Colleen Carey, the Executive Director of the Kingston Chamber of Commerce probably feels possessed with a sense of déjà vu when she speaks with a group of Kingston Rotarians. It is not just that she grew up in the community and has been a Chamber Executive for seven years. It is not just that she works so closely with many Rotarians on numerous community efforts. It is not even that it might be just another annual presentation at another lunch meeting with a sense that, “Did I already tell them this?” The reality is that Colleen directs a Chamber that is always striving to create new innovative ways to make Kingston interesting for those who live and visit our community. Her efforts are recognized and appreciated.
The numbers tell a part of the story. Carey shared that of the 240 Chamber members, over 50 percent are home-based businesses giving the operation a home-town feel. Despite that, the reality is that five million people a year ride the Washington State Ferries making it the number one tourist attraction in the State. With Kingston being a major location in the system we have opportunities to demonstrate our vitality. Last year, five thousand people visited our visitor center that is a part of the Chamber facility. Carey shared that while some believe visitor centers are obsolete because of smart phones, she believes more visitors are locating and wanting to get local information and perspective on area attractions from visitor center staff. Likewise, the Chamber has successfully applied for and received thirty thousand dollars in Lodging Tax revenue to fund their program.
A large part of the Chamber program involves Kingston area events. There is a long list of events that the Chamber sponsors or co-sponsors. To name just a few, the Kingston Cove Almost Summer Festival, the Fourth of July Festival and Parade, Pie in the Park, and Lights in the Park are all popular with locals and tourists. To assist with planning the Almost Summer Festival and the Fourth of July activities, the Chamber is presently seeking to hire a director. In addition, two contests have been initiated to insure that people thoroughly explore Kingston. One is the Kingston Trivia Game and the other is aimed at those who cannot get enough of Big Rocking Chairs.
Finally, the Chamber recognizes that the whole community’s efforts are needed to make Kingston the interesting and beautiful place it is. The Community Flower Baskets and the Holiday Swags are a wonderful reminder of that. Likewise, the upcoming December 1, Holiday Lighting Festival and activities demonstrate a true community holiday spirit. The Chamber is but a part of what makes Kingston much more than just interesting. But it is a very important part.
Please Welcome our Newest Members to the Kingston-NK Rotary Club!
Lori Buijten (l), Sally Christy, Membership Committee (lc), Mike Norris (rc), Barbara Aston (r)
The Kingston-NK Rotary Club initiated our newest members at our regular club meeting on 11/14/18. Lori Buijten joins our club as Assistant Director Special Education with the North Kitsap School District. Mike Norris, joins us as a retired contractor, fly fisherman and river guide. Barbara Aston, joins us as a retired teacher and volunteer. All three were inducted by our membership chair, Jennifer Carrier and membership co-chair Sally Christy. Don't forget to check out Mike's flashy shoes! Go Hawks!
District Foundation Chair Judy Byron presents Paul Harris awards to William Beaudoin (C) and Walt Elliott (R)
With November being Rotary Foundation Month, what better way to start than hosting Judy Byron, District Foundation Chair? Her main message was to be about District Grants but she shared a wealth of information about that and much more. In the end though, it was the grant information that will likely have the greatest impact on our members.
Though the reasons for joining Rotary are many, Byron shared that we become Rotarians by participating in activities that benefit our local and extended community. She acknowledged how active our club is and showed that we have been generous in our Foundation giving. Joining other Rotarians worldwide we act to end polio, clean water, strengthen local economies, create peace and in general change lives.
Foundation Grants, she explained are a very effective tool for obtaining our service objectives. She admitted that despite the more complex nature of the International Grants, our Kingston Club is utilizing global grants by teaming with other area Rotarians to fund projects. At the same time, we are funding a variety of local projects without getting the full benefit of Foundation funds. She stated we would do well to become qualified for District Grants. From Bryon’s discussion of Immunization Tours, Peace Scholarships, grant opportunities and so many other Foundation activities, the collective impact of the Rotary Foundation was clearly shown.
Silverdale Rotarians Jennifer Strong (l) and Erin Shannon (r) presented their club’s holiday fundraising project to Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians at their October 31 meeting in Kingston.Partnering with Lynch Creek Farm in Shelton, Wa, the Silverdale Club is making it possible for anyone, anywhere to purchase a fresh wreath, centerpiece, or garland for the holidays.20% of all sales go to organizations throughout Kitsap County that support homeless and neglected kids (organizations such as Coffee Oasis and Stand Up for Kids).Most wreath prices range from $45 to $65.Free shipping is included to anywhere in the contiguous U.S.To shop and make purchases, go to:www.RotaryWreaths.com.
New member Julie Fox gave her “classification” speech to Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians at their Halloween meeting, October 31 (classification speech is essentially “your story” and is part of becoming a blue badge member in Rotary). Promising no tricks or treats, Fox told her story.One of being the Mom of four children, the oldest having graduated from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, the youngest a junior at Kingston High School.While she recently transitioned to a new job involving data entry, allowing a more flexible schedule, she, for fifteen years, was involved as a physical therapist and trainer at Kitsap Physical Therapy. Julie continues to teach classes at KPT, including a “mean” spin class five days a week.She looks forward to being able to contribute more in her community and has been an essential part of the Club’s Kitsap Olympic Ale Trail committee.
The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world.
During the past 100 years, the Foundation has spent $3 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects.
With your help, we can make lives better in your community and around the world.
Our mission
The mission of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.
Why should I donate to The Rotary Foundation?
Your donation makes a difference to those who need our help most. More than 90 percent of donations go directly to supporting our service projects around the world.
How does The Rotary Foundation use donations?
Our 35,000 clubs carry out sustainable service projects that support our six causes. With donations like yours, we’ve wiped out 99.9 percent of all polio cases. Your donation also trains future peacemakers, supports clean water, and strengthens local economies.
What impact can one donation have?
It can save a life. A child can be protected from polio with as little as 60 cents. Our partners make your donation go even further. For every $1 Rotary commits to polio eradication, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $2.
This is a story about Rotarians in Canada.And Rotarians in Kingston.It’s about one Akeem Stephenson, who wanted to go to jail.He believed it was the only way he could free himself from a life of crime - a life he desperately wanted to change.After being arrested a fourth time more than 10 years ago, for aggravated robbery, the teenager in Toronto was set to go to prison.But the judge saw something in Stephenson that suggested that he could redeem himself.So he gave Stephenson a choice:participate in an 18-month youth program, or serve the six-month sentence.For Stephenson, the choice was clear.He decided to transform his life through the PACT Urban Peace Program.
PACT, which stands for Participation, Acknowledgement, Commitment, and Transformation, is a Toronto-based, award-winning charity supported by Rotary clubs in Canada.It works with at-risk young people and those who have committed crimes to change their direction in life.Entrepreneur and Toronto Rotary member David Lockett co-founded the program more than 20 years ago.The intensive, step-by-step program aims to break the cycle of poverty and criminal behavior.Its goal is to determine what the participants need and develop strategies “to put them on a positive path in their life, so they can enrich not only their own lives, but their community,” says Lockett.
PACT works with the judicial system to identify repeat offenders ages 12-19 who may benefit from the program.After a young adult is convicted of a crime, the judge or judicial official refers them to PACT as part of a probation order.Central to PACT’s success is its LifePlan Coaching program, an intense intervention system that pairs a participant with a certified life coach.The two meet each week for 12-18 months to set goals in six key areas:education, employment, health, relationships, contributing to the community, and staying out of the criminal justice system.Many LifePlan Coaches are Rotarians.
Akeem Stephenson used the PACT program to turn his life around and launch his music career.
What, you say, does this have to do with Kingston North Kitsap Rotary?Well, it’s a small example of what Rotary Clubs the world over are working on in their communities on a daily basis.Often, the focus of Rotary’s leadership, lead donations, and sweat-equity is youth.Programs to divert young lives from a path to nowhere.As did our colleagues up north for Akeem.Here in Kingston, one of Rotary’s goals is to assist in the establishment of the Kingston Coffee Oasis in the former community center.It, too, is about youth.Coffee Oasis was formed in 1997 by Dave and Cindy Fredrick in Bremerton.It is a Kitsap-centric enterprise.Simply put, they sell coffee in the front to help kids in the back, providing resources for street youth.Showers.Laundry.Clothing.Food.Job training.Case management.Shelter.“Changing the world for homeless youth, in one community after another through evidence-based youth programs supported by sustainable coffee business.”That’s Coffee Oasis.
Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians are proud to thank, in this month of Thanksgiving, all who raised their paddle for Kingston’s Coffee Oasis at June’s Swing for Rotary golf tournament dinner/auction.A total of $15k was raised.Welcome to Kingston Coffee Oasis.In addition to leading with donations of money and sweat-equity to your cause, we are pleased to welcome you and your youth-saving programs to our community.
Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians are people of action.We take the lead on programs, activities, and initiatives that make this a better place to live.We would be pleased to invite you into our Club.We have fun and fellowship on the way to making this a better community.Weekly meetings, Wednesdays, 11:45 a.m., Village Green Community Center.
Board meeting minutes are sent to all members in a bulk mailing. Should you wish to review a set of minutes you may not have saved, follow these steps to find them online.
Go to our website: Kingston-nkrotary.org
Login.
Next select “Member Area” from the top bar.
Scroll down under “My Clubrunner” and select “View Club Documents”.
Scroll down to the Board Minutes you wish to read.
You may recall the item submitted last year by Treasurer Gale Kirsopp, about Amazon Smile - where you can do your Amazon shopping AND make a contribution to our Rotary Foundation in the process! In case you haven't signed up yet - PLEASE do. Here is the link to set up your "Amazon Smile" account. After that it's just a matter of going to "smile.amazon.com" to do your Amazon shopping and your contribution will be automatic. There is NO extra cost to do this. Amazon is sharing their profit with us!
