"Drug Abuse: the Impact on the Individual and the Community"
Damon West
"Damon West once had it all. He came from a great family, in a home full of God, love, support, and opportunities to reach any dream. A natural born leader, with good looks and charm, and a three-year starting quarterback, he appeared to be the all-American kid living out his dreams. Underneath this facade, however, was an addict in the early stages of his disease."
And so his biography, cited from his website, begins...but that is only the beginning. His story of college, landing a great job, and beginning a professional career, ended with arrest, or as he likes to call it, "rescue," and a sentence of 65 years in a maximum security Texas prison. He was able to earn early release from prison, but faces more than 50 years of parole.
Damon has made it his goal to tell his story to all who will listen. He has spoken to a lengthy list of local organizations and youth groups, reaching hundreds of people with his moving, inspiring and motivational message.
You can already tell that this is a message you want to hear at Rotary on March 22.
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Head Table for March 22
Invocation:
Shawn Molina
Senior Account Executive
iHeart Media
Pledges to the USA & Texas Flags:
Wes Shipley
President
Ranchers & Farmers Mutual Insurance Company
Introduction of Guests:
Crystal Thibodeau
Assistant Manager
Advanced Staffing, Inc.
Introduction of the Speaker:
W. L. Pate, Jr.
President/Owner
Pate Resources Group
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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 Mark Davis at 409-842-3600 or markdavis@mcmelegante.com.
CALENDAR OF ROTARY EVENTS
(and opportunities for meeting makeups)
MARCH
Monday,
March 27
Rotary After Hours, 5:30-7:00 p.m.; Beaumont Heritage Society's Chambers House Museum grounds
March 28
Board of Directors meeting, 11:45 a.m., The Beaumont Club
March 30
Interact Clubs Mixer, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at West Brook High School
APRIL
April 8
District Assembly, 9:00-Noon, at Lamar University CICE Building, register in advance but pay at the door
April 21-23
District 5910 Conference in Lufkin; register online
April 25
Board of Directors meeting, 11:45 a.m., The Beaumont Club
* * * * * * *
LOOK
WHAT'S AHEAD!
Welcome spring, and welcome Rick Lewandowski to tell us about Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center on March 29!
Neal R. Rasmussen, Ph.D., American Cancer Society, is speaking on April 5 about the latest developments in cancer research and his current studies.
* * * * * * *
It was a beautiful day on Friday, March 17, and the Rotarians lucky enough to be available gave time and effort to the pending projects at Nutrition & Services for Seniors. There was lots of effort, smiles and laughter as we pulled broccoli plants from multiple beds, pulled weeds, and transported piles of dirt to level ground around the new pavilion that now serves as the central focus of the property. Rotarians who gave tremendous service were: Cindy Cherry (project Chair), Elaine Shellenberger (supervisor), Larry Beaulieu, Tommy Hebert, John Rollins (soon-to-be member), Michael Perez, Sheree Pierce, and Stephanie Shoemaker. Michael brought four young future Rotarians with him who were a tremendous help too. Even President Elect Tim Sudela was seen doing a little work!
More photos will be posted on the Service Projects page of the website. Watch for the link soon.
* * * * * * *
Due to a number of conflicts on the original date for this event, it has been changed to Monday, March 27.
You're invited to start the week off with fun of
Monday,
March 27, 2017
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
on the grounds of the
Beaumont Heritage Society's Chambers
House Museum
2240 Calder Avenue
(parking behind the house
between 6th & 7th Streets)
Beer, wine and appetizers
will be served.
Hosted by Alicia McKibbin
* * * * * * *
District Assembly on Saturday, April 8 to Prepare Leaders for 2017-18 Rotary Year
The members of the Rotary Club of Beaumont Board of Directors for 2017-18 are encouraged to attend the District Assembly being held in Beaumont from 9-12 on Saturday, April 8.
District Governor Rhonda Herrington has scheduled the event in Beaumont to make it convenient for all in this area of the District to attend. Incoming President Tim Sudela is encouraging your attendance as the Board can use this time to begin plans for the upcoming Rotary year.
Saturday, April 8
9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
(check in from 8:30-9:00)
Lamar University Center for Innovation, Commercialization & Entrepreneurship
5091 Rolfe Christopher Drive
Cost to attend is only $10 (for continental breakfast, snacks, and all program materials) and can be paid at the check-in that morning. However, you need to register in advance to add to the headcount: http://rotary5910.org/event/year-end-assembly---all-club-training-1/
* * * * * * * *
Register to Attend the District 5910 Conference in Lufkin
(Click on the image to open full resolution.)
* * * * * * *
Bessie Chisum
March 22
Kenny Kraemer
March 22
Kim Dunaway
March 24
Patrick Calhoun
March 25
Rob Glassey
March 25
Ed Edson, III
March 27
* * * * * * *
FAMILY OF ROTARY
We send wishes for a quick recovery to our friends and fellow Rotarians who have been ill, had or are facing surgery, or just need our thoughts and prayers.
We hope you are better soon!
Joshua Taub
RECOVERING FROM SURGERY
James Broussard
Sam Fazio
Elaine Shellenberger
To add your name or another Rotarian to this list of well-wishes, please email: admin@beaumontrotaryclub.org.
* * * * * * *
Kelly Interact Asks for Donations of Items for Two Service Projects
The Kelly High School Interact Club participated in the Matityahu Homeless Ministry on Saturday, March 4, and plans to contribute and help again in the near future. The Matityahu Homeless Ministry feeds the homeless and those in need in the downtown area of Beaumont, and provides them with other necessities. Rotarians who would like to help with this very real need in our community are asked to donate toiletries including shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, socks and underwear. You can bring items to any Rotary meeting or to the Rotary office.
Kelly Interact will participate in a mixer that is being held at West Brook High School on March 30. All participating Interact Clubs are collecting different items to be put into care packages for our military. Kelly is collecting chapstick and welcomes your donations to this project also by March 29.
* * * * * * *
All Invited to Open House
* * * * * * *
PROGRAM REVIEW
March 15, 2017
"Rotaract: Rotary Club Partner"
Rebekah Maxwell
Michael Perez
by Angela Baker
Rotary’s own Rebekah Maxwell and Michael Perez spoke to the club today as World Rotaract Week is being celebrated around the world. There are 8,000 Rotaract clubs in 167 countries. Our club sponsors the Rotaract Club at Lamar and the Beaumont Rotaract Club. District 5910 has 8 Rotaract clubs – 5 at colleges or universities and 3 community.
Rotaract is for young adults 18-30 years of age at college campuses or in the community. They are self-governing and are men and women who want to be involved in service projects both locally and around the world. They are also future Rotarians.
The Lamar Rotaract Club won the university’s Service Organization of the Year 8 years in a row! They can’t win it anymore because they longer have the award. The club has participated in projects in Belize and Nicaragua, as well as the End Polio Now campaign.
In 2013, the Beaumont Rotaract club was founded for young professionals in the community. The club partners with community organizations and events.
Both Rotaract clubs are participants in RYLA. They encourage the high school juniors to seek out Interact at their high schools, and if there isn’t one, to think about starting one. Involvement in Interact leads to Rotaract and eventually to Rotary.
President-Elect Tim Sudela closed the program by reading a Proclamation from Mayor Becky Ames proclaiming the week of March 13-19, 2017, World Rotaract Week in Beaumont.
Thanks to the young people involved in Rotaract, the future of Rotary looks bright. And that’s good news for our Club, our community, our country, and the world.
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