President's Message
“I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become.” Carl Jung
Who remembers the Watergate scandal during the Nixon Presidency? Well, a man named Charles “Chuck” Colson was squarely in the middle of it. Colson was a very successful attorney who was known as the “hatchet man” for President Richard Nixon. Chuck was deeply involved in the political scandal that eventually brought down a presidency. His story is really interesting if you have time to one day read about it.
Anyway, after being convicted and sent to prison, Colson experienced a profound spiritual transformation. Instead of becoming bitter, he changed completely. When he left prison, he devoted the rest of his life to helping inmates and founded Prison Fellowship, which became one of the largest prison ministries in the world. People who knew him before prison said they barely recognized the man he became afterward. His story became proof that failure and brokenness do not have to define the rest of a person’s life.
This Thursday at Roswell Rotary, we have the opportunity to hear from someone whose story is rooted in personal growth and the power of change. Our speaker’s message reminds us that success is not simply measured by professional accomplishments, but by the ability to grow through adversity, invest in others, and return stronger with renewed purpose.
What stands out most is the emphasis on service, connection, and impact — values that align so closely with the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.” In a world that often moves too fast, it is refreshing to hear from someone who believes in listening well, building meaningful relationships, and creating opportunities to encourage and uplift others.
As Rotarians, we understand that leadership is not just about titles or recognition. True leadership is about showing up consistently, helping others succeed, and using our gifts to make a positive difference in our community. This week’s speaker embodies many of those principles through a commitment to growth, resilience, and serving something greater than self.
I encourage everyone to join us on Thursday for what promises to be an inspiring and meaningful program. It should be a great reminder that transformation is possible for all of us — personally, professionally, and within the communities we serve.
Sic Vos Non Vobis
Trummie Lee Patrick III
The Courage to Change: Scott Bagwill’s 400‑Pound Journey
Date : Thursday, June 4, 2026
Time: 12:15
Location: Roswell Area Park
Bill Johnson Community Activity Building
10495 Woodstock Road
Roswell, GA 30075
For most of my life, I was fighting a battle that very few people could see clearly, including me. At my heaviest, I had lost nearly all confidence in my body, my health, and my future. I had tried countless times to fix myself through willpower alone, believing the lie that if I just worked harder, everything would change. Instead, I stayed stuck, physically, emotionally, and mentally, until I was forced to confront a hard truth: survival requires humility, support, and the courage to choose change even when fear is loud. In that moment, I also began to realize I needed something greater than myself to lean on.
In this talk, I share my journey of losing nearly 400 pounds, not as a story about weight loss, but as a story about identity, resilience, and rebuilding a life from the inside out. I walk through the moment I realized I could not do it alone, the decision to undergo bariatric surgery, and the daily discipline required afterward, especially when motivation fades. Along the way, I discuss what it meant to undergo this transformation publicly, documenting the process on television in front of millions of viewers around the world. Walking through this journey in full view of the world forced me to fully reconnect with my faith, not as a background belief, but as the foundation that sustained me through fear, pressure, and uncertainty. [read more]
June 6, 2026
Cops 'N Cars Car Show
Summer Volunteer Opportunity
Homestretch Summer Enrichment for kids
The HomeStretch Summer Academic Enrichment & Recreational Camp is an award-winning youth program in Roswell, Georgia. Designed for children experiencing homelessness or housing instability, the camp aims to prevent the "summer slide" while offering a safe, structured, and fun environment.
This camp experience is designed specifically for children who have faced more adversity than most of us can imagine.
This summer, you can help break the cycle of generational poverty and create new possibilities for 33 homeless and at-risk children. From June 8th to July 31st, your gift of volunteering will ensure these children experience a summer filled with hope, growth, and opportunity.
President-Elect Leslie has committed to 33 volunteer hours for the 33 children in the HomeStretch program.
9-10 am M-F from June 8 through July 31 are available dates.
Three steps to volunteer:
1. Complete application for Homestretch Volunteers https://www.homestretch.org/volunteer-sign-up/
2. Choose your volunteer slot through sign up genius
3. Sign up for one of two training classes below both on Wed. June 3!.
Training Wed June 3 12-1 at this link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/299825316861494?p=nuDsUcUc2ZY79U3onk
TrainingWed June 3 5:30-6:30 at this link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/284229399791690?p=wNdfKh9YAE6K9hlm0y
Tues June 16
Women in Rotary Event
Click here to RSVP
Seeking Host Families for Our Rotary Youth Exchange Student
Roswell Rotary Club has a proud tradition of supporting Rotary Youth Exchange and the global connections it creates. This year, we are seeking host families for a 17‑year‑old female student from Vimercate, Italy, who will be entering the 11th grade at Roswell High School.
We are looking for a caring family willing to open their home and hearts to her for a three‑month hosting period. You do not need to have a high school student of your own to participate, just a willingness to share your family life, offer support, and embrace a meaningful cultural exchange.
The Rotary Youth Exchange Program thrives because of families who generously welcome students they have never met, creating bonds that last a lifetime. In a world that feels increasingly divided, hosting an exchange student is a powerful way to build understanding, broaden perspectives, and help our young people, and ourselves, see the shared hopes and dreams that connect us across cultures.
If you would like to explore this opportunity for global friendship, either for this school year or next, or know a neighbor or friend who would open their home, please contact Alesia Booth, Deb Perkins, or email roswellrotaryye@gmail.com.
Save the Date: June 25th
Installation Party Leslie Bassett
Join us on June 25th at Grana to celebrate the Installation of our President-Elect for 2026-27 Leslie Bassett!
Click Here for Invitation
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June 24 The Tavern
Blood Drive
Upcoming Roswell Rotary Events
Save the Date: Find Your Spot and Help Us to Unite for GOOD
Alive in Roswell
Thursday, May 21 5pm - 8pm
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Cops n Cars
Sat. June 6 11am - 3pm
Lebanon Baptist Church , Roswell GA
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Blood Drive
Wed. June 24
The Tavern 8am-2pm
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Leslie Installation Party
Thursday, June 25 6pm - 9pm Time TBD
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2026 Golf, Tennis, Pickleball Tournament
Monday, Sept. 14
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Last Week at Rotary
