Committee Reports
President Cecilia Arango announced that May is Youth Service Month. She reported that she, Will Gruver, Jessica Pedigo, and Meagen Burrows attended the District 6920 Conference in Augusta. Rotarians raised $20,250 for Ukraine relief and Metro was once again designated as a Gold Club. The Woodville Tompkins Interact Club also received a Zone 34 Citation. In the Metrotarians in the News segment, she directed members’ attention to a Savannah Morning News story on Josh Yates and Ghost City Pinball.
Membership Committee Chair Katie Joyner inducted Kristin King and Brad Patrick into the club.
On behalf of Service Committee Chair Kristen Crawley, Jordan Chase thanked everyone who volunteered at the April service opportunities with Forsyth Farmers Market Picnic and Over the Moon Diaper Drive. Upcoming service projects include the May 19 Citizen Advocacy Picnic and the May 21 Beach Clean-Up with Rotary Club of Savannah East. Rotarians may also purchase books through the Loop it Up Savannah Book Drive to receive service credit.
Program Committee Chair George Seaborough announced upcoming events including the May 17 Club Meeting, where Annual Service Partner finalists will present, the fifth Tuesday social on May 31 in Greene Square, and a social with a date and location to be announced soon.
Mackie McIntosh spoke to the club about her experiences as a Chatham County poll worker for the last three years. She emphasized that election processes and equipment and secure and that election officials have developed contingency plans for every possibility. She said working at the polls has been a great experience and she is impressed with the training poll workers receive, the machines, and the expertise of the technicians who maintain the machines.Guests
Anna-Maria Perez and Tommy Rushing were the guests of Jeff Brady.
Featured Speaker: Brad Raffensperger
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger talked about his work investigating reports of irregularities following the 2020 election. He talked about the Election Integrity act of 2022, including the photo ID requirements for absentee ballots. He described how he became involved in public service and his path to running for secretary of state. He also discussed his office’s role in professional licensing and emphasized a new law that expedites the issuance of licenses for military spouses who are new to the state.