Most mornings, I get up extra early to create a space of time that is mine alone. I don’t want to talk (just ask my family). I don’t want the news on. I don’t want to get fed other people’s ideas or experiences. It’s a space I reserve for quiet—listening for what God’s got for me that day, paying attention to where my mind gravitates, and what that might mean for how I should focus my efforts.

The idea for The Big Connect came in one of those quiet mornings. I was musing on how I wanted to steer the tenor of this year’s Roswell Rotary experience. We repeat the motto “Service Above Self” almost reflexively at times. I wanted us to begin the Rotary year by demonstrating, in a concentrated period of time—just three hours—the kind of energy we bring to service, the joy we derive from sharing a purpose (and a beer) on a Sunday afternoon, and the dedication we have to filling the needs of those in our community who need us most.

This Sunday, The Big Connect brings that vision to life. We’ll gather at our local, Rotarian‑owned breweries, supporting our members’ businesses and enjoying true fellowship. At the same time, we’ll engage in hands‑on service projects that meet real needs for our Seniors, our First Responders, and the families served by The Drake House.

When we show up in our community, side by side, we’re doing more than attending an event. We’re showing Roswell who we are as Rotarians: people who find joy in service, who invest in each other, and who are willing to give up a quiet Sunday afternoon to make a tangible difference—beer in hand and purpose in heart.

So here’s my ask this week:

• Make The Big Connect a priority on your Sunday.
• Invite a prospective member or a family member to join you.
• Come ready to serve, to laugh, and to share with our community what Rotary looks like in Roswell.

Let’s begin this Rotary year by living our motto in full view of our city, demonstrating that our connections—with each other and with those we serve—are what give meaning to “Service Above Self.”

In Service,

Leslie