Wearing her trademark jean jacket filled with hundreds of pins from Rotary Clubs around the world, 35-year-old Katherine Eboch is set to be sworn in as governor of Rotary District 6600 on June 26 – making her the youngest in the state and possibly the world. And, in January, she’ll represent her home Anthony Wayne Area Rotary Club and the district as she rides on the Rotary Rose Parade float.
“I’m honored to represent and work for a cause that helps so many people around the world,” she said.
Leading the district’s 2,800 members of 58 clubs in the 24-county region requires not just superb organizational and motivational skills, but the assistance of the small but growing Anthony Wayne Area Rotary Club – whose members will raise funds to cover travel expenses. Eboch is also counting on guidance from AWARC member Deb Cheney, who previously served as a district governor.
Eboch’s leadership skills were first put to the test in 2005, when she was one of three eighth-graders to join a new Maumee High School Interact Club. She credits Dr. Greg Smith, who was superintendent of Maumee City Schools at the time, for Maumee Rotary Club’s decision to launch a new Interact Club, which introduces teens to Rotary’s “Service Above Self” mantra through hands-on projects.
Rotary has given her many opportunities to hone her leadership skills in a safe environment before leading others in her profession, she said. Over the past two decades, Eboch has been involved in Rotary clubs in Toledo, Bowling Green and Hartford, Conn. and served as president of the AWARC and Nashville Sunset Club.
For those unfamiliar with Rotary, Eboch describes it as a service organization founded at the local level with networking and fellowship among community members who do service projects locally and globally, often teaming up with existing nonprofits.
“Networking, projects and friendships – those are the three pieces of why I hope people will get involved,” she said. “It’s super impactful that there are those opportunities of service projects and exposure to so many cool nonprofit agencies and organizations from different clubs.”
It was through Rotary that she learned about the nonprofit organization Soles4Souls, which creates opportunities for people through shoes and clothing. She now serves as the vice president of information technology for the nonprofit.
But her first career was in theater. While earning her BFA in theater from Carnegie Mellon University, and then while producing live shows across the country for five years, Eboch didn’t have much time for Rotary, because of evening and weekend preparation and performances. So when she returned to Ohio to earn her MBA from Bowling Green State University, she immediately joined the Bowling Green Rotary Club. Now a resident of South Toledo, Eboch opted for the AWARC because it holds meetings on Monday evenings instead of during lunchtime – which makes it hard to get away from work.
As district governor, Eboch will be traveling to plenty of lunchtime meetings, but this time she has an assist.
“My dad is going to be my chauffer,” she laughed, explaining that she’ll be able to work remotely while he’s driving her around the district to speak to each club.
As district governor, Eboch has several goals. The first is to encourage the launch of new clubs, including in areas where clubs used to exist. She also wants Rotarians to share with their employers and employees the ideas of Rotary, such as the 4-Way Test, which states, “In all the things we think, say and do: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”
“We want to make sure we’re putting Rotary to work where we work,” she said. “Are we talking to each other about our business? Are we using the 4-way test in our business decisions?”
Another focus is on networking and mentoring, she said, recalling the benefit of receiving advice from fellow Rotarians when she was among the youngest in many clubs.
Having found her love for Rotary in high school, Eboch is a big proponent of Interact.
“I love getting the kids started in Rotary. It’s cool to keep the momentum going,” Eboch said.
The Rotary Youth Exchange gives students ages 15 to 18 – with a sponsoring Rotary club – and opportunity to spend a year abroad with another Rotary family.
“It’s so exciting to see them go out and experience life abroad. It’s open to any student with a Rotary Club willing to sponsor them,” she said, noting that applications are due this summer.
Rotary International has seven areas of focus: peace building and conflict prevention; disease prevention and treatment; water, sanitation and hygiene; maternal and child health; basic education and literacy; community economic development; and the environment. Polio has long been an international push, and while not as prevalent, still hasn’t been eradicated.
Each club has its own focus for service as well. In northwest Ohio, several clubs have teamed up on projects to keep the Great Lakes Watershed clean. Supporting national and international projects is also a priority, such as funding latrines and wells in other countries.
In addition to its local, regional and international projects, AWARC is aiming to raise $100,000 for a centennial project to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Eboch is bringing together the centennial committee to make a decision and work on fundraising.
One of AWARC’s biggest fundraisers is the Blues, Brews and Brats – in which thousands of people come to downtown Waterville on the last Saturday of July to enjoy national and regional blues artists, bratwurst, brews and lots of hospitality by Rotarians from throughout the district.
As a Rotarian, Eboch has attended Rotary International conventions, including in Atlanta, Calgary, Singapore and Toronto.
“It’s a chance to meet Rotary friends all over the world, and engage in trainings and other events,” she said.
While out on official Rotary business, Eboch often wears her trademark jean jacket covered with pins. While it now weighs over eight pounds, Eboch said she wouldn’t attend an event without it.
“It’s a great icebreaker while standing in line,” she said. “We may start out as strangers but be friends at the end.”
For information, visit rotarydistrict6600.org or anthonywaynearearotary.org.
