Don Dodd, CEO and publisher of The Examiner, a locally owned and operated newspaper serving Beaumont, Port Arthur, Orange and Southeast Texas was guest speaker at the February 26th meeting of the Rotary Club of Beaumont. Mr. Dodd scooped Rotarians and guests to a new project that the Examiner organization is working on, 'Kids Scoop News'. 

'Kids Scoop News' is a Sonoma, California based news paper targeting elementary aged students. Its mission is to provide interactive, engaging and relevant age-appropriate materials designed to awaken the magic of reading at school, at home, and throughout a lifetime. Mr. Dodd spoke of the literacy crisis which indicates that 40% of students across the nation are unable to read at a basic level, and statistics show that 85% of juvenile offenders have problems reading. Subscription rates will be $20 per student per year and organizations can sponsor individual students, classrooms, schools, or other organizations. 

Serving as Greeters for the meeting were John Rollins and Fabiana Baum. Jacques Gagne and Jeff Beaver managed the Finance Table. Bruce Walker delivered the Invocation, Dean Conwell led Pledges to the United States and Texas flags, and Mellie Bevilacqua introduced guests.  Action items were presented by Van Greer, Board Secretary from the previous day's Board Meeting, and included names of three new members, and one resignation due to expanded employment responsibilities. Virtue Alexander, Chair, Women's Day, announced sponsorship opportunities and the four panelists for the March 5th event. Past President Bobbie Applegate reminded members to submit nominations for the prestigious T. Kelsey Lamb, Sr. award being presented March 26th. 

President Michael Perez closed the meeting honoring speaker Don Dodd with a donation being sent to Rotary International in the area of Community Development. Photos taken at the meeting were courtesy of Jennifer Deaton Gregory.