From Our District Governor

Who Could Have Imagined ...

By George Granade

As I reflect on our District Conference, what a wonderful time it was. Thank you to our conference co-chairs, Cheryl Greenway and Kelly Hughes and their committee for organizing the conference. Kelly, thank you for all the decorations which made the “Green Acres” theme come to life. Ryan Clements … [more]

The Rotary Foundation at Work

Take Advantage of Your District Grant Opportunity for 2023-24! May 15 Deadline!

By Gillian Leggett

First, let me send out a huge THANK YOU to the many D6900 members in attendance at one or more of the recent Zoom training sessions for the 2023-2024 Community Grants.  Some of you attended all three sessions!   It was exciting to see so many attendees new to the grant process and wanting to learning how to use grant funds to help make a difference in their local communities.

The May 15 deadline for the 2023-2024 Rotary year Community Grants applications is fast approaching.  This deadline pertains to all grant types (standard, competitive, and collaborative grant requests). [more]

May is Parkinson's Awareness Month

By Jackie Cuthbert

Rotary District 6900 has proclaimed the month of May, 2023 as Parkinson’s Awareness Month. The proclamation was read at District Conference – and presented to Lata and Manjeet Chinnan, who have a son with Parkinson’s and wanted the district to help people get more information about this disease. Lata is a member of the Lake Spivey-Clayton County Rotary Club. 

The proclamation shares a lot of information about Parkinson’s that you can see when you click more to follow the rest of the story. You may also learn more from the Parkinson’s Foundation at Homepage |Parkinson's Foundation [more]

Drop in for Rotary Means Business - May 16, 6 pm at Mutation Brewing Company

By Carter Stout

Looking for a networking opportunity that gives you meaningful connections with service-minded individuals in an international community? Join us for Rotary Meets Business on the third Tuesday of each month. Our next meeting: Tuesday, May 16 at 6 pm, Location (NEW): Mutation Brewing Company 5825 Roswell Rd NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328.  … [more]

Enroll in Be the Voice NOW: Stand Up Against Bullying

By Debbie Cwalina

Bullying has impacted all of us one way or another, either firsthand or as a bystander.  For many, it leaves lifelong scars. My experience involved growing up with a sibling who was developmentally delayed and struggled with social interaction. He was the kid who sat alone at lunch, or recess and was largely ignored by his peers. From a very early age, I learned how one simple act of kindness or inclusion could change the trajectory of someone's life – a realization that ended up providing the baseline of the Be THE Voice initiative!

Click "more" to learn more about how the program's innovative approach is effect in change student mindsets. And if it inspires you to work with a school near you,  please email me at debbie@be-the-voice.org.  Deadline to enroll for the 2023-24 program cycle is May 31st (with payment due in July). [more]

Stephanie Windham (RC Griffin) and PDG Raymond Ray (RC Griffin Daybreak) were honored by DG George as Rotarians of the Year.

The Rotary Foundation

Congratulations Will MacArthur!

By Jackie Cuthbert

At District Conference, Will MacArthur (RC of Sandy Springs) received the prestigious Rotary Foundation Citation of Meritorious Service from The Rotary Foundation. Each year a Rotary district may nominate one person to receive this award, recognizing that person for their active service to the Rotary Foundation. It does not recognize giving, but actual, personal service to the Foundation for a long period of time. It is the second highest award you may receive from The Rotary Foundation. And to be eligible to receive the highest Foundation honor, you must have received the Citation for Meritorious Service. 

Thanks to Will for his dedication to District 6900's work with the Rotary Foundation! [more]

District Awards

Congratulations Sheffield Award Recipients and Clubs of the Year

By Jackie Cuthbert

Congratulations to these individuals and clubs for having the best year you could imagine:

Sheffield Award Recipients

• Category 1: Patricia Goodman (Cuthbert)  and Vicki Butler (Fayetteville)
• Category 2: Michelle Hanchey (Johns Creek North Fulton)
• Category 3: Terri Hilderhoff (Vinings Cumberland)
• Category 4: Cedric Hill (Columbus)

Club of the Year Awards

• Category 1: Best - Meriwether County (Warm Springs), Runner-Up - North Fulton
• Category 2: Best - Marietta Metro, Runner-Up - Griffin Daybreak
• Category 3: Best - North Cobb, Runner-Up - Americus
• Category 4: Best - Alpharetta, Runner-Up - Roswell
[more]

District Conference 2023

SEE the Story of SanDestin

By Jackie Cuthbert

William Wilson, our District Photographer and President Elect of the Rotary Club of Griffin, captured many of the fun and inspiring moments from District Conference 2023 - including this photo of DGE Andre Marria and her family. You can access more than 1,000 photos at our more]

District Awards

Assistant Governors Honored for Their Work

By Jackie Cuthbert

Assistant Governor Lisa Carlisle (RC of Roswell) was honored with the Follow Me Award. Presented by the RC of Stone Mountain, this award is presented to the best assistant governor of the year, in honor of PDG Al Lipphardt.

DG George also honored six AGs who are completing their three-year terms: Cesar Gaiters (RC South DeKalb), Will MacArthur (RC Sandy Springs), Dave Schwickerath (RC North Cobb(, Rory Robichaux (RC Johns Creek North Fulton), Chris Brand (RC Stone Mountain) and Paddy Sharma (RC Atlanta Souther Crescent) [more]

District Conference 2023

Thanks to Our Conference Volunteers

By Cheryl Greenway

We hope that the Rotarians and family members who came to the 2023 District Conference had a wonderful time and enjoyed the speakers, the fellowship, the youth presentations, the food, the breakout sessions, etc. Weather was not kind to us but everyone worked to make the best of it.

The event could not have been done without the hard work of a lot of people. Please thank the following people for all the work they did ... [more]

Interact Update

Be Inspired: 22 Interact Clubs Receiving Zone 34 Award!

By Becky Stone

22 of District 6900’s 86 Interact Clubs received the Zone 34 Interact Award.  In order to qualify, Interact Clubs must meet regularly, perform Service Projects or a fundraiser, work with their sponsoring Rotary Club and more.

The impact your Rotary Club can make by sponsoring Interact Clubs is immeasurable!  Students learn leadership through service and build friendships for a lifetime while having fun. Their accomplishments inspire all of us to Service Above Self. Aime Phillips from the Newnan High School Interact Club shares the importance of Interact and how it has impacted her and her community.  Watch Aime here:  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=k0eGz40vPYg&feature=youtu.be 

If you want to start an Interact Club, please contact Becky Stone at Rebecca.Stone@StonePC.net. [more]

District Awards

District Gives Two RI Membership Society Awards

By Barb Henigin

At District Conference this year, DG George presented two special awards – for Rotary International’s Membership Society. As far as we know, this is the first time District 6900 Rotarians have been recognized this way for the number of new members they have sponsored over their Rotary careers. Susan Gretchen Ferguson of LaGrange was recognized as a Bronze Level member with 32 new members, and Melinda B. Mclarnon of Jackson-Butts County was recognized at the Silver Level for 26 new members.
[more]

The Rotary Foundation

A Global Grant Scholar's Story to Inspire You

By Kathy Brandt

Editor's Note: Sean Minton, Rotary Foundation Global Grant Scholarship recipient for 2019-2020, visited RC North Columbus where Robbie Green is a member, and RC Dunwoody last month to express appreciation to these clubs for supported him during his scholarship year. In preparation for his visit Sean sent the following update we hope you will enjoy. We also hope it inspires you to look for college seniors who will graduate next spring and wish to pursue graduate studies in one of Rotary's seven areas of focus. Applications for Fall 2024 are due October 16, 2023. Check the link at the bottom of Sean's story to see more details. 

My time in London attending King’s College London, tying in with the Rotary Club of London, and starting up the Rotaract of Club of London affects my perspective on the world every day. My time abroad gave me a deeper understanding and more diverse perspective on global issues of peace and conflict prevention/resolution, listening to others from around the world and hearing their views. Today, more than ever, we have to listen to know how to address the problems of our time. This was by far the greatest lesson that the Rotary Global Grant Scholarship gave me, and I am blessed to have been given the opportunity.
[more]

GRSP Awards

Congratulations to District 6900 GRSP Award Winners

By Katheryne Fields

The GRSP students enjoyed their time in SanDestin, and did well with their objective to get to know as many Rotarians as they could!

Congratulations to GRSP student Jarryd Dick from South Africa who received the William A. Watt Memorial Award for a student best reflecting the spirit of the program. Jarryd has been attending Clayton State University and is sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Atlanta West End, Atlanta Airport, Newnan and Senioa.

Steve Ivory, RC of Peachtree City, received the Frank E. Bentley Sr. Leadership Award for his support of the GRSP program. There were also club awards ... [more]

Club News

Happy Birthday Atlanta Southern Crescent

By Claudia Mertl

The Rotary Club of Atlanta Southern Crescent celebrated our one-year birthday in March and April, with the induction of three new members in March, an Easter egg hunt for children, a St. Patrick's Day Social, and a birthday social in April to kick off our birthday month. Our official birthday is April 29, so to celebrate we inducted two new members!
[more]

Club News

Roswell Partners with WellStar to Improve Family Health

By Michael Gould

The new Roswell Rotary Family Waiting Room at WellStar North Fulton Hospital is now open!

In 2021 during Terry Taylor’s presidency, Roswell Rotary embarked on the concept of using a portion of the proceeds from the Golf and Tennis Tournament to create a Community Impact Project that would go beyond the usual donations we make to many charities and non-profits in our community. For this first impact project, Roswell Rotary partnered with WellStar Health System to update the Family Waiting Room at WellStar North Fulton Hospital and to launch podcasts and videos designed to impact student and parent behavioral health. [more]

Club News

Cheers to Thomasville!

By Mary Beth Donalson

The Rotary Club of Thomasville was honored to be nominated to receive an award at the 20th annual Cheers for Volunteers by the local nonprofit organization, Hands on Thomas County. The Club was recognized for the work they do with the Scott Senior Center. Program Chair, Angela Williamson, was presented a hero’s cape, raffle tickets and a number of Rotarians were there to represent the Rotary Club of Thomasville. Club members also go to enjoy food, drinks, and a live band.

Editor's Note: With a little Facebook research, we found evidence of Thomasville's heart for seniors. The club used a grant to provide goody bags for seniors at Scott Senior Center. In addition, they have also planned birthday parties and Valentine's parties with their grant funds. The picture comes from Facebook in December. [more]

District Awards

Recognizing Clubs for Achievements in a Variety of Categories

By Jackie Cuthbert

Clubs were recognized as Best in a variety of categories - from Youth Service to Membership ... to Foundation Giving and Family of Rotary activities. Take a look at the winners ... [more]