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.
Stephen J. Cox is the 39th United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas (EDTX).
As the chief federal law enforcement officer in EDTX, Cox supervises the prosecution of all federal crimes and the litigation of all civil matters in which the United States has an interest. As U.S. Attorney, Cox leads a staff of over 120 prosecutors, civil litigators, and support personnel located in Beaumont, Plano, Tyler, Sherman, Lufkin, and Texarkana.
Before being appointed as U.S. Attorney, Cox served as Deputy Associate Attorney General and Chief of Staff within the Department’s Office of the Associate Attorney General. In his role, Cox spearheaded numerous policy reforms relating to corporate enforcement and regulatory reform, as well as overseeing several Department matters relating to financial fraud and healthcare fraud. He also served as vice chair of the Deputy Attorney General’s working group on corporate enforcement and accountability, and as executive director of the Department’s regulatory reform task force.
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Head Table for August 12
Invocation:
Lynn Castle
Executive Director
Art Museum of Southeast Texas
Pledges to USA and Texas:
Deborah Drago
Executive Director
Southeast Texas Nonprofit Development Center
Introduction of Guest Speaker:
Randall L. Fluke
Assistant U. S. Attorney
Eastern District of Texas
U. S. Government
If you would like to serve on the head table at a date in the future, please sign up online at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/904054ba5a62fa3f49-head or phone chair, Mandy Clayton at 409-718-7056 or email arclayton@lit.edu
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BOARD ACTION
At the July meeting, a majority of the meeting time was dedicated to discussing the club activity in light of the on-going threat of COVID-19 in Beaumont and Jefferson County. One Board member said it so well, "We wish things were different. They are not different. We have no control over the situation but we do have control over how we embrace it. We have to embrace it, and move forward. And we must do what is best for everyone."
Your engagement in the Club is of paramount importance to us. We will continue with Zoom meetings until such time as we determine it is safe for us to meet together in person again. That time will be when the guidelines for large social gatherings can be followed and members can feel safe attending.
The Board plans to continue to offer opportunities for small groups of members to serve the community in a protected and safe way. We hope those who are comfortable with the situation will use it as an opportunity to be engaged. On the other hand, we completely understand if you are not ready to participate yet. That has to be a personal decision.
In the next few weeks, a Board member will be phoning you to see how you are. If you need assistance of any kind, including joining the Zoom meetings or finding the RotaryGrams on the website, please let him/her know. We will be happy to help you and will continue to do so until we can all be together again.
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CALENDAR OF ROTARY EVENTS
(Club events & opportunities for meeting makeups)
August
FOR THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR MEMBERS, CLUB MEETINGS WILL CONTINUE USING ZOOM UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
13
Food distribution project with United Way; volunteers needed at 9:15 a.m. (continue reading newsletter for article with more information)
25
Board of Directors meeting; 11:30 a.m. using Zoom (contact Jacque Chapman for link)
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United Way of Beaumont and North Jefferson County invites Rotarians to join with them for a FREE food distribution for those financially impacted by COVID-19, on Thursday, August 13 at 10 a.m. at Crestwood Baptist Church in Kountze, Texas (1150 US-69, Kountze 77625).
United Way volunteers will partner with the Southeast Texas Food Bank and Hardin County Strong to get help to our neighbors in need in Hardin County. About 20 volunteers are needed to help with the distribution in a drive-thru style setup. Masks will be required, and social distancing guidelines will be followed. We are asking all volunteers to arrive a good bit prior to the distribution (9:15 a.m.) for a brief overview of the volunteer day and to do any prep work before we begin.
It is with great regret that the Board cancelled Wine Down With Rotary 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The annual event funds much of the Club's service work in the community and around the world, and will continue as an annual event after 2020.
The Board scheduled Wine Down With Rotary for October 7, 2021!
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Rotary Opens Opportunities! This is your opportunity to say "Yes, I'll serve!"
and be a part of one or more committees or projects in 2020-21.
President Cindy Cherry recruited chairs for every one of our many committees for the year, and each one is eager to get busy planning the programs/projects for which they are responsible. We were not able to meet in person for our traditional "Annual Assembly: Your Call to Service" meeting when we provide an opportunity for members to visit face-to-face with Board members and committee chairs about the upcoming events and projects, but we continue to offer you the opportunity to get involved in at least one committee. Complete the questionnaire by linking here: 2020-21 Opens Opportunities! (This signup form was created using Google forms but you do not have to have a Google account to respond to it.)
Come on, folks! We need you to become a part of the weekly meeting! Sign up for a role at the virtual head table at an upcoming meeting. Look at your calendar and select a date that is convenient for your schedule. Red Badges are strongly encouraged to volunteer for this opportunity so you can move closer to your blue badge and members can get to know you better too.
*This is Robert's second period of Rotary membership; he was a member and President of the club years prior to this.
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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.
All Rotarians who are not able to join meeting using Zoom.
We miss you and look forward to when we will be able to meet in-person again!
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
August 5, 2020
"The Impact of COVID on the Local Economy"
Jeff Branick
Judge
Jefferson County
by Chris Ayres
Jeff Branick is our Jefferson County judge and is in charge of managing the county. Since he took office, he has managed recovery efforts for several natural disasters including hurricanes Harvey and Imelda. Currently, he is helping guide the county through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fiscally speaking, Jefferson County is financially sound. When Judge Branick first entered office, the county had a reserve of $2,000,000. Due to increased sales taxes from home repairs caused by hurricanes, the county has a reserve of $20,000,000. Recently, the county has spent $2,000,000 on COVID-19 testing, PPE, and new personnel for sanitation but it is believed that the county will be reimbursed by the federal government by way of the CARES Act. Further industrial economic developments at Golden Pass, Motiva, and Valero BioFuel are still on schedule for expansion.
Finally, in June, Judge Branick was forced to issue a county ordinance requiring us to wear masks in public spaces. The purpose is to help protect the public and to help alleviate the stress placed on the medical and hospital communities.
The Rotary Club of Beaumont is appreciative for the judge’s time and insight.
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Link to the Zoom page which includes this and the recorded meetings for July-August 2020.
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