Events

Past-Presidents Angela Smith & Nancy Ray embarked on a Great Adventure to the RI Conference in Singapore.  Following that, they toured Vietnam and bring back some amazing stories and pictures. Can't wait to hear about their experiences!

About our Speakers

Past-President Angela Smith

Angela Smith is a a native Texan who grew up in Beaumont. Her first life defining experience came when she flunked Jell-O making in seventh grade.  On the advice of her home ec teacher, she went in another direction and took up journalism and music, which to this day have served her  better than any cooking skill.  Her current culinary expertise is limited to opening a bag of Cheetos.

A graduate of the University of North Texas, she was the first female editor in chief of the daily newspaper. Until then only male students were allowed to be editor because of a 10:50 curfew for women.  She took on the dean of women and won that battle not only for herself but for other women who would serve in that post in the future. 

The day after she got her degree, she went to work for the Associated Press and was assigned to the Capital Press Corps to cover LBJ and his administration. After leaving AP, she went into educational PR and then served for nine years as  executive director of the Writers’ League of Texas. She now proudly holds the title of Executive Director Emeritus, which she describes as a cushy job with no responsibility other than to act like the queen mother.

Today she spends most of her time working as a freelance writer and editor and  nonprofit management consultant. She also serves on the boards of several organizations and is an outspoken advocate for the arts and women’s rights. Her most recent two books are STEEL DRUMS AND STEELBANDS: A HISTORY and WOMEN DRUMMERS: A HISTORY FROM ROCK AND JAZZ TO BLUES AND COUNTRY, which is the basis for a documentary titled Chicks with Sticks.

She’s involved in lots of music activities and plays the steel drum, cello, piano, and hammered dulcimer – but not all at the same time. She’s also an avid amateur astronomer, and loves helping others take that first look through a telescope eyepiece to see the rings of Saturn and light from galaxies that’s traveled from millions of light years away.

Her most recent adventure was being cast in a PBS movie on women’s suffrage called CITIZENS AT LAST, scheduled to air on the anniversary this year of the women’s vote.

Her philosophy of life: every day is another chance to get it right.

Past-President Nancy Ray

Nancy was born and raised in Mineral  Wells, Texas, graduated from the University of Texas and bleeds burnt orange. She is married to rancher Bruce Wittig whom she met through her 85-year-old mother-in-law (known as the matchmaker) .

Nancy has two grown daughters and four amazing grands, 2  stepsons and another set of six amazing step grands. 

She is gleefully retired and her passions include faith, family,  friends,  Rotary and being a weekend cowgirl! As a Rotarian for over 30 years she once had the privilege of meeting the first female Rotarian president. 

Our RYLA campers will join us with their parents to talk about their recent experiences at the District 5870 Rotary Youth Leadership Award camp held in early-July.

About our speakers

The RYLA Campers sponsored by Rotary Club of West Austin are:

• Ashley Mankinen
• Fox Redmond
• Ben Reiff
• Lily Steinhauser

Congratulations for particiating in the 2024 RYLA Program!

The Arc of the Capital Area is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Central Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families through compassionate case management and innovative programs. This year, The Arc proudly celebrates 75 years of service to the community. Join our Chief Development Officer, Annie Wells, to learn more about The Arc and discover how you can make a positive impact in your community!

About our speaker - Annie Wells, Chief Development Officer

NO MEETING

NO MEETING

The first meeting of each month is programmed for "Table Talks". Members will be encouraged to shuffle their regular seating positions, meet new members and engage in fresh conversations.  This is a great way to build new and enduring fellowship amongst Club members.

About our speaker

District Governor Doug Smith will talk about the state of District 5870 and our district goals for RY2024-2025

About District Governor Doug Smith

About Dawn Marie Lewis

NO MEETING

About TBD