President's Message
Weaving New Threads Into Our Fabric
One of the quiet privileges of belonging to Roswell Rotary is that we get to decide who joins us. Our club doesn't grow by accident. It grows because each of us decides to be intentional about the people we invite into this work. Every new member brings fresh ideas, new resources, different skills, and perspectives we may not have considered. Choosing thoughtfully who we ask is one of the most important ways we shape what this club becomes.
In my world as an attorney, we often talk about the people in a firm as Finders, Minders, and Grinders. The idea comes from David Maister's classic book, Managing the Professional Service Firm, and I think it fits a Rotary club surprisingly well.
Finders open doors. They bring in new relationships, partners, sponsors, and opportunities, and they are often the first to say, "I know someone you should meet."
Minders keep things running. They nurture relationships, organize committees, keep projects on track, and make sure the good work we start actually gets finished and followed up.
Grinders do the hands-on work. They show up with work gloves on, whether that means moving furniture, cleaning the river, flipping burgers, or staffing a table, and they make service happen.
A healthy club needs all three. I'd ask each of you to spend a few minutes this week thinking about where we stand. Do we have plenty of Finders but too few people to carry projects through? Are our Grinders stretched thin as our service calendar fills up? Which skills, professions, neighborhoods, or generations in Roswell aren't yet represented around our tables? And where could one or two new members make the biggest difference?
Then comes the most important step: act.
Think of someone who would make a great Rotarian. It might be a neighbor, a colleague, a client, a fellow parent, or someone you've watched quietly serve this community. Then invite them. Bring them to a weekly meeting. Ask them to join us at an event. Or better yet, invite them to roll up their sleeves at an upcoming service project, where they'll see who we are at our best.
Roswell is full of talented, generous people. Some of them have simply never been asked. An invitation from you may be the thing that finally brings them in. It could be the start of lasting friendships, new partnerships, and years of Service Above Self.
Let's be intentional. Let's be thoughtful. And let's go ask.
Yours in Service,
Leslie
Tyler J. Harper, Georgia’s 17th Agriculture Commissioner, Joins Us October 1
We are pleased to welcome Commissioner Tyler J. Harper, Georgia’s 17th Agriculture Commissioner, as our speaker on October 1. A seventh‑generation South Georgia farmer and lifelong resident of the Peach State, Harper oversees the state’s largest industry, an economic powerhouse employing nearly 400,000 Georgians and contributing $91.4 billion annually. Since taking office in January 2023, he has delivered major wins for farmers and consumers, including establishing the Georgia Farmland Conservation Fund, banning adversarial foreign nations from purchasing Georgia farmland, restoring the Department of Agriculture’s law‑enforcement authority, and implementing critical safeguards for consumable hemp products. Under his leadership, the Georgia Grown program has expanded through new partnerships with the Atlanta Braves, UGA Football, and the annual Georgia Grown Bowl.
Before becoming Commissioner, Harper spent a decade representing Southeast and South‑Central Georgia in the State Senate, where he championed legislation supporting rural communities, strengthening Right to Farm protections, expanding agricultural education, improving rural healthcare, increasing broadband access, and reducing tax burdens on farmers. A graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, Harper continues to be deeply rooted in Georgia’s agricultural heritage, operating his family’s century‑old farm in Irwin County. Beyond his public service, he is an avid outdoorsman, musician, and pilot, and remains active in his local community and church.
Board Spotlight
Angela Medley- Youth Services
Angela Medley is a longtime Roswell resident and real estate professional serving families throughout North Atlanta. A Georgia Tech graduate with a degree in Biology and a Master’s in Instructional Technology from Kennesaw State University, Angela brings a thoughtful, problem-solving approach to helping clients navigate buying, selling, and relocation.
Angela is married to her college sweetheart, Brian, whom she met at Georgia Tech. They have three adult children, one daughter and two sons. Two of their children are Georgia Tech graduates, while their youngest is currently attending Georgia Tech, keeping the family’s Yellow Jacket tradition going strong.
As a real estate professional with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty firm, her business is built on relationships, integrity, and a deep commitment to the communities she serves. Angela is passionate about helping families through major life transitions and connecting clients with the people and resources they need to feel at home in North Atlanta.
Outside of real estate,she is actively involved in Rotary, her church, and the local community. She believes in giving back, building meaningful connections, and using her talents to serve others. For Angela, success is measured not only by the work she does, but by the relationships she builds and the positive impact she can make in her community.
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!
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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Youth Parade
Oct, 3 10am - 2pm
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First Responders Farm Day
Gold & Grass Farms Ballground, GA
Sunday, Oct. 18 1pm - 5pm
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