Rotary District 7210: Where Service Meets Fellowship in the Hudson Valley

In the Hudson Valley, a network of more than 1,500 volunteers across 57 clubs is quietly making a difference, one community at a time. That organization is Rotary International, and two of its most dedicated members, Jack Strassman, Membership Chair for Rotary District 7210, and Tony Marmo, Past District Governor, are on a mission to grow the movement and invite new members into the fold.

Jack Strassman has served as Membership Chair for District 7210 since July, leading a committee of more than 20 members focused on expanding Rotary's reach across the Hudson Valley. Tony Marmo, a Rotarian since 1985, has served as Past District Governor and is currently the chairperson for new club development within the district.

More Than a Service Club

For those unfamiliar with Rotary, it is easy to assume the organization is just another civic club. Marmo pushes back on that perception directly: "A lot of people have an image of Rotary of a bunch of fat old guys sitting around having a three-martini lunch and writing big checks. But Rotary is hands-on."

The range of hands-on work spans from local food programs to international medical missions. Marmo's own Kingston Rotary Club operates Feeding Kingston, a monthly food insecurity program that serves 150 people through the Blue Fridge program at Clinton Avenue United Methodist Church. His club is also pursuing a literacy partnership with a K-3 school in Kingston. Strassman's Liberty Rotary Club has focused heavily on disaster preparedness and has maintained a sustained presence in Haiti and Puerto Rico through global grants and nursing student scholarships, supporting at least five nursing students annually at a cost of $750 each.

Beyond the service projects, both men emphasize the personal rewards of membership. As Strassman put it, "You're going to meet people who care, who show up, and you're going to feel good about doing service in your community and the world."

A Club for Every Schedule

One of the most important changes in Rotary today is flexibility. District 7210 is actively encouraging clubs to rethink when, where, and how they meet to attract members whose schedules do not fit a traditional Tuesday lunch format. Red Hook Rotary, for example, holds two breakfast meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 8:00 AM at the Flatiron Grill, a Zoom meeting on the first Tuesday at no cost, and a monthly potluck at a member's home on the third Tuesday.

New clubs are also being formed. A new Rotary Club in Beacon, Dutchess County, is currently forming and expected to charter before the end of April 2025, reviving a club that closed in 2012. Sullivan Central Rotary, a newer club, meets twice a month entirely online in sessions of 45 minutes to an hour, then gathers in person at community locations to carry out service projects.

For those who want a truly global perspective, the Rotary E-Club of District 7210 has met online every Saturday morning at 10:00 AM since 2010 and includes members from seven countries including Brazil, Turkey, Sweden, Nigeria, Pakistan, India, and Spain.

Growing Younger and Stronger

The average age of Rotary members in District 7210 is approximately 65, a statistic the district takes seriously. Satellite and companion clubs, which offer flexible meeting options alongside established clubs, tend to attract members about 10 years younger on average. The Kingston Rotary Club's satellite club in Woodstock has grown to nearly 20 members with its own budget, service projects, and fundraisers.



Strassman built the Liberty Club back from 12 members with no leadership pipeline to its current 48 members, an experience he credits as a defining reason for his role as membership chair today.

How to Get Involved

Anyone interested in joining Rotary can visit rotary.org, click the club finder button, and type in their hometown to locate the nearest club. Guests are always welcome to attend a meeting without a formal invitation.

For district-wide information, including club listings, meeting times, and service opportunities, visit rotarydistrict7210.org.

Listen to the full interview: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3vw60ws6OrdHNM0RJQGy6v?si=bEhmuWI7Tx6lEoB4HmyiPA