Roderick’s personal journey of facing–and overcoming–seemingly insurmountable obstacles is the foundation of his deeply personal and energizing presentations. He engages every member of the audience through his message of hope and endurance. Along with over 1,500 candidates, Roderick applied for a District of Columbia firefighter position in 1989. Passing both the written and physical agility exams, Roderick finished in the top 1% of all candidates. Roderick is a member of the National Speakers Association and a seasoned member of the Toastmasters International. Numerous audiences, from non-profits to social organizations and local schools, have enjoyed Roderick’s engaging, entertaining, and motivating messages of empowerment. Many small and large corporations throughout the region have experienced Roderick’s skill and professionalism as a presenter and trainer.
Visiting Rotarians were Steve Naron from Hollywood, FL; President Anila Khetarpal from Potomac; Nancy Mason from Ellicott City; Kallie Forman from Baileys Crossroads, VA; and Hetty Ajuebon-Egbarin from Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria.
[From Governor Greg Wims who will be our guest speaker on September 7, 2017]
As you know, Hurricane Harvey has hit Texas and Louisiana very hard. The Rotary District in coordination with the Disaster Aid USA is starting a fund drive. Please see the Press Release. Individually and as a club, I urge you to donate generously. Rotary's theme this year is Make A Difference. Its time to make a difference.
Your donations will provide the funds for the volunteers to handle disaster related relief from Hurricane Harvey and direct assistance to the victims of the flood.
Donations are needed urgently, and checks (payable to DAUSA) can be mailed to: Disaster Aid USA, 9817 Lanham Severn Road, Lanham, MD 20706. Online donations can be made by visiting the website - www.disasteraidusa.organd clicking-on the PayPal button. DAUSA is a tax-exempt 501-c-3 type organization, and all donations are tax-free. Questions may be directed to:
On August 24, 2017, Guest Speakers Pete Tomao and Amy Ginsburg addressed “Walkable, Bikeable, Sustainable and Transit-friendly Communities.” Pete Tomao is the Montgomery County Advocacy Manager for Coalition for Smarter Growth and Amy Ginsburg is the Executive Director of Friends of White Flint. [Photo by Tom Lewis]
President Todd Nitkin thanked guest speaker Robert Drozd who addressed Maryland Legislative Issues and National Security at the Rotary Club meeting on August 17, 2017.
Author Judy Welles gave a presentation on Lilly Stone, a daring woman who changed the landscape of business and culture in Montgomery County, at the Rotary Club meeting on August 10, 2017. Lilly Stone was the grandmother of the late Potomac-Bethesda Rotarian John Stone.
President Todd Nitkin thanks Michelle Chapin for her talk, “DIY Pitfalls of Estate Planning,” at the Potomac-Bethesda Rotary Club meeting on August 3, 2017. [Photo by Tom Lewis]
President Todd Nitkin presented the Rotary Cookbook to Author, Inspirational Speaker and Ultra-athlete Croix Sather at the Potomac-Bethesda Rotary Club Meeting on July 20, 2017.
Immediate Past President Bob Fuhrman pinned Jerry Gross with the Paul Harris Fellow.
President Todd Nitkin recognized Normandie Farm Restaurant Proprietor Cary Prokos for serving our club for the past nine years.
2016-2017 President Bob Fuhrman pinned Incoming President Dr. Todd Nitkin with the Rotary President's pin at the club meeting at Bretton Woods on July 13, 2017.
Congratulations to Juan Carlos Peirano on receiving the Paul Harris Fellow!
Outgoing President Bob Fuhrman reviewed all the successful accomplishments of the 2016-2017 Rotary Year including the Rotary Foundation approval of the Global Grant for Nepal. Tom Lewis received the Rotarian of the Year silver cup.
We have Manna Food Center box packing the second Tuesday of each month at 7pm. Please let Alex Naron know if you can join. Family and friends are welcome. Student Service Learning forms will be completed. Location: 9311 Gaither Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Contact Alex with any questions at alexnaron@gmail.com or phone 240-620-4795.
The flooding of March 27, 2017, in northern Peru destroyed the homes, fields and livestock of many families living in the shantytown of Nuevo Catacaos, which is located not far from the city of Piura, Peru. The Rotary Club of Piura reached out to the Potomac-Bethesda Rotary Club for possible assistance to benefit a small fraction of the perhaps 10,000+ people affected by the flooding in Nuevo Catacaos. The assistance consisted of purchasing and distributing to dislocated families 120 mattresses, 120 blankets and 60 personal hygiene kits. The distribution took place on June 11, 2017.