President's Message
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” Muhammad Ali
There are some stories that don’t begin with opportunity, but with loss. Imagine a young boy, not yet a teenager, whose life is suddenly changed when his mother, serving in uniform, is killed in the line of duty. In an instant, the structure and security of childhood disappear, replaced by the quiet weight of responsibility. A single remaining parent works tirelessly to hold life together, sacrificing in ways that are often unseen, while the young man learns early that life is not always fair. He could have chosen anger, resentment, or defeat, but instead he chose discipline, purpose, and growth. He focused on what he could control: his effort, his attitude, and his future—and poured himself into school and into a game that would eventually become a pathway forward. Through relentless determination, he rose to the highest levels, building a career marked by success and recognition. Yet for him, success was never the destination; it was simply a platform.
What makes his story remarkable is not what he achieved, but what he chose to do with it. He never forgot the instability and uncertainty he experienced as a child, nor the sacrifices his family made to endure it. And so, when he had the means, he made a decision that would define his legacy: he would ensure that other families facing similar hardship would not have to walk that path alone. He began providing homes for single parents, many of them families of fallen first responders, offering not just shelter, but the opportunity for a new beginning. A young boy who once lost his foundation grew into a man who would go on to build foundations for others. That young man is Warwick Dunn, and his story is ultimately one of choosing to decide that circumstances do not define you, but rather refine you.
His journey offers a powerful lesson, particularly as we turn our focus to Interact and the role of young leaders. It is easy to believe that meaningful impact comes later in life after education, after career success, after one has “arrived.” But the truth is that the foundation for that impact is built much earlier. The character that shaped Warwick Dunn was not developed in the spotlight of professional success, but in the quiet, often difficult decisions he made as a young man.
Interact is more than service projects or volunteer hours; it is a proving ground for character, a place where young people begin to understand that leadership is not about recognition, but about responsibility. The habits formed in high school do not remain there; they carry forward. They shape how individuals show up in college, how they lead in their careers, and ultimately how they impact the world around them. Every act of service, no matter how small, reinforces a mindset of contribution. Every opportunity to lead builds confidence, resilience, and purpose. And over time, those small decisions compound into something far greater. Warwick Dunn’s life is a testament to this truth: that greatness is not born in a moment, but built over time through consistent choices rooted in character. Somewhere today, in a classroom or a hallway or an Interact meeting, there is a young person whose story is just beginning and who will one day make a profound difference in the lives of others. The only question is not whether that impact is possible, but whether they will choose, starting now, to begin building the kind of life that makes it inevitable.
Sic Vos Non Vobis
Trummie Lee Patrick III
Program for April 2nd
Interact Clubs in Action
This week is a Favorite Meeting for so many of us… We will have 11 of our 14 Interact Clubs talk about their Club’s year. We will hear about the service projects they have completed and the lessons they have learned all while applying and personalizing the Roswell Motto of Service Above Self. This 2025-26 year has been exciting for so many reasons but one of them is the collaboration! We have seen clubs working together on a few projects as well as showing up for some of the RRC events. Building the float for the Youth Day Parade and Sweep the Hooch are great examples with several clubs participating and making a difference community even whole state-wide! Introducing new ideas and then inviting other clubs to join in on the fun is the goal.
Collaboration is just one of the missions that Joe Gillespie will be encouraging as he takes the reins of Interact for Roswell Rotary. There has been a tremendous amount of interest in our international projects as well as celebrating our Hometown Heroes. Launching the next Interact Club evolution, he hopes to create a middle school/high school-specific event as well as an elementary school specific service project. There will be a focus on accountability to community and leadership styles all while cleaning up the river, installing a peace pole or finding a pen pal group through the International Interact Conference being held in October in Ecuador.
It has been a rewarding 12 years involved with the Youth Programs within the Roswell Rotary Club. I will still be involved with Roswell Youth Council, the youth leadership collaboration started this school year between RRC and the City of Roswell, but the rest of the succession leadership is solid. The Rotarians who are stepping into these legacy leadership roles are doing so with the commitment to not only keep them strong but also relevant. Joe exemplifies this future.
RRC continues to stand strong with our focus on our Roswell youth by sponsoring an unprecedented 14 clubs: 5 high school, 3 middle and 6 elementary. We stand unique by offering elementary schools an Interact Club format tailored to them. And, as you will hear on Thursday, each club is different, they reflect their school community and make an impact.
As a club, we make sure that those under 18 are heard, seen and encouraged to participate. Look at BTV (Debbie Cwalina) and End Trafficking Now (Dave McCleary). I wanted to take a moment to thank each of you for stepping in to help with a school, an event or an idea. The current Interact Rotary Liaisons absolutely rock that role. They show up. They make suggestions and then they make introductions often with a snack and a smile. After speaking to many Rotary Clubs across the District about Interact, please know that Sid Disher, Dave Schmidt and Becky Stone started this Youth Initiative deliberately in 2013-14. They built a solid foundation so many of us have been able to serve our community by investing in our next generation.
New Member Spotlight: Elizabeth Greer
Born and raised in the greater Atlanta area, Elizabeth Greer, along with her husband of 28 years, fellow Georgia native, Wesley, raised their four children in the East Cobb/Roswell area. The thrilled grandparents welcomed their first grandson into the family on February 27th.
A running enthusiast since 2007, Elizabeth leads a life filled with endurance sports, having completed multiple running and endurance events including the Boston Marathon and two full Ironman races.
Having worn many hats professionally, she is co-owner of Junction 311 Atlanta, a company that produces premier running events in the North Atlanta area and beyond. She is also co-founder of OTP Endurance Sports Club, a group of runners, walkers and cyclists that gets together weekly for activities and social events.
Elizabeth feels fortunate to work and play in a career and community which she is passionate about, excited to start this journey with Roswell Rotary, thus continuing to serve her community and the world.
