Events

 Dr. Goff currently leads a cause-driven organization that strategically addresses barriers to literacy our children and families face throughout Coastal Virginia. Under her leadership, REACH launched The Big Free Bookstore that provides new, high- quality books at no cost to families. During her short leadership at REACH, they have tripled its distribution of resources, more than doubled its operating budget, grown from 2 FT employees to a staff of 5 FT and 10 PT employees, and has moved from 500sq ft to more than 10,000 inside one of Norfolk’s most iconic malls. REACH was also recently presented the Giving Back Award from Coastal Virginia magazine in 2020; The UPLIFT award from the City of Norfolk, and most recently Dr. Jennifer Goff was named Top 40 Under 40 for her leadership in 2021 by Inside Business and is the 2022 Darden College of Education and Professional Studies Fellow for her exemplary service and impact within her field.

Linwood and Frances Beckner are hosting a social for Rotarians and significant others at their house in the Freemason section of Norfolk (296 College Place, a row house at the corner of Yarmouth Street) on August 23, 2022, from 5pm to 8pm. 

Due to space constraints, this event is being limited to the first 30 Rotarians that sign up.  Please sign up using the event registration link and also register your significant other if they are attending.

Please note:  If you aren't able to make this event, we have another Rotary event this same week, the community service project at the VA Stage Co on August 25th and we'll make that "social"!

Join fellow Rotarians in helping clean out and organize the Virginia Stage Company’s  (VSC's) prop warehouse!  On Thursday, August 25th, meet at 520 w 24th St (not at the theatre!) from 6:00 to 8:00pm.

The warehouse, where VSC stores the many furniture and hand props used in past productions for potential reuse, is overdue for cleaning and purge of items that are unlikely to be used again. We will be taking some things out to the dumpster and organizing others so they can be better accessed.  VSC is excited to have our help! Thanks to Jeff Ryder for organizing this project.

Please reply to let me know you’re coming so we can have an idea of how many volunteers to expect!

Heros Build Week

For the sixth year, the Virginia Zoo will come alive for all ages in the evening for Growlfest. For adults who enjoy craft beer and cider, a drinking ticket gets them zoo entry, six tasting tickets, a tasting cup and a commemorative glass to take home (for the first 1,000 ticket buyers). Youth and non-drinking adult tickets are also available and include zoo entry. Children under age 2 attend for free. Food trucks will be on site. In addition, to seeing zoo animals in the evening there will be fun games for all ages.

Proceeds benefit the Zoo, the Rotary Club of Norfolk and the Sunrise Rotary Club. Club volunteers are needed for this event. Volunteers must also buy an entry ticket. Please invite family, friends, co-workers and neighbors to Growlfest. Learn more and buy tickets: https://virginiazoo.org/event/growlfest2022/

Sheppard “Shep” Miller III is a native and lifelong resident of Norfolk. He received a B.A. from Hampden-Sydney College and an MBA from the College of William & Mary.

In 2017, he retired as Chairman upon his sale of KITCO Fiber Optics, a defense-contracting firm, twice named as one of Virginia’s “Fantastic 50” fastest growing companies.

He is a member of the Commonwealth Transportation Board and the Board of Virginia Free. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Hampden-Sydney College, Washington College, and the Virginia Foundation of Independent Colleges. He serves as Vice Chairman of the Norfolk Board of TowneBank and is an Executive Board member of both the Greater Norfolk Corporation and the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.

His past community activities include service as Chairman or President of the Norfolk Economic Development Authority, the Norfolk Redevelopment & Housing Authority, the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee, the Better Business Bureau of Greater Hampton Roads, the Peninsula United Way Campaign, Hampton Roads Ventures, and the Norfolk Rotary Club.