Reflections 2012
In June of 2012 President Howe reflected on several memorable events during her tenure as president, some which were not in the history previously.  There are more photos on the fishing trip, the backyard party, and the Rotary bench project  in the history write up. 

History
The Club met at the Gilruth Center on the NASA Johnson Space Center  campus in Houston, Texas until shortly after the September 11th attack on the World Trade Towers in New York City and then met at the Holiday Inn, City of  Nassau Bay, Texas (Historian 2009: Minutes in October noted that a contract had been signed with the Holiday Inn in the City of Nassau Bay, Texas).  The Club met each Monday at noon with interesting programs from guest speakers and several programs regarding the Club’s activities.  Rolfe Young was the Program Committee Chair.  The Club’s newsletter, Blastoff, captured the essence of many of the programs with write-ups and pictures as well as provide other interesting information such as vitas about some of the club members, Rotary and Club information, promoting the fundraisers and other worth while events and recognizing the fundraisers’ sponsors.  The editor of the newsletter was Sheila Self.  Jerome Bourgeois led the members in songs for most of the meetings and the members shared in leading the club in the pledge of alliance to the U. S. flag, prayer, and the Four-Way Test.  Club fellowships were facilitated by Bill Taylor with attendance good and fellowship great.  Golf on Thursday under the leadership of Sheryl Springfellow continued to be a favorite.  A Rotary family out, a Christmas Party, and a trip to the  Rodeo, and a fishing trip  to Port Mansfield provided additional opportunities for fellowship for the Club members and invited guests. Also there was an end of year  party and couple of fishing  trips  for fellowship.

Two of the Club members were former District 5890 governors, Floyd Boze 1981-1982 and Billy Weseman 1993-1994.  Vince Lipovsky and Bev Steadman, chartered members of the Club, 14 past presidents, and Floyd Boze continued to attend the weekly Club meetings.

President Howe established Major Objectives in the areas of Membership Development, Public Image, Rotary Education and Training, Club Development and Improvement, Personal Objectives, and Fund Raising.  The accomplishments of these objectives are noted below and reflected in the 2001-02 Presidential Citation Certificate Form (follows Major Objectives).

Over $45,000 was given to service projects, The Rotary Foundation, and The Space Center Rotary Club Endowment Foundation.    A comprehensive overview of the  financial condition of the Club can be viewed with the following documents:
summary of the cash and investment balances in various accounts as of June 30, 2002;  
profit and loss statement from July 1, 2001 through June 30, 2002; 
administrative budget (September 10, 2001);  and
service budget (September 10, 2001). 

The Club's Board of Directors probably met twelve in regular sessions however only 10 copies of the minutes of the actions and decisions by the Board  were located.  Attendance to the board meetings by the board members for the year was 79 percent through April. The avenues of service committees and committee members can be viewed by clicking on committee members. Billy R. Smith was the Club’s Parliamentarian, and maintained and interpreted the Club’s Constitution and By-Laws. 

There were 22 issues (out of possible 46) of the Club’s newsletters, Blastoff, which can be located.  The newsletters contained a variety of interesting items such as the Club’s programs; future programs; make-up opportunities; Shrimporee and VIP Auction and Wine Tasting information; vitas about club members; general information about the Club, District, and Rotary International; and promoting fundraisers sponsors and worth while events.  The newsletter was eight and one half by eleven inches and consisted of several pages.  Sheila Self was the editor and Bob Mitchell was the photographer. 

The Club’s membership at the end of the Rotary year was 152 members based on record from District 5890.  The Club’s directory can be viewed by clicking on  Directory 2001-2002.  The Phone Tree was handled by Bill Geissler

This was the second year that another major fundraiser was held in addition to the Shrimporee.  A VIP Auction and Wine Tasting, chaired by Gregg Turley, was held on August 25, 2001 at the Houston Yacht Club, Shoreacres.  There were 93 guests.  This was a successful event raising a net of $12,755.  The 28th Shrimporee, chaired by Earl Maudlin (second from right),  was held on September 22, 2001  at the Clear Lake Park, in Seabrook, Texas.  It turned out to be a great event yielding a net of $40,732. (Shrimporee VIP 2001 Financial Statement as of November 30, 2001).  Precinct Two Commissioner Jim Fonteno was the Honorary Chairman of the Shrimporee and sent President Howe a note of appreciation for the Paul Harris Fellow Award he received at the Shrimporee.  An extensive publicity campaign was carried out by Pat Patton and a comprehensive report (part one announcements and part two radio and newspaper ads) with a  collection of the newspaper articles prepared by her.  There were 2 Shrimporee posters found in the history record, the one with the rocket was the one used based on  information in the Blastoff.  It is not certain why a second one existed. The logo is similar but is not the same as the one used in the 2000 Shrimporee.  The income received from the fund raisers exceeded $53,000 and the amount made from the fund raisers since the first recorded fund raiser in 1968 was estimated $804,334.   View a slide presentation of the Shrimporee. View video by ATA Associates and more photos.

Jessica Zhao, Jason Sadeghbeigi, and Iris Chu received $100, $75, and $50 respectively for the first, second, and third place in the 14th annual Clear Creek Independent School District Drug Awareness Essay contest.  The Scholarship Committee awarded six $500 scholarships to students in the Clear Creek Independent School District.  The recipients were Victoria L. Phillips, Brian Picazio, Jessica Huff, Ryan Stoltz, Lam Ha Le, and Ky D. Cooksey.

The Excellence in Education committee under the leadership of Scott Rainey presented the winner of the 12th annual Teacher of the Year award on May 13, 2002.  The finalists received a gold teacher's apple, a certificate and $300.  The Teacher of the Year for Elementary and Secondary schools will each receive $500 and a plaque.  The six teachers were Kathy Sharp, Clay Barnett, Linda Michael, Mary Anthamatten, Pam Grimes, and Ralph Hixon, and in the Clear Creek Independent School District for Distinguished Service awards.  From this group, Kathy Sharp and Clay Barnett were honored as “Teacher of the Year.

The Excellence in Public Service committee, chaired by Bill Farries, selected five officers, Enrique Anorga, Kenneth Cranston, Gregory Gillespie, Tommy Hansen, and Mary Ellen Johnson, for the Distinguished Officer Award.  Each received $300.00.  From this group, Tommy Hansen was awarded the “Officer of the Year” and received an additional $700.00.  This was the 10th year that the Excellence in Public Service Award was given.

There was information on International Youth Exchange students, Bruno Tabith (full program year) in the July 30 Blastoff, a notice of Rebecca Quintero (half program year) presentation to the Club for August 16 in the August 13 Blastoff, and a picture of Osaka Ja in the August 27 Blastoff.  Read writeup about Rebecca by Art Wood.  Alan Wylie received a thank you note from Jenny regarding a scholarship.  There were three thank you notes in the file.

The Club continued its program of assisting patients from other countries    who    need    medical treatment. Pictured is Dr. Abdel Fustok, who donated his services as plastic surgeon, and current patient, Blanca Meza Gonzalez.  Blanca was 19 years old and lived in the Federal District of Mexico City.  At two years of age she was severely burned when a lamp in her home caught her dress on fire.  A thank you  letter dated August 19, 2001 regarding Blanca sent to the Club can be viewed by clicking on letter.  Edgar from Mexico is here as one of Dr. Fustok's patients. This is the 18th year for the program.