The Latest

Cody Riggs of Bernstein Investments shared the mission and impact of Big Brothers Big Sisters Greater Houston, along with his personal experience as a volunteer mentor. Founded in 1977, the organization has connected at-risk youth with caring adult mentors who provide guidance, encouragement, and positive role models during critical stages of their lives. Cody also explained how community members can become volunteers and make a meaningful difference in a child's future. Thank you, Cody, for speaking with our club and reminding us that each of us has the ability to be a mentor.

Congratulations to Vivian Ma on successfully completing her Red Badge Program.

A special thank-you to Sheilla Nguyen and Chrystal White for visiting our club. We enjoyed having you with us and look forward to welcoming you back again soon.
 


 

This Memorial Day, we pause in solemn remembrance of the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

A special thank you to the Great Houston Area Veterans Rotary Club and the many dedicated volunteers who joined together at Houston National Cemetery to place American flags at each resting place in tribute to our fallen heroes.

With deep respect and gratitude, we honor the courage, service, and sacrifice of those who gave their lives for our freedom. Their memory will never be forgotten, and their legacy continues to inspire generations to come.


 

MSB Rotary Club member Chuck Monteith joined fellow Rotarians from Sharpstown Rotary Club to help with their Holiday Flag Program ahead of Memorial Day.

Together, the team planted 125 American flags along Bellaire Boulevard as a patriotic tribute to those who served and sacrificed for our country.

Thank you, Chuck, and the Sharpstown Rotary team for helping bring such a meaningful display of remembrance and community spirit to Houston.



 
A warm welcome to all of our recent guests visiting the Memorial-Spring Branch Rotary Club. We’re truly grateful you chose to spend part of your day with us.
 
Special Guest Acknowledgements
 
🌟 Teresa Lansink
🌟 Rebecca James
🌟 Nicholas Leonard
 
We hope you enjoyed the fellowship, service spirit, and friendships that make Rotary so meaningful. Please come back and visit us again, get to know our members, and experience what our club is all about.

Whether you are simply visiting or looking for a place to serve and connect, we hope our club feels welcoming—and perhaps even becomes a lasting home for fellowship, community impact, and friendship.
 
We look forward to seeing you again soon.

 
The MSB Rotary Charities, Inc. scholarship committee spent a full day interviewing outstanding scholarship finalists and selecting this year’s recipients.
 
After hours of interviews, discussion, and some “almost impossible” math, 10 students were selected to each receive a $3,000 scholarship funded through proceeds from our annual Rolex for Scholarship fundraiser held each November.
 
Thank you to our Charities Inc. team for dedicating their Saturday to investing in the future of these remarkable students.


 
🎉 Please join us in giving a warm welcome to our newest member, Steve Blair!


The Red Badge program helps new members learn about Rotary, build relationships, and become actively involved. Upon completing the checklist, members transition to a Blue Badge as fully integrated Rotarians.
 

MSB Rotary welcomed guest speaker Brandon Adjei, CPA, for an informative presentation on the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) and its impact on entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Brandon shared valuable insights on tax changes, bonus depreciation, Section 179 expensing, R&D deductions, and other key updates affecting business owners and startups.

Thank you, Brandon, for helping our members better understand the evolving tax landscape and opportunities ahead.
 


 

The Memorial-Spring Branch Rotary Club was honored to welcome guest speaker Rania Mankarious, CEO of Crime Stoppers of Houston.

Rania shared valuable insights on online safety, youth protection, and the evolving challenges facing schools and communities today. She also highlighted the important work of the Crime Stoppers Safe School Institute and the organization’s continued efforts to educate, protect, and support students, parents, educators, and communities throughout Houston.

Thank you, Rania, for an engaging and impactful presentation dedicated to keeping our communities safe.
 


 
Rotarians from across Rotary District 5890 gathered at Moody Gardens for a wonderful weekend of fellowship, inspiration, service, and fun.
 
From impactful speakers and hands-on service projects to Kentucky Derby festivities and meaningful friendships, the conference showcased the very best of Rotary. The weekend also included heartfelt moments honoring fellow Rotarian, Bill Haglund, whose legacy continues to inspire our district.
 
Thank you to everyone who helped make District Conference 2026 such a memorable experience.












 
Members and friends of the MSB Rotary gathered for a wonderful evening of fellowship, food, and friendship.
 
A heartfelt thank you to MaryAnn Sterrett-Russell and Gerald Russell for graciously hosting such a warm and welcoming event. The evening was filled with laughter, great conversations, and plenty of memorable moments.
 
We were also delighted to celebrate and wish a very Happy Birthday to Genevieve Rowland! 🎂
 


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Members and friends gathered at the 2026 Houston Aggie Muster to honor and remember Bill Haglund—a respected Aggie, Rotarian, friend, and member of our community whose presence continues to be deeply felt.

During the solemn “Here” ceremony, Bill’s name was called and remembered alongside fellow Aggies who have passed. The candlelight tribute served as a powerful reminder that the Aggie spirit, friendships, and shared traditions endure far beyond a lifetime.

Bill’s memory remains “Here”—in the hearts of family, friends, and all whose lives he touched.
 


 
Despite the rainy afternoon, our Memorial-Spring Branch Rotary Club crew brought plenty of energy, laughter, and fellowship to Bingo Day at Emerson Pines Senior Community.
 
A special thank you to Kathy Taylor for creating the beautiful prize baskets with a very limited budget. Her creativity and care made the event extra special—and thanks to her efforts, every senior who played bingo went home a winner with a basket of their own.
 
What a wonderful afternoon of service, smiles, and community fellowship.
 
 

🎉 Please join us in giving a warm welcome to our newest members—Tim, Maggie, and Vivian!

The Memorial-Spring Branch Rotary Club is excited to have them begin their journey through the Red Badge program as they step into service, leadership, and community impact.

👏 We’re thrilled to have you with us—welcome to the Rotary family!


                   Tim Eng                               Maggie Eng

 
                  Vivian Ma
 

A powerful and eye-opening program on sex trafficking reminded us why awareness and action matter.

Sex trafficking remains a serious issue in the Houston area. Our speaker, Amber McCray of StreetGrace, shared how their organization is supporting victims and working to end the sexual exploitation of children—and how we can all be part of the solution.

MSB Rotarians, Dionne Peters and MaryAnn Sterrett-Russell, brought back key insights from the Houston Airports Human Trafficking Awareness Event at the Wortham Theater Center, part of Rotarians Unite Against Child Sex Trafficking.

👏 Congratulations to our new Red Badges—Tim Eng, Maggie Eng, and Vivian Ma!

🤝 Thank you, Amber McCray, and to our visiting guests—Teresa Lansink, Karla Rodriguez, Kayla Tennison, Steve Blair and Deputy Chief Keith Guillory from the Village Fire Department. We hope to see you again soon!


 

Rotary District 5890 participated in the Houston Airports Human Trafficking Awareness Event at the Wortham Theater Center as part of the broader Rotarians Unite Against Child Sex Trafficking effort.
 
The program featured a panel moderated by Rhonda Kuykendall—a Rotarian and member of the Texas Human Trafficking Survivor Leader Council—alongside regional leaders including Fort Bend County District Brian Middleton, addressing the scope and complexity of human trafficking in the region.
 
This collaborative event brought together Houston Airports, Unbound Now, and local Rotary clubs, including the Space Center Rotary Club, which spearheaded a newly approved Global Grant through The Rotary Foundation focused on combating child sex trafficking.
 
Representing Memorial-Spring Branch Rotary, Dionne Peters and MaryAnn Sterrett-Russell attended to bring back insights and strengthen local awareness within the club.



 

Several Memorial-Spring Branch Rotarians and their spouses visited the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center to personally greet, spend time with, and deliver personalized care packages to inpatient veterans. We are deeply grateful for their service and continue to keep them in our thoughts and prayers for a full and speedy recovery.



 

Memorial-Spring Branch Rotary Club is proud to welcome new member David Bornhorst. He is currently participating in the Red Badge program, which helps new members learn about Rotary, build relationships, and become actively involved. Upon completing the checklist, members transition to a Blue Badge as fully integrated Rotarians.


 
The District 5890 Conference 2026 will take place at Moody Gardens in Galveston, April 30–May 3. The event will be packed with opportunities to connect, learn, and celebrate the incredible impact made during our 2025–2026 “Unite for Good” Rotary year. Enjoy golf, a fishing excursion, or indulge in spa services with fellow Rotarians. Click --> Register to Attend

 

We congratulate Venu and Elsie Rao on achieving the Major Donor Level 2 milestone!

Gail Gould, known as the CPR and Safety Lady, spoke to our club about CPR training, the use of AEDs, and other important safety topics. Gail holds a Master of Science in Exercise Science and Health Promotion and has more than thirty years of experience providing CPR, AED, and first aid training to corporations, schools, and community groups. Members appreciated the opportunity to learn more about this lifesaving training and practical skills that can make a critical difference in emergencies.


 

MSB Rotarians and their spouses enjoyed a wonderful evening of fellowship at Ciro's Italian Grill—a true serata di buona cucina e grande compagnia (an evening of great food and great company).
 


 

Speakers
GENEVIEVE ROWLAND
Jun 19, 2026 12:00 PM
END OF YEAR CLUB ASSEMBLY
DIONNE PETERS
Jul 10, 2026 12:00 PM
BEGINNING OF YEAR CLUB ASSEMBLY
DAVID LOPEZ
Jul 17, 2026 12:00 PM
BUSINESS VALUATION
JUDGE SONYA HEATH
Aug 21, 2026 12:00 PM
INSIDE FAMILY COURTS
ASHOK GARG
Nov 20, 2026 12:00 PM
MSB ROTARY CHARITIES, INC. WATCH RAFFLE

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Club Information
Memorial-Spring Branch Rotary

Service Above Self

We meet In Person
Fridays at 12:00 p.m.
Guadalajara Hacienda
9799 Katy Fwy
Houston, TX 77024
United States of America
Join us every 1st and 3rd Friday at the Guadalajara Hacienda restaurant (in front of Hotel Zaza). All are welcome! Please check the Speakers for the actual meeting dates. We meet in the private room in the back of the restaurant.
 

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WAIS Interact ROCKS!
At this year’s Interact District Conference, one out of every seven Interactors in attendance was from Westchester Academy for International Studies. We are deeply proud of their strong commitment to Service Above Self—especially on an early Saturday morning. waisinteract



 
The WAIS Interact Club is leading an education-focused service project to support teachers at under-resourced Thornwood Elementary, where educators go above and beyond to inspire their students. We are creating 50 Teacher Give Back Boxes with classroom supplies and welcome contributions via our Amazon Wishlist or other means. Donations requested by February 17.
 
Amazon Wishlist: Wishlist - Amazon.com
 
WAIS Interact officers and members volunteered at the newly opened Kids’ Meals and made over 5,300 meals! 🥪💙 They’re thankful for the opportunity and encourage everyone to take a little time out of their day to volunteer and make a difference. waisinteract
 


 
WAIS Interact members came together and picked up any trash that was in the Japanese Garden and courtyards at Westchester Academy. More than 5 bags were completely filled up. Thank you for all your hard work! waisinteract
 


WAIS Interact members got the chance to plant trees in Downtown Houston with the District Governor and meet other Interactors across the Houston area. Over 600 trees were planted on the Columbia Tap Trail!
 
 
We got to enjoy a great meeting with our lovely Rotary sponsors! Members got to hear about what our sponsors do and even got a slice of yummy pizza!!
 
WAIS Interact Club members packed meals for children in need! Students also learned the reasoning for the items being packed and how it will help provide nutrition to children receiving the meals. Click images to enlarge. waisinteract
 
 
WAIS Interact is collecting gifts and cards/vouchers for gas and groceries. Items are collected by December 16. Gift wrapping and delivery by the Interact teacher and students will be on December 21.
This year's family is a young mom and dad with a 2-year old son. Click here to help-->>Amazon wishlist<<---