Notes from October 30, 2025 by Colton Heinrich
President Cara Sauceda rang the bell to start the meeting at 12:05 p.m. She then invited Dave Hartman to lead the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the song “Halloween Night,” led by David Spencer.
We were honored to have Phillip from Web Fire join our meeting, and Andy Kocher will be getting a new member application for him to complete. As a reminder, we are currently holding a membership competition between Noros Martin and Alan Donaldson and the rest of the club — which the club is currently losing, as Alan brought in a new member this week. Everyone be sure to welcome Kirk Peterson when you see him at future meetings. Members were encouraged to bring guests to upcoming meetings and to take advantage of the guest assistance program. Our goal is to grow membership, and on a case-by-case basis, members may request reimbursement for guest lunch dues. We are also taking recommendations for corporate sponsorships.
The brag bucket was lucrative this week, with brags from Noros Martin, David Hartman, Andy Kocher, Will Goodner, and Lance Spruiell. Noros and David both bragged about Noros and his company receiving the BBB honor. Andy donated in honor of his grandson and his football team. Lance announced that he will be welcoming a new grandchild within the next week. Will reminded the club about volunteer opportunities with Habitat for Humanity and noted that his son would be playing that evening for the Legacy Freshman team. Josh Phillips also presented a check to the Boys & Girls Club of Wichita Falls.
We had a few announcements this week. The Rotary Foundation Gala will be held on November 8 in Grapevine, celebrating 120 years of Rotary. Additionally, the club’s 110th birthday party will take place in January, with more details to come. Cara also held a brief meeting with the Flag Captains following the regular meeting.
Today’s program was introduced by Josh Phillips and featured Amanda Moreno, Britney Williams, and Michelle Hanson, who spoke about the State of Texas CPS System. Their presentation focused on basic reporting and community engagement.
Texas Child Protective Services (CPS), a division of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), works to protect children from abuse and neglect while supporting families in crisis. The CPS reporting system relies on community awareness and responsibility — every Texan is legally required to report suspected child abuse or neglect through the Texas Abuse Hotline or the online reporting system. Reports are received by the Statewide Intake (SWI) office, which screens each case and determines whether an investigation or referral for services is needed. Beyond investigation and response, DFPS emphasizes prevention through strong community partnerships. Through its Faith-Based and Community Engagement (FBCE) initiatives, CPS collaborates with local organizations, faith communities, and volunteers to provide resources, mentoring, and family support. Programs like Rainbow Rooms supply children and families with essential items in times of crisis. Texas is also implementing Community-Based Care (CBC), a model that shifts foster care and case management to regional community networks, allowing local partners to design services that best meet their area’s needs. Together, these efforts reflect a growing focus on prevention, collaboration, and accountability — ensuring that protecting children and strengthening families remains a shared community mission across Texas.
Texas Child Protective Services (CPS), a division of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), works to protect children from abuse and neglect while supporting families in crisis. The CPS reporting system relies on community awareness and responsibility — every Texan is legally required to report suspected child abuse or neglect through the Texas Abuse Hotline or the online reporting system. Reports are received by the Statewide Intake (SWI) office, which screens each case and determines whether an investigation or referral for services is needed. Beyond investigation and response, DFPS emphasizes prevention through strong community partnerships. Through its Faith-Based and Community Engagement (FBCE) initiatives, CPS collaborates with local organizations, faith communities, and volunteers to provide resources, mentoring, and family support. Programs like Rainbow Rooms supply children and families with essential items in times of crisis. Texas is also implementing Community-Based Care (CBC), a model that shifts foster care and case management to regional community networks, allowing local partners to design services that best meet their area’s needs. Together, these efforts reflect a growing focus on prevention, collaboration, and accountability — ensuring that protecting children and strengthening families remains a shared community mission across Texas.
The meeting concluded with the presentation of the speaker’s gift and the Four-Way Test.