President's Message
ROSWELL ROTARY IS 2018-2019 CLUB OF THE YEAR!
What an incredible weekend for Roswell Rotary as we were recognized as the 2018-2019 Category IV Club of the Year! I was honored and so proud to accept this recognition on behalf of this great club on Sunday morning during the last session!
The District Conference started on Thursday night with a Big Wheel Race won by, you guessed it, Roswell Rotary's own "East Bound and Down" Team of Michael Gould, Matt Millard, John Carruth and Chris Archer! We then rocked the resort at our Hospitality Suite managed by Nancy Alterman and Chris Archer with the help of Kathy Igou and Lynn Dunn! Our Pit Crew Lounge display was setup with a tv showing our video scrapbook thanks to Gordon Owens and Matt Millard! The scrapbook tells our story in a fun way! Over the weekend, Roswell Rotary was recognized for its incredible service with the following awards for Category IV:
* Club of the Year
* District Governor's Citation
* Best Youth Service Project - Winner - Be THE Voice®
* Best Fundraiser Project - Winner - 40th Annual Aubrey Greenway Golf and 6th Annual Hagan Cup Tournaments
* Best Internal Service Project - Winner - Club Service
* Best District Conference Attendance - Winner
* Best Overall Service Project - Runner-Up - Honduras - Lunches for Learning and Clean Water
* Best Community Service Project - Winner - Warming Center
* Best International Service Project - Winner - Honduras - Lunches for Learning and Clean Water
* Best Theme Night Participation - Winner
On Friday night, I was recognized with the Sheffield Presidential Leadership Award, which is especially meaningful since it is named for Langdon Sheffield, Emily Hollingsworth's father (Lee's wife), who was a great Rotarian and who passed away this year. Four of the five recipients were the Presidents from North Fulton clubs; Cliff Wilcox (North Fulton), Mary Trapp (Johns Creek-North Fulton) and Rick Woods (Dunwoody)! Rotary is rocking in North Fulton for sure! The fifth recipient was the outstanding President of the Rotary Club of Thomasville, Andre Hadley Marria! No one receives an award like the Sheffield without being surrounded by people of excellence and character. A heartfelt thank you to all of you who lifted me up this year, mentored me, served with me and selflessly gave me what I needed to lead this great club (and...importantly, bought me drinks!). It is truly a special honor to receive this award.
On Saturday, we enjoyed beach time and an aerobatic airshow on a beautiful cloudless afternoon and...as is our tradition, Gordon took a dip in the pool! He is now official! Check Facebook for that fun time! We enjoyed dinner together and again rocked the resort at the Hospitality Suite! It was a great conference and so much fun to relax and spend time together! Next year's conference will be held at Jekyll Island and you can save some $$ if you SIGN UP NOW! It will be a great time!
WELL DONE, ROSWELL ROTARY! But, WE ARE NOT DONE! We have Hump Day on Wed. and the Blood Drive on Thursday. We will be working at VEO on May 11. The District is sponsoring a Family of Rotary event at the Atlanta Braves game on May 17! More info is below! So, find a way to serve and you will get more than you give! Promise!
See you Thursday!
President Becky
P.S. Thank you to all of the Laws of Life winners for sharing their essays and to Jeff McCoy for stepping in for me last week! I know you were blessed by their essays and the wit and wisdom (a/k/a ramblings) of JMAC.
This Week's Speaker
Alara Su Bilgez, GRSP Student
Alara Su Bilgez has enjoyed an amazing year as Roswell's representative in the Georgia Rotary Student Program (G.R.S.P.). Alara won the host parent lottery when she was selected by Gordon & Ashley Owens in January of 2018 as their daughter. Together they have travelled all over the U.S. showing Alara our great country.
Alara was an active participant in our club meetings and the G.R.S.P. conclave weekends throughout the year. As with all of the students, she has made many new friends from around the world. Relationships that will certainly last a lifetime.
During the year, Alara stayed focused on her studies finishing the year with high marks in all of her courses. She balanced her school work with a job in the bookstore and the temptations of all the fun that is being a Roswell Rotarian.
Alara returns home to Turkey on Sunday, May 12, 2019 and will begin an internship with a psychology practice as one of the final requirements for her undergraduate degree. She plans to continue with school to get her masters degree in psychology and would love to help kids with mental issues as she begins her career.
We look forward to hearing all about Alara's adventures as she presents to the club.
New Member Spotlight
Jon-Paul Croom is President of WellStar North Fulton Hospital. In his role, Croom oversees day-to-day operations at the hospital and works closely with the WellStar North Fulton team to grow services at the hospital and bring world-class healthcare to the North Fulton community.
In 2016, North Fulton Hospital became part of WellStar Health System, the largest health system in Georgia. Upon joining WellStar, the hospital became a not-for-profit and has made improvements to better serve patients. Investments in the hospital include new physicians and procedures, new cutting-edge diagnostic imaging and renovation and expansion projects.
Croom previously served as CEO for the 429-bed Central Mississippi Medical Center (CMMC) in Jackson, Miss. At CMMC, Croom was regarded as a team builder, using daily team huddles focused on delivering care that exceeded patient expectations while working to improve access to needed services. Croom opened the only burn center in Mississippi and increased the availability of inpatient psychiatric services at the facility.
Croom was also CEO for Merit Health Rankin in Brandon, Miss., chief operating officer for Clearview Regional Medical Center in Monroe, Ga., and chief operating officer for Roxborough Memorial Hospital in Philadelphia. Additionally, he served on the board of the Mississippi chapter of March of Dimes and was a member of the Clinton Rotary Club.
Croom received his bachelor's degree from Mercer University, in Macon, Ga. and a master's degree in both business administration and health administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Croom has family in Roswell and lives in the area with his wife and three children.
Opportunity to Serve
2nd Annual Blood Drive
The 2nd Annual Blood Drive is May 2nd 11 am - 4 pm. It will be in the small gym at the Community Activities Building at Roswell Area Park. We need 3-4 volunteers (please contact Dwayne Kell). Walk-ins are welcomed but signing up on line is preferred. Click Here to Register and enter the following information:
Click: Donate Blood
Click: Find Blood Drive
Zip/Sponsor Code: (type in) Roswellrotary
Click: Roswell Park and Recreation Center
Pick a time and donation type
THANK YOU!
Family of Rotary Event
CHEER ON THE ATLANTA BRAVES WITH YOUR DISTRICT 6900 FAMILY
Friday May 17th will be a “Family of Rotary” day at the ballpark with the Atlanta Braves!! Just $20 gets you in the game with a drink and a hot dog!!
Leverage the Power of the Pin
For Rotarians trying to reach Small Businesses and Consumers locally
District 6900 invites you to participate in the monthly fellowship, Rotary Means Business (RBM). 
Here are 4 reasons why you need to attend:
- RBM brings Rotarians back to one of the founding Rotarian’s main emphasis: BUSINESS NETWORKING and strengthens our Vocational lanes
- RMB provides chances for expanded business and professional opportunities by bringing Rotarians together in a broader, cross-club social business-networking environment
- RMB provides a structure to bring business back into Rotary in a way that supplements rather than competes with the service and fellowship aspects of Rotary
- RMB provides opportunities for qualified guests to experience the value of Rotary, learn more about Rotary, and possibly becomes a Rotarian
PLUS: Think of the vendors you trust. Then invite 1 or 2 to the next RBM meeting. You'll be helping your vendor, and you may end up with a future Rotarian.
Join us on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, from 5:45 – 7:15p for quality networking.
Intelligent Offices
300 Colonial Center Parkway, Suite 100, Roswell, GA 30076
For more info and to RSVP, please contact one of our hosts
Mary Trapp, 770-645-1320, marytrapp@kw.com Johns Creek North Fulton
Melanie Mayer, mmayer@shafritzdean.com Johns Creek North Fulton
Cliff Wilcox, cliff.wilcox.mdfe@statefarm.com North Fulton
Hal Schlenger, hschlenger@hipnation.com Roswell
Dates for Service Above Self (and a good bit of fun)
Opportunities for your participation:
5/01, Wed: Hump Day at Lucias in Sandy Plains Village, 4705 Woodstock Rd, Roswell, GA 30075
5/02, Thu: Blood Drive, 11a - 3p
5/11, Sat: VEO Maintenance Work Day
5/14, Tue: Rotary Means Business - North Fulton B2B networking for Rotarians, https://rotary6900.org/v2/page/484
5/16, Thu: Alive in Roswell (3rd Thursday evening (5-9PM) through October, Hagan Center)
5/17, Fri: Family of Rotary Braves Game
5/27, Mon: Memorial Day: Roswell Remembers
6/05, Wed: Hump Day (TBD)
6/11, Tue: Rotary Means Business - North Fulton B2B networking for Rotarians, https://rotary6900.org/v2/page/484
6/27, Thu: Installation Party
9/09, Mon: 41st Annual Aubrey Greenway Golf Tournament
"The more you give, the more you get." Author unknown.
Last Week at Rotary
