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Meetings
September is Basic Education and Literacy Month
Events
LEADERSHIP
PAST DISTRICT GOVERNORS
Cheryl Greenway 2012-13
Bob Hagan 2015-16
Gordon Owens 2024-25
ROTARY CLUB OF RoswellThursdays, 12:15 pm Roswell Area Park Bill Johnson Community Activity Building 10495 Woodstock Road Roswell, GA 30075
Rotary Online
https://roswellrotary.club
https://rotary6900.org/
https://rotary.org/
   
GET CLUB SMS ALERTS
text CLUBALERTS to (833) 456-2829
Our Rotary Family
BIRTHDAYS
| 9/2 |
Mishel Miller |
| 9/4 |
Terry Taylor |
| 9/4 |
Roger Wise, Jr. |
| 9/5 |
Cole Taylor |
| 9/5 |
Bill Swank, II |
| 9/6 |
Rudy Lind |
| 9/6 |
Robert McIntyre |
| 9/9 |
Bill Sawin |
| 9/12 |
Alesia Booth |
| 9/14 |
Lynn Dunn |
| 9/14 |
Chuck Savage |
| 9/14 |
Carleton Ohly |
| 9/16 |
Scott Morchower |
| 9/17 |
Shannon Harrison |
| 9/17 |
Mike Agurkis |
| 9/20 |
Jeff Bridges |
| 9/22 |
Lorraine Head |
| 9/23 |
Drayton Robertson |
| 9/24 |
Chris Archer |
| 9/25 |
Cathy Pope |
| 9/26 |
Brooke Foxman |
| 9/27 |
Dave McCleary |
| 9/30 |
Trummie Patrick, III |
| 9/30 |
Shahid Khan |
YEARS OF SERVICE
| 9/7 |
Sid Disher (15) |
| 9/8 |
Jeff Bridges (19) |
| 9/8 |
Karen Schwank (13) |
| 9/15 |
Michael Thompson (3) |
| 9/18 |
Debbie Cwalina (10) |
| 9/18 |
Brian Hansford (10) 12 years in Rotary |
| 9/24 |
Tod Baker (9) |
FAMILY OF ROTARY
Our membership cares deeply about the needs and concerns of our members. We don’t want to miss an opportunity to reach out in friendship when such concerns arise. The chairperson of this committee is Lynne Lindsey and all news should be directed to her at lynnehlindsay@outlook.com
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President's Message This Week at Roswell Rotary: DG Visit, Our Values, Heroes, Fall Action
This week, we are honored to host District Governor Steve Ivory of Rotary District 6900 as he visits our club and shares his vision for Rotary. The position of District Governor is one of the most important leadership roles in Rotary International. A governor doesn’t just hold a title — he/she serves as the bridge between Rotary International and the local clubs that carry out Rotary’s mission on the ground. Roswell Rotary has had three past District Governors who served from our club: Cheryl Greenway, Bob Hagan, and Gordon Owens. We are proud of them and proud to welcome DG Steve to our meeting. The role of a District Governor is grounded in service, support, and vision. DG Steve provides guidance to dozens of clubs across our State, helping presidents and members align with Rotary International’s priorities, while inspiring us to continue serving our communities with energy and purpose. He is charged with visiting every club in the district, listening to our challenges, celebrating our successes, and encouraging us to dream big about what Rotary can achieve. As Arch Klumph, founder of The Rotary Foundation, once said: “The Rotary Foundation is not to build monuments of brick and stone. If we work upon marble, it will perish; if we work upon brass, time will efface it… but if we work upon immortal minds… we are engraving on that which is eternal.” For Roswell Rotary, DG Steve’s visit is more than ceremonial — it is a reminder that our work in this community is part of something much bigger. As we reflect on DG Steve’s visit, we are reminded that the true measure of Rotary lies not just in ceremony, but in the tangible good we create—through service, building friendships that transcend differences, and focusing on a shared vision of a better world. These foundational values are not confined within club walls; they ripple outward, offering guidance for how we engage with the broader world. As Paul Harris, Rotary’s founder, wrote: “Whatever Rotary may mean to us, to the world it will be known by the results it achieves.” Just as Rotary calls us to elevate service above self and to cherish understanding over discord, so too does our daily life demand a commitment to genuine communication and empathy. In a time when listening is rare and conflict too easily found, Rotary’s principles invite us to be bridges—connecting not only communities, but hearts and minds. By embracing the spirit of Rotary, we can choose dialogue over division, compassion over contention, and, ultimately, become agents of the positive change our world so urgently needs. In today’s world, authentic communication is more important than ever. We live in a time when too often people talk over one another instead of truly listening. We live in a time when many would rather argue than seek peace, when opinions are valued more than understanding, and when violence is too often chosen as the solution to disagreements.
Rotary reminds us that we are at our best not when we shout louder, but when we listen with respect and come together for a common cause of service. As Stephen Covey put it: “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” Rotary asks us to do better —calling us to lead with listening, empathy, and the courage to act—demonstrating that service is not just a value, but a living practice. Rotary challenges us not only to aspire to higher principles but to bring them to life through our actions, big and small. Today, our club puts these values into motion as we recognize an individual who personifies the courage to act. As part of our monthly program of recognizing our local heroes, we are proud to honor our Roswell Rotary Hero of the Month, Captain Jeff Mealor, from the Roswell Fire Department. He represents the courage and dedication of all who serve, putting Service Above Self each day by protecting our families and our community. We are grateful for his commitment and sacrifice, and we celebrate him as an example of what it truly means to serve others first. Join me in honoring him and let's let him know what he means to our community! And finally, with the golf tournament behind us (Great job Ryan Gehricke, the committees, and all the volunteers), we look ahead to a busy fall of service and fellowship:
• Polio Awareness Tailgate – October 3 at the UGA vs. Kentucky football game in Athens. • Roswell Youth Day Parade – October 4, celebrating our community and showcasing Rotary’s impact. • First Responders Family Farm Day – October 12 at Gary Garrett’s farm, honoring those who protect and serve us daily. • Roswell Youth Council – recently launched in partnership with the City of Roswell, empowering the next generation of leaders. • Backpacks for Homeless Veterans – Rotary Community Grant project to support those who have served our nation and now need our care. Next week, Senator Saxby Chambliss will be speaking to our club. Please remember to invite your friends and colleagues. Sic Vos Non Vobis, Trummie Lee Patrick III State Farm Insurance District 6900 Governor Steve Ivory to Visit Roswell Rotary Club
Join us this Thursday as Roswell Rotary proudly welcomes Steve
Ivory, our District 6900 Governor. Please plan to attend this meeting to show the District
Governor our support as he shares updates on Rotary International and District 6900 goals and initiatives.
A committed Rotarian since 2001, Steve began his journey with the Rotary Club of Peachtree City, where he quickly took on leadership roles including Club Treasurer, Vice President, and GRSP Host Family. As Club President during the pandemic year of 2020–2021, he led with innovation and resilience, achieving a 254% increase in Foundation giving. His leadership continued as Assistant Governor under District Governors George Granade and Andre Marria, and he now brings his vision and energy to clubs across the district. Steve’s professional background spans a blend of military discipline and corporate excellence. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a degree in Physical Sciences, he served as an Aircraft Maintenance Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and is a Gulf War veteran. He retired as a Major in the Marine Corps Reserve and later earned his MBA from Georgia State University. Steve recently retired as Director of Quality at Eaton, where he was honored with the prestigious Stover Community Service Award, one of the highest recognitions among Eaton’s 95,000 employees. His Rotary contributions are both deep and wide-ranging. Steve is a Sheffield Society inductee, two-time Paul Harris Fellow Major Donor, and founder of the Rotary Club of Peachtree City Foundation. He’s served as a GRSP Host Family five times, earned multiple GRSP honors, and led impactful district grants focused on youth, health, and community needs. His work as a Rotary Youth Exchange Counselor and liaison to local police and fire departments underscores his commitment to service and civic engagement. Outside of Rotary, Steve is equally active in the community. He serves on the board of Southside Support, mentors students through REACHGA and Georgia Tech’s OMED program, and supports military recruitment as a Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer. He’s been featured in national publications and campaigns, including Piedmont’s “Real Men Wear Pink” initiative. Steve and his wife of 31 years, Anna, Vice President of Patient Safety and Quality at Piedmont Healthcare, are proud parents to Kayla, a mental health counselor, and Claire, a transplant unit nurse. In his downtime, Steve enjoys real estate investing, home improvement, travel, fitness, and time with their beloved Golden Doodle, Harley. Roswell Police Dept Hero Hero of the Month- Captain Jeff Mealor
Captain Jeff Mealor is a US Army veteran who joined the Roswell Fire Department in 2022, dedicating the past 18 years to protecting property and saving lives. Today, he serves as the Captain of the Heavy Rescue Special Operations unit for the City of Roswell Fire Department, continuing to exemplify leadership, courage, and an unwavering sense of duty. Roswell Rotary is proud to honor him as our First Responder Hero of the Month. THIS THURSDAY Sept. 18 Alive in Roswell
Sat Sept 20 Rivers Alive- Need Volunteers
Rivers Alive is an annual tradition in Roswell and sparks renewed pride in our unique riverside city. The event, co-hosted by Keep Roswell Beautiful and the City of Roswell, is part of a statewide campaign to clean and preserve Georgia’s 70,100 miles of rivers and streams. It is a fun and rewarding way to spend a morning! THIS SATURDAY September 20, 8:30 AM till Noon! Annual Statewide River cleanup, locally sponsored by Keep Roswell Beautiful and City of Roswell. Call or text Dutch Earle 770-403-0755 for more details and to sign up. Great project for families! Sept 20-21 10am - 5pm Volunteers Needed for Roswell Arts Festival
Volunteers Needed to man the Community Painting Booth at the Roswell Arts Festival Sat. Sept 20 & Sun. Sept 21. The fair will be held at Roswell City Hall. It's always a fun day. Great opportunity for a Red Badge to get in a service project!! Sign Up Link Board Member Spotlight Courtney Lott
Since joining Rotary in 2021, Courtney Lott has been an active member, initially taking on the role of Service Project Chair. With a deep passion for community engagement, she is excited to transition into her new position as Membership Chair, aiming to foster connections and enhance the club's outreach to potential new members. Growing up in the Milton/Roswell area, Courtney attended Roswell High School and following graduation, pursued higher education at the University of Mississippi, earning a double major in Education and English. Continuing her academic journey, she obtaining a Master's degree in both Elementary Education and Curriculum and Instruction, all while working for Ole Miss Athletics. Shortly thereafter, Courtney moved back to Atlanta, pursuing her career in Real Estate. Upon returning to Atlanta, Courtney married Jim Lott, Real Estate Developer and proud alumnus of the University of Georgia. Together, they are raising two wonderful sons, Taylor (8 yrs) and Tucker (1yr). United by their shared interests, the family enjoys immersing themselves in the vibrant world of real estate, the excitement of football, and traveling with their children to the beach and to football games! Professionally, Courtney thrives as a real estate agent at Keller Williams Peachtree Road, specializing in serving the North Fulton area. Her commitment to her career aligns with her dedication to community service, allowing her to make a positive impact in both realms. She feels truly blessed to do what she loves while contributing to the well-being of her community. Driven by a mission to connect people through shared passions and charitable causes, Courtney embodies the spirit of Rotary in her daily life and all her various roles. Fun fact: During their free time they love to travel, to date, to just over 20 countries. The most memorable experience was cage diving with 7 Great White Sharks off the Coast of South Africa, next to Seal Island (before they had kids!). Interact News
School has started and so have the Roswell Rotary Interact Clubs! This year we have 14 active Interact Clubs with 5 elementary (which meet once a month), 4 middle schools and 5 high schools (both MS & HS meet twice a month). Pictures will be in the RotaScope as the Interact Clubs meet and serve. Want to learn more about working with a club, reach out to RRC Club member Becky Nelson or come to the meeting this Thursday after the meeting in Classroom #1. All are welcome. SEED money checks will be ready. Thank you to the current Interact liaisons! High Schools Clubs - Blessed Trinity HS/Rotarian Bill Swank (needs a 2nd liaison)
- Centennial HS/Rotarians Debbie Cwalina or Gabriel Prado
- Fellowship HS/Rotarian Angela Medley (needs a 2nd liaison)
- Roswell HS/Rotarians Becky Nelson or Frederick Levy
- The Cottage School HS /Rotarian Ron Cowan (needs a 2nd liaison)
Middle Schools Clubs - Elkins Pointe Middle/Rotarian Michael Schoppenhorst (needs a 2nd liaison)
- Crabapple Middle/Rotarians Sam Lane or Joe Gillespie
- Queen of Angels/Rotarians Nate Porter or John Gordon
- The Cottage School Middle/Rotarians Gordon Owens & Sid Discher
Elementary School Clubs - Mimosa ES/Rotarians Gabriel Prado & Michael Curling
- Mt Park ES/Rotarian Priya Crumpton & Liaison John Stone
- Roswell North ES/Rotarian Vivian Bankston (Needs a 2nd Liaison)
- Sweet Apple ES/Michael Schoppenhorst (Needs a 2nd Liaison)
- Vickery ES/Liaison Stacy Perlman (Needs a 2nd Liaison)
Joining us for lunch Oct. 2 Roswell Youth Council
New to Roswell Rotary Club (RRC) this year is an exciting collaboration between the RRC Interact High School Clubs and City of Roswell to relaunch the Roswell Youth Council (RYC - formerly known as Youth Ambassador Council). The 2025-26 RYC will learn how a city works from being paired with a City Leader for the Youth Day Parade to a meeting to learn more about their personal leadership style as mentoring, etc. We will be able to meet the 2025-26 Youth Council members at our Oct 2 lunch meeting when Mayor Kurt Wilson is our featured speaker. Congratulations to this newly chosen Youth Council Members: - Brady Berry, Fellowship, Jr
- Ashley Boomhouwer, Fellowship, Jr
- Kayden Cheng, Centennial HS, Jr
- Annie Etheridge, Roswell HS, Jr
- Emily Frezell, Roswell HS, Sr
- Jule Hernandez-Ramirez, Centennial HS, Jr
- Caitlyn Hobby, The Cottage School, Sr
- Ava Huebner, BT, Sr
- Yeimi Hurtado, Centennial HS, Sr
- Joy Jorday, Centennial HS, Jr
- Kate Martinez, The Cottage School, Sr
- Addison Nowokowski, The Cottage School, Sr
- Taylor Patrick, Fellowship, Sophmore
- Jennifer Sanchea, Centennial HS, Sr
- Mary Katherine Tucker, Roswell HS, Sr
Meal Train for Bartlett Family
Thank you to everyone who has been dropping off meals to Claire & Darrell Bartlett. They are so grateful for the prayers and kindness that Roswell Rotary members are delivering to them every day. If you would like to sign up for a meal, please sign up on the sheet at Rotary Thursday Contact kathy Igou 404-408-4188 or kligou@gmail.com. Cards are much appreciated as well-215 Putting Green Lane, Roswell GA 30075 Your body is asking for this Walk with a Doc: Apple Picking in Ellijay plus Phy Therapist Dr Kim Richards speaks
Physical therapist Dr Kim Richards of All Points of Health Physical Therapy speaks about balance to avoid unnecessary trips, slips and falls.
Then the joy of tasting and picking the freshest apples at R& A Orchard is at 5505- GA 52 East, Ellijay GA 30536 Details at https://randorchards.com/ Additional walk and talk to follow the apple picking. Contact Hal Schlenger or Dr Betty Price for more info.
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