members share their impressions of the club

I am so proud of Rotary — as an international organization — the four way test represents our ethics and hangs in my office for all to view. Locally, I am very proud of the community service that is done through our organization which is viewed by all as truly "service above self". Our collaboration with South Kitsap High School and the vocational program of building homes for the community, while building future entrepreneurs, creates a pride I can not put into words.

If I had to describe the single most thing that Rotary has imparted to me, my choice would be the "PEOPLE" that Rotary has exposed me to. I have met, listened to and enjoyed so many people in my Club, in my District and even on the world stage.

I will never forget the first Rotary meeting that Danford Moore invited me to. Dan Clem, the Kitsap County Prosecutor, was the guest speaker and he spoke about a recent successful murder prosecution. Turned out that Dan and the defendant where whispering profanity to each other as a joke and no one really knew about it until the Bremerton Sun Reporter in the Rotary audience reported it in the next day’s paper. It made headlines and resulted in a mistrial. And I was there with my fellow Rotarians watching this unfold.

In 1992, I was exposed to the worldwide nature of Rotary by attending the Rotary International Conference at Portland, Oregon. This exposure changed my Rotary World forever and spiked my interest in being more active in the Worldwide Rotary Movement. There were 25,000 plus Rotarians from all over the World. I found it amazing that there were so many people attending this conference from such diverse backgrounds, races, religions, etc. I learned that Rotary was instrumental in the founding of the United Nations. I learned about the worldwide effort to eradicate Polio by the year 2005, the 100th anniversary of the founding of Rotary. Polio had struck my own family and seemed such a powerful force when I was a child. It seemed inconceivable that a group of volunteers could conquer this overwhelming force. Yet, here was Rotary trying and it that looked like Rotary might just make it happen.

After Portland, I strove to become more and more involved in the World of Rotary. I started attending the District Conferences and soon met Ken and Sally Bose at a Hospitality Night at the Campbell River District Conference. That meeting changed my involvement in Rotary. Ken called me the next week and asked if I would be the Area 6 Rotary Foundation Representative and for the next 4 years I performed those duties. Those duties lead me to continue met many fascinating people. I met a Rotarian named Blaze Gorny who exposed me to one of the programs where Foundation Funds are making a real difference in the world. The Rotary Scholarship program is the largest scholarship program in the world and results in over 1,000 scholars going abroad and studying in another country. Blaze asked me to be on the District Scholarship Committee and I am into my 5th year on the Committee. As the Committee Chairman for the last 2 years, it has been my privilege to meet some of the most fantastic young people on the planet.

Each year the Committee interviews 12-16 people from our District and some of the most difficult but most satisfying decisions of my life have been made selecting just 2 of these young people to be an Ambassadorial Scholar. Rotary plants a seed in this young person and then waits to see what that seed will blossom into.

Heather Fisher was one such young person who blossomed very early in her young life. She chose to study in South Africa from Jan 2001-Mar 2002 and do something about the HIV/AIDS problem. She e mailed her sponsor Rotary Club and by using matching grants from Rotary and the Canadian Government, she managed to raise while on her scholarship $26,000 for fighting AIDS. Heather was so committed to the Cause of fighting the AIDS Virus that she returned to South Africa at her own expense for another year and worked with a South African volunteer group fighting poverty and AIDS.

Another Ambassadorial Scholar that I was exposed to was Brooke Stearns, sponsored by the Gig Harbor Club. Brooke went to South Africa also and like Heather, became committed to fighting the AIDS Plague. After finishing her Scholarship Year, Brooke went to work in Washington D.C. for government agency which specializes in providing aide to African Countries. Brooke was nominated, interviewed and selected to apply for a Rotary World Peace Scholarship. Rotary has formed an alliance with 7 Universities throughout the World to generate 70 Peace Scholars each year with the vision that these scholars will be the nucleus to negotiate peace and eliminate the more than 100 wars going on throughout the World each year. Brooke was selected at a World Level of Competition and started her studies at Sciences Po University in Paris, France, in Sept. 2003.

Brooke, Heather and many other young people have left me the overwhelming sensation that "Our World" will be in good hands with this generation and that Rotary, the largest non-governmental movement in the World can make a real difference. I feel it has been a real privilege to be a small part of that movement.

Rotary thoughts

I have been a member of Rotary for almost 40 years. I was asked to join Tacoma 8 in 1966. Tacoma was the 8th Club to be formed in the world. That Club has sponsored many new Rotary Clubs-the most famous was the first club in Paris France.

I was fortunate to be a charter member of the Woodinville Club and its second President.

Fortunate again to be asked by Jeff Swan to join Poer Orchard Rotary.

I have admired many of Rotary's projects and community involvments, but one stands out for me.
Stan McCauliffe, a Rotary International President a few years back, had as this theme "World Peace and Understanding" We learned that Rotary was promoting these ideals in India/Pakistan, Greece/Turkey, Spain/Portugal, etc. When I made up a meeting in Ireland, I was impressed that the Rotary District in that area took in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. I know our student exchange program, the group study exchange, the foundation, and of course, Polio Plus all promote world understanding around the world.

It is good that Rotary is reaching into Eastern Europe and Southwest Pacific and Africa. but with our divided world now it would be good for Rotary to reach out to the Muslim world.

I have enjoyed all my years in Rotary.

BEVERLY CHENEY

My aunt recently passed away and at her service the minister read a poem by Linda Ellis titled, “The Dash.” While many of you may be familiar with the poem, this was the first time I had heard it. The focus of the poem is the dash that comes between the dates of birth and death that are carved on a tombstone. In the poem Linda Ellis says,

“…He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars....the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.”

When I received your invitation to share my thoughts on Rotary, the words from that poem immediately came to mind. I’m a fairly recent member to Rotary. I joined three years ago when I became the superintendent of the South Kitsap School District. I must admit that I joined the Port Orchard Rotary because the previous superintendent belonged to this club and also, quite frankly, because it was the first service club in the community to invite me to become a member. I still remember being invited to join by Wayne Senter. He was warm and welcoming and what impressed me most was how he was “spending his dash.” He not only had a full time job as the Assistant Fire Chief, but he was chair of the District’s Study Circle Committee and also President of the Port Orchard Rotary. He definitely piqued my interest in Rotary and served to change my preconceived notions about Rotary.

I have now been a member of the Port Orchard Rotary for three years. I must admit that I am a slow starter. I’m one of those people who need time to observe and get acclimated before really diving in. I’ve found the Club to be accommodating of all participation styles. There are many opportunities and activities to choose from and while you are encouraged to become active and to participate, it is not high pressure. The members are great fun and have fun. But, they also generously spend “their dash” on projects that are making a difference in our community.

What I have learned these past three years is that I am very fortunate to be the superintendent in a school district where the Rotary is such a strong supporter of our schools and our students. The District has a wonderful partnership with the Port Orchard Rotary. The Rotary has provided support for academic, athletic, and other extracurricular activities for our students. Students and staff receive regular recognition by the Rotary. Many Rotarians serve on District committees. The latest project, the “Water Closet” project has resulted in a $150,000+ restroom/ticket booth/concession stand being built at our high school stadium. The Port Orchard Rotary provided the leadership and “seed” money for this community project. Many Rotarians have rolled up their sleeves and worked side-by-side with students, staff, parents, and community members to construct this wonderful facility for our stadium. The plan is to have it operational by the first home football game of the 2004-05 season.

I have not only learned a lot about Rotary these past three years, but more importantly, have grown to really value and appreciate the Port Orchard Rotary and its members for its commitment to making our community a better place to live, learn, and grow. With the Rotary 4-Way Test guiding the actions of Rotarians, it isbe easier to heed the advice Linda Ellis gives in her poem,

“…If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy's being read
with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spend your dash?”

Through my membership in the Port Orchard Rotary, I know I will have plenty of opportunities to “spend my dash” wisely and well and to have fun doing so. I am grateful to Wayne Senter for taking the initiative to invite me to join the Port Orchard Rotary.

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MARVIN COE
Past President (1995)

My Rotary Moment
Reminisce

I joined Port Orchard Rotary in 1978 and remained a member until moving to Bellevue, Wash. in 2001. I have many memories but my best memory was when Pete Holt introduced Lore and I to the Student Exchange Program, and we had two great experiences. This is one of Rotary’s finest programs and I urge everyone to get involved.

Our first student was Tanja Paul from Germany, a tall, attractive and intelligent young lady. Our three months time was quick, but the second host family (Denny Christman) was only a few blocks away, so we were in constant touch with Tanja. Because of Tanya and her family, we made a trip to Germany where the Paul Family hosted us for two weeks.

Our second exchange student was Aki Ota from the Sendai Peninsula in Japan. It was a great experience learning about the customs, food and dress. She enjoyed the experience so much that she returned to Kitsap County and is currently living in Hawaii with her son, Adam and her husband, Farmon. We are still in contact with Aki and her family and we feel as though we have another Grandchild in Adam. The relationships we developed are what the exchange program is all about.

I had other great experiences while in Rotary in all my years, but this always stood out as my most fulfilling.

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Women in Rotary:
I believe that admitting woman to Rotary was one of the most progressive things the organization has ever done. I realize that Rotary is a worldwide organization and that in many of the countries of the world, women aren’t valued as they are here in the U.S., but I have long believed we were missing out on a rich and valuable resource of immense proportions by not having women as part of our organization. I'm proud that the U.S. clubs had the courage to bring this issue to the forefront and make it happen.

Personalities:
One of the most rewarding aspects of my Rotary membership has been the enjoyment of the wide mix of personalities I’ve encountered over the years, not only in this club, but in others I’ve visited in other places. I always learn from people and try an model those that are successful. Rotary has given the a great opportunity to be exposed to people I admire and respect, and wouldn’t have the chance to meet under any other circumstances, and meet them on common ground. I am very grateful for that.

There are a number of people in our club whom I admire and respect for a wide variety of reasons. Without naming names, just let it be said that we all have something to contribute and often, people don’t contribute until they are asked. But when people are asked to step up, people you never expect, often perform at extraordinary levels. This is always a source of not not only pride — for being a Rotarian and being associated with them — but inspiration to me as well.

When asked to identify what I appreciate about Port Orchard Rotary, I really had to stop and ponder. There is such a diversity of experiences and people, it was hard to narrow down to one item that was the best!

I finally concluded that diversity is the strength of the Port Orchard Rotary group. People from many different backgrounds and different parts of the county all coming together with a common purpose — that of serving the community in which we live and work and also expanding that impact to international communities that are in need. An incredible group of people!! I feel fortunate to be a part of the Port Orchard Rotary!

Bob Bess invited me to attend Rotary and to think about becoming a member. I was all ready active with the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce and many of the Charter members of the Rotary Club were also members of the Chamber. I visited some of the formation meetings prior to the Chartering of the club. Bob Bess had me complete an application for membership. Arnie Norem and I attended the Charter ceremonies but were not official members so we didn't get "charter member" pins. My membership started in November of 1974.

Bob Bess had stressed attendance as a very important part of Rotary. I have had perfect attendance for many years. So many that the club no longer awards Perfect attendance anymore.

In 1974 Port Orchard was a part of District 5. Over the years Rotary International has grow so much the district has be split many times. Our district, District 5 became 52 became 502 and now 5020. District 5 was all of Oregon, Washington, all of British Columbia & Yukon Territory, as well as all of Alaska. Now District 5020 is only Western Washington west of I-5 and north of Longview & all of Vancouver Island BC.

One of the most enjoyable parts of Rotary is the International aspect. I have attended clubs in Thailand, Japan, Canada & Russia. I have been apart of an international team that Chartered four new clubs in the Russian Far East which is a part of District 5010. Starting a new club in North Mason was also a thrill.

My Rotary roots go back to my Maternal Grandfather. He was a charter member in the Portland Oregon Club.

As a newer member of Rotary (less than 1 year as of this writing) I have been increasingly impressed by the scope of Rotary — especially its reach around the world, the dedication of the membership to positively impact the community of Port Orchard at many different levels, and the determination and optimism of the club members to take on challenging projects and excel at them. The local project that stands out in my mind is the Rotary House Project. At a recent meeting there was a report given of the progress of the general project and an overview of past years’ projects. I am amazed at the imagination and dedication needed to conceptualize and make such a project possible. This project offers a truly unique environment for SKHS students to learn the complexity and physical work required in home building. The genius of this program is its self-sustaining financial formula. It is impressive to watch a relatively modest capital investment yield such powerful long term benefits both to the students who gain such invaluable experience and to members of the community who get such a well-built home.

Observers of Rotary’s influence at the community level can easily see such things as a project home, the roundabout on Bethel and the ballpark. What they wouldn’t know until they ask an enthusiastic Niels Nielsen is the contribution Rotarians in Port Orchard are having in a small Vietnamese village. Funds raised in Kitsap County are contributing to improve the lives of many Vietnamese youth with a safe, clean and sanitary school. If you talked to Wayne Tripp and mentioned Cabo San Marcos you’d learn that Rotary is supporting an elementary school that runs in two shifts to provide an education and a healthy meal and basic medical care to many of that city’s children. And back here in South Kitsap, unless you knew personally one of Rotary’s many scholarship recipients, you may not have known that significant scholarship monies are awarded to SKHS students for excellence of achievement. As you can see, the reach of Rotary touches lives at the individual, community and international level.

Rotary is a fountain of inspiration that invigorates me endlessly. Someone or something always "happens" to me when I walk into our weekly meetings at Tweten’s. There is something quite intoxicating being in the midst of people who want to serve others without asking for anything in return. In these friends, in their eyes and hearts I see and feel the greatness of our country and the affirmation that Rotary will continue to champion the great values that has made our country great; Human Kindness, Justice, Empowerment and Dignity. Rotary allows us to reach the deeper part within us, that most powerful place where we feel whole as human beings.

International Service Avenue:
The Rotary International provides this avenue by which each club can participate in world wide service to others. The Port Orchard Rotary Club has always been involved in helping distressed children around the world. Many programs we are involved in have receiveded grants from The Rotary Foundation. The club is proud of its above-average contribution to the Foundation.

Our club's formation:
Port Orchard was the largest community in Washington State without a Rotary Club when a meeting was held by local businessmen and visiting Rotarians from Bremerton Rotary Club to stimulate interest in formation of a club in 1973.

On August 25 of that year twenty-two enthusiastic new Rotarians were chartered into a new club. These men accepted the challenge and set out to fulfill Rotary's purpose, "Service Above Self."

Charter officers chosen to lead the fledgling club were Jon B. Swanson, president of a local automobile sales firm, as club president. Dentist, Dr. William Bloomquist, who was among one of the first board members, is the only member who is still a member of the club. Recently he was made an honorable member. He succeeded Swanson as president. Niels G. Nielsen who was part of the Bremerton team to charter the club, joined the club after its formation and became the third president.

The first club project is remembered as a used men's clothing sale. These newly made Rotarians were an eager bunch of fellows, and at one of those early annual sales aggression and salesmanship was at a fever pitch. So sales-minded were the Rotarians, that a brand new raincoat (valued at $50, that a member had left on a chair near the sales area) was sold for $15!

The clothing sale was the start of bigger and better fund raisers. The most successful annual project is the crab feed and auction held early in the spring, which this year netted closed to$75,000.

The club's projects always have outstanding community support and the funds generated by the high membership participation are earmarked to community need as well as Rotary world-wide
service project.

One morning in the spring of 1974 a man approached me as I was at work in my pharmacy. He said that his name was Loren Stone and that he was trying to start a Rotary Club in Port Orchard and would I attend an organizational meeting at the Beachcomber Restaurant. I wondered what the heck is a Rotary Club, but was curious.

I had opened my store in 1968 and had worked long hours with little time to meet other business people in town and I thought that this would be an excellent opportunity.

Loren was a retired manager of a TV station that was located on the UW campus at that time and is now channel 9. Rotary had asked him to try to form new clubs on the Peninsula and since he had a summer home in the area he began his task with Port Orchard He was a very nice person and very pleasant talker and you felt comfortable with committing to coming to a meeting with people that you didn't know with the intention of forming a club that you knew nothing about. He worked his magic around town using the phone book to target certain classifications of Rotary and referrals from people committed to the new project. He wouldn't take no for an answer-he said just try it.. I think that he could sell ice cubes in Alaska if Rotary had asked him to do that.

We met at the Beachcomber Restaurant -in the bar- and Loren explained what Rotary was all about and how and what was required to form our own club. He said that he had been told that there was no need for any new service clubs since Kiwanas and Lions were are ready there and already had all the good people. Loren told us that we could form a club that would be the pride of Port Orchard. He constantly referred to the other clubs as the "old men's club" and since we were all in the 25-40 age group- we felt that we could do a great job and we were energized by him.

We would meet on a weekly basis with new people invited each week and some dropping out, but our goal was to have 20 men committed to joining and starting the Port Orchard Club.

We did reach our goal and we formed and started the club on June 12, 1973. Jon Swanson was our charter president -Jon was the owner of what is now Grey Chevrolet. It was then located in Port Orchard at the site of the current Les Schwab tire store. The Charter Members of the Port Orchard Rotary Club were: (I added the professions as best as I could)

One of our first tasks was to decide a meeting time and since we were all young with families and since we all had fairly new businesses and professions at that time- we decided on the morning meeting so that attendance would not be a problem. In retrospect, this was a great choice. We were the first club with a morning meeting in the area and now that has expanded. Gene Caldwell was a charter member and owner of the Beachcomber so our meetings were held there-in the bar area. The food was good, but it was a rather dark place, but during holiday season-our orange juice may have had an extra ingredient so it evened out. Gene was a great member and host to the club during its early years.

We started club activities, with Loren's guidance, and soon had our first new member under the new charter- Arnie Norem was the first non-charter new member in August of 1974. The Port Orchard Rotary Club was off and running and we never looked back. - Ken Paskett

Dan Phillips sponsored me for Rotary in 1984. I was honored to be asked to join. Don Cox was the president and our breakfast meetings were held at Gene Caldwell's Beachcomber Restaurant in the Westbay Shopping Center. At that time the Beachcomber was a thriving restaurant but the meeting area was small. The club soon outgrew the meeting area and moved to Tommy Myers' bowling alley. The club continued to grow and Frank Tweten joined. We then moved to Twetens and have been there for a long time.

Early in my rotary participation, I was asked to participate in the March of Dimes Walk for our club. I solicited donations and then showed up for the Walk in Bremerton. It was long and exhausting, but I made it. To my knowledge, no one else from Rotary ever participated in the walk before or since.

One of the most important rotary endeavors is our college scholarship program. It puts us in touch with many South Kitsap families and the gift of scholarships based on need is especially rewarding. It is a treat to see smiling faces on the recipients and learn about their hopes and aspirations.

The other really fun thing that I always enjoy are our fall Firesides. The first Fireside Linda and I attended was hosted by Dox and Julie Cox. In those days, the host provided everything and all you did was show up. I was bowled over by the amount of work done by the hosts. Since then the Fireside has experimented with progressive dinners, but now the Fireside is conducted as a potluck. We try to host about every other year.

Rotary is the community service club that broke "the barrier" when a Duarte, California club protested that a Male only club was out-of-date and that women would give a 100% boost in enthusiasm and woman/man power that any new member brings to an organization. Up to that time in the early 1980's men joined men's clubs and women joined women's clubs. The Duarte Rotary club sued to force women to be admitted into the "men's only" Rotary membership; the U.S. Supreme Court agreed and since then women have been members of Rotary for the past 20 years or so. Having women and men members in the Pt. Orchard Rotary Club has been a blessing; they bring service to the community and have served in our elected offices as members of this club. If you are interested as a woman in joining a service club please consider the Pt. Orchard Rotary Club as well as the noon meeting club (South Kitsap Rotary Club). It is an excellent group of business owners, professionals, managers, supervisors and public spirited women and men who are proud of their community efforts. Rotary is 100 years old this year and is world-wide known as the premier group of women and men who are dedicated to community,international,technical and club service. We would love to have women who see this type of group membership to join us. Please inquire and a Rotarian will answer your questions. Do it today!

I have been in the Pt. Orchard Rotary Club for 20 years or so and it has been a moving experience. I highly encourage any busines owner (small is just as good as large), manager, professional , or just plain old motivated supervisor type to consider being a Rotary member. We attend a meeting every week so that we can be motivated to remember to serve our local community. That is done on our own individual basis. It maybe thru a fund-raiser to raise the $50,000 plus that our club obtains each year to invest in this community; you may be working in a hands-on improvement project (salmon stream enhancement, picking weeds at the round-about by the bowling alley, grading papers for scholarships or music achievement by our local students, or hosting an exchange student from a foreign country who is going to S.K. High School) ; you may want to do an international project with other Rotary Clubs who have an on-going project in a needed community over-seas, etc. There is no end to what Rotary can do...or may start tomorrow with the imagination you bring to this club or to the second club here in town that meets at noon on Tuesdays (the South Kitsap Rotary Club). Some Rotarian thought of "why not eradicate polio" from the face of the earth?...that project started 10-15 years ago and Rotary world-wide is 90% there to wipe polio out. So if any of this sounds like a group you would like to belong to inquire and the club will give you further information. Yours in Rotary---Dan Phillips

DAVID RILL

I was introduced to Rotary when my father was presented with an honorary Paul Harris Fellowship for all the work he has done for our community. After attending the presentation, I was asked to consider joining the club. Thinking it would be a bunch of long time Port Orchard businessmen, I wasn’t sure if it was what I wanted to do. Bill Evans encouraged me to attend a few meetings and I soon learned it was a bunch of great long time Port Orchard businesspersons, newly transferred Rotarians from other parts of the world, and young businesspersons starting careers in Port Orchard. It’s great to surround yourself with wonderful people.

RICK SEWARD
past president 2003-04

Rotary has changed my life in a profound way. It all happened several years ago when I was put in charge of the golf tournament that our club held each year. I took on additional challenges and in early June, called upon club members to help out and Jim Spencer, a past president, was the first one to say he would help. Jim and I golfed together and were good friends. His son had just got called up to pitch for the Seattle Mariners and he was as proud as a father could be. Shortly thereafter, tragedy struck. On Fathers Day, while watching the final round of the US Open, Jim died of a heart attack at age 54.

With his families’ consent, we changed the name of the tournament to the James H. Spencer Memorial Golf Tournament, to honor his memory. Devastated by the loss, I called upon my fellow Rotarians and members of the community to honor Jim by supporting our golf tournament. The response was overwhelming. The tournament, which used to sign up 48 Rotarians and their guests, now had over 140 players, several corporate sponsors and raised over $10,000 to benefit youth sports. And to cap it off, the team of Jim’s best friend, Bill Bloomquist, won the tournament. It was truly one of the most profoundly moving experiences of my life because I knew then that Rotary was much bigger than any one of us and represented an opportunity for each Rotarian to make a difference in this world. It changed my life.

WHAT DOES ROTARY PROVIDE TO ME?:
As a retired military officer, I now enjoy the opportunity to serve my community in a way that was not available to me earlier in life. A military career keeps one on the move and unable to commit to community service. I believe that by becoming a member of an organization, club or service group, you commit yourself to a level of participation that is more than name only. Rotary is the ideal club to service the community in a manner that provides lasting benefit to the community it serves.