YEARBOOK 2008-2009

Rotary Club of Sandy Springs Sandy Springs, Georgia U.S.A.

Bill Holden Club President

Dong Kern Lee Ted Propes President Rotary International District Governor – District 6900 Fred Brandt Heidi Virtanen Assistant District Governor GRSP Student

TABLE OF CONTENTS Rotary International -Mission -Object of Rotary -Four Way Test -Avenues of Service -Rotary International President -District 6900 Governor The Rotary Club of Sandy Springs -Club History -Club President -Leadership -Our Members Club Administration -Weekly Programs

-Fellowship / Family of Rotary -Rotary Spring Ball

-District Conference -Rotary International Conference -District Assembly -Sunshine Program - Good News Bucks -Caring Hands -Web Site -Electronic Newsletter -Meeting Bulletin -Public Relations

Community Service Projects - Child Mortality – Georgia Afterschool Investment Council - Mentoring - Rotary Reading Club - Elementary School Dictionary Project - Aids Awareness - Coats for Kids - Adopt A Family - Water Management - Drug Awareness - Feed the Hungry - Senior Citizens – PALS - Leadership Sandy Springs - Movies By Moonlight - Sandy Springs Festival - Taste of Sandy Springs

Vocational Service Projects - Elementary School Literacy Project – Words of Government - Vocational Month – Firefighter Dinners - Vocational Awards – Public Safety - Laws of Life Essay Contest - Teacher Appreciation - Military Appreciation - Recite the Four Way Test International Service Projects - World Community Service – Feed Children in Colombia - World Community Service – Medical Equipment for Liberia - Group Study Exchange - Georgia Rotary Student Program - Georgia Rotary Student Program – Annual Sandy Springs Conclave

- Ambassadorial Scholarship - Disaster Relief – Shelter Box

New Generations Projects - Georgia Special Olympics - Camp High Harbor - Interact - Rotaract - R.Y.L.A. - Elementary School After School Reading Project - Teacher Literacy Grants - College Scholarships - Character Education - Paul Harris Foundation

Rotary International Mission The mission of Rotary International, a worldwide association of Rotary clubs, is to provide service to others, to promote high ethical standards, and to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. The Object of Rotary The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

• FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service; • SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions, the recognition of the

worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;

• THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;

• FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

The Four-Way Test The test, which has been translated into more than 100 languages, asks the following questions: Of the things we think, say or do

1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Avenues of Service Based on the Object of Rotary, the Avenues os Service are Rotary’s philosophical cornerstone and the foundation on which club activity is based:

• Club Service focuses on strengthening fellowship and ensuring the effective functioning of the club.

• Vocational Service encourages Rotarians to serve others through their vocations and to practice high ethical standards.

• Community Service covers the projects and activities the club undertakes to improve life in its community.

• International Service encompasses actions taken to expand Rotary’s humanitarian reach around the globe and to promote world understanding and peace.

Rotary International President – Dong Kern Lee

Dong Kurn Lee is chair of Bubang Co. Ltd. and Bubang Techron Co. Ltd., manufacturing companies based in Seoul. A graduate of Yonsei University, D.K. serves as a trustee of the Busan College of Information Technology and is a past president of both his high school and college alumni associations. He has served as a trustee of the Bank of Seoul and honorary consul of Italy in Korea.

He joined the Rotary Club of Seoul Hangang in 1971 and has served RI as director, treasurer, trustee, district governor, and International Assembly training leader. He also has been a regional Rotary Foundation coordinator and zone and regional coordinator for membership development. He is chair of the Polio Eradication Private Sector Initiative in Korea and serves as Korea’s PolioPlus national advocacy adviser. He is a recipient of the Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Award. In 1996, as district governor, D.K. was recognized at the RI Convention as the winner of the Calgary Challenge, which recognized the district with the most successful membership development efforts, chartering 32 new clubs and adding nearly 1,800 new members.

He lives in Seoul, Korea, with his wife, Young. They have four children and five grandchildren

District 6900 Governor – Ted Propes

Ted Propes began is career in the investment field over 30 years ago with E.F. Hutton Company, eventually becoming a first vice president in capital markets and investment banking. Ted is listed in the Who’s Who of International Business Leaders and is the Chairman and Chief Investment Officer for Consolidated Capital Management, an investment management and consulting firm based in Atlanta, GA, with offices in Georgia as well as Alabama. His education credentials include a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and finance from Jacksonville State University and a Masters of Business Administration in finance from the University of Alabama, with advanced professional studies at the American College of Pennsylvania, and the College for Wealth Management and Portfolio Management at the New York Institute of Finance and the Wharton School.

Ted served as President in 2002-2003 for the Vinings Rotary Club. Under his leadership, the Vinings Rotary Club for the very first time was a recipient of the Al Daniels Award, Best All Around Club, Sheffield Award for Presidential Leadership, Best Club Service, and Best Polio Plus Program. Ted is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, a contributing Paul Harris Society Member, a Will Watt Fellow, a Bequest Society Member and he is a Major Donor. He has served the District as an Assistant District Governor and as a District Director.

Ted is a native of Calhoun County, Alabama and he and his family enjoy spending time at their cattle farm and home in Jacksonville. Ted and April have lived in Marietta, GA for 30 years, where Ted has been very active in community and civic affairs. He was selected as Businessman of the Year for his work on the Business and Economic Advisory Council. April is a homemaker. They have one son, Nathaniel, who is a college junior. April and Nathaniel are both Paul Harris Fellows.

Addressing the Sandy Springs Rotary - September 15, 2009 Welcoming a new member to the Sandy Springs Rotary

The Rotary Club of Sandy Springs History

The Rotary Club of Sandy Springs was chartered in January, 1972, through the sponsorship of the Buckhead and North Dekalb Rotary Clubs. The 22 charter members of the club originally met on Wednesday at the old Squire Inn in Sandy Springs, but changed their meeting day to Monday in 1974. The club currently meets at the Hammond Glen Center, 335 Hammond Drive, NE, Sandy Springs. The Rotary Club of Sandy Springs has a proud heritage of service in District 6900

and provides many District leaders annually. In the past 25 years, three members, Frank Bentley (83-84), Ralph Thurmond (90-91), and Barry Smith (95-96) have been elected District Governor. For the years 1997-1998 and 1998-1999, Sandy Springs was named “Best All-Around Club” in District 6900. In 1999 - 2000 Sandy Springs was selected “Club of the Decade” by District Governor Al Lipphardt. Sandy Springs has been “Best All-Around Club Runner-up” twice. The Rotary Club of Sandy Springs has celebrated over 30 years of “Service Above Self” and looks forward to continued service and fellowship in the 21st Century. Sandy Springs Club President – Bill Holden

G. W. “Bill” Holden is a native of Syracuse, New York. He attended Dickinson College receiving a BA in Political Science. He later received a MBA from Emory University. Holden has served as President of the Sandy Springs Community Bank since June of 2005. He is active civically in Sandy Springs serving as President of the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs, Treasurer of Leadership Sandy Springs, Board Member of Heritage Sandy Springs and as a Goizueta Advisory Board Member. He has served as Vice Chair of the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber of Commerce. He also is an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. He is married to the former Barbara Droll who is a consultant in the insurance, medical and legal areas. They have two adult sons. Holden’s hobbies include hiking, reading, traveling and time with his family.

Sandy Springs Rotary Leadership

President Bill Holden

Vice President Barry Smith

Past President Bill Snellings

President Elect Betty Ferdinand

Secretary Eric Carlson

Treasurer Sean McEvoy

Sergeant at Arms John White

Service Projects Keith Cooper

Club Administration Betty Ferdinand

Foundation Mark Hancock

Membership David Evans

Public Relations Carol Rubler

Installation Dinner

Membership

Membership Chairman David Evans and Club President Bill Holden led the charge for membership recruitment in 2008-2009. They are clearly our Club’s top recruiters. This year Sandy Springs Rotary inducted 14 new members. Being “the” Rotary Club in the brand new city of Sandy Springs has been a boon to membership recruitment. Our membership includes the City Manager, a City Councilman, and an important City contractor. The Mayor of Sandy Springs, the Fire Chief and the Police Chief are frequent guests at Club meetings and projects. Our weekly E-newsletter is sent to several hundred Sandy Springs citizens.

Past President Steve Jordan Conducts Orientation for Jackie Sanford and Steve Gross

Jody Zaparaniuk Receives Rotary Pin From Sponsor Larry Cooper

Rotarian Christine Young Shows Her Red and Blue Badges

Justin Daniels gives his Classification Talk

Membership Seminar

Club Administration Weekly Programs

Informative weekly programs are fundamental for the success of every Rotary Club. The variety and quality of the 2008-2009 meeting programs are a source of pride for our club. We had speakers as diverse as Congressman Tom Price, Former Kennesaw State University President Betty Siegel, Chief F-15 Fighter Test Pilot Colonel Kevin Coleman, District Governor Ted Propes, District Governor Elect Roy Strickland, Insurance Commissioner John Oxendine, Presidential Candidate Bob Barr and Fulton County Tax Commissioner Arthur Ferdinand.

Congressman Tom Price

Chief F-15 Eagle Test Pilot, Colonel Kevin Coleman

Betty Siegel , Former President Kennesaw State University

Fellowship / Family of Rotary

Installation Banquet

On June 22, 2008 the Sandy Springs Rotary Club initiated the 2008-2009 year to Make Dreams Real when we installed our new officers. Following our tradition, the Installation Banquet was a dress-up family affair at the Dunwoody Country Club attended by Rotarians, spouses, dates and our new District Governor, Ted Propes and his wife April. Governor Ted installed new President Bill Holden and our 2008-2009 Board. There were 55 Rotarians and guests in attendance.

President Bill Snellings “pins” the new President – Bill Holden

Paige Monette – Rookie of the Year Gene Jordan – Rotarian of the Year

Installation Banquet – Continued

Sample Sandy Springs

Service Above Self Awards were presented to:

Fran Farias Keith Cooper Morris Moore Jim Buckler

Paige Monette was our leader for another year of this fun program for our Rotarians and family members. We “sampled” Sandy Springs dining establishments on eight different occasions. We sampled the fare at the Le Petie Maison, the Tasting Room, Nancy G’s Café and Bistro and others. An average of 20 people attended these events. Over 50 % of the Club attended one or more times.

Dining at Le Petit Mason

Over 30 Rotarians and spouses/guests

gathered at the Farias HAUS for our Sample Sandy Springs - Bavarian OKTOBERFEST. KUDOS to Daniela Schmidt for planning the menu - from soft Pretzels to Bratwurst, White Wine,

Sauerkraut, Potato Salad, Green Salad, Torte and Almond Cakes. With ample Rieslings' and Bavarian Beer and fall perfect weather, there were lots of conversations, laughter and Bavarian music. GRSP student Heidi Virtanen from Finland joined the fun as well. The meal was outstanding.

Ocktoberfest Smorgasbord

Rotarian Fraus and Frauliens

Holiday Party

A Sandy Springs tradition since 1990, our annual black tie Holiday Party was held at the Dunwoody Country Club on December 7, 2008. Spouses, parents and our GRSP student were invited. Former presidents that have moved away and the spouses of deceased Rotarians are also honored guests. More than 60 Rotarians, spouses and guests attended. “Social hour” allowed us to mix and mingle before enjoying an excellent surf and turf dinner.

Holiday “cheer” was enjoyed by all.

Karen Abernathy, Steve and Bunny Jordan, and Anita Pirkle

Jeff Hayes and Bill Farias sporting festive neckwear.

Fall Club Outing

Annie Get Your Gun!! October 21, 2008, Rotarian, Cindy Gentry, the 1999 USA World Champion of women’s trap shooting and a 2000 Olympic Finalist tutored four aspiring trap shooters in this

sport of precision, control and strength. Although tired and tuckered out, it is a tribute to Cindy that by the end of the outing all four novices were able to hit the target.

This event raised $50 toward our Club’s contribution to CART. Spring Club Outing

The “King of Clubs” dinner and card game is the club’s Spring Outing. A jovial evening of dinner, friendship, fun, prizes, jokes and the challenge to keep the best poker face is planned for some time in April or May. Members will bring sharp competition to a friendly game of Seven Card Hold’em poker. Club member Hap Chastain is in charge.

North Fulton Rotary Council Picnic

Sandy Spring Rotary will participate in the council wide June picnic organized by the North Fulton Rotary Council. Members of the seven council member clubs and their families will gather in Alpharetta at Rivermont Park. Food will not be the only thing shared among attendees – ideas, friendship, new friendships and family to family connections are made.

Seat of Honor

For our club’s past presidents who made positive impacts in the club and community, who, in some way, changed others, who discovered opportunities and introduced them to the club and who built the foundation for the legacy of the club, on Monday, November 3, 2008, we gave tribute to them with a “Seat of Honor”. We introduced past presidents to new members and expressed our appreciation for their contributions to Rotary.

Honorees were: J. Barry Smith and Ralph Thurmond, also recognized for their service as Past District Governors; D. Herman Abernathy and Ralph Thurmond for serving as our presidents twice; Frank E. Bentley, Jr., George Box, David Evans, Mark Hancock, Frank Jackson, Joe Jones, Steven A. Jordan, Bill Snellings, and Dan Wilmarth. Members Fran J. Farias, who served as president of Roswell East and Milton Kassel, who served as president of the West End club were also recognized for their service.

A Reserved Seat Twice during the year, fall and spring, we recognize new members by reserving the best seat at the table for the new member – only one new member is seated per table. New members are re-introduced to the membership while members seated at the tables get to know each other a little better. A Reserved Seat is another way Sandy Springs Rotary extends the hand of friendship to new members. Our new members give their vocational classification talks and are highlighted in our eNewsletter.

Justin Daniels - Our First New Member of the Year

Rotary Spring Ball

The Rotary Spring Ball, a black tie dinner/dance is our annual fund-raiser. In addition to the band, Time Machine, a silent auction, a live auction and a raffle added to the evening’s entertainment. Sandy Springs businesses sponsor tables. The mayor and city council members always support Rotary’s efforts. This year our Ball was at the Dunwoody Country Club. Nearly 200 people attended the Ball that raised over $30,000 for our 2009-2010 service projects.

North Metro Rotaract greets the guests

So many items…so little time to bid on them!

Sandy Springs Mayor, Eva Galambos, shows her support for Rotary on their special evening.

President Bill Snellings is all smiles while surrounded by four beautiful women. Not to worry – one of them is his wife and another is his daughter.

District Conference

Sandy Springs has 30 Rotarians and family members registered for the 2009 District Conference The Rotary Roundup at Jekyll Island. Our Club headquarters will be at the Days Inn. In 2008 we had 22 members of our Rotary Family at Sandestin. In addition to the Conference, our family group dined together on Thursday night at the Acme Oyster House and got together each afternoon at our hospitality suite.

All work and no play makes the Sandy Springs Rotarians dull…Thank goodness for the Acme Oyster House and Bill Curran’s Hospitality Suite.

Sandy Springs Rotary arrives in Sandestin

Recognition to clubs for their achievements in individual areas of service

George Box Best AIDS Education/Awareness Program

Jim Buckler Best Education and Literacy Projects

President Bill Snellings brings home the BIG award.

Rotary International Conference

Sandy Springs Rotary always has members attend the International Conference. This year we expect three Rotarians and their spouses to attend the Conference in Birmingham, England. Past District Governor Barry Smith and his wife Vivian attend the Conference almost every year.

Past District Governor Barry Smith

District Assembly

In 2008, Sandy Springs had 17 members attend the annual District Assembly at the Ironworks in Columbus. 100% of the incoming board were there to learn more about their duties as officers and directors of the Sandy Springs Rotary Club and to receive District Governor Elect Ted Propes challenge to Make Dreams Real during Rotary Year 2008-2009. Following a recent tradition, Sandy Springs Rotarians rode the Roswell Rotary bus along with members of other North Fulton Rotary Clubs.

Sandy Springs Rotarians at 2008 District Assembly

Sunshine Program - Good News Bucks

Good News Bucks is an important weekly event. Our Newsmaster Carl Pirkle allows anyone brag about anything as long as they pay up! Rotarians brag about football, basketball, baseball, golf, their children, their grandchildren, or anything else that they of which they are proud. A special tradition observed for anniversaries is that the Rotarian pays $1 for each year of marriage. All of the money raised by our Good News Bucks goes to our Dan Keels Scholarship Fund for college scholarships.

Jim Buckler Reports His Good News Carl Pirkle Collects Jim’s “Donation”

Caring Hands

Caring hands is our program to stay in touch with Rotarians and family members in the event of illness, death, or other unfortunate events. Rotarian Milton Kassel ensures that we all know about the situation and keeps us informed of the status. Milton calls members on behalf of the Club, send cards and sends flowers. He lets us know when to initiate our “Hotline” calling tree to notify all Club members. Caring Hands also provides recognition of members’ birthdays as well as club and wedding anniversaries not only at club meetings but also in our weekly E-newsletter.

Milton Kassel – Caring Hands Coordinator

Rotary Learning Institute Sandy Springs Rotary’s incoming President Betty Ferdinand has completed the prestigious Rotary Learning Institute’s Academic Plan three part training program. RLI's Academic Plan is the initial roadmap for Rotarians to journey to academic excellence. It is expected that graduates of this training program will become leaders in their Rotary club and vocations. We know that Betty will. The training program is divided into three required courses. All courses require one full day of participation. Course 1: Leadership - To begin thinking about the characteristics of leadership, how leadership is exerted, what motivates people in a voluntary organization and how the participants might develop their own personal leadership style Course 2: Goals and Objectives - To explore the importance of goal setting in leadership and the mechanisms for achieving goals Course 3: Creative Service - To explore the concept of service in Rotary and the type of service activities that will strengthen and energize Rotary.

Rotary Learning Institute Graduate and Incoming Club President Betty Ferdinand

Web Site

Sandy Springs Rotary has had an active web site for more than ten years. Our site was designed and created by Rotarian Jim Buckler who is the owner of a web site business, Soholaunch. The home page of our web site is shown below:

Electronic Newsletter

Initiated three years ago, the Sandy Springs electronic newsletter or “eNewsletter” is sent to all members every Thursday (four days before our weekly meeting). The eNews is also sent to community leaders out side of the Rotary Club: previous guests, all Sandy Springs elected and appointed officials, business leaders, educators and service organizations. The front page of a typical eNewsletter is shown below:

Weekly Meeting Bulletin

Our meeting bulletin is a shortened version of our electronic newsletter (E-newsletter). This supplementary bulletin is available at every table for guests and members without e-mail. The weekly bulletin has information about the program for the day and upcoming projects. It also has a list of Sandy Springs Rotary Projects and the assigned Project Leader.

Front Page Of Weekly Meeting Bulletin

Weekly Meeting Bulletin - Continued

Back Page of Weekly Meeting Bulletin

Public Relations

Local News Media

Concentrating on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Sandy Springs Reporter and the Sandy Springs Neighbor a concerted effort is made to ensure that our projects are reported in the local media. Whenever we have a special event or a well known speaker, the press is invited.

Below is a sampling:

Atlanta Journal-Constitution, September 30, 2008 Third Grade Dictionary Project

Sandy Springs Reporter, October 17, 2008 Third Grade Dictionary Project

Atlanta Journal-Constitution November 1, 2008 Public Safety Awards

Sandy Springs Reporter, October 17, 2008 Firefighter Dinners

Sandy Springs Reporter - December 2008

Mayor Speaks at Sandy Springs Rotary

Sandy Springs Reporter – December 2008

Sandy Springs Rotarian Fran Farias

Community Service Projects

Child Mortality – Georgia Afterschool Investment Council

District Governor Ted Propes has a passion for helping children. After school programs are one of his favorite approaches. He has asked us to support the approved programs of the Georgia Afterschool Investment Council. The Georgia Afterschool Investment Council is

dedicated to ensuring Georgia's youth have access to high-quality, affordable after school and summer learning programs. The Sandy Springs Rotary Club has supported Governor Ted’s initiative by donating $500 directly to GAIC. We also gave Executive Director Jill Reimer 23 signed commitment forms from Sandy Springs Rotarians for after school and summer programs. Rotary Project Leader: Keith Cooper Rotarians Signing Commitment Forms: 23 Donation: $500

Governor Ted, Keith Cooper, Executive Director Jill Reimer & President Bill

Mentoring - Rotary Reading Club In 2007, Sandy Springs Rotary supported the Graduation Coaches at North Springs High School, Riverwood High School, Sandy Springs Middle School, and Ridgeview Middle School by purchasing books for the Rotary Reading Club, purchasing food for the lunchtime sessions and by being there to mentor the students. During 2008, we continued our support of the Graduation

Coaches by attending the reading sessions to act as mentors, providing food for the meetings and purchasing Rotary Reading Club t-shirts. Rotary Project Leader: Doug McGinnitie Rotarians Participating: 12 Cost of Project: $2000

Ridgeview Graduation Coach Harvey Oaxaca and Students Efram and Melissa

For the third year in a row, the Sandy Springs Rotary Club donated dictionaries to all third grade students at all six public elementary schools in Sandy Springs. Within a decade, every student in our community will have received a dictionary from Sandy Springs Rotary. Rotary Project Leader: Linda Randolph

Rotarians participating: 28 Students receiving Dictionaries: 650 (6 Public Elementary Schools in Sandy Springs)

Cost of Dictionaries: $2000

Sandy Springs Rotarian Fred Ferrand Explains Dictionary

Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos Helps Distribute Dictionaries

At Woodland Charter Elementary School

Students at Dunwoody Springs Elementary

Aids Awareness

Rotary Project Leaders: George Box and Paige Monette Students at Presentations: Between 1500 and 2000 Cost of Presentations: $900 Speakers: Provided by AIDS Atlanta

Rotarian Paige Monette & Sandy Springs Middle School Eighth Graders

Listen to AID Atlanta Presentation (December18, 2008)

Future Presentations Ridgeview Charter Middle School Date: March 4, 2009 Target Audience: 7th & 8th graders Riverwood International Charter High School Date: March 20, 2009 Target Audience: Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors

Rotary Project Leader: Bobby Usher Rotarians Participating: 4 Children Receiving Coats: 240 Cost of Coats: $3100

Sandy Springs Rotarian Bobby Usher presents coats to Tamarra Carrera – Director of the Community Actions Center

(December 2008)

Coats for Kids – Walmart Partnership Twelfth Year

Adopt A Family – North Fulton Charities Partnership (December 2008) Rotary Project Leader: Herman Abernathy Rotarians Participating: 30 Family Members Receiving Gifts: 8 Cost of Gifts: $900+

North Fulton Community Charities

Barry Smith and Herman Abernathy Deliver the Gifts

Water Management

The Chattahoochee River cleanup project is sponsored by the Sandy Springs Conservancy and Georgia Power at the Morgan Falls hydroelectric plant.

Rotary Project Leader: Eric Carlson

Rotarians Participating:

Morgan Falls Dam – Site of River Cleanup September 27, 2008

Drug Awareness - State Farm Insurance and

Sandy Springs Police Department Partnership

Rotary Project Leader: Fran Farias Partner Organizations: State Farm Insurance and

Sandy Springs Police Department Donation: $2300

Rotarian Fran Farias and Sandy Springs Police Officer Larry Jacobs

Feed the Hungry

Rotary Project Leader: Morty Tauber Rotarians Participating: 10 Value of Food Donated: $800-$900 ($500 SS Rotary Club &

$300-$400 Individual Donations)

Rotarian Morty Tauber delivering canned good donations to the Community Action Center

Senior Citizens – Perimeter Adult Learning Services (PALS)

Rotary Project Leader: Carl Pirkle Donation: $250

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PALS Art and Dance classes

Leadership Sandy Springs is an organization dedicated to developing leaders for the community. Every class of LSS is responsible for completing a community service project. This year our representative was Eric Carlson. The year-long program keeps SSRC visible in the community as a partner with valuable members from Rotary.

Cost of Participation: $1200 Club Participants: 1

Sandy Springs LSS Representative Eric Carlson

The Sandy Springs Rotary Club helps Leadership Sandy Springs to produce Movies By Moonlight. This program provides three free evening outdoor movies that are selected for family entertainment. Sandy Springs residents pack a

dinner and bring the kids to the movies. We set up the Rotary Tent so that everyone knows that Rotary is there. The location is Sandy Springs United Methodist Church in front of the Hitson Center, Sandy Springs Circle at Mt. Vernon.

Sandy Springs Rotarians at Movies By Moonlight

Sandy Springs Festival / Shelter Boxes Sponsors for the Rotary tent were: the PGA, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, the Atlanta Braves, Costco, Trader Joe’s and the Room. Rotary Project Leader: Larry Cooper Rotarians Participating: 15 + Rotaractors: 5 Interactors: 10 Money Raised for Shelter Box: $1750 Tasting Additional Club Funding: $2250 Shelter Boxes Purchased: 4

Sandy Springs Festival – September 20-21, 2008 (10,000+ Attendees)

Rotarian Carol Rubler with Rotaractors and Interactors

Rotarians Steve Jordan, Larry Cooper and Betty Ferdinand with Interactors

Sandy Springs Rotarians at Taste of Sandy Springs – May 2008

The Rotary After School Reading Program is partially funded by proceeds from the

Taste of Sandy Springs.

Rotary Project Leader: Larry Cooper Rotarians Participating: 12 + North Atlanta Rotaract Amount Donated: $1,200 Residents Reached: 4,000-5,000

Vocational Service Projects

Literacy Project – Words of Government

Our Literacy Project – Words of Government is a follow-up to our Dictionary Project. In 2007, Rotarian Gene Jordan created a pilot program to utilize the dictionaries to teach Spalding Drive Charter School 3rd grade students about government, teach the students how to use their dictionary and expand their vocabulary. Spalding Drive Principal Christine Young is now a member of the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs. In 2009, we repeated the program at Spalding Drive Charter Elementary School. Rotary Project Leader: Gene Jordan Rotarians Participating at Spalding Elementary: 10 Students Participating: 100+

President Elect Betty Ferdinand Teaches Government

Rotarian Oz Hill at Spalding Drive Charter Elementary

Project Leader Gene Jordan monitors the election

“I want your vote!”

Sandy Springs Mayor, Eva Galambos, meets with the Spalding Drive Charter

Vocational Month – Firefighter Dinners

Rotary Project Leader: Kevin Lubitz Rotarians & Spouses Participating: 45 Firefighters & EMS Fed: 50+

Firefighters and Rotarians at Sandy Springs Station 2 October 7-9, 2008

President, Bill Holden, presents an award at Fire Station 2

Rotarian Keith Cooper talks to the Battalion Chief

The dinners were donated by Publix Markets, The Tasting Room and the Brickery.

Public Safety Awards Rotary Coordinator: John McDonough Rotarians at Presentation: 40-45 Public Safety Officials and Family Members Present: 15 Cost of Awards: $200

Rotarian John McDonough, Officer Anthony Misuraca with his Family and Chief David Bertrand

Rotarian John McDonough, Firefighter Tom Rohner And Chief Jack McElfish

Rotarian John McDonough, Paramedic Micah Whitlock with Family, Chief McElfish and Medical Directors Dr Ian Greenwald & Matthew Bitner

All three honorees received a plaque of appreciation and a gift certificate for dinner.

Teacher Appreciation Rotary Project Leader: Eric Carlson Teachers Recognized: 3-5 Awards: Plaque plus $100 for each Teacher Rotarians at Luncheon: 40-50

2008 Sandy Springs Teachers of the Year Julio Martinez - Sandy Springs Middle TOTY Principal – Kay Walker Jaime Milner - Spalding Drive Charter TOTY Principal – Christine Young (Rotarian) Amanda Mussman - Riverwood High TOTY Principal – Eddie Echols (Rotarian)

Military Appreciation

On November 10, Sandy Springs Rotary honored all of its veterans with a recognition program and a special presentation by Sue Sharp of the Roswell Rotary Honor Air Program. The Honor Air Program provided air and ground transportation for nearly 200 World War II veterans to visit the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Because of physical or financial limitations, these veterans might never have seen their memorial. The trip was of no cost to the veterans. Two of the

veterans that have participated are Sandy Springs Rotarians. Sandy Springs honored its own veterans by having them sit together by branch of service and by being recognized individually. There are six Army veterans, five Navy veterans, three veterans from the Air Force and one Marine.

Sandy Springs U.S. Navy Veterans

The U. S. Army Veterans Table

Recite the Four Way Test

We close every meeting with the Four Way Test and the Pledge of Allegiance.

President Bill Holden Leading the Club in the recitation of the Four-Way Test

International Service Projects

World Community Service – Feed Children in Colombia Sandy Springs Rotary is partnering with the Rotary Clubs of Brookhaven (lead Club), Dunwoody and Medellin to feed hungry children in Colombia. The project will feed 100 3-5 year old children two meals a day for one full year. Total funding from all Clubs, Districts and The Rotary Foundation could reach $40,000. The Matching Grant Application should be submitted in July.

Sandy Springs Coordinator: Charon Shenberger Clubs Participating: At least 4 Sandy Springs Contribution: $2500 Total Funding: $40,000

World Community Service – Medical Equipment for Liberia

Rectovaginal fistula and vesicovaginal fistula are common medical conditions for women of child bearing age in Liberia. Through the leadership of the John F. Kennedy Chief Medical Hospital and staff, a commitment is underway to establish a Fistula Unit to address the needs of women and young girls suffering from these devestating medical conditions. The Atlanta West End Rotary Club and the Sandy Springs Rotary Club in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Monrovia have teamed-up with the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Metro Atlanta Chapter and Delta Air Lines to provide support through complimentary air lines tickets for nurses and doctors as well as medical supplies and equipment. In particular, the Sandy Springs Rotary Club is committing $3,000 to support the delivery of medical equipment to Liberia's John F. Kennedy Medical Center. $5000 worth of medical equipment has already been donated. Sandy Springs Coordinator: Oz Hill Sandy Springs Contribution: $3000

Group Study Exchange

For this Rotary Year, Rotary District 6900 is hosting an incoming Group Study Exchange Team from Korea and The Rotary Club of Sandy Springs is once again hosting the team during its stay in our District. We are hosting the Korean Team April 15-17. International Service Chair Charon Shenberger is coordinating the Club’s activities during this stay with the Club. Rotary Project Leader: Charon Shenberger Rotarians Involved: 10 Budget: $500

2008 GSE Team from Japan with Sandy Springs Rotarians

Georgia Rotary Student Program: Co-Sponsored with Alpharetta Rotary

For the 2008-09 Rotary Year, The Rotary Club of Sandy Springs is pleased to have Ms. Heidi Virtanen from Finland as our GRSP Student. She is attending North Georgia College in Dahlonega

Sandy Springs Rotarian Sean McEvoy and his wife Emily serve as the Club’s Host Family for Ms. Vertanen.

Rotarian Keith Cooper and GRSP Student Heidi Virtanen At the Sandy Springs Oktoberfest

GRSP – Annual Sandy Springs / Alpharetta Conclave

Sandy Springs Rotary has hosted this annual conclave for more than twenty years and the Club is one of the handful of state wide clubs sanctioned for such an event. Sandy Springs Rotarian Project Coordinator: Linda Randolph Rotarians Involved: GRSP Students: 64

After dinner was hosted by Spalding Drive Charter Elementary School, the students spent Friday night at the home of Rotarians. Saturday was an event-filled day as the students met at the Alpharetta YMCA and spent their day at Zoo Atlanta and CNN followed by fun and games at Andretti’s in Roswell, which is an indoor games and go-kart racing facility. Saturday night was closed out by a pizza dinner at the YMCA, where the students spent the

night and enjoyed the facilities' indoor pool, gym, basketball court and rock climbing wall.

Rotary Spouses serve lasagna to GRSP students at Spalding Drive Charter ES Friday, November 14, 2008

GRSP Students at ZOO Atlanta Saturday, November 15, 2008

Ambassadorial Scholarship The Rotary Club of Sandy Springs has always been very active in the Ambassadorial Scholarship program. Carl Pirkle, a long time member of our club, has served District 6900 on the Ambassadorial Scholarship Committee for thirteen years and has served as its Chair for several years. Steve Jordan of the Sandy Springs Club is also a member of the Ambassadorial Scholarship Committee.

This year, Sandy Springs is pleased to have one of our candidates, Trisha Apte win an Academic Scholarship. She graduated from Northwestern University in June 2007 with a B.S. in Communications Studies. The daughter of immigrant parents from India, Trisha is employed by L.E.K. Consulting in Chicago. Trisha's first choice of study is the University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana to work toward a Master's in Public Health. Her main interests is HIV/Aids. The 2009-2010 scholarship will academic year is for $23,000.

Ambassadorial Scholarship Winner Trisha Apte and Carl Pirkle

Disaster Relief - Shelter Box More than 10,000 people attended the 2008 Sandy Springs Festival. Sandy Springs on September 20 and 21. Our club gave away free popcorn, cotton candy, bottles of water, and other items donated by Trader Joes. Sponsors for the Rotary tent were: the PGA, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, the Atlanta Braves, Costco, Trader Joe’s and the Tasting Room. We raised $1750 to purchase shelter boxes.

Rotary Project Leader: Larry Cooper Rotarians Participating: 15 + Rotaractors: 5

Interactors : 10 Money Raised for Shelter Box: $1750

Rotarians Steve Jordan and Betty Ferdinand Showing The Shelter Box

New Generations Projects

Rotary Project Leader: John McDonough Rotarians Participating: 12-15 Donation to Special Olympics: $1000

Sandy Springs Rotarians at

Special Olympics Soccer in 2008

Camp High H arbor YMCA Camp High Harbor is located on Lake Burton in the northeast Georgia mountains. Its mission is to offer a life changing camping experience to young people. Campers live in large cedar cabins on Lake Burton. Sandy Springs Rotary partners with the Community Action Center to send at least two underprivileged children to camp every summer. Rotary Project Leader: Jim Buckler

Donation: $1250 Partner: Sandy Springs Community Action Center

Sandy Springs sponsors two outstanding Interact Clubs. They are at North Springs High School and Riverwood High School. We provide limited financial support to the Clubs and involve them in our projects. Both Interact Clubs helped with our GRSP Weekend and also participated in our Shelter Box Project at the Sandy Springs Festival. Past President Dan Wilmarth is our Interact Coordinator and the former District 6900 Co-Chair for Interact.

North Springs Charter High School Interact Club

Sponsor: Jackie Protos Members: 35 Projects: Hands on North Springs Canned Food Drive for Community Action Center AIDS Walk Ronald McDonald House Dinner Festival of Trees Holiday Toy Collection ELL Tutoring North Springs hosted the Friday night check-in of GRSP students for GRSP Weekend.

Riverwood International Charter High School Interact Club

Sponsor: Mary Moseley Members: 40 Projects: Sandy Springs Festival Canned Food Drives for Community Action Center Hosea Feed the Hungry Fundraising for Shelter Box Assisted in Sandy Springs Fire Department dinners Lauren’s Run (fight against childhood cancers)

Riverwood High School was the host school for the 2008 District 6900 Interact Fall Conference on September 6. Over 100 Interact members attended the conference. Riverwood also hosted the District 6900 Spring Interact Conference on February 28, 2008.

Rotary Coordinator: Dan Wilmarth Budget: $1,000

Riverwood Interact Officers for 2008

Interact Students with Rotarians at Sandy Springs Festival

At the 2009 Sandy Springs Rotary Spring Ball, ten Rotaracters will staff our check-in desk, sell raffle tickets, help with the auction and staff our checkout desk. A contribution will be made to their Club to show our appreciation.

Rotarian Coordinator: Dan Wilmarth

Rotaractors at Fundraiser: 10 Budget: $300

North Atlanta Rotaract Club Members at Sandy Springs Fundraiser

Interacters Melanie Oppemheimer (Vice President – Riverwood Charter High School) and Frances White (Treasurer – North Springs Charter High School)

Rotary Coordinator: Jennifer Ross

Students Attending RYLA: 2 Budget: $750

Elementary School After School Reading Program

Partnering with the Sandy Springs Mission, Sandy Springs Rotary Club provided volunteer readers on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, 3:30-4:45, to work with 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders on their reading skills. Students were selected because they scored at a Level I on the CRCT tests. Partnering with an adult volunteer, on a 1-on-1 basis, each child spent 30 minutes reading at every session for 15 days. The program was conducted at Atonement Episcopal Church on High Point Road. Students were bussed there by Sandy Springs Mission at 2:30, fed and provided with activities. The books for the After School Literacy Project to be used by the students were identified by teachers from Spalding Drive Elementary School and purchased by Rotary. Rotary Project Leader: Carl Pirkle Rotarians Participating:12 Students in Program: 15 Cost of Books: $300

High Point ES students benefit from One-on-One Reading Program

Rotarian Joe Jones with After School Student

Vivian Smith Reads with Student

Rotarian Steve Jordan and After School Student

Teacher Literacy Grants

In March of 2009, Sandy Springs Rotary will begin our annual Teacher Grant Program. This year the Grants will be focused on Literacy. A $500 Grant will be made to a teacher at each school that establishes an outstanding literacy program for their students. Rotary Project Leader: Jim Buckler Rotarians Participating: Value of Grants; $3000

implement classroom Literacy Programs thanks to Sandy Springs Rotary!

College Scholarships

Sandy Springs Rotary awards two scholarships annually to a graduating senior from Riverwood and North Springs High Schools. Eligibility is based on academic performance, financial need, leadership, and community service. Student’s complete applications & interviews by the scholarship committee and the winners are selected. The scholarship is awarded from the Sandy Springs Rotary Foundation. Funding for the Foundation is from our “Good News Bucks” and “Weekly Raffle” programs. 2008 Scholarship winners were Zachovia Jenks who will study psychology at Paine College in Augusta and Justin McClarity who plans to attend the University of Kentucky. 2009 Scholarships will be awarded in May. Rotary Project Leader: Robert Moore Value of Scholarships: $4000 Rotarians Involved: 4

2008 President Bill Snellings and Scholarship Winner Zachovia Jenks

Character Education

Rotary Project Leader: Robert Moore Students Affected: All students at Mill Springs Academy Donation: $500

Paul Harris Foundation

In recognition of a $1000 donation to the Rotary Foundation Sandy Springs Rotary continues our outstanding record of support to The Rotary Foundation having achieved 13 years of

EREY (Every Rotarian Every Year) status under the leadership of Mark Hancock.

As members of the Paul Harris Society, Mark & PDG Ralph Thurmond were recognized for their annual gifts of $1000.

Herman Abernathy and Joe Jones – 5x Recipients!!!

Jim Paschal and Dan Wilmarth receive their first medallion

Sweetheart Donations were made for Valentines Day – Lisa McLean (Mark Hancock), Norma Box (George Box), Skipper Usher (Bobby Usher), and Marty Fontaine (Dick Fontaine)