President's Message

 
Thank you for your donations to the Movie Night for the Layettes fundraiser we did last month. Your work and caring hearts and those of other Rotarians will make it possible to send over 70 Layette bags to Nicaragua with this fundraiser alone, and we have another one coming, so we can send more bags to the mothers and babies. Our club has had great visibility during this event and others, and we are establishing great connections with other Rotary clubs and our District 5890.
 
Thank all of you who came to our Christmas celebration or contributed by donating to the silent auction or volunteered to help. Due to weather conditions, we didn’t have the number of guests expected, but we showed that a small group can be mighty strong! We raised some funds for our club’s projects, and that is another chapter in our success story! I am also thrilled that so many of you are donating items for our care bags to the homeless project.
 
We are planning great things for 2017, and we need each and every one of you to help us accomplish them. Our club has been so active and that is because we have so many generous people and hard workers in this team. Please read below a long list of reasons I am proud of you.  
 
Summary of the first 6 months of 2016 club achievements:
 
  • We physically met every month, which means we had an extra program per month so local members and guests can get together
  • Weekly website and newsletter updates that members anywhere in the world can visit online
  • Frequently updated Facebook page and Facebook group page where we share events and meetings. Our Facebook page has over 1,100 followers around the world
  • Membership increased by 5 new members
  • A warm and fun meeting welcoming to our DG Eric Liu when he visited our club in November
  • Seven members received the Paul Harris Fellow Award
  • Participation of 8 members at the Rotary Foundation Seminar District 5890
  • RI dues, District dues and all other financial commitments met on time
  • All Humanitarian and membership goals achieved, which counts for the presidential citation award
  • Sponsored a $2,420 District Grant for 3 college students in Nicaragua
  • IRS forms sent on time, as we have a 501c3 foundation
  • Co-sponsorship of Wisdom Interact Club
  • Several Members volunteering in Community Services where they live, in different cities, states and countries
  • At least 4 members in Rotarian Action Groups and Rotary Fellowships
  • At least 2 members engaged in My Rotary discussions on the RI website
  • Taught a My Rotary and our club’s website workshop for members
  • 100 Lovely Handmade Dresses and more items distributed to underprivileged children in Uganda
  • Hosted a World’s Greatest Meal Virtual Event to End Polio with worldwide participation
  • Participated at MS Walk The Woodlands fundraising to find a cure for MS
  • Co-hosted the Movie Night fundraiser for the Layettes for Nicaragua and celebrated 30 years of Women in Rotary in partnership with the Houston NW Sunset and University Area Rotary Clubs.
  • Held a Christmas Party and fundraiser for our club and projects
  • Currently gathering donations for 250 care bags for the homeless in Houston
  • Currently donating $1,000 to help critically endangered species, the black rhino in South Africa and the orangutans in Borneo.
 
And, wait for it…. Planned for 2017:
 
  • January 21st meeting: assemble the care bags for the homeless
  • Pay RI dues on time
  • Sponsor a high school student to go to RYLA camp
  • February 11th (to be confirmed) Dinner fundraiser to send Layette bags to the new mothers in Nicaragua
  • February 14th Distribute 250 care bags to the homeless at Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen along with Rotary International president John Germ
  • Sponsor our President Elect for training (PETS)
  • March: Bingo Fundraiser to help the Earn and Learn program which provides kids from the slums in India better nutrition and education
  • April 20 to 23: 5890 District conference at La Torreta. Expected participation of at least six members from our club
  • May 20th Host the Kayak for The Rotary Foundation at the Lake Woodlands in The Woodlands, TX
  • June 10 to 14: Rotary International Convention. Expected participation of at least ten members of our club
  • June 12: E-club party night at Der Biergarten Atlanta in partnership with our twin E-club Francophone
  • End of June: Installation of 2017-2018 Board of Directors
 
I feel honored to be part of Rotary. Those who make Rotary a respected and vital organization are its members. Your dedication to improve the lives of others is what makes the world go round in a happy rotation in the universe. Keep spreading the light of hope!
 
Happy Holidays and a wonderful 2017!
 
Thank you,
Adriane Miller
President 2016-2017