NO MEETING - HAPPY HOLIDAYS

This week we welcome our own member, Linda Randolph, as guest speaker!

New member induction -  Tim Bresnahan (Sponsor: Ty Tippett)

Sunshine - Geoff Beakley

Need to join by Zoom, click the link below.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87941219913?pwd=S15RIBjTE1TRk1NaDRNa3hTcmphUT09#success Password: 485257

Please join us for our First Tuesday social at Voodoo Brewing from 6-8 pm on January 6th.

1010 Mansell Road, Suite 180, Roswell, GA

Non-Profit Grant Awards

Our speaker will be joining us via Zoom from the Committee for a Responsible Fiscal Budget

Come join us at Kennesaw State University and lend a helping hand as we unload the Midwest Food Bank truck and restock the KSU CARES Pantry.

Vinings Cumberland Rotarians invite the community to join them on the Second Thursdays of the month to assemble lunch sacks (chips, sandwiches, etc.) that are distributed the next day by The Table on Delk to children getting off the school bus in the immediate vicinity of Delk Road and Interstate 75. 

The Table on Delk is committed to serving individuals at risk of sex-trafficking. Part of that mission includes addressing critical needs of mostly women and their young families to decrease that risk, desperation, and food insecurity. 

The Sack Pack is held at Vinings UMC's basement space (near Old Vinings Inn).  Sandwich Olympics may or may not be involved...iykyk.

LOCATION:   3101 PAces Mill Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30339

Hosted by JEnnifer humphrey: 404-409-1348

Ray Ezelle serves as CEO/President of Discover Dunwoody, the official destination marketing organization for the City of Dunwoody, Georgia. A seasoned destination marketing and sales professional, Ray leads efforts to promote Dunwoody as a premier destination for meetings, events, and leisure travel in Atlanta's Perimeter market.

January 11, 2026 – Sunday, 3pm - Atlanta Vibe Volleyball VS Grand Rapids Rise – Gas South Arena 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Duluth, GA 30097

Board of Directors Meeting

First meeting of the year.  Brenda Culpepper, speaker. Jason El Kady, visitor.

This week we welcome our guest speaker, Brad Raffensperger, Georgia’s 29th Secretary of State.

In this role, he oversees Georgia’s elections, business registrations, and professional licensing, bringing a unique blend of engineering, business ownership, and public service to the job.  As Rotarians focused on integrity, community service, and economic development, we’ll benefit from his perspective on election security, entrepreneurship, and how the Secretary of State’s office supports a strong climate for businesses across Georgia.

About the Speaker

Brad Raffensperger has served as Georgia’s Secretary of State since 2019, after previously representing District 50 in the Georgia House of Representatives and serving on the Johns Creek City Council. He is the CEO and owner of Tendon Systems, a specialty contracting and engineering firm with operations across multiple states, and holds a civil engineering degree and an MBA, combining technical expertise with real-world business leadership.

Join us for Rotary on the Road, onsite at Scouting America. Take a tour and hear more about how the organization makes an impact in young adult's lives. Hear more about how Buckhead Rotary supports the organization.

1800 Circle 75 Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339

We will be meeting in the Cowart Room, to the left once you enter the building.

Sunshine: Brandon Smith

Join us for our lunch meeting on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at:

Brimstone Restaurant & Tavern, 10595 Old Alabama Road Connector, Alpharetta

Come join us at the Horned Owl for snacks, social and hand crafted beers. 

Andy Christiansen, PCC, SHRM-CP

c. 404-451-0005     

e. andy@andychristiansen.com

w. andychristiansen.com

w. leadershipbydesign.com

- Check out the Tenacious Podcast 

We will gather for casual conversations, drinks, and snacks at the home of Ryan Neff, 2811 Dover Rd, Atlanta 30327.  Dover Road is near Morris Brandon Elementary.  Questions?  email cathy@lamonteam.com or ryan.neff@protiviti.com 

Just us for a social gathering BACK AT Maggiano's, the place for our meetings, but this time for fun, food, and drinks.

Horned Owl Brewery on Main Street in Kennesaw 

1/15/26 January Social — New Year, New Connections!

Let’s kick off the new year together! Join us for our January Social as we celebrate fresh starts, good company, and the year ahead. This is a relaxed, come-as-you-are gathering—perfect for reconnecting after the holidays and welcoming 2026 with positive energy.

Location: Horned Owl, Main Street, Kennesaw
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Food: Provided
Drinks: Available for purchase at the bar

Please use the sign-up below to let us know you’re coming. We can’t wait to celebrate the new year with you!

Date: 01/15/2026 (Thu.)

Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm EST

Location: Horned Owl, 2765 S Main St, Kennesaw, GA 30144

Created by:

North Cobb Rotary District 6900

Sign up using the SUG: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BA4A72DA7FEC61-61444128-january

The Companion Club meets on the third Thursday of each month at Thrive (above Minnie Olivia Pizza) 

44 Milton Avenue, Alpharetta, GA

Questions: call Joseph Powell at (912) 662-2246

No meeting – MLK Day

We plan to do a service project on MLK Day at Children's Development Academy. We will be sanitizing the classrooms to ensure a clean and healthy learning environment for both teachers and students.

The time has not yet been determined - but will be updated as soon as we have that information.

NORTH COBB ROTARIANS are invited to attend the any time during the program. See event details below. 

---

Annually the City of Acworth hosts an MLK Day of Service on Martin Luther King Day. I wanted to invite North Cobb Rotary Club members who are available that day to join us in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King and also join us for service projects. 

• New or used but complete Card games, board games, deck of cards, dice, puzzles, popcorn, sudoku, books, crosswords etc.

• Hygiene bag/ Ziploc, Toothbrush, tooth paste, small hair brush, small lotion, wash cloth, chap stick, small body wash, small shampoo, deodorant

1. Sorting of donated items for family fun nights and hygiene kits
2. Cards for Kids in Care Making Station: Please join us by making cards for foster kids with encouraging words of love, support and prayer. These cards are given to kids in foster care to lift their spirits and give encouragement.
1. Wording ideas include but are not limited to:
1. You are valuable
2. We love you
3. We care about you. We hope you have a great day!
4. Bright days are ahead. Keeping believing!
5. Never forget how amazing you are. You have a purpose and a future!
6. Any other quote, verse or words of encouragement.
3. Belong Bracelets Making Station: Foster kids participating in the I Belong Project receive "Belong Bracelets" similar to friendship bracelets that show our community loves and care for them. Bracelets can include words of encouragement like hope, belong and brave etc. 

5:30 pm Networking

6:00 pm Meeting Called to Order

7:30 pm Meeting Adjourned

The VCR Club Board and Charity Fund Board will meet in the Garden Room of One Vinings Mountain.  

Members are welcome to attend any Board Meeting.

Off Site Visit for The Heritage School

Address: 2093 US-29, Newnan, GA 30263

Instructions to check in - You will see the Administration Building in front, and you will take your first left after passing the baseball field and will see a tent with student ambassadors waiting to greet you. You will park in that lot, and you will grab your Rotary Badge name tag in our Administration Building and a visitor badge. We will take you to the cafeteria and you will check for normal Rotary check-in. Then you will go through our Food service line to get the meeting underway. Tours will be available after the meeting. If you have any questions, contact Walker Sandlin at 678-326-0316. 

Join us for a presentation from The Heritage School in Newnan. This session will highlight how the school supports students with learning differences through individualized instruction, small class sizes, and a whole child approach to education.

Attendees will gain insight into the programs and strategies that help students build confidence, develop academic skills, and succeed both in and out of the classroom. The discussion will also touch on how community partnerships help extend opportunities for students and families in our area.

11:45 am – 12:15 PM | Food Line   

·                      Greet Rotary Club members and guest attendees. 

·                      Show them the menu and how to grab everything to eat and drink and where to sit. 

·                      Have their rotary badge set up and normal rotary check in. 

12:15 PM – 12:20 PM | Rotary Club   

·                      Prayer 

·                      Pledge 

·                      Rotary Pledge 

·                      Rotary Announcements 

12:20 PM – 12:40 PM | Heritage 101 with Q&A   

·                      Discuss Heritage Handouts profile for graduates, campus maps, Heritage podcasts, social media, college profiles. 

·                      Highlight Athletics, arts, new garden, innovation center 

·                      Questions Members may have 

12:40 PM – 12:50PM | Heritage Alum/ Supporters Speak   

·                      Discuss their Heritage History 

12:50 PM – 1:00 PM | Closing Remarks   

·                      Thanks to Rotary Club members for visiting. 

·                      Group photo 

·                      Student led tours (optional) 

Menu: 

·                      Jerk Pork Loin with Pineapple Salsa 

·                      Bang Bang Chicken with Broccoli 

·                      Bang Bang Tofu 

·                      Salad Bar 

·                      Deli Bar 

·                      Dessert  

Join fellow Rotarians for coffee at Grassroots Coffee. No agenda, no program. Grab a cup to go or sit down and get to know fellow Rotarians better. 

Monthly Board Meeting at First City Bank

Come join us Thursday at 7am for a deep dive on two of our members. Charlie Darrien and Chip Phillips. Two outstanding humans with givers hearts.

Volunteers needed to hand out food with Forever Fed.  Thank you! 

Location:  Desktop Kennesaw,  3070 North Main Street, Kennesaw, GA  30101

Invocation: Carl Wilhjelm

Sunshine:  Carl Wilhjelm

Need to join by Zoom, click the link below.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87941219913?pwd=S15RIBjTE1TRk1NaDRNa3hTcmphUT09#success Password: 485257

This week we welcome our guest speaker, Janssen Redcay, Police Officer III with the Sandy Springs Police Department.

Officer Redcay serves the community as a bike officer and ultra-distance cyclist, using multi-day solo rides of more than 1,000 miles to raise funds and awareness for Zoe International, a nonprofit working to end child trafficking. His commitment to both public safety and protecting vulnerable children reflects Rotary’s focus on supporting youth, promoting peace, and taking hands-on action to confront difficult issues like human trafficking.

About the Speaker
Officer Redcay is a veteran law enforcement officer who has served in both Sandy Springs, Georgia and Gilbert, Arizona, where he has seen the realities of human trafficking firsthand. A father of a young daughter, he has completed multiple self-funded, cross-country cycling treks—including 1,000+ mile routes from Austin to Sandy Springs and from Michigan to Georgia—to raise thousands of dollars for Zoe International’s programs that rescue and restore trafficked children around the world.

Disclaimer: This summary was auto generated and may contain errors.

Join us for our lunch meetings on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at

Brimstone Restaurant & Tavern, 10595 Old Alabama Rd Connector, Alpharetta

Meeting will be held at:

Strickland Debrow LLP
246 Bullsboro Drive, Suite A
Newnan, GA  30263

Contact Kim Debrow for more information.

Park behind GSW College of Nursing. Bring gloves and trash pickers (if you have them); all other supplies provided.

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Michael Johnson , President of the University of West Georgia . Dr. Johnson will share insights on the university’s vision, regional impact, and how higher education plays a critical role in workforce development and community growth.

This session will highlight partnerships between the university, local governments, and businesses, along with how UWG is preparing students to lead and serve across West Georgia and beyond. Attendees will also hear about opportunities for engagement and collaboration moving forward.

Join club members as we deliver the goody bags packed in December and tour the facility to learn more about the extraordinary work the Ronald McDonald House is doing with families and children. 

SUG is coming soon and will be added to the calendar and newsletter. 

dean Karen Kornweibel - Dean of The Keeping Sights Upward Journey Honors College and Professor of English Honors College

Dr. Karen Kornweibel is Dean of the KSU Journey Honors College at Kennesaw State University. An educator and scholar, she is committed to the mission of public higher education and its power to transform students’ lives while strengthening communities.

Dr. Kornweibel has extensive experience leading and developing honors programs, with a focus on innovative teaching, experiential learning, and close faculty-student engagement. Her work in honors education emphasizes preparing students to become thoughtful, informed citizens equipped to address complex global challenges.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in general literature from the University of California, San Diego, and earned both a master’s degree and a doctorate in comparative literature from the University of Texas at Austin.

Kristyn Pittman will talk about what to expect at this year's Thomasville Antiques Show. The 2026 Thomasville Antiques Show will bring together a curated collection of premier antiques, fine art, and contemporary design from renowned exhibitors across the United States — with all proceeds supporting local nonprofit organizations dedicated to enhancing the lives of children in our area.

Dr. Joe Sutherland is Director of Emory University's Center for AI Learning and a recognized leader in artificial intelligence, data science, and technology innovation. His career spans leadership roles at Amazon, Cisco, The White House under President Obama, and multiple successful startups—including AI firm Peachtree AI and fintech company Prattle, both acquired by larger firms.

Dr. Sutherland advises Fortune 500 companies including Goldman Sachs, Coca-Cola, and GlaxoSmithKline on technology strategy, and contributes to federal AI policy as principal investigator for NIST's U.S. Center for AI Standards and Innovation. He is the bestselling author of Analytics the Right Way (Wiley) and his research appears in top peer-reviewed journals including the American Political Science Review.

A Leadership Atlanta '26 member, Dr. Sutherland holds a PhD from Columbia University and a bachelor's from Washington University. He lives in Atlanta with his family.

One of our most popular annual events is Rotary Night at the ASO, our annual concert and reception at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

This year we have arranged our night to correspond with the Grand Opening of the new Goizueta Stage, and the concert will feature some of the ASO’s leading musicians in a chamber concert in this superb intimate space (only 150 seats).

As in past years, this event will include a reception with open bar and hors d’oeuvres prior to the concert and great seats for the concert, for a discounted price of $75 per person.

January 30 at 6:30  Reception in the new Loft Space, in the Woodruff Arts Center

8:00 Concert at the Goizueta Stage

Link to purchase tickets:

Purchase Tickets 

When you click the link, you’ll be taken to the ASO ticketing website, where you can log into your account or create one. Once you’ve logged in, you can choose your seats and you’ll see the special price.

Program

This wide-ranging program moves from Mozart's elegant and playful Sonata for Bassoon and Cello to the solemn glow of Wagner's "Feierliches Stück" and the intimate lyricism of Rossini's Une Larme. Bartók's Romanian Folk Dances bring a burst of earthy rhythm and vibrant folkloric color. The evening culminates with Janáček's spirited Mládí, a work alive with youthful energy and bold character.

Don’t Wait!

The deadline for purchasing tickets is January 23^rd. We expect this event to sell out. Also, by purchasing your tickets early, you have first choice for seat location. If you have any problem with the link, or if you have questions, email Jimmy Paulk at James.Paulk@atlantasymphony.org .