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.
"An Update: the American Dream is Still Alive & Well at LIT"
Dr. Lonnie Howard
President
Lamar Institute of Technology
Who better to tell about the programs and achievements of Lamar Institute of Technology than the President, Dr. Lonnie Howard?
The son of a Southeast Texas sharecropper, Lonnie’s life started in a 3-room shack with no indoor plumbing. Placed in remedial classes and not viewed as college material, there were few options for him after high school. Because of a love of country, Lonnie joined the U.S. Army. After an honorable discharge, he first worked as a janitor in an industrial shop. Life continued to be hard. He had no reliable transportation, was almost homeless, and ate only a half can of sweet peas in the mornings and the other half in the evenings.
Lonnie overcame these challenges, worked his way up from being a janitor to become a certified welder, a computer-aided drafter, and then moved into the Human Resources area. However, still feeling educationally unfulfilled and struggling to earn a degree, he did not graduate with an associate's degree until age 36. But less than 12 years later, he had completed a total of five college degrees: AAS, AGS, BS, MS, and PhD (University of Texas at Austin) with a 4.0 GPA. In addition, Dr. Howard went on to attend postdoctoral training in Emerging Online Leadership (Penn State University) and Strategic Business Management (Harvard University).
~excerpt from the Lamar Institute of Technology website
Dr. Howard will be giving an overall update on how the American Dream is still alive and well at Lamar Institute of Technology, speaking on partnerships with local and regional independent school districts, academic and certificate programs, community partnerships and expansion.
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Head Table for June 5
Invocation:
Ellen Zimmerman
Owner
Ellen Zimmerman Consulting, LLC
Pledges to USA & Texas Flags:
Derwin Samuels
Executive Director of Human Resources
Beaumont Independent School District
Introduction of Guests:
Stephanie Roberts
Community Outreach Coordinator
Claybar Funeral Home
Introduction of Guest Speaker:
Patrick Calhoun
Executive Director of Development/Foundation
Lamar Institute of Technology
Would you like to take part in the weekly meetings in a more active role? Don't wait to be asked. Volunteer for one of the weekly assignments! Choose your role and a date that is convenient. Contact Lynn Hill at 409-781-3291 or lynnhillbd@gmail.com.
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CALENDAR OF ROTARY EVENTS
(Club events & opportunities for meeting makeups)
JUNE
14
"Show Your Colors" Flag project for Flag Day; 5:00 a.m.; Dishman Scout office
18
Board of Directors Orientation, 11:45 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas
25
Board of Directors meeting, 11:45 a.m. at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas
25
"Toast to Lynn"; final meeting of the Rotary year; 5:30 p.m.; Art Museum of Southeast Texas; replaces the meeting on Wednesday, June 26
26
No meeting at the MCM Eleganté
JULY
3
No meeting at the MCM Eleganté
4
"Show Your Colors" Flag project for Independence Day; 5:00 a.m.; Dishman Scout office
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BOARD ACTION
The Board of Directors recently approved a new member proposal:
Ana Pereda
Vice President of Economic Development, Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce
Classification: Associations-Chamber of Commerce
Proposed by Rebekah Maxwell
Jennifer Nesom
Director of Operations, PRIMCO
Classification: Business Service - Information Storage
Proposed by Rebekah Maxwell
Patricia “Trish” Barry Rumble
Playwright/Producer, PlayItStore
Classification: Theatrical - Producer/Playwright
Proposed by Sheree Pierce
The Board approved a classification change:
Sharon Almquist
From: Adjunct Professor, Northern Kentucky University
Please submit any objection to these proposals before June 8th. Thank you.
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DUES INVOICING AND THE BILLING CYCLE
Rotary operates financially at the club, district, and international levels. Dues, along with contributions to the Beaumont Rotary Foundation, support the work done at each level. Dues are billed to the individual at the club level, andthe club pays District and International dues on behalf of every member who is on the membership roster on January 1 and July 1.
In order for the club to pay dues to Rotary International on July 1, each member must be up-to-date on his/her dues to the Club no later than June 30, in advance of the July 1 assessment by Rotary International.
If your January 1 dues remain unpaid on Monday, June 30, you will be terminated in bad-standing, meaning you are ineligible for membership in this or any other Rotary Club until your past due amount has been paid. If your January 1 dues were not paid on time, you will receive a second copy of the past-due invoice along with the July 1 invoice by mail within the week. To prevent termination, you are required to pay both invoices by June 25, the date of the next meeting of the Board of Directors.
In order to make it as convenient as possible for you to submit a timely payment, the Board of Directors has requested that the invoices be sent to members 30-45 days in advance so that each member has adequate time to budget for the expense, process payment, and assure that the invoice is paid by June 30, 2018. To adhere to that guideline, invoices were sent electronically at the end of May.
Electronic invoices were sent last week to all who are in good-standing. If you requested to have a printed invoice mailed to you, it should be received within the week. Please phone the office or email admin@beaumontrotaryclub.org to request a different method of billing or payment. Members with a credit card on file will receive a receipt by email when your card has been charged, or you will be contacted if your credit card information needs to be updated.
If you wish, you can submit your credit card information to be kept on file so that payments are processed for you in advance of the deadline each time.
If you wish, you can make arrangements with the Executive Director to have your charge card processed for your dues in installments until the account is paid in full.
If you do not receive your invoice, have questions or wish to change your membership status, call 409-842-1913. Thank you.
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Items requested: peanut butter, cereals, canned meats, rice, beans, mac & cheese, chili, canned stew, soups, canned fruit, canned vegetables, full box meals, can/powder or shelf-stable milk, 100% juice box/can, pastas
Bring your donations to any Rotary meeting or function this month: June 5, 12, 19, or 25th.
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Meet the Newest Rotarians in our Club!
The meeting on May 29th was exciting with the special introduction of two new members.
Christine deJongh was born in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, United States Virgin Island. She studied at Georgetown University and earned a degree in Biology from the University of the Virgin Islands, and a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Texas School of Public Health-Houston Health Science Center. She was hospital administrator for the US Army Kwajalein Atoll, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and for 13 years at the US Virgin Islands Hospital Corporation on St. Thomas, USVI. She found her way to the area because she wanted to care for her father after he became ill. Christine's mother is from Beaumont, and she is proud to say her great-grandfather was founder of Charlton Pollard School, which Beaumonters well-remember. Now, Christine is Community Practice Manager with UT Physicians Multispecialty Beaumont and enjoys many outdoor recreational activities, international travel and music.
Pictured (left to right) is President Lynn Castle, Christine deJongh, and sponsor Michael Perez
We welcome Derwin Samuels, Executive Director of Human Resources for Beaumont Independent School District. Derwin has been with BISD in this roll for three years now where he is the youngest member of the Executive Cabinet for the School District. The oldest of five boys in his family, it's not surprising that Derwin likes to mentor and help youth. He is a church youth minister and was honored to be named to "40 Under 40" of Southeast Texas in 2018.
Pictured (left to right) is President Lynn Castle with Derwin Samuels
Please visit with Christine and Derwin when they join your table at the special place with the red napkin and get to know them.
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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.
Bobbie Applegate
Sharen Kirksey
If you know of others who should be added to this list, please advise the office staff at 409-842-1913.
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When a Rotarian travels, it's great fun to see photos of them when they find the familiar Rotary logo! And when someone has the opportunity to visit another club and learn of their projects and customs, it is really fun to hear about. This photo is a picture of the Placencia Rotary Club in Belize with our Rotarian Ellen Zimmerman visiting. She is in the center holding the trading banner from their club.
Ellen learned about the Placencia Beach Olympics featuring the world famous human foosball! The event was held in May at the Tipsy Tuna Seaside & Sports Bars. Now doesn't that sound like a FUN-draiser!
Safe travels to all who are traveling now and to all who have wonderful plans throughout the summer! Share your pictures when you find a Rotary landmark or a Rotary Club to visit. Remember to get a trading banner to take with you as that is a custom enjoyed by Rotary Clubs around the world.
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Andrew J. "Jay" Johnson
September 27, 1933 - June 3, 2019
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Michael Ireland
June 5
Derina Holtzhausen
June 8
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PROGRAM REVIEW
May 29, 2019
"The Change Agent"
Damon West
Author & Motivational Speaker
by Chris Ayers
After being “rescued” by a Dallas SWAT team in 2009 and convicted for drug and theft crimes, Damon West was sentenced to 65 years in jail. Before going to jail he promised his mother that he would not join a gang and that he would not get tattoos. While questioning how to survive life behind bars, he met a man named Mr. Jackson. Mr. Jackson taught Damon that prison is like a pot of boiling water. If you place a carrot in the pot, it will become soft and break. If you place an egg in the pot, it has a hard outer shell and soft insides that become hard. However, if you place a coffee bean in the water, the coffee bean actually transforms the water to coffee. This was the key to survival in prison and in turn, to life. According to Damon, there are 5 components to becoming a coffee bean.
Have positive body language – Everything starts with a smile…even in prison. Smile.
Exercise Daily – Exercise spiritually, mentally, and physically. We are what we eat: what are we feeding ourselves, what do we worship, what do we watch and read?
Servant Leadership – Serving others is the key to life.
Control the things that you can control – We can control what we think, say, feel and what we do.
Our past does not define us – The past is our lesson, the present is a gift and the future is our motivation.
Damon West has written 2 books: The Change Agent and The Coffee Bean. He is available on social media: @damonwest7.
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