Our leadership team enjoys GRSP gala

From Our District Governor

Focusing on Peace and Conflict Resolution ... and All We Can Do to Make Our World Better

By Mary Ligon

This month, Rotary International turns a spotlight on Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution, and I’m proud of what we’re doing to instill the spirit of peace and understanding in our young people. We are in the midst of our inaugural year with Youth & Peace in Action – moving a little more slowly than anticipated because of day-to-day changes in school schedules due to COVID, but we still expect great results from this group of young peacemakers. In December, we selected five Georgia high school students to participate in Rotary Youth Exchange next fall, and we will plan to host seven incoming students too – after a two-year break. And last month in Thomasville, we celebrated 75 years of the Georgia Rotary Student Program “Building Peace through Understanding.”

Read on for more about upcoming District and Rotary celebration, as well as some thoughts on membership and Foundation giving. [more]

RI Convention 2022

Sign Up Now for 2022 RI Convention - Live in Houston!

By George Granade

We are pleased to confirm that the 2022 Rotary International Convention will be an in-person event in Houston, Texas, USA, 4-8 June. Rotary International is offering a special registration rate of US$495 through 28 February at convention.rotary.org/houston/register. All Rotary International convention and preconvention participants must either be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 OR provide a negative result from a COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival at the convention.  convention.rotary.org/houston/register

Contact me - DGE George Granade - for more information about what the district plans in Houston!
[more]

YOU'VE BEEN SERVED!

By Neill Ferrill

RI Director Peter Kyle has invited each of us to participate in the Zones 33/34 You've Beens Served Event. Running from Wednesday, February 23 (Rotary's Anniversary) to the week of Paul Harris' birthday (Saturday, April 23), this event will allow clubs in the Zones to demonstrate Rotary's motto of Service Above Self by performing random acts of kindness and good deeds in their local communities. This is a "no barriers" event that ALL clubs, Interactors, Rotaractors and Rotarians can participate in to help local communities, raise awareness of Rotary and local clubs, attract new members and engage current members. We also hope to inspire those we serve to pay it forward by serving someone else in the future.

Clubs will work in conjunction with the Zones' Public Image team to advertise this event dedicated to service across the Zones. This event could become an annual event and may, one day, become international with Rotary Clubs all across the world participating.

Visit Rotary Serves – You've Been Served for more information, resources, and a special place to highlight acts of service and kindness performed during the event.! [more]

Membership

Finishing Strong

By Jaclyn Donovan

We’re halfway through the Rotary year, and the finish line is getting closer.  Every district in our Zone started the year strongly, but all fell off a bit in the past few months - even before Omicron. To help each club refocus and Grow More to Do More, Zone 34 has created a membership competition. Check it out ...
[more]

GRSP 75th Anniversary

GRSP Celebrates 75 Years and Dedicates Peace Plaza & Will Watt Memorial Fountain

By Katheryne Fields

The Georgia Rotary Student Program celebrated 75 years with a gala January 21 and dedication of the GRSP Peace Plaza and Will Watt Memorial Fountain on January 22 in historic Thomasville, home of GRSP founder Will Watt.

GRSP Chair Bert Guy said, “When we reflect on the past 75 years, we are aware of the many leaders who played a vital part in the history of GRSP. GRSP is credited for connecting many smaller Georgia colleges with international students, often their first in the college or town.”

When Will Watt III (pictured), grandson and namesake of GRSP Founder Will Watt, addressed the crowd at Saturday's plaza and fountain dedication, he said Will Watt Sr.'s house at 714 North Dawson Street had an open-door policy for the Georgia Rotary Student Plan, the initial name for the Georgia Rotary Student Program. To read Will Watt III’s full remarks, get a glimpse of the weekend in photographs by GRSP District 6920 Director Milton Heard, review resolutions and view the full Generations of Generosity Donor List in the GRSP 75th Commemorative Program, visit www.grsp.org/history. [more]

Clockwise: New Barnesville Rotarian Chris Cox, Carrollton Rotarian Susan Welch, Peachtree City Rotarian Heidi Becker, North Columbus Rotarians (unnamed on FB) and Johns Creek North Fulton Rotarian Ting Chiu

Membership

Welcome New Members

By Jaclyn Donovan

We welcome these new Rotarians in District 6900 - drawn from our January membership records - and we've included some pictures of individuals joining as recently as last week and celebrated on club Facebook pages:

• Atlanta Brasil – Jade Taylor
• Alpharetta – Brian Mould, Zachary Hipes
• Blakely – Jennifer Brown
< … [more]

Interact Update

Celebrating Small but Impactful

By Becky Stone

The Counterpane Interact Club in Fayetteville is 13 members strong and committed to doing good in their community.  Every month, club members volunteer at The Bloom Closet, which is an organization that provides Georgia’s foster children and their families with free clothing, baby gear, books and school supplies. When clothes and other donations are dropped off, the Counterpane Interact Club members help unload, sort and organize them.  They also help doing other tasks as needed by the staff.
[more]

Club News

Vinings Cumberland Celebrates 25 Years of Run for the Kids

By Betty Smith

In January, the Vinings Cumberland Rotary Club celebrated its 25^th anniversary of donating to children’s charities. This year, the club once again donated over $100,000, this time to 15 charities for children’s projects. Grant Recipients included The Calvary Children’s Home and Good Samaritan Health Center, Atlanta Union Mission, Bankhead Boys Association, Boy Scouts of America
Atlanta Council, Canine Companions, Center for Children and Young Adults, Cobb County Public Library Foundation, Girls On The Run of Atlanta, Hearts Everywhere Reaching Out to Children,Inc., Jason Cunningham Charitable Foundation, Inc. (JCCF), Kenrod, Inc., Lekotek of Georgia, Inc., MUST Ministries, and Youth Villages. 
[more]

GRSP Update

Georgia Rotary Student Program Names New Program Director

By Jackie Cuthbert

The Georgia Rotary Student Program is excited to announce Katheryne Fields as its inaugural Program Director, a critical leadership position identified by GRSP’s strategic plan. A member of the Griffin Daybreak Rotary Club, Katheryne spent the past year as GRSP’s marketing and development director. 

GRSP Chair Bert Guy shared the news at GRSP 75th Gala in Thomasville in January. Fields. He said, “Katheryne has demonstrated excellent communication and organizational skills. She has proven her passion for the program and served as a resource for GRSP. I am certain she will continue to lead, collaborate, maintain and build relationships to enhance the fundraising and branding initiatives within GRSP’s Strategic Plan.” [more]

From Facebook

Alpharetta Makes a Splash

By Jackie Cuthbert

The 2022 Alpharetta Rotary Polar Bear Plunge raised over $77k for the community. That’s how you make a splash. Donors supported organizations from the Alpharetta Public Safety … [more]

From Facebook

Making a Difference in Our Communities ... Part 1

By Jackie Cuthbert

Learn what Rotarians in the Americus, Atlanta West End, Cairo, Jackson-Butts, East Cobb, Atlanta Brasil and Smyrna Clubs are doing to make a difference in their local communities. [more]

From Facebook

Making a Difference in Our Communities: Part 2

By Jackie Cuthbert

Projects led by Rotarians in Marietta, Meriwether County, Moultrie, Newnan and North Cobb are changing lives in their communities - and, for Meriwether County, the world. [more]

From Facebook

Making a Difference in Our Communities ... Part 3

By Jackie Cuthbert

Senoia Rotary (pictured) used its District Grant to provide laptop computers to Arise Recovery, a local Non-Profit dedicated to helping men recover from substance abuse.

Thomaston Upson Rotarians are calling on all youth of Upson County ages 13-18! The club is partnering with Thomaston Housing Authority to host a fantastic Youth Leadership Summer. [more]