by Gopal Chandrasekaran

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August - Membership & Club Development

• Speaker: 03 September 2025 - Laura Richard (Fort Bend County Clerk) - County Clerk Veterans Program & Property Fraud Alert Update
  
  • Laura Richard was sworn into office as the Fort Bend County Clerk on January 1, 2015, and subsequently in 2019 and 2023. 
  • Before serving as County Clerk, she spent a long career working for BMC Software, managing multi-million-dollar budgets and staff located in multiple countries worldwide. 
  • On the death of her husband, Judge Jim Richard, she was unanimously appointed by the Commissioners Court to fill his vacancy as Justice of the Peace, Precinct 4. Laura and her family have called Fort Bend County home for over 30 years.
  • The Honorable Laura Richard received the 2023 Public Official of the Year Award from the University of Houston Master of Public Administration Program. 
  • Her office has won the coveted Five-Star Award from the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics division each year of her tenure. 

• President's topics:
  • Message from Josh Griffin - SLR President 2025-2026
• Volunteer Opportunities:
  • Community Services Volunteers
  • Sugar Land Rotary Scholarships
• Social Events:
  •  
• 2025 Rotary International Convention
• Future Programs
• Lunch Menu
• Membership Moments
• August 2025 - Rotarian of the Month - Natalie Lerner
• Thanks to Our Rotary Corporate Members
• Wit and Wisdom
• Sugar Land Rotary Club - P&L Statement
• Rotary Officers and Board of Directors
• August Birthdays and Anniversaries
• History of Presidents
• Sugar Land Rotary Hall of Fame
• List of Rotarians of the Month
• List of Rookie of the Year
• List of Harris Griffin Awardees

Rotary Friends,

I’m excited to officially kick off this new Rotary year with all of you! Our theme is Ignite—and together, we’re going to light up our service, fellowship, and impact.

July is Child & Maternal Health month for Rotary International. Following this, you will notice we have made an effort to have speakers related to this subject.

For a quick look at what’s coming up this month, check out this Short Video or view this PDF.

And for those who want the full story behind this year’s theme and vision, you can read the President's Message.

Let’s make this year unforgettable. Let’s Ignite.

This past Friday, the Sugar Land Rotary Club partnered with Attack Poverty to help distribute food to families in need.

Attack Poverty is a local nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty through community programs—and so far, they’ve distributed over 4 million pounds of food to nearly 1 million families.

Proud to see our club come together in service and make a small impact in such a significant effort.

Sugar Land Rotary is proud to offer scholarships to students in the FBISD.  We have two scholarship types: one for Interact students, and one for students with military careers.

Stanley G. Bullard Scholarship for Aspiring Military Officers
 

1. Program overview: SLRC Scholarship Program Overview - Military.  The scholarship is to be awarded primarily based on (i) academic merit, (ii) demonstrated leadership skills, and (iii) patriotism.
    
2. Where students apply: Military Student Application
    
3. How to donate Donate to the Club Foundation with instructions to add them to the SGB Scholarship program. You can also create your own program with a larger donation - please contact Rotarian and Club Foundation Treasurer Mitch Rahim for assistance.
    
4. Program overview: SLRC Scholarship Program - Military
    
5. Point system and application review example:  2025 Applications & SLRC Review with Point System (see 2nd tab)
    
6. Applicant's essays
   1. Applicant 1 Elfi
       
   2. Applicant 2 Sophia
       
7. Letters of congratulations (I'll update this folder soon)
    

Sugar Land Rotary Interact Student Scholarship
 

1. Program overview: Interact Program Overview.   The scholarship is to be awarded primarily based on (i) academic merit, (ii) demonstrated leadership skills, and (iii) volunteering time, especially as an Interactor.
    
2. Where students apply: Interactor Application
    
3. How to donate
   Donate to the Club Foundation.  The goal is to get it to $1 million, at which point earnings will be used primarily to fund scholarships.
    
4. Program overview: SLRC Scholarship Program - Interactors
    
5. Point system and application review example: 2025 Applications & SLRC Review with Point System (see 1st tab)
    
6. Applicant's essays
    
7. Letters of congratulations

Taipei Host Organization Committee Welcomes You!

by 

Salad

Wedge Salad topped with Bacon Bits, Crumbled Blue Cheese, and Tomatoes with a Blue Cheese Dressing

Entrée

Sautéed Tilapia with Lemon Butter Sauce

Savory Rice

Seasonal Mixed Vegetables

Dessert

Brownie a La Mode

Congratulations on being named Rotarian of the Month—your dedication and service truly inspire us all!

She led with energy and purpose during her year as club president, embracing the theme “Create Hope in the World” and helping expand Rotary’s reach across our local communities.
In her professional role as Director of Communications & Events at the Outreach Center of West Houston, she applies the same drive and communication skills she brings to Rotary.
Recently, she took on the challenge of serving as Speaker Curator, ensuring our meetings stay relevant and engaging.
This month, we recognize Natalie Lerner as Rotarian of the Month.

"Management is doing things right; Leadership is doing the right things." – Peter Drucker 

Member Anniversaries 

Rookie of the Year                               Year              President at the Time

1          Marty Clayton                          2007             Robert Walters

2        Susan Barnes                             2017             Rick Smith

3        Josh Griffin                                2018             Jim Munnell

4        David Skateland                        2019             Margie Connolly

5        Dean Clark                                 2020             Raleigh Bailes, Jr.

6        Natalie Lerner                            2021             Todd Breton

7        Anna Finberg                             2023             Marvin Marcell

8        Ramesh Lalwani                        2024             Natalie Lerner

9        Yvonne Miller-Jones                 2025             Mark Heuchert

Harris Griffin Award                        Year              President at the Time

1.     Ziad Chbeir                                2024             Natalie Lerner

2.     Mateo Salmeron                       2025             Mark Heuchert