Downtown Greensboro Rotary Club

08/21/2026

We were honored to welcome Jarad Haase, the newest head coach of UNCG Men's Basketball, and celebrate Jeff Whiting as he was inducted as our newest club member.

Coach Haase's leadership, energy, and vision for the future of Spartan basketball have already generated tremendous excitement, and we appreciate him taking the time to connect with our group.

Congratulations as well to Jeff Whiting on becoming a member of our club. We are grateful for his support, friendship, and commitment to our organization, and we look forward to many great years ahead.

Thank you both for helping make our meeting such a memorable one. We are excited about the future and proud to have you as part of our community!

08/18/2026

A big thank you to Keaton Bentley for the incredible impact he makes across Guilford County.

As the Guilford County Director for Special Olympics, Keaton works tirelessly to create opportunities, build confidence, and empower athletes of all abilities to achieve their goals.

What makes his service even more remarkable is that his commitment to others doesn't stop there. Keaton also volunteers with Guilford County Fire & Rescue, answering the call to serve and protect our community.

Whether he's supporting Special Olympics athletes or serving as a firefighter, Keaton exemplifies leadership, compassion, and selfless service. Guilford County is fortunate to have someone so dedicated making a difference every day.

Thank you, Keaton, for your unwavering commitment to our community and the people you serve.

08/08/2026

We're grateful to Jodee Rupel, Executive Director and Chief Development Officer of the North Carolina Folk Festival, for joining our Rotary Club and sharing an exciting preview of this year's festival. The NC Folk Festival continues to be one of our community's signature events, bringing together incredible artists, diverse cultures, and thousands of visitors to downtown Greensboro.

From nationally recognized headliners like The Roots, Molly Tuttle, St. Paul & The Broken Bones to an impressive lineup spanning folk, blues, soul, jazz, world music, reggae, country, and more, this year's festival promises something for everyone.

Thank you, Jodee, for your leadership, passion, and commitment to making the NC Folk Festival a vibrant celebration of music, culture, and community. We appreciate you taking the time to speak with our club and look forward to another outstanding festival experience!

08/03/2026

Our August Member Spotlight is featuring Jon Kesler!

How long have you been involved with Rotary, and what keeps you engaged?
Jon joined Airport Rotary in February 2025. He enjoys the club's diverse lineup of speakers and the opportunity to participate in service projects that create meaningful shared experiences with fellow members.

What's one Rotary project or moment that has been especially meaningful to you?
One project that stands out was a yard work and cleanup day at My Sister Susan's House, operated by Youth Focus. With only one other Rotarian participating, Jon had the chance to build a stronger connection with a fellow member while supporting an organization he is deeply passionate about.

Outside of Rotary, what are you most passionate about?
Jon enjoys writing and music, whether that's attending live performances or playing music with friends.

What advice would you give someone considering joining Rotary?
"Test drive several of the clubs in the Greensboro area. Although all are good about supporting Rotary goals internationally, nationally, and locally, each club has a slightly different flavor. Find the one that's the best match for your interests in joining Rotary."

07/30/2026

Be sure to join us for August 5 at our 7:30 AM meeting. Jodee Ruppel, Executive Director of the North Carolina Folk Festival is going to be our morning speaker!

07/30/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Alison Huber for sharing her incredible story and passion for serving our nation's veterans through Triad Honor Flight.

Since founding Triad Honor Flight in 2020, Alison has led a 100% volunteer-driven organization that has taken approximately 1,100 veterans on life-changing trips to Washington, D.C., honoring their service and sacrifice. Her dedication, leadership, and commitment have helped raise more than $1.5 million to ensure veterans receive the recognition they deserve.

Beyond her work with Triad Honor Flight, Alison is deeply involved in our community through civic organizations, church outreach, international mission work, and her professional role at Dynamic Quest. Her servant leadership and unwavering commitment to others continue to make a lasting impact across the Triad and beyond.

Thank you, Alison, for your passion, compassion, and tireless efforts to honor those who served our country. We are grateful for all you do and were honored to hear your inspiring message.

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07/27/2026

Please join us in welcoming Evan Newman, the newest member of Downtown Rotary Club! We’re excited to have Evan join our community of service‑minded leaders — he brings great enthusiasm and a strong commitment to giving back.

Evan has already jumped in and is eager to get involved with upcoming projects and events. We look forward to his ideas, energy, and fellowship as we work together to serve Greensboro.

Drop a warm welcome for Evan in the comments or say hello at our next meeting!

07/20/2026

07/20/2026

Safety Town 2026: Building Safer, Smarter Kids, One Week at a Time

This month, Rotary was proud to support another successful Safety Town program for local children.

Safety Town is a one-week summer program designed for 5 and 6-year-olds that teaches real-world safety skills through fun, hands-on experiences. Throughout the week, participants learned about traffic safety, fire safety, bicycle safety, water safety, stranger awareness, and other important life skills.

Our Rotary members were honored to help prepare the facility and learning environment before campers arrived, ensuring a safe and welcoming space where children could learn, explore, and grow.
Seeing these smiling faces at the end of the week is a reminder of why community service matters. By investing in our youngest residents today, we're helping build a safer community for tomorrow.

Thank you to the volunteers, instructors, families, and community partners who helped make Safety Town a success!

07/17/2026

A big thank-you to Earl Hilton III, former NC A&T Athletic Director, for speaking to our Rotary Club about the changing landscape of college athletics and the real impact of NIL at NC A&T.

Earl gave clear, thoughtful insights into how Name, Image, and Likeness is creating new opportunities for student‑athletes - from entrepreneurship and brand-building to community partnerships - while also highlighting the challenges schools face around compliance, equitable access, and supporting academic success. His perspective on how athletics can advance campus priorities and strengthen community ties was especially valuable.

We appreciate Earl taking the time to share his experience and practical ideas with our club. Conversations like this help us better understand how education, athletics, and community engagement intersect, and how we can support student growth on and off the field.

Thanks again, Earl! Looking forward to more great discussions.