From Our District Governor

Creating a Vibrant Game Plan

By Mary Ligon

We have had a great start to our new Rotary year! Many of you have embraced our Youth and Peace in Action initiative; there's still time for more of you to join in - see the article later in the newsletter. District Grant projects are underway in your local communities. And soon we will be in SanDestin, renewing friendships and celebrating all that we did in 2020-21 under Kirk's leadership - and all we can accomplish going forward.

This month, Rotary focuses on Membership. RI President Shekhar Mehta has a special initiative called "Each One, Bring One" designed to expand our reach and ability to do good in the world. He says "Rotary is a vibrant organization that has spread to nearly 200 countries and geographical areas and has a rich legacy of fighting to end polio. Don’t you think we could have a greater impact on the world if more people were practicing Service Above Self? Members like you are our greatest asset. But for the last 20 years, Rotary membership has remained stagnant. Through a program I am calling Each One, Bring One, I ask each of you to commit to welcoming one new person into Rotary or Rotaract in the next 12 months."
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Membership

Membership Growth Starts with The Ask

By Jaclyn Donovan

Membership Month! And believe it or not, Rotary is a Membership Organization – we just offer Service as our product. If you get Membership right, pretty much everything else takes care of itself. If you don't get membership right, everything else is a struggle for the whole year. So we encourage you to commit a little energy to being intentional and deliberate in seeking new members and getting your current members to help. 

Shout out the the following clubs for adding new members in the first month of this new Rotary year (pictured from top left clockwise):

• Griffin – Paul Sinor
• Americus - Roger Bivings and Ty Kinslow
• Bremen – Jerry Morris
• Carrollton Dawnbreakers – Ryan Sammon, Marla Turpin, Jeremy Moore, Kiley Thompson, Bo Haynes, Jasmine Hilton, Bryce Haney
  

Now read on for more thoughts about getting everyone on board with membership development! [more]

Youth and Peace in Action

Be on Board the Peace Train by September 10!

By Becky Stone

Youth & Peace in Action – Rotary’s largest local youth peace education initiative ever kicks off with high schools and youth service clubs in Zone 33/34 on September 21-International Peace Day. If your school or youth service club has not registered for YPA, go NOW to the YPA website: www.youthpeaceaction.org and register by September 10. All are welcome!

Students will receive virtual peacebuilding training and certification and each organization will design and deliver a peace project using the tools the students learn. Youth & Peace in Action will culminate in Spring 2022 with presentations by the students of their peace projects and their impact. It’s not too late!! Jump on the Peace Train!

Have questions? Contact Becky Stone at 770-634-2717 or Rebecca.stone@stonepc.net!!
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GRSP

GRSP: Celebrating 75 Years and Going Strong ... Join the Celebration

By Katheryne Fields

From a humble beginning of just four students in 1946, Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP) has provided ambassadorial scholarships for more than 3,690 young men and women from 108 countries. During 2019-2020, the last year the program functioned, more than 40 students from around the world were involved.

The 2021-2022 school year is off to a great start with more than 40 international college students from South America, Africa, Asia, Australia, and Europe selected for the program. We will welcome most of those students at our annual Conclave - and celebrate 75 years of Building Peace through Understanding." Conclave will feature student introductions for the Class of 2021-22 plus Trustee and host families, a parade of flags, a student Cabaret talent show Saturday, plus food and fellowship - and dedication of the GRSP Peace Plaza and William A. Watt Memorial Fountain on Friday morning.. And, we will hold our inaugural Conclave Classic Golf Tournament on Thursday, August 19.

All Rotarians are invited to join us for this celebration - August 19-21 in Thomasville, Georgia - home of GRSP Founder William A. Watt, PDG, PP, RC of Thomasville. You can learn more about the conclave and register now at www.grsp.org/conclave.
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Our Rotary Foundation

Good News About Doing Good!

By Cheryl Greenway

We will be giving you a full update on 2020-21 contributions to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) in next month's newsletter, but for now we have a few highlights - about the clubs who led the way in 2020-21 giving, our District Grant projects, and our inbound Global Grant Scholar.
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Our Rotary Foundation at Work

Competitive District Grants Support Children and Seniors

By Anne Glenn

Thanks to the generosity of District 6900 Rotarians, we have awarded three competitive $10,000 grants - to the Rotary Clubs of Buckhead, Columbus and Meriwether County. Each focuses on the needs of children and seniors in their communities. We will feature one in each of the next three newsletters - starting with Buckhead.

Agape’s young people and senior citizens currently have only indoor spaces to gather for activities and games after school and during the day. Their building is located in an industrial area of NW Atlanta. The Rotary Club of Buckhead will help Agape create an outdoor activity space with a turf field with their D6900 $10,000 Competitive Grant.

Agape is a charitable organization dedicated to empowering and supporting underserved families within its community by encouraging each individual to discover, embrace, and achieve their full potential.
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Rotary Youth Exchange

Applications Now Open for Rotary Youth Exchange Study Abroad Scholarships for Georgia Teenagers

By Mike Parks

Do you know a talented high school student in District 6900 who may be interested in a study abroad scholarship? The Rotary Youth Exchange scholarship program is recruiting now for high school students, ages 14 – 17, who would like to learn more about the program and scholarship opportunities for the 2022 – 2023 school year. The scholarship is valued at more than $24,000 and includes tuition, room and board, language and cultural training, and a monthly stipend for a high school year overseas.

Students and Rotarians can learn more about the program by reviewing our website at RYESE.org and attending one of our local informational sessions. See the schedule and think about how to be involved.
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District Awards for 2020-21

Congratulations to 2020-21 Award Winners!

By Court Dowis, Jr.

Congratulations to all our District 6900 clubs for their work to make a difference during the 2020-21 Rotary year! We will be announcing some awards during our celebration in SanDestin this month, including:

• Rotarian of the
• Year Follow Me Award recognizing top Assistant Governor
• Sheffield Leadership Award (all 5 categories)
• Club of the Year (all 5 categories) and Runner-up Club of the Year (all 5 categories)

Additional awards were mailed out in July and we'd like to recognize those award winners here!
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Laws of Life

Laws of Life Kicks Off Its New Year

By Lakisha Taylor

As the new school year begins, we have 23 Schools Registered! And it’s time to register your club as a sponsor for the Georgia Rotary Clubs Laws of Life Essay Contest. Join us on September 10 at the annual Teacher & Rotarian Workshop Luncheon at Emory Conference Center. Two guests from each sponsoring club or registered school are invited to attend for free. You’ll hear first-hand as students and teachers share how the contest impacts their lives. For those unable to attend in person, online event viewing access will be provided. For more information about the Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest, watch Beth McIntyre, GLL Board Chair, as she provides an overview of sponsorship options.
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Club News

Alpharetta Rotary Seeks Partners for Brazil Project

By Bob Koncerak

Alpharetta Rotarian Bob Koncerak recently returned from his third trip to Brazil, during which he met with members of Rotary Oeste (D4680) to discuss a proposed  project to equip a Down center facility in Pelotas, Rio Grande de Sul.

The project is progressing quickly: city officials have granted a 1.25 acre parcel of land … [more]

Club News

Alive in Roswell Returns!

By Becky Nelson

Roswell Rotarians showed up in force as a flash mob on Canton Street dancing to "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang. Thanks to RRC member Nancy Alterman for organizing this great time and to all the Rotarians who put on their dancing shoes. Rotarians also enjoyed live music by Savannah Hughes at our Rotary Tent at the Hagen Center where we … [more]