History

The Club continued to meet at the Bay Oaks Country Club Houston, Texas each Monday at noon.  The Program Committee, chaired by  John Branch, 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.   Occassionally special guests would be on the program or just visit the Club such as U. S. Congressman Pete Olson, City of Houston Council Member Mike Sullivan (shown with Sheryl Berg), Assistant District 5890 Governor Chris Schneider, State Senator Mike Jackson  (center), and District 5890 Governor Sunny Sharma and wife Rashmi . The review of the weekly program with pictures was captured in the Club’s newsletter, Blastoff.  Debbie McBride led the members in songs until the end of 2010 at which time  Jack Bacon, PHD  (view  Debbie and Jack singing together) began leading; 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 and Dennis Dillon offered the invocation.  Golf outings were a favorite under the leadership of  Dick Hergert.  Club fellowships, held about twice a month, were  facilitated by Roger Donnelly and held at a variety of places such as restaurants with good attendance and great fellowship.  A  Christmas Dinner, trips to the Rodeo and an Astros baseball game, and a night at Putt-Putt Fun House provided additional opportunities for fellowship for the Club members and invited guests.  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 Susan Howe continued to attend the weekly Club meetings.

The Board of Directors met twelve times in regular session  and two  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 115 active regular and 9 honorary members for a total of 124 members. The membership gained 6 members, lost 24 for a net loss of 18 members. 

Billy R. Smith   was the Club’s Parliamentarian, and maintained and interpreted the Club’s Constitution and By-Laws. Revisions to the Club's Bylaws were approved on October 18, 2010.  In addition, Articles of Formation of the Rotary Club of Space Center, Houston, Texas, an unicorrporated nonprofit association dated August 17, 2010, replaced the Certificate of Incorporation of the Rotary Club of Space Center, Houston, Texas Charter No. 1311422-01 dated May 12, 1994.  

Over $110,000  was donated to service projects, The Rotary Foundation, and The Space Center Rotary Club Endowment Foundation.  There were 24 local projects, 7 international projects, and 3 district  grant projects. The amount of monies made from the fund raisers since the first recorded fund raiser in 1968 was at least $1,466,835.    A comprehensive overview of the  financial condition of the Club can be viewed with the following documents:Balance Sheet and Forward Funding Reserves   as of June 30, 2011;   Profit and Loss Statement from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011; Administrative Budget from July 1, 2010 throught June 30, 2011; and Service Budget  from July 1, 2010 throught June 30, 2011 .     

There were 49 editions of the newsletter, Blastoff issued.  An electronic version using the Club web site, Club Runner, began this year which allowed the newsletter to be sent to each members' email address and also be posted on the Club web site.  The review of the previous week's program with pictures; often words from the President which gave an encouraging, insightful, and challenging message; informaiton about new members; and other human interest or informational stories  were included.  The Blastoffs can be viewed on an issue basis or as a story chronicle.

On September 27, District 5890 Governor and wife Rashmi visited the Club. The Octocber 4 issue of the Blastoff has a review of Governor Sharma's visit.  He wanted " ...each club to promote diversity, provide and develop leadership,  and to have fun doing these things".  The material prepared for Goveror Sharma's vist can be viewed by clicking on DG Visit.

The 37th Shrimporee was held on October 16th at the Clear Lake Park, in Seabrook, Texas.  It was a beautiful sunny day, about 85 degrees, with no clouds in the sky.  President Elect Mike Dennard  was the Chairperson and Marilyn Musial  the co-chair.  President Coney   selected projects at Hope Village and the Bayside Intermediate Career Exploration Technology Lab as primary beneficiaries for the Shrimporee.  In addition to these there were 32 local and international other service projects supported by the funds from the Shrimporee and other fund raisers.  1809 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 91 live auction and 44 silent auction items; and awed over the raffle prize, an 18kt gold heart necklace by David Yurman provided by Lewis Jewelers.  The children were excited about the three inflatables, of which two were new, their multicolored hair treatment, tattoos, and   face painting.   Security was provided by officers from Harris County Precinct 8 Constable  Bill Bailey  (left with U.S. Congressman Pete Olson and Chief Deputry Phil Sandlin) under the direction of Chief Deputy 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.  A portion of Chairman Dennard’s note to the Club members in regard to the youth volunteers stated one of the values of the Shrimporee…“It should be mentioned is that your actions at the event set a great example for all of the student volunteers that helped with this year’s event.  I sensed that they fully understood that the Rotarians and other volunteers’ hard work translated to funds raised to support the service projects of our Rotary Club.  This is a valuable lesson for teenagers to learn and I am proud you did such a good job of teaching it with your actions.”  The net income was $57,881.  More photos of and information on the Shrimporee can be viewed in the  Shrimporee 2010    web page.   

The 11th annual second major fundraiser and the 5th Springoree was held at Cullens Upscale American Grill April 21.  Over 100 guests gather for an evening of fun, fellowship, and the excitement of 9 live and 22 silent auction items; all with a Hawaiian Cowboy/Cowgirl theme.  An article in The Citizen discusses the event, lists many of the  attendees, and has a few  photos.  View more  photos of the event.  Club member Scott Rainey won the raffle and chose the Tag Hauer watch.  View the Springoree 2011  financial statement.  

Six outstanding students from Clear Lake and Clear Brook High Schools were presented $1,000 scholarships each by Dr. Greg Smith,  Superintendent of the Clear Creek Independent School District (CCISD).  "Our students outperform their state and national peers on the SAT by 30 to 45 points in all areas.  CCISD is home to an impressive number of National Merit Semifinalists and more than 1,200 of our high school students are currently enrolled in dual credit courses where they are simultaneously earning high school and college credit at the same time.  In other words we are leading the way in preparing our children for the 21st century. "  ... Dr. Greg Smith.   Read all of Dr. Smith's presentation  remarks.  

The 19th Excellence in Public Service Awards program was held April 18 at the regular Club meeting.  Phil Sandlin, committee chair, and his committee  presented five outstanding   honorees to the Club in the  category of Emergency Medical Technican (EMT)/Paramedic.  Rafael Lugo introduced the first finalist, Paramedic Darryl Pell of the Clear Lake Emergency Medical Corps (CLEMC).  Paramedic Lowell Korenek of the Houston Fire Department was introduced by Marilyn Musial.  Phil Sandlin introduced Paramedic Zeno Alexander, also of Houston Fire Department, and EMT Mark Lavalle of CLEMC was introduced by Glenn Langford.  The fifth finalist, Paramedic Martin Downey of Houston Fire Department, was introduced by Kippy Caraway.

Committee Chair Sandlin recognized Paramedic Lowell Korenek of Houston Fire Department as the Space Center Rotary Paramedic/EMT of the Year.  Each finalist received $600 and a Certificate of Distinguished Service, with  the EMT/Paramedic of the year receiving a plaque and an additonal $600.  Family and supervisors as well as City of  Houston Councilman, Mike Sullivan and Assistant Rotary District 5890 Governor, Chris Schneider joined the Club members in honoring these outstanding public servants.

The second annual Paul Harris/Floyd Boze Fellow Dinner was"The Best Rotary Social in Years" said  Roger Donnelly. About thirty were in attendance including Floyd Boze, his Daughter and Grand Daughter. This was Floyd's first social gathering since he got out of the hospital. Also in attendance were future District Governors Chris Schneider andWe gathered at the Bay Oaks Country Club Thursday, May 12th.  The evening was full of great stories about Rotary and fond memories was shared with Floyd Boze; I believe this is what made it so fun. After an update on The Rotary Foundation, at least 8 people got up to share stories and even Floyd spoke up when he made some comments about how Rotarians are at their best when they are having fun. Bob Wren did a wonderful update on the SCRC endowment foundation and also let us know about a very exciting project for a Fallen Astronaut Memorial. The banners that Art Oswald had made listing all of our Paul Harris/Floyd Boze Fellows in club history were on display and soon two more names will be added. Sheryl Berg received a Paul Harris Fellow and Presedent Elect Mike Dennard received a Floyd Boze Fellow. Thank you to Roger Donnelly and Art Oswald for planning such a wonderful event.  The forementioned remarks by President Coney.

"The Best Club Meeting of the Year" according to President Coney. The Rotary Clubs of Space Center, League City, and Seabrook; and the Clear Creek Independent School District School (CCISD) hosted the third Rotary/CCISD Teacher of the Year Awards on May 16th at the South Shore Harbour Resort and Conference Center.  The convention center was filled with about 300 teachers, their families and friends, and Rotarians.  The Clear Brook Jazz Ensemble entertained the group before the program began.  Birda Gaskin, President of League City Rotary, opened the meeting and the Clear Falls Color Guard presented the U. S. Flag for the pledge of alliance.  Michael Huss, President of the Seabrook Rotary Club, gave the innovation and lead in the Four Way Test.  He also spoke about “what Rotary is not”.  President Coney gave a brief history of the Teacher of the Year Award.