About Our Club
Service Above Self since 2003
Who We Are
The Rotary Club of Downtown Lock Haven is a small but active service club in Clinton County, Pennsylvania. Chartered on March 13, 2003, the club celebrated its 23rd birthday in March 2026. We belong to Rotary International's District 7360, the regional group of Rotary clubs in our part of the state.
We are known throughout the community for our signature projects including Flags of Honor, Angel Lights, Little Red Schoolhouse Libraries, and our annual scholarship program. Our motto embraces Rotary's "Service Above Self" and "People of Action" principles.
Our members come from all walks of life: The Express newspaper, Woodlands Bank, Diakon/AmeriCorps Seniors, Rachel K Creations, and throughout Clinton County's business and nonprofit community. We share a commitment to improving our community through hands-on service, fundraising, and fellowship.
The Four-Way Test
Of the things we think, say, or do: Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
And the Downtown Lock Haven Club has added: Have fun!
Meetings
- When: every Tuesday at 5:30 PM (social time at 5:15)
- Where: Poorman Gallery, 352 E. Water St., Lock Haven, PA
- What happens: a mix of regular club meetings (guest speakers, program updates, fellowship) and work sessions for active projects. To find out what's planned for a particular Tuesday, email us at dlhrotaryclub@gmail.com.
- Bad weather: in severe weather, Zoom participation is available. Email us for the link.
Poorman Gallery renovations begin October 19, 2026; while the work is under way, please use the back entrance.
Meet our current club officers.
Happy Dollars are voluntary contributions made at meetings that go to a rotating local charity every six months. The current recipient is The New Love Center.
Community Impact
During the 2023-24 Rotary year, the club awarded $5,500 in scholarships and contributed approximately $5,000 to other causes including food programs, polio eradication, ShelterBox, and support for Ukrainian families. Organizations we have supported over the years include Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Boxes of Hope, The New Love Center, Haven Cupboard, the Lock Haven Area Shoe Bank, Roads to Peace, Salvation Army, Merit House, Bear Country Christmas Wish, and many more.
Annual Awards
Rotarian of the Year
- 2024-25: Wendy Stiver
- 2023-24: Diahann Claghorn
- 2021-22: Marianne Lotfi
Downtowner of the Year
- 2024-25: Melissa Dally (Downtown Lock Haven Inc. / Clinton County Economic Partnership)
Paul Harris Fellows
A Paul Harris Fellow award recognizes a gift of $1,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation — Rotary International's charitable foundation, which is working to eradicate polio, operates Peace Centers around the world, addresses environmental challenges, and funds clean water and sanitation projects worldwide. Each additional $1,000 gift is recognized with a sapphire. Our club's Fellows:
Fellows
- Carmen Banfill
- Janine Bruno
- Bonnie Hannis
Fellows with one or more sapphires
- Jeanne Baker
- Diahann Claghorn
- Wendy Doherty
- Marianne Lotfi
Community Connections
We partner with the Lock Haven Rotary Club (the "noon club") on select initiatives, including the Four-Way Test Speech Contest at Central Mountain High School. The Rotary Club of Lock Haven is a separate club that meets at noon on Tuesdays at Great Island Presbyterian Church, while this club meets Tuesday evenings at the Poorman Gallery. Our club also collaborates with numerous local nonprofits through the annual People of Action Open House, where we feature local organizations. In past years the open house has supported three or four local nonprofits.
Press Coverage
The Express (lockhaven.com (opens in a new tab)) covers many of our activities. In February 2026, our Valentine's Day goody tray deliveries to first responders were featured on the front page.