When Rotary International was formed in 1905, approximately thirty members “rotated” offices where they met weekly. Today, Rotary clubs around the world continue that tradition of weekly meetings. Including ours, in Kingston. Over the years Rotary Clubs have changed with the times. Women were invited to become members in 1989. Attendance standards were relaxed in 2016. Now, furthering flexibility to become a Rotarian for those who simply cannot attend weekly meetings in the middle of the day, Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club has announced the formation of the KNK Rotary Satellite Club.
According to Kingston Rotary President, Breane Martinez, the new club will welcome anyone interested from across North Kitsap, including Poulsbo, Hansville, Kingston, and Indianola. “This is an opportunity to be involved, to impact our community, and globally, to be a full-fledged Rotarian without the weekly meetings,” according to Martinez. The Club will meet once or twice a month in the evening, to appeal to working, busy people who want to be involved, but don’t have the time. Members will also be asked to serve on one of the Main Club’s committees, in support of the overall goal of making North Kitsap a better place. At least once a month, the Satellite Club will feature community speakers. According to Martinez, the Club President, “this is a ground-breaking effort, with only a few other such satellite clubs in the U.S. We look forward to welcoming new members through this Satellite Club. It will be great to see Satellite members involved and contributing to our community.” The new Satellite Club will be led by Rotarian Michelle Fujii, who says, “this is really an opportunity for busy people like me, to be Rotarians. It opens the door to opportunity that heretofore was not available.”
The first meeting of the Satellite Club was held February 20 at Downpour Brewing in Kingston. Interested parties should contact Michelle at: fujii.michele@gmail.com.