District 7450

DGE Joan Batory
Philadelphia Rotary Club

Joan began her career as a teacher in Camden NJ to better the lives of her students. When she earned her Master's Degree in Environmental Studies, she changed her focus to improving the quality of life for the residents of Camden County and was appointed as Director of the Camden County (NJ) Environmental Agency. During her tenure, Joan was constantly invited to present environmental programs to area Rotary Clubs, which she was not invited to join since Rotary did not accept women at that time.

She served on the first New Jersey Pinelands Commission that authored a land use plan for over 1.2 million environmentally sensitive acres in South Jersey. She then moved on to the National Park Service.

Joan was invited to join the Rotary Club of West Chester, PA (District 7450) when she was recruited to create a ten year recycling and waste management plan and create municipal recycling programs for Chester County, PA. Joan served as Sergeant at Arms, club Program Chair and was elected to the Board of Directors.

She transferred to the Rotary Club of Philadelphia when she was recruited as the Recycling Coordinator for the City of Philadelphia. There she served on the Board of Directors, as Chair of the Membership Committee and received a Rotarian of the Month Award. When Joan was Centennial President, her club hosted the Centennial Bell and invited all area clubs to a district wide celebratory luncheon attended by almost 450 Rotarians and guests.

She received the District Governor's Award in 2006 and served for two years on the District Rotaract Committee, which organized the first Rotaract Leadership Institute for the district's newly formed Rotaract Clubs. She was appointed as an Alternate Assistant Governor and liaison for District 7450 to the Rotary Water Resource Group and then served as Assistant Governor.

Joan and her husband Joe have hosted several Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars and enjoy attending International Conventions. They are both members of the Rotary International Birding Fellowship and both are Paul Harris Fellows.

As District 7450 Governor in 2010-2011, Joan is looking forward to energizing district clubs and committees, increasing membership through district sponsored events and promoting a district wide Day of Service to celebrate the Rotary Club of Philadelphia's Centennial.