With a population in excess of 150,000, Paulding County is able to sustain two (2) Rotary Clubs: Dallas Rotary Club AND Rotary Club of Paulding County.
The Dallas Rotary Club is the newer of the clubs. It was established in 2003 and has 17 active members. This club currently has its regular meetings on Thursday mornings at Audrey’s Cafe. Please check Facebook for schedule.
The Paulding County Rotary Club, the first Rotary Club in Paulding County, was chartered in 1969. It has approximately 42 active members and meets regularly.
Although the clubs are different from one another, the common mission is the same – SERVICE TO COMMUNITY. We invite you to visit each club to determine which is the best fit for you. Please see each club on Facebook for current meeting schedule. FOUR WAY TEST: Of all the things we think, say or do…. Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Rotary Clubs of Paulding County Georgia
The Rotary Club of Dallas and the Paulding Rotary Club.
The Paulding County Rotary Club welcomed James Kelly, Mayor of Dallas to our February club meeting. Mayor Kelly, a long-time council member of the City of Dallas recently began his full first elected term as City Mayor. The Paulding Rotary Club has a great history of collaboration with the City of Dallas.
To give a brief history of the event, 8 years or more ago the club put together the idea of having a football season kick-off, to hear from our coaches. A chance for them to tell us what is going on in their programs and mention some of their players. It has been a great program over the years and we were not willing to give it up this year.
Ford Thigpen welcomed the guests to the club meeting and expressed his pride in continuing this event for the ninth year, and gave special thanks to Jason Freeman, Athletic Director for Paulding Schools. Joining us, Coach Van Spence from Paulding High, Coach Billy Shackleford from East Paulding, and joining us for the first time Coach Jason Nash from South Paulding.
The Paulding Rotary Club in an outreach to local Veterans secured two AED Defibrillators. These life-saving devices were donated to American Legion Post 70 and Post 111. Local Veterans of all ages gather regularly at these Legion Halls.
Cops for Kids takes underprivileged children who live in Paulding County and pairs them with a Sheriff's Deputy to go shopping at Christmas. 2019's event took place at the Wal-Mart on Marietta Highway and marked the 21st year for the event. Over the years this has become one of the most successful and positive community outreach programs in the county.
The Paulding Rotary Club is a proud supporter of Paulding's Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Club member Mark Caffery delivers the Rotary's annual donation check to Paulding Area Director, Robbie Finley.
Paulding Rotary Club member John Grant presents Paulding 4H UGA Extension with a $1000 dollars for the club's annual donation.
Unfortunately, the pandemic also affected the Paulding Rotary club meetings and regular interactions with the community. As restrictions subside the club has been quick to schedule meetings and address our annual local contribution obligations. Rotary member Matt Mason presents Ms. Trina Youngblood with the donation check.
Paulding County Rotary Club welcomed Mary Frances Bowley to our March club meeting. Introduced by member John Kueven of Paulding WellStar, Mrs. Bowley is the Executive Director and founder of Wellspring Living. Wellspring Living is a non-profit organization in Atlanta, Georgia that provides domestic sex trafficking victims and those at risk with specialized recovery services through three residential programs and two community-based programs.
The Paulding Rotary welcomed Dr. Kathryn Melton to our club meeting this past week. Dr. Melton is the founder and Director of Shepherd's Rest Ministries. Shepherd's Rest operates the county's women's shelter around the clock, 24 hours and 7 days a week to take and manage crisis calls from women and families need.
Kindworks United is Paulding County's local support group for foster families that open their homes to provide stability for children in desperate need of a safe environment.
The Paulding County Rotary Club welcomed Ann Pennebaker to speak at this week's meeting. Introduced by club member Randy Arrowood, Mrs. Pennebaker is an author and educator turned recovery counselor involved in a local 12 step program fighting the disease of addiction. Mrs. Pennebaker comes from a highly trained and educated background. However, her passion for the fight against addiction is very personal.
Paulding Rotary Club welcomed Caroline Gränsbo, an international student from Sweden who is currently attending West Georgia University. Caroline is in the Georgia Rotary student program (GRSP). Paulding Rotary is one of three local Georgia Rotary Clubs sponsoring Caroline in the GRSP. Her Paulding-Rotary host family is Brian and Ashleigh Headrick. Miss Gränsbo is pursuing a degree in political science. Last semester she studied American Government learning about the Congress and the Senate for which she received an A in the class.
Rotary Club member Brett Reece welcomed and introduced Linda Vercharen the director of the Family Alliance of Paulding, a nonprofit group dedicated to the local community through vital social services. They provide opportunities for individuals and families to grow and recover through education and advocacy. Best known for providing supervised visitation for foster children and their families.