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.
The Rotary Club of Beaumont is pleased to hold weekly hybrid meetings. Members are invited to return to in-person meetings at the MCM Eleganté Hotel or you may choose to attend from your home, office or car using the Zoom link.
If you are unable to complete the electronic form and would like to be added to the reservation list, please call the Rotary office at 409-842-1913.
MEETING PREVIEW
June 16, 2021
"Successes to Celebrate at Lamar University”
Dr. Ken Evans
President
Lamar University
Since assuming the Presidency of Lamar University, members of the Rotary Club of Beaumont have had the privilege of having Dr. Ken Evans - Rotarian Ken Evans - speak about the news of the University. While his appearance on Wednesday was originally scheduled as his annual visit, as we well know, it is his final visit to the Club as speaker and as a member. Ken will soon be returning to Oklahoma where he will step into the role of President at Oklahoma City University.
Come hear about the strides the University has taken under the tenure of Dr. Ken Evans and the legacy he leaves for Lamar University and the Beaumont community.
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Virtual Head Table for June 16
Invocation:
Gig Langston
Past District Governor
Pledges to USA & Texas Flags:
Arne Almquist
Vice President of Information Management
Lamar University
Introduction of Speaker:
Juan J. Zabala Vice President for University Advancement CEO, Lamar University Foundation
Board of Directors meeting; 11:30 a.m.; Fountainview Room, Elegante. Meetings are open to all members. Please make an advance reservation.
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BOARD ACTION
The Board of Directors approved two new membership proposals as announced at the meeting on June 9. Members are allowed 10 days within which to submit an objection to either proposal.
Helen Lou, Professor, Lamar University
Classification: “Education - University - Engineering”
Proposed by Juan Zabala
Deborah Tomov, Executive Director, Family Services of Southeast Texas
Classification: “Associations - Family Services”
Proposed by Leonard Juncker
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A New Cardinal N.E.S.T. is Under Construction at Martin Elementary!
What is a N.E.S.T.?
N.E.S.T. stands for Navigating Excellence Success and Triumph and it is an innovative learning lab.
Dedicated to precocious kids learning in areas applied to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math)
The elementary and middle school labs provide an ENGAGING environment that SPARKS “the love of learning” in the areas of STEAM-related fields
Includes faculty development that promotes STEAM-related curriculum that encourages teachers to seek additional certification in the STEAM areas.
Thank you to the Rotarians who demonstrated "Service Above Self" by posting the flags for "Show Your Colors" subscribers this morning. We are very appreciative and proud of this team:
Virtue Alexander
Allan Higgins
Pat Anderson
David James
Eddie Arnold
Dan Jeans & Paula
Chris Ayers
Dee Lane
Larry Beaulieu
John Lee
Carlos Caballero
Debbie Maxwell & Howard
Lynn Castle & Kris
Rebekah Maxwell
Cindy Cherry
Lane Olson
Ty Coudrain
Michael Perez
Deborah Drago
Vernon Pierce
Phil Dunlap
Terri Potter & Lee
Andrew Edwards
Kevin Reed
Carolyn Fernandez
Stephanie Shoemaker
Jennifer Gregory
Tim Sudela
Mark Hall
Dana Timaeus
Gary Hidalgo
A special "shout out" of appreciation goes to Larry Beaulieu and Vernon Pierce. They not only accepted the newest, largest subscriber to their route with the addition of Tri-Supply which requested SIX flags, but these two Rotarians went the day before delivery and dug holes, installed pipes for posting, measured and spaced on the property exactly as the business owner requested!
Another thank you is sent to Lane Olson and Carlos Caballero who helped Pat distribute flags on Sunday evening. A total of 259 flags were picked up by drivers on Sunday evening.
We are grateful for the spouses of so many Rotarians who love this project and devotedly help with the "Show Your Colors!" project.
If you would like to be a Flag volunteer, sign up now to help on July 4th, Independence Day. Call or text Pat Anderson at 409-782-4057.
You are great examples of Service Above Self!
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On Wednesday, June 9 following the Rotary meeting, volunteers took book bags and a treat to the fourth graders at Martin Elementary for the close of the 2021 "Rotary Goes to School" project. Chair Lynn Hill made it a fun party for the children, even with ice cream, but the best part of all for Rotarians was handing out the bags, giving a smile and sharing encouraging words with each child.
The BISD electronic newsletter shared a wonderful article about the projects in the weekly news. You can link to it here.
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Trilogy of Service - Success!
Following the ice storm that hit Texas in mid-February, our friends and fellow Rotarians in the Rotary Club of York, Pennsylvania, heard of the disaster. As they did following Hurricane Harvey in 2017, they asked our club to be their "boots on the ground" and use a large financial gift to help those who found themselves victims of the bad weather conditions. The York Rotarians specified their gift be spent for food and water so the Board of Directors investigated some ways which we can be of service on behalf of these fellow Rotarians with a generous heart.
With that in mind, the Board made arrangements for Beaumont Rotarians to serve with three local agencies who continue to serve those in need on an on-going basis. We invite you to put on your "boots" and join together with other Beaumont Rotarians to serve at one or more of the selected agencies and demonstrate Service Above Self for the York, PA Rotarians who have been so generous to our area in our time of need.
Project 1 - COMPLETE!
Volunteers worked at the Market To Hope run by Catholic Charities in the South Park neighborhood. You can enjoy some photos of the group here. We send a big “thank you” to: Twila Baker, Cindy Cherry, Ty Coudrian, Cindy Jeanis, Sheree Pierce, Mary Poole, Tim Sudela and Kristie Young.
Project 2 - COMPLETE!
On Thursday, June 3, volunteers prepared take-out meals for those in need at Some Other Place. After preparing the food, the volunteers handed out meals and did kitchen cleanup, including washing a lot of pots and pans! Thank you to the volunteers who served: Sharon Almquist, Nancy Chapman, Cindy Cherry, Amanda Ellis, John Lee, Rebekah Maxwell, Wes Shipley and Kathleen.
In the final project selected, Rotarians helped to deliver Meals on Wheels with Nutrition and Services for Seniors. Our volunteers had a wonderful experience!. Thank you to Sheree Pierce for making the connection and the arrangements for the project, and to Rotarians who participated: Sharon Almquist, Cindy Cherry, Lynn Hill, Rebekah Maxwell and Roger McCabe.
Kyle and Jenny’s presentation was one of courage, ingenuity, strength and passion. Their story was inspirational. Both are confined to wheelchairs, but it never caused them to think that they couldn’t do something.
Kyle was the only child in his family to go to college. He knew he was very competitive and tried every sport that he could: track, basketball, tennis. He was noticed for his speed in the sports and received sponsors that made it possible to compete in the U S Paralympic Championships. After one competition he received a scholarship to attend the University of Arizona and received a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from that institution. Meeting new people became a passion of his.
Jenny competed for inclusion opportunities in sports. She participated in the US Paralympics and the International Paralympics in Greece and China in 2004 and 2008 respectively. She is very pleased that these events are now receiving TV coverage. Competing before 90,000 was something that she will never forget. She received a scholarship to the University of Arizona which has a large group of “disabled” athletes. She received a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of Arizona where she learned the value of assistance by the documentation of her disability which gave her the opportunity that she needed to graduate.
Kyle and Jenny arrived at Lamar in 2014. He is the Director of the Lamar Disability Resource Center and Jenny is an academic advisor for undergraduate pre-nursing students. The Disability Resource Center works with approximately 530 students at this time in order to document their disabilities and assist them in opportunities for education. This might include extension of time for exams, opportunity to take exams in reduced distraction testing, and it brings faculty and students together for better understanding. They also offer Stars tutoring through College Connect and a writing center. Several events during the year are an Access Transition Fair (to help high school students to transition into college or vocational placements), Partners in Access Reception (which brings faculty and staff at Lamar who have gone above and beyond to assist students with disabilities), and Assistive Technology Lab to help students achieve academic success.
Kyle and Jenny have learned many valuable lessons in life through their competitions and educational experiences. To Kyle and Jenny, it is a great feeling to see someone get a degree and be happy and successful.
They continue to spread their passion to meet and assist others because “One person can change so many lives.”
Photos by Tim Sudela
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Link to the Zoom page which includes this and all the recorded meetings for April - June 2021.
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On Wednesday, June 9 following the Rotary meeting, volunteers took book bags and a treat to the fourth graders at Martin Elementary for the close of the 2021 "Rotary Goes to School" project. Chair Lynn Hill made it a fun party for the children, even with ice cream, but the best part of all for Rotarians was handing out the bags, giving a smile and sharing encouraging words with each child.
Rotarians in the Rotary Club of York, Pennsylvania, heard of the disaster. As they did following Hurricane Harvey in 2017, they asked our club to be their "boots on the ground" and use a large financial gift to help those who found themselves victims of the bad weather conditions. The York Rotarians specified their gift be spent for food and water so the Board of Directors investigated some ways which we can be of service on behalf of these fellow Rotarians with a generous heart.
In the final project selected, Rotarians helped to deliver Meals on Wheels with Nutrition and Services for Seniors. Our volunteers had a wonderful experience!. Thank you to Sheree Pierce for making the connection and the arrangements for the project, and to Rotarians who participated: Sharon Almquist, Cindy Cherry, Lynn Hill, Rebekah Maxwell and Roger McCabe..jpg)
