President's Message
There's a crispness in the air at last. After a long, sticky summer, the weather has finally turned to fall, and with it comes the full onslaught of football season: Friday nights under the lights, Saturday tailgates, and Sunday afternoons on the couch (for non-Rotarians). Fall is also when Roswell Rotary gets busy, and this year's calendar is full of chances to serve. We'll connect with our local community through Scarecrows on Canton Street, support our troops abroad through Adopt a Platoon, honor our first responders at First Responders Farm Day, and fight for global health at our World Polio Day Cornhole Tournament. With so many different interests and talents in our club, every member will find a way to serve that fits them.
It's inspiring to see Roswell Rotary out in the community, showing our commitment to tradition, to honoring our military and first responders, and to ending polio. As your President this year, I also get to see the quieter acts of service and kindness our members do behind the scenes, the ones that never make the newsletter but make all the difference. From where I stand, the fabric of our membership is varied, strong, and healthy. Let's bring our best, most positive, and most productive selves to this fall season and see what unexpected good we can do together.
Yours in Service,
Leslie
Welcome Brittany Jones, Executive Director of Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy
Let's welcome Brittany Jones, the Executive Director of Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy (CNPC) is the official Friends Group and Primary Philanthropic Partner of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA).
Most recently Brittany was Executive Director of Smith-Gilbert Gardens in Kennesaw, Ga and Chief Experience Officer at San Francisco’s Filoli, a National Trust for Historic Preservation. In 2021, Jones completed her Master's in Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco. Through her final capstone project, “DEAI in Nonprofits: Through the Lens of Museums and Gardens,” she explored practices and barriers around Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion. Jones received her Bachelor's in Environmental Studies at Florida International University.
“What CNPC has accomplished in just 10 years is astounding, and I am thrilled to be joining such an active, growing, and engaged organization!” says Jones. “I have a deep passion for parks and the volunteers who care for them and look forward to enhancing CNPC’s ability to achieve our mission and create a meaningful impact.” [read more]
Board Spotlight
Al Nash- Senior Services
During his tenure, transparency and accountability have remained top priorities, with DAFC strengthening its criteria for granting tax incentives. Implementing the use of a tax analysis modeling tool developed by Ernst& Young for DAFC, each project provided fact sheets to the public prior to consideration by the DAFC Board.
Prior to joining DAFC, Al served as Executive Director of Progress Partners, an economic development initiative launched by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce where he previously served as Chairman of the Chamber. Nash is past Chairman of the Council for Quality Growth and the Regional Business Coalition, an organization comprised of 16 metro Atlanta chambers of commerce from across the region. He also has served on Board of the Georgia Chamber and the Metro Atlanta Chamber.
Appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue and reappointed by former Governor Nathan Deal, Al served on the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA) where he was named Chairman of the Rural Service Transportation Committee.
Having served as a past chairman, he currently serves on the Board of The Council for Quality Growth, is now a current Board member of the True North 400 Community Improvement District, serving as Treasurer. As a member of the Roswell Rotary Club, he currently serves on the Board and chairs the Senior Committee, is a member of The Memorial Day Committee and coordinates Alive at 5 for 2026.
Nash received a Bachelor of Science in land development and public policy from Georgia State University and is also a graduate of the Atlanta Regional Leadership Institute. He and his wife Judy live in Roswell, and they have two grown children. [read more]
Sun. Oct. 18th
Farm Day for First Responders
Look for your invitation via email and come volunteer at the table in the front. It's the highlight of the fall!
Thursday, Oct. 16
Alive in Roswell
Oct. 24
Fall Gala for Homestretch
Oct. 21
Cornhole for Polio
- Date: Wednesday, October 21st
- Start time: 6:00 PM
- Location: Lucky’s Burger & Brew
- Entry fee: $100 per team or $50 per person – we can pair up anyone who signs up individually.
Contact Bob Clarkson for more info bobc@c21connectrealty.com
Nov. 19
Adopt a Platoon
Nov. 7th
Collecting Medical Equipment
Peace Pumpkin Patch
Roswell Rotary Boo Ya'll Scarecrow
It’s that time again - time to vote for your favorite Canton Street Scarecrow
President Leslie Bassett and the scarecrow team of Kathy Igou, Kenneth Briggs and Jackie Jordan crafted our Peace girl ✌
Rotary District 6900’s District Governor Cynthia’s motto this year is “Peace through Economics, Culture, and Education" ☮️
Find the Peace Scarecrow on Canton Street - *hint* it may be near a certain Rotarians business.
Click Here to Vote for the Peace Pumpkin Patch
1st Place Winner Civic Awards
Roswell Youth Day Float
Past President Trummie Patrick, Sr, actually started the first RRC sponsored Interact Club at Roswell High School in 1987. His son, Trummie Lee Patrick III was then president of the RHS Interact Club in 1993. His daughter, Taylor Patrick, is now in leadership for the Fellowship Interact Club. … there’s 3 generations!
In 2013, RRC member, Sid Disher, brought the idea of a Progressive Interact Program to incoming RRC President Dave Schmit. With significant implementation and vision Sid, Dave and Rebecca Stone, RRC went from sponsoring 1 club to 10 clubs which included Elementary, Middle and High Schools! The plan was in place to teach, lead, mentor and impact all of our Roswell community and world with Youth Service.
This year, members Joe Mazzeo designed our Tapestry of Generations float while Joe Gillespie, our Roswell Rotary Interact Club Coordinator, built traction, interest and participation from all 16 Interact clubs. Note the nod to Dr Seuss and the fun colors, pictures and smiling students who BUILT then walked/rode the float with Jay Pittroff, Jack Wyche, Michael Schoppenhorst, Michael Curling and Becky Nelson leading the student-built float.
We want to give a significant shout-out to the RHS Construction Dept (Kevin Squiers) for allowing us to build the float on-site as a learning project for the construction students.
Our Interact students with their ever present Teacher Liaisons, BUILT the float.
Thank you is simply not enough to:
- Roswell High School Interact Liaison @ Regan O'Boyle Pierce
- Crabapple Middle School Interact Liaison @ Jennifer Priddy
- Elkins Pointe Middle Interact @ Gabriel Cooper
- Centennial HS Interact Liaison @ German Acosta
What a day of hope, generosity and mentorship between the generations. Love it all. [read more]
Thursday, April 22, to Sunday, April 25, 2027
District Conference Asheville NC
2027 Conference Overview
Dates: April 22–25, 2027
Location: Asheville, NC (Blue Ridge Mountains)
Host Hotels: Embassy Suites and DoubleTree by Hilton (Downtown Asheville)
Registration Tiers: Early Bird Special (July 1 – Dec 31, 2026): $350Regular Registration (Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2027): $425Late/On-site (April 1 – Apr 25, 2027): $450
You can track updates and complete registration through the official Rotary District 6900 website.
Upcoming Roswell Rotary Events
Strengthen Your Connections Here!
Alive in Roswell
Thursday Oct. 15 5pm - 8pm
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ER Nurse Appreciation
Friday, Oct. 16
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First Responders Farm Day
Gold & Grass Farms Ballground, GA
Sunday, Oct. 18 1pm - 5pm
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Cornhole for Polio
Wed. Oct. 21 Lucky's 6pm
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Gala for Homestretch
St. Ives 5pm-9pm
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Medical Equipment Collection
Sat. Nov..7
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Adopt a Platoon Packing
Thursday Nov. 19
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District Conference Asheville NC
April 22-25, 2027
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Last Week at Roswell Rotary
