Past President Becky Keck’s love of the arts permeates her life, whether she is managing the SMARTS program, making beautiful chocolate-covered strawberries for celebrations, or hosting dinner parties at home. She credits her Rotary family with helping her to navigate some rough seas during her career. If you’ve missed being with her during the pandemic, then here is an opportunity to reconnect.
Name: Rebecca L Keck
Preferred Nickname: Becky
Years in Rotary: 17
Resident of: North Jackson
Hometown: North Jackson
How long have you lived here? I grew up here, moved east to Princeton, NJ, Virginia Beach, VA and Milford CT, before moving back. Most of my life has been here.
What brought you here, or kept you here? The quality of life is what keeps me here along with my family and friends.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication, Youngstown State University
Occupation: President/Founder, SMARTS, Students Motivated by the Arts
Who is in your family circle? Father, 2 brothers, 2 nieces, 3 nephews, 5 grand nieces and nephews.
Do you have any pets? If so, what are their names and what are they like? Tom Jones is a spicy dachshund poodle. Gulliver is a loyal yellow Labrador, and Noodle a three-legged cat thanks to my neighbor. They are all rescues.
When you are not working, how do you like to spend your time? Answering this is surreal as I will imagine pre-Covid. I like to be outdoors doing something like biking, swimming, camping, kayaking and indoors I like to have small dinner parties with all homemade foods. During COVID-19, things are very different and although I still like to do those things, I am mostly working and trying to stay healthy.
Why did you join Rotary? To be able to make an impact on the world at large. I was actively pursued by the Boardman Club but I joined Youngstown because it was my father's club.
Why do you remain a Rotarian? The same reason that I joined plus the connection to other Rotarians in our club and around the world.
Which Rotary Project resonates with you and your understanding of our community's needs? Our international effort to eradicate polio. Now with this pandemic, it's even clearer as to why this is so important. I also think that Rotary at large will be a change agent for peace around the world, and I want to be a part of that.
What does Rotary's motto "Service Above Self" mean to you? Exactly what it means. Others come first.
What would you be doing on Wednesdays if you didn't attend the weekly luncheon meeting? Working, working, working.
Which type of Rotary socials do you prefer - black tie affairs or casual attire? I enjoy all of them and cannot wait to see everyone in person again in the future.
A Rotary tradition is to have sing-alongs during meetings. Would you ever lead us in a song? Never. I have in the past as President, but that is not what I am good at.
What do you think of Scott Schulick's Rotary pants, and would you wear a pair? I love his Rotary pants but I don't think he's ready to lend them out for me to wear. I have a Rotary scarf that was a gift from Scott. When appropriate, I wear that.
What's a story of yours that you don't get to tell often enough? How in one of my most difficult years of my career, being the Rotary President helped me to keep my feet on the ground and surrounded by people who could support me and who trusted me to lead them. It's a story with a tough beginning and a great ending.