The Rotary Club of Conroe celebrated its 93rd Birthday last Tuesday in style at the Honor Café. Proclamations from City, County, and State Officials acknowledged the 93 years of service that Rotarians have been providing Montgomery County residents. Unless someone can prove otherwise, it is believed the Rotary Club of Conroe is the oldest non-profit organization in Montgomery County. This Rotary Club was started 93 years ago by the Rotary Club of Huntsville. Huntsville was established in 1835 and incorporated in 1845 so it was right and fitting for Rotary International to establish a Rotary Club in Huntsville which was prosperous. Conroe was a sleepy sawmill town until George Strake hit an oil geyser bringing in one of the world’s largest oil fields southeast of Conroe. The sleepy town of Conroe became an overnight success story while the Great Depression of the 1930’s roared through the entire country. Fortunes were being made. Entertainment was coming to Conroe via the Crighton Theater. The City streets were being paved and the school district flourished with incoming tax dollars based on the assessed valuation of the Conroe Oil Field. Leaders of Conroe were either Rotarians or Masons or both, back in the early days. The heritage and service of Rotarians runs rich in our community.
The Rotary Club of Conroe focuses on several areas of service to our community with a major focus on our youth. The Rotary Club of Conroe provides first graders in the Conroe High School feeder system with “I Like Me” books. These special edition books are about each of the individual first graders based on input from their parents including personal information which motivates each student to want to read their own story. The Rotary Club of Conroe sponsors Runyan Elementary School since it is one of the District’s poorest schools based on parents’ incomes. Mentoring and motivation is a primary focus. Rotarians Dave Barlow has probably mentored more at-risk students than he want to concede. He is also an avid CASA supporter. Motivation for teacher and students to excel is another big factor with the Rotary Club of Conroe providing teachers awards like IPADS along with weekly Gift Cards. The Fourth Graders who have exceled are rewarded in May with a trip to attend a Houston Dynamos Game and come onto the field for this great memory. In addition Girls on the Run Program helps to motivate at-risk girls. The Rotary Club of Conroe also sponsors Interact Clubs at Conroe High School and Washington High School. High School Juniors are currently being nominated for participation in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards which is an award for promising leaders to attend an all-expense paid three day leadership camp in the southeast Texas area. Graduating High School Students at Conroe and Washington High Schools are awarded scholarships to attend colleges and trade schools.
The youth activities is just part of the overall service to the community and the world by the Rotary Club of Conroe. These Rotarians contribute their money and time to help eradicate Polio from the world. We take for granted that our country does not have Polio. There two countries that still have Polio which both total less than 100. It is Rotary’s goal to completely eradicate Polio from the world forever! This Rotary Club also helps with Shelter Boxes to help those in disaster areas throughout the world. The Rotary Club of Conroe aid those in the Texas Hill Country after the ravaging floods of July third and fourth with on the ground recovery efforts and money to assist the victims. The Rotary Club of Conroe proudly call themselves “servants of the people!”
Upcoming Rotary Events to put on your Calendar
• October 23rd – The Rotary Club of Conroe hosts the Spirits of Texas featuring Texas Wines & Texas Beers during Texas Wine Month and also near the time of the spirits of Halloween.
• November 1st – The rotary Club of Magnolia hosts its annual Nature and Outdoor Expo.