The Rotary Times

President's Message, August 4, 2026

Submitted by President Dan Jenkins

I am excited for next Tuesday’s meeting that will shine a light on the kind of impact Rotary is uniquely positioned to make around the world. 

We will be joined by two distinguished members of the Rotary Club of North Atlanta, who will share updates on the Global Grant we are helping sponsor in Ethiopia—an effort focused on cost-effectively preventing spina bifida and related birth defects in high-risk pregnancies.

A box of 100 high-dose folic acid tablets costs only about sixty cents in Ethiopia, yet this simple intervention can change the trajectory of a family forever. In partnership with the Rotary Club of Addis Ababa Central Mella, these tablets are reaching mothers who have previously experienced a pregnancy affected by these largely preventable defects.

The program is on track to reach 3,500 mothers in its fourth year, but sustaining momentum through year five—and expanding to reach even more families—depends on us. I hope you’ll join us Tuesday as we learn how our club’s support is saving lives and how we can continue strengthening this remarkable project.

Come at 11:45 to mix and mingle before our meeting at 12:00 pm.  See you at Brimstone!

North Fulton Rotary July 28, 2026 Meeting Recap

Our meeting on Tuesday, July 28, was a welcome home of sorts for a couple of our members! Several members had Happy Dollars to share, including Steve Cory, who recently returned from celebrating his birthday with a memorable Route 66 adventure, and President Dan Jenkins, who shared highlights from a trip around Ireland with his siblings and their spouses.

We were also delighted to officially welcome Chris Lyboldt (sponsored by Mark Hutchins and Cliff Wilcox) as the newest member of the Rotary Club of North Fulton. We look forward to serving alongside Chris and know that his involvement will help strengthen our club as we continue to expand our service and increase our impact in the community.

The day's program focused on one of Rotary's signature initiatives—Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE). We are fortunate to have our own Bob MacDonald serving as the Rotary Youth Exchange Chair for District 6900. Bob was joined by special guest Brian Navorro-McClean, a Youth Exchange student who recently returned from spending the school year in Taiwan. 

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of East Cobb, Brian shared stories from his incredible experience living with three different host families in both rural and urban communities. Beyond the travel itself, he reflected on the personal growth and valuable life lessons he gained through immersing himself in another culture.

Bob complemented Brian's presentation with an overview of the Rotary Youth Exchange program and its long history within Rotary International. Through the program, students learn a new language, experience another culture firsthand, overcome academic and personal challenges, and develop into true global citizens.

Thank you, Bob, for sharing the impact of Rotary Youth Exchange and for your dedicated service to District 6900. We also appreciate Brian for inspiring us with his experiences and demonstrating the life-changing opportunities Rotary makes possible.

North Fulton Service Project with Habitat for Humanity — Aug. 15

We are partnering with Habitat for Humanity North Central Georgia for our next Service Project on August 15 in Gainesville, GA. This is a great opportunity to support local housing efforts and serve alongside fellow club members.

• Date: August 15
• Location: Gainesville, GA
• Details: The scope of work will be landscaping. See below flyer for full information.
• Volunteer limit: We are limited to ten volunteers.
• Sign up: Use the QR code on the flyer or this link: Habitat Sign Up

If you have questions, please reach out to Service Project Chair Amie Blanton at (770) 315-9974.

Cooking Up Change: A North Fulton Rotary FUNdraiser

Let's Get Cooking!

What to expect

• An interactive, hands-on cooking experience led by a chef.
• Time to mingle with other club members and enjoy the meal you help prepare.

Logistics

• Taste Buds Kitchen provides all food, cookware, and utensils.
• Drinks are BYOB (wine and beer only).
• Space is limited to 42 participants.

Cost and registration

• Cost: $100 per person.
• Payment by check payable to Rotary Club of North Fulton or by credit card (see Jeff Esterkes).

Support for the club

Taste Buds Kitchen of Alpharetta will make a donation to our Club based on attendance. Proceeds from the evening will help raise funds for the Rotary Club of North Fulton.

If you plan to attend, please RSVP here: Let's Get Cooking

If you have questions about registration or payment, please contact Jeff Esterkes (978) 590-0695

North Fulton Rotary: First Annual Fall Gala

The North Fulton Rotary Club is pleased to announce its First Annual Fall Gala Event at St. Ives Country Club on Saturday, October 24. The Roswell Rotary Club will join forces with our club as a co-sponsor.

Proceeds from the event will support Areté Scholars and HomeStretch, two organizations dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.

Tickets are now available for $150 each and will increase to $175 on August 25th so buy your tickets early using this link: Fall Gala Tickets

You can also use the QR code on the flyer. If you have any questions, please reach out to Rick Clark, Fundraising Chair (704) 807-0083.

North Fulton Supports Roswell Rotary Red Cross Blood Drive

North Fulton is proud to assist with the Red Cross Blood Drive hosted by Roswell Rotary on August 26 at Roswell Junction. Please see the flyer for full details about the event.

Why this matters
The Red Cross is currently experiencing a critical blood shortage. Regular donations from healthy individuals have a huge impact on maintaining hospital supplies and supporting patients in need.

How you can help

• If you are healthy and eligible, please consider donating; every donation helps.
• Share the event information with friends, family, and neighbors to encourage broader community participation.
• Refer to the flyer for details on times, eligibility, and any steps needed to participate.

To register to donate blood use the QR code below or click here: Donate Blood

To volunteer to help at the blood drive, sign up here: Volunteer at Blood Drive

Service Opportunity: CDA Treasure Hunt

We invite club members to take part in a warm, hands-on service activity at Children's Development Academy. Our Annual Treasure Hunt is set for September 15th, running from 10 am to 12 pm.

During the event, Rotarians will "hide" treasures on the playgrounds and then assist PreK students in locating them as needed. The activity is designed to be fun, engaging, and supportive for the children.

After the Treasure Hunts conclude, we will join the students for lunch. This is a great opportunity to spend informal time with the children and staff and to share a pleasant meal together.

If you are able to participate, please come ready to help on the playground and to enjoy lunch with the students. We look forward to seeing North Fulton Rotarians at the Children's Development Academy for this annual service tradition.

To participate, please sign up on this link (to complete the CDA waivers): Treasure Hunt

If you have any questions, please contact Stacey Nyman, (404) 368-5552

Membership Minute: Membership & Engagement Month

August is Rotary's official Membership Month. Share your Rotary story widely - on social media, at work, or in your neighborhood - and invite others to join.

Companion Club Update

Reminder that our companion club meeting is August 20th at Thrive, 44 Milton Avenue, Alpharetta (located above Minnie Olivia Pizza) at 6:30 pm. 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Joseph Powell, (912) 662-2246. 

Also, as a reminder, Companion Club members Stacy and Tom Georges are having a golf tournament (Golf for Respite) to raise funds for their non-profit, Special Needs Respite, on October 5th if you'd like to consider sponsoring or playing a round of golf. Please see info below.