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No Meeting This Week In Observance of Memorial Day Weekend
Upcoming Meetings and Events Mark those calendars!
Weekly luncheon meetings begin
at 12:15 pm on Fridays unless
otherwise noted.
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FRIDAY
MAY 31 Speaker:
Dr. Gyimah Whitaker
Superintendent
City Schools of Decatur
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THURSDAY
JUNE 6 Thirsty Thursday
Parker's on Ponce
116 E. Ponce de Leon Ave. Decatur 30030
Get a sneak peek at upcoming speakers on the website HERE.
MEETING NOTES | May 17
Guests
Mio Maeda
Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta, Guest of Eric Lucas
Taiko Nakazana, Speaker
Barbara Abindabyamu
Visiting Rotarian from Gigaba Club, Uganda
Jose and Angeles Alvarez, parents of Member Maria Alvarez, Granada Nicaragua
Mary Ann Cathopoulis, Visiting Rotarian from Tampa
Jude Holmes, Guest of Doug Robinson
Dorian DeBarr, Guest of Allison Weissinger
Doug Robinson introduced Jude Holmes.
Maria Alvarez was excited to have her mother and father at the meeting along with Program Chair, Stacey Stevens.
Barbara Abindabyamu, Ggaba Club Uganda
Mary Ann Cathopoulis, District 6890 Tampa.
. . . . .
Decatur Rotary Welcomes the Consulate General of Japan for Atlanta
Club Secretary Eric Lucas welcomed our special guest, Mr. Mio Maeda. He was kind enough to provide the club with a few remarks about his role and how much he likes being in Atlanta and Decatur.
Consulate General Mio Maeda
. . . . . Doug Robinson Says . . . "Get Ready for MLK Day 2025"
After attending an MLK organizing meeting earlier in the week, Doug points to his hat’s logo and told the club to het ready for a new energized MLK Service Day in January.
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The Grant Team Is Open for Applications
Grant Committee Chair Kelly Caudle spoke to the club providing key information:
• The club is extending the grant application deadline to June 1.
• We have received eight grant requests so far.
• The Grant Team will make awards in June.
Kelly Caudle represented the Grant Committee.
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Charlie Lutin Implements Greeter Team
Charlie Lutin has begun a weekly Welcome Team for club meetings to make sure members and guests are greeted at the door with a genuine welcome form the club. He also got special greeter buttons made up. Thank you Charlie for making this happen.
Shara Sanders is a great part of the Welcome Team.
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New Member Induction: Dorian DeBarr
Dorian receives his Rotary membership documents from his sponsor Allison Weissinger.
The club was pleased to induct Dorian DeBarr as a new Decatur Rotary Club member. Dorian DeBarr is an accomplished and passionate economic developer. As President of Decide DeKalb Development Authority (DDDA), one thing is apparent — Mr. DeBarr believes DeKalb County is a great place to live, work, and do business.
In partnership with DeKalb County via an intergovernmental agreement (IGA), Decide DeKalb serves as the primary facilitator of business development and job growth throughout the county.
Since joining Decide DeKalb five years ago, Mr. DeBarr has guided the creation and implementation of Advance DeKalb, the Authority’s 501(c)(3) division. Advance DeKalb is responsible for raising funds over the next five years to promote inclusive job creation. DeBarr’s keen oversight has the team currently on par to meet and surpass its financial goals. Since 2016, DeBarr has raised Decide DeKalb’s annual budget three times over, an accomplishment for even the most seasoned financial officer. Mr. DeBarr led Decide DeKalb to deliver unprecedented job growth in needed employment centers and overall county investments in 2019 and 2020. Strong leaders depend on strong relationships and Mr. DeBarr fostered significant inroads in how Decide DeKalb was perceived by key stakeholders. He created comprehensive and collaborative relationships that proved beneficial for all parties. In 2020, Decide DeKalb introduced a more equitable and inclusive housing policy co-authored and chaired by Mr. DeBarr.
Before joining Decide DeKalb, Mr. DeBarr served as the chief financial officer (CFO) of Invest Atlanta, attracting investments to Atlanta’s most underserved communities.
Outside of the office, you will find Mr. DeBarr serving the community with his time and talent. He is a 2020 inductee into the 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc., a mentor and board member to Leadership DeKalb, and a board member of Georgia Piedmont Technical College, DeKalb Work Source, and DeKalb Library Foundation.
Mr. DeBarr is a graduate of Georgia Southern University where he earned both his Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Accounting degrees. He is a certified public accountant (CPA) and an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Georgia Society of CPAs. His proudest title to date is that of “dad” to his three amazing daughters.
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Our Thoughts Are With Past President, Alan Yorker
The club wants to send our best wishes to Past President Alan Yorker who has been laid up with some health issues. We wish him all the best and want him to know that we miss him.
President Yorker receiving his President’s Plaque last June.
SPEAKER RECAP
Rebecca Arayan, Villa International
Club Secretary introduced Rebecca, our speaker for Villa International
Rebecca Arayan and Taiko Nakazana
Villa International Atlanta, located in Georgia, is a welcoming and unique accommodation option for travelers seeking a comfortable and communal living experience. This facility offers a home away from home for international students, scholars, and professionals visiting Atlanta for short or extended stays. With a mission to promote intercultural exchange and understanding, Villa International Atlanta provides a warm and inclusive environment where guests from diverse backgrounds can come together, share experiences, and build lasting connections.
Taiko Nakazana spoke about her goals as a health researcher and her time at Villa International
The facility boasts well-appointed rooms, common areas for socializing and networking, as well as amenities such as communal kitchens, laundry facilities, and outdoor spaces. The staff at Villa International Atlanta are known for their hospitality and dedication to ensuring that guests have a pleasant and memorable stay.
Whether you are in Atlanta for academic, professional, or personal reasons, Villa International Atlanta offers a unique accommodation option that combines comfort, community, and cultural exchange. President Tozzi awards a book in honor of the speakers to the DeKalb Library System.
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This 'n That
Scenes from around the room at our most recent meeting. Individuals are identified from left to right.
Rick Garnitz, Harl Pike and Pete Pfeiffer
Thank You to Our Club Sponsors
We are grateful for the support of our local sponsors, and we encourage our members to support them in return.
Doug Robinson introduced Jude Holmes. 
Maria Alvarez was excited to have her mother and father at the meeting along with Program Chair, Stacey Stevens.
Barbara Abindabyamu, Ggaba Club Uganda
Mary Ann Cathopoulis, District 6890 Tampa.
Consulate General Mio Maeda
President Yorker receiving his President’s Plaque last June.
Club Secretary introduced Rebecca, our speaker for Villa International
Rebecca Arayan and Taiko Nakazana
President Tozzi awards a book in honor of the speakers to the DeKalb Library System.
Rick Garnitz, Harl Pike and Pete Pfeiffer
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