Past District Governor Robert Soulen 1925-2019

A message from District Governor Maris Brenner:

We are saddened at the loss of one of our Past District Governors this week, Robert “Bob” Soulen, whose home club was Mansfield, Ohio. Soulen served District 6600 as governor in 1975-76. He was Pastor and man of many talents. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Peggy, his six Children, 9 grandchildren, and his “feline” family, Danny and Gracie.

Please find the Obituary here for sharing and a reminder of the special man PDG Bob was. 

Gifts to The Rotary Foundation for a loved one and one who has given so much to Rotary our District are always meaningful. If you choose to a make a tribute donation in PDG Soulen’s name, you can use the form here. You can also donate online at https://www.rotary.org/en/donate/

Most importantly, please keep Peggy and the entire Soulen Family in your prayers and thoughts this week.

Rotary Response to Lee County, AL Tornadoes

A message from District 6600 Governor Maris Brenner:

 

As expected, many Rotarians in District 6600 are wondering how to provide assistance to the Lee County, Alabama area that was devastated by tornadoes yesterday. Please read the following message below from the District Governor in District 6880 and help as you are able. – DG Maris

As many of you know Lee County suffered a devastating weather event this afternoon with significant loss of life and property damage. A tornado ripped the small community of Beauregard with a path almost a half mile wide.  Our heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to those who have suffered this tremendous loss.  As of 11 pm on March 3, 2019, 23 lives were lost.  A billboard in Smith Station near Opelika was lifted and landed 35 miles away in Hamilton GA. 

In the upcoming days, Rotary District 6880 will provide information on how to best help with manpower and supplies. Other surrounding counties also incurred significant damage including Barbour County which lost its airport.

If you would like to participate, please coordinate with your club president this week and have him or her prepare a list of names of individuals with contact information, availability, skills or supplies to be donated. Forward them to me at office@montgomeryrotaryclub.com and copy me at dgsam6880@gmail.com.

In the meantime, we recommend that any tax deductible donations be made directly to the District 6880 Foundation.  District 6880 will distribute the assets based on the needs determined by the nearest local clubs, including Opelika, Auburn, Lee County Sunrise and Eufaula.  You are welcome to send any personal, club, or district checks made payable to The Rotary District 6880 Foundation.   Please designate the purpose.  

You can send them to the attention of PDG Linda Mong who manages the account at the following address:

Rotary District 6880 Foundation
c/o PDG Linda Mong / BancorpSouth
30585 State Hwy 225
Spanish Fort, AL 36527

Electronic transfer capability is under construction so for the moment checks are the best and quickest way.

Again, please keep the victims in your thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

District Governor Samuel Adams
334-301-0597
dgsam6880@gmail.com

Meet Paul Harris at the District 6600 Rotary Foundation Celebration

Join fellow Rotarians, District Governor Maris Brenner, Rotary International Major Gifts Officer Kevin Kelley and Rotary International Founder Paul Harris on Friday, February 22, 2019 at the Emerald Event Center in Avon, Ohio. (That’s no typo – meet Paul Harris in Avon on February 22!)

District 6600 is incredibly fortunate to have a rich history of giving from among its membership. Since 1957, the year Paul Harris Fellowships were formally created, District 6600 has had 5,575 people achieve this status through their personal giving or gifts made in their name. We have also had 82 Benefactors, 20 Bequest Society Members, 76 Major Donors, and 4 Arch Klumph Society Members.

All new Paul Harris Fellows, those with a new recognition level, new Major Donors and new Bequest Society Members will be recognized at this special event.

Join us for a Reception at 6 p.m. followed by our Recognition Dinner and Program at 7 p.m. We encourage clubs to make an event of it and bring a table or two to meet Paul Harris, Kevin Kelley, and DG Maris to celebrate Doing Good in the World!

Registration options for individuals, couples, and tables are available HERE. There is also a special Rotary rate available at the attached Residence Inn. Registration closes on February 18 so clear your calendar, grab some friends, and Celebrate Giving with us in Avon. Please email rotarydistrict6600@gmail.com with any questions. See you soon!

Oberlin Rotarian Named 2021-2022 District Governor

Mary Aufdenkampe, Oberlin Rotary, has been named District Governor Nominee Designate and will serve as District 6600 Governor in 2021-2022.

Mary was invited to join the Avon Lake Rotary Club in October of 1988 and is proud to have been among the first women inducted into Rotary in the United States. She was one of only four women serving as president in District 6600 in 1992-93. Since 1998, Mary has been a proud member of the Rotary Club of Oberlin and served as its president in 2014-15. She has had many years of perfect attendance both in Avon Lake (now known as the North Coast) and in Oberlin.

Mary has served in several roles at the District level including District Vocational Service Chair, District Governor Nominating Committee, District Club Service Chair, Assistant Governor, District Group Study Exchange Chair, District Student Counselor for Youth Exchange, and District Alumni Chair. Mary also supports MESA and enjoys working with others on international service projects. She is passionate about youth programs and is serving her tenth year as Oberlin Rotary’s STRIVE Co-chair.

Mary has completed Rotary Leadership Institute Modules one and two and has attended numerous District Assemblies, District Conferences where she has serves as a facilitator and presenter over the years. She has attended multiple Rotary International Conventions and is a proud multiple Paul Harris Fellow.

Outside of Rotary, Mary supports numerous community associations including Oberlin Community Services, Oberlin Business Partners, and Oberlin Heritage Center. She is active at the First United Methodist Church of Oberlin having served as Council at-Large, lay member to church conference, Administrative Council, Finance Committee Chair, Staff/Parish Relations Committee and Membership Committee.

Mary has a diverse professional background beginning in the banking industry from which she retired after having been associated with two banks in the Pittsburgh market and Lorain County Bank. She also worked in the fashion industry and as a substitute teacher, a licensure she continues to hold in Ohio. Mary holds an Associate Degree in Fashion from the Wheeler School, a Bachelor of Arts in Management from Seton Hill University, and a Master’s in Business Administration from Tiffin University.

She and her great husband Gary, a charter member of the District 6600 Ohio Pathways E-club, spend time traveling abroad and dining out.  They enjoy spending time with their three adult children and two grandsons, often sharing Rotary experiences with them.

District Governor Maris Brenner, said “On behalf of our District 6600 Rotarians, I congratulate Mary on being selected as our District Governor Nominee Designate (2021-2022). Enjoy your journey, Mary.”

 

Rotary Disaster Relief Efforts

Recently there have been two devastating natural disasters (Hurricane Michael and California Wildfires) in different parts of the country. Because District 6600 Rotarians are so compassionate, many have reached out asking about what Rotary is doing and the best way to help.

The Rotary Board of Trustees is asking Rotarians to support our fellow Rotarians through contributions that will directly impact those communities in needs.

You can find links for various district and club projects that you can immediately donate towards at https://www.rotary.org/disaster-response. The links to specific districts and projects is located at the bottom of the page. 

 

Your Gifts Made a Difference

We did it!

We surpassed our 2017-18 goal of $360 million and raised more than $414 million for The Rotary Foundation. Congratulations on such a successful year! We couldn’t have done this without your invaluable leadership.

Thanks to these gifts, more families will have clean water to drink, more children will go to sleep with full stomachs and peace is closer than ever! 

Watch Thank You Video