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The Sandy Springs Rotary Club eNewsletter
...Keeping Sandy Springs Rotarians informed via the web.
Rotary is an organization of
business and professional leaders united worldwide to provide
humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world.
It is comprised of 1.2 million members working in over 33,000 clubs in
more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary members initiate
community projects that address many of today’s most critical issues,
such as polio, AIDS, hunger, water, sanitation, health care, literacy,
and the elimination of poverty.
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Monday's Program
August 1, 2011
Sandy Springs
Community Action Center
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Tamara Carrera
Executive Director
By President Sally Wyeth, eNews Writer
 On August 1, 2011, Tamara Carrera, Executive Director of the Community Action Center. Located off Roswell Road at 1130 Hightower Trail, Sandy Springs’ Community Action Center (CAC) is a nonprofit founded in 1987 to help Sandy Springs and Dunwoody residents in need. Services include housing and financial assistance, clothing, continuing education classes, a food pantry and a thrift store.
Carrera is a native of Ecuador with a MBA from Boston University where she studied nonprofit management. Carrera is a director of the Sandy Springs Education Force, which is a nonprofit organization with the goal to encourage Sandy Springs high school students to graduate and pursue productive lives through educational and enrichment programs.
For more information: go to: http://www.ourcac.org/
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2011-2012 Club Assembly
Club Assembly Roadmaps 2011-2012 Rotary Year
By President Sally Wyeth, eNews Writer
 On July 25, 2011, Sally Wyeth, President of the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs, conducted the first Club Assembly of the Rotary year during which club activities and goals were highlighted. Wyeth began by introducing her 2011-2012 board:
President Sally Wyeth Attorney, Raymond S. Martin, P.C.
Vice President Jim Squire, Executive Vice President, Firestorm
President-Elect Barry Smith, President, PSE, Inc.
Past President Eric Carlson, CEO, Sandy Springs Bookkeeping & Gradient Services
Secretary Pam Jenkins, Senior Financial Analyst, Wendy's
Treasurer Jerry Hicks, CPA, Hicks/Clark
Sergeant-at-Arms Steve Jordan, Real Estate Management
Community Service: Cory Jackson, Manager, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
Foundation: Tom Ungashick, Whitehorse Advisors
International Service: Fred Ferrand, Attorney, Swift Currie
Membership: Bill Snellings, Principal, Snellings/Walters Insurance
New Generations: Dan Wilmarth
Fellowship/Family of Rotary: Kelly Fredrickson, Owner, Blue Ribbon Interiors
Public Relations: Tony Sibert, President, CosmGroup LLC
Vocational Service: Kelly Barge, OptechMonette
Director at Large: Joe Jones
 President Wyeth reminded us of Rotary Club of Sandy Springs’ rich history. The Rotary Club of Sandy Springs is a leading club with a 40-year history as the Rotary Club for Sandy Springs’ business and community leaders. The Rotary Club of Sandy Springs chartered the Rotary Clubs of Dunwoody and the North Druid Hills, and has among its membership two past District 6900 Governors: Barry Smith (PSE, Inc.) and Ralph Thurmond (Fidelity Bank). Sandy Springs Rotarians are well represented in Rotary International, District 6900 and the Rotary Leadership Institute.
 Rotary basics and a focus on our roots will guide the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs this year. Fellowship and community service, with an emphasis on vocational and international service will predominate. Some new projects will include participation in the Warm Springs Renovation Project (coordinated by Fran Farias, State Farm Insurance) and Rotary Tree Plantings, a Rotary International project in which each Rotarian is encouraged to plant 25 trees.
 Our club will again participate in the Georgia Rotary Student Program. Soon we will meet our student, Kinga Gruszecka, from Lublin, Poland. She will be attending Southern Polytechnic University. Eric Carlson (Gradient Services) and his family will be Kinga’s host family.
 Fred Ferrand (Swift Currie) reviewed International projects planned for the year. The Rotary Club of Sandy Springs will continue its support of ShelterBox emergency tents/supplies and MedShare, which provides much needed medical supplies around the world. Our club will join the Rotary Clubs of Alpharetta and Windward in developing a global international project in Guatemala City that will work  with SafePassage and a local Rotary Club to provide educational assistance to hundreds of children who reside in and around the city dump. In addition, the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs will develop its own global grant project, perhaps replicating our Dictionary/Thesaurus Project for children in impoverished areas in the Virgin Islands, giving members a chance to visit the site and volunteer.
 Kelly Fredrickson (Blue Ribbon Interiors) briefly outlined Fellowship and Family of Rotary activities, and noted that often Rotary Clubs neglect to take care of its membership’s fellowship needs. Not the case this year as there will be Sample Sandy Springs dinners, happy hours, parties, Oktoberfest, the District Governor’s Reception, Holiday Party, and a 40th Year Celebration in January 2012.
  Community Service Director Cory Jackson (RBC) elaborated that this year’s community service projects will continue established programs, like the Dictionary/Thesaurus Project to be expanded to include a geographical element: an atlas. Adopt a Family and Coats for Kids are other important Rotary Club of Sandy Springs’ programs, along with the newer project: Rotary International President Kalyan Banerjee’s worldwide tree planting. Jackson then requested that Sandy Springs Rotarians bring school supplies next week to provide the Sandy Springs’ Community Action Center with supplies for children as the school year approaches.
 Jack McElfish (Chief, Sandy Springs Fire Department) briefly reviewed the upcoming annual Firehouse Dinners which over a period of three days provides delicious dinners and fellowship opportunities for all shifts of the Sandy Springs fire department and emergency workers. McElfish will coordinate this year’s Public Service Awards. The Rotary Club of Sandy Springs’ annual recognition program which will expand this year to recognize two Sandy Springs Police Department employees, as well as two Sandy Springs Fire Department employees.
 In conclusion, Wyeth promised to provide ample opportunities for Sandy Springs Rotarians to be active and to enjoy fellowship. Our club will continue its long history of being a generous club with Rotary International and District 6900 fundraising projects. PolioPlus will be important this year as Rotarians worldwide near the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s matching grant challenge. Our club will expand and modernize it public relations and marketing efforts under the helm of Tony Sibert (CosmGroup) to educate the community about Rotary International and the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs. New Generations, which encompasses Rotaract, Interact and RYLA, is an extremely important aspect of Rotary and the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs. Dan Wilmarth, New Generations Director for both the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs and for District 6900 this year, will coordinate many events both locally and district-wide.
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"Sample Sandy Springs" Off to Successful Start!
 By President Sally Wyeth, eNews Writer
Sandy Springs Rotarians began a new year of “Sample Sandy Springs.” These dinners have been a tradition of the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs for many years. They give an opportunity for Rotarians and guests enjoy meals and fellowship at a variety of local Sandy Springs restaurants.
Coordinated by Dave Evans, the first “Sample Sandy Springs” of this Rotary year took place on Wednesday, July 20th, beginning at 6:15 p.m. at The Brickery. This restaurant is a Sandy Springs standard located in the shopping  center at Roswell and Hildebrand Roads. About twenty five people attended and had a wonderful evening. Read below in the Spotlight section of this eNewsletter for details the upcoming "Sample Sandy Springs" event being held this Thursday, August 4th. It will give us another opportunity to share an hour or two.
If you have a favorite Sandy Springs restaurant that you would like to be considered for a Sample Sandy Springs evening, email the information to Dave Evans.
Two Visitors from Thailand Share Experiences
By Past District Governor and President Elect, Barry Smith, eNews Contributor
 This week the Sandy Springs Rotary club had the pleasure of having two doctoral candidates visit from Thailand. They both graduated from the Prince of Songkla University in Thailand in March of 2008. Currently, they are both in their studies at hospitals in this country to complete their residency requirements. In Atlanta at the Emory University Midtown Hospital they are working a rotation with Dr. Gary Richter.
Dia Rattanavich intends to specialize in internal medicine. She is the daughter of Saowalak Rattanavich, a friend of Barry's for over twelve years and with whom he was involved in the Literacy projects that Rotary did some years ago to promote the Concentrated Language Encounter (CLE) method of teaching reading to illiterate children and adults in their native language. Saowalak is, also, a Past District Governor and an Associate Professor and Director of research in reading at a Bangkok University, a member of the Bang Rak Rotary Club.
 Pavis Laengvejkal, whose mother is also a Rotarian, intends to specialize in heart medicine. In 2009, she was awarded the "Excellent Intern Award" at Banplaew Hospital, Samutsakorn, Thailand. Currently, Pavis is at Emory University Midtown Hospital in Atlanta, GA in the Consultative Gastroenterology Department. Previously, she was at the Specialty Hospital of Floyd Medical Center, Rome, GA and at Johns Hopkins Hospital Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition in Baltimore, MD as a research assistant and visiting physician.
Both Dia and Pavis would like to complete their residency in Georgia. They are applying to hospitals in Atlanta to find a position. Barry Smith is trying to work with some of his medical contacts to see if a place can be found for them to complete their residency.
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 Who is the Person in the Mask?
Someone we all know is in this picture taken at the International Convention in New Orleans this April. How many readers can identify the person in the mask? Email or call the member you are guessing. Ask if they are this masked "stranger."
Also, share your photographs of your own vacations. You will be featured in this section of our eNewsletter. We include all of you readers as well. You do not have to be a member to be featured. Let us hear from you. Let the good times roll.
Sandy Spring Rotarian Part of Team that Built House in Mexico
By Past District Governor and President Elect, Barry Smith, eNews Contributor
 Barry Smith was a member of the team of 24 people from St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church in Dunwoody who went to Peidras Negras Mexico, just across the border from Eagle Pass in Texas. The team was there from July 10th through the 16th.
The work being done was to build houses with “Constructores Para Cristo” (CPC) which is a non-profit group based out of Birmingham Alabama. This group has been building houses for needy people for 25 years in that area. In this four and a half day trip, they build one house. It is 25 feet by 25 feet and made of concrete blocks. Divided into three rooms, the family occupying it has two children. The father was a truck driver for a coal mine in the area.
  The temperature in the area during the week ranged from lows of 87 degrees and highs of between 103 and 107 degrees. It was imperative to keep hydrated while working outside for ten hours a day with no shade.
The volunteer group stayed in a local Quality Inn and had most of their meals at the motel. Barry was able to visit the Piedras Negras Rotary club during the week. He went with the Founder of CPC Dianne Davis who is a member of the Rotary Club of Shades Valley, Birmingham Alabama. Barry spoke to the club and told them about our club and exchanged Banners with them. The Piedras Negras banner was presented during our club's July 18th meeting by Barry to President Sally Wyeth.
CPC have built 786 houses over the past twenty five years in the same area which is a very poor section of the State of Coahuila in Mexico. Barry's group has been going for twenty years sending two teams each July and have built 80 houses. This was Barry's first trip. He found the experience great to be able to provide shelter for a needy family.
The photograph below show the group and the house as well as the broiling sun.
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Happy Hour with a Twist this Thursday, August 4th
 We have a late breaking event that you will want to put front and center of next week's calendar. Eric Carlson has arranged a unique Happy Hour next Thursday, August 4th at Nancy G’s Cafe during which we will pack school supply backpacks for kids at Dunwoody Springs Elementary School. This is being coordinated with Community Action Center (CAC).
Please remember to bring school supplies to the meeting on Monday and then come on Thursday for fun happy hour and "stuffing" party. For your convenience the list of needed items follow. Just select the ones you wish to bring. All donations are greatly appreciated and will be used by these kids.
Nancy G's Cafe is located at 4920 Roswell Rd Ste 55 in the Fountain Oaks Shopping Center [Click Here for Directions ]. Nancy Goodrich specializes in "classy down-home cuisine with a Southern feel to it." Come for Happy Hour. Stay for dinner. The "mac and cheese" is outstanding. Mark August 4th at 5:30pm for the best evening of the week.
Prepare a Child for School
Again this summer, the Sandy Springs Rotary Club is donating school supplies to area children. This community service project supports literacy by preparing these children with the tools to succeed at school by donating school supplies to Community Action Center (CAC).
 Donate new back packs, supplies or both! About $50 fills a back pack with required supplies.
CAC works with schools in Sandy Springs and Dunwoody to provide supplies to students and teachers.
Bring your donations to the next meeting on August 1st and Rotarian volunteers will make the delivery or make donations directly to the CAC, 1130 Hightower Trail, Sandy Springs, Monday through Friday from 10am-4pm. If these time do not work for you, you can call to arrange a time at (770) 552-4889.
School Supply Needs:
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Back Packs (most needed)
Binders - 1”, 2”, 3” (most needed)
Colored Pencils
Crayons
Composition Notebooks
Construction Paper
Dividers for Binders
Erasable Pens
Erasers
Fat Crayons
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Fat Pencils
Folders with Fasteners
Glue
Glue Sticks
High Lighters
Index Cards
Liquid Hand Sanitizer
Loose Leaf Notebook Paper (Wide & College)
Markers (Classic colors)
Pens (Red, Blue and Black Ink)
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#2 Pencils, yellow
Pencil Pouches
Pencil Sharpeners
Pocket folders, plastic
Protractors
Rulers (Both Metric and Standard)
Spiral Notebooks (Both Wide & College Ruled)
Scissors (Both left and right handed)
Trapper Keepers
Washable water colors w/brush
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Birthday(day): Eric Carlson (29), Hap Chandler (28), Oz Hill (26), Linda Randolph (4), Tony Sibert (14), Robert Wilson (3)
Wedding Anniversaries: Jerry and Cheryl Hicks; Mike and Laura Jackson; Pam and Frank Jenkins; Jack and Joyce McElfish; Barbara and John Reed; Daniella and Marcus Schmidt; Bobby and Skipper Usher
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What is the Georgia Rotary Student Program which we call G.R.S.P.?
Excerpt from District 6900 website by Linda Randolph, eNews Contributor
 Since 1946, Rotarians in Georgia, USA, have promoted world peace through understanding by offering scholarships to international students for one year of study in Georgia colleges and universities. Georgia Rotary Clubs sponsor students recommended by a Rotary Club in their home country. The students become adopted members of a Georgia "host family," but live on-campus at the school they attend.
This is a scholarship program, not an exchange! This year, about 56 students from all over the world make friends in the United States and other nations and learn about differing cultures and life styles. Georgia Rotarians believe "Peace is Possible" and through GRSP promote international goodwill through the bonds of friendship and understanding.
Our Scholarship Covers:
The scholarship covers one scholastic year, from August to May, and is for undergraduate study in colleges and universities located in the State of Georgia.
Our Scholarship Pays:
1. tuition
2. book allowance
3. meals
4. college provided room
Applicant must provide:
1. transportation from country to USA and return
2. medical insurance
3. $3,000 spending money
4. any income taxes imposed by the government on the scholarship money
Eligibility Requirements:
1. must be 18 years but not 25 years of age by August 1 the year studies begin.
2. have not studied in the USA.
3. must be single and not cohabitate in any way for the duration of the scholarship .
4. must be an undergraduate student.
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Historic Moments: Why the Rotary Year Begins July 1st
By Susan Hanf and Jason Lamb
Rotary International News
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Rotary's first fiscal year began the day
after the first convention ended. The
convention of the Rotary Clubs of
America was held in Rotary’s birthplace,
Chicago, in 1910.
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Article selected from the Rotary International Web Site by eNews Contributor Betty Ferdinand
Ever wonder why the Rotary year begins July 1st? The international convention initially played a key role in determining the start date of our fiscal and administrative year.
Rotary’s first fiscal year began the day after the first convention ended, on August 18, 1910. The 1911-12 fiscal year also related to the convention, beginning with the first day of the 1911 convention on August 21st.
At its August 1912 meeting, the Board of Directors ordered an audit of the International Association of Rotary Clubs’ finances. The auditors recommended that the organization end its fiscal year on June 30th to give the secretary and treasurer time to prepare a financial statement for the convention and board, and determine the proper number of club delegates to the convention.
The executive committee concurred, and at its April 1913 meeting, designated June 30th as the end of the fiscal year. This also allowed for changes to the schedule for reporting club membership and payments. Even The Rotarian changed its volume numbering system to correspond to the fiscal year (beginning with vol. 5, July 1914).
 Rotary continued to hold its annual conventions in July or August until 1917. Delegates to the 1916 event in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, approved a resolution to hold future conventions in June, mainly because of the heat in cities where most of them occurred. The next one was held June 17-21 in Atlanta, Georgia.
The term "Rotary year" has been used to signify Rotary’s annual administrative period since at least 1913. An article in The Rotarian that July noted, “The Rotary year that is rapidly drawing to a close has been signalized by several highly successful joint meetings of Clubs that are so situated as to assemble together easily and conveniently.”
Since the executive committee's decision in 1913, the end of the Rotary year has remained June 30th.
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"Heroes Poster" to print and Public Safety exhibit to visit
Selected by Linda Randolph, eNews Contributor from Kimberly Brigance Heritage Sandy Springs
What great response! So many people have asked for a copy of the poster that Kimberly Brigance decided to just make it available for each of you. Please feel free to Download Here, print it, and pass it along. It prints best on 11" x 17" size. Each of you can have this poster of the “Heroes of Sandy Springs.”
The exhibit draws on historical photographs, archives, artifacts, and film clips to tell the story of the Policing and Fire Fighting in our city by explaining through interpretive panels containing historic photographs and narratives. Display cases will hold artifacts such as: badges, patches, equipment and significant items relating to important dates.
This poster and these other artifacts will be on exhibit at Heritage Sandy Springs Museum at 6075 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 from August 7, 2011 through September 2012. Exhibition hours are: Wednesday and Saturday 11AM- 2PM and by appointment.
Sandy Springs Festival’s September 17th Doug Kessler Sandy Springs Lighting 10K/5K
 The Doug Kessler Sandy Springs Lightning 10K has been one of the fastest 10K races in the state of Georgia for the last 21 years. Designed for runners who enjoy a flat course through the lovely Sandy Springs community and neighborhoods, this is one of the most popular Peachtree Road Race Qualifiers and has grown to include a 5K race.
Held on Saturday morning Sept. 17th before the Sandy Springs Festival, the race incorporates DAG Electronic Timing which is a new timing service that electronically records the runners' times immediately after crossing the finish line. For an exciting start to the Sandy Springs Festival begin the day watching the race before enjoying the festival.
For more details go to (www.sandyspringsfestival.com).
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Club Events & Programs on the Horizon:
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July 25
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12:15-1:15pm
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Luncheon Program - Club Assembly
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Aug 1
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12:15-1:15pm
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Luncheon Program - Tamara Carrera, Exec. Director of the Community Action Ctr. |
Aug 8
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11:00am-Noon
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SSRC Board Meeting - Hammond Glen, Conference Room
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Aug 8
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12:15-1:15pm
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Luncheon Program - U.S. Representative Thomas Price
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Aug 22
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12:15-1:15pm
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Luncheon Program - "Future Visions" Rotary Ambassador Pauley Tedoff
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Aug 29
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12:15-1:15pm
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Luncheon Program - Ed Baker, Editor - Atlanta Business Chronicle
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Sept 5
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No Meeting - Happy Labor Day!
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Sept 18
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2:30-4:30pm
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District Governor Reception at the Ungashick's Home
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Sept 19
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11:00am-Noon
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SSRC Board Meeting - Hammond Glen, Conference Room
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Sept 19
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12:15-1:15pm
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Luncheon Program - District Governor Margie Kersey’s Official Visit
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Oct 5
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12:15-1:15pm
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Luncheon Program - Luncheon Program-Public Safety Awards -Chief Jack McElfish-Chair
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Oct 17
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12:15-1:15pm
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Luncheon Program - PolioPlus presentation - PDG Barry Smith
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Oct 29
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Afternoon |
Annual Oktoberfest Party
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Nov 4
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5:30-6:30pm
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Lasagna GRSP Dinner - Spalding Drive Charter ES-Christine Young hosting
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Nov 4-6
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Weekend
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G.R.S.P. Atlanta Conclave
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Nov 7
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No Meeting - Participation is make up for this meeting-please volunteer
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Nov 14
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12:15-1:15pm
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Luncheon Program - Veterans Day-Dan Wilmarth-Chair
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Dec 10
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Evening
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Annual Holiday Party at the Farias' Home
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Dec 19
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No Meeting
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Dec 26
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No Meeting
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District & R. I. Happenings:
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8:00-2:00pm
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Rotary District 6900 Foundation Seminar - Columbus Convention Center
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Aug 20
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7:30-3:00pm
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Rotary Leadership Institute - Barnesville, GA www.rlitraining.org
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Apr 26-29
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District 6900 Conference - Sandestin, FL - Theme "Rotary Heroes"
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May 6-9
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Rotary International 2012 Convention - Bangkok, Thailand
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Spring 2017
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Rotary International Convention - in Atlanta for first time since 1970
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