End Polio Now

District Governor Steve Ivory Pushes for Polio Eradication — Literally!

By Nicholas Ramey

What better way to start our newsletter for Rotary Foundation month than with a story about End Polio Now! On World Polio Day, District Governor Steve Ivory took his commitment to Rotary’s top humanitarian cause to the next level — by hitting the pavement for push-ups to end polio ! With the support of generous district sponsors, Governor Steve raised nearly $2,000 in donations for Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign.  Watch the video!
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Recognizing World Polio Day

By Wynita Cannon

On October 24, Rotary International and communities around the globe came together to recognize World Polio Day —a day to reflect, raise awareness, and renew our commitment to the mission: End Polio Now. Rotary District 6900 showed up with heart, energy, and purpose. We are proud to highlight the incredible efforts of our clubs across the district who participated in events, fundraisers, and awareness campaigns to help eradicate polio from the planet. [more]

Club News

Join Atlanta Metro's Pickleball for Polio Tournament

By Caroline Lazaro

The Rotary Club of Atlanta Metro invites you and your club members to join us for our inaugural Pickleball for Polio tournament in support of Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign. Read the rest of the story for details; then sign up if you are interested at https://luma.com/bslokxvn [more]

Our Rotary Foundation

It's November - That's Spelled "FOUNDATION"

By Bob Hagan

November is a wonderful time of year! The hot weather in District 6900 has finally cooled off a bit, the trees are changing colors giving us good reasons to travel to the northern section of our district to enjoy them and Thanksgiving is now just around the corner.  Having just had an outstanding World Polio Day, we now turn our attention to The Rotary Foundation - especially to the source of the dollars coming into the Foundation.
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Atlanta Rotaract Supports Polio Awareness and More

By Rolanda Smalls

For the Rotaract Club of Atlanta , October was about polio awareness, supporting families and having fun together. The club sponsored a Pints for Polio night, as well as a billboard over Atlanta from October 21 - 24. And that's not all ...
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End Polio Now

Update From the Camino - “The Way” to Fight Polio Fundraiser

By Brad Groff

This East Cobb Rotarian is happy to report that I completed my Camino walk from St. Jean Pied de Port, France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain on October 20. Total distance covered was about 780 km (about 485 miles) in 42 days. The experience was as wide-ranging as the distance was long - excitement, frustration, beauty, pain, exhilaration, exhaustion…. Many extreme highs and lows, both in terms of emotions and the actual hills along the Way. The first picture here is me, representing Rotary and “End Polio Now” in Santiago Cathedral Square - the traditional endpoint of the Camino.

Thanks to everyone who has contributed, we have exceeded my original goal of $10,000 on the fundraiser. So I’ve set a new goal of $15,000. You can read more about my journey here, and learn how you can add to the Polio fundraiser or contact me about a presentation for your club.
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End Polio Now

Columbus Renews Effort to End Polio

By LeighAnn DiCesaris

The Rotary Club of Columbus is reigniting its commitment to eradicating polio through renewed awareness, education, and fundraising. For the first time in several years, the club is highlighting the PolioPlus initiative with videos, a public health guest speaker, and new fundraising opportunities featuring End Polio Now pins and stickers. At a recent meeting, Rotarian Dr. Asante Hilts introduced Brandi Nelson, Epidemiology Manager for the West Central Georgia Health District, who spoke about the district’s three-step approach to polio prevention. [more]

End Polio Now

Roswell Raises Money for Polio

By Lee Hollingsworth

In August, Roswell Rotarian Lee Hollingsworth jogged across Badwater Basin in Death Valley, the lowest, hottest place in North America— at age 70 – for two great Rotary causes: End Polio Now and the global grant for the KiBeam literacy program benefiting kindergarten through 3rd grade students in the US. 

At Roswell's meeting honoring World Polio Day, Rotarian Sid Disher “challenged the District with a $2,500 matching Polio Plus donation” said District Foundation Chair Bob Hagan. Roswell responded by raising $13,000 in one meeting - that translates to $39,000 for polio eradication efforts with the Gates Match. [more]

Lauri Young, Lee Hollingsworth, Dan Jenkins, Erik Bykat, Rick Clark, Jonathan Stelling, Brad Serff, PDG Bob Hagan, Doug Higgins

Our Rotary Foundation

North Fulton Recognizes 5 New Paul Harris Society Members

By Lauri Young

Recently, the Rotary Club of North Fulton recognized five members for making an important commitment to becoming a Paul Harris Society member. President Erik Byatt, Richard Clark, Dan Jenkins, Brad Serff and Jonathan Stelling were recognized by PDG Bob Hagan, D6900 Foundation chair. Read more about the event and how you can become a Paul Harris Society member. [more]

RI Convention 2026

Join Us in Taipei Next June

By Cynthia Edwards

Make new connections and create unforgettable memories at the 2026 Rotary International Convention in Taipei City, where traditional and contemporary culture intertwine beautifully. The convention will take place June 13-17 in Taiwan. You can learn a lot more about the convention by visiting the RI Convention website.

As always, District 6900 plans to be there in force - and we have been working on making a hotel connection. We have included a link to reserve rooms at Hotel Indigo in Taipei, Taiwan for the Rotary International Convention in June 2026. Click here on "make a reservation" to go to District 6900's dedicated reservation link. Keep reading for more information about the hotel rates, what's included, and travel insurance information. [more]

Laws of Life

Georgia Laws of Life Honors Donors and Student Voices at 2025 Founders Celebration

By Carol Gray Walker

The Georgia Laws of Life Essay Contest hosted its annual Founders Celebration on October 9 at the Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta, welcoming, student writers, Rotarians, donors, educators, and friends from across Georgia for an inspiring evening dedicated to character, gratitude, and community. Read on to learn more.  Individuals interested becoming a Bridge Builder and Rotary Clubs interested in learning more about sponsoring a contest or hosting a Laws of Life presentation are invited to contact Carol Gray Walker, Executive Director , at carol@georgialawsoflife.org or visit www.georgialawsoflife.org . Presentations can be customized for Rotary club meetings and often feature inspiring student speakers, Board Members or program staff.
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RYLA Update

So Thankful for RYLA

By Jaclyn Donovan

RYLA is not just a summer camp – it is a whole experience. A wonderful, joyful, sometimes tiring, but always amazing and absolutely life-changing experience for all involved. As we look forward to RYLA 2026 and all of the amazing students and moments it will bring us, we took a moment to reflect on what we are thankful for when it comes to RYLA - you can see our "top 25" and get links to help you RSVP for 2026 by reading the rest of this article. You'll be thankful you did!
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Our Rotary Foundation at Work

Alpharetta Celebrates Continuing Progress of Brazilian Down Syndrome Education & Training Center

By Bob Koncerak

Another milestone has been reached with second phase completion of the APADPEL Down Syndrome Training & Education Center in Pelotas, RS Brazil. Alpharetta Rotarian Bob Koncerak traveled to Pelotas in August to participate in planning sessions and a celebration with the project’s many corporate and civic partners - including Brazil Rotary District 4680. APADPEL is shorthand for the Association of Parents of Downs Persons In Pelotas. 
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Our Rotary Foundation

D6900 Rotarians Honored as Arch Klumph Society Members

By Nicholas Ramey

hat an amazing honor! Out of 38 honorees being inducted into the Rotary Foundation’s Arch Klumph Society in October, two are from our district—and both are from the Rotary Club of Peachtree City! Congratulations to: 

• District Governor Steve Ivory, Past President and Sheffield Leadership Award recipient 
• Mary Chapman – Past President and Sheffield Leadership Award recipient, former District 6900 Rotarian of the Year, and lifelong champion of Rotary service.
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Club News

Satellite Club Asks for Help with Annual Coats for Kids Drive

By Angeli Abrol Duggal

This fall, the Rotary Satellite Club of Atlanta Southern Crescent/Clifton-Emory is just getting started on this year's Acts of Kindness winter service project - under the leadership of charter founder and Club President Yamin Farhat, Angeli Abrol Duggal and her daughter Avya (a first grader at Westminster Schools). Avya will be working on the 2nd Annual Coats for Kids Project (winter clothing collection) in her school, while members of the RCCE global e-club will be conducting Acts of Kindness in their local communities around the world this month. You can help with the coats project - read on to find out how!
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Thanks for Your Service

Dunwoody Dishes Up Lots of Food and Good Will!

By Bob O'Brien

Dunwoody Rotarians dished up a lot of good work in October - making sandwiches for The Sandwich Project, serving lunch at the USO and getting ready for the annual Whiskey Raffle fundraiser that supports part of our work.  There's still time to buy tickets for the raffle that supports part of our work in the community - visit whiskey-raffle.com before November 20. [more]

Club News

North Cobb's Mountain Top Boys Home BBQ Continues 38-Year Tradition

By Dr. Jose Gonzalez

For nearly four decades, North Cobb Rotarians have upheld a cherished tradition of traveling to North Georgia to serve the Mountain Top Boys Home with a delicious, home-cooked barbecue. This annual event not only brings together members, their families, and the local community, but also celebrates a long-standing commitment to supporting the restorative care provided by the Mountain Top Boys Home.
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Buckhead and LifeLine: Pet Adoption and So Much More!

By Shelley Hammell

The Rotary Club of Buckhead selected LifeLine Animal Project as one of its three-year signature projects, expanding community support efforts to address shelter overcrowding. Their work with LifeLine focuses on much more than promoting pet adoption, addressing:

• Food insecurity - through a partnership with LifeLine and Open Hand Atlanta to provide monthly pet food supplies
• Keeping pets with their owners - by helping provide pet health services such as vaccines and microchips
• Barking good times for dogs and people - with adoption support and even a Bark-A-Que event that included Rotarians, guests, four-legged friends and the people who adopt them!

Read on to learn more about these initiatives and how Interact and Rotary Youth Exchange have been involved. [more]

Club News

Roswell Rotary’s Family Farm Day Honors First Responders

By Lynne Lindsay

On Sunday, October 12, over 200 Roswell Rotarians joined members of the Roswell Fire Department, Police Department, EMTs, 911 dispatchers, and their families on a beautiful fall day to honor those who serve our community every day. Family Farm Day was a celebration of appreciation, relaxation, and connection.  Thanks to a district grant, over 100 birdhouses were painted red, white, and blue, each proudly bearing the Roswell Rotary Club emblem - a heartfelt symbol of community pride. We invite you to watch a video of the day's events - Roswell Rotary Farm Day for First Responders Oct. 12, 2025 - YouTube - and read the rest of the story [more]

Club News

Brookhaven Launches Be the Voice and Suther's Second Saturday

By Jennifer Yanulavich

The Brookhaven Rotary Club is celebrating the city of Brookhaven - looking for new local projects and getting to know the city and its parks better. With the help of a District Grant, the club helped kick off the Be the Voice program at Woodward Elementary School. The club also started Suther's Second Saturday, collecting food donations for the Suther's Center Food Pantry by participating in the Brookhaven Farmer's Market. [more]

Tyrone Boasts Fantastic Turnout at Founders Day 5K!

By Dorothy Hart

The Rotary Club of Tyrone ’s annual Founders Day 5K was a resounding success, drawing over 100 enthusiastic runners to the scenic course. The community spirit was evident as participants of all ages enjoyed a morning of fitness, fun, and fellowship. A special highlight of the day was Rotary District Governor Steve Ivory, who didn’t just stop by—he rolled up his sleeves and jumped right in to assist at the finish line, embodying the true spirit of service.
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Club News

North Cobb Reach Extends from Local Community to Africa

By Dr. Jose Gonzalez

This October, North Cobb Rotarians reached out to serve in the Lucky Dog Walk benefiting the Extension Alumni Association, a community festival at McKenna Farms that supports vital special needs services - and included a $7,000 check to build a new playground, and assistance with loading a container with mobility devices going to Crutches 4 Africa. Note that while Rotarians are doing good, getting three dogs to look at the camera is impossible. [more]

Club News

Vinings Cumberland Rotary Helps Kids Ride with Free Bikes 4 Kidz Atlanta

By Thomas House

Members of the Rotary Club of Vinings Cumberland, together with students from the Campbell High School Interact Club, recently volunteered with Free Bikes 4 Kidz Atlanta, an organization that provides bicycles to children and teens who might not otherwise have the opportunity to own one. Rotarians and Interactors worked side by side to inspect, repair, and refurbish donated bikes.

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Buckhead Pink Honor Breast Cancer Awareness

By Shelley Hammell

Buckhead Rotarians dressed in pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Our guest speaker, Christa Pitts, Founder and Co-CEO from The Lumistella Company, joined in the spirit by wearing pink as well. One of our newest members, Liz Loretti, shared her sunshine presentation, giving us a glimpse into her life and her new role as Executive Director of TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation. We were proud to come together in recognition of such an important cause that touches so many lives.
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