This Week's Speaker: Alan Mothner, Executive Director - Dunwoody Nature Center
Since 2011, Alan Mothner has served as the Executive Director of the Dunwoody Nature Center. In this role he leads the Center’s daily operations and, in conjunction with its board of directors, oversees the Center’s long term strategic vision and growth. Prior to joining the Nature Center as its director, Alan served for 6 years on the Center’s board, including 2 years as the board president.
Under his leadership as Executive Director, the Nature Center has grown substantially with over 20,000 program participants last year and the re-emergence of widely regarded community programs such as the Butterfly Festival, Concerts in the Park series and many other free community events such as public art, theater in the park, and seasonal nocturnal hikes. As part of the Nature Center’s mission to preserve and enhance the 22 acres of Dunwoody Park, Alan has overseen several facility improvements including a restoration of Wildcat Creek and the main meadow area. Capital improvement projects includ the addition of an outdoor screened in porch and deck, public restrooms, ADA compliant and a stormwater pervious front entry plaza. The Nature Center is close to breaking ground on a much need community event and programming facility called the North Woods Pavilion. During the same time, community support for the Nature Center has flourished; with membership tripling, civic engagement reaching over 10,000 volunteer hours, and the doubling of the Nature Center’s annual budget through additional growth in programs, grants, as well as corporate and private donors.
Alan is actively involved in the Dunwoody community and also serves as a board member of the Dunwoody Homeowners Association. He and his wife have lived in Dunwoody for 14 years with their two children and are neighbors to the Nature Center (which makes for a great commute!).
Prior to his involvement with the Nature Center, Alan worked in advertising and marketing before entering a career in photojournalism and photography. He ran the city news desk for the Associated Press’ Atlanta Bureau during the 1996 Olympics and covered local and national news and sporting events. An accomplished photographer, Alan’s work is represented in numerous public and private collections. Alan holds a B.A. in sociology from Duke University.
Need Your Help: RCD Membership Goal
For several years our Club has averaged between 85 and 95 Rotarians.
Thankfully, we have inducted many outstanding new members… but we have lost similar numbers, mostly due to “life-changes”. Let us resolve, in this Rotary year (by next June 30th) our membership will exceed 100.
Our motivation for doing this is very straightforward: more members will allow us to “Do more, For more”. Each of us can help achieve this goal. Look at your social network and begin inviting friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc., to one of our meetings. Also, check the speaker schedule for favorites.
The membership Team will assist as appropriate, depending on a guest's interest level.In short, make it your personal goal to sponsor at least one great addition to RCDduring the next few months!!!
From the desk of the Newsletter Editor
Send your Newsletter submission to: rcdnewsletter@yahoo.com
Our Club's Weekly Newsletter typically consists of:
- Speaker bio
- New Member Name(s)
- Featured article(s) (regarding events, service projects, or on-going topics general club administrative items, etc..).
- Foundation initiatives or other topics of interest to Members and with value for our Club archives.
- Announcements (seeking volunteers, advertising service projects, etc.)
- For Your Calendar (Club and other activities we encourage members and/or their spouses to attend, including Family of Rotary events
- Member News (birthdays, anniversaries, accomplishments, Caring Hands)
Please keep in mind key components to include with your submission:
- Title of your article
- Description of the activity
- Dates, Time, Location, deadline, etc... (especially for upcoming events)
- Key Points of Contact Information and/or a link to reference website for details
- Names and/or headcount of Rotarians (and others) participating,
- The reaction of those benefiting and the numbers of those benefiting.
- Picture(s)
Please also tell me the number of weeks would you like the article published.
Finally, the deadline for articles to run in the current week are Mondays by 5 p.m.
If you have any questions feel free to ask.
Thank you!
Cassandra Mills, PMP, ITIL, REALTOR