Olentangy Rotary Club

05/29/2026

🤖 The Future of Work Stats Here! A presentation on Artificial Intelligence! 🤖

A huge thank you to Emily Douglas-McNab for joining us as our guest speaker at this week's Rotary meeting! As the Co-Founder of the Experience Management Institute (EXMI), Emily shared incredible insights into how her nationally recognized consulting firm supports public, nonprofit, and mission-driven organizations across all 50 states, Israel, and China with implementing the use of Artificial Intelligence. She gave our members a look into EXMI's impactful work partnering with clients to redesign how they attract, develop, and retain top talent. It was fascinating to learn about their expertise in human capital strategy, workforce transformation, compensation and total rewards design, and how they are navigating AI and the future of work.

Beyond her impressive consulting footprint, Emily also brought her perspective as a Senior Lecturer at The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business, where she teaches graduate courses on these very topics. Our members walked away with a better understanding of Artificial Intelligence, safe ways to AI, and how to implement efficiently in our daily lives.
Even better, Emily is the daughter of 20+ year Rotarian Jerry Douglas. A proud day for Jerry to introduce his daughter as guest speaker!

To learn more about EXMI please visit their website at: https://www.exmi.org/

05/28/2026

Proud to partner with our neighboring clubs to support these incredible DACC students! Thanks to a true team effort from the Sunbury-Galena, and Delaware clubs along with our amazing community sponsors. Investing in our local workforce and student success is what Service Above Self is all about!

One of my favorite Rotary days of the year. DACC Award Ceremony!! 💙💛

Today, thanks to the generosity of the Sunbury-Galena, Olentangy, and Delaware Rotary Clubs along with our incredible sponsors and community partners - we awarded $34,500 in scholarships, tools, equipment, certifications, and tuition assistance to amazing DACC students.

A huge thank you to:
✨ The students who applied and shared their stories and goals
✨ The Rotarians who volunteered to interview students
✨ The DACC administrators, counselors, and staff who helped organize everything
✨ Our sponsors and donors who continue to invest in workforce education and student success

This program continues to grow because of people who truly care about helping students take the next step toward their future — and that’s something really special!

05/28/2026

🇺🇸 Memorial Day Weekend is always a busy and fun weekend for the Olentangy Rotary Club. On Friday, our club had the honor of setting up the Field of Flags at the Village Green. Thank you City of Powell Local Government for letting us use this green space. Monday we participated in the Powell Memorial Day Parade. Thank you to all the volunteers who came out to help us honor our U.S. military personnel this Memorial Day weekend. Your dedication helps us honor their sacrifice!

05/14/2026

Member Spotlight 🔦: John Jordan earned his Paul Harris Fellow + 7 pin! John has been a member of the Olentangy Rotary Club since 2008. Thank you John for your many years of service!

Guest Speaker 🔈: We are honored to welcome Liz Owens-Detillion, CEO of The Alpha Group, as our guest speaker this week!

With over 30 years of experience advocating for individuals with developmental disabilities, Liz has been a transformative leader in our community. Since taking the helm at The Alpha Group in 2013, she has spearheaded innovative programs that empower individuals to lead more independent and fulfilling lives. Beyond her professional impact, Liz is a dedicated Rotarian and past President of the Delaware Rotary Club.

The Alpha Group is a 501(c)3 non profit supporting people with disabilities in 11 counties in Ohio. Please visit their webpage to learn more: https://alphagroup.net/

Event Coming Up: The Zoom Duck Derby is an annual fundraiser organized by The Alpha Group happening on Saturday June 20, 2026 at 8am. This family-friendly event takes place at Zoombezi Bay in Powell and features 7,000 rubber ducks racing down the lazy river for a chance to win prizes. Participants can enjoy exclusive early access to the waterpark, along with kids' games, crafts, and a live DJ. Most importantly, the proceeds help expand workforce development programs, providing essential skill-building and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

04/30/2026

🚌 Guest Speaker Spotlight: Innovation in Motion! 🚌

We are excited to welcome Andy Volenik, Executive Director of Delaware County Transit (DCT), to our meeting! Since taking the helm in October 2022, Andy has been the driving force behind record-breaking ridership right here in our county. With a career that started behind the wheel as a COTA Bus Operator in 2009, he brings 15 years of Central Ohio transportation expertise and a passion for community-focused leadership.

What is DCT?

Unlike the traditional big-bus routes you see in major cities, DCT uses a flexible "on demand" model tailored for our local Delaware County landscape. It’s all about getting residents where they need to go, right from their curb!

Spotlight on: FLEX Service 📱

One of their most popular programs is the FLEX Service, a micro-transit/rideshare-style option serving Delaware City and Sunbury.

Convenience: Book a ride via app or phone for same-day travel.
Affordability: Just $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for seniors (65+) and students.
Reliability: Running Monday–Friday (5 AM – 9 PM in Delaware City) with additional Saturday hours.

To learn more about DCT please visit: https://www.delcotransit.com/ & check out their mobile app!

04/23/2026

Delaware County is fortunate to have dedicated advocates like Allison Walters and Chase Waits leading the way at the Board of Developmental Disabilities.

As Director of Human Resources, Allison uses her 15 plus years of experience to create a supportive and compliant environment for those who serve our county. Chase Waits, Director of Communications and Community Engagement, has spent over two decades dedicated to the field of developmental disabilities. Chase is responsible for internal and external communications, building partnerships that strengthen our community.

The Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities (DCBDD) is a county agency that provides a wide range of supportive services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Their mission is to "inspire, empower, and support people to achieve their full potential. They act as a central hub for navigating life with a disability in Delaware County, providing services across several life stages.

On the May 5, 2026, ballot, Delaware County voters will decide on a 2.7-mill levy for the Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities (DCBDD), combining a 2.0-mill renewal and a 0.7-mill increase. The levy funds services for children and adults with disabilities, costing $65 annually per $100,000 of home value, starting in 2027. The levy would last for five years. The goal is to support more than 2,500 residents with developmental disabilities in Delaware County by providing services such as respite care and community support.

To learn more please visit: https://www.dcbdd.org/

04/09/2026

Meet Tonia Wilson, the Executive Director leading the charge at Family Promise of Delaware County. Family Promise is far more than just a shelter; it is a vital lifeline for families throughout our community. Under Tonia’s leadership, the organization provides a 24-hour emergency shelter and a rapid rehousing referral center to ensure everyone has a place to go in a crisis.

Through their Family Mentoring program, they help at-risk families achieve their goals and maintain long-term self-sufficiency. They also lead community initiatives that connect families to essential resources such as job training, health care, childcare, and literacy. We are so grateful for Tonia and the dedicated volunteers who work together to promote practices that alleviate poverty and improve the well-being of low-income families in Delaware County.

Family Promise is located at 39 N Washington St, Delaware, OH 43015. If you know someone who can benefit from their services please call (740) 362-7817.

https://www.familypromise-delawareohio.org/

03/26/2026

🤝 Supporting Behavioral Health in Our Community!

The Olentangy Rotary Club was honored to host Deanna Brant and Steve Brown from the Delaware-Morrow Mental Health & Recovery Services Board (DMMHRSB).

Deanna Brant is currently the Executive Director of the Delaware Morrow Mental Health and Recovery Services Board – in that role since June 1, 2017. Her focus has been on collaboration with community partners, supporting housing capacity, crisis services and building the infrastructure to support behavioral health care services locally.

Steve Brown is the Communications Director at the Delaware-Morrow Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, where he oversees internal and external communications, governmental relations, and legislative advocacy.

Today the Delaware-Morrow Mental Health and Recovery Services Board works to ensure high-quality, evidence-based, behavioral health services are available locally to all residents in our communities. The Mission of the Delaware-Morrow Mental Health and Recovery Services Board is to promote wellness and support recovery by planning, funding, and monitoring public mental health and addiction services for Delaware and Morrow Counties.

https://dmmhrsb.org/

Their office is located at 40 N. Sandusky Street, Suite 301 Delaware, OH 43015.

In Crisis? Text "HELPLINE" to 898-211 or Call 1-800-684-2324 Available 24/7 - Free - Confidential

03/26/2026

From Roads to Rivers: A Quick Update from Dan Weng

It’s great to see that "Service Above Self" doesn't have a zip code! As we gear up for our upcoming road clean-up, we wanted to share what former member Dan Weng has been up to down in North Carolina.

Dan recently organized a river clean-up as the leader of the Sun City Canoe & Kayak Club. They managed to haul out everything from car tires to trailer-loads of trash.

It’s a great reminder of the impact we can make when we lead these efforts. Looking forward to bringing that same energy to our own clean-up soon! Olentangy Rotary Club adopted the stretch of highway from the intersection of Powell Road and Sawmill to Riverside Drive. Our club organizes a spring and fall cleanup day. 🧤🛣️

03/05/2026

Rotary Legend Joe Schaefer Celebrates 30 Years of Service! 🌟

Our speaker today is 30 year club member Joe Schaefer, who gave us a stellar update on TAXES!

This March marks Joe’s 30th anniversary with our club. Since joining in 1996, he’s been a heartbeat of our community—serving as Treasurer for years and leading us as President during Rotary’s Centennial year (2004-2005). As a 3-time Paul Harris Fellow, his dedication to "Service Above Self" is unmatched. When he isn’t busy with Rotary, Joe is a seasoned CPA of 46 years. Though he "retired" from full-time practice in 2024, you can still find him working part-time from his home in Lewis Center. Joe and his wife, Paula, have called Delaware County home for over 40 years. They are proud parents of two Olentangy HS alumni and the ultimate grandparents to seven grandkids (6 boys and 1 very spoiled granddaughter!).

Thank you, Joe, for three decades of leadership, friendship, and service! ⚙️💙