Welcome to Albany Rotary

Founded on the belief that our communities are strongest when people come together, the Albany Rotary Club brings local leaders, professionals, and changemakers together to create lasting, positive impact. For more than a century, Rotarians in Albany have worked side-by-side to support youth, advance education, promote health, and strengthen organizations that make our region thrive. Maintaining a legacy requires adapting for the future . . .

Introducing Albany Mosaic Rotary — A Modern, Inclusive Impact Club for Modern Service.
As a companion club to the Albany Rotary Club, Albany Mosaic was created to broaden access to service, leadership, and fellowship for people whose schedules, identities, or life experiences may not fit the traditional club model. We believe that the strongest service is built from a mosaic of perspectives, backgrounds, and talents.

The Albany Rotary Club and Albany Mosaic Rotary stand together as two generations of service—one a legacy club with deep roots in our community, and the other a modern, inclusive impact club built for today’s world. United by Rotary values and strengthened by our shared commitment to meaningful impact, we collaborate to serve the Capital Region through projects that honor our history while embracing new voices, new ideas, and new ways to lead. Together, we embody Rotary’s spirit to Unite for Good—proving that when tradition and innovation work side-by-side, our ability to transform lives grows stronger than ever.

42nd Annual Brain Barr Youth Recognition

Celebrating Promise, Perseverance, and Potential

Join the Albany Rotary Club in celebrating 42 years of impact—and help ensure that every young person honored knows they are seen, valued, and supported. In a world where challenges can often overshadow potential, the Brian Barr Youth Recognition Luncheon stands as a reminder:

Recognition can change a life.
Encouragement can shape a future.
And community can make the difference.

For more than four decades, the Albany Rotary Club has proudly hosted one of the Capital Region’s most meaningful traditions—honoring young people whose resilience, growth, and determination deserve to be seen, celebrated, and supported.

Now in its 42nd year, the Brian Barr Youth Recognition Luncheon continues this legacy by uplifting youth who have demonstrated extraordinary personal progress despite significant life challenges. Named in honor of Brian Barr, a devoted Rotarian and youth advocate, this event reflects Rotary’s enduring belief: every young person deserves recognition, encouragement, and opportunity.

Reserve Tickets / Join Honorary Committee

Building Bridges - Past, Present, Future

picture of a group of smiling people in front of a brick wall

On a crisp Saturday night, warmth and friendship emanated from Common Roots Brewing Company's Albany Outpost as Rotarians current and future came together from across CNY to celebrate the formation of a unique companion club. The Albany Mosaic Club is the companion to a legacy club, Albany Rotary, designed to help Rotary grow and thrive in our state capital by creating a purposefully inclusive space to be filled with members who may not currently see Rotary as accessible or relevant to them. The club's name, Mosaic, eliciting the image of all the colors, shapes and textures of a tile mosaic coming together to create something beautiful.

Bell Ringing 2025

Albany Rotary Rings in the Spirit of Giving with the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign.

Each December, the familiar sound of ringing bells signals more than just the holiday season—it represents generosity, community, and service above self. This year, Albany Rotary was proud to once again support the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign, continuing a tradition of giving that has made a meaningful impact in our community.

Over the course of two days of bell ringing, Albany Rotary and our friends helped raise $1,327, a testament to the kindness of shoppers and the dedication of our volunteers. Even more impressive, this brings Albany Rotary’s cumulative total over the past few years to $9,000 raised in support of the Salvation Army’s vital programs. These funds help provide food, shelter, emergency assistance, and hope to individuals and families throughout the Capital Region when they need it most.

This year’s success would not have been possible without the people who generously gave their time—often standing for hours in the cold with smiles, bells, and warm greetings. A heartfelt thank you to our Rotary volunteers:
George, Greg Jackson, President Rafael Campiz, Lorenzo Murray, and Peter Mason, who collectively contributed 10 volunteer hours to the campaign.

We are equally grateful to the non-Rotarians who stepped up in the spirit of service and partnership, contributing an impressive 12 volunteer hours. Thank you to Rich Suker, Carol Whitaker, LeAnne Weber, Jim Lawlor, Peter Mason's sons - Peter and Matt Mason, and Matt’s son, Ben, who proudly rang bells alongside Peter, showing that service truly spans generations.

A special thank you to Price Chopper / Market 32 in Guilderland for welcoming our volunteers and providing a high-visibility location that helped make this effort such a success. Community partners like Market 32 play an essential role in creating opportunities for service and connection.

Albany Rotary’s Red Kettle participation is more than a fundraiser—it’s a reflection of our commitment to community service, collaboration, and compassion. Every dollar dropped into the kettle represents a moment of generosity and a reminder that when people come together, small actions can create a powerful impact.

As we look ahead, Albany Rotary remains proud to stand—bell in hand—for those in need and grateful to everyone who helped ring in hope this holiday season.

photoalbums/2025-bell-ringing

12 Years of ThanksGIVING Meals

Twleve Years of ThanksGIVING meals.

Allie B's Cozy Kitchen and Albany came together once again to celebrate 12 incredible years of giving away Thanksgiving meals to families in our community and what a week it’s been.  Albany Rotary and Albany Mosaic showed up in service and support.
From the days leading up to the holiday, Albany Rotary donated and did the shopping for sweet potato pies, cranberries, cornbread, mac & cheese, cake mixes. To members of both Albany and Albany Mosaic showing up on Thanksgiving day, streets lined double parked with cars loading trunks and hand-delivering meals all around the capital region. 
This is what community looks like.  This is what service above self feels like. We are all grateful to be part
of a city that takes care of one another.  This is what community is all about.

The RED Bookshelf

Albany Rotary spends time volunteering at The RED (read each day) Bookshelf helping to prepare books for distribution throughout the capital region. They are a favorite community partner that is currently in our regular service night rotation.

While there, we sort and categorize donated books, review, clean and mend books so that they are in like-new condition before they land in the hands of their new owner. Once the books are in tip top condition they are placed in schools, barbershops, health care offices and more awaiting a child to take them to their new home.