President's Message
From Youth to Experience: Leadership in Motion At this past week’s Roswell Rotary meeting, we briefly recognized the Roswell Youth Council — an important reminder that the future leaders of our city are already beginning their journey. While their work is just starting, their presence signaled something larger: our community invests in its youth because we know they will carry the torch forward. (I was very proud of my Taylor!) Mayor Kurt Wilson highlighted the success of the 75th Roswell Youth Day Parade, a celebration that brought the entire community together. That milestone event — honoring our youth and affirming the role of leadership development — reflects exactly what Rotary values: preparing the next generation while strengthening the present. As John Quincy Adams once said: “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” This week, we shift from recognizing tomorrow’s leaders to learning from one of today’s most accomplished. Bob Hope: Leading by Example This week, Roswell Rotary welcomes Rotarian Bob Hope — a leader whose career and service have left a lasting mark on Atlanta and far beyond. Bob’s story began in sports, where he rose from an usher at the Atlanta Braves to directing public relations during Hank Aaron’s historic home run chase. By age 30, he was serving as a vice president for both the Braves and the Hawks, and working side-by-side with Ted Turner during the formative years of Turner Broadcasting. From there, he co-founded Hope-Beckham, a nationally recognized PR and marketing firm, guiding campaigns for Fortune 500 companies, sports franchises, and major civic events, including the Olympic Games. Yet his leadership extends far beyond business. In Rotary, Bob has chaired international conventions, earned the Service Above Self award, and served as one of Atlanta’s most visible Rotarian voices worldwide. His impact also stretches to global service. Bob is a founder and vice chairman of the HAVE Foundation, which builds and sustains schools in Honduras, giving children opportunities for education and hope. He has also represented Rotary and the Carter Center abroad, even serving as an election observer in Nepal — putting Rotary ideals into action on the world stage. In every chapter of his life, Bob has modeled the truth that leadership isn’t just about success — it’s about service, vision, and creating opportunities for others. Maya Angelou captured it best: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Those who have worked with Bob have felt empowered, respected, and included — the marks of a leader who serves first. Bridging Generations of Leadership In just two weeks, Roswell Rotary has celebrated the energy of youth at the parade, acknowledged the promise of student leaders through the Youth Council, and now turns to the wisdom of a seasoned leader in Bob Hope. It’s a continuum — one generation beginning to learn, another showing what lifelong leadership looks like. Together, they remind us of Rotary’s mission and our city’s future: Service Above Self is not just a motto — it is a way of living that connects young and old, hope and experience. Sic Vos Non Vobis Trummie Lee Patrick III
President Roswell Rotary 2025-26 Bob Hope on Leadership and His Time with Ted Turner and the Atlanta Braves
Roswell Rotary is proud to welcome this week’s speaker on Thursday, October 9, Robert E. “Bob” Hope, an accomplished businessman, author, philanthropist, and lifelong Rotarian whose career reads like a highlight reel of American sports and media history. Bob Hope began his journey in public relations while still in college, joining the Atlanta Braves and quickly rising to become the team’s Director of PR and Promotions at just 24. By 25, he was managing the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, and by 29, he was Vice President under Ted Turner, working across the Braves, the Hawks, and Turner Broadcasting. He was also at Hank Aaron’s side during the legendary chase to break Babe Ruth’s home run record, a moment etched in baseball lore. His career later took him to The Coca-Cola Company, where he helped shape Olympic marketing efforts, and eventually to New York, where he held a top role at the world’s largest PR firm. Today, he is co-owner and president of Hope-Beckham Inc., a leading public relations and event marketing agency whose clients have included the Chick-fil-A Foundation, The Coca-Cola Company, Belk's, Turner Broadcasting, Home Depot, Southern Company, Comcast, and numerous sports leagues and nonprofits. Bob is also a published author of two books: We Could Have Finished Last Without You - a humorous look at his early Braves days, and Greater Late Than Never - celebrating individuals who found success after age 50.
Beyond business, Bob has made a lasting impact in sports advocacy. He founded the Colorado Silver Bullets, a professional women’s baseball team, and served 14 years on the board of Billie Jean King’s Women’s Sports Foundation, including six years as the only male on its executive committee. He is the past
winner of the President's Award for work in support of opportunities for girls
and women in sports. His list of accomplishments goes on including: -Organizer of an annual trip of 50 to build schools and other projects in rural Honduras
-Named "Most Admired CEO"
-Listed as one of the 100 Most Influential Atlantans
-Listed as one of the 500 Most Influential Georgians "Living Legend"
-Listed as one of the Most Powerful Atlantans "Business Legend"
-Inducted into the Georgia Relations Hall of Fame
-Named Atlanta "Father of the Year"
-Named District "Rotarian of the Year"
-Rotary International "Service Above Self" winner
-Women's Sports Foundation President's Award
-Inducted into the Atlanta Hospitality Hall of Fame
-Received the Distinguished Service Award of the Atlanta Business League
-Received the Richard Stormont Hospitality Award
-Vice Chair and Emcee of Rotary International Convention
-Founder of HAVE Foundation Join us this week to hear Bob’s reflections on leadership, legacy, and the power of storytelling in shaping public perception and community impact. His journey is a testament to the value of bold ideas, lifelong learning, and service above self. #1-Cornhole Tournament
President's Polio Power Play
Throughout the month of October, I’ll be including a couple of short paragraphs in the “President’s Polio Power Play” to keep polio awareness front and center. Since this month is Polio Month, it’s the perfect time to remind us of Rotary’s impact and our role in finally eradicating this disease. Since 1979, Rotary and our partners have helped immunize over 2.5 billion children worldwide, reducing polio cases by 99.9%. Yet the fight isn’t over. Experts warn that if vaccinations stopped, Polio could paralyze up to 200,000 children every year within a decade. That’s a real stat for everyone to remember! Rotary continues leading the charge through immunization campaigns, disease surveillance, and advocacy. As Rotary International maintains, “Polio is the only human disease we can eradicate without a cure—only with vaccine, perseverance, and partnership.” Polio Power Play #1 Now it’s our turn to make a difference. Roswell Rotarians can support this life-changing cause by joining us at our Polio Fundraiser Cornhole Tournament at the end of October or by making a gift to Rotary’s polio prevention efforts. https://my.rotary.org/en/donate Every dollar helps bring us one step closer to a polio-free world. Sic Vos Non Vobis
Trummie Lee Patrick III
Alex Kaufman- 2nd Year Past President
Board Member Spotlight
Serving as Roswell Rotary Club President in 2023-2024, Alex Kaufman brought the Christkindl Market to Roswell through his connections with the organization, with hopes that this will be a longstanding tradition and collaboration between RRC, Bulloch Hall and the City of Roswell. Professionally, Alex is an experienced trial attorney representing clients in commercial, employment and securities litigation. He provides advice on corporate and franchise matters as well as intellectual property disputes, corporate disputes and government relations, ranging from local governments to the federal government. Currently serving as the General Counsel for the Republican Party of Georgia, Alex also provides counsel for the 7th Congressional District. He was an equity partner at an AM Law 100 firm and at one of the largest national law firms headquartered in Atlanta. Before that, he held positions with Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue’s Office of Executive Counsel; the Appellate and Trial divisions of the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office; the U.S. Department of State, Office of the Chief of Protocol, Diplomatic Affairs Division; Fulton County Superior Court Judge Craig L. Schwall, Sr.; and the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security. Fun fact: Alex enjoys coaching the Westminster Schools’ high school mock trial team, volunteering in the community, and travel. His favorite animal is the yak. This Sunday, October 12th, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
First Responder Family Farm Picnic
Join us for the First Responder Family Farm Picnic this Sunday, October 12th, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, at Gary Garrett’s “Gold & Grass” Farm. This year, we’re honored to welcome special guests: all City of Roswell First Responders—Fire, Police, EMS, support personnel—and their families. This heartfelt event celebrates the everyday heroes who serve and protect our community. Enjoy a fun-filled day with delicious food, lively entertainment, and engaging activities for kids and adults alike. Activities Include: - 4-wheeling & hayrides
- Bouncy house
- Paintball & face painting
- Cornhole
- Birdhouse building and decorating.
- Pumpkin painting
- Panning for gold and/or buried treasure along the banks of the Etowah River
Roswell Rotarians are asked to bring a covered dish or dessert, and your favorite drink. Please sign up here signup genius link Reach out to Michael Curling with questions michael.curling@gmail.com 
QR Code for Sign Up Thank you Gary Garrett for your generosity! RRAH - Monday Night Football, Oct. 13th
Join Roswell Rotary After Hours in our Monday Night Football & Cornhole social event at Gate City!
Monday, Oct. 13th at 7 PM. Gate City Brewing. See you all there!
That's a Wrap- Youth Day Parade 2025
Youth Day Parade Float Awards! - 2nd Place Mayor's Award-Roswell Rotary Club
- 1st Place Civic Clubs Division-Roswell Rotary Club
The Roswell Rotary Interact Club float design this year was the very theme of the parade: Growing Together. With vines woven through the Rotary Wheels, down the sides, the front and the back of the Trailer, everyone saw the celebratory 75 anniversary spelled out in sunflowers as Interact students from Centennial HS, Crabapple Middle, Mimosa Elementary, Mt Park Elementary and Roswell HS threw the obligatory pounds of candy to thousands of onlookers. Roswell Rotary Team RRC Member Joe Gillespie had the vision, RHS Construction Teacher had the skill and the space while Becky Nelson queued up the middle school and high school Interact students to show up to build it. For 3 days after school, Joe, Kevin, Becky, were joined by Ken Briggs, Joe Mazzeo, Jay Pittroff, Bill Swahin to paint, glue, assemble and staple all of the components. Joe Mazzeo & Ken Briggs used the infamous Rotary wheels to house a self-contained water feature showing a hot pink watering can constantly spraying the garden from 13' high. A satisfying way for the Roswell Rotary Club's 75th birthday to be announced while celebrating in the 75th Frances McGahee Youth Day Parade. School & Interact Teams We also really want to thank each Interact teacher and Rotary Club liaison who coordinated the Candy Collection, coordinated shuttling their students back/forth to Roswell HS and promoting their participation in the actual parade! We thank Senor German Acosta (Centennial), Mrs Jennifer Riddy and Mr Matthew Levellee (Crabapple Middle) and Mrs Regan Pierce and Mr Kevin Squiers (Roswell HS). Candy Collection Winners Congratulations to Crabapple Middle School for winning the Candy Collection Contest! We also want to shoutout to Centennial HS & Roswell HS provided impressive haul while Mt Park Elementary won the elementary division! Tailgating for Polio
What a picture perfect day in Athens, GA for the first-ever Tailgating for Polio event. Thanks to Dave & Trummie Lee Patrick for waiting in line during the wee hours to assure that we got the perfect tailgating spot, to Gordon Owens & Trummie Lee for suffering those planning sessions over a cold one, and to all who woke up early on a Saturday to drive to Athens for a noon kickoff. And thanks to campus police for upholding Roswell Rotary's infamous reputation and letting the air out of our Rotary blow up. (No, we were not too rowdy. Just rules about soliciting for causes at tailgates) We met new people and other Rotarians and former GSRP students even dropped by. Great way to kickoff Polio month! 
Last Week at Roswell Rotary
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