This Week's Speaker on Zoom ...
Kathryn Kolb, EcoAddendum Director and Master Naturalist
Grab your coffee or tea and the breakfast of your choice and join us this Friday morning at 7:30 a.m. on Zoom to hear Kathryn Kolb talk about why the Atlanta metro area is rare among the world’s major cities because it still retains pieces of our region’s original forest. You can join the Zoom meeting at https://zoom.us/j/99732258910 or if you have the Zoom app on your phone or computer, you can go there and type in the meeting ID: 997 3225 8910. You can also join by one tap mobile at +13126266799,,99732258910# US (Chicago) or +16465588656,,99732258910# US (New York).
Kathryn Kolb shows how the accidents of history spared many forested areas and how you can learn to identify these special places in your neighborhood or perhaps even in your own back yard. Kathryn will share interesting historical details, the newest research on trees, and will illustrate her presentation with wonderful photographs. She also offers tips on how to restore the native forest in your yard.
Kathryn has more than 30 years of field experience in forests and wild lands of the Southeast. Her fresh and insightful perspectives on our native forest make each EcoAddendum walk a new and interesting experience. She has collaborated for over 20 years on projects with many regional environmental groups including The Wilderness Society, Georgia Forestwatch, South River Watershed Alliance, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, City of Atlanta, Georgia Conservancy, and Nature Conservancy. visit: EcoAddendum.org
Kathryn Kolb is also known for her distinctive work as a fine art photographer of natural forms and landscapes. Her photographs are found in prominent regional collections and public venues throughout the US. Visit KathrynKolb.com to view her fine art photographs.
Opportunity to Serve During Pandemic
Atlanta Volunteers Needed for Built for Zero Support for Homeless
As you may be aware, Rotary Districts and Clubs across North America have teamed-up with The Global Impact Group and Volunteer Surge to recruit and train Rotarians as volunteers to aid in serving those in our communities impacted by Covid-19. Two of our District 6900 Rotarians, Scott Doll and David Cochran, have been developing this effort.
I have just received the information, below, regarding one such opportunity right here in Atlanta. Built for Zero, a non-profit organization providing shelter and services to the homeless, has an urgent need for 40 volunteers. [more]
GRSP
Looking for GRSP Host Family for 2020-21 School Year
As you might imagine, the Georgia Rotary Student Program executive committee has been closely monitoring the pandemic situation. Most of the 2019-20 GRSP Class has returned home. Last Friday, the committee decided to move forward with welcoming the Class of 2020-21 college students in August, even though it may be a smaller class given visa issues and such.
Last year, the Rotary Club of Dunwoody helped GRSP break new ground with the pilot program - selecting a student straight from Oglethorpe's new international students and offering an $11,000 scholarship and participation in the GRSP program to that student. Yemariam is a true delight and, as we have reported, is currently sheltering with her aunt in Atlanta - completing this school term and waiting for classes to begin again in the fall.
GRSP has expanded the pilot to include additional Rotary Clubs in 2020-21, and we now have the opportunity to select another international student from Oglethorpe's incoming class to sponsor for one year. We are in contact with Oglethorpe to identify a student - and in search of a Dunwoody family who is willing to be that student's host family.
It's our expectation that the student will live in the dorms at Oglethorpe, so a host family's commitment would include: 1) some weekend and holiday visits, 2) some transportation to Dunwoody Rotary meetings/projects/events and GRSP events, and 3) advice and counsel as requested. Speaking from the experience of hosting five students, it's an AMAZING opportunity to share our culture with the student and learn about the student's culture - to have FUN and expand your family FOREVER.
If you are interested or have questions, please contact Lorri Christopher or me.
Quarterly Dues Invoice Out May 1 Reflects Adjustment for Missed Meeting Opportunities
Due to the pandemic, we have been forced to give up our in person meeting for a time until it is safe to meet again. This has reduced the required meal and venue cost component of the quarterly dues. The March saved money was donated to Malachi's Storehouse as a donation to feed children hurt by school closings.
However, in April and May
we have been forced to cancel six in-person
meetings at a savings we want to share with our members. Based on my detailed
review of all the numbers, I recommended and the board approved a one time credit of $95 off quarterly dues of $285 for
the billing due for the quarter ending 6/30/20. This credit will be applied to
all non rule of 85 members to compensate them for the reduced meal costs in the
second quarter. The net dues for the second quarter will be $190.
Please note this invoice will be billed on 5/1/20 as it was delayed from the normal
4/1/20 date. This $95 credit does assume we will have in-person
meetings, very likely with masks, staring on 5/29 through our planned
year end celebration on 6/18 at the Dunwoody Nature Center.
I want to ensure we leave
the club on a strong foundation for Ardy's year now on the horizon, and have
spent a great deal of time reviewing all the numbers to ensure this credit is
fair to all concerned.
Please let me know if I
may answer any questions on this matter.
Cathie