By Katie Rocco, past president of the Rotary Club of Alpharetta, Georgia, USA
I began my year as club president in 2022-23 with a few goals firmly in mind. Emerging from the shadow of the pandemic, I wanted to focus on the mental health crisis which has become a major topic nationally. I believed that one way to make a difference was to create a sense of belonging within our club, which I felt would produce a ripple effect throughout our community.
Well, we were successful beyond my wildest imagination. Not only did we complete more than 60 service projects together that built up our community and raised our profile, but we grew as a Rotary family. Several members approached me to say how they had “pulled out of their funk.” We have added more than 40 members, now approaching a total of 180, and regularly have around 120 in attendance each week as members look forward to spending time together.
I am amazed by the level of engagement I saw in our members this year. Our accomplishments (which you can see pictures of on our Facebook page), included:
- Hosting our first-ever Human Trafficking Summit to build awareness in the community. We partnered with Delta Air Lines and invited state government officials to speak. Our Interact students created an anti-human trafficking game, which Delta is interested in putting on their planes.
- completing more than 60 service projects throughout the community,
- completing 312 daily bread deliveries to a local charity,
- delivering meals to senior on 72 different days,
- serving 27 different charities,
- raising nearly $300,000 for local charities,
- launching two Interact clubs and sending three students to Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp. We also hosted a Rotary Youth Exchange student.
- starting a concert series, paid for by sponsors, which built publicity for our club and proceeds for the charities we support,
- celebrating our club’s 40th anniversary with a social event that was the highlight of the year,
- and holding monthly happy hours, fellowship events, and a monthly new member social.
I believe when we, as leaders, step forward with a clear plan and are supported by our members, we can send ripples of change through our communities that, in the words of this year’s presidential theme, Create Hope in the World. I watched it happen in my community this year and I am grateful to have been a part.
Find membership resources to strengthen you club
https://blog.rotary.org/2023/08/29/ripples-of-change-generate-a-wave-of-hope/