DG George visits with Newnan High School Interact Club

From Our District Governor

Imagine a Year Filled with Fun, Fellowship and Service!

By George Granade

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season. As we begin 2023, we should re-examine our goals and see where we are. One of the best ways to accomplish this is updating our goals in Rotary Club Central and checking to be sure we are on track to receive the Governor’s Citation and the Rotary Citation as well as other awards.

We need to continue to attract new members and grow our District membership. Remember membership is the responsibility of all Rotarians not just the membership committee. Since January is Vocational Service Month, look at your membership and see what other vocations should be added to make your club well rounded. [more]

Rotary Foundation at Work

Thomasville Shows a Heart for Seniors

By Jackie Cuthbert

Editor's Note: One of the main reasons we donate to The Rotary Foundation is the good it allows us to do in the world. Here's a story that illustrates that. Take time to share your stories and think about what your contributions to the Foundation could do.

Thomasville Rotary used this year's District Grant to adopt local seniors. Club President Danny Braddy explained their new grant, saying every Rotary Club has access to an application provided by the Rotary Foundation. “Every club contributes to the Rotary Foundation and a lot of people leave their inheritance to the Rotary Foundation,” Braddy said. Some of the money donated to The Rotary Foundation comes back to the district for use in local projects. Our grant this year that was approved was for the seniors at Scott Senior Center,” Braddy shared. “When we were thinking about the grant, Rotarians in our club were the ones who got the Senior Center reopened and had a real passion for seniors.” The club made every senior a goody bag, complete with stationary, hygienic items and pre-stamped envelopes that allow the seniors to communicate with the Rotarians.
[more]

End Human Trafficking

Join Alpharetta's January 21 Seminar

By Paul Ray

Our children are in danger! Human traffickers are using personal and online connections to coerce our children. It is happening right here in North Fulton! The Rotary Club of Alpharetta and End Human Trafficking Now are hosting a FREE seminar on Saturday, January 21 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM where you can learn

• What state and local officials are doing to combat trafficking
• How everyone from corporations to our own children are involved in the fight against HT
• How to identify the characteristics of HT grooming
• How to monitor your child’s online activity
• What to watch for throughout your community
• How to get directly involved.
[more]

District Conference Update

Green Acres is the Place to Be ...

By Jackie Cuthbert

As Governor George said in his article, we have amazing fun and fellowship opportunities planned for our district conference in Sandestin from April 27-30. Enjoy an update on our youth programs, time at the beach - starting on Thursday night with a real pig roast and cornhole contest .  Take the time right now to follow the link to register and make your hotel reservations.

Then take a minute to watch an episode or two of this 1960s TV favorite starring Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor as a couple who move from New York City to a country farm - check out their costumes and get ready to join us in Sandestin! [more]

Membership

Here We Grow Again!

By Jackie Cuthbert

As DG George says, membership growth is everyone's responsibility ... and it benefits everyone ... new perspectives, new project ideas, new people to enjoy! Here are some pictures and ideas shared on Facebook:

• Barnesville Rotary held a "Bring a Guest Day" in October - pictured are Jackie Bumgardner, Olivia Jefferis, David Hacker, Marie Bundy, Cindy McGee, & Brenda Brown (now a member)
[more]

RLI Update

Building a Better Rotary through Education

By Stephanie Windham

RLI is going strong in District 6900!  We have more opportunities for you to Learn, Grow, Share and Lead. If you are registered for January 14, 2023 in Thomasville, Georgia, we will see you this coming Saturday, January 14, at Southern Regional Technical College in Thomasville, Georgia. Some of the interesting leadership topics that will be discussed during our classes include: Membership Engagement, Analyzing Your Rotary Club, Strategic Planning, Service Projects, Effective Leadership Strategies and the History of Rotary.

There will be other live opportunities on February 11 in Greensboro, Georgia (D6910) and on March 11 in Tallahassee, Florida (D6940). You can also check rlitraining.org for Live Online RLI sessions and in person events all over the Sunshine Division. The cost for in-person sessions is $100 and includes materials, breakfast and lunch; online sessions are $15. [more]

Club News

Atlanta Southern Crescent Spreads Holiday Cheer

By Claudia Mertl

The Rotary Club of Atlanta Southern Crescent was busy enjoying fellowship and spreading holiday cheer with the community in December - with a holiday party at the Mertls and the "Giving Side of Christmas" event held at the Griswell Senior Center.
[more]

Thoughts from Our Readers

The Rotary Foundation: Giving and Major Donor Credit

By Robert Hall

Most of you probably know that anyone who gives at least $10,000 to The Rotary Foundation is recognized as a Major Donor. There are different levels of Major Donor recognition based on a person’s contributions.

I have had some questions about what donations count toward Major Donor status when you give money to The Rotary Foundation. Some people seem to think that only their donations to the Annual Fund count.
[more]

Club News

Sandy Springs Brings Vision to Local Schools

By Jay Brackman, Sr.

The Rotary Club of Sandy Springs recently partnered with a national organization called Vision to Learn to provide nearly 800 pairs of glasses for students in Fulton County Schools based in Sandy Springs. Most recently, the club provided over 240 students at Sandy Springs Middle School with either the first glasses they've ever received or the only ones they have had on their own.
[more]

Club News

Dunwoody Brightens Children's Holidays

By Jackie Cuthbert

The Rotary Club of Dunwoody continued two long-time traditions this holiday season - both benefiting local children. For more than 20 years, the club has made a point of donating books to elementary students - a tradition started with Dresden Elementary School and extended a few years ago to Kingsley Elementary School - both Title 1 schools … [more]

Club News from Facebook

Meriwether County Brightens Senior Holidays

By Jackie Cuthbert

Meriwether Co Rotary Club played Santa by giving out over 90 gift bags to the residents of Warm Springs Nursing Home and Mountain View Assistive Living Facility. The Manchester High School Jazz band was a part of the magical afternoon by adding holiday cheer through a variety of Christmas songs played for the Rotary Club members, the Warm Springs Nursing Home residents and the staff. The Rotary Club is grateful for the community partners who played a major role in making this event happen: Manchester Kiwanis Club, Manchester Women's Club, Manchester High School Jazz band, and Warm Springs Baptist Church.
[more]

Club News from Facebook

Making a Difference in Our Communities

By Jackie Cuthbert

• Brookhaven Rotarians continued their bell-ringing tradition on behalf of the Salvation Army
• The Rotary Club of Harris County names a teacher of the month. 
[more]

Club News from Facebook

Carrollton Sponsors Second Annual West Georgia Talent Show

By Jackie Cuthbert

Takes place January 28 at 7:00 pm at the Carrollton Center for the Arts. Visit www.westgatalent.com for information about the competition and how you can buy tickets to the show.

Club News from Facebook

Paulding County Feeds Troops at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport

By Jackie Cuthbert

When the USO needed to serve our brave soldiers returning from leave, Paulding County Rotarians answered the call. Lots of volunteers mean lots of sack lunches made for these men and women in uniform coming through Hartsfield-Jackson Airport on their way to Fort Benning and Fort Gordon. Thank you Jeb Gordon for organizing this project and thank you to all the volunteers!
[more]

Club News from Facebook

DG Gives Coins of Excellence, Meets with Interactors in Newnan

By Jackie Cuthbert

Newnan Rotarians were recently honored by DG George Granade with the 2022-2023 Coin of Excellence. Honorees included Clay Neely, Cathy Wright, Jay Boren, Granade, George Siggins, and John Thrasher.

While visiting Newnan, DG George also took time to meet with the Newnan High School Interact Club. [more]

Club News from Facebook

North Cobb Fighting Hunger

By Jackie Cuthbert

North Cobb Rotary joined together to help Forever Fed's Mobile Food Pantry deliver food support to families in need. What's different? Forever Fed travels to communities. One fixed location would only serve one small area... and hunger is everywhere. Learn more at https://foreverfed.org
[more]

Club News from Facebook

North Columbus, Quitman and Vinings Cumberland Adopt Parts of Their Communities

By Jackie Cuthbert

The Rotary Club of North Columbus was glad to be a part of Adopt a Family at Rigdon Road School! As Rotarians, we love any opportunity to get involved & give back to our community. Vinings Cumberland Rotarians dropped off 50 gifts for the young children at La Amistad for the after-school participants; many are ESL kids and … [more]

Club News from Facebook

Roswell Helps Kids "Sing in the Rain"

By Jackie Cuthbert

Fellowship Christian School has been growing, and part of that growth involves building renovation. Unfortunately for the 5th grade class, they have been temporarily displaced to an exterior building with no covered walkway, and that is no fun when it rains. Roswell Rotarian David Wash has a son who attends Fellowship Christian and remembered the club had a bunch of golf umbrellas left over from our recent charity golf tournament and asked club president John Carruth if we could donate them to the class. John agreed and Dave was able to deliver the umbrellas just before the last rainy day. In appreciation, the Fellowship Christian 5th grade class sent the club a very nice thank you card signed by all the students and teachers who can now stay dry when they come and go. This small project It shows the compassion of one of our Rotarians, recognizing a problem & taking individual action.
[more]

Club News from Facebook

Thomaston Gets Help with Community Relief Efforts

By Jackie Cuthbert

The Rotary Club of Thomaston received a special gift from the Diane Burr Memorial 5k Flag Run/Walk - $10,000 for the Club's Fuel & Crisis Fund! Generous donations like this allow the club to provide relief to pay heating bills during the winter months and to enable Thomaston's Social Services Department to help Thomaston residents … [more]