2008-2009
OFFICERS &
BOARD OF
DIRECTORS:

Sarah Donaho
President

Irma Sanchez
President Elect

Robert Jaehne
Secretary

Steve Guerra
Treasurer

Craig Splawn
Membership

Irma Hernandez
Public Relations

Stephen Guerra
Club Administration

Garry Guilloud
Service Projects

Linda Pipkin
Rotary Foundation

Garry Guilloud
Sergeant of Arms

Craig Splawn
Past President

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 42070
Houston, TX 77242

Houston Westchase Rotary Club

The Houston Westchase Rotary Club (HWRC) was chartered on April 23, 1983. The club meets every Wednesday, 7 a.m. at the Rio Ranch Restaurant, in the Westchase Hilton Hotel, at 9999 Westheimer.

HWRC has established a strong reputation within the District. While maintaining its commitment to fellowship and club service, HWRC has been an active supporter of many charitable activities, including:

  • College scholarships

  • Local area charitable needs

  • Teenage drug awareness programs

  • Teacher, Policeman and Fireman recognition awards

  • RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards)

  • Rotary International and Rotary District 5890 programs

 

Rotary International

Rotary was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 23, 1905. Its founder was Paul P. Harris, an attorney. On that day, Paul met with three friends - Silvester Schiele, a coal dealer; Gustavus E. Loehr, a mining engineer; and Hiram E. Shorey, a merchant tailor. Paul's idea was to promote fellowship among business acquaintances.

Because the men met in rotation at each other's places of business, their club a representative cross-section of the business and professional community, only one representative of each business or profession was admitted. This was the beginning of the classification principle of membership.

While the original basis of Rotary was fellowship, service to others soon became its hallmark. Each club determines its own activities, which it channels through four 'Avenues of Service' - Club Services, Vocational Services, Community Services, and International Services. The avenues are based on the four-part Object of Rotary.

A Rotary club is an organization of business and professional leaders within a defined community. Its purpose is fellowship and service. It has a president and a board of directors who are elected annually. Club members are adults of good character and reputation, who are, or were prior to retirement, proprietors, partners, corporate officers, managers, executives, or leaders of a business or profession.

A Rotary district is a geographical territory in which Rotary clubs are associated for Rotary International purposes. Each district is headed by a district governor, an officer of Rotary International, whose job is to assist clubs in the district. District governors are nominated by their districts, usually at the district conference, and elected for one-year terms at the RI Convention. The district conference is an annual meeting of Rotarians of the district which furthers fellowship and discussion or the affairs of clubs and Rotary International generally.

Rotary International is an association of Rotary clubs throughout the world. It is administered by a Board of Directors consisting of the President and the President-elect of Rotary International and 17 other directors from around the world. Directors serve two-year terms and are elected at the Rotary International Convention. The convention, which is held annually in a major city, affords Rotarians the opportunity to deal with the association's business while expanding international fellowship and Rotary knowledge.

The Council of Legislation, the legislative body of Rotary International, meets every three years in a different part or the world. The clubs in each district elect a Rotarian to represent them at each council. Among the changes delegates have adopted: in 1995 the council opened past service membership to retired persons, and in 1998, the council allowed Rotarians to receive attendance credit for attending Club Service projects.

The World Headquarters of Rotary International is located in Evanston, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. It has an international staff, headed by the General Secretary. Service centers are also located in Parramatta, Australia; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Delhi, India; Tokyo, Japan; Zurich, Switzerland; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Seoul, Korea; and Manila, Philippines.