District Newsletter

South Cobb Rotary Christmas

From Our District Governor

Celebrating Accomplishments and Service, Looking Ahead

By Steve Ivory

Happy New Year! We are now at the halfway point in the Rotary Year. I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season and had a chance to spend quality time with friends and family. I know some of you saw the holiday video message on our district web site. I think the holiday season is a great time to recharge and reflect on what you plan to accomplish in the upcoming year. Along those lines, I hope you all are as excited about the second half of the year as you are the first and that we all plan to complete 25-26 strong.

As a district, we are well along the path to achieving some of our 25-26 goals. We are currently at 3818 members in our 67 Rotary clubs, have achieved $287,325 of annual fund giving, $175,047 towards Polio eradication and with endowment and other giving, we have achieved over $706K in charitable giving! I could not be more proud of you all! We still have 6 months left to give, do many more service projects and take action on the club’s strategic plan. Please use your time wisely. At the same time, we are only a few months away from district conference so please be aware of this and register for the April 16-19, 2026 District Conference at Lake Lanier! We have an amazing event planned.

I enjoyed doing several impactful service projects for children in December. I want to tell you two very quick stories. I had 2 incredible “Rotary moments” a few weeks ago as I was doing holiday season service projects with two Rotary clubs - the South Cobb Rotary Club and the Atlanta Southern Crescent Rotary Club.
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Membership

"Discovery Rotary" - An Event for Prospective Rotarians Only

By Audley Knight

District 6900 is planning a special evening of networking, food and drinks (cash bar) to give prospective Rotarians in the Greater Atlanta area an opportunity to learn more about Rotary, and how to join, serve and make an impact in our Georgia communities. The event will take place on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at Copelands of New Orleans - Vinings-Cumberland, GA from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
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Our Rotary Foundation

Foundations Working Together

By Bob Hagan

Hard to believe we have reached a new year, but here we are! Welcome 2026 and let’s look forward to another great year in Rotary and our work with the Foundation.

There was some great news that came out of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation earlier in December that you may have missed in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of the Thanksgiving to the Christmas and Hanukkah holidays. The Gates Foundation has pledged $1.2 billion dollars for 2026-2029 to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) dedicated to vaccinating 370 million children annually as well as focusing on disease tracking and surveillance and working to beef up the healthcare systems in the endemic countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan. The announcement of this initiative came on December 8 during a summit being held in Abu Dhabi. [more]

RYLA

Happy New RYLA in 2026!

By Jaclyn Donovan

It’s a new year and that means it’s time to start thinking about RYLA!! Not that we ever really stop thinking about RYLA… but now we can say that RYLA is happening This Year!!

RYLA 2026 will be held June 6-10 on the campus of Georgia Southwestern State University. Cost per student is $500, and this covers all necessary expenses related to attending RYLA. For any students riding our charter buses from the Atlanta area, there is an additional $50/per student cost.

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End Polio Now

District 6900 Celebrates World Polio Day with Remarkable Fundraising Efforts

By Wynita Cannon

On October 24, 2025 , Rotary clubs across District 6900 came together to commemorate World Polio Day , marking another milestone in the global fight to eradicate polio. On this special day, the district raised an impressive $22,000 for the PolioPlus Foundation , reinforcing Rotary’s commitment to ending this devastating disease.
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From Our DG Elect

Training for District Leadership Staff January 24, 2026

By Cynthia Edwards

On January 24, 2026, the District Leadership Learning Seminar (DLLS) for Assistant Governors and staff leading the district as officers and/or committee chairs. will be held at Cooper Lighting Solutions, located at 1121 Highway 74 S, Peachtree City, GA 30269. Breakfast snacks and registration will be available at 8:00 a.m. Training will begin at 9:00 a.m. District leaders included in training should confirm their attendance via email to Mandy Timmons at d6900secretary2526@gmail.com by Friday, January 9, 2026.
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Laws of Life

A New Year, A New Opportunity to Change Students’ Lives

By Carol Gray Walker

As we begin a new year, Rotary clubs across Georgia have a powerful opportunity to make an immediate and lasting impact on young people through the Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest.  January marks a pivotal moment—for recruiting essay judges, strengthening school partnerships, and planning for the year ahead.

Georgia Laws of Life is here to help you and your club get involved. Together, we can give more students the opportunity to reflect, write, and grow—while strengthening Rotary’s connection to the communities we serve. Read more about the opportunities here. To learn more or schedule a presentation for your club, contact Carol Gray Walker, Executive Director, at carol@georgialawsoflife.org. [more]

Club News

Stone Mountain People of Action at Work in South Africa!

By Cynthia Edwards

A new member of the Rotary Club of Stone Mountai n, Jeremy Anderson and his wife, Traci, have been living Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self” and making an impact for many years. In 2018, Jeremy and Traci launched their nonprofit, Next Level Living, Inc. Since then, they've fed an average of 1,000 starving children every week in Cape Town, South Africa —nourishing not only their bellies but their hearts and minds.

On Thanksgiving night 2025, the Andersons were joined in Cape Town by ten individuals, including DGE Cynthia Dorsey Edwards and her husband, Lonnie; PE Maxine Cain and her daughter, Lauren; Eric Baker (an executive with Audacy, a multi-platform audio & entertainment company) to participate in their service to the community.
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Club News

North Cobb Uses District Grant for Christmas Gifts for Georgia National Guard Families

By Jose Gonzalez

In the spirit of the holiday season, the North Cobb Rotary Club used a $2,000 district grant from D6900 and a $500 contribution from the club’s own community grants to share the joy of the holidays with children of service men and women going into active duty with the Georgia National Guard. Club President Jose Gonzalez with the help of his wife Jordon and kids, shopped for the gifts one early Sunday morning to ensure each kid received a gift of their choice.
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Bedros Sharian Jr. and Decatur Club President Alison Weissinger

Club News

Decatur Celebrates Bedros Sharian Jr. at 100 Years

By Dudley Larus

On Friday, November 21, at the Historic Decatur Courthouse, the Rotary Club of Decatur and the City of Decatur, Georgia honored long-time member Bedros Sharian Jr. as he approached his 100 ^th birthday on Thanksgiving Day. City Manager and Rotary member, Andrea Arnold, read the proclamation signed by Mayor Patricia M. Garrett that proclaimed November 25, 2025, as Bedros Sharian Jr. Day. Former Decatur Mayor Walt Drake also provided a historical perspective on Bedros’ rich life and his impact on the Decatur Community. Bedros is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Decatur and has been a Rotarian for almost half his life. Happy birthday Bedros!
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Club News

North Fulton Launches Phase 3 of Greenway Mural Project

By Lisa Gelber

Fall was the time for another exciting phase of the Rotary Club of North Fulton’s Greenway Mural Project! Our latest efforts began in late September with a Design Workshop, where student artists learned how to translate their creative concepts onto a challenging cylindrical, concrete canvas.  Reflecting one of Rotary’s seven areas of focus, this year’s theme was “Clean Water for All.” We were thrilled to receive 36 concept submissions from local high school students—proof that word is spreading about how meaningful this project has become for young artists.  With Phase 3 now complete, the Greenway proudly showcases 32 vibrant murals spanning two miles. [more]

Club News

Meriwether County Scores Big for the Rotary Foundation Through “Foundation Football”

By Kay Williamson

As the college football season kicked off, the Rotary Club of Meriwether County - joined by enthusiastic “friends of Rotary” - selected their favorite teams to follow and cheer for throughout the season. Each week, members gathered at Rotary meetings to track and discuss their teams’ scores, fostering camaraderie, spirited conversation … [more]

Club News

Paulding Hosts Dallas Christmas Parade

By Alex Crenshaw

The Paulding Rotary Club was privileged to host the annual Dallas Christmas parade. The club once again brought the community together with a successful and well-attended parade. Families lined the streets to enjoy festive floats, local organizations, marching bands, and community leaders who helped make the event a memorable celebration. … [more]

Paws, Claus, and Applause: Buckhead Rotary Serves Pets in Need

By Shelley Hammell

The Rotary Club of Buckhead closed out the year with a festive, service-filled holiday meeting that captured the spirit of Service Above Self. Members came together to pack 100 treat and toy bags for cats and dogs at the Fulton County Animal Shelter, sharing laughter and fellowship while supporting some very deserving four-legged friends. The meeting also featured the holiday spirit with live music from member Drew Amerson, joined by Ty Tippet for a spirited singalong of “Jingle Bells.”
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State Rep. Gerald Greene of Cuthbert presents a resolution at the Blakely Rotary Club to Robert Collier Jr., left, and Jack Watson that praised the life of Robert W. Collier Sr., who died Oct. 18

In Memoriam

Remembering Blakely Rotarian Robert William Collier Sr.

By Charles Gordon

At a late November meeting of the Blakely Rotary Club, State Rep. Gerald Greene saluted the late Blakely Mayor, businessman and Blakely Rotarian Robert William Collier Sr. Affectionately known as ‘Mr. Blakely,’ he served his community as mayor of Blakely for two terms, president and director of the Chamber of Commerce, and as longtime member and president of the Blakely-Early County Rotary Club for more than 60 years.
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Club News

North Cobb Walks in Kennesaw Holiday Parade

By Jose Gonzalez

Members of the North Cobb Rotary Club walked the City of Kennesaw Parade in style, including North Cobb magnetic stickers on a yellow Nissan, driven by Audley Knight, Club Executive Secretary and a giant North Cobb banner held by members Charity Drabik, Club Fundraiser Chair and Deborah Morton, Club Membership Chair. Additional member walked … [more]

Club News

Hometown Hero Recognition Sparks Grassroots Roswell Rotary Challenge…

By Becky Nelson

The Roswell Rotar y Hometown Hero for November story has a sequel! Brother’s Keeper Foundation founder, Chris Cathers, with his body fighting Stage 4 Cancer and PTSI, but his spirit needed to create a foundation where Veterans could find help without barriers and only resolutions. During the inspirational November presentation to Chris, Roswell Rotarian John Michael Brunetti was so moved to throw out a match of $10,000 so Chris could see veterans getting what they needed fast. “Match it,” he said. “Let’s do something worthy of these veterans.” The spark was ignited. If that wasn’t enough, after the meeting, Chris shared with Roswell Rotary Club President Trummie Lee Patrick III that another donor in his organization had also stepped forward and would match what Roswell Rotary could raise. Anonymous. No fanfare. No spotlight. And that's not the end of the story ... or the matching ... or the challenge!
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Club News

Twas the Night of Giving: Buckhead Rotarians Spread Holiday Cheer at the Shepherd Cente

By Shelley Hammell

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the hospital, Buckhead Rotarians were on the move, bringing holiday cheer to Shepherd Center patients and children during the Christmas Eve dinner service. Instead of sugarplums, members Miriam Falaki, Sam Alston (not pictured), President Shelley Hammell and her husband Joe delivered Elf on the Shelf … [more]

Club News

North Fulton Enhances Peace Garden

By Lisa Gelber

Using funds from a District 6900 competitive grant, members of the Rotary Club of North Fulton spent two Saturdays in November enhancing the club’s Peace Garden at North Park. Originally created in 2013, the garden is centered around a wooden peace pole that was in need of significant repair. Thanks to the dedication and craftsmanship of Rotarian Andy West, who spent several weeks restoring it, the peace pole has been brought back to its original beauty.
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Club News

Stone Mountain Rotarians Honored by STEM Atlanta!

By Cynthia Edwards

STEM Atlanta, Inc. recently hosted the 2025 STEMii Awards – Futurist 2030: The Royal Christmas Gala. The STEMii Awards fuels the Futurist 2030 Leadership Readiness Initiative, preparing young professionals ages 19–44 to thrive in an AI-driven global economy. Proceeds from the Gala support scholarships, leadership labs and transformative STEM education experiences.

This year's gala honored two Stone Mountain Rotarians - Jeremy Anderson and Cynthia Dorsey Edwards - individuals whose lives exemplify doing good locally and globally. [more]

Pawsitivity in Action: Buckhead Rotary Helps our Two- and Four-Legged Neighbors this Holiday Season

By Shelley Hammell

As part of our ongoing Pawsitivity Partnership, Buckhead Rotarians continued to make a meaningful impact in December with the third pet food delivery. Twenty-five Rotarians and guests came together to serve 45 LifeLine pet owners, ensuring that both pets and their families received much-needed support during the holiday season.
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