Norma joined Newark Rotary Club in December 1998 but her first introduction to Rotary was when she was awarded in the Philippines the Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship to the U.S. in 1979-80.

Norma was teaching elementary school students who are blind or visually impaired when Rotary recruited her for the scholarship. The scholarship enabled Norma to attend Syracuse University where she completed her Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. Upon graduation from Syracuse University, Norma accepted employment with Wayne ARC in Newark, New York. She started as Rehabilitation Counselor. She is currently the Director of Vocational Services. Norma has been with Wayne ARC for over 27 years.

 

While with the Newark Rotary Club, Norma was elected member of the Board of Directors in July 1999 and served in various Club committees such as youth exchange, community service, international service, etc. She was one of the original members of the Wayne County Rotary Spelling Bee that the club initiated in 1999. She became Club President in 2005-2006.  During one of Norma and Gary’s visits to the Philippines, they had a make-up meeting at a local Rotary Club in Baguio. That make-up meeting resulted into two World Community Service Projects that benefited school children with disabilities. Newark Rotary Club was very supportive of these projects that were geared to addressing the educational and vocational needs of school children in Baguio City, Philippines where Norma used to teach blind students.

 

At the District level, Norma was appointed Chair for the District Club Achievement Awards Committee from 2003 through 2008; co-chair of the District Literacy Committee from 2006 through 2009. She was the Assistant Governor for Area 11 for two terms in 2007-2009. She completed the Rotary Leadership Institute (Part I, II, III & Graduate levels).

 

Norma is married to Gary who is also a Rotarian who started his membership with the Honeoye Lake Rotary Club in 1985. As a new member, Gary was appointed  Club Polio Fund Committee Chair. Gary successfully exceeded the Club’s target goal with this appointment. After getting married, Gary and Norma settled in Fairport. Gary transferred his membership to Newark Rotary Club where he remains a member. At Newark Rotary, Gary was elected Club President in 1999-2000. At the District level, Gary was appointed Area Rep. for 2 terms and Assistant Governor for three terms. He completed the Rotary Leadership Institute Training (Part I, II, III & Graduate levels) and co-chair of the District Literacy Committee.

 

Norma and Gary are multiple Paul Harris Fellows, Rotary Foundation Bequest Society members, Sustaining members and Benefactors.

 

Norma and Gary do volunteer work with the Red Cross and the Wayne Community Hospital fund raising events. They enjoy their time together playing golf, home gardening and traveling to visit relatives and friends around the U.S. and outside of the country.