The Rotary Times

President's Message, November 3, 2026

Hi All,

November is Rotary Foundation Month, and at our next meeting on Tuesday, November 10th we will hear from Doug Higgins and Mike Mudd to talk about Rotary Foundation. Rotary Foundation Month is a time to celebrate how The Rotary Foundation turns our generosity into meaningful change around the world.

Founded in 1917 with an initial contribution of just $26.50, The Rotary Foundation has grown into a powerful force for good, supporting projects that fight disease, provide clean water, improve education, protect the environment, and promote peace. One of its most remarkable achievements is Rotary's leadership in the global effort to eradicate polio. Through the Foundation, Rotary members also support local community projects and international grants that improve lives and create lasting change.

So, what can we do as Rotarians?

 Give: Consider contributing to The Rotary Foundation's Annual Fund or PolioPlus.

 Share: Tell others about the incredible work Rotary accomplishes through Foundation-supported projects.

 Participate: Look for opportunities to support local and international service projectsthrough our club.

Every contribution, large or small, helps Rotary turn compassion into action. As Rotarians, we know that Service Above Self is more than a motto- it is a commitment to making the world a better place. During Rotary Foundation Month, let's celebrate what we've accomplished together and consider how we can do even more.

And don’t forget we have our First Tuesday Social tonight at Old Blind Dog, Milton for some fun trivia hosted by Steve Cory and Andy West!

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Peace Garden Cleanup & Brick Installation — Nov. 14

Please sign up to volunteer at our ROTARY PEACE GARDEN workday at North Park. We will be spreading more mulch at both the front and back garden areas while also removing 26 regular bricks and replacing them with new engraved bricks.

SIGNUP: Help us finish these tasks quickly. We need at least 12 volunteers. Rotary Peace Garden Workday - Signup Genius.

WHEN: 10:00 AM Saturday, November 14, 2026

WHERE: North Park (13450 Cogburn Rd, Alpharetta, GA 30004) 

AFTEWARD: The fun continues with lunch at CUE Barbecue at your own cost (13700 Highway 9 N, #300. Milton, GA 30004)

WHAT TO BRING: gloves, water, wear layers and bring tools listed below if you have them.

TOOLS:

• Metal bow rake (to spread mulch)
• Flathead screwdrivers (to remove existing bricks)
• Small scoops and trays to remove and hold the sand for reuse between the bricks
• Brooms hand-held or push (just a few needed) to brush the sand in between the new bricks

BRICK REPLACEMENT STEPS:

1. Layout new bricks for placement
2. Remove existing plane brick
3. Cleanout sand down to (but not removing) the gravel base
4. Replace with new engraved brick
5. Reuse the sand in between the bricks
6. Brush sand to fill the gaps

Contact Steve Siders if you have any questions, 678-488-3545 (cell).

Operation Christmas Child: Bring Filled Shoeboxes to Nov 10th meeting

Don't forget to bring your filled shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child (a project of Samaritan’s Purse) to our next meeting on November 10th. If you will miss that meeting, please make arrangements with Joy to get the boxes to her another time, but no later than the week of November 16th.  

Bring Festive Fun to Alpharetta/Crabapple Senior Center on Dec. 15

You are invited to spend a morning with the seniors at the Alpharetta Senior Center, 12624 Broadwell Road, on December 15 from 10:00 am to 12:45 pm.

• 10:00 am–11:00 am: Craft — holiday wreath decorating
• 11:00 am–12:00 pm: Bingo
• 12:00 pm–12:45 pm: Lunch

Sign up here: Senior Center Fun

Funding: This project is funded by our District 6900 community grant.

Holiday Sing Along

We are so fortunate that Tom Georges has agreed to bring his keyboard to our Holiday Party on December 1st. Are you interested in helping lead a Holiday Sing Along? We are looking for a few members (or guests!) to lead party attendees in a Holiday sing along. Please reach out to Tom at tom.georges@gmail.com if interested. 

Let's Score for the Foundation

Football for The Foundation

What a great week for Foundation Football! With their defeat over the Gators this week, UGA is now our top scoring team with 328 points. Congrats Dan, Rick, and Joy! Sorry Richard. Lisa’s Baylor Bears showed their support of the Rotary Foundation by scoring the most points this week at 41. President Dan continues to be our leading contributor at $656. The Falcons disappointed Jonathan, and perhaps a few others, by posting a zero this week, leaving Jonathan in second place at $572.50. Some are beginning to question the Falcons loyalty to the Foundation. Richard is in third place at $515, but that is only part of the story. We still are unable to verify the scores of the Oconee 5th grade football team and each point is worth $5! So, what is Richard’s real pledge??? He is playing this one close to the vest but assures us he will divulge the total score at season’s end. Your pledges have reached $5,251! This is only $450 less than this time last year when we had 6 more players on the field. Will we meet or exceed last year's results? Time will tell. Thanks for all who are playing and let’s cheer on all these teams to score big for the Foundation.

(Yes - Baylor does actually have a bear habitat on campus!) 

Companion Club

The next meeting of the Companion Club will be on November 19th at 6:30 pm, location to be determined. 

Companion Club members recently completed their service project designed to help individuals who were transitioning from temporary housing to a more stable situation. Members gathered at Thrive in October to sort the donated supplies so they could be distributed. Many thanks to all the members who donated supplies! 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Joseph Powell, (912) 662-2246. 

Membership Minute

Gratitude & Giving

Membership is a gift. This month, thank a fellow Rotarian for their service and invite someone new to share in the joy of giving back.