If you’ve spent any time around the Rotary Club of Dunwoody, you know Villard "Ardy" Bastien as a pillar of service and leadership. A member since June 2011, Ardy’s journey into Rotary was a mix of childhood inspiration and a neighborly nudge.

Growing up, Ardy was born in NY but spent several years in the Caribbean. He remembers the "respectable adults" meeting down the street. At the time he didn't really know what those Rotarians were doing for the community, but they left a lasting impression. Fast forward to his adult life in Dunwoody: his neighbor, first mayor Ken Wright, invited him to a meeting of our club. After years of "work, work, work," Ardy realized it was time to give back. He stayed because he loved the people, the activities, and the ethics he wanted to model for his children.

Ardy served as Club President during the challenging 2020-2021 term. Despite the pandemic, he pivoted the club toward unity and guided our club to be one of the first that started gathering again in person, like the holiday party which helped keep members connected. Today, he serves as Assistant District Governor, bridging the gap between the District Governor and five area clubs. 

When asked about his favorite club activity, he couldn't decide and highlight three of his favorites -

• Special Olympics: He wasn't exposed to people with disabilities before and seeing the children's happiness from helping them do something that they normally wouldn't be able to do brought a lot of joy to all the volunteers.
• Character Education: Ardy visited Hightower Elementary School and impressed the children so much that one of them asked for his autograph! 
• International Hosting: Ardy has hosted several RYE and GRSP students, currently hosting Julia this term.

Ardy lives in Dunwoody where he manages his law practice and specializes in Injury Law with a concentration in Nursing Home and Medical Malpractice. He has served as the chairman of the Dunwoody Zoning Board of Appeals, member of the Dunwoody Perimeter Chamber of Commerce, board member of Leadership Sandy Springs, as secretary of the Community Assistance Center of Sandy Springs and Dunwoody, and as a Council Member for the City of Dunwoody. 

He encourages us to keep being "the giving club" through hands-on work like the Sandwich Project. Next big event on his agenda? Ardy and his wife, Lydie, are taking their family to Taiwan for the Rotary International Convention!