Quarterly News

The 2006 Clay Shoot continued the trend of an annual increase in sponsorship sales. This year’s pledges were $20,750 compared to $20,540 in 2005. Unfortunately, revenues in other areas were down. Both the charity auction and raffle revenues were down and sales at the event were down. Still we made a respectable amount—a little over $28,000.

Preparations for the Tenth Annual Charity Sporting Clay Shoot, April 28-29, 2007, will start at the end of this week with resolve to energize the event. Peggy Cunningham, Ronnie Heldt, and James Johnson have some great ideas. This is our big fundraiser. Our next milestone would be to clear $40,000—a do-able goal.

Please make plans to work on the weekend of the Clay Shoot. Mostly we need people. For the most part jobs require few skills or physical requirements. During setup and tear-down some of the jobs are physically demanding, but there are always plenty of tasks that anyone can do. As we get closer we will place a sign-up sheet on our web site.

The new site on John Beck’s ranch at 9553 Salem Road proved to be an ideal location. It is a very scenic area along the creek and allowed all activities to be in one place. We will hold the shoot at the same location in 2007.

In our two-day clay shoot shooters attempt to break ten clay targets at each of five stations. Each station has two traps, so two targets are launched on each “pull.” On Saturday the shooters register and practice. That night we serve a steak dinner and hold the auctions. There is a charity auction and a Calcutta. We only give trophies, but the shooters want a Calcutta for prize money. Sunday each shooter shoots 50 targets, ten at each station, to determine class. Finally, there is a shoot-off in each class to determine first and second place. Trophies and Calcutta purses are given for first and second place in each class.

2006 Clay Shoot sponsors

Target Underwriter: Sam’s Club

Food Underwriters: Homewood Residence and Performance Food Group

Corporate Sponsors: Hospice of South Texas, American Electric Power, First Victoria, Suwannee Supply, Crossroads Title, Texas Glass and Tinting, Speedy Stop Stores, Alexander & Marek, Chesnick Furniture, Brannan Paving, Hillcrest Animal Hospital, Pryor Sales and Service, Jack Whitmire, Ruth Constant, Calvo’s CLEAN ALL, Rainbow International, Klean Corp International, and Rexco.

Station Sponsors: JHC Insurance, The Victoria Advocate, Dow Seadrift Operation, Suwannee Supply, HEB, Greg Haynes Allstate, Cintas, Brown & Associates, El Campo Coca Cola, Wal-Mart, Truman Transfer and Storage, Blackwood Toyota, Pat Pachta State Farm, Peggy Cunningham, Barbara Briggs, Victoria OMS Associates, Dr. Bob Gilliam, Bruce Bauknight & David Drost, Jason Plaza, Magical Moments, and Friendly Oaks Bed & Breakfast

Youth Sponsors: Texas Health Center, Cole Cole & Easley, Janssen Lease Service, Outburst Advertising, BHP Engineering & Construction, Easley Roofing, Associated Engineers & Surveyors, Law Offices of O.F. Jones III and Derek Cox

Auction Sponsors: Cornerstone Properties, Fagan Answering Service, Expressions Floral & Gifts, HRH Insurance, Wells-Fargo, Carpet Masters, Casa Ole, Chick-fil-A, Waterloo Rod Company, KAVU-TV, Boardwall Properties, Swantner & Gordon Insurance, Mr & Mrs Bill Jones, Carole Parks, Linwood Place, Gerald Parker, Retama West of Victoria, Cap Auto Parts, Marek Griffin and Knaupp,  VCA Victoria Animal Hospital, Robert Clegg, Judge Joseph P. Kelly, and Interiors by Sherry ▲

Women Who Don’t Cook dinner bought by fellow Rotarians

Eight Rotarian ladies donated a dinner for eight which was the high-dollar item at Clay Shoot charity auction. A consortium made up of Ronnie Heldt, James Johnson, Bobby Leon, and Chris Janak was the high bidder—$1,200. The Women Who Don’t Cook are Cally, Mary, Sally, Jennifer, Lorene, Phyllis, Pat and Clara.  ▲

Omar writes . . .

As I assume the presidency of our club, I thank you all for giving me the opportunity to lead our club and for the confidence you’ve entrusted in me. I am extremely excited about the upcoming year as we work together to Lead the Way.

In the past seven years of being a Rotarian, I’ve come to learn that Rotary is not about me, Rotary is not about you… Rotary is about working together to make a positive difference with projects and programs that enhance the lives of others here in our community and across the globe. It is indeed Service Above Self!

I’ve also discovered that Rotary is about fellowship, developing and nurturing professional relationships and friendships. We shall do it all while we have lots of FUN! After all, laughter is the vital fuel for the soul.

I am counting on each and every one of you fellow Rotarians to step up to the plate to help our club grow so that we can continue to do the great work of Rotary, helping others in time of need.

The challenge is to grow our membership, and we can only do so by talking up Rotary and the purpose of being a Rotarian. We must also toot our own horn; we must educate the people in our community about Rotary and its mission. I truly believe that we Rotarians are great ambassadors of good will, compassion, and tolerance.

Gratefully,

Omar   ▲
 

Did you miss this great event? 

Victoria College Student Center was the place to be on June 23rd as Rotary Clubs in Victoria united to install their Presidents for the coming year. A social hour with music welcomed over 150 Rotarians to this first time event which was followed by a catered dinner.

Debra Branch, incoming President of the Sunrise Club, Randy Vivian, incoming President of the Northside Club, and our own Omar Rachid made up the head table along with keynote speaker, Don Mebus and District Governor-Elect, Marilyn Spencer.

I think we can all agree that we have an outstanding group to Lead The Way into a new Rotary Year and many thanks to Mary for her service to the club and community over the past year. Submitted by Tanya Scott ▲

Rotary’s International Convention goes in the books a success!

More than 15,000 Rotarians gathered for the 97th Annual International Convention 11-14 June in Malmo, Sweden and Copenhagen, Denmark – the first Rotary Convention held in two countries. Bruce Bauknight, David Drost, and Jerry FitzSimmons were there. ▲

Rotary lets you see the world 

An obvious benefit of being a Rotary member is the opportunity to travel, creating another opportunity for media publicity. Community newspapers and magazines are often interested in travel articles involving local people, particularly during the summer months. Go to http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/opinion/14893832.htm for a fun example of a Rotarian’s travelogue involving the Rotary convention. ▲
 

One joins Victoria Rotary Club in the spring quarter

    
             Scott Mohon