At our September 16 meeting we welcomed Dr. Frank Rodriguez, Superintendent of the Beaufort County School District.
The district serves over 20,000 students which includes some of our most advanced students, college credit-bearing coursework and career-ready coursework. It also encompasses over 20% multilingual learners - two times the national average, as well as special education students. His strategy is to use high-quality instructional materials to deliver high-quality instruction.
He has succeeded in increasing teacher salaries through a 2019 referendum, and then a 2023 referendum, to become competitive in attracting high-performing instructors. The 2019 referendum was the first for the school district in 11 years. He has reduced teacher turnover as well, while improving overall performance.
His articulated goal is to see 75% proficiency in English Language Arts, 75% proficiency in Math, and a 92% graduation rate by 2030.
In order to provide competent and ongoing oversight he has instituted a Community Project Review Committee to manage all ongoing projects, as well as a Citizen-Led oversight Committee to manage the district's academic performance.
The Bluffton Rotary crew was proud to roll up our sleeves and volunteer for the Bluffton Community Cleanup!
There’s something special about coming together to take care of the community we call home. Whether it’s picking up litter, lending a hand, or simply showing up where we’re needed, every little effort makes a difference.
A big thank you to everyone who volunteered and helped make Bluffton a little cleaner and brighter!
Helping where we are needed — right here in our community.
members of the Bluffton Rotary had the privilege of preparing and serving dinner at the Ronald McDonald House in Savannah for families staying there while their children receive medical care.
Sometimes making a difference is as simple as providing a warm meal and giving families one less thing to worry about at the end of a long day.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to serve our neighbors beyond Bluffton and support the incredible work the Ronald McDonald House does for families when they need it most.
Good food. Great Rotarians. An even better reason to come together.
The Bluffton Satellite Evening Club is hosting a Trivia Night on Wednesday January 30, from 6:00 – 8:00pm at the Rotary Community Center, in partnership with Ravens Uganda…and all Bluffton Rotarians are invited to get Trivia Crazy for a great cause!
Get ready to put your thinking caps on, brush up on your useless trivia, and join us for Ravens Uganda Trivia Night!
This fun evening is being sponsored by the Bluffton Satellite Rotary Club as a fundraiser for our Ravens Uganda international project. It’s a great opportunity to have some fun with fellow Rotarians and friends while helping make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people in Uganda. This highlights one of Rotary’s Areas of Focus – Education – as September is Basic Education and Literacy Month.
Your support will help provide tuition for secondary school, university, and vocational training, along with books, uniforms, and other essential supplies. It also helps secure safe housing when needed and provides a monthly stipend for food and transportation. Ensures access to healthcare and medication, including regular check-ups and vaccinations. It also provides leadership development, discipleship, and regular check-ins to support emotional well-being and personal growth.
The details:
Wednesday, September 30
6:00–8:00 PM
Rotary Community Center, 11 Recreation Dr, Bluffton
$40 per person or $220 for a table of 6
So, grab your smartest friends, your favorite trivia teammates, or just show up ready to have fun—and help our club support this incredible international project! Come for the trivia. Stay for the laughs. Leave knowing you helped change a life. Education is a way to success!
Let’s fill the room and show what Rotary can do!
Please sign up using the QR code or website and join us for a fun night supporting Ravens Uganda!
Regardless of issue, please let us know if something is going on to prevent you from attending our meetings. We have many members who can help, pray, or just call to lift your spirits.
Club Dues Invoices - please submit payment at your earliest convenience. Several Rotarians have outstanding balances from prior invoices - if you are unsure of who you are, please reach out to Don Kensey, Rotary Club of Bluffton Treasurer.
Do you worry about Alzheimer’s? We do not have a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but we must find one. Finding a cure starts with you. Every year the CART (Coins for Alzheimer’s Research Trust) Fund gives research grants focused on finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
Have you given to the CART Fund this year? The CART Fund is dedicated to raising funds to provide “seed” money for cutting edge, high impact research in hopes of finding a cure/prevention for Alzheimer’s disease. The goal of the CART Fund is to encourage exploratory and developmental Alzheimer’s disease research projects within the United States. This is accomplished by providing financial support for the early and conceptual plans of those projects that may not yet be supported by extensive preliminary data but have the potential to substantially advance biomedical research. These projects should be distinct from those designed to increase knowledge in a well-established area unless they intend to extend previous discoveries toward new directions or applications.
If you would you like to donate to the C.A.R.T. fund, please scan the code below:
The Bluffton Rotary Club has a YouTube Channel! You will find previous guest speakers and other fun videos, so be on the lookout for more content in the future. All you have to do is create a YouTube account and subscribe...with 80+ current members, we can do better than eight subscriber's!! Link:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8TYzr9_xUE8Jfy-lniTt1A
Did you know ClubRunner is now available on your mobile device app store for FREE?!? Once downloaded, use your ClubRunner log-in. This will give you instant access to our member directory, events, news and other important information. Here is a video that highlights some of the features: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFLu08meAHI&t=12s
Wednesday, September 30
6:00–8:00 PM
Rotary Community Center, 11 Recreation Dr, Bluffton
$40 per person or $220 for a table of 6
