What is Rotary?
The Rotary Club of St. Petersburg turned 100 on January 2, 2020. The club was one of the first 200 clubs chartered by Rotary International (today there are over 35,000 clubs worldwide). It was founded by former St. Petersburg Times editor, William Straub and other community leaders.
We’re an international SERVICE club with 1.2M members worldwide, not a social club. Being a social is a byproduct of what we do to help our community and those less fortunate throughout the world.
If you are looking for ways to engage with business men and women committed to serving our community and our world we invite you to become one of 1.2 million Rotarians around the world by joining The Rotary Club of St. Petersburg, the largest and oldest service club in our community.
We invite you to visit us at our Friday meetings at noon at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club (Currently being held via ZOOM) . It would be our pleasure to have you as a guest. If you would like more information, contact us today!
Club News
No Stoplights in Atlanta: Serving the Peace Corps. Response in Conakry, Guinea
Jackson Stovall Willis, Rotary Global Scholarship Recipient
Our speaker today was Jackson Willis, a proud St. Petersburg native, recently graduated from Yale with a double major in Humanities and Economics. He is the grateful 2020 recipient of a Rotary Global Grant to support an Economics M.Phil at Cambridge University, U.K.
Between his junior and senior year, Jackson received special dispensation to serve with the Peace Corps Response and work in the politically-destabilizing youth unemployment crisis in Guinea (West Africa). There, his team operated the country’s leading employment incubator and small business accelerator.
Rotary Social at Tierra Verde was COVID Safe!
Thanks to Devika Srivastava for arranging our "in person social" on Sept. 16 at the Renaissance Inn-Tierra Verde. Members received a free Rotary mask and enjoyed drinks and appetizers overlooking the waterfront while visiting in a social distance kind of way. Hopefully, this is just a small sign of Rotary returning to normal again.
Hi everyone!!!!
I can't wait for Rotary Club of ST Petersburg to return to the Yacht Club!!
Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County (JWB)
Beth Houghton was our speaker today. She serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County (JWB), a mission-driven organization with a 74-year history of strengthening the lives of children and families in Pinellas County. Ms. Houghton is passionate about improving the lives of children, both because they are the innocent who cannot control their circumstances and because, as a society, improving children’s lives today and into the future is simply a smart investment.
It was virtually a meeting.
I missed it. I was traveling to my daughter's home in the Villages. Was it a virtual meeting?
The Sunny State of St. Pete's Commercial Real Estate Market
At our meeting on Aug. 28, John Barkett, MAI, gave our members an update on the status on the commercial real estate market in St. Pete. John has been a real estate specialist in the Tampa Bay area for over 20 years. He has experience with all types of commercial and residential properties.
Update from the Port of Tampa
Clay Hollis, Chief of Staff to President/CEO Paul Anderson at the Port of Tampa Bay was the speaker at our "Zoom-based" meeting today. He works closely with Anderson and the senior staff to facilitate the numerous ongoing projects at the port, as well as the local, state, and federal relationships integral to the port’s success.
Rotary’s Guiding Principles
Rotary’s guiding principles have been developed over the years to provide Rotarians with a strong, common purpose and direction. They serve as a foundation for our relationships with each other and the action we take in the world.
We channel our commitment to service at home and abroad through five Avenues of Service, which are the foundation of our club’s activity.
4 Way Test
- Of the Things we think, say and do: is it the truth?
- Is it fair to all concerned?
- Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
- Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
5 Avenues of Service
1. Club Service
2. Vocational service
3. Community Service
4. International Service
5. Youth Service-New Generations Service
A Word
From Our President
Greetings Fellow Rotarians and Website Visitors:
The 5-year Rotary International “Plan of Action” starts with the Mission Statement: TOGETHER we see a world where PEOPLE unite and take action to CREATE lasting CHANGE across the globe, in our communities and within ourselves. Together – People – Create – Change.
The Rotary Club of St Petersburg has a mission this year to create change. But “it takes a village” and WE are that village in St Petersburg! Join our village to be in Service Above Self!
At our weekly Zoom meetings on Friday at noon, we hear from fellow Rotarians, community leaders and speakers from around the world. Use the “Contact Us” button to request the Zoom Meeting ID and password. Additionally, at our meetings we are enlightened about the ever-changing landscape of downtown St Pete, both politically, socially and architecturally.
This pandemic caused a total “pivot” for people and businesses alike. As Rotarians of Action, we share a strong sense of purpose. As “People of Action” WE are effective problem-solvers. Today, what can you do for the common good? Whether it’s a phone call or heavy lifting of boxes at the Free Clinic service project, ALL hands-on deck as we help to re-shape our today into a greater, more positive and inclusive future!
Your Rotary task for today: Say something nice to someone to brighten their day!
Have a positive, exciting week!
– Liz Heinkel
