May 14, 2026,
By Jon Dearolf
Vice President Jon Dearolf called the meeting to order at 12:05pm. Dave Hartman gave the invocation, offering prayers for students and educators as schools transition into summer break, for Youth of the Month Caleb, and for blessings over families, our military, and the country.
David Spencer led the Pledge of Allegiance, and members sang “Home on the Range” a cappella.
During Sunshine Report, members were happy to hear that Josh Phillips’ mother has fully recovered following an allergic reaction while traveling in Greece.
The Brag Bucket included an update on the ongoing membership contest with the losing side agreeing to make a donation to the club. Members were reminded that May 31 is the final deadline for new applications to count toward the challenge. Information was also shared regarding an upcoming Scouting fundraiser featuring a guided painting event with wine and limited participation.
Sheldon introduced Youth of the Month Caleb, recognizing him for his strong communication skills, academic success in math, and desire to become a veterinarian serving farm animals. Caleb was praised as an outstanding representative of the promise and potential of local youth.
Several announcements were shared with the club. The Memorial Day flag program continues to see strong participation, with 975 flags already paid for and additional signups still coming in through the successful door hanger campaign.
Members were reminded that next week’s meeting will take place in the Garden Room. New volunteers have joined the flag teams, and captains were encouraged to finalize assignments in preparation for the upcoming holiday displays.
Members were also reminded of the end-of-year party scheduled for June 25 from 6:00–8:00 p.m. in the Garden Room.
The day’s featured program was presented by Brian Glenn of ShelterBox USA. Glenn, a retired fire battalion chief from Denton and longtime Rotarian, shared his experiences serving in disaster response efforts across the world, including deployments in Haiti, Indonesia, Morocco, Fiji, and the Philippines. He explained that ShelterBox was founded in 2000 by a British Rotarian seeking practical ways to assist families displaced by disasters. Since then, the organization has provided shelter assistance to more than three million people in over 100 countries.
Glenn described ShelterBox’s evolving disaster response model, which ranges from complete tent and supply packages to shelter repair kits and customized local solutions based on community needs. He emphasized that shelter means more than simply providing a roof — it also restores dignity, safety, and stability to families during crisis situations. He also highlighted the critical role Rotary clubs play worldwide by assisting with local logistics, transportation, translators, and identifying vulnerable families most in need of assistance.
Members learned about ShelterBox’s growing domestic disaster response program, launched in late 2025, which now supports recovery efforts following wildfires, tornadoes, and flooding within the United States. Glenn also discussed the organization’s coordination with FEMA and other disaster relief agencies to avoid duplication of services and ensure resources are directed where unmet needs remain.
Following a brief question-and-answer session, the club presented a donation in Brian Glenn’s honor to the Wichita Falls ISD Foundation.
The meeting concluded with the recitation of the Four-Way Test at 1:00pm and a reminder that next week’s meeting will be held in the Garden Room.