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.

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.

Please Join The Rotary Club of Houston with installing officer PDG Sunny Sharma as we celebrate the installation of our 2026-27 Officers and out 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 of Dinner for our 2026-27 District 5890 Governor, Camille Hamilton.

Please click on the link below for information and registration Information

Spice It UP District 5890 Installation Dinner | Rotary District 5890

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.

Flooding has certainly impacted Houston and understanding the Harris County flood maps and the current risks impact us all whether it is our homes, offices, commuting, or general stress level when we hear the severe weather reports. Hear directly from the executive director of Harris County Flood Control District.

The New Map of Flood Danger

Dr. Christina “Tina” Petersen, Ph.D., P.E.,

Executive Director,

Harris County Flood Control District

Dr. Christina “Tina” Petersen, Ph.D., P.E., is the Executive Director for the Harris County Flood Control

District in Harris County, Texas, serving the greater Houston region. She has served in this role since

January 2022, when she was unanimously appointed to the position by Harris County Commissioners

Court.

Under Dr. Petersen’s direction, the Flood Control District carries out its mission to plan, implement and

maintain projects that reduce the risk of flooding, ultimately improving the quality of life for Harris County

residents.

Dr. Petersen also represents Harris County on the board of directors for the Gulf Coast Protection District,

the Texas Water Conservation Association, as well as the executive committees of the National

Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies and the San Jacinto Regional Flood Planning

Group.