District Newsletter

Jim and DG Mary Ligon with daughter Anna and her husband, Graham Ford. Anna is President of the Rotary Club of Moultrie

From Our District Governor

Just a Little Bit More ...

By Mary Ligon

Yes it’s true – we’re about to wind down an amazing year of devoting our best efforts to Serve to Change Lives – and enter a world where we continue to Imagine Rotary and all we can do to make a difference.

Thanks so much for everything we’ve achieved – from the phenomenal giving of money and time for the people of Ukraine and their neighbors providing relief … to inspiring youth to take on initiatives through Youth & Peace in Action like the one in Americus focused on more opportunity for college and learning to the young people in the rural parts of our state. You can read about Ukraine and Americus later in the newsletter. And you’ve done so much more– including our global projects and the district grants that made a difference in each of your communities.

With just a few weeks left in this Rotary Year, I ask for your help in two areas: Rotary Foundation giving and Membership. [more]

Thank You!

D6900 Rotarians Make a Difference in Ukraine

By Radu Zernoveanu

I cannot express my gratitude enough for the tremendous support you and the district have provided in the efforts to assist with the crisis in Ukraine. So far, combining all the efforts from cash fundraising, purchased equipment, and donated medical equipment and supplies, we have delivered or are in the process of delivering about $1 million in value of aid.

Through the leadership, guidance and resources of AG Chris Brand, D600 has also used $100,000 of donated funds to purchase specifically requested surgical equipment for use in orthopedics and negative pressure wound treatment systems. Chris has also arranged shipment of 250,000 MREs to Ukraine. Rotary club members have volunteered many hours at FODAC to micro sort donated items in preparation for shipment to Ukraine.  [more]

Youth and Peace in Action

YPA Continues for 2022-2023 Rotary/School Year

By Mary Ligon

Our district and clubs were leaders this year investing in the YPA initiative – the largest local community-led peacebuilding initiative in RI history.  While this pilot project encountered some challenges due to COVID, we had 77 students complete the My PeaceBuilder Foundations online course and become certified PeaceBuilders.  Additionally, students from Furlow Charter School sponsored by the Rotary Club of Americus completed the Leading Peacebuilder Project Team training and were recognized at the YOUnited event.  Their teacher, Joanna Arnold was recognized as one of two Peace Activators of the Year from across the Zones. You can watch the video where the students talk about their project - it's quite impressive.

So how will YPA change for 2022-23? [more]

RYLA

RYLA: The Countdown is ON!!

By Jaclyn Donovan

RYLA 2022 is coming to District 6900 June 18-22! Is your club going to participate? If that’s a Yes, here are a few things to check on as the date gets closer:

1. Have your sponsored students submitted all the required forms?
2. Do your students have a ride to and from RYLA? 
3. Are your students ready to have a blast at RYLA?

Read on to get more information. The RYLA staff is PUMPED for the opportunity to meet your young leaders and give them the tools they need to expand their skills. [more]

Membership

Welcome to Our 500+ New Members This Year!

By Jaclyn Donovan

So far this year, we have welcomed 503 new members to District 6900! Click on more to see the latest batch - drawn from the District database. And keep up the good work!
[more]

Membership

Zone 34 Competition Continues through June 30!

By Jaclyn Donovan

Remember that the Zone 34 Membership Competition is still going through the end of June. If you do the stuff that helps grow a club, you get points:

• 1 point for each new visitor
• 5 points for each new member induction
• 5 points for a Member Retention Program
• 10 points … [more]

Fight Human Trafficking

Grant Sponsors Speakers from Rescuing Hope

By Hicks Malonson

The Rotary Clubs of Alpharetta, Marietta, North Cobb and Smyrna have teamed with Rotary Action Group Against Slavery to offer Rescuing Hope as a resource for speakers and materials to fight Human Trafficking. We have $4,500 in grant funding is available for clubs to invite the Rescuing Hope team to enlighten, educate and empower Rotarians in this fight and connect the resources they offer to schools, law enforcement, medical providers and other community organizations.
[more]

Club News

Celebrating 100 Years by Giving in Moultrie

By Jaclyn Donovan

In honor of its 100th Anniversary, the Rotary Club of Moultrie donated over $10,000 to local organizations to support their efforts in making our community a better place. The selected groups include The Forgotten Initiative, Serenity House, YMCA Seniors, Hero House, Leadership Legends, Breathe Ministries, and the Humane Society. We look forward to seeing these groups change lives!  And, the club also added to its network of Little Free Libraries in the Moultrie Community - with help from the construction classes at C.A. Gray Junior High School (pictured here).
[more]

Club News

East Cobb AVID Program Jumpstarts Wheeler High Student Futures

By Joe Mayes

The Advancement Via Individual Determination or (AVID) program was started at Wheeler High School in 2017 by the Rotary Club of East Cobb to assist students who are from groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education and/or may become the first members of their families to attend college. In addition to rigorous coursework, AVID students also receive additional academic, social, and emotional support as they prepare for college. Rotarians have donated more than $60,000 and their time for mentoring since the program started. The Cobb County School District announced last month that 13 Wheeler seniors in the current AVID program have been accepted to college and have received more than $5 million in scholarship offers.
[more]

Club News

Rotary "Service Above Self" National Medal of Honor Recipients Recognized

By Angela Smith

In Rotary’s ideals of Vocational Service, our Law Enforcement, Fire Safety, First Responders, and other public safety personnel serve above self within their profession each day. They ask for a fair wage and the opportunity to serve, yet their level of service has the potential to far exceed normal expectations of “Service Above Self.” Rotary International developed a method for Rotary Clubs to honor those community heroes who share its motto of “Service Above Self” within their professions and the club reached out to leaders in law enforcement and public safety for nominations. In its second year of awarding the Rotary National Medal of Honor, the Rotary Club of Americus recently recognized four public service personnel for providing exemplary service to the citizens of the Americus and Sumter County community. [more]

Club News

Peachtree City Hosts GRSP Students for Fun and Service-Filled Weekend

By Mandy Timmons

In early May, the Rotary Club of Peachtree City hosted 24 GRSP students and four additional international students from UGA for a final weekend together before the students begin their last travels across the US and return to their home countries. Rotarians and students enjoyed great food and fellowship, and on Saturday morning joined forces on four service projects in Peachtree City, while competing in a fun scavenger hunt. Get all the details ...
[more]

Club News

Griffin Daybreak Presents Paul Ragan Mighty Acorn Awards

By Katheryne Fields

The Griffin Daybreak Rotary Club proudly presented the Paul Ragan Mighty Acorn Award to 11 fifth grade recipients in Spalding County in May. The award is made in loving memory of our past member Paul Ragan and his selfless service to others.
[more]

Club News

Marietta Metro Rotary Club Outfits Community Garden; Furnishes Youth Center

By Rene Lanier

In May, the Rotary Club of Marietta Metro purchased three new picnic tables, which were made from recycled materials, and power tools including a lawn mower, blower and weed eater for the Reconnecting Our Roots Community Garden.  Located on Lemon Street in Marietta on property owned by Zion Baptist Church, the garden is an oasis in the city for local gardeners to grow their own fruits and vegetables.  This gives neighbors with no yards the chance to enjoy healthy foods they cultivate themselves. The club also provided new living room furniture to the Center for Children and Young Adults. 
[more]