And Now We Know! "We are the Champions of the World."

By André Marria

As we near the end of this Rotary year, I reflect on our journey that began with one crucial question: "What is your why in Rotary?" Each month, Walter and I visited your clubs, encouraging you to support The Rotary Foundation and emphasizing the importance of continuity. Building strong, inclusive teams has been essential to our mission.

We urged you to share your Rotary story through social media, local media, and Rotary magazine. This year, we have focused on increasing mental health awareness and supporting Rotary International's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. We have worked towards fostering cultural awareness in our clubs, ensuring they reflect the diverse populations they serve. Being intentional, authentic, and real about diversity in our club leadership is vital.

Throughout the year, I have strived to live the Four-Way Test in my words, actions and deeds. Now, it is up to you to determine how we have measured up. How has your club performed? Have you handed off responsibilities to the incoming president and directors in a way that ensures continuity?

I am proud of our district and all that we have achieved together. You have been my inspiration and have amplified Rotary through your dedication and hard work. Your commitment has been evident, with your boots on the ground, amplifying Rotary's mission. For this, I thank you.

Let’s measure a few of our outcomes. [more]

Our Rotary Foundation at Work

2024-2025 Rotary District 6900 Competitive Grants Opportunity

By Anne Glenn

We are pleased to announce that 58 Clubs applied for and will receive funds requested for their Community Grant projects - most will receive $2,000 (one Club asked for $500) - for a total of $ 112,500. The number of Clubs applying increased 23% over last year and the total funds distributed increased 30% when compared with Rotary Year 2023-2024.   

In addition, for the 2024–2025 year, Rotary District 6900 and the Rotary Foundation present an exclusive opportunity to all District 6900 Rotary Clubs to apply for a Competitive Grant"

  • Two grants are available for up to $10,000.
  • Two grants are available for up to $5,000.
  • Two grants are available for up to $2,500.

Each club is invited to apply for one $10,000, $5,000, or $2,500 Competitive Grant beginning Monday, June 10, with an application deadline set for Friday, June 21, 2024.The online application process, designed to be straightforward, is accessible through the Rotary District 6900 Grants webpage. Please note that each Club may apply for one competitive grant only, ensuring a fair and balanced process. [more]

RYLA Update

Why I Love RYLA

By Jaclyn Donovan

The time for RYLA is finally here!! RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) is a summer camp that aims to give our District 6900 teenagers the opportunity to build their leadership skills. You can read more about it at www.RYLA6900.com or check us out on Facebook and Instagram.

If you know me, you know that RYLA is something that I am 110% passionate about. RYLA is my jam. Here are just a few (of the many) things I love about RYLA:

1.      The Students – so many different personalities and talents from all over! From the valedictorian to the kid who sits in the back of the class, from the team captain to the one who hardly ever speaks out loud… all leaders in their own special way. RYLA helps them discover themselves and how they can make contributions as leaders at school, at home, and in their communities. [more]

Rotary Youth Exchange

Clubs Award $25,000.00 Scholarships to Georgia High School Students

By Mike Parks

The Rotary Clubs of Decatur, Dunwoody, and Johns Creek North Fulton each awarded two $25,000.00 study abroad scholarships to local high school students. Six talented Georgia students were selected from among more than 30 applicants last summer to receive the Rotary Youth Exchange scholarship from their local Rotary clubs. The students have spent the last seven months studying their target language, the culture and history of their assigned country, as well as all things Rotary. They will graduate from our District 6900 preparation training program later this month and depart for their year-long study abroad experience this summer. Our District 6900 Rotary Youth Exchange students will represent their country and serve as student ambassadors overseas in Germany, Korea, Spain, Sweden, Brazil, and Italy.

Do you know a talented high school student between the ages of 14 and 17 who would like to become a Rotary Youth Exchange student? [more]

Club News

Stone Mountain Celebrates Achievers in the Field of Education at Diamonds and Denim

By Leslyn Weekes

The Rotary Club of Stone Mountain proudly presents “Diamonds and Denim,” a unique and elegant night of celebration in honor of Champions of Education. This event, unlike any other, will recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions in the field of Education. Join us on Saturday, June 29 from 6:00– 9:30 PM at the Tucker Brewing Company, located at 2003 South Bibb Drive, Tucker, GA 30084, for an unforgettable evening.

Prepare to be dazzled and delighted as we come together for an evening of live music, food, and fun, all while preparing to continue making a real difference in our community. Our signature fundraiser, this Third Annual Celebrating Champions of Education, highlights the value of the classroom teacher as well as honors other people who make extraordinary impacts on students and schools. We illuminate the power of education! [more]

Club News

Dunwoody Amplifies Support of Alzheimer's Initiatives

By Jackie Cuthbert

The Rotary Club of Dunwoody (RCD) is excited to be supporting Alzheimer's initiatives in a big way. Our third annual Golf Tournament - FORE! the Memories - raised $25,000 for Alzheimer's The Longest Day fundraiser, along with an additional $17,000 or so for other club service initiatives. Thanks to Bob O'Brien, Charlie Augello and their team for the golf tournament, sponsorships and auction that led to this success!

That's not all - the Club is actively supporting the launch of Anchor Place Dunwoody - providing respite care for individuals experiencing moderate levels of dementia. [more]

Club News

Museum Exhibits Captures Newnan's 100-Year Spirit of Service

By Nicholas Ramey

In honor of its 100th anniversary, the Newnan Rotary Club arranged an exhibit at the McRitchie-Hollis Museum. The exhibit featured objects and information from the Club’s history in Newnan to educate visitors on the Club's community involvement.

The Club is likely most well-known for its annual Fourth of July Fireworks celebration in Newnan, which it has organized since 1986. The club also has service projects focused on local youth, homelessness, and literacy. For the last several years, the club has hosted the annual Tour of Coweta bike ride, using proceeds from the event to fund scholarships for local nonprofit organizations.
[more]

Douglas County Sponsors Field Trip and Honors Top Eight Graders

By Nell Boggs

The Rotary Club of Douglas County focuses on helping students in Douglas County. Recently, the Club helped fund an in-house field trip for first and second graders at Beulah Elementary. Students loved learning about plants, pollination, and agriculture from the Great American Bus Interactive Education (GABIE)! 

In May, Rotary members also presented certificates and cash awards to the top eighth graders in the four core subject areas at all eight middle schools in the county. [more]

Club News

Interact and Vinings Cumberland Team Up to Provide Bikes

By Brenda Borden

Campbell High School Interactors collaborated with Vinings Cumberland Rotarians (the Interact Club's sponsor) this spring to provide Free Bikes 4 Kids (FB4K). Bike donations were taken to the school Sunday April 21 for this organization which has volunteers who work on bikes throughout the year. Many cycle teams are actively making them just like new. Kids receive them at Christmas and another time at the beginning of summer. They take any bike in any condition or even parts of bikes.

Picking up 15 bikes from residents of One Vinings Mountain are Past Vinings Cumberland President Casey Patrick along with Campbell High Interactors - Senior Casey Patrick and Sophomore Sean Patrick. [more]

Club News

Roswell Celebrates Five Years of Quarterly Blood Drives

By Becky Nelson

Sometimes a club just gets lucky.  We have some dedicated folks within the Roswell Rotary Club who come in with an idea and then stay committed to it for years. This May marked the fifth anniversary of our Quarterly Blood Drive supported by the American Red Cross. May 2, 2019 was the first of now 18 blood drives championed by Roswell Rotarians Darrell Bartlett and Hal Schlenger.  In that time, 575 pints of blood have been collected helping more than 1600 folks (one pint can help up to three people.)
[more]

Club News

Henry County Volunteers at Helping In His Name Ministries - Food Pantry

By Amy Lemelin

In May, the Henry County Rotary Club put what we learned during a tour and info session at Helping in His Name Ministries - Food Pantry into action and took time to volunteer. Director Tim Engelbracht did an excellent job educating us on what the food pantry is all about, who they serve and what their greatest needs are. The food pantry serves an average of 1000 families per month and that number is increasing with more families in need here in Henry County.  
[more]

Club News

Griffin Daybreak Celebrates Fifth Graders

By Debby Daniel-Bryant

Griffin Daybreak Rotary Club members attended the end of year celebrations for 5th graders in the Griffin-Spalding County School system, and awarded the Mighty Acorn Award to a top student at each elementary school. Students were recognized for citizenship, leadership, and scholarship. Rotarians were on hand to present the awards and pose for pictures with the students.
[more]