Mark your calendars now for our 2026 Rotary Unite for Peace District Conference, taking place May 1–2, 2026, in beautiful New Braunfels, Texas!

This two-day celebration will bring together Rotarians from across District 5840 for fellowship, inspiration, and a renewed commitment to Unite for Good. Join us Friday evening and all-day Saturday for engaging speakers, Rotary camaraderie, and entertainment!

Dates: Friday evening, May 1 – Saturday, May 2, 2026
Location: New Braunfels, Texas

More details about registration and program highlights will be shared soon.

In the meantime, hotel rooms are limited, so we encourage you to book your group rate now using the link below:
Book your group rate for Rotary District Conference

We can’t wait to see you in New Braunfels for an unforgettable weekend of Rotary fellowship, enrichment, and fun!

November is Rotary Foundation Month
The Rotary Foundation funds humanitarian projects around the world and right here in Texas and San Marcos.

SMTXrotary.com SMTXrotary@gmail.com

Paul Harris Fellowships Awarded November 12

Louis Doiron will be recognized November 12 as a new Paul Harris Fellow and Cody Lock will receive his Paul Harris Fellow + 4 pin. John Hutcherson from Rotary District 5840 - South Central Texas will do the presentations.

What is a Paul Harris Fellow?

A Paul Harris Fellow is an individual recognized for a contribution of $1,000 or more to The Rotary Foundation, or for exceptional service to the community that aligns with Rotary's mission.

This honor, named after Rotary's founder, is bestowed upon both Rotarians and non-Rotarians and includes a certificate and a distinctive pin. The award celebrates a commitment to service and humanitarian efforts, such as those focused on world peace, international understanding, and the eradication of polio. 
 

John Hutcherson Shares Information About the Rotary Foundation on Nov. 12

On Wednesday, November 12, our Rotary program speaker will be John Hutcherson. He will be speaking about the Rotary Foundation and major giving opportunities through Rotary’s endowment and major gifts programs.

The Rotary Foundation funds humanitarian projects around the world to promote peace, health, education, economic development, and the environment.Charity Navigator has given the Rotary Foundation a four-star rating, its highest rating, for 16 straight years. Charity Navigator assesses nonprofit performance based on  key indicators, including the impact of the charity’s program relative to cost.

John Hutcherson is past president of the Fredericksburg Morning Rotary Club and is a past district governor. He is the District 5840 Rotary Foundation Chair for Endowment and Major Gifts.

John is passionate about the importance of the continued goal of polio eradication,  and the role of the Rotary Foundation in this fight. He and his wife Judy have been to India and Pakistan to help vaccinate children, where scores of volunteers from across the globe provide the polio vaccine drops to locals in need. He is well known for his passion for bicycling and has combined his polio and cycling passions by doing 100+ mile cycling rides to end polio.

John attended Allegheny College, earning a degree in Sociology, went to Florida State University for his Master of Social Work and graduated from the University of Maryland with a PhD in Human Development. John also served in the United States Air Force from 1967-1972, stationed at Andrews Air Force Base. He spent 37 years as a Financial Advisor with Ameriprise in Fredericksburg and has a new vocation as an Innkeeper in Fredricksburg. 

Dr. Angela P. Black, M.D., speaks to the Rotary Club of San Marcos on November 5 on the topic, “Protect Your Healthspan:  How Food Choices Shape Your Future Health.” Rotary meets at noon at the VFW Hall, 1701 Hunter Road, San Marcos. Visitors are always welcome at Rotary meetings.

Dr. Black is a board-certified pediatrician and lifestyle medicine physician with over 20 years of experience practicing medicine. She graduated from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center at the San Antonio Long School of Medicine in 1997. At Corridor Primary Care in San Marcos, she integrates evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle strategies into pediatric care to help families prevent chronic diseases before they start. 

Dr. Black partners with the Hays County Food Bank and coordinates the CPC food pantry to address food insecurity while providing practical education on healthy eating. Through her Eat Your Greens with Dr. Black podcast (eatgreenswithdrblack.com) and community talks, she says she tries to translate the latest science into simple, actionable steps families can take to improve their health and prevent conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.  Quoting Ashley Montagu, she says “The idea is to die young as late as possible.”