From the governor’s perspective, we are about halfway through our virtual club visits. I am really enjoying the opportunity to visit with you all and hear about the wonderful opportunities that you are providing to your communities. Thanks for being so gracious and allowing me to visit virtually, even those who have started meeting in person again. While we long to return to the way things were before pandemic became a common word in our conversations, we are learning new ways to stay connected. Many clubs have said they hope to continue offering the virtual option long term for people who can’t get away from their jobs and other responsibilities to come to an in-person meeting but still want to stay involved.
Hopefully you have registered for the upcoming district meetings. If not, you still have time.
The district Membership, Foundation, and Public Image sessions are always informative, and you can expect new ideas on how to increase your club’s effectiveness. (See article on this topic in the newsletter.)
One Day. One Focus: Ending Polio
24 October
What is your club doing to promote World Polio Day? Post it on social media!
(See End Polio Now Zone Coordinator Chuck Mason’s article in this newsletter.)
One of the challenges that our clubs are facing right now is how to continue performing our service projects and fundraisers while still following the health guidelines. We are compiling a list of examples of how some of our clubs are adapting their projects and will post them on the district website (Rotary5910.org). How is your club handling this? Send a description of your projects along with the adaptations you’re making to Ava Sloan (ava@rodinconsulting.com). Include contact information for someone who could answer any questions about it.
Also, have you checked the website “Speakers Bureau” section? When you’re looking for something different you can find recommended speakers - some who are willing to visit in person, some by Zoom and some hybrid.
District 5910 is going strong with lots of great things happening in our clubs. Keep finding ways to make a positive impact on your community even if it looks a little different right now.
Three Sessions, Three Topics, Three Critical Areas
Needing to Work Together
Join us for our 5910 Rotary Annual Training to understand how Public Image, Membership and Foundation all work together to increase the strength and visibility of Rotary locally and globally. Ideally, we would love for you to attend all three sessions. Sign up for each session using the links below. Registration is free but is necessary to receive the link to attend.
Thursday, 10/1/2020 from 7-9 PM (Zoom Room opens at 6:30 PM)
This online course consists of four 2-hour sessions. All sessions are required to complete and earn the RLI Part II certificate.
Sessions will be held on October 8 (Thursday), 12 (Monday), 14 (Wednesday), and 16 (Friday), at 5:30-7:30pm CDT.
Course requirements: RLI Part I must be completed before enrolling in Part II. Attendance at all four sessions; a computer (desktop or laptop), audio, video (camera) and internet access are required.
Click on course title to register. Registration confirmation and link will be emailed to registered participants. Class is limited to 20 participants. This course is $50.
This online course consists of four 2-hour sessions. All sessions are required to complete and earn the RLI Part III certificate.
Sessions will be held on October 8 (Thursday), 19 (Monday), 21 (Wednesday), and 23 (Friday), at 5:30-7:30pm CDT.
Course requirements: RLI Part I and Part II must be completed before enrolling in Part III. Attendance at all four sessions; a computer (desktop or laptop), audio, video (camera) and internet access are required.
Click on course title to register. Registration confirmation and link will be emailed to registered participants. Class is limited to 20 participants. This course is $50.
If you find your online course is full, please submit the form under CONTACT US to be placed on a waiting list, indicating the Course (Part I, II or III), and preferred date and time.
During 2019-20, for the second year in a row, Rotarians from District 5910 led all other districts in Zone 25b in PolioPlus contributions.
Now, in celebration of what Rotary has already accomplished in Polio Eradication, but more importantly, in anticipation of finishing the job, join Rotarians and Rotaractors from around the world for World Polio Day. If we stay committed, polio will be only the second human disease ever to be eradicated.
Plan an event for your community.
Join the effort to ensure every child receives the polio vaccine and end polio by organizing a World Polio Day event. In 2019, Rotary members held more than 5,900 events in 136 countries. This year, online events and activities will allow us to expand our reach even more and inspire others to join with Rotary.
Not sure how to take action for World Polio Day?
From virtual event ideas to social media posts and photos, the World Polio Day Toolkit at www.EndPolio.Org can help you start planning and promoting your activities now.
Rotarians are people of action. We hear it all the time because it is the truth. We give generously of ourselves in many ways. When there is a need, Rotarians respond. Some roll up their sleeves and get right in the muck of it, some help with logistics, and all of us pitch in financially.
For the last few weeks, District 5910 has been creating a disaster response protocol for when the unexpected occurs. The objective of which is to identify one to two members per Club to disseminate information and organize volunteers. At this time, the efforts of these volunteers augment the work that is being coordinated by Disaster Aid USA to remediate the damage and destruction in Lake Charles that resulted from Hurricane Laura. To date, ten (10) Clubs have identified their internal liaison, and over a dozen members have committed to help with the immediate need over the next few weeks.
The job is far from done so if you want to volunteer, contact Ruth Finkelstein Suhler at leahone@aol.com to sign up. Help is needed in many ways, scoring and removing drywall, removing limbs with a chainsaw, picking up debris, pushing wheel barrels, tarping roofs, etc. This will be an ongoing District 5910 initiative. Disasters can be weather related or man made, but District 5910 will be ready.
Please help spread the word to area high school students and their parents. We are looking for students who are interested in going on a Long-Term Exchange (2021-22 School Year) or a Short-Term Exchange (2021 Summer).
Maybe your school would include a poster and a program overview (shown below) in their school newsletter? Please encourage them to do so! Applications for these programs are due this fall.
If your club would like a program about Rotary Youth Exchange or for more information, contact Carol Mattingly at 936-295-6606 or 5910rye@gmail.com
Beaumont Rotarians put their carpentry skills to good use on Saturday, September 26 at Sleep in Heavenly Peace where pieces of 44 beds were cut, drilled, sanded, branded and cleaned. Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a non-profit "dedicated to building, assembling and delivering top-notch bunk beds to children and families in need. No kid sleeps on the floor in our town®."
Rotarians who were socially-distanced and masked worked steadily all morning in the open-air warehouse and were joined by other volunteers. Together they prepared almost 50 beds to be welcomed into homes across the area.
Members who were unable to physically work on the project donated bedding and money to assist in another way.
Save the date - there’s going to be a party at Honor Cafe next month that you will not want to miss!
The Rotary Club of Conroe has had to rethink fundraising this year, as so many service clubs and other organizations have had to do. After lots of meetings and careful thought and planning, RCC has come up with an event that seems to check all the boxes for the club and its supporters.
On Thursday, Oct. 22, the club will host an evening event at Honor Cafe, dubbed “In Spirit of Spirits of Texas,” a reimagined night of good food and good libations, celebrating our great state and all it has to offer. The restaurant will serve a wonderful three-course steak dinner (with a roasted chicken alternative). The cost of the dinner will be $75, with a whopping $30 from each ticket supporting RCC charitable works and another $5 per ticket going to The Rotary Foundation’s efforts to eradicate polio, now in its final push. What a deal!
Rotary 5910 District Governor Becky Mason made an official visit to the Rotary Club of East Montgomery County (RCEMC) at their weekly meeting on September 22. While the official visit was held virtually, RCEMC members shared the Club’s activities and accomplishments over the past year and District Governor Mason provided direction for the club during these unusual times.
Installed as District Governor just a short three months ago, Mason is no stranger to doing good work in one’s community. Her commitment to the community has spanned several decades. She has led the Junior League, Young Audiences, Women’s Symphony League, The Symphony of Southeast Texas Board, Lamar University Friends of the Arts, Lamar Foundation Board, and the Rotary Club of Beaumont.
The Rotary Club of Galveston recently awarded a $1,000 contribution to the Lighthouse Charity Team dedicated to "Hurricane Laura Relief - Food." The check was presented to Rotarian Scott Gordon (center), Director, Lighthouse Charity Team. Presenting the check was Ulli Budelmann, Executive Secretary, Rotary Club of Galveston (left) and Club President, Mike Guarino. (photo by Robyn Bushong.)
Our very own member Doris Lockey has been selected to serve as the District 5910 Council Representative. This is a 3-year term for 2020-2023 Council cycle. She will be wonderful at serving this position and we are very proud of her!
Vidor Rotary Club hosted a food drive on Saturday, September 19, with the green bus and some trailers at Brookshire Brothers, WalMart and Market Basket. This was to benefit the Vidor United Christian Care Center, who serve about 800 families per month. The center is facing a good shortage due to the closing of the SETX Food Bank due to COVID among their staff. The event raised more than $4000 in cash donations and over 5200 pounds of food.
f 44 beds were cut, drilled, sanded, branded and cleaned. Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a non-profit "dedicated to building, assembling and delivering top-notch bunk beds to children and families in need. No kid sleeps on the floor in our town®." 
