President Jared Evans led our Club Assembly which included spirited conversation over matters of concern to keep AWER growing and positively responsible for
leading change while cherishing our important history. President Jared provided succinct information
in his email to the membership on Friday afternoon, August 30. Below are
matters discussed:
Bylaws and Constitution: At the Club Assembly
members voted to approve updated bylaws and our Club's constitution.
Budget: Approved RY2024-25 on August 24, 2024 with revenue
forecasted at about $19,000 and total funds on hand around $32,000. Expenses
budget at the time of adoption are just below $25,000 for the Rotary Year. The
bulk of the club revenue (75%) is from AWER members paying their quarterly
dues. This is why it is critical that members pay their invoices in a timely
way. If we add more members, this will increase revenue and enable the board of
AWER to entertain and approve new cost proposals to on new humanitarian needs
as opportunities arise and the AWER board approves.
Scholarship: The scholarship is for
$2000. A process for soliciting
proposals from high school seniors has also been created. June 15, 2025, is the deadline for
interested students submitting applications for the scholarship.
President
Jared announced that AWER is seeking a new Public Image Chair to
lead that committee’s efforts and serve on our club board of directors. He requested interested members to contact
him. Separately, AWER President-Elect Victoria
Seals noted that information about AWER can be tagged to other notices,
thereby amplifying AWER awareness.
District
Conference and
the Rotary International Convention:
$2000 has been set aside for AWER members attendance at these gatherings
( priority will be that members attend the District Conference ). The
funds will be divided equally among those participants attending and only
reimburse conference registration fees ( not travel costs ).
District Conference: April 24-27, 2025 in Jekyll Island. Cost for Registration is $300 until December 15.
Rotary International Convention: June 24-25 in Calgary, Canada. Registration is $525 until December 15.
Sonia Hantman, membership chair, needs everyone’s support to meet the AWER goal of adding six members during the year. Also, AWER wants to be mindful of attracting and keeping members younger in age, but not in wisdom! Some companies reimburse employees becoming Rotary members' dues (sometimes meals, too), which can enhance member recruitment from corporations. Debra Stokes said she was recruiting an executive from Accenture. Separately, President Jared stressed all AWER members are on the Membership Committee and should be thinking of people in their network would make great AWER members!
C J Stewart stated that L.E.A.D. has obtained an MOU with the Atlanta Public Schools, which will enhance AWER's work with M. Agnes Jones Elementary School. He also hopes to increase partnership with AWER and L.E.A.D. through seven proposed service opportunities. CJ encouraged at least two Rotarians to lead one of the seven service activities in collaboration with the LEAD Center For Youth over the next 7 months. AWER members’ participation is crucial in making a meaningful impact in our community and students. C J's encouraging AWER members to work together to support young athletes and foster community spirit! Here are the seven service activities:
Core Value Training: Attend a one-hour session in September and January.
Rookies vs. Rotarians Wiffle Ball Game: Host a themed game in October.
Community Trash Clean-Up: Organize a clean-up event in the West End community in November.
Holiday Party: Host a festive gathering with cookies and ice cream in December.
MLK Day Event: Plan an event on January 20, 2025, at the LEAD Center For Youth.
Rotary Meeting at M. Agnes Jones: Host a meeting in February with Rookie parents.
Baseball Games: Support and attend games at Booker T. Washington High School from April through May. Find a fellow Rotarian and select a program from one of these great opportunities - and ask C J for help - he and Kelli are ready!
Rose Caplan and Mark Newman reported that the international project to obtain ultrasound equipment for Victoria Hospital in South Africa, AWER has raised $4,000 which is being matched by District 6900, and pooled with additional funds from numerous other Districts and Rotary Clubs. The total amount of cash contributions that were pledged for this grant is $14,950.
Our meeting concluded with long-serving member and two x AWERpresident Frances Ellison-Dansby who introduced her two guests for the meeting: (1) Granddaughter Kamaria B. Dansby who's in her 4th year at Emory Medical School after obtaining her BS in Biology at Georgia Tech. In the summer of 2025, she will be entering a residency program in a hospital yet to be determined. (2) Then Frances presented Kamaria's brother, Omarr D. Dansby, graduate of Morehouse College in Business Administration, who's beginning his second year at Emory Law School.
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Neil Shorthouse, Keyway editor
Rotary Club of Atlanta West End Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center 800 Spring St NW Atlanta, GA 30308