Chris Burnett is a 35-year Sandy Springs resident and former City Councilman who now leads economic development for the City of Sandy Springs, attracting investment and driving business growth after a distinguished career in commercial banking.

Need to join by Zoom, click the link below.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87941219913?pwd=S15RIBjTE1TRk1NaDRNa3hTcmphUT09#success Password: 485257

Suite 200 Neighborhood Grille  

3000 HERITAGE WALK, FLOOR 2

MILTON GA 30004

678-404-7304

https://www.suite200grille.com/

Menu: https://www.suite200grille.com/alldaymenu

Owner offered to buy our first round of drinks.

HAPPY HOUR 4-7pm HALF OFF DRINKS 

   James Stovall  is a Partner at Workfast Consulting, where he advises organizations on practical applications of artificial intelligence, helping leaders translate emerging technology into real business value. He works across industries including professional services, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations, with a focus on aligning people, process, and technology to drive measurable impact.

A proud sixth-generation Georgian and lifelong Cobb County resident, James is deeply committed to serving his local community. He currently volunteers as a Cubmaster, where he enjoys mentoring young leaders and supporting families in developing character, citizenship, and leadership skills.

James is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he earned his degree in Computer Science, and he continues to give back as a member of advisory boards supporting the school. He spent a decade at Deloitte Consulting then Randstad, advising organizations such as Google, Amazon, J&J, Coca-Cola, Disney, Merck, and Aflac before becoming co-owner of his own consulting practice.

He is also the founder of the Georgia AI Alliance, a statewide community focused on advancing awareness, collaboration, and responsible AI adoption through events, workshops, and public education. Learn more at Georgia AI Alliance . [georgiaai.org]

Whether working with executives or speaking to community groups, James is passionate about helping people understand the opportunities and responsibilities that come with new technology—while staying grounded in the values of community, service, and lifelong learning.

Senator Albers has long been an active member of his community. His affiliations include numerous boards of directors for business, civic and charitable organizations. He is a fourth-generation firefighter that served for over 30 years as a volunteer and his sons continued the family legacy as 5^th generation first responders. Senator Albers is leader in the Senate serving as Chairman of the Senate Committee as well as several other important committees.  John has been recognized over 2 dozen times as legislator of the year by different organizations.

Senator Albers is an organ donor and gave a kidney to his son in 2021. After the donation, Senator Albers passed the Giving the Gift of Life Act and became a national advocate for organ donation passing laws and creating awareness.

John holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisville and completed post graduate programs at Harvard and the University of Georgia. When not attending to state business, Senator Albers is an executive, business owner and entrepreneur. He and his wife, Kari, have been married for 33 years, have two sons and is a proud member of Roswell Rotary.

A food pantry helps college students by providing access to free food and essential items, supporting students who may be facing food insecurity while balancing school, work, and personal expenses. Volunteers play an important role in keeping the pantry stocked and organized so students can easily access the resources they need.

Address: 860 Rossbacher Wy Building A, Ste 184, Marietta, GA 30060

Sign Up Genius Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BA4A72DA7FEC61-60717360-8626#/

Parking Code: KF359AAK

Champion: Stephen Whittier

@ Wilson Carraway's home, 203 Junius St. (Parking behind the house; enter from Watson St.)

Please RSVP. 

PLEASE PLAN TO DROP BY ICEHOUSE BEER GARDEN FOR FOOD, FELLOWSHIP, AND FUN FOR OUR MONTHLY THIRSTY THURSDAY.

This will be a very special event as it will also serve as a Meet & Greet for our new Georgia Rotary Student Eskil (ESS-kill) Hagglof of Sweden. He will be at GSW for the academic year and we can't wait for you to meet this dynamic young man! This is also a wonderful opportunity to highlight one of the newest venues in Americus!

Hope you will make plans to attend.

GSW MOVE IN DAY IS SATURDAY, 8/8 and we could use volunteers to help Eskil get settled in AND, of course welcome and help other students and their families who will moving into the residence halls that day. More details to come!

How do you connect sponsorships with the charities the Golf-Tennis-Pickleball Tournament supports? The Big Connect! Join us at three of our member-owned local breweries to participate in a service project with one of our tournament grant recipients, and receive a free beer if you are a committed and paid sponsor. Come connect the dots with us. 

Board of Directors Meeting

Need to join by Zoom, click the link below.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87941219913?pwd=S15RIBjTE1TRk1NaDRNa3hTcmphUT09#success Password: 485257

The Club Meeting is for rotary members of Sandy Springs to discuss internal and club specific topics.

Regular Lunch Meeting

Brimstone Restaurant, 10595 Old Alabama Road Connector, Alpharetta, GA

Meeting starts at 12 pm, but many arrive at 11:45 to socialize before the start. 

Monthly Meeting At Chamblee Tap and Market, Speaker Pending

On the second Tuesdays of the month, business networking occurs at Panera Bread (3625 Spring Hill Road, Atlanta, Ga 30339), buy your own. Co-sponsored by The Vinings-Cumberland and Smyrna Rotary Clubs. Get to know your Rotarian friends’ businesses and work experience in a casual environment with facilitator hosts from the clubs.

Come a bit early Facilitation starts at 8.

LiveSafe (formerly the YWCA) provides services and emergency safe housing for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. They are holding a fundraiser called A Fashion Affair on Tuesday August 11th, 6 - 8 pm at The Foxglove in Marietta. There are several volunteer opportunities to help. See Sign Up Genius Link below for details.

Address:  54 Atlanta St SE Ste B, Marietta, GA 30060

Sign Up Genius Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094EA8A72FA4F5C16-63727948-copy#/

Champion: Patti Schoettler

Vinings Cumberland Rotarians invite the community to join them on the Second Tuesdays of the month to assemble lunch sacks (chips, sandwiches, etc.) that are distributed the next day by The Table on Delk to children getting off the school bus (during the school year) and through programming (during the summer) in the immediate vicinity of Delk Road and Interstate 75. 

The Table on Delk is committed to serving individuals at risk of sex-trafficking. Part of that mission includes addressing critical needs of mostly women and their young families to decrease that risk, desperation, and food insecurity. 

The Sack Pack is held in the Community Room at Fire Station No. 5 in Vinings (4336 Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, GA 30339). Please park next store at Another Broken Egg (which will be closed at that time) and follow the sidewalk.

LOCATION: 4336 Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30339 (intersection of Paces Ferry and Paces Mill).

Rotary Host Jennifer Humphrey: 404-409-1348

Volunteers need to bring sides for 30 people, serve dinner, and cleanup.

The Extension is a faith based, 12 step, recovery program for both men and women. The residential program has Marietta facilities on Church St. Extension for the men and Holiday St. for women. North Cobb Rotary has provided dinner on a monthly basis for going on 15 years. It is a chance to get to know your fellow members in service as well as provide some encouragement for the men and women in recovery. Residents are required to gain employment during their residence and they receive counseling, job preparation and life skills in addition to the recovery process. This is an opportunity to get to know your members and be an encourager to these residents as they transform their lives.

Address:  130 Holiday St Marietta, GA 30060

Sign Up Genius Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BA4A72DA7FEC61-61107210-8122026#/

Champion: Cindy Haslock

Tennis Clinic sponsored by Lee Hollingsworth -- Come out for some fellowship and warm up for the competition at the Hagan Cup Tennis and Pickleball Tournament

Timothy Holder, 

Timothy Holder is a prolific speaker, the author of 20+ books, a contributor to a Knoxville TV show, a professor, and a former radio show host/podcaster. He gives 100+ talks a year, mostly about early presidents, faith, or both. He appears monthly on the Living East Tennessee TV show. He teaches history online for Liberty University and is also a public speaking coach.

Justice John J. Ellington was elected to the Supreme Court of Georgia in 2018 and was reelected without opposition in 2024. Prior to his election, Justice Ellington served on the Georgia Court of Appeals for more than 19 years.

In 1991, Justice Ellington became one of the youngest trial court judges in Georgia when he was appointed State Court Judge of Treutlen County. In addition to serving as State Court Judge for more than six years, Justice Ellington served as a Superior Court Judge by designation in five judicial circuits (29 counties) throughout South Georgia. He also served as Municipal Court Judge in Soperton, Lyons, Reidsville, Glenwood, Mt. Vernon, Ailey, and Uvalda, Georgia.

Justice Ellington graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.B.A. in Accounting in 1982, and from the University of Georgia School of Law with a J.D. in 1985. He attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and graduated with degrees in Business and Political Science. At ABAC, Justice Ellington served as President of the Student Government Association, and he received the George P. Donaldson Award as the outstanding graduate in the Class of 1980.

Justice Ellington has served in many capacities in business, professional, civic, and religious organizations in South Georgia and metropolitan Atlanta. An Eagle Scout, Justice Ellington served as Eagle Scout Alumni Chairman for Troop #56, Boy Scouts of America. He is a past President of the Vidalia Rotary Club, and he is a Paul Harris Fellow Rotarian. He is former Chairman of Four Rivers Ducks Unlimited, past President of the Soperton Lions Club, and former President of the Treutlen County Sportsman’s Club. He served as a Director of Swainsboro Technical College. Justice Ellington is a member of the Lawyers Club of Atlanta, and a fellow of the Lawyers Foundation of Georgia.

In 2000, Justice Ellington was named to Georgia Trend’s “40-Under-40,” recognizing 40 leaders throughout Georgia under the age of 40 who have made significant contributions to the state. He was a member of the 2001 Class of Leadership Georgia.

In 2001, 2006, and again in 2007, Justice Ellington was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Judicial Service Award by the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia, recognizing his outstanding service as a judge and his commitment to improving the practice of law. In 2016, Justice Ellington received the Robert Benham Award for Community Service from the State Bar of Georgia.

Justice Ellington was named the Outstanding Young Alumnus at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in 1994. He is a member of the Presidents’ Club at ABAC and serves on the ABAC Foundation. Justice Ellington is a member of the First Baptist Church in Soperton, where he has taught Sunday school and is a former Chairman of the Board of Deacons.

Justice Ellington was born in Vidalia, Toombs County, Georgia, the son of the late Charles E. Ellington, Sr. from Laurens County, Georgia, and the late Nan Davis Ellington from Johnson County, Georgia.

Justice Ellington and his wife, Sandra Kate, live on a family farm in Treutlen County, Georgia.

2025-2026 President Nate Tyler will present awards for his Rotary year. 

5:30 pm Networking

6:00 pm Meeting Called to Order

7:30 pm Meeting Adjourned

Join us at Grassroots Coffee anytime between 7:30 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. for a cup of coffee and a casual conversation with fellow Rotarians! Stay long enough to enjoy breakfast and get to know your fellow Rotarians better or grab your coffee to go. No agenda, no program.

District Governor Edwards has requested to meet with the Board. Will hold regular meeting with her on Agenda and time sensitive items prioritized.   All VCR Members invited.

Board Meeting

First City Bank, 21 N Main St, Alpharetta

We will pack food products for Second Harvest. This is not affiliated with our typical monthly produce packing, which is cancelled for July and August. 

Josh Marks is the Founder and Managing Partner of GreenMark Law, LLC, a boutique law firm and

consultancy that assists corporations, NGOs, and academic institutions with renewable energy,

environmental compliance, natural resource protection, real estate development, and sustainability.

He is also the President of Georgians for the Okefenokee, a state-wide organization focused on

protecting the Okefenokee Swamp from proposed strip mining along its eastern boundary.

Prior to GreenMark, Josh was the Co-Chair of the Sustainability Practice Group at Parker Poe Adams

& Bernstein, a 280-attorney national firm, where he advised utility-scale solar companies with project

due diligence, development, contracting and acquisitions; assisted corporations, trade associations

and universities with starting and navigating their sustainability journeys and ESG compliance; and

numerous corporate entities with all manner of compliance issues.

Prior to Parker Poe, Josh chaired the environmental and sustainability practice group at a leading real

estate and environmental law boutique in Atlanta, where among other projects he served as outside

general counsel to the largest private landowner in the United States and assisted utility-scale solar

and wind project developers with project due diligence and implementation.

Earlier in his career, Josh worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of

Regional Counsel in Atlanta and clerked for the Honorable Wendy Shoob in Georgia’s Fulton County

Superior Court.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Josh held a variety of environmental advocacy, public policy, and political

campaign roles, one of which involved leading the successful effort to protect the Okefenokee

Swamp from strip mining in the 1990s.

Josh and his wife, Hedy, live in Sandy Springs and are parents to three children ages 25, 22, and 17

August’s Rotary Social is at 1885 Kennesaw! We will be having small bites featuring coastal-inspired alongside Southern classics.

The small bites are included and cash bar will be available.

This event was a big hit last year and it’s sure to be just as popular again this year so leave those kiddos at home. And let's make this the best one ever. 

Address: 2840 S Main St, Kennesaw, GA 30144

Sign Up Genius Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BA4A72DA7FEC61-64773969-8202026

`

Please join us for Thirsty Thursday at Betsy Barge's home 3304 Winthrop Circle, 30067. Come enjoy drinks, supper, swimming (if you are interested!), and good company. Parking instructions are as follows:

Please park only on the EVEN-NUMBERED side of the street.

There is plenty of parking all along Winthrop Circle but only enough width for parking on one side in the unlikely event that an emergency vehicle needs to get through.

Join your Rotary friends for a beverage at Bartaco (Vinings Jubilee) at 6 p.m. for some friendly conversation and catching up! It is BYO and drop in as you can between 6:00 and 7:15 pm. Let Suzanne you had a make-up! 

If you are interested in learning about Rotary and the Vinings Cumberland Rotary Club, please feel free to join us! 

Location: Georgia Banking Company, 2827 Peachtree RD NE, #400

The Companion Club meets on the third Thursday of the month at Thrive, 44 Milton Avenue, Alpharetta

(Above Minnie Olivia Pizza)

Sabrina Hughes is the Executive Director of Camp Kudzu, a Georgia statewide nonprofit that educates, empowers, and inspires more than 1,500 children and families living with Type 1 diabetes through camps, programs, and community support.

This month we are trading the ballroom for a working kitchen. The Rotary Club of Buckhead is taking its Monday meeting on the road to Open Hand, where thousands of meals are cooked, packed, and delivered every day to Atlanta neighbors living with chronic illness and food insecurity.

We will hear directly from the Open Hand team about how the operation runs, and members will have the chance to tour the facility and see the work up close. It is one thing to hear about service. It is another to stand in the middle of it.

Lunch is included. Space is limited, so please sign up in advance. Guests are welcome, and this is an excellent meeting to bring a prospective member to.

The meeting will be held at:

Open Hand Food Bank
1380 West Marietta St NW
Atlanta, GA 30318

[CLICK HERE FOR GOOGLE MAPS DIRECTIONS]

Regular Lunch Meeting

Brimstone Restaurant, 10595 Old Alabama Road Connector, Alpharetta, GA

Meeting starts at 12 pm, but many arrive at 11:45 to socialize before the start. 

On the fourth Tuesdays of the month, business networking occurs at Atlanta Bread Company (4499 S. Cobb Drive, Smyrna, Ga 30080 - near Publix), buy your own. Co-sponsored by The Vinings-Cumberland and Smyrna Rotary Clubs. Get to know your Rotarian friends’ businesses and work experience in a casual environment with facilitator hosts from the clubs.

Come a bit early Facilitation starts at 8.

To Volunteer at the Blood Drive Click Here: Rotary Club and Red Cross Blood Drive Volunteer Sign Up

BLOOD DRIVE DETAILS:

Roswell Junction – 340 S. Atlanta St., Roswell

Wednesday, August 26th

8:00am – 2:00 pm

https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=roswellrotary 

Please share this information with your sphere!

Unable to donate blood, please pass along the word to others encouraging them to donate.

We need Volunteers to assist at the Drive. A SignUp Genius link is forthcoming.

The Red Cross is currently facing a critical blood shortage, and this is a great opportunity to support a life-saving cause while connecting with our community.

• There's a severe need for blood to replenish depleted supplies
• Red Cross provides a pleasant, safe and easy experience and great care while donating 
• People dealing with cancer and other severe illnesses need your blood
• One person needs blood every two seconds
• Regular donation can help improve cardiovascular health and reduce blood viscosity
• Feeling lightheaded is uncommon and usually preventable. Eating a meal, drinking water, and resting for a few minutes afterward dramatically reduces the risk.

The Rotary Club of North Fulton and Roswell Rotary are hosting a community blood drive on Wednesday, August 26th at Roswell Junction, and we are inviting local businesses and nonprofits to participate as community sponsors. Contact Mark Hutchins mhutchins75@gmail.com for further details*.

*What does sponsorship involve?

• Promoting the blood drive on your social media and with your network
• Encouraging your staff and customers to donate blood
• Providing a special offer, gift card, or promotion for the donor giveaway bags

Examples include Variant Brewery’s “Give a Pint – Get a Pint” coupon and restaurant coupons from Roswell Junction.

Please let other business owner know of this opportunity.

Thank you for your assistance.

 Mark Hutchins

mhutchins75@gmail.com

Cooper Lighting, 1121 Hwy 74 S, Peachtree City

Terri Gibson and Stephanie Espinosa

Mayor Mary Robichaux has been a native of Roswell for over 30 years. Originally from New Iberia, Louisiana, she was inspired into a life of service by her father, a military veteran of World War II. After a decades-long career in healthcare administration, Mary entered public office as the State Representative for House District 48. She served under the Gold Dome for two terms before running for Mayor in 2026. Mary was elected on a vision of transparency, and a Government that serves ALL of Roswell. 

1515 Lower Fayetteville Rd, Newnan, GA 30265

The club will host a reception at Louisiana Bistreaux Seafood Kitchen for our new District Governor, Cynthia Edwards. 

The location is - 

Louisiana Bistreaux Seafood Kitchen,  237 Perimeter Center Pkwy NE Suite H-11 Park Center Building 2, Dunwoody, GA 30338

As a lead up event to our club's annual whiskey raffle, we have partnered with Louisiana Bistreaux who will host an intimate tasting experience offers limited seating to ensure every guest enjoys a personalized evening.

$95 Per Guest

Includes:
✔ Four premium whiskey tastings
✔ Five-course chef's dinner
✔ Guided tasting experience
✔ Whiskey education
✔ Exclusive evening with fellow whiskey lovers

Purchase your tickets for the whiskey tasting event at Louisiana Bistreaux on 8/27. Separate tickets will be available later this year for the whiskey raffle. 

David Tufan Aiden is the Head of School at Fulton Science Academy Private School, a top-ranked STEM institution in the Atlanta metro area, leading the school's academic mission as a beacon of science and technology education in Georgia.