My Governor classmate, Gary Gillen has invited us to visit with Rotary International President Mark Maloney at their weekly District-wide Zoom Meeting! Please join us on April 2nd to show Mark that everything we do in Texas is BIG!!!
Subject:Weekly District-Wide Zoom Meeting With RI President Mark Maloney
I am very excited to share with you that Rotary International President Mark Maloney will join District 5890 at our weekly Electronic Meeting Thursday, April 2 at 7pm.
Please log on to the link below at 6:45pm to make sure you can log in.
If you have a question you'd like President Mark to answer please send it to me before Thursday.
Lets show President Mark that we are enthusiastic and engaged by having a huge number of Rotarians online Thursday night!
Rotary District 5890 and the E-Club of Houston are inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Rotary District 5890 E-Meeting
Time: Apr 2, 2020 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
I would also like to call your attention to a notice we received from Gary Huang, Chair of The Rotary Foundation about disaster response grants to support COVID-19 relief efforts. You can link to that information here and it is also posted on the District 5910 website.
Our thoughts are with you all, and we look forward to the time that we will be able to resume our in person meetings and events. As we practice social distancing while still remaining connected as Rotarians, we will rely on technology for our upcoming meetings and training sessions. The current schedule is:
Saturday, April 4 - Zoom meeting with assistant governors for their training. Information about how to prepare for the meeting was previously sent to the AGs. An invitation to the online meeting will be sent on Friday, April 3.
Saturday, April 25 - Instead of the scheduled District Training Assembly for incoming club officers in Lufkin, we will have a Zoom meeting with incoming district officers and chairs that day. Information about the meeting and how to prepare for it will be sent soon. An invitation including log in for the Zoom meeting will be sent a few days before.
Plans for the District Training Assembly for incoming club officers and committee chairmen are being finalized. As soon as those plans are complete, we will announce it through a ClubRunner email to all members.
Rotary Learning Center
The Learning Center at Rotary.org offers training modules for club and district officers and committee chairs as well as courses applicable to all members. They provide a great way to get ready for our upcoming district training assembly and for your leadership assignment for the coming year. I strongly encourage you to explore these resources that are available to us by taking courses applicable to your position in your club and/or the district.
If you do not yet have a log in for Rotary.org, go to the website, follow the steps to register for an account, and follow the instructions.
Just because we cannot meet in groups of 10 or more does not mean we will become disconnected from our Rotary families. Now more than ever is the time to embrace digital meetings and social platforms. Rotary International President Mark Maloney asked us in January 2019 to embrace the idea that "Rotary Connects the World" and now is our chance! We are asking each member and club to become more familiar with Zoom.
Zoom is an easy and reliable video platform recommended by RI for clubs. Some of you may be hesitant. Some of you may be thinking this will be too hard. I want to reassure you it will be easy as long as you keep an open mind and can follow directions. Below is a link to a YouTube Channel created by Zoom to show you how easy it is to use. The videos are short and uncomplicated. Commit to watching one or two a day, and in no time, you will be a Zoom expert!
Zoom offers a basic FREE membership. Check it out and try it out with your Rotary friends as a way to stay connected and host a club or committee meeting. Some clubs may consider purchasing a club subscription to meet needs as you get more used to it and see its variety of options. Rotary International, in conjunction with Zoom, is offering a discounted subscription price for Rotarians. Should you be interested in purchasing a subscription using the code ZoomRotary in the coupon code to receive 20% off. Use the link below to sign up for your free account.
If you need help creating an account, do not hesitate to contact me.
In the coming weeks, District 5910 will be hosting a series of Zoom meetings to keep us connected. You will not need any membership to attend. District 5910 will send you a link you will click on to virtually participate with us.
Membership Engagement during World's greatest Pandemic By: Demetress Harrell - RI Assistant Rotary Coordinator / Assistant District Governor
Rotary Clubs around the world are experiencing the unprecedented impacts of COVID-19 and seeking innovative strategies to align structure, simplify processes, provide satisfying programs while maintaining successful member interaction. Our hearts are extremely fragile as we observe the immeasurable tragedies presented by this virus. Yet for Rotarians this is another remarkable opportunity to promote service and embrace membership. As Rotary leaders this is a great time to complete your club reports and review the data in your membership profile reports. The District / Club Membership profile reports provide a detailed overview of the various trends over the past five years. We can also encourage our club members to complete their my rotary profile and add a profile picture as a club assignment. We also have a new course in the learning center which is focused on equity, diversity and inclusion another impressive reflection of the worldview of Rotary.
Membership engagement is very important and here are some valuable resources to ensure we keep members engaged. Of course, many have heard of Zoom, during the last week of March I participated in more than twelve Zoom calls. Zoom has been a platform used by Rotarians for many years and as one of the RI Assistant Rotary Coordinator’s we have been meeting by Zoom for the last few years. It is essential to keep your members connected and technology affords us a rich variety of avenues. I wanted to share just a few to build goodwill and even better friendships among Rotarians around the world.
* Schedule Zoom Meetings with other Clubs or Districts * Google Duo to host Member Mentorships * Apple FaceTime * Facebook Live * Skype * Google Hangouts Video * Facebook Messenger video chat * Twitch (social gaming platform) play with other Rotarian gamers for game night * GoTo Meeting * AnyMeeting * Zooroom Video Group Chat
These are just a few applications to keep your members engaged and connected. Rotary depends on you to contribute to our worldwide growth plan.....#Rotaryconnectstheworld
The deadline for submitting your Club’s District Grant Final Report has been extended to June 1, 2020, to support clubs whose projects may have been delayed or impacted by Covid-19. You may use either the pdf or Word version available on the District website. 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 June 1, 2020.
The unfortunate COVID-19 pandemic has affected all of us, including Rotary Youth Exchange and not surprisingly, we had to make the most difficult decisions for our program as long as the scribe can remember. After careful discussions with all involved, with the natural as well as the host parents of our inbound students in the US and our outbound student abroad, as well as with many of our Rotary Youth Exchange partners here and all over the globe, we decided – with a heavy heart – that it would be the best for the safety and well-being of our students and, in fact, for all of us involved, to request that, as soon as possible, our outbound students come home to the US and our inbound students return to their home countries. As said, it was a heart-breaking decision, as most of our students would have preferred to stay where they were and finish the remaining two months of their exchange.
It is a great relief that all our outbound students have already safely returned to our District and are home with their families and friends. “Welcome back” David (The Woodlands > Brazil), Isabel (Friendswood > Japan), Justin (Lake Conroe > Italy), Kasidy (College Station > Germany), Noah (Lake Conroe > Spain), Rachel (College Station > France), Shannon (Bryan > Thailand), and Sophia (Friendswood > France); we are glad you are home!
At the day of this writing (March 27), of our inbound students Eloïse (Livingston) has already returned home to Soustone in France. By the end of March, Baptiste (Palestine), Ploy (Galveston) and Sophie (Bryan) will have returned to France, Thailand, and Switzerland, respectively. Leti (Lake Conroe) and Cris (Huntsville) are scheduled to fly home to Italy and Spain the first week in April. No flight to Brazil could yet be arranged for Alice (College Station) but will be soon. It is sad to see our students leaving two months earlier than planned but we all know that under these circumstances it was the best and only thing to do. To all our young friends, we wish you a safe flight home.
And finally …… there is no way we can thank our District YEO Carol Mattingly enough for all that she has done during the past few weeks, making sure that all our students will safely return home. She was literally on the phone 24/7 with the natural parents of our students and our Youth Exchange partners inside the US and all over the globe to arrange, as quickly as possible, the safe returns of all our students. “Thank You”, Carol, for your outstanding leadership as our District 5910 YEO !!!
The COVID-19 pandemic has, and will continue to have, a serious impact on our Youth Exchange Program. Let us hope that sooner than later everything comes to a good end and that we will be able to continue our program even stronger than ever before because Rotary Youth Exchange connects the World and opens the doors not only for opportunities but for world-wide peace.
After a very successful day of work at the Sleep in Heavenly Peace warehouse at the end of February, the Beaumont Rotarians knew their work was not over! They built about 50 beds that could be distributed to children who have to sleep on the floor of their home. However, the bed cannot be delivered to the new owner until it is completely ready to be used. Each one needs a mattress, pillow, and linens to complete it. The charitable organization's organizers explained to our volunteers that they had the greatest need for pillows and linens. Club members purchased and donated "bed-in-a-bag" sets and the club purchased 300 pillows and more bed linens. Another $1,000 will be donated to Sleep in Heavenly Peace to purchase mattresses.
President Elect Cindy Cherry and her son Daniel, Gary Moncla, and Pat Anderson answered the call to service and delivered the large boxes to the warehouse.
Now, the beds are ready for delivery to some anxious children and teens as soon as the COVID-19 situation resolves.
Rotary Club of Cleveland’s 36th Annual Baseball & Softball Tournament
Baseballs and softballs were flying around all over the weekend in Cleveland.
The 36th Annual Rotary Club of Cleveland Baseball/Softball tournament was a huge success! The continued success of our tournament is due in large to the tremendous support of our community, wonderful participants, and spectators. A great lineup of teams from the surrounding area gained experience and prepared for future district games and post-season play. The 2020 1st place baseball team: Tarkington High School; 2nd place: Shepherd High School. There was a 3-way tie for Varsity Softball: Cleveland, Hardin, Silsbee; 1st place Junior Varsity softball team: Silsbee; 2nd place JV was Cleveland High School. Trophy to Tarkington and Plaque to Shepherd were presented by the Rotary Club of Cleveland President Tasha Childress.
This year the Baseball/Softball Tournament was dedicated to the memory of Hal McClelland, a graduate of Cleveland High School, who for many years has prepared the baseball and softball fields for the Rotary tournament. In our program, the dedication for Hal included a poem written by the poet, Cretan Maineiac, “Baseball: Opening Day” which seemed appropriate for Hal. Can you just hear him saying, “ Muggy today, a pop of the mitt, a whiff of the grass, swish of the bat in the (March) air, and two little words: “Play Ball!”
Every year, the Club holds the tournament to raise funds for its scholarship program and other programs including “Don’t Meth with Me” designed to teach young students the dangers of using methamphetamine, and Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA). Advertisements purchased in our program are a vital part of the Rotary Club of Cleveland’s sponsorship of charitable programs, local and global service projects, and our local youth.
The Rotary Club of Cleveland thanks you for your continued support of the Rotary Club of Cleveland Baseball and Softball tournament.
In light of the recent COVID-19 efforts to keep everyone safe, the CS Rotary Club Board made the decision to move to virtual only meetings effective 03/18/2020. As well as postpone a few of our upcoming community service activities.
Our first ZOOM meeting was a success, 2/3 of our members joined the call and we had very few technical difficulties. We are super excited that we are able to still meet weekly and maintain the relationships and community we have had for the past 30+years using today’s technology!
The club also made the tough decision to postpone the following two activities:
The ROAR (Rotary and Reading) Rally was scheduled for March 27th at River Bend Elementary. Promoting literacy is a core value of our club and we were looking forward to reading to the 2nd grade classes.
The VIVA (Very Impressive Vocational Award) was scheduled to be given out on April 9th. For over 20 years, we have recognized ground employees for their dedication and compassion for going above and beyond in their job responsibilities.
March 5th, the CS Rotary Club held our first ROR (Rotary on the Road) event. Following the in person weekly meeting, 11 of our members completed a tour at the Brazos Valley Food Bank. Once a quarter our club will host this opportunity for our club members to visit the location/facilities of a prior guest speaker. Our intent is to take Rotary to them, just like they brought their services to us.
Rotarians welcomed Jessie Brantley to speak about his work leading the Dickinson Little League, which was recipient of a $1,000 donation from the club. Brantley spoke about the history of the league and its efforts to offer financial assistance to allow all children the opportunity to play baseball.
This year, Rotarians gathered in “Socials for a Cause” and selected Dickinson Little League as the cause that received donations made by members and guests during annual social events.
Pictured are: President -Elect Kim Rich, Jessie Brantley & President David Parker.
President David Parker presents Mr. Jessie Brantley with a check for $1,000 to help provide scholarships to children who would like to play baseball.
The Rotary Club of East Montgomery County held a clothes drive for New Horizons' resale shop on March 5. New Horizons is a non-profit in New Caney that provides assistance to children and adult with intellectual disabilities.
The Rotary Club of East Montgomery County packs breakfast bags in February for Meals on Wheels.
Professor Becky Norton, Lone Star College-Kingwood Department of Nursing was the guest speaker at the weekly Rotary Club of East Montgomery County (RCEMC) luncheon. Professor Norton listed the most important actions Rotarians could do to protect themselves against COVID-19 as well as preventing the spread of everyday illnesses like the common cold or the flu:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your mouth and nose with the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
RCEMC President Milton Austin thanked Professor Norton for presenting this valuable information and presented her a book that will be donated to the R.B. Tullis Library in her honor.
On Saturday February 22, a group of Friendswood Rotarians gathered at the Renwick Park baseball field to install playground equipment purchased with money from a District 5910 grant. Much planning between Rotarians, league officials, and the city took place to set all of this in motion. Club members met bright and early on a beautiful morning to begin with breakfast provided by the hospitality committee and then got down to work. Four pieces of equipment were installed and a border was constructed and filled with mulch. As work was being finished, the hospitality committee provided hot dogs for lunch. Leftovers were taken to the city public safety building police and fire officers to enjoy. Interviews with those helping in the assembly were conducted and the equipment was tested by children and adults alike. Then new play equipment was voted a resounding success.
The new handicap accessible playground equipment, made possible through a matching Rotary District grant, is a joint project between Friendswood Rotary, Friendswood Youth Baseball League, and the City of Friendswood.
Friendswood Club is starting a meal pickup/deliver program for locals in need.
The Friendswood Rotary Club, in partnership with Friendswood Youth Baseball and the City of Friendswood, is building a program to help those Friendswood residents severely affected by the impacts of COVID-19: the elderly who need help with meals, parents who can’t work or who have been laid off, families having difficulty feeding their children, as well as local restaurants and caterers that are trying to keep their doors open.
Families will use an online application to sign up for meals and will be able to begin picking up meals on Monday March 23, 2020.
The Rotary Club Foundation will provide the initial funds to pay for meals being prepared by local restaurants. Those meals will be delivered to a centralized location, where Friendswood Youth Baseball volunteers will distribute them to qualified individuals and families. Some of those meals will also be delivered directly to the homes of older citizens who are trying to stay home and protect their health; City of Friendswood Staff and volunteers will deliver these meals.
The Rotary Club Foundation raises money through private donations, both from the club’s membership and from the public at large. “We can provide up to 100 meals, 3 times a week, for the next month. With public support, we hope to continue the program until it’s no longer needed.” said Foundation Chairman David Smith.
If you want to make a donation to the program you can do so by visiting any Hometown Bank branch in the Galveston County area, or, through this link, https://www.paypal.me/Friendscovidsupport
Friendswood Rotary Club President, Robin Hall, provided a $1,000 donation to ShelterBox, USA Response Team Member, Wes Clanton.
ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity and the project partner of Rotary International to deliver emergency shelter, warmth, and dignity to people made homeless by disasters worldwide. Their variety of tented shelters help meet the immediate need of survivors made homeless in crisis situations.
Rotary Club of League City Drive Thru Food Distribution
The Rotary Club of League City answered the call of “service above self” during this time of need and uncertainty because of COVID-19. Many families are out of work and need food. In conjunction with Galveston County Food Bank, City of League City, Galveston County Sheriff’s Department, and the help of community volunteers, Rotary Club of League City, hosted two Drive Thru Food Distributions at Hometown Heroes Park in League City.
The first drive saw over 260 cars of families in line for food. Seeing the need, a second drive thru food distribution was scheduled the following week with two trucks of food, providing boxes of food for 500 families. We are proud to be Rotarians!
On March 19,2020, several members of the Magnolia Rotary Club decided to see if they could do an online Zoom meeting and if successful, hold other online meetings as needed.
The photo is of the 8 people (one without video) who performed the test; from top to bottom and from left to right are Magnolia Rotary Club members Ted Cummings, Carl Gerhardt, Tom Grayson, Charles Schultz, Hugh Fullerton, Janice Thigpen, Richard Allison, and Hope Moye (no video). Since the test was successful, the club will continue to use Zoom meetings until the Coronavirus problem is resolved.
The Rotary Club of Orange has suspended in-person meetings to slow the spread of Covid-19. Plans are underway for a Board of Directors meeting through Zoom.
Before the halt, Rotarian Francisco Zuniga had started a great series of programs on non-profits serving our area. Captain Jason Moore of the Salvation Army in Beaumont shared all the things they are doing in ministry to the area.
Tad McKee, CEO of the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation, reported on the accomplishments of the Stark Foundation’s programs, the Stark Museum of Art, The W.H. Stark House, the Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts, and Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center.
Each year the Rotary Club of Texas City purchases personalized books for all Kindergarten students in Texas City. Once the books arrive, dates are scheduled for Rotarians, Texas City High School Interact Club members and Blocker Middle School students to read the books to the students. For the last few years since La Marque schools became a part of Texas City ISD, we work together with the Mainland Rotary Club to order the books for the students at the La Marque Primary, although they take care of reading to those students.
Pictured are the students and Rotarians reading to the students.
Recently, PDG Ulli Budelmann gave a program on Rotary Youth Exchange. He invited Eduardo Orea to also speak about his experience a couple years ago on his exchange to Thailand. Eduardo was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Texas City.
Pictured are PDG Ulli Budelmann, Lisa Watson, Rotary Club of Texas City RYE chair, Chris Turner, Rotarian from Friendswood who serves on the District RYE committee and Eduardo Orea, Exchange student from Texas City High School.
Our thoughts are with you all, and we look forward to the time that we will be able to resume our in person meetings and events. As we practice social distancing while still remaining connected as Rotarians, we will rely on technology for our upcoming meetings and training sessions. The current schedule is:
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