• Danietté Thomas - fashion designer and consultant (guest of Zerik Samples)

CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS:

 

TODAY (April 15) is the last day to order a Metro shirt! If you do not already have a black Metro t-shirt or your current one doesn't fit, please share your name & size here by EOD today!

 

April Birthdays & Anniversaries:

• Birthdays: Cindy Mullally (4), Jamie Arkins (8), Kristin King (17), Sarah Smith (21), Tony Uhrich (21), Robert McCorkle (25), Suzanne Kirk (26), Kelley Waldron (26)
• Club anniversaries: Michael McLeod (11 y), Lee Beckmann (10 y)
• Wedding anniversaries: Beth & Michael Whalen (19 y), Cody & Nicki Tharpe (18 y)

 

 

MEMBERSHIP MINUTE:

• Kristen asked Zerik and Leigh what the benefits are of giving to Rotary Foundation.
  • Leigh loves the matching gift aspect of our club
  • Zerik loves the growth process aspect of our giving and that we get to determine where our additional funds go.

Something you don't know about Leigh: she was a debutante. The riskiest thing she's ever done was watch the sunrise on Mount Haleakala and their brakes failed on the drive down. The most fun she’s ever had was also camping and hiking on the mountain.

 

• Register for District Conference in Jekyll Island - lots of fun activities and dynamic speakers: April 26^th-28^th, 2024.
  • Register online HERE
  • Deadline for hotel discount is March 26.
  • 3 Credits per full day of attendance at district conference
• Oslo Summer 2024 GRSP Scholarship Opens for Georgia college students
  • Spend summer attending school & exchanging cultural customs in Norway, 6/24 - 8/2/2024
  • Application is now open & closes Jan. 5, 2024.
  • Applicants must have completed sophomore year of college by Spring 2024 & have the recommendation of a Georgia Rotarian.

• Metro's 15th anniversary in 2027, currently saving $ for this
• Currently have 6 nominated projects
• Project nominees are acquiring more information from “owners” - top 2-3 will be presented to club
• Contact John Bennett to submit ideas or for more information

The 2nd Monday of each month is now "Metro Monday"!  We will assist with the soup kitchen from 7:30-9:30am. This service project is for adult volunteers. Minors 13 and up can volunteer accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

***

Tybee Island Maritime Academy - Saturday April 27 Sign up here

• Kyle Reese, Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church - formerly in Rotary in a Jacksonville club
• Maria "M.J." Juliana de Vivero Cortes - GRSP student from Colombia

UPCOMING DATES (PROGRAMS & SOCIALS):

• March
  • 3/26: Club Social @ Mint To Be Mojito, 12 W State St, 5:30pm-7:30pm
• April
  • 4/2:   Bruce Clemens, People’s Consultants, Rotary Club of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala (Kristen presiding)
  • 4/16: Michael Schwartz, Safety Valve Project
  • 4/23: Club Social @ TBA

SERVICE:

• March 23: 17 Metro members turned out for our Re:Purpose service and check presentation (see above photo) - all agreed that was some serious work!
• 4/8: Emmaus House Soup Kitchen - 7:30-9:30 am, 2nd Monday of each month
• 4/27: Tybee Island Maritime Academy - Join us at TIMA on Saturday, April 27th from 9am to noon as we help the school mulch and spruce up their backyard.
• Legacy Project will take the place of ASP – chair John Bennett

DISTRICT EVENTS:

• Register for District Conference in Jekyll Island - lots of fun activities and dynamic speakers: April 26^th-28^th, 2024.
  • Register online HERE
  • Deadline for hotel discount is March 26.
  • 3 Credits per full day of attendance at district conference
• Oslo Summer 2024 GRSP Scholarship Opens for Georgia college students
  • Spend summer attending school & exchanging cultural customs in Norway, 6/24 - 8/2/2024
  • Application is now open & closes Jan. 5, 2024.
  • Applicants must have completed sophomore year of college by Spring 2024 & have the recommendation of a Georgia Rotarian.

• Metro's 15th anniversary in 2027, currently saving $ for this
• Currently have 6 nominated projects
• Project nominees are acquiring more information from “owners” - top 2-3 will be presented to club
• Contact John Bennett to submit ideas or for more information

• Chelsea Dye, strategic wellness consulting - guest of Jeanine Roach
• Robert Douberly - new administrator at Citizen’s Advocacy - guest of George Seaborough
• Ruth Hutson - soon to be a new member! 
• Emerson Ingram - in new member program

• If you would be interested in speaking to the club or being on a panel, let Jasmine know.
• March Birthdays & Anniversaries:
  • Birthdays: Sara Holton (5th), Kelley Boyd (11th), Bret Bell - Nifty 50! (18th), Katie Joyner (19th), Ellen Harris (24th), Patton Dugas (28th), Sam Carroll (30th)
  • Wedding anniversaries: Cecilia & Michael Arango (25 years!), Katie & Paul Balthrop (19), Sam & Robyn Carroll (13)
  • Club anniversaries: John Bennett (12), Clint Murphy (12), Ellen Harris (12), Kathleen Anderson (12), Leigh Acevedo (12), Lee Perry (8), Cecilia Arango (8)
• Budget update
  • Looking good! 😃👏
  • FY23 operating overage:
    • Waiting for confirmation from Tony, but we get to decide this as a club.
    • Options: new shirts, Shelter Box (3/31), Legacy project

• Register for District Conference in Jekyll Island - lots of fun activities and dynamic speakers: April 26^th-28^th, 2024.
  • Register online HERE
  • Deadline for hotel discount is March 26.
  • 3 Credits per full day of attendance at district conference
• Oslo Summer 2024 GRSP Scholarship Opens for Georgia college students
  • Spend summer attending school & exchanging cultural customs in Norway, 6/24 - 8/2/2024
  • Application is now open & closes Jan. 5, 2024.
  • Applicants must have completed sophomore year of college by Spring 2024 & have the recommendation of a Georgia Rotarian.

• Metro's 15th anniversary in 2027, currently saving $ for this
• Currently have 8 nominated projects
• Project nominees are acquiring more information from “owners” - top 2-3 will be presented to club
• Contact John Bennett to submit ideas or for more information

• Lynne Wolf - HCA Healthcare Contracting & Development Specialist - guest of Katie Joyner
• Suzy Karpf brought Maria (MJ), our GRSP student who expressed her gratitude for being here!
• Robert Douberly - new administrator at Citizen’s Advocacy - guest of George Seaborough
• Suzanne Smith - Public Relations Coordinator with Cecilia Russo Marketing - guest of Zerik Samples
• Ruth Hutson - soon to be a new member! (in new membership program)

• If anyone is interested in serving on the board, please contact Kristen Crawley directly.
• If you would be interested in speaking to the club or being on a panel, let Jasmine know.

• Registration is open for District conference in Jekyll - lots of fun activities and dynamic speakers: April 26^th-28^th, 2024.
  • Deadline for hotel discount is March 26.
  • 3 Credits per full day of attendance at district conference
• Oslo Summer 2024 GRSP Scholarship Opens for Georgia college students
  • Spend summer attending school & exchanging cultural customs in Norway, 6/24 - 8/2/2024
  • Application is now open & closes Jan. 5, 2024.
  • Applicants must have completed sophomore year of college by Spring 2024 & have the recommendation of a Georgia Rotarian.

• Metro's 15th anniversary in 2027, currently saving $ for this
• Currently have 8 nominated projects
• Project nominees are acquiring more information from “owners” - top 2-3 will be presented to club
• Contact John Bennett to submit ideas or for more information

• Lane McCulley, Legal Administrative Assistant - guest of Elizabeth Summerell
• Lynne Wolf, HCA Healthcare Contracting & Development Specialist - guest of Katie Joyner

• If anyone is interested in serving on the board, please contact Kristen Crawley directly.
• February Birthdays: Kathleen Anderson (5th), Patrick Phelps (13th), Florence Slatinsky (24th)
• Club anniversaries: Jeanine Roach (10), Jasmine Mills (5)
• Paul Harris Fellow awarded to Brad Patrick!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UPCOMING DATES (PROGRAMS, SERVICE, SOCIALS):

• Spring Fundraiser: 12th Annual Roastary! Get your tickets here before they go up in price!
  • Sunday, March 3, 3pm-6pm @ Coach’s Corner
  • Contact Jessica Pedigo, Chair, for more info
• February
  • 2/20: Aaron Whitely, Dist. 6 Commissioner
  • 2/27: Club Social 5:30pm @ Das Box at 1006 E Broad St
• March
  • 3/5: Club Assembly: Happy 12th Birthday, Metro!
  • 3/19: Katheryne Fields, GRSP

SERVICE:

• Emmaus House Soup Kitchen - 7:30-9:30 am, 2nd Monday of each month (upcoming 3/11 and 4/8)
• ASP - Chairs are Cari Phelps and Chelsea Sawyer
  • First meeting = March 6, location TBD
  • Want to join? Reach out to Cari @ cari@clarkcreativedesign.com
• 3/23: Re:Purpose service project & check presentation (TBD- morning time)

DISTRICT EVENTS:

• Registration is open for District conference in Jekyll - lots of fun activities and dynamic speakers: April 26^th-28^th, 2024.
  • Deadline for hotel discount is March 26.
  • 3 Credits per full day of attendance at district conference
• Oslo Summer 2024 GRSP Scholarship Opens for Georgia college students
  • Spend summer attending school & exchanging cultural customs in Norway, 6/24 - 8/2/2024
  • Application is now open & closes Jan. 5, 2024.
  • Applicants must have completed sophomore year of college by Spring 2024 & have the recommendation of a Georgia Rotarian.

• Metro's 15th anniversary in 2027, currently saving $ for this
• Currently have 8 nominated projects
• Project nominees are acquiring more information from “owners” - top 2-3 will be presented to club
• Contact John Bennett to submit ideas or for more information

• John Parker, CEO of The First Tee - guest of Reshma Johnson
• Chelsea Dye, guest of Whitney Shepard
• Emerson Ingram, in new member process - Guest of Jeff Brady
• Katie Rudder Fender, in new member process - did her second greeting today
• Ruth Hutson, in new member process - did her first greeting today

• January Birthdays: Amelia Harper, Jeff Brady, Denise McCoy, Emily Doherty
• Club Anniversaries: Bret Bell (12), Sam Carroll (12), Jordan Chase (12), Suzanne Kirk (12) Robert McCorkle (12), William McIntosh (12), Jason Nielubowicz (12), Jessica Pedigo (12), Cari Phelps (12), Patrick Phelps (12), Liza Smith (12), Jason Somers (12), Julie Wade (12),Emily Salzer (5), Will Gruver (6), Sara Holton (6), Florence Slatinsky (10)
• Special THANK YOU from Kelley Waldron
• Wedding Anniversary: D.J. & Melinda Spisso (7)
• Metro’s 2025-2026 Presidential Nominee Vote: Kristen Crawley presented George Seaborough. Present membership in full support. If anyone is interested in serving on the board, please contact Kristen directly.

• 15th anniversary in 2027, currently saving $ for this
• Currently have 8 nominated projects
• Project nominees are acquiring more information from “owners”, Dec. 15 deadline, top 2-3 will be presented to club
• Next meeting: Thursday, January 18 at 10am via Teams

President Jasmine Mills kicked off the meeting with the 4-way test and reminded us the following:

• Goal- Every Member on a committee. Get plugged in!
• Lunch purchase policy
  • If absent but already paid, members can buy lunches and pay via Venmo/cash to Treasurer at $10 discounted price.
  • Absentees need to alert Leigh beforehand @ leigh.acevedo@gmail.com

• Classification Talk soon by Fitz Hale, Data and analytics consultant, United Way. Sponsors: Kristen Crawley, Jordan Chase
• New Member Program:
  • Ruth Hutson, outside sales rep for SESCO Lighting. Sponsors: Laure Lee Bocade & Denise Grabowski
  • Katie Rudder Fender, Director of Community Outreach for South University. Sponsors: Kristen Crawley & Jamie Arkins
• **If you are interested in sponsoring a member, reach out to Zerik Samples, Kristen Crawley, or Jasmine!

President Jasmine Mills kicked off the meeting with the 4 way test and reminded us the following:

• If you have purchased a meal and cannot attend the meeting, let Leigh know so she can re-sell it!
• Goal: every member needs to be on a committee. Get plugged in!

• Classification talks coming up by Fitz Hale, Data and analytics consultant, United Way. Sponsors: Kristen Crawley, Jordan Chase
• New Member Program:
  • Ruth Hutson, outside sales rep for SESCO Lighting. Sponsors: Laure Lee Bocade & Denise Grabowski
  • Katie Rudder Fender, Director of Community Outreach for South University. Sponsors: Kristen Crawley & Jamie Arkins

President Jasmine Mills kicked off the meeting with the 4 way test and reminded us the following:

• If you have purchased a meal and cannot attend the meeting, let Leigh know so she can re-sell it!
• Goal- Every Member on a committee. Get plugged in!
• November birthdays and anniversaries were celebrated.

President Jasmine Mills

• We are close to having 100% paid dues - only one or two members remain who have not paid
• Reminder to provide any and all feedback in real-time (don’t wait until the end of the year)
• Let Jasmine and Jamie know if you spot club members in the news, any recognition/awards/announcements on social media - let's spread the good MetRotarians news!

• We need your help, Metro! 21 Host families are needed for GRSP weekend, Oct. 13-15. Pick-Up/Drop-Off requirements. Contact Jim Drake ASAP at jdrake@drakefirmpc.com 912.655.9882 
• Savannah Sunrise Rotary is hosting the 1^st annual Sam Eskew Memorial Golf Tournament. 11/10, 8:30am tee, Savannah Country Club. Benefits Operation Patriots FOB. Register or donate via Venmo to Tony Uhrich as part of Metro Support.

• Zerik is still challenging us to each ring a guest, and especially the longer standing members to get plugged in at the next level.

GUESTS/VISITORS:

• Kayla Reynolds, CEMA - guest of Chelsea Sawyer
• Christian Shellman, Housing Savannah - guest of Bret Bell
• Emerson Ingram, Booz Allen Hamilton Cyber Security - guest of Jeff Brady

Chelsea Sawyer has worked for the Chatham Emergency Management Agency (CEMA) since September 2016. Throughout her time with the agency, she has served as an Emergency Management Specialist, Emergency Management Coordinator and is now the Emergency Preparedness Manager.

 

In this role, Chelsea serves as the lead of the Community Preparedness Division and is responsible for overseeing the agency's community outreach programs as well as managing Emergency Support Function (ESF) 6- Mass Care, ESF 8- Health and Medical, ESF 11- Food and Water, ESF 14- Public-Private Partnerships and ESF 18- Animal Services. In addition, Chelsea manages the agency's social and digital media presence, coordinates the Chatham County Disaster Faith Network, liaises with Chatham County's disaster recovery committee and supervises the Agency's volunteer workforce. Throughout her time with CEMA, Chelsea has gained a wealth of experience in disaster response and recovery communications and operations in both natural and man-made disasters such as tropical storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms and during a military plane crash.

 

Chelsea is a Georgia Certified Emergency Manager and holds her Master's Degree in Public Administration and Policy from Virginia Tech. One of her many passions is working with government agencies as they craft crisis communication plans and develop standards for emergency messaging. This passion led her to become the Southeast United States representative on the Government Social Media Membership Council.

 

Chelsea's love for emergency management and response is also evident in her personal life as she has served as the panel chair for the United Way of the Coastal Empire's Crisis Intervention Community Investments process and as the Disaster Response Chair for the Metropolitan Savannah Rotary Club. When she is not working or volunteering, Chelsea enjoys spending as much time as possible with her husband, Seth, and their two children.

 

Chelsea commented that she reported to our chapter immediately after Hurricane Matthew and only after 3 weeks on the job.

 

Hurricane Season Forecast:

• Named Storms: 18
• Hurricane: 9
• Major Hurricanes: 4

So far there have been 17:

• Named Storms: 17
• Hurricanes: 5
• Major Hurricanes: 5

Hurricane Seasons ends Nov. 30^th

TV Meteorologists came up with the idea of naming storms in the 1950’s

 

Largest threats to Life & Property:

• Water- 80% of deaths (drive through floods and drown)
  • Deadliest storms are NOT always the primary threat.
• Heavy Rainfall & Flooding (weaker storms can produce more rainfall)
  • i.e. Hurricane Harvey- up to 60 inches of rain. Overpasses were flooded.
• Storm Surge- water pulled and pushed based on the storm’s counterclockwise motion.
  • i.e. Hurricane Ian in Tampa Bay- water pulled out of the bay and pushed onto normally dry land.
  • MEOW (Maximum Envelopes of Water)- worst case scenarios maps was shown for each category of storm. (size, strength, slow speed, high tide, direct hit/angle of approach- right front quadrant is the “dirty side” of the storm.)

Family Emergency Plan: Booklets available.

• What’s your shelter plan? Can we stay at home and feel safe?
• CEMA alerts- text CEMA to 77295, news, social media, NOAA Weather Radio, disaster website: ready.chathamcountyga.gov
• Evacuation Plan- know your zone & routes, A, B, C
  • “Voluntary Evacuation” is NOT used in Chatham County- Evacuation Order is used instead, and a Mandatory is an executive directive- personal discretion is NOT an option. There is no legal obligation for first responders to respond to citizens. Would also void your life insurance policy if you died while staying for the storm.
• Household communication, multiple vehicles
• Supplies- create your own emergency kit.
• Re-Entry Plan, 5 step process:
  • Render Safe Task Force-
  • Life Safety Workers (requires pass)
  • Essential Public and Private Sector (requires pass)
  • Local residents, property owners
  • Open to public with limited access (i.e. Tybee Island)

President Jasmine Mills kicked off the meeting with the 4 way test and thanked us for showing up for our off-site field trip. What a fabulous view!

President Jasmine Mills

• Reminder to provide any and all feedback in real-time (don’t wait until the end of the year)
• Let Jasmine and Jamie know if you spot club members in the news, any recognition/awards/announcements on social media - let's spread the good MetRotarians news!

• We need your help, Metro! 21 Host families are needed for GRSP weekend, Oct. 13-15. Pick-Up/Drop-Off requirements. Contact Jim Drake ASAP at jdrake@drakefirmpc.com 912.655.9882 
• Savannah Sunrise Rotary is hosting the 1^st annual Sam Eskew Memorial Golf Tournament. 11/10, 8:30am tee, Savannah Country Club. Benefits Operation Patriots FOB. Register or donate via Venmo to Tony Uhrich as part of Metro Support.

• Membership goals presented by Zerik - getting more involvement with committees and boards.
• September Challenge: “Each One Bring One”

GUESTS/VISITORS:

• Hillary Bradbury, Director of Marketing & Communications with Goodwill Southeast Georgia- guest of Zerik Samples
• Ruth Hutson, SESCO Lighting - guest of Laura Lee Bocade  
• Matthew Roach, IT with Thomas & Hutton - guest of Jennine Roach
• Emerson Ingram, Booz Allen Hamilton Cyber Security - guest of Jeff Brady
• Kristen Sommer, Gym Manager at Savannah Sport & Wellness - guest of Katie Balthrop
• Carol Bell, Public Administration - guest of Jamie Arkins
• Julian Miller, Alcove Properties real estate management - guest of Jamie Arkins
• Anne Robinson, Director of The Front Porch

The Front Porch – Where Youth and Families Gather, is a community-based risk reduction program. Youth who are referred to The Front Porch are assessed to identify any needs, concerning behaviors or situations that may warrant intervention. The Front Porch staff will then connect youth and families with appropriate services to address those needs.

 

Unique to Chatham County, this program believes that punitive doesn’t work in any area, restorative is the way to go. The court system, attorneys, mayors, DA officers have all come together to create this restorative program. Carol Bell shared her experiences regarding the 2 1/2 year start-up process of this organization. Impressed by how people decided to collaborate for the best of the children & their family.

 

The majority of people handling kids in trouble are carrying gun and that doesn’t need to be the case. Julian Miller spoke up and reminded us that The Front Porch received almost 20 referrals before they even opened, two of them were by children who referred themselves. 

 

Shawnessey gave an overview of the process: from a referral to The Front Porch, youth & parent assessment, case manager involvement & referrals to agencies, follow-ups, with plans established and monitored for the next 90 days. Ultimately, families can continue to receive resources after those 90 days. One of the goals is to avoid juvenile court. The Front Porch is the only Youth MARC (Multi-Agency Resource Center) in the state of Georgia.

 

Multi-Agency approach: Doubling down with staff from agencies – i.e. Tharros Place agent also working with The Front Porch or Shelter from the Rain placed a diaper bank at TFP.

 

Additional resources for the community and families. Back to School Block Rock, Healing Power of Improv, Trauma Sensitive Yoga, in hour Step Team, Household Budgeting.

 

Save The Date (STD): Elevator Mixer on Sept. 28^th, 5:30pm at TFP

 

Anne Robinson, TFP Director, spoke about the return on your investment when it comes to social service agencies. It costs $90K to incarcerate a single person for one year!

 

Denise Grabowski mentioned that this program is invaluable. The educational outcome of this program and the resources provided is huge. Issues that the school system cannot battle on their own.

 

What can Rotarians and other community members to do support The Front Porch? We can scan referral QR Code and share with family and youth who might need assistance or exposed to at-risk environments. Trauma, Trouble, Grades, Relationships, Mental Health, etc… TFP aims to serve the full spectrum of situations to fully support our families and youth.

President Jasmine Mills

• If you have not received a membership pin, let Jasmine know. She has pins. (Possible resurrection of “Flair Day”)
• Reminder to provide any and all feedback in real-time (don’t wait until the end of the year)
• Let Jasmine and Jamie know if you spot club members in the news, any recognition/awards/announcements on social media - let's spread the good MetRotarians news!

• Metro Rotary has purchased a brick for the Golden Isles Veterans Village, 30 tiny homes & center project in Brunswick.
• RLI (Rotary Leadership Institute) on Sat., Sept. 16, 7:30am-3:30pm at GA Institute of Technology. Register by 9/6 @rlitraining.org $100. 
• Polio Plus Society of District 6920 - time to pledge.

• Membership push in September- led by Zerik. Focus on people that might be a good fit for Metro. Asking everyone to bring a guest to both meetings in September.
• Be aware of the 6 things you need to know when sponsoring a member.
  • Identify a co-sponsor
  • Invite member to all of our meetings, socials, events
  • Alert them as to the different committees
  • Application
  • Headshot
  • Inform member if they are approved
• Membership moments are coming back.
• Munches will be focused on membership.

GUESTS/VISITORS:

• Emerson Ingram, cyber securities engineer new to Savannah - guest of Jeff Brady
• Katherine Johnson, Marketing Manager with Coleman Company and former Richmond Hill Rotary member - guest of Emily Doherty
• Ruth Hutson, SESCO Lighting Outside Sales Rep - guest of Laura Lee Bocade
• Bob Doe, former Rotarian in North Carolina - guest of Ro Patrick
• Frank Pennington,  Assistant US Attorney running for Chatham County Superior Court Judge - guest of Jessica Pedigo
• Frank Twum-Barimah from Ghana and currently in Ukraine - guest of Jessica Pedigo
• Katie Rudder Fender, Director of Community Outreach and Development at South University - guest of Kristen Crawley
• Conni Reynolds, Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and member of Rotary Club of Savannah East 
• Burt Brantley, CEO of Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and member of Rotary Club of Savannah (Downtown) 

Bert Brantley began his tenure as President & CEO of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 1, 2023 after more than two decades of service in various state government leadership positions. Bert and the world-class team at the Chamber and Visit Savannah are dedicated to ensuring economic opportunity spreads through the business community as the Savannah region enters a new era of growth and prosperity.

 

He most recently served as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of Governor Brian P. Kemp. As a Senior Advisor, he managed the Communications, External Affairs, Legislative, Policy, and Constituent Services teams. Brantley also held the position of Chief Operating Officer of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, appointed to that role by Governor Nathan Deal in 2017.

 

With more than 20 years of experience in state government, Brantley has held other roles in the Office of Governor Sonny Perdue, the Department of Driver Services, the State Road & Tollway Authority, and the Department of Transportation.

Bert is married to Tonya Brantley, an elementary physical education teacher. They have two daughters, Kendall and Carson, who are both students at the University of Georgia.

 

Bert was formerly a speech writer. He covered three points:

• Personal (see bio above): Recently moved to Savannah in February from McDonough where he worked in state/government positions. He was burned out on Politics and was looking for a change. He’s excited to follow in Bill Hubbard’s footsteps. He and his family reside on Wilmington Island. His wife is recently retired and she is still figuring out what her role will be in the community. He commented on how great we have it here in Savannah!

• Chamber: 7^th oldest chamber in the country. Started focused on the ports and has grown to support almost 2400 members. Businesses outside of Savannah have been joining our chamber because they see what’s going on in our region. Lots of interest in doing business here.

• What they are working on:
  • Infrastructure and keeping up with growth:
    • Transportation & water/sewer are behind, but this is common for any area that is growing. Also a time consuming process. 
    • Fiscally supportive of these efforts and appropriate spending. 
    • Focused project list to present to voters at a later time. 
    • Spends a lot of time advocating for more support.
  • Education/workforce development:
    • Both private & public schools- says there’s unique amount of school options in Savannah. More than larger cities by comparison.
    • Level of business investment into our public schools is very unique. Gulfstream, Ports, Woodville Tompkins career pathways.
    • Savannah State needs to be strengthened.
    • Dual enrolment options for HS students - working on transportation options
    • Savannah Tech is doing great work.
    • Armstrong Campus at GA Southern - Medical campus starting next year. Very exciting for our medical industry!
    • Request in for Dental School funding.
    • Excited about SCAD
  • Housing/Homelessness 
    • New area for Bert - very important to Chamber members.
    • Infrastructure is in place and we need to build from that. Many services out there but more to come, including a possible “community court” focused on these issues and provide aid with services. They are visiting another model to see if this might be a good fit.
    • Ideally we want our community employees to be able to live where they work, not have to commute for hours.
    • Policy matching with the needs of the community.
    • New housing/renovations needed.​​​​​​​

President Jasmine Mills

• Membership dues invoices are out and are past due (July 15). Please make sure your email address is up to date with Tony as he goes by the ones in ClubRunner. You can arrange for a payment plan throughout the year with Tony or Jasmine. You may also pay for all of your lunches up front for the entire year or be billed for them.

• Reminder: Please register and pre-pay for lunch by Saturday before each Tuesday meeting. . You do not need to register for the meeting if you are not buying lunch. Leigh Acevedo is on a mission to decrease financial and food waste. You have the option to pay quarterly or for the whole year (contact treasurer Tony Uhrich with questions).

• Reminder to provide any and all feedback in real-time (don’t wait until the end of the year)
• Birthdays/Anniversaries
• Miles Diede spoke about what Savannah Ghost Pirates has to offer to groups. Ice Deck, VIP seating, The Overlook, Chatham Parkway Toyota Club Lounge, Fan Zam (Zamboni), High Five Tunnel, and group shot on the ice. Potential for our holiday party- BOD is working on options.

• Upcoming Speakers - contact Lee Perry for speaker ideas

  • September 5: Bert Brantley, CEO - Savannah Chamber of Commerce

• Let Jasmine and Jamie know if you spot club members in the news, any recognition/awards/announcements on social media - let's spread the good MetRotarians news!

• Reach out to a committee chair if you have not heard from them yet following the committee "speed dating" and roundtable discussions at our July 18 meeting

• Membership push led by Zerik in September - focus on bringing guests who might be a good fit for our Metro.

• If you have not received a membership pin yet, let Jasmine know as she has pins. Possible resurrection of "wear your flair" with incentives! 

SERVICE

• Ro updated us on the very successful service project with the center for the blind this past weekend. They sent Metro a thank you card.
• SCBLV 60^th Anniversary Sept. 28^th 5:30-8:00
• Metro Service Superlative award presented to Sam Carrol and his family for crushing it at the service project. 

SOCIAL

• 3rd Tuesday, August 29, 4:00-6:00pm, location Tiedeman Park. Let Sarah know if you have a “must taste” dish!

FOUNDATION

• When you give to the foundation, a portion of those funds come back to us for our District Designated Funds as a grant to our ASP.
• Paul Harris Fellow Awarded to Ro Patrick!

• Golden Isles Veterans Village in Brunswick is raising funds for their 30 tiny homes & center project. If anyone would like to contribute, you can make a contribution via Venmo @tony-Urich (note what it’s for) or cash. Any amount helps us purchase a $180 brick.
• RLI-9/16 7:30-am-3:30 at GA Institute of Technology. Register by 9/6 @rlitraining.org $100. Click Here.

GUESTS/VISITORS

• Kristen Crawley- Fitz Hale, United Way & Katie Rudder Fender, Dir of Community outreach at South University
• Zerik Samples, Susannah (Suz)Smith, Cecelia Russo Marketing and leadership SE GA, and Miles Diede with Dir of Ticket Sales Savannah Ghost Pirates
• Anne Kuhlke-Lee supporting featured speaker
• Brook Allison (member of Charleston Breakfast Rotary Club, Commercial Flooring)

Bridget shared that she and her partner had both of their children through IVF, and mentioned her motivation for her current work was based partially on her own experience with postpartum and the day-to-day stories from her clients.

 

The perinatal term refers to the start of the pregnancy and extends until 2 years postpartum. This includes experiences of pregnancy or infant loss, termination, and infertility. Applies to dads, partners, etc…Maternal/Perinatal mental health refer to the mental and emotional wellbeing of an individual during the perinatal period and includes depression & anxiety.

 

 

 

Georgia Statistics:

• #1 complication of childbirth in the U.S.
• 1 in 5 parents will experience a PMHD (1 in 3 for BIPOC)
• 1 in 4 parents will experience a traumatic birth
• 41% or perinatal women report symptoms since the pandemic began\
• Highest maternal mortality rate and labeled “the most dangerous state for pregnant women.
• Black mothers are dying at the rate of 3-4 times higher than their white counterparts, regardless of location or socioeconomic status.
• Rank the lowest in access to mental health care in the US

Georgia Fund for PMH:

• Provides fully funded mental health care
• All fundraising through third party and crowd funding

Goal: raise $50,000 to provide 10 fully funded therapy session to 50 perinatal mothers and parents. Applications open to anyone who has been effected by any perinatal issues in the past two years. (currently there’s a waitlist of applicants- once funding is secured, recipients are matched with a therapist to begin treatment.

• $8,000 was raised in the first 6 months which directly funded 10 full sessions for 8 mothers.

Background: 

 

In November 2022, Bridget Cross launched the Georgia Fund for Perinatal Mental Health, which provides fully funded therapy sessions for moms & parents across Georgia. She has been practicing individual and family psychotherapy since 2007 and earned her Masters in Social Work with Honors from the Hunter College School of Social Work in New York. She also worked in the arts for over 15 years before becoming a therapist, and earned an MFA in Poetry from Sarah Lawrence College.

 

Before moving to Savannah in 2015, she worked in New York City with clients from diverse racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and spiritual backgrounds – in community mental health clinics, college counseling centers, clinical research programs, and court-based settings.

 

She received postgraduate training from the NYU Institute for Psychoanalytic Education, and she has trained in perinatal mental health, internal family systems, somatic experiencing, trauma-informed therapy, and motivational interviewing. In 2020, she also completed a yoga teacher training program (200-hour).

She currently serves on the Board of Postpartum Support International (PSI) Georgia Chapter and also volunteers as a PSI State Coordinator for the Savannah area. She is a certified Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) provider through PSI, and in 2019, she helped form the Maternal Mental Health Collective of Savannah.

 

 

 

President Jasmine Mills

• Membership dues invoices are out and are past due (July 15). Please make sure your email address is up to date with Tony as he goes by the ones in ClubRunner. You can arrange for a payment plan throughout the year with Tony or Jasmine. You may also pay for all of your lunches up front for the entire year or be billed for them.

• Reminder: Please register and pre-pay for lunch by Saturday before each Tuesday meeting. . You do not need to register for the meeting if you are not buying lunch. Leigh Acevedo is on a mission to decrease financial and food waste. You have the option to pay quarterly or for the whole year (contact treasurer Tony Uhrich with questions).

• Metro has had a lot of fun over the summer! Jasmine shared photos of our recent social at Cotton & Rye, three Munch lunches, and our first service project with our ASP Re:Purpose Savannah on July 29th.

• Upcoming Speakers - contact Lee Perry for speaker ideas

  • August 15th: Bridget Cross, Director - Georgia Fund for Perinatal Mental Health

  • September 5: Bert Brantley, CEO - Savannah Chamber of Commerce

• Let Jasmine and Jamie know if you spot club members in the news, any recognition/awards/announcements on social media - let's spread the good MetRotarians news!

• We inducted Jason Usry into Metro on August 1st - welcome Jason!

• Stand by for more info on Metro Night at the Savannah Ghost Pirates!

SERVICE

Ro gave a summary of our first project with our ASP Re:Purpose Savannah on Sat., July 29. 21 members attended along with Sarah's two daughters! The next service day will be on a job site - stay tuned for details. First service committee meeting was held on Aug. 4. Contact Ro to join her committee. 

• Reach out to a committee chair if you have not heard from them yet following the committee "speed dating" and roundtable discussions at our July 18 meeting

• Membership push led by Zerik in September - focus on bringing guests who might be a good fit for our Metro.

• If you have not received a membership pin yet, let Jasmine know as she has pins. Possible resurrection of "wear your flair" with incentives! 

SERVICE

SOCIAL

• Tuesday, August 22, 5:30-7pm, location TBA

GUESTS/VISITORS

• Jody Patterson - Chapter Director, Gray's Reef National Marine Science Sanctuary - guest of Derek Goldfarb & Jamie Arkins
• Ruth Huston - Outside Sales Rep, SESCO Lighting - guest of Laura Lee Bocade

 

Jessica Leigh Lebos is a longtime weekly columnist who writes about interesting people, enchanting places, and the compelling, confounding connections in between. She is the author of two books, Savannah Sideways and the newly released The Camellia Thief & Other Tales, available at your favorite local independent bookstore and online corporate megalodon. You can find her in the bushes stalking what's in bloom by subscribing to her Substack at savannahsideways.com.

 

Jessica has lived here since the late 90s and “married in” to Savannah via her husband, Mark. They had their children in California and then moved to Savannah. They first connected with the Savannah community at the JEA attending the Senior lunches by listening to incredible elders telling amazing stories. She knew that as a writer, she had landed in a special place.

 

She first worked at SKIRT! Magazine, and then Connect Savannah as a weekly columnist. Her first book is called Savannah Sideways, a collection of stories from her time at Connect. She went on from there to “do a bunch of her own things” then post-COVID, she found herself confused and wondering what was going on..."farmisht" as she says. Her good friend Rubi encouraged her to start writing again. She learned about Substack, which is similar to a blog, and started writing a column there. She loved hearing other’s perspectives.

 

This year, post-pandemic, she put together another collection called The Camellia Thief and Other Tales. She shared a passage from her own life and had us laughing at her dreams and banter with her husband. (Especially fun for those of us who know this wonderful couple.) She also incorporated Carl Jung’s teachings regarding dreams into her writing. She references countless Savannah highlights, new and old, and truly transports her reader/listener to each depicted scene. She also comments on Savannah’s growth, sprawling developments, and the dredging of the Savannah River.

 

She also shared a story about working at a River Street Marketplace kiosk during COVID titled “Respect the River Street Hustle.” If you want to keep laughing in the face of the city deemed "a beautiful woman with a dirty face", follow Jessica Leigh Lebos' writing and you'll have a newfoudn respect for our fair Savannah. 

President Jasmine Mills

• Membership dues invoices are out and due by July 15th. Please make sure your email address is up to date with Tony as he goes by the ones in ClubRunner. You can arrange for a payment plan throughout the year with Tony or Jasmine. You may also pay for all of your lunches up front for the entire year or be billed for them.

• Please join area Rotarians on Friday, August 4 at approximately 6:15pm to greet Maria Juliana deViveres (GRSP student) at the airport coming in from Colombia! We will communicate any flight change info by text and GroupMe should she be delayed. Attendance counts as a make-up credit. 

• Reminder: You do not need to register for the meeting if you are not buying lunch. Leigh Acevedo is on a mission to decrease financial and food waste.

• Upcoming Speakers:

  • August 8th: Jessica Lebos

  • August 15th: Georgia Bridget Cross

• Jasmine Mills shared her personal Rotary story which started as part of the Friendship Exchange to India in January of 2018 prior to joining Rotary. She participated in World Polio Day and administered vaccines. She then joined Metro Rotary in February 2019 as a worker bee, Secretary-in-training, Secretary and President Elect. She proudly declares Rotary as part of her chosen family.

LEGACY PROJECT

• Submit your ideas for our next Legacy Project by clicking HERE.

Will Gruver swore in the incoming board

MEMBERSHIP

• GroupMe- let Jamie Arkins know if you need to be invited to the group thread.

• August is Membership Month

SERVICE

SOCIAL

• July 25th at 5:30-Cotton and Rye

RECOGNITION & AWARDS

• Lexi Henigman for jumping in and taking over GRSP
• Katie Joyner for 2 years as membership chair
• Jessica Pedigo for doing ALL THE THINGS and moving into the position of Assistant District Governor
• Chelsea Sawyer for her incredible fundraising efforts
• Chris Cory for his service to our club as Sargent in Arms for the past 2 years
• Cecilia Arango for coaching Will as outgoing president
• Whitney Shephard for her 4 years spent as Assistant District Governor

GUESTS/VISITORS

• Katie Rudder Fender- South University- guest of Kristen Crawley
• Aaron Miller - guest of Clint Murphy and in the new member program

President Will Gruver

• June 20 was Will's final meeting as El Presidente! He thanked everyone for supporting him during a great Rotary year. He said he came in as a member of Rotary, and is ending his presidency as a Rotarian. Will led us in a round of Rotary Jeopardy in place of our regularly scheduled speaker and he paid for everyone's lunch :-)

• The Legacy Project currently has four strong suggestions - you have one more chance to nominate a project - 53% of the club chose to donate the excess from our fundraiser to go towards the Legacy Fund

• Membership dues invoices are out and due by July 15th. Please make sure your email address is up to date with Tony as he goes by the ones in ClubRunner. You can arrange for a payment plan throughout the year with Tony or Jasmine. You may also pay for all of your lunches up front for the entire year or be billed for them.

MEMBERSHIP

• Emily Doherty and Beth Whelan were officially inducted as our newest Metro Rotary club members!  

• Will announced that Ro and Brad Patrick are Metro's Rookies of the Year!

• Next Program meeting on Tuesday, July 18^th: Committee “fair” to get all members plugged in.

• August is Membership Month

SERVICE

FOUNDATION

• Josh Yates pinned Kelley Boyd as a Paul Harris Fellow +2!

• Will Gruver is a new Paul Harris Society member! He pledges to give $1,000 or more every year for the rest of his Rotary days. 

SOCIAL

• July 4: there will be no formal meeting, but small group options that day - Happy Independence Day!

GUESTS/VISITORS:

• Luke Boyd - Business Development Officer with Bank South, guest of Julie Wade
• Susan Joyner - Retired teacher & Katie Joyner's mom - Ms. Joyner was Will Gruver's 4th grade teacher!
• Melany Crees - guest of Leigh Acevedo and in the new member program
• Aaron Miller - guest of Clint Murphy and in the new member program

President Will Gruver

• Saturday, June 17 is District Assembly in Dublin, 9:30am - 3:00pm at Oconee Fall Line Technical College. Register to attend here! 

• Membership dues invoices are out and due by July 15th. Please make sure your email address is up to date with Tony as he goes by the ones in ClubRunner. You can arrange for a payment plan throughout the year with Tony or Jasmine. You may also pay for all of your lunches up front for the entire year or be billed for them.

• June 20 - Will's Presidential Address and final club meeting as President- Includes fun games!

MEMBERSHIP

• July 18^th: Committee “fair” to get all members plugged in.

• August is Membership Month

• Inducting 3 new members June 20th

SERVICE

FOUNDATION

• Will Gruver thanked Josh Yates for challenging members to contribute to the foundation

SOCIAL

• Next social is Tuesday, June 27^th: Social at Wormhole 5:30-7:30

• Upcoming: July 4: no formal meeting, but small group options that day.

GUESTS/VISITORS:

• Saturday, June 17 is District Assembly in Dublin, 9:30am - 3:00pm at Oconee Fall Line Technical College. Register to attend here! 
• Membership dues invoices will be coming out soon from Tony Uhrich. Please make sure your email address is up to date with Tony as he goes by the ones in ClubRunner. You can arrange for a payment plan throughout the year with Tony or Jasmine. You may also pay for all of your lunches up front for the entire year or be billed for them.

• May 25 - TEDxSavannah volunteering (bonus service)
• The May 13th service at Tharros Place was a HUGE success!

• Next social is Tuesday, May 23rd - Late Air, 2805 Bull St. (SW corner of Victory and Bull)

• Jasmine will announce her 2023-2024 Metro Board in May!
• If you have any interest in serving on the Board, we need a more team approach for GRSP. Needs being "house mom" help during the holidays when they can't back to their home country to visit, help with entertaining them, driving them around to special events or club meetings, etc. 

• April 23 - Forsyth Farmer's Market Farm Picnic - openings for service
• April 20 - Brightside Dancing with Savannah Stars service
• May 13 - Tharros Place volunteer - Julie Wade, Executive Director
• May 25 - TEDxSavannah volunteering (bonus service)

• The membership committee is wrapping up the current slate of members in April and induction will happen soon.

FEATURED SPEAKER: Preston Johnson Speech Contest winners from Woodville-Tompkins

Alfred introduced his two 9th grade students, Serani and Syniah, winners from the Preston Johnson Speech Competition at Woodville Tompkins. He’s honored to continue to work with wonderful students.

• Cari Phelps announced we are accepting Annual Service Partner applications - get the word out to non-profits and apply - look at groups who would align with one of our 7 Areas of Focus - deadline is April 11!
• Forsyth Farmers Market Farm Picnic on Sun., April 23 - sign up via ClubRunner
•  
  Preston Johnson Speech Contest: Will went to St. Simons Island to see our Woodville Tompkins students compete; you do not want to miss these two freshmen at our program meeting on April 18!
   

• The membership committee is wrapping up the current slate of members in April and induction will happen soon.

FEATURED SPEAKERS: Aileen Gabbey

Aileen has led organizations for over 25 years including serving as Executive Director of The Maryland SPCA and Susan G. Komen Coastal Georgia. Under her leadership in Baltimore, the SPCA became no-kill, conducted a capital campaign to build a new center, and opened businesses for pet wellness, spay/neuter, and adoption. Aileen also formed and chaired an alliance of fellow organizations and served on other local Boards in Maryland before moving to Savannah. In the South, Aileen served as Executive Director of Susan G. Komen for seven years and led the expansion of its programs and services. Aileen has led teams through
transitions including improving complex operations, developing agency partnerships, evolving philosophies, communications challenges, crisis management, building new businesses, conducting major campaigns, expanding programs, and developing team cultures. She volunteers at SCORE and the United Way of the Coastal Empire. She and her husband, a teacher and writer, live in Ardsley Park with their adopted street cat Gus. Aileen challenged us to think "why do I give?" and "what do I receive?" when it comes to service. She specifically focused on serving on boards and what meaningful service looks like.

• Donate to Second Harvest  $25/1 service credit up to 3 credits (Jan-March) Email savannahmetrorotary@gmail.com to receive credit Deadline March 15^th (Link to Donate)

• Metro needs a GRSP liaison and host - we would share a student with Richmond Hill Rotary Club - please reach out to Jasmine Mills for more information
• Roastary Committee Members needed- reach out to Jessica Pedigo if you are interested.
• Annual Service Partner for next year - it's that time again! - Cari Phelps to Chair

• Read United (formerly Rotary Read-In) is coming up on Friday, February 24. Sign up to read here.
• Canned Food Drive competition with Lion's Club: Donate up to $75 by March 15 deadline to America's Second Harvest Food Bank here to receive up to 3 service credits. For every $25 donated, you will receive 1 service credit (up to 3 max). You may donate as much as you wish and every dollar will help us win the contest!  Email metrosavannahrotary@gmail.com to get service credit for your donations. 
• Preston Johnson Speech Contest (with Woodville-Tompkins Interact Club) - thank you club members Sarah Smith, Cecilia Arango, Will Gruver, Suzanne Kirk, Zerik Samples and Alfred McGuire (principal of Woodville-Tompkins HS) for judging on February 22! First place winner: Syniah Seabrain will receive $750 - Second Place: Serani Hassan will receive $500 

• 7th and 8th Grade students in the St. Andrews School Interact Club met the Kindergarten class at North Beach to help them do a beach clean up on the afternoon of February 27 as part of their Passport to Knowledge unit on sea turtles.  A beautiful day to join together for service and connection!

• Tuesday, March 7 - TEDxSavannah: The Power of Community - Brian Judson and Clinton Edminster
• Tuesday, March 21 - Beach Institute Tour - reach out to George Seaborough for more details
• Tuesday, March 28 - Social at Edgar's Proof & Provision

FEATURED SPEAKER: Courtney Rawlins - President & CEO of the Greater Pooler Chamber of Commerce

Courtney Rawlins hit the ground running when she accepted the top position at the Greater Pooler Area Chamber of Commerce. Pooler has been Courtney's home for 17 years. She deemed her presentation to us as "The State of West Chatham Business." The growth there is not stopping anytime soon.

Growth is occurring in all industries, especially hospitality, hotels and restaurants (Crumble Cookie, Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux, etc.), a senior living center, JC Lewis Ford is expanding, Big Shots (similar to Top Golf), and you heard correctly, Dave & Buster's. No sign of Trader Joe's yet. With the Hyundai plants and its subsidiaries coming in 2025, things will grow even more exponentially.

The Pooler Chamber is instituting a forward vision for growth in several key ways: 1. Creating a Member Concierge position to enhance the membership experience, 2. by growing their social media presence and strategy (highlighting events, ribbon cuttings, etc.), 3. through a series of twice monthly digital newsletters (1st week is about chamber business and 3rd week provides resources for member businesses), 4. through fresh marketing campaigns and rebranding that highlight Pooler as a gateway to many surrounding vacation destinations and contribute to the visitor economy (the train is gone!), 5. Travel Guides, and 6. New hotel ad in the Tourism Leadership Council's guide Savannah: A Southern Journey.

Courtney joined the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. She has joined and teamed up with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Sharon Dupont, Director of Visitor Economy, has taken taken her role by storm. The Chamber offers an online membership directory and they provide three core networking events: 1. A.M. Chamber Chats in the mornings (quarterly), 2. BA5's (Business Afterhours) every month for business exposure, connections, and networking, and 3. Knowledge Now Luncheons each month (February - October).

When asked about traffic and water concerns, Courtney advised us to pay close attention to the Pooler Mayoral and City Council campaigns this year. She is also concerned about workforce development and the need for public transportation. One thing is for sure, Courtney will keep her thumb pressed against these issues! 

The Greater Pooler Area Chamber of Commerce goes by the motto "While You Are Working In Your business, We Are Working For Your Business." Join today!

• Donate to Second Harvest  $25/1 service credit up to 3 credits (Jan-March) Email savannahmetrorotary@gmail.com to receive credit Deadline March 15^th (Link to Donate)

• Foundation Goal has been surpassed for the foundation (Goal $10K, we are at $12K) but let's keep going!!
• Interact- addition of St. Andrews
• Roastary Committee Members needed- reach out to Jessica Pedigo if you are interested.
• ASP for next year- Cari Phelps to Chair
• Working on Board for next Rotary Year- reach out to Jazmine if you are interested

• Read United (formerly Rotary Read-In) is coming up on Friday, February 24. Sign up to read here.
• Canned Food Drive competition with Lion's Club: Donate up to $75 by March 15 deadline to America's Second Harvest Food Bank here to receive up to 3 service credits. For every $25 donated, you will receive 1 service credit (up to 3 max). You may donate as much as you wish and every dollar will help us win the contest!  Email savannahmetrorotary@gmail.com to get service credit for your donations. 
• Preston Johnson Speech Contest (with Woodville-Tompkins Interact Club) - Need 4-5 volunteers who would like to judge the Preston Johnson Speech contest in February (date TBA). Contact Sarah Smith (sbockelsmith@gmail.com or 912-944.7012) if you are interested.

FEATURED SPEAKER: Roger Moss- Savannah Chatham County School Board President

Roger Moss became the Savannah Chatham County School Board President on Jan. 1, 2023 and he immediately has focused his attention on putting students first. He opened by bragging on Woodville Tomkin's Culinary training program and highlighted their fried chicken, which blew him away.

• Read United (formerly Rotary Read-In) is coming up on Friday, February 24. Sign up to read here.
• Canned Food Drive competition with Lion's Club: Donate up to $75 by March 15 deadline to America's Second Harvest Food Bank here to receive up to 3 service credits. For every $25 donated, you will receive 1 service credit (up to 3 max). You may donate as much as you wish and every dollar will help us win the contest!  Email savannahmetrorotary@gmail.com to get service credit for your donations. 
• Preston Johnson Speech Contest (with Woodville-Tompkins Interact Club) - Need 4-5 volunteers who would like to judge the Preston Johnson Speech contest in February (date TBA). Contact Sarah Smith (sbockelsmith@gmail.com or 912-944.7012) if you are interested.

FEATURED SPEAKER: Derek Mallow - East Savannah United

• Check website for upcoming volunteer slots
• Brown Bag for the Elderly with Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia at 8am on January 21^st. Two shifts available: 8:00-9:30, 9:30-11:00. Children welcome.
• Lisa Colbert with Downtown Rotary and United Way presented on Rotary Reading and the literacy efforts. Read United is the name of this effort- Friday Feb. 24^th is Read United Way with a goal of reaching thousands of students. Link to sign up to follow.
• Send programing or social ideas to George for next year.

Featured Speaker: Lisa Goodman- Wilderness Southeast

Lisa Goodman is the Donor Relations Manager for Wilderness Southeast (WiSE), a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to developing an awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the natural world. Their mission is to Explore, Discover, and Understand the world around us. Founded in 1973 by Joyce & Dick Murlelss & John Crawford. One of the first organizations to offer ego-tourism starting with 3-7 day long expeditions to Central and South America. Now they offer programs throughout South Georgia led by educators, including Wassaw, Black Water Paddle (Ebenezer Creek), Salt Marsh Adventures (Butter Bean Beach), Alligators & Friends (re-opening soon!) and Costal Birding. Their signature program is “Fish Gotta Swim” which is an immersive program for Title One schools consisting of 8 sessions (5 in class & 3 trips) and is funded by their other programing. They serve around 900 students each year. Stay tuned for their 50th Anniversary Event!

Featured Speaker: Michael Sarhatt, Director - Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team

Featured Speaker: Gene Dobbs-Bradford, Savannah Music Festival

We enjoyed hearing from Gene who is the new Executive Director of Savannah Music Festival. Mark your calendars for the festival coming up March 23 - April 8, 2023. Joining him were three beloved SMF staff, Ryan McMaken (Artistic Director), Larissa Thut Davidson (Marketing Director), and Kat Clark (Development Manager).  

Gene was formerly with Jazz St. Louis for 23 years. He is an Eastman School of Music graduate and his former college roommate Marc Chesanow is a busy professional upright and electric bass player here in Savannah. When Gene was on the NEA Grants Panel in 2011 he noticed that SMF was doing great things and offered unique programming. He thought to himself he'd love to have a job leading the Savannah Music Festival and 10 years later the top job opened up and he applied for it. The board and staff welcomed him with open arms in 2021. Savannah is fortunate to have him here!

Savannah Music Festival is Georgia's largest musical arts event and one of the largest cross-genre music festivals in the country. The economic impact on the city is tremendous, with last year boasting $12M spent by festival-goers. 

Featured Speaker: Brianne (Bri) Halverson, Front Porch Improv

 We enjoyed learning and laughing about all the ways Front Porch Improv partners with a number of community organizations and businesses. This community theater consists of 20 primetime players as well as a couple hundred students. Bri told us that the core principal to any improv is saying "yes!!" They hold weekly shows every Friday and Saturday at 8pm, in addition to 12 fundraisers a year, private events in homes or place of work, as well as team building workshops.

One of Bri's brilliant programs (her brain child) is "Trauma Drama" for middle and high school aged youth. This 14 week program helps children address everything from abuse to struggles with abandonment and neglect, which she says is the biggest issue.

Another featured program from FPI is "Savannah for Morons" which is basically a trolley tour roast of Savannah's history. Oh, and if you are in need for a host or two to Emcee your event with a light hearted and fun approach, look no further- FPI has got you covered!

Want to support FPI further? Consider the following membership levels:

• $6/month: supporter
• $25/month: unlimited tickets to all shows
• $45/month- unlimited tickets to shows and classes

Featured Speaker: Dr. Alan Meglin, Advanced Regenerative Therapy

Dr. Meglin had our chapter thoroughly engaged during his presentation on cellular therapy and how he and his team work to make people "Hyper Healers." In fact, they specialize in anything that has to do with healing at their main office in Savannah. He briefly explained various therapies, including dissolving oxygen into ones blood using hyperbaric chambers, stem cell growth, differentiation, and injections, post-trauma brain regeneration, and the "bio hacks" that aid in reversing one's biological age. 

Featured Speaker: Heather Keller, District Governor 

• 1 million dollars in giving to the foundation. This averages around $333/member, and she is requesting that $100 of that be earmarked for Polio efforts.
• Increase membership, especially amongst females. The goal is to have over 30% female members.

Featured Speaker: Cristina Gibson, MPH

• Georgia Tobacco Cessation line: 1.877.270.STOP
• "This Is Quitting" text VAPEFREEGA to 88709
• Healthy Savannah: https://healthysavannah.org

Committee Reports

Featured Speaker: Bob Ohrablo

Bob is the president of the Savannah Ghost Pirates Hockey Team and is beyond excited about their presence in Savannah. He is a fellow Rotarian in Jacksonville, FL and is starting his 38th hockey season this fall. The ECHL has 28 teams and the newly formed Savannah team is affiliated with the Las Vegas Golden Knights and the Henderson, NV Silver Knights. Opening Day for the Ghost Pirates is November 5th, 2022 and Girls on the Run of Coastal GA will the charity partner for that night. (GOTR was our Annual Service Partner last year.) Bob commended the Enmarket Arena as having the best ice and spoke about the expectation that the players will be engaged in our community on many levels. The mascot was named just after our meeting, after over 4000 naming entries, we official have ourselves Davy (Jones)! When asked about regional and national recruitment, we were told that they are tapping into non-traditional markets and pulling young men from regions that would not be expected, but showing lots of passion and talent (and a propensity for fighting at times...which is completely allowed in the sport of hockey.) At the end of the day, Bob says it's all about having the "hockey mind" which, he says, cannot be taught. It's instinct and a mindset that must be intrinsic to the athlete. 

• Weekday games: 7:00pm
• Friday/Saturday games: 7:30pm
• Sunday games: 3:00pm

Featured Speaker: Whitney Shephard

Our own MetRotarian Whitney Shephard serves beyond our club as our Rotary District 6920 Assistant District Governor, serving the Area including Metro, Rotary Club of Savannah (Downtown), Sunrise Rotary, and Skidaway Island Rotary. 

• This year marks the first time Rotary International is being led by a female president, Jennifer E. Jones of Ontario, Canada.
• Jennifer worked with an Aboriginal artist to create this year's logo to capture the Imagine Rotary theme, with each dot around the circle representing the Seven Areas of Focus.
• District Governor (6920) Heather Kellen is a Physical Therapist from the Rotary Club of Perry. Her theme this year is to "Dream Big, Serve Big" and is challenging the District to raise a total of $1M roughly equivalent to $333 per member! Read more about these goals on the new District website here. 
• Kellen encourages D6920 Rotarians to "cast a line and not a net" to grow our membership. Be intentional in inviting guests and sponsoring members. Seek those who want to be Rotarians, not just members of a Rotary club. 
• Paul Harris Society, Bequest Society and the RI Foundation can be a part of your legacy as a Rotarian. 
• The newest 7th Area of Focus is Supporting the Environment in which Global Grants projects can support - the 2018-2019 RI President Barry Rassin from the Bahamas saw first-hand what hurricanes and climate change were doing to his beloved island country. 
• Rotary is proud to support girls from the local, national and international communities such as Girls on the Run (USA and Canada), Girl Scouts of the USA, and Happy Schools (India)
• When disaster happens and Ask yourself:
  • What is your purpose and your passion?
  • What is your Rotary dream?
  • How can we partner with other organizations in our community such as the Lions' Club 
• With 1.4 Millions members worldwide, 47 million volunteer hours, and $333 Million awarded in grants, we should be very proud to be Rotarians!
• Mark your calendars for two upcoming important dates:
  • Tues., Oct. 4th - District Governor Heather Kellen visiting Metro
  • April 27-30, 2023 - District Conference at Callaway Gardens (Metro is hosting the Friday night event)

Guests

Rotary Anniversaries

Highlights: Jamie Arkins, Kristen Crawley, and Jeff Brady have been members for 10 years.

 

Featured Speaker: Joe Marchese

Joe Marchese is the owner of Marchese Construction and co-founder of the Lowcountry Down Syndrome Society (LDSS). Highlights from his remarks: 

• He's an advocate for inclusion — he wears two different socks every day.
• 11 homeless vets will move into 35 tiny houses at 75 Dundee St. (Chatham Savannah Authority for the Homeless)
• Daughter Ella Marchese (16 years old) is an orange belt in karate and has down syndrome. She's now in a special needs cheerleading group.
• Dr. Ben Spitalnick encouraged Joe to start LDSS along with the Husseys, the Bogardis, and the Fields.
• He advocates for one person at a time
• LDSS Camp Buddy - directed by Molly Marchese at St. Andrews School this year
• LDSS Buddy Walk (founded by Marjorie Young, another strong Rotarian in our community) - usually every October
• LDSS Night of Champions - every May - to award differently abled individuals and their employers who employ them - very inspiration evening and no family can be turned away if they cannot afford to attend - save the day May 12, 2023 at Savannah Convention Center
• Our area needs a transportation company solely devoted to getting these devoted employees to their jobs every day
• He shared wonderful stories of Jason Thompson, who drives a sweeper scrubber, and Mikey Holton, who is a "para pro" at South Effingham Elementary School, and the difference they make at their jobs and in their co-workers 'and students' lives.

Featured Speaker: Conni Reynolds, Savannah Chamber of Commerce

Conni Reynolds is small business and events manager for the Savannah Area Chamber and is a Savannah native. She emphasized that Chamber is primarily composed of small businesses and has 2,200 members in total. She said her work focuses on connecting small businesses with the resources they need to succeed.

 

She organizes networking opportunities, ribbon-cuttings, and large events and helps members connect through service on councils and committees within the Chamber. 

Guests

Featured Speaker: Dr. Amy Williams, Savannah Philharmonic

Executive Director Dr. Amy Williams described the changes the Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus has undertaken to overcome barriers to participation so that all members of the community can attend concerts, including adjusting pricing, relaxing concert dress codes, and finding additional concert locations. She explained how programs such as Phil the Neighborhood, Phil the Park, Phil the Squares, the On the Road Series, and the Subscription series are aimed at making performances more accessible to communities in our region. Williams also talked about the education initiatives the Philharmonic has launched to build programming which provides all students at every school with equitable access to high-quality music education.