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.
Weekly meetings are being held using Zoom. If you need to learn how to use Zoom, please read the article that follows in the RotaryGrams, the club weekly bulletin.
Sign into the meeting early, between 11:30 and Noon, and you can enjoy some social time with other members before the meeting starts at Noon. Bring your own lunch!
PROGRAM PREVIEW
April 29, 2020
"Leading the Horse to Water....The Rule of Law in Afghanistan"
Brit Featherston
Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney
United States Attorney's Office
Eastern District of Texas
Rotarians will remember that Brit Featherston spoke to the Rotary Club of Beaumont on January 22, 2020. Many were so mesmerized by his presentation that they were very disappointed when we had not allowed him enough time to complete his riveting talk. After hearing much insistence from members, we invited Mr. Featherston to return for a second presentation this year, and we were delighted he agreed to be our speaker again on Wednesday. Because of the wonderful technology of Zoom, everyone will have a front row seat to view his pictures as he tells the story of the year he spent in Afghanistan.
Brit Featherston started his career in law enforcement in 1981, at the Port Arthur police department. After serving the people of Port Arthur on the police force for many years, enrolling in Baylor Law School was an obvious choice for Featherston. After graduating law school, Brit Featherston did a brief stint in a private law practice before returning to his true passion, law enforcement. Since then Featherston has built a career that is as fascinating as it is impressive. He now serves as the Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney working for U.S. Attorney Malcolm Bales in the Eastern District of Texas.
Brit Featherston's presentation will be about his job as Justice Attaché for the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, where he worked for a year with Afghanistan law enforcement and Justice sectors to improve access to the courts and civil rights for Afghan citizens. Despite 19+ years of efforts, progress is elusive!
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Update to Using Zoom or A Lesson Learned from Last Week's Experience Using Zoom!
A large number of Rotarians encountered a problem when trying to join the Zoom meeting on 4/22/20. We determined the problem for many was that the link for a previous meeting was stored in the computer browser and the Zoom account "remembered" the link stored in the history and automatically linked to it.
Those who logged in directly using the meeting number and password had no trouble at all.
Therefore it is suggested that users:
a. Clear the browser history in the chosen browser.
b. Rather than using the direct link to the meeting - that is, the long https://link, log into Zoom (https://zoom.us/), click on "Join a Meeting." Then use the meeting ID and password which will be in the email sent to you, just after the long link, like this example:
(THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF LAST WEEK'S MEETING. Each meeting has a new and unique Meeting ID and Password. It will not work for you this week. It is shown as example only.)
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Are you new to using Zoom? It seems as though every one is using Zoom for meetings now but if you have not yet tried it, you will be amazed that we are able to still meet, see one another and hear an amazing speaker using this great communication tool.
If you click on the image below, the instructions are provided to help you get set up. You do not have to register for an account or sign up for anything. You will simply click on a link that will be provided to you and you will "join the meeting."
(Click on page to open a large image.)
The first time you use Zoom, the program will ask to download a file to your computer or mobile device. Please accept or allow the download. Then after clicking on the link, if asked "do you want to join with audio?" please agree. The online meeting should open and you will join the group for the weekly meeting.
A meeting log-in link will be sent to you on Wednesday morning for that day's meeting. The meeting will open at 11:30 a.m. so everyone can accept the invitation, join the meeting, and have a short time for friendly exchanges before President Joe rings the bell at Noon.
Please attend. These meetings have been successful and thoroughly enjoyable. Join us!
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Head Table for April 29
Invocation:
Josh Smith
Owner/General Manager
Bill Clark Pest Control, Inc.
Pledges to USA & Texas Flags:
Cori Garcia
Agent
Farmers Insurance
Introduction of Guest Speaker
Randall Fluke
Assistant U. S. Attorney
United States Government
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. Link to the online signup systemor contact Jennifer Burch, Chair, at409-201-3016.
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We have returned to regular weekly meetings, so we are looking for volunteers for the positions at the virtual head table each week. We need volunteers to lead the invocation and lead the pledges. Please consider serving for an April, May or June date. You'll find the link here:
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CALENDAR OF ROTARY EVENTS
(Club events & opportunities for meeting makeups)
APRIL
31
Board of Directors meeting; 11:30 a.m. online in Zoom meeting; members who would like to join in the meeting live, please send an request to receive the link by email to: admin@beaumontrotaryclub.org
MAY
5
Rotary After Hours celebrating Cinco de Mayo!; 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., online using Zoom
25
"Show Your Colors" Flag Project for Memorial Day; 5:30 a.m., Dishman Scout Office (Watch for details on the methods we will use to stay within the Coronavirus restrictions.)
26
Board of Directors meeting; 11:30 a.m. online in Zoom meeting; members who would like to join in the meeting live, please send an request to receive the link by email to: admin@beaumontrotaryclub.org
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Message from Global Grant Scholar
We were delighted to receive a message from Sakurah Fisher, District 5910 Global Grant Scholar, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Beaumont.
Greetings Beaumont Rotary Club! I send my deepest condolences during this hectic and unbecoming period. I hope everyone and your families remain safe and in good health. Korea has also had a heavy scare regarding the corona virus around the time I arrived in mid February. The number of confirmed cases skyrocketed to put the country as the second most infected area. Despite the uncertainties and fear, the club president, Mr. Min, and secretary, Mr. Koh, from Sae Hanyang Rotary Club greeted me at the airport and assisted me in my move in, after a great first Korean meal. As of today, I am on week three of online classes for my graduate program. I have slowly become acquainted with other graduate students through online interaction and within the dormitory. I wish everyone well and I hope to communicate with you all in the near future again!
Sincerely,
Sakurah Fisher
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We are pleased to invite you to participate in a COVID-19 #RotaryResponds one-hour Telethon to raise critical funds for disaster response. This Facebook Live event will be simulcast on the Rotary International Facebook page. The goal is to raise more than $1 million dollars. (the link is now live)
Rotary’s 1.2 million members across the globe have taken swift action to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. More than $3.4 million in Rotary Disaster Response Grants have already been put into action on the frontlines to battle COVID-19. Additionally, millions more have been raised by our #PeopleofAction - they have responded quickly and are truly saving lives. Now, we need to do more and the need for additional funding is a priority.
Join this live event to hear stories of hope, inspiration and gratitude from Rotarians, Rotaractors and friends of Rotary from across the globe as they share what they are doing to help their communities. The telethon will also showcase how our polio eradication infrastructure is helping to combat COVID-19.
How can you participate:
1. Participate in the telethon on Facebook Live on 2 May at Rotary International's Facebook Page (facebook.com/rotary).The live stream will be simulcast in eight languages.
2. Share this event & spread the word through your social media channels.
3. Invite friends, family, and members of your community to watch and see first-hand what Rotary's People of Action are doing to combat COVID-19.
4. Post on social media during the broadcast and on the day of the event using the hashtag #RotaryResponds.
Wherever you may be, please plan to attend Rotary After Hours on Tuesday, May 5!
5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Hosted by Mellie Bevilacqua & Deborah Drago
District 5910 is planning an event that evening also that begins at 7:00 p.m.
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While we are practicing distancing, this is the PERFECT time to have the Club Directory available at your fingertips.
If you have not downloaded the ClubRunner app to your cellphone, you will find it a great help when trying to contact fellow Rotarians. The app is available for iPhones, iPads and Androids. Download it to your phone and have the membership directory available, and you are assured it is the latest information. Simply go to the app store you use and search for "ClubRunner" (one word) and the icon is CR. Download it to your phone. You will need to log-in to the app just like you log-into the website, using the same screen name and password
Please note the ClubRunner app "Club Members" page does not update automatically. To keep current, you need to refresh to get the latest additions and updates to the membership directory because it changes frequently. It only takes a minute to re-fresh by clicking on the arrows forming a circle on the top right of the screen. You will have up-to-the-minute membership records at your fingertips!
There are other stories that can be seen through the app also. If you use the bars at the top left of the app screen, you can see the menu of stories and links. You can read some of the club stories from the website and bulletin and find club events and upcoming meeting speakers listed. You can also check your attendance on the app! (Let the office know if your attendance is not reporting correctly please.)
There is a District menu for contacting Rotarians in other clubs within the District and you can see District events that are coming up too.
Please remember the membership directory is for club use only. It is not for distribution to non-Rotarians nor may it be used for any type of commercial mailing or contact list. Thank you.
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Kari Dolan
April 28
Ken Evans
April 28
Bill Clark
April 29
Deborah Drago
April 29
Don Thompson
April 30
Gary Coker
May 3
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CELEBRATING ROTARY ANNIVERSARIES!
We celebrate your membership in our Club!
Sammy Scoggin
April 29, 2009
11 years
Steve Gilbert
April 30, 2014
6 years
Joanne Brown
May 4, 2016
4 years
Tommy Hebert
May 4, 1988
32 years
Stephanie Shoemaker
May 4, 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.
Larry Beaulieu
Rosie DeLano
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
April 22, 2020
"Small Businesses and Non-Profits:
Surviving COVID-19"
John Lee
Business Advisor
Small Business Development Center
by Diane Bass
Lynn Castle, Executive Director of the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, introduced John Lee. John is one of our members who is a Business Advisor for the Small Business Development Center at Lamar University. John is certainly the one to update all of us on the current opportunities and challenges for business owners during this economic tsunami. The SBDC serves the Texas Gulf Coast Network and is located at Lamar University.
The SBDC provides no-cost, low-cost training services and resources to help new and growing businesses succeed. Services include but are not limited to business planning, market research, financial analysis, strategic planning and capital access. The Mission of the SBDC is:
#1 Trusted Small Business Resource – To deliver expert business advice and training to help existing and future business owners start, grow, and succeed.
The Vision of the SBDC is to be the first-choice provider of business advice and training to entrepreneurs and business owners.
The SBDC has information on several relief options in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic:
Paycheck Protection Program – PPP
Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Emergency Advance – EIDL
SBA Express Bridge Loans
SBA Debt Relief
Federal Reserve Main Street Loans
Each of these options comes with specific eligibility and funding limits. The SBDC Business Advisors are the best resource to understand who qualifies, the applications process, the limits, and the amounts available. The one important message that John emphasized is that every business owner needs to have a relationship with a bank and/or a loan officer. So many of his calls are from businesses who either do not know who their contact person is with the bank, or they have no idea that a relationship is really that important. Our local bankers are on the front line of our economic recovery.
John also wanted us to know that our Rotary Club has been extremely helpful to members by offering referrals and suggestions on who to call and how to stay informed of the different programs. This is what Rotary does, and in this type of crisis our club has been instrumental in connecting many of our members to those who can help.
We are so grateful to John for his presentation and his guidance. He is available and willing to help. These programs are complex and are changing daily. The SBDC is the authority on how to navigate the business environment in both normal and extraordinary circumstances. The website is www.sbdc.uh.edu/sbdc/Lamar_University, the phone number is 409-880-2367, or you can email them at sbdc@lamar.edu.
Thank you, John, for being such an important resource for our businesses and our recovery. We are proud to have you as a member of our club. We will survive this, and we will be better prepared for any new economic challenge that comes our way. Stay strong, stay safe and stay healthy.
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