2016 Membership and Foundation Forum

Michael (Mike) Colasurdo Sr. 

Mike Colasurdo was the first director for the paired Zones 24-32. He was a member of the RI Board of Directors 2008-2010. In 2009-2010 he served as the Rotary International Treasurer. Michael taught high school in Woodbridge, New Jersey. After departing the teaching profession, he became a self-employed businessman. Michael is a 24-year member of the Rotary Club of Brick Township in New Jersey. He has served RI as district governor, task force member, regional RI membership coordinator, and president's representative. Following his term as District Governor, Michael served as District Trainer for four years as well as a faculty member of several Zone Institutes and as Regional Vice Chair of the Rotary Leadership Institute. Michael is also very proud to have been elected to serve as his Rotary District's Representative to the Council on Legislation in 2001, 2004 and again in 2007. In the Rotary year 2001-02, Michael served as RI Membership Coordinator for Zone 32.

 

He is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, a Major Donor and Benefactor of the Permanent Fund, a Charter Member of the Bequest Society of the Rotary Foundation, as well as a recipient of the Meritorious Service Award. Michael served a two year term as Zone 32 Strategic Advisor of Annual Giving as well as serving as the Executive Trainer for Mid-Atlantic P.E.T.S. that comprises six districts in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Michael and Ann have three sons, all Rotarians. Michael's commitment to the Rotary Foundation is "from the heart" as evidenced by his entire family, wife, parents, children, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren all having been recognized as Paul Harris.

 

Carolyn Johnson

 

Carolyn Johnson is a member of the Rotary Club of Yarmouth, Maine, and has been a Rotarian since 2001.  Her introduction to Rotary was as a spouse, but she soon decided it was much more rewarding - and fun! - to be a member of a club. 

Professionally, Carolyn is an educator with more than 30 years experience.  She taught and was a principal at the elementary school level.  She was selected as a Distinguished Educator by the Maine Department of Education to assist schools in developing student support teams and anti-bullying programs.  In 2006, she began volunteering with the Guatemala Literacy Project.  This volunteerism evolved into developing a program to improve the quality of literacy instruction for indigenous children in Guatemala. She created and directs the Culture of Reading Program, which provides books, school supplies, and literacy training and support to rural schools in Guatemala.  This initiative has grown from a single school in 2007 to now serving more than 4200 children in 38 primary schools.

Carolyn was selected to be Group Study Exchange Team Leader to Poland in 2009.  She has chaired our District’s Literacy Resource, New Generations, Youth Protection and Foundation Transition Committee.  Carolyn is on staff of the Rotary Leadership Institute, is a facilitator for Club Visioning, and served on the District Training Team.  As a result of her work with literacy initiatives, Carolyn has addressed audiences at Zone Institutes and Rotary International Conventions on promising literacy practices in developing nations. She was a keynote speaker at the 2012 Northeast PETS (President Elect Training Seminar).  In 2009, Carolyn was honored to be awarded Rotary’s Service Above Self Award.

Carolyn has been involved with a number of community organizations, including Yarmouth Senior Housing, which provides safe, affordable housing options for elder citizens.  She is on the board of Learning Works, which offers education opportunities for at-risk youth, immigrants, and low-income families.