The Rotary Club of Emory-Druid Hills in Atlanta received its charter as a new club from Rotary International on October 21, 2009. The new club is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lake Spivey and the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs.

In celebration of their new charter, an eloquent banquet was held on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at the Holiday Inn Atlanta Northeast in Doraville, GA. The members of the club were honored to have the District Governor, Mr. Roy L. Strickland, to present the charter, make remarks and install the officers. 

The evening began with a social hour with past president Reda Rowell serving as the mistress of ceremony. A slide show presentation was made by past president Upendra Bhatt narrating the various club activities that projected a very strong Rotary Club in the District 6900, with a diverse membership and a strong international presence.


The program included Dr. Paddy Sharma, current president of the Rotary Club of Emory-Druid Hills, conducting the Call to Order, introducing the guests and presenting the pins and badges to the charter members. Roger Williams led the Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Almost all past district governors of Rotary District 6900 were present when Gov. Roy presented the charter. The new club appreciated and thanked the services of past president Chandler Sharma, past district governors Barry Smith and Bill Mulkey and honored them with honorary membership to this club. In addition, the Dunwoody Sunset, Lake Spivey and Sandy Springs Rotary Clubs were recognized for presenting gifts to the new charter club. 

Entertainment was provided by the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta (YEA.) This talented group of young people has performed for Jane Fonda, President Carter, Woody Harrelson, Dr. C. T, Vivian and for the Commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. They regularly perform with companies around the globe and on major stages across the United States, including a recent trip to China. We are very proud of our Rotarian Roger Williams who is preparing a van to be donated to this group in near future.

The Officers and Directors for this new club are as follows:

Officers: President- Dr. Paddy Sharma, President Elect- Nitin Shah, President Nominee-Lawrence Sharp, Jr., Secretary: Past President- Upendra Bhatt, Asst. Secretary- Ganesh Kumar, Treasurer- Dr. Jayesh Sheth, Asst. Treasurer- Harish Iyer; Sergeant-at-Arms- Naveen Shroff.

Directors: Nitin Shah, Dr. Pamela Bouie, Farzana Kalvert, Ganesh Kumar, Chittaranjan Jyotishi, PP Upendra Bhatt and Charity Garcia.

The Emory-Druid Hills Rotary Club meets Thursdays from 6:30 pm until 7:30 pm at Saravana Bhavan Restaurant located at 2179 Lawrenceville Hwy, Decatur, GA 30033. Fellow Rotarians and individuals interested in joining the rotary club are invited to attend or call Upendra Bhatt at 678-478-2578.