At the Club’s April 16th meeting, we heard from Nadine Despeine-Udoh, Director of Self Help, Advocacy and Education of the Mental Health Association. Ms. Despeine-Udoh dispelled many of the myths surrounding mental illness, highlighted many of the challenges that can lead to mental illness and discussed the efforts of the Mental Health Association in working with other professionals to address mental health crises. To see a list of upcoming events and speakers, check out the panels at the left, or come to one of our meetings!
At the club’s meeting on April 9th, high school student Aravella Espinosa and staff members from the New Jersey Center for Tourette Syndrome educated our club members about TS, its impact of those who suffer TS and others, and how we can best support those with this often-misunderstood disease. For more on our Club, upcoming speakers and events, check out the panels on the left, or come to one of our meetings!
The Madison Rotary Club funds local organizations and community events through its grants and sponsorship program. Any nonprofit organization seeking Rotary funding must complete an application. Our Giving Philosophy and Grants and Sponsorship Application have been revised for 2026. Please review carefully prior to filling out the application. Complete applications should be sent via email / attachment to madisonrotarygs@gmail.com
Click Here for more info and to Apply
Madison Rotary is pleased to offer six scholarship awards to graduating high school seniors who embody
Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self.” Six scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded to students
who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to volunteerism, community service, and
leadership through their activities and actions. Click Here for more info and to Apply
Application deadline APRIL 27, 2026
Click Here for more info and to Apply
Madison Rotary is a vibrant group of 90 community-minded individuals who live or work in the Madison area. United by a shared commitment to service, we work together to create lasting change both locally and around the world. Our primary areas of focus include youth development, fighting food insecurity, and partnering with local organizations to address critical community needs.Looking to give back or meet like-minded people? Join us!
Madison Rotary is open to people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you're passionate about service or simply curious about what we do, you'll find a warm welcome and an opportunity to get involved. Not sure if Rotary is right for you? Come to a meeting and see for yourself — no pressure!
Meeting Times & Locations
📍Thursday Mornings | 7:45–8:30 AM | Madison Area YMCA
📍Thursday Afternoons | 12:00–1:30 PM | Firehouse Pizza, Central Avenue
📍First Thursday Evenings | 6:00 PM | Romanelli’s Pizza, Madison
Each meeting includes a meal, a brief club update, and a guest speaker covering a timely or inspiring topic. Check out our speaker schedule online for upcoming presentations.
Want to learn more or visit as a guest?
Contact Joe Smith at info@madisonrotarynj.org — we’d love to meet you!
Madison Rotary has inducted six new members since the start of the Rotary year on July 1st. These new members along with 90 other members volunteer to make Madison a great community. The mission of Madison Rotary is to eliminate food insecurity, empower youth, and partner with other organizations to achieve our mission.
Top: Daphane Hanrahan, Bill Kennard, Denis Philipps,
Bottom: Margaret Schlessinger, Chip Woodbury, Sarah Wynn.
Madison Rotary is open to all people and backgrounds. If you want to make a differnce go to www.madisonrotarynj.org
Pat Miller, a longtime member of The Madison Rotary Club’s saw the need to help teachers and students respond in positive ways to the increased anxiety students were experiencing. Turning to a program that embraced SEL (social and emotional learning) SKILLS, a collaboration was formed between Madison Rotary and Madison school administrators. Madison Public Schools Superintendent, Danielle Shanley and Director of Elementary Education, Christy O’Connor were eager to share how the Madison Public schools would incorporate this program across the school district. They joined the Rotary club members at an evening meeting to present details of how this will be implemented in the schools, laying out the timeline, the initiatives and the resources.
CLICK HERE to access a recording of the meeting. Thanks to Pat Miller’s generosity, and Madison Rotary for committing to the program’s sustainability, this new initiative is a step in enabling students to manage life’s challenges and enjoy its endless possibilities.
Madison Rotary is a dynamic group of 87 dedicated members who live or work in the Madison area, united by a shared commitment to making a positive impact both locally and globally. Our key initiatives focus on youth development, reducing food insecurity, and collaborating with community partners to address pressing needs.
On a cool autumn evening, the kitchen at Homeless Solutions was filled with the sounds of chopping vegetables, the sizzle of pans, and the warm laughter of volunteers. Madison Rotary members Steph Codey, Barbara Lucas-Chin, Curt Beaudouin and Doug Willis cooked and served dinner for residents, carrying forward their commitment to ending food insecurity in the community.
With sleeves rolled up and aprons on, Rotarians worked side by side preparing a hearty meal – meat balls, rice, broccoli topped off with vanilla or chocolate cake. For many of the residents, this wasn’t just dinner; it was a reminder that their neighbors care.
“Food brings people together,” one Rotarian explained. “But for us, it’s more than cooking. It’s about offering dignity, kindness, and hope.”
The evening ended with shared smiles and full plates, but Madison Rotary’s mission continues well beyond the kitchen. Through service projects, fundraising, and partnerships with local organizations, the club is dedicated to reducing food insecurity and building a stronger, more compassionate community.
The Madison Rotary Club has collected essential supplies sincluding new t-shirts, underwear for men, women, and children. We also collected feminine hygiene products (in original packaging) for their distribution in Jamaica with Global Empowerment Mission. To participate in additional Jamaica Relief contact Global Empowerment Mission at https://www.globalempowermentmission.org/
Rotarian John Hogan and Madison High School Interact Club member Alexandra Porio proudly presented a $2,400 check to Rotarian Avery Hart and Paul Mantell of the Maasai Girls Fund. This contribution will provide a full four-year high school education for a girl in a Maasai village in Kenya. For the last four years, the Madison High School Interact Club has worked tirelessly to raise this amount annually, ensuring that young women in the Maasai community—who otherwise would not have access to secondary education—can pursue their studies, expand their opportunities, and transform their futures.Education is often the key to breaking cycles of poverty and inequality. By investing in the education of these young women, Madison’s Interact students are living out the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self.” Their efforts demonstrate the power of young leaders to make a lasting global impact, connecting Madison, New Jersey to communities across the world.
The Madison Rotary and Madison High School Interact Club remain deeply committed to service both locally and internationally—addressing food insecurity in New Jersey while also supporting educational opportunities abroad.
(Photo, left to right: Paul Mantell, John Hogan, Alexandra Porio, and Avery Hart)
For the 16th consecutive year, The Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating — four stars — from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S. The Foundation earned the recognition for adhering to sector best practices and executing its mission in a financially efficient way, demonstrating both strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency.
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