"People Are Policy: Assembling a New Presidential Administration"
Chase Untermeyer
International Business Consultant
Former Director of Presidential Personnel
A 1968 graduate of Harvard College, Chase Untermeyer served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He was a Texas state representative, an assistant secretary of the Navy under President Reagan; director of Presidential Personnel and director of the Voice of America under the first President Bush; and U.S. ambassador to Qatar under the second President Bush. He is currently an international business consultant, chairman of the Houston Committee on Foreign Relations, a member of the Texas Ethics Commission, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He is the author of three volumes of diary-based memoirs of the Reagan-Bush era and the book How Important People Act.
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Head Table for October 4
Invocation:
Shawn Molina
Senior Account Executive
iHeart Media
Pledges to USA & Texas Flags:
Linsi Walker
Financial Advisor
Morgan Stanley
Introduction of Guests:
Allen Lea
Executive Director
McFaddin-Ward House Museum
Rotarian of the Day:
Regina Lindsey
CEO / President
Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce
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. Contact Barry Bryant at 409-656-4108 or bbryant@billclarkbugsperts.com.
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CALENDAR OF ROTARY EVENTS
(Opportunities for meeting makeups)
4
Quarterly Service Project Committee meeting, following Noon meeting, "Committee at Work" table
9
"Show Your Colors" Flag Project (makeup for missed delivery on September 11)
14
District 5910 Seminar on Foundation, Membership, Public Image and Disaster Relief; register on District website; Lone Star College in Montgomery, $20 per person
24
Board of Directors meeting, 11:45 a.m., location tba
26
Rotary After Hours, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., The Art Studio, Inc., 720 Franklin Street
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BOARD ACTION
Secretary Jane Burns reported on membership changes recently approved by the Board.
Classification Changes:
Bobbie Applegate
From: "Business Services - Business Planning"
To: "Business Services - Business Planning - Retired"
Bel Morian - change of employment
From: Executive Director, CASA of Southeast Texas, Inc.
CLASSIFICATION: "Associations-CASA"
To: Director of External Relations/Event Management, University Advancement, Lamar University
CLASSIFICATION: "University - Event Management"
Michael Wolf
From: "Brokerage - Financial Consulting"
To: "Financial Services - Employee Benefits"
New Membership Proposals:
Carly Broussard, MBA Director, College of Business, Lamar University
Proposed by Craig Escamilla
Classification: "Education - University - MBA program"
In accordance with our bylaws (Article 13, Section 8), please submit written objections related to the aforementioned proposals within 10 days (of September 27) to the board of directors, stating the reason for your objection.
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We Need YOU!
It might have been the only time in "Show Your Colors!" history that a delivery was cancelled, but due to the heavy need for volunteers to address the storm damage, we sacrificed a flag delivery on September 11. Let's make history again with a delivery never made before! On Monday, October 9, we will honor our great country with a show of colors on Columbus Day!
Therefore, we need your volunteer commitment with the "Show Your Colors" Flag Project on Monday, October 9. We have had great response for this new date but are still seeking 4-5 more volunteers and a couple of trucks will help too! Please let Pat Anderson or Gary Moncla hear from you right away if you can help.
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THAT’S A LOT OF FEET!!
What do you get when you take 600 sets of squirmy feet and add 25 Rotarians and friends who are armed with Brannock devices (those foot measuring “thingies”)? A whole lot of smiles and a little bit of CHAOS!
That was the scene at Martin Elementary School Friday when an impressive group convened to measure the feet of children in the badly damaged area that is adjacent to the Neches River. After experiencing massive flooding in that area, the school district identified Martin and the surrounding neighborhood as the place with the most critical need.
The children and teachers were excited when we arrived, and the administration was most appreciative. We are in the process of finalizing the order with the hope of returning Friday to give the shoes to the students.
Since this is a HUGE shoe order, we are not sure yet when they will actually all be delivered to the school. If you would like to join the fun as we give out the shoes, watch your email for a sign up form. Once we know the exact day, we will need another good showing of Rotarian “People of Action” to distribute them. You’ll be glad you did!
Our awesome volunteers: Lynn Castle, Matt McCallon, Wesley Shipley, Twila Baker, Brad Brown, Chuck Mason, BK Alemayehu, Rosie DeLano, Craig Lively, Jacque Chapman, Tim Sudela, Ryan Smith, Liz Fredrichs, Alice Teeler, Sharae Reed, Vic Zaloon, Brandon Spears, Sean Perrodin, Mike Stankovich, and Becky Mason. Friends who joined us included Jan Ruppel, Nancy Chapman (Rotary Club of Charles Town, WV), Josefina Montalvo, Linda and Jack Cooper, Melody Chappell, Lynn Hill, and several others.
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Harvey Recovery Fund
Many thanks to everyone who has donated so far to our Harvey Recovery Fund. The shoe project is the first step of an ongoing initiative to assist our area as we work toward recovery from this destructive storm.
There’s still time to be a part of the recovery effort. You can send a check to the Beaumont Rotary Foundation or go to the website and make a secure credit card donation.
Another important part of this recovery will be many, many citizens pitching in to help. We’ll be working on more opportunities for Rotarians to do just that.
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Rotary = Service: It's How We Roll!
During the height of the storm, a Rotarian from Charles Town, West Virginia, reached out to our club through Facebook to ask about the needs in the area. Meet a very good Rotarian named Nancy Chapman (no relation to Executive Director of the Beaumont Club). Nancy has family in the area and knew of their personal loss and she wanted to know what her club in West Virginia could do to assist.
The email exchange continued for many days until Nancy advised that she was coming to assist her sister and wanted to visit our Club while here.
First, Nancy said she would attend our club meeting. And she arrived with boundless energy and positive wishes.
Then, she had a banner to exchange with Club President Tim Sudela.
Then, she had a very generous check to give to the club's Harvey Relief effort, explaining how her club understood and had been involved and helped with recovery from a flood disaster in West Virginia just a short time ago.
Then, when she learned of a Rotary workday on Friday, measuring children for shoes, there she was again, pitching in at Martin Elementary.
Now, that is one fine example of a Rotarian with the dedication to "Service Above Self" that we all share.
Thank you, Nancy, and Charles Town Rotary!
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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 and support. That's what family is for.
Jay Johnson
Roger McCabe
Joshua Taub
and all those who suffered damage to home or property during Harvey.
If you know of others who should be added to this list, please advise the office staff at 409-842-1913.
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Gene Arnold
October 2
Patricia Woolridge
October 3
Lane Olson
October 4
Lum Edwards, III
October 6
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PROGRAM REVIEW
September 27, 2017
Chris Fisher
Port Director and CEO
Port of Beaumont
by Chuck Heare
Chris Fisher spoke at our meeting Wednesday about the Port of Beaumont, covering the business impact of the port on Beaumont, the surrounding community and the country. He also addressed projects the commission has planned that would be partially funded by an upcoming bond issue on November 7, 2017.
The Port of Beaumont supports approximately 2000 direct jobs and another 10,000+ indirect jobs, according to a study recently conducted by Martin & Associates. It handles forest products, bulk grain, liquid bulk, project cargo (i.e. windturbine blades), metal articles and military cargo. It is the number one military cargo port in the country and the number five port channel in the nation in terms of tonnage. The cargo handled by the port amounts to $1.8 billion of economic output, $111 million contributed to the local economy through re-spending and local consumption; and $4.4 billion is contributed to the gross state product through the Port of Beaumont channel. More than 100 companies do business with the port from all over the world. These companies receive $137.8 million in business revenue through the port.
As you can see, the port has a significant impact on our local economy, and yet, there is room to grow. Docks 2,3 and 4 collapsed in 2012 and are currently unusable. Built in the 1950's on substructure dating back to the early 1900's, the port has plans to rebuild them at a cost of $79 million which would increase the capacity of the port by 33%. Another two projects planned by the port would cost $23.2 million to increase the functionality of the port. The port is seeking the issuance of $85 million in General Obligation Bonds to fund a portion of the three major projects as part of a 2014 Port of Beaumont Master Plan.
The tax rate for the Port of Beaumont has fallen 32% since 2000. If this bond issue is approved on November 7, the current tax rate would increase 3.9 cents per $100 valuation, or $3.25 per month on a home with a taxable value of $100,000. Not that much when you consider the potential economic effect these improvements would have on our community.
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