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.
If you are attending in person, we ask that you use this linkto make a reservation by Monday, October 14, 2024.
In 1992, Leon was invited to visit the 350-member Rotary Club of Waco. He had recently become the Executive Director of a regional planning agency. Realizing that many of the key business and governmental leaders in the Waco area were active Rotarians, he quickly agreed to join. Although Leon joined Rotary to strengthen access to other leaders, he quickly learned the impact of joining forces with other Rotarians provided powerful opportunities to be of service in the community and around the world. Leon served eleven years in the Rotary Club of Waco with ten years of perfect attendance.
Leon and his high school sweetheart, Lynn, were born and reared in Palestine. After Leon graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in architecture and Lynn graduated with a degree in mathematics from Texas Christian University, they were married. Then they enrolled in graduate school at Texas A&M. Leon received a degree in Urban Planning and Lynn received a degree in Mathematics. Following college, Leon was commissioned an Officer in the Army Corps of Engineers and served at Ft Belvoir Virginia and eight years in the reserves. Leon and Lynn are proud of their two adult children, Melissa and Lee and their six grandchildren. During Leon’s professional career, he served eighteen years in the Governor’s Office of Planning and Economic Development, two years as the Executive Director of the State Property Tax Board, and twelve years as the Executive Director of the Heart of Texas Council of Governments, a regional planning agency in Waco. After nurturing the family from home until the children enrolled in school, Lynn entered Seminary to become a Methodist Pastor. Over 27 years, Lynn was able to serve 5 different churches.
After retirement in 2003, Leon and Lynn returned to Palestine. Leon served as President of the Palestine Economic Development Corporation and the Palestine Chamber of Commerce. He has served on the boards of numerous organizations including the YMCA, Meals on Wheels, and his local church. In 2004, Leon joined the Rotary Club of Palestine and continues to be an active member with 20 years of perfect attendance. Leon has served in director roles in service, membership and administration and has served as club President in 2009-10 and 2019-20. Leon is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, a member of the Paul Harris Society and a charter member of the Polio Plus Society. Leon was awarded the district 5910 Roll of Fame in 2012. Leon has served at the district level beginning with the RYLA Adult Leadership Team in 2005. He served as the leader of the RYLA Ropes Course at Woodlake for 5 years and continues to be an active leader. Leon has served as Assistant District Governor 2012-14 and 2021-23. Leon and Lynn’s heart for service led them to become volunteers on a Palestine Rotary Team that responded to Hurricane Harvey in 2017 mucking houses along the Texas coastal area. In 2019, Leon and Lynn traveled to India with a Team of Rotarians from the United States and Canada to participate in a National Polio Immunization Day to help eradicate Polio. In May 2023, Lynn followed in her father’s footsteps and joined Leon as a member of the Rotary Club of Palestine.
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October 16, 2024
Invocation
Misty Fountain
VP-Commercial Lender
First State Bank of Texas
Pledges to USA & Texas Flags
Micheal Perez
Business Development
AGY Transport LLC
Introduction of Guests
Farrah Severs-Young
Executive Director
Healthcare Network Association
Introduction of Speaker
Joanne Brown
Major Gifts Officer
Lamar University
Please volunteer for Head Table responsibilities through the
New Member Orientation, 10:30 AM in the Rotary office
21
Satellite Meeting- 5 Under Golf Center, 5:30-6:30
22
Board of Directors Meeting, 11:30 AM at the MCM Elegante- Fountainview Room
23
World Polio Program
25
Wine Down With Rotary
30
Tim Ocnaschek, Police Chief, Beaumont Police Department
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HEADSHOTS
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WINE DOWN WITH ROTARY
The Wine Down With Rotary is preparing for a great event this year. Make sure to save the date to join us!
SPONSORSHIPS
Click HERE to become a sponsor for this great event! Please include which level in the comments.
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ROTARY DISTRICT 5910 FOUNDATION CELEBRATION
Join us as we celebrate Chuck and Becky Mason who have made such an impact in our community and in our district. To register and find more information, please click HERE or scan the QR code below.
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ROTARY CHORUS
The Rotary Chorus is preparing for another great performance at our Holiday Party! It is not too late to join. Please join us at the Mason home October 15, 2024 at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, October 15, 7:00 PM
1665 Thomas Rd.
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"Show Your Colors" Flag Project:
October 14, 2024 Delivery
Dan Jeans and Paula
Kym Johns
Steve Shoemaker
Pat Anderson
Amanda Ellis
Phil Dunlap
Eddie Arnold
Chuck Heare
Shawn Javed
Lynn & Chris Castle
Cindy Cherry
Deborah Drago
Tim Sudela
Jacques Gagne
Allan Higgins
David James
Terri Potter
Lee Potter
Lane Olson
Robert Kocot
Kate and Rod Carroll
Carol Fernandez
Harvey Zernial
Paul Koester
Kevin Reed
Dee Lane
John Lee
Gigi Mazzola
Jennifer Gregory
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Cynthia Wolf
October 14
Sharon McCabe
October 16
Ron Fletcher
October 16
Earl Hines
October 18
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S L Greenberg
Oct. 16, 1968
56 years
Alan Sampson
Oct. 14, 1998
26 years
Bruce Walker
Oct. 14, 1998
26 years
Gerald Condon
Oct. 14, 1998
26 years
Cheryl Williams
Oct. 20, 1999
25 years
Chelsea Tipton
Oct. 19, 2011
13 years
Mark Hall
Oct. 20, 2015
9 years
Virtue Alexander
Oct. 16, 2019
5 years
John Morrell
Oct. 19, 2022
2 years
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PROGRAM REVIEW
October 9, 2024
Darren Erwin
President and CEO
The Better Business Bureau
By Tim Sudela and Joanne Brown
Rotarian Darren Erwin spoke to the Rotary Club of Beaumont October 9, 2024. Mr. Erwin is the President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Southeast Texas where he works collaboratively with the BBB Board of Directors, BBB staff, and community leaders to ensure the organization fulfills its mission and objectives throughout its 8 and a half county service area. Mr. Erwin has served in several roles with the BBB in his 11 year career with the organization, and assumed the role of President in January 2023.
The BBB organization was initially formed in 1912. The Southeast Texas BBB office was established in 1963 due to the efforts of the Rotary Club of Beaumont which was celebrating its Golden Anniversary. The BBB serves consumers and the business community by fostering trust in the marketplace. They do not receive federal or state funding but generate revenue from Accredited Business and special events including the recent Torch Awards, a sold old event in June 2024. Mr. Erwin is also proud of the work of the BBB Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization which helps to establish scholarships for area youth.
Meeting arrangements were led by John Rollins and Kate Carroll at the Welcoming Table. Four Rotarians served at the Head Table including Vice President Josh Smith, delivering the invocation, Rakesh Korpal leading pledges to the USA & Texas Flags, Shawn Javed, introduction of guests, and Michelle Cobb, introduction of the Speaker. Cheryl Bilyeu, Wine Down with Rotary, shared details about the Friday, October 25 event. Kevin Reed captured beautiful photos throughout the meeting. President Michael Perez closed the meeting with an announcement that Leon Willhite, District Governor, Rotary 5910, will be next week’s speaker.
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