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KEYWAY WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

June 18, 2026

SERVICE ABOVE SELF SINCE 1958

MEETINGS

June is Rotary Fellowships Month

BIRTHDAYS

WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES

ROTARY ONLINE

https://atlantawestendrotary.org
https://rotary6900.org/
https://rotary.org/

ROTARY CLUB OF
Atlanta West End

Fridays, 12:15 pm
Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center*
800 Spring St NW
Atlanta, GA 30308

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LEADERSHIP

President Victoria Seals, PhD
President-Elect Christopher Hempfling
Immediate PP Jared Evans
Vice President Christopher Hempfling
Treasurer Rose Caplan
Secretary Neil Shorthouse
Public Image Jared Evans

This Week's Program: NO MEETING

There will be no meeting this week of the Atlanta West End Rotary Club on Friday, June 19, 2026, in observance of Juneteenth.

We encourage members to use the time to rest, celebrate with loved ones, and reflect on the meaning of the holiday.

KeyWay Report: Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home

On June 12th, President Elect Chris Hempfling led our Annual Meeting with Sisters Teresa Maria and Sister DePaul at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home also known as the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, Servants for Relief of Incurable Cancer. We saw a photo of Rose Hawthorne … "Mother Mary Alphonsa", Foundress of the Sisters of Hawthorne, and also the daughter of acclaimed American author and story-teller Nathaniel Hawthorne. We learned of the foundress’s selfless motivations when she said, “ A fire was then lighted in my heart, where it still burns. . . I set my whole being to endeavor to bring consolation to the cancerous poor.”

Our visit’s purpose had several objectives: first, to recognize and thank the Sisters for the care so skillfully and faithfully given to all patients. Also, to receive a greater understanding of the purpose, work being done and history of the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne. Finally, AWER presented its annual donation obtained through contributions made by AWER Members given through its weekly Tasse Trivia game totallng one thousand dollars.

AWER Members present were led by Christopher Hempfling, AWER President- Elect, and included Frances Ellison-Dansby, Jared Evans, Marilyn Jackson, Eric John, Bee Long, Carolina Ramos, Neil Shorthouse. Together, members participated in the tour which included an understanding of its professional, complete and carefully provided services, spotless rooms and resources, its most elegant chapel and a view of the grounds of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home including seeing its huge Black Oak Tree, the oldest Black Oak in Georgia which is also one of the largest with a nearly 9 foot diameter; it is thought to be some 400 years old.

We also viewed a 6-minute Emmy-winning documentary and heard comments from Sisters who also answered questions about Our Lady of Perpetual Care Home which resides at 760 Pollard Blvd., SW, on block south of the Georgia State Stadium.

Finally persons facing incurable cancer and who cannot pay for the services in their final days and weeks or months of life occupy the center of Our Lady’s focus and purpose. The Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne at Our Lady and all claim the highest privilege through their God-enabled love and service.


_____

On Sunday, AWER was present at the Atlanta Streets Alive event held on Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd from eastern end of Mercedes Benz Stadium and sponsored by the city of Atlanta. Those present: Chris Hempfling, Jared Evans, Bee Long and Neil Shorthouse met many strolling on MLK Blvd - some on bikes and children on trikes, who showed interest in AWER, several saying they wanted to attend an AWER meeting at beginning back at Georgia Tech on July 10th or later.


_______

Keyway Speaker Reporters

Jared Evans, Chris Hempfling and Neil Shorthouse

Rotary to Install Peace Pole at The King Center on June 20, 2026

Rotary District 6900 will install a Rotary Peace Pole at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center in downtown Atlanta on Saturday, June 20, 2026. The dedication ceremony will begin at 3:00 p.m.

This event is a stop on Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo’s and his wife Anna Maria Criscione’s three-day visit to Atlanta. President Arezzo will make remarks as part of the program. Representatives from the Mayor’s office and The King Center have been involved in planning and are expected to be on hand for the dedication.

The peace pole will be installed at the entrance to the Peace & Meditation Garden, just behind the eternal flame and close to the tombs of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mrs. Coretta Scott King. A screenshot of a map showing the King Center marker and the general installation area has been provided.

  • Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
  • Time: Ceremony begins at 3:00 p.m.
  • Location: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center — entrance to the Peace & Meditation Garden
  • Address:
    449 Auburn Ave. NE
    Atlanta, GA 30312

All are welcome to attend this community dedication celebrating peace and remembrance.


Brief AWER Member Survey: Help Shape the New Rotary Year

As we begin the new Rotary year in July, we are asking all members to complete a brief membership survey to help us take the pulse of the club and better understand your experience as a member.

The survey includes six short rating-scale questions and one optional comment box. It should only take a few minutes to complete. Your feedback will help inform our Membership Action Plan and guide our work around meetings, service opportunities, fellowship, communication, and overall member engagement.

Please complete the survey by June 26th.

You may complete the survey in either of two ways:

Link: https://forms.gle/ByuiLvKzb5QpgGR88
Scan the QR code: 

Responses are anonymous and will be reviewed in aggregate. Please do not include your name in the optional comment box unless you choose to identify yourself.

Thank you for taking a few minutes to share your honest feedback and for helping us strengthen the Rotary Club of Atlanta West End.

Calander, Agenda, Connections, & Four-Way Test

MARK YOUR CALENDAR  

  • 6/19: No Meeting; Juneteenth Holiday
  • 6/26: Installation Ceremony
  • July Program Chair: Bridgette
  • 7/3: 1st meeting of the new Rotary Year
  • 7/10:  Cameron Turner, Atlanta Children’s Day Shelter
  • 7/12: 12th Annual Safe At Home Game
  • 7/17:  Club Assembly
  • 7/24:  Della The Doula
  • 7/31: Adenike McDonald, Ph.D(c), MPH (Project Coordinator) and Nanella Haynes (Program Navigator), Morehouse School of Medicine Center for Maternal Health Equity

Sign up to be a program chair in the new Rotary Year here today! 

Meeting Agenda

  1. Call to Order
  2. Invocation & Pledge
  3. Introduction of Guests
  4. Tasse Trivia
  5. DEI Moment
  6. Announcements
  7. Program/Speaker
  8. The Four-Way Test
  9. Adjournment

westend@rotary6900.org

facebook.com/RotaryAWE

inforotaryawe@gmail.com

@rotaryatlantawestend

atlantawestendrotary.org

LinkedIn.com/company/rotary-club-of-atlanta-wes?…

Never a Bad Time to Catch Up (ON DUES)!

District 6900 has updated to a new Stripe ACH payment process. The new method is more convenient and more secure. If  you pay your dues via ACH (and you should!), go to YOUR PAGE on our club website (Click here) and use the Setup ACH button to relink your account. Should you encounter any problems, click the Contact Webmaster link in the page footer.


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