From Our District Governor

Thanks for All You Do!

By Jim Squire

Donna and I have been enjoying the whirlwind that is part of being your District Governor. The work you are doing in our communities and the world is amazing - and this newsletter offers a good taste of all that is happening throughout the district.

In the last few weeks, our End Polio Now efforts were highlighted in the Health Symposium organized and hosted by the RC of Emory-Clifton, supported by a golf tournament hosted by Lake Spivey/Clayton County as well as a great night of fellowship at the Atlanta Braves game - where the Braves lost but Rotary won - with a $2500 contribution from the Braves toward ending polio that multiplies to $7500 with the Gates Foundation match. We have an opportunity to focus on this important effort again at our World Polio Day Event at the CDC on October 24. All the details for that event are included in this newsletter; we hope to see you there. [more]

Training in the use of cell phone health monitoring technology

Join Vinings Cumberland on October 25

Global Grants Making a Difference in Health for Kenyan Mothers and Infants

By Wally Horlacher

In 2015, the Rotary Club of Vinings Cumberland embarked upon the latest in a series of Global Grants to improve health conditions for mothers and infants in rural Kenya. The latest is focused on the Elgeyo Marakwet region and seeks to assist 2500 mothers and their children. Efforts were supported by several District 6900 clubs … [more]

You're Invited

Dunwoody Hosts Free Community Informational Event About Human Trafficking

By Jackie Cuthbert

The Rotary Club of Dunwoody is hosting a free, informative event addressing the issue of human trafficking on Wednesday, October 23 at 6:30 P.M. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia, 4355 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta. Complimentary admission and onsite self-parking is available. The event includes:

• A private showing of the movie, “8 Days” telling the story of one 16-year girl’s life in trafficking and how her family and community got her back.
• A candid discussion with representatives from local, state and federal law enforcement will offer facts, insight and resources to shed light on the nature and scope of the issue in our communities.
[more]

New Moultrie Rotarian Maggie Davidson works with Moultrie-Colquitt County Parks & Recreation

Membership

Keep On Growing!

By Jaclyn Donovan

Take the LEAD and Run with It! We have new membership leads coming into the District each day from Rotary International.

Get Social! Did you know that DG Jim Squire wants help your club have a party? It's true! In an effort to promote fellowship and membership growth, District 6900 will provide Matching Funds up to $250 to clubs for the express purpose of hosting a club membership social. [more]

Captain Sean Minton, one of this year's TRF Global Scholars,sponsored by the Rotary Club of Columbus and District 6900.Sean is pictured with his wife Amy

The Rotary Foundaton

Who Spends the Money You Donate to the Annual Fund?

By Cheryl Greenway

Answer – you and other Rotarians. In fact, only Rotarians decide how to use the money. When you donate to the Annual Fund, half the money comes back to District 6900 three years later to be used for our District Grants, Global Grants, and Global Scholars. The rest remains with The Rotary Foundation to provide matching funds for Global Grants. No charity or other organizations can apply to our Rotary Foundation for funds. No board of trustees looks at the money and decides how to disburse it.

Gifts to the Annual Fund, also known as SHARE, are the primary source of funding for a broad range of local and international grants that change lives.So what did your club do for a District Grant this year? The Rotary Club of Moultrie shares in this newsletter about its grant that helped a local elementary school. How has your club made a difference in your community through the use of District Grants? Did your club do a District Grant this year? If not, why? Do you need help with obtaining a District Grant? If so, please contact Gillian Leggett of the Milton Rotary Club. [more]

RI Convention 2020

Join Us in Beautiful Honolulu, Hawaii

By Kirk Driskell

Take time now to register for the 2020 Rotary International Convention. RI Convention is an amazing experience on its own - with opportunities to:

• network with Rotarians from around the world
• learn about our local and global work to make a positive difference in people's lives
• hear from world leaders on key … [more]

Disaster Relief

How You Can Help the Victims of Hurricane Dorian

By Jackie Cuthbert

Last month, we spotlighted an opportunity to donate money to Disaster Relief; now we are highlighting an opportunity to donate supplies for the Bahamas. The Rotary Club of Roswell is collecting those supplies on Saturday, October 19 from 9 am to noon at the Roswell United Methodist Church - in the church's corner parking lot on Mimosa Blvd. Click more for a list of the items they are looking to collect. [more]

The Rotary Foundation at Work

Let the Adventures Begin!

By Kathy Brandt

FIRST, HOW DID WE GET HERE?

My journey to becoming a Rotary Global Grant Scholar started many years ago. After graduating West Point in 2013, it was a matter of biding my time until I could take a year to complete a Master's program abroad.
< … [more]

GRSP Update

New Websites, Scholarship Opportunities, Columbus Weekend

By Lynn Clarke

Our Vision: To develop leaders who promote understanding and peace around the world.

New GRSP Website Unveiled at Conclave; First Class of 2019-20 Newsletter is Out

The new website provides a fresh new look at what it means to be involved with GRSP. Every week new content is added to the website, so please be sure to check it out at www.grsp.org.

And don't miss the first newsletter created by our new class of GRSP students - outlining what they've experienced and what the GRSP experience already means to their lives. [more]

GRSP Scholar Updates

GRSP: An Experience of a Lifetime

By Lynn Clarke

I had never been abroad for a long period of time before. Despite that, I did not hesitate when I, almost a year ago, found out that I had been offered the Georgia Rotary Student Program scholarship. I was not completely sure what I was expecting from my year far away from home. I was certain I was going to miss my family, but I was also sure that this would be a one in a lifetime opportunity for me. I figured that I would experience a new culture and gain memories that would last me a lifetime. But despite getting on a plane with all these hopes and thoughts in my head, I was unprepared for what would really make my year in Georgia amazing; I had not taken into account the people I would meet. [more]

District Conference 2020

Jekyll Island is Waiting!

By Lauri Young

Planning is well underway for next April’s District Conference on beautiful Jekyll Island - scheduled from April 30 to May 3. Join us for:

• Thursday night – Taste of the District, featuring the hometown specialties of many of the D6900 clubs. Is there a recipe your club or town is known for? Get the recipe and send it to lyoung285@earthlink.net. We’ll gather the best ones to kick off the weekend.
• Friday night – Jimmy’s Fish Camp, featuring Coastal Georgia native DG Jim’s local seafood selection
• Saturday night – Kentucky Derby celebration and welcome for 2020-21 Governor Kirk Driskell

You can register by going to the District 6900 website and clicking the green Jekyll Island 2020 Conference button at the top. [more]

Chaplain's Corner

Affirming the Power of Rotary's Reach!

By Mark Barbour

Let’s review: The call for all good and VIBRANT Rotarians is the call to be vigorously dedicated to take action to create lasting change - across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves." So, our objective is to be Relational, Opportunity oriented, and yes, ‘vibrantly’ Transformational! Hereby, thereby, and whereby promoting our Relational objective to connect with folks around us intentionally by using animated, articulated, and engaging conversations about who we are and what we are and why we are who we are and what we are ensuring that every acquaintance experiences our “Rotary Glow” and gains insight about our ideals of community, regional, national, and global service. [more]

Club News

Vinings Cumberland Rotary’s “Run for the Kids” 5K Downhill Race

By Donna Drakes

In August, the Vinings Cumberland Rotary Club hosted its 23rd annual “Run for the Kids” 5K Downhill Race. This race has become one of the most popular in the city, as it is a Peachtree Road Race qualifier, and boasts an array of ‘fun factor’ attributes, including a 1K Kids’ Race, Doggie Dash, Best Dog Costume Contest, Children’s Play Area (featuring hula hoops this year), various vendors, giveaways and delicious treats (i.e. ice cream and snow cones; some healthy stuff is made available, as well – LOL J). This year’s event drew a record 1600 runners and raised approximately $100,000. Since its start in 1997, the race has raised more than $1.1 million. [more]

RYLA

Save the Date for 2020!

By Jaclyn Donovan

RYLA 2020 is on the calendar for June 20-24, and we are already getting excited! Application materials will be updated on the website – www.ryla6900.com – and sent out to clubs by January 1. So start making plans now to sponsor a student or two. Or 10… we’ll take them all! [more]

Club News

Moultrie Gives Face Lift to Local School

By Jaclyn Donovan

The Rotary Club of Moultrie recently completed a beautification project at the main entrance of Cox Elementary School. One of ten elementary schools in Colquitt County, and on the lower income scale compared to the rest, Cox Elementary had a front entrance with a less-than-desirable appearance. Since first impressions are extremely important, the faculty and staff desired a better forward-facing image to parents, visitors and students entering the school… So Moultrie Rotary stepped in to help - with help from a District 6900 grant. [more]

Club News

Roswell Rotary Golf and Tennis Tournament Raises Over $150,000 for 30 Local Charities!

By Anne Greski

The 41^st Annual Aubrey Greenway Golf Tournament and 7^th Annual Hagan Cup Classic Tennis Tournament on September 9^th at the Country Club of Roswell drew over 500 enthusiastic golfers, tennis players, sponsors and volunteers to raise funds for local organizations that are making a difference in our communities. [more]

Club News

Dr. Jim Herron Recognized as a Pillar of Service and Beloved Rotarian

By Angela Smith

At one of its September weekly meetings, Rotary Club of Americus President Rene Smith recognized Dr. Jim Herron with the District Governor’s Golden Jubilee Commendation, in honor of Dr. Herron’s 50 years of service above self as a Rotarian. The award was given on behalf of DG Jim Squire and District 6900 - to an individual who has remained active in Rotary even in his golden years of retirement.

DG Jim and his wife Donna recognized two long-serving Americus Rotarians at his special visit to the club. The second - Broadus Willoughby, has been a Rotarian for nearly 65 years (now honorary). [more]

Club News

Lake Spivey/Clayton County Golf Tournament Supports Ending Polio

By Ron Swofford

In September, the Rotary Club of Lake Spivey/Clayton County held a Polio Awareness Golf Tournament at the Lake Spivey Golf Club in Jonesboro. Seventeen golf teams and dozens of sponsors and volunteers came forward to support the event. The tournament has been one of the club's annual events for several years - designed to raise funds to support service projects in our community. This year, however, the club chose to focus on District 6900 and Rotary International efforts to eradicate polio - an initiative started almost 40 years ago by Rotary International. [more]

AG Mark Barbour, Marlys Williams, President Elect Mary Ansley Southerland, Abbott Hall and Jeff Cooper sort books.

Club News

Marietta Reads!

By Dale Covington

The Rotary Club of Marietta joined in the mid-September Marietta Reads! kick-off for the 2019-20 school year. This Marietta City Schools citywide effort is celebrating its 17th anniversary - fostering reading and literacy in the community. The kick-off celebration offered a variety of literacy activities including school performances, free books, literacy based activities, balloon artists, face painting, a mascot dance-off, and guest appearances. The Rotary Club supports the program all year round. Rotarian Don Barbour is coordinating with all the elementary schools in Cobb County where Marietta Rotarians will begin reading this fall to approximately 800-second graders. [more]

Club News

Rotary Reads in Cuthbert, Georgia

By Heather Melton

The Cuthbert Rotary Club had its first Rotary Reads at Randolph County Elementary School!!!. It was such a blessing to read to the kids!!! They were great!!!

Club News

Rotary and Rotaract Join Forces to Support Atlanta Race

By Hadil Maarouf

The Rotary Club of Atlanta Metro and the Rotaract Club of Atlanta collaborated with the Adult Disability Medical Healthcare (ADMH) in the run that they held this September. This run helps adults with disabilities and took place at the Dunwoody campus of the Georgia State University. It was a phenomenal day filled … [more]