Rotary E-Club of Central Texas eBulletin - October 2026
President's Message
Step Up for Polio: Every Walk Counts
Welcome to our October bulletin! This month always brings a special kind of energy—cooler evenings, carved pumpkins on porches, and communities coming together for fall festivals and Halloween fun. It’s a great reminder that strong, connected neighborhoods don’t happen by accident; they grow because people show up, support one another, and invest in their shared future.
Rotary’s fight against polio has been one of the most determined and inspiring efforts in our organization’s history. Since PolioPlus began in 1985, Rotary and its partners have pushed the disease back step by step—celebrating vaccination milestones, seeing entire regions declared polio‑free, and reducing wild poliovirus to just Afghanistan and Pakistan. It’s remarkable progress, but the mission isn’t finished.
Polio anywhere remains a threat to children everywhere. Rotary made a promise to the world’s children: one day, they will never have to fear paralysis from polio. That promise guides everything we do this month.
World Polio Day on 24 October is our chance to raise awareness, share Rotary’s story, and help generate the support needed to finish the job. Clubs around District 5870 and the world are planning walks, service events, fundraisers, and community outreach. Whether our members participate in a district activity, join another club’s event, or walk independently with our new QR code, every step helps move us closer to eradication.
Rotary wants to hear what clubs are doing, and we’ll be proud to share our involvement. Ending polio requires all of us—every club, every member, every effort.
Our club was incredibly honored to welcome Rotary District 5870 Governor Jeff Coleman as our guest speaker at a recent meeting. Delivering a powerful message aligned with his current year’s theme, Ignite Impact, Governor Jeff reminded us that the heart of Rotary lies in the small, intentional choices we make every day to serve others. He challenged us to stay anchored in our personal “why” for being Rotarians and to consistently "Do Better Than Our Best" to transform lives locally and globally.
During his dynamic presentation, Governor Jeff highlighted several vital district initiatives, upcoming events, and opportunities for our members to create lasting change:
1. Fueling the Mission via Rotary Direct
Governor Jeff emphasized the critical role The Rotary Foundation plays in funding life-changing global grants and local humanitarian projects. To help the district reach its collective giving goals, he encouraged members to utilize Rotary Direct, Rotary's safe and efficient automated giving program. By setting up recurring monthly, quarterly, or annual contributions, members can seamlessly support the Annual Fund or the PolioPlus fund, moving our club closer to new Paul Harris Fellow recognitions.
2. Partnering with Project Tumaini
We were introduced to this year's official district service initiative: Project Tumaini. Governor Jeff shared a passionate vision to bring clean, safe drinking water to up to 20 schools facing extreme water scarcity in Tanzania’s Makalama District. By implementing specialized WaterPoint systems that filter and treat water with UV light, this initiative targets student illness and absenteeism. Clubs and individual members are strongly encouraged to become a Project Tumaini Partner to fund and support this life-saving international project.
DG Jeff was surprised when the E-Club presented him with this check in support of
Our club is filled with immense pride as we celebrate a monumental milestone for two of our own. Joan and Kent Bohls are being officially inducted into the prestigious Arch Klumph Society of Rotary International. This is one of the highest honors in the Rotary world, representing a profound, lifelong commitment to global humanitarian service.
To understand the magnitude of this honor, one only needs to look at the numbers. Out of more than 1.4 million Rotarians worldwide, only a fraction of a percent ever join the ranks of the Arch Klumph Society.
By reaching this level of support, Joan and Kent are directly fueling large-scale, sustainable grants that change lives. Their generosity helps provide clean water to remote villages, funds scholarships for future peacemakers, supports maternal and child health clinics, and keeps the global fight to eradicate polio in its final, critical stages.
Joan and Kent Bohls embody the very core of the Rotary ideal: Service Above Self. Their induction into the Arch Klumph Society is a testament to their deep compassion, enduring vision, and unwavering belief that we can leave the world better than we found it.
As a permanent mark of appreciation, Joan and Kent’s portraits and stories will be placed in the interactive Arch Klumph Society gallery at Rotary International World Headquarters in Evanston, Illinois.
Please join us in offering our warmest congratulations and heartfelt gratitude to Joan and Kent for their extraordinary leadership and generosity. They inspire us all to think bigger, give deeper, and serve more passionately.
The Rotary E‑Club of Central Texas is proud to recognize Rotarian Tiesa Hollaway, who was recently presented with The Heart of Service Award by JustServe in partnership with America250. This distinguished honor is given to extraordinary individuals whose service strengthens communities and inspires others to serve.
According to the award, recipients are those who “create lasting impact, bring people together in unity, and lead with generosity, integrity, and purpose.” The medallion highlights volunteers who help build a culture of service and embody the belief that strengthening communities is at the heart of a strong nation.
Tiesa exemplifies every part of that mission. Her dedication, compassion, and willingness to step forward wherever help is needed have made a meaningful difference across Central Texas. She leads with kindness, serves with humility, and consistently inspires others to join in making their communities better.
On behalf of our entire club, thank you, Tiesa, for the impact you make and the example you set. Your service is deeply appreciated, and this recognition is richly deserved.
Joan and Kent Bohls contribute 600 meals to students in need at Angel Fire Middle School, Angel Fire High School, and Moreno Valley High School in northern New Mexico.
Angel Fire is a small mountain community located in the Moreno Valley of Colfax County, nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The area is known for its scenic beauty but also faces economic challenges that affect many local families. Moreno Valley High School, along with the middle and high school programs in Angel Fire, serves students from across the valley—many of whom rely on community support to meet basic needs.
By providing 600 meals, Joan and Kent helped ensure that students at these schools had access to essential nutrition during a time when many families struggle to bridge the gap. Their generosity reflects the heart of Rotary service: seeing a need, taking action, and lifting communities beyond our own.
On behalf of the entire E‑Club of Central Texas, thank you, Joan and Kent, for your compassion, leadership, and unwavering commitment to helping young people thrive. Your service makes a meaningful difference.
Rotary E-Club of Central Texas Erik Knut Svenkerud Memorial Scholarship
The Rotary E-Club of Central Texas is accepting scholarship applications from students attending or eligible to attend a regionally accredited college or university. Scholarship funds will be paid to the institution attended by the scholarship recipient. Applicants must be sponsored by a member in good standing of the Rotary E-Club of Central Texas. The applicant must be someone who has demonstrated a commitment to serve others and who aspires to pursue a career in a field leading to the improvement of life for others. A student receiving this scholarship is required to attend an activity sponsored by the Rotary E-Club of Central Texas and share how this scholarship has helped him/her achieve his/her goals.
To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, each applicant is required to meet the following requirements: • Have an overall grade point average of at least 2.500. • Submit a complete and official copy of his/her high school or college/university transcript, as appropriate. • Provide at least one letter of recommendation from a teacher, professor, counselor, campus administrator, or other individual who can provide an honest and fair assessment of the applicant • The applicant must submit a typed essay in English of at least 250 words that describes the applicant’s goals upon graduating from high school, or after earning a higher education degree or vocational-technical certificate. This essay must also explain how this scholarship will help the applicant achieve his/her goals. Specific examples should be included, as appropriate. • Complete and submit the scholarship application by the due date.
Please submit the following material to Juan Lira at juanliratx@aol.com no later than Dec. 1, 2026: • Official high school or college/university transcript • At least one letter of recommendation as described above • A typed essay in English of at least 250 words written by the applicant as described above • A completed scholarship application
To request an application or ask questions, contact Juan Lira at either juanliratx@aol.com or 956-744-6039.
Move Closer to Your Next Paul Harris Fellow You’ve been waiting for it… Our Limited-Time Annual Fund-SHARE Matching Campaign is back!
August 1 through October 31, District 5870 will match your $250 to $500 cash contribution to Annual Fund-SHARE 1-to-1 with Foundation Recognition Points toward your next Paul Harris Fellow level.
Contribute $250 and receive 250 matching Foundation Recognition Points. Contribute $500 and receive 500 matching Foundation Recognition Points.
Important: Contact PDG Rich Kaye at richkaye@hot.rr.com before contributing to secure your match.
It’s one of the best opportunities of the year to move closer to your next Paul Harris Fellow recognition while supporting the fund that makes Rotary projects possible across District 5870 and around the world.
Fast-Track Your Recognition. Fuel Rotary Projects.
Your Annual Fund-SHARE contributions help make our DAP Grants, Career & Technical Education Scholarships, District Service Projects, and Global Grants possible.
The Annual Fund is the only Foundation fund that returns dollars to our district through SHARE, providing the resources our clubs use to turn ideas into action.
No Annual Fund means no SHARE. No SHARE means fewer projects. And without projects, Rotary is just a meeting.
Economic and Community Development is one of the Seven Areas of Focus that Rotary has asked all clubs to focus on, especially in October.
The work of Rotary begins in the community, and every community has its own unique needs and concerns. While we serve in countless ways, we’ve focused our efforts in six key areas to maximize our impact. These areas encompass some of the world’s most critical and widespread humanitarian needs. Rotary members planning new service projects are encouraged to consider these areas and the many opportunities for innovative projects within them. Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation have adopted seven areas of focus as organizational priorities:
Peace and conflict prevention/resolution
Disease prevention and treatment
Water and sanitation
Maternal and child health
Basic education and literacy
Economic and community development
Supporting the Environment
There are countless ways that Rotary clubs can address these issues both locally and internationally.
What is your club doing? Here are some ideas.......
Past Rotary International Director Past RI Vice Presidential Aide
October Special Guest
Scott Rainey
End Polio Now
George William Hood (Bill)
Welcome to the Rotary E-Club of Central Texas.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Alma Gonzalez
October 18
Anniversaries
Blanca Swayzer
Rick Swayzer
October 12
Rick Swayzer
Blanca Swayzer
October 12
Alison Ivy
Frank Ivy
October 17
Join Date
Alison Ivy
October 15, 2021
5 years
Blanca Swayzer
October 15, 2021
5 years
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.
