Projects
"Just 2 Minutes" - Vocational Talks
One item on our weekly meeting agenda is called "Just 2 Minutes" where members of the club are scheduled by the Sergeant at Arms to serve as Rotarian of the Week (ROTW) once during the year. The ROTW arrives early to serve as Greeter in welcoming all who attend that day. President Sam calls on the ROTW at the beginning of the meeting to introduce guests and visiting Rotarians, lead the Pledge of Allegiance and ask the blessing for the meal. The Rotarian of the Week then provides a "Just 2 Minutes" presentation about their vocation, educational background, where they have lived, career history, family, special interests, and/or stories from their life. Club members get a glimpse into the life of their fellow Rotarian, and it's a chance to become acquainted with new members as well as further develop relationships among veteran members. Each week's "Just 2 Minutes" is different, and sometimes surprising. Since club membership now totals 68 and meetings are held 50 weeks of the year our club member participation in this Vocational Service project is at seventy-three percent (73%).
100% Paul Harris Club
With the assistance of Gerry Bilbro, our club aspired to become a 100% Paul Harris club at the beginning of this Rotary year. A project plan was created and put into place. Gerry shared the impact and history of Paul Harris at an August Meeting and then we began the campaign to become 100% Paul Harris Club by the end of September. Club members responded enthusiastically and joined together as a team to achieve this goal.
2nd Annual Southern Charms Classic Car & Fashion Show
It was an afternoon of “High Style, High Tea, & High Hopes” as the Rotary Club of Johns Creek – North Fulton’s presented the Southern Charms Classic Car & Fashion Show Oct. 2 at the Atlanta Athletic Club. In addition to the car & fashion show, a silent auction and a bourbon & wine tasting were featured at the event.
4th Annual Johns Creek Patriot Day
The Rotary Club of Johns Creek – North Fulton gathered to remember and reflect upon the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks during a remembrance event held at the Newtown Park Amphitheater. The community was invited to the free event that honored the service and sacrifices of first responders and military personnel at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016.
4th Annual Santa in Summer
The holiday season arrived early for 32 local children who were served by the Rotary Club of Johns Creek – North Fulton’s annual Santa in Summer event on Aug. 2.
For the event, the Rotary Club of Johns Creek – North Fulton has partnered with Roswell-based HomeStretch, which has been serving homeless families in the North Atlanta area since 1991.
A Tribute to Veterans
On November 7, the Rotary Club of Marietta Metro hosted a special event at the historic Earl Smith Strand Theater on the Square in Marietta.First, there was a reception for Marietta Metro Rotarians and their guests.Then, the event in the theater was a tribute to all veterans and was open and free to the public.The salute included a Color Guard from a local high school’s Jr. Navy ROTC, “Star Spangled Banner,” “Armed Forces Medley,” “God Bless America” and an explanation of the Missing Man table. The speaker for the evening was Award Winning Author Alvin Townley, author of DEFIANT, a book about eleven POW’s in North Vietnam who were imprisoned for over 7 1/2 years.The tribute portion of the program was followed by a screening of the Emmy Award winning documentary, JEREMIAH, about Navy Commander Jeremiah Denton who went on to become a Rear Admiral and a U. S. Senator from Alabama. Commander Denton was also featured in Alvin Townley’s book.
Abundant Life Soup Kitchen Supplies
The Abundant Life Soup Kitchen began in 1995 in the basement of St. George's Episcopal Church. In 2010, the soup kitchen was requested to leave St. George's and was required to find another home. Rising Star Baptist Church graciously welcomed the soup kitchen, but the move required significant renovations and equipment upgrades. An entire storage building was built and walk in freezer and cooler were installed. The residential four burner electric stove was replaced with a commercial grade six-top stove and oven. While the soup kitchen has been located in two churches, it is not affiliated with the church except for providing the location. The soup kitchen operates as an independent organization and is run by a Board of Directors comprised of members of many churches in and around Griffin. The goal of the soup kitchen is to provide a warm meal to the needy citizens of Griffin and Spalding County Monday through Thursday and a sack lunch on Friday. This is in line with the Rotary goal of alleviating poverty. Amazingly, food is abundantly available through the Atlanta Community Food Bank, other food banks and donations from individuals and local grocery stores. While the soup kitchen has slowly obtained the equipment to continue its service to our community, there is some equipment still needed, as well as products that are not available from food banks, such as paper bags, gloves, plastic bags, etc. This grant is proposed to provide the soup kitchen with the additional needed equipment and supplies so that it can continue in its mission.
Adopt-a-Mile August
The Rotary Road Warriors keeping Alpharetta beautiful!16 Alpharetta Rotarians and family members spent a Saturday morning cleaning the streets of our Beautiful City.
Albany and Southern D6900 Area Work Day
Rotarians and friends within the Albany and other southern areas of our district have been affected by a tornado which touched down on Monday night, January 2nd, 2016.
Alpharetta Rotary has already donated to the District Relief efforts for South Georgia but helping hands are also needed. The Rotary Club of Alpharetta and Alpharetta Presbyterian are partnering to send a volunteer "Chainsaw Crew" to help with the recovery response for the area. We will be sending volunteers from March through May and may extend the timeline if help is still needed.
Albany Area Tornado Relief
It was our club's honor to assist with a $270 donation to support the Albany Area Tornado Relief fund. For approximately one month, our members and guests donated money via our Pot of Gold moment each week. It was a proud and humbling moment for our club to have collected funds that is so needed by the residents in the Albany are
Alpharetta Rotarians volunteer at STEM Career Club
Alpharetta Rotarians were the featured Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Career speakers at the third annual STEM Career Club event. These professionals, in a panel discussion format, answered questions from Georgia Perimeter College (GPC) students - sharing their passions and career journeys.
Alpharetta Rotary in the News
Alpharetta is a busy club and receives a lot of news coverage for the work that we do in the community.
Alpharetta Rotary Serving Humanity: Our Zone Video
How has the Alpharetta Rotary Club served Humanity? Watch this short video to see some of the projects that we have worked on throughout the year. This video was our submission to the zone for their contest.
Ambassador Program
The Ambassador program was designed to assist new members that have joined Alpharetta Rotary with the goal of feeling “Welcome” and to be “Engaged”. This has been beneficial for the 24 + New and Honorary members that have joined Alpharetta Rotary since 7/1/16.
Annual Derby Day Fundraiser
Fundraiser supports literacy and youth at risk. funds are used to provide community grants and support other Rotary projects
Annual Golf Tournament
The club hosted its' annual Golf Tournament and Fundraiser at the Lake Spivey Golf and Country Club. The event was our signature event and all the club members were required to participate as either a volunteer or a sponsor. Many did both. There were many items donated for a raffle at the end of the day.
Annual Senior Center Holiday Party
Our club relocated it's last weekly meeting of the year to the City of Milton's Byrd Senior Center for the purposes of hosting a holiday luncheon for the senior citizen clients of the center. Our club brought in a catered lunch for the senior citizens and the staff as well as our club members in attendance. In addition, members of the Hopewell Middle School chorus came with us to provide a Christmas concert for the senior citizens. Lastly, our members donated items to give the senior citizens as gifts. Items included coloring books, playing cards and other crafting and reading materials.
Annual Spring Sprint
This is one of our annual fundraisers. The race will take place from the Lee Street Park in downtown Jonesboro on the morning of March 18, 2017. The race will cover between 5k-10k of distance in the downtown area, ending back at Lee Street Park, where there will be music and entertainment as well as the awards presentations.
Apples for Teachers
Each year we provide apples and pieces of chocolate to 400 teachers and staff at 4 local schools (elementary, middle and high schools). This is our way of letting them know their local Rotary club appreciates what they do to support our students. This year, a local grocery store donated the apples. It is a beautiful sight to see all of the apples in the teachers' mailboxes.
Atlanta Rotaract Club Support and Partnership
We have had an outstanding year partnering with the Atlanta Rotaract Club in many activities, and hosting several events every month for professional, service, and social growth. Warren Turner, our Rotaract Advisor, with David Gordon, has been assisting their efforts this year. The strategic partnership between Rotaract and the RCD culminated in a number of successful club events, including leading the Shark Tank event at GRSP Program Conference, encouraging GRSP students to become engaged in fostering community service projects. Rotaract members were also a major volunteer center at RunDunwoody 2016. And, we are currently working with them in preparation for the coming Governor's Ball, where they become major contributors to the technology needs of the live and silent auction events throughout the evening. Our club partnership with the Atlanta Rotaract club includes a collaborative whereby we promote each other activities, and provide support in the form of leadership, participation, and funding (approximately $500/year).
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) at Wheeler High School
President Sam Pierce's visionary thinking and big picture viewpoint served as catalyst behind his intentions and actions in appointing long-range planning co-chairs to seek, develop and initiate implementation of a signature club project; in other words DARE-ing TO BE BETTER SERVING HUMANITY. Members identified with strengths for this specific task (15% of the club) joined in, and a funneling process brought laser focus on the proposed AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program at Wheeler High School. Since 40% of Wheeler's students return to the community to live and work, that fact provided significant appeal for impact.
BackPack Blessing
Backpack Blessing Mission Statement – To provide a simple solution to a basic need that is not adequately met for many area children — food. To identify students who are food insecure and provide them with kid-friendly food that is distributed discreetly at school at the end of each week.
Barbara B. Rose Volunteer of the Year Award
Fill out this application for the Barbara B. Rose Volunteer of the Year Award for 2017. The Luncheon to honor the Midtown Atlanta Volunteers of the Year is May 9, 1017 at Ansley Golf Club at 12 Noon.
BASTAS
Be A Santa To A Senior provides gifts to seniors in the community. This is a huge wrapping party that brings the community together in support of seniors. Our club loves wrapping gifts for the seniors and we are not in the least expert gift wrappers, but that is okay. We wrapped about 50 gifts that day. This project is not just about wrapping gifts but allows the opportunity to fellowship with others in the community while listening to Christmas music. It's a big party!
Be A Santa To A Senior
Our club participated with the "Be a Santa to a Senior" project this year for the second year. Betty Keane, the person that runs the project in Fayette County came to speak to our club, we donated $1000, and our members participated hands-on in this project to provide Christmas presents to local seniors, particularly those that are not well off financially.
Benefit for Fire Department
Smyrna Rotary partnered with the Smyrna Fire Department to provide leadership training, as well as a $500 donation, to the local firemen. Smyrna Rotarian David McGinnis gave a one-hour leadership training seminar to the Smyrna Fire Department at their first ever leadership retreat. Smyrna Rotarian and Smyrna Fire Chief Roy Acree coordinated the project and Smyrna Rotary's involvement in benefiting the local fire department.
Benefit for Police
Smyrna Rotary partnered with Smyrna Police and Fire Departments in their Shop With A Hero program to help provide Christmas gifts for 80 underprivileged children. President Elect Sean Tintle, along with Smyrna Rotarian and Smyrna Fire Chief Roy Acree, coordinated Rotarian involvement in this project. Smyrna Rotary also donated $500 to this project.
Book Donation to Children's Health Care of Atlanta Stockbridge Book Cart
In honor of our speakers each week our club donates a book in their honor to the book cart at the Stockbridge Location of Children's Health Care of Atlanta. This year our club donated 45 books. Each book included an inscription in the front that reads, The Rotary club of Henry County donates this club in the name of xxxx Thank you for speaking at our club. Club President posted with the staff at Children's for a photo that was shared on social media both by our club and Children's Health Care of Atlanta
Books Are Magic
Rotarian Nancy Tillinghast, Director of the Thomas County Library, is an active member of the Certified Literacy Community Program for the past eight years providing important leadership and the Chair of this committee in our Club. Under this program, annually free books are given to four year olds, dictionaries are given to third graders, a Back to School Blitz is conducted, a fund raising spelling bee is held and GED Scholarships are awarded. Rotary In cooperation with CLEP, Kiwanis, Flowers Foods and Thomas County Family Connections, purchased and distributed 675 dictionaries and 681 books to elementary school children in 25 classes at four elementary schools. The book Gotta Go Gotta Go was read to the children. This program stimulates a love of reading early that is a fundamental skill required for an education enhancing the student's development and academic performance which ultimately benefits the community. Involvement by our Club in this activity reinforces our branding as a major supporter of education and supports our community outreach. This is a continuing activity of our Club each year.
Boy Scouts - Character Education
The Rotary Club of East Cobb continues its Boy Scout project into an eighth year. It's original purpose was coordinating with local Boy Scout troops to assist Eagle Scouts with their projects and provide recognition on behalf of East Cobb Rotary members in the International Federation of Scouting Rotarians. That purpose continues as identified in Eagle Scout Wim Steentjes' letter of thanks for "East Cobb Rotary's benevolent support for bringing the sensory garden at the Center for the Visually Impaired to reality." Club members Ken Crowell and Wade Patrick are active in local units, and Jonathan Ingram is a BSA staff member with the Atlanta Area Council.
Boys And Girls Club Youth Development Collaberative
Club members assisted the youth at the Boys and Girls Club of Moultrie with life skills and study skills through the purchase and use of the Eprep computer program. The program helps improve test scores. It provides opportunities for youth to practice for the ACT, SAT, and the PSAT.
Boys ans Girls Club
We have set up a quarterly event for service project where we help the Boys and Girls Club with the kids after school programs.
We have several member helping with homework, life skills and education.
BREAST CANCER SURVIVAL RELAY FOR LIFE
RAISED FUNDS FOR WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER IN CARROLL COUNTY. TWO MEMBERS OF OUR CLUB PARTICIPATED IN THE RELAY FOR LIFE RACE
BREAST CANCER SURVIVAL RELAY FOR LIFE
DONATED FUNDS FOR WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER IN CARROLL COUNTY. TWO MEMBERS OF OUR CLUB PARTICIPATED IN THE RELAY FOR LIFE RACE.
Bring One for the Chipper
Brookhaven Police" Shop With A Badge" 5K Run
This run is to fund the Brookhaven Police Dept's Shop With A Badge program at Target Store just before Christmas. The BPD partners with the Boys and Girls Club who pick out the neediest families and the BPD officers take kids for a shopping day with each getting about $200-300. Our club will participate by sponsoring runner(s) to help fundraising and hopefully provide some members as runners.
Brumby School Mates Project
School Mates is a project with Brumby Elementary School sustained by East Cobb Rotary for fifteen years. As a Title I school Brumby serves a diverse student population of over 900 students with 23% as English Language Learners receiving ESOL support and 11% of students receiving special education services. In addition, 79% of the student population qualify for free and reduced breakfast and lunch, and the transiency rate of 46% means that almost half of the students who begin the year at Brumby are not enrolled by the end of the year due to turnover. Support from the Rotary Club of East Cobb is important for developing literacy in English, mathematics and technology. Project components include: 1) BOOKS FOR STUDENTS signed with an encouraging note by the program speaker at each week's club meeting, 2) PARTICIPATION IN SPECIAL PROGRAMS such as STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) Days, Read All Day on Dr. Seuss's birthday (March 3, 2017), and Career Day, and 3) an ANNUAL CURRICULUM CONTRIBUTION - This year funds were provided through a District 6900 grant and from East Cobb Rotary to acquire a one-year subscription to Education City's Learn English program for Kindergarten through 5th grade students in support of educators and tutors helping students build English language skills for mastering required learning standards and advancing digital literacy. Club members met at Brumby in December to work with students one-to-one for demonstrations of learning and personal interaction with Rotarians. Students demonstrated coding and programming skills they are learning through the assistance of ipads donated by East Cobb Rotary. One club member serves on Brumby's School Council and its Foundation Board. East Cobb Rotary believes in investing in these "at hope" students as one very important means of SERVING HUMANITY.
Bylaw Changes to Membership Structure
Bylaw Changes to Membership Structure
The Henry County Rotary Club is in the process of revising its bylaws.
Change 1 - Admission Fee is to be paid prior to acceptance for membership and includes the cost of registration with the district and RI as well as a donation to the Rotary Foundation in the new member’s name. Additional fees in the old bylaws have been removed to lower the Admission Fees in order to be more competitive with other locals service clubs.
C.A.R.T. (Coins for Alzheimers Research Trust)
C.A.R.T. Chairman, Steve Snipes, makes sure a blue C.A.R.T. bucket is placed on every table at each weekly meeting so every member is presented the opportunity to contribute. If Steve is absent, he makes sure another club member puts out those C.A.R.T. buckets. Most members contribute during the year, though an exact number isn't known. Verbal reminders cue members to put their coins in the buckets, and dollars are OK too. Several members have formed the weekly habit of emptying change from their pockets or purses and placing it in the bucket which cues others at the table to do the same. Additional funds are extracted from members when the Sergeant-at-Arms asks during Sunshine time for any who forgot to wear their Rotary pin that day to place a dollar in the C.A.R.T. bucket. It's amazing how those extra dollars appear even from Rotarians who are wearing their pin. For several East Cobb Rotarians this humanitarian need is personal and close to home because of experience with family members having Alzheimers. It's a pleasure and privilege for East Cobb Rotarians to support this research cause and its impact on thousands across our nation. As of this report, our club's C.A.R.T. contribution totals $530.50. Past history would predict we're on track to contribute at or above our previous high of $618.00 by this year's end date of June 30, 2017.
Cake Auction for John's Place
Club members baked cakes that were auctioned off to benefit John's Place for Alzheimer's care.
Camilla Pro Tennis Invitational
Camilla Rotary continues a long history of it's Corporate Sponsorship of the Pro-Tennis Invitational. The 42nd Annual Event will be held April 28-30 2016. The event has raised over one million dollars for charity over its history. The primary beneficiary of its proceeds goes toward the Jim Butler, Jr. Mitchell-Baker Service Center (named for the Past President, the late Jim Butler Jr.) A special tennis clinic held for clients of the ARC is certainly a highlight of their year. Our support of this event helps to ensure that the clients of the Service Center ARC continue to receive quality services they and their families deserve. The event benefits the Mitchell County Food Bank and the Mitchell County Boys and Girls Club.
Camp Grace for At-Risk Youth
Club members spent two full days assembling modular dormitory units at Camp Grace in Roberta, GA. The dorms will house summer campers comprised of "at-risk" youth in the surrounding area.
For more information on Camp Grace...http://thecampgrace.com/
Candidates Community Forum
Dr. Tom Price served as our East Cobb area congressman in the US House of Representatives for many years until recently named to the President's Cabinet as US Secretary for Health and Human Services creating a vacancy for his former House seat. A rush of 18 candidates now bring themselves to the public for election. A serious need for community presentation of these candidates exists, and the Rotary Club of East Cobb is addressing that need along with the East Cobber magazine in co-sponsoring a Candidates Community Forum.
Canstruction Flag
Our club matched blue bucket donations of $100 to help our Interact Club's purchase of canned goods. With the money our Interact club purchased specific-colored canned goods to erect an American flag for a Veteran's Day celebration. Our local paper captured the moment and gave us great exposure. The Interact club also wore their recently donated Interact T-shirts as well.
Career Woman of the Year
Club selects a Career Woman of the Year. The award is presented by the club President at the annual Chamber awards banquet.
CASA
DONATION FOR SCREENING,TRAINING FOR COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS TO ADVOCATE FOR THE BEST INTERESTS OF ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN INVOLVED TO DEPRIVATION.
Celebrating Gary George's 50 Years of Service in Uniform
In January, The Rotary Club of Alpharettarecognized Gary D. George, director of the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety, for his 50 years of service and leadership with a presentation during our January 27th meeting. Director George has been instrumental in connecting our First Responders to the Community and, in turn, connecting Alpharetta Rotary to the needs of Police and Firefighters.
Celebrating the Centennial: Major Donors and Bequest Society
Our Members generous contributions to The Rotary Foundation are essential to our service projects throughout the world. The Club rightly makes any new recognition achievement by our members a big deal for the club to celebrate. This shows appreciation to our Members for their commitment to the Foundation and also helps pave the way for other members to Dare to be Better!
Central Homeless Shelter Projects
North Atlanta Rotary historically goes to the Central Shelter in downtown Atlanta during February to serve the homeless men. This February was no different. PP Don Millen made arrangements for roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, rolls, ice cream and cookies, a dinner for 75 individuals. He also procured sandwich meat, bread, condiments, bananas and chips for a sack lunch. We took these items down to the shelter on a chilly night where the men that could, had a safe and warm place to stay, with a delicious hot meal.
Chamber education series classes lunch n learn
This is our first of a Series of Lunch and Learn classes for the Chamber members and community.
Healthcare - A Washington Update in combination with Shaw Henkins Agency (Benefits specialist)
This Series will help us educate the public on various issues concerning individuals and businesses as well as tell the community about Rotary and what we are about.
Check Presentation - TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation
The Rotary Club of Johns Creek – North Fulton presented a $7,500 check to TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, a non-profit organization that provides specialized and evidenced-based rehabilitation for women with breast cancer.
The Rotary Club raised funds through its annual Southern Charms Classic Car & Fashion Show held at the Atlanta Athletic Club. Nearly 200 attendees watched models walk the runway in the latest fashions by Tootsies, Guffey’s of Atlanta and Calypso St. Barth. The Classic Car Show featured vehicles by Bentley, Rolls Royce, Ferrari, and many others.
Christmas Tree Recycling
Our club partners with "Keep Peachtree City Beautiful", setting up two locations at the local Kroger and Home Depot in order to collect Christmas Trees that are dropped off by area residents. The trees are then recycled for mulch. We also solicit donations for a local organization that we determine, which this year was Midwest Food Bank.
Christmas Tree Sale
Partnered with the First Christian Church of Decatur to sell Christmas Trees and Wreaths, the proceeds of which support the Park and other needs in the community
Chromebook Covers for Abby's Angels
We partnered with Rotary Club of Senoia in purchasing 150 Chromebook covers to donate to Abby's Angels. They will give them to less-fortunate children to help protect school-issued tablets. The Rotary International logo was printed on them.
CIRCLES OF WEST GEORGIA
PREPARING AND SERVING MEALS EVERY OTHER MONTH FOR DISADVANTAGED WOMEN STUDYING WITH PROFESSIONAL MENTORS HELPING THEM WITH LIFE SKILLS. EXAMPLES HOW TO SURVIVE ON THEIR OWN. ONE OF OUR MEMBERS IS A LICENSED FINANCIAL PLANNER. SHE GIVES HER TIME EVERY MONTH TO HELP THE LADIES WITH FINANCIAL PLANNING AND BASIC ACCOUNTING SKILLS. THEY HAVE OTHER BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS THAT PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM. THE MISSION IS TO INSPIRE AND EQUIP FAMILIES TO THRIVE AND PREVENT PROVERTY
City of Sandy Springs Veteran's Day Celebration
The Rotary Club of Sandy Springs volunteered during the City of Sandy Springs' annual Veterans Day commemorative event. The club has volunteered for the past 6 years. The City of Sandy Springs hosted this annual Veterans Day Tribute on Friday, November 11, 2016 beginning at 11:30 a.m. to honor those who serve and served our country. The event takes place at the Veteran’s Memorial located at the Concourse Corporate Center next to the Queen Building (Building Five). Former WSB News Anchor John Pruitt was the event's emcee. Sandy Springs resident and Purple Heart recipient, CW05 Edwin E. Harman, III, USMC was the keynote speaker.
Clayton State University Athletic Scholarship
The club sponsored an Athletic Scholarship for students who need additional time to complete their studies after their initial athletic scholarship runs out. This covers some of their educational expenses while they continue to earn their degree. The club members attended the opening basketball season game and were honored at a reception prior to the start of the game.
Club Bulletins
Our club is proud to publish a full color printed bulletin each week not only to share and inform with each member but to our visitors.
Club Bulletins
The club takes pride in it's weekly bulletins. We try to keep members informed on all events and opportunities to service.
Club Communications, News, Web, Facebook
Rotary Club of Dunwoody Club communications utilized the following media sources:
- Bulletin Brief - produced weekly by Club President, on each Wednesday, to highlight Friday Speaker or Event
- Weekly Bulletins - promoted programs and activities to members and guests.
CLUB E BULLETIN
The club is sent an E Bulletin each week about all meetings, activites and programs that we are working on
Co- Sponsor West Georgia Community Interact Club
The Meriwether Co Rotary Club co-sponsors with the LaGrange Rotary Club the West Georgia Community Interact Club. Our club donated the Interact Bell to start the Interact meetings. Also the Interact Club will help with our signature fundraiser at the Cotton Pickin Fair in May and October. They will also be a program speaker at our club.
Coloring Book Project #1 - Park Springs Assisted Living
In order to enhance the lives of senior citizen residents of retirement communities, and other venues, the Rotary Club of Stone Mountain is reaching out by providing coloring materials. (Coloring books, coloring pencils etc.) Rotarians, along with Interact students, visit the retirement communities and engage in conversation while enjoying the popular trend of coloring. Each coloring page contains a vintage, memorable theme (WWII Planes, Classic cars of the 50's etc.) along with a Rotary Club of Stone Mountain label.
Communities in Schools
One of our grant recipients this year is CIS. Their goal is to have a counselor in each school in Marietta and Cobb County to help remove student obstacles to graduation. Where they have been successful in providing a counselor they have dramatically improved the graduation rates. RCOM provided them with a $10,000 grant to help them to hire another counselor.
Community Partner: City of Alpharetta
The City of Alpharetta has been a great partner with the Rotary Club of Alpharetta. They have helped us with our biggest fundraiser, the Mayor's Corporate Challenge. As a partner, we wanted to make sure that we supported the City's bigger fellowship events.
Crying Towel Program
Each fall our club invites the coaches from all of the local Clayton County High Schools to take part in our "Crying Towel" luncheon. Each coach tries to give their best sob story as to why they have the worst team in the county. The event is very entertaining and our club has sponsored this luncheon for over thirty years.
Dennis Crean Laws of Life Essay Contest
This Fall, 2016, Marie Crean, presented a $100,000 check to the Rotary International Foundation from the Estate of Dennis M. Crean. Dennis was a member of the Rotary Club of Dunwoody, GA for the past 20 years and was a friend of many. On behalf of the Crean family, Marie writes, "The Rotary members are our extended family and were a tremendous support at Dennis's passing. Our family is grateful to be able to support the work of Rotary around the world." The bequest will establish the Dennis M. and Marie A. Crean Endowment Fund in support of Disease Prevention and Treatment.
Dictionary Project
Club buys and hand delivers a dictionary to every third grader in Lamar County.
Dictionary Project
Members visit Marietta Schools and deliver a dictionary to every third-grader in Marietta Schools.
Dictionary Project
The members of the Club delivered a dictionary to every third grader in the Clayton County public school system. The total number of dictionaries delivered was approximate 4,400. This is the 8th year that this project has been in place. This project is particularly important in this school system because of the significant number of students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and for whom language skills are a challenge. The project accomplishes three main objectives. 1. Each child receives a useful language tool for their own personal use and receives it without charge. 2. The Rotarians delivering the dictionaries provide a positive adult model for the children. The model is one of a successful and useful member of the community who does things for the community. 3. The child receives an object lesson in the sanctity of private property. The dictionary is their own private property.
Dictionary Project 2017
Each week we deliver dictionaries to every public school in Paulding County. All members actively involved in this project. Every Tuesday and Thursday for the month of Sept to beginning of Oct.
Dine Around Peachtree City Dinners / Rotary Means Business Luncheons
Dine Around is an on-going monthly gathering of club Rotarians, their spouses, friends and prospects that started in 2012. We meet for dinner at a different restaurant in the area once a month. Attendance is generally between 30 and 50. The purpose is to build deeper and lasting friendships among club members in an informal setting. It provides good will toward the community restaurants and allows for spouses and prospective Rotarians to meet in an informal way. Additionally, we always attend restaurants which pay for advertisements in our Rotary Smart Directory, which is the club's principal money making project. These informal gatherings help to enrich the lives of club members.
District Conference Cruise
The Rotary Club of Henry County will have 16 attendees at this year's District Conference Cruise
District Disaster Relief Funds
North Atlanta Rotary was proud to support the requests of our District Governor when there was a call for financial support for the people involved in the Gatlinburg, Tennessee Fire Storms last November and torandos in Albany ad Doughtery Counties this past January. Although we are a small club we try our best to share when we can and support our friends and neighbors.
District Grant - Magic School Bus
This year's District Scholarship recipient went to the "Magic School Bus" at Mitchell County High School. We selected this project because it benefits so many High School students in Camilla and Mitchell County. It's like a book-mobile but tricked out with the latest technology, and it's the brainchild of the former Mitchell County High School Principal (now Superintendent), Robert Adams. The bus features 24 laptops, a Promethean board, an overhead projector, lightening fast Internet service - and the promise of something often hard to find in a low income school district: A chance to get ahead!
Dog Days Give Back
East Cobb Rotary's Dog Days Run is the club's primary fundraiser held the last Saturday in July for eleven consecutive years. A large portion of funds raised from this event are directly invested into charitable causes close to the heart of the club and presented at the annual "Dog Days Give Back Breakfast." This year's event is scheduled for March 8, 2017. Thirty-two (32) fund recipients plus the platinum, gold and silver sponsors of the Dog Days Run will be in attendance.
Dresden Elementary Holiday Book Project
Our District Grant ($1,500) for 2016-2017 enabled our Rotary Club of Dunwoody to continue providing a book for each child at the Title School, Dresden Elementary. A Literacy and Education project, 1,200+ books were purchased, prepared with Rotary labels, and distributed to K-5 students prior to the year-end holidays. The school is in an economically challenged area and this one special opportunity allows the children to have a book of their own. We have over 60 Rotarians gather at a meeting in Fall, 2016, to assemble the books, and place Rotary name plates and Character Counts bookmarks in each book to be distributed. This is the seventh year that students at Dresden have been receiving a book from the Rotary Club of Dunwoody. Then, for our Holiday Luncheon in December, we invite the Dresden Elementary School Choir to sing for this great event, and then treat them all to a Pizza Party upon their return to campus.
Dunwoody High School Interact Club & RYLA
Dunwoody High School Interact Club - This growing club at Dunwoody High School, sponsored by the RCD and lead by our Membership Chair, David Gordon, Warren Turner, and Carol Gage has a membership of 30+ students. The club currently meets twice a month on Thursday mornings in their lead teacher Ms. Mary Sturkin's classroom. The Interact students serve as volunteers at one our major fundraising events, RunDunwoody. They also assist with our Stop Hunger Now Project at GRSP weekend. The club currently receives no direct funding from RCD; however, the RCD does sponsor the participation of at the 2017 Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) for six Dunwoody High School Interact Students. There they will meet many new friends and participate in leadership building and conflict resolution activities. We would like to give a special thanks to RYLA director Susan Ruckman for coordinating this event.
Dunwoody Salutes America Independence Day Parade - 4th of July Parade, Float, & Hot Dog Stand
This Family of Rotary Event, with tremendous support from club members (27 volunteers) as well as family and friends (an additional 15 volunteers), provides an opportunity for our Rotary team to come together early in the Rotary year in support of this great community event. And, a large turn out of Dunwoody Rotarians sends a huge signal to the community about our club's commitment to service and to the Community of Dunwoody. It also offers us an opportunity to increase the community's awareness of Rotary's gifts to the community and the world.
Early Reading Program at Woodward Elementary- A Rotary Literacy Service Project
The Rotary Club of Brookhaven invited the Rotary Clubs of North Atlanta, South DeKalb, Dunwoody, and Decatur, to join in an initiative to help Pre-K and Kindergarten students at Woodward Elementary by "reading to learn" by 3rd grade. With the support of a Rotary District Grant and partnering with the Ferst Foundation, together we are supporting this goal through book donations and reading monthly to ten kindergartner and three Pre-K classes at Woodward Elementary. Throughout this year, we'll donate more that 3,000 books to 248 students, read to 13 classes monlthly and equip parents with book specific multi-lingual reading guides to use at home. This early reading project is helping students "learn to read" and learn to love to read, so that by the time they reach third grade they will be "ready to learn" through reading. The Rotary Club of Dunwoody is excited to partner with our Sister Clubs to help promote this great project in 2016 - 2107, and look forward to continuing this partnership in 2017-2018,
East Cobb Foundation
East Cobb Foundation was established from 1988-1990 by a visionary group of East Cobb Rotarians when Connelly Sanders and Randy Thompson served as club Presidents. Designed as a sustaining fund for furthering the purposes of Rotary International ideals in East Cobb, the original goal was to raise $100,000 as principle to be held for future growth, and interest earned would be used for funding appropriate projects. Jim Rhoden initiated matching incentives, and the "East Cobb Fellows" was established for honoring those who made contributions of $1,000 after they met the condition of first becoming a Paul Harris Fellow. Current recognition includes designation as a David Stahl Fellow for a donation of $1,000, a Connelly Sanders Fellow for $2,500, a Randy Thompson Fellow for $5,000, and a James Rhoden Fellow for $10,000.
East Cobb Sunshine
East Cobb SUNSHINE, a tradition started in the early years of the club and still a favorite today, is a regular part of the club's weekly meeting agenda. The Sergeant-At-Arms announces: "For our guests and visiting Rotarians, Sunshine is a time when you can give $1.00 to speak about yourself or $5.00 to speak about your business. The person who contributes the 100th dollar names the charity of their choice to receive the $100.00."
Economic Development in Bulembu
In 2001, the mining company that had built and operated Bulembu for more than 60 years, closed its doors and walked away. Abandoned by the mining industry, the 10,000 residents soon deserted the town in search of employment. At the same time, the country continued to be ravaged by the highest HIV/AIDS infection rate in the world and the resulting orphan crisis.
EMPTY BOWLS
WE HOSTED A POTTERY BOWL MAKING AND PAINTING EVENT AT ONE OF OUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS. THE BOWLS WERE MADE FOR CARROLL COUNTY SOUP KITCHENS LARGEST ANNUAL FUNDRAISER. OUR CLUB WILL ALSO VOLUNTEER TO WORK AT THE EVENT IN FEBUARY.
End Human Trafficking
After Bill Riley of the Roswell Rotary Club offered a moving presentation in May 2012 regarding preliminary efforts to combat the commercial sexual exploitation of children, East Cobb Rotary entered an immediate commitment to financial support and attendance at awareness meetings. One club member continued through a process of speakers bureau training, commitment to the work, and so far this Rotary year contributed 44 volunteer hours toward ending Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST) through work with the Georgia Cares speakers bureau. Another club member has joined the same speakers bureau this year. These two club members plus two others who have significant interest in this issue stay in communication with Cokkie Eaker as the club's connection resource to the District 6900 work for ending human trafficking.
End Human Trafficking Celebration
In May 2017, the Rotary Club of Peachtree City will sponsor the Annual Awards Celebration for the Wellspring Living Girls residing in the 12 - 17 year old home . Below is a description of the education model and process as explained on Wellspring Living's Website.
Family of Rotary - Top Golf
The Rotary Club of Henry County has a Family of Rotary Event at Top Golf in Atlanta. We will host our members and their families for a fun day of fellowship and competition.
Family of Rotary Event - Hosting District Governor, Club Meeting, and Dinner
On July 22, District Governor Raymond Ray visited the Rotary Club of Dunwoody, and spoke to our membership about his priorities for 2016 - 2017, including education, childrens' health, and a passion for Rotary. Then, just following our regular 7:15 - 8:30 am meeting, DG Raymond Ray met with our BOD to hear their "hopes and plans" for 2016 - 2017, and to allow for discussion of these plans.
Family of Rotary Holiday Luncheon
On December 19, 2017, in lieu of our regular meeting, the Rotary Club of Henry County hosted members and their families for a Holiday Lunch full of laughs and fellowship. Member Annette Hidgon was our speaker and shared with the club the meaning of Christmas symbols and of Christmas itself. Member Kerry Arnold led the club in singing Christmas Carols.
Family Patterns Matter
Our club donated $1,000 to Family Patterns Matter. They intend to use the money for an anti-bullying campaign and tutoring in 2017.
February New Member Social
Our newer members met with board members and committee heads to enjoy fellowship and share their passions for service. This is our way to help the newer members get involved with the club early on.
Feeding Those in Need at The Men's Extension
The Men's Extension helps men overcome addiction by providing counseling, shelter and job training. Each month members of RCOM collaborate with the Culinary Program at Marietta High School to provide healthy, nutritious and tasty meals for the men at the Extension. The students prepare the food and then Rotarians transport it to the Men's Extension. Rotarians and students serve the men dinner and then the men clean up afterwards.
Feeding Veterans on Veterans Day 2016
Club members attend a Veterans Day memorial and served food to area Veterans at the VFW. The club also provided several of the food items served.
Financial Assistance to Storm victims of Albany and South Georgia
The Rotary Club of Vinings Cumberland educated our membership through special emailings, weekly e-newsletter, and announcements at the weekly meetings to inform about the devastation in the Albany area from the deadly storms.
25% of club Rotarians made personal contributions and the Board of Directors provided matching funds.
Financial Support for More Than A Desk
Mukund Aravapalli is an 11th grader at Kings Ridge High School in Milton. For his Eagle Scout project he worked to purchase chairs and desks for rural schools in his home town of Karnataka, India. Our club provided Mukund with a small donation to help him purchase additional chairs.
FODAC Quarterly Project
The Rotary Club of Tucker teams with Friends of Disabled Adults and Children to sort and distribute new and used health related equipment,clothing and incidentals to needy persons st little or no cost to the idvidividual dependent upon the persons set of circumstances. The Tucker Club convenes 4 times(once each quarter) for 4 to 6 hours of donated labor.The FODAC Director estimates that these volunteer hours represent about $5000 in in-kind contribution.
Foster Family Day at the Zoo
Alpharetta Rotary will team-up with the Isakson/Alpharetta Y to host FaithBridge Foster Care children and families for a day of fun at The Main Event. This is the second year providing an opportunity for Foster families to come together for a time to bond and enjoy a bit of respite. On April 29th, 5-7 Alpharetta Rotarians will meet 5-7 foster families and their foster and biological children at The Main Event (an entertainment complex in Alpharetta). The objective for the day is to interact with and have fun alongside the families, and to better understand their needs and challenges. This will assist in designing future programs to address their needs. The pictures provided below show the fun had during our trip to the Zoo last March.
Georgia Baptist Children's Home
Our club provided pizza and drinks to 200 children, staff and parents for their Annual Christmas Party. It's not every day, the children get to pig out on pizza and soda o we were more than happy to provide it. The bonus was the interaction with the children as they participated in all of the different activities. They were excited to have the attention on them and we were more than happy to provide the attention.
Georgia Rotary Student Program - Hosting GRSP Leadership Weekend
In January, 2017, our club hosted 46 International students for our annual GRSP Leadership Weekend over the MLK Weekend. This event partnered with our sister clubs and GRSP, began on Friday, January 14 with a visit to the Center for Civil and Humane Rights, followed by a Family of Rotary evening diner event at Sling Shot. Our sister clubs include the Rotary Club of Atlanta, Rotary Club of Brookhaven, Rotary Club of Buckhead, and the Rotary Club of North Atlanta. Then, on the following Saturday, the GRSP students were hosted at Oglethorpe University by Past President Larry Hart, for a lecture series entitled "Fierce Conversations." In the afternoon, we hosted a Stop Hunger Now Project event that brought together the GRSP Students, many of our club members, Rataract, Family of Rotary Student hosts and District 6900 North Atlanta Weekend Partners, volunteering to package approximately 10,000 meals that feed a family for a week internationally.
Georgia Rotary Student Program - Hosting GRSP Student
This program complements the unique and successful Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP) of which our club is very involved. This year, the Rotary Club of Dunwoody hosted Marc Barros Gevers from Durban, South Africa. He is being hosted by Membership Director David Gordon and his wife, Judy.
Give Shriners Children Hospital Gift
Meriwether Co Rotary Club member Bob Prater presents gift to Dist Gov Raymond Ray for the Shriners Children Hospital.
Global Grant - Kilifikids
This year the Camilla Rotary Club was given the opportunity to participate in a Global Grant. Our club along with several other small Rotary clubs donated $1,000 and helped the Vinings Rotary Club sponsor "Kilifikids" project. The grant provides hundreds of health workers with cell phones and solar panels to cover a population of 50,000 and directly identify and track 20,000 women and kids. The goal is to decrease maternal mortality rates and increase immunization rate for kids under 5 to transform entire populations.
Global Grant - Kilifikids
This year the Camilla Rotary Club was given the opportunity to participate in a Global Grant. Our club along with several other small Rotary clubs donated $1,000 and helped the Vinings Rotary Club sponsor "Kilifikids" project. The grant provides hundreds of health workers with cell phones and solar panels to cover a population of 50,000 and directly identify and track 20,000 women and kids. The goal is to decrease maternal mortality rates and increase immunization rate for kids under 5 to transform entire populations.
Global Grant - Rotarians for Family Health & Aids Prevention in Ghana
Our Global Grant Project in the Fall of 2016 provided $5,000 support for Family Health Days in Ghana, supporting Ghana Rotarians treating 50,000+ Ghanaians in October, 2016. The Grant was presented in partnership with the Rotary Club of Johnson City, TN, and District 7570. PDG and RFFA Executive Director, Alicia Michael, and Dunwoody Rotarian, Marion Bunch, Past Executive Director of RFFA, led the charge in the recruitment of sponsorship for this project.
Golf Tournament
Annual golf Tournament Fundraiser - partnering with Helping hands this year and we will split the funds. We feel partnering with another non-profit will help boost both of our clubs visability in the community as well as increase sponsor money and players as well as donations.
Grand Prix 5K Road Races
The Rotary Club of Peachtree City has helped local elementary schools establish 5K races as a fundraiser over the past ten years. By organizing the races as a "Grand Prix" series with prizes for the most points earned throughout the season, each race benefits with higher attendance. At this point, the series includes all 16 of Fayette County's elementary schools. These 16 races provide over $100,000 a year in revenue raised cumulatively by those schools by using the $6,500 provided by the Rotary club as "seed money" and then getting sponsors and runners in the community to participate. These 16 races, spread over the entire school year, involve over 3,000 runners. Runners earn points for each of the races that they do and accumulate those points all year.
GRSP - Georgia Rotary Student Program
The Rotary Club of East Cobb looks forward each year to sponsoring a GRSP student along with one or two other nearby Rotary clubs, and this year's joint sponsorship is shared with the Rotary Club of Marietta. East Cobb Rotary also enjoys the privilege of club member Blaine Hess serving as a GRSP Trustee, and seven percent (7%) of club members have direct involvement with our club's GRSP project this Rotary year.
GRSP Host
Our club partnered with several other clubs to host Alejandro Perona from Spain. He is studying computer science at Clayton State while here.
GRSP Leadership Weekend
NA Rotary joined forces with (lead club) Dunwoody, as well as Brookhaven, Buckhead, and Atlanta clubs providing the MLK GRSP Leadership weekend. Starting Friday noon at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in downtown Atlanta, students attended opening day of the Martin Luther Ing, Jr collection. Approximately 48 GRSP students participated in the weekend hosted in rotarian's homes from North Atlanta, Dunwoody, Buckhead and Brookhaven clubs.
GRSP STUDENT
OUR CLUB MEMBERS MET THE STUDENT AT THE AIRPORT. WE HOSTING FAMILY ACTIVITIES. WE ARE PARTNERING WITH THREE OTHER CLUBS ON THIS PROJECT. OUR CLUB HAS A HOST FAMILY AND THEY MAKE SURE SHE ATTENDS OUR WEEKLY MEETINGS. SHE IS VERY INVOLVED IN OUR CLUB PROJECTS AND WITH THE ROTORACT CLUB.
GRSP Weekend
Alpharetta Rotary was this year's host for the GRSP Weekend put on by the North Fulton Rotary Council. This is a fun-filled weekend were Rotarians can get to know our GRSP Students and the students can tour the Atlanta Metro Weekend.
The weekend started with Alpharetta Rotary hosting a dinner and bonfire at Alpharetta Presbyterian. The students then spent Saturday at the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coke. Saturday evening was an all night "lock-in" at the Alpharetta YMCA filled with rock wall climbing, basketball, dancing and movies.
Gun Raffle
The Rotary Club of Henry County will hold a gun raffle.Raffle tickets will cost $10 each.
Each ticket provides a chance to win one of 3 prizes:
- Taurus Judge
Helping Hands Day
All Hands on deck for stocking boxes to give to the needy of Paulding County. We meet at helping hands food pantry early on Tuesday morning. To help with food distribution.
Hero Box
Club members provide items requested by deployed military personnel. Items are shipped overseas each month.
Holiday Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army
For the second year in a row North Atlanta and Brookhaven Rotarians joined forces to ring the bell for the Salvation Army. In prior years each club had taken their own day(s) to provide this support and service to the Salvation Army. By combining forces we have shared the burden of providing two coordinators, a minimum of 24 volunteers working 2 hour shifts over two Saturdays in December. Additionally we invited our Chamblee Charter High School Interact Club members to join us, as well as our family members.
Holiday Luncheon and End-Of-The-Year Award Dinner
The primary purpose of these two Family of Rotary events, the Holiday Luncheon and the End-Of-The-Year Awards Dinner, is to first nominate (December) then install (June) the new leadership team for 2017-2018, to recognize club and member achievements throughout the year, and bring the club members together with time to network and to build relationships.
Holiday Toy Distribution with North Fulton Community Charities
Rotarians joined together the evening of Wednesday, December 14 to help parents being served by North Fulton Community Charities choose Christmas toys for their children. They assisted in the selection of toys, loading the toys in vehicles and traffic management with the organizing non profit, North Fulton Community Charities.
Home Hospitality Night - International Convention
Decatur Rotary is partnering with Brookhaven, North Atlanta, Dunwoody and South DeKalb to host a Home Hospitality Night on the Square in Downtown Decatur
Homestretch - Spring Service Day
Spend three days deep cleaning an apartment painting and furnishing for a new Homestretch Family that will move into the program. We will also work with this new family as personal finance and life mentors.
Honor Walk to Benefit Law Enforcement & First Responders
Community event organized and sponsored by Barnesville Rotary. Community and club members made a donation to walk in honor of a law enforcement officer or first responder. Lunch was also provided.
Honoring our public safety officials
We made a financial contribution of $2,500 to the Newnan-Coweta Public Safety Foundation. They will choose how to use the money. The city of Newnan was represented by their chief Buster Meadows and the Coweta County Fire Department was represented by their deputy chief.
Honoring our Veterans
For Veterans day, our program chairs recognized an impressive group of veterans in our club.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
WE WILL DONATE MONEY TO ONE OF THE ANGEL WINGS MINISTRIES. THEY OFFER ASSISTANCE WITH A HOME THAT THE VICTUMS CAN LIVE IN WHILE THEY FOCUS ON PREVENTION OUTREACH, EDUCATION, AFTERCARE AND ENPOWERMENT FOR THE ABUSED WOMEN.
Human Trafficking Community Awareness Event
On January 14th North Atlanta Rotary co-sponsored, with Brookhaven Rotary (lead club) and Dunwoody Rotary, a Human Trafficking Community Awareness Event showing the film "8 Days" a graphic film about the Human Trafficking industry. This event was held in the North Springs Charter High School auditorium. Afterward there was a panel of law enforcement representatives from agencies here in Georgia to lead a discussion on the subject.
Hurricane Matthew Relief Funds
Our club partnered with the Rotary Club of Fayetteville, NC to provide relief funds to the victims of Hurricane Matthew.
Hygiene Kits for the Homeless
We meet in Candler Park on Sunday morning to compile hygiene kits for the homeless and then travel to the inner city to distribute. We have also supported this project with our community grants from the Decatur Education Foundation. The funds are used to purchase the hygiene products used in the kits.
Improve Neonatal Care in Ecuador
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta recently joined forces with its counterparts across the state to improve neonatal care in a south American country.
The clubs in Georgia came together to raise $13,375, which was applied towards a grant to purchase equipment for the Pedro Martinelli Navas maternity hospital in Quevedo, Ecuador.
Install classroom projectors for educational instruction
The Rotary Club of Americus used last year's District Grant to provide instructional projectors for classroom teachers in our newly created Charter School - Furlow Charter School. This service project will focus on permanently installing these projectors in the classroom. These projectors will be mounted on the ceiling of the classroom and permanently wired for power and internet use. This will increase safety in the classroom - as they are now located on rolling carts and tables. It will also increase classroom space by mounting them on the ceilings of the classroom. This will enhance student safety -- student currently bump into them and their is risk of damage to the projectors and injury to students.
Interact Club - Walton High School
The Rotary Club of East Cobb is proud to continue its support of the Interact Club at Walton High School. This group of 14-18 year old students meets each Wednesday afternoon and annually seeks to raise funds and resources for serving humanitarian needs. Their Fall project was a Thanksgiving food collection for families served through the Center for Family Resources. Project Mail Call was their Winter hands-on volunteer activity which included donating and packaging items needed by US military personnel overseas, and donations to Heifer International extended the club's Winter activity. Springtime will be a focus on their Soles for Souls campaign with new and barely used shoes collected and sent where needed. Interact projects are accomplished at school by placing bins in homerooms for collecting requested items, spreading the word, and raising awareness for each project. This year's club includes 29 members, 3 teacher sponsors and one East Cobb Rotary member liaison.
Interact Club Projects with Autrey Mill Middle School & Johns Creek High School
Rotarians joined Interact Club members at Autrey Mill Middle School and Johns Creek High School for multiple afternoons of
- beautifying school grounds and a portion of Old Alabama Road
- volunteering at a local animal shelter helping care for the animals
Interact Tshirts
We purchased t-shirts for our Interact Club at Newnan High School. They are to wear them to functions they attend.
International Conference Sign Up
Since last year's conference, it has been our club's mission to get half our members (5) to attend the International Conference. We have actually achieved 70% of membership signed up for the conference as well as committed to volunteer for at least one shift at the airport. This is a great commitment on our behalf and we are excited and anxious to attend the conference.
Jingle Jog
The Jingle Jog is one of our clubs signature events each year. We host the 5K in downtown McDonough and usually have 200+ runners. This year we only had 150 runners. Runners dress up in holiday themes for this fun 5k. This is the 7th year we have held this event
Johns Creek Community Events - 10 year Celebration, Chamber Expo, Gala & Golf Tournament
Being supportive of our Johns Creek community is who we are. We seek to be involved in as many city, chamber, and community events as possible.
City of Johns Creek 10 Year Celebration - Our club hosted a table welcoming guests with glow necklaces and bracelets as they came to celebrate the City of Johns Creek 10 Year Anniversary Celebration. The landmark event was held on Saturday, November 5 at Johns Creek High School and included performances by School of Rock and the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra, food trucks, inflatables, and closed with a grand fireworks display. Club members brought their children to be a part of this city event and sharing Rotary. This event was a great opportunity for us to share Rotary with the community and join with the city in celebrating this monumental event.
Johns Creek High School Ineract Club - Activities Fair
Interact Co-Chairs, Katie Arabis & Susan Gale attended the annual Club Fair at Johns Creek High School to share the newly formed Interact Club, our 2nd sponsored club in the Johns Creek community. Principal Jimmy Zoll has been very supportive and involved with the new club. Over 23 students signed up to be a part of the club at this fair. This club is off to an enthusiastic and exciting new start!
Junior Achievement Peachtree Charter Middle School - Biz Town and Finance Park
Seventeen Dunwoody Rotarians volunteered over a two day period to support the Peachtree Charter Middle School students participating in the JA vocations experience at Atlanta Biz -Town. Financial support for this project from RCD was $5,000 helping to make the JA Discovery Center learning opportunity available to 100 of the 1,056 6th and 7th grade students served from Peachtree Middle School (an estimated cost of $50.00/student participant).
Keep Henry Beautiful Trash Pick up
The Henry County Rotary Club sponsor's Keep Henry Beautiful in partnership with the Henry County Chamber of Commerce. Our club also sponsors 1 mile of HWY81 and each quarter our members spend a few hours on a Saturday morning cleaning up the debris on both sides of the road Rotarians and their family members participate in trash pick up.. We have a Tash Pick up scheduled for March 11, 2017.
Keep Henry Beautiful Trash Pick up
The Henry County Rotary Club sponsor's Keep Henry Beautiful in partnership with the Henry County Chamber of Commerce. Our club also sponsors 1 mile of HWY81 and each quarter our members spend a few hours on a Saturday morning cleaning up the debris on both sides of the road Rotarians and their family members participate in trash pick up.. We have a Tash Pick up scheduled for May 13, 2017.
Keep Henry Beautiful Trash Pick up 10/5/2016
The Henry County Rotary Club sponsor's Keep Henry Beautiful in partnership with the Henry County Chamber of Commerce. Our club also sponsors 1 mile of HWY81 and each quarter our members spend a few hours on a Saturday morning cleaning up the debris on both sides of the road. In October we had 6 Rotarians and their family members participate in trash pick up. Work was completed in less than 3 hours
Key Associates Luncheon
We all have people in our vocational lives who support us in the success we achieve in our businesses and professions, and it's important to provide them with recognition. Each year the Rotary Club of East Cobb schedules a luncheon meeting, instead of the club's usual breakfast meeting, to thank these individuals for making our professional lives better.
Kilifi Kids
Supported the Rotary Club of Vinings in the Kilifi Kids project by donating $500 from our club to the grant, meeting with and engaging our Sandy Creek High School Interact Club to have them run a cell phone drive from February 1 - March 10 in the school. Rotary Club members coordinated with Burch Elementary and Flat Rock Middle school to have a cell phone drive at their schools. Also have our club members soliciting and donating old cell phones.
Kindergarten Serves
Through district grant funds and club funds combined, the local literacy project - Kindergarten Serves was created. In collaboration with Abbotts Hill Elementary, a 2 phase project for the 2016-2017 school year was implemented. The school staff - Dr. Roytunda Stabler - Principal, Linda Dickinson - Media Specialist, and Amber Coxwell - Kindergarten Lead have been integral and supportive of all aspects.
KSU CARES * Homeless student assistance
The KSU Campus Awareness, Resource & Empowerment (CARE) Center offers support to students who have experienced homelessness, food insecurity and/or the foster care system. This includes: a campus food pantry, providing personal care items and assisting with housing.During the month of February, our Club is focusing on this in two ways: through education of our members about the problem and by contributing financially, with needed goods (cereal, granola bars, canned tuna/chicken, pasta meals, microwaveable meals (no refrigeration needed), bottled water, crackers and $25 grocery gift cards (for Kroger, Publix, or Walmart) or $10 restaurant gift cards ( for Cookout, Wendy's Burger King, Chic-fil-A, Subway or Arby's), and by job offers for these students through businesses owned by our members..
LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION
WE COLLECTED CAKES COOKIES AND CANDY AND PRESENTED THEM FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY TO ALL OUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS.
LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION
WE COLLECTED CAKES COOKIES AND CANDY AND PRESENTED THE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY TO ALL OUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS.
LAW ENFORCEMENT FIREMANS APPRECIATION
THE CARROLLTON DAWNBREAKERS DONATED $3,750 TO FUND FIRST RESPONDER VEHICLES IN CARROLL COUNTY WITH NARCAN AN OPIATE ANTIDOTE . THE FUNDS WILL ALSO PROVIDE TRAINING ON HOW TO ASSIST SOMEONE WHO HAS OVERDOSED ON OPIOIDS AND HOW NARCAN IS TO BE ADMINISTERED. BOBBY MITCHELL,M.D. EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT PHYCIAN AND MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF CARROLL COUNTY FIRE AND CARROLLTON CITY FIRE MADE A SHORT PRESENTATION ON HOW IMPORTANT THIS DRUG IS IN SAVING THE LIFE OF SOMEONE OVERDOSING ON OPIOIDS.MANY OF THE FIRST PEOPLE ON THE SCENEOF AN OVERDOSE INCLUDE POLICE OFFICERS ANDFIRE SERVICE PERSONNEL." THE TIME TO ADMINISTER THIS IS IN THE FIRST 10 MINUTES WHEN FIRST RESPONDERS ARRIVE. BY THE TIME THEY'D REACHED THE HOSPITAL ,IT WILL BE TO LATE," SAYS DR. MITCHELL.
LAW ENFORCEMENT STICKER PROJECT
KELLY MEIGS FROM OUR CLUB HAS BEEN IN CHARGE OF THIS PROJECT. SHE HAS DONE A FANTASTIC JOB GIVING OUT AND MAILING THE SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT STICKERS TO PLACE ON CARS OR BUSINESS. WE HAVE GAVE OUT OVER 1000 AND MAILED 1500 OR MORE. THIS IS ONE WAY THAT WE ARE SUPPORTING LAW ENFORCEMENT.
Laws of Life
Laws of Life Essay Contest. The Rotary Club of Henry County has partnered with Eagle’s Landing High School for this contest. Eagle’s Landing High School submitted 1200 essays this year.
Laws of Life Essay Contest
For the second year in a row out of the thirty-two years' history of the Rotary Club of East Cobb, the Laws of Life Essay Contest is again being implemented at Lassiter High School. Funding was provided for sponsorship of a second high school where full implementation did not achieve completion. Along with the club's sponsorship of the contest at the one local high school, six club members are serving as reader-judges for District 6900. As a result, our club now has 10% of its membership directly involved in this project. Current plans are for school winners to read their essays at a club meeting on April 19, 2017 which will include their parents and the Laws of Life coordinator from their school. We look forward to hearing what maxim or "Law of Life" the students chose for their writing and how it applies to their lives.
Laws of Life Essay Contest
Club provides $500 sponsorship for state-wide essay contest for school-aged and high school students.
Laws of Life Essay Contest - High School
In 2002, our current President, Ed Outlaw, along with District Character Education chair George Stewart from the Dunwoody Rotary Club, started working with the Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest. The idea was to get Rotary Clubs to sponsor schools in the contest. Over the ensuing decade, the relationship between the contest and Rotary became stronger, to the point where a Rotary connected 501(c)(3) organization, Georgia Rotary Districts Character Education Program, Inc., was formed to administer the contest. Ed has served on the Board of that organization since it was formed.
Laws of Life Essay Contest - Middle School
About 16 years ago, Past President Ed Outlaw, learned about the Laws of Life Essay Contest from the Templeton Foundation. The Templeton Foundation had developed the contest concept, and encouraged service clubs to work with schools to make it happen. At the time, the Georgia Laws of Life Essay contest for high schools was already in place, so, to avoid duplicating efforts, our club decided to sponsor a contest at J.C. Booth Middle School. We have now sponsored that middle school contest every year for about 18 years, including the current year. Retired teacher and Rotarian Carolyn Wilkinson has chaired this project, and coordinated getting members to judge the contest, worked with the school, and organized our recognition event as one of our meeting Programs.
LAWS OF LIFE PROGRAM
THE GEORGIA LAWS OF LIFE ESSAY CONTEST ASKS STUDENTS TO SELECT THEIR OWN LAW OF LIFE , AND WRITE ABOUT HOW IT APPLIES TO THEIR LIVES. WE ASK ALL OF OUR LOCAL STUDENTS TO WRITE ESSAYS AND SUBMIT THEM. A COMMITTEE SCORES AND LETS THE CLUB KNOW WHO THE TOP STUDENTS ARE. WE THEN INVITE THEM TO OUR MEETING ALONG WITH THEIR PARENTS, TEACHERS AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS. WE PRESENT THEM WITH AN AWARD AND HAVE THE WINNER PRESENT THEIR ESSAY DURING THE ROTARY MEETING.
Little Free Libraries
Our ongoing annual project promotes literacy in our county by providing books and servicing book-exchange receptacles in several locations around the county.
Little Free Library - Spalding Collaborative initiative
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Little Free Library at the Oaks at Park Pointe was held Friday. Members of the Griffin-Spalding Collaborative and city and county officials were on hand for the event. This is the second such library to open this year and organizer Brett Bell said the goal is to have a little library open each month. "It's a no brainer to get excited about a program like this," said Griffin Housing Authority Executive Director, Bob Dull, who was named steward of the library. This library is sponsored by Dr. Phillip Smith of the Rotary Club of Griffin.
Local Crafts fair Food vendor
We take over the food vendor booth for two days at the largest arts and crafts fair in the County.
Partnering with the Dallas Womens Club to raise money - for volunteering we split the cost with the Womens Club last year making $1600. We also involve our Interact members as well as some local high school students
LOUISANNA FLOOD VICTIMS
OUR CLUB PARTNERED WITH SOUTHWIRE'S RELIEF EFFORT. THEY TOOK A TRACTOR LOAD OF SUPPLIES FOR THE VICTIMS. OUR DAWNBREAKERS DONATED SUPPLIES FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE FLOOD.
LOUISANNA FLOOD VICTIMS
OUR CLUB PARTNERED WITH SOUTHWIRE'S RELIEF EFFORT. THEY TOOK A TRACTOR LOAD OF SUPPLIES FOR THE VICTIMS. OUR DAWNBREAKERS DONATED SUPPLIES FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE FLOOD.
Louisiana Flood Victim support
The Camilla Rotary club sent $1,000 in support funds to the Louisiana Flood Victims
Lunches for Learning
In August 2016, Phil Dodson, Executive Director of Lunches for Learning (L4L) spoke to the Rotary Club of East Cobb about children in Honduras who have so little they don't attend school because of spending their days searching for food. Lunches for Learning provides lunch at school so children can attend classes instead of having to find food.. An immediate buzz of interest surfaced and ultimately East Cobb Rotarian Joe Murphey traveled to Honduras with Phil to meet the students, parents, teachers and principal of Escuela Pedro Nufio in the village of El Rincon in southwest Honduras. The school serves 146 students from grades K through 9 including middle schoolers who walk three hours each way to attend class in the only middle school in the area. The lifeblood of this school is the lunch program provided by L4L, and the prior sponsor pulled out leaving L4L to support the school from its general funds which is an unsustainable situation.
Marietta Performance Learning Center
The Marietta Performance Learning Center is an alternative school for children in the Marietta School System who have different needs than do many of the students on the normal track. For some it is additional demands on their time from home life issues or work. Others have fallen behind in school and are able to take courses at a faster rate to graduate on time or to graduate ahead of time. RCOM works with the PLC to fill in the gaps in their learning environment. We provide incentive gift cards each year to the teachers to both use in the classroom and to use as rewards for students who are excelling. RCOM also collected approximately 100 shirts and ties for the students. RCOM also does job shadowing for the students. Rotarians sign up and let one or more of the students come and shadow the Rotarian on their job. This is a great learning experience for the students and expands their horizons greatly. Finally, this year we invited 20 PLC students to go to a brunch at the Georgian Club as quests of Rotarians. Their meals were covered and they were exposed to another great learing experience.
Meals By Grace - March
On Sunday, March 19, Alpharetta Rotarians traveled to Midway United Methodist Church to help Forsyth County-based Meals By Grace and its volunteers set up various stations to sort clothing and food for the citizens they serve.
Meals on Wheels Spaghetti Fundraiser
In addition to our club members regularly participating in the weekly delivery of meals to elderly shut-ins, we participate in the annual fundraiser. Not only do our members raise money by selling tickets to the event, they also donate items to be sold at a silent aucton. Our Meals On Wheels spaghetti dinner fundraiser was successful. Our club was able to raise over $1,000 for the project.
Membership
Our club has pushed itself to meet its goal of increasing membership. This Rotary year, we have increased membership by 3 members (30%). Additionally, we have maintained 100% Paul Harris status. This is a BIG deal for our club because we are on a mission to increase membership that will benefit our club and our volunteer efforts in the community.
Meriwether Co Rotary Club chosen for Pilot Program for Rotary/Shriner's Hospital for Children
The Rotary Club of Meriwether Co has be chosen to be a part of a pilot program for District 6900. This project is to support the Rotary/Shriner Hospital Collaborative
Club member Tab Blackburn is our team leader.
Dear Fellow Rotarians,
Milton First Responders Contribution
Our club donated $250 to the Milton First Responders' Association in honor of District Governor Raymond Ray's official visit to our Club. The Association supports Milton Police and Fire professionals in various ways including purchasing equipment not funded through the city budget, and providing financial assistance to families of first responders under various circumstances. The club's gift was matched by the employer of Club President Trey Tompkins, bringing our total gift in DG Raymond's honor to $500.
Mitchell County Tornado Victim support
The Camilla Rotary club sent $3,000 in support of the Mitchell County tornado victims by helping 2 families in need.
Monroe Park Service Project
The Rotary Club of Dunwoody has "adopted" a traffic island across the street for the Dunwoody branch of the DeKalb Public Library. Fred Bounds, a long time member of the Rotary Club of Dunwoody, has charged this project since 2011. Four to six volunteers meet approximately six times a year to weed, trim, sweep, and lay down pine straw, or as we say "spruce up Monroe Park."
New Public Image Brochure
The tri-fold brochure uploaded below was designed by our PE Steve Moore with help from our VP George Siggins and Membership Chair Josh Duncan. This piece was designed to promote our club, all that we do in our community and includes information on how to join.
NIGHT IN LIGHTS
WE PURCHASED AND DECORATED A CASINO NIGHT TREE FOR A MAN CAVE OR GAME ROOM. THIS TREE WAS AUCTIONED OFF AT THE ANNUAL NIGHT IN LIGHTS FOR PARC.
North Fulton Rotary Council
Alpharetta Rotary is part of the North Fulton Rotary Council. The Club has brought forward different projects for the clubs to collaborate together including:
- Habitat for Humanity Emergency Funding
- Jobs Program for Homestretch
- Global Grant for Neo Natal Medical Equipment
Off Site Meeting - Hood Street Art Center
In lieu of our regular club meeting, the Rotary Club of Henry County held an offsite meeting at the Hood Street Arts Center. We were given tour of the facility and were excited about the growth the center is experiencing.
This art center was founded by a former Rotarian, the late Andy Davis.
On the Same Page Literacy Project
This is the annual party at the Decatur Housing Authority to distribute the books to the children. Various activity stations around teh theme of the book are staffed by Decatur Rotarians to encourage interest in the book and then each child is presented with their own book at the end of the event
One for the Chipper
Partner with Cobb Clean and Beautiful for Christmas Tree recycling station volunteers
Peachtree Charter Middle School -Quiz bowl and Dekalb Special Olympics Middle School Basketball Tournament
Rick Otness, along with 5 other Dunwoody Roatarians, leads this effort of coaching Peachtree Charter Middle School students for area Quiz Bowl Competitions over a period of 15 weeks. This activity culminates in a club program when PCMS students compete against Dunwoody Rotarians at a weekly club meeting - PCMS is usually the winner!
Peachtree City Police and Fire Department Banquets
Our Club sponsors our local police and fire departments in various ways. Besides offering an open-ended weekly invitation for either police or firefighter to attend weekly Rotary meetings, the club’s main annual project is the sponsorship of the annual holiday awards banquet.
Phone Book / Smart Directory
Over forty one years ago, our newly formed club responded to a request from a local resident: Create a list of phone numbers in our town so residents didn’t have to search through the massive Atlanta phone book for local listings.
Soon, the Club decided to sell ads to cover the printing cost, and the Rotary Phone Book was born. Years passed; the city grew, the book grew, and the money generated by ads grew. By the 1980’s the project was serving in multiple ways: First, residents were provided with a smaller, local book. Second, local businesses were served by having an affordable way to advertise. Third, charities were served by donations with money raised from the book.
Polio Awareness Event
POLIO PLUS
WE HAVE A DRAWING EACH WEEK AT OUR CLUB MEETING. A MEMBER IS IN CHARGE OF BRINGING A DOOR PRIZE AND WE SELL TICKETS FOR A DRAWING AND AT THE END OF THE ROTARY YEAR WE WILL DONATE PROCEEDS TO POLIO PLUS. WE HAVE HAD TWO ACTUAL POLIO SURVIVORS PRESENT PROGRAMS THIS YEAR TO THE CLUB. POLIO SURVIVOR PEGGY POWER,WHO IS RECORDED TO HAVE THE WORST CASE OF POLIO RECORDED IN CARROLL COUNTY SPOKE TO OU CLUB ON NOV 17 TH. SHE TOLD AN AMAZING STORY OF HER FAITH JOURNEY AND HEALING. AFTER HEARING HER INCREDIBLE STORY. ROTARIANS WERE AGAIN ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THE CHALLENGES OF THE ERRADICATION OF POLIO. WE ARE THIS CLOSE!
PolioPlus Fundraiser and Sponsorship
Our club raised $3,500 over a period of 4 weeks to support PolioPlus, as well as to sponsor Rotarian Debra Lowe in her bicycle ride to benefit PolioPlus.
Project Kindness
Our club donated $1,000 to Habitat For Humanity to assist them with their initiative, Project Kindness. The money was used to assist them with a home-build for a less-fortunate family. Many of our club members volunteer with Habitat For Humanity on a regular basis.
Projects 2016-2017
Public Image - Display Booth at the McDonough Geranium Festival
The Rotary Club of Henry County will have a booth at this event. We will use this opportunity to promote our club and Rotary International. We will also be selling raffle tickets. At the end of the day, we will draw for the winner of our Gun Raffle. Below is more info on the Festival:
Public Image - Sacarecrow contestant entered into McDonough Scarecrow Contest
Each year the City of McDonough holds a Scarecrow contest. For the Month of October, business and non-profits rent space on the square and build a scarecrow that is seen my hundreds of locals that come out to see them through out the month. This year our own George Siggins took the lead and built Rotary's first ever entry into the contest. After our club meeting on October 3rd, our club took a group photo with our Scarecrow
Public Safety K9 5k
Alpharetta Rotary is supporting our Public Safety Officers by volunteering to assist their K9 5k Race in March. Our help will let the officers enjoy the race festivities with the runners and families. The Club is working with the North Fulton Rotary Club who has also been a bug supporter of our Public Safety Officers and the Public Safety Foundation throughout the Rotary Year.
Public Safety Luncheon
While we have had guest speakers from various public safety agencies speak to the club throughout this rotary year, our club will host its' first annual public safety luncheon for our local police and fire departments at the Holiday Inn & Suites in Stockbridge on April 5, 2017. We have invited personnel from the Clayton County Police and Fire Departments, the Sheriff's Office, the City of Forest Park Police and Fire, the City of Morrow Police and Fire, the Lake City Police Department and the City of Lovejoy Police Department, to select a member of their department for us to honor. We have also requested their command staff and a family member of the honoree to attend the luncheon as well.
Public Service Appreciation
The Rotary Club of Henry County recognized several members of the county’s public safety community at its meeting Monday, February 13, 2017. We hosted 21 visitors from the county and city’s police departments, fire departments and sheriff’s deparment, as we honored 8 outstanding public servants here in Henry County. Each honoree was thanked for his service to our community and presented with a rtic tumbler.Below is the article that ran in the Henry Daily Herald local newpaper.
Publice Safety Recognition
The Rotary Club of Henry County recognized several members of the county’s public safety community at its meeting Monday, February 13, 2017. We hosted 21 visitors from the county and city’s police departments, fire departments and sheriff’s department, as we honored 8 outstanding public servants here in Henry County. Each honoree was thanked for his service to our community and presented with an RTIC tumbler.
RAPE CRISIS CENTER
DONATION TO OUR LOCAL CENTER. CLUB MEMBERS WILL VOLUNTEER WHEN NEEDED TO PROVIDE SUPPLIES TO VICTIMS.
Read Across America
Members of the RC of Stone Mountain read to elementary school students as part of the Read Across America program. We partnered with 2 local schools.
Read Across America * Teasley Elementary Reading by Rotarians
Rotarians volunteer to read to 2 - 4th grade classes at Teasley Elementary School in our community.
Reading at Woodward Elementary
We have partnered with Brookhaven Rotary for their reading project at Woodward
Elementary, a 94% Hispanic school in Brookhaven. Brookhaven
coordinated with 3 pre-k and 10 kindergarten classes to read monthly to
all 230 students and distribute a book monthly to each child to take
home. Each classroom received a book library of the donations as well. This project will address
early reading to a population who is learning this barriers to the
English language.We provided Brookhaven with $2000 to help fund the project and leverage a District Grant. We are also providing volunteers to read.
Recognizing Those Who Serve
As part of our Veterans Day tribute, the Club paid tribute to our Members who have served in the Military. PDG Al Lipphardt spoke to the club about the Warrior's Ethos. Afterwards we asked our Veterans to be recognized for their service to their country.
Relay for Life - American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society's annual Relay for Life at Jim Miller Park is a major event in Cobb County with multitudes of groups and organizations participating. The Rotary Club of East Cobb is one of those groups and the only Rotary Club in Cobb County involved. May 12, 2017 is set for this year's event, and we anticipate attendance similar to last year's with 8 club members and 6 family members present for a minimum of 3 hours each, creating a base of 42 volunteer hours plus the hours invested by the chairman and others in organizing the event. Most club members donate to this project because of their own personal life experiences with cancer. Last year 29 members (47%) signed up and donated which raised $5,210 to achieve Gold Team status again and rank us 28th out of 150 teams.
RHFA
ALICIA MICHAEL, HER SON JOSH, AND MIRINGU WENT TO A THREE DAY HEALTH FAIR IN SOUTH AFRICA. THE EVENT WAS FREE TO ALL THAT NEEDED AID AND HEALTH INFORMATION. THOUSANDS ATTENDED AND TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY.
RHFA AFRICA PROJECT
ALICIA MICHAEL,HER SON,JOSH AND MIRINGU(ROTORACT MEMBER) WENT TO A THREE DAY HEALTH FAIR IN SOUTH AFRICA. THE EVENT WAS FREE TO ALL THAT NEEDED AID AND HEALTH INFORMATION. THOUSANDS ATTENDED AND TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY. WE SKYPED WITH OUR FELLOW ROTARIANS FROM THE ROTARY HEALTH DAYS IN SOUTH AFRICA AT OUR REGULAR WEDNESDAY MEETING.
ROAD CLEANUP PROJECT
OUR CLUB HAS ADOPTED A ROAD THAT WE WILL KEEP CLEAN. WE HAVE A ROAD CLEANUP EVENT AND THEN WE WILL HAVE LUNCH WITH THE CLUB AT 302 SOUTH STREET RESTAURANT.
Rotaract Honorary Member
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta was the first club in District 6900 to welcome a Rotaractor as a Dual Member. North Fulton Rotaract's President, Tori Alterman, was named an Honrorary Member of the Rotary Club of Alpharetta.
Having her has an honorary member has helped both clubs stay connected through fellowship and service.
Rotarian Raymond Coffman to India
Smyrna Rotarian Raymond Coffman was offered the opportunity to travel to India for Rotary and dispense polio vaccines. Our club initiated a fundraiser to cover the trip costs and raised $2,850 over 3 weeks to pay for the majority of Raymond's trip expenses. Raymond leaves for India in early January.
Rotary Afterhours with the Alpharetta Business Association
Alpharetta had a joint afterhours with Alpharetta Business Association to introduce each organization's members to each other. This was a good opportunity for membership growth for each organization.
The Alpharetta Business Association has now become a partner on our bigger project to improve the water quality of Foe Killer Creek.
Rotary Christmas Party
Members Laura and David Crumbley opened their home to our club again this year for our annual Christmas Party. We had 20 people in attendance. Each guest brought a "white elephant" gift. The gift exchange got very competitive escpecially those gifts that included beer, wine or alcohol. This Christmas Party was a fun, laughter filled evening of fellowship.
Rotary Club of Dunwoody Grants Committee 2016 - 2017
With the funds raised in Fall 2016, at RunDunwoody and those raised in Spring of 2016 at the Governor's Ball, the club appoints a Grants Committee to determine our club donations to request from local community and world wide project leaders. To date, for 2016 - 2017, we have approved the following projects applied for by club members:
Rotary Club of Marietta- ROTALIGHT 2016-2017
The Rotary Club of Marietta's 2016-17 Rotalight is an exceptional publication that provides Club, District 6900 and Rotary International content and news on a weekly basis, which helps to keep our Club cohesive and extremely informed about Rotary on all levels. Numerous, colorful pages filled with a variety of articles each week that cover club happenings, acts of service, our impact in the community, and future opportunities of service and involvement. Dynamic photographs to include as many members as possible have helped to keep our members engaged and excited about being Rotarians. In addition to our 130+ members, program speakers, visiting Rotarians, donors and community members at large request and read our weekly Rotalight
Rotary Club of Tucker Automobile Magnet Project
The Rotary Club of Tucker has issued to each of its members a 4 inch circular magnetized emblem that portrays the Rotary Wheel encircled by the words "Rotary Club of Tucker" to be placed on a highly visible area of the members vehlcle .
Most of our members live and/or work in the Tucker area so this is a significant means of spreading the Rotary Word to our community.
Rotary Evening Social
As part of the 2016-2017 Rotary year, a focus on fellowship and getting to know one another better was implemented. Every other month, a regular lunch meeting is replaced with an evening social at either a local restaurant or a Rotarian's home.
Our first evening social of the year was held at Abbott's Bar & Grill with over 20 Rotarians attending, many bringing spouses and guests.
Rotary Has Heart for Seniors
Throughout each year North Atlanta Rotary goes out to a local residential care home to participate and support them in their programs.
In mid-December we brought Santa and a few elves to help bring cheer and add festivity to their holiday dinner and celebration with residents and family members. Santa speaks to each resident one on one while in the dining hall and gives each a candy cane. (We have the best Santa!) Most have family visiting for the event as well.
Rotary Has Heart Valentines Priject
Several Rotarians met at the Cobb Senior Services Center and gave out flowers to senior citizens. Mike Whittle Design donated the flowers.
Rotary Holiday Party
As part of the 2016-2017 Rotary year, a focus on fellowship and getting to know one another better was implemented. Every other month, a regular lunch meeting is replaced with an evening social at either a local restaurant or a Rotarian's home.
Rotarian Rory Robichaux and his wife, Mary, hosted a lovely event on Friday, December 16 for over 35 guests - Rotarians and their spouses/guests at their home. Mary prepared all of the appetizers and dishes. Rotarians were encouraged to bring a new scarf, hat or gloves to be donated to Rotarian Jack Griffin's organization, Atlanta Mission, serving the homeless.
Rotary Luau Social
As part of the 2016-2017 Rotary year, a focus on fellowship and getting to know one another better was implemented. Every other month, a regular lunch meeting is replaced with an evening social at either a local restaurant or a Rotarian's home.
The November social was hosted and planned by Rotarian Bill Ricks. He and his wife Pam created a warm and inviting Luau on a cold November evening. Over 25 Rotarians and their spouses/guests attended, bringing appetizers to share and had a wonderful evening together.
Rotary Youth Exchange
As soon as District 6900 became a newly certified Rotary Youth Exchange RYE) district, the Rotary Club of East Cobb stepped up to the plate in August and September 2016 seeking 15-19 year old applicants for the 2017-2018 school year. Immediate Past President, Ken Crowell, took the lead in this endeavor from the particular vantage point as District 6900 Youth Safety Officer in charge of compliance with Rotary International youth protection standards. Based on detailed applications and in-depth interviews, three (3) of the eight (8) students selected by District 6900 are sponsored by East Cobb Rotary for the prestigious Rotary Youth Exchange Scholarship, valued at more than $24,000 each. The announcement of selected students and their host country took place in November. Our club's three students are Granger West (France), Ellie Sterling (Sweden), and Olivia Lord (Finland). Students and their parents are attending selected club meetings until departure for destination countries in August 2017.
Rotary/Shriner Project
The Rotary Club of Tucker is one of 10 pilot clubs selected to work with FODAC and the Shriner's Hospital in Greenville S.C. To transport medical equipment from FODAC's location in Stone Mountain to patients in need at the Shriner's Hospital. Initially, the program involves a quarterly trip with medical equipment that ranges from wheelchairs to walkers and more. As the program develops, the trips will become more often with additional items included.
RunDunwoody
Dunwoody Rotarians propelled the club to the Winner's Circle Sunday, October 16, as the Rotary Club of Dunwoody welcomed runners, spouses, and guests to the 7th annual RunDunwoody - Rotary Race to Serve. RunDunwoody is the Rotary Club of Dunwoody's signature community event in which RCD engages others (runners, spouses, community partners and guests) in Rotary Service. RunDunwoody is first an opportunity for Dunwoody Rotarians to increase Rotary awareness within the community (as defined by the reach of our members) and engage others in Rotary's mission of Service Above Self. It is also a focal point for fostering Rotarian relationships among members and with runners, sponsors, community partners, and the business community. Finally, RunDunwoody is a source of funds to help RCD to extend its service reach locally and globally, and a source of pride for all RCD members. Each leadership participant shares responsibility for making this vision a reality.
RYLA
Alpharetta Rotary sponsored two students to RYLA last summer and looks forward to continuing support for The Youth Leadership Academy this year. The RYLA Graduates will again be invited to share their experience at a club meeting.
RYLA
Again this year, the Rotary Club of Henry County will send 2 incoming high school juniors to Ryla. We are happy to send students to this great leadership camp each year.
RYLA - Rotary Youth Leadership Award
East Cobb Rotary got back on track in June 2015 by sending two students to the District 6900 RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) conference for the first time since 2008. Two students were sent for the June 2016 RYLA, and four students from East Cobb Rotary are set to attend the June 2017 session. Both 2016 participants reported the experience to be very rewarding with the whole environment being encouraging for trying new and challenging experiences. They found the ropes course and other problem solving and team building activities to be the most engaging because of promoting both opening up to others and providing opportunities to take the lead. One of our club's participants won the talent contest last summer, and in follow-up one joined the Interact Club at her high school this year.
S.A. White Annual Charity Golf Tournament
Sacred Journey Foundation Hospice Mystery Theater Fundraiser.
The Rotary Club of Henry County sponsored the Sacred Journey Foundation
Hospice Mystery Theater Fundraiser. The club was a $250 sponsor
This event was held a Cannon Cleveland Funeral Home.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing
The bell ringing season starts each November and runs through Christmas Eve, when the red kettles are packed away for the season. Volunteers are the difference between an empty kettle and one that raises about $30 per hour – enough to provide a family with two bags of groceries, or shelter an individual for a night. Stone Mountain Rotary volunteers congregated at Northlake Mall in Tucker, GA to raise funds by ringing of the bell!
Science Fair Poject
The club honors the Clayton County School System Science Fair winners at the Performing Arts Center on the awards night. We again honor the winning students at our club meeting. They are given the opportunity to talk about and demonstrate their winning projects. They are then given gift certificates, award certificates and trophies by the club.
Seeds of HOPE Interntaional project
About Seeds of Hope
Help provide nourishing meals, sustainable farms, and a future filled with hope. Together we will pack seeds for over 190,000 gardens for our partners in Malawi and Liberia. That's enough for 2+ million pounds of food in the first harvest!Senegal Teacher Project
The Rotary Club of Tucker will provide a teacher for one year to a remote Senegal village. More to come as.info becomes available. Information below now available.
The JEF-JEL project was begun in the early 90's by Jennifer Broom and Kellie Lartique, peace corps volunteers who had served in Senegal, West Africa. Their purpose was to support Nbangane, a rural village in Southeast Senegal.The intent was to provide assistance in the areas of health, education and economics. Through the fund raising efforts of JEF-JEL, a two room school has been built.
Service Above Self Awards
The Rotary Club of East Cobb salutes and honors an educator, a police officer, a fire fighter, and a military member who serve in and for the East Cobb community with our vocational Service Above Self Awards each year. We dedicate one of our meetings to recognizing these men and women for their outstanding service and letting them know that the work they do really does make a difference in our community. A club committee of 4 to 5 members seeks out these dedicated individuals for their well-deserved recognition.
Service Awareness Fair
Eaton Cooper Lighting held a service awareness fair for their employees to educate them about local non-profit organizations and opportunities for volunteerism and community service. Our club had a booth at the fair and engaged with 40-50 individuals to share information about Rotary International, Fayette Daybreak and promote the Tyrone Founders Day Race which is a major fundraising event for the club.
SERVING SENIORS
PROJECT FOR SENIORS HELPING WITH TOLIETRIES AND GARDENING PROJECTS PARTNERING WITH THE DALLAS ROTARY CLUB.
Shoes for Healthy Youth
The Rotary Club of Emory-Clifton (RCEC) received 20,000 pairs of Crocs shoes from Caring for Others through Makabayan Georgia, Inc. RCEC and the Filipino-American community in Atlanta boxed and shipped 1,000 pairs to Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines to be distributed July/August 2017 to indigenous people in remote areas of Palawan. They are intended for low-income, under privileged children and young adults -- to provide them some protection from diseases acquired from walking barefooted. Budget permitting, RCEC and local volunteers will also provide food during distribution. The local Rotary club and barangay/public officials will identify suitable recipients.
Shop With a Tojan
Club raised $296 to give to a program that takes less fortunate Lamar County students Christmas shopping. This program is run by the Interact Club.
Soda Straw Rockets!
Stone Mountain Rotarians, led by our very own Rocket Scientist, Gene Fleeman conduct workshops for students from elementary school to college teaching the fundamentals of math and science using soda straw rockets. The students build their rockets and create the fuel. They calculate angles, power and distance before take off. This is a great way to support STEM education in our schools and it's a lot of fun.
Souns International Project
There are three early-literacy GG's in place this Rotary year. Two are coming to closure, and one is midway through. Our club has an active training and monitoring part, not just a financial part, in these grants.
GG1412635 has recently filed its final report. This grant is for Souns materials for 2353 disadvantaged preschool children in Head Start in southwest Georgia, USA.
SOUP KITCHEN
WE COLLECTED AND DONATED CANNED GOODS TO THE CARROLL COUNTY SOUP KITCHEN FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON. ALL OF OUR MEMBERS BROUGHT IN FOOD AND WORKED SERVING MEALS DURING THE HOLIDAYS.
Southern Crescent Chorale
Wellspring Living is a recovery program for women and girls who have been rescued from Human Trafficking. Members of our club served as ushers for a benefit concert performed by the local chorale group, the Southern Chorale on March 4th. Over $4400 was raised at the event to support the work of Wellspring Living.
Sponsor Boys Scouts Chattahoochee Council STEM SPHERO Classroom
The Meriwether County Rotary Club sponsored a Boy Scouts STEM SPHERO classroom at 4th and 5th grade classes at Mountain View Elementary in Manchester. With this gift, the Elementary School has the ability to provide lessons in the SPRK program that teach math, physics and computer science concepts using hands-on, engaging activities with a SPHERO, a robot ball. Students work in small groups to write computer programs that control how the SPHERO rolls and appears. They are designed as lessons primarily for 4th and 5th graders that will take approximately one hour. Touching over 150 students.
STAR Student Program
The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program honors Georgia's highest achieving high school seniors and the teachers who have been most instrumental in their academic development. Since its creation in 1958 by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the STAR (Student Teacher Achievement Recognition) Program has honored nearly 26,000 high school seniors who have in turn chosen their STAR Teachers to share in this recognition. Every accredited high school in Georgia is eligible to participate in this preeminent student/teacher academic recognition.
State of the City Project
Rotary Club of Dunwoody is an in-kind sponsor for the Annual State of the City address by Mayor Denis Shortal. This eighth Annual State of the City event will take place on March 9, 2017 at the Crown Plaza Ravinia, Dunwoody, GA. The State of the City is the premier city sponsored event, showcasing the accomplishments and the vision for the City of Dunwoody. This project focuses on volunteering and providing access to potential Rotarians from guest attendees. Any excess proceeds from business sponsors for the event will be donated to the club. Also, our Rotary Club President serves as Master of Ceremonies for the event. We are planning for approximately 15 volunteers and over 100+ volunteers hours in support of this event.
Stop Hunger Now Meal Preparation
Partnered with First Presbyterian Church of Marietta and Stop Hunger Now to package 20,500 meals for distribution world-wide to needy food insecure populations.
Students Of The Month
Our Club recognizes academic and technology students of the month, their parents and advisors. Each student is asked to identify his guests at the meeting, typically parents and advisors or sponsors, describe their major activities in high school and their plans for the future. Having an opportunity to speak before a group teaches them about preparation and gives them confidence about such opportunities to speak in the future. The students are awarded certificates for their selection and have a picture made to be published in the Thomasville Times Enterprise. Recognition of these students rewards them for their hard work and encourages others to emulate them leading to more productive citizens. This activity supports our Brand as encouraging scholarship and citizenship in our student population. This is a continuing activity each year.
Support Students with Disabilities Celebration Banquet with School System
The Meriwether Co Rotary Club provided support for a year end banquet with the Meriwether Co School System students with disabilities. This banquet is an opportunity for the students to enjoy their time together and highlight the accomplishments and celebrate for the school year.
Support the Tornado Relief Effort in Albany, GA
The Meriwether Co Rotary Club supported the Tornado Relief Effort in Albany. Meriwether Co Rotary Club donated money to Rotary Club of Alamo Ranch so they may continue to help in the devastation of the Albany area.
Touching 1,000s lives.
Swamp Gravy
Dougherty Rotary Club is proud to announce their 2nd annual fundraiser. Dinner and a show. Proceeds from the fundraiser are used for local service projects.
TANNER READ ER PROJECT
THIS YEAR THE ROTORACT CLUB JOINED US IN PREPARING THE BOOKS WITH CARROLLTON DAWNBREAKERS STICKERS AND THE FOUR WAY TEST STICKERS. EVERY CHILD THAT GOES TO THE ER FOR TREATMENT RECIEVES A BOOK TO TAKE HOME WITH THEM.
TANNER READ ER PROJECT
THIS YEAR THE ROTORACT CLUB JOINED US IN PREPARING THE BOOKS WITH CARROLLTON DAWNBREAKERS STICKERS AND THE FOUR WAY TEST STICKERS. EVERY CHILD THAT GOES TO THE ER FOR TREATMENT RECIEVES A BOOK TO TAKE HOME WITH THEM.
Teacher of the Year
At the DeKalb Rotary Council Annual Awards Breakfast the 9 Council Rotary Clubs honor their Teacher of the Year. NA Rotary Club chose Ms Lucretia Gant, Career, Technical & Agricultural Education Department Chair, Chamblee Charter High School. We've worked with Ms Gant the last two years in support of the VEX Robotics and Electric Vehicle Programs supported with our Club's District Grant funds. She has been instrumental in providing oversight of the programs and keeping NA Rotary well informed and involved with volunteer opportunities.
Telemedicine program for Elementary Schools
Tennessee Firestorm Relief
There have been many natural disasters this past year and our club was already to support the victims of the devastating fires in Tennessee. We were able to donate $200 collected from Pot of Gold to support the disaster efforts.
Thanksgiving Dinner at Rainbow House
The club members collected donations and prepared a Thanksgiving meal for the Rainbow House, a Non-Profit Organization servicing the communty as a child and family resource center, and National Safe Place providing temporary shelter for abused, neglected, and abandoned children.
Thanksgiving Food Collection for North Fulton Community Charities
Rotarians were encouraged to bring canned goods during the lunch meetings in November to support local families through the Food Pantry at North Fulton Community Charities. A number of club members donated money and Kelly Stephens, Service Chair, purchased canned goods with the donated funds. She then delivered the canned goods the Friday before Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving meal deliveries
Our club assisted one of our club member's initiatives. Roughly two dozen of our club members helped deliver over 150 meals to less fortunate families for Thanksgiving. Each volunteer was tasked with delivering meals to 3 or 4 families in a 2-3 hour span.
The 24th Annual Governor's Ball - March 4, 2017 - "Moonshine and Magnolias"
The 24th Annual Governor's Ball, March 4, 2017, with the theme "Moonshine and Magnolias" raised funds for the 2016 - 2017 year. Event Chair John Visconti, along with the Gift Chair, Rick Woods, and Sponsor Chair, Hoshi Daruwalla, and over 40 volunteers made this event a success.
The Giving Side of Christmas
The foster children in the care of the Department of Family and Children's Services in Clayton County, experience the joy of giving at Christmas.They have the opportunity to shop for Christmas gifts for their foster parents, parents, and siblings in the Santa Shoppe provided by Rotarians at the Jonesboro First Baptist Church. The Rotarians and the Church provide donations of the presents for shopping and the materials for wrapping the presents. Each child is given a "Rotary Buck" for each person on their list. Rotarians and Church members are Santa helpers and act as shopping assistants to help all the children find the perfect gift to give. All the merchandise costs one "buck".
The Rotary Children's Holiday Party
Each year the RCOM works with Youth Empowerment through Learning Leading and Serving to provide gifts, crafts, and food to underprivileged children in one of our areas in the community that has great needs. This year nearly 300 children and family members were served. RCOM members contributed funds, purchased gifts, taught arts and crafts, dressed up as Santa Clause, and served food.
Today's Readers, Future Leaders District Grant
240 children enrolled in the Head Start School Readiness Program, 4 yrs old, were given a set of 10 Phonics books. This was from the Now I 'm reading for Beginning Readers series which integrates the best of phonics and storytelling.
The children and parents learn to work on theses together. The kick-off event was held at the Child Development center and involved over 30 of our Rotarians, teachers, library staff, 60 children who sang and did a presentation and parents.
TOYS FOR TOTS
OUR CLUB PARTICIPATED IN THE TOY DRIVE FOR TOYS FOR TOTS.WE DONATED OVER $2,000 WORTH OF TOYS. MEMBERS SHOPPED AT WALMART FOR TOYS DONATED BY OUR CLUB. WE ALSON ASSEMBLED PACKAGES FOR THE NEEDY CHILDREN
TOYS FOR TOTS
OUR CLUB PARTICIPATED IN THE TOY DRIVE FOR TOYS FOR TOTS. WE DONATED OVER $2000 WORTH OF TOYS. MEMBERS SHOPPED AT WALMART FOR TOYS DONATED BY OUR CLUB. WE ALSO ASSEMBLED PACKAGES FOR THE NEEDY CHILDREN.
Trivia Bee
In connection with Thomas County Certified Literacy Committee Rotarian Nancy Tillinghast from our Club sponsors a community wide team trivia Bee Competition and we provided two teams of three Rotarians to participate in the trivia bee. Each team that enters pays a $300 entrance fee. The proceeds from the event are used to purchase dictionaries and other books to be given to elementary students in the community. The Club swept the competition with the Rotary GTD -- Greatest Trivia Dominators consisting of Rotarians Don Sims, Gene McNease and Rotary spouse Theresa Brown, winning the competition with the Rotary Nerds, Ron Salter, Lauren Basford and Jeff Zoller placing second out of nine teams.
Tyrone Christmas Tree Lighting
Each year our club participates in the Tyrone Annual Tree Lighting. We provided cookies, juice and hot cider for about 300 people in the community. It also another way to promote Rotary in the community and boost our local image. Our Interact club also participated.
Tyrone Recreation Center Super Saturday
Our club had a booth at the Tyrone Recreation Center's Super Saturday. We were able to hand out flyers for our upcoming PAWS Dog Walk event on March 18th. Our member volunteers were able to engage residents and let them know about both Rotary, our club and the PAWS event.
Valentines Day Memory Care Unit Paulding Co Hospt
We put together a few items to make the Senior Citizens in Paulding Memory Care Unit at Wellstar Paulding Hospital feel better on this beautiful day to give love to others! We gave out Balloons to the seniors and staff as well as soft cookies to give a little sweets to some of the sweetest members of our community.
Veteran Support: United Services Organization (USO) - Providing Volunteers and Grant Support
Providing their talents and treasures, Dunwoody Rotarians hosted two days in Fall, 2016, at the USO at Hartfield Jackson Airport welcoming veterans passing through and assisting them with their needs. In addition, the Rotary Club of Dunwoody just announced support for purchase of a new induction soup warmer/cooker and hot dog grill, providing replacement of older equipment. Total expenses $2,327.00 - RCD contribution of $1,163.00 to be matched by customers of E. 48th Street Market and a major partner with the Rotary Club of Dunwoody in USO Service.
Veterans Court
Rotary Members attended Cobb County Superior Court Veterans' Court. Recognized veterans and gave them gifts cards. Will continue to visit occasionally and recognize milestones for the veterans as they move through the program.
Veterans Day Gift Bags
Our club created gift bags to distribute to local veterans on Veterans Day. One of our members purchased and printed reusable canvas shopping bags with a "Thank You Veterans" message for veterans from both our club and the City of Milton. Our club contributed $400 to purchase items to include in the bags including Kroger gift cards and snacks. Other local businesses in the community included trinkets to include as well. The bags were assembled and delivered to local coffee shops that were giving away free coffee to veterans on Veterans Day morning. The giveaways were publicized by the City of Milton. We only assembled and delivered 24 bags this year but have sufficient supply of bags to triple the quantity next year now that we have a better idea how the project can work and how to solicit more third party items to put in the bags.
Viva La Rotary
The Camilla and Pelham Rotary clubs join together to present the 6th Annual Viva La Rotary Casino Night event in support of local charities. The 2017 event will support the Mitchell County Food Bank. The event is a Family of Rotary function which includes all members, spouses and guests as well as many community members. Viva La Rotary is one of the community's most elegant and enjoyed events - black tie optional! Members and their guests enjoy high style fun as they attend a cocktail buffet, jewelry fashion show, participate in high value raffle items and silent auction. Vegas style gaming comes complete with professional tables and dealers. Event sponsors, many of whom are Rotarians, enjoy publicity before and during the event - especially our highest level sponsors whose face adorns the funny money.
Vocational Speaker Series
Speaker Co-Chairs, William Perkins and Rob Johns, organized a Vocational Speaker Series to invite popular and entertaining individuals to discuss their vocation and passion. We had Cy Young Winners, state-wide politicians and local talent all share their talents and tips to success.
Vocational Training and Professional Development - Mentor, Coach, Teach
The culture of East Cobb Rotary maintains a consistent expectation for all members to promote high ethical standards and serve society in their business or profession. One means is through mentoring, coaching and teaching current employees as well as students. Examples include: 1) An educator coaches graduate students through the internship portion of their educational leadership degree program (72 hours), 2) A Senior Vice President in a medical group is mentor for their 21st Century Leadership Program (24 hours) and mentors Cobb Young Professionals in the Next Generation Mentoring Program (24 hours), 3) A club member in the insurance industry serves as career development mentor for new hires as well as teaching and coaching others in leadership development (144 hours), 4) One lawyer mentors first-year law students through the GSU College of Law Mentorship Program (10 hours) and also mentors servant leader candidates for the Catholic Charities Leadership Class (100 hours), 5) Our Honest-1 Auto Care owner has Chattahoochee Technical College student-employees from the automotive engineering program who receive around 400 hours of guidance from himself and other employees, 6) Another lawyer in the club trains and mentors new mediators for his mediation firm (1,000 hours), 7) Our club member who is Chief of Staff for the President of Georgia Tech volunteers to teach a freshman seminar class an hour each week as mentor to students in navigating through their first semester of college (30 hours).
Warm Coat Drive
Members brought gently used coats from their homes to donate to North Fulton Community Charities. Also, Paul Sczurek had the brilliant idea suggesting members without any spare coats could donate money which could be used to purchase coats as the Goodwill thrift store. We collected approximate 150 dollars from club members with which Paul purchased an additional 20 coats at Goodwill. That raised the total coats we were able to donate to over 30.
Water Project
Polluted storm water runoff is identified as the nation's main cause of water quality problems. Over 600 miles of streams in metro Atlanta don't meet water quality standards because of storm water pollution. To combat this type of pollution in the streams and creeks of eastern Cobb County, the Rotary Club of East Cobb has implemented the Cobb County Watershed Stewardship storm water runoff project for seven years at no financial cost to the club.
Water/Park Clean Up
Weekly 50/50 Raffle
Alpharetta Rotary holds a 50/50 Raffle each week at the end of our meeting. Two tickets are drawn and the ticket-holders must select the Ace of Spades. The excitement grows as the deck gets thinner each week.
The proceeds for the Raffle go towards our GRSP program.
Welcoming Our Public Safety Director
On January 20th, Incoming Public Safety Director was Inducted as an Alpharetta Rotarian. Continuing as his predecessor, retiring Director Gary George, Chief Robison's presence will help the Club our Officers and it will help our Officers remain connected with our Community.
WEST GEORGIA TECHNICAL COLLEGE GED SCHOLORSHIP
OUR CLUB IS MENTORING STUDENTS AND WE HAD A MATCHING GRANT FOR 25 GED'S. WE HAD A FORMER STUDENT LUKE VILLAREAL THAT WAS A RECIPIENT OF A GED GRANT TWO YEARS AGO.HE IS NOW A COLLEGE STUDENT WITH ENGINEERING AS HIS MAJOR.WE'RE PROUD TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT STUDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE WORKING HARD TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LIVES.
Wheel Chair Ramp Build for Hospice Patient
Our club received a request from Sacred Journey Hospice to build a wheel chair ramp at the home of one of their patient. Our service project chair and 2 other members of our club visited the house and determined the materials needed to complete the project. Lowe's donated most of the materials needed for this project. 12 volunteers came out on a Saturday morning and built 2 small ramps at the front door and a 3rd ramp at the back door onto the patio.
Wills Park Pavilion and Grill Relocation
Alpharetta Rotary will remove an existing grill at Wills Park away from the stream buffer and construct a new cooking area away from Foe Killer Creek. This will prevent further runoff that is polluting our stream.
The area will be used as an education area for the community. The renovated pavilion and cooking area will be enjoyed by 100's of people each year and the improvement around the stream will be appreciated by all park-goers.
WORLD POLIO DAY
ON MONDAY OCTOBER 24TH THE DAWNBREAKERS CELEBRATED WORLD POLIO DAY WITH DINNER AND THE LIGHTING UP OF THE CARROLL COUNTY COURTHOUSE WITH THE END POLIO NOW LOGO. THIS HAS BECOME A FAMILY ANNUAL EVENT FOR OUR CLUB.
\WE ARE THIS CLOSE
Youth Empowerment through Learning Leading Serving
This year RCOM identified YELLS as one of our groups to financially support. Our goal was to identify a group where we could make a large impact. YELLS works with underprivileged children in one of our economically challenged areas of Marietta. One of their programs that we are helping to support is to provide tutoring and counseling to the students in the after school program. This helps to keep these students progressing towards graduation.
#NFServes - NFRC Day of Service October 15
Community service organized North Fulton Rotary Council wide, RCSS will collaborate with Interact and Rotoract Volunteers at the Fulton County Library, local schools and senior service facilities for a community clean-up/improvement day.
OCTOBER 15, 2016 NFSERVES
10 th ANNUAL CASINO NIGHT
ANNUAL FUNDRAISER THIS EVENT IS IMPORTANT TO OUR CLUB. ITS THE WAY WE PAY FOR ALL THE AWESOME THINGS THAT WE DO EACH YEAR. THERE ARE MANY THINGS TO BE DONE TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD.
2nd Annual Covenant House Job Fair
Our Club partnered with Covenant House of Georgia to plan and host a career fair for the residents of Covenant House. Covenant House of Georgia is a homeless shelter and life-skills program to bring homeless teens off of the streets and onto a more positive, self-sufficient path for their lives. We were successful in identifying 7 employers to attend including Coca Cola, Ritz-Carlton, Costco, Cunningham HVAC, Goodwill, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport Hospitality, and First Step Staffing. Fifty teen residents of Covenant House participated with enthusiasm! Lanier Clothing donated 25 men's suits for youth to have and prepare for job interviews. Participants received assistance with resume preparation and interview skills prior to the event. Brookhaven Rotary members donated professional clothing items to help the teens feel more polished and confident. We were also in attendance at the event to lend support, encouragement, and coaching. Employers in attendance commented that it was one of the best job fairs they had attended, adding that "participants were attentive and excited about the opportunities".
Adopt-A-Mile
Each year the Rotary Club of East Cobb partners with Keep Cobb Beautiful in serving our community through the Adopt-A-Mile project by adopting a portion of Johnson Ferry Road in East Cobb. A permanent road sign with the Rotary wheel logo and our club's meeting time and place has been installed along this high-traffic stretch of roadway to build awareness of Rotary within our community. This once-a-quarter project has become a means of building relationships while working together for our community in providing roads free of trash and litter. Members wear their Rotary Volunteer t-shirts and often bring their spouse or children making it a Family of Rotary event. Fun, fellowship and service to our community take place along with being amazed, and sometimes disgusted, by what is found along the road.
AIDS/HIV Awareness
In the past, the club has sponsored AIDS/HIV Awareness programs in the local schools. Unfortunately, for the past several years, we have had some difficulty gaining access to the schools to present the program. Additionally, AID Atlanta has disbanded and it was the source for the programs and materials. That did not stop Brett Bell from working on this project last year, and he will do the same this year. Last year's program took place at Southern Crescent Technical College on June 7 and 8. Brett plans to participate in the program again this June. Due to timing considerations, the photographs below are from last year's event.
Alpharetta K-9 Unit Ballistic Vest Project
Our club has a focus this year on serving "Pets, Vets, & First Responders." So...we donated a custom made Ballistic vest for K9 Mattis of the Alpharetta PD. Below is in excerpt from Lt Trent B. Lindgren describing the significance of the canine officers and their unique skills. We are proud as Rotarians to aid in the protection of these special officers and the men and women they protect and serve.
Alpharetta Public Safety K9 5k Footchase
We are proud to sponsor, participate and volunteer for the Alpharetta Police K9 5k event. This is the second annual 5k & will be held March 11, 2017.
Angel Tree - Salvation Army
East Cobb Rotary's affiliation as a community partner with the Salvation Army connected the club with this year's Angel Tree project. Each angel ornament represented a family in need of help at Christmas time in particular. On December 7, 2016, twelve (12) East Cobb Rotarians (19% of club members) prepared 150 gift bags for distribution to approved requesting families served by the Salvation Army. Volunteers checked bags to determine if enough right-aged toys and right-sized clothes were included in the bag. In those instances where amounts were insufficient, Rotarians selected from a supply of donated resources to ensure that the bags were "just right". These bags were then "rebagged" into a larger family bag for ultimate distribution to identified families. Rotarian volunteers also restocked the toys, clothes and blankets sections of supplies so when additional items were needed they would be readily available.
Annual Coats and Blankets Drive
Members collect Coats and Blankets for The Thomasville and Thomas County Food Bank which provides warm garments and sleeping blankets to area residents needing assistance.
This year 1700 coats were collected.
Each item is valued at $10.00
Annual Dictionary Project
RCSS will provide dictionaries to all public school third grade students, vocabulary builders or atlas to all public school fifth grade students and thesaurus to all sandy springs public school fourth grade students. Providing a first book to many third graders and support to classroom instruction this project touches 3500+ students, 120+ teachers and the entire Rotary Club of Sandy Springs membership. We recruit volunteers from other organizations - Leadership Sandy Springs, Sandy Springs Society - to help with distribution and education of students about the Rotary Four-Way Test and civic and community service.
Annual Holiday Party
Annual Holiday Party - Family of Rotary Event.
Hosted by Nancy and Rolfe Schroeder, the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs enjoyed a holiday evening. Special guests included DG Raymond Ray, Jr., PDG Bob Hagan, DG-Elect Alec Smythe and DG-Nominee Court Dowis. Many thanks to Family of Rotary Director Fred Ferrand and his team including Mike Stacy and Rick Doyle. See all of the photos at Holiday Photos
Apple Polishing
The thirty-six year tradition at the Rotary Club of Buckhead of Apple Polishing continued on October 18-19, 2016. The focus of the event each year is to express gratitude to educators in Metro Atlanta. The Rotary Club of Buckhead delivered 2,000 apples to teachers and faculty along with a thank you note and a copy of the four way test to schools in the greater Atlanta area.
April Day of Service
Rotarians will, once again, roll up sleeves on April 29th to help out around the N Fulton area on various community projects. This semi-annual community service event was first conceived by 4 local Rotarians in an effort to engage Alpharetta residents in a Day of Service in the community. Projects are designed so that the entire family has options to serve through a variety of tasks. Projects will include creek and watershed clean-up, park beautification, senior services and a host of other options. In our communities today, people often feel disconnected. Day of Service encourages volunteerism and connects people to causes they are most passionate about. All of this is facilitated with the hope that participants will continue their volunteer efforts beyond the Day of Service.
Armed Forces Mission Push-Up Challenge
The Armed Forces Mission is an organization that works with veterans and current military persons who are in a crisis such as suicide and other medical health issues. As a supporter of this organization through this year's district, we decided to further support this organization's fundraising efforts by volunteering at their event. 50% of our club members, 2 Interact and family members assisted in the push-up challenge in which contestants raised money to challenge others to do as many push-ups as possible within a 20 minute time frame. Our members and family friends served as greeters,registered contestants and counted push-ups during the event. This event will assist 100+ persons. There were no club dollars spent on this service project.
Atlanta Area Boy Scouts - Eagle Badge Awards
The Rotary Club of Buckhead is proud to sponsor the Boy Scouts of America. For 22 years we have supported young men of the Atlanta Area Council, who have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout by funding the cost of their Eagle Badges. In addition, we assist in the ceremony honoring these Eagle Scouts.
Atlanta Beltline Private Group Tour
An private group tour of the Atlanta Beltline was organized for our members and guests. Additionally, Rotarians from the Smyrna Rotary and East Cobb Rotary were invited (with 2 attending).
This 2 hour private bus tour included 44 Rotarians (including guests).
Atlanta Food Bank sorting and packing project
Honoring Veterans, on November 10th we deferred our lunch meeting to participate in an Atlanta Food Bank (AFB) evening of sorting and packaging donated food. Fourteen Rotary volunteers made it to downtown Atlanta that evening.
Although products sorted for the night composed primarily of dry goods and personal products (vs. canned goods and frozen meat) we packaged a total of 7,745 lbs serving some 6,454 meals. Afterward family, friends and 1 prospective member participated in the club's dinner/social at a local micro brewery/restaurant.
Atlanta Humane Society - Mansell project
We donated $250 to a club member who volunteers for Atlanta Humane Society and participted in the Atlanta Humane Society Walk for the Animals on Oct 16,2016. We have scheduled an on-site meeting at the Atlanta Humane Society-Mansell to take their tour, engage with the animals and bring supplies totaling $750 for donation.
August Evening Meeting
In the spirit of getting back to the roots of Rotary's, on August 25, 2016 our Evening Meeting was hosted by Rotarian Josh Duncan of Edward Jones at his office. With 16 Rotarians in attendance, we toured Josh’s new office and learned more about what he offers his clients.
Back Packs for Education
RCSS in collaboration with the Sandy Springs Community Assistance Center gathered supplies and back packs, filled the packs and distributed them to youth across all 11 Sandy Springs public schools. Remaining gathered materials were then designated to the 'Teachers Closet' where teachers could 'order' needed materials for their classrooms.
Back to School BASH
The RC of Stone Mountain partnered with the City of Stone Mountain and the Downtown Development Authority to hand out free school supplies to the children of Stone Mountain, grades 1 through 8. School supplies were donated and Rotarians handed them out. There was also a Fish Fry fundraiser and a free movie on the lawn (Zootopia).
Back to School Blitz
Our Club participated in the "Back to School Blitz" for 2000 students sponsored by Thomas County Family Connections. Over 25 participants handed out free school supplies and shared information concerning resources available, school activities and health support. Free eye exams, hearing tests and health screening were conducted. This activity provided school supplies to students who otherwise may not have been able to obtain them. The health screenings were very valuable to be sure that there were no physical obstacles to learning. Over 47% of Thomas County families are considered to be at the poverty level and need the support. This project reinforces our Rotary brand of supporting education and provides community interaction. This is a project that is supported each year. Rotarians participated in the planning of the event, packaging and handing out the supplies and contributed $500 to purchase supplies.
Back To School Supplies
Members met at Jackson Elementary School to hand out pencils and book markers with the Rotary International Logo and the Club logo on the first day of school. Apples were also provided for the teachers.
BackPack Blessing
Provide food and volunteers for weekend food program for children in food insecure homes Have two Rotarians involved on weekly basis with project Backpack Blessing Mission Statement – To provide a simple solution to a basic need that is not adequately met for many area children — food. To identify students who are food insecure and provide them with kid-friendly food that is distributed discreetly at school at the end of each week. Project Description Backpack Blessing is a fundamentally sound program designed to feed elementary school children who live in food insecure households and have little to no food on the weekends. Volunteers meet at 11:30 each Wednesday and pack the backpacks for distribution on Friday at each school. Empty backpacks are picked up Monday and readied for repacking on the following Wednesday to start the cycle again. The Backpack Blessing program is a simple process with profound results. Every Friday children in food insecure households at Austell and Sanders Elementary schools and Feed My Lambs Tuition Free Low Income Family Preschool get a backpack filled with easy-to-prepare and ready-to-eat food.
Bell Ringing
The Salvation Army place Kettles in 3 locations that we man for 9 hours with 2 at each station for the hour period.
We achieved a record for the most money at one kettle $860.00
Blood Drive - Westwood
Rotary members participated in a blood drive sponsored by Westwood Schools. The members participating were David Sullivan, Dean Daniels and Andy Palmer.
Bocce Ball
An annual Special Olympics Bocce Ball Tournament is held in Camilla, GA. It is hosted by the Mitchell County Service Center for athletes in Camilla, Albany, and Cairo, over 125 athletes, coaches, and supporters from across the region attended the 12th Camilla Bocce Invitational.
Brookhaven Chili Cookoff
The Rotary Club of Brookhaven participated in the Brookhaven Chili Cook Off with our very own chili recipe provided by PDG, Tom Kent and Ben Ragin. In this effort we were able to get exposure to the Brookhaven community and provide camaraderie within the club. We also raised awareness about membership and distributed our new brochure to people interested in learning about Rotary.
Brookhaven Police Department Baseball Cards for Community Relations
Brookhaven Police Chief Gary Yandura, member of Brookhaven Rotary, asked the Club for support of their community relations in sponsoring baseball cards for his team to pass out to youth in Brookhaven. He stated the project goes a long way in starting early to build positive relationship with youth and the kids love to collect cards from the officers and K-9 units they meet. BRC was able to collect funds to sponsor 15 officers.
Bucks for Baton Rouge
Between August 9 and 16, 2016, record rainfall in southern Louisiana dropped the equivalent of 7.1 trillion gallons of water. Local rivers and creeks rose quickly, and within days over 100,000 homes were flooded, survivors left homeless and 13 people killed. Hardest hit were the parishes of Baton Rouge and Livingston. Members of East Cobb Rotary were deeply touched by the devastation and in response dedicated the proceeds from our weekly Sunshine for two meetings to helping victims of the tragic flooding in the Baton Rouge area. We raised $1200.00 and also approached the Rotary Club of Vinings and the Rotary Club of Smyrna inviting them to join with us in this endeavor. They did and in short order raised $500.00 and $525.00 respectively. Through this collaborative effort these three clubs sent checks to District 6200 for $2,225.00. This humanitarian effort afforded the opportunity for three strong Rotary clubs to work together and accomplish more than could be done by one alone. Forty (40) East Cobb Rotarians (63%) contributed to the cause, and the approximately 7 hours invested in contacting and coordinating with other clubs to raise the funds and coordinating with our club treasurer to see that all had been received and mailed to District 6200 were well worth the effort in this response for SERVING HUMANITY.
Business of the Year
This year the Rotary Club of Alpharetta initiated the First Business of the Year Award to be awarded to an Alpharetta Large Business (more than 100 employees) and an Alpharetta Small Business (less than 100 employees). Our goal was to engage with our public and private neighbors in our community, to seek out nominations and via a committee select the businesses that are excellent stewards of the Rotary principles and the 4-way test. Applications were solicited over a 2 month period through the local Business Chambers and the Alpharetta Visitor Bureau and Conference Center. The businesses selected also are actively engaged in the community and give of their thinking, time, talent and treasures to address some of the world's most pressing needs. This award helps us connect with our local businesses but more importantly to acknowledge businesses that are Rotarian in nature. In addition it gave us the opportunity to get to know our local businesses and for them to learn more about Rotary. Not only did we give these two business an award to display at their business.
C.A.R.T Fund
This is the 2nd year the Camilla Rotary Club has participated in the C.A.R.T (Coins for Alzheimer's Research Trust) fund. Last Rotary year, we donated $1,000 and this year we will meet that goal again. This was our past DG's passion and we have kept that passion alive through our giving. We learned at the District Conference last year how many people and families are affected by this dreadful disease. The seated audience was asked to stand if they had not in some way been affected by Alzheimer's and no one stood up. It reinforced our desire to keep this as a service project for our club. Each week members donate coins in the blue buckets and at the end of the Rotary year the money is sent to C.A.R.T.
CAC Coats for Kids
RCSS in collaboration with the Community Assistance Center will provide coats and Christmas toys and food for families. Publix Foundation donates $2000 annually through the RCSS Foundation to support this wonderful annual initiative.
Rotary Club of Sandy Springs members spent shopping time this past week buying holiday gifts for the Community Assistance Center's (CAC) annual holiday gift program. Over 1200 children and teenagers will have a great holiday this year. The Rotary Club of Sandy Springs purchased gifts for 30 kids, then an elite team of Sandy Springs Rotarians and family coordinated the gifts to make them ready for wrapping and pickup.
CAC Spring Food Drive
RCSS will gather food and participate in this community event by hosting a booth with balloon animals and/or face painting. Multiple TONS of food will be raised for the summer food bank needs.
CampSTEMtastic Project
CampSTEMtastic at Thomas University serves three distinct purposes: promotion STEM fields to low-income students, offering teachers-in-training real world experience working with studens on STEM lessons, and acting as a long term research project to collect data on the outcomes of early and frequent exposure to STEM fields of study.
Cancer Ties Event for Local Teacher - Carole Powell
Rotary members participated in fundraising event to raise money for local cancer patient, Carole Powell. Carole is a teacher at a local school.
CART Collection Project
Rotarian Jim Pascal, for the third year, provides weekly updates about Alzheimer's Research and funding needs soliciting change for research. Last year collecting more than our pledged $1000
CART Fund Project
Rotary Club of Alpharetta has long supported Rotary’s CART Fund with, very often, the largest donation from a Club of our category in this District. This year we have raised and donated over $2000.00 toward Alzheimer’s research by dropping change in the CART buckets on our tables. Rotarians are encouraged to voluntarily empty their pockets of change, or whatever amount they choose, whenever they attend a Rotary meeting.
CCHS VEX Robotics and Electric Car Program
NA Rotary Club's 2016-17 District Grant funds supported the Chamblee Charter High School (CCHS) VEX Robotics and Electric Car programs. We are providing needed funds to underwrite the cost of additional equipment offering upgrading opportunities to both the robots and electric cars students build. Both programs continue to expand drawing creative and inquisitive students into the program. The Electric Car program is now the model for all DeKalb County Schools.
CCYA Best is Yet to Come Program
Assisted with ushering and other logistics for Center for Children and Young Adults annual program at the Strand.
Certificates for Veterans
Recognized Veterans in the Club and presented them with Certificates and pins.
Chair-ity event for the Children's Village at Christian City
The Rotary Club of Griffin has joined ten other Rotary Clubs to host this raffle to benefit the Children's Village at Christian City. The clubs helped sell raffle tickets for a brand new Infiniti Q50. Heidi Becker brought the car to the club on September 29, 2016 and gave a brief overview of the raffle and the Children's Village.
Character Education
The Club will provide education to assist area schools in the elimination of bullying.
Child Development Assoc Treasure Hunt & Books in a Box
Every lunch meeting, we donate a book signed by our guest speaker to the Child Development Association. Every May, we visit the CDA, read to the children, hide treasures for two treasure hunts and have lunch with them. This is always a joy! You never know what 3-5 year olds are going to say or ask!
Child Sexual Abuse Awareness
Dr. Eniabitobi Kuyinu and Myrsane Caze, who founded The Educator in USA and Africa will be given seed money to bring awareness of child sexual abuse to the Clayton County low income communities. Dr. Kuyinu has been an author and an advocate for the treatment and empowerment of women and children who have undergone sexual trauma or exploitation. Dr. Kuyinu is currently assistant professor of counseling at Richmont Graduate University, Chattanooga, TN 37404. Ms. Caze is the training coordinator for The Educator USA and an authorized facilitator of Darkness to Light to provide training for the prevention of child sexual abuse. She has provided training to the public and to students entering into the profession of mental health counseling and nursing. Currently, Ms. Caze is pursuing a doctoral degree in counseling education and supervision at Mercer University. Our financial donation will be used to provide materials for the class participants as well as refreshments. It will also be used to off-set administrative expenses.
Christmas Social / Family of Rotary
Two family are adopted for donation of Christmas presents and gifts.
Clayton County GRSP Conclave
The Rotary Club of Griffin joined with the Rotary Club of Lake Spivey/Clayton County and the Rotary Club of Henry County to sponsor the Maynard Memorial Student Weekend. Griffin Rotarians hosted GRSP students and provided transportation to the event at the Clayton County International Park. The students participated in team sand castle building and cardboard boat competitions. Rotarian John Quinn and his wife Christine hosted a social Friday night for the students and host families. All Rotarians involved had a great experience getting to know these wonderful students!
Club Bulletin
McClellon Cox will produce our bulletins for the club this year. They are professionally done and highlight each week's speaker along with our busy schedule of events. This has been helpful in providing information electronically and in paper format.
Club Bulletins called "Rotary Matters"
The Meriwether County Rotary Club provides a weekly Club Bulletin for the members of the Rotary Club of Meriwether County. Each week the Club Bulletin is emailed to the club members to view on various items for the club to view. These include: Speaker info, Upcoming Calendar info, A Rotary Minute, and Rotary International information.
Cobb County GED Scholarship
In the memory of the late Rotarian Walt Coakley, the Vinings Rotary established a full scholarship with the Cobb County Adult Education Center.
The funds will provide a scholarship for an adult student who does not have the financial measn for the GED test fees. It is hoped that this scholarship will be ongoing for the Rotary Club of Vinings.
Cobb County Public Appreciation Event
In celebration of the Cobb county "Pubic Safety Appreciation Week", 5 members prepared and/or purchased food to an entire complete dinner for the Firefighter of Vinings Firestation #1.
On October 5th, this food was delivered to the fire station by Rotarians where our appreciation for their service was expressed.
Collect Cash for Alzheimer's Research Trust (CART)-Ongoing
Members donate toward the Collect Cash for Alzheimer's Research Trust (CART)at each meeting.
Conduct 30th Annual Car and Bike Show Rotary Fundraiser
30th Annual Car & Bike Show Hosted by the Rotary Club of Meriwether County is a signature fundraising event for the Club. special cars, antiques, sports cars, hot rods, decked out motorcycles and more are entered for prizes. Registration is $15.00 in advance $20.00 at the gate. Free T-shirt to the first 75 to register.
Conduct Building Community Unity-Public Safety Recognition
The Meriwether County Rotary Club project is to affirm our public service personnel while building relationships between the many consistencies of our large and diverse county. The awareness of our club and Rotary in general will increase our visibility in the county. We will personally visit more than 200 fire fighters, law enforcement officers, Paramedics and 911-call center personnel to say thank you and present them with a travel mug and a four-way test coin. A brief explanation of Rotary and our appreciation of their service above self will affirm them and start new relationships. Our county divisions are deep and well known. One step to peace and unity is people knowing each other. Most of our members live or work in the south end of the county. As community leaders they are known at least by name. Perhaps their visit to an agency to say thank you and present a gift will start conversations and relationships that will help build familiarity and ultimately unity.
Conduct Cotton Pickin' Fair Rotary Fundraiser in October
The Cotton Pickin' Fair is the signature fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Meriwether Co. The Fair is held twice a year on the first weekends in May and October.
he Meriwether County Rotary Club cooks over 700 foot long hot-dogs with slaw, chili and cheese. Other items include candy apples, tea, lemonade, coffee, and muffins for breakfast.
Conduct Cotton Pickin' Fair Rotary Fundraiser in May
The Cotton Pickin' Fair is the signature fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Meriwether Co. The Fair is held twice a year on the first weekends in May and October.
he Meriwether County Rotary Club cooks over 700 foot long hot-dogs with slaw, chili and cheese. Other items include candy apples, tea, lemonade, coffee, and muffins for breakfast.
Conduct Summer Soccer Camp for Kids
The Rotary Club co sponsors Kids Soccer Camp held at Warm Springs Baptist Church.
The 4 way test Coin is presented to the kids and they have discussions about the meaning of the Rotary 4 Way Test.
Touching 40 youth and their parents.
Crutches for Africa
Crutches 4 Africa is a non-profit organization based in Colorado .The group was formed by David and Candice Talbot to assist children in Kenya who, prior to intervention, were utilizing tree branches as canes and crutches. Co-founder David, an ambulatory victim because of polio felt dedicated to the need.
Daring to be Better
President Janice Wallace recognized throughout the year members of the Rotary Club of Griffin who "Dared to be Better."
Destination Graduation
The Rotary Club of Griffin collaborated with the Griffin Spalding County School System for the third year of its Destination Graduation project. The project is designed to encourage all students to graduate. Griffin High School administrators requested our help to fund the same motivational speaker for its local students. The speech was titled, "Pants up, heads up, grades up." It was well-received by the students. For Spalding High, local leaders and business owners provided the motivation by speaking to students about the importance of graduation. Several Rotarians and students at Southern Crescent Technical College participated. The students were very engaged and asked a lot of good questions following the presentation.
Dictionaries, Library Books and Resources for schools
As one of several North Atlanta Rotary's Literacy initiatives, each year we provide dictionaries through the Dictionary Project to all third grade students at Cary Reynolds and HighTower Elementary schools. This year we delivered over 400 dictionaries, a mixture of English, Spanish-English and Chinese-English to third grade students at both schools.
Dictionary Project
Members go with Community members to the library to package dictionaries for the local schools
THEN
Members go to the schools to do presentations to the children of the dictionaries.
District Governor Reception
District Governor Raymond Ray reception held at Bill Snellings home, during the visit, our WWII Veteran's, Carl Pirkle, Jim Pascal, & Milt Kessels were treated to a ride in a vintage Cadillac!
District Governor Visit
On August 15th the Henry County Rotary Club was honored to host DG Raymond Ray. Our board met with Raymond and gave him an update on our goals and what steps we are taking to reach them. We were honored to have Raymond as our guest speaker for the day and inspired our club to Dare to Be Better. DG Ray honored our own George Siggins with a Veteran’s pin. We were honored to spend the day with DG Raymond. We introduced him to our local Veteran’s museum and took a tour at our local brewery.
District Grant
We choose to support two great causes for our district grant. The Armed Forces Mission supports veteran and current military persons with mental health issues. We used the grant to purchase $1600 in training materials for the organization to train community members to speak on behalf of the organization to local community groups. In addition, 50% of our club membership will train to be community advocates in support of the Armed Forces Mission. We have the opportunity to reach 500+ people in the community informing them about suicide prevention.
Dog Days Run
East Cobb Rotary's Dog Days Run is our club's primary fundraiser held during the "Dog Days" of summer for eleven consecutive years. This highly visible 5K road race staged at the McClesky YMCA on East Piedmont Road bonds club members in a day of fun, fellowship and fundraising for worthy charities and serves as a means of building awareness in the community about Rotary's brand of humanitarian service. Held on July 30, 2016, this year's event drew 675 runners and more than 100 other participants, including fire fighters and police officers who addressed the crowd before awards were presented and Brigadier General Tom Blackstock of the Georgia National Guard who led all participants in the national anthem just prior to serving as official starter for the race.
Donation of Books to Local Library
The Rotary Club donates books to the Pine Mountain Regional library in Manchester in honor of program speakers.
Donation to CART Fund
The CART Fund is a special project for the Tucker club. Over time,several members have had family or friends who had encounters with Alzheimer's disease. They are happy to make donations for research in this area.
THIS ENTRY IS OBSOLETE. RE-ENTERED ON PROJECTS LIST DEC. 08 2016
Dragon Boat Races
Our club introduced Dragon Boat racing to our community in 2007. Since then, on the last week in September every year 4 to 5 thousand residents, paddlers, and vendors gather at the lake to enjoy the excitement. Every year this race has grown and is now one of the yearly premier events in Peachtree City.
East Cobb Park Holiday Lights
The Rotary Club of East Cobb continues its involvement as a member of the "Friends of East Cobb Park." Our club has been present since inception of this passive park without sports team activities, and for preserving green space in a highly developed residential and commercial area of East Cobb County. The club and individual members contributed significantly to create the park, and over the years have continued to provide support in multiple ways.
East Cobber Parade
An annual, major and fun East Cobb event routinely added to East Cobb Rotary's calendar of plans is the East Cobber Parade and Festival which serves as one portion of the club's presence, participation, and public relations in the community. Our parade entry includes carrying club banners and a giant USA flag, having cars with Rotary signs, and the tossing of candy to hundreds of kids lining the parade route. Rotarians, their spouses, children, and even sometimes grandchildren, join our parade entry making an impressive sight on the main thoroughfare of Johnson Ferry Road in our East Cobb community. This year's event on Saturday, September 17, 2016 boasted 25 Rotarians and family members as lead organization in the parade carrying a large American flag which drew rounds of applause, salutes and words of gratitude. An estimated crowd of 4,000 attendees witnessed the Rotary Club of East Cobb in fine form.
Easter Seals
Muscogee Rotary is heavily involved in literacy. Literacy is often overlooked for children with severe special needs. Muscogee Rotarians have an ongoing, monthly relationship with Easter Seals of West Georgia where our club members read to the students and provide books, materials, and hugs for our community's most special children.
Education Celebration
The Rotary Club of Griffin helps sponsor Norcom's Annual Education Celebration. Noncom is a local manufacturer of school supplies, whose president is Rotarian Hal Rahn. Other sponsors include Griffin Wal-Mart, managed by Rotarian Scott Owen.
In the past, the program has offered a Free Store for Teachers opened to all teachers in the Griffin-Spalding County School System. This year, the program changed and Norcom delivered supplies to all teachers in the school system and Rotarians volunteered to help distribute the supplies. This year, Norcom delivered the supplies to the schools and did not seek volunteers to help with the distribution. This project assists hundreds of students with much needed school supplies. It further helps the teachers, who often pay for supplies for their students out of their own pockets.
EHTN Project
On January 12, 2017, a screening of the film “8 Days” followed by a law enforcement panel discussion about human trafficking was held at North Springs Charter High School (7447 Roswell Road, N.E., Atlanta GA 30328 from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. The event was co-sponsored by the Rotary Club of Brookhaven, the Rotary Club of Dunwoody, the Rotary Club of North Atlanta and the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs. Parents and community members attended the free event. A panel discussion followed that included the police chiefs of the cities of Dunwoody, Brookhaven and Sandy Springs. Here's a trailer link to the movie 8 Days
Electronics Recycling
A project in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Stone Mountain to receive out-dated and/or damaged electronic equipment that can be cleaned/repaired and redistributed by Friends of Disabled Adults and Children-FODAC- for needy children.
The first Saturday of November provided a bright and sunny day for the 3rd Annual Electronic Recycling Day sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Tucker and Stone Mountain. All items collected went to FODAC located in Tucker. A steady stream of traffic kept the club members busy greeting people, explaining about FODAC, seeking donations for FODAC and unloading the vehicles.
Electronics Recycling
RC Stone Mountain is partnering with RC Tucker and FODAC to provide electronic recycling to the community.
End Human Trafficking Awareness
Rotarian Brett Bell has taken up the mantle for disseminating information about the End Human Trafficking project and Safe Harbor Yes vote. Roswell Rotarian David McCreary presented a program at our lunch meeting and Brett has since taken over the task of presenting the program to local groups. He has or is scheduled to present the program to the Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee, Criminal Justice Day at UGA Griffin, the Spalding Collaborative, Southern Crescent Technical College and the Spalding County Republican Party.
Family of Rotary events- Lunches, etc-Ongoing
The club meets the fourth Tuesday rotating at different business throughout the community show community support.
Family of Rotary Monthly Meeting
In response to the Council on Legislation changes in flexibility, the RCSS board voted to change their bylaws and increase Family of Rotary events along with decreasing monthly meetings to provide options to the club body.
Family of Rotary Pool Party
In July we had a family of Rotary pool party at the home of member Brad Faucett. We enjoyed a great cookout by President Elect Steve Moore, who also brought his Margarita machine and we enjoyed a yummy variety of dishes brought by our members. We had 18 Rotarians and their families attend. A great time to get to know our fellow members.
Father Daughter Valentine Dance
The Cairo Rotary Club works closely with the Cairo High School Interact Club to put on this community event. Over the past two years, we have had approximately 750 fathers and daughters attend. This is event is open to everyone in the community. We serve desserts and punch, have a live DJ, and the most important part of the night, the balloon drop. The balloon drop contains 1000 plus balloons and it falls over the dance floor. We also have a professional photographer to take pictures and packages for all budgets. We have 100% participation from club members.
Feed the Children
When the final school bell rings on a Friday afternoon and the next week is a break on the school district schedule, thousands of students who are in the free and reduced breakfast and lunch program are at risk of being hungry. To address this need the Rotary Club of East Cobb partnered with McClesky YMCA (location for our Dog Days Run) in feeding students at the Dwell Communities (residence for many of the Brumby Elementary School students in our School Mates project) for designated days during the first semester breaks of the school year on September 29, November 22 and December 28, 2016. Club members donated food and prepared 50 to 60 sack lunches at the office of a club member located near the apartment community being served. On all three occasions, club members donated enough food for the day's sack lunches plus extra in support of another lunch day or to feed seniors in need.
Feed the Hungry
Each week we place the feed the Hungry cans on the table and each year make a disbursement bringing all the organizations to the meeting and presenting the checks to them.
Fence Painting at Vinings Historic Preservation Society
Approximatey 10 Rotarians and spouses partnered with other local community groups to prime and paint new fences at the Historic Society building at the heart of Vinings.
This event was covered by 2 newspapers and online by the county officials.
Financial Aid to Victims of the TN Fire storms
In cooperation wih the efforts of District 6900, the Rotary Club of Vinings Cumberland raised awareness to the Board and members at large through promotion of the need through our social media, weekly email blasts and announcements at the meetings.
Financial Assistance for June 2016 West Virginia Flood Victims
As a response to the devasting floods on June 23, 2016 in West Virginia, the Vinings Rotary Club collected funds from members (and contributed Club matching funds).
The money was sent to the Rotary District in the effected area to meet the needs of their community.
Firehouse Dinners
OCTOBER'S ANNUAL PUBLIC SERVICE DINNERS "HAVE BEEN SERVED"
The 2016 Public Service Dinners have been scheduled for October 25th, 26th and 27th. This annual event is put on by the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs and seeks to provide delicious dinners enough to cover all shifts of the Sandy Springs Fire, Police and EMS departments. The dinners took place at Fire Station #2 at
First Responders Recognition
On a quarterly basis, Vinings Rotary honors a firefighter or police for their service above and beyond. This special individual is selected by their commanding officer.
The recipient and his/her supervisor re our guest for lunch, given recognition for their serve. Additionally, local restaurants are solicited by Rotarians for gift certificates given to the winner.
FODAC
North Atlanta Rotary initiated and lead the July 30, 2016 collection of home health medical equipment and supplies for recycle and refurbishment by FODAC, Friend of Disabled Adults and Children. This service project was accomplished in a collaborative effort with volunteers from a total of 7 Rotary Clubs, 1 Rotaract Club, the 57th Squadron Restaurant and FODAC. Over 42 volunteers showed up to help collect a variety of item totaling more than $161,000. Chris Brand, FODAC CEO stated that "this was the most successful collection drive of any volunteer group ever for FODAC." Chris, a fellow Rotarian was present and a volunteer supporter throughout the day.
FODAC 5 CLUB COLLABORATIVE
Tucker Rotary teams with 5 other area clubs to make pre-arranged pickups of numerous healthcare items and equipment to be distributed by FODAC to those in need for little or no cost.
Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit who provides over $10 million each year in home medical equipment and services at little or no cost to the recipients. A history of faith based values inspires FODAC to enhance the quality of life for people of all ages who have any type of illness, physical disability or injury. On Saturday, July 30, 2016, the Rotary Club of Tucker joined with four other Rotary Clubs, North Atlanta (lead club), Brookhaven, South DeKalb and Stone Mountain, to provide vehicles, equipment and physical labor of volunteers for a huge collection of home use medical supplies and equipment.
FODAC equipment delivery with N. Atlanta
On Saturday, July 30, 2016 we had a fantastic turn out for our community service project benefiting FODAC (Friends of Disabled Adults and Children). Chris Brand, President and CEO of FODAC (and Stone Mountain Rotarian), expressed that we may have surpassed the monetary record for a single day collection! The estimated value of the collections for the day is $150,000! Chris stated, "this was the most successful collection drive of any volunteer group ever for FODAC!"
Food Drive
The Thomasville and Thomas County Food Bank provides supplemental food stuffs to a large number of local residents. We conduct an annual effort among members and associates to gather canned goods and other non-perishable food items for this Food Bank. This year nearly 400 pounds of food goods were collected.
Food For Thought - ongoing
Members join together to pack lunches for students from humble backgrounds.
Foundation 100 Year Celebration
RCSS Foundation Committee is working to ensure 100% participation at the appropriate minimum level and hopefully higher in this 100 year celebration campaign. District Foundation Chair, Margie Kersey, will kick off the campaign as our program speaker on Monday October 31.
Friendship Team
The Rotary Club of Tucker hosted a group of nine Rotarians from India visiting District 6900 as a Friendship Team pursuant to the RI Convention. The entire club was lnvolved. The Club provided meals,snacks and transportation as we toured the county[Dekalb] and enjoyed guided tours of DeKalb Medical Center and the Carlos museum of Emory U. Three Rotarians rode in the van with the Team . Others met them at the designated tour sites. As we departed in the evening,our visitors expressed their pleasure for the activities of the day.
FYCA's Upson Read Trivia Bee
Members team up to hold a trivia bee with local community. Upson READ is a Civic-minded businesses and organizations Trivia with teams in competition. In addition to the main competition, between rounds there were questions for the audience, and door prizes were awarded.
Georgia Laws of Life - 2 Schools
Selection of students from 2 high school in Dougherty County, Georgia. Schools will include Deerfield Windsor and Westover High School. Izzie Sadler is the chairperson for this committee. Additional Members participate on the selection committee for our finalists. Our club donates $2400 for the Laws of Life program.
Georgia REACH Scholars 2021
Club gives $1500 sponsorship for 5 Lamar County 8th graders towards their college tuition in 2021. Club also serves on the board that selects the 5 students.
Georgia Rotary Exchange Program
Daniella Ochoa Garro attended Ogelthorpe University and was sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Brookhaven, North Atlanta and Tucker.
Georgia Rotary Student Program (GRSP) Partner w/Barnesville Rotary
Thomaston Upson club partner with Barnesville, Jackson-Butts, Lamar and Griffin clubs in support of GRSP student.
GOAL Luncheon for SCTC
The Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) luncheon is when the Rotary club support the community and the local college to spotlight the outstanding achievement by students in Georgia’s technical colleges and to emphasize the importance of technical education in today’s global workforce.” The local GOAL winner will speak on behalf of Southern Crescent Technical College to promote technical education throughout the community and state.
Golf Tournament Fundraiser
In August we held our annual Rotary Golf Tournament at Eagle's Brook Golf course. We had 18 teams and over $6,500 in sponsorships. We raised over $10,000 for our golf tournament and were able to introduce/reintroduce Rotary to over 72 Players. Our club turned out in full numbers with over 20 Rotarians in attendance that day. A great time was had by all
Good Neighbor Back to School Shop
The Good Neighbor Back to School Shop was an opportunity for parents with low income in the Northlake-Embry Hills- Tucker area to provide school supplies for their families at greatly reduced cost in a respectful manner. New donated supplies were collected and sold to these parents at deep discounts rather than giving them away.Project is based on concept that families would prefer to provide for themselves if given the opportunity. Proceeds are used to sustain the program the following year.Tucker Rotarians were pleased to collect, donate and assist with disbursing supplies.
Grant for Circle of Care
Grant was used to purchase new computers and books for the GED training at this non-profit Center for Families
GRSP Host
This continues to be a popular event that that the Rotary Club of Tucker shares with two other clubs. We enjoy sharing our cultural events with the student as they share their experiences with the club. This year our student is Daniela Garro Ochoa from the country of Columbia.She intends to take full advantage of all opportunities offered during her year at Oglethorpe University.
GRSP Social
A social is organized to bring together 4 clubs hosting students and to meet and greet around an informal meal with Rotarians and previous students.
GRSP Student
The Rotary Club of Griffin sponsored its first GRSP student in 1949 and every year since. This year's student, our 89th, is from a small harbor village just north of Copenhagen, Denmark. She is attending the University of Georgia and studying social studies and creative arts. Rotarian Bill Dallas and his wife Alyson, are hosting for the year.
GRSP Student Weekend
Our club in partnership with the Henry County RC and Griffin RC, hosted 49 International GRSP participants for the weekend. The students took part in team building projects as well as just plain fun times, to learn more about one another, as well as their host rotarians.
GRSP Student Welcome Event
The Vinings Club of Rotary was well-represented with 6 Members (and 2 spouses) for its welcoming of sponsored GRSP student Mhairi Dunnett.
The greeting included the Scotish flag being displayed as she arrived through airport customs!
Haiti Hurricane Relief Fund
Participated in District 6900 Hurricane Matthew relief fund for Haiti.
Hands on Thomas County
The annual day of service and celebration and volunteerism benefits more than 40 Different project sites and brings together more than 1,200 community volunteers of all ages, resulting in more than 4500 hours of Service. The Rotary Club of Thomasville has provided landscape services at The Vashti Center, a residential and outpatient service for troubled adolescents in Southwest Georgia, a ministry of the United Methodist Church. On a Saturday this past October nearly 20 Rotarians joined together to refresh the landscaping on the commons areas at Vashti. This multi acre site was raked of debris, shrubs were trimmed, fifty bales of pinestraw were spread, and a refreshed look was created.
Heritage Sandy Springs Festival
In collaboration with Leadership Sandy Springs, the city of Sandy Springs & Sandy Springs Community Roundtable members RCSS participated in and sponsored this annual community wide event. As a civic sponsor and participant our members shared information about the club and hosted our first End Polio Now fund raiser selling chocolate bars for profit across the two day festival. We have three potential members invited to visit the club & raised $53 from candy sales.
HeroBox
The RC of Stone Mountain honors it's speakers by sending a HeroBox to an active duty soldier. Our hero this year is Mr. Thanh Pham from Minnesota who is serving in the Air Force.
Members bring in goodies for Mr. Pham, write letters and cards to him. Our speakers often bring material or goodies to be included.
Herobox
In the four weeks leading up to Veterans Day, the club put buckets out on tables during our lunch meetings to collect money to fill as many HeroBoxes as possible. The club ended up collecting $445 that was donated directly to HeroBox. That should be enough to fill 12 boxes.
Historic Cemetery Clean-Up
Vinings Rotarians teamed up with our Campbell High School Interact Club and cleaned the local historic cemetery of branches, weeds and trash.
Our Club partnered with the management company of the office building that sits directly behind the cemetery to purchase and plant over 200 flower bulbs.
Honoring Heroes - First Responders Luncheon
Our first annual First Responders Appreciation Luncheon was a huge success. The luncheon was held in the Multipurpose Room at the Alpharetta City Hall on January 12, 2017. We catered barbecue lunch with all the fixings serving 30+ First Responders from the Alpharetta PD, EMS & Fire stations. We also formally presented K9 Mattis with his ballistic vest that we purchased for him along with a bag of toys. President Natalie is most proud of this event for its outreach and appreciation to public servants as well as our local hero K9 Mattis. P/E Mike intends to continue this as an annual event next year and going forward.
Honoring our First Responders
Brookhaven Rotary is honored to have Chief Gary Yandura of the Brookhaven Police Department as a member of our Club. We reached out to him to offer him and invitation to bring a guest, a member of his team, to our weekly meetings to say "thank you" and offer a great meal in appreciation for their service. We receive 2-3 guests monthly for this project and it's been fun getting to know the various members of the police department during our weekly meetings.
Honoring Those Who Serve
"Honoring Those Who Serve" came as a request from District 6900 Governor Raymond Ray, Jr., and East Cobb Rotary has been more than happy to respond with invitations for attending club meetings and provision of acknowledgements (12% of club members directly involved). Recognition began at the club's annual Dog Days Run fundraiser on July 30, 2016 where Brigadier General Blackstock led those assembled in the national anthem just prior to serving as official starter for the race. At race's end Cobb County firefighters manned a water spraying fire truck for cooling runners down as they made the turn toward the finish line.
Horizons Summer Camp at Atlanta International School
This program is a Summer Camp located in Buckhead for Buckhead students. It will be held at AIS for students in the bottom 25% of grades K-3 at Garden Hills Elementary who are on free or reduced price lunch programs. It is designed to reduce Summer Learning Loss (see link below) and to provide 2 nutritious meals and a snack to these at risk students. The focus will be on helping these students attain 3rd grade reading and math levels by 3rd grade. Research very clearly shows that if this 3rd grade education benchmark is not attained, a student is unlikely to graduate from high school. Horizons is a 501(c)3 which was formed in 1964. Their camp model is used at numerous locations across the USA and in several locations in Atlanta with results showing 94-99% high school graduation by students who attended Horizon programs.
Host Habitat for Humanity College Students
On the 3rd week in March of each year a college team comes to Meriwether County for the college challenge build.
Meriwether County Rotary Club host and provide a meal and speaker each year. Typically we host 15 - 18 college students, who spend their spring break working on a habitat house. Usually they start with the foundation already laid and at least have the home dried in by weeks’ end.
Host Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program Luncheon
The Meriwether County Rotary Club supports the Humphrey Program each year.
We provide a venue for each of the 8 Humphrey Fellows to have an informational session with Rotarian's and community guest. The luncheon event is offered each year at Roosevelt Warm Springs followed by a tour of the Franklin Roosevelt's Little White House and Roosevelt Warm Springs Vocational Rehabilitation Campus.
Human Trafficking Awareness Event
Rotary invited 200 members of the community to a Screening of 8 Days event at North Springs Charter High School on January 12 at 6:30pm.
“This must-see film” about Human Trafficking will be followed by a panel discussion with law enforcement experts moderated by CNN journalist Lisa Cohen
Human Trafficking Project
The Rotary Club of Tucker will join District 6900 to assist in the elimination of human trafficking.As more information is made available,the need becomes more apparent.We intend to make a difference in our community.
Tucker began it's effort to make a difference in the area of Human Trafficking by inviting , Police Chief o Brookhaven, to make a presentation to us relating to current trends and concerns of this problem. We were particularly surprised to learn that the Atlanta area ls a national leader in this dreadful activity.
July Evening Meeting/ Meet our New GRSP Student
Our First our new Evening Meetings was a Social at Castillo Real Mexican Cocina & Bar, owned by Rotarian Ron Castillo. The evening was great success with 19 in attendance for a fun evening of fellowship.. The highlight of our evening was meeting our newest GRSP student Alexander Vandekerckhov.
Kalifi Kids International Assistance
Kilifi Kids is a Rotary-led initiative devoted to making high-impact investments in health in underserved communities in Kenya.
Since 2006, Rotary Club of Vinings has worked closely with government agencies, technology nonprofits, local NGOs, and other organizations to design and execute projects to improve access to and quality of care for children, mothers and their families.
Keep Henry Beautiful Trash Pick up
The Henry County Rotary Club sponsor's Keep Henry Beautiful in partnership with the Henry County Chamber of Commerce. Our club also sponsors 1 mile of HWY81 and each quarter our members spend a few hours on a Saturday morning cleaning up the debris on both sides of the road. In August we had 10 Rotarians and their family members participate in trash pick up. With such a great turnout, work was completed in less than 2 1/2 hours
Kindergarten Readiness Program
members go tot he schools to read to children for a set amount of weeks
Lamar Gives 365
Club participates in community foundation annual grant program by giving $365. The club will also participate in the grant recipient selection process.
Law Enforcement Officers of the Year - 2016
On January 26th NARClub recognized law enforcement officers from both the DeKalb County and Chamblee City Police Departments. This is our 29th year recognizing a "Detective of the Year" from DeKalb County and our 1st year recognizing an outstanding officer from the Chamblee Police Department.
Laws of Life
The Rotary Club of Stone Mountain is a bronze sponsor for Laws of Life. We work with Redan High School, where our newest Interact club is located (chartering this year. Students write and submit essays explaining a "Law of Life" they feel is important, preferably using their own experience. The student selects the "Law". Essays are submitted for competition and winners selected at multiple levels up to and including national.
Laws of life
Tucker Rotary will participate in the Laws of Life project at Tucker High .this will be our first year to participate in in this important essay competition.It is a contest in which there are no losers
Students write about characteristics of life that mold people into solid individuals and citizens. Some terms commonly used include generosity,dependability,,honesty,loyalty,faithfulness and many others.
Laws of Life Essay Competition
Rotarian Nancy Schroeder is coordinating submissions from Riverwood International Charter High School, North Springs Charter High School and Mt. Vernon Presbyterian School. The club is a bronze level sponsor and celebrates local school winners at a luncheon in the spring. RCSS Club members serve as essay readers as well.
Laws Of Life Essay Contest
In this program high School students write an essay on a character value and how it applies to the student's life. Our Club participated in this program with Thomas County Central High School involving over 1,000 students, Thomasville High School and Bishop Hall Charter School. This program encourages students to think about values that are keystones to becoming good productive citizens. Winners will read their essays at a club meeting and be publicized in the Thomasville Times Enterprise newspaper. Rotarians plan to participate in the evaluations of the essays.
Laws of Life Essay Contest
The Rotary Club of Griffin has for many years sponsored the Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest. Members of the club volunteer to judge essays and the club financially sponsors the contest at Griffin High School.
Students who participate in the Laws of Life Essay Contest select a saying that is a "Law of Life" and use that saying to examine and write about key life lessons and core character values such as honesty, generosity, courage, compassion and perseverance. The contest reflects Rotary's emphasis on values, high ethical standards and service to others.
Lenox Mall Bell Ringing- Salvation Army
Our Club partnered with the North Atlanta Rotary Club to volunteer for the Salvation Army Bell Ringing Campaign. Our two clubs "staffed" the full day (10am-8pm) for two locations at Lenox Mall on both Saturday, 12/10, and Saturday, 12/17. A total of 40 volunteers were involved, including members from Chamblee HS Interact Club, the North Atlanta Roteract Club and the Oglethorpe Roteract Club--- a great coordinated effort!
Library Book Project
The Cairo Rotary Club donated roughly $1200 worth of books to a local elementary school library. This year the books were donated to Shiver School. The school media specialists pick the books they are in need of and we order the books, label them and hand deliver them to the schools.
Library Literacy Book Donation
Our Rotary club has had a great relationship with the Tyrone Library in support of their summer reading program. This year two of our members had a fantastic idea of taking our commitment to literacy to the next level. We asked the library if they would welcome the idea of our club purchasing youth books and having our speakers sign them as our support of the youth collection. It has been a wonderful idea that our speakers have embraced. The library agreed to purchase the books and we get them signed and donate them back to to the library. We have spent $111 on books to date for this project. Although two members coordinate with the library and speakers, 100% of our club is in support of the idea. We will have every speaker sign the books. This project will reach hundreds of children in the coming years. The second set of youth books are on order.
Literacy Project
We place a children's book in our library in honor of our speaker at each meeting. We place a sticker with the 4-Way test and the honoree's name. We make the presentation to the speaker at the end of each meeting. The book is then placed in the library.
Louisana August 2016 Flood Relief
In conjunction with the East Cobb and Smyrn Clubs, the Rotary Club of Vinings solicited donations from its Members and also contributed from the Club funds as well.
The money is to assist the victims of the Louisana floods in August 2016.
Lucy Hilton-Maddow Memorial Library Project
We purchase large-print books for our local library.
Margarita Make-up Family of Rotary Event
On the third Thursday of every month, Vinings Rotarians, spouses, and guests gather at 5:30pm gather at a local Mexican restaurant for fellowship, food, and well..margaritas!
This event has been very popular for Rotarians who need to "Make Up" a missed meeting.
Meals for Shut Ins
Every week after our Rotary meeting, we take plates to several shut ins in the community. They do not have to be a member of Rotary. Rotarians turn in the names of people in the community that are suffering from cancer or other medical issues that keep them from being able to prepare meals for themselves. The meals are delivered by Rotarians that turned in the names or by the staff of our caterer. We have delivered at least 204 meals this Rotary year.
Meals On Wheels
Club members in teams of two, deliver meals to elderly and home-bound county residents twice each week.
Meet and Greet
The Rotary Club of Tucker's continued effort to have fun with Rotary includes a monthly Meet 'N' Greet at a local watering hole. This is an effort to get to know fellow Rotarians or potential new members. We share experiences with each other and continue to learn about each others life experiences.
Meriwether Partners to fund needed water supply project in Chacayá, Guatemala
The Meriwether Co Rotary Club partnered with The Rotary Club of Palm Beach Florida, District 6930 to help fund an urgently needed water project in Chacaya, Guatemala that is designed and ready to implement quickly.
This project will help the community implement, and monitor a potable water supply alternative that minimizes or eliminates the health risks they currently face. The project is led by Engineers Without Borders-USA, Greater Austin Chapter which has a minimum five-year commitment to work with the community, including continual monitoring and an evaluation at least one year after completing the project.
Middle School Literacy
The Rotary Club of Griffin is very involved in our local school system's Literacy initiative. For more than ten years we have given a dictionary to every seventh grader in our school system. Advancement in technology and access to online resources has greatly improved since our initial giving. Dictionary resources are readily available online. With input from the local middle schools, we shifted our focus this year to other resources that we jointly felt were better suited to today's student. With the help of a grant from Wal-Mart and at a discounted price, the club donated 50 copies of 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens to each middle school resource center (200 books in all). The books are available for classroom check-out. The final cash cost is yet to be determined as we are applying for a grant to defray some of the costs.
Milton First Responders Golf Tourney support
Rotary Club of North Fulton sponsored a foursome and volunteered at the Milton First Responders Foundation 2nd annual golf tournament. The tournament raised money to benefit first responder families in need.
Mitchell County Food Bank - Canned Food Drive
During the month of November, the club collected and donated canned foods for the Mitchell County Food Bank. Approximately 75 canned food items were donated.Many people in Southwest Ga live at or below the poverty level. The Food Bank of Mitchell County is located in Pelham. It provides hundreds of people from all over Mitchell County with food to help them to sustain life. Approximately 15 Rotarians joined the effort and brought bags of canned food. We were honored to be a part of such a worthwhile project.
Music in Common
Music In Common(MIC) is a non-profit organization whose community building programs deepen understanding between diverse groups of people. In the MiC lmmersion program, participants write, record and perform songs together.In the process, they discover common ground while learning about each other's faith and culture.The also sharpen valuable life skills of collaboration, communication and compromise.
MUST Ministries Lunch program
Worked with MUST Ministries to prepare over 500 bag lunches for children who do not receive meals over the summer due to not being in school.
Rotarians shopped for the food, coordinated the volunteers and delivered the meals to the needy children.
New Camilla Club Website
The Club began utilizing the District 6900 website powered by TeamForte. The Camilla website created a fresh new look with the website capabilities. The website greatly improved the clubs ability to keep up with member data and attendance. The club plans to continue to personalize the website.
New Teachers Luncheon
The club sponsors an annual luncheon for all new teachers in the Griffin-Spalding County School System. The new teachers have the opportunity to meet Rotarians and enjoy lunch during their orientation week. This welcome provides a great first impression of our school system and community. This year, we welcomed approximately 140 new teachers and Rotarians offered their stories about their favorite teachers as motivation.
Newspaper Articles in the local Papers of the Meriwether Co Rotary Club
Meriwether Co Rotary Club promotes Rotary throughout the County and beyond by placing articles in the local weekly Meriwether Co Newspapers: (The Star Mercury and the Vindicator.)
The target is to educate, inform and enlighten in all avenus of Rotary.
Nicholas House Serving Dinner
On September 13th we took dinner to the Nicholas House in downtown Atlanta and served approximately 32 individuals and families, including 19 children currently in residence. North Atlanta Rotary Club and The Nicholas House have a long standing relationship. On this Tuesday night we took a dinner of fried and baked chicken, pulled pork with BBQ sauce, potato salad, green beans, rolls, brownies, cookies, fruit gummies, lemonade, ice tea and milk for the enjoyment of the residents and volunteers alike. This was one of the smallest groups we've fed at the house over the years as two families had just moved out, transitioning to the next phase on their road to independence.
One Book Project
Every year the Community under the leadership of Rotarian Nancy Tillinghast, the Thomas County Library Director, and Rotarian Andre Maria selects a book to be read by the community members in conjunction with various activities including author appearances and other activities. This year our Club donated $1,000 as a Silver sponsor to the One Book project which will involve a title to be announced. This project encourages the youth of the city to read as they and their parents get involved.
Online Upgrade
Our Public Image Chair, Sally Wyeth, in collaboration with Alec Smythe and committee has worked to migrate to the District 6900 web and web tools for the club. This migration has included a face lift for our newsletter and social media presence including 100+ followers to our newly established twitter feed from May 2016.
Operation Smile Donations
Member makes annual international trips in support of operation smile using profession as a Speech Therapist as part of an international children's medical charity that provides free life-changing surgeries for children with cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial needs.
Paint Gates at City Cemetery
Our club volunteered to paint the 4 gates at the McDonough City Cemetery. 4 of our members, all ladies showed up and went to work. We wiped down the gates, sanded them and then applied fresh paint. Laura Crumbley, Leslie Erwin, Pam Miller and Christy Collier knocked out this project in less than 4 hours on a beautiful Saturday morning. Although we budgeted an expense of $100, we were able to keep the cost at $75.
Pass The Gavel 2016
The Henry County Rotary Club held it's annual Pass the Gavel Ceremony this year at the GA National Golf Course Club House. Our members truly turned out to support our outgoing President Annette Higdon and our new President Christy Collier. We had over 60 in attendance. Annette recognized her board for all the hard work they did. She also awarded the Memorial Tom Wise Spirit of Rotary award to Danny Stone, Brad Faucett was named Rotarian of the Year and Josh Duncan was awarded Rookie of the year.
Peanut Proud Festival Support
We drive golf carts to and from parking areas to deliver festival attendees
Perspective Member Summer Concert Series
As a combined event with the Smyrna Club, the Rotary Club of Vinings purchased reserved tables for (3) community-wide outdoor summer concerts. Food and beverage was provided.
The objective was two fold: 1) Create an environment for Vinings Rotarians to invite co-workers, neighbors and any other perspective members to come interact with Club members in a relax setting and 2) Allow members of the Smyrna and Vinings club to get to know each other and establish relationships.
Phoenix Boys Association's Holiday Event
The Phoenix Boys Club serves boys from age 7 - 16 in a very economically depressed, crime ridden area of Fulton County.
While the Rotary Club of Vinings has often supported this nonprofit with funding from our Run For the Kids race, it was determined by the Rotary Board that we want to also have "hands on" interaction with them.
Pinehurst School Playground Safety
We worked with Pinehurst School to get their playground up to State Code before the start of the new school year. Rotarians raised money and provided labor. We laid safety mulch to protect children from falls and used safety spray paint to highlight exposed roots to help children avoid tripping.
Polio Awareness and Support
We pass the Polio can and take donations at each meeting. We also have articles to raise awareness about Polio in our Rotary Bulletin and on our Facebook page.
Polio Plus Campaign
Under new Foundation Chair Rick Doyle, RCSS Foundation committee will create and execute an online fundraising campaign directed specifically at Polio Eradication. This will be a short - 30- 45 day online event.
Power Lunch
This is our tenth year of Power Lunch. We have 18 mentors, Rotarians and Honorary Rotarians, that go ever Thursday throughout the school year and mentor a child. The mentors have the same child throughout the year. We eat lunch with them and then read, talk or do other school work with them. The students are picked by the teachers and administrators. They are normally behind in reading or other areas and are at-risk students. Our local Pizza Hut donates the pizza and desserts and Sanjay Patel donates the drinks. We do this at a local elementary school that has the lowest income parents are a high number of Hispanic children that are learning English as their second language. We have had great success with this project and the school, teachers and mentors are all moved and touched by the project.
Project HOPE (Handbags Offering Positive Encouragement)
This project (Vining's District Grant project) works to uplift Cobb County women who are the victims of domestic violence.
Vinings Rotarians have purchased (73) new handbags and filled each with a variety of personal hygiene and beauty products.
Promise Place Equipment and Supplies
Promise Place provides safety and relief for women and children escaping abuse who would otherwise be homeless, seriously injured or killed. This is done through their emergency domestic violence shelter, and the average stay for the women and children who come to them is 45 days. Last year, Promise Place provided safe shelter to 86 women and 97 children- 59 of whom were girls. Through this project, the club provided much needed toiletries and school supplies for the shelter. We also purchased a computer, printer, and smart whiteboard for after school projects for the children in the shelter.
Public Safety Awards (on EMS week)
The club recognizes local first responders in fire, police, and rescue annually.
Public Safety Recognition Lunch
The Rotary Club of Griffin sponsored the Heart of Georgia Board of Realtors' public safety recognition lunch on August 24, 2016. The realtors organized the event which consisted of delivering lunch to the Griffin Police Department, Spalding County Sheriff's Department, Georgia State Patrol office in Griffin, Pike County Sheriff's Department, Zebulon Police Department, Lamar County Sheriff's Department, Burnsville Police Department, Upson County Sheriff's Department, Thomaston Police Department and the State Patrol office in Upson County. Rotarians from the Griffin Club, along with Jackson/Butts, Barnesville and Thomaston/Upson Rotary Clubs helped deliver the lunches with members of the board of realtors.
Quarterly Blood Drives
Club partners with Women's League and the Red Cross to conduct blood drives.
Raffle for Shotgun
A shotgun will be raffled off to raise funds for a cause. To date the money has been used for flood and tornado victims.
RCNA Charitable Golf Tournament
Held Monday, October 3, 2016 at Bear's Best Golf Club in Suwannee, GA this year's North Atlanta Annual Golf Tournament in it's 19th year was a wonderful day of golf and charitable giving. We had 50 golfers, 8 Financial sponsors, over 30 auction and raffle items donated, and District Governor Raymond Ray present! We raised over $15000. in support of the many and varied service projects and scholarships North Atlanta Rotary Club provides each year both locally and globally.
RCSS Weekly
Public Image chair, Sally Wyeth, continues to improve the weekly RCSS Newsletter using the District 6900 tools.
Read to Local Elementary kids for Read Across America (Dr. Seuss's Birthday)
Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss.
On March 2nd, the Rotary Club members read to the youth at Mountain View Elementary school in Manchester from 8-10 am.
Reading at Woodward Elementary
The Rotary Club of Brookhaven invited the Rotary Clubs of North Atlanta, South DeKalb, Dunwoody, and Decatur, to join in an initiative to help Pre-K and Kindergarten students at Woodward Elementary be "reading to learn" by 3rd grade. With the support of a Rotary District Grant and partnering with the Ferst Foundation, together we are supporting this goal through book donations and reading monthly to 10 Kindergarten and 3 Pre-K classes at Woodward Elementary. Throughout this year, we'll donate more than 3,000 books to 248 students, read to 13 classes monthly and equip parents with book specific multi-lingual reading guides to use at home. This early reading project is helping students "learn to read" and learn to love to read, so that by the time they reach third grade they will be "ready to learn" through reading.Statistics show that 3rd grade is a pivotal time. Students at a 3rd grade level of reading by third grade are more likely to stay in school and become productive adults. Students who are not able to read at a third grade level by third grade often fall behind, are more likely to drop out of school and become at risk young individuals and ultimately more dependent on support from society. The reading program at Woodward Elementary is one of the collaborative programs coming together because of the awareness created by the "Get Georgia Reading" Campaign.
Reading Buddies
RCSS in collaboration with SSEF and Lake Forest Elementary School provide weekly reading mentors for struggling students. This is a year long intensive program with impressive results in improving literacy for participating students in grades 1 - 5.
Reading Mentor
Every year, the Rotary Club of Stone Mountain works with Stone Mountain Elementary to provide adults who read to the children. We focus on sending men to demonstrate that men read too! Several members participate either weekly or monthly. We read to a classroom for about 15 minutes each week. In addition, some members serve as mentors for children identified by the teacher as needing some assistance.
Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH)
Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) Georgia is a collaborative program with the State of Georgia and the Rotary Club of Tucker. It is a needs based scholarship program that begins in middle school by identifying low income, academically promising students who are the fist generation in their families to attend a postsecondary college level program. Students are paired with a mentor and an academic coach to assist them with their coursework, keep them in school and engage them in leadership activities. When a REACH scholar graduates from high school, he or she is awarded a $10,000 scholarship to be used at a college or technical school in Georgia.
Recognition of a new Paul Harris Fellow
Bob Prater was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow for the Meriwether Co Club on Tuesday, December 13 2016. Picture were Dist Gov Elect Alec Smythe, Bob Prater and Dist Gov Raymond Ray.
Red Cross Blood Drive
Every January since 2004, the Rotary Club of Griffin has collaborated with the American Red Cross to sponsor a blood drive. On January 12, 2017, Griffin Rotarians once again rolled up their sleeves to give the gift of life. It is impossible to quantify this contribution!
Refurbish Community room at Vinings Fire Station
The local Vinings fire station has maintained a community room in its building that has been utilized for many years by community groups such as civic clubs, book clubs and homeowners associations.
Due to a water leak, in recent years the room has fallen into disrepair as water damaged the drop ceiling and flooring.
Renovation at the Boys and Girls Club
Rotarians volunteered to help to provide needed repairs at the Boys and Girls Club of Camilla. The Boys and Girls Club of Camilla serves the young people of Mitchell County.
Roswell Senior Center Valentine's Day Bingo & Luncheon
Each year in February, we visit the Roswell Senior Center with catered lunch to serve the guests and lead them in a spirited hour or so of bingo with prizes. They have a great time and we have even more fun spending time with them. This year was extra special since our visit actually occurred on Valentine's Day.
Rotary Display and Information
We have put together a Blakely Rotary Display that we setup and occupy during festivals and local events.
Rotary Family Health Days Campaign - Ghana
North Atlanta Rotary Club participated in a Global Grant supporting the Rotary Family Health & Aids Awareness - Africa project to be held on various dates starting September 28th through October 29th 2016.
This four country program promotes healthy living and disease prevention by implementing a massive, (annual) campaign in Africa that provides comprehensive, free health care services for tens of thousands of people in these underprivileged communities. NARClub support was mainly for the Ghana initiative.
Rotary Football
Rotary Foundation Fundraiser, uses the Football scores for individuals College teams to raise money for the Foundation. prizes for the most points scores and the least and a competition to guess the winners also.
Rotary Foundation Centennial Breakfast
The Rotary Club of Tucker will partner with Applebee's in Tucker to provide a community breakfast at moderate price.we estimate 80% of our Rotarians to be involved.Proceeds will be used to support the clubs service projects.
On Saturday, November 19, Tucker Rotarians gathered at Appleby's Restaurant in Tucker for the purpose of celebrating with the community the Rotary Foundation Centennial. Approximately 200 family, friends, business and local government members gathered for fellowship and information related to the Rotary Foundation. Banners proclaiming the 100th year celebration were strategically placed and brochures with detailed information about the Foundation were available at each table.
Rotary has Heart - First Responders Recognition
The District Governor challenged all clubs to recognize it's 1st responders and law enforcement agencies. Valentine’s Day this year Camilla Rotary took the opportunity (and challenge) to show “Rotary Has Heart”.Thanks to Rotarian Leslie Primo and Carl Shiver (employed with Golden Peanut) and one of their staff we served breakfast to many of the 1st
Rotary in the Media
Our club has a media team who contacts the media each week about our programs as well as for each project. The local TV channels did news segments about our District Grant window a/c units, Santa for Seniors, and Rotary has a Heart.
Rotary International Convention
The Club is planning to volunteer as greeters at the airport and volunteers at the Hospitality night in Decatur on Monday, June 12th. There is also a partnership with Covenant House to provide a booth at the Convention for them to raise awareness and support about their mission.
Rotary sponsors Boy Scouts
The Bainbridge Rotary Club sponsors the Boy Scouts Troop 502. We maintain the building and grounds that is used by the troop. This year we purchased a new plaque to display the Eagle Scouts names on. We have Rotary volunteers that work with the Scouts as well.
RYLA
The Camilla Rotary Club sponsored 3 youth to attend a RYLA camp at Georgia Southwestern University in June 2016. The youth learned about leadership, teamwork and learned a great deal about themselves. The Camilla Rotary Club knows the importance and benefit of RYLA. Every year the club sponsors students. Most of the time the students go "against their will" but they always come back very thankful that they went. Our club believes it is an investment in our future to have students attend RYLA. We will continue with the program and are very thankful to have the opportunity.
RYLA
The Rotary Club of Thomasville sponsored two students to RYLA last summer and plans on sponsoring four rising juniors for The Youth Leadership Academy this year after which they will be invited to give a report at a club meeting. Last year's students, Keldron Riddick, from Scholars Academy, and Stuart Allen, from Brookwood, reported that they improved their leadership skills learned in team activities and developed new friendships from among the 100 other Georgia attendees. They will be prime candidates to become Rotarians in the future. This activity reinforced our Club brand as supporting education and is a project we support each year. This year we are only authorized two slots, but we have requested that we have two additional slots if they become available.
RYLA - Sponsor 2 Students
Sponsor and select 2 students to participate in the 2016 RYLA camp in Americus, GA
RYLA 6900
Each Rotary Club in Georgia (District 6900) is invited to select rising juniors to receive a Rotary Youth Leadership Award and attend the RYLA Conference. Awardees should be sought from the community, and should be carefully selected on the basis of character, leadership qualities, general education, personality, and leadership potential.
Salvation Army Christmas kettle Bell ringing
The Thomasville and Thomas County Salvation Army is a critical provider to the community members in need of spiritual, housing, clothing and other support. The RCT has a long history providing members to serve as bell ringers at the Thomasville Walmart to gather Contributions from store patrons. RCT members take responsibility for an entire week during the pre-holiday fund raising period.
Salvation Army Kettle Drive
The Rotary Club of Griffin annually supports the Salvation Army by donating money and time to the Kettle Drive and the local Distribution Center. Rotarians, Interactors, family and friends staffed the kettle at the Griffin Kroger from November 18, 2016 through December 24, 2016. Salvation Army committee chairs George Granade and Wayne Gardner solicited volunteers from club and community to ring the bell.
Salvation Army- Thanksgiving & Christmas Food Delivery
Thanks to member generous food donations from Costco, our Club was able to deliver quite a feast to our local Salvation Army for their Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday meals. Twelve volunteers (Rotarians and Family members) helped load cars with goodies and deliver items to the Salvation Army on North Druid Hills on the eve of Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
Santa Clara Mexico
RCSS has supported the work of the North Atlanta Rotaract in Santa Clara Mexico over the past three years. This year international service director Kelly Fredrickson is investigating global grant opportunities to expand this work. A first visit along with NAR members in September to collaborate with the schools to install technology enhancements and conduct a college visit for 8th graders was enlightening? Meetings with Rotario Colonial Puebka and Santa Clara community leaders was promising for the creation and submission of a global grant opportunity.
SAS Golf Tournament support the SHARE Program at The Shepherd Center
The SHARE (Shaping Hope and Recovery Excellence) Military Initiative began in 2008 in order to provide a continuum of rehabilitation care for soldiers who have sustained a traumatic brain injury while serving the US on active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan. Since SHARE’s inception, the program has served over 200 individuals, from all service branches. The program typically treats 8-12 wounded warriors at a time.
Saving Lives through Prevention and Responsible Choice (PARC)
Prevention and Responsible Choices (PARC) is a prevention program designed to provide education and experiences which reduce risky behaviors in adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19. The program consists of one session with a limited number of participants per session.
Senior Center Birthdays
Several club members take a birthday cake to the senior center. Members serve the cake and spend some time with the seniors.
Senior Senior Prom
The details of this event are still being determined, this will be the second year of the event with a focus on our service men and women as a part of the participants. Date and details to follow
Senior Service Recognition Program
In conjunction with Senior Service Facilities and other healthcare providers in Sandy Springs, RCSS will host a recognition luncheon in December to honor the Senior Service Providers whose 'boots on the ground' take care of our wonderful seniors.
On Monday, December 5, 2016, the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs held the second Annual Senior Healthcare Professional Recognition Awards luncheon. The program is part of the Zone 33/34 Rotary Has Heart initiative. The Rotary Club of Sandy Springs focuses on the amazing healthcare professionals who care for our community elders. The program is coordinated by Julia Bernath and her team consisting of Cheryl Lietz and Todd Lawrimore.
Service Men and Women Awards Luncheon
On Monday, October 24, 2016, at 12:15 p.m., the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs honored the recipients of the 2016 City of Sandy Springs’ Public Safety Awards during a special luncheon program at the Hilton Perimeter Suites, 6120 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. Sandy Springs Fire Chief Keith Sanders
Sheriff's Girl's Ranch
Each year we take a list from all the girls that live on the ranch and each Rotarian purchases Christmas gifts for them. We then deliver to the farm and host a small party for the girls.
Silent Cake Auction Fundraiser
Annually all members and their family joining together making their famous assortment of freshly baked cakes. Cakes are presented for the community to bid on each cake. Note: there's a starting bidding. This an event that the community looks forward to every year.
Smoke on the Water Volunteers(fire dept fundraiser)
Members assist the local fire department in support of their fund raiser while displaying Rotary to the community.
Sombrero Dash
On Saturday, May 6, 2017, the Rotary Club of Griffin will present its fifth annual Sombrero Dash 5k and 10k road race. Last year, the race raised $17,700 that helped the club with its donations to local charities. We have been able to make the following donations to date: Stepping Stones, $500; Education Celebration, $1,000; Griffin Area Concert Assn., $500; Laws of Life, $1,200; Griffin Choral Arts, 500; Board of Realtors Project, 891; Eagles Way - End Human Trafficking, $250; Destination Graduation, $2500; Flint River Library, $500; Ferst Foundation, $540; Salvation Army $2,500; American Legion - Boys State/Girls State, $550; FUMC Walk & Roll, $250.00; Habitat for Humanity, $250; Flint River BSA, $1000; RYLA $1,425;Griffin - Spalding County Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, $400; and Habitat for Humanity, $250.
Southern Crescent Tech College Adult Education Volunteer
Assist students with areas of education focusing on education
Speaker Books
For every speaker we have at a weekly meeting we ask them to sign a children's book which his then donated in their name to a local school Library . Last year we donated over 40 books to our local schools . All books are chosen by a local librarian from a approved list. This is organized by one of our members .
Sponsor a student to attend the Jr Deputy Program
The club support the local sheriff's office by sponsoring local children in the Junior Deputy Program which train the youth of our county in a manner that will promote strong, solid, patriotic, law-abiding citizens that possess good moral character, integrity, trustworthiness, and the desire to perform good deeds for others. This will be accomplished by providing the knowledge and skills that will be learned as each student progresses through the program. Each will be given the opportunity to see what they can accomplish for themselves, with the assistance and coaching by others that know how to complete a specific goal.
Stand Up for Kids
Stand Up for Kids has been a program the Rotary Club of Alpharetta has invested our members thinking, time, talent and treasures for a number of years. It was Past President Steve Gillard signature project. Rotarians from the Club have continued to be mentors in the program, and annually we support the Holiday and Winter and Spring Graduation Parties.
Stuff the Bus
Members of the Rotary Club of Brookhaven donated 30 backpacks to be delivered to Project Stuff the Bus to help underprivileged children receive much needed school supplies for the start of the school year. Jonathan Byrd and his office team at UBS hosted the project and invited Brookhaven Rotary to join in on the fun.
Support DORCAS Ministry Community Food Bank
The DORCAS Ministry is the name of a local food bank. The DORCAS ministry was named for the seamstress Dorcas, or Tabitha, whose story can be found in Acts 9:36-43. She was known for her generosity to the disadvantaged in her community. Today, Dorcas serves as the inspiration for our ongoing efforts to provide for those in our community who are facing immediate crises for emergency food.
Support Global Grant for Haiti Relief from Hurricane Matthew
You have seen the images: the mess that Hurricane Matthew made of Haiti is heartbreaking. Our District — led by the Stone Mountain club — can get a quick $30,000 Global Grant from RI to help.
The money will buy emergency shelters and living supplies, aka Shelter Boxes. And it will buy building materials for missing roofs and missing walls of Haitian homes.
Support HeroBox for our Soldier Taylor Naphy
HeroBox is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports deployed,
injured, aging and homeless veterans. Their mission is to ensure that
every American hero receives the physical and moral support they deserve.
We are registered with a commitment for 1 box every month for 6 months.
Support the Meriwether Co Animal Shelter
The Meriwether Co Rotary Club supports the mission of the Animal Shelter to reduce the number of adoptable animals from the Manchester Animal Shelter euthanized and provide education regarding the importance of spay/neuter.
The club will provide support the to he Shelter with finances, animal food, and voluntary work.
Teacher of the Year
The Rotary Club of Tucker continues to support and foster the local public schools. Last year we decided to recognize a Middle School teacher from Tucker. She was accompanied by Dr. Cunningham to the DeKalb Rotary breakfast where all teachers of the year were awarded.
Teacher of the Year Recognition Luncheon
RCSS Vocational Chair, Julia Bernath, and committee will honor our 11 public school teacher of the year recipients at a luncheon in spring. Teachers are provided a gift certificate, a certificate of recognition and a center piece during this program to honor their work with our cities youth.
Thanks-for-Giving 2016 - Hunger Project
East Cobb Rotary's affiliation as a community partner with The Center for Family Resources (CFR) draws us to this annual project of providing for and preparing Thanksgiving food boxes for the hungry in Cobb County. We keep this project on the club's calendar each year as one part of our work in SERVING HUMANITY.
Thanksgiving Can Food Drive
We take up can goods at each meeting for the local food closet and deliver in the month of October for November donation.
Thanksgiving Turkey Carving
Valley rescue, a community non-profit prepares Turkey for the community for Thanksgiving day.
Rotarians join them and carve the Turkey.
The 2016 GRSP Maynard Memorial Weekend
The 2016 Maynard Memorial Weekend on September 911, 2016. This year, as in the past, the three Rotary Clubs of Lake Spivey/Clayton County, Henry County, & Griffin cosponsored the event.
One of the most rewarding opportunities of the weekend is volunteering to be a Local Host Family and Henry County had 4 host families this year.
The CART Fund
Each week the RC of Stone Mountain collects money for The CART Fund. 100% of the money collected is used to fund research grants to cure or treat Alzheimer's Disease.
The Griffitarian
Rotarian and Past President Wayne Gardner does a fabulous job with our weekly newsletter. He sends it out each week by email and provides hard copies at each meeting.
Third Annual Relay for Life Team - American Cancer Society
This event occurs on May 13, 2017. This is our third year to participate in the North Fulton Relay for Life as a team. We have established our team online and are in the process of raising funds. Over the past two years, we raised $5,000+ per year. We intend to exceed that goal this year for this worthy cause.
Touch a Truck
Rotary will sponsor a Touch a Truck event for community youth at the Gnat Days Festival.
Tucker Golf Tournament
Ambitiously , The Rotary Club of Tucker will initiate a golf tournament at Summit Chase Golf Club as a fundraiser. A Northlake club member has extensive experience in organizing and implementing this type activity. We project $10,000 for this effort. These funds will be utilized across the board to provide financial support for our community and international projects. A major portion of our budget ( $10,000i) is dependent upon this project. However.we have currently $10,000+ committed through foursomes and sponsors.The event is scheduled for Monday, May1,2017. It is our intent that this become an annual activity.
TuTu Desk project
Through this project we are providing 25 school desks that can be folded by students and carried by them between school and home.These desks are made available in areas of 3rd world countries where living conditions do not provide adequate equipment for student's proper study.
Tyrone Founder's Day 5K Race & Walk
This is a signature event for our club to raise money for our service projects. This event is part of the Tyrone Founder's Day activities. There were almost 100 runners/walkers in the race. We get local businesses to sponsor the race and donate raffle prizes. The top runners in age categories receive medals and bragging rights. 100% of our club is all hands for this event in addition, the Interact club and other family and friends help to make this event successful. We raised $1200 to support 6 upcoming service projects that could potentially reach 1,000+ people.
Tyrone Founder's Day Parking
Tyrone Founder's Day festivities include a carnival and our Club volunteered to direct parking for the Friday evening and all day Saturday event. We had special shirts made that said "Rotarians At Work" so the community could see us volunteering and also ask us about what our club is all about. We took on this task as a way to interact with the local community and meet new people who could be future supporters of our club initiatives and potential members. This was a very daunting project for our club but with 70% club participation, the Interact club and family members, we were ale to pull off a hot and dusty project. We received a plaque from the town and accolades from the citizens for volunteering to assist with making a unorganized activity organized and welcoming.
Updated Rotary Club of Vinings Picture Membership Directory
This crucial project was needed as the last printed Member Directory was four years old and very outdated for Vinings Rotarian.
This collaborative project required updated each member's contact information, uploading new photos for all members and working with the publisher.
Upson County Foster Care Council Donations-Ongoing
Members collect toiletries and personal care items for foster children.
USO - Greet the Troops at the Airport(Hartsfield)
We greet the returning and outbound troops headed to and from the Middle East. Stan Kaminski, Josh Moreland, Michael O'Nan, Bob Cunningham, Steve Soteres, Laura Calandrella, January Taylor, Karen Kropp, Tom Kent, Tom Prior, Steve Smoak, Ben Ragin, Gary Yandura, Bill Smith, Nancy Randall, and Rod Price and others assisted on two dates: August 30 and November 15, 2016.
Veteran's Day Appreciation
On November 11th, our clubserved coffee, water, pastries and onversation for the Veteran's Day Appreciation for the Town of Tyrone event. In addition, we distributed bookmarks to all of the veteran's that day that were donated to us by Minutemen Press of Peachtree City. Five members of our club served veteran's and attendees on that day. 400+ bookmarks have been distributed and there are still a few left in the Tyrone Library
Vinings Community Ice Cream Social Event
The Rotary Club of Vinings served as a co-sponsor of this popular event open to the community.
Serving up fresh popcorn and witty conversation, the Rotary table was visited by approximately 150 folks. We shared information about our local projects, Polio Plus and displayed our 4 WAY TEST banner.
Vinings Library Book Sponsorship
In support of the Rotary Focus on Education, Rotary Vinings purchases and donates approximately 70 books to the local library.
Vinings Rotary Run for the Kids Downhill 5K Race
This signature fund-raiser for the Vinings Rotary celebrated its 20th year!
With many months of planning and virtually all Club members involved in the planning and executing on the event day, over 1500 runners participated! (and about 15 pets under the Doggie Dash! )
Vocational Service Month
The Rotary Club of Tucker made two significant awards during Public Service month. We honored the Mayor and City Council of Tucker and a unit of the DeKalb Coynty Police Department.
The police unit (who received the RAYMOND T. RAY Jr. public service award) was the Neighborhood Enforcement Team(NET). The team consists of 7 officers(men and women). Often these officers are undercover in high crime areas to help enhance the quality of life of residents. In 2016, NET was responsible for arresting 457 offenders ranging from misdeamors to murder. The Rotary Club of Tucker Thanks thes brave team members for their public service.
Walt Meadors Golf Tournament
This is a yearly golf tournament where 100% of proceeds go to our local physical and mental handicapped school.
Warm Springs Nursing Home Christmas Program (Santas for Seniors)
Senior Citizens are one of our greatest treasures and that is why the Meriwether Co Rotary Club has adopted our local nursing home residents at Christmas. The Club members personally hand deliver each resident at the 79 bed nursing home a Christmas stocking filled with personal care items.
Weekly Information Mat
Starting in July the club members have been provided with a weekly resource reflecting current club news and information, and future plans. It has become a resource reflecting past and upcoming Club programs, Rotary District and Rotary International news, as well as local community happenings.
Weekly Soldier
A soldier is chosen from Fort Benning each week and is presented to the club.
He is given a Rotary Coin, a book on Leadership by a Rotary Veteran and three couple packages to the Arts in Columbus-2 for the Rivercenter, 2 for the Springer, 2 for the CSU theater.
Weekly Soldier Public Service Announcement on Television
The Television station interview and film the introduction of our weekly soldier at the meeting
Wheeler Senior Project
Wheeler High school seniors are required to participate in a highly demanding Senior Project involving research and writing on a topic stretching them to learn something new that must include a mentor and spending time at the mentor's work site. Each student's project is completed by making an oral presentation describing what they learned to a public panel of judges including members of the community as well as their teachers. Panel members are scheduled to serve from 5:00 to 9:00 pm with dinner served by the school's culinary arts department, a training session on how to judge the presentations, and then the judging of four to six student presentations. According to both teachers and students this project is a meaningful and powerful experience in the lives of the approximately 500 seniors involved.
Whiskey's of the World
Saturday, October 22, 2016
For the fourth year NA Rotary was the beneficiary of this world class event called Whiskies of the World (WOW). This year, held at the Intercontinental, Buckhead, Whiskey's of the World proved to be a fantastic and fun evening with over 600 guests and 40+ whisky vendors participating!
Woodward Elementary Reading
This year our group of five Rotary Clubs (North Atlanta, Brookhaven, South DeKalb, Dunwoody and Decatur) under AG Candace Klein partnered to provide reading readiness at Woodward Elementary. Brookhaven Rotary Club wrote a $10,000 District grant proposal to fund this project, and although it received the smaller District grant amount, through this partnership of clubs the total funding of $10,000 was achieved.
Worthy Gym Community Ctr Update
Purchase of Associated Equipment Distributors (AED)equipment for local gym. Additionally providing CPR training.
YMCA Summer Feeding Program
Each summer, the YMCA holds mini-day camps on location at local low income housing complexes. The kids' families can't afford to send them to summer camp so the YMCA brings the camps to them. On this particular Friday afternoon, our Rotarians joined YMCA staff to help distribute lunches and play basketball with the kids.
YMCA Swimming Scholarships
This program funds taught sixty disadvantaged youth from Harper Elementary School eight hours of swimming lessons at the YMCA as requested by the president of the Harper Parent Teacher Association. This project serves two purposes. First it validates the importance of parents participating in the Parent Teacher Organization, a long term school goal which our Club has been supporting, but second it teaches important life saving skills to youngsters who would otherwise not be able to swim. This project enhances our Club's brand as doing all we can to support the youth of our community. The President of the Thomasville YMCA is Rotarian Tom Everett.
YMCA Youth Sports team Sponsor
The Rotary Club of Thomasville has been and will continue to support local community youth sports as a means of developing physical, mental and spiritual sides of our youth. This year our club sponsored a YMCA football team and Director Will Felts coaches a YMCA soccer team.
Youth Leadership Thomasville
Our Club supports Youth Leadership Thomasville. This program for high school juniors is adapted from the J. W. Fanning Institute for Leadership and Community Development of the University of Georgia. It focusses on developing leadership skills, team building and community awareness. This year's facilitators featured Rotarians Mary Beth Donalson and Lauren Basford as well as financial support from our Club. This activity further supports our Rotary brand of educational enrichment to develop future leaders in our schools and community.
Youth Support Project Camp Arrow
This project covers various activities in support of the youth of our community. This year we supported Camp Arrow, which provides a camp experience to handicapped children similar to what their friends experience an camp. Instructors modify the experience in light of their handicaps but they get to enjoy the activities. We provided $350 to sponsor a child.
Zone 34 Citation Submission
Public Image chair, Sally Wyeth, and committee are working to compete for this zone recognition.
4th of July Celebration
The Rotary Club of Newnan's 4th of July Celebration is a public service to our community. This year we hosted over 5000 patrons at Drake Stadium for our annual fireworks show. This was the 32nd year of the event. Partners include the City of Newnan and the Coweta County School System. Although we don't necessarily call this a fundraiser, this year the celebration produced a net-income of over $4,000 despite losing funding from past partners. Planning the event takes several months. Coordinating emergency preparedness plans with our city and county public safety officials is always necessary and time-consuming. The event offers entertainment, concessions, and once the sun sets, an amazing fireworks display. Club participation is imperative to pull this event off. We task our club members with contributing their time or contributing financially. This year 47 of 86 club members participated in one form or another. Weather, without question is the biggest variable that can jeopardize an event like this. This year, although hot, the weather was perfect.
Cobb Adult Education Center
After receiving a district grant of $2,000, Smyrna Rotary will also provide $560 to provide 64 GED test component vouchers to need-based adult students.
Each student must pass 4 parts of the GED test to receive their GED, and our club will purchase 64 GED test vouchers to provide to students. Need-based students will be determined by the Cobb Adult Education Center.
COTTON PICKING FAIR FALL FUNDRAISING FESTIVAL
The Cotton Pickin' Fair is the signature fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Meriwether Co. The Fair is held twice a year on the first weekends in May and October. Due to the COVID 19 the spring fair was cancelled, so this year the Fair goes to three days in the fall.
Happy Bucks
Happy Bucks is our weekly meeting fundraiser. If a member makes a donation of at least $1, he/she can say/promote something they are happy about. I estimate approximately 30 members have participated. For the entire year it is around 8 hours. A portion of the proceeds funded our Santa for Seniors project and a portion funded and provided awareness for Polio Plus. Happy Bucks is fun, even guests and the guest media get involved.
HIV/AIDS/ Drug Abuse Awareness
The Morehouse School of Medicine partnered with several schools, community-based and faith-based organizations to implement the Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Initiative. This 5 year federally funded initiative of $1.2 million per year will serve approximately 3,450 middle and high school aged youth over a five-year period in eight counties: Dekalb, Douglas, Dougherty, Grady, Jasper, Putnum and Thomas. All counties have teen birth rates above the national rate of 26.5 for every 1,000 adolescent females, ages 15-19. Under the leadership of Rotarian Andre Marria, Key Consultant, and Fidelity Manager, who was responsible for the program in Thomas and Grady Counties. Our club will be a partner in the program for Thomas County. An MOU is being drafted that will define our role and financial contribution.
Holcomb Bridge Middle School Back to School Bash
The Rotary Club of North Fulton had a great day at the Holcomb Bridge Middle School Back to School Bash. RCNF gave away lots of school supplies to some very excited students!
New Member Sunshine Program
This year we continue to emphasize membership growth and retention within our club. The key to a successful club is to not just stack up new members but rather to invite individuals who will be an asset to our club and who will also benefit from being an active member of our club. Our new Sunshine Program is an effective way to welcome our new members and help them get to know what Rotary is all about.
On the Same Page(OTSP)
Decatur Rotary will purchase books for indigent students so that they may fully participate in the OTSP program. Rotary volunteers will participate in book distribution, reading clubs and other book themed activities.
Premier Academy Playground Project
Saturday September 24, 2016, from 8:30 - 11:30 AM. Refurbish playground.
REACH Scholarship and mentoring
We made a $1000 contribution to the REACH Scholarship fund at Early County High School. We are offering Teambuilding and Youth Leadership training by Rotarians who have completed the Fanning Institute's Community Leadership Train-the-Trainer Course. This is on-going throughout the school year as requested.
Senoia Gazebo
The Club's signature project is our Senoia Gazebo Park. We are responsible for painting/cleaning of the gazebo and responsible for the planting/maintenance of flowers and mulch around the gazebo and the park.
Stop Hunger Now Meal Packing Event
Our project was a meal packing event conducted in cooperation with STOP HUNGER NOW. The event was held in the cafeteria at Cambridge High School in Milton, Georgia after school on Friday January 20, 2017. The primary event lasted from 3:30 to 5:30 with pre-event set up lasting from 2:30-3:30.
Tucker Days
We had a booth at the annual Tucker Day Celebration on Main Street in downtown Tucker . We met with many of our neighbors and spread the ideals of Rotary. We sold raffle tickets for a sound bar with proceeds going to Polio plus
Tucker Days presented us with the unique opportunity of representing our Club as the Rotary CLub of Tucker to the citizens of Tucker for the first time.. With our new Tucker vests, Tucker tent and banners we took a huge step towards our assimilation into the life of the City
West Virginia Flood Relief Donation
Rotary District 6900 requested member clubs to contribute to a District Flood Relief effort. Our club did not have funds available within our recently approved charity budget so our Board suggested that we hold a special collection from our members at our July 18 regular membership meeting. In addition, one Board Member who wished to remain anonymous agreed to issue a matching challenge for $100 if the other members would collectively donate an additional $100. Through the effort we raised $395 that day to contribute to the District's contribution to our sister districts in West Virginia.
Backpack Buddies
Our district grant involved helping an organization called Backpack Buddies of Georgia. Their local chapter has partnered with the Coweta County School System to provide meals to elementary school-aged children who are in danger of hunger over the weekends when away from school. We used our $2,000 grant funds to buy meals, snacks, and drinks to serve 500 children over at least a two weekend period. Our total budget was $3,400. Once purchased, our club met at the Backpack Buddies location and helped fill bags for the children. We helped them for two consecutive weeks. Combined, our club had 39 volunteers help with the packing.
Backpacks of Love Food Drive
The Backpacks of Love ministry delivers backpacks full of non-perishable food and other needed items to homeless and at risk children and their families in Forsyth and North Fulton counties. Backpacks of Love serves 17 schools, Jesse’s House and an emergency shelter for adolescent women in Forsyth County.
Elementary School Book Distribution
The Rotary Club of Sandy Springs provided students in the seven public elementary schools a Dictionary for 3rd grade students, a Vocabulary Builder for 4th grade students, and a Thesaurus for 5th grade students. Principals and their designees were surveyed about our annual project and continuing to provide this resource to all third, fourth, and fifth graders was highly rated by all. The club has designed name plates that include a children’s version of the 4-way test that was inserted prior to distribution. Teams of Rotarians went to each school and into each classroom to distribute the books. Rotarians presented their Rotary story, shared about the mission of Rotary International and engaged the class in locating several words in the resource as a part of the presentation and activity. A letter from the club Youth Services Director and President in both English and Spanish was sent home with the students sharing the Rotary focus on literacy.
Jamaica Clean Water
Smyrna Rotary is the recipient of a global grant to provide clean water to a local community in Jamaica.
Smyrna Rotary will provide clean water by installing a storage tank for children residing at the City of Refuge Children's Home in Content Gap, Jamaica.
Kolomoki Mounds State Park
Since the Rotary Club is responsible for the land purchase for Kolomoki Mounds Historic State Park, we have an on-going relationship that includes volunteers, monetary contributions, and other support as needed. This year, we will handle parking at the Annual Kolomoki Festival that attracts more than 2000 each year.
LaGrange Rotary Youth Challenge Program
The LaGrange Rotary Youth Challenge Program is designed to motivate young students to work to their full potential, graduate high school and to continue onto a post high school learning environment.
The children are nominated by their school principal, have to had shown academic promise, come from a low-income family and have parents/guardians who agree to having the child participate in the program. Our selection committee works very closely with Troup County School Administrators to identify these students. Last Spring three new students were accepted into the program, we know have a total of 26 students who have been inducted, with our oldest children now in the eighth grade.
Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels is a project where our club partners with SOWEGA Council on Aging to deliver meals to seniors. Our club sends two members each week on Wednesday to deliver lunch to 4 or 5 seniors. The volunteer hours is 2 members x one hour x 52 weeks = 104 hours. The seniors are shut-ins or have caregivers, so receiving a meal helps them both financially and by reducing their workload. All of our club's members are required to participate.
Our First GRSP Student
This year we will host our first GRSP Student - Alejandro Perona of Madrid Spain. We will be sharing him with Atlanta Airport, Newnan and Atlanta West End Clubs.
Rotary Circle of Life
The Rotary Circle of Life program, in partnership with the Archbold Foundation and emergency responders will provide health/medical information in the homes of senior citizens for emergency medical responders when called to the senior citizens' residence. This two step program involves a simple decal notification (Step 1) on the front door or window telling the responder that a plastic tube/vial (Step 2) containing important health information is located in the refrigerator on the top shelf. This plastic tube/vial will be identified with the same decal used on the front door or window.
Safe Drive
An annual project for over 15 years our club has produced the SafeDrive Map to alert citizens, especially newcomers and student drivers, about the most dangerous roads and intersections in the Thomasville/Thomas County region. One indicator of the map's success is the fact that 4000 copies are distributed free of charge with help from all six Interact Clubs associated with our Club, all area auto insurance companies, the Georgia State Patrol Drivers' and Examination office and others. The map credits the Rotary Club of Thomasville as sole sponsor, branding Rotary as a leader in driver safety for the community.
Shepherd Center Foundation Support
Rotary Club of North Fulton recently raised and donated $10,000 of unrestricted funds to the Shepherd Center Foundation in Atlanta. Unrestricted funds can be used in any area of need such as patient care, clinical research, recreation therapy, and educational programs for people with spinal cord injury and brain injury. Each of these areas of concentration contribute to patient rehabilitation, an increased opportunity for independent living and reintegration into everyday life, bringing healing and hope to those suffering from these injuries.
Community Reception
A proclamation was created and read a city council meeting then we hosted a community reception and ribbon cutting to celebrate the change of our official club name from Coweta-Fayette to Senoia!
Dictionaries for 3rd Graders
Smyrna Rotary will provide 500-1,000 to third grade students attending local Smyrna elementary schools.
Smyrna Rotary continues its dictionary handout tradition by sending 2 Rotarians to local schools to personally hand out the dictionaries to students and teachers.
North Fulton Community Charities Back To School Supply Drive
Prior to the beginning of each school year, North Fulton Community Charities supplies backpacks and school supplies to children from low income families in North Fulton County. Once again, our club Members held a collection drive at one of our weekly membership meetings. Club members generously purchased and donated over $400 worth of backpacks and school supplies to the effort.
Service Above Self: iCan Bike with Public Safety Officers
Each year iCan Bike Alpharetta helps children with disabilities learn how to ride a bike. With the help of local volunteers and specially adapted “roller bikes”, the forty riders work towards the goal of riding a bike unassisted during daily 75-minute sessions over the course of a week.
Sponsor Overseas Heroes with Hero Box
Honoring Heroes will be a theme that resonates throughout 2016-2017 at The Rotary Club of North Fulton. In August, RCNF will sent the first monthly shipment to our HEROBOX recipient. Service members register through HEROBOX.org, a 501c3 non-profit organization that supports deployed military personnel, as well as injured, aging and homeless veterans. Their mission is to ensure every American military hero receives the physical and moral support they deserve.
Support The Troops
The Rotary Cub of Thomasville supports the 1230th Transportation Company, Georgia National Guard. This company has deployed to the combat zone in Iraq and Afghanistan twice in the last 10 years. The Club honored some two hundred and twenty five of these soldiers and their families by supporting the Family Day Holiday party from 11 to 3, Sunday, December 4th, at the National Guard Armory this year. On this day the soldiers and their families celebrated each other, were provided gifts and a traditional Turkey dinner with all the trimmings. The hall was decorated with holiday themes, holiday music and a Bounce House and slide were provided. Santa Claus made an appearance with gifts for the children and, in cooperation with the Thomasville Music and Drama Troupe, a special chorus sang Christmas and Seasonal songs. In addition, supported by Thomas University two Noncommissioned Officers were honored with Peacemaker Awards and recognized for their service to the community. Ten Rotarians and four other volunteers prepared the food for the officers and non-commissioned officers to serve. Twentythree Rotarians provided homemade desserts for the party. The event was covered in the Thomasville Times Enterprise and by WCTV where it aired on their 6 PM and 11PM evening news. This project reinforced our brand of supporting First Responders and soldiers as this year's overarching theme and is an annual event.
SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY- Children's 4th of July Parade
The Sweet Land of Liberty Parade has been a LaGrange tradition for 33 years. Its origin is the brainchild of the late wife of Rotarian Jim Boyd who felt the city needed a festive celebration of the birth of our Great Nation. It is established as a children’s parade to express American Patriotism and to celebrate America. This year LaGrange Rotarians had to march without Jim, Jim had passed away a month before this annual event.
Warm Coat Project
We partnered with Family Connections to collect coats at our club meetings and in drop boxes placed at our local banks, Court House and Chamber of Commerce. We also accept checks and purchase coats for those in need.
Concert in the Park
The Concert in the Park is our signature event. The fundraiser is held on the first Thursday in October. It is always a lot of festive fun, dancing to a live band and a silent auction. This year we included two new games for additional fundraising fun.... a wine pull and a corn hole competition. Bogey and the Viceroy kept the crowd on their feet all evening. The event was a huge success and we are already planning for October 2017.
Miss Mary's Ice Cream Crankin' Ice Cream Event
Miss Mary’s Ice Cream Crankin’ is a fun annual event for the whole family benefiting The Drake House. The 2016 event raised over $45,000 to support Drake House's mission.
Various community organizations gather each year on a Sunday in August at Roswell Square and scoop ice cream for the attendees who pay to try hundreds of available ice creams. Our club members made a "Butterbeer" flavored ice cream the day before the event that proved very popular at the event itself.
Recognizing Those Who Serve: "Local Heroes"
The Rotary Club of Thomasville this year developed a program to honor each of the local service brances of our community: Law Enforcement (Thomasville Police and Thomas County Sheriff), both City and County Fire Departments, Emergency Medical Technicians, and the Utility Department.
Relief for Louisiana Flood Victims
Smyrna Rotary partnered with East Cobb Rotary and Vinings Rotary to raise over $1,600 for the victims of the Louisiana floods in August of 2016.
Funds and relief were coordinated through the Rotary Club of Baton Rouge.
Total funds raised were over $1,600 with Smyrna donating $525, East Cobb over $600, and Vinings around $500.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s
The LaGrange Rotary Club participated in this national event to raise awareness of and money for research of this disease that affects such a large part of the American population. The event was held at a local retirement community center and proved to be the biggest success to date for the LaGrange Community.
Youth Leadership Classes/Trip to State Capitol
We partner with Family Connections and the Chamber of Commerce on this project. We ask the schools to select youth who are leaders in the school environment and Rotarians who have completed the Fanning Institute's Community Leadership Train-the-Trainer Course serve as instructors. We have five half-day classes that include: Communications, Collaboration, Teambuilding, and Decision making. Once they complete the courses, we take them on a bus trip to the Capitol and our State Representative Gerald Greene serves as their tour guide. Georgia-Pacific provides tickets to the Georgia Aquarium and lunch. We have a Rotary Program for the Youth to share their experience and what they have learned. We present certificates of completion at the close of the meeting.
Angels House School Supply Drive
We gathered school supplies for our local foster home for girls Angel's House. This house serves up to 15 young ladies in our community.
Back the Blue
We invite two local public servants to every meeting and give them an opportunity to introduce themselves. They attend the meeting and enjoy lunch. We take their photos and highlight them on our Facebook Page and in the weekly Rotary Bulletin.
Georgia Rotary Student Program
Our club jointly supported the GRSP participation of Anna Boggiss, a student from New Zealand attending Oglethorpe University. Our partner clubs are the Rotary Clubs of Sandy Springs, Johns Creek and North Fulton.
Club member Christine Barrett and her husband have been the lead host family for Nicole this year. Other members of our club have had the privilege of hosting Nicole at their homes as well. Beyond supporting Nicole with the logistics of attending school and her club and District sponsored activities, our members have also helped Nicole travel around the southeast and to attend college and pro basketball games. Nicole loves basketball and plays competitively on a national level back home in Guatemala.
Library Book Donations to Local Libraries
Our club partners with the Lee County Library and the Dougherty County Library to donate one book each week in honor of our speaker/program. Two Rotarians participate, one from each library, and it takes approximately 12 volunteer hours for the year. We place a placard on the inside of the book in honor of the speaker. Donating books to the libraries is helpful to the community to promote literacy.
Little Library
- Installed a little library built by one of our club members in the front yard of a club member .Community members pick up book,leave a book or return a book .Project is very popular.
2016-2017 is the second year of the Iittle Library project. It appears that the longer it is in operation the more popularity it gains. Should this volume continue through this entire year , we will consider similar Libraries in other appropriate locations.
Pre-K Book Project - District Grant
The LaGrange Rotary Club partnered with United Way, Success By 6 and the Troup County School System to provide an early learning dictionary to every Pre-K student in Troup County in both public and private schools. The books were purchased and presented to the students in a blue book bag with “Read With Me” and the Rotary logo on them. Each book was labeled identifying it as a gift from the LaGrange Rotary Club and United Way Success by 6. A letter to the child’s parent(s) from our club President and the United Way coordinator was also enclosed.
Tax Aide
Tax Aide is a Rotary award winning program in partnership with AARP, Thomas University, Hands on Thomas County and the Thomasville Library. Rotary and these organizations had initially come together to provide free tax service to the citizens of Thomas County for a second year. However, the reputation of the program has brought in clients from the neighboring Grady and Colquitt counties and distant Lowndes county. The service is provided every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:30am - 4:00pm. The service started February 1st and will conclude after 11 weeks on April 18th. Through the first week in March over 110 low and moderate income households from Southwest Georgia will have been provided free Federal and Georgia tax preparation service. The results of this service are over $300,000 in refunds and credits for our most impoverished citizens. Subscribing to the theory that every dollar in a community turns over 3 times, then the impact on the community is the local circulation of $900,000. With the number of citizens served and the amount of their refunds, there is definitely joy in "Mudville". It is estimated that Rotary will have provided over 250 hours of service, with the other volunteers providing an equal amount, at the program's conclusion. This project enhances the Rotary brand of "Serving Humanity" and is a continuing project growing in importance to the community each year.
Adopt-a-Spot
Our club has adopted a spot at a local, high-traffic intersection. We are in the beginning stages of landscape design, but the idea is for beautification of a city/owned property that is not being cared for. In return, the city provides a sign or two with our club's name on it. By June 30, 2016, the spot should be completed, estimating 10 volunteers and 50 volunteer hours. We see this as an opportunity for publicity for Rotary Club of Dougherty County.
Character Counts
This is a program funded by a District Grant and contributions from our Club in which Rotarians discuss six Character Pillars with before and after student evaluations for fifty students at The Vashti Center, Marguerite Neel Williams Boys and Girls Club, the Thomasville Community Resource Center and the Thomasville City Schools' Scott Elementary School. Vashti offers a residential program for students who are not able to live with their families and the Boys and Girls Club and the Resource Center are after school programs which helps young people become productive citizens. The Character Counts Program from the Josephson Institute involves the staff discussing with the students each of the character traits of Fairness, Caring, Citizenship, Trustworthiness, Respectfulness, and Responsibility for one month. Two Rotarians then meet with the students to discuss how the trait of the month has impacted their personal and professional lives. The students are then involved in a discussion about how this trait could apply in their lives and the difference it could make. The assessment of the program at Vashti was that “The Character Counts Curriculum has proven to increase the morale and values of the youth in the program.” We have branded our Club as giving priority to educational projects and this program reinforces this branding in the community. We expect this innovative program to have a similar impact this year and plan to continue it in the future.
Meals On Wheels with District Grant
With our District Grant Funds, we purchased $2,250.00 worth of food items that will create over 1800 meals for Senior Citizens in our community. Club members will also take turns delivering food to our senior community in Senoia over the next 52 weeks. We have also enlisted our youth to assist us with our deliveries.
Rotary Readers
This year it was decided that we wanted to take the next step in our literacy program for children in Troup County. This program was designed to increase the number of hours that we actively engage young children in literary adventures.
Rotary volunteers read monthly to LaGrange pre-school children in 10 different learning centers, some also to elementary schools for K-2nd graders. Bright smiles, enthusiastic dialogue, and genuinely appreciative response from kids, teachers, and assistants are balanced by warm feelings by Rotarians who participate.
Be The Voice That Stops Bullying
Bullying is widespread in schools across America.
Bullying is a documented problem in both Thomasville City School and Thomas County School systems.
Be the Voice that Stops Bullying – We have purchased and received 2 kits from the Roswell Club. We have distributed to two local middle schools (Thomas County Middle School and McIntyre Park Middle School) in October. Once they have completed the project, we will invite them to the Rotary Club to share the results.
Coweta FERST Foundation
We partner each year with Coweta FERST Foundation to provide books from birth to age 5 each month to the children in Coweta County. This year, we were able to donated $250 towards this and we also purchased some of the return books from them to use as the books that we have our weekly speakers sign and place in the library at Coweta Charter Academy.
Valor Awards
On Tuesday, September 13th the LaGrange Rotary joined with the LaGrange-Troup County Chamber of Commerce in the fourth year of honoring public safety personnel who have stood out in the past year.
"This is a picture from the morning where we partnered in the Valor Awards. We sponsored the Public Safety Unit of the Year Award," said Rotary Club President Jake Jones. "The LaGrange Police Department K-9 Unit won the award."
RYLA Student
Each year we sponsor a RYLA student to attend camp. This year we hosted Alanis Garcia and she came back to tell us of her experience at RYLA camp.
Walter Y. Murphy Scholarship Program
The LaGrange Rotary Club and LaGrange College celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the Walter Y. Murphy Scholarship fund by planning to double the size of the current endowment fund. Each scholarship recipient is chosen based on academic ability, financial need and a record of volunteerism and service above self. LaGrange College manages and administers the Walter Y. Murphy Scholarship Fund and selects the scholarship recipients.
2016 LaGrange City Christmas Parade
This is the eighth year the students of the West Georgia Community Interact Club teamed up with members of the LaGrange Rotary to create an entry for the LaGrange Christmas Parade. This year's theme was "A Star is Born".
Charter Academy Books
Each year our speakers sign a book that is placed in the Coweta Charter Academy library. We present them each quarter to the principal.
Rotary Has Heart for Seniors
Rotary sponsored the 2nd Annual Thomasville Scott Senior Center Valentine's Party for 85 seniors Feb 14, 2017. The community was included by having white trees with heart ornaments displayed in three locations (Commercial Bank, SunTrust Bank, Thomasville National Bank). Each ornament had the name of a senior and their desire for a Valentine gift. The community was encouraged to purchase a $10 gift or donate $10. The party began at 10:00 with photos taken of each guest. Our youngest family member, Clara Williamson (4 months) visited each table to say hello to all the seniors. Then, the dancing began. Watching seniors move, smile, and cheer was the best part. This year Rotary was able to offer a catered lunch by Henderson's, and Southern Pines donated a variety of desserts. Awards were given for Lady Valentine/Guy Valentine (oldest seniors present), best lady/guy dancer, best lady/guy smile, and favorite couple. ALL seniors were then given a Valentine gift provided by the community. The photos taken, inside of a Valentine photo folder, were given to the seniors the next week. The event paid for itself with sponsorship money and donations left over from last year. 15 Rotarians were directly involved and many more contributed gifts for our seniors. This project impacts Rotary branding by making the broader community aware that Rotary is involved in the community benefitting seniors. Rotarian Mark Anderson was present to write an article for the local newspaper with photos. This is an annual event growing in popularity.
Dare to Be Better Together: Neonatal Medical Global Grant in Ecuador
Individual effort may be turned to individual needs but combined effort should be dedicated to the service of mankind. The power of combined effort knows no limitation.
- Paul Harris, 1917
Alpharetta Rotary partnered with six D6900 Clubs, and the Quevado Rotary Club to organized a Global Grant for $62,250 for the improvement of neo-natal healthcare in Ecuador. Partnering Clubs include Columbus, Sandy Springs, Milton, Johns Creek, North Fulton and Marietta Metro. This global grant specifically addresses the Rotary’s area of focus in saving mothers and children.
Honoring Our Firefighters
We honored our two local firehouses with baskets of goodies and gift cards to purchase food and we hosted them for dinner on Firefighters night!
Red Kettles and Christmas Bells
SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGERS – MONDAY DECEMBER 12, 2016 WAL-MART ON NEW FRANKLIN ROAD 10:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M.
Rotarians volunteered to ring the bell to raise money for the Salvation Army. Volunteers were given their choice of the time slot that they wanted. Since we were asked to help out on a Monday, a regular work day, few of our members volunteered to cover more than one spot.
Reliable Transportation for 40 Working Families: Auto Microloans
“The Auto Loan Program will truly change lives, giving autonomy to a single mother who is trying to balance her children’s needs with viable employment without a dependency on our limited public transportation. We look forward to piloting the program this year!” - Kathy Swahn, Executive Director of the Drake House
Rotary Youth Tennis Tournament
The Rotary Junior Tennis Tournament is our oldest, continuous Community Service project, going back to 1978-79! Last year marked the 36th Year of offering boys and girls ages 6-18 a USTA sanctioned tournament. Competitors from four states including South Carolina, Florida, Alabama and Georgia have gained State Southern and National rankings while staying close to home. In past years numerous Rotarians helped man concessions and assisted with tournament administrative duties. Today only 2-4 Rotarians are needed for the two day tournament. Over the years the tournament has been self sustaining and actually has made money for scholarships in most years. Gene McNease and Tom Harrison are very proud of having provided leadership in keeping this valuable service project viable and well administrated for all these years. Our Club has hosted as many as 200 players in one tournament but normally it runs 50-75 players today. The Tournament this year will be 30 April and 1 May on the new Glen Arven hydroclay tennis courts. This is a continuing project that demonstrates to families from the southeast the commitment Rotary has to Youth.
2016 Project North Pole - Rotary Youth Challenge
Our club has a special project whereby we challenge selected “at-risk” students to graduate high school and go on to college. Christmas is a time that the members of our club recognize the efforts of these students by providing them with wrapped Christmas presents that contain both needed and wished for items. Contact with the parents/guardians is completed to discuss the student's progress and to get suggestions for the child's Christmas presents. A Rotarian then volunteers to donate and shop for the suggested items and then bring the wrapped gifts to be delivered to that particular child. The wrapped gifts are sorted and then arrangements are made for them to be delivered by Rotarians.
3rd Annual Beer and Wine On Main
Our third annual beer and wine on main was held on August 20th.
Playground Maps of USA in Thomas County Elementary Schools
ELementary school children in our country need to have knowledge of the geography of the USA, particularly knowledge of the fifty states. The Rotary Club of Thomasville has consulted with the Thomas County School System to gain permission to paint fifty foot wide maps of the USA with each state painted in different colors on their elementary school paved playgrounds. The result will be a year around teaching tool for children to improve and maintain their geography knowledge. The seven Rotarians with participation from six of the Bishop Hall Interact Club students and their faculty advisor completed painting a 20’ x 40’ map of the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii) under the covered playground (pavilion) at Cross Creek Elementary School. The map will be used to provide geographical education to elementary students at the school.
Advanced Education Scholarships
The Rotary Club of Thomasville awards five $1,000 scholarships for advanced education to deserving students from Thomasville High School, The Scholars Academy, Thomasville Central High School, Bishop Hall Charter School and Brookwood High School. This money provides financial support to students who face ever increasing costs of post secondary education. Rotarians are involved in fundraising by conducting a weekly drawing and a football competition. Rotarians serve on the school selection committees and award the scholarships at graduation ceremonies. The media coverage of this project supports the branding of our club as having a primary focus on education and provides significant community awareness.
Annual Soup Santa Event
In past years, our club has collected food items to be donated to the LaGrange Interfaith Food Closet. In an effort to make a greater impact with this project, we learned that monetary donations could be used by the organization to purchase food at a much reduced cost and the proceeds would provide more than we could collect.
Family of Rotary
The Club has a large and diverse membership which is strengthened in cohesion when social events are added to the calendar occasionally.
We have expanded our lineup of such events this year to appeal to more members and create a relaxed environment to get to know more about our club members.
SOUNS
SOUNS is a program developed by Montessori and championed by Brenda Erickson to help children read earlier and better. Our Rotary Club provides SOUNS kits of letters that are used to associate sounds with letters so that children can associate letters with words that they can pronounce. Rotarians are also involved in the evaluation phase of the program to determine the progress of the students. Our Club supports SOUNS in the Thomas County Head Start program to approximately 159 children taught by 18 teachers. Each child participates in a 15 minute SOUNS exercise each day. Interviews with the teachers indicates that it is an effective tool to improve reading skills. This program will be conducted each year branding Rotary as an organization that cares for the next generation to have a chance at a quality education and it all begins with strong reading skills.
Branding
Our Synopsis:
Rotary Club of Thomasville's Public Image enhances the Rotary brand by telling Rotary’s story to the public and promote the club’s projects and activities with a strong emphasis on all three (3) themes: our local club: “Recognizing Those Who Serve”, District 6900: “Dare To Be Better”, Rotary International: “Rotary Serving Humanity.”
STAR: Student Teacher Achievement Recognition Program
STAR teachers and students were celebrated at our February 15th meeting. The LaGrange Rotary Club is an original sponsor of this program and has participated in it since its conception in 1959. Five area high schools participated in this event with each school identifying the senior who had to be in the top 10% of their class and have the highest score in one sitting on the SAT through November of their senior year.
CART - District Program
This is our fifth year that we have participated in District 6900's Coins for Alzheimer's Research Trust (CART) project.
Special purple cups make their appearance on our members' tables on our first January meeting. An explanation is given at the beginning of the meeting then with reminders for the program at each successive meeting. The cups are brought out for all of the meetings January through February.
Interact
Our Stellar Rotarian, George Keeling, has given real impetus to the Interact program in our Club, but also throughout the District as Chairman of District 6900 Southern Interact clubs for the past three years. George is being considered for a three year position with Rotary International.
Wine or Whine
The Club hosts a Wine or Whine event the first Tuesday of each month at a local venue, often owned by a Rotarian. It is a good time for members and spouses to gather for beverages of their choice and snacks after a hard day's work. Typically a Director will update the group on a project or other matter of interest and then great fellowship and conversation ensues. Those Rotarians who participate earn a Make up.
Project Warm-Up: Blanket/Coat Drive for Homeless
In January and February we held a blanket and clothes drive to collect needed items to be donated to our local homeless coalition. The program is ran through the Emmaus Women's Shelter where all items are first offered free of charge to the homeless and then offered to other community members at reduced prices. All proceeds are then put towards running the homeless program.
Annual Rotary Golf Tournament
This year's golf tournament is set for April 27th at the Highland Country Club. This annual event is our main fundraiser that helps our LaGrange Rotary's Youth Challenge Program as well as a few other projects.
This event is our most popular fundraiser and includes club members as supporters, golfers and workers. Family members are also included in the day's fun, it is an event that we all look forward to each year.
District 6900 Country Store
When the call went out for the need for merchandise to be offered at the District 6900 Country Store at RI Atlanta's Convention the students of the West Georgia Community Interact Club responded. It was decided that handmade beaded bracelets would be a great souvenir for visitors. When LaGrange Rotarians also volunteered to help make the bracelets it became a joint project between the two clubs.
Darkness to Light - Fighting Child Abuse
A new project for our Rotary Club is set for early June. Working with Twin Cedars Youth and Family Services, Inc., a non-profit organization providing care for victims of abuse and neglect, this program is planned to open our membership’s eyes to the devastating effects of child abuse. The “Darkness to Light” training uses a curriculum called “Stewards of Children”. The goal is to provide adults with the necessary training to be able to prevent, recognize and react to child sexual abuse. The goal for our community is to reach a tipping point based on Malcom Gladwell’s premise of social change by promoting an idea by 5% of a community’s population. Our personal goal is to train 50 of our members to be able to recognize and to react to the signs of possible child abuse. Our hope is that through this training LaGrange Rotarians will push this movement forward in our community to help prevent and end child abuse in our community.
Interact and Rotaract Clubs
This year we continue our support and involvement with our Rotaract and Interact Clubs. Our LaGrange College Rotaract Club is being revised with an emphasize on increasing membership. Our school-based Interact club is the Troup High School Interact Club and our community-based Interact club is the West Georgia Community Interact Club. Our New Generations Director Wesley Long (Trae) works with all three of our youth organizations. Additional Rotarians are also involved with mentoring students in all three clubs.
Annual Family of Rotary Banquet
This annual Family of Rotary Banquet is given each June to thank our outgoing president and to welcome the new club president.The event is held at LaGrange College complete with drinks, a full buffet, entertainment and club awards and presentations.
Cottage School House and Culinary Arts Vocational Program
“We are excited that these gardening structures will provide opportunities for hands-on, experiential horticultural skills for our students for years to come, and we appreciate the Alpharetta Rotary Club for facilitating this important educational experience.”
- Amanda Burke, Cottage School Science Teacher
Great Promise Partnership
Thomas County and Thomasville face the challenge of high illiteracy, low high school graduation rates and high youth unemployement along with all of Southwest Georgia. The 12 for Life Program created by the Southwire Corporation of Carrollton served as a model for the Great Promise Partnership Program developed by the State of Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
Friends of Wills Park - Park Beautification and Stream Restoration
Foe Killer Creek is a perennial stream that flows through Wills Park in Alpharetta, continues into Big Creek and eventually into the Chattahoochee River. Unfortunately, the creek has been identified as an impaired (polluted) stream due to increased presence of fecal coliform bacteria and sediment load.
Serving Humanity When Disaster Strikes
When disaster strikes, whether it be flood, earthquake, famine or plague... Rotarians do more than observe: They Respond.
- Wayne Hearn, The Rotarian Magazine
When disaster strikes, Alpharetta Rotary responds to "Serve Humanity" by contributing over $26,000 in relief funds.
Rotary Health Day for 51,000 Individuals - Indore, India
Alpharetta Rotary collaborated with the Rotarians for Family Health & AIDS Prevention (RFHA) to acquire a $99,455 global grant from the Rotary Foundation with the intention to carry out the Rotary Family Health Days in one of the poorest areas in India.
Spotlight Recovery: Communities Addressing Drug Addiction
Spotlight Recovery will be shined a spotlight on the recovery community and celebrated victories. Over 80 people attended the event which featured powerful recovery stories and breakout sessions on mental health, recovery and addiction A community event sponsored by Alpharetta Rotary to raise awareness for the recovery community. The event featured powerful recovery stories and breakout sessions on mental health, recovery and addiction.
Back to School Supplies Program with North Fulton Rotaract
ALPHARETTA ROTARY and NORTH FULTON ROTARACT DONATES BACKPACKS FILLED WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO NORTH FULTON COMMUNITY CHARITIES
The Alpharetta Rotary Club, in partnership with the North Fulton Rotaract Club, raised $1750 to buy backpacks and supplies for children served by North Fulton Community Charities. Members of both Clubs, along with their family and friends, gathered to stuff 65 backpacks with a variety of school supplies on July 28, 2016 at Abbey of the Holy Goats. Alpharetta Rotarian, Karen Hipes, and North Fulton Rotaractor, Tori Alterman, were the co-organizers for the Backpack Project.
Alpharettta Rotary Club Welcomes Grsp Student, Antonella Trabanino, From El Salvador
The Alpharetta Rotary Club’s new GRSP (Georgia Rotary Student Program) student, Antonella Trabanino, arrived August 9, 2016 from her home in San Salvador, El Salvador. Antonella is 18 years old and will be a freshman in college this year. She will be attending the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega.
Firefighter's Outreach to Children
The public education division of the Alpharetta Fire Marshal’s Office has implemented many community involvement activities. We believe that involvement with our community prior to activating the 911 system is paramount in community relations. By utilizing our fire safety house, reserve apparatus, and off shift personnel, we are able to educate all age groups in fire safety education.
Alpharetta Rotarians Support Local USO Efforts
The Rotary club of Alpharetta has a long standing commitment to support our military. As part of a quarterly effort, several members of the club went to the United Services Organization (USO) in Atlanta, on August 4. Each year this service project has been coordinated by Rotarian William Perkins.
Clinica De Salud Casa Samuel - Global Grant Project
Financial Contributions Total Project $79,500
The Alpharetta Rotary Club will be named in Marietta Metro’s Global Grant application, along with the East Cobb Rotary and the Smyrna Rotary Clubs which have both already confirmed their participation. Alpharetta Rotary’s participation as the majority contributor will allow the project to utilize a total of $31,000 in D6900 DDF.
Eagle Scout Project: More than a Desk
Other than the Boy Scouts in the USA from Troop 69, Mukund Aravapalli plans on leading a team of Scouts in India in the assembly of 143 desks and chairs. The Alpharetta Boy Scouts in Troop 69 will be assisting by raising awareness of the situation of schools in rural India and also in fund raising. The scouts in India will be helping in assembling 143 desk/chair kits.
Patriot Flight
First Annual PATRIOT FLIGHT
Mission: Governor Raymond Ray set the priority and it could not have been more perfectly aligned with the passion that President Jeff McCoy has for all of the men and women that make up the group we call "First Responders".
38th Annual Aubrey Greenway Golf & 4th Annual Hagan Cup
Funding The Engine of Roswell Rotary
The Mission: The 38th Annual Aubrey Greenway Charity Golf and 4th Annual Hagan Cup Tennis Tournament set a new record in fundraising. RRC is pumping $206,000 in net profits
Buddy Bags for Children in Crisis
Buddy Bags ins a three-year-old ministry with approximately 20 active members who meet weekly. Alpharetta Rotarians are volunteers of this group. As of September 1, 2016, over 1,772 Buddy Bags have been given to over 30 organizations including fire and police departments.
End Human Trafficking Now
Reached 15,000+ Rotarians from all over the world raising awareness through speaking at clubs, attending Rotary District and Zone meetings.
Memorial Day Event
A Day to Remember Those that Served
The Mission: Thousands of people from Roswell and around the State joined the Rotary Club of Roswell and the City of Roswell to honor the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice
Be THE Voice (that stops bullying)
"I have been in education for 36 years and this is the first program that truly addresses what a bystander can do to help a victim of bullying. All of our students from grades 4-12 have been active in the BTV campaign for 2 years and it has made a huge difference in the way they treat their fellow peers and view each others differences. As educators, we appreciate the ease of implementing the program and how involved our students are in "Being the Voice" at school but also out in their community. Thank you so much to the Roswell Rotary Club for bringing this program to our school."
ALPHARETTA ROTARY PREPARES A HOME FOR A HOMESTRETCH FAMILY
Rotary Club of Alpharetta completed 3 projects for HomeStretch to get an apartment ready for a new family to move in. Alpharetta Rotarians painted the interior of the apartment. And on Saturday, September 24 Rotarians cleaned the inside and outside of the apartment.
Family of Rotary: The 21st Annual Mayor's Corporate Challenge
The Alpharetta Mayor’s Challenge Race is Alpharetta Rotary’s largest fundraiser for the year. Alpharetta Rotary set a record-setting year by raising over $130,000 at the 2016 event. These dollars will be used to directly support local charities such as, North Fulton Community Charities, Drake House, Homestretch, Lionheart School and the YMCA. The funds also have a global impact on Polio Eradication, Literacy, Clean Water Projects and Humanitarian and medical aid.
9/11 Tribute Program
Purpose: To remember victims of the worst terrorist attack in American history.
Objectives:
RUMC Job Networking Project
The Mission: There is no greater stress on a family than when the breadwinner is out of work. RRC proudly supports the work of Roswell United Methodist Church - Job Networking
International Global Grant for Water
Project Summary: More than two dozen Rotarians committed 3 years and hundreds of hours to bringing hope to Honduras through this life-changing Global Grant. The Roswell Club, in partnership with the Villa Real De Tegucigalpa Rotary Club in Honduras, was awarded a Grant in the amount of $73,225 during the 2015-16 year. But the work started early this Rotary year and we now have safe, clean water flowing in two communities of the poorest part of southern Honduras.
Roswell Rotary Relays
Every spring, since 1996
The Roswell Rotary Club and Roswell High School have sponsored an invitational track meet. The purpose of this sponsorship is to provide a high profile opportunity for high school track & field teams from throughout Georgia to compete against the best in the state. Annually 25 to 30 high schools are represented with both boys and girls teams participating. A full slate of field events are held in the morning session followed by track and relay events in the afternoon. The strong emphasis on relay events builds a spirit of teamwork among the athletes and creates a high energy atmosphere during the daylong event.
Honduras - Lunches for Learning Support
This year, our annual school graduation trip was led by Terry Taylor, Kay Love and Theo Keyserling. As a club, we are proud to partner with Lunches for Learning (L4L). to continue our sponsorship of a school. Working with L4L we are able to travel in country, do mission work and safely deliver meals and the means to prepare them at schools in southern Honduras.
Honor Air
The Mission: In honor of Veterans of the armed forces who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam; Roswell Rotary executed our 8th annual trip to Washington DC to visit each Veteran's respective memorial.
Progressive Interact
The Mission: Continue to grow and strengthen one of the biggest Interact networks in all of Rotary.
This Year: In 2016-2017, Roswell Rotary supports 11 Interact Clubs with nearly 300 members. Those clubs serve their schools, the Roswell community and the world. The kids elect officers and hold meetings. Regular projects include food-can collections, toy and coat drives and raising money for Polio. But mix in fun as they paint the Youth Day Float and walk the parade route. Interact groups educate their classmates and participate in Roswell Rotary’s International Service Project in Honduras by collecting school supplies.
100% Pathway to Paul Harris
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta is proud to be a 100% Paul Harris Club. In order to maintain the tradition of full involvement in the Rotary Foundation, the Club has implemented the "100% Pathway to Paul Harris".
We ask they each new member becomes a Paul Harris Fellow within one year of joining the club. We have had successful involvement for the first year. It has helped us raise our overall Foundation Giving to a five-year high.
2017 Derby Party
Ladies and Gentlemen, grab your big hats and seersucker suits! Come celebrate with us and enjoy an evening full of fellowship and fun. Experience a night full of excitement as you bid on your favorite auction items & dance the night away with one of the most versatile, high energy dance and show bands around. This is going to be a night you will not want to miss. Come out and support a great cause.
Adopt-a-Mile November
Adopt-a-Mile November 19th
A score of Alpharetta Road Warriors. Twenty Rotary volunteers turned out for Adopt-A-Mile to keep Old Milton Parkway and Alpharetta beautiful. Great job Chris Weeber organizing the troops!
Alpharetta Public Safety Holiday Lunch
The Club enjoys serving the Public Safety Department for their Holiday Lunch each December. It is the club's small way to serve those who serve our community each and every day to make us feel safe.
A group of fifteen Alpharetta Rotarians spend three hours during lunch to serve some good BBQ and say thank you to the 200 Police and Firefighters in Alpharetta along with their families.
Alpharetta Rotary Contributes Volunteers & $20,000 for North Fulton Homelessness and Hunger Care Programs
Alpharetta Rotary partners with the collection of non-profits and invests in multiple strategies to alleviate homelessness and hunger for our community. 100% of our membership is actively involved in providing solutions and helping end the cycle of homelessness for hard-working families.
Blood Drive
Alpharetta Rotary is organizing a Blood Donation drive on March 10th as part of the Rotary has Heart for the Quarter. We will have 40 volunteers donating which would potentitially help 40 people in the need of blood transfusions.
C5 Georgia
The mission of C5 Georgia is to inspire high-potential youth from risk-filled environments to pursue personal success, to prepare them for leadership roles in college, work and community, and to motivate them to become role models for others.
Alpharetta Rotarian, Lee Doernberg, introduced the club to the C5 organization. He is currently the Treasurer for C5 Georgia. Alpharetta Rotary is excited to get to know this wonderful organziation more and participate as Mentors in the future.
Cereal Drive
Alpharetta Rotary collects Cereal and other pantry items for North Fulton Community Charities for the summer. Food needs increase during the summer because kids stay home during the summer. The club collected 169 Boxes.
Club Bulletin Submission
We Use our Bulletins to entertain, inform and gather volunteers for our many service projects. It is one of the many mediums that we use to communicate with our club members. Whether it is to gather volunteers for our Day of Service, interest about our Paul Harris Oyster Roast or information about the Rotary Convention, the newsetter has always been the best way to gather volunteers and interest for our next event.
Coat Drive for North Fulton Community Charities
Alpharetta Rotary participated in the Annual Warm Coat Drive that would benefit North Fulton Families. The coats were collected during meeting over three weeks. Approximately 40 coats were collected and delivered to North Fulton Community Charities.
Distracted Driving Program
Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. Particularly in the teen community the temptation to texting and phone calls while driving is an ever present danger. In working with the Public Safety Foundation and Police Officers, Alpharetta Rotary helped purchase a specialized golf cart that would give teens a first-hand understanding of the dangers of distracted driving.
District Newsletter
Alpharetta Rotary enjoys sharing our projects and events with other clubs in the district by submitting articles to the District Newsletter. Each month, we share our Rotary Moments to share with the DIstrict.
District Training
As a fast-growing club, it is crucial that our newer members understand Rotary's Passion for Service quickly and that our future Club Leaders understand the dynamics of utilizing the services of Rotary International and District 6900.
Our members have been involved in the following training opportunities
Envision Alpharetta
What began as an annual day of service, became a Rotary Community Corp group and has turned into a grass-roots movement for Alpharetta. Envision Alpharetta is a group of passionate stakeholders whose vision is to grow a community of leadership in Alpharetta.
Every Woman Works
Our Club participated in the annual hip hop dance annual fundraiser event for Every Woman Works, a non-profit that gives battered, drug and alcohol influenced, formerly imprisoned, and returning veteran women who have lost the ability to take care of themselves and their children, a chance to get back on their own feet.
Fall Alpharetta Day of Service
Alpharetta Rotarians, family members and friends joined together to clean up areas in Wills Park for the Alpharetta Day of Service. This was a special day designed for volunteers to serve the community, and it all started as a partnership with the YMCA, Rotary Club of Alpharetta, and the City of Alpharetta. The event has now grown to include churches and volunteer groups and continues to grow each year. This year, we are working with Rivers Alive, which is one of Alpharetta Rotary’s on-going project partners.
Fall BBQ at the USO - October
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta has a long history of service to our community. One of the most enduring facets of the club is its unwavering support of the men and women of our military. After 9/11,the club looked for ways to deepen it’s involvement with our service members. Through contacts with other Rotarians, the Alpharetta Club was able to join with the Atlanta USO to support our soldiers. Each quarter between 8 and 10 Rotarians from Alpharetta spend the day at the USO serving lunch and assisting service members passing through the airport. A full bar-b-que lunch is served complete with all the trimmings.
Family of Rotary: Paul Harris Oyster Roast Celebration
“We should not live for ourselves alone, but for the joy in doing good for others.”
– Arch Klumph, founder of The Rotary Foundation
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta is celebrating 100 years of the Rotary Foundation Doing Good in the World
Financial Calculators for Homestretch
Alpharetta Rotary has provided Calculators for High School Students who are clients of Homestretch. The Calculators are required for high school math. Valued at $100, it can be quite an expense for families struggling to stay above poverty.
Grilling and Gridiron
Lionheart Grilling and Gridiron is a fundraiser for the Lionheart School. Restaurants in community group grill, and people purchase tickets to try all the grills. The event is set up tailgate style and a UGA game is shown on a giant screen TV in downtown Alpharetta.
Habitat For Humanity Build - Feb 4
On Saturday, February 4th, members of the Rotary Club of Alpharetta participated in a Habitat for Humanity building project to help finish building a home in Cumming, GA. Rotarian Casey Robinson helped coordinate the work day and Rotarians Mickey Rogers, Randy Schiltz, John Hipes, Karen Hipes, Jason Binder, Katie Rocco, Brian Mould, Cookie Haynes, Bob Koncerak, Ralph Aguera, Morris Cowan, Deborah Swofford, Joe Wargo, and Cokkie Eaker worked from 9:00 am until 3:00 pm hanging hardie plank siding. In addition to the work of the Rotarians, students from Lambert High School pitched in to help make this house a home for its future owners.
Homestretch Budget Mentor
Matt Amerson, Alpharetta Rotarian, has been serving the Homestretch community as a budget/finance mentor. They meet on a monthly basis. Together, they created a spreadsheet to track her daily and monthly spending and saving habits. Working together, they review her spending and offer suggestions on how best to pay off debt and use her money in a wiser manner. Matt also discuss long-term goals and plans such as life after Homestretch and employment opportunities.
Homestretch Jobs Program
HomeStretch is an organization that addresses some of the root causes of homelessness in our community. Alpharetta Rotarians serve as Financial and Life Mentors for the families and have created a program to aid Homestretch residents in their job search.
Honduras Wilderness Team March 2016
On March 11, 2017 Alpharetta Rotarian, Paul Ray, will embark on his 4th annual Wilderness Team trip to the Agalta Valley, Honduras. Fortunately, HOI and the mission groups that have gone to the impoverished valley (pop. 40,000) for 25 years have made a huge impact on residents there. Education brings prosperity. Years ago the children were destined to become sustenance farmers, now they want to become teachers, doctors, and engineers.
Independence Interact Club "Can Do Good" and Blood Drive
For the fifth consecutive year, the Independence High School Interact Club participated in the “Can Do Good” competition. The goal of the program is to support the efforts of local food banks and to introduce high school students to the basic concepts of architecture and engineering while promoting community awareness and social responsibility. Club members conducted a canned food drive and used the donated cans to create an original sculpture conveying what Independence HS means to them. They designed a NASCAR themed structure with tracks encircling and winding through the base.
Induction Party Grill Out
Our Induction Grilling Party has become a favorite tradition for Alpharetta Rotarians and their families. We meet at PP Bill Weeks house on Lake Lanier to enjoy the water and have the newly inducted President and Officers grill for the entire club!
Junior Achievement Program with the Drake House
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta led a Junior Achivement Job Shadow Program that offers teenage residents of the Drake House a unique opportunity: a visit to a professional work environment and insights into how to find and keep a fulfilling career.
Junior Diabetes Research Fund
Alpharetta Rotarian, Ted Schwartz, applied for the Alpharetta Rotary Grant Application to be given to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) because it is the leading research organization seeking to find a cure for type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is the deadlier disease of diabetes as about about 10% of all diabetic cases are Type 1. Today about 1.5 million Americans suffer from Type 1 diabetes which includes Ted and his 12 year old son Blake.
Kilifi Kids International Assistance
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta is excited to work with the Rotary Club of Vinings to participate in this year's Kilifi Grant Global Grant. Alpharetta Rotary was able to contribute $6,250 to the grant which would equate to an impact of $25,000
King's Ridge Christian School Interact
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta is sponsoring the new Interact Club of King’s Ridge Christian School. The Interact Club’s charter was awarded on January 20, 2017 to Cambri Driskell, 14-years-old, who is heading the organization.
Cambri is a freshman in high school at King’s Ridge and has attended the school for 10 years. Cambri said she wanted to start the club because, “I have grown up in the Rotary world as my dad and my grandpa have been avid members of the Alpharetta Rotary Club. I've always loved going to the club meetings every Friday with my dad. The service that is carried out by the club is something that I admire very much; because of this, I wanted to extend the opportunity of service to my high school, which led me to establish the first ever King's Ridge Interact Club.”
Laws of Life Essay Contest
We sponsor two high schools in the Laws of Life Essay contest. Rotarians to serve as judges of the work done by students participating in the contest and pick a school winner and a runner-up from each school.
Lionheart
The Lionheart Vocation program helps students transition from school to employment which is a critical issue for families with children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Lionheart WORKS is designed for students who are transitioning from school to a work environment. The overarching goal of the WORKS program is to meet the needs of individuals who have the desire and abilities to begin training for work environments. WORKS partners are selected based on need, affinities and abilities of participants.
Meals By Grace - January
Members of the Rotary Club of Alpharetta recently gave back to families in need by volunteering to feed less fortunate residents.
On Sunday, Jan. 15, Alpharetta Rotarians traveled to Midway United Methodist Church to help Forsyth County-based Meals By Grace and its volunteers set up various stations to sort clothing and food for the citizens they serve.
Meals by Grace - October
From New Member Natasha Rigsby
It was a humbling experience and one that my husband Wayne and I were honored to be a part of, thank you.
For our delivery, the house pictured on the info sheet was perfect and we were told that it was located behind another house, also perfect. When we knocked on the sliding glass door, which was covered inside by a sheet, we were greeted by the three young children who lived there. "Mom" came up a second later and we quickly learned that nobody spoke English.
Member Vocational Videos
In an effort to better understand and appreciate both who are members are and what they do for a living, we are thrilled to showcase a new project out of our Vocational Services arm involving filming our members "interview style". These were light, fun and easy interviews that were done at member's businesses.
Memorial Day Tribute
The City of Alpharetta and Rotary Club of Alpharetta will host the 2nd Annual Memorial Day Tribute on Monday, May 30 at 9:30 a.m. at Alpharetta City Hall, 2 Park Plaza. The event is free for the public to attend.
Mayor David Belle Isle said, “If you are looking to embrace your community, celebrate our Country, and honor those who, in establishing and protecting our freedoms and liberties, paid the highest price, then I can think of no better place to be than the Alpharetta Memorial Day Tribute. Come be a part of the fabric of Alpharetta.”
Milton Interact
The Milton High School Interact Club found new energy this year. With 15 members, the Club participated in a number of service projects benefitting the community and giving leadership and service opportunities to Club members. Service projects included participation in the City of Alpharetta Scarecrow Harvest and Christmas Tree Lighting events where Interacters engaged with children and parents with a fun temporary tattoo booth. The Club also volunteered at the Foster Care Support Foundation where they sorted and racked clothes and organized other donations for distribution to foster children and their families across the state of Georgia.
Miss Mary's Ice Cream Crankin
Alpharetta Rotary participated in the annual Miss Mary's Ice Cream Crankin' event. Fun event, great turnout Sunday afternoon to support the Drake House. The rain held out until our ice cream was gone!
New Bike Program
Delivered 27 New Bikes to Different Organizations. The Bikes were donated to kids that are residents of the Drake House and to Foster Care Support of Georgia.
NFCC Turkey Delivery
Alpharetta Rotary delivered 83 Turkeys to North Fulton Community Charities to help brighten families Thanksgiving Dinners in the area.
NORTH FULTON HOST HOSPITALITY NIGHT - RI CONVENTION
The Clubs of the North Fulton Rotary Council are working together to plan a Host Hospitality Night for Convention Visitors on the night of June 12th. Alpharetta's own, Wills Park is the location for the Southern Barbeque themed dinner.
Old Soldiers Day Parade & Cookout
Alpharetta Rotary Supports Old Soldiers Day Parade for 25 Years
On Saturday, August 6, the Alpharetta Rotary club will mark its 25th year as part of the 64th annual Old Soldiers Day Parade. The Club members, family and friends will work together to create a beautifully decorated float which will be carrying Alpharetta Rotary’s Grand Marshal for this year, Chris Webber. “As a ten year member of Alpharetta Rotary and one of many military veteran members of the club, I am honored to be a special part of our club’s Old Soldiers Day Parade contingent this year, said Chris Weeber.”
Pathways Scholarships - Honduras
Alpharetta Rotarians sponsor 2 students through the Pathways Scholarship program in Honduras for the past four years. Our students, Alex and Angel, are starting the 9th grade this year and are excited to continue their education. Alpharetta Rotarian, Paul Ray, has visited them annually over the past three years.
Pathways2Life Teen Addiction Prevention, Counseling and Support
The challenges our teens face today are greater than ever leaving them in a vulnerable place. The world promotes quick fix options providing instant gratification that leave them exposed to negative, habit forming, and isolating behaviors. Pathways2Life uses a proven process of prevention, crisis intervention and support to empower teens and trusted adults to recognize risks, choose wisely and live purposefully. Pathways2Life's goal is to restore and empower youth to be emotionally and spiritually mature, equipping them to lead future generations.
Police Athletic League Shop with a Cop
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta recently donated $1,000 to the Shop with a Cop program sponsored by the Police Athletic League.
PAL works with “at risk” youth from 8-18 years of age providing many programs throughout the year, including tutoring, music, fitness, and leadership programs.
Providing a much-need Car to a Mom and her Family
One Drake House mom received an early Christmas gift. Two days before Christmas, a generous Alpharetta Rotary Club member donated a car after a presentation discussing how transportation is a barrier to poverty.
This mom truly needed reliable and safe transportation to get to her late shift job at an assisted living facility in Buckhead. The donor heard that she was often unable to use public transportation to get home late at night and had to walk from the North Springs MARTA station. She's overjoyed at all the opportunities that The Drake House has given her during her stay. Alpharetta Rotary has helped change lives of her and her family.
Public Safety Service Above Self Award
On July 15th the Rotary Club of Alpharetta awarded Officers Amanda Clay and Alan Elfreth the inaugural Public Safety Service Above Self Award. The Alpharetta Rotary Club donated funds and volunteers to the iCan Bike Alpharetta event. This event is organized by Officers Amanda Clay and Allen Elfreth with the Alpharetta Police Department. They were presented with the inaugural “Service Above Self” award
Rotaract Partnership
Rotary Club of Alpharetta is in the second year of co-sponsoring the North Fulton Rotaract Club. We have made in effort to include the Rotaract Club in our service projects and to include them as a part of our Rotary Club.
- We Inducted N Fulton Rotaract President Tori Altermann as a Alpharetta Rotarian. Her dual membership as a Rotaractor and Alpharetta Rotarian has helped us better connect with the Rotaract Club.
Rotary Community Corps: Communities Addressing Addiction
Based on a rapid rise in heroin overdose deaths in North Fulton, as well as an increase in addiction, the Alpharetta Rotary Club will utilize and mobilize strategic partners to help combat the addiction crisis within the community and created a Rotary Community Corp named Communities Addressing Addiction
Rotary Youth Exchange
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta is proud to announce that it has selected local high school student, Kate Rojales to receive the prestigious Rotary Youth Exchange Scholarship to study abroad. The scholarship is valued at over $24,000.00 and covers room, board, tuition and a monthly stipend for one academic year. The scholarship is awarded for the 2017-2018 academic year by the Rotary Club of Alpharetta.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing
Alpharetta Rotarians, their children and high school Interact members worked together to collect donations needed during the holidays. The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle started in San Francisco in 1891 and is the charity’s most prominent fundraiser and assists over 34 million Americans recovering from all kinds of personal disasters nationwide.
Santa visits Dogwood Terrace Senior Home
Alpharetta Rotaruy has an annual tradition to bring Santa to go meet the residents of Dogwood Terrace Senior Living. The Club prepares 80 gift baskets filled with nutritional snacks, fruit and games for the seniors to enjoy. Many of the residents do not have family and this is great way to spread holiday cheer.
Senior Services North Fulton
Alpharetta contributed $1500 to North Fulton Senior Services Meals on Wheels Program. We have several volunteers in the club who contribute to the program. We provide Meals on Wheels (MOW) to older adults who have difficulty grocery shopping or preparing meals for themselves. NFSS volunteers deliver nutritious meals to seniors Monday through Friday, and for those who need weekend meals, two additional meals will be delivered on Friday and may be kept in the refrigerator and heated over the weekend.
Service Above Self Award -- Officer Maurice Bradford
Officer Bradford receives the 2nd Annual Service Above Self Award for his work with in the community. Officer Bradford has exemplorary service while on patrol and is an exceptional Officer when dealing with citizens. Officer Bradford was nominated for the award because he started a youth outreach program at a local church. He was instrumentatl in creating a positive role model for the youth while breaking down barriers of mistrust with Law enforcement.
Special Pops Tennis March 4, 2017
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta will help sponsor the Special Pops Tennis Round Robin tournament which will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017. The Rotary Club members and the Special Pops Tennis Athletes will come together on the courts playing in 30 minute intervals. Each participating Rotary member will be paired with a Pops Athlete.
Sponsoring a Rotaractor from India to the RI Convention
Alpharetta Rotarians are working to bring a young man named Kobi all the way from India to attend the RI Convention in Atlanta and meet a family who has supported him for close to thirty years.
Alpharetta Rotarian, Bob Koncerak and his family began supporting Kobi Molsom since 1988 when Kobi was three years old. Kobi lives in the Tripura region of India, south of Burma. In the early years, they received crayon pictures, then emails and eventually facetime. The Club is helping raise the $3,000 needed to bring Kobi to the United States to attend that Convention and participate in vocational training in the areas of Finance and Microfinance lending.
Spotlight Recovery: Narcan Education
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta will support the Communities Addressing Addiction to organize a community showcase this Spring to show how Narcan can save the lives of friends and loved ones who are overdosing.
Our North Fulton Community is inside "The Triangle" were heroin deaths have risen 3844% in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties. In partnership with our Rotary Community Corps group, "Communities Addressing Addiction", we are trying to shed light on the topic, inform families on how to address addiction issues and save lives in the cases of overdoses.
Thanksgiving lunch with Seniors
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta sponsors an annual Thanksgiving celebration and meal with local senior citizens at the Alpharetta Senior Citizens Center. The event allows many of our seniors to share in a holiday tradition with other members of the community and Rotarians.
Troop Care Packages - December
Alpharetta Rotary Supports Troops with Care packages shipped to support our men and women in uniform
The most recent Alpharetta Day of Service was another great opportunity for our community to give back and get involved in our city. The Alpharetta Rotary again stepped up to the call, participating in the numerous service projects within our community.
Troop Care Packages - July
Alpharetta Rotary Supports Alpharetta Day of Service;
Care packages shipped to support our men and women in uniform
The most recent Alpharetta Day of Service was another great opportunity for our community to give back and get involved in our city. The Alpharetta Rotary again stepped up to the call, participating in the numerous service projects within our community.
USO - March
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta has a long history of service to our community. One of the most enduring facets of the club is its unwavering support of the men and women of our military. Each quarter between 6 Alpharetta Rotarians spent the day at the USO serving lunch and assisting service members passing through the airport. A full bar-b-que lunch is served complete with all the trimmings.
Veterans Day Tribute
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta and the city will host the second annual Veterans Day Tribute.
The event is slated for 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11 at Brooke Street Park, which is located on the grounds of the new City Hall facility.
Veterans and their families will be honored at the ceremony, which will include remarks by Mayor David Belle Isle and Al Lipphardt, former state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Georgia.
Water Purification in the Dominican Republic
Alpharetta Rotary Partnered with the D6910 Johns Creek Rotary to complete the construction of a water house to serve the Dominican Republic’s eastern Third World villages (Bateys) that service the sugar cane fields, inhabited by Haitian immigrants.
YMCA Learning Library
A little summer reading break at the Y -- The Rotary Club of Alpharetta donates a book every week to the Y Learning Library. Over the past three years, we have donated 150 books to the program. Continually stocking the library allows books to be taken home by the kids where they can read it with their parents. This library has encouraged children to read, and parents to read to their children. For many families, a stop at the Sharing Library is one of their favorite activities at the Y.
Member Matching Grant Program
The Members Matching grant program helps the club build awareness of other great service organizations and empowers the members to increase their contribution to these great organizations. The Club currently contribute up to $1,000 to organizations through this grant process. In order to be qualified the nonprofit must be a 501(c)3 and their mission is shared with at least one of Rotary’s Six Areas of Focus. The Alpharetta Rotarian sponsoring the grant must be a member in good standing.
$1,000,000 Club
It takes commitment from an entire club to get to $1,000,000 in total foundation giving. As we got close to this milestone it became apparent we could surpass the $1,000,000 mark this year.
WE DID IT! RRC is now a proud member of this exclusive group of Rotary Clubs throughout the world to surpass the $1 Million Dollars dontated mark.
Adopt-A-Platoon
Roswell Rotary Club and the RHS Interact Club and Sweet Apple Interact Club provided and packed supplies and letters for the platoon of Roswell High School alumni, Harrison Florence, Class of 2010. He graduated from West Point in 2014. Second Lieutenant Florence is currently deployed at Camp Humphreys in the Korean Theatre of Operations and serving as the Attack Platoon Leader of Bravo Company, 4-2 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd
Blessed Trinity High School Interact Program
The Blessed Trinity Interact Club has over 30 members, 2 teacher sponsors and 3 Roswell Rotary Liaisons. BT Interact collects all of the recycle paper throughout the school and keeps the school clean and green! BT Interact has also collected used uniforms and purchased whiteboards for schools in Honduras. Blessed Trinity Interact was awarded the Zone Award and the Presidential Citation in 2015-2016.
Club Bulletin Submission
With a club membership close to 250 people, communication is key. Our weekly Rotascope keeps members informed of upcoming events, future speakers and opportunities to server. We recognize birthday, anniversaries, new members and honorees in each addition.
Crabapple Middle School Interact Program
The Crabapple Middle School has over 30 members, 3 teacher sponsors and 3 Roswell Rotary Liaisons. They meet twice per month and have promoted Be THE Voice throughout the entire school for two years in a row, donated a Peace Pole to the Serenity Garden at Roswell Area Park and rode in the Youth Day Parade and raised awareness for Be THE Voice at the Roswell High School football game. They made Bat Boxes as their Conservation Project and sold them for $20. Crabapple Middle School was awarded the Best Service Project for District 6900, the Zone Award and Presidential Citation in 2015-2016.
Friendship Exchange In India
Past District Governor and Past President of Roswell Rotary participated in the Friendship Exchange trip to India to promote Rotary. While in India many clubs were visited and an exposure to Rotary's efforts to end polio in India.
This trip was a continuation of a group from India that visited our club last year.
Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest
Our club has been and will continue to be a big supporter of the Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest. Members of our club have served and are serving on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Rotary Districts Character Education Program which governs the contest.
GRSP Student Hosting
Roswell Rotary GRSP student, Jad Tabet of Lebanon has enjoyed quite a year with his Roswell Rotary family. He has attended other North Fulton Rotary events, such as the North Fulton Rotary fundraiser at Wills Park (first pic), the annual fall day at the farm (second picture) and enjoys a love of Waffle House which began when he arrived in the US. Host, Lisa Carlisle, and Roswell Rotarian, John Greaves treated Jad to his first American meal at Waffle House where Jad loved the chocolate chip pancakes. During his stay thus far, he has played guitar for public concerts in Roswell multiple times and is the current president of the E-Rotaract Club. Jad currently attends Georgia State University and is doing extremely well academically.
Hearts for Honduras & Rotary Has Heart
What better way to show that Rotary has heart than throwing one of the best fundraising parties of the year. Hearts for Honduras is an annual dinner/dance held close to Valentine's Day. All proceeds benefit Lunches For Learning in Honduras. Our club sponsors a school, partnered with local Rotarians on a Global Grant for clean water and have moved individual members to sponsor their own schools. 100s of kids lives have been changed because of RRC's support of this great cause.
Hembree Springs Elementary Interact Program
The Hembree Springs Elementary Interact Club has 25 members, 2 teacher sponsors and 2 Roswell Rotary Liaisons. The Club participated in a Thanksgiving food drive with Children's Restoration Network, Christmas Stocking project for Children's Restoration Network, helped Student Council with Hembree Springs Recycling, helped Hembree teachers with projects involving organizing and cleaning, raised money for Pennies for Patients, launched Be THE Voice and visited seniors at Brookdale Assisted Living (Chambrel). The Hembree Spring Elementary Interact Club received the Zone Award in 2015-2016.
Honduras Graduation Trip
The work of the Roswell Rotary Club in Honduras is exploding. This is a trip where we take down the members that are making it all happen so they can monitor the work. We get to enjoy seeing our sponsored schools and participating in their graduation ceremonies.
Honoring Our First Responders
Throughout this Rotary year, we are recognizing the policemen, firemen & EMTs in our community. We started by honoring both the police chief and fire chief and making them honorary members of our club. They attend Roswell Rotary regularly and are recognized at each visit. In addition, we have honored our Roswell police officers, EMTs and firemen and women at our meetings and learn about their service to our community. Roswell Rotary was proud to honor District Governor Raymond Ray's son, who is a Roswell police officer during the Governor's visit to Roswell Rotary. As part of our recognition, a club member who serves or has served in this capacity is awarded the Rotary First Responder pin when honored at our meeting. In particular, we honored these men and women for the amazing job they did when two teenagers were killed in Roswell in August. They handled the case swiftly and professionally. We cannot honor these men and women enough for serving our community in a professional and positive way. They demonstrate Service Above Self at its best!
Mountain Park Elementary Interact Program
The Mountain Park Elementary Interact Club has over 20 members, 2 teacher sponsors and 2 Roswell Rotary Liaisons. The Interact Club made sandwiches for needy kids this year as one of its major projects this year. The Mountain Park Elementary Club was awarded the Zone Award and a special District Governor's Award in 2015-2016.
Oktoberfest To End Human Trafficking
End Human Trafficking Now was founded by Roswell Rotarian and past president, Dave McCleary. Many of our club members volunteered to pour beer, take tickets and man the awareness tents. Those that didn't volunteer came out for a great event, supporting a great cause. In addition, the Roswell High School Interact Club helped set up the event.
Roswell High School Interact Program
The Roswell High School Interact Club has over 40 active members, 2 teacher sponsors and 2 Roswell Rotary Liaisons. The Club meets on the 1st and 3rd Wed. of every month during the school year. In 2016-2017, the RHS Interact Club has sponsored the Be THE Voice campaign, including recording and producing videos and walking the Youth Day Parade route with the banner, sold doughnuts before school to raise money to end polio, collected garbage bags for North Fulton Community Charities, collected supplies for Adopt-A-Platoon and packed the boxes, heard an update on a school in Honduras and donated money to buy pots and knives for the school, and waived on the veterans and first responders for Honor Air and the Patriot Flight. RHS Interact received Interact Club of the Year for District 5900, the Zone Award and Presidential Citation in 2015-2016.
Roswell North Elementary Interact Progarm
The Roswell North Elementary Interact Club has kicked off the 2017 Be The Voice Campaign to stop bullying. Students have produced videos for the morning announcements, made posters, and nearly all faculty and staff proudly wear their BTV t-shirts to show support. Bracelets and stickers have been distributed school wide. At the conclusion of all Interact planning and work meetings, Roswell North students recite the 4-Way Test.
Rotaract Club Sponsorship
RRC is proud to have been one of the two Rotary clubs to sponsor the new North Fulton Rotaract Club.
Rotaract Clubs come in two flavors; School based or Young Professional based. Ours is the latter and has grown to a club of nearly 30 members of 20-somethings that already have a heart for service and are willing to put their time and money on the line to prove it.
Rotaract Honorary Member
This year our club's board decided to honor the founding President of our sponsored Rotaract Club by making him an honorary member of our club. While the cost is minimal the impact is huge. This furthers the relationship between the clubs and sets us up for future members of RRC.
Rotary Dream Field & Playground- First Game
This Adaptive Needs Ball Field and Playground is a signature project for RRC. It addresses an under served segment of our youth population wishing to participate in sports and enjoy the socialization that comes from being part of a team. This field makes that possible; providing a surface designed for wheelchairs, and it fulfills both the community and youth avenues of service Our partners are the City's Parks and Rec Dept., and a strong community of parents who are thrilled that Roswell will be supporting these special kids. We completed our first game!
RYLA
Roswell Rotary sponsored eight students from three high schools in Roswell to RYLA, paying the full tuition and travel expenses for these students. The students attending RYLA raved about the leadership skills and new friends made during the program.
Shriners Children's Hospital
This year, Roswell Rotary undertook a very special project to help search for children who qualify for surgeries that can be underwritten by the Shriner's organization. This was a pet project of DG Raymond Ray, and RRC was glad to step up and make it a priority.
Sweet Apple Elementary Interact Program
The Sweet Apple Elementary Interact Club has 36 members, 2 teacher sponsors and one Roswell Rotary Liaison. The Interact Club members collected supplies and helped pack boxes for Adopt-A-Platoon. They also made Valentine's Day cards and visited Arbor Terrace to make the residents feel special! The Sweet Apple Elementary Interact Club won the Zone Award in 2015-2016.
Teacher/Student Appreciation
Each month during the school year, Roswell Rotary recognizes a student and teacher in the local community schools who demonstrates leadership and outstanding academic achievements. Each student and teacher is presented to the club at a regular meeting and is provided with a certificate of achievement. Additionally the club awards a Visa gift cards and a gift certificate to Mathnasium for each student and teacher.
The Cottage School Interact Program
The Cottage School Interact Club has 10 members, 2 teacher sponsors and one Roswell Rotary Liaison. The Club collects canned goods and toys for North Fulton Community Charities annually. The Cottage School Interact Club received the Zone Award and the Presidential Citation in 2015-2016.
Veteran Recognition for Service to our Country
The Roswell Rotary Club launched a new initiative this year to honor and recognize the service men and women among us. It is just amazing to hear the stories and see the pictures. Most members had no idea the diversity of service and the critical roles that each played in protecting our freedoms.
Youth Day Parade
This is one of the most public faces of the Roswell Rotary Club as we sponsor and participate in this city ritual of building floats, lots of music, candy being tossed to the kids and so much more.
It is a chance to support all manner of youth programs in the city as represented by themed floats and signs.
Zone 34 Club Video Contest
Several members of our club spent countless hours compiling pictures and videos from all the great things we do in our community and around the world.
Action Group against Slavery
Dave McCleary, past president of our club has taken over leadership of the Rotary Action Group against Slavery for the Americas. The action group has two goals:
Creating awareness: Telling Rotarians and the wider public that millions are held captive for illegal gain – MANY NEAR WHERE YOU LIVE!
Alive After Five
In the last 9 years, this Roswell community event has grown from a small gathering on Canton St. to a city wide celebration once per month all during the spring, summer and fall. Canton St. is closed to traffic and drinking laws relaxed to allow folks to stroll the streets and enjoy food, music and exhibits by local businesses and non-profits.
Blessings in a Backpack
Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry. $100 feeds one child on the weekends for one 38-week school year through the Blessings in a Backpack program. Poor nutrition can result in a weaker immune system, increased hospitalization, lower IQ, shorter attention spans, and lower academic achievement. Children are fed during the school week by federal government programs, but Blessings in a Backpack wants to make sure they’re getting nutritional meals over the weekend, too. Roswell Rotary presented a check for $2500 to feed 25 kids on the weekend for an entire school year.
Chattahoochee Nature Center
The Chattahoochee Nature Center fosters an active awareness and understanding of the ecology of the natural world through interactive, hands-on learning experiences for children of all ages. Additionally, it provides a local place for adult learning experiences, volunteerism, and outdoor family activities that strengthens the environmental stewardship commitment within the community. Roswell Rotary has been an active supporter of the Nature Center with five of its members serving on the Board of Trustees. Additionally, Roswell Rotarians partner with the Nature Center during the Rivers Alive Cleanup on the Chattahoochee River. We presented the Nature Center a check for $5000 to support their learning and environmental programs for local public schools and summer camp for under priviledged children.
Child Development Association
The Child Development Association (CDA) provides affordable early learning programs and childcare for preschool children in the greater Roswell area. The CDA prepares children for success in education and life. And, their childcare services enable hardworking parents to maintain full-time employment to support their families. Roswell Rotary has been a long time supporter of CDA with a number of our members serving on the Board of Directors. Many Roswell Rotarians support their annual fundraiser serving as bartenders, cleanup crew, and other activities. Roswell Rotary presented the CDA this year with a check for $15,000.
Children's Healthcare Parade - Briefcase Brigade!
Each year, Roswell Rotarians participate in this sketch that has become one of the most popular acts in the parade. Dressed in business suits and dancing to a popular song of the year, we enjoy TV coverage and lots of squealing kids.
This parade is a huge fundraiser for Children's Healthcare.
Christmas Toy Drive
Rotarians supported by our Interact Clubs provided for and/or solicited donations of new toys to be distributed to children of needy families in the greater Roswell Community. More than 350 toys were collected, purchased, and delivered to North Fulton Community charities for distribution to children of all ages
District Coach
At the request of the District Governor Elect, a Roswell Rotary PP was asked to help 12 other clubs in the District with their Club Assessment and establishment of goals for the 20127-2018 Rotary year. Extensive documentation was provided to all clubs regarding approaches to strategic planning, examples of service projects, an outline for performing a community assessment, and coaching on how to utilize 6900.org to input their information. Clubs that were involved: Alpharetta, Columbus, LaGrange, North Fulton, Atlanta Airport, South Cobb, Paulding County, South DeKalb, Atlanta, Marietta, Griffin, and Milton-Windward.
Don & Barbara Thomas Peace Awards
Don and Barbara Thomas were always strong supporters of the Georgia Rotary Student Program.Through the years they helped entertain Roswell Rotary Club’s GRSP students.Barbara and Don were Will Watt Fellows, Hue Thomas Fellows and Kendall-Weisiger Fellows.
Drake House
The Drake House provides short-term crisis housing, education and empowerment programs for homeless single mothers and their children, designed to provide stability for the children and assist the family in working toward self-sufficiency. The Drake House provides fully furnished private apartment homes to families. Each apartment has a complete kitchen, furnishings, computer with internet access. All housing costs including utilities, insurance, and maintenance are provided for families during their stay. The apartments are inspected each week to ensure compliance to the program. All family members attend mandatory weekly life skills classes at The Drake Center. Life skills classes for the mothers address: budgeting/ financial literacy, parenting, health and wellness, boundary setting, organizational skills, and relationship skills. Volunteers provide dinner and care of preschool aged children. Tutors assist elementary and middle school students with homework. Middle and high school students participate in Junior Achievement Courses led by volunteers. Roswell Rotary presented a check in the amount of $5000 to support housing costs for a family.
Dream Field Days of Service
Not only did the club build the Rotary Dream Field so those with special needs would have a place to play, we also volunteer our time. During a "season" of play, volunteers from our club will buddy up with a player to help them get in the game and have a good time.
Enable
Enable nonprofit agency was founded in1979 by a group of concerned parents seeking a place in their community that could provide a nurturing home and quality support services for their adult children with developmental disabilities. Enable offers residential services within group homes located in typical neighborhoods. These homes consist of no more than five people living together who have similar interests and/or support needs. Trained professionals provide 24-hour support to coach and mentor in all areas of daily living activities such as personal grooming and outward appearance; health and safety; communication and socialization; and home management skills such as meal preparation. Individuals also receive staff supervision and transportation services so that they have regular access to the life of their community and take part in social inclusion opportunities. This may include maintaining employment, attending religious services, taking a class, volunteering, participating in civic-sponsored events and dining out. Several Roswell Rotarians are members of the Board and assist with Enable fundraising efforts. Roswell Rotary presented a check for $5000 for maintenance and repairs for one of the houses where 5 adult children with Downs reside.
EveryWomanWorks
Every Woman Works is a non-threatening, supportive environment where women who are homeless, recovering from alcohol and drug dependency, in transition from the penal system, recovering from domestic violence, or living in poverty will have an opportunity to develop solid, transferable work skills, to strengthen their sense of self-confidence and to obtain financial independence. Since opening its doors in early 2004, Every Woman Works, with community support, has served over 1,000 women and 3,600 children. Roswell Rotary presented a check in the amount of $5,000 to support the efforts in giving homeless women an opportunity to improve their quality of life. RRC members also supported Every Woman Work's annual fundraiser Dancing with the Stars with an entry of one of our members and a Rotoract member.
Firefighter Oyster Bake
Past presidents Don Howard and Trummie Patrick sponsored the annual oyster bake to honor retired fire fighters.
Foster Care Support
Foster Care Support serves a vital and growing need throughout Roswell by providing free clothing, infant equipment and developmental toys to thousands of children in foster and relative care.They serve basic-care (costs reimbursed less than $25 per day) foster children residing in foster homes in the greater Roswell area, administered by the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) and children housed by private agencies. They also serve grandparents raising grandchildren and parents caring for relative's children for a limited time. Roswell Rotary presented them a check for $5000 to provide for goods currently in short supply and for improvement of their distributions facility on Mansell Rd. in Roswell.
Friends of Bulloch
Roswell Rotary believes it is also our responsibility to support historic preservation in the city of Roswell. RRC members have supported the Friends of Bulloch to help raise funds to renovate and update Bulloch Hall, the home of Mittie Bulloch, mother of Theodore Roosevelt. Funds we have provided over the years have helped to re-construct the slave quarters and provide for maintenance of the house. Several Roswell Rotarians have served on the Board of Trustees and have helped with their annual fundraiser, The Magnolia Ball. This year we presented a check in the amount of $2500 to help with the construction of a gazebo to showcase the pond that is on site. Bulloch Hall provides a learning experience through exhibits, lectures, and storytelling to educate the community on this historic residence.
Georgia Ensemble Theater
Roswell Rotary Club takes great pride in supporting the arts in our community. Providing entertainment locally in the community is essential for a vibrant place to live, work, and play. Several of our members participate on the Board of Trustees for the Georgia Ensemble Theater (GET). RRC provides funding that keeps local theater alive and sustainable. The theater provides educational programs like "And Then They Came For Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank". This powerful drama uses video interviews and live performance to tell the stories of Eva Schloss and Ed Silverberg, both childhood friends of Anne Frank, and both survivors of the Holocaust. Designed to help young audiences engage with history on a personal level, this play impacts everyone who sees it. A moving, important story for everyone. This year Roswell Rotary provided a grant of $5,000 to GET to support outreach programming for children and families.
GRSP Weekend
Roswell Rotary partnered with Alpharetta Rotary to help host our GRSP students for a fun weekend in Atlanta. We had a great pot luck dinner and bone fire to kick off the weekend. On Friday night the students stayed at local club members homes, followed by a day in downtown Atlanta touring the sites. On Saturday night the students stayed together at the YMCA with a few volunteer chaperones.
Habitat For Seniors
Habitat in Roswell has turned from building new homes to helping seniors who can not take care of their home themselves do some general up keep. For this project we replaced damaged siding, painted the house and cleaned up the landscaping.
Homestretch
HomeStretch is more than a charity check for Roswell Rotary. We follow our dollars with our time and talents.
This year, several RRC members stepped up to be mentors for HomeStretch clients (usually single women with kids struggling to re-enter the job market). There are two types of mentors. One that helps with financial budgeting and the other with life skills like how to shop and stretch a dollar.
Hope Roswell
Hope Roswell is a network of churches led by pastors and church leaders with the primary goal to bring about transformation and the hope of Christ throughout the city of Roswell through unified acts of prayer, service, compassion, and love. Hope Roswell is a network of churches from a wide variety of denominations, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, working together to serve the community through Word & Deed ministry. Hope Roswell is unique because it is one of few church mobilizing networks in the United States that is completely church led. Currently, there are 11 churches providing leadership to the Hope Roswell effort. Roswell Rotary made a donation of $5,000 to purchase new shoes and early reader books for needy families. Two of the local volunteers in this group (pictured below) are Roswell Rotarians.
Hurricane Matthew Relief Support
During the month of October, 2016, hurricane Matthew struck with force and devastation in Nassau, Bahamas. Matthew hit the island with 140 mph winds and even higher gusts. The storm was rated as a Category 4 tearing off roofs, toppling trees and power lines, flooding homes and marooning thousands of residents and tourists in Nassau. Roswell Rotary jumped in to support the relief efforts with a donation of $1,000.
Huskies Helping Huskies
With monthly meeting recognition for Teacher and Student of the year, to the annual Youth Day Parade, to supporting 12 Interact Clubs, to Be The Voice Anti-Bullying and many other programs, Roswell Rotary Club members spend thousands of hours supporting various local schools in the Roswell area. This year we are supporting a new non-profit formed at a local middle school, Crabapple Middle School. Roswell Rotary donated $1,000 to help Crabapple provide students in need with daily snacks, weekly food supplements, clothing, and hygienic supplies.
International Conference - Atlanta
Several members of our club have been a part of the International Convention Host Committee. Elwyn Gaissert is in charge of the House of Friendship, Jeanette Prince is lending her event/logistics experience to the convention and Gordon Owens is marketing the events on social media to help fill up the empty slots.
Jacobs Ladder
Jacob's Ladder is an SAIS-SACS accredited, SB-10 approved private school, serving students Pre-K through twelfth grade with any kind of neurological disorder - from Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and Brain Injury to a range of learning disabilities and genetic disorders including autism. The school also offers adult services for stroke patients.
Legislative Update
When you have a State Senator and a member of the state House of Representatives in in your club, why wouldn't you!
Just before the lawmakers head off under the Gold Dome, we invite them to give a non-political overview of what is before them in terms of hot-button issues.
Lionheart School
Lionheart is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, founded in the year 2000. Lionheart was created by professionals and families for children aged 5-21 who needed a developmentally appropriate education in a specialized learning environment with therapeutic interventions, supported social interactions and strategies to accommodate for individual profiles. The goal was to create a new type of learning environment – one which combines the area’s finest Special Education teachers, Speech, Occupational, Music and Art professionals with concerned and active parents. The Lionheart School’s methods have become a national prototype for the education of children with autism and other challenges of relating and communicating. While many schools for children on the autism spectrum focus on rote learning and compliance, the Lionheart School emphasizes relationships, abstract critical thinking, problem solving, and social cognition. By focusing on each child’s individual differences, and maintaining the highest possible staff-to-student ratio, the Lionheart School crafts a program suited to each student’s individual profile. This results in a nurturing and supportive environment, directly addressing the child’s emotional, social and intellectual development. Supporting the Lionheart School in neighboring Alpharetta extends Roswell Rotary's reach into adjacent communities. This year Roswell Rotary donated $2,500 providing supplies for programs and scholarships for families with hardships, helping autistic students to succeed.
Louisiana Flooding
During last August, Livingston Parish, Louisiana and Baton Rouge suffered another catastrophic flood described as the worst natural disaster to strike the United States since Hurricane Sandy four years ago. Thousands of people lost everything they owned and the Red Cross was rushed in to help those families displaced from their homes. Roswell Rotary donated $1,000 joining other clubs in the District to help with financial support for the ongoing relief efforts.
NFCC Coat Drive
Provide gently used coats to the needy in the greater Roswell Community. North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) provides food, clothing, and other services to the homeless, jobless, and those families and individuals living below the poverty level. Rotarians initiated a coat drive to collect gently used coats to support the efforts of the NFCC. Approximately 50 coats were donated by Rotarians and distributed to NFCC on or around Dec.1st. 2 Roswell Rotarians collected and delivered the coats to NFCC. Close to 20 hours was spent on this project.
North Fulton Community Charities
North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) is a leader in North Fulton offering assistance to over 4,200 families. Annually, food is distributed over 23,000 times, over 1,300 families utilize clothing vouchers, and $1.2 million dollars is expended for direct aid to individuals and families in need of financial assistance. The NFCC Education Center offers an array of classes and opportunities to help 1,200 adults move toward financial stability and self-sufficiency by offering free classes and workshops in money management, job readiness, health and wellness, and life skills training. On-site Child care is provided at no cost to participants for some classes. NFCC provides direct aid for rent, utilities, medical, transportation and other basic needs on an emergency basis and distributes non-perishable and donated food along with recovered bread, bakery, produce and other fresh or frozen items. Roswell Rotarians attended the NFCC fundraiser, Forks and Corks, and provided a donation of $15,000 to assist in providing needed services for education and financial aid,
North Fulton RC Convention Host Hospitality Night
North
Fulton Convention Dinner is planned for the night of June 12th. Wills
Park is the location for an outdoor cookout theme. Karen Schwank
represents Roswell Rotary sharing her experience in running awesome Roswell
Rotary events with all North Fulton Rotary clubs. This is a great
collaboration and many friendships have formed between North Fulton area clubs.
North Metro Miracle League
The North Metro Miracle League (NMML) provides inclusive adapted sports and social activities for children and adults of all abilities. NMML is committed to the philosophy that every person deserves to be acknowledged, valued and included. NMML has been providing adapted sports programs and inclusive social activities for disabled children, teens and adults living in the North Fulton area since 2002. While baseball is still their signature piece, they also offer bowling, swimming, after school fitness clinics, summer day camps, parent’s night out respite care and Family Camping Retreats Vocational Rehab Training. Roswell Rotarians have participated in the NMML golf fundraiser for the last 4 years and this year we donated $3,000 to help continue their mission to support the physically challenged.
Old Soldiers Day
Purpose: To honor Veterans of all wars
Objectives:
To complete the annual Old Soldiers Day Parade
To enter a truck or float in the parade to raise awareness of Roswell Rotary's commitment to our veterans
To promote the children's activities, entertainment, free candy for the kids attending and free hot dogs and drinks after parade raising Rotary's awareness in the community
Past President's Dinner
Each year, our club tries to recognize and honor the many members that have served in the role of club president. At Roswell Rotary, we believe part of our secret sauce is the long chain of leadership that each served the roles of Treasurer, Secretary and President-Elect before becoming President of the club. When called to the front of the room, it is an impressive display across the gym of Past Presidents that continue to serve our club in many ways.
Penny Auction Project for Seniors
This is an ongoing project of Roswell Rotary that we do for residents of Roswell Nursing & Rehab. called the "Penny Auction".
This activity is held on the third Thursday of each month at 2pm, directly after regular Rotary meeting. This is a program that the residents really enjoy and was no longer being provided by the previous sponsor. The residents are provided 25 pennies each to bid on items provided by us. These items are typically from the Dollar Store and go for 1 to 25 cents. The attendance is typically 30 to 40 residents. We would provide 30 to 40 items each month. The list of items needed is provided to the club members as needed.
Positively Roswell
This is a new initiative between a large number of Rotarians and the City of Roswell.
Regretfully, the tone of political discourse that permeates our national politics has tried to make its way down to local city politics. A group of civic minded Rotarians partnered with other concerned citizens to create a grass roots organization that is not affiliated with any political party or candidate. Its mission is simply to educate voters so that instead of our local officials being elected by a handful of activists, we can see broad community support for the candidates that will decide the future of Roswell.
Preserve Planet Earth
Roswell Rotarians and family members participated in the 27th Annual Rivers Alive Cleanup on the Chattahoochee River. Rotarians in waders fording the river and in canoes and kayaks floating on the river collected over 800 pounds of trash and debris. Others walked both sides of the river banks and picked up discarded cans, bottles, paper products, and other articles that were washed inward from the fast-paced river flow. All trash collected was loaded into a truck and transported to a recycling area. Rotarians got together afterwards for hamburgers, hotdogs, and beer to talk about the adventure and enjoy some fellowship. The Chattahoochee River provides 70% of the drinking water for the greater Atlanta area. It is therefore paramount that we keep the river as clean as possible and to protect the wild life habitat. Hence, there are literally thousands of people that benefit from this effort. We list only 100 beneficiaries at right to complete the project; as the actual number is impossible to know, but far greater than shown.
Relay For Life
Cancer has touched every member of our club and we are proud to support this local event to raise funds for cancer research. Two of our members will participate in organizing the relay in Roswell and gather support from additional volunteers as the event gets closer. Our club donates $1000 annually to worthy cause.
Roswell High School Career Day
On November 18, 2016, more than 10 Roswell Rotarians presented information about their careers to all of the World History classes (comprised of about 700 Sophomores) at Roswell High School. Each Roswell Rotarian shared information about his or her career, including educational requirements, future opportunities and compensation information. The students were given an opportunity to ask questions and make contact with local professionals.
Roswell High School Construction Program
More than fifteen Roswell Rotarians actively work with the RHS Construction program by serving on the Advisory Board, fundraising and mentoring students. Ken Briggs teaches classes on HVAC, Dave Schmit and Mike Hampton provide construction sites for site visits, Becky Stone organizes resume reviews and interview skills training and more than 10 Roswell Rotarians serve on the Advisory Counsel.
Roswell Library
Roswell Rotary is highly supportive of improving literacy, not only in the greater Roswell area but also through our International project, Lunches for Learning in Honduras. In addition, Roswell Rotary makes a donation to the Friends of Roswell Library 501c3 to support various programs to promote reading skills. This year RRC donated $750 to assist the library's latest program to bring a city-wide reading event into Roswell.
Roswell Nursing Pageant for Seniors
On March 16th we will be sponsoring, for the second year, a Roswell Nursing resident in their annual Pageant . Roswell Rotarian and Roswell City Councilman Nancy Diamond will be the emcee again this year. We purchase a dress and shoes for the contestant and go over the day of the event to "fluff" her up with makeup, etc. and cheer her on. Then we crown the "Magnolia Queen"!
Safe Harbor
Our club's own, Dave McCleary is at the tip of the spear when it comes to fighting human trafficking and supporting it's victims. At a club meeting and at several events Roswell Rotarians volunteered to educate the public of the Safe Harbor bill.
Safe Harbor
Senior Services North Fulton
Senior Services North Fulton (SSNF) provide Meals on Wheels to older adults who have difficulty grocery shopping or preparing meals for themselves. Volunteers deliver nutritious meals to seniors Monday through Friday, with Friday's delivery including re-heatable meals who need them on weekends. SSNF Care Managers conduct home visits with seniors to evaluate their needs and determine appropriate services. The goal is to help older adults live as independently as possible, providing services like Personal Care Assistance, Homemaker Services and Respite Care. Senior Services North Fulton also operates senior centers in Alpharetta, Milton, Roswell, and Sandy Springs, providing a home away from home for hundreds of citizens each week. At these very popular facilities, seniors find companionship and an opportunity to take part in activities that range from art and photography to chess and physical exercise classes. Roswell Rotary ahs a long standing support for providing services to seniors. Our Fall Prevention Program has been presented to thousands of seniors in the greater Roswell area. This year Roswell Rotary donated $10,000 to Senior Services North Fulton to assist in continuing their programs.
Seniors - Fall Prevention Bingo
In partnership with Senior Services North Fulton, Roswell Rotary Club members hosted a fall prevention bingo at Crabapple Senior Center. Fall prevention bingo is a great way to help seniors learn how to avoid falling while having a great time playing bingo.
Shopping With A Hero
Shopping with a hero event to support children in need at Crabapple Middle School was a big success. Thanks to our Rotarian heroes and volunteers that helped make it happen.
Stand Up for Kids
Stand Up for Kids is an organization that focuses on identifying homeless kids who need support and motivation to stay in high school until they graduate. To stay in the program, students have to attend school regularly, maintain a C average, and meet with mentors for guidance, counseling, motivation, and moral support. Roswell Rotarians provide mentorship for this program at Roswell High School, Centennial High School, and Independence High School. Mentors meet with their student twice a month for a one hour lunch at their respective High Schools for the entire school year. At the end of the year, each student's accomplishment is recognized with a celebration party and various awards. Roswell Rotary financially supported the program with a $5000 grant from the proceeds of our annual fundraiser.
STAR House Gala
StarHouse Foundation is a non-profit organization in Roswell that makes a difference in young lives by providing an after school tutoring and mentoring program for at-risk children. These children are at risk for reasons such as dropping out of school due to academic troubles, disengagement, pressure from peers, family stresses, language barriers, and inability to access necessary resources. StarHouse provides a safe place where students can connect to peers in the presence of adult teachers and mentors. In addition to providing a grant of $10,000 with the proceeds from our golf and tennis tournament, Roswell Rotarians volunteer as mentors to assist with homework, school projects, test preparation, and good study habits. Several Roswell Rotarians are active participants on the StarHouse Board of Directors. In addition, this year, Roswell Rotarians also supported the StarHouse Annual Fundraiser with 20 of our members attending a gala affair honoring Roswell Rotary's long time member, Malone Dodson. The gala affair was attended by 200 people comprised of civic and business leaders in the greater Roswell and Alpharetta area. The event was also attended by several Alpharetta Rotarians as well as Assistant Governor Jim Squire. The event was well publicized in local papers and social media. Additionally, because Malone Dodson was pastor of the largest Church in the Roswell area, his reach beyond Rotary gave Roswell Rotary added exposure and notoriety.
Tennessee Fires
This past November, Eastern Tennessee experienced the worst wildfire disasters in over a century. In all, 12 people died, more than 80 people were injured, and over 1000 buildings were either damaged or destroyed. The raging fire forced more than 14,000 fleeing from the resort towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge alone. Roswell Rotary donated $1,000 for support of relief efforts.
The MeMaw Store Project
Roswell Rotary collects items for the "MeMaws" Store. MeMaws Store is located in the activities
director's office in a small corner. Residents are able to purchase items there
with their Bingo winnings, etc. No one item is more that $3.00. This was
started by a former resident's family when MeMaw passed away and her items were
donated to the store.
Tom Zachery Scholarships
Roswell Rotary awards four deserving Roswell High School students a scholarship in the amount of $1500 in honor of our former member, Tom Zachary. Applications are reviewed by a committee and four students are selected. Special credit is given to students that have significantly participated in RHS Interact during high school.
Tornado Relief Efforts
This past year, communities in South Georgia were hit twice by tornadoes resulting in devastating effects involving loss of life and mass destruction of housing. Roswell Rotary Club joined other clubs in District 6900 by providing financial relief to help those who were rendered homeless due to the storms.
West Virginia Flooding
In late June of last year, floods severely damaged or destroyed more than 1,200 homes in Roane, Kanawaha, and Greebrier counties in West Virginia. In early July, Roswell Rotary stepped forward to help the thousands of people who became homeless as a result of the floods that devastated the area by providing a cash donation of $1,000 to help with the relief efforts.
World Polio Day
We are this close! You've seen the posters and the bill boards. But after a group of Roswell Rotarians participated in World Polio Day at the CDC in Atlanta, you have to believe its true.
The presentation was literally streamed from sources around the world, but hosted by the CDC in Atlanta. Rotary President John Germ was in the house and all the Rotary Clubs from around the world got an update on the progress and the remaining hurdles to ending this disease and wiping it from the face of the earth.
Wreathes Across America
This community project was brought to our club by Congresswoman Betty Price and RRC was glad to respond.
At Christmas, this local chapter of the nationwide effort, seeks to place a memorial wreath at the burial site of our Veterans. In Roswell, this was done at our old Historic Cemetery.
19th Annual Interfaith Prayer Breakfast
This is always a special event sponsored by the Rotary Club of Atlanta. But Roswell Rotary always sends a contingent to this event where business leaders from across Atlanta come together in a day of prayer that includes all the prominent religions.
Christmas Party
This is our biggest party of the year and best attended. This year, we filled up Roswell Country Club with a grand party to celebrate the season and bring all of our Rotary members and families together.
In addition to the band, our own GRSP student, Jad Tabet, joined in on guitar.
Club Farm Party at Gary Garretts
The reason RRC does so much good in the community and in the world is because we are truly a family of members pulling in the same direction. Part of the secret sauce is making it fun to be a Roswell Rotarian.
Gary Garrett's Farm Party has become an annual tradition of the club. We setup the Dave McCleary sound truck to listen to tunes and watch the games. Before the beer flows, we bring out the shotguns to kill clay pigeons. Burgers and dogs come off the grill and everybody pitches in to bring lots of tasty side dishes. Some get a little crazy! Debbie Does Canton!
Community Night @ Gate City
Roswell Rotarian and founder of Gate City Brewing, Pat Rains hosted the first ever community night at the brewery. Our GRSP student and his host family brother provided the rock n roll while we enjoyed some of the best beer in Atlanta. Another example of why Roswell Rotary Rocks!
Couch to 5K
This is a new event that will occur on June 3rd, 2017. It is the first of its kind for our club and designed to promote health within our membership.
For two months prior to the event, our member, Stacy Sims, will be leading a group of couch potatoes (other members) in training walk/run days to prepare for our fun run 5k event on June 3rd.
Family of Rotary
Roswell Rotary cares for its members and their families in a very personal way by extending care and support for its members and their families in times of illness and bereavement. We send get well or bereavement cards to members and family and inform our membership of visitation and funeral arrangements. We identify members or family who are ill and need assistance with meals, transportation or other support. We communicate the status of our members to the club. This service to our members and their families is a vital part of Roswell Rotary.
Fort Benning Trip to Ranger Graduation
In an effort to build appreciation for our men and women serving in the armed forces, the Roswell Rotary Club put together a day long field trip to Ft. Benning near Columbus Georgia for the day. We were graciously hosted by the base and treated to demonstrations by the Army Rangers. We visited the facility where tanks from all previous wars are being restored and preserved. And ended the day with time spent at the Military Museum.
Fourth of July
Purpose: The Fourth of July Committee partners with the City of Roswell to sponsor and plan the celebration held at Roswell High School.
Objectives:
Reserve a location in the Roswell HS parking lot for the Rotary tent so that Rotarians have a place to enjoy the fireworks.
Hump Day Pub Night
Hump Day Pub Night was initiated last year during Past President Jim Coyle's term in office. President Jeff McCoy continued the tradition through the current Rotary year. The Hump Day events provide another way to increase fellowship amongst club members and provide for a different venue to retain/attract younger members. Hump Day occurs monthly and meets at various pub style restaurants where members can enjoy a social atmosphere, bring family and friends, and stay for dinner if desired.
Installation Party
It is a proud tradition of the Roswell Rotary club to pre-game the new Rotary year with a blow-out party in late June designed to inaugurate the new leadership that will lead the club through the upcoming year.
This Installation Party for the current year was held at the Historic Roswell Cottage where the band was "rockin"!. Lots of food and drink flowed as we introduced the new team, visited with the Governor and danced long into the night.
Military Trip - Nuclear Sub
Roswell Rotary has a tradition of providing our members with educational and motivational trips to visit with various branches of our military. This trip was to St. Mary's GA to learn about our nuclear sub-marine program.
Our group got to witness training exercises like how to perform emergency repairs to a busted pipe. They can simulate up to 13 simultaneous leaks!
New Member Socials
Twice a year, we have a formal party for just the new members (within the last year) and the board members. It is a chance to welcome them and introduce them to the leadership.
More importantly, we discuss ways to get engaged with the club.
Roswell High School Family Football Night
Roswell Rotary holds a family night at a Roswell High School football game each year. This year over 40 Rotarians and their families attended dinner before the game provided by Slope's barbeque. Then, we watched Roswell win its final regular season game!
A/V Team & Upgrades
Every week several volunteers arrive early and stay late to make sure all of microphones are setup and any presentations are loaded on our club's laptop. In addition to the weekly service we made additional upgrades to the system's WiFi for better connection during streaming content.
Anniversary Cards
Each year we customize an anniversary card to match the district and RI themes to honor our members anniversary dates.
Banner Care
Every week we put hundreds of banners from visiting club members or clubs our members have been to. We also have banners for club of the year, club of the district, $1,000,000 club, 100% Paul Harris and many more.
District Conference Cruise
All Aboard! Roswell Rotary will have the parrot shirts ready to board the Majesty of the Seas on April 21st for the District Conference.
We will likely bring the largest contingent of members and significant others to help make it a celebration of DG Raymonds year and our own club accomplishments.
District Governor Visit
When the District Governor visits, it is a chance for Roswell Rotary to show off our planning and goals for the year as we "Dare to be Better".
It was our great pleasure to welcome DG Raymond Ray and his lovely wife Edie for a dinner at Houck's and a day of showing off Roswell and our club.
District Newsletter
Roswell Rotary is a "happening" club. And it is the mission of the District Newsletter to provide the entire district 6900 with an update on what is happening throughout the district.
We are proud of the projects and services done each month at Roswell Rotary. And we hope others take inspiration from the intense level of energy and passion exhibited by our club.
District Training
- Various members of our board and club attended the training webinars throughout the year.
- We have several future leaders attending RLI in Sandy Springs on May 20th.
- Our 2017-18 board members will participate in District Assembly on March 18th.
Estate Planning - Benefactor and Bequest Society Project
Roswell Rotary assists members in providing an estate gift to the Rotary Foundation by providing education regarding their estate planning options. Roswell Rotarian Jeff Scroggins leads a team to legally document Roswell Rotarians becoming Benefactors and/or Bequest Society members.
Intentional Membership
Over the past three years, Roswell Rotary has continued to assess how we recruit, engage, and attract the right balance of membership in our club. During the Strategic Planning process we identified the need to broaden our base of qualified members by seeking specific members to provide a better representation of our community. Rather than accept all comers, RRC now actively pursues civic and business leaders that can further strengthen our club with skills and contacts in the community that are unrepresented or lacking in our club. We have further tightened up the process of vetting potential new members to ensure that they have the same passion for "Service Above Self" This has slowed down our normal influx of new members this year but has paid off with highly qualified members who drink the Kool Aid. As a result, our retention rate this year is at 100% as of this writing. Furthermore, through this effort; this year, we have been able to increase our Fundraising dollars which allowed us not only to distribute $200,000 to local charities and fund our 8th Honor Air trip to Washington DC for Veterans; but also, to provide a chartered flight to the 911 Memorial in New York City to honor 40 First Responders from the greater Roswell area.
North Fulton Rotary Council
Roswell Rotary is a proud member of the collection of clubs known as the North Fulton Rotary Council. As a group, we are able to address common needs in our area, pass along information to each other about projects or events and share ideas between club leaders.
Online Directory
With a ton of help from incoming District Governor Alec Smythe, a group of Roswell Rotarians has developed an on-line way to access all members and export a file that can be loaded into your phone, Outlook or other contact management engine. So while a printed directory is nice, it is even nicer that we can now update our member contact info any time during the year.
Paul Harris Matching Funds Initiative
Roswell Rotary is a club blessed with a strong Foundation. That Foundation exists as a 501c3 organization and is the charity arm of our club. And while its primary purpose is in support of the 30+ local charities and our club projects around the world, we also carve off a piece of the Foundation pie to insure that it grows and remains strong.
Recognition Boards Projects
For years, Roswell Rotary has proudly displayed our long registry of Paul Harris Fellows and Will Watt Fellows so that members and guests can be inspired by the patronage of other members.
However, as our club has grown, the method of buying heavy wooden plaques and screwing brass name plates into them is too much to setup and to store.
Red Badge Program
The Red Badge Program at Roswell Rotary is an important tool in helping our new members learn about Rotary and our Club, meet other members, explore the opportunities of Rotary, and become engaged. New members start with a red badge. The red badge helps identify new members, so that existing members can introduce themselves and welcome these new members. There are ten actions required to receive a blue badge, including completing his or her profile information in the database, lead the Club in the 4-Way Test, participate in a major Club project and perfect attendance in a single month. Completing the ten actions quickly has become a competition and really integrates new members into the Club.
Roswell Rotary Directory
Roswell Rotary has upped our game this year with a member directory that serves our members as an invaluable resource throughout the year. It contains:
- Critical Club Information
- Award Recipients
- RI and District Info
- How to serve and all committee info
Roswell Rotary Photography
The Roswell Rotary photographers capture the fun, service and engagement of the members of Roswell Rotary at every meeting and every event throughout the Rotary year! These photos are used by our Public Image, Website and Scrapbook committees for media releases and postings.
Rotascope
Our weekly newsletter moved from a PDF to an interactive email several years ago. We opened up the newsletter to the public so friends, family, press and more can subscribe and keep up with all things RRC. We have 423 subscribers, not bad for a club of 246.
RRC in the News
Our club is frequently in multiple publications each month for charities we support, service projects completed or for our signature events to honor those that serve our community and our country. Attached are just a few example of articles in local papers this year.
RRC Social Media
We have a small group of admins for our club's Facebook page but they keep us very active. We generally make post 2-3 times a week with updates from meetings, announcements of upcoming events and showing off our good works. On average our posts are seen by 5-600 people which means they reach far beyond our membership. Our best posts are associated with featured projects like our Honor Air trip. That post was seen by 84,000 people because local media, radio and TV stations shared the post with their audiences. We gave that same post a boost this year to help us find veterans for our next trip. The boosted post was seen by 18,000 people and are next flight is now full. Our audience continues to grow. With over 1,100 fans, our social media exposure is well beyond the membership of our club.
RRC Website
While we have one member that maintains our website. Several members support the effort by providing updated content for recurring projects and events.
Our site has almost 11,000 views in this Rotary year so far. Some of the popular pages are informational pages about upcoming community events and service projects. We also get contact on our site by prospective members.
Service Above Self Awards Program
The highest honor you can achieve at Roswell Rotary is being recognized for a lifetime of service to the club. It is called the Elwyn Gaissert Sr. "Service Above Self" award and only one is given per year. More importantly, the new recipient of the award is selected by the group most qualified to make such a selection; that being the previous award winners that best know what it means to give the highest level of service to the club.
Strategic Planning
Roswell Rotary developed its 5 year Strategic Plan during the 2013-2014 Rotary year. Each year the current Board of Directors reviews the plan to check progress and update the plan where appropriate to reflect changes in our structure, our community, and to assess any new threats or opportunities. This past year we have made progress in several areas and revised our plan to incorporate new goals to increase our impact in the community. The following is a brief overview and update of areas of focus that were identified in the Strategic Plan ( See RRC Highlighted Strategy Updates in attachment below). Youth Services has taken another giant step forward with our Be The Voice campaign to reduce bullying in our local schools. This program has expanded this year to several more local Rotary Clubs. Our Brand image continued to garner community attention through our weekly programs of honoring Veterans and First Responders in the greater Roswell area. Our Global grant was finally completed after nearly three years of work to provide clean water to areas of rural Honduras. Our new member process refined over the last three years has shown great results this year with a current retention rate of 100%!!
The Endowment Project
For years, Roswell Rotary has steadily grown the balance in our Foundation account. This is the charity arm of the club and it funds most of our support for local charities.
Our big golf tournament is the biggest source of income to the Roswell Rotary Foundation. But over the years, that has been augmented by many donations and bequests by members.
Weekly Raffle
At every meeting you have an opportunity to gamble by buying a raffle ticket. Two winners are drawn each week and if they pick the winning card then they win the pot. Frequently the pot grows to over $1500.
The proceeds from the Raffle are designated to one or two of our projects. This year the money went to our Honor Air flight and our GRSP program. The raffle is a great way to keep members engaged throughout our meetings and raise a few extra dollars for charity. Many of the winners give their reward to the RI Foundation.
Adopt-a-Mile February
Alpharetta Rotary Road Warriors spend a Saturday Morning keeping the streets of Alpharetta Clean.
Alpharetta Rotary Packs the Room for Membership Month
As part of membership month, Alpharetta Rotary had each member invite an individual that they believe would make a good Alpharetta Rotarian a guest of the Club for the entire month of August. We packed the room during each meetings and it helped introduce community and business leaders to the ideals of Rotary. The campaign helped us continue grow with quality members.
Fall New Member Social
Alpharetta Rotary is an exciting club and has experienced a lot of growth over the past few years. In an effort to keep our small club feel, we have made a special effort to make sure our newer members feel welcomed.
Our Fall New Member Social was a time for the newer members to get to know some of the board members and committee leaders to share our different passions for service