Dayton Rotary News

President Linda Osterfeld presents Dr. David H. Ponitz with a plaque recognizing 50 years of dedicated service to the Club and the community.

David H. Ponitz Honored with Lifetime Membership

January 12, 2026

The Rotary Club of Dayton honored Dr. David H. Ponitz with Lifetime Membership, honoring and recognizing his fifty years of dedicated service to the Club and our community. Dr. Ponitz dedicated his life to investing in our future through education. As President of Sinclair Community College, Dr. Ponitz made that institution the force that it is today – a leader in educating our local youth and bridging the gap between college access and affordability. A packed crowd celebrated Dr. Ponitz with a lengthy standing ovation, a testament to the goodwill he has engendered throughout his long and distinguished career. On hand to celebrate with him was his daughter, Cathy Ponitz, who carries her father’s legacy of service forward as an active Rotarian and President of the Rotary Club of Dayton Foundation. Read our press release here. Watch video of the presentation here. (Starts at 19:30) Read our press release here.

Lisa Wagner honored by YWCA of Dayton as 2026 Women of Influence

Wagner Honored by YWCA Dayton

October 31, 2025

Wagner Named One of 2026 Women of Influence Rotarian Lisa Wagner was recognized by the YWCA Dayton as one of their 2026 Women of Influence. YWCA Board Chair and fellow Rotarian Rachel Jessup presented the recognition, along with Rotarians Cathy Ponitz, Emily Broughton, and Cindy Garner. The 2026 Women of Influence recognition will take place March 12, 2026, from 11:30 am-1:00 pm at the Dayton Convention Center. Information about the award and recognition event can be found on the YWCA Dayton website. Please join us in congratulating Lisa Wagner for this well-deserved recognition!

Vanessa Ward from Omega Community Development Corporation address the Rotary Club of Dayton upon receiving a special $5,000 grant to combat youth violence.

Rotary Club of Dayton Foundation Presents $10,000 in Special Grants

October 6, 2025

East End Community Services & Omega CDC Each Receive $5,000 The Rotary Club of Dayton Foundation awarded two $5,000 special grants yesterday to two incredible organizations doing purposeful, innovative work in our city. East End Community Services and Omega Community Development Corporation (Omega CDC) are doing vital work in our communities and we are proud and humbled to support that purposeful work with these special grants. Nichole Smith and Jackie Morgan represented East End Community Services and shared about some of their incredible work in Dayton’s east side neighborhoods. Vanessa Ward and Racel Ward from Omega CDC shared about their two-generation approach to supporting families in north/west Dayton. Foundation President Cathy Ponitz introduced our recipients and presented their grants on behalf of the Foundation Board. These grants were made possible by a generous anonymous donor. Press Release (October 8, 2025)

The Rotary Club of Dayton partnered with the Kettering Rotary Club and Miami Conservancy District to clean up the Great Miami river.

Rotary River Cleanup

October 5, 2025

Rotarians from Pittsburgh to Louisville Unite For Good to Clean Ohio River Watershed On Saturday, October 4, our Club partnered with the Kettering Rotary Club and the Miami Conservancy District to clean up the Great Miami riverbeds. With over thirty volunteers on hand, we hauled out bags upon bags of trash. This effort not only helps beautify our city, but it also promotes healthy waterways which are vital to our local ecology and economy. River Cleanup Press Release (October 6, 2025) Photos

Club Excellence Award

September 15, 2025

Rotary Club of Dayton Receives Club Excellence Award Past Rotary District 6670 Governor Dottie Meade joined us to present iPast President Randy Domigan a Club Excellence Award, recognizing our Club’s achievement of District goals in the 2024-2025 year. Under Randy’s leadership, our club met or exceeded all District benchmarks. We are proud of all the Rotarians who put Service Above Self and made this award possible.

Women Who Mean Business

August 27, 2025

Rotarians Recognized as Women Who Mean Business The Rotary Club of Dayton is proud to recognize three distinguished members recently honored as Women Who Mean Business by the Dayton Business Journal. Congratulations to Lisa Wagner (Levitt Pavilion Dayton), Jacquelyn Powell (recently retired from the Dayton/Montgomery County Convention & Visitors Bureau), and Jena Pado (Dayton Children’s). Your commitment to moving our community forward demonstrates Service Above Self. Congratulations!

4-Way Test Speech Contest

January 15, 2026

The Rotary Club of Dayton is proud to participate in the District 6670 4-Way Test Speech Contest again this year! All local high school students – public, private, and home-schooled – are encouraged to participate. Speeches must demonstrate all four aspects of the Rotary 4-Way Test. Speeches are delivered without notes and judged by a panel of Rotarians and local volunteers. Saturday, January 31, 2026 1:00–3:00PMDayton Metro Library – Main Branch 215 E 3rd Street, Dayton The winner receives $350 and advances to the District-level competition. Second place receives $250 and third place receives $150. Full contestant guidelines are available here. All information about the contest can be found on the Rotary District 6670 website. The 4-Way Test Adopted by Rotary in 1943, The Four-Way Test is still relevant today and transcends generations and national boundaries. Not based on culture or religion, The Four-Way Test has been translated into more than 100 languages, and asks the following essential 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? The Four-Way Test has captured the imaginations of generations of Rotarians as a simple checklist to help ensure that we are applying this positive and powerful code to how we try to live our lives and serve others. An outstanding line-up of speakers—most of them Rotarians—will share their unique perspectives on the importance of high ethical values in decision-making for their professions and lives. Register Here

Rotary Revealed – February 2026

January 11, 2026

Curious about the Rotary Club of Dayton and our impact in the community? Here’s your chance to learn more in a fun, casual setting. Mingle with current Rotarians, learn about our values and mission, and discover what it means to be a Rotarian. We hope you’ll join us! Wednesday, February 18, 20255:00PM – 7:00PM JOUI WINE117 E 3rd St, Dayton, OH 45402 RSVP using the form below, via e-mail to contact@daytonrotary.com, or to any Rotarian. Read our press release here. Thank you for sponsoring Rotary Revealed! RSVP Here

Book Club February Meeting

December 21, 2025

Lovely One Next Book Club Meeting Tuesday, February 10, 20266:00 – 8:00 PM Lovely Oneby Ketanji Brown Jackson Meeting Place TBD Any Questions Please Contact Dr. Susan Hayesat sm.hayes@me.com All Rotarians are Welcome to Participate

Rotary Dines Out Feb 2026 Flier - Amber Rose

Rotary Dines Out: Amber Rose

December 21, 2025

Gather with fellow Rotarians to share a meal Amber Rose 1400 Valley Street A round of appetizers is provided. Each Rotarian pays for their own meal and drinks. Rotarians and guests welcome! Space is limited – please email Laura to make your reservations.

Holiday Sweepstakes 2025

November 17, 2025

Don’t miss the Holiday Sweepstakes 2025! It’s that time of the year again – time to get in the festive spirit with the Holiday Sweepstakes 2025! Remember, this is a members-only meeting. If you would like to attend, RSVP to Laura and prepay your $60 prior to the meeting to be entered in the sweepstakes. Don’t forget to bring a gift valued at $30 or more to enter into the sweepstakes. Monday, December 8, 2025 at our regular noon Rotary Meeting Wear your most festive outfit and spread some holiday cheer! Remember – this is our biggest fundraiser of the year to support the Rotary Club of Dayton Foundation.

Rotary District Events

Membership Chair Meeting
March 10th 2026 at 7:00 pm

Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA)
March 20th 2026 at 5:00 pm

Executive Leadership Team Meeting
March 26th 2026 at 6:30 pm

D6670 G-Line Meeting
April 4th 2026 at 9:00 am

Dayton Rotary Happenings

Coats+ Drive Wrapping Up

If you would like to donate online via our website here is the link to do so.

You Can Still Sign Up for Rotary Reads … We Need More Readers!

Join Rotary Reads @ Dayton Leadership Academies

Sign up to read from 9-10 a.m. on Fridays throughout the school year.
(You do not need to read every Friday – sign up for the dates that work for your schedule)

Any questions please contact Rachel Jessup rachelajessup@gmail.com

SIGN UP LINK …… Rotary Reads: Rotary Reads

Chaminade Julienne Peace Pole Installation

Just prior to International Day of Peace, on Friday, September 19, 2025, (@3:15 PM) Chaminade Julienne High School will install and dedicate their new Peace Pole in the Sr. Dorothy (Stang) Butterfly Garden by the practice field across from Emmanuel Church downtown.

Several students from the Peace Ambassadors team at CJ, led by senior Shahzad Anwari, have partnered with Rotary Club of Dayton and other volunteers on this project. The pole will have the blessing “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in 8 languages and include a Braille plaque as well. The students were intentional in selecting their languages, including those spoken by international students at the school, French for the founders of their school, and including a Native American dialect to honor the historical residents of our Miami Valley community.

(Rotary Peace Pole in from of RI Headquarters)

Please plan to support these young peacebuilders, then continue the celebration later that evening for Summerfest at the Levitt Pavilion, where Rotary Club of Dayton will present the 2025 Irv Bieser Peace Award.

We Need Your Help…Please Help Us Secure Sponsorships for Summerfest 2025

It’s that time – we need SPONSORS for SUMMERFEST 2025 presented by the Rotary Club of Dayton! Please reach out to business leaders you know and ask if they are interested in sponsoring this great community event! Sponsor packet is available for download here. Please let Scott Kayser (scott@muddydogcreative.com) and Kim Bramlage (Kim.Bramlage@frhc.org) know who you are approaching so we don’t duplicate efforts. Thank you for your help making this a successful event!

This Week at Rotary

MONDAY, March 9, 2026

“Know The Nominees – a Look at the 2026 Academy Award Nominations“

Jonathan McNeal, now in his 25^th year of managing THE NEON, will look at the nominees in several of the top categories and give his perspective as to who “should win” and who “will likely win” at this year’s Academy Awards. He will also give an update as to how THE NEON is doing and how their model has changed over the past several years.

Chair of the Day: Dave Williamson