Upcoming Events
Speakers
Erin Shaeffer
Nov 02, 2020 12:15 PM
Reading Economic Development
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President's Welcome

Jenniffer Rogers

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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
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Where's Rotary This Week?
Posted by Tim Kelley on Oct 26, 2020
 
Where's Rotary This Week?  Oct. 29 - Nov. 19
 
Our third RFSF Event is coming.

Members of Reading Rotary will be popping up at various local businesses Oct. 29 - Nov. 19 to celebrate shopping local. The business locations will NOT be announced ahead of time, but will be heavily promoted on social media during and after each appearance. Rotary members will be distributing gift cards to the lucky shoppers/diners who are there to encourage them to come back and keep shopping and dining locally.
 
It's free to participate.  Rotary and our sponsors will cover the cost of the gift cards. 
 

If your business would like to be entered for a chance to host the Rotary and celebrate your customers, please email asap readingmarotary@gmail.com  
 
Business locations will be picked by lottery and business owners will be contacted to arrange a good time for Rotary to visit.
 
 
We are looking for sponsors! Your generous donation will allow us to purchase gift cards and run this event. For details on the benefits of sponsorship, please email us.
 
Thank you to our sponsors to date:  
Lee Kimball
Reading Cooperative Bank
Sheila Clarke & M&H Interiors
Jenn Rogers & Dracut Window & Doors
David Traniello, Esquire
Douglass, Edgerley & Bessom Funeral Home 
Sartell Electrical Services
Jeanne Borawski
Timothy J. Kelley, Attorney at Law
Today's Program
Posted by Tim Kelley on Oct 05, 2020
At our meeting today we had a moving presentation from Stephanie Monticelli of Humans for Education.  They are a non-profit partnering with Rotary clubs in the Rochester, NY area and a club in Kenya.  The program provides schooling, hygiene and develops a local business so the Kenyan schools generate income to help fund these schools. 
 
Here is the recording for any who could not make today's meeting.
 
 
 
RFSF Classic Car Rally
Posted by Tim Kelley on Oct 01, 2020
 
Sunday Oct. 4 at Noon
 
Kick off the reimagined 2020 Fall Street Faire on Sunday October 4 in Downtown Reading!  A series of thirty classic cars will be driving through the streets in a classic car rally. This is a great way to get outside, relax, and see living history as it drives down the street. You won’t want to miss it!  
 
PLAN YOUR VIEWING SPOT AND GET THERE BY NOON
 
The route goes from the Reading/Wakefield Rotary, up Salem Street, south on Main Street toward Stoneham, right on Haven St., onto High St., left onto Washington St., then continuing south on Main Street toward Stoneham. The rally will then reverse direction, heading back up Main Street north through Reading square again. The rally will then take a left onto Rt. 129 (Lowell St.), and a left on High St. toward the Train Depot. The rally will then head onto Washington Street to Main Street heading south. The rally ends on Ash Street headed to Wakefield.
 
Per COVID regulations:
 
PLEASE WEAR A MASK AND KEEP A 6 FOOT DISTANCE FROM OTHERS.
 
Special thanks to the North Shore Old Car Club and Rotarian Ed Sartell.
 
The RFSF Classic Car Rally is sponsored by Sartell Electrical Service.
 
READING FALL STREET FAIRE BINGO ALSO BEGINS ON SUNDAY OCT. 4. AFTER YOU WATCH THE RALLY, POP BY ONE OF THE LOCAL BUSINESSES LISTED BELOW, GRAB YOUR BINGO CARD, AND START PLAYING. IT’S EASY, FREE, AND FUN. AND SOMEONE WILL WIN A $500 READING SHOPPING SPREE!
 
 
RFSF Bingo
Posted by Jeanne Borawski on Oct 01, 2020

READING FALL STREET FAIRE BINGO

Oct. 4 – 18

 

Click here to print your BINGO card!

 

Get ready for some fun, friendly competition Reading! From October 4 – October 18, 2020 your friends and neighbors will be racing around town playing Reading Fall Street Faire (RFSF) BINGO. If you check off enough boxes on your BINGO card, you can enter a drawing to win a $500 Reading Shopping Spree!

It’s easy and fun to play.

Step 1 – Get your Bingo Card

Beginning on October 4, you can print out your BINGO card using the link above or at the Reading Fall Street Faire Facebook Page. You may also pick up a Bingo Card at one of the following local businesses:

 

Northern Bank, 600 Main St.

Whitelam Books, 610 Main St.

Bunratty Tavern, 620 Main St

Reading Quick Stop, 519 Main St

Tin Bucket, 12 Woburn St

Fitness Within, 545 Main St.

Everything But The Dog, 2 Haven St.

Burbank YMCA, 36 Arthur B. Lord Dr.

 

Step 2 – Play RFSF Bingo

Every Bingo Card has 25 boxes.  You have until October 18 to fill in as many as you can. That’s only two weeks, so get moving! Challenges include such simple activities as “get a haircut,” “buy a hot beverage,” or “go out to eat.” Every time you complete a challenge, ask the merchant to sign the appropriate box on your BINGO card.

Step 3 – Get virtual

If you are on social media, give your favorite Reading business a shout out! Don’t forget to tag Reading Fall Street Faire and hashtag #RFSFBingo.

Step 4 – Enter to win a $500 Reading Spending Spree

There are 25 boxes on each Bingo Card. Once you’ve filled in AT LEAST 15 BOXES you can enter a drawing to win the Grand Prize – $500 in gift cards to the local business(es) of your choice.

ENTRIES MUST BE RECEIVED OR POSTMARKED BY OCTOBER 18.

To enter your Bingo Card for the grand prize drawing, snap a photo of your completed BINGO card with AT LEAST 15 BOXES signed and email the photo to readingmarotary@gmail.com. You can also mail your BINGO card to Reading Rotary, Attn: RFSF Bingo, PO Box 61, Reading, MA 01867.

For the overachievers out there: Any resident who fills in EVERY BOX on their BINGO card will receive an Honorable Mention on the Reading Fall Street Faire website “BINGO Hall of Fame” and a shout out on social media recognizing you as the local hero you are!

 

Reading Fall Street Faire BINGO is brought to you by Reading Rotary Club and the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce. We are grateful to our Sponsor Northern Bank.

 

Questions? Email us at Reading Rotary.

 

Where's Rotary Tonight?
Posted by Jeanne Borawski on Oct 01, 2020

Where's Rotary This Week?

Every Thursday Evening

Oct. 29 – Nov. 19

As Reading BINGO wraps up, we’re not done celebrating our town and our wonderful local businesses. Mark your calendar for Thursday evenings from Oct. 29 – Nov. 19 and make it a point to be out and about in downtown Reading. You never know where Reading Rotary might pop up to say hi and hand out gift cards to encourage continued support of our local businesses! 

Want to see where we’ve been, what we’ve given away, and who the lucky winners are? Follow Reading Fall Street Faire on Facebook and Instagram!

RFSF Events Coming
Posted by Tim Kelley on Sep 24, 2020
We are about to launch our marketing push for the RFSF events.  Fist up is RFSF Bingo.  Pick up or download your bingo card, complete the squares by patronizing Reading establishments and return for entry for drawing of a grand prize.  Details to follow here and on fallstreetfaire.com.
 
Stay tuned for additional fun.
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.
Incredible Story from this Week's Speaker
Posted by Tim Kelley on Sep 24, 2020
 
We had a very moving speaker at Monday's Zoom meeting, Patrick Kizehe, from an organization called Giving Refugees Hope in Uganda.  Patrick is from Congo but was forced to walk days with his family for refuge in Uganda.  Many from Congo are refugees in Congo.  Patrick was able to emigrate to Canada.  He spoke to us from Edmonton.  His organization is a recognized Canadian non-profit (www.grhu.org) through which you can donate to refugees in Uganda.  He sought out Reading Rotary after searching us online and feeling we were like minded people devoted to service.
DG Betsy Visit
Posted by Tim Kelley on Sep 24, 2020
Please note that District Governor Betsy Manzelli will be visiting our meeting on Monday, September 28.  This is a zoom meeting.  Please make every effort to sign on so we have a good showing.  See you then!
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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Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbrJPUtue5
Updates from President Jenn
Posted by Jenniffer Rogers on Sep 13, 2020
Over the past week, 768 white boards were distributed to 3 elementary schools in Reading. I got many replies for help to deliver and I appreciate that very much. Thank you to Brian, Tim, and John for making the rounds. 
 
We also received good news from the district that we were approved to spend $426 in PPE for our Police, Fire, and First Responders.
 
And lastly, MORE good news, Mike & I received the following note from our district past governor, Joan Arsenault:
Congratulations on your Club receiving the Rotary Citation with Platinum Distinction, for 2019-2020!!!!.  The Rotary Citation is the most significant award a Rotary club can achieve. An unbelievable accomplishment and during a year that was challenging for many Rotarians around the world!!  Your club demonstrated a commitment to achieve your goals, which ultimately helps strengthen Rotary and shape our future.
 
I want to thank John Fuedo for hosting us last week. I enjoyed seeing many of you at the evening social.
 
We have a lunch meeting this Monday, 9/14 @ 12:15 via ZOOM. Please order lunch from Professors Market by 1:30PM.
 
Samantha's Harvest is holding their Annual Golf Tournament next Friday 9/18. Good luck to all the golfers. Check in with Lisa to see if she could use any more volunteers. Good luck Lisa!
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.
Evening Social hosted by the Feudos
Posted by Tim Kelley on Aug 27, 2020
On Tuesday, September 1, John Feudo has graciously volunteered to host an in person evening Social Meeting at his home, located at 52 Ballard Street, Tewksbury.  This will be an outdoor event with social distancing and masks as appropriate.  Thank you to John and family for opening your home to Rotary.  We hope to see a good crowd there!
 
Please also note we have our regular Monday Zoom on August 31, the day before the Social.  Never too much Rotary, right?
Audit in Process
Posted by Tim Kelley on Aug 27, 2020
Past President Mike Collins is in the process of performing an audit on the Rotary accounts.  Report on the completed audit is expected to be available to the club in September.
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.
Note Schedule Changes
Posted by Tim Kelley on Aug 10, 2020
Please note some recent schedule changes.  Our (appropriately social distanced, etc.) Evening Social for August is moved to September 1 at John Feudo's backyard in Tewksbury.  Please try to make it.  
 
Please check the Calendar for meetings.  We are also looking for your ideas about ways to make our Zoom meetings perhaps more lively.  Please bring any ideas you've come across in the million Zoom meetings you've had since March to President Jenn.
 
 
Rotary Green Thumb
Posted by Tim Kelley on Aug 03, 2020
 
Congrats to KC Latham and crew for a Second Place Award for our Rotary Adopt an Island located at Reading High by the Snack Shack.  The Award also came with gift certificates for $30 to Calareso's.  Thanks to the Garden Club for running this beautiful program in town.
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.
2020 Fall Street Faire is a-Changing
Posted by Tim Kelley on Jul 22, 2020
 
Due to COVID-19, the Reading Fall Street Faire cannot be held as it has traditionally with a large crowd in the Downtown.  Reading Rotary is looking instead to hold a series of satellite events to replace the one day RFSF.
 
We also understand that many groups have likewise cancelled events this year.  We are reaching out to other local groups and community partners if they would like to hold some pandemic appropriate event as part of a fall community celebration in Reading.  Rotary is working on plans including a Car Show, Drive-in Movie, Cornhole Tournament and 5K race type activity.  We’re looking for other ideas that can be done with socially distancing or can be virtual.
 
If your organization is interested in participating in or partnering with us for a fall community celebration, please contact us.  If you have had to cancel a fundraising event, this may also be a way for you to fundraise for your organization.
 
Your event would be your own.  We offer that we can help with support and publicity as part of a fall celebration for the Town.
 
Thank you for all you do for the Reading Community and we look forward to less complicated times.
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
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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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