THIS WEEK AT ROTARY

Kent Edwards, a Consultant and Principal with Houston-based PRISM Consulting Group, which specializes in providing human resource consulting services and programs to small and mid-sized companies, was our guest speaker this week.

Kent painted a picture that many small business owners never see - until it is too late.  This was a picture of what can happen if a business fails to properly meet the requirements of state and federal human resources laws and regulations. Fines and penalties and back wages - all running into the thousands...hundreds of thousands...and even MILLIONS of dollars!

Kent suggested that small businesses that operate without a full-time HR person should seriously consider having a periodic Human Resources Audit. This is like having a physical - it tells you where you stand now...what needs to be fixed...what needs to be improved...and where you are really doing "just fine." If your company has a "broken" HR System - you may not realize it until a disgruntled employee or a governmental agency says "See you in court."

You can learn more about HR and HR Audits at the Prism Consulting web site:  www.prismhr.com

COMING UP AT ROTARY

March 25 - Tracy Zimmermann - Pre-Paid Legal Services...what is it...and is it right for you??
April 1 - Lenny Holzband - Community Service - How to Live It!
April 8 - Ellen Whitworth - Bayou Preservation Association - Saving history and nature
April 15 - Bob Sides - River Oaks Rotary Club - A Centennial Project for District Clubs
April 22 - Katherine Stiffler - Our Outdoor Environment - How It Impacts Life

GUESTS, VISITORS & WINNERS

This week our visiting Rotarian was Dr. G.T. Grubb from Paris, Texas. Dr. Grubb brought along a guest, Larry Moody, a retired Houston police officer.  Thanks for joining us!  Please come again!

Rory Olson was the winner of this week's 50/50 jackpot! 

Way to go Judge!

BOARD MEETING UPDATE

The Board met the evening of Tuesday, March 18, 2003.  One of the items taken up was a fund raising event being sponsored for the Project Hope mentoring program at Lee High School. Since the Sharpstown CLub has about one-third of our membership involved as mentors in this program - the Board felt it was proper for the club to support this event.

It is a golf tournament on April 8th at the Southwick Country Club in Pearland. The Board voted to sponsor a team in this event - Archie Wilcox will make certain we have four team members.  This sponsorship is $400, and all club members are asked to donate at least $25 toward the support of the event. Any funds over those needed to the event will be used for support of future Project Hope events and projects.  Please bring you donation to the meeting on Tuesday, March 25th - or mail it to the Sharpstown Rotary Club, PO Box 360028, Houston, TX 77036-0028.  Please note on your check - "Project Hope".

The Board also will be actively involved in a membership development program. We have a wonderful base form which to build - great Rotarians...and super friends!  We just need more of them!  As the Immediate Past President, Ken Marsh chairs this committee. If you are interested in assisting Ken, please contact him at 713-532-5000.  And - if you know of someone who lives or works in the general Sharpstown area - please give their name and phone and email (if you have it) to Ken Marsh or Ken Burgess.  You can email the information to: membership@strotary.org

SADDLE UP YOUR HORSES!

Our goal is to have a lot of fun - together as friends and club members - while at the same time raising $1,000 or more for our club's programs.

COMING EVENTS

There are more and more Spring Activities showing up on the District 5890 calendar.  If you are looking for something to do...for more information go to the District 5890 web site EVENTS page. <www.rotary5890.org/html/events.html>

Here are a few of the highlights of major District-wide events:

DISTRICT 5890 CLUB ASSEMBLY
The Assembly is set for Friday, April 25, 2003. The location will be the South Main Baptist Church on South Beltway 8 near Fairmont Blvd. in Pasadena. Please see the District web site at www.rotary5890.org for more information. ALL incoming club officers and directors should plan on attending this event if at all possible - and all other club members are highly encouraged to do so as well! The day will begin about 8:30 a.m. with coffee and stuff and should conclude by early afternoon.  More details on the programs for the day will be published as they are received.

DISTRICT 5890 ANNUAL CONFERENCE, MAY 1-4, CORPUS CHRISTI
The District Conference is looming before us, and this year the meeting will be held in COrpus Christi with some great activities planned. If you have an interest in attending, you can pick up an information packet at the club meeting next week - or visit the District web site at http://www.rotary5890.org/html/conference.html

DISTRICT PAUL HARRIS RAFFLE