President's Message

With the Golf, Tennis & Pickleball Tournaments complete, we're pivoting straight into our next acts of service.

On the near horizon: the Roswell Youth Day Parade, First Responders Farm Day, the World Polio Day Cornhole Tournament, and Adopt a Platoon. Behind the scenes, we're rolling up our sleeves on two bigger builds—designing a HomeStretch Learning Lab expansion and sketching out an implementation plan to put our opioid abuse prevention grants to work. There is a role for every member in these efforts, whether that's showing up for an afternoon, lending a professional skill, or helping shape a plan before the first shovel hits the ground. I encourage each of you to consider which next right step fits your time and your interests. And when that step is complete, choose the next one. If every one of us does our next right part of these larger efforts, that's how we move forward together — that's how we Create Lasting Impact.

None of this works without a strong bench, and that means we need to keep growing our membership. Fresh perspectives and new energy, blended with the traditions that make this club what it is, are what keep Roswell Rotary healthy and thriving. So here's my ask: think of someone you'd like to invite to an upcoming meeting, or bring along to a service project — a neighbor, a colleague, someone you've handed a Service Above Self coin because you already know they show up for others. Let's be intentional about inviting the right people into our club, the ones who will enrich our experiences, sharpen our perspectives, and strengthen our resources.

We just proved what this club can do when we show up for each other. Now let's carry that same energy into the parade route, the farm, the cornhole boards, the platoons overseas, and the plans taking shape on paper. One next right step at a time, we're building something that lasts — and I couldn't be prouder to be doing it alongside all of you.

Yours in Service,

Leslie

Non-Profit Panel Moderated by Past President Dave Schmit

David “Asch” Aschenbach moved to Roswell in 2018 from East Cobb, where he and his wife, Amy, raised their four children. He began his career with IBM in Dayton, Ohio and later moved to Atlanta, working nearly 38 years in sales and client leadership. During that time, he also volunteered for 13 years with Kidz2Leaders, a nonprofit that helps children of incarcerated parents build brighter futures, serving as a camp Cabin Dad, Business coach, and mentor. After retiring from IBM in May 2025, Asch began his encore career by joining Kidz2Leaders as their Major Gifts Officer.

Cheryl Carter  is a results-oriented administrator with over 40 years of executive level experience in the development growth and leadership of not-for-profit organizations. Ms. Carter possesses solid capabilities in outcomes-based program development, fundraising, event production, media relations, market research, public/private partnership development and public speaking. Cheryl’s passion lies in creating programs that empower individuals to overcome poverty.Cheryl has served on the Board of Directors for various nonprofit organizations and has received prestigious awards for her community leadership and professional contributions. Before her nonprofit career, she served in the US Army’s 103rd Military Intelligence Division, earning recognition for her service. Cheryl holds degrees in Business Administration Management and Human Services Management, and she resides in Grayson with her husband Drew, an entertainer. They have three successful adult children and a high school senior.

Dr. Amy Gates Stroud is a veteran public school educator and nonprofit executive with more than 30 years of experience advancing educational opportunity, strengthening communities, and supporting mission-driven organizations in her home state of Connecticut and her adopted home of Georgia. While in Connecticut, she contributed her leadership to multiple state education task forces, the state Health Advisory Board, and C Votes for Animals, where she advocated for legislative changes in the CT General Assembly to improve the lives of companion animals.Deeply committed to her hometown, Gates Stroud also helped create the first Children, Youth, and Family Master Plan and contribute her time and expertise to the Commission on Elderly and the Disabled and the Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission. She also served for seven years as an adjunct professor at a local community college, where she worked closely with older and first-generation students.

Since leaving public education, Gates Stroud has continued her commitment to service by leading nonprofit organizations focused on youth development, community improvement, and enriching lives through targeted programs and comprehensive supports. Her areas of expertise include fundraising, strategic planning, program development, community partnerships, and leadership growth. In 2022, Gates Stroud earned her Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration with a concentration in nonprofit management. She currently serves as President of North Fulton Community Charities, which supports clients in North Fulton by providing financial assistance, food, education, workforce training, and clothing. A Roswell resident for the past 10 years, Gates Stroud remains deeply engaged i the local community. She contributes her time and leadership as a board member for RoswellNEXT, the Roswell Farmer’s Market, and has volunteered with Great Pyrenees Rescue of Atlanta for the past seven years. Her commitment to service also extends nationally. After donating a kidney to a stranger in 2023, Gates Stroud became a peer mentor for the National Kidney Foundation, supporting others through their own health journeys and has been a peer mentor for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for the past 5 years. She lives in downtown Roswell with her husband, youngest daughter, and four-legged family members, and recharges by reading, resting, and spending time outside.

Looking forward to hearing from all of these servant leaders!

Board Member Spotlight
RRC Foundation Kurt Hilbert

Kurt R. Hilbert, founder and a Principal Shareholder of Kaufman & Hilbert, P.C. a full service law firm located in Alpharetta, GA, had previously started and ran his own law firm, The Hilbert Law Firm, LLC for 17 years in the heart of Roswell. Enjoying an active practice that involves complex and many times high-profile business, real estate, employment and constitutional matters, Kurt’s motto is that he “does not think outside the box, to him there is no box.” Admitted to practice in all state and most federal courts in Georgia, as well as the United States Supreme Court where is has submitted several Amicus Brief, practicing since 2002. Widely recognized by his peers and the judiciary as a continuing “AV Rated Preeminent” attorney for his knowledge, skills and ethics, he has a “Superb” ranking through Avvo, and has been a Georgia “Superlawyer” for almost ten years running. Awarded the “Best Attorney” in North Fulton County, Kurt has been recognized repeatedly as one of America’s Top 100 best civil defense litigation attorneys.

A double-degree graduate of Northwestern University (Go Big Ten!) with honors in two separate disciplines -- Political Science and Opera Performance, he then did some graduate work at the University of Chicago in political science, ultimately, graduating from Northwestern University School of Law where he spent his final year studying law at the University of Oxford, UK. As a result of his studies, he was later published in the American Journal of International law. Having gratefully represented numerous clients in his years of practice (several of whom are Rotarians), Kurt believes he would not have accomplished his successes if were not for many life mentors throughout the years, including the unrelenting support of his soulmate and wife of 26 years, Jennifer. He is most proud of his not-for-profit work and involvement in the community through Hilbert’s Heroes and of course, through Roswell Rotary.

Drumroll!
50-50 Drawing to be Hold Thursday Sept. 24 at Meeting

Fall Social Sept. 30
Women in Rotary Event

Bring Your Candy!

Sun. Oct. 18th
Farm Day for First Responders

Look for your invitation via email and come volunteer at the table in the front. It's the highlight of the fall!

Blood Drive Recognition
Club Achieves Milestone

After months of vague symptoms and emergency room visits, 6-year-old Kinzie Frey was diagnosed with stage 4, high-risk neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that can grow into tumors. Her tumor was collectively the size of a mini basketball, originating on her right adrenal gland and was tangled throughout her abdomen, wrapping around veins, arteries and organs from her heart to her pelvis.

Kinzie’s doctor immediately began an aggressive treatment protocol to fight the cancer and prevent it from returning. After her second round of chemo, she had a procedure to remove some of her stem cells. The cells were preserved and given back to her during two stem cell transplants. Each transplant required a month in the hospital and strict precautions that prevented her from returning to school or going to public places. Kinzie developed a late complication from the stem cell transplant that caused her body to break down blood cells at an alarming rate and required numerous blood and platelet transfusions.

Over 18 months, Kinzie received 46 red blood cell transfusions and 72 platelet transfusions. Her mother, Holly Bosse, says, “If it weren't for the generosity of blood donors, Kinzie wouldn't be here with us today. Those blood donations aren’t only a gift to Kinzie but to our family, friends, and supporters. They are also a reminder to give for the benefit of others.” Kinzie is officially done with treatment and is in remission and cancer-free.

Congratulations to Roswell Rotary's "Blood Suckers" team led by Hal Schlenger and Darrell Bartlett and for being recognized Thursday for achieving a milestone for blood donation!

GSRP Students Hit Peachtree City

Evelina and the other Georgia Rotary Student Program GRSP students had an incredible weekend with the Rotary Club of Peachtree City Rotarians!

Pictured from left to right:

Ellen-Sofie (denmark)

Hedvig (Sweden)

Sofia (Sweden)

Katharina (Germany)

Evelina

Ane (Norway)

Linnea (Norway)

We are excited to hear all of the stories this week!

Thursday, April 22, to Sunday, April 25, 2027
District Conference Asheville NC

2027 Conference Overview

Dates: April 22–25, 2027

Location: Asheville, NC (Blue Ridge Mountains)

Host Hotels: Embassy Suites and DoubleTree by Hilton (Downtown Asheville)

Registration Tiers: Early Bird Special (July 1 – Dec 31, 2026): $350Regular Registration (Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2027): $425Late/On-site (April 1 – Apr 25, 2027): $450

You can track updates and complete registration through the official Rotary District 6900 website.

Upcoming Roswell Rotary Events
Strengthen Your Connections Here!



Women in Rotary Fall Social
Wed, Sept. 30 5pm - 7pm
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First Responders Farm Day
Gold & Grass Farms Ballground, GA
Sunday, Oct. 18 1pm - 5pm
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Last Week at Rotary