The Moment of Need
President's Message
Making a Difference Begins at the Moment of Need As I reflect on last week’s meeting, a question has continued to sit with me: Why should we invest in our youth? Why dedicate our time, resources, and mentorship to students who—let’s be honest—may not yet fully understand the value of such support? Why champion Interact Clubs, leadership programs, youth service projects, and character-building experiences when it might seem easier to focus our efforts elsewhere? These are direct, even uncomfortable questions. But they are worth asking—because the answers reveal something essential about who we are as Rotarians. Where does true “service above self” originate? How is it nurtured? And how is it modeled? Because I believe service does not simply appear—it is cultivated, witnessed, and passed down. And when we step back and look to history, we discover something remarkable and consistent: It has so often been the young who have sparked movements of courage, compassion, and change. Consider this… Woolworth’s lunch counter
In 1960, four courageous college students in Greensboro, North Carolina, walked into a Woolworth’s lunch counter and quietly sat down, defying segregation laws. They were young, inexperienced, and without political influence, yet they believed in something greater than themselves. Their peaceful sit-in sparked a national movement for justice. Denied service, they didn’t argue or leave—they simply stayed. The next day, twenty students joined. By week’s end, hundreds. Within months, sit-ins inspired by these young leaders were happening in over 50 cities. They were young—yet they led. They saw injustice—and they acted! Ryan's Well Foundation Young Ryan Hreljac was a Canadian first grader who heard a story about children in Africa having to walk miles each day for clean water. Troubled by this, he began doing chores to raise money. His first water well was funded entirely by his own small earnings. That single act of compassion ignited a global movement. Today, “Ryan’s Well Foundation” has provided clean water to over one million people across 17 countries. A child—without power, wealth, or authority—simply believed he could make a difference. He was young—yet he led. He saw a need—and he acted! Malala Fund At just 11 years old, Malala Yousafzai began advocating for a simple but revolutionary idea: every child deserves an education. When extremists in her region of Pakistan tried to close girls’ schools, Malala refused to be silent. She wrote, spoke, and stood firm. At 15, she survived an assassination attempt. But instead of silencing her, the world witnessed her rising. Today, the “Malala Fund” supports girls’ education in over eight countries and amplifies youth leadership worldwide. In 2014, Malala became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate at 17. She was young—yet she led. She saw inequality—and she acted! Change has consistently begun with young people courageous enough to care. When we invest in the next generation, we are not merely teaching leadership—we are planting seeds of service-driven courage. We are nurturing individuals who see a need and step forward rather than step aside. As I said last week at our Interact meeting, we are passing on the Rotary motto: Service Above Self, not as a slogan, but as an identity lived. One day, one of these students will face injustice, inequality, or suffering—and instead of waiting for someone else to act, they will act and be the change. Speaking of seeing a need and taking action, I would like to introduce this week’s speaker, Roswell’s own, Pam Baker. Pam’s journey didn’t begin with the intention of building organizations or movements. It began with love—and with noticing the needs right in front of her. She watched her two sons battle cystic fibrosis, and out of that struggle helped create ShamRockin’ for a Cure, an effort that has now raised millions to support families and advance treatment. Lives were changed because she acted. She then faced a different kind of hardship as her husband, Jon, battled brain cancer. She saw the emotional weight it placed on her family and community, and responded by launching “Coffee, Cancer & Cocktails"—a Facebook space for presence, comfort, and shared strength. Again, lives were changed because she acted. After Jon’s passing, Pam recognized the quiet loneliness carried by widows. So, she created “Widows Who Wine,” a gathering grounded in warmth, honesty, laughter, and life. And once more—lives were changed because she acted. If we want the next generation to change the world, we must show them what courage in service looks like today. Pam embodies that example and is a powerful speaker for us all to hear and emulate—because we cannot ask our youth to do what we ourselves are unwilling to model. I quoted Margaret Mead last week, and Ill say it here again: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Pam is proof. Our youth are proof. And we as Rotarians are the link between our youth and those who live a life of “Service above Self.” Let us continue to invest in our young leaders—not because they are the leaders of tomorrow, but because they are already shaping today. And let us honor individuals like Pam Baker, who remind us that the greatest difference makers are our neighbors who choose to do something extraordinary. Because, at the end of the day, making a difference isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about showing up where help is needed and taking action. Let’s continue to make a difference—together. See you Thursday. Sic Vos Non Vobis Trummie Lee Patrick III
President 2025-26 Turning Loss into Purpose: Pam Baker’s Vision for Connection and Community
This November 6th, we welcome Pam Reed Baker, a digital creator, community builder, and founder of Widows Who Wine. Pam’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and remarkable impact. Her message promises to resonate with anyone who’s ever faced adversity and asked, “What now?” Pam launched Widows Who Wine in early 2023, just over a year after losing her husband Jon to glioblastoma. In the wake of grief, she found traditional support groups lacking the kind of connection and joy she craved. So, she built her own. What began as a small gathering of 13 women in Roswell has blossomed into a vibrant community of over 120 members. Her group offers monthly “Widows Night Out” events ranging from axe throwing to ghost tours, alongside empowering workshops like “Learning and Libations,” where members gain practical skills in finance, home maintenance, and more. Widows Who Wine is a social group connecting women of all ages and stages of widowhood through friendship and fun. While not a grief support group, they support one another through the wide array of emotions that life inevitability brings. Pam’s leadership is deeply rooted in her earlier advocacy work with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. After both of her sons were diagnosed with CF in 2002, Pam and Jon became Georgia’s top fundraising team, eventually raising over $7 million nationally. She now chairs the CFF Leadership Council and co-founded ShamRockin’ For A Cure, a beloved Roswell-based fundraiser. Her latest venture? A Widows Who Wine social networking app designed to help widows across the country and the world find connection, laughter, and purpose. Pam holds a psychology degree from Eckerd College and brings decades of experience in event planning, nonprofit leadership, and community engagement. She’s also a frequent podcast guest, most recently featured on the Buried in Work podcast, where she discussed estate planning, grief recovery, and the power of peer support. Join us on November 6 to hear Pam’s journey and learn how one woman’s vision is helping others rediscover joy after loss. Listen to Pam’s recent podcast appearance: Buried in Work – Episode 63 . All are welcome. Meeting Time and Location
Thursdays | 12:15 pm
Roswell Area Park
Bill Johnson Community Activity Building
10495 Woodstock Road
Roswell, GA 30075
Lunch $20 for Guests
100 Gift Boxes-Packing Nov. 6
Anchors Away- Collecting for Naval Personnel
Ralph Rowland 404-641-5671 is again leading this year’s initiative—formerly known as Adopt a Platoon—with a special focus on supporting the Navy. ⚓ Bring any items you have purchased to Rotary. See you Thursday after Rotary. New Member Spotlight
Dean Robertson
Dean was born and raised in Yorktown, VA and has a B.S. degree from James Madison University. He started Integrated Insurance Solutions in 2001 after an 11 year career as a PGA Professional and has earned the Certified Risk Manager Designation (CRM). He has been focused on serving his clients and community ever since. Dean has been married to his wife Bethany since 1993 and is a proud father of 3 children. While he still enjoys golf, traveling and the outdoors, his favorite times were coaching one of his three children’s sports over the years. Dean joined Rotary to better understand and support his local community. He is excited to serve in any capacity but loves organizing and participating in parties! (Editor's Note: A perfect Roswell Rotarian passion. Welcome to the Club!) Thank You to All Who Made Interact Day Last Week a Huge Success
A special thank you to all who made last week's meeting with the Interact Schools run so smoothly. The room was packed and the students were excited and proud to showcase their clubs! We had 12 of 14 clubs attend. Isn't that just amazing? And during the lunch meeting, 75 Hero Cards were written for our Anchors Away packing. Becky Nelson, Interact Coordinator, would like to thank the Youth Crew: Angela Medley, Joe Gillespie, Kathy Igou, Gary Garrett, Ken Briggs, Jack Wyche, Michael Schoppenhorst, Michael Curling, James Stone, Priya Crumpton, Alicia Hughes, Lynne Lindsay & Trummie Lee Patrick. And thanks to new member Shahid Kahn for stepping in at the last minute to sit with Vickery Creek because their liaison could not attend. Same with Michael Hernandez for Blessed Trinity. Thank you Roswell Rotary for making these students feel welcome and giving them their moment in the spotlight. It was a very special meeting. President Elect Leslie Bassett Announces Board 2026-27
The Club unanimously voted to accept the 2026-27 Board proposal on Thursday October 30, 2025. Last Week at Roswell Rotary
|
