DG Jim visited his home club, the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs, led by President Nancy Schroeder

DG Jim with Atlanta Metro President Warren Turner and Rotaract Club of Atlanta President Caroline Lazaro

DG Jim meets with the Board of the Atlanta West End Rotary Club - led by President - to hear about their 2019-20 plans

DG Jim presented a Governor's Lifetime Service Commendation to Rotarian Larry Brewer for his 43-year Rotary "career" at his visit to Fayetteville, led by President Vickie Butler

I have heard over and over from Past District Governors that the best part of the job as District Governor is visiting the clubs, and after completing most of my first month of club visits I can now say that is exactly true. What wonderful work is being done by the Rotarians at the Fayetteville, East Cobb, Atlanta Metro, Atlanta Airport, Atlanta West End, and my home club of Sandy Springs. And I truly mean Rotarians, not just members of a Rotary Club!

Speaking of making a difference, many of you have shared stories in this newsletter - thanks for all you do and please keep sharing your ideas and accomplishments. Be sure you read PDG Cheryl Greenway's article about the Rotary Foundation and the generous gift made by Kim Walden, President of the Rotary Club of Thomasville, toward our efforts to End Polio Now. And think about joining us this Saturday at the Emory-Clifton Rotary Club's second annual Health Symposium about the Challenges of Eradicating Polio - you can read all about it in this newsletter.

As I write this for the August newsletter, I am getting ready for visits to the Dougherty County, Dawson, and Albany clubs. Donna and I can’t wait!!!

Not long ago I heard that a survey had found that Rotary was perceived as an organization that was male, pale, frail, and stale. As I visited my first six clubs, I found four had female presidents, and each and every board was wonderfully diverse in sex, race, age, and ethnicity. Exactly what these communities need to Connect With Rotary!