The Rotary Club of Galveston Centennial Year

It is with great pride that our membership proclaims that The Rotary Club of Galveston was founded on June 1, 1913, holds Charter #73 in Rotary International and will celebrate its 100th Birthday in the next Rotary year beginning July 1, 2012 and ending June 30, 2013. I am both proud and humbled by the honor my fellow club members have bestowed upon me to serve as the President of our Club during its Centennial Year.

This past week, the Rotary Club of Galveston in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Galveston Island were the host clubs for the 2011 - 2012 Annual Conference for District 5910 which is comprised of 41 Clubs throughout Southeast Texas, stretching from Bryan/College Station to Lufkin and from Palestine to Beaumont. District Governor Bernd "Ulli" Budelmann of The Rotary Club of Galveston, hosted this event at Moody Gardens.

Each year the President of Rotary International recognizes clubs whose performance meet or exceeds standards established for club activity. For the 17th consecutive year, our club was recognized and awarded the prestigious Presidential Citation for Balanced Club Achievement. We also were recognized for our level of financial support to the Rotary International Foundation and toward the Polio Plus and its matching Grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. During a time when service clubs nationwide are experiencing declining membership, our club was also recognized for its growth in membership.

Galveston is fortunate to have two Rotary Clubs; service clubs whose goals include local, national & international service projects directed toward humanitarian objectives. These objectives include peace & conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention & treatment, water & sanitation, maternal & child health, basic education & literacy and economic & community development.

In order to provide for fellowship, enrichment and retain membership, Rotary Clubs hold regular weekly meetings, hosting guest speakers who present programs on a wide variety of topics of human interest. These topics cover local government, economic development, local, state & national economy, community affairs and other diverse topics of interest. Speakers include local & regional political figures, professionals, educators, community leaders and experts on various topics.

Club members gather periodically for both organized and spontaneous local social events and club leaders and leaders in training meet at district wide organizational and training events which also provide an opportunity for fellowship. Our incoming presidents meet at statewide training events and all Rotarians have an opportunity to gather at the Rotary International Annual Convention held in a different host county each year.

The Rotary Club of Galveston raises funds through member dues, raffles, fundraising events and rotary grants to support its objectives. Funds go to support local club activities, toward local service projects & worthy endeavors, to the local Foundation of The Rotary Club of Galveston, to the operations of Rotary International and to the Rotary International Foundation.

The local Foundation of The Rotary Club of Galveston, each year donates approximately $30,000 toward worthy projects and causes which meet its foundation guidelines and receive approval of its board. The Foundations Endowment and its investment returns, makes it possible for annual grants from the endowment to exceed annual contributions to the endowment, while continuing to grow its funds.

Rotary International is the operating and management arm for all rotary clubs around the globe and its budget goes to support operations and programs for those same rotary clubs.

The Rotary International Foundation is the philanthropic arm of rotary and receives its funding in the form of grants and contributions from Rotarians, from rotary clubs around the globe and from non- Rotarians who support the general objectives of rotary or specific service projects in which the foundation may be involved.

The Rotary Club of Galveston directs approximately 20% of its funding to the local Foundation of the Rotary Club of Galveston, 20% to Rotary International, 20% to the International Rotary Foundation and 40% for local projects and objectives. Recent and ongoing projects and donations include gifts toward the restoration of Washington Park, the Salvation Army, school traffic safety signs, assistance to communities struck by major natural disasters, National Alliance on Mental Health, numerous student scholarships, the Gulf Coast Center, Galveston Fire Department, Ronald McDonald House, Galveston West Isle Little League, AID's Coalition of Texas, Maya Crew, Galveston Art Center, UTMB Police Department and Boy Scouts of America.

Our club recently completed the placement of 74 school traffic safety signs at the approaches to all the public and private schools in the City of Galveston. These signs read Drive Carefully - Protect Our Children and display the Rotary Logo. The students and parents of all of our public and private schools should benefit from an increased awareness of our various school zones and the need to drive cautiously when approaching our schools. This project involved the direct or indirect participation and cooperation of our club members, the administration & staff of Galveston Independent School District and leaders & staff of the City of Galveston; all of whose involvement was essential in order for this service project to materialize.

Look for other service projects in the coming months that are planned to commemorate our Centennial.

Membership in Rotary is open to anyone with an interest in participating in and supporting these types of activities. Rotary encourages regular attendance; however, perfect attendance is not required. Rotary encourages membership from all professions, but does not limit its membership to a certain number of individuals in a given profession. Rotary is open to all ages, from those who have recently entered a profession to those who are nearing the end of their careers or even in retirement. If you have an interest in supporting any of the objectives of rotary, if you are interested in fellowship, if you are interested in learning more about your community, or if you have a desire to meet more of the business professionals and leaders within your community, you should consider membership in Rotary.

This past year, the Rotary Club of Galveston hosted its 35th Annual Chili Supper which is the club's primary fundraiser. In 2012 the club hosted its 2nd Annual Crawfish Boil, in conjunction with the Lighthouse Charity Team. Look for this to be a regular event as well. Our club regularly participates in Beach Clean Up, provides youth bicycle helmets at the Grand Kids Festival and sponsors students to its "RYLA" Rotary Youth Leadership Camp. Any time, any where, any group is providing a service to our community; rest assured that if Rotary is not directly involved, our members certainly are.

Service above self is born out in the old adage; you get out of life, what you put into it. All Rotarians continually aspire to the Rotary Four Way Test. "Of the things we think say or do, Is it the truth, Is it fair to all concerned, Will it build good will & better friendships and Will it be beneficial to all concerned".

The Rotary Club of Galveston meets upstairs at noon every Wednesday at Fisherman's Wharf located at 22nd Street and Harborside Drive in Galveston. Come join us as our guest for lunch and see what we do.

Tom C. LaRue
President - Rotary Club of Galveston