What is Rotary?
The Rotary Club of St. Petersburg turned 100 years old 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 (also being broadcast via ZOOM) . It would be our pleasure to have you as a guest. If you would like more information, contact us today!
Club News
Kristin Clippard
Associate Arts Director
American Stage
Kristin Clippard, the Associate Artistic Director for American Stage was the speaker at today's meeting. She has taught, administered, acted, assisted or directed with over three dozen theatre companies, non-profit organizations, universities, and schools across the country. Previously, Kristin was the Associate Artistic Director/Producer in Residence for Orlando Shakespeare Theater. Selected directing credits include Romeo and Juliet in “Shakespeare Lite” The Roommate and Silent Sky at American Stage, The Luckiest People and Christmas Carol at Orlando Shakes, God of Carnage at Incline Thea-ter, Loyalty and Betrayal (a devised collaboration based on Julius Cae-sar) at San Francisco Shakespeare, and Champagne Gods at Clifton Performance Theater.
Remembering Sherwood White
Rotary lost a long-time member and best friend this past week. J. Sherwood White passed away on Jan. 23. He is survived by Virginia, his wife of 62 years, their son Joseph White of Minnesota, their daughter Amye White Morgan of Kentucky, and four grandchildren.
He joined the Rotary Club of St. Petersburg in 1976 where he quickly rose to be President in 1984-85 and a prominent member for over 40 years. In Rotary, Sherwood was a Paul Harris Fellow and helped create the Seminar for Tomorrow's Leaders that helped high school students develop skills and tools to use for their lifetime. He was the Wally Abell-Betsy Owens Four Way Test Award recipient for 2013-2014. Sherwood will also be remembered by many in our community for his service to numerous organizations and over 3,000 plus Elvis tribute performances for charity fund raisers, schools, churches, various Clubs, birthdays, anniversaries and weddings.
www.legacy.com/obituaries/tampabaytimes/obituary.aspx?n=j-sherwood-white&pid=197598853&fbclid=IwA...
Our deepest sympathy.
An honor to know Sherwood. There is no doubt he left this world better than he found it . ❤️🙏 We miss you dearly .
We lost a good man.
So sorry to hear this it’s always a pleasure to be in Sherwood‘s company
RIP , PRAYERS TO THE FAMILY
This breaks my heart.
You may have heard of the cubit, an ancient length of measure that was approximately the length of the forearm. Given that forearms vary in length by person, this system was flawed, so a uniform length was decided and literally set in stone. One could bring their stick to the stone, and mark or cut it to the uniform length, therefore standardizing measurement. To me, Sherwood was that stone -- a person to measure ourselves by. He set a standard and while most of us will fail to achieve it, we'll all be better off because of the journey. Thank you for showing us the way, Sherwood. Rest in peace.
This is terrible news Sherwood aka Elvis was my friend and Rotarian Brother. I will keep his family lifted up in prayer 🙏 Representative “Newt” Newton
Very sad news. Praying for his family.
My heart is saddened by this news. Sherwood was a bright light and a shining star.
Very sad news. There is a little less joy in the world because Elvis has left the building.
19 Rotarians and family collected 26 bags of garbage from the Pinellas Trail this weekend. Nice day to be outside!
Blood drive day! Some walk in space still open for later!
UPDATE: Rotarians have filled the schedule, no walk in space left. Way to go, club.
Anthony Holloway
St. Petersburg Police Chief
St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway was the guest speaker at our club meeting today. He updated the club on current police department projects and crime statistics for the city.
He began his law enforcement career with the Clearwater Police Department in 1985. Upon his retirement in 2007, he was selected as the Chief of Police for the City of Somerville, Massachusetts. In 2010, he rejoined the Clearwater Police Department as Chief of Police. In 2014, he was selected as Chief of Police for the St. Petersburg Police Department.
Chief Holloway has a Bachelor of Arts degree (Business Management) and a Master’s degree (Business Administration). In 2016, he successfully completed the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Executive Institute.
This month's edition of St. Pete Life Magazine featured the women of the Rotary Club of St. Petersburg, stpetelifemag.com/
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
