Bell will ring at 7:25 this week – be ready to join the breakfast line!
Welcome back!! I hope everyone enjoyed the wonderful “pause” that Thanksgiving gives us as an opportunity to spend time reconnecting with family and friends, and to reflect on the many blessings for which we are thankful.
Our speaker this week will be Dave Shaffer, CEO of First Step Staffing http://firststepstaffing.com/. First Step Staffing works “to secure sustainable income for individuals transitioning from homelessness. Steady and sustainable income is the only permanent, reliable path out of homelessness - And we help provide that sustainable income by helping local businesses succeed.” What a perfect “next step” to our last meeting where we heard from Barbara Duffy (NFCC), Rose Burton (HomeStretch) and Kathy Swahn (Drake House).
Given that we missed last Friday’s post-Thanksgiving meeting, Mark Orr will continue his series on the importance of our gifts to the RI Foundation, so consider investing in your next-level Paul Harris (maybe Major Donor?) status. I have been so impressed by those who of you who have stepped forward in the past few weeks to Do Good in the World through the Foundation.
Ralph Aguera is on-deck to give us our Vocational Minute.
- Sign-up for the Rotary Holiday Party! - December 15 - 6:30pm at Crooked Creek – contact Charlcie Forehand at 678-762-9954. Cost is $25pp.
- Sign-up for Fresh Market – questions? Contact Lee Doernberg 678-773-1039
- December 7 – USO at Hartsfield - contact William Perkins 770-876-5106
- Fruit Baskets for Seniors – contact Katie Rocco at 770-710-5911
- December 9 – Salvation Army Bell Ringing – contact Steve Gillard 678-938-1448.
- January 6 – One for the Chipper – more information to follow
Holiday Meeting Schedule
As a reminder, we will not have breakfast together on December 22nd or December 29th. Of course that makes it all the more important to make the other meetings, attend the Holiday Party on December 15th with your spouse or guest, and participate in service opportunities.
As has become “tradition” at our Thanksgiving table of family and friends, we took some time to reflect on those blessings in our lives, this past year, for which we are most deeply thankful. I can tell you that my “Rotary Family” was included among those blessings in my first sentence. I so appreciate the thoughtful support our Rotary provides to members working through life’s challenges, and celebrating joyful moments. There are many benefits of being a Rotarian, an Alpharetta Rotarian, but I believe there’s no benefit equal to the fellowship, support, and service we share in community with one another.
Due to a work commitment, I will miss seeing you this Friday, but you will be in the capable hands of President Elect Robin!
Scott Doll
President