{"id":396,"date":"2023-02-23T14:20:03","date_gmt":"2023-02-23T14:20:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esustage.wpengine.com\/kansas-city\/?page_id=396"},"modified":"2026-03-29T18:34:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-29T18:34:29","slug":"our-community","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.esuus.org\/atlanta\/who-we-are\/our-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Community"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n Welcome to the Atlanta Branch of the English-Speaking Union <\/div>\n \n \n
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The English-Speaking Union of the United States is a membership organization
\nwhose mission is carried out locally by the efforts of the Atlanta Branch, which was
\nfounded in 1940. We support educational programs and activities for our
\nmembers, and for high school students and teachers in the greater Atlanta
\ncommunity. High school students perform Shakespeare at the school and
\ncommunity levels. With the financial sponsorship of the Atlanta Branch, the branch
\nwinner then participates in the National Shakespeare Competition in New York.
\nThe Atlanta Branch provides scholarships to high school teachers for summer
\nstudy in Great Britain and funds grants for Study Abroad programs for college and
\nuniversity students. The Atlanta Branch also supports the Educational Department
\nof the Atlanta Shakespeare Company for student interns and outreach programs.
\nAdditionally, the Atlanta Branch hosts monthly programs and events for members
\nfrom September through June each year. These include speaker and book author
\nprograms, luncheon events with speakers, an annual Garden Party, and other
\nsocial and cultural opportunities. Members have the opportunity to expand their
\nown social network by participating in our local events, and benefit from our
\naffiliation with the international English-Speaking Union, founded in 1918
\nheadquartered at Dartmouth House in London, England.
\nWe welcome new members to any of our programs. Join us as we work to support
\nstudents and teachers and make a difference in our community.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n \n \n\n \n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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The English-Speaking Union<\/h5>\n \n

Atlanta Branch<\/h2>\n \n

Atlanta ESU Officers<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n
\n

Kim Scholes Ogburn
\nChairman<\/em><\/p>\n

Johnnie Zarzeka
\nPresident<\/em><\/p>\n

Fay Selvage
\nVice President<\/em><\/p>\n

Adam Ogburn
\nTreasurer<\/em><\/p>\n

Dana Azar
\nSecretary<\/em><\/p>\n <\/div>\n

Atlanta ESU Board of Directors<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n
\n

 Camille Yow<\/p>\n

Clarke Goodwin<\/p>\n

David Robichaud<\/p>\n

Don Pattillo<\/p>\n

Lyn Hovanesian<\/p>\n

Sally Parsonson<\/p>\n

JoAnn Turner<\/p>\n

George Bevington<\/p>\n

Jennifer Ham<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

Honorary Members<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n
\n

His Majesty’s Consul-General, Honorable Rachel Galloway<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

Committees<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n
\n

Johnnie Zarzeka
\nProgramming\/TLab<\/em><\/p>\n

Diane and Randy Brannen
\nShakespeare Competition<\/em><\/p>\n

Kim Scholes
\nCommunications and Social Media<\/i><\/p>\n

David Robichaud
\nGrants<\/i><\/p>\n

Lyn Hovanesian
\nHospitality<\/i><\/p>\n

Stephen Zarzeka
\nGovernance<\/i><\/p>\n

Don Patillo
\nMembership<\/em><\/p>\n <\/div>\n

Past Presidents<\/span><\/i><\/h3>\n
\n

Susan Phillips
\n2023-2025<\/p>\n

Charles Maddrey
\n2021-2023<\/p>\n

Don Pattillo
\n2020-2021<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n