Bob Ettensohn introduced lunch speaker Ariana Bryant, of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA). In her role as Community Development Officer, Ariana pursues partnerships and community initiatives to advance the well-being of children and their families. She emphasized that the health of children extends beyond the borders of CHOA’s medical facilities, and said that in 2023, Children’s provided $412.4 million in benefits to parents, families, and children. She also shared some important CHOA initiatives, such as the child advocacy program Strong4Life and a rural health initiative that supports a pediatrician pipeline as well as behavioral and mental health in rural parts of the state.
Leadership Award for President Dudley Larus
Dist. Gov. Gordon Owens honoring Dudley Larus with Sheffield Leadership Award
Al Adams gave remarks on the significance of our club’s president, Dudley, being honored with a Sheffield Leadership Award and thanked him for his excellent leadership of the club over the past year. Dudley guided us to grow and thrive.
District Governor Elect Steve Ivory also spoke about Dudley’s leadership and congratulated the club on its positive momentum.
The Sheffield Leadership Award, established in 1994, is presented by the Rotary Club of Americus in honor of three Past District Governors – all from the same family and the Americus Rotary Club. It honors John West Sheffield (District 39, 1926-27), John W. Sheffield (District 690, 1961-62), and Langdon Sheffield (District 690, 1975-76), who have each served this Rotary District as District Governors.
Selected by the District Governor, the award is presented annually to the District 6900 club presidents (from each of the club size categories) who best exemplify the extraordinary leadership traits represented by the Sheffield family and execute their responsibilities in an exceptional manner.
Congratulations, Dud!!!
Elizabeth Sullivan – Classification Talk
Elizabeth Sullivan
Elizabeth Sullivan spoke briefly about her law firm’s area of practice, workers’ compensation. She has experience defending employers and insurance companies as well as advocating for injured workers, and thus is able to bring a whole perspective to her work.
Rotary Global Grant Scholar
Taiko Nakazawa
Since fall 2023, Decatur Rotary has hosted Taiko Nakazawa, of Japan, as a Global Grant Scholar. She spoke to the club about her wonderful experience at Emory, where she just completed her master’s degree at the Rollins School of Public Health. She now has an internship at Villa International, so we hope to see her more often.
Visitors
We welcomed Brandi Smith, visiting Rotarian from the Buckhead Club; Jim Kresge, guest of Doug Robinson; Willie Accree and Jack Kirivong, guests of Jason Conn; Andrea Young, guest of Dud Larus; Riley McMillan, guest of John Bennett; Selma Doganson, RYE student and guest of the club; and Taiko Nakazawa, Global Grant Scholar and guest of the club.
Guest Jim Kresge and Doug Robinson (Happy anniversary to Doug & Diana!)
Charlie Lutin, David Ewing, Lawrence Sharp, Kalia Morrison, David Hughes
Rick Garnitz, Leo Ladefian, Luis Abularach, Brian Markowitz
Dist. Gov. Elect Steve Ivory and President Elect Alison Weissinger
Willie Acree and Jack Kilivong, both returning visitors. We hope you’ll join the club!
Dudley with Bob, who really wanted to win the raffle!
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