From Our District Governor

From Excellence to Greatness

By André Marria

Aristotle once said: “Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives, choice, not chance, determines your destiny.”

As we begin our new Rotary Year, let us keep in mind how awesome we are as individuals in this district!!! It will take our combined efforts to ‘Create Hope in the World," to move us from Excellence to Greatness! We can and will do it!!!

I am so honored to work with you in making this a reality. I have my “Boots on the Ground." I ask you to revisit your “Why” in Rotary as we embark on this journey. I challenge you to develop a plan of action which focuses on continuity. In doing this, you have the roadmap and guide to reach your destination.
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Foundation News

Lottery Raises $170,000 to Help End Polio

By George Granade

You may remember that Darren Jones, brother of our immediate past RI President Jennifer Jones, created a painting entitled "Imagine One’s Dream” that was the visual inspiration for her year as President. Each district received a copy of the print to use to inspire continued support of Polio Plus.

In our district, Rotarians had the opportunity to win the print by donating $100 to Polio Plus - and were encouraged to do so at each of my official visits during the year. Congratulations to Julia Houston, Rotary Club of Atlanta, for winning this beautiful artwork. And congratulations to you - the lottery raised over $170,000 for Polio Plus when the drawing was done. [more]

GRSP Update

GRSP Conclave Slated Aug. 18 in Macon - Reserve Your Spot Now!

By Katheryne Fields

Rotarians and guests are invited to Conclave to welcome the Georgia Rotary Student Program Class of 2023-24 in Macon August 18-20. Conclave is hosted this year by District 6920 and under the direction of the Rotary Club of Macon, the Rotary Club of Macon North and the Rotary Club of Downtown Macon with Rebecca Grist and GRSP 6920 Director Milton Heard as co-chairs.

Registration is now open for Conclave, please visit the GRSP Calendar at https://grsp.org/calendar-of-events 

Hotel Forty Five, historic-boutique hotel in downtown Macon, has a block of rooms set aside for Conclave participants who will need lodging with July 18 as the deadline to reserve the special rate.  [more]

Expand Your Rotary Thinking

RLI Opportunities Abound in 2023

By Stephanie Windham

The 2023-2024 Rotary year will be filled with opportunities to Learn, Share, and Grow through Rotary Leadership Institute. Here are some dates and locations to remember:

• July 22, 2023 – Graduate Course in Transforming Your Club – Midwest Food Bank, Peachtree City, Georgia.
• August 12, 2023 – Parts One, Two and Three – Cooper Lighting, Peachtree City, Georgia.
• August 26, 2023 – Parts One, Two and Three – PCOM Georgia, Suwanee, Georgia.
• October 14, 2023 – Parts One, Two and Three – Ben Robertson Community Center, Kennesaw, Georgia.

Expand your Rotary knowledge and network by attending RLI in Georgia. The RLI Sunshine Division also offers opportunities across Florida and the Caribbean, as well as virtual opportunities via Zoom. For more information and to register for an online or in-person event, go to  https://rlitraining.org/ [more]

Developing Future Leaders

Good Times at RYLA!!!

By Jaclyn Donovan

Summertime in District 6900 mean it’s time for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, better known as RYLA!!  RYLA is designed for young adults with proven leadership ability and a commitment to community service. The District 6900 RYLA camp was hosted by the Rotary Club of Americus June 17-21 on the campus of Georgia Southwestern State University and included 104 students sponsored by over 40 clubs.
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District Conference 2024

Register Now for the 2024 Rotary District 6900 Conference in Jekyll Island, Georgia

By Stephanie Windham

District Conference returns to Jekyll Island, Georgia March 21-24, 2024. Join us as we Amplify Rotary and feature the Lady with a Song, none other than our District Governor André Marria. While cooler temperatures are still lingering around most of the country, Jekyll Island averages around 73 degrees during the month of March, with low humidity.  It’s perfect weather for walks on the beach, outdoor activities, and fun for the whole family!  This island features a mix of calmness and curiosity with its white sandy beaches, natural beauty, and tons of greenery. This city also houses almost 33 historic structures.  There is something for everyone on Jekyll Island.   

DGE André is a Lady with a Song, and this conference will be filled with music, laughter, fun, and fellowship.   Let’s celebrate all the ways our clubs make Rotary BIGGER, BETTER, AND LOUDER!  Make your plans to attend District Conference March 21-24, 2024 at the Jekyll Island Convention Center in beautiful Jekyll Island, GEORGIA.  We look forward to seeing you there!The conference will be at the beautiful Jekyll Island Convention Center, and several hotels have room blocks reserved through February 21, 2024. Jekyll Island is booming, so you are encouraged to book your hotel room NOW!  Once our room blocks are sold there is no guarantee that additional room nights will be added. [more]

Rotary New Year

Peachtree City Rotarians Join 50th Annual July 4 Parade

By Holly Davanzo

Along with over 115 other participants, Rotary Club of Peachtree City President Amy Benton participated in her first "official" event of the new year with the 50th Annual Peachtree City July 4 Parade! While a majority of the participants are decked out in red, white and blue golf carts for the three-mile route, PTC Rotarians ride in and walk alongside two of our Dragon Boats!

The club is ready to kick off our new year! DG Andre challenged each of her presidents to choose a music genre to represent their club and/or community and to help share the theme through the next year as we “Amplify Rotary”. In order to share our story of the oldest and largest service organization in our community, President Amy Benton has chosen to focus on 1967 – our charter year! [more]

Club News

Sandy Springs Celebrates Local Teachers

By Rollin Richmond

In May, the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs held a special celebration, recognizing one teacher from each of the 11 schools serving our community as Teachers of the Year.  Chartered in 1972, the club just celebrated 50 years of serving the community … [more]

Club News

North Fulton Supports Local Foster Children

By Mike Mudd

The Rotary Club of North Fulton has a long history of working with children both in our community and around the world. This year, we wanted to focus on children in our community who have been placed in the Foster Care system.  A committee was formed with past presidents Mike Mudd, Kristi Crockett and James Marosek … [more]

New Satellite Club

Atlanta Southern Crescent Adds Its First Satellite

By Claudia Mertl

The Rotary Club of Atlanta Southern Crescent is proud to announce that we have formed our first Satellite Club - the Satellite Club of Atlanta Southern Crescent/Clifton-Emory. The approval came from Rotary International on June 30 and the Club started with 9 members. The new members are Yamin Farhat, Karina Hatcher, Pia Valeriano, Vivek Singh, Jeevan Markam, Kamlesh Patel, Djebo Gourmanon, Anpuj Achari, and Angelii Abroi Duggal.
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Membership

What's Your Membership Strategy?

By Jackie Cuthbert

As we enter 2023-24, with a continued focus on growing our membership, we'd like to make the newsletter a place where we can learn from each other about successful strategies for recruiting, engaging and retaining new members.

While the idea we're sharing this month comes from the Rotary Club of North Atlanta, the pictures you see here … [more]

Club News

East Cobb Supports Local First Responders

By Aaron Strimban

In June, Guy Gebhardt of the Rotary Club of East Cobb delivered 14 boxes of Patak Meat's brats, knockwurst, sauerkraut and all the trimmings to station 14 of the Cobb County Fire Department for distribution to all three battalions which staff East Cobb's seven fire stations.  The Club regularly supports Cobb County’s first responders.
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Club News

Dunwoody Kicks Off 40-Year Celebration with Fourth of July Parade

By Jackie Cuthbert

There is a famous quote that embodies yesterday's Fourth of July celebration in Dunwoody - "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass ... It's about learning to dance in the rain." Dunwoody Rotarians turned out yesterday morning despite the rain to continue a 30+ year tradition of being part of the city's annual parade or and Fourth of July Festival with its hot dog stand.

President Jack Sparks and his family joined other Dunwoody Rotarians to "dance" in the parade that started just as the deluge began. His family also hosted the revival of the club's "float building party" on the Saturday before July 4. [more]

Club News

Roswell After Hours Holds Comedy Night

By Becky Nelson

Roswell Rotary’s After Hours Club (RRAH) hosted a Comedy Night recently at Lucky’s Burgers & Brews as a fundraiser for the Max Gruver Foundation. The club sold 125 tickets, raising over $2,500 for this “close-to-home” organization focused on educating college/university settings and legislators of the tragedies that happen when hazing goes too far.  It was a Successful & Beautiful night to listen to multiple stand-up comedians, socialize and do good night.

NOTE:  The RRAH Club meets at 6:30 pm every 1st & 3rd Tuesday evening in the loft at The Artillery Room on Canton Street.  Everyone is welcome to attend and learn more. [more]

Final Thought From the Editor

Thomasville President Captures What We're All Thinking

By Jackie Cuthbert

When Mary Beth Donalson, 2023-2024 President of Rotary Club of Thomasville, gave her opening remarks to kick off the new Rotary year, she could have been speaking for all the presidents of the Rotary Clubs in District 6900:  "I stand here before you now as the 103rd President of the Rotary Club of Thomasville, I look around the room today at the faces of past leadership and think about the ones who have passed on, I am humbled and honored that this club has chosen me for this role. I think you will find our upcoming year will be full of exciting projects, engaging community service as we live the Rotary International theme for this year, Create Hope in the World. This club creates hope in this community every month with its produce market, every quarter honoring our local heroes who serve, and having a heart for our seniors. I know this year we will continue to create that hope with all we have planned and am excited to be leading the charge."

Our projects, histories and members are different but we all look to create and nurture a Family of Rotary that Creates Hope for the World. Happy New Year! [more]