Rotary Club of Atlanta West End
KeyWay Report
Club Assembly – January 2, 2026
The January 2 Club Assembly helped focus the Rotary Club of Atlanta West End on three strategic priorities for 2026: strengthening active membership, concentrating on high-impact service projects, and increasing visibility in the West End.
Membership Engagement and Club Culture : The club currently includes about 22 active members and 10 honorary members. Members discussed what it means to be an “active” Rotarian. Emphasis was placed on participation in meetings and service, not just dues, as what defines true engagement. Several noted that Rotary is not just a lunch club but a service organization, and our value depends on member involvement. The group discussed the importance of meeting people where they are.
Service Projects and Strategic Focus : The club discussed focusing on one or two signature projects to improve community impact and visibility. One promising idea is strengthening the link between Washington High School and Atlanta Technical College to support students and promote workforce development. Bridgette Long was recognized for connecting her existing community work to Rotary, serving as a model for engaging others through shared interests. The conversation emphasized tapping into members’ networks rather than launching projects from scratch. She gave an update on the holiday snack bag project for Washington High School students, with the next service opportunity set for their February break. Members suggested using an Amazon wish list to streamline donations and to also include Rotary-branded ribbons/bookmarks featuring the Four-Way Test.
Other service ideas included:
Club Administration and Planning: Chris Hempfling announced that Deborah Stokes has taken a leave of absence and will not serve as co-president in the next Rotary Year. Members were encouraged to step into leadership for the 2026–2027 year or suggest candidates. Recognizing that many members present at the meeting have already served, the club acknowledged that direct outreach absent members may be more effective than waiting for volunteers.
Meeting logistics were reviewed, including a search for venues closer to or within the West End to support visibility and local businesses. Members reaffirmed that Atlanta West End Rotary is primarily an in-person club. While hybrid participation via Zoom is convenient on occasions when members are not able to come to the meeting location, active membership requires physical participation in meetings, service projects, club socials, or all three.
KeyWay Reporter – Jared Evans