Hopefully you and your family found meaningful ways to celebrate the holiday season this year while still keeping everyone in your families, your clubs, and your communities safe. It’s an ongoing challenge in a multitude of ways.
Please send your assistant governor any updates on what your club has been doing and is planning for the new year to adapt your meetings, your service projects, and your fellowship activities within the current health guidelines. And as the COVID-19 vaccine begins to roll out, how can your club be involved in encouraging your members and your community at large to be vaccinated when their time comes?
Thanks to Rotary’s experience with the polio eradication campaign, we are natural leaders in this effort. Brainstorm with your members and talk to healthcare leaders in your area to see if there is a role you could play, and share your ideas with us all! And be sure to post your activities on FaceBook. If you’ll send me a friend request and tag me when you post something, we can share it on the district Facebook page.
This effort is just beginning, and we hope to have some visuals or articles that we can use as we go forward.
There is a movement within the district governors in the seven districts in Texas to be able to say that Rotary in Texas promotes and encourages everyone to be vaccinated. Will you join me and the other clubs in our district and around Texas? Remember that we are #People of Action!
As we work our way through this crisis, keep in mind that isolation is a major issue for many people right now. The article below talks about ways we can counteract the effects of isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic while keeping everyone safe:
January 14, 2021 at 4:00 pm - Assistant Governors meeting
January 16 at 9:00 am - Virtual Pre-PETS (register on the district website - Rotary5910.org)
February 13 - Youth Exchange interviews in the morning and orientation for long term exchanges in the afternoon.
February 20 11:00 am - 12:00 pm - Virtual Foundation Donor event (Paul Harris Society members, Benefactors, Major Donors, Bequest Society members, Arch Klumph Society members). Keynote speaker - Rotary International President Holger Knaack. By invitation.
February 22 - 27 - Virtual Lone Star PETS
March 13 - District Leadership Team Training (details TBD)
April 24 - Virtual District Conference (details TBD)
June 12 - 16 - Taipei, Taiwan
June 19 at 2:00 pm at Woodville United Methodist Church - Jerry Springfield’s Governor Installation
In these difficult days, we are so heartened to receive such uplifting reports on the unrelenting efforts of our Rotary members who have responded in their communities against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, the single question we hear time and again as we traverse the virtual world is, “Are we getting involved with COVID vaccination?” Considering the success and expertise we have gained in our polio eradication effort, this question is both natural and timely.
The answer is yes. We will have an important role in the months ahead.
This does not mean we will deviate in any way from our avowed commitment to eradicating polio, which remains our highest priority and will continue to be our only corporate program. Polio vaccinations and surveillance activities must continue unabated, as must our effort to raise $50 million per year for this effort.
But as we know, there is a pandemic sweeping the world. The Board of RI and the Trustees of our Foundation met in joint session and have agreed that we have a role to play.
We ask you, then, to encourage your clubs to:
Utilize Rotary’s knowledge of vaccine safety and efficacy based on our polio eradication experience to conduct vaccination education and communication outreach in your communities. This will need to be tailored to local contexts to address unique cultural and regional needs. Your leadership will be critical in crafting the appropriate messages and strategies.
Engage, where appropriate, with our current polio eradication partners WHO and UNICEF at the country level to offer Rotary’s support to COVID-19 response activities, including vaccination efforts.
Partner at the local level with governments, corporations, and foundations to support Rotary activities at the country level.
Through hundreds of global grants and projects, Rotary members have demonstrated what we can accomplish to raise awareness, deliver critical personal protection equipment, and provide support for frontline health workers. As you learn of work being done in your area, please encourage clubs to add to the more than 3,000 projects already registered on Rotary Showcase (please log in to My Rotary first, and navigate to Rotary Showcase). We would like to know about them.
We have one final call to action: Help us combat the powerful, growing force of vaccine resistance and misinformation. Our advocacy in our communities will be critical — we need to spread the message about the power of vaccines to save lives.
Working together, we have done so much to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic, to care for our communities, and to prepare Rotarians for the work ahead.
We do this for ourselves and for future generations. We do this as part of our obligation to support our world as it faces the most significant challenge of this generation.
Thank you.
Holger Knaack K.R. Ravindran President, Rotary International Chair, The Rotary Foundation
OFFICIAL NOTICE FOR 2023-2024 DISTRICT GOVERNOR PROPOSALS
This is the official notice that District Governor Becky Mason has issued a request for all clubs in the district to propose individuals to serve as the District Governor-Nominee-Designate (DGN-D) position, which will determine the governor for our district during the 2023-2024 Rotary Year. As the Immediate Past District Governor, I, Betsy Robinson, will serve as the Chair of the District Governor Nominating Committee.
The current Governor succession is as follows:
2018-2019: John Hathaway –Rotary Club of The Woodlands
2019-2020: Elizabeth Robinson – Rotary Club of League City
2020-2021: Becky Mason – Rotary Club of Beaumont
2021-2022: Jerry Springfield – Rotary Club of Woodville
2022-2023: Demetress Harrell – Rotary Club of Angelina
2023-2024: To be determined
The application period for District Governor for the Rotary Year 2023-2024 is now open and will remain so through January 20, 2021.
The calendar only recently says "2021," but be reminded now: the deadline for submitting District Grant Final Report is May 1, 2021. You may use either the pdf or Word version available on the District website.(website tab "Service" and "District Grants" on drop-down menu.) Please remember to attach copies of supporting documentation including receipts, invoices, bank statements or canceled checks (remember to redact bank account numbers), and photographs showing “Rotarians At Work” on your project. Scan and email your report and supporting documentation to Bobby Chapman < bobbychapman.5910@gmail.com > by May 1.
Rotarians in the Rotary Club of Beaumont look forward to serving as "bell-ringers" and sharing the holiday spirit with others! The weather this year was mild and the volunteers enjoyed the experience very much. Many brought family members along with them and everyone shared in a really good time for a really good cause. Thanks go to Chair Gary Moncla for managing a large number of volunteers.
Rotary Club of Cleveland Announces WINNERS of Annual Fundraiser
The annual Rotary Club of Cleveland fundraiser for college scholarships and charitable projects was a tremendous success. Winners were announced at the Rotary Club of Cleveland meeting on Wednesday, December 9, 2020.
1st Prize: 2020 Polaris Sportsman 450 H.O.
(Donations from Austin Bank, Pace Stancil Funeral Home, Martin Powersports, Prosperity Bank, Scott Shuff State Farm Insurance, Veritex Bank)
WINNER: ANNA CLAIRE LAMBERT
2nd Prize: $1000 CBS Furniture Gift Certificate
(Donated by CBS Furniture)
WINNER: DIANA HARPRING
3rd Prize: $750 Value Rounds of Golf at Oakhurst, River Plantation, West Fork for 4 people
(Donated by David Preisler)
WINNER: LARRY ALLEN
4th Prize: $500 VISA Gift Card
(Donated by Kendall Homes)
WINNER: BRANDY WILSON
The Rotary Club of Cleveland would like to thank all who bought tickets for this fundraiser.
Pictured Left to Right: Leah Miller (Martin Powersports), Anna Claire Lambert (1st Prize Winner), Rotarian Ernestine Belt (Foundation Chairperson), Rotarian Tommie Daniel, Secretary
The past few months the College Station Rotary Club has not let COVID get in the way of serving our community. A special thanks to Dana Rowse and Jabot' Colvin for thinking outside the box and making our annual Florence Nightingale Awards and Clothing for Kids event happen.
On November 19th, the CS Rotary Club awarded 6 CNAs with a plaque and $500 in cash to thank them for their service to our community. Traditionally, we have the recipients come to our in-person meeting. However, since we are not meeting in person yet, we were able to safely socially distance and present their awards in person at their workplace. It was exciting and fun!
Congratulations to Erica Hardy, Lisa Willey, Idalliah Walker, Margaret Stewart, Mattie Stringellow and Gwendalyn Shephard for winning this year's awards.
James Guzman with the Conroe Salvation Army and his two children ringing the bell for the Salvation Army on behalf of the Rotary Club of Conroe on December 19.
For the final meeting of the year, members of the Rotary Club of East Montgomery County provided 25+ gift bags for Meals on Wheels participants. Past District Governor Dr. Rose Austin sent out the request for items and members responded!
Rotarians brought blankets, fuzzy socks, along with practical items such as toothbrushes, soap, and lotion. The gift bags were decorated by New Horizons patrons and will be delivered along with the regular breakfast bags. What a great way to end the year!
The Rotary Club of Orange brightened the holidays with service projects. Members took turns ringing the bell at the red kettle collecting donations for the Salvation Army’s Christmas projects of helping community members. Members also signed up to buy a Christmas present for a child in the Boys and Girls Club and then a group of Rotarians gathered the presents for delivery to the Salvation Army for distribution. In addition to the service project meeting, the Club had two hybrid meetings in December.
Our Rotarians purchased 25 gifts and gave generous donations to the Salvation Army Boys Club of Orange today!! Sharing the Christmas spirit. Orange Rotarians assemble gifts for children in the Boys and Girls Club. Left to right, Dawn Burleigh, David Jones, Amy Peevey, Chad Kemp, Natasha Garrett.
Most articles and emails that try to say anything about this year all start off the same. We have all read the word “unprecedented” an unprecedented number of times. It’s a way we recognize our common reality. The first rule of small talk is to talk about the weather because regardless of who we are talking to we are all effected by the weather. So, one of the things we did this year is to collectively sigh our confusion and despair at the beginning of our various forms of address. As 2020 draws to a close, Rotary Club of Palestine wanted to show their appreciation for the health care workers in our community who have been working overtime in dangerous and uncomfortable positions. The club bought lunch for every staff member at Palestine Regional Medical Center. Local restaurant Old Magnolia Sandwich Shop came with their food truck and the Rotary Club invited all the staff members to come out and get a free lunch. It was a wet and cold day, not exactly ideal conditions, but like every source of goodness and joy during the year 2020 we have learned how to love one another underneath cloudy skies as the cold rain falls. So, Rotarians stood in line holding umbrellas for health care workers, cleaning staff and administrators. While wearing masks and keeping their distance, Rotarians greeted the hospital workers as they came to get their food and express their appreciation for all their hard work in these difficult times. It’s been a rough year for all of us, but it's always a bright spot for Rotarians to see people in our community put service above self in order to care for others. Thanks to all the hospital staff throughout our district who are helping through these times.
In spite of a challenging 2020, Spindletop Rotary Club continued to host weekly meetings throughout the year, primarily virtual and then a few hybrid gatherings in the fall. We assisted with donations after not one, but two hurricanes came very close to Southeast Texas with Laura and Delta. While the pandemic slowed down our volunteer hours, it did not hinder donation efforts for various non-profit organizations. We were also able to assist in making new beds with the organization Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
We started a 'Rotarian Spotlight' campaign to feature an amazing member each week with their years as a Rotarian and favorite service project; example shown here.
And, even with our small but mighty 40+ member club, we virtually inducted 8 new members in 2020!
The Rotary Club of Texas City “passed the stocking” to collect funds to help purchase Christmas gifts for “at risk students” of Texas City High School. A stocking was passed at a meeting in December and over $1200.00 was collected to purchase Walmart gift cards. Pictured are left to right – Rita Baldwin, Texas City ISD LMSW Social Worker, Homeless/Foster Care Liaison, Rotarians Thelma Bowie, Barbara White and TCHS Principal and Rotarian Lincoln Hypolite.
The calendar only recently says "2021," but be reminded now: the deadline for submitting District Grant Final Report is 
weather this year was mild and the volunteers enjoyed the experience very much. Many brought family members along with them and everyone shared in a really good time for a really good cause. Thanks go to Chair Gary Moncla for managing a large number of volunteers.
ember 19th, the CS Rotary Club awarded 6 CNAs with a plaque and $500 in cash to thank them for their service to our community. Traditionally, we have the recipients come to our in-person meeting. However, since we are not meeting in person yet, we were able to safely socially distance and present their awards in person at their workplace. It was exciting and fun! 
Exciting Rotary Club of Lake Conroe meeting on November 17th included the induction of two new Rotarians, Abbey Tipton and Dorene Lockey.
Both just happen to be children of Rotarians. In fact, Abbey is a 5th generation Rotarian. It was a real family affair. 
service project meeting, the Club had two hybrid meetings in December.
about the weather because regardless of who we are talking to we are all effected by the weather. So, one of the things we did this year is to collectively sigh our confusion and despair at the beginning of our various forms of address. As 2020 draws to a close, Rotary Club of Palestine wanted to show their appreciation for the health care workers in our community who have been working overtime in dangerous and uncomfortable positions. The club bought lunch for every staff member at Palestine Regional Medical Center. Local restaurant Old Magnolia Sandwich Shop came with their food truck and the Rotary Club invited all the staff members to come out and get a free lunch. It was a wet and cold day, not exactly ideal conditions, but like every source of goodness and joy during the year 2020 we have learned how to love one another underneath cloudy skies as the cold rain falls. So, Rotarians stood in line holding umbrellas for health care workers, cleaning staff and administrators. While wearing masks and keeping their distance, Rotarians greeted the hospital workers as they came to get their food and express their appreciation for all their hard work in these difficult times. It’s been a rough year for all of us, but it's always a bright spot for Rotarians to see people in our community put service above self in order to care for others. Thanks to all the hospital staff throughout our district who are helping through these times.
We started a 'Rotarian Spotlight' campaign to feature an amazing member each week with their years as a Rotarian and favorite service project; example shown here.
The Rotary Club of Texas City “passed the stocking” to collect funds to help purchase Christmas gifts for “at risk students” of Texas City High School. A stocking was passed at a meeting in December and over $1200.00 was collected to purchase Walmart gift cards. Pictured are left to right – Rita Baldwin, Texas City ISD LMSW Social Worker, Homeless/Foster Care Liaison, Rotarians Thelma Bowie, Barbara White and TCHS Principal and Rotarian Lincoln Hypolite.
