It is a pleasure to have Superintendent Frossard visit the club again to update Rotarians on changes and successes within the school district since his last visit.
The very recent announcement about the Board of Managers' agreement to comply with TEA's request to continue in their role for another year has raised questions about how the District will move forward following the election which is well-underway.
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Head Table for April 12
Invocation:
Chuck Mason
President
Mason Construction, Ltd.
Pledges to the USA & Texas Flags:
Patricia Woolridge
Executive Director
Junior Achievement of the Golden Triangle
Introduction of Guests:
Ashley Alemayehu
Beaumont Area Public & Government Affairs Manager
ExxonMobil
Rotarian of the Day:
Stephanie Shoemaker
Accounting Manager
Mason Construction, Ltd.
Introduction of the Speaker:
Nakisha Burns
Special Assistant to the Superintendent
Beaumont Independent School District
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 Mark Davis at 409-842-3600 or markdavis@mcmelegante.com.
The Rotary Office will be closed Friday, April 14. Please send an email or leave a voice mail message to be returned on Monday.
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CALENDAR OF ROTARY EVENTS
(and opportunities for meeting makeups)
April 11
Strategic Planning Committee, 4:00 p.m., Room 216
April 13
Next Big Idea Committee meeting; 11:30 a.m.; Embassy Room
April 21-23
District 5910 Conference in Lufkin; register and pay online
April 25
Board of Directors meeting, 11:45 a.m., The Beaumont Club
The Rotary After Hours which would normally be held during the last week of April has been postponed until May 4.
BOARD ACTION
Two membership proposals were approved by the Board of Directors and announced at the last meeting:
Shannon Harris, Development Director, KVLU Public Radio Classification: Broadcasting – Public Broadcasting Proposed by Regina Lindsey Alice Teeler, Executive Director, Girls’ Haven, Inc. Classification: Associations - Girls Haven Proposed by Sheree Pierce
In accordance with our bylaws (Article 13, Section 8), please submit written objections related to the aforementioned proposals within 10 days (of April 5) to the board of directors, stating the reason for your objection.
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LOOK WHAT'S AHEAD!
The Tyrrell Historical Library, part of the Beaumont Public Library System, collects and preserves the history of southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana, especially that of the Beaumont area. Bill Grace, Branch Manager, will share information about the services provided and the expanding archives of the Tyrrell on April 19.
April 26 will be a real celebration! Our youth programs will shine in the spotlight as we recognize the Interact Clubs and the work they are doing. We will name and
recognize the young people selected as Youth Service Above Self Award Recipients (see article below) and announce the recipients of the Rotary Scholarship. Come for a grand day!
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ROTARY TO RECOGNIZE STUDENTS FOR SERVICE ABOVE SELF
Student from Central is named as one of the 2016 Recipients
In recognition of “Youth Service Above Self,” the Rotary Club of Beaumont will recognize and honor students who exemplify a “service above self” attitude on Wednesday, April 26, 2017. These awards are given annually to students who demonstrate exceptional service in their school and community.
Please nominate a student who you believe meets these standards by completing this form and returning it to Randy Shelton (voice 409-617-4664; fax 409-835-8764, email jrshel@swbell.net) by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 14, 2017.
Please note that this special recognition is not accompanied by a monetary award or scholarship.
The Spindletop Club and the many youth drivers are revving up the engines and getting cars prepared for the annual Soap Box Derby on May 6 and 7!
Members of our club are asked to help with preparing breakfast and lunch for workers at the event. This is a great time and enjoyed by everyone who has the opportunity to work. The sign-up will be set up soon and you can let us know when you can help. Mark your calendar now for Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7!
We send wishes for a quick recovery to our friends and fellow Rotarians who have been ill, had or are facing surgery, or just need our thoughts and prayers.
We hope you are better soon!
Joshua Taub
To add your name or another Rotarian to this list of well-wishes, please email: admin@beaumontrotaryclub.org.
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Congratulations,
Lee Freeland!
Rotarian Lee Freeland served the club as Vice President/Program Chair, Board of Directors, Chair of the Group Study Exchange committee for both the Club and the District for seven years, and was Sergeant at Arms for six years. He received the District Roll of Fame award in 2007. In more recent years, Lee was on the "Badge Box" committee, the dedicated members who so readily take care of reorganizing the member badges after every meeting.
After nineteen years of membership in the Rotary Club of Beaumont with countless hours of service, Lee Freeland decided health issues were not going to allow him to return to active service in the Club as he was accustomed to and desired to do. Based on his longevity and very significant service, the Board of Directors voted to honor Lee with the status of Honorary Member. President Elect Tim Sudela visited Lee at his home and presented him with an Honorary member lapel pin and, of course, took a photo of the occasion.
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PROGRAM REVIEW
April 5, 2017
"Simplifying Cancer"
Neal Rasmussen, Ph.D.
Reiner Lab
by Chris Ayers
Dr. Neal Rasmussen is a cancer researcher at the Center for Translational Cancer Research in Houston, TX. Dr. Rasmussen was introduced by Kathy Chessher, Community Events Specialist with the American Cancer Society. The local ACS was instrumental in securing Dr. Rasmussen as our speaker for the meeting.
The human body has 37 TRILLION cells in it, and cancer begins with the breakdown of one of these cells.
Studying cancer is quite difficult because of the time it takes for a cell to mutate and be recognized by a patient or physician. Also, the average life span of a human is 76 while the typical animal used in research, the mouse, has a life span of 3 years. Because of this, researchers have begun studying a small wormlike multi-celled organism called a C. elegan.
According to Internet research:
"Caenorhabditis elegan ergo C. elegans is a nematode—a member of the phylum Nematoda.
Nematoda: The roundworms and threadworms, a phylum of smooth-skinned, unsegmented worms with a long cylindrical body shape tapered at the ends; includes free-living and parasitic forms both aquatic and terrestrial. C. elegans is a non-hazardous, non-infectious, non-pathogenic, non-parasitic organism. It is small, growing to about 1 mm in length, and lives in the soil—especially rotting vegetation in many parts of the world, where it survives by feeding on microbes such as bacteria. It is of no economic importance to man."
- (Academic Press Dictionary of Science and Technology)
Dr. Rasmussen went on to explain: C. elegans and humans have a remarkably similar genetic makeup. C. elegans live for a week and, therefore, offer researchers a short window to complete experiments. In his research, Dr. Rasmussen can isolate, turn-off and turn-on certain cells. He is even able to make a portion of the worms glow in the dark while other sections do not!
Dr. Rasmussen gave a very interesting, complex, and enlightening speech on cancer, cancer research, and new ideas on cancer treatment.
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