Community Spotlight: ROOT Culinary Workforce Development
The Salem Rotary Club recently welcomed Nate Berkowitz, Executive Director of ROOT in Salem, for an inspiring presentation on the organization's growth and vision.
ROOT was founded in 2017 with a straightforward mission: help young adults ages 16–26 facing barriers to employment find a pathway to independence through culinary workforce training. The program focuses on the whole person from life skills to knife skills with free tuition, a trainee stipend, and even a transportation stipend to remove as many barriers as possible.
Nate, who comes from a career in hospitality and joined ROOT first as a volunteer and board member, shared exciting milestones from the organization's current strategic plan. ROOT is doubling its annual graduates from 25 to 50, expanding its alumni employment program, and has grown its community catering output from 1,500 meal units in Q1 of last year to 13,000 this year, with a goal of 50,000 by year end. Community catering partners include the Salem Pantry, among others.
Perhaps the biggest news: beginning this September, ROOT will operate the food service at both campuses of North Shore Community College in Lynn and Danvers, creating 15–20 new jobs for ROOT alumni while expanding training capacity.
Seth closed by celebrating the remarkable spirit of collaboration among North Shore nonprofits, noting that partnerships like the one with Salem Rotary are what make ROOT's work possible. Salem Rotary President Elect Jason Lang dropped a little nugget, that he plans to have his Installation Dinner at ROOT. Stay tuned for more details!
To learn more or explore hosting your next event at ROOT's beautiful harbor-view event space, reach out to the organization directly.
Rotarians in Action! Community Service Project at the Pantry
Calendar Winners!
Bruce Whear sold by Bruce Whear (again)
50:50 Raffle
$1,290 Pot
No Winners this week!
Visitors and Guest Rotarians
No guests as Rick Jones was in attendance but received his Salem Rotary welcome materials. Welcome aboard!
Volunteer
Let’s not forget our motto, Service Above Self! The Community Service Committee is working hard this year to find more opportunities for Salem Rotarians to serve in our community.
Salem Pantry Market Hours
May 2 | 8-10 AM
Ota Exchange - Seeking Host Families July 26 - August 3, 2026
The City of Salem is seeking local families to host visiting students from its sister city, Ota-ku in Tokyo, Japan, as part of a long-standing cultural exchange program now in its 35th year. From July 26 to August 3, 28 middle school students (ages 13–14) will travel to the North Shore for a week of English language learning and cultural immersion, and each student is placed with a host family—creating meaningful connections, cultural understanding, and often lifelong friendships. This is a unique and rewarding opportunity for families, especially those with (pre)teens, to experience another culture right at home while making a lasting impact on a young person’s life. Families interested in hosting, or who would like to learn more, are encouraged to reach out at salemotaculturalexchange@gmail.com.
Club Events
Why should you go to fellowship events?
Because they’re fun!
Jason Lang Installation Dinner Evening of June 23 More Details to Follow
District News
District 7930 Spring Conference Saturday, May 2, 2026 | Salem Waterfront Hotel
Registration is open and only $99 for a fun-packed day including lunch buffet! Deadline to register is April 18, 2026. Working with our own Carolyn Shapiro, they plan to pack in a fun and energizing day: - Hear the latest in the District over an amazing luncheon - Participate in a district service activity - See the sites of the amazing city of Salem via a (optional) trolley tour, and; - Go Pirate! Visit one of Salem's top attractions - Real Pirates Salem Click this link for more information and register!
Salem Rotarians Say . . .
There was no time for happy dollars this week, so let's reuse last wek's because I am lazy. Sue Gabriel brought in a treasure this week that had the Club a buzz! A photo of our Club’s founding fathers was discovered by neighbors of a Beverly Rotarian who passed it on to Sue. The photo features what is presumed to be the first board of directors of the Salem Rotary Club, with President George Ashton seated center. The original image is at the hotel, but below is an annotated copy along with some history and the list of charter members, which was including with the photo.
Where we met
Our first 8 meetings took place at the Roger Conant Inn, but membership increased so rapidly that getting into larger quarters was inevitable. For some time we debated whether to take the 2nd floor of the Lynde Building at 145 Essex Street, or the Frankling Building at the corner of Essex Street and Hawthorne Boulevard. During the negotiations, the management of the Franklin Building offered the club a trial meeting, including a free meal. Following that evening, and in spite of rent that was $1- per month higher, the Franklin Building became our permanent meeting place. We had 54 members at that time, and they chipped in over a thousand dollars to purchase tables, chairs, dishes, linens and various other necessities. George Morrill gave us a large tapestry to hang on the wall, and Robin Damon contributed a clock with the proviso that it should always be placed facing the speaker. Pictures were given by Clarke Brown, Bill Strangman and Frank Tuttle, and somehow, a piano was procured.
Charter Members of the Salem Rotary Club
Harry C. Annable, Department Store (Almy’s) George W. Ashton, Shoes – Retail Henry M. Batchelder, Commercial Banking (Merchants National) John M. Bosshart, Principal – Salem High School J. Clarke Brown, Hardware – Waters and Brown Edward K. Burbeck, Physician Robert P. Butterick, Telephone Service James N. Clarke, Haberdashery Leland H. Cole, Trust Company (Naumkeag) Robert W. Hill, Lawyer George W. Hooper, Laundries William E. Lavender, Printing William B. Mansfield, Unknown George A. Morrill, Rugs & Draperies Aubrey A. Nelson, Photographer Fred A. Norton, Insurance Arthur H. Palmer, Men’s Clothing Laurence E. Pedrick, Druggist (Ropes) Leonard B. Pickering, Coal Dealer George W. Pitman, Contractor J. Foster Smith, Cotton Mill (Pequot) S. Fred Smith, Salem Electric Light William F. Strangman, Dentistry Clarence R. Taylor, Unknown George E. Taylor, Optometry Alvah P. Thompson, Unknown John L. Tudbury, Salem Gas Company Josiah B. Wentworth, Wholesale Meat (Swift) Frank U. Wetmore, Unknown Edward L. Whitman, Salem Evening News
