Welcome to our Club!
Service Above Self
We meet In Person
Thursdays at 12:00 p.m.
The Forum
2120 Speedway Ave
Wichita Falls, TX 76308
United States of America
Wichita Falls, TX 76308
United States of America
President Greg rang the meeting to order at 12:05 and Dave Hartman prayed for all our youth and for their education in our schools. Past Pres Cara then lead us in the pledge and a sing a long round of My Favorite Things. It should be noted that our new pianist (?) was present and provided some well received music both before and during lunch. It certainly adds to our meeting. Allen Donaldson introduced a couple of visitors who we hope find our fellowship worthy of coming back and as potential new members.
Spin asked for help in finding a wheelchair for a friends spouse who needs a wheelchair for a few week possibly. I knew of one but it is in Houston. Brad broke out the brag bucket and collected on a few brags. Dr Lee announced the opening next Thursday of the newly remodeled McNeal elementary school. Will Goodner and president Greg both announced anniversaries yesterday. It should also be noted that our governor will be here 8/27. That would be our district governor, Angie Cox.
Cara then introduced our program which was Nikki Davis the executive director of the Wichita Falls ISD Foundation. As a former teacher she along with a volunteer board coordinate with all our schools. It was established in 1989 and has become a great supporter of our schools. As a nonprofit organization it can receive tax deductible contributions which along with other sources provide several different services and benefits to all the students of our schools which might not be possible otherwise. It also utilizes various community partnerships as well. An example as the installation of book kiosks in all 14 elementary schools. Students earn tokens which are then used to “buy” books they pick out share and can keep for their personal library. Another example would be providing backpacks and supplies to students who might not have one otherwise to two schools. The foundation has provided $20,000 last year to teachers for special projects benefiting their students. There are also scholarships and teacher recognition awards which totaled $96,000. There is also a daughter dad dance coming up in October and a talent contest which started last year. Now we have a better understanding of how our weekly contribution to the foundation is used. Good to know.
We then closed the meeting with the 4 way test.
July 30, 2026 by David Spencer
Shortly after noon, President Greg called the meeting to order and passed the microphone to David Hartman who gave another thoughtful Invocation. The Pledge was led by yours truly followed by singing, “Home on the Range”, a tasteful accoutrement to our speaker’s topic.
President Greg then made several announcements including recognizing our guests: the handsome six-year-old young son of Ann Arnold whose babysitter did not arrive on time and two prospective club members, Becki Alfort with Hospice and Rebecca Walton with the Chamber of Commerce, both guests of Alan Donaldson. Keep those guests coming! Andy Kocher presented a Red Badge to new member Shellie Green.
Announcements: The Rotary Polio Walk is Saturday October 24th at 10:00 AM along Sikes Lake / MSU. The MSU Mustangs, National Men’s D2 Soccer Champions, get their Rings Saturday, Aug 8.
Monica Horton has done an outstanding job with our RYLA program. Wyatt Franks attended his first RYLA leadership conference and described this beneficial experience. Parker Wood attended his second RYLA leadership conference and told us about his experience as a counselor. Next week’s meeting is in the Garden Room and our new pianist will be with us!
Cara Sauceda then introduced our speaker, Don Williams, who gave a very entertaining and enlightening program about his life as a cowboy. During recovery from a horse-riding accident, Don passed his time by writing songs and poetry that reflected his life and love of being a cowboy. Many of his works reflect the growth of towns and the fencing in of open range he loved so much. Don was quite clever with the lyrics singing “glad I wasn’t born any later than I was” and “this would be a better place if there were more humble folks like me”. His work had skillfully woven religious overtones and very insightful look into what life must have looked like during the early 1900s in North Texas.
President Greg then announced a donation to the WFISD Foundation in Don's name and after reciting the 4 Way Test, we ran out the door and headed for the South Forty (Authentic Cowboy Talk for a field of 40 acres)!
July 23, 2026
President Greg rang the bell at 12:02 bringing our meeting to order. David Hartman delivered the invocation followed by the Pledge and song, America the Beautiful, lead by the golden voice of yours truly.
President Greg continued with our guest introduction including Deanna Cupp and Rebecca Walton who came with Alan Donaldson. I could not catch all the brags in the Bucket, but Jeremy Woodward has a new daughter, Congratulations Pop!
We had several announcements: Foundation Chair, Benay Ayers presented an award to Rod Tieken for his remarkable support of the Rotary Foundation totaling $10,000 given over the past several years. Our club’s yearly goal for foundation support is $12,000. Our club is one of the highest per capita supporters of the Foundation in our District.
Also, our District is developing a New Member Welcome Kit and our President reminded us of the Club Runner app available for free download.
Cara Sauceda then introduced our Speaker, Rachel Wolff, the Executive Director of The Boys and Girls Clubs of Wichita Falls. Rachel is a graduate of Wharton Business School and has an extensive international volunteer and work history. Our Boys and Girls Clubs were sponsored by our Rotary Club 97 years ago.
Rachel continued with how the B&GCs help shape the lives of 8–10-year-old children. Club activities and goals help the kids manage stressful situations like generational poverty, natural disasters, and not keeping up with grade level in school. She emphasizes the risks of obesity in children, bullying and dealing with detrimental online media. Continuing, she addressed “an apathy for the future” that many young people develop because of a rapid grow up pace and use of cell phones rather than developing interpersonal relationships.
Boys and Girls Club’s programs focus on school academics, physical games to avoid obesity, provide children with councilors when parents are absent and cyber safety training. B&GC partner with our local food bank as some children only get one meal daily and health department visits can be arranged. Over 4,000 children a year benefit from the Boys and Girls Clubs locally and partnerships are made with Big Brothers and Big Sisters.
After a brief Q&A, President Greg announced a Donation to the WFISD Foundation in Rachel’s name and led us in the 4 Way Test.
July 16, 2026
President Greg brought the meeting to order at 12:02 PM and then handed the microphone to Rev. Hartman for the Invocation. The Pledge was led by Cara followed by yours truly with “I’ve been working on the Railroad”.
After the meet and greet, President Greg introduced our visitors and guests. Judy Koetter followed with our Birthday Cake recipients, David Kelley being the only one in attendance. Cara purchased the remaining cakes with a generous donation to the club. There were many Brags to put in the Bucket and I just could not keep up with the excitement!
President Brownfield continued with several announcements. The club’s new pianist will start in August and Shelter Box contribution cards are on the tables.
Our Youth of the Month is Jackson Cohen, a 14 year old student from Memorial High School who wants to be an underwater welder.
Cara Sauceda then introduced our speaker, Dale Dodson, (age 94) who is a retired engineer and became a published poet in the last 4 years. Dale discussed his life up to his arrival in Wichita Falls emphasizing his engineering skills to produce Levis blue jeans.
For Dale, retirement was an “Occupational Transition” and a way to stay busy. Dale relayed the story of being “locked down” in Rolling Meadows during the covid years 2020-2021. Boredom was on the schedule each day with the only highpoint being the arrival of the US postman”!
With little to do, Dale started writing short, spiritual poems publishing many of his 330 short poems. He read to our club, “Rumble Strips”, “The Voice” and “Death by Rust”. All are short poems with an interesting message.
President Greg thanked Dale for his presentation and mentioned a club donation to the WFISD Foundation in Dale’s name.
We finished the meeting with the Four Way Test and out the door we went.