generously donated $250 of her winnings to the Adopt-a-Family Program.  In addition, Laura opted to gift cards to the Tin Bucket, Pamplemousse and Whitelam Books.
 
Thanks to our sponsor for this event:  Northern Bank.
 
Thanks also to Lisa Egan and the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce for running this promotion with us.  
Prez Jenn is Mrs. Claus
Posted by Tim Kelley on Dec 21, 2020
On the Sunday after Thanksgiving, the Reading Chamber held a Santa Parade throughout Reading and North Reading.  Playing the part of Mrs. Claus and driving Santa in the parade in a sharp silver Corvette convertible was our own President Jenniffer Rogers.
 
The Parade was in place of the traditional Tree Lighting festivities run by the Chamber and was changed due the COVID-19 situation.
 
This was a fun kick off to the Christmas season with a tour through dozens of neighborhoods and hundreds of streets in Town.  Also in the parade were many Chamber member organizations flanked front and rear by Reading Police.
 
Congrats on a job well done, Mrs. Claus!
Rotary Shops Local
Posted by Tim Kelley on Dec 21, 2020
Rotary District 7930 and Reading Rotary encourages our friends and neighbors to shop local this holiday season.  So many of our local businesses struggling to get through this rough 2020.  These same community partners are often the first to help Rotary and other community organizations with their fundraising and projects.  Please try to patronize your local business and enjoy this Christmas and Holiday Season.
 
Dementia Friendly Neighborly Notes
Posted by Tim Kelley on Nov 10, 2020
 
In collaboration with the DKJ Foundation and Reading Elder and Human Services, Neighborly Notes is a message writing program that helps our community stay connected to our senior neighbors.  The program is easy, fun, and a great way for our seniors to feel connected to our community, especially during this time, when many older adults must remain socially isolated.
 
Are you a community organization, a youth looking for a service project, or just an individual who wants to give back to the community? Neighborly Notes is an easy, fun project that can make an immediate impact.

It’s Simple.  Write a note, drawing, quote, or simple message.  Get Creative! Tell them something about yourself, something you did, or a story you want to share. Be sure to let them know they are valued, not forgotten, and that they are an important part of our community.

Drop it in the designated mailbox located outside the Pleasant Street Center, no envelope required; or email it to meagan@dfreading.org.  Your letter, note, message, or drawing will be delivered to a senior in our community.  
 
That’s it!
 
 
Regular Meeting Zoom Link
Posted by Tim Kelley on Sep 14, 2020
Here's our meeting Zoom link.
 
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime
 
Meeting ID: 881 0878 1263
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Meeting ID: 881 0878 1263
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbrJPUtue5
Check for Dues Billing
Posted by Tim Kelley on Oct 30, 2020
Please check your email for dues billing in a new format.  Treasurer Mike Bonsey recently sent out invoices.  Please check to see they are correct.  You can now pay your dues online.  Please check that out, too.  Kudos to Mike for putting this new system in place.  The Treasurer's job is a lot of work and often thankless.  Paying your bill online will make his job easier.
 
Thank you all!
Reading to be Awarded Platinum Rotary Citation
Posted by Tim Kelley on Sep 24, 2020
 
Reading Rotary has been designated as one of the few clubs in District 7930 to receive the RI President Citation with Platinum Distinction.  PDG Joan Arsenault will be presenting this on October 19 during our Zoom meeting.  When you see Past Prez Mike Collins, please congratulate him of a stellar year of leadership, especially given all the pandemic related challenges.
Improved Clubrunner Mobile App
Posted by Tim Kelley on Aug 27, 2020
Please check out the Clubrunner mobile app.  It has been improved.  I've had it on my phone for a long time and rarely used it.  It has our website calendar, stories, contacts as well as the same for the District.  If you've never tried it, please do.  If you've downloaded it before and not been impressed, it's worth a look as the new improved app.
 
This is another reason for all to log into their Clubrunner account to made sure their info is up to date and there's a sharp headshot for reference.
Africa Certified Polio Free
Posted by Tim Kelley on Aug 27, 2020
 
There is exciting news in Rotary's campaign to End Polio.  The WHO has certified the entirety of Africa Polio Free.
 
From Time magazine:
 
It was Rotary, an international nonprofit service organization, that kicked off the polio endgame in 1988 with the launch of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). That program aimed to leverage the power of Rotary’s 35,000 clubs and 1.22 million members in 200 countries and territories worldwide to make polio only the second human disease—after smallpox—to be pushed over the brink of extinction. The job was made easier by the partners Rotary immediately attracted: the WHO, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and UNICEF. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation joined in 2007, followed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, just last year. The 32-year initiative has depended on volunteer workers and charitable donations, which together have produced an army of 20 million field workers administering vaccines to over 2.5 billion children at a cost of $17 billion.
 
All Rotarians should be immensely proud of this tremendous milestone.  Our annual giving as Sustaining Members and participation in and sponsorship of our District's Polar Plunge have played an important part in this accomplishment.
Sign Up for a Committee
Posted by Tim Kelley on Aug 03, 2020
Reading Rotary has the following subcommittees.  If you can help out with one or more, please contact its Chair.
 
Foundation Committee, Chair Mike Bonsey.
Public Image, Chair Tim Kelley.
Membership, Chair Lisa Gibbs.
Donations, Chair David Traniello.
Reading Fall Street Faire, Co-Chairs John Feudo, Gregg Johnson and Sheila Clarke.
Food Bank, Coordinator Art Hayden.
Speakers, contact John Douglass.
Supporting Local Restaurants
Posted by Tim Kelley on Aug 10, 2020
At today's meeting (August 10), we continued supporting local restaurants.  We ordered take out from Christopher's for our Zoom meeting.
 
Other restaurants we've patronized in July & August were:  The Green Tomato, Last Corner, Professor's Market and Christopher's (again).  Suggestions for other local establishments are welcome.  Let President Jenn know.
Update Your Clubrunner Info
Posted by Tim Kelley on Aug 03, 2020
All Rotarians are asked to log into our website and update the information on your Membership Profile t to make sure your information is up to date. Pro tip:  add a photo to your profile.  If you have trouble logging in, you can contact Tim. 
 
Also, please note that there is a Clubrunner mobile app for your mobile device.  Please take a look at it.
 
You can also subscribe to the website Calendar so that our club calendar automatically syncs with your phone.  Follow the instructions there to subscribe to the Calendar.
Member News?
Posted by Tim Kelley on Oct 24, 2018
Do you have news to share with your fellow Rotarians?  If you are aware of any good news, accomplishments, milestones or other events that you'd like shared with the Club, please let Tim know.  
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
Jenniffer Rogers
President Elect
John Douglass
Treasurer
Michael Bonsey
Secretary
David Traniello
Immediate Past President
Mike Collins
Foundation Chair
Michael Bonsey
Director
Sheila Clarke
Director
Ed Sartell
Director
Brian Snell
Director - Membership Chair
Lisa Gibbs
Director - Public Image Chair
Tim Kelley
Director
KC Latham
Bulletin Subscribe
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Join Rotary
For information about joining Reading Rotary, please contact Past President Mike Collins or Membership Chair Lisa Gibbs.  Join us!
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