2026-2027
President's Message
Bentley Sanford
member photo
Hey West U Rotarians,
 
Good morning! The first part of this column is going to read like the old help wanted section of the Houston Chronicle. That's because we have a couple areas where we need your help to have the club run even more smoothly.
 
First, Kelsey Ziegler, our Public Image and Social Media chair has upped our game considerably in that department in a short time. We have much better visibility on social media but she could use some help. Please reach out to her.
 
Second, another area that will require assistance and is, of course, critical to funding the foundation is the Committee Chair of the  Flag operation. Our man, Ned Graber (with untold amounts of assistance from Cathy)  has done a stellar job in this role but he is also in line for club president (2028-29) or in Rotary vernacular he's the President Nominee. If you have got a hankering to really dive into the belly of the beast of our Flag Program, please reach out to either Ned or myself and let's discuss transitioning to run the flag operation.
 
This past Thursday was Rotary day for me without a trip to Skeeters. If it fits for you, Terry Ziegler, our Committee Chair for Rotary International, has an informal gathering at the illustrious Le Peep on Westheimer on the 4th Thursday morning of the month. There is no threat of a James Beard award here, but the price is right and the company is great. No agenda - it's just a nice time to visit with other club members that you might not get a chance to see otherwise.  Thanks for organizing, Terry!
 
The other fun event on Thursday was our evening social at Adair Kitchen, thanks to Irene Sadkowski, Chair of our Social Committee. We had Gaia Chevrere, our exchange student as well as her first host family, the Figueroas. The other really good news is that the family who will be hosting Gaia later in the school year was also in attendance. These two families are new to West U Rotary Youth Exchange and we are extremely grateful to each of them opening their homes to Gaia. To run a successful exchange program, we have to have lots of club support, good host families, and a willing school - thank you St. Agnes Academy!!
 
Best regards,
 
Bentley
Stories & Announcements
Club Social last Thursday evening

 

 

This is the Last Week to Help Us Support Covenant House 

We will be collecting unopened boxes of granola bars, energy bars, and protein bars for the Covenant House at our Thursday meeting on 9/3. The bars are in support of the Covenant House "Guts and Glory" Obstacle Challenge, a major fundraiser for them. Don't have time to shop? Cash will also be accepted, so bring some to our next meeting and give it to Ralph Cox, and he will go buy the bars. 

Second Servings Pop-up, Volunteers Needed!

On Friday, September 25th from 11:00am - 2:00 pm, WURC will be volunteering to staff a pop up grocery for Second Servings. Please see the attached flier for details and how to register for the event. 

Family and friends are welcome. 

Questions? Connect with Ralph Cox!

 

Upcoming Events
Club Board Meeting
Sep. 08, 2026
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Club Service Project
Sep. 25, 2026
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
View entire list
Speakers
Sep 03, 2026 7:30 PM
Nature Discovery Center--Bellaire

Meredith Wheeler brings a passion for community-building, inclusive leadership, and placemaking to her role as Executive Director of the Nature Discovery Center. A lifelong champion of safe, welcoming spaces where people and nature can thrive together, Meredith’s career has spanned nonprofit leadership, entrepreneurship, and grassroots advocacy.

Prior to joining the Nature Discovery Center, Meredith co-founded and led Sesh Coworking, Houston’s first inclusive-minded coworking space. She grew Sesh from a grassroots gathering into a well-recognized community hub, earning accolades such as the StartHER Grant from Texas Women’s University, the Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce’s Allied Business of the Year award and the Houston Business Journal’s Outstanding Diverse Business award. Meredith also serves on the Executive Committee of the Houston ToolBank board, where she supports nonprofits across the region through equitable access to tools and resources. Her leadership is grounded in reciprocity, curiosity and integrity – values shaped by her deep personal connection to the natural world and her belief that belonging should be built into every space we create.

When she’s not nurturing inclusive, nature-rooted communities, Meredith is on her back patio at home with her husband Drew and their three spirited daughters – Vivian, Faye, and Juniper – listening to the birds and reflecting on her place in the greater ecosystem. To her, nature isn’t just a destination; it’s a guide, a teacher, and one of the most sacred spaces we share.

Sep 10, 2026
DG Program 2026
Sep 10, 2026
Rotary Global Grant Scholar
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Janice Stooksberry
August 1
 
Carol Gradziel
August 15
 
Fritz Beich
August 22
 
Sheldon Black
August 22
 
Jack Wallace
August 25
 
Kimberly Phipps-Nichol
August 30
 
Clarence Miller
September 1
 
Charles Nelson
September 5
 
Mary Nelson
September 6
 
Bradley Coffman
September 9
 
Kelsey Ziegler
September 14
 
Steven Vaughan
September 20
 
David Redford
September 27
 
Wally Kronzer
September 29
 
Gil Jackson
September 30
 
Club Information
Thursdays at 7:30 a.m.
Skeeters Mesquite Grille
5529 Weslayan St.
Houston, TX 77005
United States of America
Phone:
(713) 664-5566
We meet in person and Zoom the first 3 Thursdays of the month. Socials on 4th Thursdays. Check calendar for 5th Thursday activity.
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