Committee Reports

President Will Gruver announced that February is Peace and conflict resolution month. What can you do? 
  • Donate to Second Harvest  $25/1 service credit up to 3 credits (Jan-March) Email savannahmetrorotary@gmail.com to receive credit Deadline March 15th (Link to Donate)
PRESIDENT REPORT
  • Foundation Goal has been surpassed for the foundation (Goal $10K, we are at $12K) but let's keep going!!
  • Interact- addition of St. Andrews
  • Roastary Committee Members needed- reach out to Jessica Pedigo if you are interested.
  • ASP for next year- Cari Phelps to Chair
  • Working on Board for next Rotary Year- reach out to Jazmine if you are interested
SAVE THE DATE:
  • ROASTARY Annual Oyster Roast on March 26, 3:00-6:00 at Coach's Corner- committee members needed.
  • SAT., FEB. 11, 8:30am-10am - Metro and Family ONLY ice skating session at the Civic Center - reach out to Julie Wade for more details
SERVICE & INTERACT 
  • Read United (formerly Rotary Read-In) is coming up on Friday, February 24. Sign up to read here.
  • Canned Food Drive competition with Lion's Club: Donate up to $75 by March 15 deadline to America's Second Harvest Food Bank here to receive up to 3 service credits. For every $25 donated, you will receive 1 service credit (up to 3 max). You may donate as much as you wish and every dollar will help us win the contest!  Email savannahmetrorotary@gmail.com to get service credit for your donations. 
  • Preston Johnson Speech Contest (with Woodville-Tompkins Interact Club) - Need 4-5 volunteers who would like to judge the Preston Johnson Speech contest in February (date TBA). Contact Sarah Smith (sbockelsmith@gmail.com or 912-944.7012) if you are interested.
 
MEMBERSHIP: Send any potential applicants and head shots to Katie. March 1st is slated to be the meeting for new members who have completed all prerequisites for membership.
 
FOUNDATION: Josh Yates presented Will Groover with a Paul Harris award.
 
LEGACY PROJECT: John Bennett shared the suggestion form for Metro Rotary Legacy Project Suggestions (Click Here)
 
PROGRAMS/SOCIAL Next Social-Feb 28th Midtown Grill 5:30-7:30
 
GUESTS
  • Meghan Reed with Henry Plumbing (guest of Kristin King)
  • Emily Dougherty with Great Oaks Bank
  • Jason Usry with WJCL22 (guest of Sarah Smith)
  • Beth Whalen with Charles Ellis Montessori Academy (guest of Sarah Smith)
  • Rev. Helen White with Christ Church Episcopal (guest of Sarah Smith)
  • Maureen Pacifici (guest of Laura Lee Bocade)
  • Sarah Hughes – previous Rotary exchange student (guest of Katie Balthrop/Julie Wade)
  • Melanie Creese a freelance construction manager (guest of Leigh Acevedo)

FEATURED SPEAKER: Roger Moss- Savannah Chatham County School Board President

Roger Moss became the Savannah Chatham County School Board President on Jan. 1, 2023 and he immediately has focused his attention on putting students first. He opened by bragging on Woodville Tomkin's Culinary training program and highlighted their fried chicken, which blew him away.

Roger then challenged us to embrace and welcome the following:
Be Inspired
Be Motivated
Be Uncomfortable
 
Roger shared a story about the Savannah Children’s Choir's highly coveted paid internship ($1000/week along with room and board.) During the interview process, he would ask the interns “what have you learned from students?” Over the years, Roger has learned so much from children, especially in his role with the children’s choir.
 
His motivation for running for School Board is the number of heartfelt, inspiring stories of children overcoming adversity and persevering factors (i.e. poverty) and embracing education to empower our youth. Having people believe in our youth makes a huge difference and it's a key part of achieving his goal of improving our public schools.
 
Roger shared another story about a welding teacher at Woodville Tomkins who is not only teaching them a technical skill, but he's also teaching them life skills (this man became a teacher after being with larger companies for 30 years). He then mentioned a principal at Savannah High School who's been in that position for 3 years. As a former military member, she has reduced the violence statistics by over 50% and has created a new culture at that school.
 
Next we saw an impressive video featuring a variety of programs at Woodville Tomkins, including programs in Veterinary Skills, Culinary Arts, Construction, Electrician, a Student run Credit Union, Nail technician lab/Beautician, and a Law enforcement and cyber security lab. We also learned that International Paper is partnering with Woodville Tompkins to hire skilled labor positions in an effort to organically grow their workforce. Roger likes to call this “The Public School Advantage.”
 
Roger also told us to "get uncomfortable" by letting people that disagree with you help you grow. As a result, Roger says he’s learning how to listen more and understand that a lot of opinions and passions are based on our life experiences. True listening is not listening preparing to answer, but being present and taking it all in. Leaving politics out of it- just a human being.
 
Challenge: Volunteers are needed as tutors & readers. Click this Link and join the army of “Roger’s Readers”
 
Roger also mentioned that he's all about affordable housing, but also about jobs that allow people to afford housing. Savannah is attracting companies who want to come to Savannah for business. Leigh Acevedo commented that this leads to overall economic development and it will take all of us engaging in the schools as a whole to improve our community.
 
Roger closed with an open initiation to attend the SCCPSS March meeting and any of the board meetings (meeting also available on line). He clarified that the board sets policies and priorities which determine budget allocations. He is focused on prioritizing people who work directly with kids- teachers, counselors, police. He loves buildings but cares even more about what goes on inside the building. Send any questions/feedback in advance to your district rep/board member
 
*** PSA: know who your district rep is!