“God grant that my vision of the faults of men (and women) and of nations be dimmed and my vision of their virtues be brightened”.
President
Rotary Foundation
Immediate Past President
Treasurer
Secretary
Public Image
Membership
RYLA Coordinator
Program Chair.
Fund Raising
Links
Welcome to the Rotary Club of Paris United
The Oldest Club in District 5830
We meet In Person
Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Tyler's Pizzeria
3610 N. Main St.
Paris, TX 75460
United States of America
Paris, TX 75460
United States of America
"Service Above Self" is the Rotary Motto. Our Club's goal is to conduct, sponsor or participate in one Service project monthly to benefit our community and/or our extended community. Our direct participation and service has been limited over the last year due to COVID-19 situation, however we have continued to serve our community in various ways as summarized below.
If you are interested to help SERVE our community, please contact us to learn more about the Rotary Club of Paris United, or join us for lunch at Tyler's Pizzeria on Thursdays at 12:00. (Lunch is on us). Contact: Brenda Wells, E: brendawells1@sbcglobal.net, C: 501-681-8215; or Michael Nickey, E: mdnickey2012@gmail.com, T: 903-496-0710
July 23, 2020 - The first in-person meeting of the Rotary Club of Paris United since March 5th. It is a new Rotary Year and with that brings a new President, new officers, new direction, new meeting location, and a re-newed sense of "Service Above Self ", which is the Rotary motto. This was our first meeting at Tyler's Pizzaria. We welcomed our new President Julie Anderson and officers for the upcoming year. Julie also recognized outgoing President Alex Fowzer (photo) for his outstanding leadership and accomplishments during his term. We are excited for the new Rotary year, and invite you to join us for lunch - complimentary for visitors. Join us Thursday 12 o'clock at Tyler's for our next Rotary meeting!
Rotary Rings for Salvation Army - The Rotary Club of Paris United participated in ringing bells for the Salvation Army in Paris. Twenty-two members/family helped ring bells on Saturday, Dec 21 at the local Wal-Mart. This is one of our favorite local service projects during the year. We hope EVERYONE had a Merry Christmas!!
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Izzy and Janna Davis Grace and David Taylor
Article in The Paris News:
Every year the holiday season is filled with joy and happiness. Families are traveling, presents are being bought, and holiday dinners are being planned. This is also a time for giving to help those in need especially making sure those less fortunate have food on their table. One non-profit that provides healthy food for those in need is the Downtown Food Pantry. Each year Executive Director Alan Hubbard sends out a message to Lamar County to ask for stuffing during the Thanksgiving Holiday. The food pantry also issues a challenge to service organizations to see who can deliver the most stuffing to the food pantry. The Paris Kiwanis Club and the Rotary Club of Paris United accepted “The Turkey Stuffing Challenge.” Both service clubs delivered 1,750 boxes of stuffing to the Downtown Food Pantry. So you are probably asking “Who won?” In the spirit of the holiday season both Kiwanis President Denise Kornegay and Rotary President Alex Fowzer declared their “Turkey Stuffing Challenge” a draw. Hubbard said with the help of both clubs and the rest of the citizens of Lamar County the Downtown Food Pantry had enough stuffing on hand to last from Thanksgiving through Christmas.
Picture Left to Right (Denise Kornegay, Alan Hubbard, and Alex Fowzer)
“Entire agreement is too much to expect. Presumably no two of the thousands of Rotarians are in entire accord as to the way in which Rotary can make the most of itself. That people do not think alike is no more remarkable than that they do not look alike. Shades of thought are far more variant than shades of color and difficult to change. One’s belief is dependent upon so many influences – temperament, heredity, environment, experience – and leaders must temper their judgment with patience and kindly forbearance. No dogmatic Rotary can be serviceable.” This Rotarian Age (edited/MDN)
The Rotary Club of Paris United achieved the Citation Award with two Presidential Distinction Awards for the 2018-2019 year. The Citation was presented to current year President Alex Fowzer at the Rotary District meeting on Nov 2; Alex presented to previous year President, Andy Cobb during our club lunch meeting on Nov 7th. Alex and Andy are pictured:
The Citation recognizes Rotary clubs that support each of our strategic priorities by completing certain activities to:
- Enhance Public Image
- Focus and Increase Humanitarian Service
- Support & Strengthen the Club
Our club is working toward the Citation for the current year.
"Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves."
Join the Rotary Club of Paris United to achieve this Vision. We meeting most Thursdays in the Ballroom of Paris Junior College at 12:00 for lunch.
Join the Rotary Club of Paris United to achieve this Vision. We meeting most Thursdays in the Ballroom of Paris Junior College at 12:00 for lunch.
The Girls Night Out event held September 19th was a great Success for all. It was an evening of Fun, Food, Fellowship and BINGO for designer purses. This was the second Girls Night Out event hosted by the Paris United club to raise funds for the various community projects and programs our club sponsors and supports. There were approximately 600 ladies who participated in the event and there were 25 contributing Sponsors who made this a successful event. The event was reported on the front page of the Paris News on Friday, September 20.
Check our Facebook page for many more photos.
Members of The Rotary Club of Paris United raised funds for Tailored Rides as part of the recent Tour de Paris bicycle rally – “Rotary Rides for Tailored Rides.” Several members of the Paris United club accepted a challenge from a club member who participated in the Tour to raise funds for Tailored Rides Equine Assisted Therapy (TREAT). The challenge was to pledge/donate an amount for each mile ridden in the Tour. Member, Michael Nickey (pictured with Taylor Sandoval, Director of Tailored Rides) completed the 35-mile route, resulting in raising over $750 from the Rotary club members for Tailored Rides. The Rotary Club of Paris United leads and supports several community service projects and organizations throughout the year. Tailored Rides is a local non-profit organization with the goal to provide a safe and welcoming environment where each member of our community is able to enhance their quality of life through interaction with horses and nature in a positive, relaxing and nurturing environment. For more information on both organizations see their websites: www.parisrotaryclub.com and www.tailoredrides.org
Several other members of the Rotary Club of Paris United, and numerous other organizations and individuals volunteered significant time again this year in various roles and activities in preparation for and during the ride to ensure the success of the Tour de Paris and safety of the riders – Thanks to All.
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Several other members of the Rotary Club of Paris United, and numerous other organizations and individuals volunteered significant time again this year in various roles and activities in preparation for and during the ride to ensure the success of the Tour de Paris and safety of the riders – Thanks to All.
The Rotary Club of Paris United inducted their new board members along with new President Alex Fowzer for the 2019/20 year during their recent lunch meeting. The President and New Board Members are:
Alex Fowzer - President 
Pictured (L-R) Andy Cobb (Past President), Alex Fowzer (President), Laura Spencer (President Elect), David Taylor (VP), Michael Nickey (Sec'y), Steve Wilson (Membership), Janna Davis (Programs) Reeves Hayter (Sergeant at Arms), Mahesh Agarwal (I'national Chair), Derald Bulls and Mike Gallagher (Directors at Large).
Not Pictured: Brittany Martin (Treasurer), Morgan Cheney (Public Image), Stephanie Parker (RYLA Coord)
The Rotary Club of Paris United sponsored 12 Juniors from local High Schools and 2 student leaders from Paris Junior College to participate in RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) camp the weekend of February 22-24, 2019 in Athens, TX, along with approximately 90 other high school students from NE Texas. The participants provided a report at the Feb 28th Rotary club lunch meeting. List of participants is noted below.
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RYLA representatives – Paris United club meeting
There are several reasons WHY people join and participate in local Rotary Clubs worldwide. Maybe they’ve seen a need in our community and wondered how they could help. Maybe they want to use their professional skills to help others or learn new skills. Maybe they’re seeking connections with other service-minded professionals in our community or abroad. Whatever their reason, joining Rotary can help achieve these goals, and so much more.
Community Service – our motto is “Service Above Self”
Paris United leads and supports several community service projects:
- RYLA – Conduct and participate in a Leadership camp for high school students
- Dental Program – Provide annual check-up for 2nd graders with support of local dentists
- Dictionary Program - Provide dictionaries for all 3rd graders in Lamar County (see photo)
- Speech Contest – Conduct for area high school students; provide scholarship for winner
- Senior Scholarships – Evaluate entries from all local ISDs for continuing education scholarships for those planning to attend PJC
- Salvation Army Christmas Families (Angels) – Donate/purchase and provide gifts and clothing for needy children; and serve as Bell-ringers at local business
- Dylan’s Drivers – Volunteer routinely with local non-profit
- Boys & Girls Club – Provide annual donation for local club
- Blood Drive – Participate in local blood drive(s) hosted by member companies (Everett Toyota, Quality ER)
- Rotary Foundation – Donate & opportunity to participate in identified service projects internationally
- Fireworks – Partial funding for Paris’ annual Independence Day fireworks display
- AND MORE - Members serve with many other local non-profit organizations
Networking and Friendships
Weekly meetings provide great opportunity to meet and connect with community leaders and business owners. It is an excellent way for new and current residents to meet new people and become more aware of activities in the community.
“I love Rotary because its members place service to others above self. The club has various personalities, but I love each one of them for many reasons including focus on others. It is not hard to enjoy friendships with that kind of folks." – Jimmie Hopson, Rotary Club of Paris United, Paris, TX USA
“Being new to the area, Rotary gave me the opportunity to meet people active in the business community as well as invest in the community in terms of service and volunteer work. Being involved and putting Service Above Self is what Rotary is all about not only locally but internationally.” - Brenda Wells, Rotary Club of Paris, United, Paris, TX USA
Leadership and Public Speaking Skills
There are several ways to develop and enhance leadership skills as an officer, program lead, and speaker
“Leadership is a key focus of Rotary. Through Rotary, you have the opportunity to expand your leadership skills and achieve your goals.” - Norma Madayag-Reilly, Rotary Club of Newark, NY USA
Community Awareness and Education
Weekly lunch meeting speakers provide information on local businesses, services and activities in the area.
"Being in Rotary provides an opportunity to learn more about the community - there are outstanding programs that are brought to us by many of the Community Leaders and Organizations that you don't get to hear as much in depth about anywhere else!" - Alex Fowzer, Rotary Club of Paris United, Paris, TX USA
Opportunities for Young Adults
Paris United conducts an annual Youth Leadership (RYLA) camp for selected high school students to develop and enhance their leadership skills.
“As a young man, all I’ve wanted is to help the community and give back. Rotary has helped me accomplish this, but I’ve also had the opportunity to make so many meaningful connections with other Rotarians. It’s truly great being a part of something greater than ourselves.” - Mihir Pankaj, Rotary Club of Paris United, Paris, TX USA
International service
Rotary is an International organization with clubs throughout the US and most countries worldwide. We provide support and donations to identified service projects internationally, and the opportunity to participate in such programs directly. Our largest and proudest effort is our work to eradicate polio. We initiated this campaign in 1979 by vaccinating children in the Philippines. With the help of our global partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, we have reduced polio cases worldwide by 99.9%.
“Like many, I got involved in Rotary because someone I greatly respected asked me to join! I knew the values of the organization and its passion to eliminate polio which means a lot to me as I had a cousin who lives an exceptional life ‘living’ in an iron lung. Through his disease and life, I thought I could make a difference for the next generation!” - Derald Bulls, Rotary Club Paris United, Paris, TX USA
“I joined Rotary to change the world and make it a better place. Rotary changed me and made me a better person.” - Dee Bandel, Rotary Club of Paris United, Paris TX USA
Polio Is almost finished
(WPV Type 2) OFFICIALLY ERADICATED!!!!
(WPV Type 3) ALMOST ERADICATED!! Last Case, 2012 (3 years ago)!
Nigeria removed from the list of polio-endemic countries. Last case 2014
Click Here to see Latest Report
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Turning wine bottles back into sand
A club in Washington’s wine country uses a novel approach to keep glass out of the landfill.
Leveraging expertise with Ashoka
Leveraging expertise with AshokaRotary’s partnership with Ashoka brings together the vision of Ashoka’s social entrepreneurs with the local expertise of Rotary members to inspire innovation that can solve problems, create leaders, and
Engagement through experiences
During the COVID-19 pandemic's initial U.S. wave in 2020, Detroit, Michigan, was one of many cities where first responders and medical personnel needed more personal protective equipment. A Rotary club in India learned about the situation and contacted its longtime partner, the Rotary Club of
Using district resource networks
For a long time, the incredible amount of knowledge within Rotary that could help clubs create more effective and sustainable projects was scattered and difficult to access. The creation of district resource networks has remedied that.People can think of the resource networks as "in-house