Myrna Fuller   is President of the West End Merchants Coalition. The Coalition empowers members by providing, tools, expertise, and support allowing them to make informed decisions to build sustainable, profitable, and innovative businesses. We are focus-driven business association for and about the interests, problem solving, and marketing of the West End commercial district from historic West End to Lee + White and back again. 

Myrna is also a freelance graphic designer and the retired executive director of The Hammonds House Museum.

Politan Row at Ashford Lane (near Perimeter Mall)

For more information:  https://www.facebook.com/RMBDistrict6900

President Jared Evans led our Club Assembly which included spirited conversation over matters of concern to keep AWER growing and positively responsible for leading change while cherishing our important history.  President Jared provided succinct information in his email to the membership on Friday afternoon, August 30. Below are matters discussed:

• Bylaws and Constitution: At the Club Assembly members voted to approve updated bylaws and our Club's constitution.
• Budget:  Approved RY2024-25 on August 24, 2024 with revenue forecasted at about $19,000 and total funds on hand around $32,000. Expenses budget at the time of adoption are just below $25,000 for the Rotary Year. The bulk of the club revenue (75%) is from AWER members paying their quarterly dues. This is why it is critical that members pay their invoices in a timely way. If we add more members, this will increase revenue and enable the board of AWER to entertain and approve new cost proposals to on new humanitarian needs as opportunities arise and the AWER board approves.
• Scholarship:  The scholarship is for $2000.  A process for soliciting proposals from high school seniors has also been created.  June 15, 2025, is the deadline for interested students submitting applications for the scholarship.
• President Jared announced that AWER is seeking a new Public Image Chair  to lead that committee’s efforts and serve on our club board of directors.  He requested interested members to contact him.  Separately, AWER President-Elect Victoria Seals noted that information about AWER can be tagged to other notices, thereby amplifying AWER awareness.
• District Conference and the Rotary International Convention:   $2000 has been set aside for AWER members attendance at these gatherings ( priority will be that members attend the District Conference ). The funds will be divided equally among those participants attending and only reimburse conference registration fees ( not travel costs ).

• District Conference: April 24-27, 2025 in Jekyll Island. Cost for Registration is $300 until December 15.
• Rotary International Convention:  June 24-25 in Calgary, Canada. Registration is $525 until December 15.  

• Sonia Hantman, membership chair, needs everyone’s support to  meet  the AWER goal of adding six members during the year. Also, AWER wants to be mindful of attracting and keeping members younger in age, but not in wisdom! Some companies reimburse employees becoming Rotary members' dues (sometimes meals, too), which can enhance member recruitment from corporations. Debra Stokes said she was recruiting an executive from Accenture. Separately, President Jared stressed all AWER members are on the Membership Committee and should be thinking of people in their network would make great AWER members!
• C J Stewart stated that L.E.A.D. has obtained an MOU with the Atlanta Public Schools, which will enhance AWER's work with M. Agnes Jones Elementary School. He also hopes to increase partnership with AWER and L.E.A.D. through seven proposed service opportunities. CJ encouraged at least two Rotarians to lead one of the seven service activities in collaboration with the LEAD Center For Youth over the next 7 months. AWER members’ participation is crucial in making a meaningful impact in our community and students. C J's encouraging AWER members to work together to support young athletes and foster community spirit! Here are the seven service activities:

1. Core Value Training: Attend a one-hour session in September and January.
2. Rookies vs. Rotarians Wiffle Ball Game: Host a themed game in October.
3. Community Trash Clean-Up: Organize a clean-up event in the West End community in November.
4. Holiday Party: Host a festive gathering with cookies and ice cream in December.
5. MLK Day Event: Plan an event on January 20, 2025, at the LEAD Center For Youth.
6. Rotary Meeting at M. Agnes Jones: Host a meeting in February with Rookie parents.
7. Baseball Games: Support and attend games at Booker T. Washington High School from April through May. Find a fellow Rotarian and select a program from one of these great opportunities - and ask C J for help - he and Kelli are ready!

• Rose Caplan and Mark Newman reported that the international project to obtain ultrasound equipment for Victoria Hospital in South Africa, AWER has raised $4,000 which is being matched by District 6900, and pooled with additional funds from numerous other Districts and Rotary Clubs. The total amount of cash contributions that were pledged for this grant is $14,950.
• Our meeting concluded with long-serving member and two x AWER president Frances Ellison-Dansby who introduced her two guests for the meeting: (1) Granddaughter Kamaria B. Dansby who's in her 4th year at Emory Medical School after obtaining her BS in Biology at Georgia Tech. In the summer of 2025, she will be entering a residency program in a hospital yet to be determined. (2) Then Frances presented Kamaria's brother, Omarr D. Dansby, graduate of Morehouse College in Business Administration, who's beginning his second year at Emory Law School.

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Neil Shorthouse, Keyway editor