Club Information
Welcome to our Club!
Agawam

Service Above Self

We meet In Person & Online
Wednesdays at 12:15 PM
HYBRID - In-Person Meetings & Online
Agawam Senior Center
954 Main Street
Agawam, MA 01001
United States of America
Our meetings are now hybrid! Please join us in person or online.
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District Site
Venue Map
Rotary Day of Service - April 9, 2022
We cleaned up!
 
Savers 2021 FUNDrive logo - Delivered!
Thank you to everyone who supported our FUNDrive!  We delivered approximately 900 pounds of clothing and fabric items and 400 pounds of housewares.  We help to reduce, reuse and recycle items while raising funds that will back into our community and do good in the world.
 
 
(Not-so) New Members Welcomed
As is common these days, important things get delayed and delayed beyond a reasonable timeframe.  Three not-so-new members who had yet to be properly (in person) welcomed to our Club were recognized on Wednesday, August 18, 2021, during our hybrid meeting.  All three members have hit the ground running and contributed their valuable time and knowledge helping to make our Club and Agawam a better place to live, work and play.
 
 
From left to right:  Immediate Past-President Bud Breeding, President John Barber, John O'Farrell, Maureen Cayer, David Moore and Dave DeLancey, Charter Member.
2021-2022 District Governor Joanne & Team Visit Agawam
Club President John Barber, Mario Tedeschi, Club Treasurer Mary Ann Ludtke, Dave DeLancey, District Governor Joanne Alfieri, Past District Governor Marc Glass and District Governor Elect Randy Chapelle
 
District Governor Joanne Alfieri 
 
 
District Governor Joanne inspired club members, both live and via Zoom, during our July 28th hybrid Club meeting.  Her message was clear:
 
No matter what anyone says, show up and do the work!
If they praise you, show up and do the work!
If they criticize you, show up and do the work!
If no one even notices you, show up and do the work!
Just keep showing up, doing the work and leading the way!
Lead with passion!
Fuel up with optimism!
Have Faith!
Power up with love!
Maintain hope!
Be stubborn!
Fight the good fight!
Refuse to give up!
Ignore the critics!
Believe in the impossible!
Show up!
Do the work!
You’ll be glad you did,
True grit leads to true success!
 
In the Zoom image are Marlene DeJesus, Dave Tedeschi, District Governor Joanne Alfieri, Linda Vitro, Lynne Merceri (not pictured).

Operation Jelly - DELIVERED!

Image result for jelly
Rotarian Nancy Bobskill has delivered over 100 strawberry and grape jam and jelly containers to the Parish Cupboard in West Springfield. 
 
Thank you to all of the generous donors!
10,000 Medical Face Masks Distributed
(shown above are some local Healthcare Heroes from the Heritage Hall campus in Agawam)
 
 

Rotarian Judy Pothul delivered 4,500 medical face masks to Heritage Hall West in Agawam which were then distributed to each facility within the Heritage Hall campus.  The campus consists of Heritage Hall West, North, South, and East providing long term care and rehabilitation, and Heritage Woods assisted living.  Melinda Monasterski, the Center Executive Director of Heritage Hall West, said she is just thrilled and so very appreciative that the Agawam Rotary Club thought of them during these COVID-19 times.   Pictured above are representatives from each facility who gathered at Heritage West as masks were being distributed. 

Judy also delivered 500 medical face masks to East Village Place. Pam Skiba, the Executive Director of this assisted living, expressed her thanks and appreciation for the donation.  It's been challenging and exhausting for all healthcare workers and means so much to know they are truly appreciated and recognized as the heroes they are!

 
 
On a cold and icy day, Rotarians Judy Pothul and John Barber began delivering face masks to senior living facilities.  Judy delivered 5,200 face masks to Heritage Woods, Heritage West and East Village Place.  The facilities will provide face masks to staff, residents and/or visitors.  
 
 
Rotarians John Barber and Bill Sapelli (Mayor) donated 3,700 medical face masks to the Town of Agawam for use by the School and other Departments.
 
The Club is in the process of distribution 10,000 Medical Face Masks to people who can benefit from the donation.  The goal is to make face masks accessible and to help keep our community safe.

AGAWAM ROTARY CLUB 5,000 Medical Face Masks Received

On September 29th , a cargo ship arrived in Boston with 800,000 masks on board to be distributed to communities across New England. The mask cargo was part of a project launched by Rotary District 7980 which includes southern Connecticut, Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut. With an additional 200,000 mask donation from East Hampton, CT Rotarian Ted Rossi and the Rossi Family Foundation the project was named the “Rotary Million Mask Challenge Tour.”
 
Shown above, Agawam Mayor and Club Member Bill Sapelli, DG Marc Glass and President John Barber joined the Rotary Million Mask Challenge* Tour that will reach all six New England states between October 5th and 7th.
 
Rotary Club distributions included Agawam 5,000; Amherst 1,000 ; Chicopee 1,000; East Longmeadow, 3,000; Enfield, CT ,1,000; Franklin County, 2,500; Great Barrington, 1,000; Holyoke, 1,000; Ludlow, 1,000; Somers, CT 3,000; Southwick, 1,000; Springfield, 20,000; Suffield, CT, 500; West Springfield, 5,000; and Wilbraham-Hampden, 2,500.
 
A 26' truck filled with 800,000 masks will make stops in Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine before reaching Southeast Massachusetts and Rhode Island. There are two stops in our district to accommodate the COVID-19 travel restrictions. 
 
An additional 200,000 masks were distributed across Connecticut in the spring, making the total one million. All were donated by Ted Rossi, an East Hampton, CT, philanthropist and Rotarian, and the Rossi Family Foundation. Non-profit and government agencies that will receive masks from Rotary clubs in the district include fire and rescue, nursing homes and other health care services, food pantries, social services and schools.

Thank You!!

for making our Holiday Gift Auction a success!

Auction Donors
A Way of Life Massage Therapy | Agawam Girl Scout Troup 11630 | Angela Grout, Agawam Flower Shop | Gail Matches, Ayre Real Estate Co., Inc. 
Chris Thompson, Westfield Starfires  | Fursique Pet Spa & Grooming Salon | Gary Graziano | Granny’s Place | Jennifer Connelly, Junior Achievement
John Weiss | Kate Leary, Coopers | Agawam Girl Scout Troup 11630 | Mark Gervais | Madonna Santos, EyeCare & EyeWear Center, pc
Parrotta’s Auto Sales | Spero Phillips, Phipps Discount Liquors | Shaker Farms Country Club | Sue Dadmun, Fort Hill Brewery | The Ranch Golf Club
Tom Freddette, Floral Concepts by Tom | Tony’s Famous Barber Shop | Auntie Cathie's Kitchen | Great 2b - Polish Pottery | PVTA
Springfield Museums

And Rotarian Donors:
Kathy Ayre, Ayre Real Estate Co., Inc. | Bud Breeding | David Moore, Salvation Army | Donna Bys, Professional Medical Services Inc.
John Barber, CHH Engraving | Linda Vitro | Lynne Merceri, Cosmic Kleening | Mario Tedeschi, Allied Flooring and Paint | Maureen Cayer
Michelle Calvanese, Storrowton Tavern | Nancy & Bill Bobskill | Mary Ann Ludtke, Westfield Bank
 
 
Overcast and 63 F at Westfield, Barnes Municipal Airport, MA
Overcast
Winds are South at 4.6 MPH (4 KT). The pressure is 1015.3 mb and the humidity is 93%. The wind chill is 64. Last Updated on May 21 2022, 12:53 am EDT.
Speakers
Upcoming Speakers
Chris Sparks
May 25, 2022 12:15 PM
Agawam Parks & Recreation and Agawam Summer Concert Series
Past Speakers
Marianne Marzano
May 18, 2022 12:15 PM
Organic Change for Haiti and TEDx Speaker
Bob Madison
May 11, 2022 12:15 PM
Author of the The New Haven and Northampton Canal Greenway
View entire list...
President's Message
Rotary is an international organization centered around the motto “Service Above Self”
 
Rotary is a group of friends, neighbors, leaders and problem solvers creating lasting change in their neighborhoods, their communities, their region and the world. 
 
It can be as simple as helping our food insecure neighbors with a food drive for the Parish Cupboard.  It is helping to clean up a river and shore in town.  And it also is raising money to offer a variety of scholarships and grants for local high school graduates....and members of the community seeking to better themselves with vocational/technical training later in life. 
 
And it can, and will, be putting together “Coping Kits” for students as they return from the disruption that COVID-19 has put into their lives and the return to the classroom.
 
We’re not just a local organization.  By combining our efforts, Rotary is working to eliminate polio worldwide and to address the opioid crisis.  Clubs will band together internationally to provide clean water and sanitation, build and staff schools and hospitals, and much more.
 
Rotary is camaraderie and fellowship working together in service.
 
This will be a particularly challenging year, due to COVID-19.  But out of challenge comes opportunities.  I’m looking forward to working with the officers and Board of the Agawam Rotary Club.....and you.....to serve, and make our community, region, and World an even better place.
 
John Barber
President, Agawam Rotary Club 2020-2021
 
 
CDC Updates-COVID-19
Wearing Masks in Travel and Public Transportation Settings
Learn more about the recommendation for masks on public transportation and transportation hubs to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
COVID-19 Vaccines for People Vaccinated Outside the United States
Learn about CDC's recommendations for people vaccinated outside of the United States, including accepted vaccines, primary series and booster guidance, and proof of vaccination information.
Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination Data
CDC reports COVID-19 vaccination data online on COVID Data Tracker and in vaccination datasets.  Timely and accurate reporting from jurisdictions provides the reliable data that can be reported by CDC to the public.
Guiding Principles of Rotary
 

The Object of Rotary

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideals of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster the following:

  • FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
  • SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
  • THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life;
  • FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

The Four-Way Test

This test, which guides all Rotarians and Rotary activities, has been translated into more than 100 languages and asks the following four questions:

Of the things we think, say, or do:

  1. Is it the TRUTH?
  2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
  3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
  4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Mission

The mission of Rotary International is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

Avenues of Service

Based on the Objects of Rotary, the Avenues of Service are Rotary’s philosophical cornerstone and the foundation on which club activity is based:

  • Club Service focuses on strengthening fellowship and ensuring the effective functioning of the club.
  • Vocational Service encourages Rotarians to serve others through their vocations and to practice high ethical standards.
  • Community Service covers the projects and activities the club undertakes to improve life in its community.
  • International Service encompasses actions taken to expand Rotary’s humanitarian reach around the globe and to promote world understanding and peace.
  • New Generations Service recognizes the positive change implemented by youth and young adults through leadership development activities, service projects, and exchange programs.

Diversity and Rotary

Rotary International recognizes the value of diversity within individual clubs. Rotary encourages clubs to assess those in their communities who are eligible for membership, under existing membership guidelines, and to endeavor to include the appropriate range of individuals in their clubs. A club that reflects its community’s diversity with regard to professional and business classifications, gender, age, religion, and ethnicity is a club with the key ingredients to its successful future.

Please Donate Now!

Club Officers and Directors
President
John Barber
Immediate Past President
Bud Breeding
President-elect
Michael Squindo
Treasurer
Mary Ann Ludtke
Secretary
Lynne Merceri
Foundation Chair
Linda Vitro
Membership Chair
Nancy Bobskill
Youth Service & Scholarships Chair
Mario Tedeschi
Service Chair
Michael Squindo
Fund Raising Chair
Bud Breeding
Webmaster 💻 🛠
Linda Vitro
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays:
  • Robert Campbell
    May 5
  • Michele Calvanese
    May 7
  • Marlene DeJesus
    May 26
  • Rosemary Sandlin
    May 27
Join Date:
  • George Bitzas
    May 27, 2009
    13 years

Monthly Themes

January
Vocational Service Month
February 
Peace & Conflict resolution
March
Clean water & sanitation
April
Maternal/Child health
May
Youth Service
June
Rotary Fellowships Month
July
Environment & Sustainability 
August
Membership
September
Education & Literacy
October
Economic & Community Development
November
Foundation
Polio Eradication
 
A key RI directive is to eradicate polio. But we are not alone.  RI is proud to be one of the 6 partners of GPEI.  Learn more here.
 
 
The WHO Declares Africa Polio-Free.  Rotary is a proud partner in achieving this historic milestone.
 
Rotary International Links
Town News
Scholarship Descriptions & Applications
Rotary International
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European Rotaract clubs organize to help Ukrainian refugees

Across Europe, Rotaract members are using digital tools to share information and coordinate to help people who have been affected by the war in Ukraine

Rotary projects around the globe - May 2022

Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in Belize, Italy, Rwanda, the Philippines, and the United States.

A little bit of salt

A surgeon in Spain finds a way to treat patients in Nigeria

Rotary members honored as Champions of Girls’ Empowerment

Six Rotary members were honored in March as People of Action: Champions of Girls’ Empowerment during Rotary Day with UNICEF in New York City. This distinction recognizes the honorees’ commitment to improving girls’ access to education, health, and sanitation and hygiene resources, as well as their work to create environments where girls can flourish.