February 2026 EDITION
News Around The District
District Governor Todd Smith's February Message
District Governor Todd Smith talks about upcoming events - Hearts of Gold Foundation Gala, Lonestar PETS, Service Texas Day and more .. Click to Play
Grants Management Training - Feb. 21
We will hold a Grants Management Training Seminar (GMTS) on February 21st, 2026 on Zoom. Both the GMTS and GMTS Renewal sessions are available. Check this page to see if you qualify for the 1 hr session. Must register in advance to receive the Zoom link. GMTS Renewal starts at 8AM and GMTS Full Session at 9AM.
Welcome New Rotarians - January
New Public Image Tools from Rotary International
Rotary International has introduced new public image tools to help Clubs easily and effectively tell their stories and gain local media attention. These resources include news release templates for fundraisers and service projects, along with a media advisory template to invite media to Club events. Designed to be simple and customizable, these tools help Clubs share their impact in a clear, professional way.
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2026-2027 Presidential Message Revealed
Rotary International President-elect Olayinka H. Babalola called on members to Create Lasting Impact at Rotary’s International Assembly in Orlando, Florida, USA, on 12 January. He urged members to make their clubs more welcoming, carry out impactful projects, and allow their Rotary experiences to transform them personally. “If we can change ourselves, we can change our districts,” he said. “If we can change our districts, we can change the communities we serve. And if we can change our communities, we will change the world.”  Learn more.
Create a Lasting Legacy with the Rotary Foundation — No Cash Required Today
A gift to the Rotary Foundation through a bequest allows you to support Rotary’s mission into perpetuity— or, if you prefer, quite literally from the grave—without giving up cash or assets during your lifetime. By including the Rotary Foundation in your will, trust, retirement account, or beneficiary designation, you can ensure that the causes you care about continue to thrive long after you’re gone. 
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Global Grant Scholar Spotlight: Taylor Sims
Taylor Sims, a District 5879 2025-26 Rotary Global Grant Scholar, is pursuing an MSc in Global Leadership & Peacebuilding at King’s College London, focusing on peacebuilding, dialogue, and practical approaches to long-term stability in an increasingly complex world.
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Georgetown Celebrates Another Peace Garden
Georgetown Rotarians Jerry Berry, Barbara, Ron, and Joe were happy to attend the dedication for the Williams Elementary School peace garden! Students and staff celebrated a moment of peace that will hopefully reverberate throughout our wonderful city.
NxNE Austin Rotarians Support a Local Refugee Family!
Through their monthly sunshine basket and annual holiday party auction, North by Northeast Austin Rotarians raised over $2,000 for a local refugee family from Syria that includes a widowed mother and six children.
Flatonia Spreads Holiday Cheer Through Service and Fellowship
The Christmas season was a busy and joyful time for the Rotary Club of Flatonia as members lived out the spirit of Service Above Self through several meaningful projects and celebrations. On Wednesday, November 12, the club gifted the Flatonia Food Pantry with $1,700 to help purchase turkeys for local families, ensuring many tables were filled during the holidays. 
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Service Above Self in Action
Members of the Rotary Club of South Austin rolled up their sleeves at the Central Texas Food Bank, working alongside fellow volunteers to make a real difference. Together, they helped process 4,001 pounds of food, providing 3,334 meals for our community.
Holiday Donation
The Holidays is about compassion, generosity, and community. Instead of buying gifts for each other, The Rotary Club of Killeen was honored to support Families in Crisis with a holiday donation and help bring comfort and joy this season. 
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Senior Day Out Meals
The Rotary Club of Cedar Park Leander partnered with Preferred Care at Home North Austin and Williamson County and Drive a Senior North West, a faith in Action Program that enhances the lives of Seniors by providing services such as social time, game time, reading groups, transportation, and food to help them age in place, with dignity and grace.
McGregor Celebrates 60 Years of Pancakes for a Purpose
The McGregor community came together for a cherished tradition as the 60th Annual Pancake Supper returned, welcoming an expected crowd of more than 500 attendees. This milestone event once again proved that good food and great fellowship can make a lasting impact.
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Corsicana Rotary Supporting CISD Teachers
By donating school supplies, the Corsicana Rotary Club helped create engaging, well-equipped classrooms where students can focus on learning and growth. The Club’s generosity showed the teachers and staff that their dedication is valued and supported! Pictured here is President Brenna Butler, Secretary Sue Lagomorsino, Leigh Moore, Whitney Autrey, President Nominee Alison Williams along with staff members of Collins Intermediate School in Corsicana.
Fourth Ramp Build for Georgetown!
Last weekend in Liberty Hill, members of the Georgetown Rotary completed their fourth ramp build of the year, demonstrating a continued commitment to service even in very cold weather. Rotarians Joe, Michele, Nic, Christie, Scott, and Larry worked alongside Rotary family and Rotary-adjacent volunteers Wade, Mike, Randy, and Doug to construct a much-needed access ramp for a local resident. A family member of the recipient, pictured on the far right, was present to witness the impact of the project. 
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Rotarian Vince Erickson Earns Emmy for Impactful Journalism
Congratulations to our Waco Rotary board member and Public Image Chair, Vince Erickson! Vince won a prestigious Lone Star Emmy award last month as part of a KWKT FOX 44 team who created a 30-minute special program called "Facing Domestic Violence" for broadcast on the station.
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Peace Pole in Place at Rotary Memorial First Responder Park
A meaningful new symbol now stands at the Marble Falls Rotary Memorial First Responder Park with the installation of a Peace Pole bearing the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in multiple languages.
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Austin donates to UT Outpost
The Rotary Club of Austin collected and donated gently used clothes to the UT Outpost that provides them free to their students for job interviews and graduation. 
Have You Answered the Call to International Service?
Have you been able to address your commitment International yet? One of the 5 avenues of service. If not, there is still time for your club to invest in the future of the world. Governor Smith and I wanted to let you know about how your club can participate in this worthwhile activity for your club. These goals can be achieved through various spending approaches.  These seven areas of focus are at the heart of International Projects.
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Bringing Awareness on the Road: Georgetown's HTA Mobile Unit in Action!
One of the most impactful tools in the Rotary Club of Georgetown’s fight against human trafficking is its Human Trafficking Awareness (HTA) Mobile Unit—a powerful, on-the-road resource designed to educate, inform, and spark meaningful conversations in our community and beyond.
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 Play for All Park Expansion: A New Chapter in Inclusive Play for Round Rock
Round Rock’s beloved Play for All Park — already a destination for families, children, and visitors from across Central Texas — is taking an exciting step forward with a new expansion that brings even more opportunity for play, learning, and community connection. The project, part of voter-approved funding and bolstered by community partnerships, reflects the city’s dedication to inclusive recreation and education.
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Austin-Southwest Discovers that Service Projects Can Be A Good Membership and Public Image Tool!
The Rotary Club of Austin-Southwest began an environmental project, “The New Home for Styrofoam” two years ago to participate in the “Protect the Environment” cause of Rotary International. Little did we know at the onset, that this project (which has good community visibility at a Farmer’s Market in South Austin) would be a very valuable membership tool as well as helping to project the image of Rotary and our specific club to our local community.
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Welcome to Round Rock Sunrise Rotary, Karen Myers!
We’re excited to welcome Karen Myers, our newest Rotary member, inducted today! Karen is a long-time Round Rock resident, a finance professional, and someone who truly values community involvement. She’s looking forward to contributing to both local and global Rotary projects, and we’re thrilled to have her join our club.
Rotary Club of Marlin offer Gifts and Conversations
On January 21, 2026, the Rotary Club of Marlin delivered two pair no-slip socks to each of the 44 residents of the Golden Years Rehabilitation Center in Marlin. While the hymn “Amazing Grace” played, gifts bags were presented individually to residents by Rotary Club Scholarships Chair Jimi Lynn and Rotarian Beth Mullins, Member Nominee Chelleye Crow, Rotary Club President Chip Parmer, Rotary Public Image Chair Letitia Estep, and Rotary Special Projects Chair Mark Pedersen. 
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Operation Vacation - December 2025
Each month, the Rotary Club of Austin treats a military family from Fort Hood to a well-deserved R&R weekend.
 
We are grateful to our amazing sponsors, including The Westin at the Domain, which provides a complimentary stay and free breakfast, Killeen Toyota for the rental car, and Killeen Rotary for the gas money. 
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Join the Green Bag to Lunch Bunch!
Join the “Bring a Green Bag to Lunch Bunch!” Georgetown Club Rotarians are so pleased to be able to partner with the Georgetown Neighborhood Food Project. Barbara Gall serves as our Neighborhood Captain.
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Upcoming Events
Hearts of Gold Foundation Gala
270 Bass Pro Drive
Feb. 07, 2026 5:00 p.m. Central Standard Time (UTC-06:00)
 
RMB Austin Metro Networking Event
Casa Chapala Restaurant
Feb. 18, 2026
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
 
Grants Management Training
Zoom Meeting
Feb. 21, 2026 8:00 a.m.
 
Rotary's 121st Birthday
Feb. 23, 2026
 
Lonestar PETS
DFW Hyatt Regency
Feb. 26, 2026 – Mar. 01, 2026
 
Grants Management Training - Lone Star PETS
Mar. 01, 2026
 
View entire list
 
 
 
RC of South Austin
 
 
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RC of Killeen Heights

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