Subject: Dunwoody Newsletter for February 25, 2026
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WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
Rotary Onlinehttps://dunwoodyrotary.org
ROTARY CLUB OFFridays, 7:15 am |
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| President | Matthew Johnson |
| Immediate PP | Louise Barden |
| Vice President | Dave Burr |
| Treasurer | Carter Stout |
| Secretary | Mark Galvin |
| Public Image | Bob O'Brien |
This Week's Speaker
Dr. Dana Rickman, President, Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education
Join us this Friday at Maggiano's to welcome Dr. Dana Rickman, the President of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education. Dr. Rickman is the fourth President of the Partnership, serving before that as vice president and as research and policy director. In those roles, she led the EdQuest Georgia Coalition, coordinated the Education Policy Fellows Program (EPFP) and was the primary author of the Georgia Partnership’s annual Top Ten Issues to Watch report and the Economics of Education. [read more]
Golf Tournament Update
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall ... Who's Helping with the Auction?
We all know that our annual FORE! the Memories Golf Tournament is coming up ... May 18, 2026 at St. Marlo. The Auction enjoys a special place in the golf auction fundraiser. It fills that space between the end of the tournament and before dinner & speeches. It’s a place for merriment, for curiosity, and for making a little extra money for those who like to shop more than they like to golf.
And we need help making it happen! We need help gathering the auction items, sorting them, and then displaying and executing the auction at the event itself.
Look in the mirror and ask yourself if you:
- have always fancied yourself having an eye for bargains?
- describe yourself as an aficionado on the restaurant and entertainment scene in the Greater Perimeter of Atlanta?
- have great ideas for getting the party started—even in ways that are only distantly related to the idea of auction?
- are newer to the club and looking to make social connections with fellow Rotarians?
- simply want to be on the committee whose meetings will be buoyed by the best cocktails in town?
If your answer to even one of these questions is YES - or if you think you have the perfect auction item (airfare, rental properties, resorts, dinners, artwork), contact Neal MacDonald now! He will gladly welcome you to the committee that already includes Jennifer Shumway and Meredith Morris! He can be reached at 309-530-4752 or neal@proof66.com. We will be meeting very, very soon! Don’t waste a second!
Want to know more about the tournament or become a supporter in other ways. Visit the website which is active and capable of taking your donation!
Fellowship Opportunity
Wine Fellowship Goes Irish - Sunday, March 15
Join us for a cup of St. Patrick's Day cheer at the Barden's home on Sunday, March 15 from 3-5 pm. Jud Shumway will be playing some Irish music, and we'll be serving Irish coffees and wine. Bring a bottle of wine and an appetizer to share. You'll find the Bardens at 5576 Colbert Trail in Peachtree Corners. Please RSVP by text or phone call to Louise at 404 423-8236, or by email to lbarden@comcast.net.
Getting to Know You
Cathie Brumfield, Legacy of Sustainability
When Larry Hart first invited Cathie Brumfield to a Rotary meeting in 1997, she was a burgeoning business owner who initially felt the club was "all work and no play." Little did she know she would eventually lead the organization through one of its most transformative eras, proving that "fun" is the secret ingredient to a sustainable club.
Reshaping the Rotary Rhythm
As President from 2019–2020, Cathie’s leadership was defined by a practical, member-first philosophy. One of her most famous pivots was the formalization of Thirsty Thursdays. While many remember it as a budget-saver, the inspiration was far more human: Cathie realized members were tired of socializing on Thursday nights only to drag themselves to an early meeting on Friday morning. To preserve everyone’s energy (and sanity), she "killed" the fourth meeting of the month, avoiding a rate increase while creating a beloved social staple.
Success Through Sustainability
Cathie’s "Sustainability" mantra extended deep into the club’s engine room. A numbers-oriented leader, she spent years—both before and after her presidency—overhauling the Treasurer function. By moving billing away from third-party platforms and refining financial reporting, she ensured the club’s data was actually useful for long-term management.
This focus on efficiency was paired with a major shift in club culture. Cathie recognized that if Rotary felt like an "onerous unpaid job," leadership would suffer. By prioritizing enjoyment, she helped transform the leadership pipeline into what it is today: a path that attracts top-tier candidates because the work is as rewarding as it is impactful. As Cathie often recognized that "a volunteer’s time is very expensive."
Service with a Smile
Whether she was hosting GRSP students, painting at the Dunwoody Nature Center (DNC), or pulling invasive species, Cathie has done it all. For her, the specific project matters less than the company; her favorite activities are simply those that involve working with fellow Rotarians to do good while having fun.
After years of dedicated service to our club and the DeKalb Rotary Council, Cathie is taking a well-deserved break. This year, she and her husband, Ritchie, are trading DNC invasive species for Italian vineyards as they head to Italy, for her son’s wedding this summer in a castle about an hour away from Florence.
Cast Your Votes for Best of Perimeter
It's that time of year again, when Appen Media Group conducts its 2026 Best of Perimeter competition. We are proud to have several Rotarians and friends of RCD who have been nominated for 2026 recognition. Topping the list with six nominations is Charlie Augello and the E.48th St. Market. You can help by voting for these businesses between February 15 and 18 - just go to Best Of Perimeter 2026 | appenmedia.com and scroll down to cast your votes in a variety of categories.
[read more]
Join John Vinyard at Barnes and Noble Book Signing - February 28
Our own John Vinyard and co-author Walt Carter will have a book signing for "Stop Driving Behind Idiots - Leadership Systems for Breakthrough Performance" on Saturday, February 28 from 2-4 pm at Barnes & Noble, East Cobb, 4475 Roswell Road, Marietta, GA 30062, (470) 289-3365. Jon and Walt spoke about their book at our club earlier this Rotary year.
In Memoriam
Remembering Helen Brock
We received word this week that Helen Brock, wife of former Dunwoody Rotarian Monroe Brock, passed away in late January, with services in early Febraury. Monroe and Helen were very active in our club and some of you may know that Bounds Gardens had a previous life as Monroe Park with Monroe Brock as its primary protector. If you wish to reach out to Monroe, you can do so by email at monrun@aol.com.