Events

It’s safe to say that cancer has touched each and every one of us. We all know someone – a parent, a friend, a neighbor, a co-worker, a client, a sibling – who has had to deal with cancer. Great strides are being made in treating all forms of cancer but, still, far too many people are dying.

As you may know, Kitty, my wife of 45 years, lost her very courageous battle with breast cancer last year. It was a devastating loss for me and my family and we miss her every day. A few months after Kitty’s passing, Ken Mattox asked if I would consider chairing this year’s 49th Rotary Lombardi Award. While I have been actively involved in the award for the last 12 years, I had never entertained the idea of chairing this great event. But, after a good bit of soul-searching and talking to past chairs, I accepted Ken’s invitation (he’s not the easiest guy to say “no” to) as a way to honor Kitty and do whatever I can to raise as much money for cancer research as possible.

I am passionate about this award and what it stands for and I want each and every member of the Rotary Club of Houston, including our newest members at the Innovation Club, to join us at the Hilton Americas Hotel on December 7, 2022. And I have an offer that will make it a little easier for some of you to attend.

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in honor of Kitty, I am offering to pay the first $1,000 on five $2,500 Lettermen's tables, lowering the cost per seat from $250 to $150. This will be on a first come, first served basis and will run until Friday, November 11. I am reserving two of the tables for Rotarians and their guests who have never attended the award. And, although I’m not putting restrictions on the other tables, in the spirit of the Four Way Test my goal is for them to be filled with Rotary Club of Houston and Innovation Club members and their guests.

Please reserve seats for you and your guests by clicking on the link below and registering. If you have any questions, please call me at 713 787-2171 (office) or 713 824-4563 (cell).

I look forward to sharing the evening of December 7^th with you as we, for the 49^th time, proudly present the Rotary Lombardi Award to the top college football lineman in America.

Yours in Rotary Service,

Tom Vann
General Chair
49^th Rotary Lombardi Award

CANCELLED FOR 11/16.

Come join us for an informal Happy Hour located at Second Draught at the ION!

Second Draught is a beer hall that recently opened on the first floor at the ION. 

Parking is available in the main parking lot in front of Second Draught or across the street in the gated parking area. You can press the call button when you pull up to the gate and they will let you in the gated lot after hours.

Vitalii Tarasiuk
Consulate General of Ukraine In Houston
Consul General

Vitalii Tarasiuk was appointed Consul General of Ukraine in Houston in December 2021. The Houston consular district covers seven U.S. states: Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas, Colorado, Mississippi, and Oklahoma.

Consul General Vitalii Tarasiuk has already met with Ukrainian citizens and organizations in the area, such as the Ukrainian American Cultural Club of Houston, Pokrova Ukrainian Catholic Church, Ukrainian School of Houston, Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, Protection of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church and others.

The U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), www.USUBC.org, congratulates Mr. Tarasiuk regarding his new appointment and looks forward to working with him and his team in Houston. USUBC members worked very closely with Vitalii from 2014 to 2019, when he was Minister-Counselor, Head of Economic and Trade Office at the Embassy of Ukraine in the USA in Washington, D.C.

“The members of USUBC wish Vitalii the best of success in enhancing business, cultural andtrade cooperation between Ukraine and the states of his district”, said President of USUBC Morgan Williams. 

Vitalii Tarasiuk received a Distinguished Service Award (DSA) from the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC) in 2019 in Washington, D.C. before he was assigned back to Kyiv.
To read more, please follow the LINK

JOIN VIRTUALLY ===> NOVEMBER 17, 2022

Stay updated by clicking on the link below:

49th Rotary Lombardi Award Events

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Topic:
What is Web3 and why is it a game changer?

Summary: presentation will go into what Web3 is, some basics of
blockchain, and how it is different from the traditional hub and spoke
structure of the internet, along with how this technology will change
society.

Bonus:
How FTX is NOT web3 and is actually an artifact from web 2.0
 

Bio:

Giorgio is an Italian-American software developer and entrepreneur.  While working in the Oil and Gas industry in 2011, he was introduced to the bitcoin white paper. Ever since, he has closely followed developments within the ecosystem. After working 7 years at one of the largest commodity companies, Koch Minerals and Trading, he decided to focus exclusively on crypto and founded the web3 focused software development company, Spindletop Digital, that builds web3 focused applications along with advising on web3 related topics. Within the space he has co-founding various web3 companies, such as Fair Bid, and has spearheaded the tokenization of an established Italian hotel on lake Como. He has also been highly active in the community and participated in various discussions with the LAO, Lex DAO, dxDAO, and Art Blocks. In addition, Giorgio runs the Houston Web3 meetup, a diverse group of crypto enthusiasts dedicated to building community, educating and onboarding and being a platform for innovation. The Houston Web3 meetup, has over the years, introduced many people to the basics of web3 along with hosting hackathons, and paneled discussions within the community.

JOIN VIRTUALLY ===> DECEMBER 1, 2022

Stay updated by clicking on the link below:

49th Rotary Lombardi Award Events

Created and Sponsored by The Rotary Club of Houston honoring the College Football Lineman of the Year.  We receive no compensation. All proceeds benefit Cancer Research.

Information and tickets:

https://www.rotarylombardiaward.org/

Rotarians will separate gifts by age to create gift bags according to CPS children's wish list.

BEARing Gifts provides holiday gifts to children involved with Child Protective Services who otherwise would have no holiday cheer at all. Over 14,000 children were served with our help last year!

Let's do it again this year! Bring your donation of new, unopened toys to the November 3^rd & 17^th Rotary meetings or to the Warehouse on December 8^th.

*Located at the end of the Brookwood Business Park next to Oaks Dads’ Club (baseball fields). Click here for directions!

It's not too late to sign up to volunteer with the HAIS Interact Club to pass out water and Gatorade at the Houston Marathon. An extension for sign up has been given through this Friday, December 16. Spread the word and sign up here: https://bit.ly/3US8OIG.  Once you have registered, please reach out to the Interact Faculty Advisor, Ms. Alderete (ealderet@houstonisd.org). 

Sincerely,

Ms. Erica G. Alderete, M.A.

Magnet Coordinator/GT Coordinator
Interact Faculty Advisor
Ph: (713) 942-1430
#RisingPhoenix #ChooseHAIS

HALL OF FAME LIMELIGHT: HARRY REASONER

By Katrina Dewey | May 31, 2022 | Lawyer Limelights

He’s been a “Billion-dollar Lawyer” for more than three decades, spent time as a clerk to Judge Charles Clark and Judge Thurgood Marshall on the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. He made a massive impact on antitrust, energy and commercial law in Texas and throughout the U.S.

But what Harry Reasoner would rather discuss as he nears his 60th year of practice are his pro bono matters – from individual child custody cases, to winning the right for prisoners to write confidentially to their lawyers and get books and magazines, to the right of the University of Texas Law School to use race as a factor in admission.

He’s passionate about his work in Guajardo v. Estelle, which resulted in a settlement overseen by the U.S. District Court in Houston that survived for roughly 30 years, granting Texas prison inmates the right to obtain books and magazines and correspond confidentially with their attorneys as well as news reporters.

“One area of our society that could greatly stand improvement is our prisons,” says Reasoner. “We don’t do enough to rehabilitate. You ought to make it so that kids who get there come out with high school degrees.”

Reasoner made partner six years after joining Vinson & Elkins' Houston office. He won a verdict of $1B in 1989 in an antitrust battle over a proposed coal-slurry pipeline and would go on to serve as managing partner for 10 years, 1992 through 2001.

Read more... https://www.lawdragon.com/lawyer-limelights/2022-05-31-hall-of-fame-limelight-harry-reasoner 

JOIN VIRTUALLY ===> DECEMBER 15, 2022

Please join members and friends of the Rotary Club of Houston as we participate in our annual “Holiday Wreaths for Veterans” service project on Saturday, December 17, 2022 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.  For the third year now, The Rotary Club of Houston has partnered with “Wreaths Across America-Houston” to place holiday wreaths on the headstones of our fallen veterans at Houston National Cemetery.  This year, we are honored to join forces with our fellow Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Greater Houston Veterans in Sections S1, S2 and S3 of Houston National Cemetery (see the attached map).  

Bring your family and friends to this memorable holiday event. 

See the information below from the www.waahouston.com website:

Important Information –

Parking

• The best place to park is at Greenspoint Mall and take the free shuttle to the National Cemetery.
• The parking on the Cemetery grounds will usually fill by 9:00 a.m. so Greenspoint Mall is your best option.
• Parking on Veterans Memorial Road is not recommended due to the volume of traffic.

Timing

• 7:30 a.m. –  Free Shuttle Service Starts
• 8:00 a.m. –  Motorcycle Escort and Trucks Arrive
• 11:00 a.m. –Ceremony Starts
• 11:45 a.m. –Wreath Laying Starts  (no wreaths will be laid until the Ceremony is over)
• 2:30 p.m. –  Free Shuttle Service Stops

You are invited to participate in a Party for the Clients at Career & Recovery Resources on December 22, 2022, 6:30PM till 7:30PM.   The Rotary Club of Houston will present a program to the clients of CRR from 6:30 till 7:30PM, and a pizza & gifting party will follow from 7:30PM till 8PM for the clients.  The program will consist of various Rotarians giving words of encouragement, comfort, and hope to those men and women who are clients of CRR.  Some personal stories about/from Rotarians would be appreciated. We want to encourage those clients to continue their rehabilitation.  CRR helps these clients who have been paroled/released from the Texas Prison system to enter back into society and resume normal lives.  CRR offers clothes, counseling, networking, job finding, job interviews, among other things.  Those of you that would like to say a few words of encouragement please signup.   Those wanting to come and offer moral support please come and offer support.  If you plan to come, please let us know so we will know how many will attend.  

Rotary Club of Houston has sponsored this event for the past 30 or so years.

Yours in Rotary,

Phil Hampton

Come join us for an informal Happy Hour located at Second Draught at the ION!

This is a bi-monthly event for all club members, guests & prospective members to get together in a casual setting and learn more about Rotary and what Rotary has to offer!

This event is hosted by the Satellite Club of the Rotary Club of Houston, otherwise known as the Rotary Club of Innovation

Second Draught is a beer hall that recently opened on the first floor at the ION. 

Parking is available in the main parking lot in front of Second Draught or across the street in the gated parking area. You can press the call button when you pull up to the gate and they will let you in the gated lot after hours.

First, this is a greeting to each of you, wishing you a healthy happy and productive year 2023. Many right things are in place for this to be a very fruitful year, in all the things we do, say, and hope for. Imagine Rotary is not only our theme for this year, but we have also together learned and participated in many innovative things, and I have a strong premonition that “we ain’t seen nothing yet.”  We are so blessed in our club to have so many forward thinking people in many diverse and balanced areas and disciplines. Both our active members, visitors, and speakers have shared so many “imagine” thoughts this year so far, but we have 6 months more to go as we together rebuild ideas, visions, community, and beyond.

Our first Thursday noon meeting of the Rotary Club of Houston will be on January 5, 2023. I want the program for that day to be US and our visitors, just as we have every week. This should be both a club and individual revitalization. We will involve everyone at every table as we address several things:

1. Comment about the current and your desired Thursday programs. We will chat about subject matter, titles, as well as specific suggestions. We have a list of ideas which can take us all the way to July 2023, however we do wish to hear from each of you about direction, depth, and ideas.
2. Your board wishes to know your traditional classification and what projects and committees you are currently on. We want you to give some thought as to whether or not you are currently optimally positioned. Specifically what committee(s) or project(s) do you wish to be involved with. Rule #1 is that everyone must belong to at least one project or committee.
3. I do want us to also have an in-depth discussion of the projects and committees we currently have and how they need to be restructured. We should NOT have committees with only ONE member. Our committees & projects must be vetted among the entire club, have a chairperson, have a management plan, and have submitted the budget and plan to the budget committee and board.

I am very excited about this upcoming club interaction and strategizing. This is not a member only meeting as many of our visitors and anticipated upcoming new members are part of our 2023 Rotary Imagine good times.

Thank you for the privilege and opportunity of being your President of the Rotary Club of Houston this year.

Kenneth L. Mattox

VIRTUAL ===> JANUARY 5, 2023

At this meeting we discuss club business, club project updates, upcoming activites, and member spotlights.

Martin Luther King’s Dream & PLAN/PEOPLE for HOUSTON’s Civil Rights & Diversity  

Robert Christian (Chris) Tucker is a long-time native Houstonian who has lived his entire life in Houston's Third Ward. As our RCOH speaker for this Martin Luther King Day, he has special insight into the impact of MLK's leadership involving Houston’s leaders, many of whom accompanied MLK in his nonviolent demonstrations pursuing his VISION, DREAMS, and INNOVATIONS. He is aware of the various local and national civil rights organizations and how they networked together. The facilitator & moderator to focus on MLK's actions and impact on Houston will be by Dr. Kenneth Mattox, President of the RCOH, in the form of educational questions. The attendees will also interact with the views and insight of Chris Tucker, who has participated and interacted in many roles in the ARTS in both Houston and the Nation.

Chris is an entertainer extraordinaire in his role as musician, director, emcee, author, and performer. He has been a recipient of Emmy and Grammy Awards and participated in programs in Washington DC in the Center for performing Arts. He is currently writing his autobiography entitled, "Darkest Just Before Dawn."   For this RCOH presentation Chris is promising to share with the RCOH, stories, and information, perhaps never before revealed in a public forum.

Members and Guests are encouraged to NOT MISS this special interactive meeting.

JOIN VIRTUALLY ===> JANUARY 12, 2023

Come join us for an informal Happy Hour located at Second Draught at the ION!

This is a bi-monthly event for all club members, guests & prospective members to get together in a casual setting and learn more about Rotary and what Rotary has to offer!

This event is hosted by the Satellite Club of the Rotary Club of Houston, otherwise known as the Rotary Club of Innovation

Second Draught is a beer hall that recently opened on the first floor at the ION. 

Parking is available in the main parking lot in front of Second Draught or across the street in the gated parking area. You can press the call button when you pull up to the gate and they will let you in the gated lot after hours.

Come join us for an informal Happy Hour located at Second Draught at the ION!

This is a bi-monthly event for all club members, guests & prospective members to get together in a casual setting and learn more about Rotary and what Rotary has to offer!

This event is hosted by the Satellite Club of the Rotary Club of Houston, otherwise known as the Rotary Club of Innovation

Second Draught is a beer hall that recently opened on the first floor at the ION. 

Parking is available in the main parking lot in front of Second Draught or across the street in the gated parking area. You can press the call button when you pull up to the gate and they will let you in the gated lot after hours.

David H. Robbins
City of Houston Airports System
Infrastructure Division, Director of Resiliency

David joined the Houston Airports System a little over a year ago to lead Infrastructure, Program Management and Delivery. During this time, he established an integrated centralized program management system, in lieu of one based on spreadsheets and various distributed data repositories. With this intimate understanding of HAS infrastructure, David was recently appointed as Director of Resiliency for the three (3) airports, Ellington Field/Spaceport, Hobby, and Bush Intercontinental.

In this new role, Robbins will (via master planning effort) define, craft and implement the resiliency program in alignment with the City’s 100 Resilient Cities and C40 Network guidance. Addressing workforce, operations, infrastructure and finance in way of business continuity.

Robbins comes to Houston via San Antonio whereas Chief Development officer for the Airports System, he was responsible for development and implementation of the 20 – year Strategic Development Program, and the accompanying 10-year Capital Improvement Program. As well, he was charged with leading Design, Construction, Planning, Maintenance, Terminal Management, Ecology, Environment, Fleet and Central Utilities Plant.

With Chicago Department of Aviation, he held various positions as Senior Project Manager/Assistant Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner managing at various times, Design/Construction and Environment/Sustainability. As Sr. PM for the ($8.5 Billion) O’Hare Modernization. Mr. Robbins’s responsibilities included North Airfield PM, U.P./Metra Rail Relocation, Runway 10Center/Center program, among others. Under the O’Hare CIP Robbins led design and construction for 600 – Million BTU high temperature/high pressure water system, along with 42 thousand tons of chilled water and control upgrades, in the second largest central H&R plant in the U.S.

David’s aviation career began with the Wayne County Department of Airports where he worked as Airport Operations Airfield Supervisor and then Manager of Properties, Planning and Facilities. Prior to joining the CDA, Mr. Robbins was Design and Assets Manager VIII for the Wayne County Department of Public Works Division of Parks where he led a team managing design planning, design and construction for the oldest parks systemin the State of Michigan. He served as program manager for the (Platinum LEED) Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Gateway, as well as Detroit and Rouge River AOC Committee Chair. As a graduate of Eastern Michigan University’s College of Technology, Mr. Robbins holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Management, and a Master of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Technology, with concentrations in both Emergency Management and Aviation Management.

Juanita and David have a son and a daughter and very much look forward to another 28 – years of friendship/marriage.

Join Virtually ===> February 2, 2023

Come join us at our monthly Rotary Satellite Club of Innovation Membership Meeting.

At this meeting we discuss club business, club project updates, upcoming activites, and member spotlights.

5:30 - 6:00 PM - Arrival

6:00 - 7:00 PM - Meeting

Jackie Wayne Sherrill (born November 28, 1943) is a former American football player and coach. He was the head football coach at Washington State University(1976), the University of Pittsburgh (1977–1981), Texas A&M University (1982–1988), and Mississippi State University (1991–2003), compiling a career college football record of 180–120–4. Sherrill is a studio analyst for Fox Sports Net's college football coverage.

HEARTS for Children CPS Adoption Fair is a Rotary Community Corp created by The Rotary Club of Houston. 

We are looking for 15 volunteers to help with the event.  Volunteers should arrive no later than 9:15 AM.  No children under the age of 18 are allowed to volunteer at this event. 

At the event prospective adoptive parents with approved home studies mingle with children between the ages of 5 and 17 who are in the custody of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services- Children’s Protective Services Division and looking for their forever family.  Through the generosity of the Rotary Club of Houston the children and prospective adoptive parents get to know each other in a fun-filled relaxed environment with interactive games, photo booth,  a visit from the Texan’s mascot, service dog, Microsoft station,  DJ and lunch. 

Club members arrive at 9 a.m. to set up games/crafts, etc. for the children; we will all relax playing the games. Vetted adoptive parents arrive later and take our placs with the children. Since we began this program there have been over 70 successful adoptions from first meetings at Hearts for Children Adoption Fair. 

Some special guests usually include TORO, Texans Mascot, our favorite Therapy Dog, a DJ, and Microsoft traveling game corner.

Come join us for an informal Happy Hour located at Second Draught at the ION!

This is a bi-monthly event for all club members, guests & prospective members to get together in a casual setting and learn more about Rotary and what Rotary has to offer!

This event is hosted by the Satellite Club of the Rotary Club of Houston, otherwise known as the Rotary Club of Innovation

Second Draught is a beer hall that recently opened on the first floor at the ION. 

Parking is available in the main parking lot in front of Second Draught or across the street in the gated parking area. You can press the call button when you pull up to the gate and they will let you in the gated lot after hours.

Recognizing Rotary’s Beginning. The week of the anniversary of Rotary’s founding (23 February) shall be known as World Understanding and Peace Week. During this week, this club will celebrate Rotary service, reflect upon past achievements, and focus on programs of peace, understanding, and goodwill in the community and throughout the world.

Come join us for an informal Happy Hour located at Second Draught at the ION!

This is a bi-monthly event for all club members, guests & prospective members to get together in a casual setting and learn more about Rotary and what Rotary has to offer!

This event is hosted by the Satellite Club of the Rotary Club of Houston, otherwise known as the Rotary Club of Innovation

Second Draught is a beer hall that recently opened on the first floor at the ION. 

Parking is available in the main parking lot in front of Second Draught or across the street in the gated parking area. You can press the call button when you pull up to the gate and they will let you in the gated lot after hours.

President Elect Training....register through District 5890 website. Open to All District 5890 Club President Elects/Nominees, Rotaractors, AGs & District Leaders.

https://portal.clubrunner.ca/50025/Event/2023-lone-star-president-elect-training-(pets)

For the first time since the pandemic, we are able to open up the event to Rotarians who would like to be present in person to be part of the celebration. 

Franklin Elementary School at 7101 Canal St 77011 will be the host location. Their principal is very excited and will be an enthusiastic participant. 

 We will arrive at approximately 8 am and be finished at 9:30 am.  We will know in a few days how many schools can be included. Last year 28 schools participated in the live broadcast. Vern earned a huge home run and our deepest thanks by sharing the excitement with a generous friend who donated an additional $47,000 to cover the rest of the third grades in HISD. ❤️

All third graders in Franklin will be in one location and will be linked with the students in all other participating schools for parents and friends to watch via TEAMS. You will not need to register for the VIPS a program-but will need to sign in for a badge at the school. 

The price per dictionary has gone up and to get an accurate number delivery to each school, Geovanny will be accepting the shipments and SRO’s (School Resource Officers) will deliver them to each campus. We certainly thank him for leading the charge with logistics and the HISD media department. We will be selecting as many schools as there are funds in order of need. 

Please contact Kathy Fenninger or Monique Johnson-Garner with any questions.

Come join us at our monthly Rotary Satellite Club of Innovation Membership Meeting.

At this meeting we discuss club business, club project updates, upcoming activites, and member spotlights.

5:30 - 6:00 PM - Arrival

6:00 - 7:00 PM - Meeting

Reginald DesRoches is Rice University’s eighth president. He also serves as professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and professor of Mechanical Engineering. As president, DesRoches serves as the chief executive officer of the university and its more than 8,200 students, 900 plus faculty, seven academic schools, the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, and many interdisciplinary institutes and centers. He previously served as Rice’s Howard Hughes Provost and William and Stephanie Sick Dean of Engineering.
DesRoches’ primary research interests are in the design of resilient infrastructure systems under extreme loads and the application of smart materials. He has published approximately 300 articles and delivered more than 100 presentations in over 30 different countries. He also has mentored more than 30 doctoral students, many of whom hold faculty positions at top universities around the world.

A member of the National Academy of Engineering, DesRoches’ distinctive research record has been recognized for its impact and innovation. He is a fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Structural Engineering Institute. He received the Distinguished Arnold Kerr Lecturer Award in 2019, the John A. Blume Distinguished Lecturer Award in 2018, and the 2018 Earthquake Engineering Research Institute Distinguished Lecturer Award, one of the highest honors in the field of earthquake engineering. DesRoches is a member of the Academy of Distinguished Alumni in Civil Engineering at Berkeley and an honorary alumnus of Georgia Tech.

Come join us for an informal Happy Hour located at Second Draught at the ION!

This is a bi-monthly event for all club members, guests & prospective members to get together in a casual setting and learn more about Rotary and what Rotary has to offer!

This event is hosted by the Satellite Club of the Rotary Club of Houston, otherwise known as the Rotary Club of Innovation

Second Draught is a beer hall that recently opened on the first floor at the ION. 

Parking is available in the main parking lot in front of Second Draught or across the street in the gated parking area. You can press the call button when you pull up to the gate and they will let you in the gated lot after hours.