The Friendly Breakfast Club

This Week's Speaker
Keith Pepper, Publisher, Rough Draft Atlanta

Join us this Friday at the Embassy Suites to welcome Keith Pepper, Publisher of Rough Draft Atlanta.

As the Publisher and Owner of Rough Draft Atlanta, Keith leads one of the largest hyperlocal media organizations in metro Atlanta, reaching close to one million monthly readers across print and digital. With more than 25 years of experience in digital marketing, client services, and sales, he is passionate about creating and delivering high-quality content that informs, engages, and connects our communities.

Before acquiring Rough Draft Atlanta in 2020, Keith worked in leadership roles at Outbrain, Experian Marketing Services, Jupiter MediaMetrix, and other innovative companies in the media and technology sectors. He has a Master of Social Work degree from Smith College, which gives him a unique perspective on the social and cultural issues that affect Rough Draft Atlanta's audience and partners.

Keith's goal is to use his skills and expertise to empower local voices, support local businesses, and foster local impact. Rough Draft Atlanta  was recently recognized as "Best Local and Community Newsletter" at the 2024 Publisher Newsletter Awards.

Service and Fellowship
Join Forces to Help FODAC - This Saturday, August 3

There's still time to join forces with the Rotary Club of North Atlanta and DeKalb Rotarians this Saturday, August 3 for our annual FODAC (Friends of Disabled Adults and Children) equipment drive - if you haven't already signed up, contact Dave Burr (404-556-4065) NOW.

With your help in years past, this project has collected more than $1,000,000 worth of durable medical equipment from local residents and businesses in the metro Atlanta area; that equipment is then refurbished and redistributed to those in need. We have been joining forces with this group since at least 2018 - the source of the picture here.

The volunteer event kicks off at the 57th Fighter Group Restaurant, 3829 Clairmont Rd., Chamblee, GA 30341. We will start at about 8:30am with coffee and breakfast. Our club will gather after the event for lunch.

This is an easy volunteer event for new members to get involved and for you to bring your spouse, your friend, or a prospective member. Volunteers will be paired with other volunteers within our club to visit 4-6 homes to collect crutches, wheelchairs, walkers, and other durable medical equipment.

Dave Burr is coordinating people, vehicles, and schedules with the donors so please reach out today if you plan to join us.

Dunwoody Diners
Root Root Root for the Home Team - This Saturday Night

Dunwoody Diners will be gathering at Cool Ray Field, 2500 Buford Drive, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30043 this Saturday night to take in a Gwinnett Striper game and enjoy some fellowship. If you want to attend, let Sherry Levy know by tomorrow morning (Aug. 1) how many people you're bringing - write to Sherry at sherrylevy13@hotmail.com . We plan to meet between 5:15 pm and  5:45 pm in front of Will Call, where Ken and Sherry Levy will have a ticket for everyone who has RSVP'ed. Tickets are $25 each.

Game time is at 6:00 pm. Food can be purchased at the ball park's concession stands. Parking is a separate charge per vehicle and is not included in the ticket price.

Thanks for Your Service
Dunwoody Packs Bookbags for Tapestri

Meet members of the Dunwoody High football team who lent their muscles to pack up and carry out the 110 book bags we assembled last Saturday at the Dunwoody Country Club. Thanks to them and all the Dunwoody Rotarians and Atlanta Rotaract members who helped. Great event.

Getting to Know You
Did You Know President Louise is an Artist?

Editor's Note: Sometimes we get to working so hard, we don't take time to get to know the people we're spending time with; that's why Dave Burr has decided to share more about our member's in an occasional profile in the bulletin - starting this week with President Louise. If you'd like to write a profile, send it to Jackie Cuthbert at cuthbert@mindspring.com,

Our new club president, Louise Barden, Ph.D., lives in Peachtree Corners with her husband, Ron, who is also a club member. Louise first became aware of Rotary through her father who was a Rotarian in Durham, NC and then later while working as a scientist at the Centers for Disease Care Control and Prevention where she witnessed how Rotary International worked to eradicate polio. At the CDC, Louise worked on campaigns to promote appropriate use of antibiotics and to increase the awareness of Hepatitis C.

In 2011 she decided to get involved with Rotary and reached out through RI's website and was matched up with the Rotary Club of Dunwoody. Initially, Louise struggled to become active within the club. She'd reached out to different project leaders but didn't receive direction on how to contribute. This experience has influenced her view of the importance of member onboarding and mentoring. She wants every member to become involved in an activity so everyone has a job within the club. Louise's favorite club activities have been the Governor's Ball and preparing Tapestri's backpacks, plus all the social events. At the end of our general meetings you will often hear Louise adding her 5th test to the end of Rotary's Four-Way Test - "Is it fun?".

Outside of Rotary, Louise enjoys spending time with her five grandchildren, trips to the beach, and oil painting. Want to know more about President Louise? Click here.