Ted Blum, chair of the Anti-human Trafficking Task Force of the Rotary Club of Atlanta, addressed the club on the results of its two-year program to work with Atlanta’s top corporations to end human trafficking in the city. “We saw our role as coordinating, encouraging and assisting the companies in learning from each other and either establishing or expanding their efforts to end human trafficking,” Blum said.

While several clubs have worked with government entities and have their own approaches to solid programs, the Atlanta club focused on CEOs, where the club has its unique influence. Blum joined with Delta CEO Ed Bastian two years ago to host a breakfast of the CEOs of the top companies in Atlanta, and at the breakfast, the CEOs pledged to make ending human trafficking a top priority of their companies. More than 50 companies representing thousands of employees met at a series of club hosted seminars where the companies learned from each other and addressed best practices. All of the major companies in Atlanta participated, including Delta, The Coca-Cola Company, Home Depot, IHG, Georgia-Pacific, UPS, Chick-fil-A and others.

Dave McCleary of Roswell, who is the Rotary International Chair of its Action Group to End Slavery was honored by Atlanta with its Service Above Self Award, and regular programs and updates took place at club meetings. Former U.S. Attorney General Sally Yates was catalyst to the Atlanta club’s efforts when she spoke to the club and encouraged it to get involved. After he program, the club gathered and establish a new and larger facility for Covenant House. That opened the door and was followed by a presentation from the CEO of National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Once the task force was formed two years ago and Blum selected as chair, the decision was made to focus on the corporate community, where the club has its greatest involvement and influence. You can read the report delivered to the club.

Ted is pictured with: 1) Dan Cathy, CEO of Chick-fil-A,  2) Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, and 3) Past Atlanta Rotary President Clark Dean and Christian Fisher, CEO of Georgia Pacific.