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Happy Birthday America

    On this 4th of July weekend it is wise to celebrate America - and to celebrate the spirit, energy, and accomplishments of folks right here at home.  As an example there was a 2020-2021 community project involving North Kitsap kids, families, and schools.

    As is often the case, one community service group takes the lead.  In this case, it was our friends at Kingston Kiwanis Club (buy some blueberries).  With support from the Suquamish Tribe, the Windermere Foundation, and Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club more than $8k was raised.

    The forced closure of Kingston Schools due to the COVID pandemic, required the North Kitsap School District (NKSD) to provide instruction via on-line learning programs that required students to have Chrome Book computers and internet connectivity.  To promote full participation in the on-line schooling, our Kingston North Kitsap Rotary Club, in conjunction with the other community groups, helped provide students in 63 eligible families with Chromebook computers, mobile wi-fi “hot-spots” and services.  Also included in the effort was the purchase and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) in 210 “at-home kits” procured, assembled and distributed by the community volunteers from Kiwanis, Kingston Cares, and Share-Net Food Bank.  

    Thanks to a recently received Rotary District 5020 grant, KNK Rotary Club has been partially reimbursed for its contribution to the success of the “village” project.  

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Rotarians Reach 55k Kids with Literacy Project

    Joe Berninger spoke to Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians by Zoom at their meeting Wednesday, Jun 30.  Who is Joe?  He is a Cincinnati Rotarian, and a Board Member of Guatemala Literacy Project.  The Guatemala Literacy Project (GLP) is a network of individual Rotarians, Rotary clubs and districts, and the nonprofit organization Cooperative for Education (CoEd) with a common interest in improving education for underserved students in Guatemala. It is one of the largest grassroots, multi-club, multi-district projects in Rotary, with over 600 participating clubs since 1997.  It has served the educational needs of more than 55k kids, primarily in rural villages, in Guatemala.  Their active programs include textbook projects, reading programs, and computer centers, reaching out to some of the most literacy-disadvantaged kids in the hemisphere.  

    Berninger explained most kids there may get to the 6th grade level, but then drop out because they are needed at home.  They are not encouraged to go further by parents who, themselves, have not passed 6th grade.  Through Rise Scholarships, kids go on to graduate from 12th grade.  The scholarships are paid back by the kids doing community service in their local villages.  And when they graduate 12th they go on to positions like teachers, bankers, and the like, thus breaking the cycle of illiteracy.  Support for one Rise Scholarship costs $960 per year.  

    Before the Guatemala Literacy Project was launched 25-years ago, two of three citizens could not read or write.  Currently only one in three are illiterate.  Info at:  www.guatemalaliteracy.org. 

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Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians Pass the Gavel

    Rotary-speak includes a word not found in Merriam-Webster: Outstallation.  Nonetheless, Kingston North Kitsap Rotarians conducted their “Installation/Outstallation” ceremony Jun 26 at Kingston’s Village Green Community Center.  In the military these are called Hail and Farewell events.  So, Hail to incoming KNK Rotary Club President Chris Gilbreath.  And Farewell to outgoing KNK Rotary Club President Walt Elliott. 

    Walt Elliott served a most unusual year in his Presidency.  It was ten months until the Club could meet in person, requiring Walt to devise Zoom Rotary meeting features unheard of by past Presidents.  The Zoom meetings were informative, productive, entertaining, and FUN.  Members were served a generous portion of the stars and stripes.  In a throwback to a year ago, here is what Walt’s Installation/Outstallation looked like Jul 2, 2020 when Bill Maule passed the gavel to Walt.  Note the social distancing and the handy-wipes.  

    This year, 2021, looked quite different when the gavel was passed from outgoing President Elliott to incoming Club President Chris Gilbreath.  

    In his outgoing remarks, Elliott noted he was elected President at a meeting he missed.  He went on to describe his presidency in terms of Rotary's 4-way test.  In all the things we think, say, and do, (first) is it the truth? He said it was the truth Covid was here, Rotary Zoom meetings were here, and the Club finished the Rotary year strong.  Second, was it fair to all concerned?  Elliott noted Covid wasn't fair. He emphasized, it was not fair. Third, will it build goodwill and better friendships?  He cited the Club's expansion of its relationship with local Scouts; the Club Satellite Club grew and became more active; Kingston Order Bombers "hit" fourteen local restaurants. "Yup," said Elliott, we built goodwill and better friendships.  Finally, was it beneficial to all concerned?  Another "yup."  As the Club shifted to helping the community with help for the food bank, the Boys and Girls club, Coffee Oasis, and more.  And, was it fun?  "You betcha.  It was fun for me."  And it was fun for those who enjoyed the Installation/Outstallation dinner event in the air-conditioned Village Green Community Center.  No such event was held in 2020.

    Chris Gilbreath, Club Rotarian of the Year and incoming Club President for the 2021-2022 Rotary year leads off his list of priorities with a “return to normal Club operations theme.”  This will include exploring continued use of hybrid meetings to bring meetings to members as well as members to meetings.  Membership retention and growth are also priorities. 

     Bill Maule is presented his "gavel award" honoring his service as Club President in Rotary year 2019-2020.

Walt Elliott is presented his "gavel award" honoring his service as Club President in Rotary year 2020-2021.

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BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
Member Birthdays
Doug Hallock
July 2
 
Kris Libby
July 2
 
Emily Froula
July 15
 
Anniversaries
Chris Gilbreath
Mary Jane Gilbreath
July 19
 
Isaac Anderson
Holly Anderson
July 30
 
Join Date
Clint Boxman
July 10, 2006
15 years
 
Jon Sunderland
July 24, 2019
2 years
 
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