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Newsletter Highlights
by Gopal Chandrasekaran and Mark Heuchert
 
10/23 - Judge Tyra McCollum JOINT meeting with Exchange Club
October 24-26: Pumpkins for Polio!
Feb 8, 2025: Sugar Land Rotary 5K
Nov 2: Halloween Party
District Conference 2025 - Register now
2024 Rotary Club of North Shore Annual Mark Mulloy Memorial Golf Tournament!
Future Programs
Lunch Menu
Membership Growth Contest
Membership Moments
October 2024 - Rotarian of the Month - Lerleen Hawkins
Thanks to Our Rotary Corporate Member – PCCPA
Wit and Wisdom
Sugar Land Rotary Club - P&L August 2024
Rotary Officers and Board of Directors
October Birthdays and Anniversaries
Club Membership List
History of Presidents
Sugar Land Rotary Hall of Fame
List of Rotarians of the Month
 
Speaker Info 
The Honorable Tyra Jones McCollum was elected as the Presiding Judge for Fort Bend County Court at Law No. 2 in November 2022. Judge McCollum is committed to knowledgeable and fair interpretation of the law along with balancing community safety and equitable justice for every person who appears in the Court. It is her honor and privilege to be entrusted by the community with the responsibilities of the Court and Fort Bend County.
Judge McCollum is a proud graduate of The University of Texas and University of Houston Law Center. Early in her career she was appointed as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Tyler, Texas.  A native of Missouri City and Willowridge High School graduate, she moved back home to Fort Bend County in 1997. She began working at the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office where she served as the Chief of the Juvenile Division for 19 years and handled prosecution of major violent crimes. Judge McCollum is also an Adjunct Professor in the Government Department at Houston Christian University. In December 2023 Judge McCollum was appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas and Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas to serve on the Judicial Commission on Mental Health for the state.
 
Paddling for Polio - Texas Typhoon Waterpark!
 
Joins us District 5890's "3rd Annual Paddling for Polio" Rubber Duck Race FUNraiser to help End Polio Now!
Location:  Typhoon Texas Waterpark (in Katy)
555 Katy Fort Bend Road, Katy TX 77494
Date:  Saturday, October 19th
10 AM - 4 PM
Buy a duck and watch it "race" down the lazy river!  Funds are for the District 5890 "Paddling For Polio" Rubber Duck Race".
 
https://rotaryd5890.org/event/3rd-annual--quot-paddling-for-polio-quot--to-end-polio-now/ 
 
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Don't let the fun stop there!  Head out to the Lomax Arena in La Porte to partake in a night of fun with Live Auction, Silent Auction, Reverse Draw Raffle and more.
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Pumpkins for Polio!
This is a FUN event for our ENTIRE District 5890 to raise funds for polio.  It will be October 24-26 at the First Colony Mall during mall hours.
 
There are 13 clubs (TBC, might increase a bit) in the district competing to see which pumkin is the best.  We want Sugar Land Rotary to WIN!
 
How it works:
1. On Wednesday, October 23rd Sugar Land Rotarians (also from SLAC & our Interactors) are encouraged to bring a carved pumpkin to the meeting.  We will vote which one is the best, that one will go to the mall!
2. Where: First Colony Mall (they are offering us FREE space!)
3. When: October 24-26. 
4.  How it works: there will be two 8' tables next to Dicks' Sporting Goods in a high traffic area in the mall.  The ~13 club pumpkins will be displayed.  Mall visitors will VOTE with DOLLARS!  Rotarians will vote as well.  
5. Sponsorships: those wishing to sponsor the Sugar Land Rotary pumkin can (great exposure to thousands of potential customers)!
6.  All funds raised will be divided evenly between the ~13 clubs and is for polio.  RI is asking for $2k from every club this Rotary year.
Note: on Saturday, October 26th, the mall will have "Malloween".  This is very popular annual event that they have with very high attendance!  Plus we ALL get to dress up in costumes that day.  :-) 
 
Sugar Land Rotary 5K

Running With A Heart 5K is open now for registration.

Check out the details of the event here -  http://www.sugarlandrotary5k.com/
 
Halloween Party
The Social Committee is thrilled to invite you and your significant others to this year’s Halloween Party at Ziad’s residence on Nov 02, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Please RSVP using the link below.
 Attire: Superhero
 
 
Please do not hesitate to contact Salima or Josh for additional questions.
 
District Conference 2025
Save the date!  This is an important District-wide event, and everyone is strongly encouranged to participate.
Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center, May 1, 2025
  • Click here for the District Conference Webpage
  • Click here to see the District Conference Video
  • Click here for the on-line ”Howdy” brochure
  • Events include “First Friday in Bryan” – Click here for more information
  • Click here to register for the 2025 District Conference!
2024 Rotary Club of North Shore Annual Mark Mulloy Memorial Golf Tournament!
Get Ready for the 2024 Rotary Club of North Shore Annual Mark Mulloy Memorial Golf Tournament!
Sponsored by the Mulloy Family Foundation

Join us for an unforgettable day of fun, competition, and camaraderie at the beautiful Stonebridge at Newport Country Club in Crosby, Texas on Thursday, October 24, 2024!

This year’s format is a 4-Person Scramble with a Shotgun Start at 12:30 PM. But the excitement starts well before that!
  • 10:00 AM: Registration Opens
  • 11:00 AM: Test your skills in the Putting Contest
  • 11:30 AM: Enjoy a delicious lunch sponsored by Doc and Danna Niño
Entry Fee: Just $150 per player (includes golf, ½ cart, lunch, beverages, 2 mulligans, and a goodie bag!)
Team Entry: $600
Drink Carts Sponsored by The Junction
Hole-in-One Prize Sponsored by Everitt Industrial Supply
Longest Drive & Closest to the Pin Prizes Sponsored by Team I.S.A.G

And don’t miss the crowd favorite:

Hit The Bottle Putting Contest – Sponsored by KNCS Service, LLC
For just $20 per ball, step up to the practice green where bottles of your favorite adult beverages await! Land a perfect putt and take home the bottle you hit. What better way to show off your putting prowess?

Door Prizes Sponsored by Stellar Bank ensure no one leaves empty-handed.

All proceeds benefit Polio Plus, helping us drive the fight against polio worldwide.

So, gather your team, sharpen those clubs, and mark your calendars! It’s going to be an incredible day of golf, prizes, and plenty of good times!

 
Rotary Action Group for Girls’ Empowerment (RAGGE)
All members, including their friends and family, are welcome to join. Mark will share more details about this program.
 
=====
Greetings Girls' Empowerment Alumni,

(This email is being sent to Former Global Ambassadors for Girls' Empowerment Presidential Initative)

As most of you already know, the Girls’ Empowerment Presidential Initiative was sunset at the end of the 2023-2024 year by Rotary International. While efforts, projects and activities centered on Girls’ Empowerment were encouraged to continue among clubs and districts around the world, many people have wondered and expressed “what’s next for Girls’ Empowerment?” or “how do we really ensure real sustainability and growth in this area?”...this correspondence aims to formally address such questions and update you on the exciting future for Girls’ Empowerment.

Earlier this (2024-2025) Rotary year, RI President Stephanie Urchick asked for the formation of a new Rotary Action Group (RAG) dedicated to Girls’ Empowerment. With endorsements by the Past Chair of the Global Taskforce for Girls’ Empowerment - Elizabeth Usovicz - as well as, support from several RI Directors, Zone and District leaders across the globe, such a RAG is essentially the next logical step to ensure continuity, sustainability and development of all that began in 2021 with the Girls’ Empowerment (née Empowering Girls) Presidential Initiative and that grew to unimaginable heights of success around the world continuously over the last three plus (3+) years.

With the roles, functions and scope that a RAG provides, the benefits, advantages and potentials for Girls’ Empowerment can be focused and maintained, while also emphasizing and accommodating a diversity of opportunities for impactful and meaningful projects, programs, and partnerships at international, regional and local levels, as well as, providing a global hub for ideas, resources and connections. Not to mention the fact that members of a RAG do not have to be members of the Rotary family and thus allows for much broader participation and engagement.

Following RI President Stephanie’s request, a core planning and organizing team has been working on the formation and establishment of a (new) Rotary Action Group for Girls’ Empowerment (RAGGE) which shall be dedicated to continuing and enhancing the amazing work of Girls’ Empowerment around the world. The process of building towards a consolidated and organized RAG with the principles and goals of the Girls’ Empowerment movement is both challenging and exciting. So to ensure both the viability and long-term sustainability of this proposed new RAGGE, key and experienced Rotary International Staff have been and will continue to be part of the planning and organizing process and provide guidance on the necessary steps to be taken and best practices to be followed.

In addition to maintaining the term “Girls’ Empowerment”, the scope of the proposed new RAGGE will encompass the multiple foundational priorities that have been part of the initiative since 2021, including: Education, Health & Wellness, Safety & Well-Being, Economic Enhancement & Security, and Advocacy & Engagement. Concurrently, the program objectives of the proposed new RAGGE will enhance several previous standards, such as regular informative events, use of the Rotary Service Project Center, strong communication assets (website, social media, chat groups, e-blasts, etc.), partnerships both across and beyond Rotary, project support mechanisms and a centralized hub for resources and networking.

We are now at the stage of preparing the official application to Rotary International to establish and charter the proposed new RAGGE…and this is where we need your support!

As prior global ambassadors for Girls’ Empowerment, you are the key to bringing the proposed new RAGGE to life and making it thrive. Equally so, your regional and local networks of district and club advocates and champions of Girls’ Empowerment are pivotal to this endeavor.

Timeline-wise, the hope is to submit a formal application to Rotary International within the next month or so, with the underlying goal of being able to officially announce the RAGGE at Calgary 2025 wherein RI President Stephanie and other Rotary leaders are being kept up-to-date to leverage our collective strengths globally.

You are therefore invited to SIGN-UP and be included in the formation, establishment and operation of the proposed new RAGGE where you will be kept up-to-date and informed as things progress, as well as, invited to participate in planning meetings and discussions. Plus, those that signup will be the first to be offered charter membership in the RAGGE.

Feel free to share this message and call-to-action with your networks, including district and club advocates/champions, interested members of your zone, district or club, and even appropriate non-members of the Rotary family.

Let’s make this happen for the good of all girls around the world!

In Rotary Service ~

Rotary Action Group for Girls Empowerment (proposed) Organizing Team

Organizing Team Members:

PDG Tina Fischlin (USA)
PDG Josje Bootsma (Amsterdam)
PDG Dawn Rochelle (USA)
DG Rysheeka Bush (USA)
PDG Annemarie Mostert  (South Africa)
DGN Debbie Kenyon-Jackson (Amsterdam)
PDG Pam Stewart  (USA)
ARPIC Sean Paddy (Trinidad)
PDG Susan Wakefield (Australia)
EPNC Kim Walden (USA)

CC: RIP Stephanie Urchick & PRID Elizabeth Usovicz
Future Programs

by 

9 Oct - Fredy Bates - Alzheimer's Association
16 Oct - Justin Doffin - Solar System
23 Oct - Judge Tyra McCollum - Update on the county
30 Oct - Lisa - How to protect your Home
6 Nov - First Reponsder Program - Fire and Police
Lunch Menu
Salad
Spring Mix Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Candied Walnuts, & Goat Cheese with a Champagne Vinaigrette Dressing
 
Entrée
Beef Medallions with a Mushroom Wine Demi Glaze
Roasted Garlic Herb Fingerling Potatoes
Roasted Vegetables (Carrots, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts)
 
Dessert
Key Lime Pie

 

Membership Growth Contest
The membership committee is implementing a minimal-cost membership growth awards contest to grow the club membership. 
 
Score to date:
Mark Heuchert             1 Point
Farha Ahmed                1 Point
 
The Contest has the following rules and benefits:
 
1. For each new prospect a club member brings to a club meeting or Extension club 
meeting and the prospect is inducted into the club or joins and pays first month dues for
Extension club - the club member gets 1 point per inducted prospect.
2. The Contest will begin on 21 Aug 2024 and complete on 11 Jun 2025 and awards given
out on 18 Jun 2025 club meeting before the International Conference the next weekend.
3. Points will be awarded for anyone inducted into the Rotary club and anyone that joins
and pays first month dues in the SLRC Extension club. 
4. Awards that will be given out to the top club member recruiter is a nice plaque for the
wall and a 1 month of free meal charges of $85 for August of 2025.
5. Progress will be given out on the club ebulletin and at club meetings as the contest
progresses.
6. If a new prospect comes to the club by means of the club newspaper article, club email,
or club phone number, no points will be given for this prospect/member.
7. In case of a tie in total points on 11 Jun 2025 each club member will receive the same
awards.
Membership Moments
 
Welcome to Angela Hodge, our newest Action club member. You will see her in the  evening monthly at the action club meetings. She is the director of the local YMCA. Ask her about how you can help the YMCA.
 
 
Welcome to Muzaffar Vohra, our newest inducted Club member. He works in the import business. Stop by and ask what he imports and how he does it.
 
 
Membership Stats:
Rotarian of the Month
Lerleen Hawkins is the October 2024 Rotarian of the Month. Congratulations Lerleen!

Lerleen has been a long-time Sugar Land Rotary Club member and has been married to Larry for over 50 years!

Lerleen embodies the idea of stepping in where help is needed. If you've been in the club for any time, you are probably familiar with seeing Lerleen helping at the front table! She has served several times as club Secretary, Vice President, Sugar Land Rotary College "Professor," and more.
 
Member picture
Thanks to Our Rotary Corporate Member – PCCPA
We are pleased that PCCPA has joined the Sugar Land Rotary Club as a Corporate Member. Their web site is www.pccpa.org.
Wit and Wisdom
There is little success where there is little laughter.
 
Sugar Land Rotary Club - PandL Aug 2024
Rotary Officers and Board of Directors
2024-2025 Officers and Directors
 
President                            - Mark Heuchert
President Elect                   - Josh Griffin
Past President                     - Natalie Lerner
Vice President                    - Ziad Chbeir
Administrator                     - Dean Clark
Club Service                       - Salima Hirani
Community Service           - Muthu Velayutham
International Service YE    - Rosa Espinosa
International Service Proj   - Rafael Manrique de Lara
Membership                       - Dean Clark
Next Generation                 - Courtney Hochhalter
Public Image(Tech)            - 
Secretary                             -  Frank Fraley
Sergeant at Arms                 - Karl Schleicher
Speaker Curator                  - 
Treasurer                             - Mateo Salmeron
Vocational Service              - 
 
Rotary Foundation Board
 
Patrick Bullard
Mitch Rahim
Jair Bobys
Jack Brady
Raleigh Bailes Jr.
 
Read more...
October Birthdays and Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Name                                 Date
Suzanne Whatley               Oct 20
Mary Favre                        Oct 27
Jeff Tallas                           Oct 28
 
Wedding Anniversaries
Name                             Spouse         Date           Yrs
James Doyle                   Kali              22 Oct 16    8
Steve Harris                    Lee               23 Oct 76    48
 
Date Joined Rotary
Name                                  Yrs    Date
Suzannd Whatley                 4       1 Oct 20
Mary Favre                           8       3 Oct 16
George Kakkanatt                 1       4 Oct 23
Liz Furman                           6       10 Oct 18
Vlada Matytsin                      6      10 Oct 18  
Burt Levine                           3       20 Oct 21
Karl schleicher                      12     31 Oct 12
 
Note: If the information above is incorrect, please correct it in your Club Runner profile. Thank you.
Club Membership List
Ahmed, Farha
Ajibewa, Temitope
Alston, Darla
Aumiller, Bryan
Bailes, Heidi
Bailes Jr., Raleigh
Bailey, Sharon
Bates, Robbie
Bobys, Jair
Boehm, Daniel
Brady, Jack
Breton, Cindy
Breton, Todd
Bullard, Patrick
Carpenter, Dean
Chandrasekaran, Gopal
Chbeir, Ziad
Clark, Dean
Clayton, Marty
Contractor, Dipika
Doyle, James
Dye, Tabb
Espinosa, Rosa
Favre, Mary
Finley, Scott
Fraley, Frank
Furman, Liz
Griffin, Bill
Griffin, Josh
Harris PDG, Steve
Hawkins, Lerleen
Heuchert, Mark
Hinchman, LMT, Cathy
Hirani, Salima
Hochhalter, Courtney
Houck, Pat
Houck, Patrick
Kakkanatt, George
Lalwani, Ramesh
LaVigne, Laura
Lerner, Natalie
Levine, Burt
Mangum, Jason
Manrique de Lara, Rafael
Marcell, Marvin
Matytsin, Vlada
McDonough, Coleman'
McMartin, Tara
Meyers, Andy
Mickey, Bouche
Miller-Jones, Yvonne
Pendleton, Ward
Pendley, Greg
Proctor, Eltonette
Rahim, Mitch
Salmeron, Mateo
Schleicher, Karl
Smith, Andre
Smith, Marc
Smith, Rick
Shukla, Amitabh
Tallas PDG, Jeff
Valenzuela, Robert
Velayutham, Muthu
Vitale, Rob
Vohra, Muzzafar
Walker, Tracy
Werner, Chad
Whatley, Suzanne
Whitbeck, Christie
HISTORY OF PRESIDENTS
Sugar Land Rotary Club
HISTORY OF PRESIDENTS
by Robert Walters
 
Year              President                      Rotarian of the Year          Secretary
1985-87         Steve Harris                  Eddie Wright                        Larry Christian
1987-88         Bill Griffin                   Don Janssen                          Robbie Bates
1988-89         Joe Webb                      Mike Kelly                           Don Janssen
1989-90         Dennis Halford             Bob Bilski                            Marshall Whichard
1990-91         Robbie Bates                Sandy Link                           Mark Brown
1991-92         Don Janssen                  Steve Harris                          Sandy Link
1992-93         Mike Rozell                  Colleen Nicholas                  Bob Bilski
1993-94         Ron Rich                       Larry Biggs                          Chris Colihan
1994-95         Marshall Whichard       Bill Singletary                      Bret Dyer
1995-96         Bob Bilski                     Harold Raiford                     Steve Davenport
1996-97         Maris Reynolds            Steve Smelley                       Steve Smelley
1997-98         Bill Singletary              Steve Varney                        Steve Smelley
1998-99         Thelma Jones                Bob Bilski                            Raleigh Bailes
1999-00         Steve Smelley               Robert Walters                     Connie Flood
2000-01         Raleigh Bailes              Marshall Whichard              Jeff Tallas
2001-02         Connie Flood                Mitch Alison                        Mindy Andrews
2002-03         Jeff Tallas                     David Shaw                          Lerleen Hawkins
2003-04         Cynthia King                Robert Walters                     Steve Davenport
2004-05         David Shaw                  Bill Griffin                Teresa Eoff (Mitch Rahim)
2005-06         Steve Varney                Jared Jameson                       Mitch Rahim
2006-07         Robert Walters             Cynthia King                        Don Olson
2007-08         Charlie Myer                Marshall Whichard              Dan Green
2008-09         Scott Finley                  Bob Bilski                             Tracy Walker
2009-10         Dan Green                    Ward Pendleton                    Bill Calhoun
2010-11         Bouche Mickey            Craig Deserf                         Robbie Bates
2011-12         Greg Pendley                Jeff Tallas                   Kerry Jarka (Rick Smith)
2012-13         Jared Jameson               Greg Pendley                        Rick Smith
2013-14         Ward Pendleton            Robert Walters                     Robert Walters
2014-15         Patrick Bullard             Justin Steinhard                    Rafael Manrique
2015-16         Stacy Croft                   Margie Connolly                  Karl Schleicher
2016-17         Rick Smith                   Stacy Croft                           Margie Connolly
2017-18         Jim Munnell                 Rick Smith                            Lerleen Hawkins
2018-19         Margie Connolly          Lerleen Hawkins                  Michelle Royster
2019-20         Raleigh Bailes, Jr.        Flo Dixon                              Flo Dixon
2020-21         Todd Breton                  Natalie Lerner                      Alicen Swift
2021-22         Darla Alston                 Lerleen Hawkins                  Natalie Lerner
2022-23         Marvin Marcell            Mary Favre                           Lerleen Hawkins
2023-24         Natalie Lerner              Karl Schleicher                    Josh Griffin
Read more...
Sugar Land Rotary Hall of Fame
HOF Inductee                                      Year      President at the Time
 
1.  Steve Harris                                    2001       Raleigh Bailes, Sr.
2.  Bob Bilski                                       2005       David Shaw
3.  Marshall Whichard                         2006       Steve Varney
4.  Jeff Tallas                                        2008       Charlie Myer
5.  Charlie Myer                                   2009       Scott Finley
6.  Steve Smelley                                 2009       Scott Finley
7.  Cynthia King                                   2011       Bouche Mickey
8.  Bill Griffin                                       2012       Greg Pendley
9.  Greg Pendley                                   2013       Jared Jameson
10. Robbie Bates                                   2014      Ward Pendleton
11. Harris H (Sonny) Johnston, Jr.        2015       Patrick Bullard
12. David Shaw                                     2015       Patrick Bullard
13. Robert Walters                                 2016       Stacy Croft
14. Raleigh Bailes, Sr.                           2017       Rick Smith
15. Greg Pendley                                   2018       Jim Munnell
16. Stacy Croft                                      2019       Margie Connolly
17. Rick Smith                                      2020       Raleigh Bailes, Jr.
18. Scott Finley                                     2023       Marvin Marcell
19. Lerleen Hawkins                             2023       Marvin Marcell
20. Marty Clayton                                 2024       Natalie Lerner
List of Rotarians of the Month
2024:
October             Lerleen Hawkins
September.        Salima Hirani
August              Muthu Velayutham
July                   Andy Meyers
June                  Karl Schleicher
May                  Suzanne Whatley
April                 Bill Griffin
March               none
February           Ward Pendleton 
January             Jair Bobys
 
2023:
November        Dean Clark
October            Courtney Hochhalter
September       Steve Harris
August             Rick Smith
June                 Raleigh Bailes, Jr
May                 Daniel Boehm
April                Anna Finberg
March               Karl Schleicher
February           Pat Houck
January             Heidi Bailes
 
2022:
December         Elsa Malakoff Maxey
November         Salima Hirani
October            Ricardo Espinosa
September         Marty Clayton
August              Janice Stuart
June                 Lerleen Hawkins
May                 Patrick Bullard
April                Jack Brady
March               Scott Finley
February           Patrick Houk
January             Suzanne Whatley
 
2021:
December         Karl Schleicher
November         Mary Favre
October            N/A
September         N/A
August              Lerleen Hawkins
June                 Susan Barnes
May                 Vlada Matytsin
April                David Skadeland
March               Laura LaVigne
February           N/A
January             N/A
 
2020:
December         Jeff Tallas
November         Alicen Swift
October            Ashlee Valavala
September         Rick Smith
August              Flo Dixon
June                 Margie Connolly
May                 Ricardo Espinosa
April                Laura LaVigne
March               Chad Werner
February           Mark Heuchert
January             Scott Finley
 
2019:
December         Rick Smith
November         Mary Favre
October            Elsa Maxey
September         James Doyle
August              Flo Dixon
June                 Alicen Swift
May                 Darla Fanta
April                Jeff Stacy
March               David Skadeland
February           Robert Walters
January             Bill Griffin
 
Read more...
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