Rotary has seven areas of focus in which to serve.
Those seven arenas include: Basic Education and Literacy; Community Economic Development; Environment; Peace Building and Conflict Prevention; Disease Prevention and Treatment; Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene; and Maternal and Child Health.
Over the next several months, we will look at these topics and how local Rotary Clubs are helping lead the way in these human needs. The school year is ending with students evolving into the next grade level and Senior Students in High Schools and Colleges graduating and going to the next level in their lives. Rotary Clubs in Montgomery County have provided tens of thousands of dollars in College/Trade School Scholarships.
The Rotary Club of The Woodlands has provided a phenomenal 53 scholarships this year with Rotary clubs in Conroe, Magnolia, Lake Conroe, and East County also contributing thousands in scholarships. Students like Cee Jay Tilley who graduated Booker T. Washington High School in three years was one of many who received recognition and scholarships by Rotarians.
Rotary’s participation in education goes much further. For the last few weeks, the Rotary Club of Conroe has provided “I Like Me” Books to all of the First Graders in the 13 Elementary Schools that feed into Conroe High School. These books are personalized with information provided by parents to the First Grade Teachers and then to Rotary for a unique book about that child which includes their name and the names of friends, their pets, what they like to do and so much more. Businesses such as Gullo Automotive Group helped out in the printing and distribution of the books with 90-year old Tony Gullo, Sr. proudly handing out books to hundreds of students at Anderson Elementary School.
Rotary’s involvement also includes mentoring in the schools and providing role models. Natalie Goertz chaired the mentoring efforts of the Rotary Club of The Woodlands at various elementary schools. Dave Bartlow with the Rotary Club of Conroe has mentored students at Runyan Elementary Schools for over ten years. Mentors provide student motivation and help in keeping students focused on their education.
Rotary is also involved in High Schools with Interact which is Rotary on a high school basis. Interact has a school sponsor and a Rotary Team working together to build service “Rotary-Style” with high schoolers. These Interact Clubs provide High School Students service and leadership opportunities through elected positions and Committee work for Projects. I was one of the sponsors for the Interact Club at Conroe High School where I challenged them to raise $2,000 for the Rotary Plus Eradication Program. They raised over $3,0000 which exceed my goal challenge with the reward of them publicly spray my hair purple in front of the Rotary Club of Conroe. Purple is the color of the dye that infants pinkies are dipped in to show they have received the polio sera in those “third word” countries.
Rotary also sponsors RYLA Camps which stands for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. These Juniors from various High Schools are sponsored by Rotary Clubs to meet on a weekend of free leadership training at various locations in Texas. These Juniors are significantly impacted by this life-changing, eventful three days. Students from various economic and cultural areas meet for an intense weekend of learning.
Rotarian Clarence Lewis was recently recognized by Booker T. Washington High School in his receipt of the “Service in Education” award. Rotary continues the traditions in educating our youth. Come see how you can participate in Rotary.
Contact me at rsaikowski@comcast.net for more information. The club meets at noon Tuesdays at Honor Cafe in downtown Conroe.
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