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ANNIVERSARIES
Rotary Onlinehttps://dunwoodyrotary.org
ROTARY CLUB OF |
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| President | Rick Otness |
| President-Elect | Rick Woods |
| Secretary | Mike Parks |
| Treasurer | Larry Domenico |
This Week's Speakers: Atlanta Friendship Initiative
Bill Nordmark III, Past President of the Rotary Club of Atlanta, decided to do something to change the world one person at a time. His inspiration came from Pete Correll, former head of Georgia Pacific, who said at a Rotary meeting that “race relations represented the most critical issue before our community”.
Bill presented his idea for the Atlanta Friendship Initiative (AFI) to John Grant, who quickly responded “I’m in”. From that, the initiative was born and serves as a wonderful “example of how things should be”. John said “I do this because I believe it is important to be a catalyst for change. The Atlanta Friendship Initiative is the method by which that change will occur.”
Two people of different races, nationalities, religions, or political preferences are paired. They agree to meet once each quarter for a meal, and get their families together once a year. Bill said not one person has turned him down, and he sees that as a craving people have to take personal action to improve their world. The purpose of AFI is to create unity, understanding, and a stronger community. This uniting leaders of Atlanta together in friendship will show the community and our children what true leadership really looks like.
Bill has been President and CEO of The Nordmark Consulting Group since 1993. Prior to that, he served as 'Executive Vice President of External Affairs for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia. Bill has spoken to our club about his personal polio survival story and Rotary’s efforts to eradicate this terrible disease.
John has worked in Atlanta for over 30 years. He currently serves as Executive Director of ESPN’s Air Force Reserve Celebration Football Game. Prior to that, John was Chief Executive Officer of the prestigious 100 Black Men of Atlanta, which provides support and improves the quality of life for African Americans, and especially youth, in the Atlanta community. He has served in many leadership positions throughout his career, and recognized with numerous awards. Most recently, John was named Atlanta’s 2016 Man of the Year by the Atlanta Tribune Magazine.
"Where there is unity, there is always victory" -Pubilius Syrus
*A note about security and safety - the Atlanta Friendship Initiative is a self-initiated project and not coordinated by any one person or group. Please use common sense and exercise safety precautions if meeting someone you do not know."
John Thomas Grant, Jr. was named executive director of the Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl, Atlanta’s newest college football postseason bowl game owned and operated by ESPN Events, in August 2015. The first of it’s kind bowl pits the champion of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference against the Southwest Athletic Conference. Having worked in the Atlanta market for over three decades, Grant joined ESPN from 100 Black Men of Atlanta (100), where he was the chief executive officer. The organization provides support and improves the quality of life for African Americans, and youth in particular, in the Atlanta Community.
He joined Airborne Express in 1979 and just two years later was promoted to Area Operations Manager in Greenville, S.C. In 1985, he was relocated to Atlanta, where he served in several areas including leading the operations, customer service, and sales organizations.
In 1988, just four years after migrating to Atlanta, Grant became the youngest member to join the 100 Black Men of Atlanta at the age of 30. He was voted its Man of the Year in 1989 after leading the organization’s flagship program Project Success. He served as an elected member of the Board until his selection as Chief Executive Officer in 2001. Grant also served as Chairman of the Atlanta Football Classic, the organization’s largest fundraiser from 1999-2001. Under his leadership, the event set record attendance and revenue levels each year and grew it into one of the top three recurring sporting events in the state.
Grant has received numerous awards and recognitions. He was selected by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of the 100 Most Influential Atlantans, 100 Most Influential in Hospitality, 50 Most Influential Non Profit Leaders, ‘50 Most Influential Leaders in Sports, and 2016 Who’s Who in Sports. He was inducted into the 2015 Atlanta Hospitality Hall of Fame, and named one of Atlanta’s 2016 Men of the Year by the Atlanta Tribune Magazine.
Grant currently serves on several boards including, Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Atlanta Sports Council, and the Executive Committee of the National Wildlife Federation, Atlanta Braves Fan Advisory Board, Atlanta Football Host Committee.
He is a native of Potecasi, NC and attended NC A&T State University.
Welcome New Member: Edward P. Holiday
Edward P. Holiday grew up in Clemson, SC and graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelors degree in History and Education. Upon graduation, he enrolled in the University of Georgia and received a Mater's Degree. He joined Clemson US Army Reserve in 1969 and served until 1975.
He began his career at Greenville HighSchool in 1971 as a Social Studies Teacher. During his 45 years with Greenville County Schools, he served as a Teach and High School Assistant Principal. He became Principal at Stone Elementary school in 1993, a small low-performing school in downtown Greenville, and later recentely retired in June 2016. During his tenure at Stone Elementary, the school became a Magnet School of the Arts, enrollment doubled, the schoool was recognized annually for outstanding student achievement and recived many awards, including the Finalist for Palmetto's Finest Award.
He joined North Greenville Rotary Club in 1994. During his years with the club, he served for 10 years as a Board Member and the 2006-2007 Club President.
Edward has a wife, son and daughter. Upon retirement, he and his family decided to move to Atlanta to be near his children and grandchildren. They chose Dunwoody to be equal-distance between his son and wife and their children in Cumming and his daughter and husband and their soon to be son in Decatur. Edward and his wife love to travel and have made numerous trips to Europe, China, New Zealand, and Australia. Edward enjoys walking, yard-work, reading, and spending time with his family.
Edward wanted to join the Rotary Club of Dunwoody to become more involved in the community, participate in a community of service, and involved in international service with Rotary Internatioal.
Please join us in welcoming our newest member!
Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI)
The Rotary Leadership Institute is a recommended unofficial affiliate of Rotary International, but not an official program of R. I. nor under its control.
Clubs and districts looking to train Rotarians as leaders at local levels can now access online a wide array of resources developed by the Rotary Leadership Institute. Established in 1994 to assist in improving the Rotary knowledge and leadership skills of the future leaders of clubs and districts, the Rotary Leadership Institute is a multi-district program already functional in Zones 31 and 32 in the United States, and is forming divisions around the world.
The institute offers a training program in three full-day sessions, followed by graduate seminars. Trainers are carefully selected from among Rotarians with outstanding leadership abilities and prepared to conduct innovative and participatory course sessions.
Select this link to register for upcoming classes: http://www.rlitraining.org/
Rotary Club of Dunwoody Members with RLI Sessions Completed (not included in the picture)):
- Fred Brandt ( 2 )
- Kathy Brandt ( 2 )
- Cathie Brumfield ( 3 )
- Lorri Christopher ( 3 )
- Robert Hall ( 3 )
- Larry Hart ( 3 )
- Cassandra Mills ( 3 )
- Bill Mulkey ( 2 )
- Richard Otness ( 3 )
- Tina Philpot ( 1 )
- Dottie Toney ( 1 )
- Richard Woods ( 1 )
- Bill Woulfin ( 3 + DL GF )
2018 - 2019 RI President: Barry Rassin
Barry Rassin, of the Rotary Club of East Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas, is the selection of the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International for 2018-19. He will be declared the president-elect on 1 September if no challenging candidates have been suggested.
As president, Rassin aims to strengthen our public image and our use of digital tools to maximize Rotary’s reach.
“Those who know what good Rotary clubs do will want to be a part of it, and we must find new models for membership that allow all interested in our mission to participate,” he says. “With Rotary more in the public eye, we will attract more individuals who want to be part of and support a membership organization that accomplishes so much good around the world.”
Rassin earned an MBA in health and hospital administration from the University of Florida and is the first fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives in the Bahamas. He recently retired after 37 years as president of Doctors Hospital Health System, where he continues to serve as an adviser. He is a lifetime member of the American Hospital Association and has served on several boards, including the Quality Council of the Bahamas, Health Education Council, and Employer’s Confederation.
A Rotarian since 1980, Rassin has served Rotary as director and is vice chair of The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees. He was an RI training leader and the aide to 2015-16 RI President K.R. Ravindran.
Rassin received Rotary's highest honor, the Service Above Self Award, as well as other humanitarian awards for his work leading Rotary’s relief efforts in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake there. He and his wife, Esther, are Major Donors and Benefactors of The Rotary Foundation.
Rassin’s nomination follows Sam F. Owori’s death in July, just two weeks into his term as Rotary International president-elect.
Recap (August 4th Meeting: Caffeine and Octane Highlights
For those who missed August 4th speaker, the Rotary Club of Dunwoody was treated to the story of how “Caffeine and Octane” became the largest monthly car show in North America. Located at Perimeter Mall on the first Sunday of each month, this event is the place for car enthusiasts to proudly display their unique vehicles and trade stories about their cars. Booth space for auto vendors is sold , expanding the interest and services of many businesses at the events.
Sandy Springs native Bruce Piefke of High Octane Events LLC, headquartered in Atlanta, told of how he saw possibilities over three decades to partner with friends and acquaintances with the necessary skills and contacts to create what is now a burgeoning enterprise. On a typical Sunday, 10,000+ car lovers show up at Perimeter Mall to view more than 2,000 muscle, classic, luxury, high performance, and exotic cars.
Piefke’s career began as a promoter and event marketing expert. He founded the Special Events Network in 1991 and through it, he launched 70+ outdoor movie events on an inflatable screen he designed. These can be seen from Atlanta to Seattle—even in Dunwoody and Sandy Springs.
In 2014 he took ownership of “Caffeine and Octane” from Cox Automotive and it has mushroomed into the NBC Sports show that will air on Thursday nights beginning this October. His combined social media assets and the TV show will reach an audience of more than 500,000 car enthusiasts each week. Both the city council of Dunwoody and the Convention and Visitors Bureau have honored him for his efforts to promote tourism in Dunwoody. He brought, for display, a $250,000 McLaren 570 GT that was admired by all.
He lives in his hometown of Sandy Springs with his family of wife and two daughters.
Fans view the $250,000 McLane. (From left to right: Derek Stanfield, Jim Riticher, Jack Mills, TeakPacetti, Bruce Piekfe, Tom Lashway, Chris Smith and President Rick Otness)
Recap from 8/4/17 Meeting: Tech Moment
From time to time, President Rick will have a tech moment atr the weekly meeting, followed by an article in the weekly bulletin. At the 08/04/17 meeting President Rick reviewed how to regain awareness of your login and passwords. Here is the short version
District 6900 & Club Website Login/Passwords:
1. Go to: www.rotary6900.org
2. Select "Login"
3.Click "Either":
a. Username?
b.Forgot password?
4.Type in the email address you used when you joined Rotary
RI Website Login/Passwords:
1. Go to: www.rotary.org
2. Click on For Members
3. Click Red Box "Sign in to My Rotary"
4. Select" Forgot Password"
5. Enter your email address when you first joined Rotary.
If neither of those options work, send a note to rcdpres@gmail.com , along with the email address that you want to use going forward, and President Rick will attempt to get the system to recognize you.
From the desk of the Newsletter Editor
Send your Newsletter submission to: rcdnewsletter@yahoo.com
Our Club's Weekly Newsletter typically consists of:
- Speaker bio
- New Member Name(s)
- Featured article(s) (regarding events, service projects, or on-going topics general club administrative items, etc..).
- Foundation initiatives or other topics of interest to Members and with value for our Club archives.
- Announcements (seeking volunteers, advertising service projects, etc.)
- For Your Calendar (Club and other activities we encourage members and/or their spouses to attend, including Family of Rotary events
- Member News (birthdays, anniversaries, accomplishments, Caring Hands)
Please keep in mind key components to include with your submission:
- Title of your article
- Description of the activity
- Dates, Time, Location, deadline, etc... (especially for upcoming events)
- Key Points of Contact Information and/or a link to reference website for details
- Names and/or headcount of Rotarians (and others) participating,
- The reaction of those benefiting and the numbers of those benefiting.
- Picture(s)
Please also tell me the number of weeks would you like the article published.
Finally, the deadline for articles to run in the current week are Mondays by 5 p.m.
If you have any questions feel free to ask.
Thank you!
Cassandra Mills, PMP, ITIL, REALTOR