Events

Since 1986, the Rotary Club of Houston has proudly sponsored Camp Enterprise, an immersive business training experience for 80 Greater Houston high school juniors.

Every year, 60 students are provided with all-expenses-paid transportation to the beautiful Camp Allen in Navasota, TX, along with accommodation, meals, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience they will never forget! Additionally, thousands of dollars in college scholarships are awarded each year.

Join us to celebrate the scholarship winners and hear about their experience at Camp Enterprise. Additionally, we will share some of the highlights of the weekend and honor our sponsors.   

The 2026 District 5890 Club Leadership Training will take place at the Beckendorf Center - Lone Star College in Tomball. 

The Leadership Traoining presents a great opportiunity to learn about taking on  leadership roles within our Rotary Club or to deepen your Rotary knowelkdge while connecting and networking with Rotarians from across District 5890.  

Attendance is highly encouraged for all Club members.

Please click on the link below for more information and to register.  

2026 Club Leadership | Rotary District 5890

Rotary District 5890 is co-sponsoring the Houston Airports' Human Trafficking Awareness Symposium at the Wortham Center.  As part of a recently apporved Anti- Child Trafficking Global Grant, Rotary District 5890 will be debuting a new Social Media video citing the signs, signals, and threats to our children by Cartel-Driven Sex Traffickers in Harris and Surrounding Counites. 

 The Symposium is free of charge and a light lunch will be provided.  

Please click on the link pasted below to register.

Rotarians Unite Against Child Sex Trafficking | Rotary District 5890

join us for our monthly RCoH after -hours social. Enjoy good conversation and fellowship with your fellow Rotarians and guests.  Food and drinks available for order. 

Rhonda Kuykendall is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in social work, human trafficking advocacy, and legislative policy. In her current role as Task Force Director for the Fort Bend Anti-Trafficking Collective (Fort Bend County District Attorney's Office and United Against Human Trafficking), Rhonda leads efforts to combat human trafficking. Rhonda's most recent role was as the Anti-Child Trafficking Consultant at Texas CASA, where she collaborated with key stakeholders to develop best practices and protocols for the 75 CASA programs statewide. In this capacity, she worked closely with the Office of the Governor's Child Sex Trafficking Team, the Department of Family and Protective Services, and care coordination teams to enhance statewide efforts in combating child trafficking.

She is an active member of several key organizations, including the Texas Human Trafficking Survivor Leader Council and the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault's Survivor Advisory Board. Additionally, Rhonda chairs the Legislative Advocacy Team on the Board of Directors for Child Advocates of Fort Bend.

As a TEDx speaker, Rhonda shared her insights on Familial Sex Trafficking: Healing Through Helping, discussing the importance of community-driven approaches to recovery and prevention. Her advocacy work continues to inspire change, drawing from her expertise and personal experience.

Our Service Day on April 23, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. will include

Greetings & Tour of the facility

Presentation & Q & A by Walter Ulrich 

Service Project - you will be assisting with a short project.

Lunch (Jersey Mikes) If you make your reservervation by Tuesday the 22nd we will send you a menu to make your lunch selection. After that we will order a variety of lunches.

Walter Ulrich

Walter Ulrich is President & CEO of Medical Bridges, a life-changing and lifesaving nonprofit serving the global poor by providing desperately needed medical supplies and equipment to clinics and hospitals. In the last 24 months, Medical Bridges prepared, staged, and shipped 500 tons of desperately needed medical supplies and equipment valued at more than $24 million throughout the developing world including the Americas, Africa, and Asia, serving countries where the energy industry is active and countries in crisis including Ukraine.

Medical Bridges has served 107 countries in the last 28 years. Medical Bridges has also provided medical materials domestically in response to local emergencies including during COVID and in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

Walter is a member of the Texas Advisory Committee of the bipartisan US Global Leadership Coalition. He was awarded the Order of Merit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for extensive medical relief to the people of Ukraine. Sigma, the international nursing honor society, awarded him its Archon “First to Lead” award at its international biennial event with participants from 40 countries.

He was recognized in 2023 as a Global Leader of Influence by the World Affairs Council at the 25th anniversary Jesse H Jones Luncheon and was honored with the Global Impact award at the HITDC 2022 G7 Annual gala. Previously he was awarded the prestigious NASA Silver Achievement Medal, and in 2013 the Texas Black Expo bestowed on him their Community Builder Award.

Formerly a management consultant, he provided executive leadership at Arthur D. Little including as a Senior Director in the firm’s Houston-based Oil & Gas practice. A graduate and former Trustee of Stevens Institute of Technology, Mr. Ulrich proudly served his country in the US Marine Corps. He lives in Pearland with his wife Beth, an author and nurse educator.

SAVE THE DATE:

Apr 23, 2026 - 52nd Lombardi Award NFL Draft Party

Apr 30, 2026 - No Luncheon - Rotary District 5890 Conference in Galveston

May 7, 2026 - Dr. Brandon Rottinghaus, UH - TEXAS POLITICS: SCANDALS, SCOUNDRELS AND SCALAWAGS

May 14, 2026 - Artemis M2M Missions: TX Role in Next Giant Leap

Come on out to Kirby Ice House to celebrate our 52nd Lombardi Award Winner and Finalists who have all entered the 2026 NFL Draft!

Winner - Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech)

Finalist - David Bailey (Texas Tech)

Finalist - Cashius Howell (Texas A&M)

Finalist - Kadyn Procter (Alabama)

We will have the Lombard Award trophy for photo opps as well as signed helmets and mini footballs for sale.

Bring your friends and ask for the Lombardi Award when you come in if you can not find us!

The Rotary District 5890 Conference will be held on April 30-May 3 at Moody Gardens in Galveston.

Please click on the link pasted below for Registration and Hotel Information.

Look forward to seeing you in Galveston

2026 District Conference | Rotary District 5890

Brandon Rottinghaus
Professor, Department of Political Science
University of Houston

TEXAS POLITICS: SCANDALS, SCOUNDRELS AND SCALAWAGS

Brandon Rottinghaus is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Houston.  He holds a Ph.D. in political science from Northwestern University.  His teaching and research interests include the presidency, political scandals, public opinion, and Texas politics. He is the author of the books Inside Texas Politics, Current Debates in the Lone Star State, Inside American Government (all Oxford University Press), Rick Perry:  A Political Life (University of Texas Press), and Scandal:  How Politicians Survive Controversy in a Polarized Era (Columbia University Press).  He is the co-director of the Presidential Greatness Project.  He is the co-host of Party Politics, a PBS TV8 program, radio show, and podcast on Houston Public Media, a political analyst for KHOU 11 in Houston, and the creator and host of Texperts, a political primer podcast and radio segment on Hello Houstonon Houston Public Media.  

Rotary District 5890 is hosting the 2026 Mental Health Wellness Summit.

In-person and virtual attendance options are avaialbe. 

Please click on link below for information and registration information.  

2026 District 5890 Mental Health Summit | Rotary District 5890

 

If you’re looking for an easy, fun plan the night before Mother’s Day, this is it.

 

We’re hosting a **Charity Game Night benefiting the Rotary Club of Houston** at Decant Urban Winery.

 

This event helps fund **Camp Enterprise**, one of the most impactful experiences a Houston high school junior can have and a program many of you have helped make possible. Come with friends, bring your mom, or just show up and join a table. It’s casual, social, and designed to be an easy way to do some good while having a great time.

 

**A quick preview:**

 

* 10 rounds of bingo (with prizes throughout the night)

* VIP option with early entry, sushi from Himari, and a paired wine flight

* Curated prizes perfect for Mother’s Day

* Wine, spritzes, and snacks available for purchase

 

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or Rotarian, this is a great way to stay connected to Camp Enterprise and help us continue offering it to future students.

 

Feel free to share the link with anyone who might enjoy a fun night out for a great cause.

 

please use registration link https://www.exploretock.com/decant-urban-winery/event/603918/charity-bingo-night-benefiting-houston-rotary

 

Hope to see you there

 

Join your fellow RCoH members and guests for an evening of fun abnd fellowship at our monthly RCoH Social.  Greatr way to get to know other members in an informal setting.

Drinks and food availalble for purchase

Artemis Moon-to-Mars (M2M) Missions: Texas' Role in the Next Giant Leap

On May 14, 2026 join us as we take a look at that giant leap and understand how Texas will be involved in this new venture.

Patrick C. Suermann, PhD.,P.E., F.ASCE, F.SAME
Professor, Construction Science College of Architecture
Texas A & M University - College of Architecture

For several years, he served as the interim dean of the college of architecture, head of Construction science department, and current professor of the topic. Suermann is a US Airforce Veteran and an author for Space News, Cadalyst and many others.

Highlighted in the recent September 2025 Texas monthly article by Joe Pappalardo, Texas U.S. leading a "LUNAR GOLD RUSH." Large startups like SpaceX, headquartered near Brownsville in Starbase, TX and smaller, burgeoning companies like Firefly in Cedar Park near Austin or Intuitive Machines.

The monthly Board Meeting is at 2525 Murworth (77054) in Room 2A-17

You are invited to come be part of our End of Year Social and send off for our Youth Exchange student,  Bombay as he prepares to retrun to Thailand over the summer.  

We will be providng a main course or two.

Please complemement our buffet by bringing an appetizer, side dish or dessert to share.  

Wine and soft drinks will be avalalbe for purchase

Come out  to celebrate Bombay. 

Enjoy the fun and fellowship!

Jim Szczesniak, A.A.E.

Director of Aviation for the Houston Airport System (HAS)

Jim has more than two decades of management experience in both the public and private sector. He is responsible for the overall management of the Houston Airport System’s three aviation facilities: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and Ellington Airport (EFD).

Previously, Mr. Szczesniak served as the Airport Director for the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC). ANC is the world’s fourth busiest air cargo airport and gateway to Alaska. Jim also spent a decade at the Chicago Department of Aviation. Jim started in airport operations at O’Hare International Airport, became Director of Airport Planning and ultimately Deputy Commissioner of Aviation at O’Hare and Midway International Airport.

Mr. Szczesniak holds a MBA from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor’s in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University. Jim is a licensed commercial pilot and aircraft mechanic. Jim is an Accredited Airport Executive by the American Association of Airport Executives.

Join us for our monthly evening Social at Tumble 22 on Houston Avenue.  A great oipportunity for fellowship with other RCoH members and their guests.  Food and Beverage avaialble for purchase.  

Are we ready for an emergency Houston?

Join us on Thursday, June 11th to ask your questions.

Former County Judge and current TABC Chair, Robert Eckels, will chair this meeting.

Speaker:

Mark Sloan – Coordinator, Harris County Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Mark Sloan is Harris County, Texas’ Coordinator for Homeland Security & Emergency, serving more than five million incredibly diverse residents and covering more than 1,770 square miles. Because of Harris County’s large population, port operations, transportation infrastructure, and concentration of petrochemical plants, the Department of Homeland Security has identified Harris County as a Tier 1 region. To meet the growing expectations of emergency management, Sloan is streamlining regional emergency response coordination through the use of automated flood warning systems, traffic management systems, broadcast media capabilities, first responder and community alerting, GIS mapping systems, and regional interoperable communications.

As the director of Harris County Citizen Corps, an innovative, award-winning public preparedness initiative, recognized as a National Best Practice, he coordinates all aspects of the program. Working with a team of county technology experts, he developed one of the first websites devoted to the sharing of community preparedness volunteer opportunities and tracking of volunteer hours. The site links users to the most helpful and informative websites on citizen preparedness throughout the country. Since 2002, over 40 million individuals have visited the website (www.harriscountycitizencorps.com) and over 68,000 have completed the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training course.

During the Katrina relief effort at the Astrodome, Sloan was assigned to the Unified Command to coordinate volunteers. During the 21 days more than 60,000 volunteers received various assignments that helped over 65,000 evacuees from New Orleans. On September 9, 2005, Sloan was recognized for his efforts by ABC Nightly News as the Person of the Week and received the Special Award: Texas’ Response to Katrina Evacuees at the 2006 National Hurricane Conference in Orlando in recognition of his leadership and coordination.  Mark was also honored with “The President’s Call to Service Award” in September of 2007 recognizing the accomplishments of the Harris County Citizen Corps and for coordinating the volunteer response during the Katrina relief effort.

In the fall of 2008, Sloan was also recognized by the Houston Texans football team on Reliant Stadium’s 50-yard line and later received the John C. Freeman Weather Museum’s Hurricane Hero Award for his exemplary leadership during Hurricane Ike.

In November of 2010 the Department of Homeland Security appointed Mark to serve on the State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Government Coordinating Council that coordinates critical infrastructure protection guidance and strategies across all levels of government.

He is a member of the San Jacinto Type III All-Hazards Incident Management Team.

Sloan is a board member on the Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council, Regional Healthcare Preparedness Coalition, and Big City Emergency Managers, where he serves as the Chair.

In 2018, the Emergency Management Association of Texas (EMAT) named Sloan the recipient of the “Lou Harrell” Emergency Management Coordinator of the Year award.

Sloan is also a member of the National Homeland Security Consortium and is serving as one of the Tri-Chairs.

Since 2008 as EMC, he has led the organization in over 270 EOC activations some of which include Hurricanes Ike, Bill, Harvey, Imelda, Laura, and Beryl, Winter Storm Uri, numerous floods and other weather events, Super Bowls, World Series and other special events as well as COVID-19.     

Please Join The Rotary Club of Houston with installing officer PDG Sunny Sharma as we celebrate the installation of our 2026-27 Officers and our 2026-2029 new directors

President Tom Vann

President Elect Mike Winckler

Secretary Kate Gabriele

Treasurer Shahla Mohammad-Hosseini

Sgt at Arms Martin Cominski

Treasurer Elect Jay Wilson

Directors

Paul Bonner

Connor Grill

Rosa Tang

Join RCoH for the the Installation Dinner for our 2026-27 District 5890 Governor, Camille Hamilton.

Rotary Club of Houston

Planning Meeting for 2026-27

Saturday, June 27, 2026

Goodwill Industries
1140 West Loop North
Houston, TX 77055

8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Coffee and continental breakfast

8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Planning sessions

Fellow Rotarians,

First of all, I want to thank you all for your continued support and commitment to the Rotary Club of Houston and for your willingness to serve as officers, directors and committee chairs for the upcoming Rotary year. As we kick off this new year, it’s very important that we come together as a team to discuss where we are as Club currently and where we’d like the Club to be going forward. While I have lots of ideas about ways to improve the Club, this is OUR club and I want to hear from each of you about what’s working and what’s not, and any suggestions and concerns you may have.

There are so many areas that we could consider but, for our purposes on the 27^th, I’ve identified five critical topics that I want us to focus on:

1. Membership and engagement
2. Weekly Meetings
3. Legacy Service Projects
4. Community Service
5. Fundraising

We could spend hours discussing each of these, but I plan to keep to a very tight agenda in order to end the meeting by noon. In order for that to happen, I want to give each of you a homework assignment. I’d like for you to take a few minutes on each of these topics and consider:

1. Membership and engagement: What can we do to improve the new member experience? How can we improve the red-blue badge process? Do we even need a red-blue badge program? How can we get new (and existing) members more engaged?
2. Weekly meetings: What do you like and/or dislike about our weekly meetings? What impression of Rotary and our Club do guests and our speakers leave with? How can our meetings facilitate members getting to know each other better? What about the mix of speakers we have?
3. Legacy Service Projects: Are all of our legacy projects still viable? How do we measure the impact/benefit to the community of our projects? Do we have enough members to actively continue all of our projects?
4. Community Service: Rotary is a service organization. Should we be doing more local service projects to support our community? Would doing so potentially increase member engagement? How do we encourage (recruit) members to participate in our service projects?
5. Fundraising: In order to pay for our projects, we MUST do fundraising in order for the Foundation to be able to support us and our Community Service Budget. Should we abandon the Distinguished Citizen Award and find another major fundraising opportunity? Should we consider multiple smaller fundraisers throughout the year? If so, do we risk “fundraising fatigue? How do we get member “buy-in” on the importance of supporting our fundraising efforts.

Clearly, if we tried to discuss all of these questions in one sitting it would be impossible. So, what I’d like you to do is share with me any thoughts you have on any or all of the five topics. I’ll compile what everyone sends me and keep your ideas anonymous if you wish. My email address is rcoh2026Tom@gmail.com . Your input will be greatly appreciated.

I believe in Rotary and what it stands for and I love the Rotary Club of Houston. However, I personally don’t see our Club growing and being successful if we continue plodding along, simply doing things the way we’ve always done them. In some cases, it may just need a little tweaking here and there. But, in other areas, we may need to rethink, revamp and shake things up a bit. Times are changing and so is our membership and the Rotary Club of Houston must adapt.

Please make plans to join us in person on Saturday, June 27^th. I know your time is valuable, especially Saturday mornings. However, we have an important responsibility as leaders of our Club and this planning session is a critical step in working as a team to make the coming year a huge success. I look forward to working with each and every one of you.

Yours in Rotary Service

Tom Vann

713 824-4563

As we begin a new Rotary Year, join us to hear plans, meet members, voice your opinions, and learn some new secrets about navigating the world of Rotary.

We look forward to hearing the annual Kinder Houston Area Survey - The economy, the environment, and the Importance of Social Connection. Our speaker will present the 45th edition of the survey with a new component and several surprises. The data should interest anyone who lives or works in Houston and surrounding areas, wonders how Houstonians are doing in a changing economy, and those who have following this survey for so many years.

Ruth N. Lopez Turley, Director, Kinder Institute

Professor Turley is the director of the Kinder Institute for Urban Research at Rice University. Prior to her current right, she directed the institute's Houston Education Research Consortium during which time she raised over $30 million so school districts would not have to pay for research. She also founded the National Network of Education Research-Practice Partnerships, which connects and supports over 70 partnerships between research institutions and education agencies throughout the country. She served on the National Board for Education Sciences which advised and approved priorities for the research arm of the U.S. Department of Education.

For those of you who heard our speaker previously, you know how engaging and knowledgeable he is about the world of AI. His presentation is new and reflects current highlights and cautions. What an educational treat!!

Dr. Vincent R. Solis, President of Brazosport College

Dr. Vincent R. Solis is a life-long educator with almost three decades of service in higher education.  He previously served as the President for Western Nevada College located in the state capital of Nevada.  More than half of the years he has in higher education have been in senior or executive roles.  He has served as Chief Academic Officer, Chief Enrollment Officer, and Chief Student Success Officer.  During his tenures in various roles, Dr. Solis has had the privilege of providing leadership for many other essential campus operations such as community outreach services, athletics, dual enrollment initiatives, auxiliary business services, special projects, construction, facilities management, and student success/engagement/graduation programs. 

Dr. Solis began his post-secondary education at Chemeketa Community College and later transitioned to Texas A&M-Kingsville where he received his Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and Sociology (graduated with honors), his Master of Science in Psychology, and his Doctorate in Bilingual Education.

The units he has helped lead over the last three decades have received numerous achievement awards that include the Commitment to Excellence Award, the Innovation Award in Student Success, and the Team Effort Award.  Dr. Solis is a recipient of the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Award, and in 2014 he was selected to participate in and successfully completed the State of Texas Governors Executive Development Program (Class XXXIII).  At that time, he was only one of a handful of community college representatives to complete this prestigious leadership development program in the State of Texas.  Dr. Solis also served as co-chair when working with the Foundations of Excellence Institute which was a campus wide student success program.  Dr. Solis was selected to participate as one of 30 chief academic officers from across the country in the Digital Fellows Program sponsored by the Association of Chief Academic Officers.        

Dr. Solis is not only committed to his professional endeavors in higher education, he has also served his local communities in various service roles including the serving as Vice President and later President of the Community Boxing Club of Brownsville, Vice President of the Police Athletic League of Brownsville, volunteer instructor for Sexual Assault Prevention, Chair of the United Way State Employee Campaign, and has served as proud member of Rotary International where he was has received the distinctions of having been awarded the Paul Harris award, selected as Rotarian of the month twice, and was selected as the 2016 Ignite Member of the Year for his work in outreach for Rotary.  He also serves as a mentor in with the Big Brother/Sister organization in Reno, Nevada.  He also enjoys teaching and serves a volunteer adjunct psychology instructor for the Latino Leadership Academic at Western Nevada College.   

Dr. Solis frequently has roles as keynote speakers for various events.  Some of these include the Department of Education on the Impact of Executive Leadership on Student Success.  He also served as the keynote speaker for South Texas Hispanic Male Leadership Summit, guest speaker for the 2016 regional Rotary Conference, and keynote speaker on Student Services for Latino Millennial Students with the National Community College Hispanic Council.  He has also served as a keynote speaker and pod cast presenter for Workforce Solutions of South Texas. 

Dr. Solis has also been honored to share his own experiences and educational journey with many different audiences.  As the youngest of eleven children of migrant workers and a high school dropout, Dr. Solis shares his story of the transformative power that education can have on an individual.  He has been privileged to share his story and experience with different audiences that include the 2019 Graduating class of Great Basin College, TEDx Carson City, and for Regional Adult Educators in Las Vegas, and most recently was able to share his story with incoming freshman students at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.