Amplifying Our Efforts to Support Education

By Jackie Cuthbert

For Rotary Internationa, September is Basic Education and Literacy Month - and based on the stories we're sharing, District 6900 continues its strong support for education in our communities and around the world. Read about:

• Projects in our schools
• The opportunity for local students to be part of Rotary Youth Exchange
• The newest class of Global Grant students from Japan and GRSP students from around the world
• The Laws of Life essay program - and how your sponsorship can make a difference in young people's lives.

And there are opportunities for you to learn too - check out all the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) classes available for Rotarians. Read about how North Cobb has grown from 40 members to 100 in just 4 years. And learn about our process for selecting future District Governors and how you can help. [more]

From Our District Governor

Help Select Our Future District Leader

By André Marria

It is time to begin the process of selecting our District Governor for the Rotary Year 2026-2027. The elected individual will become District Governor on July 1, 2026. We want to be sure that everyone understands how the process works. We invite you to become more familiar with how the process works and to think about individuals who might be good candidates for this important responsibility.

Rotary International requires that the person nominated follow a two-year process of training and preparation before assuming the role of District Governor. During the 2024-2025 Rotary year, the selected individual will be the District Governor Nominee (DGN). This role include observation and training, and participation at District events. It also includes participation at the Rotary Zone 33-34 training institute 2024-2025 and Presidents-Elect Training Seminar and participating as a non-voting member of  key district committees. During the 2025-2026 Rotary year, the selected individual will be the District Governor-Elect (DGE). Training and observation activities continue, including participation at the Zone training institute and at the Rotary International Assembly (an assembly and training program for District Governors-Elect from over 500 Rotary Districts in the world) in Orlando in January 2026.

Our district utilizes a Nominating Committee process. Your help in identifying qualified applicants would be appreciated. Please look within your club and within your Rotary network to identify those Rotarians who met the qualifications and have the desire to get involved at the district level.

Interested applicants must have the support of their club indicated by resolution and submit it along with their completed application and including a brief resume to District Executive Secretary, Teri White by November 1, 2023.  Interviews of selected applicants, by the committee, will take place on Saturday, November 18, 2023.If you have questions, contact me, your AG, or call Teri White at 229-221-3935, or e-mail her at twhite@hurstboiler.com. [more]

District Conference 2024

We Are Waiting for You at Jekyll Island

By Stephanie Windham

You don't want to be anywhere except Jekyll Island next March 21-24, as we Amplify Rotary at our District 6900 conference. We're planning a beach party - complete with karaoke competition - along with great speakers, a service project opportunity, chances to learn more about Rotary and what we accomplish this Rotary year. Not to mention a beautiful … [more]

RLI Update

RLI Opportunities Abound in 2023-24!

By Stephanie Windham

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

Membership

Building an Irresistible Club: Simple But Not Easy

By Nancy Prochaska

Rotary International has emphasized the importance of making a bigger impact by increasing our membership.  The Rotary Club of North Cobb has enjoyed significant growth.  Four short years ago our club had 40 active members.  This week we will induct our 100th and 101st active member!  We have been asked how we accomplished this remarkable growth.  The answer is:  It is simple, but not easy!  In fact, it is difficult, but well worth it!  Creating and nurturing a warm, welcoming, engaging, productive, and dare I say, entertaining club takes creativity, planning, and effort.  The North Cobb Rotary has put into action several key practices that attract potential members.
[more]

Amplifying Rotary

Congratulations to Rotary Citation and MAP Honorees!

By George Granade

The Rotary Citation is awarded by the International Rotary President to recognize the hard work clubs do throughout the year. Working to achieve the citation goals helps clubs engage their members, stay relevant in their communities, and run more efficiently. A welcoming and engaging club not only fosters a positive experience for its members, but also reflects the values of Rotary. When clubs achieve citation goals, they contribute to the overall health and culture of Rotary for generations to come.

The Rotary Citation is based on the citation goals one sets in Rotary Club Central. To achieve the Rotary Citation, review all the available goals, select at least half of them, achieve those goals, and report your achievement in Rotary Club Central.  This past Rotary year, we had 24 Rotary clubs to achieve the Rotary Citation.  They are: [more]

GRSP

GRSP Conclave Ushers in Class of 2023-24

By Katheryne Fields

Cabaret, featuring songs, skills, humor, national costumes and more, showcased a variety of talent and diversity among the Georgia Rotary Student Program’s Class of 2023-24 in Macon.Directed by Chair Emeritus and GRSP Foundation President Jim and Lynn Drake, the phenomenal program started with the GRSP Peace Song, featuring the lyrics by Administrator Emeritus Janis Comer and composition of 1994-95 Alumnus Bernard Wong. Photos and Cabaret video the Conclave weekend can be found at the bottom of the resources page at www.grsp.org/resources.

GRSP scholars include 20 males and 22 females from 24 countries. The scholars are sponsored by 93 Rotary Clubs within Georgia and attending 24 public and private colleges/universities throughout the state. [more]

Our Rotary Foundation at Work

Welcome Global Grant Scholars

By Kathy Brandt

Welcome to Taiko Nakazawa from Japan - a practicing oncologist in Japan (Rotary District 2760) who will be doing graduate studies at The Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. Taiko will be hosted by the Decatur Rotary Club for her two-year program of study, with Art Rosser as her primary contact.

District 6900 also welcomes … [more]

Laws of Life

GLL Student Writers Express Gratitude

By Linda Hatten

Students genuinely appreciate the opportunity to reflect on their life experiences. The Laws of Life essay helps many teens realize that they have wisdom and life skills to make a difference for family, friends, and their community.

In a recent survey among participants, many students shared heartfelt appreciation for this writing opportunity. More than 200 students from 60 participating high schools completed the survey. [more]

District Conference 2024

Rotary Hotel Room Blocks on Jekyll Isand

By Stephanie Windham

HOTEL ROOM BLOCKS:

• The Westin Jekyll Island (Walking Distance from Convention Center) - 110 Ocean Way Jekyll Island, GA 31527, telephone 800.937.8461, Rotary rates starting at $239 
• Courtyard by Marriott (Free Island wide shuttle service) - 178 S. Beachview Drive Jekyll Island, GA 31527, telephone 912.635.2416, Rotary … [more]

Amplifying Rotary with DG Andre'

Empowering Girls with “Dignity Bags or It’s a Girl’s Thing Bags”

By Kay Williamson

On August 8, DG Andre’ Marria and Assistant Governor Susan Ferguson joined Meriwether County Rotarians to put together Dignity Bags or It’s a Girls’ Thing Bags for the girls within the Meriwether County School System.  It's part of the club's ongoing Meriwether County Empowers Girls partnership with Meriwether County School System Wraparound Services Program. Through this partnership, the Meriwether County Rotary Club helps by providing feminine hygiene products within zippered dignity bags for girls within the school system.
[more]

Club News

Rotary Club of Thomasville Making A Big Impact In Their Community

By Shanna Skeen

Rotary Club of Thomasville made a BIG IMPACT on their local community at their “FRESH FOR YOU - Free Produce Market” in partnership with Second Harvest of South Georgia and Marguerite Neel Williams Boys & Girls Clubs on Saturday, July 22nd. The club’s efforts served a total of 253 households in the Thomasville-Thomas County community alone that day!
[more]

Douglas County Rotary President Tekmekia Gilchrist with Andre Marria and Assistant Governor Ryan Swertfager

Amplifying Rotary with DG Andre Marria

Douglas County Welcomes DG Andre

By Nell Boggs

The Rotary Club of Douglas County was delighted to hear from District Governor Andre Marria at its August 14 meeting. Members found her passion for all things Rotary inspiring and her vision perfectly aligned with Rotary’s tagline for the year: Create Hope in the World.

Rotary members also learned about all the great work of the Nichols Center in Douglasville. The organization provides services and support for those suffering from mental health issues and drug dependency. We are proud that our fellow Rotarian Tara Nichols founded the Nichols Center in 2013. [more]

Club News

Marietta Metro Supports Education

By Sally Platt

Marietta Metro Rotarians kicked off Basic Education and Literacy month a bit early by participating in back-to-back events to benefit the Emily Lembeck Early Learning Center in Marietta.  For the first event, a Health Fair, children painted kindness rocks at our station to place around the area.  For the second event, the Reading Is Fun fair, we provided the preschoolers with goody bags that contained crayons, coloring books, and other school supplies.

We recently presented scholarships to three college-bound Interact students: Ashaf Kashif, Maxwell Crowson, and Liam Lepp.  Students and their parents were honored at one of our club meetings. [more]

Amplifying Rotary

The Power of Collaboration as We Serve the Community

By Jon Yaeger

September 11-17 of this year is Celebrate Community Week. John Hewko, the General Secretary and CEO of Rotary International wrote, “we’re encouraging Rotary and Rotaract clubs to partner with local Kiwanis, Lions, and Optimist clubs on a service project that will have a long-term impact in your community.”

The Rotary Club of North Atlanta (RCNA) got a head start this August.

For the past three years, the RCNA has hosted a used medical equipment collection day for FODAC (Friends of Disabled Adults and Children – a local non-profit that gathers, refurbishes and distributes wheelchairs, hospital beds, and other medical gear to those in need), joined by a local Lions club as well as the seven clubs in the DeKalb County Rotary Council and The Atlanta Metro Rotaract club. [more]

Amplifying Rotary

Marietta Team Feeds MUST Ministry Residents

By Marlys Williams

Teamwork is one of the most important tools as it relates to organizational efficiency.  Phenomenal miracles were accomplished this past Thursday as a bare bones crew of seven Rotarians prepared and served a hot meal to 100 diners in a three-hour timeframe at the MUST Ministry Fishes and Loaves Kitchen with customers lined up end to end in the dining hall and out into the reception area.  This is the largest number of diners present in several years.  After MUST residents are provided for, MUST opens their kitchen to the local homeless.  No one is turned away.  Gratitude, thanks and appreciation to all who turned out, leaned in, and made it happen.  The Rotary Club of Marietta in partnership with MUST Ministries has been preparing meals and feeding the homeless every 2nd Thursday of each month for approximately 20 years.
[more]

Club News

Roswell Updates Tablescape to Welcome Visitors

By Becky Nelson

Going into our third month with our elevated tablescape, Roswell Rotary is no longer lingering in the COVID protocols. Our lunch meeting has been a chosen investment for new china plates, tea glasses, cutlery and tablecloths.  The plastic/disposable items have been moved back into storage for picnics and to-go orders only.  Our featured speakers for the 2023-24 year include Senators, Executive Directors, and phenomenal stories of personal triumph; President Alex wanted our tablescape and overall meeting environment to level up too.  The response has been amazing with a full-room, tables of Rotarians and visitors chatting and new initiatives coming together.
[more]

Amplifying Rotary

Trying Something New

By Pat Keating

The Rotary Club of Harris County (Pine Mountain) held one of its August meetings at a different time and different location. Our club is a breakfast club that has met every Wednesday at 7:45 AM since 1999.  On August 16, the club met for supper at a popular local restaurant. President Court Dowis said, “The aim is to add variety to our old meeting schedule and break the routine of ‘same time; same day.’ And to give ourselves a more relaxed atmosphere than morning’s usual ‘gotta get to work’ urgency.  It also makes it more attractive to spouses and prospective members.  We will do this again every month in 2023-24.” [more]