A highlight of this crazy year: we recently hosted RI President Holger Knaack at a virtual meeting to recognize and thank our most dedicated supporters of the Rotary Foundation – members of the Paul Harris Society (those who commit to give $1,000 per year to the Foundation, as long as they are able), plus supporters at the major donor level and above. President Holger talked about why he supports the Foundation, the lifesaving work that is being done in our communities and around the world as a result of our efforts, and how important it is that we continue our ongoing support for the Foundation. He also talked about the positive impact that he expects from the selection of the first woman to serve as president of our organization, Jennifer Jones. It was a great day for Rotary 5910!
As we begin the last quarter of this Rotary year, let’s finish strong with participation in the upcoming events:
Tuesday, March 2 at 5:30 is the kick-off meeting for our district’s first ever e-club! If you would like to Zoom in on this inaugural event, email Ruth Finkelstein Suhler (leahone@aol.com) for the link.
Wednesday, March 10 at noon RI Director Suzi Howe will speak to the Beaumont Club in honor of International Women’s Day and Women in Rotary. Suzi has been a great resource for our district in many ways, including helping us make connection with Rotarians beyond our district. If you would like to Zoom in to this virtual meeting, please email Jacque Chapman, Executive Director of the Beaumont Club, at Admin@beaumontrotaryclub.org for the log in.
March 8 – 13 Virtual PETS - for presidents-elect, presidents-nominee, and assistant governors. It’s not too late to register at https://lonestarpets.org
April 10 at 9:00 am – District Training Assembly. Training for club officers will be offered plus a session introducing Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI). Make sure that your club’s officers have this date on their calendar.
April 22, 23, and 24 – Virtual District Conference – stay tuned for details on this unconventional, engaging, and informative conference
Several of our clubs are assisting with COVID vaccination activities. So far, these have been reported to the district:
Bryan/College Station club members are volunteering with the regional vaccination hub at the Brazos Center in Bryan.
Lufkin is now a hub for a local vaccination clinic and several of the Rotarians are active volunteers. They have a local volunteer website for those who wish to sign up and to collaborate with one another.
Beaumont club members are volunteering at the local health department with COVID vaccine distributions. They will assist the medical staff with the lines at check-in, walking patients to the assigned stations, and assist with non-medical tasks as needed.
The League City club will be working with the Christus Foundation for Healthcare once their mobile unit is launched to do the vaccinations. Some of the members have been helping out with the Galveston county effort and volunteers as well.
The Galveston club encouraged members to volunteer at the vaccination hubs that UTMB is facilitating and to post a photo of themselves with the “badge” that PDG Ulli Budelmann designed.
Also, see the article in this newsletter about the opportunity for 5910 Rotarians and friends who are close to the Houston area to volunteer to assist with vaccinations at NRG Park.
And to end this article on a light note, here is a quote from one of my governor classmates: "The world has turned upside down. Old folks are sneaking out of the house and their kids are yelling at them to stay indoors."
Stay safe and healthy and have a wonderful March!! We are looking forward to a much brighter Spring and Summer!
Last Rotary year, District 5910 Rotarians responded to a PolioPlus Challenge Match with District Cash Giving of $242,149.00 for the year. Combined with $28,186.00 in DDF contributions, (matched 1:1 by The Rotary Foundation World Fund), the district generated $298,521.00 in total cash giving. For the second year in a row, D5910 was the #1 PolioPlus giving district in Zone 25B. When the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation matched these contributions 2:1, it resulted in total funding of $895,563.00 for Polio Eradication as a direct result of D5910 efforts.
This year, two district members who have again offered a PolioPlus Challenge Match. For any PolioPlus contributions submitted between February 15 and June 1, 2021, the two donors will make a 1.5 to 1.0 match on the first $50,000 in new contributions.
New D5910 Contributions submitted by June 1, 2021
$ 50,000
D5910 Donor #1 - 100% Match (1 to 1) on first $ 50,000 in NEW Contributions
$ 50,000
D5910 Donor #2 - 50% Match (1/2 to 1) on first $ 50,000 in NEW Contributions
$ 25,000
Total from NEW Contributions from D5910 PLUS Challenge Match
$125,000
Bill Melinda Gates Foundation - 2 to 1 (200%) Match on ALL Contributions
$250,000
Total Funds for Polio Eradication
$375,000
($375,000 / $50,000 = 7.5 to 1.0 Match)
Thru February 15, 2021, District 5910 members had already donated over $118,000 to PolioPlus. With new contributions earning the full $75,000 match, plus DDF, World Fund Match and the Gates Match, District 5910 can provide at least $893,563 in funding for Polio Eradication this year. LET’S DO IT!
Vaccination Assistance Opportunity For Clubs in the Houston area
For 5910 clubs that are in the vicinity of Houston, District 5890 governor, Scott Rainey, invites you to participate in this vaccine volunteer opportunity. SEE BELOW and share broadly.
Below is information and link "BUTTON" on how to register to be a Houston Health Department Volunteer at the NRG location. The very first step is to Register. The Registration process will identify you as a Rotary 5890 Volunteer. This includes any non – Rotary friends/family or others you partner with in community service that you extend this opportunity to. Please keep in mind as you do extend this opportunity to others they will be representing Rotary 5890.
We are asking that, if possible, when you volunteer you wear a Rotary shirt and/or your Rotary badge or at least a name badge you prepare that identifies you as a Rotary Volunteer. (not required, but helpful)
While the City offers volunteer opportunities to others such as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – they are giving Rotary an exclusive opportunity “First” to fill these slots. Thus, it is critical that people register as quickly as possible. Once they get your info, they will begin contacting volunteers Saturday (tomorrow) morning with more details and give you the opportunity to actually sign up. Please note for THIS opportunity the request is that you commit for at least one day a week (or multiple days) to reduce the training/orientation. If Rotary does not meet the need, they will then open to others (and I am told that they fill up in just minutes). So Rotary PLEASE – lets show them what we can do!
DGE Jerry Springfield received the following from Bob Mayber, DGE District 5630, Nebraska. If you are interested in helping your local food bank participate, please contact DGE Jerry right away so he can facilitate the connection.
To be sure TEXAS is not within our region, but we do have great connections with a Food Program thru USDA. This is the FARM TO TABLE PROGRAM that I spoke about last week. It involves full semi trailers containing 5 pallets of Gallon size 2% milk & 30 pallets (1250 Cases) of perishable but nutritional foods (About 7 to 10 meals) in each box. Each box contains apples, potatoes, smoked and fresh meat to name just a few.
If you are interested in finding out more about how your Districts could coordinate deliveries of these vital foodstuffs to provide relief to your fellow Texans, contact the person I’ve listed below.
You should know these facts before you go further.
At point of delivery, you would be responsible for arranging unloading equipment and people to hand out the boxes.
You will need at each delivery a Forklift and a Pallet Jack
You will need 15 to 25 people per location to spread the workload out.
Distribution of these 1200 cases can be accomplished in about 3-4 hours.
There is some lead time needed for trucking the distance, so keep that in mind. Something you arrange this week would happen next week.
It is hard to believe we are now in the winter season with snow and frigid temperatures impacting the Rotary Districts served by Lone Star PETS, bringing with them the continued power blackouts, water issues, and damage to homes.
I would like to take this opportunity to assure you that the health and safety of our attendees is our first priority and a responsibility that we take very seriously. The decision whether or not to reschedule during periods of inclement weather is based upon a careful analysis of all relevant factors. That being said, there are occasions when, due to extreme conditions, the safety interests of our attendees, especially those experiencing lack of power and clean water shortages, are best served by moving the date of Lone Star PETS.
Your District Governors-Elect met this morning and determined that it is best to reschedule our 2021 PETS to March 8- March 13, 2021. We are still virtual, and we will follow the same agenda that we have already published. An updated schedule will be on the website by tomorrow with the new dates. Registration will remain openthrough 6 PM on March 4, 2021. Please refer to the Lone Star PETS website for the most current information regarding any other changes.
The decision to reschedule the date was made in the best interest of our attendees who are facing may challenge with the weather. This is the first time that we've had a significant disaster that impacted such a large area, in the winter. As such, we are encouraging you to reach out to your Rotary family to check see if any of them are in need of assistance, or are able to offer assistance if needed, as this weather event continues to unfold.
Governors, past district governors, district leadership and chairmen, and all interested Rotarians are invited to attend the Zone Institute in Houston. These annual institutes are like mini international conventions, offering opportunities to hear from Rotary thought leaders from around the world and find out what’s going on in Rotary beyond our district.
District gives green light to develop district sponsored,
District-wide EClub!
By Julie Martineau, District Club Extension Committee Chair
Growing Rotary and giving great people the opportunity to be a part of this service focused organization is always at the top of the district’s agenda. Last Fall, the District appointed an Alternative Club Exploration (ACE) Committee to explore how to:
Re-engage former Rotarians,
Attract new members by minimizing cost and scheduling conflicts, AND
Retain members who may be on the verge of leaving Rotary.
Two surveys were distributed to gather satisfaction levels from current and past members of District 5910 Clubs.
Current members: the #1 reason our members are Rotarians is community and international service. They are proud to be Rotarians and they enjoy their meetings. Our traditional clubs are doing a great job meeting the needs of the majority of their members.
Past members: also expressed their love for community and international service but found that traditional weekly meetings often posed hardships related to work and family conflicts, and cost.
Both surveys also provided a description of different innovative Club models. The outcome from both surveys reflected interest in the EClub model which is an online Rotary Club of like-minded people who believe in and live Rotary’s 4 Way test, and support Rotary’s global initiatives, but cannot commit to the requirements of a traditional club.
The ACE Committee has identified a number of key components and resources regarding the formation of a proposed Rotary District 5910 EClub, but ultimately decisions must be made by the Charter membership of the proposed EClub. Several members of the ACE Committee have agreed to support the charter members with this initiative, so, if you are interested in being a charter member and craft its direction, or you know someone who may be interested, contact either Julie Martineau at jmartineau@mccfoundation.org or Ruth Suhler at leahone@aol.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
We give sincere thanks to the other Rotarians who composed this dynamic committee: Leland Dushkin, Conroe Club; Craig Escamilla, Beaumont Club; Julie Martineau, The Woodlands Club; Chuck Meyer, The Woodlands Club; Bunny Pratt, District 5910 Rotary Membership Chair and Bryan Club; Real Provencher, Magnolia Club; Ruth Suhler, AG and Galveston Club; and Jim Wiggins, Conroe Club.
Interested in finding out more about the District’s EClub and join the Tuesday, March 2nd virtual meeting at 5:30? Email Ruth Suhler at leaone@aol.com to get the link.
You play a critical role in promoting the Rotary Peace Centers programs to potential candidates. These resources can help you and others recruit candidates for 2022 Rotary Peace Fellowships:
Take the All About the Rotary Peace Fellowship course to learn about qualification requirements, eligibility restrictions, the application process, and more.
Use our referral form to tell us about potential candidates, and we’ll follow up with them.
Candidates have until 15 May to submit applications to their districts. Districts have until 1 July to submit endorsed applications to The Rotary Foundation. Remember, your district can endorse an unlimited number of qualified candidates at no cost.
Note to District Governors: If you have not already done so, please designate a District Rotary Peace Fellowship Subcommittee Chair (RPFC) for the 2020-21 Rotary year in MyRotary by February 15. Districts without a designated RPFC by this date will not be able to sponsor a candidate for the 2022 Rotary Peace Fellowship.
Send any questions about the fellowship program to rotarypeacecenters@rotary.org. Thank you for your dedication to the Rotary Peace Centers and your help educating Rotary members and your community about the fellowships.
Sincerely, Rotary Peace Centers program
Rotary Peace Centers are made possible by the generosity of donors.
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.
Saturday, February 27 was a great day of Rotary service around the Beaumont community! Rotarians who were comfortable with being "out-and-about" in the community gave their time with a selfless heart to one of three opportunities.
Rotarian John Rollins lends a hand collecting food and other donations at Walmart for Southeast Texas Food Bank.
Bryan Rotarians Volunteer in support of the Heart of Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross
Judge John Delaney and other Bryan Rotarians - volunteer with the Red Cross at the Brazos Valley Vaccine Hub. Pictured with John is Executive Director of the American Red Cross and Rotarian A. J. Renold
A Montgomery County Food Bank Truck arrives at Honor Cafe on Friday February 19, the first day the restaurant was able to open after the storms, to pick up non perishable food items donated by restaurant patrons, Rotarians, and the restaurant itself.
Pictured is Rotary Club of Conroe member Dustin Bass.
Gerald Spradlin, ETX Lufkin Rotary Satellite Club Member returns a wheelchair to the front door of the Civic Center. The Civic Center was the site of Moderna vaccinations for approximately 700 people. The Satellite Club is proud to be a part of the volunteers helping with vaccinations under the direction of Angelina Health District.
ANNUAL ROTARY CLUB OF GALVESTON VOCATIONAL SERVICE AWARDS
The Rotary Club of Galveston recently honored and recognized five individuals as this year’s 2021 Rotary Distinguished Vocational Service Award recipients.
Each of these special recipients were introduced to the club’s membership during a recent Zoom meeting. Awards went to an outstanding EMS technician (Amy Weber)-pictured on left, Healthcare worker (Carl Thomas), Educator (Carla Geters), Police Officer (Colin Murphy) and Firefighter (John Eaton). For over 30 years, this has been an annual project of the Rotary Club of Galveston in an effort to showcase the vital role each of these honorees provides to ensure a better quality of life for all of Galveston’s residents and for our community. They each exemplify our Rotary motto of "Service Above Self."
Hardin County Rotary Club has partnered with Hard Bean in Lumberton to raise money for End Polio Campaign on St. Patrick’s Day. We hope that this event will be a fun outing for families, while supporting a great cause. You are welcome to participate.
When the winter storm hit in February, many residents were left with burst pipes, no water, and under a boil water notice. The City of League City responded and asked the Rotary Club of League City to help. On Friday and Saturday, February 18 and 19 at Hometown Heroes Park, the Rotary Club of League City assisted the City in distributing cases of water to those in need. When there is a need, Rotary Club of League City is there to assist.
Orange Rotary had an interesting array of programs in February with speakers Larry Spears, Jr. City of Orange Mayor; Eddie Frenzel and Cody Tant of Orange County Physical Therapy; and Scott Overton, Orange County Appraisal District. Members are contributing to the Orange County Sheriff’s department’s Blue Santa program as a memorial to Deputy John Badeaux, who had recently addressed the group. Club members are also planning for participation in the Community Trash-Off, organized by Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center.
, it was a fun celebration with hats, balloons, decorated offices and virtual party screens!! Incoming president Shannon Garrod took us on a walk down memory lane with details about the early days of Rotary. (Photo attached)
The calendar only recently says "2021," but be reminded now: the deadline for submitting District Grant Final Report is 
Rotarian John Rollins lends a hand collecting food and other donations at Walmart for Southeast Texas Food Bank.
Judge John Delaney and other Bryan Rotarians - volunteer with the Red Cross at the Brazos Valley Vaccine Hub. Pictured with John is Executive Director of the American Red Cross and Rotarian A. J. Renold
A Montgomery County Food Bank Truck arrives at Honor Cafe on Friday February 19, the first day the restaurant was able to open after the storms, to pick up non perishable food items donated by restaurant patrons, Rotarians, and the restaurant itself. 
When the winter storm hit in February, many residents were left with burst pipes, no water, and under a boil water notice. The City of League City responded and asked the Rotary Club of League City to help. On Friday and Saturday, February 18 and 19 at Hometown Heroes Park, the Rotary Club of League City assisted the City in distributing cases of water to those in need. When there is a need, Rotary Club of League City is there to assist.
Orange Rotary had an interesting array of programs in February with speakers Larry Spears, Jr. City of Orange Mayor; Eddie Frenzel and Cody Tant of Orange County Physical Therapy; and Scott Overton, Orange County Appraisal District. Members are contributing to the Orange County Sheriff’s department’s Blue Santa program as a memorial to Deputy John Badeaux, who had recently addressed the group. Club members are also planning for participation in the Community Trash-Off, organized by Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center.
For the 116th birthday of 
