A Message from the Club President

print this page

WELCOME!

The Rotary Club of Rochester, NH has been in existence for over 51 years.  We have grown from over 90 members in 2010 to over 100 members in 2011.  I believe the reason we continue to attract new members despite the difficult economic climate is because people who live and work in Rochester and nearby cities and towns are invested in the community.  Members of our club enjoy the meetings and the meaningful work we do and bring in new members on a monthly basis.

The Rotary International theme for the year is, ‘Reach Within to Embrace Humanity'. The first emphasis this year is on family, this includes all of humanity.  The second emphasis is on continuity-building on current successes and expanding on them.  The final emphasis is on change, beginning with ourselves and giving of ourselves, our time and our resources.

Our club's service projects center around youth and the vulnerable population.   This year we provided $5,000 in scholarships.  For many years we have been working with the elementary schools and offer fingerprinting and supply ID kits to the first graders.  We work with the Rochester Police Department on this project. They also receive summer reading books in June through our summer reading program.  Third graders receive dictionaries in the fall, a program that is sponsored in part by Eastern Propane. 

Every summer for the past 3 years, we do a Back to School clothing drive in August.  This past year we served over 250 families from the northern tier of Strafford County.  This includes new and gently used clothing and shoe vouchers from Bootleggers in Rochester. 

Rotarians give of their time and support Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army, Traffic control for the holiday parade, conduct an Elderly Light Tour for seniors, stock the local food pantry and support many other local, non-profit organizations that do great work for members of our community.

Our largest project is in memory of Howie Seckendorf, one of our past Presidents who died suddenly at an early age.  It was his dream to build a ball field for disabled children, so that children from all over the northeast could experience playing ball on a field that is suited just for them.  The field, which will be located at Roger Allen Park, is appropriately named- ‘Howie's Field of Dreams'.  The total cost estimate for this project is over $400,000 and in just two years we are almost half way there.  And it is not just Rotarians working on this project, but many other leaders and citizens partnering with us in order to make Howie's dream come true.

Our Club sponsors two active Interact Clubs, located at the Spaulding High School and the Somersworth High School.  These youth support various projects and needs in the community and demonstrate the interest that builds at an early age in ‘giving back' to residents of our area.

Please join us in fellowship on Monday's at 12:15 at the Governor's Inn and see what you can be a part of and how you can make a difference.  Feel free to call me or email me if you have any questions or would like to be my guest at one of our meetings.

Yours in Rotary,

Janet Atkins

President 2011-2012