President Message

For more than three decades, my friend Alicia has had a unique way of navigating life. We met at debate camp at Northwestern when we were seventeen, and by sheer coincidence ended up at colleges five minutes apart in Wellesley, Massachusetts. In all the years since, Alicia has rarely approached challenges head-on. With her, it is often a bit of a treasure hunt to understand what is really going on beneath the surface. So when her husband called to say they were coming to Atlanta for a day trip—ostensibly so he could ride some ancient roller coaster—I knew exactly the assignment: show up and shut up.

I cleared my schedule and picked her up at the airport. We spent the day wandering the BeltLine, buying things we absolutely did not need, eating ice cream, and lingering on a park bench with no real agenda. We laughed, reminisced, and simply existed in that easy, familiar space of a decades-long friendship. Not once did she mention that she had a life-changing interview the very next day—one that could alter the trajectory of her career. Not once did she say she was anxious or uncertain. I did not know that the entire purpose of that day was to help her quietly rebuild her confidence.

The next day, she called to tell me she got the job (that I did not know about). Then she said something that stayed with me: spending that day together reminded her of who she used to be—young, optimistic, and full of possibility. It reconnected her to a version of herself she needed in that moment. I had no idea that simply being present could have that kind of impact.

That experience feels deeply aligned with Rotary’s call to Service Above Self. Sometimes service is not a grand project or a visible achievement. Sometimes it is simply showing up, offering your presence, and creating space for someone else to rediscover their strength. We do not always get to see the ripple effects of what we do—but the habit of showing up, again and again, amplifies our impact in ways we may never fully know.

As we close out the Summer Enrichment program at HomeStretch, I want to thank each and every member who gave their time and presence to those children. You showed up—and that matters more than you may ever realize. The consistency of that service, the relationships built, and the moments of encouragement offered will ripple outward in ways that may shape these young lives for years to come. And we are not finished. We have been given the green light to move forward with the expansion of the Learning Lab, a project that will take shape over the coming months. Roswell Rotary is ready to deepen its commitment to HomeStretch, to double down on this partnership, and to continue creating meaningful, lasting impact for the children and families we serve.

Yours in Service,

Leslie

Confronting Addiction: Rotary's Role from Larry Kenemore

Larry Kenemore serves as the North America Chapter Leader and Project Administrator for the Rotary Action Group for Addiction Prevention (RAG AP). He leads the North America Task Force and is instrumental in launching Project SMART, a global Rotary initiative addressing the opioid and drug addiction crisis. The acronym stands for five core community defense strategies: school education, medicine disposal, awareness, recovery, and treatment. A retired City of San Diego paramedic, Larry brings extensive frontline experience to Rotary’s addiction‑prevention efforts. His work is driven by both professional expertise and personal loss, his 42‑year‑old daughter died from an overdose.

Larry’s presentation will provide a data‑driven update on the fight against drug addiction, including proven strategies for safe drug disposal, overdose response training, and the multidisciplinary Project SMART model aimed at reducing overdoses and strengthening community prevention efforts.

Board Spotlight 2026-27
Trummie Lee Patrick III

Trummie Lee Patrick III, a lifelong Roswell resident and a 1994 graduate of Roswell High School, is a proud second-generation President of the Roswell Rotary Club, following in the footsteps of his father, a legacy that means more to him every year.

After graduating from the University of Georgia in 1998 and Mercer University School of Law in 2002, Trummie practiced law for about four years before deciding there was a better career out there for him. So, again, looking to his father, he opened two State Farm Insurance agencies located in Roswell and Canton.

Married to Amy, a proud University of Alabama graduate, how did an avid Dawg and a Bama grad find each other? Well, they started dating while Alabama was still losing to the likes of Louisiana-Monroe. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on your allegiance, they got married just as Alabama hired a coach named Nick Saban. That said, Amy maintains that she wins the National Championship every year being married to such a humble Georgia fan.

Together they have three amazing kids: Trummie (18), Taylor Jones (16), and John Bradford (13). Over the years, Trummie has coached just about every youth sport his kids have played. And yes, this includes a few sports where he wasn’t entirely sure of the rules when the season started. Somehow everyone survived, a few championships were won, and we now know that enthusiasm can occasionally make up for a lack of expertise.

Times have changed and the coaching is now left to the experts, so the family has now moved on from discussing batting averages and proper tumbling form and now focus conversations on improving SAT scores enough to get into the “Harvard of the South”…which, of course, is conveniently located in Athens, Georgia. Most weekends are still spent chasing kids to sporting events, relaxing at the lake, or figuring out what to grill out tonight. At home, the family is supervised by two English Cocker Spaniels, Dakota and Aspen, who are convinced they outrank everyone else in the family. The whole family loves time together. Most of the family plays tennis ("Hot, cold or away, Trummie Lee does not play" words to live by in ALTA per Trummie) and the boys are always up for a round of golf at Brookfield where the family lives.

After surviving a year as President of the Roswell Rotary Club, Trummie has gained an even greater appreciation for the leaders who came before him. Serving in the role was both humbling and deeply meaningful. One of the greatest gifts of this club is the legacy each president leaves behind. Every year, another Rotarian raises the bar for “Service Above Self,” making it a little higher for the next person. Trummie, grateful for the opportunity to have carried that tradition forward, hopes he left it just a little better than he found it.

Wed. Aug 12 6:30pm
Tennis-Pickleball Clinic

Sept 14
Tournament Time is Here

Weekly Golf, Tennis, Pickleball Tournament Meetings Begin This Week!

Meet in gym at 11:15 before the lunch meeting. Weekly updates on tournament. All new members encouraged to attend! 

Link to Website

Download Golf Flyer

Download Tennis-Pickleball Flyer

Download Golf Tri-Fold

Download Tennis-Pickleball Tri-Fold

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.

Sponsorships- The Tournament Engine

Sponsorships are the engine that drives the Golf-Tennis-Pickleball Tournament. 

As Rotarians, we know service above self is more than a motto — it’s a call to action. That’s why the Roswell Rotary Golf, Tennis, & Pickleball Tournaments are more than just fun on the fairways and fierce matches on the courts. They’re engines of change for our community.

Every dollar raised through our annual tournaments goes directly to local charities that make a difference in the lives of children, veterans, seniors, and families in need. Corporate sponsorship helps fund programs that provide winter clothing for students, medical equipment for veterans, meals for homebound seniors, and educational support for at-risk youth — to name just a few.

Thank you to the Sponsorship Committee for stepping up to serve in this critical role. But remember, the Sponsorship Committee will need the help of every Roswell Rotary member. We have to fire up this engine with our friends, neighbors, contacts, and networks. We are all part of the sponsorship team!

To sponsor or learn more, visit the Tournament Website or contact Kurt Hilbert  khilbert@chalmersadams.com 

Commit early! The Big Connect event is on August 9th, and all committed and paid sponsors will get a free beer at one of our three event breweries while we perform a service project for one of the tournament charities. Great way to get your company involved and experience hands-on exactly where your sponsorship dollars go!

New for Premium Sponsors (Silver and Above): Special exclusive invitation-only event before the tournament and VIP perks. Contact Kurt Hilbert khilbert@chalmersadams.com

Where does the Tournament Money Go?

If you were at the Roswell Rotary meeting when the charity grant checks from the Golf, Tennis, Pickleball tournament were handed out, you remember the energy and the joy from the recipients as they received their checks. Just look at what this club accomplished! How many amazing charities are stronger and able to serve more of our community because of your efforts at the 2025 tournament? 

This is the WHY of the tournament. 

One event with far reaching effects!

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

Sat. August 22, 2026
Run/Walk for Officer Labonte

Roswell Rotarians, join the Roswell community as we lace up our running shoes to honor a local hero. The Jeremy Labonte Memorial 5K is more than just a race; it is a community-wide tribute to a man who gave his all for our safety, and a chance for us to come together to support the men and women who wear the badge.

Running for a Cause: Every step you take, and every registration fee helps give back to the department Officer Labonte loved. All proceeds from the race will directly benefit Friends of Roswell Police and The Roswell Police Foundation.

Location: Sweet Apple Elementary (12025 Etris Rd, Roswell, GA), Date: Saturday August 22nd, 8:00 AM.

Course: Fast, Flat, and fully paved out and back on Etris Road

Who: Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome!

Sign up here: Jeremy Labonte Memorial 5K

Contact: Jason Stine 770-527-2882, Elizabeth Greer 404-510-9733, or Lynne Lindsay 404-229-4558 with questions.

URGENT - Please Help Keep YE Alive for Roswell Rotary

Roswell Rotary Club has a long-standing tradition of supporting Rotary Youth Exchange and the global connections it fosters. This year, we have an urgent need for a host family for our 17‑year‑old student from Vimercate, Italy, who will be entering the 11th grade at Roswell High School. She arrives next week, and while host families are already secured for the fall and winter terms, we are in immediate need of a family to host her for the Spring 2027 semester.

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 . Families do not have to be in Rotary. If you know of a great family in the Roswell High School district, please approach them about this opportunity!

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.

Aug 26
Blood Drive

Upcoming Roswell Rotary Events
Strengthen Your Connections Here!



Blood Drive
Wed. Aug 26 8am-2pm
The Tavern
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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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Officer Labonte 5K Run/Walk
Saturday, August 22 8am
Sweet Apple Elementary
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2026 Golf, Tennis, Pickleball Tournament

Monday, Sept. 14
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Last Week at Roswell Rotary