ShelterBox is the premier international aid organization that provides emergency shelter and life-saving equipment following disasters such as earthquake, volcano, flood, hurricane, cyclone, tsunami or conflict.

More than 11 years ago, ShelterBox founder, Tom Henderson asked himself what his family would need to survive if they lost their home. His question became a quest to provide a compact, universal tool kit to families displaced by disasters. ShelterBox would afford dignity, self-sufficiency and most importantly, human survival in the chaotic weeks following an earthquake, tsunami, landslide, flood or other disaster.

The contents are tailored depending on the nature and location of the disaster, with great care taken sourcing every item to ensure it is robust enough to be of lasting value.

Dr. Greg Smith presented our program which centered on our local Rotary Academic Scholarship winners.  Each recipient received a fifteen hundred dollar scholarship from Space Center Rotary club.  From Clear Lake High School, the recipients were Macy Brinton, Scott Burger, and Vinamrata Singal.  The recipients from Clear Brook High School were Katy Bischouf, Rochelle Brannon, and Ellen Zhou.

Dr. Smith then presented a video on cutting edge programs recently started by the Clear Creek School District.  The video mentioned that there were 35 National Merit Scholars this year, the Clear Horizons program which allows students to take college credit courses and finish high school with a associates degree from San Jacinto College, the new technology specialty program at Clear Falls High School, and the InvenTeams which stresses innovation.

Gary Johnson reminded members of the Christmas Dinner on December 14^th.  Art Oswald reminded members about the Floyd Boze dinner on February 7^th.  President Dennard announced that there will be a Board of Directors meeting on December 20^th and the RNASA Committee would meet on December 15^th.

Holiday Tie Contest – This unique event will focus on the men at this event and, in particular, their neck-wear.   All men (even non-Rotarians) are encouraged to wear their very finest Christmas/Holiday-theme cravat (that is neck-tie to my Aggie friends).  A select panel of three fashion-conscious female Space Center Rotarians will be the judges for this event.  They will decide the rules and determine the winners!

Holiday Gift Exchange – We will have a gift exchange after the meal.   Please note the following general guidelines for participation in this event.

The Gift:

• Only one gift per couple or individual.
• The value of the gift should not exceed $20.
• It should be wrapped and have no external markings that indicate its origin.
• The gift can be something that you buy (tickets, gift card, wine, notional item), something that is in your closet (the dreaded re-gift), or something that is a bit of a white elephant that you are sure someone else would enjoy.
• You cannot go home with the gift you brought.

The Rules:

• Upon arrival, all participants will place their wrapped gift on a table for all to view.
• Participants will be given a number that will determine their place in the queue.
• Event attendees must provide a gift to participate in the exchange.
• Specific Rules of Engagement will be provided and explained to all participants at the event.

The regular Club weekly meeting was called to order by President Mike Dennard. Sheryl Berg led the group in singing “Oh Christmas Tree” and Carlos Villagomez provided the prayer. Rena Deitrich led the club in the pledge to the U. S. flag, and Billy Smith the 4-Wat Test, and Bob Mitchell introduced the visitors in attendance. Gary Johnson reminded the members of the club Christmas party scheduled for December 14th at a cost of $32 with a choice of steak, fish, or vegetables.

President Mike put out a request for winter clothes, blankets, sleeping bags and other winter items which are needed at Crossroads.  Members should bring the items to the weekly club meetings and he will collect.  Suzi Howe reminded members that the matching grant is still available for the Rotary Foundation.  If you give $500, the grant will contribute another $500 toward the next Paul Harris Fellow level.

Program Chairman John Swartwout introduced the guest speaker, Mr. Reagan Sermons of the FCA Corporation where he is Chairman of their investment group.  His presentation centered around an economists view of the current recession and he explained that we currently are in the stage of what he called a “balance sheet recession” which means that there is large money supply however businesses are keeping their cash and not reinvesting into their business or adding new employees.  The intent of the speaker was to stimulate the thought process and inform so that people could come to their own conclusions.