OUTGOING CHAIR’S REPORT

Arnie Silverman ’07

As outgoing chair of Leadership DeKalb I am pleased to report on the accomplishments of the past year and the health of our organization today.

We celebrated our 25th anniversary in December 2012 with a spectacular event attended by over 177 alums and their guests.

We graduated 32 impressive high school students from our Youth Leadership DeKalb program.  Their year was capped by a wonderful speech by former Attorney General Thurbert Baker, who is a Leadership DeKalb 1988 graduate and board member.

The 26th adult program year was a great success with 52 present and future leaders from DeKalb business and industry, government, professional services and the not-for-profit world.

Near the end of the class year we held a well-attended and extremely informative Eggs and Issues on the July 31 Transportation Investment Act vote.

Sara Fountain ’92 retired as executive director at the end of her 11th year in that all-important and demanding role. Sara has been so devoted to Leadership DeKalb and I know I speak for all of us when I say we are eternally grateful, will miss her dearly and wish her all the best for retirement. We look forward to seeing and honoring her at our Annual Meeting and Reunion on November 7 at the Atlanta Botanical Garden; if you haven’t registered for this event yet you can do so here.

A search committee has been formed to interview and select our new Director. We are asking our alums and other friends to identify any candidates we should consider, and let us know of their interest.

I am pleased to say that Leadership DeKalb is entering its 26th year with a strong Board, over 1,000 enthusiastic and rejuvenated alumnae, and a bright vision for the future of our programs. I will soon be handing the chair’s gavel to Bo Spalding ’09, whose executive committee will also consist of Ron Alston ’08, Julie Ralston ’91, Charles Yorke ’07 and myself.

Last but very important, I want to thank Caroline Moise ’01 for stepping in and filling the Interim Executive Director role as we search for our new staff leader. Caroline has done an absolutely outstanding job. Thanks also to Suzanne Fahlstrom and Emily Yang for their ongoing dedication and jobs well-done.

I look forward to seeing you on November 7.

Until then and as always, thank you for your loyalty and support for Leadership DeKalb.

Is Your Class the “Best Class Ever?”

Get in your final points for the BCE Award.

It is not too late to earn points towards the Best Class Ever Award.

Over the past few months, we have been tracking you and your class’ activity (e.g., membership and event attendance), contributions (in-kind only) & involvement (e.g., volunteerism on our committees).

Also, registration for the 26th Annual Meeting & Reunion will earn you one point towards the award.

The final cutoff day to earn additional points is Monday, October 22. To learn more about the Best Class Ever Award, visit our website.

In Memoriam

Sam Goldman ’99

More than 400 people attended the Sept. 13 memorial service at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center for Sam Goldman, PhD., who died unexpectedly on Sept. 10. He was the Executive Director of Callanwolde for more than 14 years and has been working there since 1979.

Sam was a long-time active member and loyal supporter of Leadership DeKalb. He hosted the History Day program for various classes over the years, the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2002 and several other events including the most recent Bloom event in January.

“Sam was a good friend to Leadership DeKalb and a huge asset to the metro region and he is very much missed by his many friends here,” said Sara Fountain ’92, former Executive Director.

RUSH HOUR CONNECTOR

Celebration in Honor of Sara Fountain

August 23, 2012 

Fellow Leadership DeKalb Graduates, Members and Friends came out to the Rush Hour Connector at Carpe Diem for the first celebration in honor of Sara Fountain’s retirement. 

As a result of your support, we raised more than $1,500 for Leadership DeKalb. 

 Sara addressing close friends, graduates and members of Leadership DeKalb.

Thanks to our community sponsor Carpe Diem for hosting this event and Susan Laird ’12 and Jennifer Friday ’09 for coordinating this successful occasion. 

Also, a special thank you to our photographers of the evening Julie & David Fisher ’11 and Arthur Ratliff‘ 99. To view more photos, please visit our Facebook page.

CLASS OF 2013 OPENING RETREAT

Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge

August 27-28

Pollie Massey Battle ’08, Managing Principal for OMS Consulting & Training, tells the Class of 2013 that we expect great things from them as contributors to the community.

  John Horton, Founder and Principal for Collier Brown & Co., discusses the class profiles in “Understanding How Others Misunderstand You.”

The Class forms friendships and learns to work together through team-building exercises.

The Class of 2013 learns a little bit more about Acquanette Chatman (left) and Robin Giles (right) from Class Introductions.

Doug Hooker, Executive Director for the Atlanta Regional Commission, challenges the Class to become involved in solving issues in the metro region.

  Clarence Callaway ’11, Associate Trainer for the Center for Teachers’ Effectiveness, informs the Class of the importance of courage in leadership.

Special thanks to our Opening Retreat Committee Chair Duncan Van Pelt ’12, Members Clarence Callaway ’11, Theodros Hailegiorgis ’11, Pollie Massey Battle ’08, BreNita McCord ’10 and photographer extraordinaire Arthur Ratliff ’99.

Community Events & Leadership Opportunities

Attend, volunteer and/or serve!

Breakthru House is hosting a premiere of Lost in Woonsocket, a film which chronicles a powerful journey from addiction to recovery, on Thursday, Oct. 11 at the Atlanta Event Center at Opera. All proceeds from the event will benefit the organization. To purchase tickets, please visit their website.

Oakhurst Arts & Music Festival is seeking volunteers for the event on Oct. 13. To volunteer, send an email to Angie Macon at oakhurstartsfestival@gmail.com.

Volunteer for a Leadership DeKalb Committee

There are many opportunities for Leadership DeKalb members to get involved! Sign-up now to volunteer and serve as a leader on one of Leadership DeKalb’s Committees. Please complete the form and return it to the Leadership DeKalb office by mail, fax or e-mail. 

Parking Procedures @ LD Office Building

Planning to visit the Leadership DeKalb Office in Downtown Decatur? Here’s something you’ll need to remember!

Leadership DeKalb brings together current and emerging leaders to make DeKalb a better place to live and work. We achieve this by connecting a diverse group of informed leaders who create collaborations and partnerships to impact community needs.

· · · · · · · · · · · ·  

        

 Support the adult and youth leadership development programs 

of Leadership DeKalb.

We can’t do it without you!

Please donate now to support “Unity in Community” and make a difference for DeKalb County.

Leadership DeKalb wants your input on membership. What can we do to improve your experience as a dues-paying member? Let us know by completing the survey. 

We will be closing the survey on Wednesday, Oct. 3.

1991 

Julie Ralston, Director of Communications for the Atlanta Regional Commission, invites Leadership DeKalb members to the 2012 State of the Region Breakfast on Friday, Oct. 12 at the Georgia World Congress Center to discuss issues and challenges facing the metro area. For more information and to register, please visit their website.  

1992

Sara Fountain retired from Leadership DeKalb as the Executive Director for nearly 11 years. To contact Sara, please email her at sarafountain@att.net or call her at 404-326-2990.

1997

Julia Glenn Carter invites Leadership DeKalb graduates to a free interactive AIDS exhibit on Oct. 7 – 14 at the First Baptist Church of Decatur. For more information, please visit worldvisionexperience.org. 

1999

Fred Daniels, Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer for Citizens Trust Bank, received the 2012 Frederick B. Kerr Service Award from Leadership Georgia for his support and enthusiasm of the organization. He will be recognized on Nov. 9 at the organization’s gala.

2004

Anil Lewis, Director of Strategic Communications for the National Federation of the Blind, was appointed by President Obama as a Member of the Committee for Purchase from People who are Blind or Severely Disabled. Join us in congratulating him by sending him an email at ALewis@nfb.org. 

2005

LeeAnn Harvey, Volunteer Coordinator for the City of Decatur, received the

Innovative Program Award from the National Association of Volunteer Programs in Local Government for her work in coordinating the city’s Martin Luther King Jr. Service Project.

2011

Dave Butler, Board Member of the Atlanta Audubon Society, invites former classmates and Leadership DeKalb friends to the AAS 40th Anniversary GALA at the Historic Glenridge Hall on Saturday, Oct. 20. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit atlantaaudubon.org.

Wendy Ho is now the Manager of B2B Marketing & Sales for SouthStar Energy Services. Join us in congratulating her by sending her an email at who@southstarenergy.com.

Garrick Scott, President of the National Federation of the Blind Georgia, invites Leadership DeKalb members and graduates to the organization’s 39th Annual State Convention on Friday, Nov. 2 – Sunday, Nov. 4. For more information and to register for the convention, please visit nfbga.org.

2012

Lisa Newbern, Chief of Public Affairs for Emory University’s National Primate Research Center, has been selected as a Family Advisor to the Georgia Council of Developmental Disabilities. 

Also, she has been recognized as the September PRSA Chapter Champion for her years of volunteerism with that organization. Join us in congratulating Lisa for her recent accomplishments by sending her an email at lisa.newbern@emory.edu.

Brian Shadix took on a new job with Redbox as the

Regional Manager. Join us in congratulating him by sending him an email at

brian.shadix@redbox.com.

Remember! Renew your membership!

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Don’t Forget to Renew!

Keep the connection with your classmates and stand united with other graduates for postive community change.

Renew your membership TODAY! 

UPCOMING EVENTS

OCTOBER

Class of 2013 History Day

Thursday, Oct. 18

NOVEMBER

26th Annual Meeting & Reunion

Wednesday, Oct. 7

@ Atlanta Botanical Garden – Day Hall

1345 Piedmont Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30309