President's Message
Raise the Bag, Raise the Bar: A Perfect Night for Service Above Self
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy stood on the steps of the University of Michigan and challenged America’s youth to “contribute in some way to the progress of the world.” Within months, thousands answered that call—leaving the comforts of home to build schools, dig wells, and teach children across distant lands. The Peace Corps was born—not from government mandate, but from ordinary people united by extraordinary purpose. They didn’t wait for someone else to fix the world—they showed up, shoulder to shoulder, and did the work themselves.
That same spirit lives and breathes today in Roswell Rotary. When people of goodwill unite behind a common cause, remarkable things happen. And last week, our club once again proved that service and fellowship are a powerful combination.
The spark was lit early at our club meeting, when Roswell Rotarian Sid Disher inspired us all with his generous $2,500 matching challenge for PolioPlus. That single act of leadership set the tone—turning a routine meeting into a rally of generosity. The PolioPlus raffle followed, building momentum that carried straight into the night, where purpose met play in another Rotary tradition.
As the sun dipped behind a perfect autumn sky, more than 80 Roswell Rotarians gathered for our annual Cornhole Tournament—a night filled with laughter, friendly competition, and pure fellowship. The venue was perfect. The weather was flawless. The spirit? Unbeatable. Members and friends mingled, cheered, and tossed bags under the lights—each throw symbolizing more than a game. It was a gesture of hope, a reminder that even simple moments of joy can ripple outward to change the world.
As anthropologist Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” That quote could have been written about Roswell Rotary.
Record Setting Result
When the raffle concluded and the final numbers were tallied, we stood in awe: over $15,000 raised for PolioPlus during the month of October. That total wasn’t just a financial achievement—it was a reflection of who we are. It’s what happens when generosity meets purpose, when fun meets impact, and when Service Above Self comes alive in every handshake and smile.
And perhaps another meaningful success of the night wasn’t measured in dollars. Several guests—moved by the camaraderie and heart they witnessed—requested membership applications that very night. That’s the magic of Rotary: when people feel the energy of service and fellowship combined, they want to be part of it. The word is out: Roswell Rotary is the place to be if you want to make a difference.
As we celebrate what we’ve accomplished, we also look to what’s next. At our upcoming meeting, we’ll welcome students from our local Interact Clubs—young leaders already walking the path of service. They’ll share their projects, their passion, and their hope for a better world. Their presence is proof that the torch of Rotary burns brightly in the next generation.
As Nelson Mandela once said, “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that determines the significance of the life we lead.” When these students see Rotary in action—when they witness adults who live by Service Above Self—they learn that service isn’t a task; it’s a way of life.
Just as the Peace Corps began with a spark of inspiration and a call to serve, so too does our work continue to ripple outward—one act, one event, one person at a time. Every raffle ticket sold, every bag tossed, every laugh shared tells the same story: that when people of purpose come together, they can change the world.
And as our friend Bob Clarkson so perfectly said that night—“We didn’t just raise the bag… we raised the bar.”
Sic Vos Non Vobis
Trummie Patrick III
Roswell Rotary President 2025-26
Program This Week: Interact Students & Roswell Youth Exchange
Hope & Vision
The October 30th meeting is the very essence of Hope and Vision for a lot of us because our speakers range from 5th -12th grade. They are the servant leaders through the Roswell Rotary RYE, Roswell Youth Exchange, and Interact Clubs. This meeting is a tangible example of how Roswell Rotary continues to plant seeds of Service Above Self through our robust youth programs.
Roswell Youth Exchange-Matteo
The meeting will start off with Matteo, our Roswell Youth Exchange student from France, who will tell us a bit more about him, his home life and family, what inspired him to apply for the RYE scholarship and come to America for his junior year of high school. Roswell Rotary Past President & District Governor Gordon Owens, and wife Ashley, have been home for Matteo since arriving in August with him transitioning to his 2nd host family in November.
Interact Projects
Following Matteo, we will get to meet and listen to the student leaders of each RRC sponsored Interact Club! We proudly sponsor 14 clubs in both private and public Roswell schools: 5 elementary, 4 middle and 5 high schools. They will share their plans for service projects through the 2025-26 academic year that will focus not only locally but also through the state and the world.
Interact Clubs accomplishments already mentioned in RRC meetings include installing the first Roswell Youth Council through the exciting new collaboration between RRC and the City of Roswell as well as designing, building and presenting the Youth Day Parade float which garnished 2 awards! The Schools we celebrate by listening today: Blessed Trinity, Centennial HS, Crabapple MS, Elkins Pointe MS, Fellowship HS, Mt. Park ES, Mimosa ES, Queen of Angels MS, Roswell HS, Roswell North ES, Sweet Apple ES, The Cottage School Middle School, The Cottage School High School and Vickery Mill ES.
Suggestion: Before the meeting, take a moment to talk with the students and their teacher liaisons to thank them for being part of Interact.
Foundation /Charitable Giving
Board Member Spotlight-Cheryl Greenway
It could be said that Cheryl Greenway was born into Rotary leadership, by virtue of her father, Aubrey Greenway, serving as President of the Roswell Rotary Club, 1976-1977. Joining Rotary in 1994 and serving in various board roles prior to her presidency in 2005-2006, she led the club to Best Club recognition and was awarded the District 6900 Sheffield Leadership Award. As a Major Donor, she is a Paul Harris Society Member and Bequest Society Member Level 2. Aside from this well-deserved recognition, she can explain the benefits of Paul Harris Fellowship like nobody’s business!
Her District level involvement includes coordination of those 70 clubs, awards chairmanship, and service in Treasurer positions since 2008. A Roswell native, following graduation from Georgia State University, magna cum laude, Cheryl has worked as a CPA for Deloite, eventually moving on to form her own accounting firm, then merging with the Lindsey Group now known as Lindsey, Greenway and McIntire.
Serving on various local and state boards of organizations, it could be said Cheryl is a force of nature, recognized by the American Business Women’s Association with the Phenomenal Women of North Fulton award. In her spare time, she loves traveling, having been a white rafter through the Grand Canyon.
Vote for Scarecrow-$2 per vote
Scarecrow Roto-Lee on Canton St.
District Conference Registration Info
Click Here to Register
Links to Pictures & Videos
Click Here for Cornhole for Polio Pictures
Click Here for Video Farm Day
Click Here for Video The Chiefs
Last Week at Roswell Rotary
