Join us for festive fun at our Christmas party on December 14th at Anna Thai. We can't wait to make memories, share stories, and strengthen bonds. Your presence will make it merrier.

We will be ordering directly from the menu that night. You won't need to pick or pay for your meal ahead of time. You will be responsible for your meal at Anna Thai.

After our meal, we will enjoy a white elephant gift exchange that promises to leave us with great memories.  For the white elephant gift exchange, please bring an item from your home you no longer want that has a value of $20 or less. It's time to turn your trash into someone else's treasure!

RSVP by sending an email to dawndecatur@gmail.com.

Dr. Juanita Morris, Civic Leadership Project Design Coordinator in partnership w/ Howard G. Buffett Foundation

Join us for an evening of inspiration and learning. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Juanita Morris, a current DAWN member, as our keynote speaker. She will be discussing the importance of civic engagement and political involvement, drawing from her experiences and knowledge gained through the Dawson Civic Leadership Institute. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about how you can make a difference in your community and get involved in creating positive change.

Please note the Country Club of Decatur dress code does not allow for denim or sleeveless shirts.

RSVP Here

Nicole Bateman, President of EDC of Decatur-Macon County

Join us as Nicole highlights some of the incredible things happening in our community, including Tillamook’s recent announcement. Tillamook, the fastest-growing family sized ice cream brand in the US, plans open an ice cream manufacturing facility in our community.  We will have an evening of delicious food, networking, and learning about our community at the Country Club of Decatur.

Please note the Country Club of Decatur dress code does not allow for denim or sleeveless shirts.

RSVP Here

Jared & Lindsay Storm, co-owners of Bushel & Peck Wildflowers

Jared & Lindsay are what you call "farmer-florists". They'll explain what that means, and share how they turned a small hobby garden into a sustainable business. They pride themselves on offering unique, hard-to-find blooms, old cottage garden favorites, whimsical arrangements, a seasonal floral subscription, and their customers' favorite "curated mixed bouquets" sold at local farmers markets during their growing season. The story behind the evolution of this business is one of growing, healing, and passing on the hope that comes with sowing seeds. If you know a budding entrepreneur or someone who adores flowers, invite them to join you May 13th!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/bushelandpeckwildflowers

Recorded Zoom Meeting: www.facebook.com/DAWNsince1982/videos/2844956742425643

Sally Hurst, American Chef

Join us to hear from Sally Hurst, an American Chef who currently lives and works in the Middle East! Sally will be sharing what it's like to be a working woman there and help dispel some common myths about the Middle East.

Recorded Zoom Meeting: www.facebook.com/DAWNsince1982/videos/909338593192282

Doree Donaldson, Vice President and Erin-Rae Peace, Relations Manager

In celebration of International Women’s Day this week, we will be hearing from the mother-daughter duo, Doree Donaldson and Erin-Rae Peace! Doree and Erin-Rae come from Convoy of Hope, an international relief organization that has been providing disaster recovery and food to 20+ different countries for the last 20 years.

They’ll be sharing all about how Convoy’s Women’s Empowerment Initiative is changing the future for women and girls all over the world! Hear stories of women who have been impacted and learn how you can be part of Changing Her Story!

Website: www.convoyofhope.org/

Recorded Zoom Meeting: www.facebook.com/DAWNsince1982/videos/786498905315283

We know our members have missed being together so much, so what better time to meet and fellowship than Christmastime? Find your favorite Christmas sweater, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and join us for our virtual Christmas party. We won’t have a speaker this month as we want to spend some time reconnecting with each other this year.

Terrence "TAT" Taylor & Dr. Jarmese Sherrod, Director of Community Investments

Jarmese is the Facilitator of YLIA (Young Leaders in Action)

DAWN will be hosting The Community Foundation of Decatur during our September Meeting. We'll be joined by Terrence "TAT" Taylor & Dr. Jarmese Sherrod from The Community Foundation of Decatur! Tat is the Director of Community Investments and Jarmese is the Facilitator of YLIA (Young Leaders in Action) there. These two are part of the new leadership team at The Community Foundation, and we are eager to hear their vision and goals for impacting Decatur!

Please feel free to join us on our Zoom Meeting or on our main Facebook page, where our Zoom meeting will be also posted live.

Recorded Zoom Meeting: www.facebook.com/899788100125013/videos/2712664235613348

Join us at 5:30 pm for appetizers of white cheddar cheese and chive buttermilk biscuits with roasted tomato butter, crispy brussels sprouts with green goddess dressing, and deviled eggs with yellow pepper sauce.  As always, the cash bar will be available while we mingle and celebrate

We will start the evening with a family style salad to share.  Our entrée choices include a vegetarian entrée of roasted sweet potato, black bean, avocado, and quinoa, sweet corn cilantro cream, a seafood entrée of linguini with mussels and chorizo cream sauce, sweet peppers & grilled scallion, or a meat entrée of shepherd’s pie, lamb, mushroom, pearl onion, peas, parsnip.  We will finish our meal with a lovely dessert of the chef’s choice.

After our meal, we will enjoy a white elephant gift exchange that promises to leave us with great memories.  For the white elephant gift exchange, please bring an item from your home you no longer want that has a value of $15 or less. It's time to turn your trash into someone else's treasure!

RSVP Here

Mark your calendars for this special evening! Join us at 5:30 pm for an appetizer of elephant garlic mousse with grilled breads. As always, the cash bar will be available while we mingle and celebrate.

We will start our meal with a spinach salad with pecans and mandarin oranges with rolls. Meal choices include roasted chicken with garlic cream sauce, cedar planked salmon with hollandaise sauce, or beef medallions with herbed espagnol. These entrees will be served with baked potatoes and grilled asparagus. A cobb salad with grilled chicken, avocados, roasted squash, toasted pecans, and a creamy corn & poblano dressing will also be available. Our meal will finish with chocolate cake. Since we are having a special meal, the cost is $25.

We need all RSVP's by Thursday, December 5th.

After our meal, we will enjoy a white elephant gift exchange that promises to leave us with great memories. For the white elephant gift exchange, please bring an item from your home you no longer want that has a value of $15 or less. It's time to turn your trash into someone else's treasure!

RSVP Here

Speaker: Ramona Boarders

Join us as Decatur native, Ramona Boarders, shares her life journey and the lessons she has learned along the way.  She started her career helping design the first computers in the 1940's and paved the way in non-traditional fields. Locally she has served on the Symphony Guild of Decatur for many years.  She has also managed to travel to world, having visited 69 countries.  I promise you'll leave this meeting feeling inspired to live your life to the fullest!

Speaker: Jerry Johnson, Executive Director, Decatur Area Arts Council

The Decatur Area Arts Council is celebrating the 50th year of its remarkable journey. Jerry Johnson, Executive Director, will guide us through the Arts Councils’ remarkable history and tell us about their wide variety of offerings including art galleries, classes, community events, etc.  Lastly we will get to help plan for its future! Join us for this informative, memorable evening.

Speaker: Therese Wyatt, Assistant Director of the International Dance Troupe BlackSheep BellyDance

Join us for this ancient, artistic dance form and let the music speak to you!  Together we will learn from a Level 3 certified instructor while experiencing strength and balance.  There will be a few mistakes, but we will start the new year off right – with friends and laughter!  Be sure to dress comfortably and in layers so you can stay cool once we start moving! Got a friend who would enjoy sharing this experience? Be sure to invite them!

Speaker: Rochelle Irons, Director of Neighborhood Services, City of Decatur

Rochelle was a last minute fill in for us as our planned speaker of the night had a personal emergency.  However, Rochelle did not disappoint.  She talked about her role with the City of Decatur as the Director of the Neighborhood Services Program.  She also talked a bit about her personal life and how it's important to celebrate you!