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.
PLEASE make a reservation if you are planning to attend the meeting in person before 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 21 by linking to the reservation form here:
If you are unable to complete the electronic form and would like to be added to the reservation list, please call the Rotary office at 409-842-1913.
ALERT: COVID is a very active threat to unvaccinated, immunocompromised, and even vaccinated people. Please take all necessary precautions to protect yourself and others. Please do not attend a meeting or function of the club if you have been exposed to COVID or are exhibiting any symptoms of the illness. Members are strongly encouraged to wear a facemask unless seated at a table. Masks will be available if you do not have one. Hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance to the room.
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MEETING PREVIEW
September 22, 2021
"Beaumont to Host World Series!"
Freddie Willard
Director of Sales
Beaumont Convention & Visitors Bureau
The Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau submitted a bid to host the Beep Baseball World Series in 2022 and was selected! "After a year-long process of site visits, presentations in Braille and meetings with NBBA board members and tournament committee members, Beaumont won the bid to bring the World Series to the Golden Triangle. Teams from all over the country and the world will meet in Beaumont for the playoffs." (from the Beaumont Enterprise, Rachel Kersey Staff Writer,
"Beep baseball is a challenging, physically-demanding and enjoyable competitive sport for athletes who are blind or visually impaired. Whether in the batter's box or in the field, athletes use a combination of strength, skill and auditory senses to focus on the beeping ball and buzzing bases." - from the website: https://www.nbba.org/
To tell us more about the World Series, we welcome Freddie Willard, sales director for the Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau who is responsible for positioning Beaumont as a premier meeting destination. An employee of the Beaumont CVB since 1997, Freddie specializes in sales, event management & logistics for the sports, government and Texas Association markets.
Freddie began her career in hotel sales and catering in 1992 with the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites. She is a graduate of Leadership Beaumont and participated in the Ambassador Program for the Beaumont Chamber of Commerce. She is also a 2011 graduate of Leadership Southeast Texas. Freddie received her Texas Destination Marketing (TDM) designation. The TDM Certification program offers industry professionals an educational framework for marketing Texas as a destination for both tourism and group business.
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Head Table for September 22
Invocation:
James Han
Director of Choral Activities
Lamar University
Pledges to USA & Texas Flags:
Derina Holtzhausen
Dean, College of Fine Arts & Communication
Lamar University
Introduction of Guests:
John Lee
Business Advisor
Lamar University Small Business Development Center
Introduction of Speaker:
Dean Conwell
Executive Director
Beaumont Convention & Visitors Bureau
Please volunteer for Head Table responsibilities through the sign-up at:
Building the components for The N.E.S.T. at Martin Elementary; 9:00 a.m. until (about) 2:00 p.m. (see volunteer sign up)
28
Board of Directors monthly meeting; 11:30 a.m., Eleganté Hotel
30
Rotary After Hours; 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., Madison's on Dowlen
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The N.E.S.T. project at Martin Elementary has been underway for some time now and it is time to begin the final phase! We need volunteers to help to assemble the components to complete the room so the Learning Lab is ready for the ribbon-cutting and opening day. Can you help? The work day is slated for Saturday, September 25 beginning at 9:00 a.m. and continuing until about 2:00 p.m. or when the work is completed. Sign up to join us in the fun and see this project get ready for the official opening day!
Sign up to help here:
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There is still time to register for the District 5910 Fall Learning Get-Together on Saturday, October 2nd 8:30 -1:30 in Livingston.
Hurricane Ida created massive devastation for Louisiana. Rotarians, as people of action, are again called to bring the Rotary theme "Serve to Change Lives" to action! Board member Jay Wilson explained to the Club members at the meeting on Wednesday, September 8 that while distance and the lack of overnight accommodations makes it difficult for members of our club to travel to the New Orleans/Houma/Gonzales, we hope to send funds to a Rotary Club in the area to assist them with the work they are doing for the residents who lost so much. The collection taken on September 8 totaled $1,655 ($555 in cash, $100 check, $1,000 by credit card). On September 15, we collected $501. Thank you all for reaching into your pockets and purses to give what you were able to.
We will continue collecting financial gifts through the end of September and then send a check to one of the Rotary Clubs of Louisiana which is actively involved in recovery efforts. You may donate at any meeting this month, donate online, or send it to the Rotary office. We understand that there have been many organizations offering aid and if you have helped in another way please know it is appreciated, and we respect your gift of Service Above Self.
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WINE DOWN WITH ROTARY IS POSTPONED
Rotary Club of Beaumont Board of Directors have POSTPONED Wine Down With Rotary until Thursday, January 27, 2022.
The postponed event will be bigger and better than ever! The new date allows for more time to sell tickets, and with the holiday just a month before the event, a ticket to attend Wine Down With Rotary will make a great gift!
Ticket Chair Cheryl Bilyeu will be available each week at meetings to collect money for tickets sold or issue a packet of tickets for you to purchase or sell. Raffle Chair Dee Lane will happily accept your donations of scratch off tickets or gift cards and any other raffle item you would like to donate. Wine Pull Chair Kevin Reed is asking that you continue to bring him a bottle of wine, valued at $20 or more so he can create a huge wine pull.
And thank you from all the Committee for your continued support.
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Thank you to our sponsors!
CHAMPAGNE LEVEL - $3,000
JK CHEVROLET-SUBARU
MASON CONSTRUCTION
PINOT NOIR - $2,000 Level
American Valve & Hydrant
MERLOT - $1,000 Level
Common Cents Credit Union Tri-Oak Financial
PINOT GRIGIO - $500 Level
Advanced Pediatric Care - Diane Bass & James Kersh
Bobbie Applegate
H. A. Cherry Enterprises, LLC
Laura & Craig Escamilla
Joe J. Fisher, Jr.
Sharon & Roger McCabe
Patti & Floyd McSpadden
RIESLING - $300 LEVEL
IN-KIND DONORS
AlphaGraphics (formerly The Printery)
Art Museum of Southeast Texas (Lynn Castle)
How would you like to see your business or your personal name listed? Please remember, sponsorships for this event are deposited to the Beaumont Rotary Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization and are tax-deductible. The proceeds fund the projects of the Club which include college and LIT scholarships; literacy/reading projects at Martin Elementary; the layette project for Nicaragua; sending students to the youth leadership training called Camp RYLA, and more. Call Sponsorships Chair Cindy Cherry at 409-673-3113 or the Rotary office at 409-842-1913.
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Though the event has been postponed for a few months, Raffle Chair Dee Lane is determined to use the extra time to create an even more fantastic raffle and auction! She asks for donations of any item that others would be eager to have. She is also requesting donations of any type of gift card in any amount for a large basket she is putting together as a raffle item. We will appreciate donations of gift cards of any value, to any business. Scratch-off tickets of any kind would make a great addition too. Of course, if you would like to just donate cash with which we can purchase a gift card or raffle tickets, that would be appreciated as well.
Donations for the raffle can be brought to any Wednesday meeting and given to Dee Lane or to Jacque Chapman. You can also drop off items to the Rotary office during usual business hours.
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New member
Proposed by
Status
Barbara Newhouse
Teresa Simpson
welcomed on 7-21-21
Deborah Tomov
Leonard Juncker
welcomed on 7-21-21
Joey Kressman
Sheree Pierce
welcomed on 8-04-21
Jacquetta Walker
Jay Wilson
welcomed on 8-04-21
Amy Wilson
Jay Wilson
welcomed on 8-04-21
Rebekah Patin
Cindy Cherry
welcomed on 8-04-21
James Kersh
Diane Bass
welcomed on 8-04-21
Marco Born
Craig Escamilla
welcomed on 8-18-21
Erika Harris
Teresa Simpson
welcomed on 09-01-21
Nicholas Ganjei
Dana Timaeus
welcomed on 09-01-21
Shawn Javid
Dana Timaeus
welcomed on 09-01-21
Shelby Brannan
Deborah Drago
awaiting Orientation
Brian Shajari
Ty Coudrain
awaiting Orientation
Misty Fountain
Kevin Reed
pending Orientation
Angie Hebert
Joanne Brown
pending Orientation
Dayna Simmons
Robert Kocot
pending Orientation
Do you know that when asked why they aren't a Rotarian, many people say that no one has asked them to join!
Haveinvited someone to become a Rotarian?
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Cindy Cherry
September 20
Zach Celeste
September 23
Mark Hall
September 24
Robert Hickman
September 24
Twila Baker
September 25
Butch Cherry
September 25
Hubert Oxford
September 25
Bridget Johnson
September 27
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ROTARY ANNIVERSARIES
We celebrate your
membership in our Club!
Jennifer Burch
September 20, 2017
4 years
Becky Mason
September 20, 2000
21 years
Denise McLean
September 20, 2007
14 years a Rotarian;
joined this club on November 4, 2020
Roger McCabe
September 23, 1981
40 years
Kal Kincaid
September 24, 1997
24 years
Dan Parker
September 24, 1997
24 years
Josh Smith
September 26, 2012
9 years
Teresa Simpson
September 27, 2006
15 years
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PROGRAM REVIEW
September 15, 2021
“SOST: Playing it Forward into the Future"
Chelsea Tipton
Musical Director
Beaumont Enterprise
by Chuck Heare
Our program last Wednesday was from our own Chelsea Tipton, Music Director and Conductor of the Symphony of Southeast Texas. His first comment was about the challenge the symphony faced last year. The symphony has been performing 69 years, including last year despite the challenges caused by the pandemic. Programs were initially performed last fall via live stream, and live streams are still available now for those uncomfortable about being in venues with large numbers of attendees.
Several factors must be considered when putting together a performance. The cost of each performance is determined by the number of musicians needed, the cost of the guest artist, promotion of the performance, and any additional equipment needed for visual effects. In order to keep the programs interesting, the artistic committee strives to provide variety.
This season there will be four classic performances, two pop performances, a holiday program, and a performance at Shangri La Gardens in Orange. The classic concerts will feature Andrew Sords on violin, Claire Huangci on piano, the Beaumont Interfaith Choir and SOST Choir, several SOST Percussionists, and a program accompanied by visuals from National Geographic featuring a global, musical exploration of the sea, shore, land, mountains and sky. The two pops performances will feature Daniel Emmet from “America’s Got Talent” fame who sings in seven languages, and "Radiance, The Ladies of Motown," who will pay tribute to the Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas, the Marvelettes and other female artists from the Motown musical era.
Season tickets are available from $120-$275, single performance tickets for the Classics are $32-$55, Pops are $34-$75 and the Holiday concert is $20-$30. We have an extremely talented orchestra in Beaumont, Texas. If you don’t attend their performances, you are missing a wonderful experience. There really is something for everyone.
Photos by Kara Timberlake
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Link to the Zoom page which includes this and will include all recorded meetings for July - September 2021.
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The N.E.S.T. project at Martin Elementary has been underway for some time now and it is time to begin the final phase! We need volunteers to help to assemble the components to complete the room so the Learning Lab is ready for the ribbon-cutting and opening day. Can you help? The work day is slated for Saturday, September 25 beginning at 9:00 a.m. and continuing until about 2:00 p.m. or when the work is completed. Sign up to join us in the fun and see this project get ready for the official opening day! 
Hurricane Ida created massive devastation for Louisiana. Rotarians, as people of action, are again called to bring the Rotary theme "Serve to Change Lives" to action! Board member Jay Wilson explained to the Club members at the meeting on Wednesday, September 8 that while distance and the lack of overnight accommodations makes it difficult for members of our club to travel to the New Orleans/Houma/Gonzales, we hope to send funds to a Rotary Club in the area to assist them with the work they are doing for the residents who lost so much. The collection taken on September 8 totaled $1,655 ($555 in cash, $100 check, $1,000 by credit card). On September 15, we collected $501. Thank you all for reaching into your pockets and purses to give what you were able to.
WINE DOWN WITH ROTARY IS POSTPONED
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