RERC e-bulletin 8-22-2023 (Aug 20, 2023)

Supporting Network through our Speaker Series

This year, RERC is supporting Network by giving our guest speakers an opportunity to select items which will be donated on their behalf to Network's food pantry. This helps provide a personal thank you to our speakers, while working to meet community need. To date, our speakers have selected:

Dog Food (Lisa Kupfer/The Sixth Floor Museum)

Diapers (Leslie Benson/Richardson Reads One Book)

Infant Formula (Julie Robinson/Beyond the Bar Bottle Shop)

Rotarians in need

We have a chance to help our fellow Rotarians who live on Maui and particularly those from the historic town of Lahaina. As you are aware, Lahaina has suffered almost total destruction from wild fires this past week. The Lahaina Rotary Club has lost their meeting place to the fire. It will be a long time before they can meet in person. They and many, many others on Maui have lost everything.

Hawaii's Rotary District (District 5000) has established a relief fund through their Foundation to accept donations to aid in recovery efforts. Please consider making a donation to the Maui Fire Relief Fund. Thank you for your support!

August 2023 Directors Meeting Updates

MEMBER UPDATES:

Woody is in the hospital with an infection.
Monica is home, recovering from her hip replacement surgery last week. She is doing well and has started physical therapy.
George McKearin has stepped down from the club to care for his wife.

SAVE THE DATE:

Saturday, August 26: Our District's Awards Banquet
Wednesday, September 6: Fish Camp - This program introduces new members to everything they need to know about being a Rotarian. If you joined our club in 2022 or 2023 and haven't attended Fish Camp yet, please contact John O'Haugherty for more information.
Thursday, September 21: North Texas Giving Day
Saturday, October 14: Fall Fiesta - Stay tuned for more details.
Tuesday, October 24: World Polio Day - This is a day to commemorate global efforts toward a polio-free future. Ideas for how our club may participate are welcome.
Wednesday December 13: Christmas Party- Stay tuned for details. This event replaces the December Happy Hour.

August Birthdays and Anniversaries

Please congratulate our members who are celebrating as August birthday or club membership anniversary:

Birthdays:

August 9 - Karen Ellis

August 23 - David Frazee

Club Membership Anniversaries:

August 26, 2015 - Keith Kockler

Rotary International Convention

I treasured the opportunity to attend the Rotary International Convention “Imagine” in Melbourne, Australia in May 2023. It was a tremendous learning experience and such an honor to represent our club throughout this beautifully-orchestrated event! The host committee did an outstanding job of organizing all aspects of the convention. From the inspiring General Sessions to transportation between the Rod Laver Arena and the Melbourne Convention Center to the engaging breakout sessions, the House of Friendship, the luncheon for Presidents Elect, it was all simply amazing! One of the most moving experiences was at the beginning of the first General Session, when 300+ flags from countries throughout the world were paraded throughout the arena. An important illustration of how Rotary’s important mission reaches all corners of our world and unites us as we respond to countless humanitarian efforts. Thank you for the opportunity to represent the Richardson East Rotary Club!

Warmest regards,

Laurie Garvie

RERC President 2023/2024