“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”

— Mark Twain

This presidential message is coming to you from London, England. Ya'll wore me out at last week's Rotary meeting and I had to go on vacation to recover! But seriously...

As we reflect on our start to this new Rotary year, I want to thank you all for the strong kickoff last week. This is our 75th anniversary — a landmark year for Roswell Rotary — and we are off and running with energy and purpose. Now is the time to lean in and keep the momentum going.

Let’s strike while the iron is hot.

There’s a reason the blacksmith doesn’t wait — the moment the iron is glowing, you act. This Rotary year is our glowing moment.

The energy is here. The excitement is real. We’re out of the gate strong, with new ideas on the table, and a milestone 75th year to celebrate. But momentum only matters if we use it.

Now is the time to:

• Invite that future Rotarian. Don’t wait for the “right” moment — make the ask today.

• Sign up for the tournament. Sponsor a hole. Register a team. Spread the word.

• Support the Foundation. If you’ve been thinking about your next Paul Harris level — go ahead and do it.

Let’s not wait for things to settle or slow down. Let’s build while the fire is burning.

The most successful clubs — and the most impactful leaders — are the ones who don’t wait for conditions to be perfect. They act when the opportunity is hot, and they create results others only talk about.

So ask yourself:

What can I do this week to move Roswell Rotary forward?

Membership: Set Your Pledge

Membership is the lifeblood of our club. This year, I’m asking every member to pledge how many new Rotarians they will bring into our club. Just one new member per person would double our reach. Think about a friend, a colleague, or a community leader who shares our values — and invite them in.  Regardless, if you pledge to bring in just one new member or five new members, your efforts can make a difference! 

Tournament Time – Mark Your Calendars!

Our biggest fundraiser of the year is almost here: the Roswell Rotary Tennis, Golf & Pickleball Tournament at Roswell Country Club on Monday, is on September 8th. This year we’ve added Pickleball to bring in even more excitement and engagement.

Our fundraising goal is $300,000, and with everyone’s support — from sponsors to players to volunteers — I believe we’ll hit it. This is a fun day with serious impact. Let’s rally around it and make it a record-breaking year.

 Paul Harris Fellow Drive – Early Success

We’ve already seen a strong start to our Paul Harris Fellow Foundation fundraising drive — thank you to those who have already contributed. Our goal this year is 100% participation. Every dollar helps support Rotary’s global mission and life-changing service projects.

This is a big year, and it’s off to a strong start. Together, let’s keep that momentum going — in membership, fundraising, and community service. Let’s lead boldly and honor the legacy of Roswell Rotary by building an even brighter future.

Sic Vos Non Vobis

Trummie Lee Patrick III
President, Roswell Rotary Club
2025–2026