Hello, 2020-21 Rotary year! The theme that was selected last summer for the 2020-21 year couldn’t have been more prescient. We will surely have more opportunities for innovation, adaptation, creativity, and positivity than we could have imagined as we address these questions:
· How will we keep our members involved and engaged with our clubs with all of this uncertainty? How will we continue to grow Rotary?
· What adaptations will we need to make to be able to safely perform our service projects?
· How will we hold fundraisers to fund our service projects if we can’t safely have large events?
· Bottom line…how will we continue to make a difference in our communities and in our world in spite of these uncertainties and challenges?
Rotarians are creative and resilient. Already, in the last few months we’ve learned so much more about virtual meetings, training sessions, installations, a district conference, and even an international convention than we could have expected. Some have been as effective as in person meetings; some more effective; and some, honestly, not as satisfying. But you have risen to the challenge and continued to make a difference. Most important, having meetings virtually instead of meeting in person has allowed us as a district to follow #4 of the Four Way Test: “Will it be beneficial to all concerned?” as we find our way through the current crisis.
Rotary International is strongly encouraging all district, zone, and international Rotary activities to be held virtually until at least the end of December. District 5910 will follow RI’s recommendation, having meetings via Zoom or other platforms until then. Health officials’ guidance will determine how activities in 2021 will be handled. As always, clubs will continue to make their own decisions on whether to meet in person or virtually based on their local conditions, health advisories, and the preferences of their members. But the top priority has to be ensuring that we take care of each other.
The district directory is posted on the District website – Rotary5910.org – and is available for download and printing if you would like a hard copy. The district calendar will be posted on the website as well and will be updated as things evolve through the year. Watch for updates in this monthly newsletter and emails from the district as dates and details are finalized.
Please be patient as we find our way through the uncertainty, with possible changes and adjustments to events along the way. Your district leadership team pledges to do our best to keep you informed through emails and district website posts. This is a great opportunity to adapt and to make our clubs even stronger by relying on each other.
Rotary Multi District Training Institute Saturday | August 1, 2020 | 8:30 am - 8:30 pm ZOOMING TO A SCREEN NEAR YOU
The Rotary Multi District Training Institute is scheduled for Saturday, August 1, 2020. This program will be held live via Zoom from 8:30 am - 8:30 pm with 3 Plenary sessions plus Concurrent training paths for District Chairs (& their committees) focused on: Foundation, Membership, Public Image, Rotary Youth Exchange, Rotaract, and District Trainers. Click the registration links for the various sessions to see speakers and details. Contact Bunny Pratt with any questions.
The deadline for submitting a district grant request is August 1.
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. Complete an application now!
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).
Six years ago – after a wonderful stay in our District and hosted by the Rotary Club of Dayton – our Exchange Student Marine from Belgium went back to her home country. At that time her host mother wrote:
“I just dropped Marine off at the airport for her flight back home.This is a sad day for me as I have grown very fond of her and I will miss her a lot. It has been an awesome experience for both of us. If any of you have the opportunity to host an Exchange Student, I would recommend it highly !!!!”
The Rotary Club of Aggieland has completed the following project with assistance from the District 5910 Grant Program. The Aggieland Rotary Club and the Bryan Club collectively had 11 members present at the Produce Pantry. Rotarians volunteered as car loaders, which meant they loaded produce into someone's car as they passed through the drive-thru pantry. Others assisted with traffic control and helped direct traffic and passed out informative flyers to every vehicle.
In May, Beaumont Rotarians helped the Southeast Texas Food Bank pack 500 boxes of shelf-stable food items for distribution to those in need, and in June, the Club was called upon by the Food Bank again and asked to help with the actual distribution of the boxes prepared by the Rotarians. About 30 Rotarians were joined by volunteers from other groups and prepared to meet a line of cars that was over a mile long! It was determined that the volunteers served over 500 families by giving out 56,625 lbs. of food within just a few hours. Each car was given a family-size box of food, 5 lbs. of cheese, 2 bags of apples, a watermelon, 2 gallons of milk, a box of meat, and a hurricane preparedness chart.
On Tuesday evening, June 23, the Rotary Club of Cleveland officers for 2020-2021 were installed, welcoming new leadership and entering the upcoming year together with those who will lead and those who will follow, like opening new doors of opportunity and service to our members, our organization, the district and the world of Rotary International.
However, before we can look forward, we must look back at the 2019-2020 year which was an exciting year with many accomplishments, including learning to meet from a distance via the texting of programs and, for some, learning to Zoom!
The Rotary Club of East Montgomery County members recently completed work on their District 5910 grant proposal, which was purchasing books for their little library project. We were able to purchase over 3000 books for children, young readers, teens and adults. As books were purchased, they were cleaned and a Rotary label was placed inside each book. A variety of books were placed in each box so that the Club members who restock the libraries could grab a box and go. Pictured are Club members Darbie Lindsey, Rob Burgess, Jim Stubbs and Suann Hereford.
We are so happy to announce that the Island Rotary board voted unanimously to donate $2,500 to the Galveston County Recovery Fund, managed by United Way of Galveston, to support COVID relief and recovery work being done by island nonprofits. These organizations are facing an exponential increase in demand for their services, while at the same time dealing with cancelled fundraisers. We know the need is great, and we want to do our part to support this critical work. If you want to learn more about the Galveston County Recovery Fund, visit https://www.recoverygalveston.com/
The Hardin County Rotary Club is still meeting virtually during this time, but the times have not stopped Hardin County Rotary Club from giving back to the community. Hardin County Rotary Club utilized its district grant money received after the conference cancellation to identify two locations that provide food to those in the County. In June 2020, the Hardin County Rotary Club gave a donation to Caring Hearts in Lumberton, Texas, and Christian Care Center in Silsbee, Texas.
Blair McDonald (left) was inducted into the District 5910 Roll of Fame by Assistant District Governor Tim Andrews (right) at the Livingston Rotary Club's installation banquet on June 25. The award is considered the highest honor granted by the district. The biography submitted for Blair's nomination reads as follows:
Blair McDonald joined Livingston Rotary Club in 2008. He is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow who has held many different leadership positions.
Through Rotary, he founded Livingston’s chapter of Don’t Meth With Me, an organization that educates every fifth-grader in Polk County about the dangers of methamphetamine.
The Rotary Club of Nederland installed the 2020 –2021 officers and Directors at a social event last week: President Jimmy Harrison, President Elect Letha Ruiz, Vice President Kay DeCuir, Secretary Heather Burton, Treasurer Gay Ferguson, Past President Bobby Lopez. Directors installed were: Service Projects Ron McCraw, Club Administration Heather Lange, Rotary Foundation Debbie Spittler, Membership Bobby Simon, Public Relations Ben Stafford, and Sergeant-At-Arms Horace Brown.
District Governor Becky Mason installed new officers and directors for Orange Rotary in an online meeting at the end of June. Outgoing President Ida Schossow reviewed the past year and DG Mason spoke about Orange Rotary’s role as a force for good. New officers are Mike Umbenhaur, President; Daniel Moreaux, President-Elect; Amy Peevey, Vice President; Kristen Placette, Treasurer; Heather Montagne, Secretary; David May and Mike White, Co-Sergeants-at-arms; Ida Schossow, Past President; and Gracie Henry, Executive Secretary. Board of Directors are Sarah Boehme, Jennifer Burtsfield, Sue Denosowicz, Natasha Garrett, Rickie Harris, Jessica Hill, Sherry Hommel, Kelvin Knauf, and David May.
Rotarian Linda Walton (center) organized the Rotary Club of Palestine Evening Satellite service project for June. Linda is pictured with representatives from Refuge of Light and William George and Co who assisted with delivery. The Rotary Club of Palestine supports the community year round with volunteer efforts. Refuge of Light is a nonprofit organization that operates a safe home dedicated to the provision of physical, mental, and spiritual healing to girls, 10-17 years, victimized by ‘child sex trafficking’ within the United States.
Spindletop Rotary continues to meet the challenges of today by not only surviving but growing! Since we started meeting virtually back in March, our little club has inducted 5 enthusiastic new members who are already bringing new energy and ideas to the group. Attendance has been excellent with even the most tech-challenged members finding a way to join us.
Congratulations to Peggy Davenport for being chosen as the recipient of the prestigious Roll of Fame honor from Texas City Club. Peggy Davenport has been a member of the Rotary Club of Texas City for 18 years. She is the current President Elect and has served on the board of directors and chaired many committees representing more than one of the Avenues of Service during this time. She has met the attendance requirement and attended District Conferences and Assembly’s throughout her time. Peggy attended her first RYLA conference this year and was amazed at the whole weekend and the interaction of the students and Rotary members. Whenever there is a special Rotary Project, she is engaged.
Vidor Rotary Club's outgoing president Gayle Nagai, left, installed new officers President Derrick Barber, Treasurer Sally Andrews, and Secretary Leslie Williamson for 2020-2021.
The Rotary Club of Woodville rang in its 83rd year last Tuesday with the installation of new president Christina Hood. Assistant District Governor Tim Andrews and his wife Sally, of the Vidor Rotary Club, are pictured to the right of Hood.
Tim Andrews conducted the installation of Hood and the officers and new directors for the coming year.
Interact will participate in Zoom trainings and you may attend any/all/as many as you want! I will send a link closer to the training times, but far enough out so you can let your students have the link and encourage them to join in.
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The Rotary Club of Aggieland has completed the following project with assistance from the District 5910 Grant Program. The Aggieland Rotary Club and the Bryan Club collectively had 11 members present at the Produce Pantry. Rotarians volunteered as car loaders, which meant they loaded produce into someone's car as they passed through the drive-thru pantry. Others assisted with traffic control and helped direct traffic and passed out informative flyers to every vehicle. 
In May, Beaumont Rotarians helped the Southeast Texas Food Bank pack 500 boxes of shelf-stable food items for distribution to those in need, and in June, the Club was called upon by the Food Bank again and asked to help with the actual distribution of the boxes prepared by the Rotarians. About 30 Rotarians were joined by volunteers from other groups and prepared to meet a line of cars that was over a mile long! It was determined that the volunteers served over 500 families by giving out 56,625 lbs. of food within just a few hours. Each car was given a family-size box of food, 5 lbs. of cheese, 2 bags of apples, a watermelon, 2 gallons of milk, a box of meat, and a hurricane preparedness chart.
On Tuesday evening, June 23, the Rotary Club of Cleveland officers for 2020-2021 were installed, welcoming new leadership and entering the upcoming year together with those who will lead and those who will follow, like opening new doors of opportunity and service to our members, our organization, the district and the world of Rotary International.
The Rotary Club of East Montgomery County members recently completed work on their District 5910 grant proposal, which was purchasing books for their little library project. We were able to purchase over 3000 books for children, young readers, teens and adults. As books were purchased, they were cleaned and a Rotary label was placed inside each book. A variety of books were placed in each box so that the Club members who restock the libraries could grab a box and go. Pictured are Club members Darbie Lindsey, Rob Burgess, Jim Stubbs and Suann Hereford.
We are so happy to announce that the Island Rotary board voted unanimously to donate $2,500 to the Galveston County Recovery Fund, managed by 
Blair McDonald (left) was inducted into the District 5910 Roll of Fame by Assistant District Governor Tim Andrews (right) at the Livingston Rotary Club's installation banquet on June 25. The award is considered the highest honor granted by the district. The biography submitted for Blair's nomination reads as follows:
The Rotary Club of Nederland installed the 2020 –2021 officers and Directors at a social event last week: President Jimmy Harrison, President Elect Letha Ruiz, Vice President Kay DeCuir, Secretary Heather Burton, Treasurer Gay Ferguson, Past President Bobby Lopez. Directors installed were: Service Projects Ron McCraw, Club Administration Heather Lange, Rotary Foundation Debbie Spittler, Membership Bobby Simon, Public Relations Ben Stafford, and Sergeant-At-Arms Horace Brown. 
Rotarian Linda Walton (center) organized the Rotary Club of Palestine Evening Satellite service project for June. Linda is pictured with representatives from Refuge of Light and William George and Co who assisted with delivery. The Rotary Club of Palestine supports the community year round with volunteer efforts. Refuge of Light is a nonprofit organization that operates a safe home dedicated to the provision of physical, mental, and spiritual healing to girls, 10-17 years, victimized by ‘child sex trafficking’ within the United States.
pindletop Rotary continues to meet the challenges of today by not only surviving but growing! Since we started meeting virtually back in March, our little club has inducted 5 enthusiastic new members who are already bringing new energy and ideas to the group. Attendance has been excellent with even the most tech-challenged members finding a way to join us. 
Congratulations to Peggy Davenport for being chosen as the recipient of the prestigious Roll of Fame honor from Texas City Club. Peggy Davenport has been a member of the Rotary Club of Texas City for 18 years. She is the current President Elect and has served on the board of directors and chaired many committees representing more than one of the Avenues of Service during this time. She has met the attendance requirement and attended District Conferences and Assembly’s throughout her time. Peggy attended her first RYLA conference this year and was amazed at the whole weekend and the interaction of the students and Rotary members. Whenever there is a special Rotary Project, she is engaged.
Vidor Rotary Club's outgoing president Gayle Nagai, left, installed new officers President Derrick Barber, Treasurer Sally Andrews, and Secretary Leslie Williamson for 2020-2021. 
The Rotary Club of Woodville rang in its 83rd year last Tuesday with the installation of new president Christina Hood. Assistant District Governor Tim Andrews and his wife Sally, of the Vidor Rotary Club, are pictured to the right of Hood.
Interact will participate in Zoom trainings and you may attend any/all/as many as you want! I will send a link closer to the training times, but far enough out so you can let your students have the link and encourage them to join in.
