Rotary membership had been on Gerri Jenkins's to-do list for a long time before her job change allowed her to make the commitment. This type of determination to follow through on her plans is just one of her guiding characteristics. Learn more about this and how YBJ Founder Andrea Wood has inspired her to pay it forward.
Name: Geraldine Jenkins
Preferred Nickname: Gerri
Years in Rotary: 1
Resident of: Vienna Township
Hometown: Austintown
How long have you lived here? 62 years
What brought you here, or kept you here? I was born here and even during the 20 years I worked in Cleveland, I commuted and lived here.
Education: Two degrees from Youngstown State University - Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Theater and a Master of Business Administration; Education Specialist degree in Education from Kent State University; currently working on my Dissertation for a doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Northcentral University.
Occupation: Executive Director, Mahoning Valley College Access Program
Who is in your family circle? My companion, Bob Pairan; three children, Melissa McKenney, Jim Sullivan, Kelly Sullivan, and their spouses; and four beautiful grandchildren. I also have seven siblings.
When you are not working, how do you like to spend your time? Singing at church and in choirs (pre-pandemic), binge watching the original “Law & Order”; cooking and baking; and reading Danielle Steel novels.
Why did you join Rotary? I have wanted to do so for some time and after I came back to the area for work, I had a chance to do presentation. I knew then I had to join. It was the best time decision ever.
Why do you remain a Rotarian? I enjoy the opportunities for networking, interaction and service.
Which Rotary Project resonates with you and your understanding of our community's needs? Definitely Operation Warm and the Rotary Scholarship.
What does Rotary's motto "Service Above Self" mean to you? It means that we should all consider the needs of others before our own and give of our time, talent and resources joyfully.
What would you be doing on Wednesdays if you didn't attend the weekly luncheon meeting? Working through lunch.
Who is in your family circle? My companion, Bob Pairan; three children, Melissa McKenney, Jim Sullivan, Kelly Sullivan, and their spouses; and four beautiful grandchildren. I also have seven siblings.
When you are not working, how do you like to spend your time? Singing at church and in choirs (pre-pandemic), binge watching the original “Law & Order”; cooking and baking; and reading Danielle Steel novels.
Why did you join Rotary? I have wanted to do so for some time and after I came back to the area for work, I had a chance to do presentation. I knew then I had to join. It was the best time decision ever.
Why do you remain a Rotarian? I enjoy the opportunities for networking, interaction and service.
Which Rotary Project resonates with you and your understanding of our community's needs? Definitely Operation Warm and the Rotary Scholarship.
What does Rotary's motto "Service Above Self" mean to you? It means that we should all consider the needs of others before our own and give of our time, talent and resources joyfully.
What would you be doing on Wednesdays if you didn't attend the weekly luncheon meeting? Working through lunch.
Which type of Rotary socials do you prefer - black tie affairs or casual attire? I like every chance to socialize and can’t wait until we can do that safely once again.
A Rotary tradition is to have sing-alongs during meetings. Would you ever lead us in a song? You bet.
What's a story of yours that you don't get to tell often enough? I’m pretty verbal and transparent so my stories are well known. I guess the one that comes to mind is after my daughter was born 30 years ago. I was not working and my husband was not making enough money to sustain a family of five. Exactly one month to the day she was born, I got up, dressed, and began looking for work, determined to be employed by the end of the day. I walked around downtown Youngstown, visiting contacts I had made in the media. One stop was to the Business Journal to see Andrea Wood. She and I had interacted during the time I worked briefly at WYTV as Assignment Editor. As we spoke, she asked if I needed a job, which of course, I did. She hired me on the spot as an Industry Survey writer. I learned so much in that position and actually made the connection for my transition into Higher Education during that time. I will never forget Andrea, her kindness and her willingness to help me.
A Rotary tradition is to have sing-alongs during meetings. Would you ever lead us in a song? You bet.
What's a story of yours that you don't get to tell often enough? I’m pretty verbal and transparent so my stories are well known. I guess the one that comes to mind is after my daughter was born 30 years ago. I was not working and my husband was not making enough money to sustain a family of five. Exactly one month to the day she was born, I got up, dressed, and began looking for work, determined to be employed by the end of the day. I walked around downtown Youngstown, visiting contacts I had made in the media. One stop was to the Business Journal to see Andrea Wood. She and I had interacted during the time I worked briefly at WYTV as Assignment Editor. As we spoke, she asked if I needed a job, which of course, I did. She hired me on the spot as an Industry Survey writer. I learned so much in that position and actually made the connection for my transition into Higher Education during that time. I will never forget Andrea, her kindness and her willingness to help me.