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District 5910 News
November 2020
        
 
 
 
Becky Mason 
District Governor 2020-2021
Rotary Club of Beaumont
 
From the Governor's Desk

November is Rotary Foundation Month:

· Check out this great idea for raising funds for the Foundation: https://raise.rotary.org

· One of the signature programs of the Rotary Foundation is the Global Grant Scholar program (formerly known as Ambassadorial Scholars). Kristen Welker, moderator of the third and final presidential debate who won rave reviews for her work, talks about how her experience as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar has affected her life: https://youtu.be/RLHBhpoSwoI

· Congratulations to the clubs that held special events, fundraisers, and informational programs to highlight World Polio Day in October.

Committee Updates (read more in the articles in this newsletter)

· The district membership committee has been in high gear this year thanks to Chair Bunny Pratt, the subcommittee chairs, and committee members who are exploring ways to grow Rotary:

o Membership survey: Kudos to the many members who participated in the survey. The committee is compiling your feedback, and it will guide their work in the weeks and months ahead. Watch for an update from the committee soon about the results and what they are working on.

· Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI):

o Our district now has certified online facilitators to lead RLI sessions. Congratulations to Ava Sloan for spearheading our district’s entrance into this important endeavor and to our first ever certified facilitators: DGN Demetress Harrell, District Trainer Amy Killgore, District Co-trainer Ava Sloan, and DGE Jerry Springfield.

o Several other members have completed courses and will soon become certified as facilitators as well. We look forward to offering courses led by our own members soon.

· Disaster relief – people in Louisiana who were affected by the recent hurricanes still need assistance. Read the article from Ruth Suhler with details, and let her know if you could assist. (leahone@aol.com)

 
In Rotary service,
Becky Mason
2020-21 District 5910 Governor
 
 
Headline News
During this highly political time, let’s remember in our social media posts and public statements to keep our political statements separate from our Rotary affiliation.
 
“Rotary International is an international service organization whose stated purpose is to bring together business and professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian service and to advance goodwill and peace around the world. It is a non-political and non-religious organization open to all. There are over 35,000 member clubs worldwide, with a membership of 1.2 million individuals, known as Rotarians.”
 
From Rotary Basics
 
* * * * * * *
 
CONFIRMED: RI President Holger
to virtually visit District 5910 to thank our Foundation Donors!
 
 
District 5910 is planning a very special virtual Foundation event on Saturday, February 20, 2021. Chairs Brenda Walker and Phil Shackelford are finalizing the details now, but we have confirmation that our special guest speaker will be RI President Holger Knaack!
 
* * * * * * *
 
Calling All Singers for a Virtual Holiday Choir
 
District 5910 singers wowed Rotarians far and wide (around the district, the state, and even in other countries!) with the performance of Let There Be Peace on Earth at the governor installation in June. If you would like to be a part of a virtual holiday choir, email Lynn Hill at (lynnhillbd@gmail.com) so she can put you on the communication list.
 
Instructions on how to participate and information about what we'll be singing will be sent to those who express interest.  If you have not participated in a virtual choir, it is much easier than you might think.  You just need your cell phone (with camera to record yourself singing), headphones to sing along with the pre-recorded accompaniment, and a love of singing (level of talent is less important than enthusiasm!).
 
The virtual choir performance will be shown as part of the district holiday party and will be available for any club to use at their own holiday celebrations!
 
* * * * * * *
 
5910 Disaster Relief Efforts: Collaborating with Disaster Aid USA (DAUSA) and Operation Blessing from Virginia

Sincere thanks to the District 5910 Rotarians who have assisted the remediation efforts in the Lake Charles community, working with other relief groups including Disaster Aid USA (DAUSA) and Operation Blessing. The destruction from both Hurricanes Laura and Delta have devastated this community. We appreciate the work of the people who have responded.

The spouse of a College Station Rotarian, Tom Small, drove five hours to offer assistance. “I went down to volunteer and support the Rotary call for Disaster Support to the community in the Lake Charles area. When we were finished with the damaged home, the owners had tears, thanking us for the help we provided. I am so thankful for the Rotary call to support this community in need. If my schedule permits, I would like to return to support this group. They truly need more volunteers - I think they will be on site for another several weeks.”

Beaumont Rotarian Tim Sudela reported, “The house that I worked at was a family with ten children. The mother and children evacuated for Hurricane Laura and had not returned yet. The tenth child was born during the evacuation. I met the father briefly before he went to work. He is a US veteran and is currently working three jobs to support his family.”

Betsy Rewolinski from the Fredonia Club writes, "It was phenomenal!! I had a great time working with everyone and helping the two families resume some sense of normalcy. I'm seriously thinking of going back very soon 😊...it truly was an influential experience to be able to physically do God's work by being His hands and feet, to love our neighbors as ourselves. To dig in and be helpful."

Workdays are coordinated by the two experienced and devoted disaster response groups, and they always need extra people to accomplish the work. Volunteers of any skill level are welcome. Let us know what you can do and when you’re available. We should be able to connect you with a crew.

To volunteer, please contact Ruth L. Suhler, leahone@aol.com to let her know of your interest in assisting.

 
* * * * * * *
 
District 5910 Nominates Galveston Rotarian
Rotary People of Action:  Champions of Health
 
For over a century, Rotary has committed itself to addressing the health needs of communities all over the world. In recognition of that commitment, Rotary will honor six members of the Rotary family - Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Rotary Peace Fellow Alumni - as Rotary People of Action: Champions of Health during Rotary Day at the World Health Organization (WHO) on 26-27 February 2021.
 
Dr. James LeDuc, from the Rotary Club of Galveston, has been selected as the nominee from District 5910 for this prestigious recognition. 
 
 
Dr. James Le Duc is an expert in infectious diseases, public health and international biosecurity. He is the Director of the Galveston National Laboratory (GNL), one of the world’s largest biocontainment laboratories, located on the campus of the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston. He is also a professor in the School of Medicine at UTMB. He has been a field biologist with the Smithsonian Institution in West Africa. He served as the Associate Director for Global Health in the Office of the Director, National Center for Infectious Diseases at CDC, and was a Medical Officer in charge of arboviruses and viral hemorrhagic fevers at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.
 
Dr. Le Duc has also served as Director, Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases coordinating research activities, prevention initiatives and outbreak investigations for viral and rickettsial pathogens of global importance, including viral hemorrhagic fevers, influenza and other respiratory infections, childhood viral diseases, and newly emerging diseases such as SARS.
 
The Galveston National Lab has improved testing to determine the presence of COVID-19, extensive antibody testing aimed at neutralizing the virus and is conducting numerous clinical trials in the hunt to find effective agents against COVID-19.  
 
District 5910 congratulates Dr. LeDuc on his nomination and thanks him for this critically important work.
 
District Grants Awarded
DISTRICT GRANT AWARDS
 
Congratulations to the following clubs that received a District Grant Award for the 2020-2021 Rotary year:
 
Aggieland
Angelina
Beaumont
Bryan
Conroe
Dickinson
East Montgomery County
Friendswood
Galveston
Galveston Island
Lake Conroe
League City
Lufkin
Magnolia
Nacogdoches
Palestine
Port Neches-Groves
Spindletop
Texas City
The Woodlands
Vidor

We wish these clubs every success in implementing their district grant projects. If we can be of any assistance or if questions arise relating to a grant project, please do not hesitate to let us know.

 

Bobby Chapman
District Grants Chair
 
World Interact Week
Next week, November 2-6, is World Interact Week.  Why should we celebrate World Interact Week?  It's simple.  These young people are our future Rotarians!  So as members of local Rotary clubs, it's up to us to nurture and support them in their efforts, whether it be fund-raising, serving, meeting, or socializing.
 
 
What does World Interact Week do?  It shines the spotlight on the great things our students accomplish in their clubs.  In the past, Interacts in District 5910 have decorated sidewalks with chalk to encourage fellow students during STAAR testing, collected socks for homeless people, and sent thousands of items to our U.S. soldiers.  They have cleaned yards for the elderly, taken cookies to cancer treatment centers, and collected toys so that children might have a good Christmas.  Participating in Alzheimer's walks, Christmas parades, and serving at their local pumpkin patches have also been on the list.  And we don't want to forget the many, many food drives they've held and the flags they've assisted Rotarians in putting out.
 
Take a moment this week to reach out to your Interact Club. Let them know they are valued, supported, and appreciated. Ask how you can help them.  Involve them in your meetings or projects when appropriate. Cheer for them.  Be an encourager to them.  After all, in a few years, they will be right where you are......perhaps even serving alongside you in your Rotary club.
D5910 Jingle & Mingle Virtual Social
 
Rotary Youth Exchange
 
Rotary Youth Exchange STILL NEEDS YOUR HELP!
 
Please help spread the word to area high school students and their parents.  We are still 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
 
Read more...
RLI

Rotary Leadership Institute

... offering leadership and Rotary education training for Rotarians!

 

 

The Rotary Leadership Institute is a development program using facilitation in small groups to engage Rotarians and strengthen clubs through quality leadership education.

RLI’s Part 1 is a great start for new Rotarians, as well as a good summary for experienced ones. It would be great if everyone “new” to Rotary attend at least Part 1.

Parts 2 and 3 build on the foundation – completing all three parts is a great idea for incoming club presidents and board members. It builds action and sustainability in your local club!

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic all in person classes are suspended until further notice. District 5910 has partnered with The Lone Star Division RLI and will participate with their schedule of on-line courses. The one day courses are now offered in 2 hour sessions in the comfort of your own home.

Cindy Cherry from the Rotary Club of Beaumont, Sally Andrews and Tim Andrews from the Rotary Club of Vidor all graduated having completed sessions one, two and three in October.

Trained facilitators from our District are DGE Jerry Springfield from the Rotary Club of Woodville, DGN Demetress Harrell from the Rotary Club of Angelina, Amy Killgore and Ava Sloan from the Rotary Club of League City.

Participating in sessions one or two were Leon Willhite from Palestine, Jan Ricketts from the Woodlands, PDG Betsy Robinson, Jane McFaddin and Teresa Vencil from League City, Ruth Shuler from Galveston, Rebekah Maxwell and Deborah Drago from Beaumont, Meg Brown from Bridge City, and Dave Thompson from Huntsville.

To find upcoming RLI classes, visit the District 5910’s web site. If you have questions please contact Ava Sloan ava@rodinconsulting.com or 832-315-0502.

Speakers Bureau2
 
Club Program Recommendations:  Speakers Bureau
 
We are still collecting information for the District 5910 Speakers Bureau.
If you know of someone who is an interesting and good speaker
who is willing to speak in person or by Zoom,
please forward their information
to Cecilyk@aol.com.
 
In memory

 

In memory of 
 
Marie Broussard
September 06 1934 - October 23 2020
 
wife of
1995-1996 District Governor Alex Broussard
Rotary Club of Beaumont

 

 

District Conference
 
CLUB NEWS: Beaumont
Beaumont Rotarians are hooked! Hooked on helping Sleep in Heavenly Peace, that is!  Sleep In Heavenly Peace is an organization dedicated to providing a bed to every child who does not have one to sleep in at night.  Rotarians have helped build beds on two occasions, and now the Rotary Club of Beaumont has become a partner with the non-profit to routinely deliver beds to homes across Jefferson County.  A group of Rotarians and spouses have become Team Leaders and they immediately got to work making deliveries.
 
 
Pictured (l to r): Kris Castle, John Lee, Dena Reed, Kevin Reed, Cindy Cherry, Debbie Maxwell, and Howard Maxwell. Not pictured (because he is on the other side of then camera lens) was Tim Sudela.
Read more...
CLUB NEWS: Conroe

Rotary Conroe Flag Raising

It was an honor for The Rotary Club of Conroe to be selected as a flag raiser for the 10th Annual Flag Raising Ceremony at The Lone Star Monument and Historical Flag Park in Conroe on Oct. 3. Representing the club were President Chris Sadler, Past President Cecily Kelly and member Ed Kelly. Chris and Ed raised the Coahuila y Tejas flag.

 

 

Read more...
CLUB NEWS: East Montgomery County

The Rotary Club of East Montgomery County (RCEMC) has resumed many of its activities. Over the past three weeks, members have enjoyed hearing from some dynamic speakers and started planning ways to help within the community and the world.

On October 6, Kevin Gainer of Performance Foot Orthotics spoke with members both present and virtually about orthotics.  A licensed pedorthist, Gainer oversees the production and creation of all Performance Orthotics Lab orthotics. He works to make sure each practitioner he partners with receives professional understanding and quality products. In over 25 years he has made tens of thousands custom shoes, boots, and orthotics for doctors all across the United States. To learn more, visit pfolab.com

 

 

Read more...
CLUB NEWS: Galveston
Several members of the Rotary Club of Galveston gathered on the UTMB Field House track October 17 to participate in this year's Annual Walk to End Alzheimer's. The Club's Team - "Rovin' Rotarians" - along with a few 4-legged family members - socially-distanced and walked the track with friends and family members in support of this year's endeavor to find a cure for Alzheimer's.  Rotarian Kyle Albright (seated, second from left, first row) is this year's Chair for the Galveston/Bay Area's "Walk to End Alzheimer's" initiative.  (photo by Robyn Bushong.)
Read more...
CLUB NEWS: Hardin County
We are happy to announce that the Hardin County Rotary Club started an Interact Club at Silsbee High School this year.  Thank you to Daniel Elizondo in his efforts.  Wade MacLean is continuing to assist with our Lumberton High School Interact Club that was started several years ago.
 
The Hardin County Rotary Club is meeting virtually and in person at the Fire Station on FM 421 in Lumberton.  We meet from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Thursday morning.  The first Thursday of the month is a business meeting, and the rest of the month we have speakers.  The Club has been busy with its 2d annual Poinsettia sales fundraiser.  In addition, the Club has supported several local causes:
  1. The Hardin County Rotary Club wrote letters of thanks and encouragement to all Hardin County police and sheriff departments.
  2. The Hardin County Rotary Club made a donation to the Lumberton Police Department to assist with a purchase of bean bag guns.
  3. Two Hurricane Laura efforts were supported by the Club:
    1. The Club sponsored 4 classrooms in Lake Charles with supplies.
    2. The Club gave gift cards to the hurricane relief effort put together by the Hardin County Chamber of Commerce organizations that banded together in this effort.
CLUB NEWS: Lake Conroe
Service above SELF Wednesday...Rotarians of Lake Conroe dropped off activity books to Live Oak Senior care today!
 
 
We could not visit the seniors personally due to Covid guidelines, however the center was grateful for the donation!
Read more...
CLUB NEWS: Orange
The Rotary Club of Orange initiated its new hybrid meeting format in October.  The Club resumed in-person meeting at Robert’s Steakhouse while maintaining a Video conference option.  At the restaurant, members with masks and distancing gather for a traditional meeting with a meal.  Other Club members attend via the Zoom platform.  President Natasha Garrett with assistance from Board member Jennifer Burtsfield and her staff set up the Zoom system so members can attend remotely and still see and hear the agenda and program.  Those in attendance at the restaurant are able to interact with the Zoom participants.  Programs in October included Maureen McAlister discussing the programs of United Way; Sarah Boehme on the reopening of the Stark Museum of Art; Jan Zuniga on the mission of the Salvation Army, and Chuck Mason on Rotary’s Polio Eradication efforts.  The Club made plans for a service project with Salvation Army by preparing food baskets on November 17.    

Captain Jan Zuniga of the Salvation Army addresses Orange Rotary  

 

CLUB NEWS: Palestine

The Palestine Rotary Satellite Club completed a service project for abused children pulled from domestic violence situations.  We provided blankets, teddy bears and Prosperity Bank donated $1,000 through Rotary for counseling.

CLUB NEWS: Port Arthur
The Rotary Club of Port Arthur presented Community Care Prayer Outreach with a check in the amount of $1,500 to help purchase food for Thanksgiving Baskets that will benefit those in need within the local community.    Dr. Johnny Brown, President of The Rotary Club of Port Arthur stated, “The Rotary Club of Port Arthur has a long history of supporting charitable organizations in the Port Arthur and Mid-County area.   The Club is pleased to continue that tradition by donating to the Thanksgiving Food Baskets project of Community Care Prayer Outreach Organization.”  Community Care Prayer Outreach is an organization with the mission: To alleviate the pain and suffering of the elderly, disabled and low- income mothers with children by providing basic needs.  Making a positive impact in their lives.
 
 
 
Pictured:  L to R:  Delilah Francis, Treasurer, Rotary Club of Port Arthur, Libby Arnold, Executive Director, Community Care Prayer Outreach,  Dr. Johnny Brown, President, Rotary Club of Port Arthur.
CLUB NEWS: Texas City
Congratulations to two of our newest members! Dixie Sholmire, far left, and Dr. Melissa Duarte, center, were inducted into Rotary last week. Dixie is a realtor and was proposed for membership by her mother, President Peggy Davenport. Melissa is the TCISD Superintendent and was proposed for membership by Melissa Tortorici. Pictured, left to right are, Dixie Sholmire, President Peggy, Melissa Duarte, PE Roger Whitener and Doreen Hughes, Membership Committee member.
Read more...
CLUB FUNDRAISER: Vidor
Vidor Rotary Club will host their annual Election Day Chili Dinner on Tuesday, November 3 from 3:30 - 6:30 in the First United Methodist Church Katie Pittman Christian Activity Center, 501 N. Main in Vidor.

Chili and rice for one person is just $5 a ticket, and is served 'grab and go' this year.  There will be bagged cookies for sale, and you can purchase a ticket for a drawing for a wonderful gift basket.
 
Tickets can be purchasef from any Vidor Rotary Club member, or email Sally Andrews, sally8363@aol.com.  Consider donating a ticket or two for a VISD bus driver or custodian. They are always so grateful to be remembered!
Russell Hampton
ClubRunner
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