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President's Message


Who has seen the movie “Coach Carter,” starring Samuel L. Jackson? It’s a good little basketball movie – not Hoosiers (which I will argue is one of the best movies of all time), but it’s still a solid film….Well, anyway, one of the film’s most memorable moments comes near the end when Coach Carter’s players finally begin to understand a question he has challenged them with throughout the movie: “What is your deepest fear?” The answer comes from a player, who recites a passage written and published by author Marianne Williamson in her book A Return to Love (yeah, I had to definitely look that up!). The ball player says:

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us……. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone! And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Marianne Williamson

Williamson’s message reminds us that the greatest obstacle in life is often not failure, but the reluctance to fully embrace the gifts, talents, and opportunities we have been given. When we allow ourselves to step forward, serve boldly, and lead with purpose, we not only transform our own lives, but we will give others permission to do the same. That lesson feels especially relevant in Rotary, where ordinary people discover that their greatest impact often begins when they stop doubting the impact, not matter how small they can provide, and start focusing on how they can serve.

This Thursday, I will be out of town getting some R&R with my sweet wife. However, Roswell Rotary is in for a great speaker as we welcome mindset expert Ricky Kalmon. While many know Ricky for his work as a celebrity hypnotist, his real message is that our mindset often determines the difference between potential and performance. Through his work with Fortune 500 companies, professional sports teams, executives, and leaders, Ricky teaches us that our thoughts shape our actions, and our actions shape our results. He believes that we are held back not by a lack of ability, but by limiting beliefs. He encourages people to “leverage their mindset” by replacing doubt with possibility, excuses with ownership, and fear with action.

At Roswell Rotary, every successful project we undertake begins with a decision. Someone decides that a need in our community is worth addressing. Someone believes a challenge can be solved. Someone chooses to lead. The First Responders Family Farm Day happened because Rotarians believed they could support families going through difficult circumstances. Our tournament continues to grow because members believe bigger impact is possible. Membership growth occurs because members believe Roswell Rotary’s best days are still ahead of us.

Week after week, project after project, meeting after meeting, Roswell Rotarians continue showing up. The result is a culture that creates service, friendships, leadership, and impact throughout our community.

I hope you’ll join us this Thursday as Ricky Kalmon challenges us to think differently, dream bigger, and discover our potential.

Sic Vos Non Vobis

Trummie Lee Patrick III

Posted by Trummie Patrick, III
June 16, 2026

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