Rotary Club of Etowah

11/09/2026

🚨 BUCKLE UP. EXPERIENCE WHY.

We all know seat belts save lives. But sometimes experiencing the forces involved makes the message stick.

At the SHIELD Safe Driving Summit, teens and parents will have the opportunity to experience hands-on safety demonstrations, including a seat belt convincer and rollover simulator.

These aren't just lessons from a textbook. They're experiences designed to help young drivers understand why the decisions they make behind the wheel matter.

🚗 Join the Rotary Club of Etowah for this FREE community event!

📅 Saturday, November 14

⏰ 9:00 AM–Noon

📍 Clarence Brown Conference Center | Cartersville

👨‍👩‍👧 For teen drivers, permit holders, and their parents or guardians.

🎟️ Space is limited to 100 teens!

👉 Register today: https://forms.gle/kwZp9qHhfPEvoPrE8

Because the most important thing your teen drives home with is the knowledge to make safer choices. 💙💛

11/08/2026

🥫❤️ 16 Years of Neighbors Helping Neighbors!

The 16th Annual Bartow County Canathon is coming up Thursday, November 12, and members of the Rotary Club of Etowah are proud to be part of this longstanding community tradition!

For 16 years, the Canathon has brought our community together to collect food and donations to help our neighbors facing food insecurity. It’s a wonderful example of what can happen when individuals, businesses, and community organizations work together to meet a need.

📅 Thursday, November 12 | 7 AM–4 PM
📍 NEW LOCATION: Parking lot of The Grand Theatre and WBHF Radio, 7 Wall Street, downtown Cartersville

🥫 Donations of nonperishable food items are welcome, along with monetary contributions. Checks can be made payable to Friends of Bartow County Community.

Volunteers will also be collecting donations Thursday morning at Cherokee Avenue and Erwin Street!

Several of our Rotarians will be participating, and we encourage everyone to stop by, make a donation, and help make this year’s Canathon another success.

💙💛 Service Above Self starts right here at home!

11/08/2026

🚗 SEE THE RISKS BEFORE THEY HAPPEN!

We tell our teens not to drive distracted, speed, or get behind the wheel impaired. But what happens when they actually experience how those risks affect their ability to drive?

At the SHIELD Safe Driving Summit, teens and parents will get a firsthand look at the dangers young drivers face through interactive, hands-on activities!

🥽 Experience impairment goggles

📱 Discover the impact of distracted driving

🛑 See how speed changes stopping distances

🚘 Learn practical skills that could save a life

📅 Saturday, November 14 | 9 AM–Noon

📍 Clarence Brown Conference Center, Cartersville

💙 FREE for teens and parents!

Space is limited to 100 teens, so don't wait!

👉 Register: https://forms.gle/kwZp9qHhfPEvoPrE8

11/07/2026

🚗 SEE THE RISKS BEFORE THEY HAPPEN!

What happens when your reaction time slows? How much can a few seconds of distraction really affect your driving?

At the SHIELD Safe Driving Summit, teens and parents will get to experience these risks firsthand — in a safe, hands-on environment!

From impairment goggles and distracted driving demonstrations to stopping-distance activities, SHIELD is designed to help young drivers understand the importance of making smart decisions behind the wheel.

📅 Saturday, November 14

⏰ 9:00 AM – Noon

📍 Clarence Brown Conference Center | Cartersville

🎟️ FREE for teens and parents!

Every teen who completes the summit will receive a Certificate of Completion from Kennesaw Driving School, which may help qualify for an insurance discount.

⚠️ Space is limited to 100 teens!

👉 Register today: https://forms.gle/kwZp9qHhfPEvoPrE8

Proudly presented by the Rotary Club of Etowah with the support of our community sponsors and partners.

Real Skills. Safer Drivers. Brighter Futures. 💛💙

11/05/2026

🚗 Your teen may know the rules of the road. But are they prepared for the unexpected?

The Rotary Club of Etowah invites teen drivers, permit holders, and their parents to the SHIELD Safe Driving Summit on Saturday, November 14!

This FREE event goes beyond traditional driver’s education with hands-on experiences designed to help young drivers recognize risks, make safer decisions, and build confidence behind the wheel.

🚘 Experience a rollover simulator

⚠️ See how impairment affects your abilities

🛑 Discover how speed impacts stopping distance

📱 Learn the real dangers of distracted driving

🔒 Experience the importance of seat belts

And parents, this event is for you, too! You’ll participate alongside your teen and leave with tools to continue the conversation about safe driving at home.

📅 Saturday, November 14, 2026

⏰ 9:00 AM – Noon

📍 Clarence Brown Conference Center | Cartersville, GA

🎟️ FREE admission — limited to 100 teens!

Every teen who completes the summit will receive a Certificate of Completion from Kennesaw Driving School, which may qualify for an insurance discount. Check with your insurance provider for details.

👉 Register today: https://forms.gle/kwZp9qHhfPEvoPrE8

Thank you to our sponsors and community partners, including Clarence Brown Conference Center, Risk & Insurance Consultants of North Georgia, and Kennesaw Driving School, for helping make this event possible.

Real Skills. Safer Drivers. Brighter Futures.

11/02/2026

💙💛 100% Participation. A Commitment to Making a Difference!

As we recognize Rotary Foundation Month in November, we’re proud to share some exciting recognition for the Rotary Club of Etowah!

Our club recently received several honors from The Rotary Foundation recognizing our members’ giving during the 2025–2026 Rotary year:

🏅 100% Foundation Giving Club – Every member contributed to The Rotary Foundation, with an average giving level of at least $100.

🏅 Every Rotarian, Every Year Club – Recognizing 100% member participation and at least $100 in per capita giving.

We also received recognition for our club’s support of PolioPlus, Rotary’s ongoing effort to eradicate polio worldwide.

These recognitions represent something we’re especially proud of: every member of our club played a part.

Through The Rotary Foundation, contributions from Rotarians help support projects that improve access to clean water, advance education, fight disease, strengthen local economies, and create opportunities for people around the world.

Thank you to our members for their generosity and continued commitment to Service Above Self, and to Jessica Fleetwood for presenting these recognitions to our club!

While our service starts right here in Bartow County, our impact reaches far beyond it. 🌎

11/01/2026

💙💛 November is Rotary Foundation Month!

When you hear about Rotary projects providing clean water, supporting education, fighting disease, or helping communities recover from disasters, there's a good chance The Rotary Foundation is helping make that work possible.

The Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of Rotary International, turning contributions from Rotarians and supporters into projects that make a difference in communities around the world—and right here at home.

Since its founding more than 100 years ago, the Foundation has invested more than $4 billion in projects that improve lives and create lasting change.

Throughout November, we'll share a little more about the Foundation, the projects it supports, and how our own Rotary Club of Etowah is contributing to that work.

Because when Rotarians come together, even a small contribution can become part of something much bigger!

🌎 Learn more about The Rotary Foundation through Rotary International.

10/27/2026

💙💛 This Week at Rotary!

We enjoyed welcoming Matthew Bryson, founder of The Local Reach Project, to the Rotary Club of Etowah this week!

Matthew shared the vision behind his new ministry and nonprofit, which is working to bring local churches, nonprofits, and volunteers together to better serve our communities.

Through The Local Reach Project, organizations can connect with volunteers, share opportunities to serve, and work together to meet needs throughout Bartow County and beyond. The project also includes an online platform that makes it easier for individuals and churches to find ways to get involved.

One of the biggest challenges for organizations doing good work is connecting with the people who want to help. We enjoyed hearing how Matthew hopes to bridge that gap and strengthen partnerships across our community.

Thank you, Matthew, for joining us and sharing your vision! We’re looking forward to seeing The Local Reach Project grow and the impact it will have on our community.

🔗 Learn more and explore volunteer opportunities through The Local Reach Project! https://thelocalreachproject.app/

10/25/2026

💙💛 WHY BARTOW? | Hammon Lightning

“Bartow County isn’t just where I do business, it’s home.”

As we wrap up October’s Community & Economic Development Month, we’re closing out our Why Bartow? series with Rotary Club of Etowah President-Elect Hammon Lightning, owner of Lightning Realty Group.

For Hammon, the answer to Why Bartow? starts with home.

Growing up in Northwest Georgia, Hammon developed roots in the region early on. After college, he returned to Cartersville in 2006 and has called Bartow County home ever since.

“I chose to build my career and business here because this community means something to me.”

Over the past 20 years, Hammon has watched Bartow County grow and change. Through his work in real estate, he’s had the opportunity to be part of that growth—helping families find a place to call home and helping people in our community move into their next chapter.

For Hammon, building a business here has always been about more than business.

“Bartow County isn’t just where I do business, it’s home.”

Throughout October, we’ve heard from Rotarians whose stories reflect the many reasons people choose Bartow County—to raise families, pursue careers, build businesses, and invest in their communities.

And that’s what community and economic development is really about. It’s not just about attracting growth. It’s about creating a place where people want to stay, build their futures, and help others do the same.

💙💛 That’s why Bartow.

10/24/2026