There are 529 Rotary Districts worldwide.  Leading one of the geographically largest of those, District 5020 (all of Vancouver Island and western Washington), is Craig Gillis, who visited the Kingston-North Kitsap Rotary Club October 17. Gillis is a teacher by profession.  He “educated” club members on what he called the heart and science of service.  The heart is why we do it.  The science is how, the body of practice we learn as Rotarians.  As Rotarians, he said, we are connected by invisible strands…the stories we tell each other.  This is why it is a goal to bring in more new members.  He said the future is youth.  “Whatever we can do to support youth, keep on doing it.”  Gillis left members with two homework assignments. First, “move the needle forward in whatever way you like.”  Second, take a blank note card home and write to someone who’s made a difference in your life.  A note of appreciation.  Put something in their “shoebox of life.”

North Kitsap Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief Rick Lagrandeur spoke to Kingston-North Kitsap Rotarians at their October 10 meeting.  The Chief explained the November 6 ballot measure, Proposition 1, which would increase NKFR’s revenue $1.6m annually 2019-2022.  If passed, Proposition 1 would replace a 1999 Capital bond measure, and a 2014 maintenance and operations levy.  NKFR’s Prop 1 materials state that it cannot continue to maintain current levels of service without the additional funds to pay for increasing operational costs and capital needs long deferred due to revenue limitations. 

Lagrandeur said the current district is the result of four districts combining in three mergers over the years.  Their motto is “Proud to serve in the protection of lives and property.”  There are four stations in the district, with a minimum of nine firemen on duty at all times.  All personnel are cross-trained in both fire and EMT.  Interesting statistics:  NKFR responded to 3052 calls in 2017.  Only three percent of those were for fires.  64% were for medical. Not stats were given on “cats in trees” calls.

            At their October 3 weekly meeting, Kingston-North Kitsap Rotarians heard a presentation from Dr. Laurynn Evans, North Kitsap Schools Superintendent.  Evans, whose weekend passion is Puget Sound diving and underwater photography, talked about the renewed focus on learning in all eleven district schools, with the idea students get through school, to a place after high school. She advised that 58 new certified teachers joined the ranks this school year.  On arrival in July 2017, her challenge was the number 537.  That is how many kids left the district to get educations elsewhere because there was not enough variety in the programming at NK to meet the needs of all learners.  From that challenge resulted Choice Academy and STEM Academy which were created to find ways for students to achieve learning in ways more suited to their individual talents and abilities.  A guiding theme has been developed among the district’s educators:  Every student is known - students are known as people and students are known as learners. 

            Dr. Evans touched on a focus of the district this year, school safety.  She also spoke to the problem of having two relatively small high schools in the district, which limits its ability to offer expansive programming.  To counter that problem they are looking at the two buildings as one, resulting in a much larger universe - 1696 students - and opportunity to deliver more programs.  For example, a Kingston High student might identify as a Buccaneer, but attend a horticulture class at North Kitsap High. 

            Finally, Dr. Evans announced strategic plan community meetings next spring. She invited attendance and public ideas at those meetings. 

Take a Hike!  Lace up those sneakers!  Strap on the hiking boots!  Or simply slip on the flip-flops for a hike on the new Kitsap Olympic Ale Trail.  “Everyone with a thirst and a palate are welcome on the new trail,” said Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club President Breane Martinez.  The Club announced the Trail at it’s annual Swing for Rotary Golf Tournament June 22.

It’s purpose is to connect “hikers” with  50% off deals at seventeen establishments in Kitsap County and beyond.  “The goal is to have twenty-five partner establishments - breweries and restaurants - on the Trail by the end of September,” said Martinez.  “We’re doing this for multiple good causes including for our ‘hikers,’ our partners, and the community.”

Here’s how it works.  Go online to either the Apple Store or the Google Store and download the app called “Donor Trail.”  Then click on “Kitsap Olympic Ale Trail.” From there,  select a charity to which benefits should go, and then purchase a Trail Pass for $20.  The final step is to save money and enjoy.  “Hikers” have a full year to visit all Trail sites, and they can be on more than one Trail going at a time.  All the information is located at www.kitsapolympicaletrail.com.

1. Go to our website: Kingston-nkrotary.org
2. Login.
3. Next select “Member Area” from the top bar.
4. Scroll down under “My Clubrunner” and select “View Club Documents”.
5. Scroll down to the Board Minutes you wish to read.
6. When done, be sure to log out.

Just a reminder for all Amazon shoppers – please use Amazon Smile. https://smile.amazon.com/ch/20-2960627

For each purchase you make through Amazon.Smile – Amazon will donate .5% of eligible sales to Kingston NK Rotary.

It’s a fund raiser that does not require any of your time !