The new year is a great opportunity for each of us to evaluate the successes and opportunities for improvement from the prior year. 2019 is no exception. We are half way through the Rotary year and Roswell Rotary can certainly list the following as huge successes:

1. Record-setting Golf and Tennis Tournament netting $209,381!
2. Granting $10,000 for new construction equipment to Roswell High School and providing vocational volunteers to the program
3. Granting $3,000 for mats, blankets and sheets for the NFCC Warming Center and providing volunteers during the coldest nights
4. Providing excellent speakers and content to our members and guests through the Making Mentors project and encouraging our members to share what they learned
5. Implementing a fun new way to inform members about social events and services projects called Rotary Jeopardy
6. Recognizing significant member contributions to our club through Hammer Awards
7. Honoring our First Responders at a meeting
8. Welcoming Alara Su Bilgez our GRSP student from Turkey
9. Supporting 12 Interact clubs with grants and liaisons and promoting Be THE Voice in our schools
10. Collecting everyday supplies and hoodies for needy veterans living at Veterans Empowerment Organization
11. Collecting back-to-school supplies, coats and toys for NFCC
12. Provided funds for disaster relief in North Carolina and Georgia
13. Participated in numerous community events, including 4th of July, 9/11 Tribute, Youth Day Parade and Alive in Roswell
14. Cleaning up the Chattahoochee River
15. Recognizing Students and Teachers from local schools
16. Hosting District Governor Court Dowis for dinner and at a Regular Meeting, which included Big Wheels, Margaritas, and Hammer Awards
17. Hosting a World Polio Day event at Houck’s raising $200 to end polio
18. Volunteering at the Honor Air Basketball Tournament to raise money for Honor Air
19. Holding numerous fun social events, including Hump Day, Fun on the Farm Day and Holiday Party
20. Providing our members an excellent Directory in print and online
21. Updating our website and Rotascope
22. Continuing to raise awareness of our club through coverage in the local newspapers with 19 articles, 4 articles in the District Newsletter, social media and television
23. Updating Roswell Rotary’s Strategic Plan and implementing a strong succession plan
24. And more!

Roswell Rotary has some great opportunities in 2019:

1. Increase membership. We all have a responsibility to invite our friends to join us for a meeting, a service project and hopefully to join Roswell Rotary. Serving is more fun with your friends!
2. Welcome RI President Barry Rassin and his wife, Esther, to Roswell Rotary on Saturday, Feb. 16 and be ready to be inspired. Roswell Rotary has never hosted a sitting RI President in its 68 years, so this is a big deal. Please let me know if you will help make the Rassins’ visit memorable. This meeting is ALL HANDS ON DECK, so please register and put it on your calendar! We will be collecting supplies for Puerto Rico seniors, too!
3. Increase your giving to the RI Foundation. New Major Donors and Paul Harris Fellows will be recognized and pinned by RI President Barry Rassin on Feb. 16.
4. Sign-up for and attend the Entrepreneurs Workshop and share it with people who want to improve their chance for success for starting and running their own business or helping your business! Hal Coleman is a leader in helping entrepreneurs succeed. Tee yourself and your staff up for success in 2019! All the proceeds go to end polio!
5. Sign-up for and attend District Conference and join us for Spring Break for Adults! This year’s programs will honor our military, include a comedian and Adult Big Wheel races and, of course, the famous Roswell Rotary Hospitality Suite! You will not want to miss the FUN this year.
6. Most importantly, find a place to serve! It is the BEST way to get to know your Rotary family. The Puerto Rico Supply Drive and the Book Drive are coming in January, Roswell Rotary Relays is coming in March and the Blood Drive and Memorial Day are coming up in May. We will likely do a clean-up day at VEO in February. Volunteer! The Directory lists over 70 committees with areas for service. Check it out and reach out to the chair to help. If you don’t see your passion, create your own project. Roswell Rotary loves to support our members’ passions—just ask Dave McCleary about End Human Trafficking and Debbie Cwalina about Be THE Voice. They are saving lives.

WELL DONE Roswell Rotary! I resolve to finish the 2018-2019 STRONG! I hope you will join me!

Happy New Year!

President Becky