In the next few weeks, we have some great opportunities to learn more about Rotary and ways to make our clubs more effective. Please consider participating in as many as you can and encourage other Rotarians to join you:
Rotary Zone InstituteSept. 8 - 13: (it’s like a mini international convention with top notch speakers and facilitators)
I strongly encourage you to consider attending the 2020 Rotary Zone Institute. Each year the institute is a highlight for our district leaders, and this year it’s easier than ever for all interested Rotarians to participate. No travel and no registration fees! And you can pick and choose the sessions you want to attend without having to commit several days to it.
Some of the plenary session speakers that I can recommend since I’ve heard them over the years (check the schedule for times):
Shekhar Mehta, RI President 2021-22 - I haven’t heard him speak yet, but it’s always good when you can hear from the incoming president of RI
Dr. Todd (Bow Tie) Jenkins - always informative and enjoyable
Dr. Isis Mejias - has a fascinating story of her work with water and sanitation as a Rotary Global Grant Scholar and beyond
Dr. Peter Hotez - be sure to hear him. He is on the cutting edge of vaccine development and is interviewed daily in the national media as we deal with the pandemic and the efforts to develop a vaccine accelerate
Ann Lee Hussey - offers a compelling personal story about polio survivors.
Past RI President Barry Rassin - report on the HANWASH Project.
All of this information including the link to register can be accessed at the Zone website:
Paul Harris Society members: watch for an invitation to the Paul Harris Society reception (virtual of course) on Tuesday, September 8 from 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM. If you are a member (have committed to giving $1,000 per year to the Rotary Foundation) and for some reason don’t receive an invitation, please let me know!
District 5910 MEMBERSHIP, FOUNDATION, AND PUBLIC IMAGE SEMINARS - Each Fall, we offer these three training sessions which encompass the three major areas of our Rotary clubs’ activities. The sessions have been moved to October to allow time for district leaders to participate in the Zone Institute in September.
The links to register for our district’s membership, foundation, and public image seminars in October. are:
I am so honored to serve as your president this year. We have important work ahead of us at Rotary, and we are going to have a lot of fun as we do it.
Last year, we launched our five-year Action Plan to build a stronger future for Rotary. We are working to increase our impact, expand our reach, enhance participant engagement, and increase our ability to adapt. The last several months have shown that we — as Rotarians and Rotaractors — can realize these goals as we forge a new path for the future.
Without question, COVID-19 has posed new and previously unimaginable challenges for Rotary. But within every challenge is perhaps an even greater opportunity. And while I could not have known what lay ahead when I selected my theme for the year, Rotary Opens Opportunities has even greater relevance as we begin our new Rotary year.
I am incredibly inspired by how our members have adapted and responded to COVID-19. This global pandemic has made it difficult for many of our clubs to operate as usual, but we persevered, and over the past few months, I’ve enjoyed connecting with my fellow Rotarians and Rotaractors in a new way: by visiting hundreds of clubs from my home. It’s been fun to attend so many meetings virtually. If you haven’t already, I encourage your club to try an online meeting or add an online component, like hosting a guest speaker from a Rotary or Rotaract club located in a different part of the world.
As we build a stronger future for our organization, it’s good that we are reaching out to new people and introducing them to Rotary. It’s important that our clubs reflect the communities we serve. More diverse voices in our clubs and in our leadership will help Rotary stay in touch with a changing world.
So let’s find every opportunity to show we value each and every member. Let’s seize this moment to build on what we’ve learned, to embrace our new reality, to welcome new faces, and to find additional ways to shine. This is how we will have a continuing impact on the world. And if you need assistance along the way, Rotary offers many resources that can help you reach your goals.
Rotary means different things in different parts of the world, but we are all united by our core values and by The Four-Way Test. Rotary may change, but our values remain constant.
I look forward to hearing about how you’re finding new opportunities to engage and make an impact in your club and community. Rotary Opens Opportunities, both for the people we serve and for ourselves.
An amazing opportunity for any Rotarian to experience this amazing event that only a few have been privy to in the past. And it is cost effective.. no registration fee and no travel expense!
Basic registration allows you to participate in all of the Plenary sessions. Although some training sessions are closed to targeted groups, we encourage you to register to attend the following training that is open to any participant.:
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. More info about each session will be shared in the next few weeks.
Thursday, 10/1/2020 from 7-9 PM (Zoom Room opens at 6:30 PM)
The deadline for submitting a district grant request has been extended to Monday, September 21.
THIS IS A FIRM DEADLINE. No applications will be accepted after September 21.
Don't miss out on this opportunity for your club to provide a needed service or expand the project's reach with the financial assistance of matching funding provided by a District Grant. Clubs should use one of the two application forms posted on the District website and submit no later than Monday, September 21 to Walter Hinkle ( whinkle@laseranswering.com ). Complete an application now!
Below is our most recent update on RYLA 2020, via a letter from our RYLA Registrar, Birda Gaskin, to Club Presidents.
Dear Club Presidents,
Because of the COVID-19 crisis, we have all had to adapt to different situations. The last few months have left our future plans for RYLA in a cloud of uncertainty. At this point in the year, we would like to give you concrete plans, and we request your club’s corresponding plans in return. Unfortunately, it is impossible to forecast how the next few months will play out.
Here is what we are able to tell you:
We are resolved to do everything in our power to hold a successful RYLA if at all possible.
RYLA in 2021 will only take place if we can maintain the normal culture and energy that make it so impactful. We are not considering a virtual format at this time, and we hope to maintain our normal participation numbers if RYLA takes place.
We are aware that the COVID situation has affected club fundraisers and membership, and your budgets, consequently, may be under duress. If RYLA moves forward, we will examine the necessity of scholarships or reduced fees. We have sufficient funds at our disposal to ensure that RYLA is not threatened by a lack of funding.
We may have to consider a RYLA that takes place in the summer or late spring.
We will keep you informed of our progress.
We are asking each club in our district to send us the following information:
1). Contact information for your club president and RYLA coordinator (should be a Rotarian, not a school counselor or Interact sponsor).
2). Have you placed RYLA in your 2020–21 budget, and to what extent?
Please e-mail me this information at your earliest convenience.
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
is accepting donations for Hurricane Laura recovery.
You can donate with confidence and not worry about being scammed.
This is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
100% OF YOUR DONATIONS GO TO THOSE AFFECTED.
The best way to help is to make a monetary donation to a recognized, local recovery group whose mission is to serve through rebuilding efforts. Help us bring hope to the survivors and recovery teams from Southeast Texas to Lake Charles, Louisiana. By donating to the Jefferson County Long-Term Recovery you know that your money is being used the right way to help the right people. Every dollar matters.
Send donations to:
Jefferson County Long-Term Recovery
700 North Street Suite J-2
Beaumont, Texas 77701
409-240-0331
The district’s DisasterAid USA trailer is available for use by members of any Rotary District 5910 clubs. It is stocked with two chain saws, two generators, and other equipment. If you have members who are available to use it or have questions about it, please contact Vernon Pierce (vskhpierce@gmail.com / 409-673-2135) or Ty Coudrain (dustin_coudrain@us.aflac.com / 409-651-3247) to ask questions or make arrangements for use.
District 5910 Rotary Ambassadorial Global Grant Scholarships will be used to fund one year of post-baccalaureate study at a recognized university in a non-U.S. country in a study discipline that supports the Object of Rotary and the Mission of The Rotary Foundation (see www.rotary.org).
Deadline to turn in the application is September 30, 2020. That date and other details are listed in the first page of the application.
When Martin Elementary School in Beaumont re-opens its doors to students to begin in-person learning, the students in grades 3-5 will have new challenges!
Last year, when the chance to apply for a second District Grant became available, then President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Beaumont Cindy Cherry met with the school principal Dr. Tamara Long and Assistant Principal Ariane Moore (pictured left to right in the photo on the left) to determine if there was a way the club could assist in challenging the students to reach higher goals with reading. The administrators were quick to say that they needed classroom sets of classic children's literature to enhance the reading curriculum. With the help of a District Grant, the children will soon be reading and doing projects about Charlotte's Web, Hidden Figures, Ramona the Pest, and more.
Tasha Childress served as President of the Rotary Club of Cleveland in 2018-2019 and in 2019-2020. She was recognized for her service to the club as Rotarian of the Year and as Past President.
During those years, Tasha was diagnosed with cancer and went through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Even with those personal trials and tribulations, Tasha started a new job at Austin Bank, Cleveland, opened a brand new bank, and still had time to do an amazing job for Cleveland Rotary.
Recently, Tasha finished chemotherapy and radiation and “rang the bell” and is doing well, always with a beautiful smile.
Storm Simonin, is one of two recipients of this year's Rotary Club of Galveston Scholarship award. Simonin, who graduated this year from Ball High School, was ranked 10th in his class of 474 students, and will attend Austin College and major in psychology/ pre-med track. He received a $1,500 scholarship that was awarded from the Rotary Club of Galveston's Galveston Rotary Foundation, Inc. Simonin was introduced to the membership at a recent Club Zoom meeting.
Palestine Rotary Satellite Club member Cory McCauley (pictured 2nd from left) did a fantastic job of rallying The Rotary Club of Palestine and satellite members to donate school supplies for the August service project. Supplies were delivered to Child Protective Services who deal with children who are removed from their homes due to neglect or abuse. The Satellite club’s goal is to complete a service project for the community each month. Thanks to all who participated in helping these children with back to school items.
The 4-Way Test Speech contest was an opportunity for high school students to speak about a personal observation or experience and apply the tenets of Rotary’s 4-Way Test in an evaluative manner. Pictured are the students from Texas City High School who were the winners from for the 4 Way Test Speech Competition this past school year. Due to COVID 19 the winner was not able to move on to the district level competition. Shown are left to right, Adrian Sendejas, 3rd Place ($50), Jillian LeMaire, 1st Place ($250) and Joshua Azagidi, 2nd Place ($100).
Last year, we launched our five-year 
When Martin Elementary School in Beaumont re-opens its doors to students to begin in-person learning, the students in grades 3-5 will have new challenges! 
Tasha Childress served as President of the Rotary Club of Cleveland in 2018-2019 and in 2019-2020. She was recognized for her service to the club as Rotarian of the Year and as Past President.
Storm Simonin, is one of two recipients of this year's Rotary Club of Galveston Scholarship award. Simonin, who graduated this year from Ball High School, was ranked 10th in his class of 474 students, and will attend Austin College and major in psychology/ pre-med track. He received a $1,500 scholarship that was awarded from the Rotary Club of Galveston's Galveston Rotary Foundation, Inc. Simonin was introduced to the membership at a recent Club Zoom meeting.
Palestine Rotary Satellite Club member Cory McCauley (pictured 2nd from left) did a fantastic job of rallying The Rotary Club of Palestine and satellite members to donate school supplies for the August service project. Supplies were delivered to Child Protective Services who deal with children who are removed from their homes due to neglect or abuse. The Satellite club’s goal is to complete a service project for the community each month. Thanks to all who participated in helping these children with back to school items.
