The 5930 Foundation Team respectfully asks for about 10 minutes of your time to complete an online survey.
Purpose of Questionnaire: The District Rotary Foundation Team is requesting your assistance in identifying topics for inclusion in upcoming training seminars.
The Rotary District Foundation Team has established the Most Impactful Project of the Year Award to recognize small, medium, and large Rotary clubs in District 5930 that have successfully developed and implemented at least one significant project during 2020-2021 to address what they consider to be an important problem.
Small clubs are those with 20 or fewer members.
Medium-size clubs have between 21-50 members.
Large clubs are those with more 51 or more members.
The project must have been funded, in part, by The Rotary Foundation. The Award will be presented to the Rotary club from each category that best addresses the established criteria.
Nomination due date for the award has been extended to November 15, 2021 to allow clubs to complete their projects.
Rotary shares an interest in protecting our common legacy: the environment.
We are committed to supporting activities that strengthen the conservation and protection of natural resources, advance ecological sustainability, and foster harmony between communities and the environment. We empower communities to access grants and other resources, embrace local solutions, and spur innovation in an effort to address the causes and reduce the effects of climate change and environmental degradation.
April 28, 2021 Webinar
Protecting the Environment – Opportunities for Rotary and the Planet
Where?
Virtual Webinar Hosted by:
Rotary Zones 25B & 29 Regional Rotary Foundation Team
(RRFC Art Zeitler – M.C.)
When?
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
7:00 pm to 8:00 pm CDT
REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Registration is required, The link for the webinar will be sent out to all registered attendees one week before the event, one day before the event, and one hour before the event
In the midst of a disastrous winter storm that wreaked havoc over the State of Texas, including our Laredo community, Next Generation Rotarians rolled their sleeves and made an immediate action plan.
Club members met virtually to discuss and research which organizations were in dire need of volunteers, donations and resources to help those who were affected by the February storm in the Gateway City. Vice-president of Service, Grecia Grajeda, was in contact with local organizations who were mostly in need.
At our emergency meeting, The Laredo Next Generation Rotary Club gathered funds from our membership and, within the hour, delivered a $365 check to the Laredo Community Fridge: a project that is giving back to the community after COVID-19 has brought a burden on many, including the unemployed. The funds donated to this project are used to buy groceries and other essential items that families and others will use free of charge. Due to the current situation, funds were used for those who did not have many resources during the winter storm.
The check was presented to Valerie Gonzalez, Laredo Community Fridge member, on Friday, February 19, 2021. Next Generation Rotarians that presented the check included the Club President, Corina Martinez, Vice-president of Service, Grecia Grajeda, and Vice-president of Public Image, David Andres Alegria. Ms. Gonzalez was honored that the club chose her project for contributing. All funds from the club were used to prepare meal kits for 200 residents in El Cenizo, Texas.
It is in the most challenging times that the community brings the best version of itself, and Next Generation Rotarians were honored to be a part of it and give back to those who are mostly in need!
The world around us is ever changing. It has been over one year now that COVID-19 changed the way we interact with each other. The immigration crisis is changing the way we govern our borders. And climate change is affecting all of us. So, as with Rotary, we must all adapt to these changes. Rotary recently enacted a 7th Area of Focus – Supporting the Environment. This is an area that every living person must work on, because it ultimately affects us all, rich & poor.
April is Maternal & Child Health Month. An estimated 5.9 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, inadequate health care, and poor sanitation — all of which can be prevented. Rotary members expand access to quality care, so mothers and children everywhere can have the same opportunities for a healthy future.
Our annual District Conference will be held this year on April 30th and May 1st. It will be held as a ”hybrid event”, with a small group meeting in person and the majority attending virtually by ZOOM. It promises to be a great celebration of our accomplishments during this Rotary year and a chance to catch up with Rotarians from around the District. Everyone is invited to attend this event in Harlingen. But if you are not comfortable attending in person, you can attend virtually. Either way, I encourage you to register on the District website, www.rotary5930.org. And the best part of all, there is no registration fee.
A letter received by Kathy Preddy for the members of Harlingen Rotary Club
Mrs. Preddy,
I would like to thank you Mrs. Preddy and the Rotary Club, for the Shrimp Boil distribution for 180 Harlingen CISD families on Saturday, March 27, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The families drove up to the Parental Involvement Department's curbside to pick up their bag of boiled shrimp. The families were very happy and grateful for this donation. The Rotary club does great things for our community and district.
We are fortunate that they reached out to us for this give away. Harlingen CISD is very grateful for the Rotary Club, for once again partnering with Harlingen CISD for the benefit of our students and their families.
You can now take Rotary’s online courses on most mobile devices. See our how-to guide for detailed instructions or follow these steps to get started:
On your mobile device, use a browser to go to my.rotary.org and sign in to My Rotary.
Tap the ≡ menu at the top left of your screen.
Tap the plus sign next to Learning & Reference, and then choose Learning Center.
Go to your app store and download Go.Learn. Don’t open it from here.
Return to your browser. From the same Learning Center page in My Rotary, tap the link to the Learning Center.
Go.Learn works with iOS10 and later as well as Android 6 and later. Note that the app has some limitations, including in some of the interactive learning options. You will need to use a computer to download certificates or view additional resources. Links to the Learning Center may not work on mobile devices. Instead, go to the Learning Center through My Rotary, then search for materials or courses.
If you have trouble using the Learning Center in Go.Learn, write to learn@rotary.org.
Rotary’s Learning Center now available on mobile devices
I have five schools/kinders under various stages of development...two are under construction and three are at various stages of planning...site visits, material lists, and, of course, fundraising.
The kinder in April the 18th is now being painted...which means it is in the home stretch with a dedication in the near future. I have attached photos of the exterior nearing completion....it is far more complete now....the windows, doors and bathroom have been installed....and the interior is being painted. This is the only easy one to get to. The first 2 photos.
The 2nd kinder classroom in Maranones...we built the first a couple of years ago...is underway but going slowly due to unrest in the community which has resulted in 8 deaths. The 3rd photo.
The third project being planned is a school far up in the mountains requiring a large 4 wheel drive to get up there and then a horseback ride (for me). It was damaged by Hurricane Eta....and is a barnboard, one classroom school, with dirt floor serving 6 grades with one teacher. Rather than make repairs, we plan to tear it down and build our standard new kindergarten. Photos 4 and 5.
The fourth project is also down a dirt road damaged by the rains....as they all are...it is an old kindergarten in a very poor community that has seen better days and does not have enough space. We plan to renovate the existing classroom and expand it to include an existing unused kitchen allowing for more kindergarten space, the kitchen and a bathroom. The next 2 photos
And, the next is far away...near Maranones...is an existing kinder that is subdivided into two classrooms. It does have 2 teachers but it is overcrowded....so we plan to add a classroom. The last two photos.
Oh, and I plan to marry my partner during the past 3 and a half years, in the near future and then adopt her 10 year old son.
Thanks for your support!!! Oh, and I am available for zoom powerpoint presentations
On behalf of the District Rotary Foundation Team, I hope that you and your families are doing well. Along with the challenges we have experienced this year largely due to COVID-19 and the winter storms, Rotarians have planned and carried out phenomenal acts of kindness to help our fellow human beings. In keeping with this spirit of serving others, our Team encourages Club leaders to review your club’s accomplishments and plans for the remainder of this Rotary year. We also urge Assistant District Governors to assist in this process, as appropriate.
If a club has had to postpone normal fundraising events to support The Rotary Foundation (TRF), our Team encourages Club leaders to consider organizing and holding these events in a virtual format, even if they are on a smaller scale. The need for these funds is indeed great. Art Zeitler, Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator for Zone 25B and a portion of Zone 29, has informed us that as of 28 February 2021, our district contributions to TRF are down 18.9%.
The funds generated and then contributed to TRF, especially to the Annual Fund, are extremely important to help address not only global needs, but also needs within our district. Annual Fund contributions made this year Rotary year (2020-2021) will be invested by TRF for three years. Then, a significant portion of the dividends will be returned to our district in 2023-2024 to help us implement activities aimed at helping individuals in our communities, district, and beyond. These initiatives include district grants, global grants, scholarships, various training experiences, and other activities.
Please make every possible to conduct your Rotary Foundation events this Rotary year and to submit the funds generated to the TRF Annual Fund prior to 15 June 2021. Doing so will allow these contributions to be credited to your club this Rotary year.
Thank you very much for your consideration of this important request. Feel free to contact DG Eddie Bartnesky, DeeDee Arismendez, or me know if you have any questions or need any assistance. We will be glad to help in any way possible.
On Monday, March 15, 2021, the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass officially welcomed Jason Reeves as the newest member of our Club. Jason is an Independent Financial Advisor and he owns Texas Coast Wealth Management in Aransas Pass. Jason was previously a Rotarian, first in the Rotary Club of Corpus Christi Northwest and second in the Rotary Club of Ingleside. He currently has his office in Aransas Pass and was ready to resume his membership in Rotary. We are excited to induct Jason into the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass.
Picture and Article Submitted by Karen Gayle, Secretary/Treasurer
Rotary Club of Aransas Pass
Picture: Juli Blanda, 2020-2021 President Rotary Club of Aransas Pass
You are invited to participate in an upcoming global live-stream celebrating the shared values of the United Nations and Rotary- a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change.
10:00 - 13:00 U.S. Eastern / 16:00 – 19:00 Central European / 18:00 – 21:00 East Africa
We hope that you will join this occasion alongside your fellow community members! Please RSVP via the event website and join the conversation on Facebook or LinkedIn with #75YearsOfAction.
This once-in-a-lifetime occasion is led by Rotary Districts and members in New York City, Geneva, Rome, Nairobi, Addis Ababa- each home of unique United Nations Agencies and Offices. Together, we are celebrating worldwide the shared values of Rotary and the United Nations.
We want you to meet our team! Every month, we will showcase our members so that you may meet us and get to know us. We are here to help, advise, recommend, and listen to you! Let us all Lend a Helping Hand to each other! Please always feel free to reach out to any of us at any time. We are here for you.
We strongly encourage you to go to our district site and lead your clubs with Ignite. Call on your membership team to jump start Ignite in your club. We will present this wonderful program to your board or to your club, AND we will help you throughout the whole process. Please reach out to us today!
The 2021 High School Student Four-Way Test Speech Competition
will be held virtually via Zoom as part of our District Conference 2021 Events,
Date: Saturday, April 24, 2021
Location: Virtually via Zoom
Who: The winners from the 13 Areas will complete for the the 2021 District Championship.
Local and Area competitions must be completed in time to send information about the 2021 students to the District. This District competition will be on Saturday, April 24, 2021. Please note that this is a change from the prior planned competition date of May 1, 2021.
Our hopes were to “Open Opportunities” in Harlingen for District Conference 2021, however due to COVID-19 concerns, the conference will be virtual.
DG Eddie and his Conference Committee are working hard to provide members with networking opportunities, to strengthen existing relationships and to showcase the impact and outreach of Rotary in the World.
Stay tuned for announcements and updates as we get closer to the conference dates of April 29 – May 2, 2021, from the comfort of your home.
Many of you probably has many questions about What is Rotaract? What they do? Is good to sponsor/support a Rotaract club? etc.
Here is a great video that explain everything. It is amazing to see How Rotaract clubs still are working around the world and the impact they cause with the service.
Rotary is proud to partner with the Peace Corps, and to promote the celebration of their 60th anniversary.
On March 1, 1961, John F. Kennedy signed the executive order beginning the United States Peace Corps Service. On March 3, 2021, returned volunteers and dignitaries will help celebrate 60 years of service around the world by sharing their stories of meeting JFK, and how he impacted their lives. Join us for this fantastic celebration of service and history.
Victoria Rotary Club recently awarded $15,000 in grants to twelve organizations in Victoria whose mission is helping others, both children and adults.
Monies from the Annual Charity Clay Shoot are used to fund the grant program, although with the COVID shutdown, the Club’s Foundation was still able to provide funding to give back to the community.
This year’s Charity Clay Shoot will be held April 17 and 18. For more information on how to compete or to provide an auction item for the Saturday night dinner, please visit the website: https://clayshoot.victoriarotary.org.
Greetings from Honduras! Here is a brief update on projects...after the hurricanes left many homeless and the pandemic caused many to lose their jobs we raised $2,685.00 from clubs and individuals for food. The cost is about $10 per bag per family. . One photo is of the staples included in the bags...not including 3 pounds of beans and 5 pounds of rice which were also added.
Progress is being made on a kindergarten in the community of April the 18th....where we had previously built a 2 classroom school, latrines, a playground, and electrified the entire community. That was delayed by the hurricanes and the teacher heading north.
Progress is also being made on a second kindergarten classroom in Masranones.....which had also been delayed by the hurricanes and a very nearby dispute between 2 palm plantations...killing 8 people. The police had closed the road to the school.
Progress has proceeded on our water project serving 8 communities in the Agua Amarilla water district which was delayed by the pandemic, 2 hurricanes and the rainy season. The main 90,000 gallon water tank has now been connected to the 45000 gallon reserve tank. All 8 communities have received water since last year...the remaining items to be done are providing electricity to the tank for the chlorination system and building the chlorination system shed and hooking it up. When you have water for the first time...purifying it is not a priority....
The Rigores water project has had to develop a new plan for provision of water...it will serve the 5 barrios of Rigores. The water output for the planned 350 foot deep well was determined to not be adequate.....we are in the process of cleaning out and utilizing existing hand pumps spread around the community....adding pumps and tanks to up to six of them since they currently provide 20 gallons a minute each...our need is a total of 120 gpm. This new plan...when finalized,,,will ber presented to the Foundation.
Next week I will be visiting the community of Tesorito, They have requested a kindergarten and I will be assessing the need and request.
I think that does it for now...thanks for your support!
April 28, 2021 – 7:00 – 8:00 pm Central Time Region 36
Protecting the Environment Webinar
Important information on our newest Area of Focus with leading Rotarians on how all Rotarians can be involved and engaged in Protecting the Environment. More information will be posted shortly.
Rotarian Moderators:
Tom Gump, District 5950 Governor
Steve Solbrack, Director, Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group
Art Zeitler, Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator
Presenters:
Ian Riseley, Rotary Foundation Trustee and Past Rotary International President
Karen Kendrick-Hands, Chair, Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group
For registration information: Contact Art Zeitler, Rotary Foundation Coordinator, Zone 25B azeitler@sbcglobal.net 361-947-3830
January 2021 will be a month that will long live in the memories of five students from Laredo College (LC) and five students from Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) who applied for and were selected as the first recipients of the competitive Laredo Rotary Charitable Foundation (LRCF) Scholarships. The LRCF $1,000 allocation for each student was matched by an equal amount by LC and TAMIU. The $2,000 scholarships will help the students make substantial progress towards earning their degrees and then assuming meaningful and productive roles in society.
The impetus for the scholarship came from Michael Portman, a former member of The Laredo Rotary Club and now an actively engaged Rotarian in Austin, Texas. Because of his genuine commitment to help LC and TAMIU students obtain a higher education and make a positive contribution to the well-being of individuals in Laredo and beyond, Michael donated $50,000 to The Laredo Rotary Club with the condition that the club match his donation. He also required the club to invest the funds so that the earnings could be used to establish the scholarship without touching the principal. With extraordinary support from its members and the community, The Laredo Rotary Club met and exceeded the $50,000 goal. A group of Laredo Rotary Club members volunteered to work to establish the Laredo Rotary Charitable Foundation to manage all aspects of the scholarship initiative.
The following comment by one of the scholarship recipients exemplifies the impact of the scholarship on the recipients:
Thank you for choosing me to receive this scholarship. I feel extremely blessed, since this scholarship will help me pay for my college classes and buy a printer. Thank you for believing in me and the other students selected to receive this scholarship. We are really trying to earn our degrees to help make this world a better place. Your support and that of the other amazing people who work on this project means a great deal to me and my family.
The Laredo Rotary Club expresses its sincere appreciation to Rotarian Michael Portman for his unwavering humanitarian service spirit to initiate this significant project. The Board of Directors of the Laredo Rotary Charitable Foundation looks forward to collaborating with interested individuals and organizations to ensure the permanence of this scholarship fund.
Questions and requests for additional information about this scholarship can be directed to Roberto Vela, LRCF President, at r_velaslajas@hotmail.com.
Laredo Rotary Charitable Foundation Scholarships Awarded
Arianna Rebecca Torres, Interact Club Member at St. Augustine High School
Selected to participate in the Congress of Future Medical Leaders
Arianna Rebecca Torres, a 9th grader and member of the Interact Club at St. Augustine High School in Laredo, Texas, has been selected to serve as a Delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders on March 20th and 21st, 2001. The event is sponsored by the non-partisan, taxpaying National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists headquartered in Washington, D.C.
The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. The purpose of the event is to honor, inspire, and direct the top students in the country interested in these careers, to stay true to their dream, and after the event, to provide a path, plan, and resources to help them reach their goal.
This Rotary year started with the pandemic raging on.We were forced to change our plans and goals with the expectation that, by now, we would be back to our normal lives.There are positive signs, and we can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.But we cannot let our guard down.
So what can we, as Rotarians, do to help?There are several ways . . .
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 open through 6 PM on March 4, 2021. Please refer to the Lone Star PETS website for the most current information regarding any other changes.
Training manuals are also available on the website.
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of one of our Past District Governors and members. Fernando D. Cuellar of Laredo, Texas served as our District Governor in 1994-1995.
Fernando's Obituary
Fernando D. Cuellar of Laredo, Texas passed away on January 27, 2021. Fernando was loved and will be missed by his wife Angela, daughter Rebecca Cuellar-Notzon, son in law Randy Notzon, grandchildren Ella and Abby Notzon, brother Carlos Cuellar and sister in law Angela Guerra Cuellar. Fernando was best known for his distinguished military career and life of service above self.
Fernando was born on September 7, 1941 in Laredo, Texas to Eliseo Cuellar Jr. and Elena Gonzalez Cuellar. He attended St. Joseph Academy up until the eighth grade then attended and graduated from Peacock Military Academy in San Antonio, Texas. Fernando then attended Loyola University in New Orleans, graduating in 1963 with a degree in Physics.
Fernando joined the United States Air Force in 1963 and so began a very successful and decorated military career. Fernando was assigned to an attack squadron in the position of Weapons Systems Officer for the F-4D Phantom II aircraft. In this position he was in control of the technical operation of the aircraft, navigation, ordinance control and flight operations. Fernando served honorably through the Vietnam conflict putting his life at risk many times in service to our country. Fernando retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in December, 1983 after an exemplary career receiving numerous awards and commendations for his service to his Country.
In his post-Military career, Fernando began his lifelong love for service to others through his membership in The Laredo Rotary club. Fernando served in various capacities within the organization to include President & District Governor.
Throughout his life, Fernando was dedicated to learning and achieved advanced degrees in marketing and management. Fernando was very articulate and a wonderful writer.
Fernando lived a memorable life of service to our country and others that has positively impacted so many people. He will be truly missed.
Cremation will take place at a later date.
Click the Read More to read a touching story about PDG Fernando and his wife from Terri de Guzman McGraw.
Clubs interested in applying for a district and/or global grant in 2021-2022 are required to have the President for this year (2021-2022), along with at least one other club member (e.g., President-Elect, Club Foundation Committee Chair) complete Grant Certification Training beforehand.
The first of four Grant Certification Training Seminars will be conducted on 06 Feb 2021 through Zoom from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. You can begin logging in at 9:15 a.m.
The other seminar dates are 27 March, 10 April, and 15 May 2021. The time and log-in information for each will be provided well in advance of each seminar.
Registration and log-in information for the 06 Feb 2021 seminar are provided below (Read More button)
Vocational Service Month During this period, clubs highlight the importance of the business and professional life of each Rotarian. Special activities promote the vocational avenue of service.
Organize 'MUNA' (Modal United Nations Assembly) at College Level
Engage in reconciliation of broken families, restoring relationship
Help How people can live in peace with their families and their neighbors
Assist Young Single mothers who are victims of abuse through training them with self-help projects. e.g. Opening small business that may help them with their children
March - Water & Sanitation
Area of Focus: Water and Sanitation Month. This month also includes the World Rotaract Week from the 7th until 14th of March.
Create awareness on water Conservation by Street play / Banners / Literature Distributions / Seminars at club level and for local community, Rain water harvesting awareness
Clean Drinking Water at Railway Stations, Bus Stations, Schools or Public Places, Re-user of waste Water
Create Public Toilets Facilities, Create Awareness on Sanitation at Schools - Colleges - Economically Backward Areas
Rotary Opens Opportunities, by Lending a Helping Hand
District 5930 Conference 2021
“Save the Date” April 29 – May 2, 2021
District Governor Eddie Bartnesky invites you to attend the 2021 District Conference, virtually or in person at the Harlingen Convention Center and Hilton Garden Inn. Join your Rotary family for this unique opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen leadership and friendships as we celebrate our clubs’ successes!
DG Eddie has “Opened the Door” for opportunities! So, don’t be left behind! Step inside and join us!
See you soon!
If you would like to join the Conference Committee or have a great idea for the conference, contact Kathy Preddy at kathypreddy.rotary@gmail.com or 956-536-7218
By now we have sadly grown accustomed to hearing of the need to shift major public events to being held virtually rather than face to face. Unfortunately, the Rotary Board of Directors was compelled to again make the difficult decision to celebrate this year’s International Convention as a virtual event. While this may not be an unexpected decision, it is still a deeply disappointing one — for us and for our friends in Taiwan who have been planning an exceptional event. I want to thank the Host Committee for the admirable job they did building support for what surely would have been one of Rotary’s finest events.
We had hoped that a combination of vaccine uptake and public health measures would ...
Click the Read More button for the full announcement letter from Holger Knaack, President, Rotary International, 2020-21
Invitation to Join District 5930 in Supporting The Rotary Foundation, while helping club members become Paul Harris Fellows or Paul Harris Fellows +8
The District 5930 Rotary Foundation Team announces the Annual Fund - Paul Harris Fellow Matching Points Initiative to help support The Rotary Foundation (TRF), while also assisting Rotarians to become Paul Harris Fellows and eventually Paul Harris Fellows +8. This initiative will run from February 1 - April 30, 2021.
Support for the Annual Fund is extremely important, since half of the contributions that Rotarians make to this fund are returned to our district after being invested . . .
Merry Christmas from Alice Rotary Club and Rotarian Santa Claus.
December 16th Alice Rotarians partnered with Santa, Alice Independent School District to create a safe and rewarding drive thru "2020 Christmas Event" for our sponsored Alice Independent School District's elementary students.
Each student was specially chosen by the school Councilors, teachers, etc. We provided them with a Ho-Ho-Ho, smile and wave from Santa as Rotarians loaded up their trunks with several gifts to have under their Christmas tree along with a special gift bag of goodies.
These are the moments as Rotarians that we will always cherish and look forward to every year!
We had our last hybrid in-person/Zoom meeting on June 24th, 2020. At the time, we did not realize that this would be the last in-person club meeting of the year 2020!
Like the rest of the clubs, we struggled with getting good attendance on Zoom calls and looking for projects that our members could participate in. With COVID19, there are several challenges but it has also provided opportunities.
In October for World Polio Day, local clubs used to do Pints for Polio. However, with restrictions in place, we came up with Pounding the Pavement 4 Polio--a virtual walk that united other Rotarians from other parts of the world to join in, which would not have been possible otherwise.
Our Southside Club also volunteered at the
Food Bank in October,
Salvation Army Bell Ringing, and
the Agape Ranch Christmas Drive-thru store in December.
Even though COVID brought forward unprecedented challenges, we certainly made the most of it!
Service above self is reflected in the actions towards others by numerous Rotarians throughout the world. In Laredo, the Laredo Daybreak Rotary (LDR) Club is composed of 46 people from all walks of life with a common quality – to serve others and practice good will towards mankind. Carlos Navarrete, a member of this club since 2017 until his sudden death in 2020, left his mark in the lives of many. He was an active member of the club always lending a helping hand at fundraisers, volunteering at events, led particular service projects and also served as a board member.
Carlos was a real inspiration for countless people and his love of life was evident through his acts of kindness, positive energy and contagious laughter. Everyone agrees ...
There may be another opportunity or two for story telling, but today is better than any other. This Rotary year is long from over but this is a good day to begin the end (for me, that is).
Adoption Awareness began in November of 1998. It just happened to catch the eye (and heart) of many in Rotary starting with PDG Tom Moore from McAllen. This should be made very clear; Tom's interest is why the program became one of international interest.
The beginning was in San Benito, then on to McAllen, then on, and on, and on . . . I am certain that I am repeating myself, but there are probably as many new readers today as has been over these many years. It actually may help to remind all of us about who we are and can be.
Rotary Club of Brownsville Sunrise will held a Shoe Drive to help the Homeless Youth Program from BISD. More than 600 kids are in need of tennis-shoes.
We open a registration list in Walmart.com You can enter the name of the event "Shoe Drive for Homeless Kids" and a list of different shoes and sizes are available to purchase online. The item will arrive at our seasonal warehouse.
If you prefer, can buy the shoes at any store, and drop them in the Restaurant La Escondida (Gourmet Central by Cel) at Brownsville Texas. Also can donate gift cards who will be use to get more shoes.
The value of a pair of shoes is no more than $12 USD. Help us to make a difference in the life of these kids.
The Edinburg Rotary Club recently purchased 1,200 jackets and donated them to the Tim’s Coats organization to be distributed to needy families throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
“On behalf of Tim’s Coats, we are thrilled for what the Edinburg Rotary Club has done,” said Edinburg Rotarian and Channel 5 News Chief Meteorologist Tim Smith, who organized the event. “Half of the coats will go to the Salvation Army of McAllen, and the other half of the coats will go to Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley.”
The Edinburg Rotary Club donated dozens of toys to help children celebrating Christmas at the South Texas Health System Children’s Hospital in Edinburg.
“The Edinburg Rotary donated a truckload of toys to make sure that the kids who are in the hospital during the holidays have at least one toy to brighten their day,” said Rotarian Tim Smith. “It is imperative that we try to meet the needs of our children in the community.”
Rotarians purchased approximately $1,000 worth of toys and delivered them to the hospital’s staff on Dec. 18.
As we embark on the month of February, our attention shifts to building and training our leadership team for the next Rotary year.
This is important so that we can begin the new year with a “full head of steam”.However, there are still 5 months left in this Rotary year.
Even though the pandemic has prevented us from carrying out many of our planned service projects and fund raisers, we must not just throw in the towel.
There is much need in our communities and Rotary has the means to address it.We must think ...
The Rotary District 5930 Nominating Committee met Saturday morning, January 16, 2021 and interviewed candidates to become the District Governor Nominee Designate (DGND) and selected Luis Cavazos of the Brownsville Sunrise Rotary Club to become the DGND and to serve as District Governor in the Rotary Year 2023-2024.
Luis Cavazos is a Charter member of the Rotary Club of Brownsville Sunrise. He has been a Rotarian since 1986 with 33 years of perfect attendance. Served as President of his club in 2007-2008 and has been serving on the council of past Presidents and mentor since that time. Awarded Rotarian of the year in 2006, 2009, & 2016.
At the District Level, Luis has served as Lt. Governor of Membership since 2015 and was awarded Rotarian of the Year for our District in 2018-2019. Graduate of the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI). He has collaborated at Zone 25b on how to create a successful District Membership Team and the benefits of the Ignite Membership best practices Program.
Luis practices as a Financial Advisor/Wealth Management professional with GEF Financial Group in Brownsville. He earned his B.A. degree from the University of Texas at Austin and his Masters of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from the University of Texas at Brownsville.
Luis is married to the former Rose Marie Jimenez of Brownsville and they have one daughter Alejandra Benavides, an educator in Austin.
In accordance with the Manual of Procedures (MOP) and the International Bylaws 12.020.7 Any club in the district in existence for at least one year as of the beginning of that year may also propose a challenging candidate for governor-nominee, but only if it previously suggested the candidate to the nominating committee. A club in existence for less than one year as of the beginning of that year may propose a challenging candidate if the candidate is a member of that club and was already suggested to the nominating committee. The name of the challenging candidate shall be submitted by a resolution of the club adopted at a regular meeting and filed with the governor by the date set by the governor, which shall be within 14 days of notification of the selection for governor-nominee.
Such challenge must be filed with Governor Eddie Bartnesky no later than midnight, January 30, 2021. If there is such a challenge than the clubs will be notified of the challenge and there must be a least five other clubs agreeing to the challenge. If that occurs than there would be a ballot by mail arranged with all the clubs. Absent any challenge then the name of Luis Cavazos of the Brownsville Sunrise Rotary Club shall be forwarded to Rotary International as the duly elected nominee to serve as Governor of District 5930 for the Rotary Year 2023-2024.
Currently, over 80 camper applicants, and growing, are attending the online eRYLA camp March 10 - 14th, 2021.
This on-line leadership camp is aimed for high school sophomores & juniors. eRYLA virtual camp will be delivered through Zoom and Leader NU’s unique leadership website with multiple gathering rooms for different activities.
Prospective campers can apply on-line by filling in the one page application form.
For more information visit www.rotarycc.com under Youth Services – RYLA. Rotary Clubs sponsoring campers need to get their eRYLA tuition fees paid.
Like many of you, I found myself cleaning out several areas of my home while staying at home since March 2020. I have several items that have been purchased either by me or my company that I do not need. They are all Rotary Branded items.
Please check out the items, quantities, photos, and prices by clicking the Read More.
I have discounted all the items from the original prices. I will ship to you via either USPS or UPS. Shipping cost is NOT included. I will accept checks or credit cards.
I hope everyone enjoyed a great Holiday Season. We are now halfway through the Rotary year and I feel like we have not accomplished much. Yet we have accomplished so much. To say that 2020 was a typical year is far from accurate. So now it is time to get back to work. We must continue with our focus on engaging our current Rotary members with “impactful projects” and also adding new members who are a good fit for our club. At the same time, we must strive to meet and exceed our goals for the Rotary Foundation.
Vocational Service Month During this period, clubs highlight the importance of the business and professional life of each Rotarian. Special activities promote the vocational avenue of service.
Distribute Four-way Test
Distribute Vocational Awards to outstanding individuals, Arrange Vocational Visits
Awareness seminar on career guidance, Organize / Arrange in Plant Training
Start Vocational Education / Skill Guidance Center. Start Part Time Consultancy center
Helping Physically Challenged people to gets jobs
February - World Understanding Month
Vocational Service Month During this period, clubs highlight the importance of the business and professional life of each Rotarian. Special activities promote the vocational avenue of service.
Organize 'MUNA' (Modal United Nations Assembly) at College Level
Engage in reconciliation of broken families, restoring relationship
Help How people can live in peace with their families and their neighbors
Assist Young Single mothers who are victims of abuse through training them with self-help projects. e.g. Opening small business that may help them with their children
Story and pictures from the Brownsville Herald newspaper front page from December 12th. The story and pictures were written by the newspaper personnel and the pictures include captions which explain this event and the participants.
Christmas Donations to the Residents of Bethany House in Laredo, Texas
In an effort to bring a little joy and happiness to displaced families living in the Bethany House of Laredo, Christina Barrientos, a new member of The Laredo Rotary Club, organized a donation campaign of essential materials for these individuals. After designing a flyer announcing the campaign, Christina shared it with the members of the club during a zoom meeting and asked for donations of $10.00 per member. In true Laredo Rotary club fashion, she raised over $800.00 before the meeting ended. With additional donations from other civic-minded individuals, Christina managed to raise over $1,000.00.
With these funds, Christina visited several Walmart, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar stores in Laredo and purchased the needed items. Among these were socks, blankets, toothbrushes, gloves, underwear, and sanitary blankets for ladies. These resources were arranged in bundles for men and women, as appropriate.
On 21 Dec 2020, Christina, along with Rotarians Victor Serna, Hilda Dennis, club President Marissa Guerrero, Marilu Gorecki, and members of the United High School Interact Club, delivered and distributed these gifts to the residents of Bethany House. The recipients, along with the administrators in charge, were overjoyed with the gifts and genuine spirit of giving and care demonstrated. They also expressed a deep sense of appreciation to everyone involved for helping to make this humanitarian service project a reality.
The San Benito Rotary Club has been very busy with community service projects and one international project. I am excited to share these short stories with the newsletter as it is our first time to do so.
This past week, our Rotary clubs from Area 13, which include
Los Fresnos,
San Benito,
Port Isabel and
Rancho Viejo,
held a can food drive for our local food pantries.
With the ongoing COVID-19 virus restrictions and the closing of non-essential work places there has been a high demand for food. As a result, our local food pantries have been running low in canned vegetables. With the help of our Rotary club Presidents and Rotarians from area 13 we were able to place collection boxes at different locations throughout our communities. Thank you,
Zarsky’s Lumber,
State Farm David Armendariz,
First National Bank of SPI,
Marcello’s,
S.O.S Shipping,
Rancho Viejo City Hall and PD
for allowing us to use their places of business for drop off locations.
Thank you to Boy Scout troop 11 in Brownsville for helping with distribution of our can foods. We helped
San Benito Food Pantry,
Los Fresnos Community Food Pantry,
Good Neighbor Settlement House Food Pantry
restock their inventory. We also collected monetary donations that will help our food pantries even more.
Where there is a need, Rotarians step up and find a solution.
We are here for our communities, for our neighbors and for our friends.
It is that time of year again! As usual our projects in Honduras are in need of donations. I have all but made Honduras my year round home. But any donations will be deposited into our Honduran account in Texas.
We have a lot going on especially in our efforts to provide clean water to villages around Trujillo….and we have been actively constructing schools.
Due to Covid 19 a number of our projects were put on hold in March, 2020. Our water project serving 1128 households in 8 rural villages near Trujillo will not restart until next year.. The community is providing the labor for this $135,900.00 project funded by the Rotary Foundation…made possible thanks to local matching funds from our donors. Community residents have finished digging trenches and burying 10, 8, 6, and 4 inch pipeline down the mountain to a 90,000 gallon existing tank. This was a long and tedious process but it has already dramatically improve water pressure allowing many more residents to have a reliable water supply. They still need to connect the primary tank to the reserve tank…we have purchased the connections…see photo…and then the chlorination system will be installed.
Alice Rotary Club along with Alice Independent School District and Jim Wells County Veterans Office teamed up to honor our Veterans on November 11, 2020 at the Jim Wells County Fairgrounds.
Guest Speaker was our Jim Wells County Judge Juan Rodriguez Jr. (Veteran). We were honored with the colors of the flag by the Jim Wells County Sheriff's Department and Taps was played while Military Flags were presented by the United Burial Association.
We also had performer Matt Rod sing a few songs for our guest. It was an event our Alice Rotary Club will never forget and we will be doing every year here on out.
Our President, Wayne Lowry, traveled to Nigeria to meet with other fellow Rotarians in District 9114. Both our Rotary clubs have joined together to raise funds to build a water well in Nigeria. We were honored to have Simon, Chiemela and Ali as our guest speakers and presenters at our Rotary meeting.
Our honored guests at our Friday, Nov 13th, Rotary meeting were Simon Orie, Chiemela Esionye, Ali Jochin - all Rotary Club members from Nigeria District 9114 (the strongest club in Nigeria.)
Simon, Chiemela and Ali received a warm welcome from our club President, Wayne Lowryand District Governor, Eddie Bartnesky.
Wayne and Simon together announced the collaboration efforts between our two clubs to build and erect a water well in Nigeria. Our combined efforts will ultimately deliver clean water for consumption, cooking and personal use.
Our Nigerian colleagues educated our club about the construction and technology behind the water well project. Once completed, thousands will benefit from clean water for use and consumption.
Every year, Rotary Club of Harlingen hosts the Harlingen CISD school children shopping event. In conjunction with Target, Harlingen school children were treated to a morning of holiday shopping to kick off their holiday season! Parental Involvement was on hand to accompany the students along with Rotarians as they shopped through aisles.
This is one of our Rotary Club's most cherished events! Bringing smiles to faces, spreading holiday cheer and performing a good deed makes our spirits bright!
Pictured Rotarians are: Club President Wayne Lowry, District Governor Eddie Bartnesky, Shane Strubhart HCISD Public Information Director and fellow Rotarian, Assistant District Governor Kathy Preddy.
On Behalf of the Rotary Club of Harlingen, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
I’ve been holding off making any noise fir the past weeks because……. Still no change, but I thought I could update on some new data that has unfolded these past few months.
Our programs are on hold but children are still having to be taken from parents. There is no virus stopping that. I have been in touch with CPS to discuss stepping up what we do—make some changes to what we have done to become additionally involved. That was met with a “not necessary.”
On Monday, December 7, 2020 the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass officially welcomed Janice Ciomperlik with Value Bank, as the newest member of our Club.
The Rotary Club is excited to induct Janice who is a past member of the Pharr Rotary Club. During her service in the Pharr Club, she served a term as president and became a Paul Harris Fellow. Janice has demonstrated the Rotary Four Way Test ---
1) Is it the TRUTH?
2) Is it FAIR to all Concerned?
3) Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4) Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
We are excited to have her as a member of our Club.
Picture and Article Submitted by Karen Gayle, Secretary/Treasurer
The Laredo Under Seven Flags Rotary Club is honored and privileged to inform you that Mrs. Veronica Orduño, a Mathematics Department Head teacher at Dr. Joaquin G. Cigarroa Middle School, has been selected as our Paul Harris Fellow. Her professional resume reflects her many years of service to the youth of South Laredo, honors and awards she has received. In particular, her Community Work is very noteworthy.
For over thirty years, Mrs. Veronica Orduño has been a pivotal figure in the Laredo community. In her career as an educator, she has impacted and empowered thousands of young minds. Many of her students have gone on to be doctors, lawyers, teachers, nurses, and very productive citizens in their respective communities. Mrs. Orduño also has taken on different roles in school including UIL Coach, Math Instructional Coach, Math Master Teacher, among other titles.
Laredo Under Seven Flags Member to Serve on Historic all Female Appointed Board of Directors for the Laredo Chamber of Commerce
Abelina Veliz Perez, Rotary Foundation Executive for the Laredo Under Seven Flags Rotary Club was recently appointed to serve on the Board of Directors for the Laredo Chamber of Commerce by its new chairman, Mr. Cliffe Killam. She will serve along with 9 other female community leaders. This is the first time in the history of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce where 10 female leaders have ever been appointed at the same time.
Area of Focus: Disease Prevention and Treatment Month. This month includes: World AIDS Day on the 1st and International Day of Disabled Persons on the 3rd of December
Organize Medical Camp - Health Awareness for Eye Care / Dental Care
Providing equipment such as Artificial Limbs, Wheelchairs and Crutches to the Physically Challenged Peoples i.e. Polio Sufferers
Provide low-Income, under-insured Persons with the knowledge, skills, an opportunity to improve their diet, physical activity and other life habits to prevent, delay, or control, chronic diseases
Initiate Actions to Prevent and control Diabetes, Heart Diseases, Obesity and Associated Risk Factors
January - Vocational Services
Vocational Service Month During this period, clubs highlight the importance of the business and professional life of each Rotarian. Special activities promote the vocational avenue of service.
Distribute Four-way Test
Distribute Vocational Awards to outstanding individuals, Arrange Vocational Visits
Awareness seminar on career guidance, Organize / Arrange in Plant Training
Start Vocational Education / Skill Guidance Center. Start Part Time Consultancy center
This Tuesday, Dec. 01, 2020, is "Giving Tuesday". I would like to challenge all Rotarians in District 5930 to seriously consider making a small donation of $26.50 to the Rotary Annual Fund on this day (www.rotary.org/donate). I will be making my donation first thing Tuesday morning and hopefully everyone else will follow my lead. If you are able to do this, please send me an email at eddie@rotary5930.com or a text at 956-245-2299. I want to personally thank everyone for their generosity.
I would also like to share a message from RI Foundation Chair K.R. Ravindran (shown below):
"Giving Tuesday has grown into a global movement of generosity. It is a giving day recognized around the world that empowers us all to give back to our communities through service, kindness and financial support – all beliefs that Rotary values deeply.
Every act of kindness makes a difference, and no gift is too small. This Giving Tuesday, I ask that we all find opportunities to help communities both close to home and around the globe. One easy way to take action is to make a gift to The Rotary Foundation’s Annual Fund SHARE, Rotary’s primary way of making sustainable projects possible both on a local and global level.
The Annual Fund’s SHARE system empowers Rotarians close to home and around the world to use these funds to create lasting change where our help is needed most. Last year, the Foundation awarded 490 district grants and 1,359 global grants as a result of Annual Fund SHARE contributions made by our generous donors during our Centennial year back in 2016-17. What will be possible in the future for communities around the world will be determined by the action you take right now. I would like to ask every member of a Rotary or Rotaract club to contribute a gift of any size to our Annual Fund SHARE this Giving Tuesday.
I thank you for being part of the Rotary family, for your service, and support. Let’s all take action this Giving Tuesday and together, we can keep Doing Good in the World."
As we approach the end of 2020, what a year to remember.
I think we can all agree that that our daily lives have changed. Not only with Rotary but in our personal and business routines.
I am so proud of Rotarians in District 5930. We did not let the pandemic slow us down. But instead, we are organizing our efforts and being more inclusive of Rotarians from all around the District. Examples of this can be found in our District Membership, Foundation and Public Image Teams. We can also see this teamwork in other areas such as RLI, RYLA, PETS – just to name few. And the efforts of this teamwork will be evident when ...
The latest in Rotary of Harlingen's service projects was Loaves and Fishes. Loaves and Fishes is a non-profit organization
that provides shelter and food to its communities.
Chase Palmer, Service Project Committee Chair, coordinated with Chick-fil-A to serve hot meals during lunch time. A great group of volunteers helped with setup and prep before the noon hour to ensure the meals were distributed in a timely manner.
On hand in the serving line were Rotary members Tre Peacock, Kathy Preddy, Chase Palmer, Sumer Knight and Chick-fil-A's
community representatives.
Our next service project is scheduled for November 7th - A Trash Pickup Day! See you then!
International Bank of Commerce donated $10,000 to Rotary District 5930 to distribute to clubs in the District for Covid-19 Disaster Relief.
District clubs were encouraged to apply for a grant of up to $500 which each club would match with their own $500 to create a $1,000 project for their community.
Alice Rotary Club President, Bruce Hoffman, applied for a $500 grant to be used to purchase Covid-19 related products for the Alice Boys and Girls Club.
Boys and Girls Club Director, Ric Del Bosque, selected items the club needed the most at this time which included: Wall Mounted Electronic Thermometer to check everyone that enters the building, Web-Cameras for their computers, Latex Gloves for food handling, Computer Mouse for each computer, Sneeze Guard Panels for computer desks and Electronic Compressed Gas Dusters.
During these trying times having $1,000 to pay for these items provided relief to the Boys and Girls Club's budget.
Rotary's motto is "Service Above Self" and all the members of the Alice Rotary Club and District 5930 were thrilled to be able to share with the local Boys and Girls Club.
A special thanks to International Bank for donating these funds for Covid-19 Relief.
Story submitted by Gail Hoffman
Photos by Sandra Bowen Click the Read More button to see all the photos.
Lone Star P.E.T.S., Inc. (Lone Star PETS or LSPETS) – the premier training event that prepares Rotary Club President Elects for their year of service as President of their Rotary club in Texas and Southern Oklahoma. P.E.T.S. (PETS) is the acronym for “President Elect Training Seminar”.
Lone Star PETS
February 22, 2021 - February 28, 2021
It's Gone Virtual this Year
The 2021 Lone Star PETS is THE opportunity for our Club Presidents-Elect, Presidents-Nominee, Rotaractors, Assistant Governors and PDGs to learn about new trends in Rotary and cover essential topics to insure success as a leader in their clubs. Your Governors have selected outstanding speakers who will challenge you and inspire you. There will be plenty of time for discussion and sharing of ideas-- all from the comfort of your own home. Yes--that's right.! We're going virtual this year. We have scheduled the sessions outside of work hours, so you can join us.
Full DRAFT Schedule is available by clicking the Read More.
Website for more information - https://www.lonestarpets.org (Please note Registration link is for the 2021 PETS and some of the other information is updated for 2021. Not all information is up-to-date-yet.)
The Laredo Next Generation Rotary Club, in partnership with Orangetheory Fitness, was proud to host a workout session to raise funds for World Polio Day. The event took place on October 24th and was organized by the club’s Foundation Committee. The workout session was planned by Kevin Martinez, a proud member of the Foundation Committee and the Next Generation Rotary Club.
“Part of the club’s goals is to challenge every member to engage in the community and a specific service project. It was an honor that the club trusted me in planning this year’s event to eradicate polio,” states Martinez. “I would also like to thank Organgetheory for partnering with us to contribute to a good cause.”
This year’s event raised contributions that will be donated to the Polio Foundation. In 2019, the Next Generation Rotary Club also hosted a World Polio Event at Alamo Drafthouse, where club members presented a feature film called “Breathe.” The Next Generation Rotary Club continues to engage in service projects and looks forward to next year’s World Polio Day.
This Thursday Oct. 22, 2020 all three Victoria Rotary Clubs honored Victoria Mayor Rawley McCoy, Victoria County Judge Ben Zeller and Dr. John McNeill for Service Above Self in guiding our Victoria Citizens and Health Care Professionals through this COVID-19 Pandemic. Today we enjoyed a joint meeting between all three Rotary clubs of Victoria where a series of individuals and organizations were recognized for their dedicated service to our community. ------ In honor of our World Polio Day meeting we honored 3 Victoria significant leaders with a 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 for their calm and consistent guidance regarding public health during this year’s COVID-19 pandemic: • Dr. John McNeill, Victoria County Healthcare Coordinator • Mayor Rawley McCoy, a Downtown Rotary member • County Judge Ben Zeller, a Victoria Rotary Club member. ------ For his donation to the Rotary International Foundation’s Annual Fund and Polio Plus Designated Fund, Dr. Bruce Bauknight received the Paul Harris Fellow plus 6.
Later we will be honoring his two daughters which were his named designated Paul Harris Recipients.
------
𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝟑 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐛𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲: • The Victoria Rotary Club received the Rotary International Citation. • The Victoria Northside Rotary Club received the Rotary International Citation, the Rotary District 5930 Rooted in Service Award and the District 5930 Exemplary Service Award. • The Downtown Rotary Club of Victoria received the Rotary International Citation and the Rotary District 5930 Rooted in Service Award.
This is a great time to be a Rotarian. Our District consists of some very talented and generous members. I have now made my way, virtually, through 12 of the 13 AREAS within our District. And WOW, what an experience! I can only imagine what it would have been like if I could have visited each of the clubs in person. Every club has their own unique culture and yet we are all the same. That is because we are all part of the Rotary Family. And as a family, our focus will be to engage in “Impactful Projects” both locally and around the world. Because if we are active and engaged as Rotary members, our club’s will be Vibrant. An Active Club is a Vibrant Club.
November is Rotary Foundation Month. As we all know, The Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of Rotary. It is a non-profit that is supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends of The Rotary Foundation who share its vision of a better world. The End Polio Now campaign falls under the Rotary Foundation. October 24th was World Polio Day and Rotarians from all around our District were involved with projects and fund-raising activities. I would like to congratulate and thank each of you for your efforts in raising funds for the fight against this dreadful disease. We are so close to completing our promise to the children of the world. So, let us not stop, but instead continue our efforts until the job is complete.
As we move into the fall and winter months, we must keep our focus on social distancing and the use of face masks. The health and safety of everyone in our communities is of utmost importance.
I am proud and honored to serve as your District Governor.
The Rotaract Club at Texas A&M International University extends a cordial invitation to all District Interact and Rotaract clubs to attend our upcoming Peace Summit November 14, 2020. The purpose of this event is to promote peace by building relationships with youth organizations within District 5930 that will together engage in peacebuilding activities after the summit.
Due to the current situation, the summit will take place virtually via Zoom from 9:00AM until 1:00PM. Topics will revolve around three strands: Utilizing Social Media for Social Justice; Creating Personal Peace with a Healthy Mind and Body; and Protecting and Rehabilitating your Community.
To register, please scan the QR code in the flyer or through the website https://tinyurl.com/PeacePrevail. A program with detailed information will be emailed before the event. Feel free to contact Griselda Solis, Rotaract President, at griseldasolis@dusty.tamiu.edu or Dr. Pat Abrego, Advisor, at her office number 956-326-2302 with any questions related to this exciting event.
Submitted by Rotaract Club - Texas A&M International University,
This year, due to Covid-19, RYLA 2021 will be held on-line from March 10-14th, 2021. This on-line eRYLA program has received great reviews from campers and counselors when first presented by Leader NU in Oklahoma.
This on-line eRYLA leadership camp is for high school sophomores & juniors. Activities have been modified from in-person Camp RYLA activities to work within the virtual camp environment. The camp format will be on-line. It will be fun and challenging with hands-on team learning experiences.
eRYLA virtual camp will be delivered through Zoom and Leader NU’s unique leadership website with multiple gathering rooms for different activities. Each participant receives a personal designed Camp Crate with each participant’s activity guide, supplies, t-shirt and even snacks! A camper will participate in more than 23 hours of team leadership training as they focus on skill development of communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and team decision making all through experiential learning over the internet.
eRYLA testimonies include:
“Technology has changed so much and anything can be possible, we have come a long way from when you were a kid and went to the camp in person.”
"At first, I was a little nervous in meeting my team but as the week progressed we became like a family. I can't wait to meet them all in person”
"The mixed teams were a great way to get to know new people and work with new people! I loved getting to know everyone and it helped me find out my strengths! “
"I really liked that part too. It helped me get to know the other campers and counselors. It helped me get out of my comfort zone and talk to people. “
“You are dead wrong. This camp was pulled off with the highest degree of perfection and skill. The people make the camp, not the camp make the people “
"I did a eRYLA this summer and it help me a lot with my leadership skills and my confidence and I just would recommend it to anyone who needs a family or needs leadership skills."
The Laredo Gateway Rotary, along with President Jaime Garcia were proud to showcase the new desk barriers bought to help the Larga Vista Community Center provide a safer work environment for students and others who use the facilities computers and library area. President Jaime, along with several club members were on hand for the unveiling, along with staff from the facility and students who use the facility daily. The Laredo Gateway Rotary Club has a long history of partnering with this Community Center, as it was the Club's Centennial Project back in 2005 and the Club continues to support a variety of projects at the facility throughout the year!
Submitted by Lisa Rogerio
Laredo Gateway RC gives again to the Community Center
Kent Mallquist, our Port Isabel Rotary club past president and Andy Hagan, Past District 5930 Governor share some levity by presenting The Rotary Club of Los Fresnos with a new Rotary 5 Way Test Banner that includes “Will It Fun?”
Joel Vincent, Rotary of Harlingen's Past President presiding 2019-2020, was awarded Rotary International's "District Governor's Rooted In Service Award" by District 5930's Assistant Governor, Kathy Preddy.
Mr. Vincent has earned this prestigious acknowledgment through his continuous service as a Rotarian, placing "Service Above Self" as well as "Lending a Helping Hand". His efforts and commitment have not gone unnoticed!
Thank You, Joel! Your Club looks forward to many more years of service with you!
Rotary of Harlingen's guest speaker at the regularly scheduled meeting was Matt Z. Ruszczak. Mr. Ruszczak serves as the Executive Director for the Rio South Texas Economic Council. Mr. Ruszczak shared valuable information along with statistics pertaining to the Rio Grande Valley amidst the COVID-19 crisis. He was able to speak to the different impacts and trends COVID-19 has had in the retail, manufacturing and industrial sectors.
A lot of valuable insight! Thank you, Matt for sharing your time with us!
Harlingen RC hears about Covid-19 impact in the valley.
At the October 5, 2020 regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass, President Juli Blanda presented Meg Reese with a Paul Harris Fellow Award (PHF). A PHF is presented to any person who donates, or in whose name is donated, $1000.00 to the Rotary Foundation.
The Paul Harris Foundation is named for Paul Harris, who founded Rotary with three business associates in Chicago in 1905. The Foundation was established in his honor in 1957 to express appreciation for a contribution of US$1,000 to the humanitarian and educational programs of The Rotary Foundation. Those programs include an array of projects that save and invigorate the lives of people around the world and enhance international friendship and understanding. Foundation programs provide educational opportunities, food, potable water, health care, immunizations, and shelter for millions of persons. These activities are funded, implemented and managed by Rotarians and Rotary clubs around the globe.
Meg, who was inducted into our Club on September 9, 2019, has personally donated $1000.00 to the Foundation. She did so by participating in an international project during the COVID-19 pandemic, by donating money through our Club’s Polio Plus Program and by donating to the “Every Rotarian, Every Year” Program. Meg exemplifies Rotary with her giving of time and money. Our Club is proud to have her as a member.
Picture: Juli Blanda 2020-2021 President Rotary Club of Aransas Pass
Meg Reese 2020-2021 President Elect Rotary Club of Aransas Pass
Below is a service project that is being spearheaded by Dr. Jared Dmello, Chair of the Satellite Club of the Laredo Rotary Club. It is a terrific initiative.
This is a wonderful project and one that all clubs can participate with. It doesn’t cost much of anything and has the potential to brighten someone’s day. And also deliver hope to these individuals who were affected. Another example of how Rotarians can Lend A Helping Hand.
Hello!
A good friend of mine and one of the leading scholars in our field on mass shootings, Dr. Jaclyn Schildkraut, has been collecting holiday cards for children who have lost a loved one in mass shootings incidents. Cards can be either homemade or store bought and signed with a holiday greeting. Unfortunately, with increased firearm violence in our nation, the number of survivors either directly or surviving loved ones, has also increased.
Who will be the next in line to be District Governor for Rotary District 5930?
Will it be a member of your Club? Will it be someone you know? Will it be you?
Now that your first few Rotary months are out of the way, I’d like to ask you and your club members’ assistance in identifying potential candidates for our District’s 2023 – 2024 Governor. I know that seems like a long way into the future but in order to comply with Rotary International’s Manual of Procedure, this is the required protocol.
The deadline for 2023-2024 Nominations for District Governor is December 15, 2020.
At this time - Interviews will be conducted on Jan. 16, 2021, format and location to be determined.
I am the District 5930 official voting delegate to the 2020 Rotary Council of Resolutions. One “emergency enactment” and 29 proposed Resolutions are on the agenda for voting in late October by the Council on Resolutions. Copies of the Resolutions can be reviewed at My.Rotary.org/COR/vote.
Follow this link for how I intend to vote (subject to further review). Please provide me any timely comments by October 25 and I will take the comments under consideration.
Art Zeitler
Arthur W. "Art" Zeitler
Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator, Zone 25B and portion of Zone 29
District Representative to Council on Resolutions and Legislation (2017-23)
Governor, Rotary International D5930, 2014-15
Proud Member of the Rotary Club of Corpus Christi (Texas, USA)
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of one of our Past District Governors and members. William "Bill" Janecek served as District Governor for 5930 in 1998-1999.
Following Don Ratcliff’s year as District Governor of D5930, our next oldest DG 5930 was Bill Janacek who recently lived in Goliad, retired from managing property and ranch sales and is a member of the Rotary Club of Goliad. When DG he ran a local newspaper from Rockport. Bill served as DG 5930 in 1998-1999.
William Wayne Janecek
GOLIAD — William Wayne “Bill” Janecek, age 83 of Goliad passed away Sunday, September 27, 2020. He was born in Victoria on July 19, 1937 to Frank and Emelia Janecek. He graduated from St. Joseph High School, Victoria, in 1955, where he was very active in sports. He then attended Lamar Tech, Beaumont, where he graduated in 1960 with a degree in Business. He was an entrepreneur, business owner, and realtor until his retirement at the age of 81.
Throughout his life, he was very active in many civic organizations and community events. He was a member of Rotary International for 50 years, where he held many offices, most notable, District Governor from 1998-1999. He also served on the Board for the Goliad County Senior Citizens Center. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
He was known for his sense of humor, quick wit, and outward friendliness. Bill never met a joke he didn’t like.
He is survived by his sons Jeff (Linda) Janecek, Jon Janecek, sister Diana (Don) Ford, grandsons Will (Kassi) Janecek, Wesley (Krystina) Janecek, and granddaughter Sara Oswald, great grandchildren Colt & Creek, Kaidence & Kamryn, and Kayden and the mother of his children, Helen Jo Janecek and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is proceeded in death by his parents Frank and Emelia Janecek-Mayo, brother Frank Janecek, Jr, sister Elizabeth “Betty” Templin, and daughter Jennifer Oswald.
Visitation will be Tuesday, October 6, 2020, from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Grace Funeral Home Goliad. Funeral Service will be held at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 7, 2020, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Goliad, with Fr. Ty Bazar presiding.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Goliad Rotary Club, Goliad County Senior Citizens Center or the charity of your choice.
There are still openings available to attend RLI Parts 1, 2, & 3 (See scheduled RLI course date(s) on the website www.lonestarrli.com).
Remember to invite your Rotaract club leadership as well! Our RLI Lone Star Division is one of three RLI Divisions in the World to offer this training on a virtual platform!
We look forward to seeing you all soon! Click the picture to watch a new video.
Area of Focus: Economic and Community Development Month. This month also includes: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on the 17th and World Polio Day on the 24th of October.
Develop Micro Credit system
Organize Awareness Seminar on Self-Employment at Colleges/Universities
Organize Trade Exhibitions
Organize Buyers-Sellers meet
Take up Entrepreneurship Development Program
Organize Consumer Forum, a Public Meeting
November - Rotary Foundation Month
Clubs and Districts call attention to the programs of The Rotary Foundation and frequently cultivate additional financial support for the Foundation by promoting contributions for Paul Harris Fellows and Sustaining Members.
Two important issues have developed. First it is a given that parties for our children aren't going to happen until next Spring or Summer. This is going to crowd the field some (I'll explain in a minute). Our clubs that have been having Fall parties will be delayed. CPS will advise when that time begins. They are asking that we group clubs together as much as we can to relieve some of the congestion. More on this as it happens.
Something considerably more serious has developed behind the scenes this past year or so that we all need to be aware. CPS has again rewritten the state requirements for organizations to become involved with what we started 21 years ago. As this all originally happened, the State would not allow ANY contact, one on one, between adopting parents and a child until the child had been selected with assurance of adoption. The State adjusted the requirements for us to have the parties, but only for Rotary. We, simply put, had a monopoly. That ended! We no longer have this exclusive and we are having to share weekends. This IS okay. The children win! Up to now each individual club or groups of clubs have been left to negotiate with CPS on their own. To put it bluntly I was blind-sided. It seems that CPS was put in a position of playing favorites, and that was not to their benefit. NOW it is really important that our 5930 clubs having parties communicate with me while this is all being sorted out. I will appreciate that.
I hope that each of you and your family members are doing well and staying safe. We are in the midst of some very challenging times. But with every challenge comes an opportunity. As I make my club visits (virtual that is), I am discovering that Clubs are not letting this pandemic keep them from doing good in their communities. Fund raisers and service projects that were done in the past may not be feasible today. But they are being very creative and discovering that there are other ways to have an impact on their communities. Rotarians are People of Action and society looks to us to make a difference. The world needs Rotary more now than ever before.
October is Economic and Community Development Month. This is actually one of Rotary International's "Areas of Focus". Unemployment, underemployment, lack of economic opportunity, lack of appropriate training, and the absence of social safety nets lie at the core of poverty. For the poor, labor is often the only asset available to improve well-being. Creating productive employment opportunities is essential for reducing poverty and achieving sustainable economic and social development, and for providing income security and empowerment especially for women, people with disabilities, youth, and the extremely poor. Like education and health strategies, generating income and creating opportunities for a productive workforce and entrepreneurship are essential for reducing poverty. Rotary clubs all over the world work with communities to enhance economic and community development. Every community has different needs and different opportunities to serve.
October 24 is World Polio Day and we want to focus our attention on the eradication of polio this month. Many clubs have special events to raise money for Polio Plus. Please remember that every dollar Rotary raises to fight polio is matched with two dollars from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. I encourage Rotarians in District 5930 to "LEND A HELPING HAND" with our fight to eradicate Polio from the face of the Earth.
I am proud to be a Rotarian and blessed to serve as your District Governor this year.
The Rotary Club of Harlingen gathered on a Saturday morning to assist Culture of Life Ministries medical clinic with landscape cleanup. Rotarians rolled up their sleeves to remove brush, trim bushes, clean and mulch flower beds, mow the lawn and spray weeds. A full morning of team work resulted in a manicured exterior.
Culture of Life Ministries is a non-profit medical clinic that provides free to low cost healthcare open to the public.
A letter written by Laredo Next Generation Rotary Club to the editor of our local newspaper, the Laredo Morning Times, along with some pictures. In this letter, we thank our community for supporting our first ever virtual run. Rotarun has been a significant event for the Laredo Next Generation Rotary Club, in which we raise funds to engage in many community projects in Laredo, TX.
SERVING OUR COMMUNITY, ONE STEP AT A TIME
Rotary’s motto is service above self. At the Laredo Next Generation Rotary Club, we’re committed to this motto by practicing the standards set by the Four Way Test: is it the truth, is it fair, will it build goodwill and better friendships and will it be beneficial to all concerned.
As we wrap up another successful edition of our flagship service event, Rotarun, we’d like to take a moment to reflect. This year has been marked by an extraordinary succession of events, transforming our traditional means of serving the community. We decided to maintain the Rotarun tradition and endeavor into a virtual race; driven by an honor system where participants complete a 5k or 10k run.
A total of 114 individuals registered to the 12th Annual Rotarun. Not only was it great to see our runners’ accomplishments via social media, but we were also very moved by the support we continued receiving from our community during these trying times. We ran at a distance, but we felt we were closer than ever.
We ventured into the unknown, and you were all there to support us. On behalf of the Laredo Next Generation Rotary Club, thank you Laredo!
We couldn’t feel prouder of this community’s commitment to engage in what's right. Thank you for believing in our story, we won’t let you down.
As we think, read and write about the many issues surrounding our community, let's take a moment to acknowledge how much we’ve achieved, together.
The Laredo Next Generation Rotary Club is committed to the community of Laredo. We stand strong next to each of our citizens in the fight against COVID-19 and reaffirm the values that drive our story.
We’re all in this together: one step at a time!
Corina Dovalina Martinez
President of the Laredo Next Generation Rotary Club
Story and photos submitted by David Andres Alegria
There are four ways to enroll in Rotary Direct, The Rotary Foundation’s recurring giving program:
Online at rotary.org/donate: Enrolling online with a credit or debit card is the easiest and most secure way. After selecting DONATE, you can choose Recurring donation in the Donation section.
By phone: Call the Rotary Support Center at +1-866-976-8279.
By fax: +1-847-328-5260
IS THERE A MINIMUM CONTRIBUTION?
Yes. Because we pay processing fees, there is a minimum of $10 per transaction (i.e., $10 per month, $10 per quarter, or $10 per year).
CAN I HAVE MY DONATION DEBITED DIRECTLY FROM MY CHECKING ACCOUNT?
Yes. Donors in the United States and Canada can establish a recurring donation from their checking or savings account. Call the Rotary Support Center at +1-866-976-8279 for details.
CAN A CLUB TREASURER ESTABLISH RECURRING GIFTS FOR AN ENTIRE CLUB ONLINE?
No. Club leaders can make one-time contributions from their club or from individual club members online, but they can’t enroll their members or their club in recurring giving.
WHAT FREQUENCY OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR ROTARY DIRECT GIFTS?
You can make a gift every month, quarter, or year. Transactions will occur during the first week of the month.
HOW DO I CHANGE OR STOP MY ROTARY DIRECT CONTRIBUTIONS?
You can adjust or cancel your recurring giving at any time by signing in to My Rotary and choosing Profile to access Donor Self-Service. You can also contact the Rotary International office that serves your area or Rotary’s Support Center at +1-866-976-8279.
WILL THE ROTARY FOUNDATION CONTACT ME IF MY CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD EXPIRES?
Yes. The Rotary Foundation will remind you by email when your credit or debit card is about to expire.
WILL THE ROTARY FOUNDATION CONTACT ME IF MY CARD IS REJECTED AND I MISS A SCHEDULED CONTRIBUTION?
Yes. The Rotary Foundation will notify you by email if a scheduled transaction fails.
MY CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE OR HAS EXPIRED. WHAT INFORMATION DO YOU NEED TO UPDATE MY ACCOUNT?
We need your credit card number, the expiration date, and the three- or four-digit security number. For security reasons, please do not send credit card information by email. Instead, call the Rotary International office that serves your area or Rotary’s Support Center at +1-866-976-8279. If you have a My Rotary account, you can change or cancel your recurring giving online at any time.
DO I HAVE TO NOTIFY ROTARY IF I TRANSFER TO A DIFFERENT ROTARY CLUB?
Yes. Notifying the Foundation of your transfer allows your new club to receive credit for your contributions.
DO I HAVE TO BE A ROTARY MEMBER TO ENROLL IN ROTARY DIRECT?
No. Anyone who wishes to support the Foundation’s mission is welcome to do so with a recurring contribution.
HOW WILL MY ROTARY DIRECT CONTRIBUTIONS BE RECEIPTED?
When you enroll in Rotary Direct, you’ll receive a confirmation email detailing the amount and frequency of your contributions. Gifts made to The Rotary Foundation via Rotary Direct will be receipted individually at the time of the contribution. Each scheduled contribution will be credited to your individual account, Rotary club, and district. Like all contributions, recurring gifts will be used wisely on worthy Rotary projects.
At the start of each school year, many families are faced with the high cost of school uniforms and related educational expenses, especially in the public school system. The Rotary Club of Laredo Daybreak, with the assistance of community leader County Commissioner Wawi Tijerina, identified that the children participants of the Larga Vista Community Center (LVCC) were in need of assistance. With a rising cost of living and rising unemployment numbers due to the COVID-19 pandemic among other financial and economic factors, the Larga Vista Colonia families are struggling and they depend on the community center for assistance with utilities, elderly services, medical services and or assistance, and food distribution for the families.
The Rotary Club of Laredo Daybreak, with the financial participation of the Rotary Club of Laredo Gateway, Rotary Club of Laredo, Rotary Club of Laredo Next Generation, and Rotary Club of Laredo Under Seven Flags, applied for Rotary district grant funds to provide uniform sets to 60 school age children who registered at the center. On Tuesday, September 8, the LVCC helped us with the drive-by setup so each child could receive a uniform set that included 2 uniform tops, 2 uniform bottoms and 1 pair of tennis shoes.
Our mission as Rotarians is to provide service above self and with this project we hope to ensure the children remain committed to their education and may be inspired to selflessly serve their community as they will get to know what Rotary does for others.
As of May 1, 2020, Ronnie Yeager has been a Member of the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass. These 50 years of attendance is paled in the fact that he has Perfect Attendance for the entirety of those 50 years. This means that he has attended a Rotary Club Meeting weekly for 50 years, an amazing accomplishment. On weeks where he was unable to attend the meeting in Aransas Pass, he was able to “make-up” at another Club. One of our Members asked Ronnie what was the farthest he had traveled to make up and he replied “about 8,000 miles” as he had “made-up” a meeting while on a cruise between New Zealand and Australia.
In Honor and Recognition of Ronnie’s Fifty Years of “Service Above Self”, he was recognized with a Letter from the 2020-2021 Rotary International President, Holger Knaack. The letter, in part, says:
“Dear Ronald, Congratulations on your 50 years of Rotary service. Your continued passion for Rotary inspires us all. We all love Rotary because we love people, and Rotary gives us an opportunity to connect in a community of shared values, built on a foundation of friendship, and committed to Service Above Self.”
In addition to the President’s Letter, Ronnie received a gift from our Club with a plaque on top that states:
OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD
Presented To
RONNIE YEAGER
IN RECOGNITION OF
50 YEARS OF MEMBERSHIP WITH PERFECT ATTENDANCE
MAY 1970 TO MAY 2020
IN THE
ROTARY CLUB OF ARANSAS PASS
Ronnie exemplifies Rotary and our Club is Honored to have him as a Member.
Submitted by Karen Gayle,
Secretary Rotary Club of Aransas Pass
September 17, 2020
Photo: Ronnie Yeager, Member and Juli Blanda, 2020-2021 President, Rotary Club of Aransas Pass
Our Port Isabel Rotary club, has for some years now, been saying the 4-Way Test at the end of our meetings with the addition of a number five, “Will It Be Fun?” In many ways, that simple addition defines the character and soul of our club. We are one of the most visited clubs in South Texas, perhaps even the whole state. Indeed, our very founding in 1936 was, in part, to accommodate weekend visitors to the Laguna Madre who enjoyed fishing our waters and recreating on the beach of South Padre Island. Many of those weekend vacationers from the upper Rio Grande Valley and other parts of Texas had to miss their Rotary meetings to make the trip. In the beginning, our club met on Saturday so these Rotarians could have a place to meet and maintain their attendance. When you make a trip to one of the best vacation spots in Texas, you’re already of a mind-set to be having fun, so it’s not surprising that from the very beginning, The Port Isabel Rotary club was attended by people who wanted to have fun. (make that “FUN!”) We are told often by Winter Texan visitors and others, that of all the clubs they’ve visited, ours is the most fun. Not to denigrate other clubs, but face it...luncheons packed with bankers, lawyers, successful executives and the like can sometimes be a little self absorbed, pretentious and stuffy. That’s not us!
The Alice Rotary Club is always first to Lend A Helping Hand where needed. We helped sort and distribute food from the Corpus Christi Food Bank at the Jim Wells County Food Distribution Day held on Tuesday, August 25th. A true act of Service Above Self when donating your time and hard work to such a worthy need in our community.
Rotary Club of Willacy county donates 3,000 protective medical masks to Willacy County EMS and 1,000 medical protective masks to Loaves and Fishes. Thank you to District 5930 District Governor Eddie Bartnesky, Past District Governor Andy Hagan, EMS Director Frank Torress, and Loaves and Fishes Ruben Garza. Rotary helping in keeping everyone safe. Masks will be distributed through all first responders, law enforcement, and medical personnel. Outstanding job to all club members and thank you for being a beacon on hope to many. #WeAreRotarians
The Rotary Club of Mission celebrated its centennial anniversary on Thursday, September 3, 2020, with the virtual participation of PRIP Mark Maloney, RI Director Suzi Howe, DG Eddie Bartnesky, IPDG Ellison Crider, PDG Andy Hagan, PDG Lauro Solis, DGE Amando Chapa, PDG Maxi Houser, DGN Kent Grier, PDG Debbie High and all the club members. The Mayor of Mission, Dr. Armando O'Cana, read a proclamation from the City of Mission and offered the Rotary Peace Pole a permanent home in the City Hall main entrance. Rotarian guests from Arizona, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico joined in the event along with representatives from District 5931 Rotary Clubs, to congratulate the Club for this important milestone. Dr. Elaine Hernandez, the club president, was presented the "Rotary Alumni Global Service Award by PRIP Mark Maloney, and the Rotary Club of Mission received a beautiful centennial trophy on behalf of District 5930 by PDG Andy Hagan. Members from the Rotaract Club of Mission held a cupcake sale raising $200 for the RI Annual Fund and then an additional $900 was committed to the Annual Fund by individuals in the ceremony. Recognition was given to the Mission Historical Museum for sharing historical archives with the club.
Click the Read More for pictures
Submitted by Elaine Hernandez, President, 2020-2021
It was an honor for Alice Rotary Club and Jim Wells County Veteran’s Office to present Patriots Day in remembrance of 9/11/2001 with Guest Speaker J. Karl Clark LT Col Retired U.S. Army. Nineteen years ago. United States of America joined hands, hugged one another tight, prayed for the loss and those affected by this tragedy. We were bound by One Nation Under God. Today we came together to remember those who lost their lives. Even though we couldn’t hug or hold hands we are still One Nation Under God and we will never forget the sacrifices of the first responders and civilians that lost their lives that tragic day. As Mr. Clark spoke on his experience and knowledge on 9/11 we could not help but try and hold back the tears especially as we looked around the venue and saw our very own local Veterans and local First Responders (Alice Police Dept., Jim Wells County Sheriff Dept., Alice Fire Department and EMS) supporting this remembrance day with us. We will never forget!
As many of you may know, I have combined my love for motorcycle riding and service with a charity ride called RPM, which stands for Rotary Polio Moto. The sole mission of this Fundraising and Fellowship Motorcycle Ride through Rotary District 5930 is to end polio forever.
Registration proceeds will be submitted to The Rotary Foundation on behalf of a Rotarian’s club, if club information is provided. ** Donations of any amount are greatly appreciated and can be received by clicking on the link above**
Who is your hero? Heroes don't have to wear a cape...sometimes they wear a uniform...sometimes they simply wear a smile as they make a difference in your life, in our community, or in the world. Remember them. Honor them.
Polio is a crippling and potentially fatal disease. Fortunately, although incurable, Polio is easy to prevent. A child can be vaccinated for just 50p, protecting the child against this terrible disease for life.
Through one of the world’s biggest immunization programs, Polio has been 99 per cent eradicated – so this is one last push to destroy the disease for good.
Why is it called Purple Pinkie? When a child is vaccinated, they have a purple stamp put on their little finger. So each Purple Pinkie brings us closer to making Polio history.
Sweet Treat as a PolioPlus Fundraiser
Arrange with a local bakery or some members to make donut bars and ice them as shown with a "purple pinkie." Sell to your members, at the grocery store, at the bakery, anywhere - and Raise money and awareness of PolioPlus and Rotary.
How Might We . . . Lend a Helping Hand Training Seminar
We seek answers. We seek best practices. We want to share what we know.
HOW indicates that an answer, idea, or solution exists.
MIGHT says that there may be more than one answer.
WE suggests that we can work on and solve it together.
So, as we gather with other Rotarians in virtual training, how might we stay curious? How might we stay curious long enough to understand, instead of simply making sure we are understood?
When: Saturday, October 3, 8am-12 pm
What: Four Sessions covering Foundation and Public Image
How: Zoom Virtual Meeting
AND
When: Saturday, October 17, 8am-12 pm
What: Four Sessions covering Membership and Club Support
How: Zoom Virtual Meeting
Sessions topics have been generated from the responses to the survey sent to all members.
Sessions will give members and clubs concrete and actionable suggestions and tools to take back to their clubs.
This training counts toward fulling the requirements for the District Exemplary and Landing a Helping Hand awards for the year.
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of one of our Past District Governors and members. Don Ratcliff served as District Governor for 5930 in 1997-1998.
Services have been arranged.
Friday Sept 11 at 3:00pm
First United Methodist Church, 900 S. Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Please follow current guidelines for Funerals with the celebration of Mass, such as
- Face masks or other coverings should be worn at all times
- Social Distancing will be observed, including when seated
Other guidelines and restrictions will be observed
Reception information is not available at this time.
Area of Focus: Basic Education and Literacy Month, Promote Literacy, and It's a time when Rotary clubs and districts highlight Rotaract by joining in projects with their Rotaract clubs.
Initiate Adult Education class
Involve Youngsters / College Students as Teachers
Initiate E-Learning / Happy School Projects
Distribute Libraries
Develop Traffic park for Children
Arrange Traffic Awareness Lectures in Schools & Colleges
October - Economic and Community development
Area of Focus: Economic and Community Development Month. This month also includes: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on the 17th and World Polio Day on the 24th of October.
Develop Micro Credit system
Organize Awareness Seminar on Self-Employment at Colleges/Universities
Add some fun and exercise to your virtual meetings by planning and having a scavenger hunt!
Make a list of items that could easily be found around the house. You might use the alphabet to organize your list. Don’t share your list with anyone.
When you are ready to start, say the name of the item. For example, for the letter A, ask participants to search for a real apple and the first person to show it on the screen and say “Got It” gets the point. Move on to B and ask for a bell. Use the same procedure for the remainder of the letters of the alphabet and award a point to the first person that comes up with the item. After you go through the alphabet, announce the name of the individual that got the most points and declare him/her the winner. If possible, the winner will receive a prize.
You might also want to designate second and third place winners based on the number of points these individuals earned.
You can use other ways to organize your list. For example, you can use each of the letters of the phrase “Rotarians People of Action”. In this instance, you can ask participants to find a recipe to represent the letter R, an orange to represent the letter O, and so on. Make the process as difficult or as easy as you want.
If you want the Scavenger Hunt to be a Family Fun Night, involve your children and have them search for the items.
Before clubs can develop and do service projects - they need money to get supplies and materials. Here is video about Fundraising in a Virtual World from our Lt.Gov. of Community Service Jack Alspaugh.
As most of you know, the Rotary Foundation approved our grant request to provide clean water for 5000 residents in the five communities comprising Rigores, Trujillo, Honduras. It was approved for just under $110,000.00. One of the conditions of the grant was to to a hydro geological survey before the funding is released.
We do not have the results of the survey yet but we did met with Michael Wolfe, our consultant, who gathered the data to give to the hydro geologist. It is a very arid region so we may have to move our well site nearer a river to attain the water production we nd to serve 5000 people.
I have attached some photos of the process.
Thanks for your support of this project and I will keep you updated.
Two days ago we had the dedication of a new kindergarten in Agua Amarilla, Trujillo, Honduras. The 20 x 25 kindergarten was constructed by community residents....and made it so children did not have to cross the main road into Trujillo to go to kindergarten. Funding was provided by the Lloydminster Saskatchewan Canada Rotary Club and Ken and Dorothy Carson...Ken is a member of the club. The kinder was named in honor of the Carsons....Kinder Carson.
I have attached photos of the kinder and dedication ceremony.
Next week we will start a new kindergarten in the community of April the 18th funded by a grade school classmate of mine, Ken McCauley from Palm Springs, California. And, a second kindergarten classroom in Maranones funded primarily by the Middlebury Vermont Rotary Club.
Although a number of projects are on hold until after the coronavirus.....we are still moving on with construction of kindergartens. Thank you for your support!!! Please continue helping us make life better in the third world. A reminder....$5,000.00 gives you naming rights for a one classroom school or kinder.
We are two months into the Rotary Year and so far, it has been far from status quo. We are in the midst of a pandemic that has brought our life and economy, as we know it, to it’s knees. And to top it off, we had a hurricane sweep through the southern part of our District and another major one rip through the Rotary Districts just to our north. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been affected by these events. As Rotarians, our natural instinct is to reach out to those in need and Lend A Helping Hand. But how can we do that and still keep everyone safe from the pandemic? I will be reaching out to my fellow District Governor classmates in these areas and offer our assistance. I will keep everyone abreast of their needs.
September is “Basis Education and Literacy Month”. According to Rotary International, “Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. We support education for all children and literacy for children & adults”. More than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. That’s 17% of the world’s population. This is an alarming statistic and one that Rotarians must not take lightly. I encourage clubs in the District to come up with impactful projects during the month of September that address Basic Education and Literacy. Let’ create awareness and take action.
Learning is a lifelong, ongoing activity. It energizes us to gain knowledge and to share it. Knowledge is power. Every Rotarian has the ability and opportunity to share knowledge. In our modern world, none of that knowledge can be shared without a literate audience. Basic Education and Literacy also saves lives. Understanding warning signs, directions and calculations all require a rudimentary ability to interpret words and numbers.
I have now met “virtually” with nearly half of the clubs in the District. As I continue with my “virtual club visits”, I look forward to hearing the great stories that each has to share. We are ROTARIANS, PEOPLE OF ACTION. So let’s all continue with our efforts to go out into your communities and LEND A HELPING HAND!!
Brownsville Sunrise Rotary Club Blood Drive in Collaboration with Brownsville City, Rancho Viejo Rotary Club Satellite, Brownsville Public Health, Valley Regional Medical Center, & Valley Baptist Medical Center.
Thursday, August 13th, was a great day for three(3) organizations! Rotary Club of Harlingen and Chick-fil-A served lunch to the City of Harlingen's STEC and Fire Depts. Chase Palmer, Rotary's Service Projects Committee Chair, coordinated with Chick-fil-A's franchise owner, Frank Castellanos, in an effort to show appreciation for the hard work and dedication involved in performing their selfless jobs. Our City's First Responders truly are demonstrating Rotary's "Service Above Self" motto by performing their challenging duties for the public.
Thank you First Responders! You have not gone unnoticed!
The Rotary Club of Brownsville Sunrise, City of Brownsville, Valley Regional Medical Center, and Valley Baptist have teamed up to conduct two blood drives and then plasma drives over the next weeks (September 1st, 14th, 15th, 24th & 30th from 1pm to 7pm). If you have recovered from COVID-19, we encourage you to donate your convalescent plasma during one of the upcoming Convalescent Plasma Drives being held in Brownsville.
Criteria to donate, includes:
1) Must have received an oral/nasal swab test with a positive result,
2) experienced symptoms, and, 3) fully recovered for a minimum of 28 days.
Our Vitalant partner is taking extra precautions to keep all donors safe, therefore, donations are by appointment only. Vitalant is testing blood donations for COVID-19 antibodies to find potential convalescent plasma donors.
If you or someone you know has recovered from COVID-19, please consider donating plasma to save lives. To sign up for blood or plasma donation visit: bloodhero.com or call (956) 213-7500.
Alice, Texas Rotary Club and Corpus Christi, Texas Evening Rotary Club worked together with NGO United By Friendship to purchase and deliver 50 medical grade thermometers to the medical facilities and village road block personnel to provide essential screening in Northern Guatemala. Unfortunately; there is no such equipment available in this area to monitor temperatures due to COVID-19. Alice Rotary Club are so happy to help in any capacity locally and internationally. #ServiceAboveSelf
Today our awesome club donated 15 cases of water to Loaves and Fishes in Raymondville. Club President Horacio Maldonado, Club Treasurer Ruben Garza, and Loaves and Fishes Leadership were present to receive the donation. Our commitment to our community is important as people of service. We are committed to helping those who help others. Thank you to all club members for your selfless devotion to service.
The new and improved My Rotary is LIVE. This is great news for members who will now have a faster and redesigned site that is easier to navigate and accessible on mobile devices.
Although most are already enjoying the new features, we are receiving feedback from some members that are experiencing technical difficulties with logging in but seeing an error message.
We have found that clearing the cookies in your cache seems to resolve the issue. Below we have the following instructions to clear the cache. At step 5, people can search for Rotary and remove/bin any cookies for Rotary websites.
We are sorry for this inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we continue to provide you with a better online member experience.
Image may contain: text that says "How do clear cookies for a particular website? Delete specific cookies 1. On your computer open Chrome. 2. At the top right, click More. Settings. 3. Under "Privacy and security," click Cookies and other site data. 4. Click See all cookies and site data. 5. At the top right, search for the website's name. 6. To the right of the site, click Remove.”
On Tuesday, August 11, The Rotary Club of Kingsville and DPS Highway Patrol helped with an Emergency Food Distribution event by the Coastal Bend Food Bank to support 500 families in need in the Kingsville area. Pictured from Kingsville Rotary are President, Justinn J. Jones, and Director of Community Service, Danny Peña.
On Monday, August 10, 2020 the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass had the pleasure of Alan Wilson from the Rotary Club of Corpus Christi come speak to our Club. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, our Club, as well as every other civic organization in Aransas Pass, has been challenged by a means to raise money to meet our financial obligations. The Rotary Club of Aransas Pass supports APISD in the form of Scholarships and the EAFK Program as well as Project Graduation and Bicycles for Faulk and Charlie Marshall Elementary Schools. We support Aransas Pass in the form of Literacy Donations, Aransas Pass for Youth and the TriCounty Christian Service Center. We also participate with Rotary international in the 4-Way Speech Contest and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards as well as contribute to an International Project each year.
Karen Gayle invited Alan to come and share successful moneymaking projects his Club has utilized in recent years. Alan arrived with his wife, Catrina, also with the Rotary Club of Corpus Christi and Lysa Chapman, Executive Director of the Corpus Christi Club. Alan provided a multi-page manual as well as multiple pictures and much information our Club will utilize in the upcoming months. All three were available for questions at the end of Alan’s presentation. We were excited that Alan took time away from his job at Charter Bank Corpus Christi to come and speak to our Club.
Picture: Alan Wilson from the Rotary Club of Corpus Christi
Membership and New Club Development Month, a time to focus on Rotary's continuing need for growth, to seek new members and form new clubs.
Update your classifications list and circulate among members and accordingly fill up the Vacancies
Educate members about membership Procedure
Induct New Members
Invite Detractors to join Rotary
Consider inviting Local Personalities to be Inducted as Honorary Members
Organize Seminar on Club level & a Public meeting inviting non rotary friends and Rotary Alumni to emphasis Advantages of Joining Rotary
September - Basic Education & Literacy
Area of Focus: Basic Education and Literacy Month, Promote Literacy, and It's a time when Rotary clubs and districts highlight Rotaract by joining in projects with their Rotaract clubs.
Initiate Adult Education class
Involve Youngsters / College Students as Teachers
Initiate E-Learning / Happy School Projects
Distribute Libraries
Develop Traffic park for Children
Arrange Traffic Awareness Lectures in Schools & Colleges
Early in my Rotary career, I was appointed as the Membership Chair of my club. Back then, we were following the “Classification System”. It was designed to allow into club membership, two Rotary members for each occupation classification. Over time, Rotary has migrated away from this membership style. Clubs are now made up of business people from within our communities and their friends and/or acquaintances. Every club has their own culture and it may not appeal to everyone in the community. Hence, we have become very “clickish”. In today’s world, . . .
You may have seen this already but I thought I would pass it on as an opportunity for a community project.
This is an amazing project for your Club or District. You can purchase and donate masks for a single school or an entire School District. You can customize these masks in many different ways, or simply give us a color and two-line school name.
These masks are machine washable, double sided, tightly woven cotton. These are not medical-grade face masks - they meet CDC recommendations for cloth face masks.
Please email our Custom Product Specialists at custom@ruh.com
“Growing Effective Leaders and Faithful Members for a Stronger Community”
Welcome to Rotary Year 20/21! As discussed in the last episode, our Rotary International theme this year from RI President Holger Knaack is “Rotary Opens Opportunities.” Our Rotary District 5930 theme this year from District Governor Eddie Bartnesky is “Lend a Helping Hand.” Our Rotary Club of Kingsville theme this year is “Growing Effective Leaders and Faithful Members for a Stronger Community.” So why do we need a Club theme? Allow me to answer your question…with a question: “What is a theme?”
To me, a theme helps provide focus. It’s similar to the topic or main idea sentence we learned about in elementary school. It tells your audience what you’re going to tell them before you tell them. It also serves to remind us what we’re doing and why. Let’s look deeper…
We were disappointed that COVID 19 wiped out our opportunity for our major annual fundraiser...a clay shoot. We weighed the possibilities of having a clayshoot in the fall or cancel completely and reschedule for the traditional last weekend in April 2021. We worried that having two clay shoots within 9 months might dilute the attendance and the enjoyment. We elected to cancel the 2020 event and hold the annual clayshoot at the traditional time frame of the last weekend in April 23-25. We may have to scale back on grants this fall...but not too much.
COVID 19 has the club meeting in person and by Zoom each week. We are getting about 25 members at the Country Club weekly on a regular basis with an additional 10 online. Before COVID we were averaging about 50 per meeting. It is our plan to continue both Zoom and in-person meetings for now.
Our three Victoria clubs are working together to plan events to boost membership in all three clubs.
The dedicated members of the Rotary Club of Willacy County will be in having their 2nd Annual School Supply Drive August 3-21, 2020.
We have partnered with local businesses to make this happen and we couldn't be happier. As the future of the school system is not the same as in past years, the need for school supplies is still needed. It's our due diligence as people of action to lend a helping hand to our community and families in these challenging times.
Thanks - Horacio Maldonado and Rotary Club of Willacy County
Rotary, as a whole, has dedicated its existence to “Service Above Self.” Alice Rotary Club truly takes this to heart and the same can be said for so many organizations all around the world. But for one local organization, focused on saving lives, we, here at the Alice Rotary Club, found ourselves in the amazing position to offer up a helping hand. In light of the Coronavirus basically shutting down the world and our limited access to hands on projects, we still wanted to help where there was a need.
The interest in helping the HALO-Flight organization has been on the radar for some time but was a project of our President Nena Pitts. Sadly, we were not able, in the past, to find a way to assist them, but our Acting President, Bruce Hoffman, found a way to make this come to fruition.
In addition to canceled fund raisers and battling unexpected excessive costs, both of which are related to the COVID-19 (coronavirus), HALO-Flight continues to serve the people of our area daily at risk of contracting the virus themselves. Having said that the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies are vital for both patient and staff protection.
This is where the Alice Rotary Club and Rotary District 5930 come in. Acting President Hoffman, explained that the $3000 gift (HALO-Flight COVID -19 Support Grant) is a matching grant from Rotary District 5930 and the Alice Rotary Club with each contributing $1500. This money is dedicated for the use of COVID related PPE.
HALO-Flight is a private, non-profit organization, and the exclusive air ambulance service for South Texans since 1987, HALO-Flight relies on the generous support of businesses, philanthropic organizations and individuals to keep the Mission alive every day. As mentioned before the organization has canceled many fund raisers that fund most of the actions taken to save lives.
If you are interested in helping this life saving organization please feel free to check out their website, haloflight.org. One way you can help them out while insuring yourself is the Guardian Plan. For more information on the Guardian Plan or to donate, please check out haloflight.org.
The Alice Rotary Club, its Board of Directors, and District 5930, are delighted to be able to help the professionals at HALO-Flight. To say we are grateful for their service to Alice and South Texas would not do justice to our feelings about their service.
Thanks - Pete Crisp for the story and Ted Bearden for the photo from the Alice Rotary Club
Alice Rotary Club sponsored a COVID-19 testing site for Alice and its surrounding community Friday, May 1, 2020 at FESCO, Inc. Thank you Mr. Steve Findley (FESCO owner) for allowing us to set up this station at your facility that was run by Dr. Eric Nisimblat (Alice Pediatric Clinic) and his staff.
It is important to test as many symptomatic people in our area. We are in this together and follow our 4-Way Test.
The Four-Way Test of the things we think, say or do is a test used by Rotarians world-wide as a moral code for personal and business relationships. The test can be applied to almost any aspect of life.
1. Is it the TRUTH? Yes, this virus is present and we need test. 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? Yes, it’s fair to all mankind that we do our part in this battle. 3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Yes, it’s for the betterment of our world to test those affected and we make better friendships along the way. 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all? YES, by testing for COVID-19 and knowing those who need medical help is one step closer to victory in this battle against the invisible enemy.
Thank you Dr. Nisimblat and staff for all you are doing to ensure safety and good health in our community and taking the ultimate risk by doing what you do for us.
Did you know that a club's Fundraiser or special event can be added to the district calendar? You don't even have to email the webmaster - Do It Yourself!
The new Calendar Items module allows you place notes or messages on the calendar and event list page without the need to create an event. Calendar Items also lets you create recurring or repeating notes or messages. Which is perfect for weekly meetings.
As more and more clubs shift to online meetings, the common question arises - how can we publicize our virtual meetings, and share our link securely?
Now, you can do just that, right through the recently enhanced Club Info widget on your Club's version of ClubRunner, built into your website and bulletin. Best of all, the Club Directory on your district website will update automatically to showcase that your club meets online.
Worried about security? We’ve got you covered! Your online meeting details will remain private and will only be accessible to District members upon logging in. This means you can share your meeting password with ease without having to worry about unwanted guests or meeting crashers.
Rotary has designated months to help clubs Develop meeting agendas, projects, or public image campaigns based on these special occasions.
The Concept is to give all the clubs of the District a Blueprint of the types of Service Projects, which could be indulged, during the Year, and help plan the activities of the year, mostly based on the Rotary Calendar i.e. Rotary Designated Months.
Supporting the environment becomes Rotary’s new area of focus
The Rotary Foundation Trustees and RI Board of Directors both unanimously approved adding a new area of focus: supporting the environment. Creating a distinct area of focus for the environment will give Rotary members even more ways to bring about positive change in the world and increase our impact. More details will be announced soon.
Five years ago Debbie and Joe High (PDG and First Dude) had the vision and inspiration to see that the district needed an app for smartphones to improve the tools available for our members. The app was well received, but there have been issues with implementation and wide-spread acceptance.
Fast forward to July 1, 2020. District 5930 is proud to announce the introduction and rollout of the New and Improved District app. It is a Game-changing app with the following features and implementation.
Using new technologies, we bypass the app stores (Apple App store and Google Play). Many folks had difficulty downloading due to lost or unknown passwords, multi step process and constant updates. See below for the app to delete on your phones and tablets.
All features work on all devices. The meeting bell works everywhere and printing works everywhere.
More features - Grants, My Rotary link, expanded YouTube channel, Community Service area, RLI link
Thanks to the leadership of District Governor Debbie High in 2016-2017 and First Dude Joe High for the inspiration to have this app developed for District 5930. It strives to provides better communication and information sharing for the Rotarians of the district.
Add it to your smartphone and/or tablet today!
It is FREE. Go to https://district5930.com, your browser will take you to the District app home screen.
How to I add it the home screen on a smartphone or tablet? Yes, it can be on multiple devices.
Apple - On iPhones - At the bottom of the browser screen in the middle is a up facing arrow inside a box, click (select) the icon. On iPads - At the top right is a up facing arrow inside a box, click (select) the icon. A pop-up screen will appear, scroll up, from the list select “Add to Home Screen”, another screen will appear, select Add at the upper right corner. Watch a How-to video for iOS.
Android - At the top right of the browser screen click the three dots, from the list select “Add to Home Screen”, another screen will appear, select Add. Watch a How-to video for Android.
Camille Playhouse Sound Upgrade by the Historic Brownsville Rotary Club
Grant monies were requested to assist the non-profit, Camille Playhouse, upgrade its sound technology. By upgrading the sound equipment, we hoped to improve the overall experience of the attending patrons and that of the local talented artists who participate in the various plays held throughout the year. Our project goal was to help maintain a place that unites the community, fosters relationships and has a lasting impact on its artists.
With the grant monies awarded, equipment was researched and most was purchased in October of 2019. Several Rotarians helped install this equipment in December 2019. The intent was to have the sound equipment ready for the 2019-2020 largest production of the season, Disney's Beauty and Beast, held in December 2020. The goal was accomplished. Double AA Batteries for some of the wireless equipment were also purchased in December after we learned roughly 100 batteries are needed per production. Everything took place at the Camille Playhouse located at 1 Dean Porter Park in Brownsville, TX.
This is a portion of the COVID protection gear purchased in Guatemala with the Global Grant sponsored by the Rotary Club of Corpus Christi and Guatemala Norte Rotary Club – a total of 24 regional hospitals will be supported.
Leaders in Rotary Youth Exchange joined together for the first ever Youth Exchange Officers Postconvention virtual event on 27-28 June. They learned about best practices for participating in the program, and heard inspiring messages from Rotary International President Mark Maloney, and President-elect Holger Knaack, and alumni of Rotary Youth Exchange.
Our own Dr. Elaine Hernandez, 2020 Rotary Alumni Global Service Award recipient from Mission Rotary Club was one of the keynote speakers at the Rotary Youth Exchange officers post convention event. She did a great job. Click the Read More link to watch her speech.
As I look back to when I started planning for my journey as District Governor, I envisioned meeting many new people, traveling all around the District and shaking hands with everyone.
But the world has changed and continues to change in ways that we never imagined. Sue & I attended International Assembly in San Diego this past January and we met people from all around the world. What a wonderful experience. We not only learned more about Rotary but also had the opportunity to experience the different cultures of Rotarians from around the world. Little did we know that this COVID-19 pandemic was growing and about to change our lifestyles for some time to come. At the International Assembly, Holger Knaack, incoming RI President, revealed his Rotary theme, “Rotary Opens Opportunities”.
On Monday, June 15, 2020, the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass had the pleasure of inducting David Hilarides into the Club. David is the new General Manager of Sparklight and he was sponsored by Juli Blanda, the previous GM and newly appointed Division Vice President of Sparklight. Our Club is excited to induct a person who has demonstrated the Rotary Four Way Test:
Hello, my fellow Rotarians and the leadership for the 2020-2021 year in District 5930, My name is Jack Alspaugh and our incoming Governor for this Rotary year Eddie Bartnesky has asked me to take on the task of Community Service. He and I both feel that if we become more engaged in our local communities it will help to build and sustain our membership and strengthen our Public Image.
I am reaching out to you as a resource to help with projects in your communities and I am looking to build a team of members throughout our District to accomplish this task.
The Council on Legislation is held every three years and is the legislative body of RI. The Council has the authority to amend the constitutional documents of RI, as well as adopt resolutions. Every district selects a representative to attend the week-long meeting and vote on legislation.
Every district selects a representative to serve at the Councils on Resolutions and the Council on Legislation that take place during their Council term from 1 July 2020 through 30 June 2022. The Council representatives will represent their district at the: • 2020, 2021, and 2022 Councils on Resolutions • 2022 Council on Legislation
Representatives for the 2020-2023 Council cycle must be selected by 30 June 2020 and reported to Rotary International. Selection requirements and duties for representatives can be found in Article 9 of the RI Bylaws.
Through emails as part of our Virtual District Conference 2020, we elected our representative. Congratulations to PDG Arthur Zeitler of the Corpus Christi Rotary Club.
Rotary International and Rotary District 5930 publish annual financial statements to the full membership. We encourage all who are interested to examine the attached documents.
This notice informs you that a vote to ratify the District 5930 Financial Statements from 2018-2019 will be sent to Club Presidents and Secretaries via email on August 7, 2020 with a return date of August 14, 2020. Each club will have one vote.
Rotary International and Rotary District 5930 publish our annual financial statements to the full membership. We encourage all who are interested to examine the attached documents.
This notice informs you that a vote to ratify the District 5930 Financial Statements from 2017-2018 will be sent to Club Presidents and Secretaries via email on June 9, 2020 with a return date of June 16, 2020. Each club will have one vote.
The first vote on this matter at the District Conference in June, 2019 was tabled for incomplete information provided.
There are three awards clubs can strive and work for all year long. Now is the time for reporting your progress and make sure you and your club get the awards you qualify for.
RI Citation - Clubs also need to update information in the Goals sections of My Rotary > Rotary Club Central. This is how RI determines if you qualify for the RI citation.
I hope you and your community are safe and healthy.
I would like to report that ShelterBox is working hard to provide families with shelter and other vital aid in global areas that are most susceptible to, and least prepared for, the covid-19 pandemic. We have active response work going on in Syria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Somalia, Burkina Faso, and Tanzania.
While this health danger is impacting all of us, people living in refugee camps or makeshift settlements are particularly vulnerable. The pandemic is a complex global challenge, some of which we at ShelterBox can plan for or adjust through, and some we simply can’t under such dynamic circumstances.
2020 ROTARY LOCAL AND AREA FOUR-WAY SPEECH CONTEST WINNER
Picture:
Alyssa Hinojosa, Winner, Rotary Local and Area Four-Way Speech Contest
Alyssa Hinojosa who competed in the 2020 Rotary International Four-Way Speech Contest is being awarded $1700.00 in Rotary Scholarships. In 2019 she placed 1st at both the Local and Area District 5930 Contests receiving $300.00 for each 1st place win. In 2020 she did it again placing 1st at both the Local and Area District 5930 Contests receiving $300.00 for each 1st place win. Both years she competed at the District 5930 Contest receiving $250.00 each year. Upon graduation she is receiving $1200.00 from the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass and she has already received her 2 - $250.00 Scholarships from District 5930. Our Club is proud of Alyssa for her excellent representation of Rotary, APISD, and the City of Aransas Pass.
Submitted May 5, 2020 by Karen Gayle, Secretary/Treasurer
Rotary Club of Aransas Pass
Picture submitted by Alyssa Hinojosa
Aransas Pass - 4 Way Speech Contest Club & Area Winner
On May 12, 1999, I raised my hand at my Rotary meeting in Vermont to volunteer to represent my Rotary district and go to Honduras to see what we could do to help after Hurricane Mitch. It has been 23 years and I am still doing what I can to improve the lives of Hondurans. Hands to Honduras is our tax deductible organization. It has built about 60 classrooms, electrified 5 communities, provided over 2 dozen communities with water, provided 2 ambulances, built over 100 homes, and provided over 700 computers and so much more thanks to Rotary and community volunteers utilizing donations from Rotarians, their clubs, their districts, and the Rotary Foundation. Many non Rotarians have also volunteered and donated.
The immediate future after the quarantine:
Finish a water project serving the 1128 families in 8 communities in the Agua Amarilla water district in Trujillo Begin a water project serving the 5000 people in the five barrios of Rigores in Trujillo Finish a water project funded by Engineers Without Borders serving Guadalupe Carney Provide electrical connections for the Electrical Engineering program at the Technical school in Trujillo Paint two classrooms at the United Nations school in Trujillp Build a second kindergarten classroom in Maranones Complete a kindergarten in Agua Amarilla funded by the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan Rotary Cĺub Build a kindergarten in the community of April the 18th And build two classrooms or kindergartens in two as yet undetermined communities. Our US sponsor is the Port Isabel Texas Rotary Club and our Honduran sponsor is the Trujillo Rotary Club. I am a volunteer. Labor is provided by the communities. We couldn't do any of this without donations...we are $2000 short on our fundraising goal for a kindergarten....and there are many more needs...addressing them little by little. A classroom only costs about $5000...a person who donates that total gets naming rights.
This is our Sunburst Rotary District Grant, a $5035.00 project with First United Methodist Church of Harlingen, TX. Our grant and participation in the project enabled the church's Backpacks for Kids program to expand from six to seven schools in 2029-2020, and plan for future expansion in upcoming years. Our program ran from about August 30, 2019 to March 13, 2020, when schools were shut down by COVID-19. The Backpacks program has been extremely well received by the Harlingen Consolidate School District. Our participation has enhanced our standing in the school district as an advocate for education, and in the community as well as a group of Rotarians who are willing to support local programs with our hearts and hands, as well as our funds. In addition to the report and the financial record, I have included a power point that depicts our efforts in the Backpacks program. I hope that this report meets with your satisfaction.
When I turned in our report on our COVID-19 grant, I had mentioned to Juan that I was trying to get an article published in our local newspaper. It was published today, and I am attaching a copy. I am also attaching pics of the organizations to which we gave our own funds to for COVID. The article only included pics from the Harlingen Food Pantry. The other pictures are from our donations to La Posada (5930 Grant) as well as the Culture of Life Medical Ministry, the Rio Grande State Center, and the Walgreen's Red Nose Day for children.
I hope some of these will be useful in promoting Rotary and Rotarians.
On May 16, Part 3 of the Virtual District Conference with DG Ellison Crider was held. It was a collection of stories of projects and personal stories from the clubs and Rotarians in District 5930. I have received letters from two participants of detailing the impact of videos and presentations that were shared. They truly how we are Rooted in Service and are Connect to the World.
This past February, I found myself over 8,500 miles from my current home of Corpus Christi, Texas exchanging a Rotary club flag in my birthplace, Karachi, Pakistan. What began as a trip to visit the Artificial Limb Center with fellow Pakistani Rotarians has turned into something much more for me, for the Center, and for Kinza. Kinza is a 7-year-old Pakistani girl who lost both her leg and brother at the age of 3. Since then, she has visited the Artificial Limb Center, which is funded by the Rotary, each year to get a prosthetic leg. At the center, she is able to have a custom fit and measured prosthetic made for her within four hours, free of charge. I was able to accompany Kinza for her fifth visit to the Center, because as she grows, she needs a new leg each year. After returning home to Texas, I shared Kinza’s story at the District 5930 Virtual Conference. By sharing my experience, Kinza’s story spread far and wide. On the same day when the video became available on social media, an individual who saw the video committed to fund all of Kinza’s educational expenses and has also started planning a fundraiser for the Artificial Limb Center. The power of a story can only be amplified by those who share it, so what story will you share?
From Linda Marrin - a Rotarian from Minnesota
Many thanks to my Rotarian teammates in D5930 for including this Rotarian from central Minnesota in Saturday's "Telling Rotary's Stories" event. I was inspired by so many of the stories I heard and proud to be a part of an organization that is providing service to so many near and far. I was particularly touched by Lionel Betancourt's Adoption Awareness story. My own club in Minnesota had a speaker from a local foster care organization. Seeing their needs we provided a donation and stuffed Christmas stocking for the younger foster care children. We discussed the struggles and needs of the children in foster care. Lionel's story gave me a vision of so much more that we could be doing for these children and I look forward to having him Zoom into a future meeting of my club.
I was also impressed and intrigued by Enrique Medellin's International Project Fair. So much has been accomplished in only a few years; I look forward to seeing the amazing accomplishments that will certainly continue to come from this effort. As a member of a district that includes clubs in Canada, I see opportunities for similar efforts our north country.
Every story told was a source of pride for every Rotarian and I thank you for sharing them all. I look forward to meeting many of the 5930 team when I can travel to Texas!
Linda Marrin 218-820-1772
Executive Assistant to RI Director 2020-22 Suzi Howe
Assistant Rotary Coordinator 2018-21, Zones 25 & 29
Last year at this time our team was planning the District installation to be held later in June 2019. Little did we know then what awaited us the last half of this Rotary year. It was not a hurricane or other natural disaster but rather a pandemic that would sweep across the world and throw our Rotary world into a place we never thought we would go. Who could have imagined a Rotary world where there are no in person meetings or events? Not me.
Then we discovered the world of Zoom (at least those of us who had not used it before did). And now we are at least able to see and talk to each other electronically. I applaud all the clubs that continue to meet online until they feel it is safe to meet in person.
Speaking of meeting in person, I have been asked what Rotary’s position is on that as of now. As far as Rotary International meetings like board and committee meetings
We have been offered the opportunity for our clubs to partner with our great partner United By Friendship to provide a medical grade thermometer for each village in a Northern Guatemala so they can attempt to identify potential infected COVID victims and isolate them to avoid spread.
Corpus Christi Rotary Club has committed $6000 which would Fund about 100 villages . This would work well as a District Grant $3000/$3000. Timing would be important - with a Covid District Grants it is possible to advance funds prior to obtaining the grant and the reimburse out of the grant funds (which normally you cannot do).
I need to find out whether a Club would be interested. First come first served - more than club could partner up.
United by Friendship could handle the funds and obtain receipts from the health authorities - as they did on the recent Corpus Christi Rotary medical motorcycle transportation project. There are more than 100 villages so UBF will pick up the remainder. These type of small quality international projects with a reliable partner aren’t easy to come by. We were lucky to come with a few each year.
Click the Read More Link to read the full grant paperwork.
Please contact Art Zeitler at (361) 947-3830 or azeitler@sbcglobal.net if you are interested in this project.
Thanks to very generous donation from two individuals and one club...as well as two $1000 donations...we are close to being able to build four new kindergartens...in addition to one we are currently building in Agua Amarilla thanks to funding from the Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, Canada Rotary Club. A photo of the current construction is attached.
We have sufficient funds....it takes $5000.00 to build a 20 x 25 kindergarten or classroom.....full funding allows a club or individual naming rights.....to build two of them and the other two still needs $1000.00 each.
Rotary Club of Chicago formed on February 23, 1905 by Paul P. Harris
Established as a professional club to exchange professional and social interests
Called “Rotary” from early practice of rotating meetings among members’ offices
Motto: “Service Above Self”
The Four-Way Test was developed by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor in 1932 and was adopted as a Code of Ethics in 1943
Is it the Truth?
Is it Fair to All Concerned?
Will it Build Good Will and Better Friendships?
Will it Be Beneficial To All Concerned?
One of our Service Projects is to Award Scholarships to deserving APISD seniors. Each year the President of the Aransas Pass Rotary Club appoints a committee who has the arduous task of selecting a limited number of deserving students from the many who apply. This year the Committee selected (3) $1000.00 scholarship recipients.
The Scholarship Recipients are: Abriee Shae Mendoza
Tylar Joseph Murphy
Jaclyn Elizabeth Rios
This year one of our long term Rotarians, Robert Branch, who enjoys 31 years of perfect attendance, lost his wife, Patricia. Patricia Branch was a long term resident of Aransas Pass graduating from APISD. She taught school in the Aransas Pass System for 35 years from 1977 to 2012 and spent 8 years serving the School District by serving on the APISD School Board from her retirement to her death. Patricia was an asset to Aransas Pass, APISD, and the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass. For this reason the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass has set up the 2020 Rotary Club of Aransas Pass Patricia Branch Memorial Scholarship. The recipient of that Scholarship is Lalu Christiana Perez. She will receive $1,350.00.
In view of the annual turnover of Rotary leadership each year, special effort is required to provide club leaders with appropriate instruction for the tasks they will assume. The annual district assembly is the major leadership training event in each Rotary district of the world. The workshops offer motivation, inspiration, Rotary information and new ideas for club officers, directors and key committee chairmen of each club. Some of the most experienced district leaders conduct informative discussions on all phases of Rotary administration and service projects. The sessions give all participants valuable new ideas to make their club more effective and interesting.
Normally eight to ten delegates from each club (officers, directors, committee chairs, and all interested Rotarians both experienced and new to Rotary, etc.) are invited to attend the training session.
Join club officers, chairs, and emerging leaders and learn more about what Rotary has to offer. We do this by offering different training tracks — so you can pick and choose which topics you want to learn more about. Stick with one track or get a taste of more than one.
:15am - 8:45am: Fun and Fellowship 8:45am - 9:00am: Welcome and introductions by DG Ellison Crider 9:00am - 11:00am: Videos and personal stories of YOUR service, grants, and activities.
Rotary International is always searching for strategies to renew and energize our Rotary Clubs. The best way to attract and retain members is to have a strong and vigorous Rotary Club, whose members are knee deep in exciting service in the community and beyond. But how can we bring new life and direction to our Clubs?
Rotary International recently introduced the new Club Leadership Plan, based on the best practices of successful clubs. The plan calls for a simplified board and administrative structure. The plan also encourages clubs to develop long-range goals and annual objectives to support them.
The leadership in District 5930 has developed an effective format for guiding a Rotary Club through strategic planning and renewal.
Our model is called Visioning. The model involves: 1) developing a core District training team, 2) holding individual "Vision Facilitation" sessions with individual Rotary Clubs, one at a time, and 3) assuring regular follow up after the initial Vision session. Too often Clubs operate in a reactive fashion, without clear long terms goals, and this' Visioning 'process is designed to help Clubs more clearly identify long term priorities.
Rotary Clubs that have participated in this strategic planning and re-visioning process typically show a clearer Club vision -- a sense of mission and purpose as a Club - and a revitalization of members' involvement in the Club.
The District 5930 Vision team now invites you to schedule an evening for strategic planning for your Club. Clubs wishing to participate will need to select 20 club members, including a mixture of current leaders, experienced Rotarians, and newer members. We will identify a date, and schedule an evening to be led by three of our District facilitators. The evening begins with a meal together for all participants, followed by 3 hours of discussion and planning exercises.
A lot of people have been thrown into the online meeting ring the past few weeks, companies like Zoom, Google (Meet) and GoToMeeting have seen millions of new users. Using these online conferencing tools have gotten a lot easier over the past few years, especially when using tablets or phones that have great cameras and microphones.
For those that are new to online conference meetings, it can feel a little foreign. Just like a face to face meeting, online meetings have their own little intricacies around the expected and often unspoken rules.
Here’s the TL:DR (Too Long, Didn’t Read) version of online meeting etiquette. If you want more details on each item, read on after the list.
Be ready: Be sure to test your setup. You’re going to be using a laptop, phone or desktop so use the device you plan on using to attend the meeting. Make sure the mic, speakers and video work BEFORE attending your first meeting.
Run a test meeting: To help everyone to be ready, book a test meeting specifically to help people get setup properly.
Mute is your friend: If you’re not talking, mute your mic. Every conferencing system has a way to mute, usually a microphone icon will toggle your mic on and off.
Turn on video: Don’t be shy, turn on your camera if you have one. It feels more like a meeting if you see people’s faces.
Use chat: If there are a lot of people in the meeting, use the chat to ask questions or to express interest to talk.
Use a moderator: For really big meetings with 20+ people, assign one person to monitor the chat to handle questions.
Don’t troubleshoot during the meeting: If you’re struggling with connecting, don’t hijack the meeting. This is why you test before you join.
Use the views: Most conferencing software will have more than one way to view the people on the call. Gallery or tile view is great when collaborating as a group as you get to see many faces. Speaker view is good when one person is doing a lot of talking.
Leave pauses: When you talk, it actually takes a second or so before everyone will hear what you said (it’s called latency). So after you ask a question or if you expect a response, leave a pause of a second or two before you jump back in.
Use a headset: If you have a headset, use it. You’ll hear better, you’ll sound better, and it stops sound from echoing.
Speaker etiquette: If you have someone who’s speaking, make sure you are muted! But keep your camera on, the speaker will appreciate being able to see faces. And maybe switch to speaker view so you can see their face clearly.
For those would like a little more details on each if these items, keep on reading.
Be Ready
It’s good to give your setup a test before the first time you use a new conferencing system. And don’t test just before the meeting, test it out the day before! You can often test by trying the meeting link before the meeting. You might have to download and install software, just follow the instructions (usually with the first time).
Most systems will give you a chance to test your setup before joining, but don’t actually join the meeting if you’re just testing.
At the very least, make sure you can hear. There should be a “button” to test sound or your speakers. It will play a sound — if you don’t hear it, turn up the volume!
There should also be a way to test your microphone — there should be some kind of level meter (usually green or coloured bars that go up and down as you talk).
And finally, turn on the video if you have a camera. You should see video of yourself. If you’re on a phone or tablet, you might see video from your back camera — there should be a little icon somewhere on the screen to flip to your front camera.
Doing this test will make sure that you’re ready to join the real meeting. The host will appreciate you being prepared.
Run a Test Meeting
If you have a lot of people that are new to online meetings, it’s a good idea to book a meeting specifically to help people get setup. Invite two or three people who can help those that need help. Make sure you have an alternate way to contact attendees — if someone is having a problem connecting, you can contact them via email or phone to help walk them through it.
Mute is Your Friend
There is often more background noise happening around you that you’re not really aware of. It’s always good to mute your microphone when you’re not talking — just remember to un-mute when you are talking.
Since people are often joining meetings from home, muting can block out those unexpected noise situations like dogs barking, kids asking questions or someone knocking at your door.
Muting can also help with sound echos, which happens when your microphone is picking up the sound coming out of your speaker.
There will be a “button” on the screen, usually with a microphone icon on it. Clicking that will turn your microphone on and off. To keep you from having to search around for that button, there should be a keyboard shortcut to mute/un-mute. Google Meet uses the ‘M’ key for example, so hitting the key will turn the microphone on/off.
Turn On Video
Not everyone is a fan of this one. If you have a camera, it’s considered polite to turn it on. There’s a lot to be said for seeing people’s faces when communicating which is especially helpful during online meetings.
Try to be setup in a place where there is minimal distractions, but if you’re connecting from home, it’s not the end of the world if your kids or pets come into view. With the increased use of online meetings, the people in the meeting with you are pretty forgiving of these little random happenings. At least they should be.
Use Chat
When there are a lot of people in a meeting, it can get pretty unruly with people talking over each other. Every conferencing system has a text chat option. Don’t be afraid to use it! You can ask a question via chat which should prompt a moderator to give you an opportunity to talk.
Also, be sure to pay attention to what’s happening in the chat. Most chats can be viewed by clicking on a “button” with a talk bubble on it. If someone added a message to the chat, it usually highlights in some way (Zoom turns the button orange).
And finally, when you use chat, pay attention to whom you’re chatting with. You often can pick if you’re talking to everyone or an individual or in some cases, just the panelists (if you’re in a webinar for example).
Use a Moderator
If you’re running a meeting with 20+ people, it’s a good idea to assign one person as the moderator. This should be someone who’s very comfortable with the conferencing software and is not one of the key people speaking or presenting. The moderator can choose to mute everyone or individuals.
The moderator should also be monitoring the chat so they can direct questions to the right person or open up the microphone of people that would like to talk. Some systems will also allow attendees to “raise hand” to let a moderator know that they would like to talk.
Don’t Troubleshoot During the Meeting
If you neglected to test before the meeting or if you’re having technical difficulties connecting, don’t hijack the meeting! This meeting you’re trying to join most likely wasn’t called to help you with your connection. It’s very frustrating to the other attendees if the first 10 minutes of the meeting is trying to get you connected properly.
If you’re having difficulty, then try using the phone number and code to just call in (the meeting invite should have the dial-in details). That way you can at least hear and talk using a regular phone call. If you still have issues, you might have to miss the meeting or ask someone who isn’t presenting to help you.
Use the Views
This one is pretty straight forward but it can help improve your personal conference call experience. Most systems have what’s called a gallery or tile view. This puts up a grid of everyone’s video so that you can see everyone’s faces (like a big version of the Brady Bunch credits). This is a great view to use during more social parts of the meeting.
When there is one person who is presenting or speaking, it’s good to switch to the Speaker view. This will make the person talking the focus, so their video will be large and the other people are usually much smaller. This lets you see the expressions on the speakers face as they present.
Most systems also have the ability to “pin” an attendee, which means they will also show as the person in the speaker view.
A presenter can also share their screen. When that happens, you’ll see their screen. You can still switch views, but it’s best to stay on the speaker view so that you can clearly see their screen.
Leave Pauses
The nature of online meetings results in some delay between when you talk and when all attendees will hear what you said. If you’ve heard of the term “latency,” this is what they mean.
If you ask a question or are expecting a response from someone, give a pause of a second or two to give this delay some time. It takes some getting used to, but it prevents you talking over each other. What often happens is you ask a question, the other person doesn’t seem to be responding, so you start talking. But they’ve started their reply and you just haven’t gotten it yet… so now you hear both what you just said and their response. It sounds messy.
Use a Headset
Most of the problems you encounter can be avoided if you use a headset. It for sure will stop any echo, a common problem for people connecting to an online meeting. If you’re using a headset for the first time, you should test it out with a friend before you join a meeting. Most headsets have a setup that will help you out too. Headsets on phones and tablets generally “just work” and you most likely are already using them.
If you don’t have a headset, even just using headphones can help with echo. Echo is caused by your microphone picking up the sound from your speakers. If you put on headphones, the microphone won’t pick up the sound and cause the echo.
If a headset or headphones aren’t an option, just keep the volume down on your speaker to help with the echo.
Speaker Etiquette
If you’re featuring a guest speaker during your meeting, you want to make sure they feel welcomed and comfortable. If they have accepted to be a guest speaker, make sure they know what conferencing system that you will be using. That way they can be prepared to successfully connect.
Be sure to introduce the speaker and make sure all attendees are muted. Hopefully everyone will self-mute, but if not, it’s OK to force mute everyone — just be sure the speaker doesn’t get muted.
When viewing the speaker, switch to the speaker view. This lets you see their face better.
Let the speaker decide how to address questions. They will most likely leave questions to end. Have a moderator to pass questions on to the speaker.
Chair, The Rotary Foundation Peace – Major Gifts Initiative Committee
Member - Rotary Peace Centers Committee Rotary Club of Ladner – District 5040
Chris is currently the chair of the Rotary Peace Major Gifts Initiative Committee. The committee’s goal is to raise $75 million for the Rotary Peace Centers and Rotary’s peace area of focus.
Chris has served on a variety of Rotary committees involved in training, fundraising and membership development. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Ladner in Metro Vancouver. He served as Governor of District 5040.
He has been a Rotary volunteer in Philippines, Russia, China, Laos and India. In 2016, he was part of a team including WHO, CDC and Gates Foundation evaluating the polio surveillance initiative in Nigeria. He served on similar polio surveillance teams in South Sudan and Sudan.
Chris retired from the Vancouver Police after 31 years of police service. He served in a variety of senior operational and administrative positions retiring as a District Commander. He has a degree in Criminology (Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC), Graduate Diploma in Public Sector Management (University of Victoria) and a Master of Arts in Public Administration (Carleton University, Ottawa).
Chris is an accomplished photographer. His photos have been published in local and national newspapers, books and calendars. He enjoys street and nature photography. He is a frequent speaker at Rotary events.
Introducing Chris Offer - RI President's Representative
Vice President 2019-20 Rotary Club of Trans Amadi Rivers State, Nigeria
Olayinka Hakeem Babalola is regional safety manager responsible for Shell Petroleum’s upstream oil and gas activities in sub-Saharan Africa and chair of the board of directors of Riviera Nigeria Ltd., an oil and gas engineering consortium.
Babalola has served Rotary as an endowment/major gifts adviser, RI training leader, member of the Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers, committee member, and president’s representative.
Babalola has received the Service Above Self Award, the Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service, and the Service Award for a Polio-Free World. He and his wife, Precy, are Foundation Benefactors and Major Donors. They support the Foundation through a named endowed fund and as members of the Arch Klumph Society.
Introducing Rotary International Vice President Yinka Babalola
Strategic planning is not top down – its grass roots up.
We need to hear the voices of our members to help identify the strategic path forward for our Rotary clubs and our district.
Join us Saturday, May 9th at 9 am for a fun, interactive Zoom meeting to help us decide where our district should go next as we develop a shared vision of the future.
For the Kahoot game:
- It is recommended to you use a computer to attend the Zoom meeting and your smart phone to participate in the Kahoot game.
- You DO NOT need to download the Kahoot app.
- On your smartphone, when it is time to play Kahoot, you go to safari/google/yahoo and type in www.Kahoot.it
- On Kahoot.it, you will see a screen which will ask for a pin number.
- On your computer (in the zoom meeting), a pin number will show on the screen and I will send it in the chat as well, which you will simply type in on your phone, select a username, and you are in the game
- All the questions will show up on zoom and you respond on your phone
- We will collect all the data/answers on the back-end and the poll percentage will show up on the screen after question
Woven through the fabric of virtually every community on earth, service clubs of Kiwanis International, Lions Clubs International, Optimist International, and Rotary International are working safely and diligently to maintain connections with each other and our neighbors so that we can cope with and overcome the effects of COVID-19.
We are leveraging the strength of our combined networks of 3.2 million members to provide comfort and hope to those feeling the effects of isolation and fear. And we are focusing our collective skills, resources and ideas to support frontline health workers and first responders as they battle this disease and save lives. In these times of uncertainty, your local service clubs remain committed to meeting the challenge of finding innovative ways to take action together to help communities around the globe heal and thrive – and become more united than ever.
“The global effort against COVID-19 depends on actions taken in every country. As people of action, this is our time to connect with each other to offer immediate help to people in need.” – Mark Daniel Maloney, Rotary International President, 2019-2020.
"The scale and magnitude of this global pandemic requires our world's citizenry to heed the advice and cautions of the experts. The work and plans of our collective members and volunteers must not cease! Our immediate response after the crisis will be necessary to support local Governments respond to the many social and economic challenges that will ensue in its aftermath." – Adrian Elcock, Optimist International President, 2019-2020.
“Great challenges test us, but they also bring us together. Lions are finding new ways to safely serve. Our Lions Clubs International Foundation has granted over one million dollars to help communities facing extreme rates of COVID-19, and additional grant requests are being received daily. Our communities depend on service clubs, and we will be there, supporting and strengthening them just as we always have together.” – Dr. Jung-Yul Choi, Lions Clubs International President, 2019-2020.
“During these difficult times, we’re seeing everyday heroism across the globe. I encourage us all to recognize the health and safety professionals who are putting their own health at risk for the greater good. To the educators, grocery workers, delivery drivers and the countless professionals who can’t stay home, the Kiwanis family thanks you. We all play an important role in keeping our friends and neighbors safe. Please follow the advice of the World Health Organization, your local health agencies and the instructions given by your Government. Please, stay safe.” – Daniel Vigneron, Kiwanis International President, 2019-2020.
Joint Statement from Kiwanis International, Lions Clubs International, Optimist International, and Rotary International
We recognize that social distancing and hardships may limit some of the goals that clubs are able to achieve this year. Because of this, the requirements for achieving the 2019-20 awards have been revised.
Most importantly the date has been extended. Both awards are now extended to June 30, 2020 for completion. A form for each award will be posted on the district website by June 1, 2020. These forms will also be emailed to each Club President, Secretary, and Executive Secretary/Director when it is posted on the website. Submission deadline for the forms will be July 1, 2020.
Click the Read More button for the specific revisions.
Earning the Rotary Citation is an honor that RI President Mark D. Maloney hopes clubs strive to achieve. To earn the citation, please complete activities and report your accomplishments to Rotary by 30 June.
What if social distancing makes it hard to achieve some goals? We recognize that social distancing and hardships may limit some of the goals that clubs are able to achieve this year. Because of this, the requirements for achieving the 2019-20 citation will be revised.
Help spread the word to School District superintendents near you by using the email message and attachments below as a template to communicate this USDA Emergency Meals To You initiative to assist eligible rural School Districts.
This is a Collaboration involving Baylor University, USDA, Texas Department of Agriculture, and Rotarians in Rotary District 5930 to support the Texas Hunger Initiative.
Be sure to copy Elaine Hernandez (e-mail address included) when you reach out to your School superintendents. A friendly follow up call with your school superintendent is recommended to confirm he/she has received this information and if interested in taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity.
Not long ago, we introduced Becky & Lin’s Apple Orchard Park, a children’s picture book that demonstrates Service Above Self. We have now expanded the project to include an Activity Book, Bookmark and Poster.
These are the same materials that we offer for Andy & Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Adventure, a children’s picture book that demonstrates The Four-Way Test.
We hope that these new materials will be beneficial to your current literacy project or that they may inspire a new project.
By the way, we are in the process of changing our website name from andyandelmer.com to rotaryidealsliteracy.com. But you will always be able to reach us at either address.
Thanks for your time. And if you have any questions, just let us know. :-)
Not so ho hum anymore. As a project exhibitor at PETS last week the time was not business as usual. Here to fore Rotarians would see the banner with the word "Adoption" and run the other way. This year participants went to all vendors and exhibitors to collect a sticker for their door prize book. This required making contact with each. This provided the opportunity for us to explain what we do.
Dear District 5930 Club Presidents and Presidents-Elect for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021:
In this most challenging time when we are doing our best to serve others, while still remaining safe, I am pleased to report that Rotary districts throughout the world and The Rotary Foundation are joining forces to provide assistance to those in need.
The Rotary Foundation is strongly encouraging districts to earmark a portion of their 2020-2021 District Designated Funds to support local activities designed to address COVID-19 needs. Examples of such activities include the purchase and distribution of thermometers and protective gear for medical professionals, the purchase and delivery of food to those in need, and other activities. Districts can also use contingency funds from an open district grant or repurpose previously planned activities as a COVID-19 response.
As everyone is well aware of, we are all going through a very stressful time. We are literally in “uncharted waters”. I am sure each of you are concerned for the health and well-being of your family members, just as I am. So, we must take the necessary steps to protect ourselves, our loved ones and those around us. Rotary International is recommending that we cancel or postpone our upcoming Rotary meetings. Rotary is also asking that we continue to follow the guidelines set by the World Health Organization and your national, regional, or local health authorities.
So, with this in mind, I find it necessary to postpone our District Assembly that was scheduled for May 16, 2020.
ROTARY CLUB OF SOUTHSIDE CORPUS CHRISTI CANCELS ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS LUNCHEON DUE TO CORONA VIRUS CONCERNS
Following the advice of Rotary International and our South Texas Rotary District, the Rotary Club of Southside Corpus Christi deeply regrets the cancellation of our annual Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon, which had been scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2020at the Corpus Christi Country Club.
We thank Dr. Amy Aldridge Sanford for her willingness and preparation as our keynote speaker, and we hope Amy will be available for this event next year. We pray that all of you and your loved ones will remain healthy through this very difficult and scary time.
We fully expect that we will get past this so look for an announcement early in 2021 for our almost-annual Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon, on Wednesday, April 21, 2021.
SOUTHSIDE CORPUS CHRISTI CANCELS ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS LUNCHEON
Sent to Rotarians on March 14, 2020 4:40 pm • Posted on March 15, 2020 at 5:45 pm
Dear Fellow Rotarian,
The COVID-19 coronavirus is affecting every aspect of our lives in real time, and this puts Rotarians in an unfamiliar place. As People of Action, we are most comfortable when we are fully engaged in the world – moving freely, meeting openly, and offering helping hands. These are very difficult times for people who, like us, are at our best when we are learning, growing, and serving – together.
As you are all aware we are now in the midst of the COVID19 pandemic. We as a District must take this seriously. We as a nation have been asked to avoid gathering in large groups and to observe social distancing in order to help quell the spread of this virus. Although online meetings are becoming more popular; unfortunately, most of our interactions today as Rotarians are still face to face.
As your District Governor and on behalf of your District 5930 Advisory Committee and at the direction of RI President Mark Maloney, we would suggest you cancel your club meetings for the short term. It is possible that you could alternatively hold meetings online using video conferencing and the District would be willing to help you with that. If your club has fundraisers planned over the next month we would further suggest you postpone them to a future date.
The following Resolution will be voted on by all members at the Business Meeting at the District Conference 2020. This meeting will be held at the Omni Hotel in Corpus Christi at 8:00 am on May 2, 2020.
To request the Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees to consider adding Ecologically Sustainable Initiatives and Environment Protection as an Area of Focus.
Proposer: Rotary Club of Corpus Christi Texas, District 5930; U.S.A.
Endorsed by: District 5930 by vote of its District Conference on __________________, 2020.
WHEREAS, according to a U.N. Biodiversity Report issued on May 6, 2019, more than 33% of marine mammals, almost a third of the reef-forming coral and 40% of amphibians are threatened with extinction; and,
WHEREAS, human life is inextricably connected with natural ecosystems, with, for example, three quarters of crops dependent on animal pollination; and,
WHEREAS, the destruction of coastal habitation has heightened flood and hurricane risks for
The Council on Legislation is held every three years and is the legislative body of RI. The Council has the authority to amend the constitutional documents of RI, as well as adopt resolutions. Every district selects a representative to attend the week-long meeting and vote on legislation.
Every district selects a representative to serve at the Councils on Resolutions and the Council on Legislation that take place during their Council term from 1 July 2020 through 30 June 2022. The Council representatives will represent their district at the: • 2020, 2021, and 2022 Councils on Resolutions • 2022 Council on Legislation
Information on Rotary Family Member who passed SINCE June, 2019 Please submit the following information as soon as possible:
Full Name & Club Name
Date of Birth and Date of Death
Rotary club Offices/Positions held and any other noteworthy Rotary achievements
A JPG photo in color, if possible, of the deceased
The information is being compiled by Sonata Sanchez of Rio Grande City Rotary Club at sonata1956_jrs@yahoo.com. If you are unable to provide all the requested information, please send what you have. The above information is needed ASAP and prior to April 15, 2020, if possible.
Checklist for What We Need from Clubs & Rotarians for the District Conference 2020
We are having the 29th Annual McAllen South Rotary Crawfish Boil, Friday April 24th at 6:30pm at Las Palmas Race Park. Details of the event can be found on our website at TheCrawfishBoil.com.
Since 1991 the Rotary Clubs of McAllen have held The Crawfish Boil. A reason for the success of The Crawfish Boil is simple: every year we bring together great food, great music, cold drinks and great friends which equals one great time. But in the beginning, The Crawfish Boil was just an outing for about two hundred or so who had a craving for some fresh Louisiana Crawfish.
Now The Crawfish Boil will be held at the Las Palmas Racepark in Mission and has grown into one of the largest crawfish boils in Texas! This year, approximately 3,000 people are expected to attend. And once they make their way into the building, they will feast their eyes on a spread that would make a Cajun feel at home! The Crawfish Boil is proud to prepare live Louisiana crawfish, andouille sausage, potatoes, corn, soft drinks and plenty of ice cold refreshments! If that wasn’t enough, The Crawfish Boil wouldn’t be complete without great live music.
So bring your appetite and your dancing shoes to the one and only Crawfish Boil. Tickets are $75 per person and the proceeds benefit many local charities through the Rotary Clubs of McAllen. Get your tickets at any of these local authorized ticket locations. Whatever you do, get your tickets now because space is limited and they will go fast! And make sure you’re not late because the food is served from 6:30pm - 8:30pm.
The U.S. Rotary Clubs and Districts Liability Insurance Program ("Program") provides all U.S. Rotary clubs and districts and Rotaract clubs with general liability (GL) and directors' and officers'/employment practices liability (D&O/EPL) insurance.
Over the past five years, one third (33%) of all claims reported under the Program were related to injuries resulting from a slip, trip or fall. Half (50%) of all claim costs paid under the Program’s self-insured retention were related to slip, trip or fall injuries. Some of these injuries could have been prevented, if tripping risks were recognized and removed before the start of the event.
As clubs and districts begin planning outdoor fundraising events,
The Rotary Club of Aransas Pass congratulates Deacon Arrington for participating in the Rotary International District 5930 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program held January 31 through February 2, 2020 at Camp Zephyr on Lake Corpus Christi. Alyssa Hinojosa, a 2019 RYLA participant, is also congratulated. Alyssa returned in 2020 as a “Trailblazer” counselor.
Students from Victoria to the Rio Grande Valley participated in leadership, motivational, and team building events while at RYLA. Approximately150 Students participated in RYLA weekend 2020. RYLA is Rotary’s leadership training program for youth. Program activities focus on development of communication, critical
You’re invited to attend the 2020 Rotary International Convention, 6-10 June in Honolulu, Hawaii, to find and share your aloha.
The Rotary Convention offers something for all members. It’s where Rotarians unite and take action to create positive, lasting change in the world. Whether you’re new to our club or a longtime member, you’ll have an unforgettable experience at the convention. Visit riconvention.org to learn
I have attached a current funding status for this project and a current bidded budget.
The project entails a deep well with submersible pump, the construction of an 85000 gallon tank, tubes from the well to the tank, pipeline to the first community for hookup to existing pipeline in communities, and then pipeline to two communities without water, a clhorinator, a pump and pipeline to a school without water, supervising engineer, and community education.
I need to apply in March for a decision in June....so I am getting a little nervous.
The budget that has up to date quotes stands at $110,398.00 which includes
On February 8 we celebrated last year’s successes with Rotary Foundation giving. It was a great turnout in Harlingen of District 5930 Rotarians and a few guests from as far away as Nepal that joined us. Rotary International Director Elect Suzi Howe was very impressed with our attendance as well as the enthusiasm in the room. Thanks to DGE Eddie Bartnesky and AG Kathy Preddy for making all the arrangements for the dinner at the Harlingen Convention Center.
One day full of activities in any of the following tracks:
Social Media and Social Justice
Creating Personal Peace with a Healthy Mind and Body
Protecting and Rehabilitating your Community
Sessions designed to deliver proven solutions for you to bring back to your club or organization. Take the #peaceborderchallenge and take action towards a peaceful community
The health and safety of our members are our top priorities. We are closely monitoring the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease) and continuously assessing its potential impact on our operations, meetings, trainings, and other events.
Due to the rapidly changing nature of this situation, I encourage you to use your discretion when it comes to club and district meetings and events, and Rotary programs and activities. Canceling or postponing meetings or Rotary-related travel might be appropriate. Even if events are held as scheduled, some people may choose not to take part. And, of course, if the World Health Organization and your national, regional, or local health authorities discourage or prohibit gathering or traveling because of the risk of spreading COVID-19, follow their recommendations.
I encourage you, as leaders in your community, to provide whatever assistance your community needs at this time. Contact your local health authorities to learn what your Rotary club can do to help prepare for and respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Please accept my best wishes for the health and safety of your family and of all the members of the Rotary family in your area.
Kindest regards,
Mark Daniel Maloney 2019-2020 President, Rotary International
We have several opportunities for sponsorships at this year District Conference. Please consider if your business, club or family would like to support and expand the fun and excitement at this year's conference.
(This can be split between several sponsors.) $1000 from DeeAnna & Kevin Heavilin
Governor’s Banquet, May 2
$5000
(This can be split between several sponsors.)
Items for Service Project All items need to be travel size or individual packages; minimum 200 needed for each item. Prices are based on Walmart.com (rounded up and no shipping or tax) and 200 items.
Beef Jerky
$200
Tuna in a pouch
$330
Nuts
$100
Sunflower Seeds
$200
Corn Nuts
$350
Peanut butter Crackers
$75
Cheese Crackers
$75
Gum
$200
Drink mixes with electrolytes for 16 oz bottle of water
$50
Mouth Wash
$500
100 items from Corpus Christi Evening
Dental Floss
$430
Lip Balm
$300
200 items from DeeAnna Heavilin
Eye Drops
$120
Donate to cover the postage - $10 per box
???
What do you get as a sponsor:
Marketing as Sponsor on all District media platforms for donations $500 and above
Social Media Recognition, District website & mobile app logo with links for donations $200 and above
Program Recognition for all donations
Please contact any one of these folks if you want to be a sponsor or need more information:
By sponsoring Rotary International District 5930, you:
Gain additional exposure for yourself, your business, or your organization.
Support a charitable, diverse organization of over 1.2 million community leaders who are committed to creating positive, lasting change in our local and global communities by providing resources to them.
Enable Rotary International District 5930 with the ability to expand training opportunities, youth, and conference events for our volunteers, which include guest speakers and facilitators.
Allow Rotary International District 5930 the means to provide additional support to our organized events.
Coastal Bend Troop Support has been chosen as the Service Project for our District Conference 2020.
About this 501c3 nonprofit public charity:
We are friends, neighbors, and a community sending care packages to our American troops deployed to combat zones. We are all volunteers.
Thanks to all of the wonderful supporters over the last 9 plus years our organization has continued to grow. We are committed to send care packages as long as we have means and the need is there.
We pack and mail boxes monthly to 50-80 individuals. Troop names that are deployed to combat zones are given to the group and we support that person until his or her deployment ends. Items to be sent are donated or purchased with donated funds. Postage costs are approximately $1200 monthly.
Names can be given to us of deployed troops to combat zones on this site by going to “sign up” or e-mailing. We need their full address, where they are deployed and approximate return date along with your contact information.
Letting them know we care is our mission.
We will be collecting the following items and packing them for mailing. Time and location during the District Conference will be announced later. Can you or your club donate these items? We can also take your monetary donation to purchase or provide the mailing cost.
Activity
Amt
Sponsor
Items for Service Project All items need to be travel size or individual packages; minimum 200 needed for each item. Prices are based on Walmart.com (rounded up and no shipping or tax) and 200 items.
Beef Jerky
$200
Tuna in a pouch
$330
Nuts
$100
Sunflower Seeds
$200
Corn Nuts
$350
Peanut butter Crackers
$75
Cheese Crackers
$75
Gum
$200
Drink mixes with electrolytes for 16 oz bottle of water
$50
Hand Sanitizer (plain no fragrance)
$50
Mouth Wash
$500
100 items from Corpus Christi Evening
Dental Floss
$430
Lip Balm
$300
200 items from DeeAnna Heavilin
Eye Drops
$120
Donate to cover the postage - $10 per box
???
Conference Service Project - Coastal Bend Troop Support
A visit to the Texas State Aquarium is a chance to connect with nature…and protect nature.
And your experience here isn’t just a vacation, it’s a contribution to conservation.
That’s because your visit helps support environmental education programs, scientific research, beach cleanups, and the rescue of sick and injured birds and sea turtles. During your visit, you’re not just making memories, you’re making a difference.
Do all this and have some Rotary Fellowship!
May 1 Fun starts at 6 pm
Dinner & Family Fun at the Texas State Aquarium - $25
This is a night for fun and fellowship. Meet and greet family members, Rotarians from all over the district, and of course the animals and fish of the Aquarium.
IBC Bank wants us to enjoy this evening with our family and friends, so they have generously donated so that the cost is only $25 per person. No charge for children 5 years and under. Please bring your children and grandchildren to this special event.
We won’t have access to the entire aquarium, but will have access to the Caribbean exhibit and new Shark tank area. Watch the website for details; see if we can add more areas.
Interested in seeing more areas of the Aquarium - Help us by sponsoring an area or show. Expand what we can do and see at the Texas State Aquarium on Friday night:
Parrot show - $200
Raptor show - $200
Mammal-porcupine show - $200
Dolphin show - $750
Dive/Feeding demo - $500
What do you get as a sponsor:
Marketing as Sponsor on all District media platforms
Social Media Recognition, District website & mobile app logo with links
Program Recognition
Please contact any one of these folks if you want to be a sponsor or need more information:
Inside back cover - width 4.75 inches by height 7.75 inches - $750
Outside back cover - width 4.75 inches by height 7.75 inches - $1000
Additional comments - All ads are full color, no bleed, artwork must be camera-ready (no faxes or photocopies). Please submit as .jpeg, .jpg, .png, or .pdf. NO MS Word docs. Submit document to nancy@rockportwebsites.com by April 10.
Benefits of Sponsoring and purchasing an ad By sponsoring Rotary International District 5930, you:
Gain additional exposure for yourself, your business, or your organization.
Support a charitable, diverse organization of over 1.2 million community leaders who are committed to creating positive, lasting change in our local and global communities by providing resources to them.
Enable Rotary International District 5930 with the ability to expand training opportunities, youth, and conference events for our volunteers, which include guest speakers and facilitators.
Allow Rotary International District 5930 the means to provide additional support to our organized events.
Rotary is Family. We annually celebrate the lives of those Rotarians and spouses of Rotarians who have passed from this life. Do you know of such Rotary Family Member who passed since June 2019?
Your contribution of the following information, concerning those who have died, will ensure that recognition of our Rotary Family Member is given.
Please submit the following information as soon as possible:
Full Name
Club Name
Date of Birth and Date of Death
Rotary club Offices/Positions held and any other noteworthy Rotary achievements
A JPG photo in color, if possible, of the deceased
The information is currently being compiled by Sonata Sanchez of Rio Grande City Rotary Club and all information can be sent to her at sonata1956_jrs@yahoo.com.
If you are unable to provide all of the requested information, please send what you have.
The above information is needed ASAP and prior to April 15, 2020, if possible.
Thank you for your kind cooperation in planning for this special Celebration of Life. Please email info or questions to me at sonata1956_jrs@yahoo.com.
The 2020 High School Student Four-Way Test Speech Competition/Contest
will be held during our District Conference.
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2020
Location: Omni Hotel, 900 N. Shoreline Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Who: The winners from the 13 Areas will complete for the the 2020 District Contest.
Area Coordinators need to submit their 1st and 2nd place AREA winners’ contact information to the District chair, Tim Dowling, along with the name of the Rotary Club sponsoring Area winner. This must be provided to Tim by April 20, 2020. Area competitions should be completed by April 19, 2020. Tim’s email address is tdowling@albmlaw.com, and his phone number is (361) 884-4981.
The District competition will be held at the District Conference at Omni Hotel Corpus Christi on Saturday, May 2, 2020 starting at 9: 00 am; students need to arrive by 8:15 am.
The District Conference is an opportunity to celebrate our
members,
club Presidents,
President-Elects,
District officers and
the many ways that Rotary Connects the World through our efforts to tackle life’s biggest challenges in Communities and Globally.
We are opening the Conference with a fun evening at the Texas State Aquarium. This fun, low cost, family- and kid-friendly event will showcase how the world is connected. We will be in the new Caribbean exhibit and new Shark tank areas.
We will recognize the many Rotarians who have been a part of the Rotary Team that has led our district in 2019-2020.
Our challenge this year from President Mark Maloney was to Celebrate Rotary, Grow Membership, and help make Rotary more Family Friendly.
As I visited each of the 50+ Clubs in our District, I
met the most amazing Rotarians,
had fun,
fundraiser events,
Polio and Foundation events and
saw firsthand many great projects implemented by Rotary clubs.
Come to the conference to be reacquainted with old friends, meet new ones and leave inspired to Connect the World!
See you in Corpus Christi on May 1st through May 3rd.
Rotary truly does Connect the World!
Ellison Crider
District Governor 2019-2020
District Conference 2020 - Are you ready for some Fun
January was a busy start to the year for Rotary District 5930.
I started off the month by going to Los Fresnos for the presentation of a fire pumper truck and various essential firefighting equipment to the city of Matamoros, across the border from Brownsville. Matamoros is a very large city with very limited firefighting resources. Thanks to this project, a direct result of our International Project Fair in September last year, and the Los Fresnos Rotary Club, fighting fires there will be easier now. This project has the potential to save lives and property through faster response and with the proper resources. The next week I was in Brownsville to witness the loading of approximately $1.2 million of medical equipment and furniture that was donated to the state of Tamaulipas in Mexico to help equip under-equipped hospitals there. This was another project that was a direct result of the International Project Fair. Enrique Medellin, a member of the Brownsville Sunrise Club, worked with the proper authorities to organize the project and make it happen. The Brownsville Sunrise Club helped load the equipment and furniture into a semi truck. This project will also save lives because more hospitals in Tamaulipas will have the proper equipment to treat patients.
Congratulations Donald and to your Los Fresnos Rotary club as well as members of the Club De Rotario de Matamoros Industrial for an “Outstanding” job partnering in an International project in Matamoros, Mexico to protect and save lives throughout our communities at large.
The fire equipment, fire truck, and emergency response training provided by the City of Los Fresnos EMS/Fire Department for the Matamoros emergency response teams will prove to be invaluable when called upon in emergency situations.
Thanks to you and the Rotary Club Of Los Fresnos for your participation in our 2019 Rotary International project fair whereby you convened and connected with our Club de Rotario de Matamoros Industrial to address a community’s unmet emergency response needs. A special thanks is extended to the City Of Los Fresnos, Texas EMS Department for their commitment, utilization of their highly trained emergency response leadership team, and generosity to make this all possible.
It has been a while since I sent photos of th progress being mad on the Agua Amarilla water project funded by the Rotary Foundation. I have attached photos of the continuing...eternal...work of pipe laying down the 12 kilometers from the dam to the tank. It is now nice to see the results of that work. The pressure breaker is now receiving an incredible flow of water and the lines have been attached to both the reserve and primary tanks. Water pressure has increased dramatically allowing water to flow to the furthest of the 8 communities. The reserve tank has been repaired and except some minor remaining work on the pipeline lik securing pipes over ravines..., we will begin the extension of electricity to the yet to be built chlorination building.
Thank you for your support... We are continue to raise funds for our next Global Grant to provide clean water through a deep well system that will serve 5000 residents of 5 rural communities. Please consider helping us with this Global Grant...we are halfway to our goal.
SOUTHSIDE ROTARY HONORS HOMETOWN HERO KELLY M. MILLER, Ph.D.
Southside Rotary honors Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMU-CC) President Kelly M. Miller, Ph.D. as our 2020 “Hometown Hero” at a fundraising dinner to be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, 2020 in TAMU-CC’s Anchor Ballroom. The club will present Dr. Miller with an honorary Paul Harris Fellow Award. The award signifies collective contributions of $1,000 from club members to the Rotary Foundation in her honor.
The tribute will celebrate Dr. Miller’s outstanding service to the people of South Texas for over 25 years in various capacities at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi enriching the lives of South Texans as well as students from throughout Texas, the nation and the many countries from which TAMU-CC students have come.
Her efforts benefit our state, our local communities, and the Texas A&M University System. Festivities will include a silent auction and a Paul Harris Award raffle. The main feature will be a video chronicling her accomplishments.
Proceeds from the event will benefit Southside Rotary service projects including the construction of wheelchair ramps, K-12 character and leadership programs throughout the community including Early Act First Knight Character Education, Interact and Rotaract Clubs, and scholarships to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi among other projects benefitting Rotary International initiatives.
Tickets are $75 individual; $120 Couple; or $480 per table. $1500, $2500, $5000, and $10,000 sponsorship levels are also available.
It is my honor to announce the nomination of Kent Grier as the District Governor for the 2022-2023 Rotary Year. Kent is a member of the Rotary Club of Victoria Northside.
Kent Grier, the current Assistant Governor (AG) for Rotary District 2 covering Victoria, Texas has been a member of Victoria Northside Rotary since 1996 and it’s Past President in 2003-2004. He returned for a second three year term as AG following his year as District Treasurer serving DG Debbie High in 2015-2016. He is Paul Harris Fellow +8 and a Major Donor to Rotary International Foundation.
Kent has recently retired as a VP-Investments and Financial Advisor for 13 years for Wells Fargo Advisors in Victoria. He served a total of 30 years for Wells Fargo and it related companies of A.G. Edwards & Sons and Victoria Bank and Trust since 1989. He had a brief temporary duty leave to help Frost Bank of Texas in their development of the Bank’s Capital Market Division in 2005 in San Antonio, Texas.
Besides Rotary International Kent has served for 25 years as a Boy Scout Leader for the South Texas Council in Corpus Christi, Texas having served as their Council Commissioner (lead for BSA volunteers), a Scoutmaster and Cubmaster. He has been honored with BSA’s top Council award of the Silver Beaver, District Award of Merit and is a proud Eagle for BSA’s Advance Leader Training of Wood Badge. He is also a James E West Fellow, the Boy Scout’s National Endowment.
Yours in Rotary Service, Ellison
Ellison Crider Rotary International District 5930 District Governor, 2019-2020 Corpus Christi Evening Rotary Club
This training is designed to help club Presidents for 2020-2021 and at least one other club member understand how to successfully prepare and submit a district and/or global grant application to the District 5930 Leadership Team for consideration.
If anyone has any questions, they are welcome to contact me.
Thank you very much for your continued cooperation and support.
This training is designed to help club Presidents for 2020-2021 and at least one other club member understand how to successfully prepare and submit a district and/or global grant application to the District 5930 Leadership Team for consideration.
If anyone has any questions, they are welcome to contact me.
Thank you very much for your continued cooperation and support.
Never think you need to apologize for asking someone to give to a worthy objective, any more than as though you were giving him an opportunity to participate in high-grade investment. The duty of giving is as much his as the duty of asking yours. Whether or not he should give to that particular enterprise, and if so, how much, it is for him alone to decide.
The Rotary Club Officers for Rotary year 2020-2021were to be entered into ClubRunner by Dec 31, 2019. At a minimum, you need the President, President-Elect, Secretary and Treasurer entered so the District can plan for the next Rotary year.
A very big THANK YOU to the following clubs who met the deadline: Alice, Aransas Pass, CC Evening, Downtown Victoria, Historic Brownsville, Kingsville, Laredo Daybreak, McAllen Evening, Southside CC, and Victoria Northside. (Note, that is only one fifth of clubs.)
These clubs have a partial list entered, but need the notated officers:
Edinburg - need Secretary
Kingsville Sunrise - need President Elect
Pharr - need Secretary and Treasurer
Rockport - need PE, Secretary and Treasurer.
If your club is not listed, then you need to get the officers elected and posted to ClubRunner. I will be willing to post any officers to ClubRunner, just send me an email with the names and positions for your club. Otherwise, have a current officer in your club complete the task.
Rotary International will be checking January 31st to see which clubs have not designated officers for the next Rotary year. That list will be sent to the District Governor requesting his assistance in getting compliance. Please avoid getting your club name on that list.
Please let me know if I can be of any assistance to your club, or seek assistance from your Assistant Governor.
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season.
January is always an opportunity for a new start. For Rotarians it marks the middle of the Rotary year and leads us into additional opportunities for service, learning, and fellowship.
One of the service projects of note is the donation of $1.5 million worth of used medical equipment from Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville to the medical community of Tamaulipas state across the border in Mexico. DIF Tamaulipas will in turn distribute the equipment to hospitals and rural clinics to provide medical support to a population of approximately 2 million. This project is being coordinated by Brownsville Sunrise Rotary Club Rotarian Enrique Medellin. We are truly Connecting the World with this project!
Just before Thanksgiving we celebrated the opening of a new school in the remote village of Las Cabras in Trujillo. The children there had to walk long distances to get to the nearest school. Now they will have a community school. It is a one classroom school....remember those...with one teacher teaching all six grades. 25 children will attend this school. This was made possible thanks to a generous donation to Hands to Honduras from Nianna Gustovich, a member of the McAllen, Texas, Evening Rotary Club. The community provided the labor.
From JD Simpson, member and a Past District Governor:
After a long battle with Alzheimer's, my very loving Dad passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon (10/3/2019) at his home in College Station. He was 91 years old.
As you know he was a dedicated Rotarian for many years. I'm going to miss him as will others.
JAMES H. “JIM” SIMPSON, JR.
January 8, 1928 – November 3, 2019
James Hendley “Jim” Simpson, Jr. was born in Hallettsville, Texas on January 8, 1928 to James Hendley Simpson, Sr. and Alma (Carpenter) Simpson. After completing high school he attended Texas A&M University, where he graduated in 1949 with a B. S. degree in Business. Jim was a proud member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band during his college years. After college he served in the US Army and was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. There he met the love of his life, Lois. They were married in Springfield, Missouri in 1954 and returned to Hallettsville that same year. Jim joined the First National Bank of Hallettsville, where he ultimately retired as Chairman of the Board in 1983. Jim and Lois moved to College Station in 1984 to become “fulltime Texas Aggies.” They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on November 6th.
Jim was active in a number of civic organizations throughout his life. His primary focus was as a member of Rotary International, where he served as President of the Hallettsville Club in 1960-1961 and as Governor of Rotary District 5870 in 1962-1963. He served for more than 60 years in Rotary, and traveled all over the world participating in Rotary projects, including leading a Group Study Exchange group to Australia in 1993 and traveling to Kenya to help deliver school supplies to local children in 2000. He was the epitome of the Rotary motto “Service Above Self.”
Jim is survived by his wife Lois; his children, Scott (and Stephanie George Simpson) of College Station, JD of Rockport, Texas; and Stephanie McDonald of Buena Vista, Colorado; and his grandchildren, Matthew McDonald of Nashville, Tennessee, and Jamie McDonald (and fiancé Troy Johnson) of Kirkland, Washington.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Hospice Brazos Valley (hospicebrazosvalley.org), the Texas Aggie Band Association (tabaonline.com) or the Bryan Rotary Club (bryan-rotary.org).
Visitation will occur between 5 pm and 7pm Sunday, November 10, at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home, in Bryan, Texas. Funeral service will begin at 11:30am Monday, November 11, also at Callaway-Jones. Interment will immediately follow at the College Station City Cemetery.
I want to wish the Rotarians of District 5930 Happy Holidays! It’s a time to be with family and celebrate the successes of the last year. For many of us our Rotary friends are a big part of our family. And we are all part of the Family of Rotary. In this newsletter article I want to remind you of several events we are gearing up for as we start the New Year.
On January 18 we will offer Rotary Leadership Institute Sessions 1 and 2. This is a great opportunity for upcoming club leaders as well as new Rotarians
In today’s technology-driven world, members are turning to Rotary.org, our social media accounts, and other online Rotary channels to get the information they need. Fewer and fewer members are using Rotary Shop to order printed materials or to purchase Rotary-branded merchandise. Because of our members’ changing needs, we will cease operating Rotary Shop in April.
Instead, our most popular publications will be available digitally on various Rotary websites. Some publications will even be offered as print-ready files that you can take to a printer to produce locally. Rotary merchandise can be purchased directly from approved, licensed vendors.
More information will be available in the coming months.
Attached is my summary of my October 2019 voting as a Delegate to Council of Resolutions. This report should be made available to our members in whatever method you believe is appropriate.
Art Zeitler, COR and COL District 5930 Delegate
Click the read More Link to read the full Summary Report
Victoria Northside used October to raise $1,616 for Polio Plus in memory of Rex Horst. JoAnn Settles delivered Thursday's World Polio Day message at Victoria Northside.
Visiting Rotarian's were President Elect Marilyn Horst of Port Lavaca, President Patricia Rehak of Downtown Victoria, President Elect Eric Balsadua of Cuero, Victoria Rotarian Bud Oliver, CEO of the YMCA of the Golden Crescent.
Pictures and display information are available by clicking the Read More Link.
On September 9, 2019 Meg Reese was inducted into the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass. On October 28, 2019 Meg was presented with her New Member Badge and the Rotary Shirt she had purchased to wear at upcoming Rotary Events. Watch for Meg in November at the Aransas Pass Feast and on December 14 at the Rotary Club Comedy Night, an event to raise money for the Early Act First Night Program.
Submitted by:
Karen Gayle
Secretary and Treasurer
Rotary Club of Aransas Pass
October 29, 2019
Pictures are available by clicking the Read More Link.
Last month we welcomed 7 Russian Rotarians to the District on a Peace Exchange arranged through the Russia-USA Intercountry Committee. Although communication was challenging at times we ended up making new friends from Russia and the Peace Exchange was successful in Connecting the World through Rotary. The reports we have gotten back from Russia from our visitors is that they thoroughly enjoyed their visit to South Texas and have invited a group of us to come over to Russia. I want to thank Alissa Adkins, past president of the Corpus Christi Evening Club, for having the vision to arrange the Peace Exchange and making sure it was successful. Great work!
I want to congratulate the San Benito Rotary Club on a wonderful
Join us for a set of seminars on how to effectively build leaders in your club. Facilitators will share experiences and knowledge on how to move beyond simply managing to truly leading your club by building effective leaders. These seminars will provide the basics on powerful strategies you can use to boost morale and energize your club.
Registrations must be paid in advance and with a credit card.
Rockport Rotary Club hosted a Peace Exchange group from Russia for the day on October 8, 2019.The group is part of a Peace Friendship Exchange under the auspices and guidelines of the Russia-United States lntercountry Committee (ICC). The hosting Rotary districts are South Texas 5930 and District 5020 in Washington State with an assist from the Houston District 5890.
They spent the day in Rockport and Fulton. Activities included a meal at Paradise Key, visits to the Texas Maritime Museum and Rockport-Fulton Visitor Center, shopping time on Austin Street, and a dinner hosted by the Rockport Rotary Club at the Rockport Beach Park. A signature event that was a highlight was the planting of a Peace Pole at the Aransas Pathways Pavilion area.
The Rotary District represented by the Russian delegation made donations to the cause of humanitarian needs in response to Hurricane Harvey impact in Rockport and Fulton.
There will be seven visiting Russians, additional persons (our leaders, translators, and other participants) and local Rotarians.
On October 8 & 9, 2019, the Early Act First Knight (EAFK) program was kicked off in the Faulk and Charlie Marshall Elementary Schools. This positive, behavior modification program was brought to the Aransas Pass School System by the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass in September 2012. It was initially introduced in Charlie Marshall Elementary, but due to the positive behavior changes noticed, the program was expanded to include Kieberger Elementary in September 2013. This initially covered grades 2 – 5. However with the construction of the new Faulk Elementary, the EAFK program was expanded in 2018 by the Rotarians to include the first grade.
Lone Star P.E.T.S., Inc. (Lone Star PETS or LSPETS) – the premier training event that prepares Rotary Club President Elects for their year of service as President of their Rotary club in Texas and Southern Oklahoma. P.E.T.S. (PETS) is the acronym for “President Elect Training Seminar”.
Lone Star PETS is the combined efforts of ten Rotary International Districts. They all converge on the Hyatt Regency Hotel at the DFW International Airport to jointly provide the best possible training for future Presidents of Rotary clubs.
DGE Eddie Bartnesky is planning valuable and exciting training for all President Elects. This is required training before taking office. Please contact DGE Eddie is you are unable to attend.
Russian Peace Exchange to Visit South Texas District 5930
South Texas District 5930 will be hosting a Peace Exchange group from Russia for two weeks. The group is part of a Peace Friendship Exchange under the auspices and guidelines of the Russia-United States lntercountry Committee (ICC). The hosting Rotary districts are South Texas 5930 and District 5020 in Washington State with an assist from the Houston District 5890.
A signature event in Rockport that will highlight the primary purpose is the planting of a Peace Pole at the Aransas Pathways Pavilion area.
The full agenda can be read by click the Red More Link.
Who will be the next in line to be District Governor for Rotary District 5930?
Will it be a member of your Club? Will it be someone you know? Will it be you?
Now that your first few Rotary months are out of the way, I’d like to ask you and your club members’ assistance in identifying potential candidates for our District’s 2022 – 2023 Governor. I know that seems like a long way into the future but in order to comply with Rotary International’s Manual of Procedure, this is the required protocol.
The deadline for 2022-2023 Nominations for District Governor is December 15, 2019.
Interviews will be conducted on Jan. 11, 2020 at La Quinta in Kingsville.
I wanted to share this email message relating to our International Peace Pole (IPP) initiatives with Suzi Howe and Larry Dimmitt to follow up about the many extraordinary and impactful things Rotarians are doing in addition to our collaborative International service projects and recent International Project Fair in Brownsville!
Our IPP dedications at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi, Texas and CalAllen, Texas occurred in February 2019 to compliment our District sponsored Peace Symposium held in Corpus Christi, Texas. Cameron Chisholm, our Rotary Peace Scholar alumnus accompanied us and spoke with elementary, high school, and University students as part of the International Peace Pole dedication ceremonies.
As Andy Hagan, 2018-2019 District Governor Rotary District 5930, completed his term of office, he made a special gift to all Rotary Presidents in District 5930 who served under his term. He presented all with a Paul Harris Fellow Award. Everyone who donates $1000.00 to the Rotary Foundation, or to whom $1000.00 is donated in their name, becomes a Paul Harris Fellow and is presented with an Award. The monies donated are used by the Foundation to promote good Health, reduce Hunger and promote Humanity throughout the world.
The 2018-2019 Rotary Club of Aransas Pass President was Robert Branch. Robert was already a Paul Harris Fellow so he became a Paul Harris Fellow + 1, which means an additional $1000.00, has been donated to the Rotary Foundation in his name.
Unfortunately Andy was unable to come to personally present Robert with his Sapphire Paul Harris Pin, so on Monday, September 23, 2019 the presentation was made by 2013-2014 District Governor Maxie Houser.
Submitted by,
Karen Gayle
Sec./Tres.
Aransas Pass Rotary Club
September 25, 2019
Picture: Left to Right
Maxie Houser, 2013-2014 District Governor Rotary District 5930
Robert Branch, PHF + 1, 2018-2019 President Rotary Club of Aransas Pass
It’s hard to believe it is already October. We continue to have a busy District schedule. Fay and I just returned from the Zone Institute in Kansas City and are filled with excitement and ideas for the rest of the Rotary year to come. And DGE Eddie Bartnesky, along with his wife Sue, was formally presented as our District Governor Elect. Eddie, we are looking forward to your leadership next Rotary year!
A group of 20 Rotary Leadership Institute graduates will gather on October 5 for RLI facilitator training. I want to thank all those who have taken the time to participate in this program and are now ready to step up to the plate and become leaders in it. We will be offering RLI Sessions 1 and 2 on January 18 at the Grace United Methodist Church in Corpus Christi. Please plan to attend and join this dynamic group of Rotary leaders.
I want to thank those who helped organize the first annual Multi-District Project Fair in Brownsville last month. Special thanks go out to Brownsville Sunrise member Enrique Medellin for leading the effort. And to the Brownsville Sunrise club for providing the bulk of the manpower during the event. It was a wonderful example of how we are “Connecting the World” in our District. We are already planning next year’s Project Fair on September 26, 2020. Stay tuned for more details.
On October 6 a group of 7 Russian Rotarians will arrive in Houston and be brought down to Corpus Christi. They will spend 2 weeks in our District meeting Rotarians and enjoying our South Texas culture. I hope if there is an event with them in your area you will take a little time to get out and meet them. Their goal is to meet as many Americans as possible. We need to show them our South Texas Rotarian hospitality! And a special thanks to Corpus Christi Evening Club member Alissa Adkins for leading and planning this visit.
I will be visiting many of your clubs in October. I’m looking forward to seeing you and hearing all about how your clubs are doing good in the world and our District. Have a great October!
This week we had the dedication of the new kindergarten in Maranones. Donations to construct the kindergarten were provided by numerous Rotary Clubs and the labor was provided by the community. It seemed fitting to recognize the original club that sponsored the creation of Hands to Honduras, Inc. 21 years ago after the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch...my original club in Middlebury, Vermont. They have funded our efforts in Honduras the longest and most reliably every year since then.
That is why our Rotary Action Group Global Network for Blood Donation is committed to promoting voluntary blood donation around the world.
Probably many of your Clubs are already involved in community motivation, promoting or organizingvoluntary blood drives or collection sessions (we would be interested in receiving some information about these collections).
Thank you for encouraging them to do so: they actively implement the motto of Rotary International ‘Service above Self’
Our Rotary meeting on Thursday, August 22 was profoundly sad and a difficult one to get through.
Rex Horst… our friend, colleague, mentor and this year’s President, passed away earlier that week. All of us still in shock and a state of disbelief, we gathered together to be close to each other and share our grief.
We hugged each other. We told each other “you matter to me”. We shared stories about Rex. “Rex saved my life bringing me into his Church.” “Good times on Harley road trips.” “Rex introduced me to Rotary.” “Rex built my home.” “What struck me most was his devotion to his family and his church.” Many members had been given a book he liked to share “Muscle and a Shovel”. So instead of our usual business meeting, we put aside an agenda, we didn’t have a guest speaker. We took time to honor Rex and strengthen the bonds of friendship we have with each other. Rex, we miss you. We thank you for your years of service in Rotary, rarely missing a meeting or event. We’ll miss your smile, your laugh, your devotionals, your encouraging words, the way you would kick us in the pants when we needed it. Rest in peace dear friend.
It is important that every Rotary club has the tools and tactics needed to fulfill our goal of eradicating polio worldwide. I am pleased to share with you two new videos that have been developed to help ensure that your club is in-the-know about the global fight to eradicate polio and Rotary’s decades-long role in that effort.
These special programs on polio give background on the status of our efforts, provide historic insight into Rotary’s contribution, and outline the actions we can take to join together to end polio. The two videos, which are 10 and 15 minutes long, can serve as a program for your club’s meeting, or can be shown at public events to ensure that your community is familiar with Rotary and polio.
We have come a long way since we started PolioPlus in 1985, but we still have work to do, and I need your help in empowering Rotarians in your club to join the fight.
I challenge each of you to use these videos as a tool this year to help raise funds and build awareness for Rotary’s flagship cause.
Click here to view or download the videos on Vimeo and see descriptions of the videos.
Yours in Rotary,
Mark Daniel Maloney President, Rotary International 2019-2020
On Monday, August 5, 2019, outgoing Rotary Club of Aransas Pass President, Robert Branch presented incoming President, James Hollan with his President’s Name Badge. Shortly thereafter, President James Hollan presented outgoing President Robert Branch with a plaque recognizing his one-year of service as president of the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass. Karen Gayle continues as Secretary-Treasurer, Juli Blanda serves as President-Elect, and Robert Branch continues as Sergeant at Arms.
I will be in south Texas from September 3 until the 14th and have 11 clubs (including PI) and the Zone project fair booked. I will be running between Laredo and Port Lavaca and most points in between.
I have agreed to act as liaison between Engineers Without Borders: Portland, Oregon--and the community of Guadalupe Carney for a.water project they are funding that will serve over 3500 people. EWB headquarters has determined Honduras is too dangerous for them to allow their engineers to come to Honduras...which is odd because, well, I feel perfectly safe here.
Congratulations to the first District 5930 Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) graduating class. Twenty-one Rotarians, representing all of our “population” hubs, 13 Rotary Clubs, and two Districts, completed RLI 3 on Saturday August 17, 2019.
Who is your hero? The Rotary Club of Corpus Christi invites you to honor your hero by sponsoring an American flag during our annual Flags for Heroes event. 1,000 flags will line City parks along Ocean Drive in Corpus Christi November 9 – 17, 2019 honoring heroes of all types.
You can sponsor a flag for only $50. Each flag will have a recognition tag with the sponsors name on it and the individual’s name they are honoring. Sponsors will receive their recognition tags after the event.
Also, join us for a special dedication ceremony on Veterans Day, November 11th, at Ropes Park in Corpus Christi at 5:05 pm. This emotional display is definitely worth the drive.
Greetings from our Dist. Governor of Dist. 3190, Rtn. Dr. Sameer Hariani, his gracious First Lady Rtn. Dr. Roopa Hariani and the Public Image team of Dist. 3190.
On our DG's behalf I am privileged to extend this invitation to you and the talented singers of your District. Come January 2020 Rotary India is looking forward to celebrate 100 years of Rotary service in India.
As part of the celebrations for this historic moment in our District, a mega event, Rotary Idol International 2020 been scheduled on 1st February 2020 This is a singing contest to crown the best singer in Rotary worldwide. I am sure there are great singers in your Dist. who can walk away with this prestigious title.
Happy September to everyone! August was my first full month of club visits. We have a diverse group of clubs in District 5930 and I’ve enjoyed all the visits. The Rotarians have been welcoming and eager to hear what is going on in the larger Rotary world. And thanks to all the assistant governors who have made arrangements for each visit. During the visits I’ve been telling my Rotary story with the hope that those who hear it will be inspired to think about and tell their story. To motivate others to join and “Grow Rotary” we must tell our stories, which are as varied as the Rotarians that tell them.
The Port Isabel, Texas, and Trujillo, Honduras, Rotary Clubs are preparing a Global Grant to provide clean water to 872 families comprising 5000 people in 5 rural communities near Trujillo. These communities currently receive their water primarily from a 200,000 gallon tank that was built in 2006. It serves 7 additional communities. Ilanga Viejo and Rigores (and its 3 barrios) only receive water every 2-4 days if at all. 10 hand pumps spread around Rigores provide water as available and many homes have created their own pumping systems on their properties.
Please consider funding this matching grant water and sanitation project. If interested contact me at tomplumb315@yahoo.com. I have attached a project description and photos.
ALL ARE INVITED TO THE PROJECT FAIR. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BRING A PROJECT.
What is a Rotary International Multi-District Project Fair?
It’s an event where Clubs from multiple countries (in this case Mexico and the United States) showcase their Projects to with the objective of potentially partnering with each other.
What’s the purpose of a Rotary International Multi-District Project Fair?
There are 3 key purposes:
Promote friendship between all clubs of different international districts.
Help small and/or new Rotary Clubs get involved in International Projects, learn how District and Global Grants work and can help them with their community projects
Partnership with Clubs to leverage Rotary Foundation funds to maximize funding possibilities for projects. In some cases this may lead to completion of a project that otherwise could not be completed because of lack of funding.
Who can attend a RIPF?
Whether or not your club has a project, all clubs are invited.
How can a Club showcase a Project at a RIPF?
Clubs presenting Projects must be prepared with complete information. This would include type of project, location, how many people will be benefit, if there are more sponsors, how much time will it take to complete, total cost, who will be in charge of the completion, how much money is the club investing, how much money is needed for completion, type of grant requested, pictures, video, etc.
Can a Club with no projects to showcase attend?
Sure, the RIPF needs Clubs with no projects and clubs with projects, to explore working together for a completion of a project.
Are there other benefits for Rotarians that attend?
Yes, all attendees will Connect with Rotarians from their District and Districts from other areas and countries. You will share ideas and plan future partnerships for the 2020 Rotary International Multi-District Project Fair.
Can a Club partner with another Club?
Yes, one Club can partner with another for years, but need to be open to participate with other Clubs too. The purpose of the RIPF is that all clubs participate with different clubs not just one.
The U.S. Rotary Clubs and Districts Liability Insurance Program ("Program") provides all U.S. Rotary clubs and districts and Rotaract clubs with general liability (GL) and directors' and officers'/employment practices liability (D&O/EPL) insurance.
The Program’s insurance policies have been renewed for the policy term 1 July 2019-2020. The 2019-20 Certificate of Insurance is posted on the broker website, Gallagher Insight. Rotary July Club Invoice includes insurance assessments (for general liability and D&O/EPL), which pay for this Program.
General liability insurance coverage remains the same, with exception of the changes noted in this letter and on the Gallagher Insight broker website. There are no changes to D&O/EPL insurance coverage.
As you approach the new Rotary year, your Zone Regional team has three (3) exciting opportunities for your club's Trilogy Continuum (Foundation, Membership, and Public Image, Chairs).
1. October 24, 2019: World Polio Day: One Day. One Focus: Ending Polio
Rotarians—Feel free to change the form with your club’s contact information. But if you don’t, that’s fine—I’ll make sure Lysa credits the correct Corpus Christi club for sponsors.
This is not a District 5930 event. The monies raised through sponsorships and ticket sales are donated by the CC Clubs to Polio Plus.
Last year was a smashing success and this year will be even better! Save the date and plan to attend. We look forward to seeing you!
We are “this close” to eradicating Polio. Let’s get this done.
Thanks,
Alissa Adkins
District 5930 End Polio Now Coordinator (Central)
Past President, Rotary Club of Corpus Christi Evening
In May 1919 several businessmen in Victoria, TX began organizing a Rotary Club. It was chartered on June 1919 and be came an official Club of Rotary International on July 1, 1919. The Victoria Rotary Club celebrated its Centennial on June 20, 2019.
As I reflected back on the amazing journey of our Rotary Club vis-à-vis mementos such as past bulletins, a piece of sheet music written for the club in 1919, photos and stacks of miscellaneous, I hoped to find a project that would secure our legacy for the next 100 years. I realized that among my personal prized possessions, there is a Mickey Mouse watch my Dad gave me when I was 5, a grandfather clock that has been wound by the Caldwell clan for over 100 years and a cuckoo clock that hung in my grandmother’s house. The significance of these timeless heirlooms, obviously, is they are all designed to keep track of time, yet they are timeless.
One day in November I was reading the Rotarian and stumbled on a post clock made for another Rotary Club. It caught my eye and I approached our Club President, Neal Stevenson, about making that our centennial project. We proceeded in the planning, selecting the entry to DeTar Hospital as the ideal location. We introduced the project at the Centennial Party in June and invited our members to have their names cast in bronze at the base of the clock with a donation of $500 per line (25 characters including spaces). We raised $17,000 that evening and are on our way to being able to purchase the clock.
We are extending an invitation to all Rotarians throughout the district to become part of this project. If you would like to have your name on the clock, please send me an email, secretaryvrc@gmail.com. We can invoice you or charge your credit card.
We also invite your club to consider having its name on the base of the clock with a $500 donation. Of course, all donations of any size will be gratefully accepted. Our goal is to have the clock in place for the Christmas season which requires the order be placed by September 1. Visualize your great grandchildren seeing a clock with their ancestors embedded on the base.
Tune up your wing-shooting skills on Saturday, August 24, 2019 before the Whitewing-DoveSeason in south Texas at the North Brownsville Rotary Club's 12th Annual Whitewing Tune Up Shoot at Loma Alta Trap & Skeet Club on Old Port Isabel Road in Brownsville. Proceeds from the event go towards funding Jerome “Jerry” Jokl Educational Scholarships for area college and associates’ degree-bound students with over $250,000.00 having been awarded since 1985.
Event registration begins at 8:00 AM. with commencement at 9:30 AM. Entry fees are: Adults - $125.00, Junior - $75.00, Teams - $500 for teams (4 participants). Mulligans are $10.00 each. All entries include a unique and challenging multi-station sporting clay course, tacos and beans a-la-charro lunch, refreshments and lots of door prizes, like ice chests, wine basket, shotgun shells and beach gear. Trophies will be awarded for 1st, 2nd & 3rd place Teams, Individuals (Men’s, Women’s & Youth Divisions), plus Modified Lewis Class A, B, C & D. Adult entry fee includes entry in the Calcutta with $1,500.00 guaranteed payout.
Shotgun Raffle tickets available from club members at $100.00 each with drawing on the day of the event. 1st Prize is a performance sporting clays shotgun – a new Cesar Guerini Summit Sporting Over/Under 12 Gauge with 32” barrels. 2nd Prize is $500.00 cash, 3rd Prize is 50 boxes of Clever Mirage T1 12 Ga. Ammunition, and 4th Prize is an Artic Backpack Soft-side Cooler. Only 100 tickets will be sold. Need not be present to win!
Register at the event or entry forms are available from committee members and on Loma Trap & Skeet Club’s Facebook page. No experience is necessary as we have knowledgeable “clay shooters” who will be glad to help you if needed. Additional BBQ plates available for non-participants at $10.00 each at the event.
Practice rounds available at the club on the Wednesday prior from 5 PM. until closing at a special $6 per round.
Today's District Foundation Committee organizational and grants meeting in Calallen laid the groundwork for a successful Rotary Foundation year. This shows this inspired committee's working lunch.
Hands to Honduras has three school projects going on now. The new kindergarten in Maranones has been completed except for adding logos and recognitions...we will have the dedication soon. The new school in Las Cabras has just broken ground.
And, last week we had two volunteer electricians rewire the kindergarten in Trinidad near Trujillo. The light serving the kinder was turned on by connecting two wires and there were no fans. Our volunteers installed a light switch, corrected other electrical problems and installed three fans. Previously we had providing the cyclone fencing (to keep the children on school grounds and horses and dogs outside. We also provided the paint the kinder and my wife, son and I helped local volunteers do the painting.
I have attached some photos of the Trinidad project.
Our latest school construction project is in Las Cabras (the goats). A rather remote area in Trujillo....down some terrible dirt roads. Construction began this week.. I have attached some photos of the foundation work. It will be 21x29 feet and will serve 25 students from grades 1-6 utilizing one teacher for all six grades.
Thanks for your 21 years of support for our efforts in Honduras! Please consider supporting us again in the coming year!
In two weeks, our summer session will be over, and we will have served more than 900 children and young adults with special needs and chronic illnesses. Not surprisingly, it will then be time to tidy up! And with 104 acres and 32 different buildings and structures, we could use some help.
“Camp Care Days” will take place on Saturday, August 24thandSaturday, September 21stfrom 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers will help with light-duty maintenance and landscaping projects. We will supply lunch.
I would be very grateful if you would share this email your co-workers, friends and family. I also have attached flyer that you can post. Please let me know if you prefer that we communicate with someone else in your office.
If you would like to volunteer or have questions, please email Bianca Hernandez at bhernandez@camparanzazu.org. Thank you for your support of Camp Aranzazu and the children and adults with special needs and chronic illnesses whom we serve.
August is Membership and New Club Development month. To celebrate, I would suggest you invite guests to attend your Rotary meetings and invite them to become a member. Also, for New Club Development, Immediate Past District Governor (IPDG) Andy Hagan is working on several new satellite clubs. One of them that should come to fruition soon is at Rancho Viejo in Olmito and will be a satellite of the Brownsville Sunrise Club. The year is just getting started but I already see some positive membership growth momentum. One of the symbolisms of the green theme shirts this year is positive growth so let’s be in the “green” at the end of the year.
Each year Rotary Clubs in their respective districts get a new District Governor. Aransas Pass and 50 other Clubs are in District 5930. So, on Monday, July 15, 2019 Ellison Crider, the current District 5930 Governor, visited the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass. The purpose of his visit was to make us aware of the incoming Rotary International President, Mark Daniel Maloney’s 2019-2020 Rotary Theme, “Rotary Connects With The World”. He also informed us of his Rotary District 5930 theme, “Rotary Rooted In Service”, and explained the reasons for his selection of that theme. While visiting. DG Ellison went over our Club’s upcoming goals, service projects, and budget. He expressed that he felt our Club was sound and productive. He was particularly impressed with the number of service projects we provide considering we have only 10 members.
ADG Terri Whitman accompanied DG Ellison. Her job is to help our Club whenever and wherever necessary to meet our 2019-2020 Goals.
Before departing, DG Ellison presented President James with a Certificate verifying his attendance at the 2019 Lone Star P.E.T.S. (President elect Training Seminar) that was held in Dallas in February 2019.
Submitted by Karen Gayle, Sec.
Rotary Club of Aransas Pass
July 15, 2019
Picture Left to Right: Ellison Crider, 2019-2020 Governor Rotary District 5930
James Hollan, 2019-2020 President Rotary Club of Aransas Pass
Terri Whitman, Assistant District Governor Rotary District 5930
MCALLEN, TEXAS July 16, 2019 - South Texas College, in collaboration with Rotary District 5930, is hosting an exhibit entitled “Rotary Art Olympiad” displaying student art work from India.
This exhibit will run all summer in the Rainbow Room at the STC Pecan Campus Library, and will be celebrated with a public reception on Tuesday, July 16, from 5-6 p.m.
“Rotary International’s theme for 2019-2020 is Rotary Connects the World and this exhibit provides an example of just how closely connected we all are. Students from Edinburg had their posters displayed in India in March 2019, and now we have student art from India reciprocated,” said Dr. Elaine Hernandez, the Rotary District International Service Chair and Regional Director of the Texas Hunger Initiative.
Printable Flyer Click Read More for more information and pictures
With the changes in the Standard Rotary Club Constitution voted on by the 2019 Council on Legislation (COL), Clubs need to take a close look at the new Attendance section and its reporting implications.
Click on the Read More Button to see the full text from the revised Standard Rotary Club Constitution.
The complete revised Standard Rotary Club Constitution can be found in the ToolBox in the General Resources section. All clubs should review their Constitution and Bylaws to make adjusts to being them in line with the revised constitutional documents, that incorporate all the enactments adopted by the 2019 Council on Legislation (COL).
District Governor Andy Hagan acknowledges Melissa Perez, Rio Grande City Rotary Club president elect, Hammer Flores, Assistant Governor, and Sonata Sanchez, Rio Grande City Club President in June at their club meeting for their leadership and support!
Post Hurricane Harvey, Rotary District 5930 received $448,870.64 in donations from concern Rotarians and Citizens throughout the United States.This money was made available to District 5930 Rotary Clubs that had viable community projects to help their community recover.All a Club had to do was apply for a specific amount of funds for a project that met the Hurricane Harvey Grant Criteria.An application form was provided and once submitted was reviewed by the District.
Global Grant to provide clean water to 5000 people in 5 villages
Hi all,
As we near the completion of the construction of the water system serving 8 rural villages (1128 families) in the Agua Amarilla water district....we are developing our next Global Grant proposal for submission to the Rotary Foundation. It will serve 5000 people in the Rigores water district. We will not have a grant number until we submit the grant but please consider setting aside funding for it in the coming Rotary year...or saving remaining club funds from this Rotary year into the next Rotary year. Also, for Rotarians who plan to give the Foundation in the coming year...please consider assigning your donation to this Global Grant.
Happy New Year District 5930 Rotarians! It’s hard to believe but the new Rotary year is here. Thanks to immediate PDG Andy Hagan for his inspirational leadership this past year. A job well done!
Moving forward it is time to “Connect the World”, emphasizing all year how Rotary Connects the World through Global Grants, District Grants, friendships, Inter Country Exchanges, and more. If you discover a unique way that Rotary connects your world please let me know so we can share it.
Our District theme for the year is “Rooted in Service”. Service is at the root of all we do as Rotarians. We will discuss this more as the year goes on.
My dear friends, Rotary leaders, and Rotaract leaders:
A new Rotary year is upon us, and let us say one final thank you to former President Barry Rassin for his outstanding leadership. Barry, we will miss you, but we know and appreciate that you will continue to lead Rotary in important ways for years to come.
I have spoken for several months about how Rotary Connects the World, and the time has now arrived to put our words into action. We have an exciting year ahead of us, a year when we begin to implement the new Strategic Plan, what I call the Rotary Action Plan and when we will celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter.
Are you a veteran Rotarian who has been there, done that, & has the t-shirt?
Are you a new Rotarian who want to learn about Rotary?
Are you trying to move ahead in your job, but are missing some skills and training?
Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) is a grassroots coalition of Rotary districts implementing a leadership development program for "potential" leaders of Rotary CLUBS. It is a three part program of sessions.
Good morning everyone. Elsa and I are so appreciative of all the compliments, comments, texts, phone calls, and emails we have received about our recent District Conference and Youth Summit.
Please read all the stories, watch the videos and check out the photo albums for all activities from the District Conference 2019.
We realize none of this would have been possible without your help and hard work. We extend a heartfelt “thank you “ to each of you! You all are awesome!
Thank you again for your assistance and most importantly for your continued support and engagement to mentor and inspire our community at large and youth of all ages!
For all Virtual events - an email will be sent 2-3 days before the event to all members in this system with a correct email.
1:00 pm start
Printable flyer - Printable Sponsor and/or Golf Signup sheet updated with payment info and new course
Rotary shares an interest in protecting our common legacy: the environment.
In the midst of a disastrous winter storm that wreaked havoc over the State of Texas, including our Laredo community, Next Generation Rotarians rolled their sleeves and made an immediate action plan.
The world around us is ever changing. It has been over one year now that COVID-19 changed the way we interact with each other. The immigration crisis is changing the way we govern our borders. And climate change is affecting all of us. So, as with Rotary, we must all adapt to these changes. Rotary recently enacted a 7th Area of Focus – Supporting the Environment. This is an area that every living person must work on, because it ultimately affects us all, rich & poor. 
On behalf of the District Rotary Foundation Team, I hope that you and your families are doing well. Along with the challenges we have experienced this year largely due to COVID-19 and the winter storms, Rotarians have planned and carried out phenomenal acts of kindness to help our fellow human beings. In keeping with this spirit of serving others, our Team encourages Club leaders to review your club’s accomplishments and plans for the remainder of this Rotary year. We also urge Assistant District Governors to assist in this process, as appropriate. 
On Monday, March 15, 2021, the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass officially welcomed Jason Reeves as the newest member of our Club. Jason is an Independent Financial Advisor and he owns Texas Coast Wealth Management in Aransas Pass. Jason was previously a Rotarian, first in the Rotary Club of Corpus Christi Northwest and second in the Rotary Club of Ingleside. He currently has his office in Aransas Pass and was ready to resume his membership in Rotary. We are excited to induct Jason into the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass.
You are invited to participate in an upcoming global live-stream celebrating the shared values of the United Nations and Rotary- a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change.
The 2021 High School Student Four-Way Test Speech Competition
District Conference goes Virtual, one more time!
Rotary is proud to partner with the Peace Corps, and to promote the celebration of their 60th anniversary.
Victoria Rotary Club recently awarded $15,000 in grants to twelve organizations in Victoria whose mission is helping others, both children and adults. 
Arianna Rebecca Torres, Interact Club Member at St. Augustine High School
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of one of our Past District Governors and members. Fernando D. Cuellar of Laredo, Texas served as our District Governor in 1994-1995.
February - World Understanding Month
Area of Focus: Water and Sanitation Month. This month also includes the World Rotaract Week from the 7th until 14th of March.
Dear friends,
Invitation to Join District 5930 in Supporting The Rotary Foundation, while helping club members become Paul Harris Fellows or Paul Harris Fellows +8
Click the Read More Button for the full story.
Service above self is reflected in the actions towards others by numerous Rotarians throughout the world. In Laredo, the Laredo Daybreak Rotary (LDR) Club is composed of 46 people from all walks of life with a common quality – to serve others and practice good will towards mankind. Carlos Navarrete, a member of this club since 2017 until his sudden death in 2020, left his mark in the lives of many. He was an active member of the club always lending a helping hand at fundraisers, volunteering at events, led particular service projects and also served as a board member.
There may be another opportunity or two for story telling, but today is better than any other. This Rotary year is long from over but this is a good day to begin the end (for me, that is). 
The Rotary District 5930 Nominating Committee met Saturday morning, January 16, 2021 and interviewed candidates to become the District Governor Nominee Designate (DGND) and selected Luis Cavazos of the Brownsville Sunrise Rotary Club to become the DGND and to serve as District Governor in the Rotary Year 2023-2024.
Currently, over 80 camper applicants, and growing, are attending the online eRYLA camp March 10 - 14th, 2021.
January - Vocational Services
On Monday, December 7, 2020 the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass officially welcomed Janice Ciomperlik with Value Bank, as the newest member of our Club.
The Laredo Under Seven Flags Rotary Club is honored and privileged to inform you that Mrs. Veronica Orduño, a Mathematics Department Head teacher at Dr. Joaquin G. Cigarroa Middle School, has been selected as our Paul Harris Fellow. Her professional resume reflects her many years of service to the youth of South Laredo, honors and awards she has received. In particular, her Community Work is very noteworthy.
December - Decease Prevention and Treatment
The headline is
This Tuesday, Dec. 01, 2020, is "Giving Tuesday". I would like to challenge all Rotarians in District 5930 to seriously consider making a small donation of $26.50 to the Rotary Annual Fund on this day (
Rotary Club of Willacy County will conduct a Veterans Day project to honor those who have served our country.
Lone Star PETS
Printable pdf for the DRAFT schedule is here
The Rotaract Club at Texas A&M International University extends a cordial invitation to all District Interact and Rotaract clubs to attend our upcoming Peace Summit November 14, 2020. The purpose of this event is to promote peace by building relationships with youth organizations within District 5930 that will together engage in peacebuilding activities after the summit.
Joel Vincent, Rotary of Harlingen's Past President presiding 2019-2020, was awarded Rotary International's "District Governor's Rooted In Service Award" by District 5930's Assistant Governor, Kathy Preddy.
Rotary of Harlingen's guest speaker at the regularly scheduled meeting was Matt Z. Ruszczak. Mr. Ruszczak serves as the Executive Director for the Rio South Texas Economic Council. Mr. Ruszczak shared valuable information along with statistics pertaining to the Rio Grande Valley amidst the COVID-19 crisis. He was able to speak to the different impacts and trends COVID-19 has had in the retail, manufacturing and industrial sectors.
October 5, 2020
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of one of our Past District Governors and members. William "Bill" Janecek served as District Governor for 5930 in 1998-1999.
October - Economic and Community development
November - Rotary Foundation Month
THURS. OCT. 8TH @ 6:30 PM
HOW CAN I SIGN UP FOR ROTARY DIRECT? 
In addition to the President’s Letter, Ronnie received a gift from our Club with a plaque on top that states:
As many of you may know, I have combined my love for motorcycle riding and service with a charity ride called RPM, which stands for Rotary Polio Moto. The sole mission of this Fundraising and Fellowship Motorcycle Ride through Rotary District 5930 is to end polio forever.
Pounding the Pavement 4 Polio Virtual Walk
Polio is a crippling and potentially fatal disease. Fortunately, although incurable, Polio is easy to prevent. A child can be vaccinated for just 50p, protecting the child against this terrible disease for life.
How Might We . . . Lend a Helping Hand Training Seminar
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of one of our Past District Governors and members. Don Ratcliff served as District Governor for 5930 in 1997-1998.
September - Basic Education & Literacy
Add some fun and exercise to your virtual meetings by planning and having a scavenger hunt! 
d More
On Tuesday, August 11, The Rotary Club of Kingsville and DPS Highway Patrol helped with an Emergency Food Distribution event by the Coastal Bend Food Bank to support 500 families in need in the Kingsville area. Pictured from Kingsville Rotary are President, Justinn J. Jones, and Director of Community Service, Danny Peña.
On Monday, August 10, 2020 the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass had the pleasure of Alan Wilson from the Rotary Club of Corpus Christi come speak to our Club. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, our Club, as well as every other civic organization in Aransas Pass, has been challenged by a means to raise money to meet our financial obligations. The Rotary Club of Aransas Pass supports APISD in the form of Scholarships and the EAFK Program as well as Project Graduation and Bicycles for Faulk and Charlie Marshall Elementary Schools. We support Aransas Pass in the form of Literacy Donations, Aransas Pass for Youth and the TriCounty Christian Service Center. We also participate with Rotary international in the 4-Way Speech Contest and Rotary Youth Leadership Awards as well as contribute to an International Project each year.
August - Membership & Extension Month
“Growing Effective Leaders and Faithful Members for a Stronger Community”
The interest in helping the HALO-Flight organization has been on the radar for some time but was a project of our President Nena Pitts. Sadly, we were not able, in the past, to find a way to assist them, but our Acting President, Bruce Hoffman, found a way to make this come to fruition.
July - (Non Designated Month)
Fast forward to July 1, 2020. District 5930 is proud to announce the introduction and rollout of the New and Improved District app. It is a Game-changing app with the following features and implementation.
This is a portion of the COVID protection gear purchased in Guatemala with the Global Grant sponsored by the Rotary Club of Corpus Christi and Guatemala Norte Rotary Club – a total of 24 regional hospitals will be supported.
Leaders in Rotary Youth Exchange joined together for the first ever Youth Exchange Officers Postconvention virtual event on 27-28 June. They learned about best practices for participating in the program, and heard inspiring messages from Rotary International President Mark Maloney, and President-elect Holger Knaack, and alumni of Rotary Youth Exchange.
On Monday, June 15, 2020, the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass had the pleasure of inducting David Hilarides into the Club. David is the new General Manager of Sparklight and he was sponsored by Juli Blanda, the previous GM and newly appointed Division Vice President of Sparklight. Our Club is excited to induct a person who has demonstrated the Rotary Four Way Test:
Look for us in next month’s Newsletter!
Hello, my fellow Rotarians and the leadership for the 2020-2021 year in District 5930, My name is Jack Alspaugh and our incoming Governor for this Rotary year Eddie Bartnesky has asked me to take on the task of Community Service. He and I both feel that if we become more engaged in our local communities it will help to build and sustain our membership and strengthen our Public Image.
We have been offered the opportunity for our clubs to partner with our great partner United By Friendship to provide a medical grade thermometer for each village in a Northern Guatemala so they can attempt to identify potential infected COVID victims and isolate them to avoid spread.
Saturday, May 9,
Chris Offer
Olayinka Hakeem Babalola
YOUR VISION – OUR PATH
We recognize that social distancing and hardships may limit some of the goals that clubs are able to achieve this year. Because of this, the requirements for achieving the 2019-20 awards have been revised.
Not so ho hum anymore. As a project exhibitor at PETS last week the time was not business as usual. Here to fore Rotarians would see the banner with the word "Adoption" and run the other way. This year participants went to all vendors and exhibitors to collect a sticker for their door prize book. This required making contact with each. This provided the opportunity for us to explain what we do.
What a difference a month makes! 
This is a very difficult story for us to write.
The following Resolution will be voted on by all members at the Business Meeting at the District Conference 2020. This meeting will be held at the Omni Hotel in Corpus Christi at 8:00 am on May 2, 2020.
One day full of activities in any of the following tracks:
About this 501c3 nonprofit public charity:
A visit to the Texas State Aquarium is a chance to connect with nature…and protect nature.
IBC Bank wants us to enjoy this evening with our family and friends, so they have generously donated so that the cost is only $25 per person. No charge for children 5 years and under. Please bring your children and grandchildren to this special event.
The 2020 High School Student Four-Way Test Speech Competition/Contest
The District Conference is an opportunity to celebrate our
Congratulations Donald and to your Los Fresnos Rotary club as well as members of the Club De Rotario de Matamoros Industrial for an “Outstanding” job partnering in an International project in Matamoros, Mexico to protect and save lives throughout our communities at large. 
What
It is my honor to announce the nomination of Kent Grier as the District Governor for the 2022-2023 Rotary Year. Kent is a member of the Rotary Club of Victoria Northside.
Help Us Celebrate The Rotary Foundation
District Conference May 1-3, 2020 in Corpus Christi. 
Awards to Be Presented
If service is the beating heart of Rotary, then the Rotary Foundation is its very lifeblood.
From JD Simpson, member and a Past District Governor:
Attached is my summary of my October 2019 voting as a Delegate to Council of Resolutions. This report should be made available to our members in whatever method you believe is appropriate.
Building Effective Leaders
They spent the day in Rockport and Fulton. Activities included a meal at Paradise Key, visits to the Texas Maritime Museum and Rockport-Fulton Visitor Center, shopping time on Austin Street, and a dinner hosted by the Rockport Rotary Club at the Rockport Beach Park. A signature event that was a highlight was the planting of a Peace Pole at the Aransas Pathways Pavilion area.
Lone Star P.E.T.S., Inc. (Lone Star PETS or LSPETS) – the premier training event that prepares Rotary Club President Elects for their year of service as President of their Rotary club in Texas and Southern Oklahoma. P.E.T.S. (PETS) is the acronym for “President Elect Training Seminar”.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
As Andy Hagan, 2018-2019 District Governor Rotary District 5930, completed his term of office, he made a special gift to all Rotary Presidents in District 5930 who served under his term. He presented all with a Paul Harris Fellow Award. Everyone who donates $1000.00 to the Rotary Foundation, or to whom $1000.00 is donated in their name, becomes a Paul Harris Fellow and is presented with an Award. The monies donated are used by the Foundation to promote good Health, reduce Hunger and promote Humanity throughout the world. 
This annual event is a way for D5930 Rotarians to network with Rotarians & discuss & share ideas.
That is why our Rotary Action Group Global Network for Blood Donation is committed to promoting voluntary blood donation around the world.
From Victoria Northside Rotary Club
My dear friends and Rotarians:
On Monday, August 5, 2019, outgoing Rotary Club of Aransas Pass President, Robert Branch presented incoming President, James Hollan with his President’s Name Badge. Shortly thereafter, President James Hollan presented outgoing President Robert Branch with a plaque recognizing his one-year of service as president of the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass. Karen Gayle continues as Secretary-Treasurer, Juli Blanda serves as President-Elect, and Robert Branch continues as Sergeant at Arms.
Who is your hero? The Rotary Club of Corpus Christi invites you to honor your hero by sponsoring an American flag during our annual Flags for Heroes event. 1,000 flags will line City parks along Ocean Drive in Corpus Christi November 9 – 17, 2019 honoring heroes of all types. 
Greetings from our Dist. Governor of Dist. 3190, Rtn. Dr. Sameer Hariani, his gracious First Lady Rtn. Dr. Roopa Hariani and the Public Image team of Dist. 3190.
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In May 1919 several businessmen in Victoria, TX began organizing a Rotary Club. It was chartered on June 1919 and be came an official Club of Rotary International on July 1, 1919. The Victoria Rotary Club celebrated its Centennial on June 20, 2019.
Today's District Foundation Committee organizational and grants meeting in Calallen laid the groundwork for a successful Rotary Foundation year. This shows this inspired committee's working lunch.
Dear Friend of Camp Aranzazu,
Each year Rotary Clubs in their respective districts get a new District Governor. Aransas Pass and 50 other Clubs are in District 5930. So, on Monday, July 15, 2019 Ellison Crider, the current District 5930 Governor, visited the Rotary Club of Aransas Pass. The purpose of his visit was to make us aware of the incoming Rotary International President, Mark Daniel Maloney’s 2019-2020 Rotary Theme, “Rotary Connects With The World”. He also informed us of his Rotary District 5930 theme, “Rotary Rooted In Service”, and explained the reasons for his selection of that theme. While visiting. DG Ellison went over our Club’s upcoming goals, service projects, and budget. He expressed that he felt our Club was sound and productive. He was particularly impressed with the number of service projects we provide considering we have only 10 members. 
Good morning everyone. Elsa and I are so appreciative of all the compliments, comments, texts, phone calls, and emails we have received about our recent District Conference and Youth Summit.