Lynsey Dinovo Assumes Presidency of Delaware Rotary Club, Focusing on Community Service and Club History
Delaware, OH – On June 26, 2023, Lynsey B. Dinovo, Delaware native, took the helm as the President of the Delaware Rotary Club, a prestigious position that carries a term of one year until July 1, 2024. Dinovo, a dedicated member of the club since 2018, brings with her a deep-rooted commitment to community service and a desire to strengthen the club’s connection with the local community.
As the newly appointed President of the Delaware Rotary Club, Dinovo brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role. Currently serving as the Director of Compliance, Talent Acquisition for KPMG LLP, one of the largest accounting firms in the U.S., Lynsey has over 20 years of experience working with Fortune 500 businesses worldwide. With a strong background in recruitment, project management, and HR analytics, Lynsey’s attention to detail and passion for her work make her a valuable asset to the Delaware Rotary Club. Her extensive experience in areas such as campus recruitment, employee evaluations, and process improvement will undoubtedly contribute to the success of her presidential term.
The Delaware Rotary Club, which meets every Monday at noon at the Brookshire Event Center, has a long-standing tradition of service to others. Its mission is to promote integrity, advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. With a motto of “Service Above Self,” the club has been actively involved in various charitable initiatives and community projects.
In sharing her goals for the club, Dinovo emphasized the significance of the club’s history and its upcoming 100th-year celebration in 2028. “Our club was created 95 years ago, and we are ramping up to celebrate 100 years!” Dinovo went on to say “We want to ensure the history of our club is known, and we continue to make our mark on the community.”
One of Dinovo’s primary goals for the coming year is to shine a spotlight on the club’s rich history. Under the guidance of Historian Scott Martin, the club will delve into its past, ensuring that its legacy is not forgotten. By looking back, the club aims to make a lasting impact on the community as it moves forward.
Another area of focus for Dinovo is to enhance the club’s visibility in the community. She highlighted the importance of creating awareness about the club’s activities and the causes it supports. “The more the community knows who we are and what we do, the more we will be supported,” Dinovo stated. By increasing public awareness, the club aims to garner support for its causes and encourage more individuals to join in making a difference.
Furthermore, Dinovo underlined the importance of members taking full advantage of the opportunities offered by Rotary. Beyond community service, Rotary provides avenues for professional growth, fellowship, and action at the international and district levels. Dinovo encouraged club members to explore these opportunities, which can help them grow both personally and professionally.
Dinovo’s overarching theme for the year is inspired by Rotary International President Gordon McInally’s call to “Create Hope in the World.” She envisions the club creating a ripple effect by undertaking numerous small acts of kindness, with the hope that these actions will generate bigger waves and inspire others to do good. “Every action we take can create hope in the world,” Dinovo articulated.
Dinovo’s decision to join Rotary and accept the role of President stems from her deep-rooted commitment to community service, which she inherited from her family. Having grown up surrounded by volunteers, Dinovo recognized the power of giving back from an early age. She was particularly influenced by her mother, Sue Bennington, who was not only the first female president of the Delaware Rotary Club but also an Assistant District Governor. Today, the club boasts a diverse membership, with women comprising 33% of its members.
Reflecting on her journey, Dinovo shared, “being a part of our youth groups was one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life – it makes you feel good to connect with a community in a meaningful way.” After moving back to Delaware in 2012, she felt a strong need to re-engage with volunteering. Her mother’s experiences with Rotary inspired her to join the organization in 2018.
Throughout its history, the Delaware Rotary Club has undergone various changes in meeting locations. It initially gathered at the Little Room in Bun’s Restaurant, where it remained for 44 years. When Bun’s Restaurant closed on Mondays, the club relocated to the Delaware Hotel (formerly the Holiday Inn) until eventually finding a new home at the Elks club in 2007. More recently, the club held its meetings at SourcePoint, until COVID-19 restrictions necessitated a move to the Brookshire Event Center.
The club’s impact extends beyond the local community. As part of District 6690, Rotary International, the Delaware Rotary Club is the northernmost club in the district, which encompasses 63 clubs in southeastern Ohio. The club participates in a wide range of projects, both locally and globally, to make a difference in people’s lives.
For instance, the club organized the successful Taste of Downtown Delaware event, which featured 20 restaurants and attracted over 500 participants and volunteers. The event raised over $20,000 to support the Hunger Alliance and various grants provided by the Delaware Rotary Foundation.
Education is another area of focus for the club. They honor outstanding students through the Student of the Month program, provide scholarships to area students at the Delaware Area Career Center, and recognize the excellence of teachers through the Excellence in Teaching awards. Additionally, the club holds the Four Way Test Speech contest, where students compete for scholarships by showcasing their public speaking skills.
The Delaware Rotary Club is committed to peacebuilding, as demonstrated by its Peacebuilders club designation. They have installed peace poles at prominent locations, including the Liberty Community Center, Delaware Library, All Shepards Lutheran Church, and Boardman Arts Park. The club also participates in environmental initiatives, such as maintaining the Rotary trailhead near Shelby Stadium and organizing highway cleanups.
On a global scale, the club partners with Design Outreach to build LifePumps, providing communities across the globe with access to reliable water sources. They are also excited to revive their International Youth Exchange program, sponsoring both inbound and outbound exchange students to promote cultural understanding and friendship.
Additionally, the Delaware Rotary Club remains deeply connected to the local community, offering support to organizations such as PIN, Andrew’s House, Supplies for Scholars, and the Alzheimer’s Walk. They recently conducted a statewide feminine hygiene drive, collecting over 5,000 individual products to donate to Family Promise, PIN, and Turning Point.
All fundraising projects of the club are channeled through the Delaware Rotary Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization founded by Ralph Howes, Dave Shade, Mike Dickey, and Sue Bennington. The foundation ensures that funds raised by the club are utilized effectively to support community initiatives and charitable causes.
As Dinovo assumes the role of President, she brings a deep commitment to service, a dedication to preserving the club’s history, and a passion for community engagement. Under her leadership, the Delaware Rotary Club is poised to continue its legacy of making a positive impact on the community as it approaches its centennial celebration in 2028.
To learn more about the Delaware Rotary Club, its initiatives, and how to get involved, visit their website at www.delawarerotary.org. The club welcomes guests to attend their meetings and encourages individuals to join them in their mission of service above self.