RotaryGrams for September 9, 2020 (Sep 07, 2020)

The Rotary Club of Beaumont, TX, is a large and diverse fellowship of inspired business, professional, and civic leaders with significant community connections that foster the ideals of Service Above Self and high ethical standards.

Sep 09, 2020

Robin McCutcheon, ED, Samaritan Counseling Center

Answering Needs Amid the COVID Pandemic

Sep 16, 2020

Chelsea Tipton, Music Director, Symphony of SETX

The Show Must Go On! The 2020-21 Symphony Season: "Soundscapes"

Sep 23, 2020

Paula O'Neal, Cpt. Jason Moore & Carolyn Fernandez

A Panel Discussion: The Health of Non-Profit Organizations During and Following the Pandemic

Sep 30, 2020

Dr. Stephen McKernan, Dean, Sam Houston State Univ

Newly Opened Sam Houston State College of Osteopathic Medicine located in Conroe, TX

Oct 07, 2020

Judith Linsley, Dir, Center for History & Culture

World Crisis: Comparing the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic & the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic

Oct 14, 2020

Tom Neal, Exec. Director, Museum of the Gulf Coast

Take a Trip Through Time at the Museum of the Gulf Coast

Oct 21, 2020

TBA - (DATE HELD)

End Polio Now program

Oct 28, 2020

Ron Saikowksi, Regional Wine Connoisseur

Exploring and Enjoying the Texas Wine Country!

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ROTARYGRAMS

September 9, 2020

Vol. 108, No. 11

Until further notice,

Club meetings are held

virtually using Zoom.

Phone: 409-842-1913

Weekly meetings are being held using Zoom.

Sign into the meeting between 11:30 and Noon

and you can enjoy some social time with

other members before the meeting begins at Noon.

PROGRAM PREVIEW

September 9, 2020

"Community Mental Health Needs

Following Times of Crisis"

Robin McCutcheon, MEd.

Executive Director

Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeast Texas

Southeast Texas along with our neighbors are at a fragile state of mental wellness. Exhaustion, uncertainty, and the daily struggle to support those in need continue to cause unstable emotional support. The ability for our community to reflect on what is in the network of services, skills to be mindful in our words and actions and human connection allows for us to make positive strides in healing.

Born and raised in "The Groves," Robin McCutcheon is a graduate of both Lamar University and McNeese State University. Her career has spanned public school teaching to regional, state and national educational consulting. She has worked with district/campus program evaluation and effectiveness, higher education teaching and field experience coordination along with serving numerous community organizations.

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Head Table for September 9

Invocation:

Pledges to USA and Texas:

Introduction of Guest Speaker:
	Deborah Drago Executive Director Southeast Texas Nonprofit Development Center

If you would like to serve on the head table at a date in the future, please sign up online at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054ba5a62fa3f49-head or phone chair, Mandy Clayton at 409-718-7056 or email arclayton@lit.edu

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CALENDAR OF ROTARY EVENTS

(Club events & opportunities for meeting makeups)

September
FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR MEMBERS, CLUB MEETINGS WILL CONTINUE USING ZOOM UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
11	"Show Your Colors" Flag project for Patriots Day; please volunteer by phoning Pat Anderson

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BOARD ACTION

Your engagement in the Club is of paramount importance to us. We will continue with Zoom meetings until such time as we determine it is safe for us to meet together in person again. That time will be when the guidelines for large social gatherings can be followed and members can feel safe attending. You can plan on using Zoom at least through the end of October.

The Board plans to continue to offer opportunities for small groups of members to serve the community in a protected and safe way. We hope those who are comfortable with the situation will use it as an opportunity to be engaged. For example, on September 11, Rotarians will distribute flags to our "Show Your Colors" subscribers. Another work day with "Sleep in Heavenly Peace" is being planned for September 26.

Moreover, the Board decided to have some "Fun & Fellowship Socials" for members who would like to get together for brunch, lunch or dinner together. Hosts will set up a small gathering of no more than 10 people at a favorite restaurant. Members must reserve a place at the table for the social they would like to attend, but can join and attend as many socials as they would like. These will be dutch-treat (meaning you pay for your own food and beverage) and will be a great time to be with fellow Rotarians. On the other hand, we completely understand if you are not ready to participate yet. It has to be a personal decision.

In Membership business, the Board approved a classification change for Jay Wilson and accepted resignations from three members with regrets. All three have or will be moving from Beaumont. They are:

Tony Clark
Allen Lea
Linsi Walker

The Board terminated three members also:

Allan Ayres
Past President Benny Hughes
Sandra Whitmire

With two resignations, there were vacancies on the Board that had to be filled. Wes Shipley was approved to join the Board filling the position of Sergeant-at-Arms, vacated by Tony Clark. Lynn Hill was approved to join the Board to complete the term ending in 2021 that was vacated by Allen Lea.

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If you are physically able and can spare the time from work, Rotarians are asked to volunteer with the Salvation Army and help to supply meals for those areas which are still without electricity Newton, Orange, and Bridge City.

The Salvation Army food distributions will continue 7-days a week for at least the next two weeks and probably longer. This is not an effort that we, as a Club, have the ability to organize but we can be a part of it by giving assistance individually. Please volunteer if you are able. Sign up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4CAFAA2FA7F5C43-hurricane1. You can choose to go to a distribution site or you can stay and work in the warehouse preparing for the next day's deliveries.

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The direct hit of Hurricane Laura, a category 4-5 storm, destroyed Cameron and Lake Charles. As we know from past experiences, they need help. Two different Louisiana Rotary Clubs came to Texas with donations for us after our recent disasters and it meant a great deal to us. This is a perfect time for us to do the same.

Here are some items needed:

1. Fans and extension cords

2. Cleaning supplies, such as Clorox, disinfectants, etc.

3. Squeegees, mops, push brooms, and buckets

4. Paper towels, cleaning rags, and trash bags

5. Dehumidifiers

6. Plastic gloves and respirator masks

7. Utility knives to cut sheetrock

8. Hammers, pry bars, and flat shovels

9. Bottled water and Gatorade

10. Tarps, rolls of plastic, and duct tape

11. Plastic storage tubs with lids

12. Personal hygiene items: toothpaste, toothbrushes, baby powder, deodorant, soap, razors, shaving cream, female sanitary items

13. Baby diapers and wipes

14. Paper towels

15. Drinking water

16. Gatorade type drinks

17. Cash or gift cards to hardware or general merchandise stores (like Walmart, Target)

PLEASE BRING DONATIONS BY TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, as we hope to make a delivery to Lake Charles as soon as Wednesday. Donations can be brought to the Rotary office in the Elegante Hotel, Suite 213. If no one is in the office, you can leave monetary donations by sliding them under the door. There are envelopes available for this use. If you need a receipt for tax purposes, please write your name on the outside of the envelope.

Donations of non-monetary items can be left at the front desk if the Rotary Office is dark. Please simply tell the front desk clerk or concierge that the items you are leaving are for Rotary.

Thank you for your generosity.

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AT THE TIME WE GO TO PRESS WITH THIS NEWSLETTER, WE STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR THE FLAG PROJECT ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11. PLEASE CONTACT PAT ANDERSON IF YOU CAN HELP!

Patriot Day is an annual observance on September 11 to remember those who were injured or died during the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001. Many Americans refer to Patriot Day as 9/11 or September 11.

The Rotary Club of Beaumont recognizes Patriot Day each year with the "Show Your Colors" display of American flags at subscribers' homes and businesses across the city of Beaumont. Our subscribers are very grateful for this project and our volunteers.

Won't you join us by volunteering to work on a team distributing the flags? WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP!

If you can serve on September 11, please contact Pat Anderson at 782-4057 or Gary Moncla at 781-3778 to volunteer. We thank you!

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Africa declared free of wild polio in 'milestone'

By Naomi Scherbel-Ball, BBC News

Published 25 August 2020

Africa has been declared free from wild polio by the independent body, the Africa Regional Certification Commission.

Polio usually affects children under five, sometimes leading to irreversible paralysis. Death can occur when breathing muscles are affected.

Twenty-five years ago thousands of children in Africa were paralysed by the virus.

The disease is now only found in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

There is no cure but the polio vaccine protects children for life.

Africa Live: Updates on this and other stories

Nigeria is the last African country to be declared free from wild polio, having accounted for more than half of all global cases less than a decade ago.

The vaccination campaign in Nigeria involved a huge effort to reach remote and dangerous places under threat from militant violence and some health workers were killed in the process.

Continue to the website to read entire article and webpage from BBC News. Thank you to Larry Beaulieu for sharing this article.

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Rotarians, we really need you to become a part of the weekly meeting! Sign up for a role at the virtual head table at an upcoming meeting. Look at your calendar and select a date that is convenient for your schedule. Red Badges are strongly encouraged to volunteer for this opportunity so you can move closer to your blue badge and members can get to know you better too.

Click on the image above or link here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054ba5a62fa3f49-head

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Becky Ames September 7	Joanne Brown September 9
Alicia McKibbin Harkey September 9	Jason Apodaca September 10
Gerald Condon September 10	Eric Sims September 12
Coby Roberts September 13

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CELEBRATING ROTARY ANNIVERSARIES!

We celebrate your

membership in our Club!

Uliana Trylowsky September 8, 2004 16 years	Charlie Foxworth September 11, 1996 24 years
Jason Apodaca September 12, 2018 2 years	Cori Garcia September 12, 2018 2 years
John Lee September 12, 2018 2 years	Brandon Spears September 14, 2016 4 years

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We send wishes for a quick recovery to our friends and fellow Rotarians who are ill, are anticipating or recovering from surgery, or just in need of encouragement, support and good wishes.

Karyn Husbands

All those affected by Hurricane Laura

in Rotary District 5910 and in southern Louisiana

We miss you and look forward to when we will be able to meet in-person again!

If you know of members who should be added to this list, please advise the office staff at 409-842-1913.

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PROGRAM REVIEW

September 2, 2020

"Providing Quality Medical Care to Children"

Dr. Renee Brown-Nembhard

Beaumont Pediatric Center, PLLC

by Bobbie Applegate

Dr. Brown’s energy and compassion emerged during her discussion concerning Covid-19: what is it and how medical personnel are dealing with it.

Basically, Covid-19 is a virus that has the ability to "hop" species, and is one that researchers and medical personnel are learning about in real time. Antibiotics don’t work against this disease and there are only a few anti-viral drugs available and none of them have satisfactorily assisted in stopping this virus. It attacks the body and lives inside the cells with 4 proteins that science is attempting get the body to recognize so it can be stopped. It attacks the immune systems and that sets the immune system into overdrive which kills the cells. Basically, large cavities of tissues are eaten out of areas affected: most commonly the lungs. Since doctors are dealing with this virus in “real” time there is no way for researchers to conduct control studies: for example, researchers cannot set-up a control study and allow some patients to die. That is not a solution so the studies are done after the fact. Studies will also be done on long-term side effects of the virus which could be significant. “This disease deserves much respect.”

The medical field is overwhelmed and with flu on the horizon it is impossible to predict what impact that will have on Covid-19 and hospital resources. This could be a medical nightmare.

Each of us can help by wearing a mask, washing your hands regularly and not taking the risk of socializing in groups larger than 10. Children over the age of two should be wearing a mask and in her medical practice she has seen that this does not seem to bother them.

Dr. Brown has been working with the Catholic school system and they have developed some safeguards for school re-openings. One idea that has been implemented is for students to work within pods, much like our family pods. This would assist in that is one student in the pod became infected, then the quarantine group would be the pod members and not the class at large.

In Beaumont the infections rate for the city is 2% and in Jefferson County it is 1%. Presently, there is decrease in date due to the hurricane and evacuation. It will be another week before the community finds out the impact of evacuation and spread of Covid-19.

There are several different tests for Covid-19 which are the quick test (which has varying accuracy) and lab tested results which right now are taking 2 to 3 days to process. There is still a manufacturing problem of tests and the discussion of who should be tested due to the number of tests available.

There is hope that a vaccine will be available by the first of the year and planning to distribute that vaccine will be difficult with the sheer number of people who will be vaccinated. When asked in discussion how long Dr. Brown thinks we will be in this situation, her estimate is next summer.

We thank Dr. Brown for her down to earth explanation and information. It is very apparent that Dr. Brown loves her job but not this virus and the impact it’s having on our community.

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Link to the Zoom page which includes this and the recorded meetings for July-August 2020.

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Office: 409-842-1913

admin@beaumontrotaryclub.org

Fax: 409-842-5613