| Rotary International District 5930 Vol. 5 No. 5 Newsletter November 2008 Print |
|
Corpus Adoption Awareness Picnic Adoption Awareness Spreads to Florida Kingsville Sunrise Candidates' Forum Laredo New Generations Reports
Annual Bi-National Friendship Reunion November Visit Schedule
05 Corpus Christi NW |
  Governor
Russell writes . . .
Let's Make Dreams RealWith great sadness I report that a longtime member of my home club passed.
 Remember the LA2008 Book drive that made it into the Guinness Book of
World Records? The Concert Under the Stars at the Hollywood Bowl? The
inspiring speeches? If not, visit 2008RIconventionresources to browse through the photo galleries, relive your convention memories, and find reasons to attend the 100th annual RI Convention in Birmingham, England, June 21-24, 2009. Then visit the Birmingham pages located under the Members tab under the Events subheading. There you'll find information about airline discounts, hotels, tours, the convention program, and the wonderful Host events that are being planned for you! You can register online for the convention, reserve your hotel, and purchase tickets to Host Events on one page: 2009RIConvention For more details about Host Events, Birmingham, and England, go to www.rotaryconvention2009.com. There are a number of Adoption Awareness Picnics in November. Please support your local event. We closed the month with an exciting day at the Membership Development Seminar. Andy Smallwood divided the group into three smaller groups so we could better share ideas and interact. During our successful District Fundraiser we collected just over $50,000 and had expenses around $18,000. Thanks for the support. Marybeth Horn from Corpus Christi won the vehicle. Go to our scrapbook for pictures. We look forward to seeing everyone in San Antonio on November 21-22 for the Annual Bi-National Friendship Reunion. There, we will have one-stop shopping and approval for matching grants. Rotary districts from Texas and Mexico will be represented and Rotary International will be there for instant approval. Register by mail or on-line. Thank you, Gov. Russell Cain and Cherre |
Aransas Pass installs new officers
The Aransas Pass Rotary Club, in a ceremony performed by District Governor Russell Cain, inducted their officers for the 2008-09 Rotary year. Sworn in were Karen Gayle--President, Raymond Stone--President Elect, Stacey Durham--Secretary, and Lori Gundersen--Treasurer. After serving two consecutive years, outgoing President, Laura Welborn (not pictured) was pleased to turn over her gavel. President Karen stated that a goal for her term is to help the City of Aransas Pass come to know Who Rotary Is and What Rotary Does. Submitted by Karen Gayle.
If Italy is the boot, Luxembourg is the shoe!
Dear Mr. Walker,
Things are going well in Luxembourg- classes just started in full two weeks
ago and I'm finally getting into the rhythm of things! My host club here,
the Rotary Club Kiem, is wonderful as is my host counselor, Mr. Christophory,
who was kind enough to give me a quick tour of the city and the European
Commission when I first arrived! I have already had the opportunity to
attend two of RC Kiem's meetings and was kindly received with many questions
about my military academy background, so I am excited about giving my
presentation to them later this fall. Their meetings are particularily
interesting since almost all Luxembourgish are fluent in four languages-
Luxembourgish, German, French, and English, so I have a 50/50 chance of
understanding what's going on most of the time! I'm excited to finally start
picking up a few Luxembourgish words now! I was also grateful to be able to
help out this weekend at the event that they hold for the special needs and
handicapped each fall- a boat tour and dinner served by Rotarians on the
Moselle river. It was great to see what the cooperation of Luxembourg's (the
city's) eight Rotary clubs and some local businesses can produce when they
put their resources together! I didn't have the opportunity to see the other
events that were put on for the younger participants- horseback riding and a
BBQ from what I understand, but the older attendees that I was able to meet
seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed the evening! Building ramps isn't yet on
my host club's agenda, but I did ask and I am trying to find out if there is
a need here!
I would like to apologize again for not doing a better job of communicating-
unfortunately my Wifi in my studio selectively excludes my Hotmail account,
Blogspot (what was supposed to be my daily journal for those who want to
keep up with me), and Facebook, so I've had a difficult time regularly
keeping in touch with almost everyone but my family, since the internet
phone program Skype amazingly still works! To rectify somewhat this problem,
I just made a new account, , which I can access from
home instead of only when I have access to a computer at the University. If
you wouldn't mind replying to that address and giving it to anyone else who
would like to get in touch with me, I would appreciate it! As for keeping
everyone up to date, could I send you my news by email every week or two?
I'm really not sure of the appropriate person to communicate through since I
never was able to meet with my sponsor counselor, Mr. Seaman, before I left.
“If Italy is the boot, Luxembourg is the shoe!”
This attestation by the vice president of my university, apart from making
me doubt my mastery of world geography for a moment, formed one of my first
impressions of Luxembourg and the national pride that Luxembourgers have in
their country. In fact, if you rotate a map of Luxembourg ninety degrees to
the left, you will find that it does resemble a sort of Dutch clog. Now, I
just need to find a similar geographical analog for Texas--any suggestions?
I am happy to say that after passing an enjoyable month working on my verbal
communication skills in French at a language school in Brussels, I am now
well installed in Luxembourg, a country of breathtaking landscapes and rich
history, and have started my classes in Biology at the University of
Luxembourg. My host Rotary club, Rotary Club Kiem, is wonderful and
welcoming as is my host counselor and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Christophory.
So far, I have been grateful to have been able to attend two of their
meetings and to help out at their annual fall weekend of activities and
outings for the handicapped that they organize with the help of the seven
other Rotary clubs of Luxembourg-Ville and the support of local businesses.
My first “culture shock” was getting used to the relative tininess of
Luxembourg, a country of around 400,000 inhabitants. When I asked a friend
if there was a swimming pool that students use, she recommended a pool in
the extreme south of the country and another in the far north in the same
breath. That those both equate to train trips of less than an hour did not
instinctively cross my mind in the beginning! Along the same line, one of my
new Luxembourgish friends likes to poke fun at the fact that the local paper
bothers to print several highs and lows for the different regions of the
country since they rarely vary from one to another by more than a degree -
Luxembourg is that small! Speaking of the weather, I must say that I do
begin to miss the Texas sunshine sometimes! An umbrella is definitely a
necessity here!
Another pleasant surprise came with the fact that Luxemburgish, the lyrical
mother tongue of native Luxembourgers which I had seen described as a German
dialect, is heavily influenced by the French language. This equates to my
understanding about a third of any conversation that I hear while taking the
bus in the morning, but I am enjoying having the opportunity to pick up new
Luxembourgish and German words from my friends! It is sometimes hard to keep
up with the Rotarians who are all quadrilingual like most Luxembourgers,
transitioning without a pause between French, German, Luxembourgish, and
English in the period of five minutes’ conversation.
The aspect of Luxembourg that I have perhaps enjoyed the most is how
multicultural the country and particularly the university are, with over a
hundred thousand commuters coming in from France Germany, and Belgium
everyday and half of the student population of foreign nationality. I was
not expecting to have the opportunity to make friends with people coming
from so many diverse backgrounds, coming from anywhere from Hungary, to
Finland, to Cameroon to study for a semester or a year.
This week, I am looking forward to attending the “Integration Weekend”
seminar for all the inbound scholars in Belgium, France and Luxembourg, that
will be held in Paris this weekend. From my experience, it is always a good
time when Rotarians and scholars get together! Traditional dress was
encouraged, so I will be bringing along my cowboy hat and boots!
Hoping this finds you sunny and well in Texas,
Erica Chimelski
Ambassadorial Scholar
Submitted by Lari Young and David Walker.
Western Trail marker dedicated in Val Marie, Saskatchewan
Pictured
(l to r) are the Regina Rotary Committee members Doug Alexander, Bill Small,
Ted Turner, Bill Whelan, Gene Griffith, Jason Pollock, Rick Mitchell, and
Sylvia Mahoney, Sherri Grant, Yogi Huyghebaert, Dave Mason, RCMP Constable
Gordon Yetman, NWMP Sgt. Omar Murray, and Colin Schmidt.
A Western Trail marker was dedicated in Val Marie, Saskatchewan, on Sept. 20, 2008, at the Prairie Wind & Silver Sage Museum near where the trail crossed the Frenchman River from Montana into the Canadian province.
Vernon Rotary Marking the Western Trail Co-Chairman Sylvia Mahoney presented a resolution from the Vernon mayor to the Val Marie Committee chairman Sherri Grant of Val Marie. Texas Rotary District 5790 Past Governor David Mason of Abilene presented a resolution from the district to David Anderson, Member of Parliament for Cypress Hills-Grasslands, Government of Canada.
Others who spoke about the importance of the cattle industry and the preservation of the history of the trail were Yogi Huyghebaert, MLA (state representative) for Wood River Province of Saskatchewan; Rick Mitchell, President of Rotary Club of Regina, District 5550; Jason Pollock, CEO Canadian Western Agribition; and Lynn Grant, Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association.
Rotary Club of Regina Western Trail Committee members Gene Griffith, Ted Turner, Bill Whelan, Doug Alexander, and rancher Bill Small and Jason Pollack presented the trail marker and the large marble plaque of the trail history to the citizens of Val Marie. Mahoney spoke about the Vernon, Texas, Rotary Club's Marking the Trail Project and the trail history. Colette Schmidt of the Grasslands National Park, dressed in period clothing, presented cattle trail history in Saskatchewan. Mahoney invited everyone to dedicate the marker with Red River water, and Don McDonald, Prairie Wind Silver Sage executive director, offered Frenchman River water in Mason Jars after a steer hide was removed by Rotary President Mitchell and RCMP and cattleman representative Merv Timmons to unveil the plaque. Sherri Grant concluded the program with an original poem, The Legacy of the Drover."
Before the program, the Texans participated in a cattle drive across rolling prairie hills into town with two wagons pulled by draft horses, a carriage, and twenty horseback riders following a small herd of steers.
Following the chuck wagon chili lunch at the Community Curling Rink, the Texans were given a tour by rancher Jason Legault of the old 76 Ranch where they saw the first line shack on the ranch. They were joined by historian Thelma Poitier and Grasslands National Park pasture manager John Tebeau to continue the tour of the vast ranch country, 90 section-pasture, where they viewed a "buffalo jump." The Texans saw the home of the artist and writer Will James, which is now on the Grasslands National Park.
The Val Marie Western Trail Planning Committee members were Chairman Sherri Grant, Betty Waldner, recreation board; Don McDonald, museum; Colin Schmidt, Grasslands National Park; January Legault, Village of Val Marie; and Mike Waldner, RM of Val Marie #17. Special guests from Bozeman, Montana, were Mr. & Mrs. Walt Mason, parents of Texas PDG Dave Mason.
That evening the group attended the Val Marie 44th Annual Indoor Rodeo, a semi-pro rodeo, with approximately 500 people attending. The town has a population of 140. Submitted by Sylvia Mahoney.
Donna Swanson attends District 1160 Conference
Rotary
District Conference - Sligo
Sligo, Ireland
View Album
Play slideshow
I just added this album from the District 1160 conference last weekend. The
conference was a blast! I also had the opportunity to meet Rotarians from
all over Ireland and make contact for my future presentations. You will see
from the photos how beautiful the setting was and how much fun we had; what
you can't see is how interesting and inspiring all the speakers were and how
much kindness and hospitality was demonstrated. I hope you enjoy the album!
Donna Swanson
Ambassadorial Scholar.
Submitted by Francis Ciancarelli.
Corpus Christi plans Adoption Awareness Picnic
The Adoption Awareness Picnic for the Corpus Christi area is being held
this year…On November 1st from 11:00 – 1:00, at the Northwest Senior
Center in West Guth Park.
John Wood reports: We had a great meeting on October 1, but there is
still a lot of work to be done and expect another on Wednesday, October
15, 4:00 PM, at Jim Swan’s office..it is at 1521 S. Staples (near 6
Points) Suite 201 (2nd floor). He hoped at least one member from each
area club could attend. The Child Protective Services (CPS) Region
covers 17 counties…so it probably includes most of District 5930.
He asks other clubs to contribute again to this worthwhile cause. CPS is
hoping to have around 150 children there…and has been very supportive.
If other club members having things to stuff in welcome bags (anything
from refrigerator magnets to Frisbees, airplanes to zoo tickets!), for
kids or adults, please him. He is, also, looking for some
clowns.
Whataburger's Susanna Zamarripa has responded with, " ... Whataburger
would like to donate 150 ‘Justaburger’ coupons for the Youth and 50
Coupons for Adults, towards your Adoption Awareness Picnic event this
year."
Thanks for supporting of this worthwhile cause.
Submitted by John Wood.
Tom Plumb returns from Honduras with a new project idea
Tom
Plumb, Hands to Honduras coordinator for the Port Isabel Rotary Club,
recently returned from a visit to Trujillo. The purpose of the visit was to
design a water filtration system for Barrio Cristales--the site of the
construction of a 26,000 water storage tank serving the community of 3,000
people. Tom was joined by two Rotarians from Pittsburg, Texas, in District
5830. During the visit they met with members of the Cristales and adjoining
San Martin Water Boards to discuss future plans for the two communities.
Participants
on the panel were: Dr. Alfonso Diaz Pon, who is in charge of all health
services in Honduras (he informed the community that 1,200 lengths of pipe
were on the way to be used for the water distribution system for their new
water tank), Dean Woodward, a Pittsburg Rotarian and the engineer in charge
of designing the planned community water filtration system, Lincoln Oviedo,
Tom's co-leader, Tom Plumb, Tesla Ordonez representing the Trujillo Rotary
Club, Samir, the local engineer who designed the Cristales water tank and
distribution system, and German Rivas, president of the San Martin Water
Board. Standing in the back is Isabel Gotay, president of the Cristales
Water Board. About 100 community members showed up. Plans for San Martin, a
community of 11,000 people being served by a 10,000 gallon water tank,
include the construction of a new water storage tank as well as a community
water filtration system. Additionally, the mountain watershed for the river where they
obtain their water has been severely deforested.
While there they managed to find a
funding source for one of the power projects that he had proposed in his
recent Matching Grant Application (MGA). That MGA request was returned due to a technicality (missing
report), which he hopes to have corrected very soon.
In lieu of the power project he proposes to build a 26,000-40,000 gallon
storage tank to supplement the 10,000 gallon tank and plant 1,000 Teca trees (junk trees that no one would want to
cut--but holds soil, etc. in place) in the area of the watershed.
So....he is looking for $5,000.00 or portions thereof as the local match.
He needs to know if there is any club or individual who wants to participate
in this Matching Grant--please let
him know if you are interested in making
a request to your club to support this MGA as soon as possible. He planned
to resubmit the grant in mid-October.
Submitted by Tom Plumb.
Lionel Betancourt draws an ace
Lionel
Betancourt was invited to speak at the Coral Gables Rotary Club and says, "I
drew the ace this time." This was the first invitation to speak as a result
of his booth at the Rotary International Convention in Los Angeles. "It was
very obvious this club became keenly interested in our project as the
meeting progressed. They really made it easy for me. Thank you all for
allowing this purpose to not just continue, but to flourish."
Abraham Horowitz, Coral Gables Rotary Club President, states, "Thanks again for speaking to us. I received a ton of positive
feedback on you and your program. I think that I will be impeached and run
of town if I we don't schedule an adoption picnic soon. Members who have
never really gotten involved in community service projects came up to me and
volunteered to be on the committee. One guy volunteered his school for a
location, and another volunteered financial support.
I'll keep you posted on what we do and what our results are. Assuming that
all goes well, we will probably make this an annual event."
The photo includes
Abraham (r) with Rachael Fasciani, Legislative Affairs and Community Outreach
Liaison Associate for the privatized foster care system in Florida. Her three
month old son is with her.
Submitted by Lionel Betancourt.
Taft supports shoes and sanitation
Taft
Rotary Club Representative Noel Snedeker presented a check for $325.00 to
Margie Colburn with First United Methodist Church. Various local businesses
and organizations donated money to buy new shoes for children. With the
support of the community, 112 children have benefited from this fund. San
Patricio County Realtors has also organized and collected funds, they have
supplied 22 Pre-K and Kinder children with new shoes. Pictured (l-r) are
Peggy Encinia, Margie Colburn, Noel Snedeker, Linda Castro, and Vangie
Lopez.
The Taft club has, also, pledged $500.00 in support of for the Choluteca Household Water Treatment, Sanitation, and Hygiene Protect to help the people in remote regions of Honduras. This initiative is in partnership with the Rotary Club of Choluteca, Honduras, the Rotary Club of Corpus Christi, and Pure Water for the World, Incorporated. The members and Board of Directors understand the critical need for potable water and want to help provide clean drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene training to those who live without. Submitted by Noel Snedeker.
Support the Mission Golf Tournament
Raymondville
recognizes students of the month
The Raymondville Rotary Club recognized the October Students of the Month during their noon luncheon on Wednesday, October 15, 2008. Recognized as the male student of the month was George Galindo who is also President of the Raymondville High School Interact Club. Dulce Martinez was recognized as the female student of the month. Present was Assistant District Governor Lionel C. Betancourt. Congratulations to both students. Submitted by Vilma Cervantes.
Kingsville Sunrise co-hosts Candidates' Forum
Kingsville Sunrise Rotary in cooperation with the Kingsville Chamber of Commerce co-hosted a Kleberg County Candidates’ Forum at Linda’s Downtown Café on September 25, 2008. All candidates for local office were invited to attend and make a short presentation about their qualifications for office and their position on issues that are important to Kleberg County voters. Candidates for Sheriff, District Attorney, County Attorney and County Commissioners and Constables were represented. Nearly forty people attended the event. This was an excellent vehicle to perform community service and to increase local awareness of Rotary International. Submitted by Craig Hollingshead.
Elva Short writes her Rotary friends
Due to unforeseen circumstances, it is with great regret that I must resign my position as District Historian, as well as my membership as a Rotarian of the Rotary Club of Alice. I will forever cherish my years as a Rotarian, and will miss all my Rotarian friends. Submitted by Elva Short.
Don't forget, all Clubs must file with the IRS
NEW! Starting in 2008, clubs or districts with gross receipts of $25,000 or less will be required to file Form 990-N, which is an electronic e-Postcard report. This report is required annually starting 15 November 2008. Failure to meet the annual filing requirement for three consecutive years will result in revocation of the tax-exempt status of the club or district in question. To learn more about this requirement, and to obtain the necessary e-Postcard report form, visit the US Treasury website at: www.irs.gov/eo, or call the toll-free number: (877) 829-5500.
Viky Garcia writes
During
my two month coma, Sergio Moreno chronicled his experiences with my progress
(sometimes setbacks). It had only been two weeks before that we were
celebrating my being inducted into the Laredo Women's Hall of Fame when our
Rotary Club's leadership headed towards McAllen for the District Conference
that the unexpected befell us in a roll-over accident. I will forever miss
Simon Martinez' company, he meant so much to me and we shared so much –
being alums from Northern Illinois University, serving Habitat for Humanity
and loving service to community. But during this tragedy, I couldn't believe
Sergio's presence of mind – staying calm during our horrible accident,
trying to find help, contacting my family and taking care of my bills, AND
writing to update you all.
I am glad he is at my side today to celebrate my 40th birthday although our
celebrating is limited to a press conference for our Rotary Club's Make A
Difference Day project this Saturday.
I never doubted Sergio's love but in a crisis - people can show their true
colors. Rotarians, Comadres, Alpha Psi Lambda, SGMS middle-school kids,
Habitat for Humanity and many others also showed theirs. I was truly
surprised but so grateful at the outpour of support, prayers, and well
wishes. I also couldn't believe how Bertha Galvan became my sister-in-law,
Sergio became my fiancé (not far off) and past district governor Marilyn
Spencer my spiritual leader - just to get in to the ICU of the Corpus
Christi hospital when only "family" were allowed to visit.
Unfortunately during the two months I was in unconscious, I don't exactly know
who came to visit me, either at Corpus Christi Spohn Memorial or at UTMB in
Galveston. When I first opened my eyes, Sergio was there with my Mom and
Dad. I had a wonderful visit from Rosie Garcia of Corpus Christi West
Rotary, whom my parents say really encouraged them with her nursing
connections at both hospitals. My old buddy, Jay Zambrano, now a Kingsville
Rotarian, I'm sure still tried to make me laugh. Marilyn Spencer was
incredibly supportive and funny in her visits before and after I was awake.
When Barry Lobell, Assistant Governor of Corpus Christi, first stopped in I
was in la-la land but the second time he came to visit I still said "Barry
who??" – it was only afterward that I realized that Rotary members that you
might have only met in passing still care and pray for you. Thank you.
On behalf of my parents, I really have to thank Dr. Michael Landeck and Dr.
Cecilia Garza (Laredo Rotary Club) and Edna Rice (Galvestonian Condos) who
sheltered my parents when they came from Chicago with nothing but the
clothes on their backs. I would love to meet Ms. Rice for sharing her story
with my brothers. Also a big thank you to Javier Compean (Assistant Governor
of Laredo) who asked everyone he could for borrowed houses or condos and
after I finally made it home, he arranged for home health care and a
follow-up doctor – not something easy to do if you don't have insurance.
My friends from the Laredo Las Comadres network quickly reached out and sent
emails, made phone calls and sent me flowers, books and touching cards. My
Alpha Psi Lambda familia kept in almost daily contact with my family. I'm
told Monica, Patty, Juan and Darlene came to visit in the hospital and later
Olga brought me exercise equipment. My Habitat for Humanity co-workers were
at the hospital the minute the accident ran on the Laredo TV stations. They
were so kind in cleaning and fixing my home's bedroom so that when I would
return, I would have my hospital bed set-up and have necessary equipment.
Carol Sherwood (Habitat for Humanity Executive Director), even allowed a
fund to be set up and was one of my first visitors when I finally came home.
Sergio's friends and family who heard the news and went to the hospital
immediately – the Davilas and the Morenos. My friends Mika Akikuni and Rick
Pauza were by my family's side and helped set up temescal (sweatlodge)
ceremonies for my healing. They still visit weekly. Sister Rosemary,
Fernando Hernandez, Pablo Reyes, Esperanza Rodriguez, Tony Winterroth, and
Margarita Talan who visit every chance they get. The unusual surprises were
that the accident was also aired in Houston, triggering my childhood
friend's mother to come look for me and reunited with my mom. I had friends
visit from Chicago, Houston and family came up from Durango Mexico and
Phoenix. The Habitat homeowners (the Garcias, Salazars, Elizondos & Zamoras)
who baked cookies, called, wrote and visited. I think my parents were
overwhelmed with the number of people who reached out, who told them they
were starting prayer groups, or who supported them while I slept.
I would love to tell you all the doctors and nurses did to me but…. Sergio
would know because I don't remember a thing. What I do know is that I woke
up with a broken scapula, broken front and back ribs, dislocated vertebra,
painful breathing from my lung injuries, clots in both legs and multiple
breaks in my pelvis. The ambulance ride back to Laredo from Corpus Christi
was painful but I was so happy to be going home. I am grateful for programs
like Project Mend, out of San Antonio, for letting me borrow a hospital bed
and a wheelchair, even if it does have a crooked wheel. My first month at
home was tough but my dad took care of me while Sergio was at work – it was
a good thing I didn't have much of an appetite and that time :P. My mom went
home to Chicago to finish off the school year and then quit her job to come
take care of me. I am incredibly fortunate that no matter what I throw at my
parents, they have always been there to catch me.
I'm now a little better although I won't be able to walk for several more
months. All doctors were guessing between 9 – 12 months for a recovery. It's
been slow going and very challenging but HCU home health services and the
physical and occupational therapists at the Ruthe B. Cowl Center have been
awesome. My legs and arms are always sore but that's not stopping me from
typing away. I'm not yet back to any of my regular activities but am slowly
easing myself back in – first by doing small things with Rotary and trying
to restart Las Comadres.
I am sure I am missing many, many people who visited while my eyes were
closed and those who sent flowers, cards and there best wishes – I am
grateful. Thank you ALL, again, for helping me to the age of 40.
Viky Garcia
Submitted by
Tom Moore.
P.S. I'll blame the coma about having forgotten to thank Tom Moore, past District Governor, and his wonderful wife, Carol, who did so much to get out information, managed all contact with Rotarians and actually drove all the way to Laredo to say hello. He was one of the main driving forces supporting me during this time and deserves a HUGE thank you!
Rotary presidents from two countries join for literacy project
The
leadership teams of the Laredo Rotary Club and the Reforma Rotary Club from
Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas (Mexico) met recently to discuss a collaborative
literacy project which would provide books to establish a library at an
elementary school in Nuevo Laredo. Pictured are Laredo Rotary Club President
Ed Gonzalez (second from right), Nuevo Laredo Reforma Rotary Club President
Anwar Kassim Teran (center), and Jesus Perez (left), the governor’s
representative of Mexico's Rotary District 4130. Also pictured are Sandra
Gutierrez and Juanita lira (right), Rotarians and members of the
international literacy project.
Rona Nushi, foreign exchange students from Peja, Kosovo made a presentation to the Laredo Rotary Club. Through the use of a PowerPoint presentation, she gave the Rotarians a good view of her country. She is attending Alexander High School where she plays the flute with the school band and is a member of the color guard. Rona presented Ed Gonzalez, Club President, with a flag and other souvenirs. Submitted by Juanita Lira.
Southside Corpus Christi is busy
Each
month The Rotary Club of Southside Corpus Christi recognizes and honors top
students who exhibit the motto of Rotary to give Service above Self.
These students are from Corpus Christi ISD’s Moody High School which is
Southside Rotary’s partner school in many Rotary-related projects. The
students and their families are treated to lunch at our Rotary meeting and
then given a chance to speak to the club and are given a framed certificate
as a keepsake of their well-deserved recognition. October 2008 honorees were
Vittoria Rodriguez and Eric Pinnon.
Vittoria
Rodriguez is currently taking advance courses and plans to attend the
University of Texas. Vittoria plans to major in the Radio/Television/Film
Program and receive a degree in screen writing or sound engineering. She
would like to start her own music label and produce music. (From R-L:
Counselor Sandra Gonzalez, Vittoria Rodriguez, Southside President Betty
Frantum)
Eric Pinnon is currently ranked fifth in the region for the National Forensics
League. Most recently as vice-president of the Moody student body he
encouraged students to raise $3000 for Ball High School in Galveston, in a
student to student gesture, to help with the devastation of Hurricane Ike.
Eric plans to attend either Texas Christian University or the University of
Dallas and plans a major in pre-med with a minor in business.
The
Rotary Club of Southside Corpus Christi collected $300 in donations from its
members for their annual SOS: Supply our Students fund
drive. This year’s donation went to Corpus Christi ISD’s Rose Shaw
Elementary to help students get the school supplies they need. Rose Shaw
Principal Ralph Silva was present at their October 22 meeting to accept the
check from President Betty Frantum and he thanked the club for always giving
back to the community.
At
the same meeting President
Betty Frantum presented a check for $702 to Boy Scouts of America Troop 232 Scoutmaster Elan Barnes.
Since 2002 The Club has engaged the community services of Boy Scout Troop
232 in posting and recovering US Flags on National Holidays as part of their
Subscription Flag Service Project. Proceeds from the subscription service
fund the club's charitable activities including funds to Troop 232 to send
eight scouts to summer camp annually, provide scholarships at both Texas A&M
University-Corpus Christi and Del Mar College, fund their Peterson Ramp
Project providing ramps for the disabled at their homes, and participate
in Rotary's international service projects.
Submitted by
Lari Young.
Rotaract re-established at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
A
newly re-chartered Rotaract Club at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is off to a
great start! Members have already participated in two community service
projects and are planning for a third. Pictured: Rotaract officers at
October 12 ceremony with members of the Rotary Club of Southside Corpus
Christi who officiated. Front row: PDG Marilyn Spencer and Rotaract President
Sergio Montero-Cabrera; middle row: Secretary Ashley Shilhab and Southside
Club President Betty Frantum, who presided over ceremony; back row: Director
Corey Goolsby, PDG Don Ratcliff, and Treasurer Rachel Buck.
Rotaractors worked with Spaulding for Children over the weekend of September
27-28, when that non-profit organization held a weekend retreat for
potential and newly adoptive parents and their adoptive children in Corpus
Christi. That Saturday, they made sure the children got to and stayed in
their workshops. On Sunday, they were each assigned one child with whom they
would spend the morning at the Texas State Aquarium.
Their second project was participating in the Breast Cancer Awareness Week
on campus. They especially enjoyed the Friday afternoon, October 10, “Paws
for a Cause” event. This event combined breast cancer awareness with
awareness of possibilities for pet adoption through the Gulf Coast Humane
Society. They competed with other campus organizations for “pinkest
organization,” and they helped to walk Humane Society dogs during the “pink
parade.”
This Rotaract Club, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Southside Corpus
Christi, was officially re-chartered by RI over the summer. (It had been
dormant for the past two years.) Sunday, October 12, they held their
official inauguration of the club, installation of officers and pinning of
members, at the Hilton Garden Inn, not far from campus. Immediately
following the ceremony, they held their first social, a celebration at the
nearby Olive Garden Restaurant.
Rotaract is planning a third community service project, with seven of its
members joining with Rotarians, Interactors, CPS staff and others for the
Corpus Christi Adoption Awareness Picnic, November 1. That picnic involves
Rotarians from the seven Corpus Christi Clubs as well as the Alice and
Ingleside Clubs and their Interact Clubs.
Submitted by
Marilyn Spencer.
Corpus Christi Evening hosts successful recruiting event
The Corpus Christi Evening Club hosted a membership recruitment Happy Hour on October 2. Twenty-five people attended. They had representatives from the Corpus Christi Downtown club, Corpus Christi Northwest club, and Corpus Christi West club. The West club signed a new member and the Evening club signed three new members. They had seven bottles of wine given out as door prizes. Many thanks to their sponsors: Two Chic Productions, Randi Hamlyn (Evening club member), Gaye & Gil Cuevas (Evening club members), Katz 21 (location host), and Northwest Club. They look forward to the second Membership Happy Hour early next year. Submitted by Brian Devaney.
Laredo New Generations reports sad news and good news
 Laredo Next Generation Rotary Club began October on sad note: Clemen P. Rocha Bell, a charter member, unexpectedly passed away at the age of 41 on the 1st of the month. Clemen left behind a young daughter, Carla Judith, and two brothers, Roger Rocha and Carlos Ricardo Villarreal Jr., both members of their Rotary Club. Clemen, a lifelong educator, was the principal of Laredo's Clark Elementary School. In Clemen's honor, Laredo Next Generation Rotary Club officers have established a scholarship for local students pursuing a career in education. To contribute to the scholarship, contact Laredo Next Generation Rotary Club Secretary Laura Vargas-Narvaez. |
October was a busy month for Laredo Next Generation Rotary Club members. In keeping with their club's youthful panache, 19 members volunteered at the 4th Annual Ford Autmus Fest, a music festival sponsored by the Texas A&M International University Alumni Association. For all their hard work (i.e. listening to great music all day), they were rewarded with a $500 donation, which has been earmarked for Clemen's scholarship. They also held a good ole bowl-a-thon. They scurried up 19 teams and, at $125 a pop, raised about $2,300 for a yet-to-be-determined charity. As you can see, their club believes in "fun raisers." Laredo Next Generation Rotary Club members also managed to sell $1,840-worth of the district-wide raffle tickets. Submitted by Laura Vargas-Narvaez.
Border Youth Summit coming in April
The
United States and Mexico may be separated by a common border, but youth
leaders on both sides of the Rio Grande River know better understanding
their similarities and differences can only mean stronger relations and
better friendships as they grow into the future leaders of the Rio Grande
Valley. The Border Youth Summit is a conference to be held at South Padre
Island the weekend of April 18-19, 2009. The purpose of the conference is to
provide a time and place for Rotary Interact students from both sides of the
border to get to know each other. The target participation is between 50-80
students, equal numbers from Mexico and Cameron and Willacy Counties.
The conference expects to have Tony Garza, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, as the
keynote speaker. There will be mini sessions developed by panels from each
Rotary Interact club. Each mini session will include topics such as "Basic
Government", "Transportation Systems", "Border Challenges", "Education",
"Imports/Exports", "Employment", "Geography", and other topics to be
determined by students. There will be a social event to expand on the
friendships developed during the planning and execution of the conference.
The
Conference will also include both groups coming together to determine a
group project that both sides will address and work on together over the
coming year. The Student leadership and participation is really
extraordinary. They have really taken ownership of this event. They have
been involved in every aspect of this project from the selection of the
hotel, mini session topics, icebreaker for the social events to the
selection of menus for their meals.
The Rotary Interact Students’ first fund raiser for this event was a car
wash October 18th in Harlingen. All three Harlingen Rotary Interact clubs
worked together to raise $780.00! The Border Youth Summit will be supported
by the Rotary clubs on both sides of the border including Cameron and
Willacy counties for the first year and expanding to include all counties
along the border in the Rio Grande Valley. Being the first year for this
Youth Summit, the planning group felt it was important to achieve success by
keeping the conference small, focused, and inclusive. It appears that the
whole event is catching fire with the youth and building a momentum of its
own. If it results are as successful as appears they may be this will
hopefully become a wonderful annual international event.
Submitted by
Meg Jorn.