History
of
The Rotary Club of Space Center (Houston), Texas, and U.S.A.
 District 5890
Club 2010 
for
Rotary Year 2013-14
Chartered August 6, 1964

President
Sheryl Berg

Fifty years of serving the local and world communities with a passion for
“ Service Above Self”

Officers
President Elect
Scott Rainey
Secretary
John Branch
Treasurer
Darryl Smith
Sergeant at Arms
John Swartwout

Directors
Club Administration
Carl Stockton (Rosemary Lengefeld)
Public Relations
Ed Richards (Bill Hughes)
Membership
Mike Cornett
Fund Raising
Ralph Kramer
New Generations
Marc Schneider
Community Service
Teri Crawford
International Service A
Steve Owens
International Service B
Dennis Paul
Vocational Services
Nancy Anderson

Suzi Howe receives "Service Above Self"  Award

Jorge Hernandez receives
Club's  "Rotarian of the Year" Award

President Berg presented Jorge the award because of his outstanding work as Program Chair. 
She also noted that this was exceptly noteworthy his being a new member.

President Berg's Closing Remarks June 30, 2014
"Today marks my last day as your president for the 2013-2014 Rotary year.  As the luckiest gal in the room to have been able to serve you as president this year, it is my hope that today you will sense and receive my sincere and hearth felt thanks and appreciation for lending me that honor.  I say the word "lend" because I have realized that, in a group of such as this; that this office isn't bestowed, it isn't given and in my case, it certainly isn't earned.  ... I take a moment of personal privilege to acknowledge and thank the person not only there for me during this entire year but also for the past almost 35 years and that is my husband, Stuart. Thank you for always believing in me.  You truly are my better self." .... Read the entire closing remarks.

President Berg's Opening Remarks June 17, 2013
"Thank you for this honor, for this opportunity and for the trust you have given me for our upcoming year of service.  First of all, it is an honor to have our newly installed District Governor - installed only as of Saturday - here with us.  I very much look forward to my year of serving under Bob's leadership.  And, I want to say a few words about Marilyn.  The top words that come to my mind would be Gracious, Inspiring, Enthusiastic, Positive and Encouraging.  I'm filled with confidence about our upcoming Rotary year mostly because of the guidance shown to me by Marilyn and for this I thankful from the bottom of my heart".... Read more  

A topic listing of the meeting programs and other pertinent information regarding the Club meetings are in the Chronicle.  

Year in Photos and Stories 

Photos  pdf or ppt

A topic listing of the meeting programs and other pertinent information
regarding the Club meetings are in the Chronicle

History

The Club continued to meet at the Bay Oaks Country Club Houston, Texas each Monday at noon. The Program Committee, chaired by Jorge Hernandez, 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 President Sheryl Berg and Carlos Villagomez, the members shared in leading the Club in reciting the pledge of alliance to the U. S. flag and the Rotary Four-Way Test; and Dennis Dillon offered the invocation most of the time. Golf outings were a favorite under the leadership of Dick Hergert. Fellowships, about once a month, were facilitated by Gary Johnson and Roger Donnelly and held at a variety restaurants, and wine testing clubs, and at most unique places such as Putt Putt Fun House (80 Rotarians and family attended) and St. Patrick's Day dinner at the VFW serving typical Irish food and green beer.  A Christmas Dinner provided additional opportunities for fellowship for Rotarians and invited guests. It was held on December 19 at the Bay Oaks Country Club with songs and a White Elephant gift exchange.

Mike Sullivan Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector, Texas State Senator Larry Taylor, and Dave Martin, Houston City Council District E, visited often and Harris County Precinct 8 Constable, Phil Sandlin was a Club member.  Many others visited the Club over the year.  A letter, from Sweden with banner and cover of a magazine on the visitors' home area, reflects the warmth and friendliness of the Club members.

President Berg instituted "A Rotary Moment"  where a member would share with other Club members when the member truly became a Rotarian and what Rotary means to the member.  One of President Berg's community service projects was donating books, signed by the Club program speakers, to Whitcomb Elementary. Whitcomb Elementary was also where the Early Act First Knight Program was initiated. She noted:  "Part of my life's work is teaching persons how to read.  Books are my passion.  Literacy is my passion.  I have been delighted to have brought a new area of service to our club this year by having our weekly speakers autograph a specially-chosen book which is then donated to the Whitcomb library ."
 
The Club Board of Directors met twelve times in regular session, one without a quorum, and six 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. The Club's membership at the end of the Rotary year was 99 active regular and 5 honorary members for a total of 104 members. The membership gained 16 members, lost 12 for a net gain of 2  members. Billy R. Smith was the Club's Parliamentarian, and maintained and interpreted the Club's Constitution and By-Laws.

Over $66,000 (see listing) was donated to service projects, The Rotary Foundation, and The Space Center Rotary Club Endowment Foundation. There were 18 local projects, 4 international projects, and one district grant project.  A comprehensive overview of the financial condition of the Club can be viewed with the following documents: Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2014; Profit and Loss Statement from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014; and Service Budget  from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014.

President Berg established a Committee, Rotary in our Heart, to notify Club members of a Rotarian, family member, or friend that needs to be lifted up in prayers; to help our Rotarian family members in any way possible; and to share good news and accomplishments of Club and family members.  The information, as appropriate, was entered on the Club Website, contained in emails, and announced in Club meetings.  In addition phone calls and visits were made as needed.

One of President Berg's passions was the military veterans and those who served the country in others capacities.  She focused many times on them, their families, and their contributions to the country during the Club meetings and away from the meetings.  Several examples of her compassion for them follow.  Read a memo regarding remembrance of September 11, 2001.  President Berg and spouse Stewart joined 25 others in a Great kayak fishing outing September 14, including vets, friends, family, and volunteers. Thanks especially to PACK Texas (Paddling Anglers in Canoes & Kayaks) for taking everybody out fishing. It was a beautiful day, great weather, and a fun time.  President Byrd made a donation to the Fischer House Foundation in support of the military families.  Again in honor of the military veterans around Veterans Day, President Byrd presented a moving story about a veteran which she title "What a Hero Looks Like".

The Club continued the successful service project, Early Act First Knight (EAFK) program at Whitcomb Elementary. The school was a Title one school with students of 26 different ethnicities whose principal was Mark Smith.  More than a student service club participated in by a few; it is a daily, mandatory course of study for each child, starting with the first day of Kindergarten. It was a year-round character and service education program for elementary and middle schools that puts Rotary into mainstream public education every day.  An advisory committee, John Branch, Marilyn Musial, Owen Morris, and Gary Renola, was established to assist the student council with their service projects.  Read more about  EAFK.  Presdient Berg invited one of the students at Whticomb Elelmentary and his mother (Dyson Nevels, and his mother Chrystal; Dyson was not able to attend) to talk about the effect of the program.  Chrystal noted that when the program first come into the school, that Dyson was all excited about being knighted and wanted to know how to become one.  After explanation by Chrystal, he began complying with the ethical standards of the program and was soon knighted.  She said that his attitude changed and she believes the change will stay with him for life.  The program made indelible changes in their child's life as many other parents have shared with the Club members who worked with the program at the school.

The 40th Annual Festival and Auction Shrimporee was held on October 26th at the Landolt Pavilion at Clear Lake Park, 5002 NASA Parkway, Seabrook, Texas.  It began at 11 am and ended at 4 pm on a beautiful sunny day reaching a temperature of 85 degrees.  The grounds were dry allowing the children’s activities to be held behind the pavilion and the automotive sponsors to display their vehicles.  Live music by the San Jac Drum Corp, the excitement of the auctions, delicious food, loads of children’s activities and, most importantly, fellowship made for an enjoyable occasion.  Security was by on duty and off-duty deputies provide by Harris County Precinct 8 Constable Phil Sandlin, who was also a Club member.  The meal, as in previous years, consisted of outstanding boiled shrimp, savory smoked brisket, sweet corn on the cob, BBQ beans, and condiments.  The Women of Rotary provided many kinds of sweet goodies; cookies, and cakes.  The proceeds from the sweet table were used by the Women of Rotary for charitable activities.  The price of the meal ticket was keep at $15 with children six years of age and under received a free meal consisting of a hotdog, drink, and a bag of chips.  There were both live and silent auctions featuring items to fit every budget.  Port Commissioner Steve Phelps and Judge Louie Ditta, the auctioneers; Rodolfo Gonzalez, the auction coordinator, and Mark Smith, Principal of Whitcomb Elementary, was the Emcee provided an exciting and entertaining afternoon for all.  President of the Club, Sheryl Berg, selected Texas River Runner, Bay Area Communities in Schools, and Early Act First Knight as the primary beneficiaries for the Shrimporee.  Two were recognized and given their donations symbolically at the event.  The Club had made it a practice many years for the Club’s President-elect to be the chairperson of the Shrimporee and this year it was Scott Rainey.  The raffle prize was a $5,000 shopping spree at Lewis Diamonds and Timepieces.  There were 189 student volunteers, 27 adult volunteers, and 82% of the Club members participated before or on the day of the event.  Over $83,000 net income was raised for donations back to the communites.  Read more in the Shrimporee Report and view a photo gallery here.

The 14th annual second major fundraiser and the 8th Springoree was held at the Houston Yacht Club in La Porte, Texas on April 24 to express the Club's gratitude to the sponsors of the Shrimporee and for a fun filled evening for all of the guests. About 97 Rotarians, sponsors, and other guests enjoyed an evening of camaraderie, lively bidding on auction items, good food, and entertaining music by a DJ. Among the guests were District 5890 Governor Bob Gebhard and spouse, and District 5890 Governor Elect Lisa Faith Massey.  Scott Rainey and President Berg were the master of ceremonies, Scott Rainey thanked the sponsors and friends of Space Center Rotary, and Steve Phelps  was the auctioneer for the live auction items.  The success of the event is attributed to the diligence and hard work of the dedicated Springoree committee which consisted of  Steve Owens, Marilyn Musial, Wendy Holley, and Ralph Kramer  (Photo L to R: Wayne Musial, Wendy Holley, Ralph Kramer, Steve Owens, President Berg, Marilyn Musial).  A total of fourteen live auction items and forty four silent auction items contributed to a total of over $15,000 net income available to continue the community and international work of the Club. The theme was the 60's, Skinny Tie and Tye Dyed (60's), to embrace your life in 1964 the year the Club was organized. It was one of the most fun events in recent years due to the 60's theme dress and something the attendees could relate with.  The raffle prize was a 60" HD TV.  See photo gallery.  President elect Scott Rainey noted: "Wow!!  What a fantastic time at the Springoree.  I want to thank Steve Owens, Ralph Kramer, Wendy Holley, Marilyn and Wayne Musial for all the time and effort they put into this event.  I know everyone had a blast."

The combined net income of the Shrimporee and Springoree was the highest made by the Club in a single Rotary Year since the beginning of the Shrimporee in 1974.

Public Relations was very comprehensive through out the Rotary Year with Club member Mary Alys Cherry being publisher of the Bay Area Houston Magazine and past editor of the Bay Area Citizen.  There was at least an article each month about the Club and several about the Shrimporee.  Some examples of these articles are shown here.  Two articles were in the May 2014 of The Citizen covering a speaker at the Club and the RNASA Awards Banquet (an extensive article).   May 29, 2014 edition of the Citizen had an article about the Teacher of the Year Banquet.  Houston Council Member, Dave Martin, had an article in his newsletter, July 2014, about his visit to the Club. The Bay Area Citizen ran an article on the planning for the 50th anniversary and the Bay Area Houston Magazine had a photo shot of Club guest speaker Chancellor San Jacinto College, Dr. Brenda Hellyer.

The Club continued its tradition of presenting roses on Valentine's Day. Twelve Rotarians and two spouses brightened the day of senior citizens with 425 roses in four local senior living homes.  President Berg wrote an article for the District 5890 Newsletter praising the program which was in its seventh year.  See photos.
 
Youth activities collectively received the largest amount of donations during the Rotary Year amounting to over 50% of the budget. The Rotary Youth Exchange (read more about Alan Wylie and the Rotary Youth Exchange), with 2 inbound students and 2 outbound students; scholarships for six high school students; Communities in Schools; and Early Act First Knight were the major recipients.  Presedent Berg said this about the Early Act First Knight program: "I want you to think: except for parents and in some cases, the church, from how many other sources are these students hearing about the importance of truth-telling, of being fair to all concerned, of building good will and of doing good that will be beneficial to all.  What an incredibly amazing investment in our future and our future leaders".  The Rotary Youth Exchange continued to be an oustanding program beginning in 1986. She also said  this about the Rotary Youth Exchange:-a life-time of memories and better world understanding through the sponsorship and hosting of Anna and Marcus (inbound students) through the International Youth Exchange program".

District 5890 annual “All Club Meeting” was held on February 20 at the Crowne Plaza - Reliant Stadium with over 650 members, spouses and guest in attendance.  Rotary International President Ron and Jetta Burton were also in attendance.  Over $3,000 was raised to support Polio Plus and the service projects for the District 5890 Conference cruise May 1-5 and $5,000 presented to Rotary International President Ron and Jetta Burton.  Eight Club members and two spouses attended.