It is an honor to serve once again as President of the Rotary Club of Canton. As we begin another year together, I find myself reflecting on the remarkable legacy of our club. For more than 111 years, Rotarians have been changing lives, strengthening our community, and building lasting friendships through Service Above Self.
This year, Olayinka Babalola has challenged Rotarians around the world to "harness the change within ourselves, look to the future, and create lasting impact." He reminds us that "the more you change your community and the world, the more you will change." I believe that message is especially meaningful for our club as we look ahead.
While our club looks different than it did years ago, what has never changed is the dedication, compassion, and commitment of our members. I truly believe our future is not defined by the number of people in the room, but by the willingness of each of us to share our time, talents, and passion for service.
This year, I invite each of us to ask a simple question: What is one more thing I can do? Whether it's volunteering at a project, inviting a prospective member to lunch, checking in on a fellow Rotarian, or simply sharing your Rotary story, every contribution matters. Small acts, multiplied across our membership, have the power to create extraordinary impact.
Together, let's choose participation over perfection, hope over worry, and community over complacency. As we continue writing the next chapter in our club's proud history, I am excited to see what we will accomplish—not because of what any one of us can do—but because of what we can do together.
Thank you for the privilege of serving alongside you. Here's to a year of meaningful service, lasting fellowship, and making an even greater difference in our community.
Jennifer George, President
Club Information
Welcome to our Club!
Service Above Self
Fridays at 11:45 a.m.
Chateau Michele
2231 44th St NW
Canton, OH 44709 United States of America
Over the next few months we will be welcoming our 2026 grant recipients to visit our meetings and give us an update on how they are using Canton Rotary's support to help our community. This week, we welcome the Stark County Library and Mt. Zion Church.
Dr. Carol Canavan and Chris Clevenger are officers with the Stark County branch of the League of Women Voters and will be speaking about the LOWV's democracy efforts.
Carol is a retired administrator from the University of Mount Union. A native of Marietta, she grew up in Michigan and graduated from Michigan State University, the University of South Dakota, and Ohio University. She spent over a decade in Louisville, Kentucky in professional theater before coming to northeast Ohio, where she is happily retired and volunteering for LOWV.
Chris is a retired Canton City Schools special education teacher who also worked with high schools students in danger of not graduating, where her at-risk students attained an 84 percent graduation rate. Chris graduated from the University of Akron and started her career in Alliance City Schools before taking a break to be a stay-at-home parent before returning to the workforce. She is the wife of Treasurer Tom.
Among the organizations closest to Chris' heart is the League of Women Voters. She is passionate about the League's mission to encourage informed and active participation in government, educate voters, advocate for sound public policy, and defend democracy. Chris remains committed to empowering citizens through education and civic engagement, continuing a lifetime dedicated to helping others reach their full potential.
We’re proud to see the Rotary Club of Canton featured in the Canton Repository!
For generations, our club has believed in the power of Service Above Self and in investing in the people and organizations that make Canton a stronger community.
We are especially proud to work alongside the Stark Community Foundation to help support the amazing local organizations doing incredible work throughout Canton. Together, we’re able to extend Rotary’s impact and continue a long tradition of giving back to the community we are so proud to serve.
Thank you to SCF for highlighting this important milestone—and to our Rotary members, past and present, whose generosity and commitment to service have made it possible.
Thank you to everyone who came out to support this year's Golf Outing benefiting the Canton and Plain Township Rotary Clubs. It was a wonderful day on the course, filled with great golf, great fellowship, and plenty of fun. Events like this are a great reminder of the impact we can make when Rotary clubs come together in support of one another.
A special thank you goes to our club's organizers, Rick Taylor and Andrew Oser, for their hard work in planning another successful outing. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the many volunteers from both clubs whose time and dedication helped make the event such a success.
Thank you to everyone who played, sponsored, volunteered, and supported the outing. Your enthusiasm and generosity continue to strengthen Rotary's commitment to Service Above Self.
A reminder that all of us should have received an email with an invoiuce for your 2026-2027 dues. Please note that the club has already paid your fees and national dues, so we appreaciate prompt payment. If you have questions, please contact club treasurer, Tom Clevenger. Thank you
Here is the list of meeting dates for both our Full board and Exec board meetings. Please mark your calendars now so that we can maintain strong attendance at these meetings.
The Rotary Club of Canton is proud to announce its 2026 Community Grant recipients, continuing our long tradition of investing in organizations that strengthen our community and improve lives throughout Canton.
