Fellow Rotarians, I have begun my exciting journey to meet with all of the clubs in our district!

My first visit was to one of our newest clubs, the Rotary Club of North Atlanta Professional Alliance (NAPA). They are an evening club, so I met with the officers and Board members for dinner on Wednesday; then met with the entire club the next evening. I thoroughly enjoyed being with them. Their enthusiasm and commitment to the ideals of Rotary came through loud and clear.

This club was chartered March 23, 2026, with 16 members and it has already added 23 new members. They are intentional on the people they are recruiting -- “young” entrepreneurs or mid-career professionals with a heart for service and an interest in development and networking.

With a serious focus on ensuring that members get to know each other quickly and are engaged, they began this meeting with a speed networking exercise, partnering in twos and answering questions from a deck of cards. They were given a timeframe for both partners to answer the questions, then they had to move to participate in another two-person grouping.

They have also adopted a concept called Troika to engage members outside of the meeting. The troika is a cultural icon in Russia, comparable to matryoshka dolls or balalaikas, symbolizing speed, coordination, and teamwork. In summary, troika can refer to a three-horse vehicle, a trio in general, or a three-person leadership system. NAPA has adapted the term and expanded the concept to establish groupings of their members who compete for the best outside activity each month. They receive special privileges when theirs is chosen as the best. Activities have included rock climbing, bowling, eating at unique restaurants, and more. Additionally, many service projects are planned, including a backpack packing session for students. They will be an inspiration to many as they create lasting impact.

The meeting was held at Roswell Junction (Backstage Room & Bar Area) after one of the FIFA World Cup matches. Club members and guests were encouraged to wear their favorite FIFA team jersey or team colors, thus my red, white, and blue!

At the end of the meeting, President Holly Geerdes, Co-President Collin Chung, and Treasurer Chris Chan presented a $1,500 check that will be donated to PolioPlus in my honor. What a way to start the new Rotary year … for me as well as for this new club!

Note: This club was a satellite club of Johns Creek – North Fulton before securing its own charter as a separate Rotary Club.