This Rotary year has been so full of amazing events and service projects that time has absolutely flown by quickly. This is my final message as President. During our zoom meeting on June 29, for a summation of the year I reflected on the numerous deeds accomplished this year by dedicated members of our club. I am inspired by our members who share ideas to serve others and working together will find ways to take action on their ideas. Working together, respecting each other, we have grown in friendship. I know that our paths would have been unlikely to cross except for our common commitment to Rotary. Together we can create possibilities that may have seemed impossible if we attempted to pursue our ideas alone. Our e-club is still a “new” model of being in a vibrant Rotary club, and we are still learning how to really feel connected when we have a truly international membership. Yet, it also creates opportunities with feet on the ground in various states and countries. Our reach to others is expanded as we share club banners around the world in the name of the Rotary e-club of Houston. We have eyes around the world to follow-up on projects and see needs for new projects. For a variety of reasons, we are all busy with our lives and yet there is satisfaction and a sense of purpose being a part of Rotary International and giving back to others. Thank you, Paul Harris, the Founding Father of Rotary International, who on February 23, 1905, persuaded several businessmen to gather in downtown Chicago for the first Rotary meeting. Today our organization has about 1.2 million members worldwide. Below is a photo of Paul Harris and a quote which I feel is important in maintaining the success of each club in our organization, Rotary International.
As we have worked together this year, discussing, planning, and sharing, I feel that we are on the right road to build better friendships which will continue to build a bright future for our club. Join us to install our new officers for 2019-20 with Michael Miller, President. Share your thoughts, hopes, and dreams for our club and we will work together to make an effort to take action. It has been a great pleasure to serve as the President of the Rotary e-Club of Houston this year, and I look forward to the future of our club as we continue to work together as friends, helping others.
I look forward to a new Rotary year and hope you will join me in supporting all of our club’s activities. Whether it is working with your community to offer local support in one of the Rotary avenues of service, or by getting involved in one of our Club’s Global initiatives, there are many opportunities for your talents. Speaking of talents, we had our first monthly Rotary e-Club socials last Thursday, July 11 where many of our members shared their individual talents. I was struck by the general themes of helping and service above self that were reflected in everyone’s talents. We certainly have an excellent club and our talents run deep.
I invite you to stay tuned to this website for updates regarding club activities and opportunities to serve and meet on-line.
Remember, our e-Club socials occur on-line every First Thursday of the month from 7:00-8:00pm central, and our Board of Directors meet on the Third Thursday of the month from 7:00-8:00pm central.
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July 15 - Newsletter (counts as a regular club meeting)
The mural at Margaret Long Wisdom High School in Houston is complete!! Thank you everyone for volunteering and putting in your sweat and tears, and a HUGE thank you to Nguyen Nguyen for his perseverance and leadership in action! This will benefit the students for years to come. Ribbon cutting planning next!
Beautiful job by the artists, Viktor Kopic and Betirri Bengtson! Vox Culture is part of the Stage 1 completion of the 'Martin Bailey Memorial Garden Project' at Margaret Long Wisdom High School. This long term urban garden project, in partnership with the Rotary E-Club of Houston, aims to build a model tackling several social issues, while providing students access to live education via innovation, green technology + environmentally conscious solutions, the arts, and more. In addition, the garden provides an affordable/self produced, organic, food resource for the students, the school, and in the long term, the surrounding community at large.
Cristal Montanez reports that on July 5, 2019, the Diocesan Food Bank of Cúcuta, with the support of the Hope For Venezuelan Refugees team, representatives of the Rotary Club Cúcuta 1, Rotary e-Club of Houston, and the national police, made the first distribution of Rise Against Hunger fortified meals, and other food products in the following two institutions:
Santa Laura Montoya Chapel in the Las Delicias Neighborhood: 63 boxes of 13,500 rations of Rise Against Hunger food were distributed to 150 families. Each family received 15 bags containing a total 90 servings of fortified meals.
Parish Visitation of Our Lady in the Divina Pastora Neighborhood: 63 boxes of 13,500 rations of Rise Against Hunger food were distributed to 150 families. Each family received 15 bags containing a total 90 servings of fortified meals.
Thank you ALL for an amazing year of service to others, fun and fellowship! It has been my pleasure to serve as President and now we will continue into a new Rotary year with President Mike’s new board. Today I proudly recognized some deserving members for outstanding accomplishments:
Be The Inspiration Award - Nicole Bianchi
In her first year as Membership Chair she has given important support for the growth of 15 new members this year. She also accepted the charge to collect shoes for Venezuelan walkers, jackets and blankets for the homeless, and Teddy bears for children in both Fort Worth and Cucata, Columbia. She eagerly volunteered to help with the Open House for the Fireman’s House (long-term stays for cancer patients), and packing bags for sex-trafficked girls.
Vocational “Service Above Self” Award - Ruby Powers
Using her skills as an Immigration Attorney to help asylum seekers at the Texas and California borders.
Community “Service Above Self” Award - Wind Nguyen
Thank you for being a real champion with the Wisdom High School Martin Bailey Garden Project!
International “Service Above Self” Award - Cristal Montanez
A true champion dedicated to giving hope for Venezuelans who have crossed the border into Columbia by designing a plan for nutritious meals, shoes for the barefooted, and Teddy bears for young children.
Rotarian of the Year - Isis Mejias
A dedicated Rotarian who inspires and leads our club in International Service and is called upon by Rotary International to share her expertise in oversight of water projects in Uganda and Honduras. She also made two trips to Columbia to manage the Hope for Venezuelans project and has built a strong, trusting relationship with Rise Against Hunger. Congratulations and thank you for all you have accomplished as a Rotarian!
Congratulations to Nguyen Nguyen for receiving a Certificate of Appreciation for Dedicated Leadership and Service to Rotary District 5890 "Promoting Peace" for his leadership on the Margaret Long Wisdom High School Memorial Garden and Mural Projects. Congratulations Wind - well deserved!
Dear Rotary e-Club friends, I am thrilled to announce that our Hope For Venezuelan Refugees Projects will be showcased at the Sister Cities International 2019 Annual Conference in Houston July 17-19. Kathleen Roche-Tansey, State Representative Sister Cities International & Member La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club is chairing the Sister Cities International - Rotary Partnerships Workshop "Expanding Your Opportunities - How to Partner with Your Rotary Club" on Friday, July 19 from 1:00 pm - 1:50 pm. I have the honor to co-chair this workshop with Kathleen, and also, participate as a panelist. Our project is the only project included without a Sister City relationship. In this link you can find information on the panelists and their projects and how they work in partnership with Sister Cities around the world https://sci-rotary-partnerships.blogspot.com. This the link to the Sister Cities International 2019 Annual Conference in Houston for more information on the Conference https://sistercities.org/annual-conference-2019.
Please use the following link when shopping on Amazon and select the Rotary E-Club as your charity to support. The E-Club will receive quarterly donations based on the amount of sales made through AmazonSmile. Every little bit helps! Sign up now at this link: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/38-3915709
This Rotary year has been so full of amazing events and service projects that time has absolutely flown by quickly. This is my final message as President. During our zoom meeting on June 29, for a summation of the year I reflected on the numerous deeds accomplished this year by dedicated members of our club. I am inspired by our members who share ideas to serve others and working together will find ways to take action on their ideas. Working together, respecting each other, we have grown in friendship. I know that our paths would have been unlikely to cross except for our common commitment to Rotary. Together we can create possibilities that may have seemed impossible if we attempted to pursue our ideas alone. Our e-club is still a “new” model of being in a vibrant Rotary club, and we are still learning how to really feel connected when we have a truly international membership. Yet, it also creates opportunities with feet on the ground in various states and countries. Our reach to others is expanded as we share club banners around the world in the name of the Rotary e-club of Houston. We have eyes around the world to follow-up on projects and see needs for new projects. For a variety of reasons, we are all busy with our lives and yet there is satisfaction and a sense of purpose being a part of Rotary International and giving back to others. Thank you, Paul Harris, the Founding Father of Rotary International, who on February 23, 1905, persuaded several businessmen to gather in downtown Chicago for the first Rotary meeting. Today our organization has about 1.2 million members worldwide. Below is a photo of Paul Harris and a quote which I feel is important in maintaining the success of each club in our organization, Rotary International.
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