Club Infomation
 
Metro meets on 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 12noon at the Jewish Educational Alliance, 5111 Abercorn St., Savannah, GA
Upcoming Events
View More...
Our Stories
Announcements | April 2 Meeting
Posted by Jamie Arkins

PRESIDENT UPDATE & COMMITTEE REPORTS

President-Elect Kristen Crawley presided and kicked off the meeting with the 4-way test:

GUESTS/VISITORS:
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS:
 
TODAY (April 15) is the last day to order a Metro shirt! If you do not already have a black Metro t-shirt or your current one doesn't fit, please share your name & size here by EOD today!
 
April Birthdays & Anniversaries:
  • Birthdays: Cindy Mullally (4), Jamie Arkins (8), Kristin King (17), Sarah Smith (21), Tony Uhrich (21), Robert McCorkle (25), Suzanne Kirk (26), Kelley Waldron (26)
  • Club anniversaries: Michael McLeod (11 y), Lee Beckmann (10 y)
  • Wedding anniversaries: Beth & Michael Whalen (19 y), Cody & Nicki Tharpe (18 y)
 
 
MEMBERSHIP MINUTE:
  • Kristen asked Zerik and Leigh what the benefits are of giving to Rotary Foundation.
    • Leigh loves the matching gift aspect of our club
    • Zerik loves the growth process aspect of our giving and that we get to determine where our additional funds go.
Something you don't know about Leigh: she was a debutante. The riskiest thing she's ever done was watch the sunrise on Mount Haleakala and their brakes failed on the drive down. The most fun she’s ever had was also camping and hiking on the mountain.
 
RECOGNITION/AWARDS:
  • This year’s Preston Johnson Speech Contest was a huge success: 3 places/awards were given!
  • Service day at Re-Purpose and check presentation. 17 members attended, and press releases in WTOC and Savannah Business Journal.
  • Superfluous award to Whitney Shephard
 
UPCOMING DATES (PROGRAMS & SOCIALS):
  • April:
    • 4/16: Program: Michael Schwartz, Safety Valve Project
    • 4/23: Club Social: Culinary Institute tour & drinks
      • Join Patrick Phelps at 5:30 PM for a hard hat tour of the building - PS Tavern afterwards
      • Please wear closed-toed shoes and pants for safety in the construction space.
    • 4/30: 5th Tuesday Family of Rotary Park Night @ Hull Park
  • May:
    • 5/7: Program: Cecilia Arango, A Personal Odyssey
SERVICE:
  • 4/27: Tybee Island Maritime Academy, 9am–12noon Landscaping
  • 5/4: Second Harvest, 8am–11am Summer Feeding program
DISTRICT EVENTS:
  • Register for District Conference in Jekyll Island - lots of fun activities and dynamic speakers: April 26th-28th, 2024.
    • Register online HERE
    • Deadline for hotel discount is March 26.
    • 3 Credits per full day of attendance at district conference
  • Oslo Summer 2024 GRSP Scholarship Opens for Georgia college students
    • Spend summer attending school & exchanging cultural customs in Norway, 6/24 - 8/2/2024
    • Application is now open & closes Jan. 5, 2024.
    • Applicants must have completed sophomore year of college by Spring 2024 & have the recommendation of a Georgia Rotarian.
MEMBERSHIP:
  • Check your attendance in ClubRunner. Is it accurate? Email if not: metrosavannahrotary@gmail.com
  • Membership Committee  - reaching out if not meeting 50% attendance to discuss options
  • Visit the “Members Only” area of the website for more info
  • If you are interested in being on the Board, please reach out to Kristen Crawley
  • “Fireside Chat”: First step for a new member. Thu, 3/28, 5:30 PM @ Habitat for Humanity Restore on 701 MLK. If you are interested in sponsoring a member, check out the “Members Only” area of the website for more info!
  • Sponsor Challenge: Anyone who sponsors a new member this rotary year will be entered into a drawing to be held on June 18 (last meeting of the Rotary Year!)
NEW MEMBER PROGRAM:
  • Fitz Haile: Data and Analytics Consultant, United Way. Sponsors: Kristen Crawley & Jordan Chase
  • Ruth Hutson: Outside sales rep for SESCO Lighting. Sponsors: Laura Lee Bocade & Denise Grabowski
  • Emerson Ingram: Systems Engineer Contractor & Senior Consultant, Booz Allen Hamilton. Sponsors: Jeff Brady & Will Gruver
 
YOUTH SERVICES:
  • Clubs with at least 40 points qualify.
    • Points for activities like meeting regularly, completing meaningful service projects, growing membership, and engaging with sponsoring club.
  • ALL 3 OF OUR CLUBS GOT 50+ POINTS!
     
    LEGACY PROJECT:
    • Metro's 15th anniversary in 2027, currently saving $ for this
    • Currently have 6 nominated projects
    • Project nominees are acquiring more information from “owners” - top 2-3 will be presented to club
    • Contact John Bennett to submit ideas or for more information
    Service | April 27 & May 4 
    imagephrase of hello may 6618156 Vector Art at Vecteezy

    Hey Metro,

    Don't be a fool, stay cool this April and May the 4th be with you! Here's a look at the coolest service projects coming up in late April and early May:

    APRIL SERVICE PROJECT

    Tybee Island Maritime Academy - Saturday, April 27 Sign up here 

    Join us at Tybee Island Maritime Academy (TIMA) on Saturday April 27th from 9am to noon as we help the school mulch and spruce up their backyard. Head to the beach afterwards!

    ***

    MAY SERVICE PROJECT

    Second Harvest - Summer Feeding program - Saturday, May 4 Sign up here

    Join us at Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia's new location (it's beautiful!) on Chatham Parkway to pack food for their Summer Feeding program. 

    ***

    Hope to see you there, and as always--

    Thanks for being ridiculously awesome!
    Ro

    Featured Guest Speaker | April 2
     
    Bruce has been a Rotarian for 16 years. He strongly recommends attending an international convention and loves meeting people from all over the world. He thanked us for all the wonderful work our club has done and highlighted our current and past service partners.
     
    There’s poverty all over the world, but in Guatemala there’s no “safety net” for when things fall apart. 26% of the world lacks safe drinking water, and 46% lack access to safely managed sanitation. For example, a volcano destroyed a water spring and Fr. Greg brought a firetruck to help bring water to towns. The Panimaquip system has been adopted after the deadly Hurricane Stan in 2005.
     
    Bruce shared pictures of San Lucas Toliman (1972) and a current picture of their Agua del Pueblo office, run entirely by Guatemalans. They were founded during the civil war. 5% were brutally killed during the 25 year war. Two American priests were assassinated during this time.
     
    Guatemala now has the highest GDP in all of Central America. They are rich in commodities, but the distribution of wealth has put them at one of the highest poverty rates in the world. Drastic race differences between the Mayans and ladinos.
     
    WASH is a water and sanitation project that provides clean water to inhabitants all around Lake Atitlan. Improved sanitation will help preserve the lake and prevent the growth of the blue green algae. Water allows locals to invest in livestock and improve their lives. Digging wells by hand is the result of the government attempting to control it’s citizens and keep them in poverty. Walking miles to obtain fresh water, for example, takes hours out of their day. They are in their 4th phase of the “Save the Lake” project, all which are funded by global grants and support from the Rotary Foundation and clubs all over the world.
     
    A common issue, as recent as 2017, is that girls are not staying in school due to the lack of privacy and bathroom resources.
     
    Bruce presented a schematic of a water treatment system that also produces a fertilizer and water that can be re-used for irrigation.
     
    In addition to public health, there is a level of raising consciousness, developing tax collecting and joint decision-making to improve their community. Road development, electricity, and school planning has resulted after the water projects. One other big shift is allowing indentured employees to live on their land (previously working on the fincas and treated like slaves.) Today, very few families have reliable water - only the wealthy families. Reforestation is also an ongoing issue.
     
    Bruce is asking us to think about anyone who might want to plan a 10-day trip to learn more about the continued development in this town. The next trip will be in Jan. or Feb. 2025 and they need a minimum of 5 participants. If you are interested, reach out to Bruce at 864.423.5559 or bruce@aguadelpueblo.org or bruce.wayne.clemens@gmail.com.
     
     
    Announcements | March 19 Meeting
    Posted by Jamie Arkins

    PRESIDENT UPDATE & COMMITTEE REPORTS

    President Jasmine Mills kicked off the meeting with the 4-way test and reminded us the following:

    • Goal for every member to be on a committee. Get plugged in!
    • Lunch purchase policy:
      • If absent but already paid, members can buy lunches and pay via Venmo/cash to Treasurer at $10 discounted price.
      • Absentees need to alert Leigh beforehand @ leigh.acevedo@gmail.com
    GUESTS/VISITORS:
    • Kyle Reese, Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church - formerly in Rotary in a Jacksonville club
    • Maria "M.J." Juliana de Vivero Cortes - GRSP student from Colombia
    RECOGNITION/AWARDS:
    • Alfred McGuire was awarded Administrator Of The Year from the Foreign Language Association of Georgia
    • Denise Grabowski is running for second term on the SCCPSS school board! Join her at a fundraiser at Julie Wade's home, 134 E 51st St. - Thurs., March 28, 5:30pm - please donate here
    UPCOMING DATES (PROGRAMS & SOCIALS):
    • March
      • 3/26: Club Social @ Mint To Be Mojito, 12 W State St, 5:30pm-7:30pm
    • April
      • 4/2:   Bruce Clemens, People’s Consultants, Rotary Club of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala (Kristen presiding)
      • 4/16: Michael Schwartz, Safety Valve Project
      • 4/23: Club Social @ TBA
    SERVICE:
    • March 23: 17 Metro members turned out for our Re:Purpose service and check presentation (see above photo) - all agreed that was some serious work!
    • 4/8: Emmaus House Soup Kitchen - 7:30-9:30 am, 2nd Monday of each month
    • 4/27: Tybee Island Maritime Academy - Join us at TIMA on Saturday, April 27th from 9am to noon as we help the school mulch and spruce up their backyard.
    • Legacy Project will take the place of ASP – chair John Bennett
    DISTRICT EVENTS:
    • Register for District Conference in Jekyll Island - lots of fun activities and dynamic speakers: April 26th-28th, 2024.
      • Register online HERE
      • Deadline for hotel discount is March 26.
      • 3 Credits per full day of attendance at district conference
    • Oslo Summer 2024 GRSP Scholarship Opens for Georgia college students
      • Spend summer attending school & exchanging cultural customs in Norway, 6/24 - 8/2/2024
      • Application is now open & closes Jan. 5, 2024.
      • Applicants must have completed sophomore year of college by Spring 2024 & have the recommendation of a Georgia Rotarian.
    MEMBERSHIP:
    • Check your attendance in ClubRunner. Is it accurate? Email if not: metrosavannahrotary@gmail.com
    • Membership Committee  - reaching out if not meeting 50% attendance to discuss options
    • Visit the “Members Only” area of the website for more info
    • If you are interested in being on the Board, please reach out to Kristen Crawley
    • “Fireside Chat”: First step for a new member. Thu, 3/28, 5:30 PM @ Habitat for Humanity Restore on 701 MLK. If you are interested in sponsoring a member, check out the “Members Only” area of the website for more info!
    • Sponsor Challenge: Anyone who sponsors a new member this rotary year will be entered into a drawing to be held on June 18 (last meeting of the Rotary Year!)
    NEW MEMBER PROGRAM:
    • Fitz Haile: Data and Analytics Consultant, United Way. Sponsors: Kristen Crawley & Jordan Chase
    • Ruth Hutson: Outside sales rep for SESCO Lighting. Sponsors: Laura Lee Bocade & Denise Grabowski
    • Emerson Ingram: Systems Engineer Contractor & Senior Consultant, Booz Allen Hamilton. Sponsors: Jeff Brady & Will Gruver
     
    YOUTH SERVICES:
    • Preston Johnson Speech Contest - March 27, 3:15pm at Woodville Tompkins High School
    • District 6920 RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) June 12-15, College of Coastal Georgia-Metro is supporting a Jenkins HS student selected by Savannah South 
    • GRSP: Sonali, a young woman from Sri Lanka, arrives in August! (Her brother was a former GRSP student.) Committee is seeking a host.
      • Sponsor clubs: Metro, Savannah South, Richmond Hill, & Savannah East
      LEGACY PROJECT:
      • Metro's 15th anniversary in 2027, currently saving $ for this
      • Currently have 6 nominated projects
      • Project nominees are acquiring more information from “owners” - top 2-3 will be presented to club
      • Contact John Bennett to submit ideas or for more information
      From the President
      Metro Savannah Rotary is a diverse group of professionals who are passionate about service and connection. We offer flexible meetings and attendance, so members can create a Rotary experience that meets their needs.
       
      We're proud to be members of Rotary International, believe strongly in its mission and traditions, and partner frequently with other clubs in the area. What really sets us apart is our attendance flexibility each month (2 lunch meetings, 1 social, and 1 service event), unique style (the question we always ask ourselves is, "Will it be ridiculously awesome?"), affordable dues (less than the cost of a dinner out per month), and our commitment to the community (click on the "Service Partner" tab to catch a glimpse).
       
      If you're looking for a Rotary experience unlike any other, check out Metro!
       
      Stay Safe and Healthy,
       
      Jasmine Mills
      president@metrosavannahrotary.org
      Club Executives & Directors
      President
      Jasmine Mills
      President Elect
      Kristen Crawley
      Treasurer
      Tony Uhrich
      Secretary
      Sara Holton
      GRSP Liaison
      Suzanne Karpf
      Membership
      Zerik Samples
      Communications
      Jamie Arkins
      Foundation
      Jordan Chase
      Service Projects
      Ro Patrick
      Finance
      Campion Usry
      Interact
      George Seaborough
      Programming
      Lee Perry
      Legacy Committee Chair
      John Bennett
      Immediate Past President
      Will Gruver
      Sergeant-at-Arms
      Leigh Acevedo