Need the quick, brief details? We have you covered! Here is a summary:

• We are streamlining our support process through the Chapter Check-In Form! This form should be completed once a month per school and should take at most 5 minutes to complete.

• Georgia Leadership Training Day (Atlanta) is on Saturday, September 9th, from 11am-2pm at Dave and Buster’s Marietta.

• The Leadership Training Day (Middle Georgia) has been rescheduled and condensed to an upcoming Virtual Leadership Training Day on Friday, September 22nd. Details TBA!

• September is recruitment season, leading up to match party season in October! Jumpstart the new school year by hosting a recruitment meeting to share Best Buddies info with your school.

• Meet our first Buddy Spotlight, Cate Tryan!

• Please email Robin Aldridge if you want to be involved with Champion of the Year.

• Gear up for an exciting year, and most importantly, have fun!

Always Growing and Supporting!

We are thrilled to have 43-and-growing elementary, middle, high school, and collegiate Best Buddies school chapters across the State of Georgia! We are so glad to have you a part of our community and look forward to doing amazing work.

With so many schools and only one Program Manager, this form was created to ensure you get the individualized support you need to be successful. This form should be completed once a month per school and should take at most 5 minutes to complete. Please help us, help you, by taking a moment to complete this form every month. Thank you!

Upcoming Events

What in the World is Leaders League??

Leader’s League is a chance to connect with other Best Buddies leaders nationwide (Expansion) and statewide with your program manager (PM).

If you can’t make a monthly call, please feel free to pass along the Zoom info to your Vice President or another officer!

As always, if you need anything outside of these monthly calls, you can always shoot your PM, Doug, an e-mail to set up a time to chat one-on-one. We are also doing a raffle, so please try to jump on with us!

Recruitment Season is HERE!

As you return to school, don’t waste time before starting to recruit new members to your Best Buddies chapter!

You’ll find a ton of helpful resources (and the BB logo!) for recruitment on Best Buddies University!

If you need support with recruitment, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Doug. Always happy to help!

Buddy Spotlight - Meet Cate Tyran of Marietta High School

We are thrilled to have our very first buddy spotlight on one of our members from Marietta High School, Cate Tyran! We are also proud to announce that Cate was selected to represent Best Buddies at a coin toss at the upcoming Falcons vs. Panthers game this Saturday. We are SUPER proud of you, Cate!

To read more about Cate, please continue to read her brief bio below. To submit a Buddy Spotlight for a member of your chapter, please submit to Doug Peters at [email protected]!

Cate is 17, in the 11^th grade, and is a founding member and Best Buddies director on Marietta High School’s Best Buddies chapter. She has jumped right in and help plan and facilitate fun events for our students. Cate has helped recruit new members to our Best Buddies chapter our MHS Fall Madness. She has also assisted with Marietta High’s “Yes I Can” awards for students with exceptionalities.

In addition to these activities at Marietta High School, Cate participates in Eagles Elite Flare ‘Cheerabilities,’ McKenna Farms Equestrian Team, Special Olympics Equestrian, and the FOCUS Adaptive Swim Team. Last Spring, Cate had the opportunity to advocate as she gave a speech at a McKenna Farms event.

Cate brings joy and laughter to all those with whom she comes in contact. There are no limits to what she can accomplish when she puts her mind to it. After high school, Cate plans to pursue a job working with animals.

2023 Champion of the Year

Best Buddies Champion of the Year is a competitive fundraising campaign that unites and recognizes leaders of inclusion in local communities nationwide.

Champion Candidates commit to raising funds and awareness for Best Buddies throughout their campaign. Our Champions advocate for the Best Buddies mission and will generate countless opportunities for friendships, jobs, and leadership development. At the Best Buddies Champion of the Year celebration, we honor the Champions’ collective impact and name the ultimate Champion of the Year!

If you want to be involved with Champion of the Year, please email Robin Aldridge.

We will also release a potential opportunity to collaborate on an art project. We will keep you posted!

Check Out Our 2023 Champion of the Year Candidates and Schedule!