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Welcome to the Rotary Club of Natick
Are you someone who lives or works in the Natick MA area and wants to make positive changes in our community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.
President Rachel Vingsness 'Passes The Gavel' To New President Eileen Fitz
Eileen Fitz Inducted as Natick Rotary's President For 2025-2026
We all gathered at the Brandon School in June to celebrate Rachel Vingsness' extraordinary year as president and to welcome incoming president, Eileen Fitz. Below are comments from them both:
From Outgoing President Rachel Vingsness -
"We have done so much great work together. When reflecting on the past year and I’m not sure how this mighty team accomplished so much. And made it look effortless. It’s incredible.
Some of the headlines
· We completed 193 service acts this year.
· We distributed over 35k to nonprofits and scholarships to support our community (special shout out to the teams that led our golf tournament and tour in order to do this)
· Welcomed 13 new members
· And there were some firsts for us: we were awarded a $4,500 external grant for Open Door expenses from Mutual One, we had our first ever Boston Marathon runner, and a wildly successful restaurant fundraiser through Mexicali, a guest with 4 legs, and a guest with 0 legs!
This was a full team effort. Every single person contributed to our success.
New Member Award: This award goes out to an exemplary new member. This new member has been instrumental in all parts of the club- identifying meeting speakers, recruiting new members, attending service events, being a Rotary ambassador, and even taking on an officer role in the upcoming year. This award goes to - Gary Shilman!
Impact Award: This award is a club nominated award. Members submitted a vote to me for the person they thought had the most impact on the club this past year. There were two clear stand outs.
The Runner up for this award is an all-around incredible contributor. They jump in whenever and wherever needed. They exemplify Service Above Self. This person is a board member, past president, co-led the redesign of our new website, mentor, and champion of Rotary. The runner up for the impact award is - Vinny Tingley!
Now for the winner of the Impact Award. This person is a also board member, they co-led the redesign of our new website, manages our social media, makes delicious desserts for Open Door, and is the chair of the Tour de Natick. No surprise that the winner is - Dawn Carberry!
Paul Harris Fellow Award: The Paul Harris Fellow award is a prestigious recognition given by Rotary to individuals who have made a substantial contribution to the organization. The nominating committee for this award is the President, President Elect, and Secretary.
This member has been part of the club for over 10 years. They have played a significant role in each part of our organization during their tenure. They have been a Past President. They have led the golf tournament, the grant program, elevated our operations through advanced technology and new systems, webmaster extraordinaire, and they have served as our Club Treasurer for the past 6 years. This award goes to - Eric Lazarri!
But amongst all of this success and celebration I would be remiss not to mention that we lost a dear friend and Rotarian this year. Dr Joseph Keefe. He was an instrumental part of this club for 49 years and had immense impact on the greater Natick community. He inspired so many of us and I know to honor him we will carry on his legacy and keep him in our hearts and minds."
From Incoming President Eileen Fitz -
"I want to start by saying thank you for this honor— for your trust and for giving me the opportunity to serve as President of the Rotary Club of Natick.
First, a huge thank-you to our outgoing president, Rachel, who has led this club with heart, purpose, and plenty of dad jokes. She made it all look so easy—which is both inspiring… and, to be honest, a little intimidating.
Rachel, you’ve raised the bar. I’m hoping that with the support of all of you—and maybe a ladder—I’ll be able to reach it… and maybe even raise it a bit higher. So Rachel thank you for your leadership, your patience, and for leaving the club better than you found it.
I was first introduced to the Rotary Club of Natick in 2008, when Embrace A Family became a subcommittee and a proud program of this Club.
Even then, I sensed there was something special about this Club—but it wasn’t until I became a member that I truly understood why.
What I found was more than service. I found a community.
A group of people who don’t just care — they show up.
You roll up your sleeves to flip the burgers, rake the leaves, serve the meals, and sell the raffle tickets.
You say “yes” when it’s easier to say “maybe,” and show up when it counts — again and again.
My goals this year are simple: to strengthen what we already do well, and to create more opportunities for members to feel connected, involved, and proud of the work we do together.
So thank you again for the trust you’ve placed in me.
I’m honored to serve as president, and I’m excited for what lies ahead as we approach the 100th anniversary of the Natick Rotary.
So here’s to service, to each other, and to another year of doing good things."
A huge thank you to both women for their willingness to lead and their Service Above Self.
A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF THIS YEAR'S TOUR SPONSORS!!!
A Warm Welcome To New Members Katie Love, Heather Rockwood and Jason Mancuso!
We've had induction ceremonies for 13 new members in the past year - 3 of them just this week! New member Jason Mancuso, and Corporate members Katie Love and Heather Rockwood from the Natick Center Cultural District, were inducted on Tuesday and are the latest members of the Rotary Club of Natick - welcome, welcome! We look forward to working together in support of the Natick community!
We recently invited Barbara Keefe, Dr Keefe's beloved wife, to a Rotary meeting so that we could share how grateful we have been to both of them. Here are President Rachel Vingsness' poignant remarks:
Fellow Rotarians, and honored guests,
Today, we continue to celebrate the remarkable life and service of our dear friend and distinguished member, Dr. Joseph Keefe, who dedicated 49 years to the Rotary Club of Natick. His unwavering commitment and passion for service have left a mark on our community and on each of us who had the privilege to know him.
We also recognize the incredible support that Barbara provided throughout Joe’s 49 years of membership. Barbara, you have been an unwavering in your commitment to service and the Rotary Club of Natick. And for that, we are deeply grateful. It is my great honor to present you with this special diamond Rotary Veterans pin. This pin symbolizes not only years of dedicated service but also the bond we all share as Rotarians and friends.
Barbara please accept this pin, representing the shining legacy and the lasting impact both you and Joe have had on this club. As you wear this pin, may it remind you of the countless lives touched and the love and respect we all have for you.
We would also like to extend a heartfelt and sincere invitation for you to continue joining us at our meetings and events as a cherished friend of the Rotary. Your presence will always be welcomed and celebrated.
Max Ignatov with his daughter - running is a family event!
Max Ignatov - Father | Runner | Chief Technology Officer - and the Natick Rotary's Runner in this year's Boston Marathon!
Hi, I'm Max! I’m passionate about making a positive impact in my community and beyond. Fundraising for the Natick Rotary Club allows me to channel my energy into causes close to my heart. Whether it’s supporting education, healthcare, or environmental initiatives, I believe every effort counts. I’m excited to connect with like-minded individuals and inspire change together. Join me on this journey as we work towards a brighter future for all. Your support means the world to me, and together, we can truly make a difference! Thank you for being part of this mission!
I'm hoping to raise $4,500 for the Natick Rotary - which will help their community outreach through grants, scholarships and their hands on support of local non-profits. Every donation, no matter how small, helps the club positively impact our Natick community.
Please donate here
Learn more about Max:
"I am the Chief Technology Officer at BenefitScape. With a deep passion for software development and business development, I specialize in building scalable, efficient solutions that empower companies to thrive in a competitive landscape. My expertise lies in optimizing processes, streamlining operations, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to create meaningful impact.
Beyond my professional role, I have a strong passion for integrating the digital and physical worlds. As a hobby, I develop interactive games that blend hardware and software, exploring new ways to enhance user experiences and engagement. I believe technology should not only solve problems but also create new, exciting possibilities.
Running is a core part of my daily routine—I run every day, often with my daughter, who is also a dedicated runner and a half-marathon finisher. Running has taught me discipline, endurance, and resilience—values I apply both in my professional and personal life. My personal goal is to build a global platform that connects runners based on their skills and training needs, helping them stay motivated and committed to their goals.
I strongly value honesty and open intentions in people. In both business and life, I believe these qualities are rare but essential for building strong relationships and fostering collaboration."
Alan & Latte
Our weekly speakers are usually members of the greater Natick community but we're sometimes lucky enough to hear from one of our own. Recently, Alan Waltzman - and his pet Latte - spoke to us:
Alan grew up in Needham and joined the Needham Rotary when he was 25 years old but after moving to Natick, he transferred his membership to the Natick Rotary and has been an important member of the group ever since.
Alan has been married to his wife Amy for 27 years and together they have 2 sons - Max who lives in NJ & Sam
who lives in TX. Alan has had asthma since he was young and this has led to some interesting pets. In college he had a tarantula, and then
branched out with a Burmese Python but when he married and then had this sons he downgraded to a single Leopard Gecko - that somehow turned into 3
upon adoption! Alan and Amy now own just one Ball Python snake that Sam somehow convinced them to get during a visit tothe pet store. Today, their python 'Latte' is 10-13 years old. And SURPRISE-we got to see, touch and hold her (for those that were brave enough) at the meeting today.
Thank you Alan, we loved finding out more about you and Latte!
Apply now thru February 15th
The Rotary Club of Natick has a rich 98 year history of supporting Natick and the greater MetroWest community. Our motto is “Service Above Self” and we provide volunteer and funding support to local nonprofits.
Apply now for your opportunity to receive a grant through our Rotary Grant Program. Our typically grant size is $500- $2,000. If you or anyone you know, does good things in Natick, please apply today using the link below.
All grant applications must be received before February 15, 2025.
A special thank you to our sponsors and golfers that came together last fall for the annual Brett Conaway Cup at Sandy Burr Country Club in Wayland MA. Your support makes this funding for small to mid size nonprofits possible.
Contest sponsors include: Metrowest Subaru, JMAC Development
Benefactor sponsors include: Middlesex Savings Bank, Mutual One, Independent Piping, Janice Burke Realty, George & Vicky Levoy, South Natick Law, Arthur Fine Homes, The Allain Group, Van Millwork, Ken Phillips Law, Brandon School
Third Graders in the Natick Elementary Schools Received their very own dictionary this month!
Max is running the Boston Marathon to support the Natick Rotary Club. This is our first ever Boston Marathon Runner.
Come support Max and the Natick Rotary Club and enjoy, food, fun, and raffles at the Dudley Chateau in Wayland! March 19th, 5 to 7 PM.
All for a good cause!
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