Bell will ring at 7:27 this week – be ready to join the breakfast line!
This past Saturday morning I received a text from Past President and District Governor Nominee Designate, Kirk Driskell, who was attending a session at a District Leadership Conference at Calloway Gardens. During their session, they were trying to close the gap on funding two Rotary International projects. Kirk asked if we could help provide the necessary funding, as much as $1,500, to help put these projects over the top. I walked outside the OK Café where we were having brunch with my youngest daughter and responded “YES” - - - . I was so proud we were able to support Kirk’s request. As a result of Alpharetta Rotary and others present, both projects were fully funded. Our $1,400 will be matched by the District, and then matched, again, by the Rotary International Foundation. Our $1,500 turned into $6,000!
Two things stood out to me in this exchange. First, we are so fortunate to be in a financial position to handle such requests; and secondly, we get things DONE. As it is said “Rotarians are People of Action” – Alpharetta Rotary exemplifies this statement in the best way. Simple – no “red tape” just do the right thing…
Here is a summary of the grants that were funded:
Haiti C Arm grant – This grant is championed by our RI President Elect Barry Rassin, total impact of $182,000 to Purchase a “C-Arm” Machine for a Hospital in Haiti serving a city of 1 million people, most of whom depend upon motor scooters for all transportation. The population incurs the highest numbers of life threatening and debilitating accidents in the country and the hospital Doctors lack this special X-Ray machine to assist in the diagnosis and repair of complex fractures and injuries.
The following clubs stepped up:
Alpharetta $1000
Dawson $200
Griffin $1000
North Atlanta $100
North Columbus $100
Sandy Springs $200
Stone Mountain $900
The Bangladesh Women’s Health Grant provides Breast Cancer Screening services via an ambulance and mobile Mammogram Machine In remote villages In Bangladesh. A VTT Team will recruit and train local Community Health workers who will continue Breast & Cervical Cancer screening and referrals for treatment among the women. The goal of the project is to reduce the death rates of these women from breast and cervical cancer. At present, rural women are twice as likely to die from these diseases than are women in more populated areas. The GG provides early diagnosis and access to appropriate care where there has been none in the past.
The following clubs stepped to support this grant:
Alpharetta $500
Bainbridge $350
Cairo $500
Camilla $350
Decatur $500
Harris Co. $300
N Atlanta $100
N Columbus $200
Peachtree City $500
Stone Mountain $1100
I am going to keep this detailed information in the body of this update for your reference. PLEASE take action and register for one of the Rotary Leadership Institutes, put the District Assembly on your calendar, AND be sure to register for the District Conference!
Our speaker this week is Stanton Girod. Stanton is a founder and president of AR Consultant Group, Inc. an Atlanta-based technology firm that specializes in reducing the complexity and cost for advanced technology in mid-sized businesses. Before starting AR Consultant Group, Stanton worked for several technology companies centered around the data storage and disaster recovery space. Stanton has specialized experience in the Banking and Finance industry and has worked as a bank examiner for the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, focusing on security and disaster recovery of financial systems.
We will learn more about Chris Owens, as he will give us our Vocational Minute this week.
Opportunities:
- Sign-up for Fresh Market – questions? Contact Lee Doernberg 678-773-1039
- Women of Rotary will meet Feb 21st 5:30-7:30 at Colletta’s - Avalon
Rotary Leadership and Conference Opportunities
- Contact Steve Corder (stevecorder1@gmail.com 770-855-5225) for more information.
Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI)
(Club will reimburse you for the cost of RLI training. Submit receipt to Will Daniel)
- 10 March in Tucker (RLI Parts 1, 2, 3 and Graduate Course)
- Information link: http://www.rlitraining.org/event/rli-tucker-ga-6900/
- Registration link: http://www.ismyrotaryclub.org/register4/index.cfm?EventID=77363326
- 17 March in Cartersville (Parts 1, 2, 3, Graduate Course, Discussion Leader)
- Information link: http://www.rlitraining.org/event/rli-cartersville-ga-6910/
- Registration link: http://www.ismyrotaryclub.org/register4/index.cfm?EventID=77348682
General Assembly 24 March at Ironworks in Columbus, GA.
- All Club members encouraged to attend!
- More information to come!
District Conference San Destin! April 26 – 29th Join us at the BEACH!
- All Club members encouraged to attend!
- Link to information and registration: https://rotary6900.org/v2/event/2368
2018 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
If you have a son or daughter 15 – 17yrs old (preferably a junior this school year) you will want some information on Rotary’s youth leadership experience, called RYLA. The dates are June 2-6th at Georgia Southwestern State University (Americus). It’s an outstanding experience for our youth. Please contact Deborah Swofford (770-781-4100, dswofford@mhtlegal.com ) for more information. Deadline for application will be end of February.
Unfortunately will miss you all as I have a required work commitment downtown this Friday. PE Robin will have the floor…. Enjoy your breakfast!