DG George doubled as photographer at PETS and Arnold was frequently at his side to promote our Green Acres district conference in SanDestin

From Our District Governor

Imagine Opportunities for Fellowship, Learning, Fun and Making a Difference!

By George Granade

We just finished an amazing weekend at PETS - President Elect Training - where DGE André, district leaders and next year's club presidents joined with their fellow leaders from Georgia's other two Rotary districts to brainstorm about how to take us successfully into the next Rotary year that will start in July. It was great to be there, and reminds us all that we are closer to the homestretch for this Rotary year. We have a lot to celebrate and a lot to accomplish - and I look to all of you to us make the rest of the year as good or better than what we have already enjoyed!

For starters, have you registered for District Conference to be held at the Sandestin Beach and Golf Resort from April 27-30? Your Green Acres team leaders - Cheryl, Kelly, LouAnn and I - are planning some fun times. Join us for a pig roast on Thursday night (don’t worry we did not roast Arnold, he will be at the conference), a cornhole contest and a tug-a-war battle. Be sure your club has assembled a team for each of these events. We will have educational Rotary classes available as well as awards to be given out. We have two speakers who I believe will motivate and inspire you. And did I mention, you'll have some time to enjoy the beach! You can register at the District website - be sure to do that before March 21 when the registration fee goes up to $325.

Read on for more information about district awards, the upcoming district training assembly and a reminder about district grants. [more]

District Training

Register Now: District Training Assembly for All - March 25 in Columbus

By Stephanie Windham

Join District Governor Elect Andre at District Training Assembly  on March 25, 2023 at the Historic Iron Works (Convention and Trade Center) in Columbus, Georgia.  District Training Assembly is a chance for club officers, committee chairs and assistant governors to further develop leadership skills and refine strategies to achieve their goals. All Rotarians who accept key club leadership roles are encouraged to attend the District Training Assembly.  And, the session is not just for club officers; it's where club officers, chairs, emerging leaders, and ALL Rotarians can learn more about what Rotary has to offer.  [more]

Our Rotary Foundation

8 Years and 8 Paul Harris Fellows for the Rotary Community Corps of Peachtree City!

By Mandy Timmons

Peachtree City (PTC) Rotary Past President Joel Norris had an inspiration to do more and saw a special need for expanding opportunities for individuals who might otherwise not get a chance to participate in activities that would allow them to excel and gain self-esteem. Under Joel's leadership, the Rotary Community Corps (RCC) of Peachtree City held its first meeting in February 2015. Just like Rotary, the RCC changes officers each year, so there are eight past presidents. To celebrate these past presidents, the Rotary Club of Peachtree City and several members made generous donations to have each of the past presidents become Paul Harris Fellows through the Rotary Foundation.
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GRSP Update

GRSP Names Trio for Oslo Summer Scholarships

By Katheryne Fields

A trio of college students from Georgia will spend the summer studying at the International Summer School at the University of Oslo as part of a joint partnership with the university, Georgia Rotary Student Program and Rotarians in Oslo, Norway. Emma Mack will represent District 6900 and the Rotary Club of Alpharetta with the endorsement of Rotarian Shawn Allen. Valerie Goldman will represent District 6910 and the Rotary Club of Lake Chatuge with the endorsemwith the endorsement of Rotarian Shawn Allen. Valerie Goldman will represent District 6910 and the Rotary Club of Lake Chatuge with the endorsement of GRSP Trustee Gerry Gutenstein. Laura Williams will represent District 6920 and the Rotary Club of St. Simons Island with Rotarian recommendations from SSI President Tate Simpson, GRSP Chair Emeritus Bert Guy from the Rotary Club of Camden County plus Past Rotary International Director Robert Hall.

The scholarship for the six-week summer program from June 26 to August 4, 2023 includes air fares from Atlanta to Oslo and the return trip to Atlanta, room, board, 12-credit hours of undergraduate coursework, administrative fees at the International Summer School at the University of Oslo plus an outing with Norwegian Rotary host families. The recipients of the scholarships must pay their travel expense to and from the airport, plus provide their own personal spending money. [more]

GRSP

GRSP Students Pack Meals, Create Service Project Plans at Leadership Weekend

By Jackie Cuthbert

The Rotary Club of Dunwoody recently hosted the 20th GRSP Leadership weekend. The students packed more than 10,000 meals for Rise Against Hunger on Friday - and even helped with all the set-up this year - normally a Rotarian task! In Saturday workshops, they learned about courageous leadership and were challenged to think now about what they'd like their legacy to be and take action. And on Sunday, they awed us with service project plans in the Shark Tank workshop led by the Rotaract Club of Atlanta. We awarded a $1,000 grant for a project to encourage more recycling in Zimbabwe - created by a team from all over the world.

Thanks to Rotarians from the Rotary Clubs of Atlanta Metro, Gainesville, Gwinnett, Buckhead and Roswell, and to the Rotaract Club of Atlanta for their support of this GRSP weekend. We hope the tradition continues for a long time to come.  [more]

Laws of Life

Rotarians Judge Laws of Life Essays

By Linda Hatten

The Georgia Rotary Clubs Laws of Life Essay Contest doesn't happen without judges. And thanks to online judging through Submittable.com, our esteemed Rotarian judges participate from Rotary clubs in all corners of the Peach State.

At GLL, we’re especially pleased to recognize winning writers at both the school and the state level. Over 40,000 students write a Laws of Life essay each year, and schools submit their best to the contest. We expect to award nearly $20,000 in cash awards to students and teachers.

The judging continues through the month of March. School and grade winners will be announced on March 24. One week later, the Georgia Laws of Life state winners and runners-up will be announced on Friday, March 31. [more]

Club News from Facebook

And the Winner is ... CART

By Jackie Cuthbert

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Club News

Atlanta Southern Crescent Shares Valentines with Seniors

By Claudia Mertl

Members of the Rotary Club of Atlanta Southern Crescent went to the Jonesboro Assisted Living Facility in Jonesboro on February 14 to meet with the residents and to give out bags full of goodies. The bags had been put together by Rotarians with different Valentine's sayings and drawings on each, and a Rotary Has Heart … [more]

Club News from Facebook

And the Winner is ... CART

By Jackie Cuthbert

When Neill Ferrill drew the Ace of Spades in the Vinings Cumberland weekly meeting raffle, there were two winners! Neill won a little over $500 and the club will be sending a check to CART for a little over $1,000!

You don't have to win a raffle to support this worthwhile organization doing research for a cure for Alzheimers. [more]

Club News

Americus Celebrates Club Valentines

By Angela Smith

Valentine's Day is "next level" for the Rotary Club of Americus which has gone from three married member couples to four (all eight are Rotarians). With the induction of its newest member, Amanda Anderson, Director of the Hands of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center, the club officially added its fourth couple just in time for Valentine's Day. Taking “Love a Rotarian” seriously are Jay and Amanda Anderson (Amanda, our newest member), Mike and Gaynor Cheokas, Don and Sybil Smith, and Rene and Angela Smith. Additionally, Past District Governor Marian Franklin and his wife Virginia celebrated the 70th anniversary of their first date on Valentine's Day.
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Club News

Columbus Builds Habitat Homes

By Julie Bond

In Columbus, many Fridays and Saturdays were reserved last fall for all Columbus Rotary Club members and guests to volunteer on a Habitat for Humanity build. Participants included our GRSP more]

Club News from Facebook

Vinings Cumberland Supports PAL

By Jackie Cuthbert

Just last week, the Vinings Cumberland Rotary Club presented the Cobb Police Athletic League with a check for $6143 for their track team bags and uniforms. Captain Hitt presented Club President Terri Hilderhoff a plaque in appreciation for the club’s continued support. Wally Horlacher coordinated the event which was held at Cobb Police … [more]

Club News

What a Partnership!

By John S. Belizaire

Partnerships certainly make a difference!  D6900 Public Image Chair, Mandy Timmons is in a unique position as a Rotarian and an employee of Cooper Lighting Solutions (CLS), the world’s largest lighting manufacturer.  With this connection, these organizations were able to partner on a project to help support Wellspring Living.

Cooper Lighting Solutions donated over 100 LED retrofit kits and their lamp division at Signify donated additional TLED lamps to partner with Rotary Club of Peachtree City to do a lighting retrofit at Wellspring Treasures Peachtree City. Thanks so much to the volunteers (with special thanks to CLS President Kraig Kasler) who came out to do the hands-on work for this project!  With over 40 volunteers, the project that was planned for two to three days was completed in less than one day! [more]