History
of
The Rotary Club of Space Center (Houston), Texas, and U.S.A.
Club 2010  District 5890
for
Rotary Year 2011-12
Chartered August 6, 1964

Forty Eight Years of Serving the Local and World Communities with a Passion
for
“Service Above Self ”

President
Michael "Mike" Duane Dennard

Officers
President Elect
Marilyn Musial
Secretary
Sheryl Berg
Treasurer
Scott Rainey
Sergeant at Arms
Kippy Caraway

Directors
Club Administration
John Branch
Public Relations
Steve Owens
Membership
Slade Lewis
Fund Raising
Michael Duckworth
New Generations
Marc Schneider
Community Service
Roger Donnelly (later Darryl Smith)
International Service A
Alan Wylie (later Nancy Mallini)
International Service B
Bob Taggart
Vocational Services
Phil Sandlin



  President Dennard's Farewell to the Club


Memories of Rotary Year 2011-12 in Photos

John Lee and Bob Mitchell were faithful photographers during the year and provided pictures of the meetings.  At least one photo from each meeting and sometimes more was selected for the gallery, "Memories for Rotary Year 2011-12".  The pictures are chronological, with all the new members shown as well as the donations that were made at the Club meeting plus other events. The  Blastoff has the information about each Club meeting and can be viewed in a story chronicle.  Only two issues of the club newsletter, Blastoff, were made, July 4th and July 11th. 

History 

The Club continued to meet at the Bay Oaks Country Club Houston, Texas each Monday at noon.  The Program Committee, chaired by  John Swartwout, provided a variety of interesting programs from guest speakers with several of the time slots used for club activities such as  Club Assemblies and fund raiser updates.   Dr. Jack Bacon led the members in songs, sometimes with the help of Sheryl Berg;  the members shared in leading the members in  reciting the pledge of alliance to the U. S. flag and the Rotary  Four-Way Test; and Carlos Villagomez (right) offered the invocation most of the time.  Golf outings, played almost every week,  were a favorite under the leadership of  Dick Hergert.   Club fellowships, held about twice a month, were  facilitated by  Gary Johnson  and held at a variety of places such as restaurants with good attendance and great fellowship.  A Christmas Dinner provided additional opportunities for fellowship for the Club members and invited guests. The third annual Paul Harris/Floyd Boze Dinner was held on February 7, Floyd Boze's  94th birthday.  Occasionally special guests would be on the program or just visit the Club such as District 5890 Governor Rhonda Walls Kerby, District 5890 Governor Elect Chris Schneider, District Governor Nominee Bob Gebhard, Assistant District 5890 Governor Lisa Faith Massey, Judge Holly Williamson, Council member Mike Sullivan, and District E South Sector Manager Allie VanDeventer.  There were also in attendance Club members, Precinct 8 Constable Phil Sandlin  and Texas State Representative John Davis.

Three of the Club members were former District 5890 (589) Governors,  Floyd Boze   1981-1982,  Billy Weseman   1993-1994, and   Susan Howe   2006-2007.  Vince Lipovsky, a chartered member of the Club, 18 past presidents, Floyd Boze, and Suzi Howe continued to attend the weekly Club meetings. 
  
The Board of Directors met eleven times in regular session and 4 times for call meetings.  Actions and decisions by the Board were recorded in the Minutes.  The avenues of service and committee chairs are shown in committees.   A fifth avenue, New Generations of Service, was added by Rotary International to the other four avenues focusing on the younger generation. The Club’s  membership at the end of the Rotary year was 108 active regular and 8 honorary members for a total of 116 members. The membership gained 4 members, lost 12 for a net loss of 8 members.  Billy R. Smith   was the Club’s Parliamentarian, and maintained and interpreted the Club’s Constitution and By-Laws.  

Over $83,000  was donated to service projects, The Rotary Foundation, and The Space Center Rotary Club Endowment Foundation.  There were 14 local projects, 3 international projects, and 1 district  grant projects.   A comprehensive overview of the  financial condition of the Club can be viewed with the following documents:  Balance Sheet   as of June 30, 2012;   Profit and Loss Statement from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012;  and Service Budget  from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.      

The 38th Shrimporee was held on October 15th at the Clear Lake Park, in Seabrook, Texas.  It was a beautiful sunny day, about 87 degrees, with no clouds in the sky.  President Elect Marilyn Musial was the Chairperson and Sheryl Berg the co-chair.  President Dennard selected Cross Roads at Park Place and UHCL Center For Autism And Developmental Disabilities as primary beneficiaries for the Shrimporee.  Both groups were recognized and given their donation at the event.  In addition to these groups, 23 local and international other service projects are supported by the funds from the Shrimporee and other fund raisers.  about 1900 meals of delicious boiled shrimp, BBQ brisket, sausage, corn on the cob, and beans were served.  Guests enjoyed live music, the excitement of bidding on 109 live auction and 50 silent auction items (33 baskets and 17 certificates); and awed with the raffle prize, a 18kt Infinity Peridot Stone  gold necklace by David Yurman provided by Lewis Jewelers.  The children were excited about the three inflatables; their multicolored hair treatment, tattoos, and face painting; and Hugo the Clown with his animal balloons.  Security was provided by officers from Harris County Precinct 8 Constable Phil Sandlin.  The Deputies also conducted the kids fingerprinting ID process.  Of particular note was the large number of student volunteers from Clear Creek Independent School District and the Boy Scouts.  The net income was over $72,000.   More photos of and information on the Shrimporee can be viewed in the Shrimporee 2011 web page.

The 12th annual second major fundraiser and the 6th Springoree was held at Hilton Nassau Bay on May 17 to express the Club's gratitude to the sponsors of the Shrimporee.  A total of 102 Rotarians and sponsors enjoyed an evening of camaraderie, lively bidding on auction items, and great panoramic views of Clear Lake.  President Mike Dennard, as master of ceremonies, introduced Carlos Villagomez who provided the invocation and Scott Rainey who officially thanked the sponsors and friends of Space Center Rotary.  Bob Taggart, chairperson for the event, introduced his committee of Marilyn Musial, John Branch, Rosemary Lengefeld, Nancy Anderson, and Rae DeCastro. A total of thirteen live auction items and twenty-eight silent auction items contributed a total of $12,628 in funds available to continue the community and international work of the Club. The success of the event is attributed to the diligence, teamwork, and hard work of a very dedicated Springoree committee.  An article in The Bay Citizen discusses the event, lists many of the attendees, and has a few photos.  The raffle prize was a Pandora charm bracket from Lewis Jewelers.

President Dennard announced that the Group Study Exchange (GSE) Program would likely be phased out by Rotary International.  The email from Steve Coleman, R.C. Danbury, Texas  describes concerns about the program and efforts to kept it.

"The strength and talent of our teaching workforce is what makes the Clear Creek School District an exceptional place to learn, work and live..... The teachers we are honoring today represent our commitment to our children. They are the best in their craft. You will quickly realize they truly love what they do every day."   noted Dr. Greg Smith at the fourth annual Excellence in Education Program. The Rotary Clubs of Space Center, League City, and Seabrook; and the Clear Creek Independent School District School (CCISD) hosted the fourth Rotary/CCISD Teacher of the Year Awards on May 21st at the South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center (this was the 22nd year for the Excellence in Education Award for the Club).  The Convention Center was filled with about 275 teachers, their families and friends, and Rotarians.  The Westbrook Intermediate Orchestra entertained the group before the program began and played the National Anthem at the presentation of the U. S. and Texas flags.  Marilyn Musial, President Elect Rotary Club of Space Center, opened the meeting; Scott Rainey, Treasurer Rotary Club of Space Center, gave the innovation; and the Clear Lake High School Color Guard presented the U. S. and Texas flags.  Officers of the Seabrook and League City Rotary Clubs lead in the Four Way Test and gave a brief history of Rotary International.  All the recipients were recognized before the six finalists were named.

Dr. Greg Smith (right), Superintendent of CCISD, began the program by making a few remarks and introducing the six finalists: Mary (Dee Dee) Payne, North Pointe Elementary; Nicola Clemmer, Creekside Intermediate; Annamary Given, Mossman Elementary; Edna Meeks, Clear Creek High; Todd Parsons, Clear Falls High; and Jennifer Foley, Walter Hall Elementary.  From these finalists Jennifer Foley (left), Walter Hall Elementary; and Nicola Clemmer (center), Creekside Intermediate were named the Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year respectively. Read article in The Bay Citizen.  Each finalist received a plaque of appreciation and $500 each.  The Teachers of the Year received an additional $500.  Read more about the selection and award process.    

Youth activities included organizations such as the YMCA, Community in Schools, Project Graduation,  Girl Scouts, Camp Be An Angel, Academic Scholarships, and Rotary Youth Students.  This was the 27th year for the Rotary Student Exchange Program. The Interact and the Rotaract Clubs were not active during the year.