Events

Richard brings 39 years of distinguished service within the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), culminating in his retirement in October 2024. Throughout his career, he played a pivotal role in shaping and overseeing the Physical Security organization. As a key leader responsible for developing and implementing Physical Security Policies and Standards for an organization of over 100,000 employees across more than 500 facilities, Richard ensured the highest levels of safety and compliance. His expertise extended to co-authoring critical policies, including the Department of Homeland Security's Interagency Security Committee guidelines and the Active Shooter Policy, demonstrating his commitment to interagency collaboration and forward-thinking security measures.

Richard was deeply engaged with Government Accountability Office (GAO) security audits, leveraging his expertise to ensure robust security frameworks and address areas of improvement. Under his leadership, the IRS developed cutting-edge physical security software designed to streamline compliance with federal standards, enhance operational efficiencies, and serve as a benchmark for other federal agencies seeking to elevate their physical security protocols. Richard's contributions have not only strengthened the IRS's security posture but have also influenced broader federal security initiatives, reflecting his lifelong dedication to safeguarding employees, facilities, and the public.

Our friends at South Church have reached out to our club for support in a meaningful collaboration between the Town of Andover and the South Church Social Justice Coalition (SJC). Together, we aim to ensure that school children have access to nutritious food during Spring Break week.

The initiative, called Happy Vacation Food, will support over 660 food-insecure schoolchildren in Andover. These children typically rely on free school breakfasts and lunches, but with Spring Break, they won't have access to those meals, which adds extra strain on families already struggling to afford enough nutritious food. The Town is providing the funding for the food, and the SJC is organizing the logistics—but they need our help on Saturday, April 19th, from 10 AM to 1 PM.

Volunteers will distribute tote bags of groceries to people in their cars at three designated sites, and some bags will be delivered to homebound families. In addition, pickup trucks, vans, or SUVs will be needed to transport tote bags and supplies.

Marge Chiafery and Meredith Moody are co-coordinators of this SJC initiative. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Meredith Moody at Eredithm3@gmail.com or 978-807-4251.

We invite you to participate in this Happy Vacation Food event and help make a difference for local families!

To sign up for transportation:
Sign up here

To sign up to volunteer at a pickup site:
Sign up here

To sign up to provide deliveries:
Sign up here

Mark Spencer holds a PhD in physical chemistry from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and has spent two decades in environmental research, research and development and product development. He was last Director of Technology for Agiltron, a contract R&D company north of Boston. He spent a decade at NASA Ames Research Center measuring infrared absorption of atmospheric species. His experience in securing and managing government funded R&D programs will be used to expand the technology of water quality analysis.

CLICK HERE to register for the meeting.

On Saturday, April 26th, Andover WECAN will be holding the 2nd Annual Youth Sustainability Fair  (Fair) at the Cormier Youth Center from 1- 3 PM.  The goal of the Youth Sustainability Fair is to increase youth engagement in local climate education and highlight youth-led work that is being done, all while promoting community building around environmentalism. 

The Fair received a grant from our Charitable Trust this year which includes having a Rotary booth at the event. We need four volunteers to staff our booth and Gail will arrange the handouts/supplies for the booth prior to the event.

If you are able to help, please sign-up. Questions about the Fair can be directed to Steve Fink.

On Thursday, May 1st,  Andover Elder Services (AES) will be hosting a Volunteer Recognition Dinner at The Robb Center to honor their volunteers.

Our club has been invited to assist with this event as servers and helping in the kitchen. Doors will open at 4:30 pm with dinner being served at 5:00 pm.  Volunteers are requested to arrive by 4:15 pm.  

If you're available to help, please sign up.  We need four to six volunteers and you are invited to stay for the dinner.  Questions about the volunteer role(s) can be directed to the AES Coodinator Ashley English.

Note: Andover Elder Services is one of our grant recipients this year.

Nicole Kramer, Joined the MHL as the Programming and Partnerships Manager in 2022. Our resident community convener was eager to get to know the people, places and ideas that make Andover unique. Nicole comes to us from the Salisbury Public Library where she was Assistant Director and responsible for community relationships and programs. In her free time, Nicole loves to bake apple pies and almond scones.

Memorial Hall Library is the public library for the Town of Andover. With an MHL library card, you can access books, media, electronic resources and research databases, and much more. Learn about some of the lesser-known library resources including the library of things, makerspace, educational and enriching programs for all ages, and other services available from your local library!

Please note the new weekly meeting location starting this week and going forward is the Lanam Club, 260 North Main Street, Andover.

It takes a dedicated team to create an unforgettable event, and we’d love for you to be part of ours on Thursday, May 8th at the 27th Annual Citizens Who Care Gala.

We’re looking for volunteers to assist with the following:

• Room setup (starting at 3 pm)
• Silent auction setup (starting at 3 pm)
• Door greeters (starting at 5:15 pm)
• Silent auction checkout (after the auction closes)
• Breakdown and clean up (following the event's conclusion).

Feel free to sign up for more than one role.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Ann Ormond.

A reminder starting next week, May 16th and thereafter, the weekly breakfast meetings will be held at the Lanam Club.

Reminder: Our weekly meetings now take place at the Lanam Club.

Our own Jean Leider will present on her recent Rotary District 7930 Rotaplast Mission to Cebu, Phillippines.   

The March 2025 mission to Cebu marked Rotaplast’s 20th visit to the region. It was supported by District Governor Tom Hankard (7930), under the leadership of Past District Governor Terry Resendez Curran, who is set to serve again as District Governor in 2027 when another mission is planned.

The Rotary Club of Andover contributed $1,600 in support of the Cebu mission.

We have a great opportunity to spread the word about our fantastic Rotary Club at Andona's Clown Town event on Saturday, May 17, from 10 AM to 4 PM.  We will have a table under a tent near the Gazebo beside the town hall,  with our information and to welcome potential members who have brought their family to Clown Town.  We need an additional 4 members to take a two-hour shift from 12-2 or 2-4.

Susan Stott has been an AVIS Trustee since she retired from Phillips Academy.  She was also a founder of Andover Community Trust, which has developed 13 permanently affordable homes in Andover.

AVIS is an all volunteer organization and Susan’s primary responsibility has been for land acquisition. The two largest acquisitions in the last ten years have been 26 acres of the Franciscan property along the Merrimack River and 11 acres near Tewksbury along the Shawsheen River.  Now her biggest challenge is the permitting and funding for the All Persons Trail in the Goldsmith Woodlands, the subject of her presentation.  She will also share what she has learned while working on this project for the past two plus years.

Angelina Berube is the Andover and North Andover reporter at The Eagle-Tribune. She has been at the newspaper since July 2022, covering New Hampshire and the Merrimack Valley during that time.

Berube has covered a wide range of topics in the community and enjoys writing features about the people who make her communities vibrant. The job keeps her on her toes with different stories to write each day.

Berube has experience with sports reporting as a former high school and college hockey player. She writes about the Professional Women's Hockey League Boston Fleet's players and its games in Lowell for The Eagle-Tribune in addition to her daily news reporting.

** Due to inclement weather, the car wash was originally scheduled for May 3rd, rescheduled to May 10th and NOW to May 31st. Let's hope this third time is a charm!

Our colleauges at The Rotary Club of Lawrence have requested our assistance in helping with their Interact Club at a Fundraising Car Wash which has been rescheduled to Saturday, May 31st from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at the Greater Lawrence Technical School (Voc-Tech).  

To volunteer for the entire time (8:30a-12:30p), the morning shift only (8:30-10:30 a) or early afternoon shift only (10:30a-12:30 p) please sign-up under "Online Registration".

At the conclusion of the fundraiser, pizza and soda will be available. 

Questions can be directed to Alan Michel.  

Great Dog Rescue New England is a nonprofit, shelterless, all-breed rescue group headquartered in Massachusetts. Our group is comprised of volunteers all over New England who love dogs and want to help those that end up homeless through no fault of their own. Loyal and loving dogs turn up every day in New England and Southern shelters, as owners turn them in or they’re found roaming the streets after being dumped.

Great Dog is dedicated to animal rescue. In addition to our primary goal of helping homeless and abandoned dogs find loving forever homes, we:

– DONATE money to spay and neuter clinics in the south to help solve the problem of pet overpopulation.

– ENGAGE IN COMMUNITY OUTREACH activities with local schools to help educate children and young adults about animal rescue, responsible pet ownership, proper pet care, etc.

– ADOPT DOGS to agencies that train dogs to assist the physically disabled and hearing impaired (many dogs that were abandoned are now helping people lead independent lives).

We are proud of the work we do with the dogs and in local communities.

Run for the Troops (RFTT) is excited to host its 2nd Annual Cornhole for a Cause on Sunday, June 8th, starting at 3 pm at Ironstone Farm, benefiting the RFTT Veterans Program. Bill Pennington & RFTT are looking for teams of two, $100 entry fee per team. The fee includes pizza, beer, water and lots of cornhole laughs.

For more information and to register, visit: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/run-for-the-troops-cornhole-for-a-cause-3

No cornhole experience is needed – just come out for a fun time supporting a great cause!

Karla is the Executive Director at Stone Hill at Andover and has been with the community since November 2018, before the building opened. As Executive Director, Karla ensures the community is in compliance with state, federal and safety requirements.

Karla is also an esteemed Rotary member!

Judith Hull has worked for Community Heart & Soul since 2021 as a coach and market development consultant. Judith notes: “I really believe in Community Heart & Soul as an effective tool for long-lasting change because it is a resident-driven process that emphasizes the positive. Stories that residents contribute about why they love their communities builds new relationships, trust, and a strong foundation for long-term planning.”

Her experience with community work is long-standing and she considers facilitation, listening, critical thinking, and teamwork important strengths. She is a member of both the Northern New England and the Massachusetts Chapters of the APA.

Judith taught for several decades in professional schools of architecture where attention to urban planning and community development are fundamental to the curriculum and where she honed her skills as a facilitator in leading classroom discussions. She received a B.A. from Binghamton University, an M.A. from UMASS Amherst, and holds a PhD in the history of architecture from Columbia University.

Andover Baptist Church, in collaboration with the Andover Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Commission, will be hosting a Juneteenth celebration at the Andover Baptist Church on Saturday, June 21st, from 4 - 7 pm.

They’re currently planning the event and have invited our club to lend a hand. Stay tuned for more details, and in the meantime, be sure to mark your calendars and plan to join us!

Tom is a Senior level financial and operations professional with over 37 years of for-profit and non-profit experience. His areas of expertise include financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, non-profit governance, banking compliance, cash management, system implementations, policies and procedures documentation, grant management (federal and private), internal control reviews, board presentations, organization assessments, audit management, organization formation and dissolution, and IRS non-profit application completion and submission. Prior to joining CLA, Tom worked for a professional services firm, for nine years, that specialized in working with Non-Profit organizations. He held positions as CFO, Treasurer and Executive Director for many of the Non-Profit Association clients for a Professional services firm (including Senior Vice President for the firm managing four departments), that managed more than 70 Non-Profits (primarily Associations), around the world. Prior to that Tom held positions as Director of Finance and Administration for a social services non-profit and CFO of a long-standing non-profit preservation society. Tom currently works with a variety of nonprofit industries: Associations, Human Services, Community Development, Religious and Tech groups. 

At Neurowaves Brain Wellness Center, we specialize in advanced neuromodulation treatments for a variety of conditions, including Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), PTSD, depression, anxiety, addiction, and other neurological and sensory disorders. Our approach, Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy (MeRT), is a non-invasive, non-pharmaceutical, and highly personalized treatment designed to address the unique needs of each patient.

A well-planned garden completes the story of your home, it looks beautiful, smells beautiful, and sounds beautiful. It can even taste beautiful. It’s a place you come to at the end of the day to relax, play, eat, and connect with the people in your life. 

Our mission at Samantha’s Gardens is to spread joy and happiness to our clients and throughout our communities. We don’t just want to landscape your home, we want to transform it into an environment you will love.

The kind that has the power to transport you.

Claudia has been part of One Wish Project from the beginning. While Hannah was busy making the most amazing birthday cakes in their Andover home, Claudia assisted Hannah with all the things that a 14-year old girl could not do herself. Claudia opened a bank account to accept donations, drove Hannah to the supermarkets for cake ingredients and the toy stores, and of course, accompanied Hannah to all the shelter deliveries.  As the organization continued to grow and Hannah was beginning the transition process to college in the Fall of 2020, One Wish Project became a volunteer-based organization and Claudia took over the day-to-day responsibilities of the organization. Today, Claudia is One Wish Project's Executive Director focusing on Strategic Development and growth.

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As the founder and senior principal trainer for LeadSMART Training Solutions, Peter took his first lead safe training in 1997 while operating his design/build remodeling firm in the greater Boston area. Trained as a cabinetmaker, his love of residential remodeling became his specialty in the design/build field of residential construction.

Seeing a need in the construction industry in the area of lead remodeling, Peter founded LeadSMART Training Solutions, Inc., in 2011. Teaching both the EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP) and Massachusetts Lead Safe Renovation (LSR) Standards, Peter later expanded the LeadSMART educational offerings to include certification courses in OSHA safety standards and respirator use, as well as Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License (CSL) renewal.

Peter feels strongly about helping smaller firms find the profitable side of jobsite compliance. As a result, he utilizes his 30+ years of business acumen in residential construction and remodeling to offer onsite consultations, built proprietary contractor business builder courses, and enjoys holding private training sessions to address the unique needs of the client’s organization. Using his vast knowledge of regulations, he has written client employee OSHA Safety Plans — and helped keep them on the profitable side of jobsite compliance.

Peter has spoken to many contractor groups in both educational and motivational formats. His honest, forthright speaking style as well as his knowledge of the industry and regulations, has garnered high praise from the audience. 

In September 2022 the members of Ballard Vale United Church (BVUC) in Andover, MA, launched the town’s first 24-hour self-serve community pantry. After two years, the pantry has evolved into a hub of food rescue and a vital resource for over 1,000 members of the community.  After learning that about 20% of children are food insecure in Andover, Glen McLeod, former church moderator before focusing on the ministry, had the idea to run a food pantry out of the church. He envisioned a place where anyone in the community could take, or donate, food at any time.

The pantry is open 24/7 and is available to anyone in the community. Donors and recipients alike visit daily. The group follows USDA guidelines to ensure the food offered at the pantry is safe for eating.

Like many people, I watched with a mix of sadness and anger as Russia’s totally unjustified invasion of Ukraine unfolded in February 2022.  The indiscriminate shelling of remote farming villages, the deliberate bombing of civilian targets, the blatant aggression, the heartbreaking scenes of elderly people fleeing their homes – for me it felt like I was watching something akin to Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1939 at the start of World War 2, only this time it was in real time.

​My initial instinct was to donate to a charity in Ukraine, which I did.  But for some reason, writing a check and stopping there just didn’t seem to be enough.  This time, I felt a call to action like never before.  I didn’t know how to help out, but I knew one thing: doing nothing was NOT an option.  I had to go there and help out in some way, but how?

I have just returned from a 1 year stay in Ukraine, my 7th trip there since the beginning of the war. While there, we sourced and delivered essential humanitarian aid to the hardest-hit areas of the country, often not far from the front lines, where other NGO’s won’t go because of the risk.  I have done numerous talks for Rotary Clubs in NH and MA, including Manchester North, Bedford, Exeter, Dover, Portsmouth, Salem, Goffstown, Hollis, Hopkinton and others.