PDG Bonnie Sirower

Although she was briefly a member of the Cranford, NJ Rotary Club and the New Rochelle, NY Rotary Club, she returned to her home in the Paterson Club six years ago. She served as Assistant District Secretary in 1997‐98, and as Assistant Governor for three years.

In 2009‐2010, she was District Secretary under DGE Raj Bhatia. As the head of Resource Groups for five years, she spearheaded District Rotary campaigns to dig wells and bring safe water to countries throughout the world. Bonnie has been honored with both Rotary Paul Harris and Walter Head fellowships and was recently awarded Rotary International’s Service Above Self award.

A certified fund raising executive, Bonnie has worked in the non‐profit sector for more than 31 years. She has served as the senior executive for development for such organizations as Barnert Hospital, Cheshire Home in Florham Park, United Way of Passaic County and worked as the Director of Annual Giving for Union County College and Iona College in New Rochelle, NY.

After serving as Executive Director for the Community Blood Services Foundation, she established her own consulting firm, Liaisons for Funding in January of 2007. Her clients include United Way of Essex/W. Hudson, the YWCA of Central New Jersey, Prodigal Sons and Daughters, Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiatives, and CUMAC, Paterson’s food bank. Bonnie has raised more than $60 million for organizations during her career.

She was honored with the Robert J. Smythe award for Outstanding Fundraiser in the State of New Jersey in 1995, and, by mayoral proclamation from now Congressman Bill Pascrell, has had a day named after her in Paterson for initiating the Pride in Paterson clean‐up project through Rotary. She is also a member of the Board of the YMCA of Paterson. When not working for Rotary or her business, Bonnie is an avid crossword puzzler, and loves to crochet and bead. She lives in Glen Rock with her husband of 42 years, Marty, a biomedical engineer, Her son Ken is an architect and her son Dan is a specialist in restaurant computers.