Wednesday's program was an important Club Assembly as we look forward to a new and exciting 2023-2024 club year. During the session, President-elect Rebekah Maxwell led us in a discussion about the five lanes of committees for the club, along with the organizational chart. She asked us to think about what activities of the club and a committee on which to serve.

Rebekah has been in conversations with past presidents, current President Joanne Brown as well as the future President Elect Michael Perez to determine goals that are forecast beyond the terms of the two future presidents. These goals will perhaps be set for three to five years and will form a vital part of the strategic plan for the Rotary Club of Beaumont.

Goal 1: Increase Membership – Currently the club has 213 members. The breakeven number is 230. The goal is to increase membership to 300 over the next three years.

Goal 2: Large Community Project – The Centennial Project for our club was the barrier free playground downtown next to the Event Center. We certainly do not want to wait another 100 years to complete another large community project. The goal is to work with the city of Beaumont, the Board of Directors, our membership, and the Presidents of Rotary (both past, present, and future) to identify a project that would improve the community.

Goal 3: International Global Grant – Our club has not had a project using the resources of the Rotary International Grant in many years if ever. There is a project that was introduced by Dana Timaeus that is the outcome of the change in distribution site of the layettes. The site was changed to Honduras due to some legal challenges with the previous country. This project could result in a women’s clinic in Utila, Honduras to allow for healthy women having healthy babies and ongoing education about women’s and children’s health.

The next item on the agenda was the committee lanes. Each of the five lanes were presented by a member and included:

Administration Lane by Craig Escamilla – Includes Finance, Club Service, Programs, Revenue and Planning. There are many ways in which a member can be involved in this lane. Meeting members, badge table, putting out flags, taking tickets for the meals, volunteering for the head table, helping with the technology issues, offering suggestions for speakers, and many other ways.

International Lane by Jay Wilson – International activities include district grant projects, becoming a Paul Harris Fellow, Disaster relief work, and attending the International Women’s Day meeting. The Global Grant projects require so many volunteers to bring this to a club. We are an international organization and Rotary has and continues to have an impact worldwide.

Membership Lane by Michael Perez – This is such a member focused lane. Recruitment, retention, and fellowship is at the heart of this lane. Members can recruit new members, mentor new members, reach out to members who have not been active and support Rotaract Clubs. The Rotary University is a way to learn more about our organization but there are also entertainment functions. Be a part of the Choir, attend Rotary after Hours, help with the holiday party, and attend the end of the year celebration. This lane also includes member recognitions and memorial resolutions. Membership is the life blood of our organization.

Service Lane by Lynn Hill – Service is Rotary’s primary purpose. So many ways to impact our community through community service projects, Rotary goes to School, Salvation Army Red Kettle bell ringing, Ryla, youth scholarships, Interact at Beaumont schools and the annual Service Day. Also, our club has the annual Vocational Excellence Award and the Non-Traditional Scholarship Award. Both recognize the non-Rotary members who are out there going to school or working in areas that serve us all.

Public Relation Lane by Diane Bass – We are all responsible for public relations. We get the word out about how much Rotary does for our community and for the world. We can post and share on social media. We talk with our friends and family about Rotary. Our Public Relations Chair sends out press releases and invites the media to our events. We have a presence on social media platforms and the latest fan favorite is the posting of our members on Facebook. Please like and share all of this. The Camera Crew does a wonderful job of capturing us having fun, being of service or just being ourselves. Our program reviews appear in the RotaryGrams and our editors review this weekly bulletin before it is published. So many ways to tell everyone about all that has been discussed today.

If any of this is of interest to any of you, then please volunteer to help. This club is a family, and we are each an important member. We make the club what we want it to be, and we make it better each and every day. Please consider your role and your responsibility. Everyone has a talent and a passion. Rotary Club of Beaumont can give you the opportunity to share yours.

Rebekah asked for members to fill out the Member Feedback Form that was put on the tables. This is important in setting goals and plans for the 2023-2024 term. Also, it included a section for interest in volunteering under the different lanes. Thank you to Rebekah for this Assembly and thank you to President Joanne for giving her the time to do this.

Photos by: Karen Bourdier