Rotary E-Club of Central Texas eBulletin - November 2025
President's Message
"FOUNDATION MONTH"
Fellow Rotarians
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give,” is a well-known quote by Winton Churchill about giving back to the community. As Rotarians, we have an excellent opportunity to help others all over the world through a contribution to the Rotary Foundation. The Foundation supports global projects in areas like eradicating polio, promoting peace, and combating poverty and illiteracy. This month let us make it a point to give thanks by helping others. Help not only through our contributions to the Rotary Foundation, but also through simple acts of giving. Take a bag of groceries to your local food bank or a blanket for a homeless individual. In our own communities, let us touch lives and demonstrate that our Rotary E- Club comes together and
Nathan Price - Journey to NASA and Space Exploration
Our October guest speaker Nathan Price, shared his journey from receiving a Commodore VIC-20 in middle school to working as a flight controller at NASA, inspired by early visits to the Johnson Space Center. He discussed the practical uses of space, including satellite TV, GPS, weather monitoring, and defense applications. Nathan emphasized the philosophical shift in viewing Earth as part of the universe, rather than distinct from it, and highlighted the exciting developments in space exploration and technology, such as the Starship and in-space manufacturing, predicting that the 2020s will be a transformative decade for space travel. Mars Settlement Vision Discussion: Nathan shared his vision for future space exploration, particularly SpaceX's ambitious goal of establishing a human settlement on Mars with plans to launch multiple Starships annually. He discussed the alignment of Mars and Earth every 26 months, which will enable increased transportation capacity, with projections of launching 20 ships in the next period, 100 in 2030, and 500 in 2033
Central Texas E-Club Rotarians Take Action to End Polio!
E-Club of Central Texas Rotarians were out this October, actively supporting Polio Fundraisers across their communities!
Rotarians Betty and Adam Lara volunteered their time and energy at the District 5930 RPM Ride 2025 on October 18–19, serving meals to dedicated Rotarian motorcycle riders in Corpus Christi and Alice. The two-day ride began in Laredo, with stops in Rio Grande City, Mission, San Juan, Harlingen, Brownsville, Kingsville, and Corpus Christi on day one. Day two continued through Rockport, Port Lavaca, Victoria, Alice, Freer, and back to Laredo. What an incredible journey—an inspiring show of commitment and endurance, all to help End Polio Now!
Meanwhile, Rotarians Blanca and Rick Swayzer joined forces with the Rotary Club of Killeen Heights on October 24 for a lively Pints for Polio event at Southern Roots Brewing Co. in downtown Killeen. The event was a huge success, filled with laughter, raffles, a few brave souls taking “pies in the face,” and, of course, plenty of pints—all raising funds and awareness to End Polio Now once and for all.
Rotarians across the country continue to make a powerful impact—coming together, having fun, and being part of the global solution to End Polio Now!
The Rotary E-Club of Central Texas was proud to present a donation consisting of four (4) wheelchairs and four (4) walkers, each displaying the Rotary logo, with a total value of $925.
This humanitarian service project fulfills a request from DIF (Desarrollo Integral de la Familia), a community service agency located in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. DIF is dedicated to assisting individuals and families in need by providing essential medical, legal, social, psychological, and emotional support, working to strengthen and preserve family unity.
Rotarians Juanita and Juan Lira, members of the E-Club of Central Texas, personally drove from Laredo, Texas, to Nuevo Laredo to deliver and present the donations to DIF representatives. Their hands-on involvement reflects the true spirit of Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self,” demonstrating compassion, dedication, and a continued commitment to improving the lives of individuals with mobility challenges and supporting families within the community.
November is Rotary Foundation Month, a time when we unite as a district to reflect on one of the most powerful engines of good in the world: The Rotary Foundation. For more than 100 years, our Foundation has transformed the generosity of Rotarians into sustainable projects that change lives - right here in Central Texas and across the globe.
From District DAP Grants supporting literacy programs, to CTE scholarships helping a young mother earn a vocational degree to support her family, to Global Grants delivering clean water to communities in need - every dollar we give does something extraordinary.
Why does The Rotary Foundation matter?
Because we are People of Action, and the Foundation is how we multiply that action.
Last Rotary year, clubs in District 5870 used Foundation funds to support a wide range of impactful projects - youth education, food security, adoption clinics, and international clean water initiatives. None of that happens without you.
How You Can Make a Difference This Month:
✅ Give to the Annual Fund - Even a small monthly gift helps build the pool for grants.
✅ Join the Paul Harris Society - A $1,000 annual gift is a bold way to lead by example.
✅ Celebrate Your Club’s Impact - Share photos or stories of Foundation-funded projects using #1DistrictStrong and #PeopleOfAction on social media.
🟨 This Month’s Challenge:
Let’s encourage 100% member participation in Foundation giving across the district! That doesn’t mean large gifts from everyone - it means everyone gives something. When every Rotarian contributes, every community benefits.
The Rotary Foundation is more than just our charity. It’s our commitment - to hope, to service, and to building a better world.
Let’s use this month to celebrate that commitment and strengthen it for the year ahead.
November Speaker Shannon Coleman-Rotary Foundation
"BYOB-Bring Your Own Bag!" Pic Winner Rick Swayzer!!!!
ROTARIANS, LET'S CONTINUE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN NOVEMBER TO HELP FEED THE HUNGRY!!!! KEEP THOSE PICTURES COMING, THEY WILL ALL BE POSTED IN OUR NEXT E-BULLETIN !!!!!
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Suresh Pahwa
November 12
Elaine Chassagne
November 29
Anniversaries
Scott Hughes
Shelley Hughes
November 11
Join Date
Wendy Forbes
November 5, 2024
1 year
Margarine Beaman
November 24, 1992
33 years
There is still time for this months Green Steps Challenge...Send a picture of you Planting a Tree, Gifting a Tree or Hugging a Tree!!!
“Root for the Earth....... Plant a Tree”
Support The Rotary Foundations:
Go to My Rotary. Sign in (your sign in is your e-mail plus password) Donate to the Annual Fund either set up monthly of $10 a month or give one time at least $100.
The flexible, friendly, fun Rotary family! We meet on the third Tuesday of each Month at 6:30 PM CST on zoom. Join us! Click Here To Join Us Online Passcode: Rotary or email Joan9e@gmail.com for the link to join a meeting.
