Members attending the July 26th Rotary meeting managed to avoid the forecasted thunderstorms, dodging only slight precipitation as they made their way into Bay Oaks Country Club.  President David Coney convened the meeting, which was kicked off with a quick rendition of "The Yellow Rose of Texas".  Visitors and guests were introduced, after which Scott Rainey updated the membership on Shrimporee Sponsorships.  Scott started the meeting with $13,000 in pledges, collected several checks, and managed to increase the pledge commitments to $15,000 before he gave up the microphone.  Checks were collected from Jerrold Dewease of Space Center Automotive, and Vissett Sun of Hopping Eye Center.  Other confirmed donors include Texas Wealth Management, Norman Frede Chevrolet, Icon Bank, Texas Citizens Bank, and Community Management Solutions.  Members are encouraged to solicit additional sponsorships.  Forms can be found on the Club website.

Roger Donnelly reminded members to bring family and friends to the August 5th Family Fellowship at Putt Putt Fun House.  The event begins at 6 pm and is free to members, family and friends.  Roger also informed the membership of the sudden death of Traig Thomas, a frequent server at Rotary functions at the Club.  Traig's mother also works in the Bay Oaks Country Club Grille.  The funeral is today in New Orleans, and help is needed with expenses.  A basket was passed among the membership.  Roger also provided today's "Bust Your Button" moment as he reported his 2nd grade grandson's exceptional basketball skills which were exhibited at a recent sports camp.

Jack Bacon, Rotary Exchange Team Counselor, relayed the need for an exchange student host family to begin the school year, preferably within CCISD boundaries.  The family will be hosting Adam, a talented chorister arriving from Slovakia.  President Coney took time for the Rotary Guess Who Game, ultimately confirming Debbie McBride as holder of multiple black belts in different forms of karate and part owner of her own studio.  Debbie will be moving to Cozumel, at which time she promises to take reservations for her spare room.  Members are reminded that a good turnout is needed for the Membership Seminar on August 14th, hosted by Past President Jon McKinnie. 

President Coney provided a quick list of Rotary firsts, noting that from the first Rotary Club meeting in 1905, Rotary spread "like wildfire".  He challenged members to ensure that Rotary spreads like wildfire in the local community as well.  John Nugent announced that the Space Center Rotary Wine Club is starting up again.  The next meeting will be Thursday evening at the Allegria Wine Bar on Old Galveston Road.

John Branch introduced Commander Christopher Moss, Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Air Station Houston.  Commander Moss reported that the Coast Guard encompasses about 40,000 people in total.  The Coast Guard has three primary missions:  Search and Rescue, Maritime Environmental Protection, and Homeland Security.  Commander Moss reported that the Galena Park office staff will be moving to Ellington somewhere in the 2012-13 timeframe, resulting in about 300 additional folks staffed at the Ellington station.  Currently Ellington has about 87 active duty and 90 auxiliary reserve members.  A lot of their auxiliary folks are deployed to support Deep Water Horizon efforts.  Commander Moss noted that Air Station Houston typically handles about 200 search and rescue cases a year.  Their area of responsibility stretches from the Colorado River/Matagorda Bay area on the west side of Houston, to White Lake Louisiana, and includes 3700 oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.  Platform personnel are generally supported by private helicopter services, but the Coast Guard uses the platforms as refueling stations.  He discussed armed helicopter capabilities and training locations, the economic impact and community involvement of Coast Guard stations/personnel, and the significant shift in Coast Guard funding resulting from their 2001 transfer from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Homeland Security.  Commander Moss answered a variety of questions, and noted that Air Station Houston is considered a good duty station in part due to the great school district and reasonable cost of living.

President Coney adjourned the meeting with a reminder to keep Rotary member Stan Galanski in thoughts and prayers as he recovers from surgery.
 
 

Remember These Dates
by Jerrold Dewease

Rotary Family Night Out

The next Rotary Family Night Out is scheduled for 6 pm on August 5th at Putt Putt Fun House. The event is hosted by Jim Saxe, and is free of charge, so be sure to bring the kids, grandkids, neighbors kids....even the big kids!

Endowment Foundation's Pancake Breakfast
by Jerrold Dewease