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. Sign into the meeting between 11:30 and Noon and you can enjoy some social time with other members before the meeting starts at Noon.
PROGRAM PREVIEW
May 13, 2020
"Protecting the Rights of the Elderly"
F. Scott Dueser
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
First Financial Bankshares, Inc. and
First Financial Bank, N. A.
Whether you fall in the category defined as "elderly" or you love and care for someone who fits the definition, you need to know and help to protect the rights of the elderly. "In addition to the protections enjoyed by all Texans, state law provides special rights and protections for elderly individuals, including anyone 60 and over." In fact, if you refer to the website page that begins with this sentence, that of the Attorney General of Texas, Ken Paxton (https://www2.texasattorneygeneral.gov/seniors/rights-of-the-elderly), you will find the "Rights of the Elderly Under Texas Law." At the meeting on May 13, you will learn much more about "The Right to Manage Financial Affairs" from Scott Dueser who is considered an expert in the area of elder abuse.
Scott Dueser received a BBA in Finance and Accounting from Texas Tech University in 1975 and graduated from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University in 1981. He started his banking career in 1971 and joined First National Bank of Abilene in 1976. He is presently Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Financial Bankshares, Inc. and First Financial Bank N. A.
Scott has served as Chairman of Texas Bankers Association, as President of American Institute of Banking, and in 2018, he served as the Chairman of the International Financial Conference (IFC). He served on Texas Tech University’s Board of Regents from 2005-2009 and as Board Chairman 2008-2009. In 2006, Scott received the Rawls College of Business Distinguished Alumni Award from his alma mater. In 2013, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking.
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Head Table for May 13
Invocation:
Robert Kocot
Market President
First Financial Bank, N.A.
Pledges to USA & Texas Flags:
Brad Brown
Senior Vice President
First Financial Trust & Asset Management Company, N.A.
Introduction of Guest Speaker
Chuck Mason
President
Mason Construction, Ltd.
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.
"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.)
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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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Time to Serve!
The demand for food has been great in Beaumont and Southeast Texas for some time now. We heard that in detail from Dan Maher, President/CEO at Southeast Texas Food Bank, when he spoke to the Club in the fall of 2019. He told of many, many people suffering from food insecurity on a daily basis right here in our hometown. However, with many people having had their workload drastically reduced or perhaps being completely out-of-work due to the Coronavirus, the need for assistance has grown even more. After looking into how Rotarians can be of service in the community, the Board of Directors did not have to look far to know that the Southeast Texas Food Bank can use financial support which we are providing, and they also need volunteers to help prepare the boxes of food to be distributed to the individuals and families who are living with great need.
Is it time to serve? Are YOU personally ready to serve? In light of the health crisis still affecting the area, the answer to this question has to be left to you to answer for yourself. What are you comfortable doing?
Members of the Club will serve from 8:30-11:30 on both Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May 16 at the Southeast Texas Food Bank. You are welcome to join us if you are comfortable with doing so. Volunteers should wear face coverings and will be working a safe distance from others.
c. click on "Register for An Event" to complete a volunteer profile page;
d. click on the calendar for a list of dates/times and indicate which day you would like to serve.
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Flag Project for Memorial Day
We may be practicing "social distancing" now but we still have an obligation to our subscribers to put out flags on Memorial Day to commemorate those who have died in military service.
Using the recommended practices in place now we think we can fulfill our obligation without difficulty. With staggered times for volunteers to get the flags needed from the Scout Office, with face coverings, smaller routes where needed, and multiple vehicles per route where needed, we think we can deliver on our "Show Your Colors" Flag Project for Memorial Day which is Monday, May 25th. Volunteers may choose to drive separately, bring family members to help, or request to do the route alone. We are happy to accommodate your requests if you feel comfortable serving with us! Please phone or email Pat Anderson or Gary Moncla to let them know if you are able to serve and with what accommodations you need.
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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. We need volunteers to lead the invocation and lead the pledges. Please consider serving for a May or June date. You'll find the link here:
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Sam Fazio
May 13
Kal Kincaid
May 15
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CELEBRATING ROTARY ANNIVERSARIES!
We celebrate your membership in our Club!
Charlie Cox
May 11, 2005
15 years
Charles Heare
May 15, 1996
24 years
Earl Hines
May 15, 1991
29 years
David James
May 16, 2018
2 years
Steve Lucas
May 16, 2001
19 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
Stephanie Shoemaker
And all Rotarians who are not able to use Zoom.
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
May 6, 2020
"What to Expect as the 2020 Hurricane Season"
Chris Hebert
TropicsWatch Manager
StormGeo
by Marianne Laine
On May 6, 2020, Chris Hebert, of StormGeo in Houston, also known as the “Hurricane Guy,” gave a wonderful presentation via ZOOM. Mr. Hebert, who graduated from Texas A&M University (whoop!), has 40 years’ experience in forecasting tropical cyclones, hurricanes, and other storms. He began by reviewing last year’s storm history. In 2019, there were 18 named storms, with 6 hurricanes and 3 intense storms, including Tropical Storm Imelda, which hit Southeast Texas hard with the record-breaking and devastating floods it caused. Among the notable storms in 2019 were Barry, a tropical storm that hit Southeast Louisiana and Dorian, a category 5 hurricane that hit the Bahamas.
Mr. Hebert also addressed a frequently asked question: are there more hurricanes and storms now than in the past? To answer this question, Mr. Hebert showed Rotarians a chart displaying a gradual trend upward. That said, he stated that the trend upward does not necessarily mean there are more storms currently than historically. Mr. Hebert explained that storm naming conventions have changed in recent years, meaning that storms that would not have qualified for a name historically, might now receive one. Additionally, advancing technology likely accounts for the increasing number of storms detected. Conversely, the lack of technology in the 1800s and early 1900s resulted in the detection of fewer hurricanes and storms (at least those storms that never made landfall).
For 2020, Mr. Hebert stated that the current trend is a slow cooling for the Tropical Pacific waters, water temperatures across the Atlantic are well above normal at present, and temperatures are trending a little cooler in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Additionally, oceanic heat content is considerably higher this year, particularly in the central and western Caribbean. All of these facts, among others, lead Mr. Hebert to conclude there is a low probability—around 21%—for El Niño this year, and no El Niño increases the probability of a more active hurricane season. For 2020, StormGeo is predicting 16 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 INTENSE hurricanes. We look forward to having Mr. Hebert back next May to give us insight into the 2021 hurricane season.
You can watch Chris' presentation here via the recorded meeting.
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The demand for food has been great in Beaumont and Southeast Texas for some time now. We heard that in detail from Dan Maher, President/CEO at Southeast Texas Food Bank, when he spoke to the Club in the fall of 2019. He told of many, many people suffering from food insecurity on a daily basis right here in our hometown. However, with many people having had their workload drastically reduced or perhaps being completely out-of-work due to the Coronavirus, the need for assistance has grown even more. After looking into how Rotarians can be of service in the community, the Board of Directors did not have to look far to know that the Southeast Texas Food Bank can use financial support which we are providing, and they also need volunteers to help prepare the boxes of food to be distributed to the individuals and families who are living with great need. 
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