Committee Reports

President Jessica Pedigo confirmed the following people are currently in the New Members Program: John RodmanKatie Balthrop, Destiny Mojica-Taylor, Meagen Burrows, and Chelsea Sawyer. She announced the end of the year party will be scheduled for late June and more information is coming. In the meantime, don’t forget to report your munch attendance. Leigh Ryan of World Trade Center Savannah will be the speaker at the June 15 meeting.
 
Service Committee Chair Jordan Chase reported that details of the June service project with Bike Walk Savannah were still being worked out and she hoped they would be announced soon. UPDATE: Our June service project will be comprised of two street audit sessions in the Edgemere-Sackville neighborhood. The two sessions will take place on Monday, June 21 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and on Saturday, June 26 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. Prior to the session volunteers will receive information about the process and instructions on how to download the mobile application, and the group will meet at the beginning of the audit session to answer any questions and receive their assignments. The signup link is now available. See email from Jordan for more information.
 

Guests

  • Sen. Jen Jordan was the guest of Julie Wade.
  • Derek Goldfarb was the guest of Cecilia Arango.
  • Emily Salzer was the guest of Jordan Chase.
  • Hannah Simons, visiting from France, was the guest of Whitney Shephard.
  • Ed and Lois Engel are Rotarians from Holland, Michigan. They are new to Savannah and looking for a new club.
  • Chelsea Sawyer (New Members Program)

Featured Speaker: Michael Traynor

Michael said he was a little over 90 days into his role as CEO of Union Mission, but explained he has previously served as chair of the organization’s board of directors. Union Mission serves more than 700 people per year through its various departments, including individual programs that focused on women, women and children, men, special needs housing, permanent supportive housing, and mental health counseling.
 
He said he was particularly excited about the conversion of the J.C. Lewis Health Center’s former location on Fahm Street into a shelter, which will serve unaccompanied women experiencing homelessness. Michael said his research indicates it’s the only such facility on the Georgia Coast. It will include 32 rooms and onsite counseling.
 

Membership Moment: Cody Tharpe

Cody said Tharpe Engineering Group recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. The structural engineering firm works on a wide range of commercial, industrial, preservation, and multi-family residential projects. When asked about his favorite Rotarian, Cody named Patton Dugas. Cody serves as Metro’s treasurer.