Has your club completed the 2020 RYLA commitment form and paid for your designated scholarships? Has your club started the RYLA student selection process? If not, this is a reminder that we have lots of info for RYLA on our District web page.
The deadline for student registrations and waivers is 11/27/19. That means you have to pick your students before then and help them through the registration process. Be mindful of school breaks and follow up with applicants timely.
This is also a call for Rotarian and Rotaract Volunteers. Try and send a representative from your club, even for just a day, to build awareness about the quality programming provided at RYLA. Together, we mentor!
Membership leads route prospective members to you to help you grow your membership. By signing in to your MyRotary account, you can see a list of your prospective, referred, and relocating or returning members all in one place (MyRotary>Manage>Club Administration>View or Manage Leads). It’s one way we’re helping clubs connect with prospective members in their community who want to create positive change.
Please click this link "How to Manage Membership Leads" which provides an infographic to walk you through the process on MyRotary. Only a Club's President, Secretary, or Membership Chair, can edit the prospect status. Ultimately, we hope to have many that say "Club admitted candidate" for this Rotary year! Let me know if you need help along the way.
For about 20 (?) years the end of October has been one of the highlights for Rotary Youth Exchange in our District. And again this year, thanks to the generosity of PDG Hugh Summers, we enjoyed another eventful weekend (October 25-27) at beautiful Crystal Lake near Palestine.
The weekend started on Friday Noon at the Hugh Summers Farm (“Toy”) House. For those, who have never been there, the farm accommodates an amazing (and still growing) collection of toys for grown-up kids.
Despite the cold and rainy weather that day, our students and at least some of the adults tried out all the toys that the farm had to offer, including various types of Segways, bicycles, and draisines (human-powered “handcars” and motor-powered “speeders”), as well as many other quite unusual toys with unknown names. Leading by example, our District Governor Betsy Robinson had fun playing with those toys as well.
Later in the afternoon we moved on to Crystal Lake and many of us enjoyed leisurely canoeing, kayaking and, believe it or not, walking on water (with Skijaks, of course).
In the evening – after a pizza dinner – it became a little “scary”, when we visited a “Haunted House” but no one, of course, got hurt by the ghosts, witches, clowns, (human) butchers, skeletons, devils, and what other frightening things the haunted place had to offer.
As in previous years, on Saturday morning we participated in the “Hot Pepper Festival“ in downtown Palestine. The Exchange Students and a few adults, decorated with a red pepper hat, enjoyed sitting on the float of the Palestine Rotary Club.
Other adults either walked, bicycled or segway’ed around the float. No question, everyone had a great time.
Back in the afternoon at Crystal Lake, the students (and some adults) spent more time kayaking and canoeing and practiced their skills for the competitive Crystal Lake Water Olympics, scheduled for Sunday morning.
A more difficult task was to walk on water with the Skijaks (a “hybrid” of kayaks and skiers); not surprisingly, some trials ended up in the water.
Later in the afternoon, the students practiced their skill in a competitive pumpkin carving.
Only one student, of course, could win the 1st Price, a paddle trophy.
After a hotdog and burger dinner, students learned how one can make their own ice cream, with the help of liquid nitrogen and the skills of two experienced Rotarians of the Palestine Rotary Club. In fact, by unanimous vote the ice cream turned out much better (creamier!) than the one from Blue Bell that was available to compare.
The evening officially ended with a talent show, during which each student showed what kind of special skills they have; it included singing, guitar play, poem reading, and dancing.
As during the night before, all students (and in fact one ”crazy” PDG) slept on the floor in the large living room of the house. Not to much surprise after such an activity-filled day and lots of talking even after the lights were switched off, the students were much too tired to watch the beautiful sunrise the next morning.
Finally, after a great breakfast, the students were ready to start the traditional “Crystal Lake Water Olympics”. Divided into three teams they competed in canoeing, kayaking, and ski-jaking.
All students did really well and everyone received a certificate for their 1st, or 2nd, or 3rd Place.
In summary, everyone had a really wonderful time and we owe a big and heartfelt “Thank You” to all the wonderful people who made this weekend such a great and memorable event, that is, the many Rotarians from the Palestine Rotary Club: PDG Brenda Walker, John Piersol, and Mark Davis (who prepared our delicious lunches and dinners), as well as Mike Gorby, Brett Weisenburn, Leo Willhite, and Jordan Byrd. An equally big “Thank You” goes to PDG Doris Lockey (Lake Conroe), Chris Turner (Friendswood), Marcus and Nisa Gillespie (Huntsville), Birda Gaskin (League City), PDG Ulli Budelmann (Galveston), and our two Rotex Irma Castro (Bryan) and Willie Xu (League City), who chaperoned our student safely through this wonderful weekend; all, of course, under perfect “guidance” from Carol Mattingly, our District Youth Exchange Officer.
This weekend, however, would not have be possible without the generosity of PDG Hugh Summers, who made it possible for all of us to stay and enjoy this wonderful weekend at Crystal Lake. We certainly cannot thank him often enough; his generosity is more appreciated than he will ever know.
And last but not least a big “Thank You” to the Rotary Clubs of Bryan, College Station, Friendswood, Galveston, Huntsville, Lake Conroe, Livingston, and Palestine as well as to the wonderful host families. Without their support Alice and Laura from Brazil, Baptiste and Eloise from France, Leti from Italy, Cris from Spain, Sophie from Switzerland, and Ploy from Thailand would not be here and enjoy living in our District.
The Rotary Club of Beaumont had a successful fundraiser in October. Wine Down With Rotary is the Club's second largest fundraising project conducted each year, and it is a membership recruiting event at the same time. We even showcase our service work through pictures on television monitors easily visible to the large crowd.
Three Committee members in Wine Down With Rotary aprons make final preparations for the event: left to right: Past President Bobbie Applegate, Chair Kathleen Alsup, and Secretary Diane Bass.
At the Club meeting on October 23rd recognizing World Polio Day, members were inspired to donate to the Marco Polio piggy bank while watching the specially edited version of Dare to Dream: How Rotary Became the Heart and Soul of Polio Eradication.
The original movie is over an hour in length and very well done. However, the edited version is just under thirty minutes long, making it the perfect length for a club program. Thank you to PDG and End Polio Now Zone Coordinator Chuck Mason for helping to produce the edited version. It is a "must see" for all Rotarians. Check it out online at: https://daretodreamfilm.com/.
At the close of October, members of the Rotary Club of Beaumont were delighted to recognize and celebrate with Charles Weinbaum, Jr. as he celebrated 70 years as a Rotarian! Charlie joined the Club on October 26, 1949, has held more leadership positions than we can name, was 1983-84 President, and has remained a very active and involved member of the Club! Congratulations, Charlie!
Carolyn McWaters, by the authority invested in her as Mayor Pro-Tem of the City of Cleveland, Texas, proclaimed October 24, 2019, as World Polio Day in Cleveland, Texas, and encouraged all citizens to join her and Rotary International in the fight for a polio-free world.
City Councilwoman and Rotarian Jennifer Bergman presents proclamation to Cleveland Rotarians Scott Lambert, Tommie Daniel, and Ernestine Belt.
Rotary Club of Cleveland is recognizing students of the month from Cleveland High School and Tarkington High School. The September Students of the month from Cleveland High School: Ashlee and Tyreich. The October Students of the month from Tarkington High School: Trista and Cole. New Generations Chair Ernestine Belt presented students of the month with a Student of the Month certificate and a framed copy of the 4-Way Test.
The Dickinson Rotary hosted the Galveston All-County Meeting on October 16. We were joined by 143 Rotarians from Dickinson, Texas City, Friendswood, League City, Galveston Island, Galveston, and Mainland. Our guest speaker was Mrs. Mandy Peoples Benedix, mentor specialist from Pearland ISD. Her message was “How to Make an Impact”. Mandy signed a copy of The Night Diary to donate to Lobit Middle School, Dickinson ISD.
Dickinson Rotary President David Parker, Past District Governor Ann Bragg, and guest speaker Mandy Peoples Benedix.
The Rotary Club of East Montgomery County donates 200 breakfast bags to Montgomery County Meals on Wheels.
The Rotary Club of East Montgomery County held its annual Polio Awareness Seminar in partnership with Lone Star College-Kingwood on October 24th, World Polio Day.
Four speakers addressed 180 nursing students: Professor Ngozi Eke spoke on the various types of polio strains; PDG Rose Austin spoke on Rotary's fight against polio; Retired Professor Kelley Buzbee discussed caring for polio victims in iron lungs; and Frank Johnson shared his experience as a polio survivor. Funds were collected to purchase three wheelchairs for polio victims in Nigeria.
Rotary Club of EMC New Member Induction: Eric Holdon, Principal of New Caney High School.
Matthew Riley was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by Friendswood Rotary Club for his diligent work as the Director of the Friendswood Public Library and as a community leader. “His ‘Service Above Self’ has made a significant difference in our community,” stated Robin Hall, Rotary Club of Friendswood President.
Matthew Riley honored by Rotary Club of Friendswood
Club President, Robin Hall, presented a $500 donation to the Friendswood Public Library's Director, Matt Riley, which will help support their children's reading program.
Friendswood Rotarian, Linda Thomas, was named a multiple Paul Harris Fellow today and received a pin from the Foundation in recognition of her contributions supporting the Foundation’s goals for service worldwide.
Pictured are Dave Barron, Linda Thomas, and Club President Robin Hall
Members of the Friendswood Rotary Club, along with representatives of the Galveston County Consolidated Drainage District and City of Friendswood gathered at 1776 Park off FM 2351 Monday (October 7) to cut the ribbon on a new Kayak and Canoe launch that they and their organizations partnered to install. The club donated 5000.00 to the project. The launch will be a big benefit to the paddlers competing in the annual Friendswood Rotary Regatta.
Friendswood Rotary held its 2nd annual Regatta October 20
On Sunday October 20, 2019 the Friendswood Rotary Club hosted its Second Annual Rotary Regatta. The race comprises a 7 mile course along Clear Creek from 1776 Park in Friendswood to Countryside Park in League City. There were almost paddlers in 68 boats completing the race. This make our little event one of the largest in the greater Houston area. A great time was had by all racing and then enjoying food and friendship at the finish line. The League City Rotary Club assisted sending several members to help at both the start and finish lines. We are looking forward to next year and we hope to surpass the 100 paddlers we had this year.
Sally Byrom, member of the Rotary Club of Galveston and this year's Walk Chairman for the Galveston/Bay Area region, pictured with her son, Jack, who sang the National Anthem at the recent 5 K Walk for Alzheimer's fundraiser that took place Saturday, October 12, at Galveston's Stewart Beach. Definitely a "family affair".... Sally's husband and Jack's father, Jim Byrom, is president this year of the Rotary Club of Galveston. The Rotary Club of Galveston's "Rovin' Rotarians" also was recognized as the #1 team of all teams competing within the Galveston/Bay Area region and raised over $22,000 for this year's Walk. (photo by Robyn Bushong.)
Pictured are just a few of the many Rotarians, members of the of the Rotary Club of Galveston, who participated in the recent Walk to End Alzheimer's held at Galveston's Stewart Beach, Saturday, October 12. The Rotary Club of Galveston was also recognized as the #1 Team - known as the "Rovin' Rotarians" - in the Bay Area/Galveston County region for the team that raised the most money for the Alzheimer's Walk initiative. Club member,Sally Byrom, was the Walk Chairman for the Galveston County/Bay Area region. (photo by Robyn Bushong.)
On Tuesday, October 8, Island Rotary Club Members invited potential members to attend and learn more about what makes Island Rotary so special. Special guest speaker John Hathaway, Immediate Past Governor for District 5910, spoke to the crowd about what Rotary means to him. We packed the house with more than 65 attendees, including 30+ guests!
Sharon O’Connor, Vice President, Sam Malchar, President, John Hathaway, Immediate Past Governor for District 5910, and Todd Schott, Membership Director at Island Rotary’s Oct. 8 Membership Drive
David O’Donhoe, Chris Meyers, Todd Schott, Sam Malchar, Leon Kaplan, Alfred “Puch” Pucciarello, and Brian Lepo were ready to greet our 30+ guests
Aaron Sanders introduces his 20+ guests to Island Rotary.
Membership Drive organizer Sharon O’Conner, Vice President, introduced Michael Woody, Galveston’s new Chief Tourism Officer, to Island Rotary
The Rotary Club of Hardin County donated money towards an inflatable firehouse for the Lumberton Fire Department to purchase. The firehouse will aid in educating youth throughout Hardin County on fire safety and how to escape a home safely in the event of a fire.
The Rotary Club of League City celebrated World Polio Day by having a Purple Pinkie Day. Those who donated to the Polar Bear Plunge for Polio received their pinkies painted purple. Donations of $10.00 or more also received a “Give Polio the Finger” t-shirt.
Even the Mayor of League City, Pat Hallisey, participated and proudly showed off his t-shirt and purple pinkie with Amy Killgore.
Membership Co-Chairs Ava Sloan and Ed Hartman helped Kristi Trevino celebrate completion of her Red Badge Program with the ceremonial popping of the Red Balloon.
The games, food and fun will begin at 4:30 at Magnolia West High School.
This year's carnival theme includes:
bungee trampoline
giant games: Connect Four, Operation, Wipeout and more
face painting
life-size Light Brite
Magnolia FD fire truck
virtual reality
vendors
food including Kona Ice
AND SO MUCH MORE!
And don't miss Magnolia ISD's Cardboard Car Show featuring 4th-grade Project REACH students and their 3ft x 4 ft cardboard cars on display! Check out vintage models such as a VW bus and Chevrolet Bel Air, classics such as Jeep Wrangles and Corvettes, and of course exotics including Ferrari and Lamborghini.
This annual fundraiser supports the Rotary Club's annual community grant project and student scholarships.
Also, bring non-perishable food items to donate to help Tackle Hunger!
Magnolia's First International Grant Approved
Our club and District have successfully collaborated in securing our District's first Global Grant from the Rotary Foundation. With the Rotary Foundation's contribution, we have successfully raised more than $107,000 towards our Peace and Conflict Resolution project in Sierra Leone West Africa.
We had nine clubs from our District and a club from Florida and one from California providing financial support. Our club was the largest contributor to this project providing more than $28,000 in funds. Our club had 17 members financially support this initiative along with six contributions from local business owners.
Six of our members will receive Paul Harris Plus awards as a result of their contributions. Our District Governor will be in attendance to help present the six Paul Harris Plus awards to our Magnolia members who have qualified for this recognition. In addition, we will be recognizing the additional eleven members who have helped make this project financially viable.
Magnolia's District Grant Targeting Teenage Suicide Approved
As part of their District Grant, Magnolia will be partnering with Reflective Media to produce Public Service Announcements targeting Teenage Suicide. There is such an epidemic in Montgomery county that the club is taking the message to video in hopes that it will reach kids and parents to generate conversation and to hopefully prevent someone from hurting themselves.
Orange Rotary had a great month with a visit from District Governor Betsy Robinson. She spoke to Orange Rotary about our theme “Rotary Connects the World.” She cited how the international conventions convey the connections of Rotary. She commended District 5910 on its gifts last year to the Polio eradication fund and cited a new challenge to increase giving to the Rotary Foundation annual fund. She discussed some of the Global projects such as the Magnolia Club’s grant for Conflict Resolution in Sierra Leone, to which Orange Rotary has contributed. She cited the inspiration that comes from participating in RYLA. Rotary had other great programs this month from State Representative Dade Phelan who discussed issues in the upcoming election such as Proposition 8. County Judge John Gothia gave an update on the County budget and the effects of Imelda. Members also had some fun with a stroll through the Scarecrow Festival at Shangri La Botanical Gardens.
5910 District Governor speaks to Orange Rotary.
State Representative Dade Phelan addresses the Orange Rotary Club.
Rotarians Heather Montagne Mankopf, Kristen Placette, and Amy Johnson Peevey stroll through Shangri La.
On July 11, 2019 the Port Arthur Rotary Club installed new Club Executives and Directors. The Installation Banquet was held at The Museum of The Gulf Coast, Port Arthur, Texas. The program was hosted by Past-President Callie Summerlin. Past President Summerlin shared the benefits of being a part of Rotary as exemplified by the works of the Port Arthur Rotary Club. The Port Arthur Rotary Club took on local projects to help serve the Port Arthur Community through giving and partnerships with local organizations. Fellow Rotarians enjoyed a wonderful meal catered by local eatery – Tony’s Barbeque. After which, Vernon Pierce, Installing Officer, commenced to introduce the 2019-2020 Port Arthur Rotary Board and Directors.
The following members took an oath to put service above self for the year 2019-2020 Rotary Year.
Pictured (L-R) Director 3-Mae Terro, Director 1-Trenton Scott (also serves as Membership Chair), President-Ronald Fletcher, Past President-Callie Summerlin, President Elect- Dr. Johnny Brown, Secretary-Regina Drake. Treasurer-Debra Poindexter
Not Pictured:
Vice President-Arthur Thomas, Director 2-Scott Street, Public Relations Chair-Armando Ruiz, Rotary Foundation Chair-Russel Buss
Spindletop Rotary members were recently treated to a Halloween themed game night meeting/social. Members were encouraged to bring the family, come in costume and be prepared for games. After drinks and food, guests broke into teams and played trivia games all based around Rotary facts. Competition became fierce during the Spindletop Scrabble game with Green Team headed by Rene Latiolais barely squeaking out a win. Big thanks to Heather Kugler for putting the games together. We all had fun and learned a lot about Rotary.
The Rotary Club of Texas City had a preview party to announce the upcoming festivities for the February 8, 2020 Parade and Gala. All Galveston County Clubs are invited to participate by nominating a King and Queen Nominee. The clubs that participate are asked to name a “Cause” and each club will receive $500 for their “Cause”. In addition, if their King and/or Queen is crowned that evening they have the opportunity to win an additional $500.00 for the King and same for Queen. More information and sponsorships can be found at www.mardigrasmainland.com.
Pictured are the King and Queen Nominees from the Club’s that are participating and their “Cause”.
Lucy and Jim Woltz – Friendswood Rotary Club
Club Cause – Gary Sinise Foundation
Julia Gallagher and Kevin Smith – League City Rotary Club
Club Cause – 4-Way Test Competition
Lori Carnes and Joe Carothers – Mainland Rotary Club
Club Cause – Habitat for Horses
Kitty Potter and PDG Emken Linton – Texas City Rotary Club
The Vidor Rotary Club will hold their annual Election Day Chili Dinner on Tuesday, November 5 from 3:30-7:30 in the Vidor Elementary cafeteria. Tickets are only $5 for chili, crackers and rice. Drinks and dessert sold on site.
If you can't come but you would like to sponsor a meal for a VISD bus driver or someone who flooded in Imelda (which includes a lot of people in Vidor!), please send your gift to Vidor Rotary Club, PO BOX 10, Vidor, TX 77670.
Interact Mixer hosted by Vidor High School Interact on Thursday evening, November 21 at the VHS library from 6-8 p.m.
Dinner, desserts, and drinks will be served, and we will do an awesome project.
Please bring cake mix, frosting, and sprinkles (equal amounts of each if you can manage it). These will be donated to local food banks who feed families for Christmas. We are going to provide ingredients for a happy cake for those children who normally don't get that sort of thing!
Please respond if your group will attend, and I create a separate group so I don't burn up the emails of those who live too far away to come.
District Interact Chair Sally Andrews shared the 2019-20 Presidential Citation requirements with the District Interact Clubs. Together, we can achieve great things and "Connect the World."
Click on the image to read the goals to earn the citation.
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, members of the Rotary Club of Beaumont were delighted to recognize and celebrate with Charles Weinbaum, Jr. as he celebrated 70 years as a Rotarian! Charlie joined the Club on October 26, 1949, has held more leadership positions than we can name, was 1983-84 President, and has remained a very active and involved member of the Club! Congratulations, Charlie!
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Please bring cake mix, frosting, and sprinkles (equal amounts of each if you can manage it). These will be donated to local food banks who feed families for Christmas. We are going to provide ingredients for a happy cake for those children who normally don't get that sort of thing!