DG Jim with the Rotaract Club of Atlanta and the Atlanta Metro Rotary Club in early March - before our days of social distancing

From Our District Governor

Connecting to Rotary in a Whole New Way

By Jim Squire

Rotary is secular. Our membership is global and represents many different religions as well as non-believers. But there are challenging times when we all need to look to each other for strength while also seeking the comfort and courage from our individual faith. In my case, there is comfort in knowing that one of the most often repeated phrases in the Bible is four simple words, “This too shall pass.” [more]

This photo comes from Global Grant Scholar Sean Minton, who is sheltering in place with wife Amy in London and working on getting ethical approval for interviews related to his masters dissertation, which he will begin writing in June. Amy is recovering from an upper respiratory infection due to COVID-19 and Sean tested positive as well but is asymptomatic.

The Rotary Foundation

As the World Shakes, Rotary District 6900 Rocks!!!

By Anne Glenn

We hope every District 6900 Rotarian is well and safe at home, far away from the COVID – 19 virus. If you’re out there working among our Healthcare Heroes, the we send our thoughts, prayers, support and deepest gratitude to surround you daily as you fight to save our friends and neighbors. Thank you.

The past five weeks brought immense challenges into Georgia – nightly news media displayed issues “front and center” that were unimaginable in January or February, 2020.The numbers of ill and dying people were too large to comprehend; yet they climbed higher daily as the lines of people needing food grew longer. [more]

Serving During the Pandemic

Urgent Request for Disaster Relief Funds - District 6900 and The Rotary Foundation

By Anne Glenn

Today is May 1, 2020 - the virus is still with us at home and across the world.

What are we doing today that makes tomorrow different?

Here are two actions you, with your Rotary Club, can take now that help other District 6900 Rotarians give life changing care in their corners of the world.

• Opportunity #1 - At Home – This world’s corner is Southwest Georgia, where all types of PPE and hand sanitizers are needed in every community.
• Opportunity #2 – Far Away – Remote Bangladesh is this corner of our world, where District 6900 has supported a Rotary-sponsored rural hospital as they expanded cancer detection and treatment services to remote communities. Now the hospital has been designated a COVID-19 center, the city is quarantined, and food, ventilators and COVID-19 testing kits are needed.

Both of these needs are urgent. Read more and if your Club or individual Rotarians want to support either or both of these efforts, please contact Anne Glenn, Grants Chair Rotary District 6900 at adillardglenn@gmail.com [more]

The Rotary Foundation

District 2020-21 Grant Deadline Extended to Monday, June 1, 2020

By Gillian Leggett

Due to the current situation with COVID-19, the deadline to submit your District Grant application for 2020-2021 has been extended. The new deadline is Monday, June 1, 2020. This should allow extra time for you to evaluate community needs and to work with your community partners to determine the best use of funds to meet those needs … [more]

From Our District Chaplain

May Day 2020 Rotary District 6900 Prayer

By Mark Barbour

Father God, we are so very grateful for these days, as challenging as they are, while we all are dealing with such odd, peculiar, puzzling, and unprecedented difficult and sad times, we are ever-humbled by your watchcare over us. Father, there are so many emotions related to the intrusion of death, the disruption of our work-life, Rotary life, and all activities that we certainly have taken for granted prior to this awful pandemic.

[more]

District Celebration

Join Us at Jimmy's Fish Camp - Saturday, June 13

By Blake McBurney

We invite you to join us for a District 6900 celebration on Saturday, June 13 at the Bibb Mill Event Facility in Columbus, GA on the banks of the beautiful Chattahoochee River.

We are taking a page from the playbook of what would have been this weekend's District Conference - celebrating at Jimmy’s Fish Camp with a Happy Hour from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM followed by a Lunch and Awards Presentations.

Stay tuned for more information on the event and how to register. [more]

Elin Fyhrlund with host family Ken and Janice Townsend, North Columbus

GRSP Update

What's In Store for GRSP in Today's Environment?

By Lynn Clarke

NEWS FOR STUDENTS NEXT YEAR AND MORE

We have received no information in regards to next year at newsletter submission date; however, a decision is to be made shortly as to whether or not we will even have a program this year in order to allow students who were offered scholarships before the pandemic to explore other options. My gut feeling is that we will have a program and I have already made inquiries to some host families and all the trustees in regards to next year, i.e., if the dorms close, would the host families be able to house the student or would the clubs want to sponsor a student for the next semester? Our district stands at about 50% wanting to sponsor a student for next year; however, the other two districts are overwhelmingly in favor of continuing the program through next year. [more]

From a GRSP Alumnus ...

The Joy of Learning New Cultures

By Lynn Clarke

Going to a foreign country, in another continent, thousands of miles away from home...if that doesn't sound terrifying enough, imagine counting on people that are at the time just names at the end of emails or on documents, to be waiting at the airport when you land. They were there when I landed holding a placard that read "Welcome Ivy!" They were … [more]

Membership

Until We Meet Again… Membership at a Distance

By Jaclyn Donovan

Are you looking for ideas to engage members while we’re physically distancing ourselves from each other? Has your club started meeting online? Here are some of our favorite resources to help:

• Watch membership webinars and speeches from recent conventions and the International Assembly in the new Club Programming collection on Vimeo.
• Share the updated State of Membership presentation at your next meeting.
• Discover the professional and personal development opportunities in the Learning Center. From Leading Change to Building Rotary’s Public Image, these online courses allow you to learn new skills from your home.
• Encourage your members to exchange ideas in the Meeting Online learning topic in the Learning Center.
• Invite DG Jim Squire to help with an online New Member Induction at your next virtual meeting – no need to wait to make new members official!

Find more resources at rotary.org/membership. [more]

RYLA

RYLA 2020 Cancelled

By Jaclyn Donovan

In the midst of all that is happening around us and the uncertainty that comes with COVID-19, Georgia Southwestern State University has decided that its campus will not be open to students or camps this summer. So that unfortunately means that RYLA 2020 will not happen. All clubs that submitted sponsorship commitments should have already heard from … [more]

At Paul Duke STEM High School in Gwinnett County, participation in the Georgia Rotary Clubs sponsored Laws of Life Essay Contest soared from 12 students last year to 718 students for the 2019-2020 contest.

Laws of Life

Georgia Laws of Life Announces State Winners

By Natalie Marshall

The Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest announced state winners for the 2019-2020 contest. Cindy Huynh, an 11th grader at Brookwood High School in Snellville, won the competition with her essay about standing up to bullies. Sha'niya Rogers, a 9th grader at Westover High School in Albany, won the George A. Stewart Jr. Character in Action award with her essay about working through homelessness to achieve in school and for her family. Each of these outstanding student writers will receive a $1,000 prize.

Savannah Johnson, in 11th grade at Lafayette High School, was awarded 1st runner-up. Faith Fitzgerald, a 9th grader at Thomasville High School, won 2nd runner-up. The 3rd runner-up winner was Reagan Beach, a senior at North Cobb High School. Wade Chappell, a 10th grader at North Springs Charter High School, was awarded 4th runner-up. Hyuk Lee, a senior at Lambert High School, won 5th runner-up. [more]

Serving During the Pandemic

Bringing Virtual Joy to Atlanta Neighborhoods

By Jackie Cuthbert

Paige McKay Kubik is the President of the Rotary Club of Atlanta West End - and the current "Semi-Conductor" (band director) of the all-volunteer Seed & Feed Marching Abominable. The last Saturday of April, the S&FMA led an "unparade" that visited Atlanta neighborhoods and hospitals … [more]

Serving Before and During the Pandemic

Muscogee-Columbus Leaps into 5K to Benefit Mercy Med

By Lakisha Taylor

On leap day 2020, the Rotary Club of Muscogee-Columbus hosted its very first 5K run to support a local healthcare organization, Mercy Med. Mercy Med provides healthcare services including medical, dental, counseling, physical therapy and other services to the local community at low or no costs. No one is turned away because of their inability to pay. Nestled in the middle of a lower socioeconomic area, Mercy Med ensures the most vulnerable in our community have access to good health. In addition to healthcare services, the organization also has a robust garden where locals can get fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. For these residents, Mercy Med is the only place for miles to get fresh fruits and vegetables. [more]

Serving During the Pandemic

Lake Spivey-Clayton County Provide Needed Medical Supplies

By Ron Swofford

Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Lake Spivey/Clayton County are reacting to the Corona virus not only in the usual way of practicing social distancing, limiting travel only to what is essential, and conducting meetings via Zoom, etc. but also by implementing a major new service project. This project is based on the immediate and profound need for critical supplies such as sanitizer, gloves, and masks as stated by many organizations that are battling the pandemic [more]

Serving During the Pandemic

Marietta Rotarians Flatten COVID-19 Dilemma Facing 80 International Students at Reinhardt University

By Dale Covington

P.T. Barnum observed, “Without promotion, something terrible happens. . .nothing!”

Nothing, that’s what gnawed at Abigail Merchant’s heart. Abigail, a senior at Reinhardt University in Waleska, GA, along with almost all of Reinhardt’s student body of more than1700 individuals, was at home embracing the university’s … [more]

Serving During the Pandemic

Douglas County Sponsors Meals for Hospital Workers

By Samantha Rosado

The Douglas County Chamber and Douglas County Economic Development Authority joined forces to support our Douglas County restaurants and provide daily meals to the over 500 healthcare workers at Wellstar Douglas Hospital and public safety workers serving on the front lines during the Coronoavirus pandemic. They created the Douglas Strong Fund to support this effort as well as create a fund for the recovery effort of COVID-19. 100% of funds will be used to purchase meals which will be delivered to Wellstar Douglas Hospital and public safety departments. All meals will be provided by Douglas County restaurants who will be paid for these meals. This is a win-win-win .... front line workers need our support, local businesses need our patronage, and the residents of Douglas County want to do what they do best, help each other. [more]

Club News

RI Past President Barry Rassin Speaks to Lake Spivey-Clayton County via Zoom

By Ron Swofford

During the current COVID-19 quarantine, many clubs in the district are conducting their regular meetings using the popular software program, Zoom. The Rotary Club of Lake Spivey/Clayton County jumped on this early, and Program coordinators Gina McCombs and Claudia Mertl quickly recognized that meeting via Zoom not only addressed the quarantine limitations but also removed geographical limits on who could be invited to present programs at the meetings. As a result, the Club has enjoyed several speakers from well beyond Jonesboro, Georgia. [more]