Christof Spieler, PE, LEED AP is Vice President and Director of Planning at Huitt-Zollars, working on land use, transportation, and open space planning. He is currently serving as project manager of the Greater Houston Flood Mitigation consortium, a group of experts in hydrology, ecology, and urban planning that are working to assist decision makers and the public to address flooding in the Houston region. He teaches in Architecture and Engineering at Rice University, served on the board of  Houston METRO from 2010 to 2018, and has contributed to national APTA and NACTO standards. Spieler holds a BS and MS in Civil Engineering from Rice.

Flag team

Join Rotarians (and their families), Interactors, and Rotaractors from around the Houston area to sort and palletize books for shipment to Rotarian led literacy projects in Africa and around the world. You are also welcome to bring gently used books of any sort to donate. 

We have shipped over 345 of large 40' shipping containers of books since 2000!

What is your Story?

SEPTEMBER 24, 2018

Join us for a unique social day, sharing your favorite childhood games experiences, photos, trophies, or bring your game. Let’s remember our fun days with a happy hour and a very healthy snack or dinner.

Where: On the Kirb, Organic Eatery and Sports Bar

5004 Kirby Dr.
Houston, TX 77098

http://www.onthekirb.com/

Visit the website for menu and location

When: Monday September 24 at 5:30 pm -8:00 pm

Hosts: Margarita & Judy

Questions/Registration: Margarita at 281-857-1315 & Judy at 713-666-5780

Hi everyone:

Please join our first Community Service Committe meeting 2018-2019.

If you are, you were or want to support our Committee, please join us.

Red Badge members, please attend, so you can comply with your Blue Badge list

We need new ideas and SUPPORT.

If you are already part of a community program, please bring your new ideas and how we can support you.

Some of you have already shared your great ideas: i.e. Joe Rivers, David LaFevre, John Collier and Essi Kwabi.

HIRING: I also have some openings, with great salary, bonus, vacations, Holidays and overtime.

1.- Community Service Co-Chair- This is an Executive position, in  which includes stocks and extra bonus. Back me up to run the show! Help with making announcements, posting programs in Clubrunner, presenting checks, etc.

2.- Clubrunner Story Writers and Photographers-  Write stories in clubrunner with photos of the programs, and volunteering events. (2 positions).

3.- West U Fellows- Willing to share their experiences and input of how we can enhance  Rotary Club of West U's position in the Community.

Important Note: members of the West U Rotary Foundation are welcome. We need your comments too!

If you are interested and cannot make it, please send me an email at meliza_leon@yahoo.com or at 281-857-1315.

THANK YOU!

Margarita E. Hernandez

Community Service Committee Chair

Join Rotarians (and their families), Interactors, and Rotaractors from around the Houston area to sort and palletize books for shipment to Rotarian led literacy projects in Africa and around the world. You are also welcome to bring gently used books of any sort to donate. 

We have shipped over 345 of large 40' shipping containers of books since 2000!

Flag committee meeting before our Veteran's day flag launch.

The Rotary Club of West U will be holding a World Polio Day Celebration at Pico's on October 24, 2018 starting at 5:15 PM Live Stream (where we will hear from some of the World's Top Polio Eradication Experts and from Rotary's leaders - from the live World Polio Day event in Philadelphia) followed by dinner (on your own).   Each attendee is asked to bring a donation of $1 or more to The Rotary Foundation's PolioPlus Fund, Or better still - donations of $100 or more will be matched by the Rotary Club of West U Foundation.  All donations will be matched $2 to $1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (for a total donation of 6X your donation of $100+). 

HALLOWEEN COSTUME PARTY!

Date: Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Time: 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 PM

Where: Pizza Motus

              6119 Edloe St. West University Place, TX 77005

Join us for our Halloween Costume party at Will's wonderful Pizza Restaurant.  You do not have to wear a costume to participate, just come and have fun. BYOB.

If you are atending the World Polio Day Celebration at Picos, come and join us after the presentation.

Let's enjoy a good time with our fellows.

Event Chairs: Carmen Flores  gillores@hotmail.com (713) 562-3985 and Pam Dibbern  pamdibbern@gmail.com.

You can register during our meetings and here.

Thank You.

Nate Arneson serves as the Community Liaison at United Against Human Trafficking.  He primarily works to support the coordination of the Houston Rescue & Restore Coalition, expand Community Engagement Initiatives, support outreach events, and implement demand-reduction programs.  This is Nate’s first year living in Houston, Tx.  Prior to living in Houston, Nate and his Wife lived in Guatemala as Peace Corps volunteers working with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education to improve the overall health of rural communities living without vital resources.

This is an opportunity to see the mobile Hair Salon of Have Shears Will Travel to further learn what this wonderful non-profit is doing in the Greater Houston Area by providing haircuts and grooming to hundreds of people every month.

On Oct. 25,2018 the RV will be at Sobriety Matters, 513 Thornton from 9am..  Thornton is just 20 minutes away, straight north on Shepard.  We can easily carpool from Picos after club meeting.

The RV is small but the atmoshere is BIG.  Visit a few minutes with the stylists and you will immediately feel how they give back dignity to those who life needs are so great.

You will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement and pictures are not allowed unless permission is given by the recipient of the grooming.  Please remember, these people are usually at a low point in life and are struggling to make themselves better.

Sign up and join us for a small outing, just a few minutes of your day.

Cecile Schutter and Margarita Hernandez

Join Jack Wallace and buddies for another Rise Against Hunger event.  This one will even be BIGGER!  And now that it's late October, we don't need the Air Conditioning!

Listen to Jack's announcements for details.

I see you are blocked but I don't know why.

It might be on your side - your outlook.com 

I've taken out your email in CR and put it back in. 10:57am

Chris Peifer was named City Manager of West University Place in November 2015.

Chris's experience is both extensive and varied, having served as City Manager, Assistant City Manager and Public Works Director at West U, and Deputy City Manager in League City. Prior to his positions in Administration, he directed the Public Works Departments in League City and was the Assistant Director in Sugar Land. His public service is even more varied with experience in public works, finance/accounting (including contracting with various regulatory agencies under the Department of Treasury during the banking crisis, related to deregulation), economic and community development, finance, real estate and construction. In West U, his major focus areas include fiscal strength and process improvement, as well as strategic resource and infrastructure development.

Chris attended Albright College in Reading PA, where he earned his bachelors of Science degree. In the course of his career, he has supplemented his collegiate education with courses varying from public works to public administration, obtaining certifications in the Public Information Act, the Texas Open Meetings Act, and the Public Investment Fund Act. He is also a Certified Emergency Program Manager.

Throughout his career, Chris has been highly involved in municipal professional associations, including serving as a Board Member for the Texas Municipal Utility Association.  He is a member of the International and Texas City Manager Associations, the American Public Works Association, the American Water Works Association, the Texas Water Utilities Association and a host of other municipally oriented associations.

Chris will retire from the City this coming January.

Join Rotarians (and their families), Interactors, and Rotaractors from around the Houston area to sort and palletize books for shipment to Rotarian led literacy projects in Africa and around the world. You are also welcome to bring gently used books of any sort to donate. 

We have shipped over 345 of large 40' shipping containers of books since 2000!

Adam W. Richard is the Head of Distribution at Entoro Capital. He is co-founder & partner of Sutton Stone, founder of the Houston Bitcoin Meetup, co-founder of the Houston Ethereum Meetup, and previously co-founded and was CEO of Volt markets (Boost VC, Plug & Play, and Creative Destruction Labs alumnus), and was co-founder and CTO of Metal Networks, Inc. (Surge Accelerator alumnus). Adam has been a CTO, CPO, software project manager, start-up adviser/mentor, brand strategist, web developer, UX & UI designer, graphic designer, photographer & cinematographer. 

Joe Haralson has been a Ranger since 1981. This makes him one of the force’s most senior Rangers, and he is one of the best.

RSVP: rotary5890taskforce@gmail.com

Light refreshments provided for this family friendly event.

GoBag contents: flip flops, travel size hygiene items, sweatshirt, sweatpants,
tshirt, small rolled fleece blanket, $5-$10 fast food gift card.
Monetary donations to purchase the GoBag items will be gratefully accepted
November 7 through November 24. Please go to this link to contribute your tax-
deductible donation:

Donate at GoBAG donation

Questions? Contact Audrey Reed, Chair of Task Force at
Rotary5890TaskForce@gmail.com or call/text 972.467.4153.

A community wide service project of Rotary District 5890 Task Force on Ending
Human Trafficking, in collaboration with Freedom Church Alliance, UAHT (United
Against Human Trafficking) and E.S.S.I. (Empower, Stand, Serve, Inspire).

West U Rotary's Holiday Party

You and your guest are cordially invited to an evening of fun at our annual Holiday Party

Tuesday, December 4th

at Maggiano's

2019 Post Oak Blvd.

from 7:00 to 11:00 PM

Dinner $50.00 per person

Cash Bar

Caroling led by Suzanne Diecks, Raffle for surprise gifts, Guitarist

Share the holiday cheer by bringing an unwrapped gift for a boy or girl.

Register on Club Runner or give checks to Jim Waters, our treasurer. Sign up sheets will be at meetings,

but don't delay.  Only 80 seats are available, and you don't want to miss this party!

Michael Landrum is presiding Judge in the 113^th Civil District Court, in Harris County.  He has held this bench since his appointment by Governor Rick Perry in May, 2013.

Michael is a native Houstonian. He grew up in the Spring Branch area and attended Memorial High School.  He received his B.A. from The University of St. Thomas and a law degree from the University of Texas.

Michael Landrum holds specialist certifications in the fields of Civil Trial Law and Civil Appellate Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. 

Before being sworn in as judge, Landrum dedicated his legal career to representing businesses and business people in matters involving a wide variety of transactional, litigation and appellate matters.

In addition to his official duties, Landrum teaches a class about American courts at Houston Baptist University, serves as judicial liaison to the Houston Young Lawyers Association, lectures in continuing legal education programs, judges student mock trial and moot court competitions, and is active in Houston Bar Association activities.

The Oikos Church is needing donations of toys and books for all ages, and warm clothing and coats for 6 - 12 year olds.  Please bring to rotary meetings.

Please contact Frank Parrilla at 832.396.2416 if you have any questions.  Or Howard Thomas, 931.472.5999, howard@theoikos.org

Thank you!

Join Rotarians (and their families), Interactors, and Rotaractors from around the Houston area to sort and palletize books for shipment to Rotarian led literacy projects in Africa and around the world. You are also welcome to bring gently used books of any sort to donate. 

We have shipped over 345 of large 40' shipping containers of books since 2000!

Danny Kahalley, Director of Admissions at Saint Thomas’ Episcopal School, has

fifteen years of experience in education administration and has worked for

numerous schools and colleges in Tennessee, Alabama, and Texas at the primary,

secondary, undergraduate, and graduate level. He has his bachelor’s degree from

Rhodes College and master’s degree from the University of Alabama. His

daughters, Lydia and Islay, both attend private schools in Houston, and wife, Lisa,

is an Associate Professor of Pediatric Psychology.

FELIZ NAVIDAD GIFTS CARDS DISTRIBUTION

The very first community project our club did was to clean up the vegetation of a resident plus some minor house repairs.

 

I would like a team for a quick community project in cleaning the yard of a friend who does not have the tools or the ability to do this herself.  She lives in the Hiram Clark/Orem area which is SW Houston off Hwy 90, not far, about 20 minutes from my house.

 

Her yard has overgrown trees and some of it affects her roof.  Repairs are needed on a part of her fence too.  I suggest we pull a work party to clean up the vegetation.  It's not that big of a chore and perfect for anyone who likes light physical, outdoor work.  (Harvey muck team?)

 

If we have 8-10 people, it probably can be done in two hours.  6-8 people, maybe three hours.  Need someone with a chain saw to get some of the bigger branches and then the rest of us can break it down.  I'll bring my truck and a ladder.

 

More details can be worked out after I know more about who and how many are available.

 

Rain check on Dec 22 if needed.  This is your opportunity to do a service to someone in need as part of your Holiday Cheer!

 

Please reply or register.  Thank you very, very much.

Cecile Schutter

713.670.6357

JOIN US Wednesday, DECEMBER 19TH AT 4PM
For our first West U Winter Wonderland Festival!
We'll have great performances, and tons of fun surprises!

6115 Edloe St.· West University Place TX. 77005
For Open Mic Ticbets and toy donations Call 956-312-7388

HOLIDAYS HAPPY HOUR

AT THE OWL BAR

Come and join your fellow rotarians and friends in the last social event of 2018. It has been a long tradition to have a holiday happy hour at The Owl Bar, 2221 W. Alabama, 77098. We have always had a good turnout. So come on out and wish each other holiday cheer. 

Thank you Paul and Suzanne!

Come and check out the necklace that will be raffled at the E.S.S.I. (Empower. Stand. Serve. Impact) human trafficking awareness gala, the Iconic Happy Diamonds Pendant White Gold with 1 moving diamond, valued at $1910, and many other beautiful jewelries at our sponsor Chopard's boutique! Proceeds from the raffle, kickoff party, and gala go to United Against Human Trafficking (UAHT). The kickoff party is free and occurs at Chopard's boutique on Tuesday, January 8. The gala is on Friday, January 18 at the St. Regis hotel (www.essi-event.org).

Looking forward to seeing you!

Hope to see you at Christians Tailgaters on Kirby for our Monthly Aspiring Professionals of the West U Rotary Happy Hour!  The standing plan is:

• Date:  Second Wednesday of every month
• Location: Christians Tailgaters, 5114 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77098
• Time:  Anytime between 5:30 and 7:30; show up when you can…
• Invitation:  Though all Rotarians are invited, the focus is on those of us still moving up in our professional lives.  Spouses, partners and friends are invited and Encouraged to attend.
• Standing Agenda:  There is No agenda except to get to know each other a little better.

See you there!

Specialist Steven C. Baskis successfully completed Infantry training at Fort Benning, Georgia in 2007 and went on to deploy with the U.S. Army’s distinguished 4th Infantry Division, a unit that crossed the Normandy beaches in World War II. While serving as a Personal Security Specialist in 2008, Baskis was severely wounded by an improvised explosive device during military operations in Baghdad, Iraq. May 13th, 2008 marked the day in which Baskis lost his sight and suffered multiple shrapnel injuries to the head, neck, arms and legs which resulted in significant blood loss, hearing loss, loss of smell and nerve damage to left arm. Steve explains how this traumatic experience has forever changed his sight and vision. “I may have lost my physical ability to see, but I have a new vision, a new perspective to guide me through life and all of it’s amazing challenges.

After war and debilitating injuries, Steve has gone on to climb 2 of the 7 tallest mountains in the world which include Mount Elbrus in Europe and Kilimanjaro in Africa. A documentary titled “High Ground”, captures Steve and 11 veterans’ amazing journey to climb a 20,000 foot Himalayan peak, Lobuche, which sits in the shadow of Mount Everest. Another documentary Steve had the opportunity to be featured in is “On Me”. The film follows five completely blind veterans down a stretch of white water river rapids in Montana. Baskis has found a love for adventure and physical challenge. Actively pursuing half marathons, a half ironman, cycling nearly 800 miles from the capital of Canada to the capital of The United States, snow skiing down cold mountains in Colorado and white water kayaking 226 miles of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, are just a few of Steve’s thrilling adventures.

“I now want to give back to the people who have helped me, through my foundation called Blind Endeavors”, Steve says. The Blind Endeavors Foundation’s main purpose centers around educating, conducting research and making more people aware of what is possible, no matter the level of adversity faced.

Willow Water Hole Tree Planting 

Trees of Houston is supplying the trees and digging the holes.  All we have to do is plant the trees!   It's a great way to improve the environment and the looks of the park.   We had a lot of fun last year and we expect the same this January.

Empower. Stand. Serve. Impact Fundraising gala benefiting United Against Human Trafficking (UAHT)

Join us for a fun-filled evening that includes dinner reception, silent and live auctions, survivor testimonials, keynote speaker, music entertainment, award ceremony, and raffle! 

RSVP at https://www.essi-event.org/

Join Rotarians (and their families), Interactors, and Rotaractors from around the Houston area to sort and palletize books for shipment to Rotarian led literacy projects in Africa and around the world. You are also welcome to bring gently used books of any sort to donate. 

We have shipped over 345 of large 40' shipping containers of books since 2000!

Please meet at the shed (9405 Buffalo Speedway) at 10am. We will place about 300 flags along University Blvd.

Come out to University blvd and find an active team.

Join us as we start to form the new West U Rotary Communication Commitee!  

Our goal is to more effectively coordinate and facilitate the club's internal and external communications strategies in order to increase efficiency, member engagement, recruitment and retention, and to facilitate the Club’s activities in the community; and to more fully exploit the potential of multiple communications channels, including, but not limited to, the internet, e-mail, social media, print, and elsewhere, through messaging targeted to the normal audiences of each platform.

Please help us figure out what this means, and how we can best make it happen!

This is a great opportunity to know about the projects we support at the Y. Club Mid is very important for our community and this would be a very nice experience. I am very happy we are visiting the Y! Just before we finish with the visit, we will be presenting the grant.

Please contact me if you are planning to attend. No need for registration online, just send me an email o give me a call.

Thanks.

Margarita E. Hernandez

MEXICAN TRAIN DOMINOES, OUR SOCIAL TRADITIONAL EVENT!

When: January 24, 2019

Time:  6-8 pm.

Where: 100 % Taquito.

3245 Soutwest Freeway
(between Buffalo Speedway and Edloe)
Houston, TX 77027

For registration or questions contact Event Chair Wendy Hiester at 360-961-5265 or at whiester1@gmail.com

Ryan Dolibois is currently the Executive Director and Superintendent for Yellowstone Schools—a unique school model in the heart of Houston’s Third Ward. Founded in 2002, the campus now includes Yellowstone Academy, a private Christian school for students in preK-4th grade, and Yellowstone College Prep, a public charter school growing to serve students in 5th through 12thgrade. This public/private co-location is the first of its kind in the state of Texas. This year, Yellowstone is serving nearly 600 students and alumni from Houston’s inner-city. 

Ryan’s twenty-year background in education includes teaching, fundraising, strategic planning, and executive leadership in both public and private schools in Houston. He began his career as a Teach for America corps member, where he was named first year Teacher of the Year for the state of Texas. For a decade, he then helped lead the growth of YES Prep Public Schools, a Houston charter school system. During his time as YES Prep’s VP of Advancement, he helped the organization raise over $80 million as it grew from a single school with 350 students to a school system serving thousands of students across the city. Ryan is a graduate of the College of William and Mary. He and his wife, Kim, have three children. 

Super Bowl Party

Sunday February 3, 2019

5:00 PM til game over

Camden McGowen Station Apartments

Community Room on 3rd floor

2727 Travis Street, Houston 77006

Parking at 2811 Travis at Midtown Park

Park and walk over to Apartment complex

BYOB & F: Bring your favorite drinks and pot luck dinner.

Questions or help:

Leslie Cauffman, 713-494-1811

Jack Wallace, 713-705-8661

Major Donor/Bequest Society and VIP Reception with Cash Bar 5:45-6:45 General Reception with Cash Bar 5:30 -7:00 Dinner and Presentation 7-9:30

West U Seniors Pancake Breakfast.

This is a great community event for our Club each year! 

When: Tuesday February 12, 2019.

Time: 6:30 A.M.  –  9:30 A.M.

Breakfast Volunteers: cooking, serving and cleaning.

Setting Up Volunteers: Monday February 11 at 5:30 pm

Where:   City of West University Place, Seniors Services   6104 Auden St.

West University Place, Texas 77005

Please contact Co-Chairs George Adams  at gbadams@gbadams.com and Irene Sadkowski at Irene@irenecosme.com

THANKS!

Fraud Prevention and Detection makes the business owner aware of internal and external fraud, corruption, asset misappropriation and financial fraud. We will also discuss the Fraud Triangle which are the components that lead to fraud. Steps to Prevention and Detection, (1) communication, (2) checks and balances, (3) follow through. Being aware of how and why fraud is committed can save the business ten’s if not hundreds of thousands of dollars. Fiduciary Fraud - Black's Law Dictionary defines fiduciary as, “a person who is required to act for the benefit of another person on all matters within the scope of their relationship; one who owes to another the duties of good faith, trust, confidence and candor; one who must exercise a high standard of care in managing another's money or property.” The presentation will (1) identify various contexts in which a fiduciary duty exists, (2) determine how the actions and inactions of a fiduciary can cause a breach of fiduciary duty, (3) recognize how breaches often lead to fraud, losses and damages, (4) recognize that civil breach of fiduciary duty claims can prove invaluable in preparing a criminal theft or embezzlement case. J. Richard Claywell, CPA, ABV, ASA, CBA, CVA, CM&AA, MAFF, CFD, ABAR richard@biz-valuation.com 281 488-7531

Join Rotarians (and their families), Interactors, and Rotaractors from around the Houston area to sort and palletize books for shipment to Rotarian led literacy projects in Africa and around the world. You are also welcome to bring gently used books of any sort to donate. 

We have shipped over 345 of large 40' shipping containers of books since 2000!

Lisa is the Director of Development for Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Galveston and has been an advancement professional in higher education, healthcare, community service and the arts for 30 years.  She is a graduate of the State University of New York at Oswego (Ah-swee-Go) and LeMoyne College in Syracuse, NY.

Lisa enjoys a long history in Rotary - Her father Richard was a Rotarian, her family hosted numerous exchange students and she too was a Rotary exchange student to Cape Town, South Africa.  Lisa was a member of the Cortland Rotary Club, co-chaired the youth exchange committee and subsequently served as club president in 2001.  She is now a member of the Galveston Rotary Club.  She moved to Texas nearly three years ago to join her brothers who have settled in Galveston.

Lisa is here today to share the powerful story of Shriner’s Hospital for Children and their mission of “Love to the Rescue!”

VISITING CONNECT COMMUNITY

Dear Fellows:

You are welcome to join me and other Community Service Committee members to visit Connetc Community. Connect Community is a collaboration of best-in-class organizations that builds healthy neighborhoods in Sharpstown/Gulfton by partnering with residents to advance their educational, economic, physical, and spiritual wellbeing and improve outcomes for every person, every step of the way.

When: Thursday February 21- 9:00-10:00

On Friday, March 1, 2019 West U Rotary will host another interviewing skills workshop for residents at The Women's Home.  This session there will be several women that need to be "interviewed" beginning at 7:45AM at 607 Westheimer on the second floor.  They are completing a series of vocational classes and are ready for the mock interview experience.  If you are a new member, you may not know that West U Rotary has supported The Women's Home for many years through various vocational service projects.  Our interviewing skills workshops are the most popular!  The Women's Home is an organization that supports women with substance abuse or mental health issues or issues of homelessness with an 18 month program that addresses the "Whole Life" of the woman, including vocational counseling.  The goal is for each woman to have employment when she leaves the program. We "interview" up to 14 women each session, giving them much needed one on one practice before they begin their search for permanent employment.  No experience is necessary (if you've ever held a conversation with a stranger, you can do this!).  Those of us that have participated before know that the women find this to be a very worthwhile experience. Please join us!  If you are interested, please contact Carol Gradziel at swkeystone@aol.com.  The more volunteers we have ensures that the women will have two interviews during our time period.  If you've never participated before, it's easy and fun so join us!  We are always finished by 9:30AM!

EMERGENCY AID COALITION & WEST U ROTARY CLUB

 Volunteers of West U will be supporting Spanish Speakers families to register to recieve bagpacks and uniforms in the Summer

When: March 4th, 2019

Time: 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

Where: EAC

          5401 Fannin
          Houston, Texas 77004

Thanks!

Margarita E. Hernandez

Community Service Chair

meliza_leon@yahoo.com

JuliAnna Jelinek serves as Executive Director of The Arbor School. Previous to assuming this role, she served as The Arbor’s Chief Development Officer for two years. As Executive Director, Ms. Jelinek is responsible for overall management of The Arbor including operations, brand management, business development, and public engagement. Prior to joining The Arbor, Ms. Jelinek spent over seven years in business development and fundraising for public policy and advocacy groups in Arizona, California, and Washington D.C.