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With more than two decades of experience in the public sector, Mike Alexander currently serves as chief operating officer at the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC), the official planning agency for the 11-county Atlanta region. The ARC’s operational programs cover a range of initiatives in the areas of transportation and mobility, community development, water resources, aging, workforce development, homeland security and leadership development.
Greeters: Dee Raeside and Marion Curry
Weekly luncheon meetings begin at 12:15 pm
on Fridays unless otherwise noted.
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FRIDAY
NOVEMBER 29
No Meeting
Thanksgiving Holiday
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THURSDAY
DECEMBER 5
Thirsty Thursday
Location TBA
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FRIDAY
DECEMBER 6
SPEAKER
William Patrick Bryant
City Manager,
City of Avondale Estates, GA
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FRIDAY
DECEMBER 13
SPEAKER
Jay Arnold
Atlanta Food Bank
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FRIDAY
DECEMBER 20
SPEAKER
Dr. Robert M. Franklin Jr.
Candler School of Theology / Emory
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FRIDAY
DECEMBER 27
No Meeting
Happy Holidays!
November Is Rotary Foundation Month
Contributions from Rotarians around the world go to the Foundation's Annual Programs Fund, which provides grants and awards through Foundation programs; and the Permanent Fund, an endowment from which only the earnings are spent in support of Foundation programs, ensuring the long term viability of the Foundation.
Every dollar contributed by Rotarians funds humanitarian and educational programs and program operations. Clubs and districts apply for and receive Foundation grants to carry out worthy projects worldwide.
Every Rotarian is invited and encouraged to support the Annual Fund with a personal contribution, Every Year.
. . . . . Service Project Opportunities
in November, December, and January
Sign up for a project, and enlist a couple of friends to help, too. Let’s work together to support our community!
SERVICE SIGN UPS
MLK Sign up for Shifts:sign up HERE
Home and yard maintenance and repair for elderly residents
Help Setup Rotary Meetings: sign up HERE
Setup for the weekly meeting and breakdown afterward
Food Donation:sign up HERE
Drive leftover lunch food to shelter on Church St., 1.5 mi from courthouse
Rotarians, please look into your closets and donate coats that you haven't worn in a while to help people in need. We will be collecting coats at our meetings for two weeks starting on December 6. Any size coat is acceptable, but XL–3XL are especially needed. Threshold supports individuals who are experiencing homelessness and other effects of poverty.
. . . . . Be a Salvation Army (Rotary) Bell Ringer This Holiday Season
Decatur Rotary is turning out to help the Salvation Army and our member Captain Jamaal Ellis.
WHEN: Saturday, Dec 14 WHERE: Kroger, 2875 N. Decatur Rd., Decatur, GA 30033
Sign up for two-hour shifts (sign up coming soon) and wear your Rotary swag!
. . . . . Sister Club News: Rotary Club of Cebu
Curious about the sister club in Cebu, Philippines? Check out the link to their club’s monthly newsletter here. Look for a standing link to the latest Cebu newsletter at the end of our weekly newsletters.
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Milestones
Club Anniversaries
Eric Lucas, 37 years
Walt Drake, 34 years
William Harshman, 34 years Dave Jollay, 31 years
November Birthdays
Joe Kusmik, 29 years
Rick Garnitz, 27 years
Noel Maloof, 10 years
Mary Ann Cathopoulis, 5 years
Alan Yorker, Nov. 3
Noel Maloof, Nov. 4
Marvin Fralish, Nov. 6
Bob Wilson, Nov. 10
Dana Rickman, Nov. 24
Bedros Sharian Jr., Nov. 25
Robert Brown, Nov. 28
Jamaal Ellis, Nov. 29
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.
Rick Garnitz and Gyimah Whitaker served as greeters. Doug Tozzi gave the invocation. Jason Conn introduced our speaker.
Visitors included Rotary exchange student Selma Doganson; Rosalin Kyere-Narley of Ghana, guest of Jennifer Topple; and Bob Hope of the Atlanta Rotary Club. Lawrence Sharp had three guests: Elizabeth Sullivan, LaDena Bolton, and Nicole Massiah.
Doug Robinson talked about the upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Day Service Project and directed people to check the sign-up sheet for available shifts over three days.
Walt Drake honored former Decatur Rotarian Wiley Ansley, who passed away in October at age 90, with a remembrance of him.
. . . . . OUR SPEAKER: Veteran Atlanta Broadcaster Jeff Hullinger
Jeff Hullinger’s broadcast journalism career in Atlanta has spanned forty years. He spoke to the club about the transformational changes to the media industry at large and the role of the news anchor specifically, sharing stories from his days covering sports teams and reporting on-air.
Scenes from our most recent meeting and events. Individuals are identified from left to right.
Contributions from Rotarians around the world go to the Foundation's Annual Programs Fund, which provides grants and awards through Foundation programs; and the Permanent Fund, an endowment from which only the earnings are spent in support of Foundation programs, ensuring the long term viability of the Foundation.
Sign up for a project, and enlist a couple of friends to help, too. Let’s work together to support our community! 
Decatur Rotary is turning out to help the Salvation Army and our member Captain Jamaal Ellis. 
Curious about the sister club in Cebu, Philippines? Check out the link to their club’s monthly newsletter 
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. 
Speaker Jon Thompson with Club President Dudley Larus
Walt Drake honored former Decatur Rotarian Wiley Ansley, who passed away in October at age 90, with a remembrance of him.
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