From Our District Governor

Reaching Forward

By André Marria

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all” ... Aristotle

It is the heart that responds to human needs through random acts of kindness. It is when we offer the best version of ourselves that we elevate each other, showing a measure of grace. Truly Hope is a waking dream.

As we kick off this year with our Membership Action Plans (MAP), remember, we provide exemplary services to humanity with people of purpose and passion. We reach forward utilizing our abilities to bring together like-minded individuals in our immediate circle of control, serving others! We build friendships and community relations to seek those with a servant spirit to share their experiences, cultures, and perspective. We collaborate as we do good in the world. [more]

Special Recognition

PDG Margie Kersey Achieves The Rotary Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award

By Mandy Timmons

Foundation in honoring PDG Margie Kersey with the 2022-2023 Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award.

Only 24 of these awards were presented throughout the world last year.  It is the highest award given by The Rotary Foundation to Rotarians who have demonstrated a broad range of service over an extended period of time and substantial activity within the past two years. We, as District 6900 Rotarians, appreciate Margie’s contributions to training, education and the ideals of Rotary service in surrounding Districts and throughout the Region.  [more]

Rotary Foundation Opportunity

Important News Flash!!!! Additional Grant Opportunities!!!! Respond by August 31

By Anne Glenn

We all know and love someone suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s.  Yet presently, there is no cure which creates incredibly difficult challenges for family caregivers, children and spouses.

If you’ve ever thought “surely something more can be done to improve this” a generous fellow Rotarian offers your Rotary Club a chance to do it this year - NOW.  District 6900 has funds available this year to initiate special local community Dementia and Alzheimer’s projects that protect, improve care and the quality of life for individuals with these diseases and their families.

Take on this real challenge today!

Share your ideas and projects in writing with District 6900’s Foundation Team by August 31, 2023.

Maximum project funding is $75,000. [more]

District Conference 2024

District Conference 2024: Something for Everyone

By Stephanie Windham

What are YOU looking for at District Conference? District 6900 returns to Jekyll Island, Georgia March 21-24, 2024, with SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.  Are you looking for opportunities to learn more about Rotary?  Training opportunities abound as DGE Gordon Owens hosts District Training Assembly on Friday, March 22.  There will be even more learning opportunities on Saturday, March 23, as we host breakout sessions both before and after brunch on Saturday morning.

Are you looking for fun and fellowship with family and friends? Join us on Thursday, March 21, for a party at the Beach Pavilion with food, fun, music, and games. You can hang out in the Rotary Disco Lounge (House of Friendship) throughout the weekend. Jekyll Island also offers lots of recreational activities, to include golf, tennis, and pickleball. 

Read on for more about what's happening in Jekyll Island next March and to get info about how to register for conference and book your hotel. [more]

Goals and Plans - Do They Matter?

By Mary Ligon

Why bother with setting goals and developing plans?  Well, the research says:

  • 3x more likely to achieve your goals if written down compared to having no written plan.
  • Setting goals that are challenging but achievable lead to 90% better performance.
    • [more]
Vintage throwback photo: GRSP Class of 1965-66 at the GRSP Conclave in 1965

Vintage throwback photo: GRSP Class of 1965-66 at the GRSP Conclave in 1965

GRSP Update

Help Us Welcome the World - Class of 22-23 GRSP Conclave This Month

By Katheryne Fields

GRSP will welcome 43 international students with the opening ceremonies for the Class of 2023-24 at Conclave in Macon August 18-20 - hosted by District 6920 under the direction of the Rotary Club of Macon, the Rotary Club of Macon North and the Rotary Club of Downtown Macon All Rotarians, host families, GRSP Leadership, Trustees, Foundation Board, Staff, Emeritus members, former Trustees, friends of GRSP plus alumni are invited to attend and reservations are required.

Conclave is the kickoff event for the GRSP year and allows the international college scholarship students to interact with one another as well as GRSP leadership, GRSP Foundation board, trustees, emeritus members, host families, club presidents, alumni and Rotarians throughout the state. [more]
Pictured (L-R) - Front Row - Mary Chapman (PTC), Tise Eyler (PTC), Jenny Eckman (Columbus), Stephanie Windham (Griffin), Jim Mothorpe (PTC), Court Dowis (Harris County) Pictured (L-R) - Middle Row - Mike Lardie (PTC), Patti Kadkhodaian (PTC), Wynita Cannon (Dougherty County) Picture (L-R) - Back Row - Mandy Timmons (PTC), Ric Thompson (PTC), Tracy Van Norman (North Columbus), Anthony Slaughter (Harris County), Amanda Gilbert (PTC), Amy Benton (PTC)

Pictured (L-R) - Front Row - Mary Chapman (PTC), Tise Eyler (PTC), Jenny Eckman (Columbus), Stephanie Windham (Griffin), Jim Mothorpe (PTC), Court Dowis (Harris County) Pictured (L-R) - Middle Row - Mike Lardie (PTC), Patti Kadkhodaian (PTC), Wynita Cannon (Dougherty County) Picture (L-R) - Back Row - Mandy Timmons (PTC), Ric Thompson (PTC), Tracy Van Norman (North Columbus), Anthony Slaughter (Harris County), Amanda Gilbert (PTC), Amy Benton (PTC)

RLI Update

Come Join the Conversation at Rotary Leadership Institute ... August 12

By Tracy Van Norman

What a great turnout for the first RLI of the new Rotary year. 16 Rotarians filled 20 available seats and joined PDG Margie Kersey on Saturday, July 22nd in Peachtree City, for a graduate course entitled "Transforming your Club". Shout out to the Peachtree City Club for not only hosting the event, … [more]

Laws of Life

Laws of Life Starts the New School Year!

By Linda Hatten


When the new school year starts, so does the Laws of Life Essay Contest. Teachers at many participating high schools use the essay as an icebreaker to truly get to know their students both personally … [more]

Rotary Youth Exchange

Gearing Up for the 2024-25 RYE Class

By Mike Parks

Know someone who might be interested in this year abroad high school experience? We are gearing up to identify outbound Rotary Youth Exchange students for the 2024-25 school year, and to identify potential sponsor clubs and families for inbound clubs.


It all starts with an Information Session. Students who would like to learn more about the Rotary Youth Exchange scholarship program should attend an Information Session.  Before submitting an application, students must participate in one of the Information Sessions together with at least one parent.  (Rotarians welcome at these events - sign up at RYESE.org/district-6900/6900-application-info/ [more]

GRSP Update

GRSP 2023-24 Leadership Team Confirmed!

By Jackie Cuthbert

Five District 6900 Rotarians will play important roles in the Georgia Rotary Student Program's 2023-24 leadership team - Katheryne Fields (RC Griffin Daybreak), Ian Bond (RC Columbus), Jackie Cuthbert (RC Dunwoody), Teri White (RC Thomasville) and Lorri Christopher (RC Dunwoody).  Our current District 6900 GRSP leadership team remains in place - District Chair Kerry Arnold (RC Henry County), and Directors George Siggins (RC of Newnan) and Aadu Allpere (RC Buckhead). These are just a few of the many people throughout the District and the State of Georgia who support GRSP.
[more]

Americus Hosts Sheffield Gala

By Angela Smith

The Rotary Club of Americus is excited to host the Annual Sheffield Gala and Silent Auction in Americus, Georgia on Saturday, September 23, 2023. The latest class of Sheffield Leadership Award recipients will be honored and we will also celebrate friendship and fellowship through Rotary and invite all past Sheffield winners, 2022 Rotary Presidents, and District 6900 Rotarians who would like to attend.
[more]

Rotary Foundation at Work

Sandy Springs and Johns-Creek North Fulton Seeking Help on Nepal Global Grant

By Zac Boswell

The Rotary Clubs of Johns-Creek North Fulton and Sandy Springs are seeking your help tobuild toilets and bring water facilities to five elementary schools in rural Nepal, and join us in making an immediate, profound impact in the lives of 300+ children and 100 families in need. We are seeking US Rotary Clubs to become supporting partners on this project. Contributions of $1000 or more will be matched by a private Rotarian donor in order to maximize your impact!
[more]

Club News

Vinings Cumberland Supports MUST Summer Lunch Program

By Ross Henderson

The Vinings Cumberland Rotary Club recently presented a check for $2500 to MUST Ministries for their Summer Lunch program, which feeds approximately 6,800 children each week. The program covers eight counties and last year MUST served over 550,000 meals.
[more]

Club News

Meriwether County Rotarians Supporting Literacy in So Many Ways

By Kay Williamson

As communities across our state are preparing for children to return to school, the Rotary Club of Meriwether County is all over how we can help We believe it’s important to support the students and the parents, grandparents, relatives or community members who help their children as they strive to be educated to make our world a better place.

The Club has supported numerous educational efforts such as Get Meriwether Reading, Community Literacy Events, Trunk or Treat for Books, Rotary grants for Wrap- Around Centers in our local schools and community early literacy.  Club members have spent hours, preparing “it’s a girl thing” bags for the Wrap-Around centers, collecting clothing, organizing resources, and assisting in applying for grants to help the centers. And most of our members serve children, youth and families in their job and community capacities.

[more]
Tyrone Rotary Club members with Ashley Williams (third from left), Promise Place Executive Director

Tyrone Rotary Club members with Ashley Williams (third from left), Promise Place Executive Director

Club News

Fayette Daybreak Rotary Club Now Tyrone Rotary Club

By Lee Dodds

Lots of exciting changes have been happening with the Rotary Club of Tyrone - starting with our name, meeting date, time and place. We have also added new international members from Cameroon, Africa who meet with us via Zoom.

Even though it’s an exciting time of change for the Tyrone Club, what hasn’t changed is our commitment to serving others. Read more to learn about our service projects, and in particular, a competitive Grant from the District and its recipient - Promise Place, a domestic violence prevention non-profit.

[more]
Retiring GRSP Foundation President Joe Jones, Chair Emeritus Jim Drake and current Chair Mike Sweigart

Retiring GRSP Foundation President Joe Jones, Chair Emeritus Jim Drake and current Chair Mike Sweigart

GRSP Update

Sandy Springs Rotarian Honored for GRSP Service

By Katheryne Fields

At GRSP's summer meeting in Macon, Chair J. Michael (Mike) Sweigart honored former GRSP Foundation President and Sandy Springs Rotarian Joe Jones with a resolution proclaiming him Trustee Emeritus.

Joe joined Rotary International in 1981 as a member of the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs, where he served as club president in 1986-1987. He has 25 years of perfect attendance at weekly club meetings for 25-years. He was named a GRSP Endowment Trustee in 1991 and served as the Endowment Chair from 2001 to 2021. Joe served as the first president of the GRSP Foundation Inc., from 2021 to 2023. [more]

Club News

Senoia Partners with Optimist Club to Provide Back-to-School Support

By Jon Hughes

The Senoia Rotary Club partnered with the Senoia Optimist Club to make matching donations to I-58 Mission, a local organization that will use the funds for school supplies and clothing for back-to-school.  Pictured are Jean Cotton, Treasurer of the Optimist Club and Jon Hughes, President of the Rotary Club.
[more]

Club News

RC Douglas County Gets Outstanding Marks for Supporting Education

By Nell Boggs

The Rotary Club of Douglas County capped off its year by presenting awards to the top 8th grade students in the four core subject areas at all nine middle schools in the county. The students received a certificate and $50 for their outstanding academic achievement. And that's just the start of its support for education.
[more]

Rotary Foundation at Work

Alpharetta Rotarians At Work in Bogota, Columbia

By Clark Savage

A Rotary Club of Alpharetta team traveled to Bogota, July 20-28, to celebrate with the Rotary Club Bogota Centenario, a global grant to the MYA Foundation. The Rotary Foundation grant paid for 41 computers, desks, and seating for the MYA Foundation.

Club News

Peachtree City Starts Off the Year Awarding 22 Grants

By Holly Davanzo

With the new Grant Application process implemented earlier this year, the Rotary Club of Peachtree City was were able to review and award 22 Grants in one of our first meetings of the new year!  Each organization filled out a grant request (very similar to grant process with the Rotary Foundation), each were required to be a 501(c)3, had to provide a plan for use of any grant funds in the local community, ways that the PTC Rotarians could have hands-on experience to support them with service and how the organization would promote Rotary’s public image!  It was awe-inspiring to hear directly from these organizations on the programs they are doing and how they continue to make our community a better place for everyone!  What a blessing to have members continue to support funding for programs like these and we are so excited to work with each of these organizations in the next year!
[more]