NEWSLETTER | Jan. 30, 2025

Dear Rotary Guest,

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Friday Lunch Meeting
Jan. 31 | 12:15 pm
. . . . .
 

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OUR SPEAKER
 
Jon Thompson
CEO and Co-Founder
Comunidad Connect 
 
Comunidad Connect is a nonprofit organization that creates programs in Nicaragua and Dominican Republic that improve community health, empower youth through sports, and support sustainable community development.
 
Born and raised in Atlanta, Jon graduated in 1997 from Centre College in Kentucky with a degree in history. He first visited Nicaragua in 1998, returned every year thereafter, and met there the woman who would become his wife, in 2002. That same year, Jon obtained his Masters of Social Work degree, with a concentration in Community Partnerships, from Georgia State University.
 
In 2005 Jon and his wife, Arelis, moved to San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, full-time, and Comunidad Connect was founded shortly thereafter. After 10 years in Nicaragua, they returned to Atlanta, where they now live with their children.

 

GREETERS THIS WEEK
 
Bryan Downs and Todd Speed

 
 
Weekly luncheon meetings begin at 12:15 pm
on Fridays unless otherwise noted.
. . . . .
THURSDAY
FEBRUARY

6
Past Presidents Reception
at Bench Warmers
. . . . .
FRIDAY
FEBRUARY

7
PROGRAM:
STAR Students
* * * NOTE * * *
Early start time
at 11:30 am
. . . . .
FRIDAY
FEBRUARY

14
SPEAKERS:
Shaakira Silvera
& Michelle Kuperman

The Global Village Project
. . . . .
FRIDAY
FEBRUARY

21
SPEAKER:
Gretchen Hiley

CISO Data Security
Randstad
. . . . .
FRIDAY
FEBRUARY

28
SPEAKERS:
Frances Holt & Duane Sprull

Be The Voice Implementation
. . . . .
THURSDAY
MARCH

6
Thirsty Thursday:
Location TBA

. . . . .
Meet Our Newest Members
 
Earlier this month, we inducted three new members into the club: Danielle Jones, Nichole Simms, and Elizabeth Sullivan. Scroll down to read more about two of them, and be sure to introduce yourself to each of them! (Coming next week: get to know Nichole Simms.)
 
 
Danielle Jones
Originally from Vauxhall, NJ, Danielle serves as the Work-Based Learning and Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator at Decatur High School, where she is dedicated to preparing students for successful careers through meaningful community partnerships. Danielle holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Education and a master’s in Education from Valdosta State University.

In her professional journey, Danielle has made significant contributions to Decatur High School, including serving as Cheerleading Coach, DHS Webmaster, FBLA Sponsor, Junior Class/Prom Sponsor, Learning Commons Intern, and School Store Supervisor. Her leadership and creativity have enriched both the school community and student experiences.

Passionate about service, Danielle volunteers with Meals on Wheels, her church's food pantry, and senior living facilities, offering companionship and support to residents. She also mentors girls of color, leads voter registration initiatives through school organizations, and has provided a warm and supportive presence as a greeter at Wellstar Kennestone Cancer Center. Danielle’s professional expertise and commitment to empowering youth reflect her drive to make a positive impact both in and beyond the classroom. 
She is a neighbor of member Lawrence Sharp.
 
 
 
Elizabeth Sullivan
After growing up in Stone Mountain, Elizabeth attended the University of Georgia, graduating with a degree in criminal justice and speech communication, with a minor in Spanish. She went on to attend Georgia State University College of Law, obtaining her law degree in 2015.
 
Elizabeth currently runs her own firm, the Law Office of Elizabeth Sullivan LLC, where she practices workers’ compensation law, representing injured workers throughout the state of Georgia.  She is a member of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, and Atlanta Bar Association. She has served as a panelist at the State Board of Workers' Compensation Regional Seminar.  
 
Apart from her law firm, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her twin girls and husband, Bret, traveling, and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs in football and basketball.
 
Elizabeth is member Mac Willett’s daughter.
 
. . . . .
Bring Canned Goods to Rotary on Friday
Please bring canned food to our meeting this week to support our canned food drive. Other non-perishable food items are also welcome. Contact Maria Alvarez or Bob Ettensohn with any questions. Thank you!
 
. . . . .
LAST CALL!
Seeking Rotary Youth Exchange Host Families – Deadline Jan. 31
 
Our club will host an exchange student for the 2025-2026 school year, and we need to identify Decatur host families by January 31. Three families within the City of Decatur School district are needed to host – the student spends about three months at each home and will attend Decatur High. Let John Bennett, Kelly Caudle, or Doug Park know if you or a friend are interested.
 
Why host a foreign exchange student? Read John Bennett’s piece in Decaturish to find out!
 
Read the journal entries of our outbound exchange students, Riley in Italy, and Minelli in South Korea and find out what they’re up to.
 
. . . . .
Milestones
Club Anniversaries
David Ewing, 29 years    
Doug Robinson, 12 years    
Bryan Markowitz, 10 years     
 
January Birthdays
 
 
Brian Deutsch, 6 years    
Charles Lutin, 3 years
James Herndon, 1 year
 
 
 
 
Pete Pfeiffer, Jan. 1
Bill Mealor, Jan. 4
Alan Dishman, Jan. 19
Lawrence Sharp, Jan. 23
Doug Robinson, Jan. 27

FRIDAY | JANUARY 31, 2025
 
Harl Pike gave the invocation. Tim Martin (right) reminded everyone that this week’s special program starts early: hosts for STAR program guests should arrive at 11:30, and lunch will be served at 11:45. Doug Robinson (above, left), house captain for our MLK service project, reported that inclement weather prevented us from completing the finishing touches. He’s looking for three consecutive good-weather days for us to return to the home and complete the painting job. Stay tuned for those make-up days. 
 
Wondering where some of our club members are? Are you missing having conversations with anyone? If you notice someone hasn’t been attending meetings, take the initiative and call or email them (use our handy Club Runner directory). Make sure our members know that we care, and we want to see them at lunch. Let’s take care of our Rotary Club community!
 
Maria Alvarez reached out to Mary Ann Cathopoulis, who has been recuperating from illness. Eric Lucas said that he had contacted Barbara Tedrow, who has also been out because of illness. 

Speaker Jon Thompson with Club President Dudley Larus
 
Maria Alvarez introduced speaker Jon Thompson, CEO and co-founder of the nonprofit organization Comunidad Connect, which offers programs in Nicaragua and Dominican Republic designed to improve public health, community development and sustainability, and opportunities for young people through sports. Jon talked about how critical relationships are to his organization’s success. He said, “Real change happens at the speed of trust.” 
 
Visitors were Nedra White-Shaw, guest of John Bennett; Candiace Williams, guest of Danielle Jones; Misty Palmer, guest of Dan DeWoskin; Jailah Zanders, guest of Lawrence Sharp; Dr. Mohamed Saleh, president of the Cairo Rhine-Nile Club in Egypt.

 
Scenes from our most recent meeting and events. Individuals are identified from left to right.
Alison Weissinger, Kelly Caudle, Brennen Dicker
 
Tim Martin
 
Guest Brennen Dicker and speaker Dov Wilker
 
Tes Stewart and Luis Abularach
 
Speaker Dov Wilker and Dudley Larus
 
Congrats to Luis, winner of this week’s wine raffle!

What's New in Cebu?
 
Read the latest newsletter from the Rotary Club of Cebu, Philippines, our sister club.

Thank You to Our Club Sponsors 
 
We are grateful for the support of our local sponsors, and we encourage our members to support them in return.

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Sincerely,
The Bulletin Committee
Decatur Rotary Club

 
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