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 9, 2010 “Customers are Kings and Queens at Publix” Brenda Reid Media and Community Relations Manager Publix Supermarkets, Inc.    By Sally Wyeth, eNews Writer Brenda Reid, Media and Community Relations Manager, Publix Super Markets, Inc., will speak next week on Publix’s customer service commitment in a program entitled, “Customers are Kings and Queens at Publix.”  Competition is high in every industry and the grocery business is no exception. How to differentiate your business from others and keep the customers coming back depends much on quality customer service. The program will focus on the success of Publix’s customer service philosophy. Reid is responsible for media relations, corporate giving, and public relations. Since 2000, Reid has served as the company’s spokesperson. Prior to joining Publix, Reid was Public Relations and Communications Manager for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and has 20 years experience in the newspaper business. Reid is the recipient of a number of awards and is active in the Atlanta community. Currently she is a member of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and Atlanta Toys for Tots. Reid is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University where she earned a degree in journalism.

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Previous Program   Club Assembly     Eric Carlson President The Rotary Club of Sandy Springs, GA  By Sally Wyeth, eNews Writer Last week, Eric Carlson, 2010-2011 Sandy Springs Rotary Club President, held the year’s first Club Assembly.  The program was upbeat, energizing and full of promise for a great year for Sandy Springs Rotary Club. Carlson’s goals carried the themes of membership fun and increased opportunities for joint projects with Rotaract, Interact and Friends of Rotary.  Communication with ourselves and the community will expand to include a new “Turtle Talk” blog, Facebook, Twitter and more. Justin Daniels, Community Service Director, summed up Sandy Springs Rotary Club’s community service focus to state “it’s all about literacy.” The Dictionary Project continues this year and will put dictionaries and thesauruses in the hands of Sandy Springs third graders. Pam Jenkins and Jim Kelly will be the program’s coordinating team. The Riverwood High School mentoring program will continue again this year and is coordinated by Gene Jordan. Additional programs, such as Coats for Kids, School Supplies, will provide members with year-round opportunities to get involved in our community, which is the essence of what Sandy Springs Rotarians do. Fred Ferrand, International Service Director, reviewed several of Sandy Springs Rotary Club’s past international projects, including ShelterBoxes, the Guatemalan Sewing Project, and the Dominican Republic water purification project. Last year, Sandy Springs Rotary Club participated in Project MedShare, headquartered in Atlanta, and the SOUNS literacy program in Africa. Ferrand described the upcoming year which will promote international projects with a local tie-in. Project MedShare is the local tie-in that provides Sandy Springs Rotarians a chance to pack shipments of much-needed medical supplies for international destinations. Project MedShare matches unused surplus medical supplies from local hospitals and medical offices to where they are needed internationally, then ships the supplies overseas. Last year, Sandy Springs Rotarians packed over 2,000 pounds of Project MedShare supplies destined for Zaire. Jim Squire, Membership Director, began to recognize his all-star team: Kelly Fredrickson, David Evans, Cory Jackson, Steve Jordan, Joe Jones, Oz Hill and Greg Pyne. Squire stated the goal of one new member per month and referenced Sandy Springs Rotarian Ralph Thurmond who is this year’s District 6900 Chair, Membership. Retention is essential and this year’s goals include rewarding relationships, stimulating meetings and events, continuing to connect with the community, including Leadership Sandy Springs  and Heritage  Foundation, District 6900 involvement (Sandy Springs Rotarian Fran Farias was awarded 2009-2010 District 6900 Rotarian of the Year), and global outlook. Squires noted that new members should have a passion and want to serve the community, and seek fellowship and fun.  A new program called “Member Minute” will randomly choose a member during each meeting to speak for 60 seconds about his or her passion. This should be fun and informative. Linda Randolph, Public Relations Director, then reviewed public relations for the club and noted that last year’s press coverage was good. The top District 6900 award winner for 2009-2010, our Sandy Springs Rotary Club eNewsletter and the Sandy Springs Rotary Club’s website are fabulous communication tools for use by our club and the community. Randolph thanked member Jim Buckler and Tom Farrow, both of SohoLaunch website builders, for their hard work in developing and maintaining both tools. Turtle Talk, the Sandy Springs Rotary Club’s blog, has just been opened. Randolph thanked Dan Fowler for his work in the weekly program bulletin. There will be many events and opportunities for getting the word out about Sandy Springs Rotary Club and its activities. Local events include the Sandy Springs Business Expo and Sandy Springs Festival. Road signage is being arranged through the city of Sandy Springs. A membership brochure is planned.  Dan Wilmarth, New Generations Director, spoke about the North Atlanta Rotaract Club whose members are very active with Sandy Springs Rotary Club. These young adults participate in many of our activities, including the annual fundraiser and Sandy Springs Festival. The Interact clubs at local Riverwood and North Springs High Schools are also very active. This upcoming year will find many more activities where Sandy Springs Rotary Club, Rotaract and Interact Clubs join forces. Wilmarth also noted that Interact club members have made cookies for our Firehouse Dinners. Wilmarth mentioned a new program that will involve the Interact clubs which will focus around an October 23rd bowling tournament. Sandy Springs Rotary Club plans to be a sponsor for event which will benefit homeless kids. The annual Georgia Rotary Student Program (G.R.S.P.) weekend co-sponsored by Sandy Springs Rotary Club will again be centered at Spalding Drive Elementary School, thanks to Sandy Springs Rotarian and the school’s principal Christine Young. Gene Jordan, Vocational Services Director, enumerated Sandy Springs Rotary Club’s many quality vocational programs such as the Firehouse Dinners, where Sandy Springs Rotary Club partners with local Sandy Springs restaurants such as The Tasting Room and The Brickery, as well as Publix Supermarkets to offer three nights of complete dinners to Sandy Springs firefighters, police and EMS workers.  On October 11, 2010, Sandy Springs Rotary Club will again annually recognize the Sandy Springs Fire and Police Departments through our Public Service Awards meeting. Teacher Recognition Awards are annually held in May of each year. Sandy Springs Rotary Club’s Graduation Coaching/Maps for Success program will again bring Sandy Springs Rotarians and students together to teach time management and planning skills, provide tools for financial success and routes for making career choice decisions. Jordan’s strategic thinking process on literacy has resulted in the Maps for Success program, one of District 6900’s best vocational programs. Now that the Sandy Springs Rotary Club’s 2010-2011 year is in gear, Eric Carlson invited the club’s members to get involved often. There will be lots to do this year, so be ready.

Club Happenings Reception as Sandy Springs Rotarians Honor District 6900 District Governor DG Casey Farmer By Sally Wyeth, eNews Writer Sandy Springs Rotary Club to Hold Reception for District Governor Casey and Missy Farmer Sandy Springs Rotary Club members and guests will welcome Rotary International District 6900’s 2010-2011 District Governor Casey Farmer and Missy Farmer at an August 15th reception.  The reception will begin at 3:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon on August 15, 2010, and will be hosted by Tom and Ellen Ungashick. The reception precedes District Governor Casey Farmer’s official club visit on Monday, August 16, 2010. For more information and to R.S.V.P., contact Sally Wyeth. Two Tents in One

By Robert Wilson, eNews Contributor Sandy Springs Rotary will be promoting the Shelter Box program during the annual Heritage Festival, being held September 25 & 26. This year we will have two tents.  One tent is for promotional materials. The Shelter tent will be set up with the remaining contents of the Shelter Box. Shelter Box distributions by Rotary clubs meant the difference for so many Haitian families. Shelter Box City  was created by Rotary in Haiti.  Additionally, the program continues to provide an international outreach for other distressed areas around the world. Thus far 27,217 Shelter Boxes have been sent to Haiti. They were  not all sent by Rotary. However, Rotary made a major contribution. The term SHELTER CITY is a name for the Link. There is no such place actually with that name; however, with this many tents,  the name "city" of tents could apply. We are sharing this important service project with our community so they can see first hand the Rotarian commitment.

The Heritage Festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 25  9am-7pm, and on Sunday, Sept. 26  11am -5pm. Members wishing to be at the tents to share our enthusiasm for  service projects are asked to email Robert Wilson   or call him at 404-256-4625.

Club Focus Sandy Springs Rotarians Give Outpouring of School Supplies! By Justin Daniels & Linda Randolph, eNews Contributors When the Community Action Center sent out the plea for school supplies for the economically stressed families in our community, the outpouring by the Sandy Springs Rotarians showed their usual spirit of giving. Justin Daniels and Linda Randolph delivered the over twenty bags of these much needed school supplies which included items Justin Daniels was able to get donated by Office Depot. This is  our first Community Service Project of the year.  With so many members having the spirit of "Yes, I will help," we are headed for a banner year. Inaugural Post of Turtle Talk for Sandy Springs Rotary By Eric Carlson, President - eNews Contributor Have you Blogged yet? It is surprisingly easy. Please follow the link below to read the first posting and respond to it. The initial posting on SSRC Turtle Talk has been set up and can be reviewed at http://www.sandyspringsrotary.org/TurtleTalk.  On Turtle Talk, people who live in Sandy Springs can network among themselves. Sandy Springs Rotarians have the opportunity to discuss topics of importance to our members as well as introduce non-members to our club. Please follow the link below to read the first posting and respond to it. http://www.sandyspringsrotary.org/TurtleTalk   Focus - Fun Raising (not a misprint(-:* By Eric Carlson, eNews Contributor and with editor's note We are repeating this article again because an evening of fun awaits you. We need you in those seats. The Sandy Springs Rotary Foundation is currently selling tickets for the Falcons preseason game on Friday, August 13th at 8 p.m.  The tickets normally retail for around $100, but through a special opportunity, SSRF is able to provide the tickets and fund a small service project for disadvantaged teens for the amount of $15 per ticket.  The foundation has only locked 50 of these tickets and over 20 have already been purchased.  The objective is to provide an opportunity for fun with other Rotarians and Friends of Sandy Springs Rotary.  To purchase these tickets for a great event and a great cause, please email Club President Eric Carlson .  The tickets are first come, first serve.  This looks to be one of many small events focused on fun and fellowship for Sandy Springs Rotarians and Friends of Sandy Springs Rotary. Make your check to the Sandy Springs Rotary Foundation. Eric Carlson has your ticket.

Club Celebrations Celebrations In August Inducted into Club: Herman Abernathy, Hap Chandler, Jim Kelley, Barry Smith, Morty Tauber Birthdays (day): Justin Daniels(16), Jackie Sanford( 15) Wedding Anniversaries: Hap Chandler, Steve Jordan, Sally Wyeth If we have omitted any members, please advise Linda Randolph. We want to acknowledge these significant dates.

The Spotlight 62 Minute Happy Hour Kicks off at Meehan’s in Sandy Springs by Greg Pyne, eNews Contributor Almost 20% of the club showed up at Meehan’s Ale House in Sandy Springs last Thursday July 29th to discuss topics of vital importance to the future of our club and to our nation in general, including: Why Steve Jordan won’t register on Facebook Eric Carlson not noticing that Greg Pyne left the club for 3 years Why Cindy Gentry thinks mixing alcohol and firearms is a bad thing Jim Squires’ penchant for holding his finger’s up behind people’s heads during photos (see above) The sinus clearing impact of the hot mustard at Meehan’s The 62 minute happy hour started on time and ended on time.  We got in-- got out-- and nobody got hurt. You are invited to join Steve Jordan and the rest of the “Rotary Regulars” at our next Rotary Sandy Springs 62 minute happy hour August 25th – more commonly known as Orville Wright’s Birthday-5:00 to 6:02 sharp, at Meehan’s in Sandy Springs. Remember the motto: WWOWD? (What would Orville Wright Do?) Answer: Go to Meehan's August 25th at 5:00 for 62 minutes, if he could get a flight from Kitty Hawk NC that is.     For more information about the Rotary 62 Minute Happy Hour show up and have a beer. Sandy Springs Rotarians Celebrate Ribbon Cutting at Overlook Park Excerpted, with permission, by Linda Randolph, eNews Contributor, from an article in the Sandy Springs Reporter Newspaper by Amy Wenk. Back Row: left to right: David Evans, Jim Squire, Eric Carlson, Greg Pyne Front Row: Nancy Leathers, June Carlson, and Hannah Carlson Sandy Springs officials opened Overlook Park to the public on July 28 with several Sandy Springs Rotarians watching a ribbon cutting by Mayor Eva Galambos. The city of Sandy Springs has  spent almost $3.4 million creating the park. When we visit, we will find little bit of everything at the new recreational facility, from hiking trails that scale a bluff overlooking the Chattahoochee River to a spider like jungle gym, 300-person open-air pavilion and a circa-1840s chimney. Overlook Park features a large playground with a springy synthetic turf, a jungle gym shaped like a spider web, slides, swings, monkey bars and more. Rumor has it that our President, Eric Carlson, has already tried out the jungle gym. The site also has a 3,200-square-foot open-air pavilion, four charcoal grills, picnic tables and a stone fireplace centerpiece. A floating dock provides kayak and canoe access to the river, and two boathouses are on the site. One will house the Sandy Springs Police Department’s new rescue boat. Please note that swimming will not be allowed. A 0.75-mile trail allows people a more natural park experience. The trail winds up the 6-acre bluff at the river’s edge. The park will be open from 6 a.m. to dusk. People can hold gatherings at the park with special permits available from the city.

The Rotary International Report Programs for Service Opportunities Article Selected from Rotary International Web Site by Past President Betty Ferdinand Rotary International’s programs and service opportunities, listed below, are designed to help Rotarians meet the needs of their own communities and assist people worldwide. Global Networking Groups encompass Rotary Fellowships (vocational and recreational interest groups) and Rotarian Action Groups (groups focused on service activities). The more than 90 Global Networking Groups are open to all Rotarians, spouses of Rotarians, and Rotaractors. Interact is a service organization organized and sponsored by Rotary clubs for youth ages 12-18. It has more than 12,300 clubs in 133 countries. Rotaract is organized by Rotary clubs to promote leadership, professional development, and service among young adults ages 18-30. There are more than 8,000 clubs in 167 countries. Rotary Community Corps (RCC) are groups of non-Rotarians who work to improve their communities. There are more than 6,800 RCCs in 78 countries, all organized and sponsored by Rotary clubs. Rotary Friendship Exchange encourages Rotarians and their families to make reciprocal visits to other countries, staying in each other’s homes and learning about different cultures firsthand. Rotary Volunteers allows Rotarians and other skilled professionals to offer their services and experience to local and international humanitarian projects. Rotary Youth Exchange offers students ages 15-19 the chance to travel abroad for cultural exchanges of one week to a full academic year. Rotary clubs and districts sponsor and host about 9,000 Youth Exchange students a year. Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) are seminars sponsored by clubs and districts to encourage and recognize the leadership abilities of youth and young adults ages 14-30. World Community Service (WCS) allows Rotary clubs and districts from at least two countries to implement community service projects together. The Rotary Foundation also offers several programs, such as PolioPlus . Learn more in Rotary Basics .

News From The City Movies By Moonlight in Sandy Springs Coming in September & October - Save the Dates! Make plans to attend the FREE outdoor viewing of three family movies sponsored by Sandy Springs Rotary & Leadership Sandy Springs on three Fridays: September 10th, October 1st & 8th. These are a series of movies which will be shown on the lawn of the Sandy Springs United Methodist Church Hitson Activity Center, at the intersection of Mt. Vernon Highway and Sandy Springs Circle. Festivities begin at 6:00pm and the movies begin at dark. We will have our blue Rotary tent set up. Greg Pyne is looking forward to your  volunteering to greet the 1,000 to 1,500 attendees and spread the word about Rotary projects and service. The schedule shows late release movies. September 10th will show Marmaduke and October 1, Blindside.  October 8- if The Karate Kid is released in time- will be shown.  Otherwise, Wizard of OZ will be the movie. Plan to bring your family for this free evening of community entertainment. Pinocchio, the Wooden Boy Presented by the Benson Players! Take your grandchildren and other special people. There is only one performance remaining this Saturday, August 7th at 11:00am. This special live theatre is  free, "G" rated and preformed at the Dorothy Benson Center, 6500 Vernon Woods Drive in their Dining Hall. Our local talent has worked hard to give you a charming afternoon of family entertainment. See Phyllis Wright as Pinocchio and Irv Adelman as Cricket.  Joe Cantello is Geppetto, Donna Star is the Blue Fairy and Hyacinth Webb narrates. Sandy Springs Rotary in the Navy League News DON GILES GIVES CSOP BRIEFING TO SANDY SPRINGS ROTARY CLUB JULY 19   This is an article in an email received by Sally Wyeth from Navy League U.S.-Atlanta Council Atlanta Metropolitan Council member Don Giles was the Speaker at the Sandy Springs Rotary Club Meeting on July 19. He delivered the new Navy League Presentation "Protecting the Sea Lanes and America's Commerce. Council members Allen Legel and Bill Schwendler also attended to assist. Heritage Sandy Springs Beer Fest! Save the date for the 1st annual Heritage Sandy Springs Beer Fest! Location is Sandy Springs Heritage Green Park, the same location as the Concert by the Springs on Bluestone Road. Advanced Tickets are $25 and $30 at the event. We can get advanced ones for you. Contact Linda Randolph for information. August 14th, 2010 4:00 PM   through   8:00 PM Sandy Springs Heritage Green Park 6110 Bluestone Road Sandy Springs, GA 30328 behind the Historic house near City Walk [Click here for directions] Correction and Apology: Last week's concert by the Tams was on Sunday, August 1st not Saturday. Please accept an apology to members inconvenienced by this error. Several Rotarians enjoyed this signature event at Concert by the Springs. All dates will be rechecked in the future.

Important Dates In The Future...   Aug 9 12:15-1:15pm  Luncheon Program - Brenda Reid & Richard Sparks, Publix Managers - "Customers are kings and queens at Publix" Aug15 3:00-5:00pm Reception - District Governor Casey Farmer - Home of Tom and Ellen Ungashick Aug 16 11:00am-noon  SSRC Board Meeting - Official Visit of District Governor - Hammond Glen, Conference Room Aug 16 12:15-1:15pm   Luncheon Program - DG Casey Farmer official visit sharing his vision  Aug 23 12:15-1:15pm Luncheon Program - Congressman Tom Price updates us on Washington Aug 25  5:00pm-6:02pm 62 Minute Happy Hour - Meehan's at City Walk Aug 30   12:15-1:15pm  Luncheon Program - Benita Dodd, The Georgia Public Policy Foundation  Sept 6  No Meeting Labor Day - Have a safe, happy long weekend Sept 10 abt 6:00pm Movies by Moonlight - Rotary, Interact, Rotaract  participation, Greg Pyne chair Sept 13 11:00am-noon   SSRC Board Meeting  - Hammond Glen, Conference Room Sept 13  12:15-1:15pm  Luncheon Program - "The Future Not the Past"- Megan Rhinehart   Sept 20 12:15-1:15pm Luncheon Program - David Ratcliffe - CEO, Southern Company Sept 25 9:00am-7:00pm Heritage Sandy Springs Festival - Robert Wilson chair Sept 26 11:00am-5:00pm Heritage Sandy Springs Festival continues  - 2 day event Oct 1 & 8 abt 6pm Movies by Moonlight - Rotary, Interact, Rotaract participation - Greg Pyne chair Oct 5, 6 &7  6:00pm-8:00pm  Firehouse Dinners: 3 evenings, 2 locations, wonderful fellowship - Gene Jordan chair Oct 11 11:00am-noon   SSRC Board Meeting - Hammond Glen, Conference Room Oct 11  12:15-1:15pm  Luncheon Program - Public Safety Awards -Eric Carlson, Club  President  Oct 16 1:00-6:00pm 3rd Annual Oktoberfest in the Mountains - golf, festivities, more details to come Nov 5 5:30pm  GRSP Lasagna Dinner - Spalding Dr Charter ES, Christine Young host Nov 5-7 Friday - Sunday GRSP Conclave Weekend - Sandy Springs & Alpharetta Rotary clubs host District 6900 and Rotary International Events   August 21, 2010 District 6900 Foundation Seminar - Columbus, GA [Click here for more info ] April 29-May 1, 2011 District 6900 District Conference - Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, GA [Click here for more info ] May 21-25, 2011 International Conference - New Orleans, LA - Early sign up by Dec 15 saves US$40 [Click here for more info ] Breaking News: It's official. Atlanta to host the 2017 International Conference. The last time Atlanta hosted was 1917 when the Rotary Foundation was established. Watch for continuing details on this event.   Click Here to Visit Our Online Calendar for More Events and Activities!

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