President's Message

Roswell Rotary Family, I cannot wait to see you this Thursday, July 9, as we officially kick off the 2026–2027 Rotary year together. I’ll be sharing my vision for our club and how we will align with Rotary International President Yinka Babalola’s theme, Create Lasting Impact, and District Governor Cynthia Edwards’ focus on Peace through Education, Culture, and Economics. My hope is that you leave Thursday’s meeting not only informed, but energized about the year ahead and the role each of you will play in it.

Our club’s theme for the year is Strengthening Connections, and on Thursday I’ll unveil a new Strengthening Connections Challenge designed to invite every member into small but meaningful acts of connection each week. We’ll talk about how coffee with a fellow Rotarian, a note of gratitude to a first responder, or a simple visit to a Roswell park can help weave a stronger fabric in our club and in our community. As Sean Stephenson reminds us, “Communication is merely an exchange of information, but connection is an exchange of our humanity,” and that spirit sits at the heart of our plan for the year.

I firmly believe that the lasting impact we create as Rotarians begins with the way we connect with one another and with those we serve. Brené Brown puts it this way: “I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued.” This Thursday, I’ll share how we intend to cultivate that energy in everything from our major events to our weekly challenges. I hope you’ll join us, bring a guest, and come ready to lean into a year of deeper connection, joyful fellowship, and impactful service.

Together in Service,

Leslie

Speaker Thursday, July 9th
President Leslie Leaning Into Connection

This Thursday is a can't-miss meeting! President Leslie will be sharing her vision for Rotary Year 2026-27 with the Club and everyone is guaranteed to leave feeling energized and excited about all that is to come. You will be hearing a lot about connections and impact. And strength! The strength of Roswell Rotary, the strength of our leadership team, the strength of our 75 years of history, and most importantly, the strength of our members and the connections they make with each other, with others in the community, and even globally!

Roswell Rotary is ready to launch this new year, and President Leslie is ready for take off!

2-26-27
Welcome to the New Board

Welcome to your 2026-27 Board! They have already been hard at work brainstorming and planning for this year, even attending a board retreat to come together and focus on the exciting year ahead. Roswell Rotary Club thanks you each for stepping up and accepting the responsibility and pride that being a board member entails.  And know that this club is solidly behind to volunteer and help you during this year. Bring it on and let's watch the magic happen!

President: Leslie Bassett

President-Elect: Katie Anderson

Secretary:  Mike Agurkis

Treasurer:  James Stone

Past President 1: Trummie Patrick

Past President 2: Nancy Alterman

Presidential Advisor: Terry Taylor

Historian: Dave McCleary

Membership: Courtney Lott

Public Image: Alicia Hughes

RRC Foundation: Kurt Hilbert

The Rotary Foundation: Cheryl Greenway

Youth Services: Angela Medley

Seniors: Al Nash

Veterans: Shields Blankenship

International: Gabriel Prado

Vocational: Frederick Levy

Meetings: Alan Greensmith

Events/Social: John Michael Brunetti

Roswell Rotary After Hours: Jordan Jednesky

Summer Volunteer Opportunity
Homestretch Summer Enrichment for kids

President-Elect Leslie has committed to 33 volunteer hours for the 33 children in the HomeStretch program.

9-10 am M-F from June 8 through July 31 are available dates. [read more]

Tennis-Pickleball Clinic

Volunteers Needed
World Cup Event at Piedmont Park July 19th

Volunteer Link 

More Details to come

Volunteers-The Heart of the Tournament

Volunteers – The secret sauce to our day of service and fundraising for charities is our volunteers. Secure your spot now so you know how you’ll contribute…and how you’ll enjoy the fellowship the rest of the day. Volunteering has a not-so-secret side benefit of building relationships (dare I say Strengthening Connections?? ?) with fellow Rotarians!

For many Roswell Rotarians, the Golf, Tennis, Pickleball Tournament is the place where they, as a new member, felt most engaged and made the most connections with their fellow club members. Volunteer, make new friends, serve our community-We all win!

Sign Up to Volunteer

Seeking Host Families for Our Rotary Youth Exchange Student

Roswell Rotary Club has a proud tradition of supporting Rotary Youth Exchange and the global connections it creates. This year, we are seeking host families for a 17‑year‑old female student from Vimercate, Italy, who will be entering the 11th grade at Roswell High School.

We are looking for a caring family willing to open their home and hearts to her for a three‑month hosting period. You do not need to have a high school student of your own to participate, just a willingness to share your family life, offer support, and embrace a meaningful cultural exchange.

The Rotary Youth Exchange Program thrives because of families who generously welcome students they have never met, creating bonds that last a lifetime. In a world that feels increasingly divided, hosting an exchange student is a powerful way to build understanding, broaden perspectives, and help our young people, and ourselves, see the shared hopes and dreams that connect us across cultures.

If you would like to explore this opportunity for global friendship, either for this school year or next, or know a neighbor or friend who would open their home, please contact Alesia Booth, Deb Perkins, or email roswellrotaryye@gmail.com.

Come Join Us at Alive in Roswell!

Thursday, July 23
Backpack Packing Party

Wish list . Easy to order online. All items will be there at our July 23rd meeting. Priya Crumpton is your contact for questions. 

August 9 3pm - 6pm
The Big Connect

The Big Connect – Strengthening Connections Campaign accelerator!

On Sunday, August 9 from 3 pm – 6 pm. Roswell Rotary will sponsor a crowd-pleasing volunteer event – three impactful projects at three of our beloved breweries – Gate City, Variant, and Voo Doo. We will hit each brewery for an hour, have fellowship, and complete a service project at each – for 3 of our local charities! It will be a fast-paced service accelerator afternoon demonstrating our commitment to Service Above Self. And a fun way for us all to connect as club. 

Bonus: If you have sponsored Golf, Tennis, or Pickleball and paid, you receive a free beer at one of the breweries.

Upcoming Roswell Rotary Events
Strengthen Your Connections Here!



Huskies Helping Huskies Backpacking Project
Thursday, July 23
Wish List Link 
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The Big Connect
Sunday, August 9th
3pm - 6pm
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Tennis Pickleball Clinic
Wednesday, August 12
6:30pm - 8:00pm Country Club of Roswell
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2026 Golf, Tennis, Pickleball Tournament
Monday, Sept. 14
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