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"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

New Rotary Year - New President

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

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!!

Izzy and Janna Davis Grace and David Taylor

Stuffing Challenge - Rotary vs. Kiwanis

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)

Paul Harris (Founder of Rotary) Quote of the Month

Posted on Dec 01, 2019

“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)

Rotary Citation Award

Posted on Nov 08, 2019

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.

Rotary's Vision Statement

Posted on Nov 08, 2019

"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.

Girls Night Out

Posted on Oct 02, 2019

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.

Tour de Paris - Rotary Rides for Tailored Rides

Posted by Michael Nickey on Jul 24, 2019

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.

Paris United - New Board Induction - 2019

Posted by Michael Nickey on Jul 01, 2019

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)

RYLA Report - Student Leadership Development

Posted on Mar 01, 2019

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.

RYLA representatives – Paris United club meeting

WHY ROTARY?

Posted by Michael Nickey on Dec 03, 2018

WHY ROTARY? - SEVERAL REASONS TO JOIN

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 2^nd graders with support of local dentists
Dictionary Program - Provide dictionaries for all 3^rd 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 Eradication Update

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

Ukrainian clubs help others in need in their country

Rotary members in Ukraine are helping neighbors return to their homes, distributing supplies from other countries, and organizing long-term aid — all despite being affected by the war

European Rotaract clubs organize to help Ukrainian refugees

Across Europe, Rotaract members are using digital tools to share information and coordinate to help people who have been affected by the war in Ukraine

Rotary projects around the globe - May 2022

Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in Belize, Italy, Rwanda, the Philippines, and the United States.

A little bit of salt

A surgeon in Spain finds a way to treat patients in Nigeria