Tom Gordon

Stuart Zola introduced our speaker Tom Gordon

Mark Burnette, Photographer

Bill Breen gave the invocation, and Dr. Stuart Zola introduced our speaker, Tom Gordon, past interim director of Emory's Yerkes Primate Research Center and co-founder of PATHWAYS Leadership for Progress with his wife Dr. Deborah Gust. Dr. Gust is a Behavioral Scientist at the CDC and is president of PATHWAYS. Mr. Gordon currently serves as treasurer of PATHWAYS.

PATHWAYS is a non-profit organization that provides university scholarships and leadership training to disadvantaged youth in developing countries. It requires these scholars to propose, develop and implement projects in their communities, promotes mentoring and communication, and encourages networking and long term involvement. The inspiration for starting PATHWAYS came from a desire to make a difference and recognition of the lack of support for higher education in developing countries. Local inspiration came from the Woodruff Leadership Academy and the CDC Epidemic Intelligence Services training program.

PATHWAYS works by soliciting applications for the program based on a candidate's academic record, financial need, recommendations and a proposal for a community project. The scholarships are awarded to students at the University of Nairobi in Kenya, and the scholars can apply for an annual stipend to support their community project. The scholars must submit regular progress reports and attend an annual conference. Nurturing these scholars is very important, and awards are given when the students successfully complete their first year and get their project up and running. Current projects are focusing on agriculture, an AIDS orphanage, waste removal, hygiene and conservation. The status report of the program includes that there are sufficient funds in hand for this year's scholarships; that there are active partners in Kenya; that the scholars are doing well academically; and that they are working well together and networking. There is also impressive progress on the projects and plans to sustain them beyond PATHWAYS support.

Financial support for PATHWAYS has been provided by the founders, family, friends, colleagues, church congregations, private foundations, the Association of Kenyan Professionals in Atlanta and Emory public health students through their fashion show. The cost for one student is currently about $1,500.00 for tuition, the stipend for the community project and a modest honorarium for mentors. Administrative costs are less than two percent.

The heart of PATHWAYS Leadership for Progress is the scholarships; the soul is the community projects. For more information, visit the PATHWAYS website: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102498898255&e=001FZfqBs3zYIYPAmz54lzmHsLCt9dSIQ-W9nSHeYalWU76ZUfDei9Qr8zbLDdGLjn2h-vdvny-N86LJcNG6JcCcIalEwqs33zCfQZMKQ7JCwJGBlzS_dzFqA==.

In honor of our speaker, President Mark presented Teens in Kenya to the DeKalb Library System.

• March 14: Rhonda Davidson
• March 17: Lyn Menne
• March 17: Henry Wall
• March 21: Crawford Lewis
• March 23: Fred Turner
• March 24: George Ingram
• March 26: Bryan Downs
• March 24: Byron Saunders

President Mark and Deb Gust

Scott Hale introduced our visiting Rotarian

"If I had a hammer . . . " President Mark acknowledges a plaque given to the club for its participation in Habitat for Humanity.

Welcoming Guests

Scott Hale introduced our visiting Rotarian Pete Pfeiffer from Cordele.

A guest of the club, introduced by President Mark, was Deb Gust, founder and president of PATHWAYS.

Officers for Decatur Rotary:

President - Mark Hastings

President-Elect - Bryan Downs

Past President - David Ewing

Secretary - Vee Nelson

Treasurer - Jason Conn

Sergeant-at-Arms - Doug Torbush

District Governor - Ted Propes

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Past Presidents celebration, organized by C. J. Becker, will include a reception on March 26th at the Druid Hills Golf Club and a ceremony honoring our past presidents at our meeting on March 27th.

District 6900 assembly will be held on March 28th in Columbus. Any Decatur Rotary member wishing to attend will have the $30 registration fee paid for by the club.

Bob Berg announced that the Group Study Exchange (GSE) reception will be co-hosted with the Dunwoody Club and held on Sunday, April 5th, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Han II Kwan Korean restaurant, 5458 Buford Highway, Atlanta 30340. Our visitors are arriving in Atlanta on April 4th from District 3630 in South Korea.

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Join us! Decatur Rotary Club meets each Friday at noon at the Old Courthouse on the Square in downtown Decatur.

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The four-way test of 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?

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