In this edition of the Hubcap: Vera's View, It Happened Last Meeting, Zoom Video Recording, Club Announcements and News
Thursday at the Rotary Club of Arlington, Texas:
Jeff Johnson & David Wetz
UTA College of Electrical Engineering
Department of the Navy Project Update
Vera's View
The Rotary Club of Arlington Board of Directors held a retreat for the incoming board on June 7, 2025. This retreat is held every year by the president-elect to plan for the future growth and impact of the club. We are grateful to Chad and Joy Bates for hosting the meeting at Legacy Financial.
The core items of the June 7 meeting were: a presentation by Kurt Bartley on “Belonging,” helping members feel they belong to our club; a session by Dr. Victoria Myers on Community Service as a means of growing membership; and group work on strategic planning led by Randy Hendricks, Stacy Bridger, and Vera McKissic.
While the Rotary year is nearly complete for this President, our club is blessed with passionate leaders that will work through the goals set by the Directors to keep this a growing vibrant club. But they can’t do it alone! Our club needs your input to be relevant to our community.
Dr. Myers did an interest with the Board of Directors to discover the one community issue for which they were most passionate. I challenge you with this same question: What are you most concerned about in our community? What issue would you like to see our club engage in with our community service efforts? Your concern could be a one-time effort or an on-going project. Please write this down and drop it in the top hat at the next meeting.
It Happened Last Meeting
By Andy MacFarlane
71 members attended Thursday’s meeting. Sally Hopper greeted everyone and made us feel welcome. Jason Kazarian led us in an unscripted prayer and guided us through the Pledge of Allegiance. FYI, The first version of the Pledge was written in 1885 by Captain George Thatcher Balch, a Union Army officer in the Civil War who later authored a book on how to teach patriotism to children in public schools. President Vera reminded everyone to please log your volunteer hours and acknowledged the most recent students for the Interact Club.
Jason's sister, Deborah Gaglia, visited us from San Antonio. Tommy Thompson had five members of his family visiting us to witness his Paul Harris +4 ceremony: spouse Peggy, son Tommy Jr., grand daughters Evelyn and Julianne, and Larissa Wheeler.
Vera called on us to make announcements:
Stephanie Melchert, President & CEO of the Arlington Life Shelter, thanked us for the $2,220 in supplies was recently donated. She reminded us that their expansion was completed 5 years ago.
Brian Anderson reminded us that the Tarrant County Public Health provides immunizations and that they (always) need volunteers
Sally Hopper presided over this week's anniversaries and birthdays. Anniversaries included Clyde Godfrey, 60 years (congratulations Clyde!); Jim Quick, 38 years;
Barry Boundurant, 34 years; Brett Hall, 31 years; Donna Mack, 6 years; Shannon Porter, 2 years; and Liz Bates, 1 year.
Jennifer Wichmann, Deputy City Manager, City of Arlington was our speaker. She also serves with the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, Code Compliance Services, Parks & Recreation, Planning & Development Services, and the Police. Her topic of discussion today was a review of the “Unsheltered Homeless” that call Arlington home.
The bottom line is that Arlington has approximately 216 homeless with 111 unsheltered within the city limits. Tarrant County as a whole has 2,637 homeless with 1,137 unsheltered. Jennifer assured us that the City tracks the problems associated with the homeless and vagrant communities and works diligently to match citizen-funded resources with the needs of those at risk. It’s OK to ignore panhandlers too, she added.
Don concluded the meeting with a rousing 2-chorus version of “Be a Friend”. Tom Ware gave us the last laugh on the magic of water in healing marriages.
“There is only one wall standing between you and homeless” Jazz Pianist Eyran Katsenelenbogen reminded us as we finished the meeting. Ask Iggy if you need pronunciation help!
Miss last week's meeting? Click HERE to view the Zoom recording in a web browser with this code: N$06afQJ
Coy Garrett, Benjamin Harris
Mia Russo, Sam Scott, Barry Bondurant
Sarah Knotts, Holly Hattendorf Maxwell
Rachel Slosson, Chris Church, Vera McKissic
Kim Crawford, Stephanie Melchert
Lunch Line
President Vera Rings the Opening Bell
Guest Tommy Thompson Jr, Tommy Thompson, Spouse Peggy
Vera's View
