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COLONEL (RETIRED) TODD FREESEMANN announced as new District Governor of  Rotary District 6920 | Non-Profit Organizations |  savannahbusinessjournal.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Metro Talk: Gordon Matthews & Jordan Chase

🌟 A Club Built Differently

Savannah Metro Rotary wasn’t created to follow tradition—it was created to rethink it.

Founder Gordon Matthews recalls a pivotal moment at a district meeting in Augusta, where a panel of younger professionals shared why traditional Rotary models weren’t working for them. Between the cost, weekly lunch commitments, and rigid expectations, many felt there wasn’t a place for them.

Instead of accepting that reality, Gordon saw an opportunity.

He gathered a small group for an exploratory meeting—bringing together core members to imagine a new kind of Rotary club, one with its own structure, flexibility, and approach to engagement.

At the time, Savannah already had five Rotary clubs. But there was nothing like Metro—not locally, and not anywhere else. The vision was approved, and in April 2012, Savannah Metro Rotary officially launched with 50 founding members and a bold new direction.

Since then, Metro has continued to stand out. From how the club approaches meals and attendance to the way it engages in service and partnerships, it has become a model others look to for inspiration. District Governors have even sought Gordon’s advice on how to replicate Metro’s success—something he considers a true compliment.

More than a club, Savannah Metro Rotary is proof that when you listen, adapt, and lead with intention, you don’t just build something new—you build something that lasts.

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    GUESTS:​​
    • Frank Wieczorek- Financial Planner with Ed Jones 

    • Brittany Curry- Inky Brittney 

    • Rachel & John Halbert- Savannah Age Management 

    • David Farrant- CEO of Tyt

    • Denise Gordon

    • Kristen Berger- Business Development Officer, Mag Mutual 

    • Laura Winkel- Libraries for Kids International

     

    SERVICE: 

    • See Events Calendar for all service opportunities and sign up online
    • Subscribe to Metro’s Calendar: Click Here. Click on Subscribe to Calendar at the bottom (Google, Apple, Outlook compatible)

     

    GRSP/GYESE:

    • URGENT: Host families needed! Click Here
    • Conclave is in Savannah this year! Save the Date: Aug 21-23

    RYLA:

    • We are looking to sponsor 2 rising Juniors or Seniors (high school) for the conference June 10-13 at College of Coastal GA in Brunswick.

    ASP:

    • SAVE THE DATE: Vote on ASP on May 5th

     

    CLUB:

    • End of Year Party: June 30th | 6-8pm

     

    DISTRICT REMINDERS:

    • March 31: Awards are due.

    • District Conf. in Macon. May 1-3. (It is mostly a party this year) Click here to register

    • District Assembly (Grant people must attend or a proxy): Dublin on May 30

     
    NEW MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM:
    • Torlef Borsting
    • Carrie Friend
     
     CLASSIFICATION TALK/INDUCTION: 
     
     
    Laura Brock

    From beloved children’s television to global impact work, Laura Brock’s career has been anything but ordinary.

    She’s worked behind the scenes on iconic shows like Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego, Sesame Street, and Between the Lions, as well as productions including One Life to Live and All My Children. Her creative work even extends to film, contributing to set design for A Perfect Murder and New Jack City.

    But what makes Laura’s story especially powerful is how she’s used her craft for something bigger. Through her work with No Strings International, she helped create educational puppetry programs for children around the world—covering topics like HIV awareness, conflict resolution, landmine safety, and healthy living.

    Most recently, she brought her creativity to life building demo props for Dr. Oz.

    Now based in Savannah, Laura is deeply passionate about giving back to the community she loves—and bringing a little more creativity (and joy) into the world along the way.

     

    PROSPECTIVE NEW MEMBERS:
    • Carrie Friend serves as the Regional Philanthropy Officer for the American Red Cross of Southeast Georgia. She is an accomplished philanthropy and human services professional with more than 17 years of experience advancing mission-driven work across diverse communities.

      Carrie began her career in the Chicago area, where she held several roles in the social services sector, including six years as a Case Manager supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. This early work laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to advocacy, service, and community impact.

      Motivated by both personal and professional goals, Carrie eventually relocated to Savannah, Georgia. She joined the American Red Cross as an Account Manager in Blood Services, where she leveraged her background in client advocacy and community engagement to strengthen donor relationships and help drive successful blood collection initiatives throughout the region.

      After gaining additional experience outside the organization, Carrie returned to the Red Cross as a Regional Philanthropy Officer. In her current role, she brings a relationship-centered approach to fundraising, cultivating meaningful partnerships that support and expand the organization’s humanitarian mission across Georgia. Known for her integrity, adaptability, and deep dedication to service, Carrie continues to make a meaningful impact throughout the communities she serves.

      Sponsored by Jessica Pedigo and George Seaborough.

     

    GRSP PRESENTATION: Julio Alberto-Morales-Álvarez

    • April 21st- Julio will provide lunch and presents to the club! Arrive early to get lunch!

     

    Throwin’ it way back 📸 OG Metro Crew Pics:

     

    COMMUNICATIONS/PUBLIC IMAGE: 
    • Follow us on IG: @metrosavannahrotary (tag us in your posts!)
    • Send your member news and BFW/announcements to Katie and Kristin
     
    Need a new name tag?

    Just email Emily Doherty your preferred name and classification so we can get it updated for you!
     
    💡 Who to Contact:
    • Membership Questions? → Email Emily & Florence

    • Communications Questions? → Email Katie & Kristin

    • Ideas for Future Meetings? → Email Deanna & Danille

    Upcoming Events
    From the President
     

     

    A Message from Our President

    Welcome to Metro Savannah Rotary!

    After five years as a proud member of this club, I can confidently say that Savannah is so much more than beautiful trees, historic buildings, and weekend bridal parties downtown—it’s about people. It’s about the people who live here, the people who make it home, and the people who seek out connection, purpose, and service through organizations like Metro Rotary.

    Metro has introduced me to a community of leaders who prove, time and again, that you are never too busy to lend a strong back to a service project, never too proud to pick up trash to keep our city clean, never too important to show up for someone in need, and never too isolated to start a new friendship.

    This Rotary year, we will continue in true Metro fashion:

    • Serving our community with heart and hands,

    • Building meaningful relationships across generations and neighborhoods,

    • Supporting the next generation of leaders, and

    • Being, as always, ridiculously awesome.

    If you’re looking for a place to connect, give back, and grow alongside some of the finest folks in Savannah, Metro Rotary might be the place for you.

    In service and gratitude,
    George Washington Seaborough III
    President, Metro Savannah Rotary Club, 2025–2026

    president@metrosavannahrotary.org

    2025–2026 Board
    Club Leadership & Board Members
    President
    President Elect
    Immediate Past President
    Treasurer
    Secretary
    Service Chair Co-Chair
    Service Chair Co-Chair
    Disaster Response Chair
    Family of Rotary
    Foundation
    Grants Chair
    Interact
    GRSP Liaison
    Membership – Retention
    Membership – Recruitment
    Programming Co Chair
    Programming Co Chair
    Communications Co Chair
    Communications Co Chair
    Communications Co Chair
    Sergeant-at-Arms Co-Chair
    Sergeant-at-Arms Co-Chair
    Club Information
    We meet In Person
    Tuesdays at 11:45 AM
    JEA
    5111 Abercorn Street
    Savannah, GA 31405
    United States of America
    Meetings are every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 11:45 a.m with the program starting at noon. Additional events are listed in our calendar on the Events tab.