Committee Reports
President Cecilia Arango presented “Metrotarians in the Spotlight, in which two club members whose accomplishments were recently covered in the media. Reshma Shah Johnson was inducted as 2022 president of the Savannah chapter of the American Institute of Architects, as reported by the Savannah Business Journal. Erika Morrow was featured on the University of Alabama Birmingham School of Optometry website.
Immediate Past President Jessica Pedigo announced that tickets and sponsorships are available for the 10th Annual Roastary, to be held March 13 at Coach’s Corner, which is also Metro Savannah’s birthday!
Julie Wade was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow + 2.
Membership Committee Chair Katie Joyner shared some tips on catching up on attendance for members who have fallen below 50%:
- Attend program meetings, service projects and social events
- Attend committee meetings, Rotary Leadership Institute classes, district conferences, or assemblies
- Attend another club’s meetings or complete e-club webinars
- Make a $25 contribution to the Metropolitan Rotary Foundation
Emily Salzer was re-inducted as a Metro Rotarian. Welcome back!
Service Committee Chair Kristen Crawley announced upcoming service opportunities:
- Jan. 29: Tide To Town Love Your Trail Day
- Feb. 19: Savannah Book Festival
Literacy Committee Chair Julie Wade reminded members they can receive service credit for purchasing test preparation materials for Future Minds Adult Education & Literacy Inc. and that we have something in the works to be announced soon.
Annual Service Partner News: The new co-chairs of the ASP committee are Cari Phelps and Chelsea Sawyer. Thank you to out-going chair William McIntosh for his service!
Member Minute: Sara Smith
Sarah is our Rotary Interact Liaison with Woodville-Tompkins Technical and Career High School. She lives with her husband, Solomon (History Professor at Georgia Southern University) and daughters, Abigail (7th grader at Garrison) and Nora (5th grader at Charles Ellis). She is the director of digital marketing and content for WTOC-TV.
Two things you may not know about Sarah is that she speaks French and comes from a multi-faith family that includes a Jewish father (who is a Buckhead Rotarian in Atlanta) and a Christian mother. What does she like about Metro Rotary? Sarah says, "I feel like Metro are 'my people' and my only regret is that I didn't consider the club earlier in the 11.5 years I've lived in Savannah!"
Guests
Kristin King - Sago Property Management
Jazmine Spicer - YMCA Habersham
Featured Speaker: Moncello Stewart
Moncello Stewart discussed the Greater Savannah Black Chamber of Commerce and its mission of strategic focus on economic development, advocacy, social and civic responsibility. The organization’s vision is to increase business and business growth and investment in the City of Savannah and surrounding areas