Montclair Rotary Club sets fundraising goal for centennial

MONTCLAIR / VERONA, NJ — Rotary Club of Montclair is marking its 100th year of service to the community by setting a big challenge. The club plans to donate $10,000 to local nonprofit organizations based in its service area of Montclair and Verona. Newly-installed club President Paul Metcalfe said the club will be scheduling a series of fundraisers during the year ahead to help reach its goal.

During the last century, the club and its nonprofit foundation have donated a total of more than $1 million — in today’s dollars — to help local groups.

“We are energizing our club by adding new members, raising more funds to make donations and building alliances with community-based groups,” Metcalfe said. “We’re looking to make a positive difference by working with nonprofits that are assisting students, adults and families.”

The club recently introduced its leadership team that will serve from July 2021 through June 2022. Along with Metcalfe, the service club’s leaders during its centennial year include Vice President Lawrence Bogar, secretary James Stefanile, treasurer Pauline Davis and immediate past President Georgia Brown, along with three new directors, Dalton Chandler, Linda Cranston and Bob Rinklin.

Three local Rotarians each received the prestigious Paul Harris Fellow Award for outstanding service during the past year: Cranston was cited for recruiting and scheduling weekly speakers; Davis was recognized for managing the club’s finances; and Stefanile was honored for organizing and coordinating the virtual meetings. Brown was recognized for her leadership during the last year, and she received a plaque with a ceremonial gavel.

The club also welcomed the new Rotary District 7475 governor, Shelby Rhodes, who reminded members that the international organization’s theme for the coming year is “Serve to Change Lives.”

“Our clubs were hit hard by the pandemic and now we’re embracing change, moving ahead and finding opportunities to do great work,” Rhodes said. “We have a mission to be a positive force in our communities here at home and around the world.”

Metcalfe, who first joined the club in 1982, has served as president twice before. He said the Montclair club joined the Rotary International organization on May 1, 1922, with 21 founding members. Merton L. Beebe was the club’s first president and he also served as the general secretary of the Montclair YMCA.

  Montclair Rotary