It was such an inspiring luncheon as we celebrated our club’s 75th anniversary on March 23rd. We collected so many memories, and I wanted to share a few more of these.

“George Ivey and Buddy Allen first tried to sponsor me, but the club’s hierarchy put a stop to it. One member even said a woman would join ‘over his dead body.’ He later changed his mind. Years later, Allen Oxford sponsored me, and after a long process, I joined in 1992. As president, George Ivey later put me on the path to leadership. It was a huge honor for me to be a Rotarian as my family had a lot of Rotarians - grandfather, father, two brothers and great uncle. I plan to remain a Rotarian until I become too feeble or die!” Julia Chabannes

“One memorable experience was my 1983 honeymoon, when my wife and I traveled to England and Belfast, Northern Ireland. As chairman of a Buckhead Rotary committee supporting a house in Belfast that brought Catholic and Protestant youth together, we visited to see its impact firsthand and meet those running it. Despite ongoing violence and bombings, and few tourists choosing Belfast at the time, it was a meaningful and unforgettable trip.” Ben Bowen

“I was on the Rotary club board when member Frank Stevenson made the first proposal for the Buckhead Rotary Foundation in the mid 1980’s. This took the club from selling Christmas trees once a year for fund raising to another level.” Sam Alston

“I have fond memories of all the visits with sister clubs around the world with my Buckhead Rotary friends.” Aadu Allpere

Our district is having a good year. Our overall foundation giving exceeded $1M due to Buckhead Rotary and the other club’s generosity in the region. We are leading our zone of 14 districts in polio giving and are currently 3rd in Annual Fund giving. As you know, our giving is built into our dues, however many members chose to give above and beyond the minimums and other giving is optional. Please reach out to our Treasurer, Radu Zernoveanu raduzer@gmail.com if you need any help on increasing your giving levels.

Our district is currently at 3,795 members, up 30 YTD. Buckhead Rotary is doing a great job of attracting new members with 19 new members this year alone and three more to be inducted in April. The district goal is 4,000 members by 2028. This goal considers the normal attrition rate that clubs experience for various reasons.