President's Message

Fellow Rotarians,

One of the best perks of being President is the view. I get to see what happens front and center, and I also get a peek at all the behind-the-scenes work that makes this club run. (I'd call it the view from my seat, but anyone who's watched me at a meeting knows I rarely sit down.) What I see from here is a remarkable group of people, and this week I just want to say so.

This club has heart. When a member is facing a health challenge, we show up. When a member hits a big milestone, we celebrate loudly. When someone wants to start something new, we line up behind them.

This club has brains. We look at an issue from every angle, and we ask what our decisions today will mean for our members and our community next year and for years after that.

This club has persistence. Following through on Service Above Self isn't always smooth, and things come up all the time. We find a way around them and keep going.

And this club has agility. We know when the smart move is to change direction.

That last one has come up a lot this year. I've jokingly started calling it the Pivot Presidency, and HomeStretch is a perfect example of why. We started the year with a request from HomeStretch to expand the Learning Lab and give the families in their program more room for counseling sessions, group meetings, and tutoring for the kids. We got right to work. We pulled resources together, met with the City, and drew up plans.

Then HomeStretch came back with a bigger vision: a more cohesive, well-planned community on Millbrook. That means a sturdy shelter at the entrance so kids aren't standing in the weather waiting for the bus. It means a real community center that can do everything the Learning Lab expansion was meant to do, and do it permanently. And it means renovating housing units that haven't had a full rehab in decades.

I can get behind a vision like that, and I'm so glad we pivoted with them.

Roswell Rotary is now helping shape that vision into a full plan for the community, one that improves the landscape, supports programming, and updates living spaces. It may include shared spaces like a nature path and an outdoor classroom. We won't build it all on our own, and we don't need to. What we can do is help define the vision and then take on the right-sized pieces that we can actually deliver. Sometimes the pivot turns out bigger than the original plan, and this is one of those times.

I'm grateful to lead a club this rich in resources of every kind. Some of them still surprise me, and others get better the more I understand them. Thank you for being that kind of club.

I hope you'll join me in embracing the power of the pivot and in building this partnership with an organization committed to housing security in our community.

Together in service,

Leslie

Join Us Thursday, November 5th for an Interfaith Panel Discussion

Join us on Thursday, November 5th for an enlightening interfaith discussion between Rabbi Chase Foster, Imam Abdullah Jaber, and Rev. Jeff Meyers. [read more]

New Member Spotlight
Welcome Anne Wilkinson

As a northern transplant, moving from New Jersey after graduating Vanderbilt University, Anne Wilkinson has been a longtime Roswell resident.

Raising her son, Robert (30) and daughter, Taylor (29), here in Roswell, both graduated from Roswell High School, then the University of Alabama, and now both currently reside outside Charlotte, NC.

Having worked in banking for over 40 years, Anne now serves as a Client Service Advisory for Synovus Bank/Pinnacle Financial Partners.

Very active in the community, Anne currently serves on The Drake House Advisory Board, The Star House Foundation Board, the Children’s Development Academy fundraising committees and is also very involved with Roswell Inc. as a Connector.

She believes being a Rotarian will allow her to be more involved locally and is a perfect fit based on her other commitments. As a huge supporter of so many important initiatives, Rotary will allow her to give back in additional areas such as the First Responders, Interact Club and provide access to speakers for the good of our Rotary community.

Fun fact: Wisely anticipating the ups and downs of life, newborn Anne entered this world on an elevator! And she makes a MEAN corn casserole dip. It was a Farm Day hit!

Nov. 7th
Collecting Medical Equipment

Contact Al Nash 404-867-8287 or Jonathan Crooks 770-841-8686

Save Money Here
Veterans Resources

Here is a great list of resources for veterans compiled by Veterans Committee Board Chair Shields Blankenship. And thank you so much for your service. We owe you each a great debt. 

Link for Discounts

Thursday, Nov. 19
Save the Date- Packing Boxes for Troops

Cookies for Adopt a Platoon Boxes

We are calling on our Roswell Rotary bakers to make homemade cookies to include in the holiday boxes we are packing for the troops on November 19th. If you are interested, please contact Kathy Igou text 404-408-4188 or email kligou@gmail.com. Another option is to order from our Roswell Rotary friend George Rhodes at Rhodes Bakery. On the 19th, there will be a table set up to seal and package the cookies to prep them for the box packing event that will happen directly after Rotary on the 19th. 

Cookie bakers will receive specific details next week. 

Wed Dec 2 5pm-7pm
Women of Rotary Holiday Social at Voo Doo

Register Here

November is Foundation Month

November is The Rotary Foundation month! Take Your Paul Harris Fellow Giving to The Rotary Foundation to the Next Level!

Roswell Rotary Club wants to help you reach your next Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) recognition level!

As part of our commitment to Rotary’s mission and Service Above Self, the club will make a matching contribution of up to $300 per member toward your next PHF giving level this Rotary year.

Here’s how to participate:

1. Contact Cheryl Greenway to find out how much you need to reach your next PHF level for this giving year.

2. The club will match your contribution up to $300 toward your next recognition level.

Each Paul Harris Fellow recognition level represents $1,000 in cumulative giving to The Rotary Foundation.

Your contribution may be tax-deductible. Please consult your tax advisor regarding your individual circumstances.

Let’s continue making a difference in our community and around the world through Rotary’s commitment to Service Above Self!

Sat. Dec. 12
Holiday Party- Save the Date

Evite Link https://evite.me/6YAWvJYCTZ

QR Code 

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!



Medical Equipment Collection
Sat. Nov..7
Add To Calendar

Adopt a Platoon Packing
Thursday Nov. 19
Add To Calendar

Alive in Roswell
Thursday Nov. 19
Add To Calendar

Women of Rotary Holiday Social
Wednesday, December 2 5pm-7pm
Add To Calendar

Holiday Party
Sat, Dec. 12 6pm-9pm
Add To Calendar

District Conference Asheville NC
April 22-25, 2027
Add To Calendar

Last Week at Roswell Rotary