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District 6900 News for November, 2019


From the District Governor

A Lot to Be Thankful For ...

By Jim Squire

As we approach Thanksgiving and I look back over the last month in Rotary, there is so much to be thankful for:

  • The announcement on World Polio Day that we have eradicated wild Polio virus Type 3 and that the continent of Africa is three-years polio free
  • The celebration of 100 years of the Rotary Club of Marietta
  • The work we do in our communities and around the world to make the lives of others better - both through the Rotary Foundation and on our own. In Foundation month, it's important to note that our efforts through our Rotary Foundation represent more than $2.5 million in district and global grants
  • Your hard work and friendship.

[more]


DG Jim and Debra Lowe visited R/C Paulding County to present Paul Harris Fellows. They delivered 15 certificates and 25 pins and recognized a new Major Donor.  Every month is Foundation Month at Paulding County Rotary!

DG Jim and Debra Lowe visited R/C Paulding County to present Paul Harris Fellows. They delivered 15 certificates and 25 pins and recognized a new Major Donor. Every month is Foundation Month at Paulding County Rotary!

The Rotary Foundaton

Foundation Month – Thanks Giving Month

By Cheryl Greenway

Every month Rotary focuses on a different topic. For November that topic is Our Foundation - The Rotary Foundation. Since Thanksgiving is in November it seems fitting that November should be Foundation month.

It is time for us to give thanks for all our blessings – health, family, finances, etc. For many of us things are going really well, while others may be dealing with challenges or issues. But being Americans, most of us are very blessed. Sure we have our issues but there is nowhere else I would rather live. When most Americans get up in the morning, we have a clean toilet inside that we can use. We can get a glass of clean water without having to walk miles to get it. We have food for breakfast and we have food for our family. We have clothes to keep us warm and a roof over our heads. If we are sick, we have doctors and nurses close by to help us.

How many times have you seen someone going through a really tough time or health issues and it makes you pause and be thankful for all the things we take for granted? [more]


Happy Birthday Marietta!

Rotary Club of Marietta 100th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee Gala

By Christopher Bethel

On Saturday, October 19, 2019 the Rotary Club of Marietta celebrated its 100th Anniversary by hosting a Diamond Jubilee Gala at the Marietta Country Club, where the club held its original charter meeting. Despite the rain and it being the University of Georgia homecoming, over 125 people attended the celebration.

Current President Christopher Bethel called the celebration to order and welcomed distinguished and honored guests to this once in a lifetime historic event. It was great to see a lot of familiar faces and faces not seen in a while. “I am humbled and honored to serve as the 100th President of the Rotary Club of Marietta. It’s hard to believe that 100 years ago, 20 individuals – top in their vocations – came together at the Marietta Country Club to start a new service organization in a small town of 6,000 residents. Did the original charter members ever believe the legacy and impact that they started over the past 100 years? Founder John W. Hancock had to convince Rotary International that Marietta was large enough to support such a Club. Marietta was the smallest community in which a club had been chartered. The decision to start this Club was a world altering idea. I don’t think the original charter members knew at the time, but we in hindsight, sure do! I get goose bumps just thinking about it. This Rotary Club, I believe, is one of the most special Rotary Clubs in the World – and that’s due to the rich history that you will hear about throughout the evening.” [more]


The Rotary Foundation at Work

District 6900 Rotarian Activities Benefit Friends and Neighbors in Georgia

By Anne Glenn

Thanks to the generosity of our fellow Rotarians three years ago, we are able to award 61 District Grants for the 2019-2020 Rotary year. District Grants fund local, community service programs designed by local Rotarians. Every Club has an opportunity to apply for the grant money they need (up to $2000) for the project of their choice. Projects must be completed within one year.

In addition to smaller District Grants awards, Clubs are offered opportunities to submit “Challenge Grant” proposals.“Challenge Grant” projects are still community-based and must be completed within this Rotary year; but they are larger in vision, scope and budget. Challenge Grants fund budgets from $2,000 to $10,000.This year, $59,223 was shared among seven Clubs who discovered large needs and addressed them in their neighborhoods. This was the largest number of Clubs achieving Challenge Grant awards in District history. [more]


Family Health Days reach thousands

Family Health Days reach thousands

The Rotary Foundation at Work

Rotarians Generously Give Humanitarian Aid Worldwide

By Anne Glenn

D6900 has 20 global grants currently in progress or approved with total budgets of $2,465,237.All Funding for these projects is provided by individual club financial contributions, supplemented by District 6900 and The Rotary Foundation’s World Fund.

District 6900 has, at this moment, 2 Global Grant Scholars plus 14 Clubs serving as International Humanitarian Global Grant Partners. Four of our Clubs are active in 2 or more Global Grants and another 10-20 Clubs are providing financial support to Global Grants originating with D6900 Clubs or clubs from other Rotary Districts.

We were recently called the most active participating District in The Rotary Foundation’s Global Grants program. While this title is continually changing, we honor and thank you for being among the most generous Rotarians in the world.

Here are details on exactly what you’re doing to make our world better - right now. [more]


The Rotary Foundation at Work

Global Grants Improve Maternal and Child Health in Kenya

By Wally Horlacher

The Rotary Club of Vinings Cumberland has been at the center of three Global Grant projects in Kenya - all looking to improve maternal and child health in Kenya. This work started in 2009 in Kilifi County and continues today in Makueni and Elgeyo Marakwet. RC Vinings Cumberland has partnered with many clubs in Georgia and the USA … [more]


The Rotary Foundation at Work

Global Grant Scholar

By Jackie Cuthbert


Greetings Rotary District 6900!

My name is Molly Wilson and I had the honor of being the 2017 recipient of the Global Grant Scholarship. I spent a year in the brilliantly cloudy and uniquely welcoming city of Edinburgh, Scotland completing a Masters of Science in … [more]


District Conference 2020

Sample a Taste of the District Thursday Night at Jekyll Island

By Lauri Young

We have a special treat planned for the 2020 district conference. On Thursday night, you’ll be treated to a Taste of the District. Join us to taste what makes our district unique and special by sampling some of the best food available in the towns or at the meetings in D6900.

All clubs are invited to submit a recipe … [more]


RI Convention 2020

Join Us in Beautiful Honolulu, Hawaii

By Kirk Driskell

Take time now to register for the 2020 Rotary International Convention. RI Convention is an amazing experience on its own - with opportunities to:

  • network with Rotarians from around the world
  • learn about our local and global work to make a positive difference in people's lives
  • hear from world leaders on key … [more]


Membership

Leap Into Rotary

By Jaclyn Donovan

“Leap Into Rotary” is a Rotary Social Event on Saturday, February 29th (or as close to that date as possible) where all of Rotary Zone 34 will be hosting individual Club parties for prospective Rotarians. The year 2020 happens to be a Leap Year, so this gives us a great opportunity to have a fun theme for a party that helps us bring … [more]


Click on this image to see more about this amazing opportunity for Georgia students to study in Oslo next summer - as a thank you from Norwegian Rtoarians for GRSP

Click on this image to see more about this amazing opportunity for Georgia students to study in Oslo next summer - as a thank you from Norwegian Rtoarians for GRSP

​GRSP in November

By Lynn Clarke

Read about student weekends, student selection for 2020-21 and the GRSP pilot program, planning for Thanksgiving and student travel, the endowment and more ... and click the link to the left to learn more about the Oslo scholarship for Georgia students that represents Norway's thank you to Georgia for GRSO. [more]


GRSP Student Perspectives

An Opportunity to Know Each Other Better

By Lynn Clarke

As she was getting ready to complete the 2018-19 GRSP year, Mhairi wrote:

I started off this year quite nervous as this is the longest that I've been away from home and I would end up missing a lot of events and activities as a result, but I am so thankful that I decided to go with it and that I was given the opportunity to come here. Coming … [more]


Club News

Support Our "Be The Voice" Efforts

By Debbie Cwalina

In 2015, Debbie Cwalina read an article about the damaging effects of cyberbullying, and it lit a fire in her soul. She was able to do something with that passion when she joined her local Rotary Club and met others who shared her enthusiasm. “I asked, ‘What can we do to help students safely defuse a bullying situation?’” After months … [more]


Vocational News

Rotary Means Business

By Famous Lou Alvarado, Jr.

Rotary Means Business, Atlanta Networks met on October 15.

  • New day, third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm every month.
  • New location, the Hudson Grille in Brookhaven.
  • New leadership, Jonathan Clark of the Rotary Club of Tucker.

In attendance were members from … [more]


Jerry Urmanski, Alpharetta RC, Bill St. Clair, District 6910 PDG, RC of Gainesville, PP Arnaud Gahimbare and Pres. Edgar Muganwa, RC Arusha Mt. Meru,  Lorri Christopher, Dunwoody RC, and Bob Koncerak, Alpharetta RC.

Jerry Urmanski, Alpharetta RC, Bill St. Clair, District 6910 PDG, RC of Gainesville, PP Arnaud Gahimbare and Pres. Edgar Muganwa, RC Arusha Mt. Meru, Lorri Christopher, Dunwoody RC, and Bob Koncerak, Alpharetta RC.

Club News

Tanzania Service Project and Safari An International Success

By Bob Koncerak

An Alpharetta Rotary project team returned from a successful, worthwhile trip to Tanzania in early October. Faculty and students at the Njiro school in Arusha were excited to receive three laptops and connection equipment for their computer library—and the administration was TREMENDOUSLY grateful for $7,000 of well-drilling funds raised by the club for the school. The multi-club team included Jerry Urmanski and Bob Koncerak from the Rotary Club of Alpharetta, Lorri Christopher from the Rotary Club of Dunwoody, and District 6910 PDG Bill St. Clair from the Rotary Club of Gainesville. [more]


Club News

Atlanta Brazil Rotary Club Host Traditional Brazilian Children's Day

By Clarissa Costa



Brazil celebrates its children on October 12th. It's the National Children's Day, and all over the country parties and toys are shared. Following the tradition, the Atlanta Brazil Rotary Club hosted a Children's day festival at East Cobb Park, in Marietta, to celebrate the Brazilian culture and heritage with more … [more]


The Rotary Foundation at Work

Paulding County Uses District Grant to Support McKenna Farms Therapy Services

By Roy Strickland

The Rotary Club of Paulding County recently met at McKenna Farms to unbox and assemble pediatric therapy equipment they purchased with a Rotary Foundation Grant.

McKenna Farms Therapy Services is a non-profit organization - run by volunteers - whose mission is to provide therapeutic programs and resources for children with … [more]


Club News

Alpharetta Builds Habitat House

By Clark Savage

Members of the Alpharetta Rotary Club assisted in building a Habitat for Humanity house in Gainesville, GA on Saturday, November 2. The group photo includes Mickey Rogers, Scott French, Charlie Swahn, Scott Doll, Jack Hausmann, Sid Browning, Alyson Foy (Representing Joe Wargo), Michael Gordy and Paul Slavik. Not pictured are … [more]


Club News

Hurricane Dorian Relief

By Karen Schwank

Following the terrible destruction of the Bahamas by Hurricane Dorian in August, the Rotary Club of Roswell made a decision to do something about it. The Rotary International theme for this year is, “Rotary Connects the World” and the Roswell Club is no stranger to doing good beyond the borders of our country. It just … [more]


Club News

Quitman Rotarian Honored for 50+ Rotary Years

By David DeSantiago

In his official visit to the Rotary Club of Quitman, DG Jim Squire recognized Dr. Hugh Bassham for more than 50 years in Rotary. In reflecting on what his years in Rotary mean to him, Dr. Bassham shared a story with DG Jim about connecting the world.

"Three years ago my wife and I were in Germany and had supper with her … [more]


DG Visit Celebrates New Paul Harris Fellow, Murder Mystery and End Polio Now

By Ron Swofford

When DG Jim Squire visited the Rotary Club of Lake Spivey/Clayton County, the club include a Paul Harris ceremony for newly inducted member Dr. Manohar Nallathambi. A recently retired surgeon, Dr. Nallathambi stated that he has admired Rotary for many years but that the demands of his profession prevented him from making the time … [more]


Club News

Pints for Polio Raises Money to Help End Polio

By Jaclyn Donovan

The Rotary Club of Moultrie hosted a “Pints for Polio” event on World Polio Day! The club partnered with a local restaurant, The Square, to host the event on October 24th.The Square donated $1.00 for every craft pint purchased that night and an addition $1.00 for every dinner entrée. Polio facts were posted on each … [more]


Club News

Douglas County Recognized for Backpack Donation

By Samantha Rosado

The Douglas County School System recently recognized the Rotary Club of Douglas County in its digital newsletter) for generously donating almost 1,600 backpacks to Douglas County School System students at the beginning of this school year. Some schools gave the backpacks to students who showed up the first day of school … [more]


Club News

Marietta Metro Projects Support Cobb County Youth

By Rene Lanier

The Rotary Club of Marietta Metro has been at work at The Center for Children and Young Adults (CCYA) and the Emily Lembeck Early Learning Center in Cobb County.

CCYA: The club recently purchased and installed two brand new Speed Queen washers for The Center for Children and Young Adults. In addition, Rotarians … [more]


Club News

Roswell Rotary Cleans Up!

By Karen Schwank


In late September, Roswell Rotary Club joined in with Rivers Alive to clean up the Chattahoochee River. Roswell Rotary has been participating for about the past 10 years. As part of the Georgia Adopt a Stream program, Roswell Rotary has adopted the section … [more]


Club News

Why Not Combine a Service Project and a Rotary Meeting?

By Dale Covington

This year, October 3-9, marked the 20th anniversary of Public Safety Appreciation Week in Cobb County. Vice-President Mary Ansley Southerland realized that the Rotary Club of Marietta could publicly thank Marietta’s fire and police officers at the Club’s weekly meeting on October 9. President Chris Bethel and the Board … [more]


Calling All Clubs!

Share Your Stories in the District Newsletter

By Jackie Cuthbert

DG Jim Squire is encouraging all clubs to share their stories in this year's district newsletter. You can use the newsletter to:

  • Celebrate … service projects, member engagement activities/strategies, club and member successes/achievements
  • Enlist support … for fund-raising initiatives, service projects, global grants
  • Get ideas … for taking your club and your service initiatives to the next level
  • Keep up ... with what’s going on around the district
  • [more]

Upcoming Key Dates

Tuesday, November 12th, 2019Thomaston-Upson County Board Meeting
Tuesday, November 12th, 2019Thomaston-Upson County Governor Visit
Wednesday, November 13th, 2019Brookhaven Board Meeting
Wednesday, November 13th, 2019Brookhaven Governor Visit
Friday, November 15th, 2019 District Committee Meetings
Saturday, November 16th, 2019 District Nominating Committee
Tuesday, November 19th, 2019Midtown Atlanta Board Meeting
Tuesday, November 19th, 2019Midtown Atlanta Governor Visit
Thursday, November 21st, 2019 Rotary Leadership Summit 2019
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019Quitman County Board Meeting
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2019Quitman County Governor Visit
Wednesday, December 4th, 2019South DeKalb Board Meeting
Wednesday, December 4th, 2019South DeKalb Governor Visit
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