JUNE 2026

📣 Why You Should Follow Our Club on Social Media?

1. Amplify Our Impact Every like, share, and comment helps spread the word about our mission. When you follow us, you’re helping grow our reach and attract new members, sponsors, and opportunities.

2. Get Inspired We post motivational content, behind-the-scenes moments, and stories that remind us why we joined in the first place. It’s more than just updates—it’s fuel for your passion.

3. Celebrate Our Wins From photos of our latest events to shoutouts for member achievements, social media is where we showcase what makes our club awesome to the public. Be part of the celebration!

4. Build Community Following the club helps you connect with other members outside of meetings. Comment, share, and engage—it’s a great way to strengthen friendships and feel more involved.

📣 SO COME ON, LIKE, FOLLOW, SHARE!

What's been happening in the club

Rotary Recap 05-28-26

Last week’s meeting offered a wonderful blend of fellowship and learning. We began by taking time to connect, sharing fun facts and learning more about one another—reminders of the relationships that make Rotary so meaningful.

We were then joined by local realtor David Thelin of Windermere Northwest Living, who provided valuable insight into the home inspection process. From understanding why inspections matter to what buyers can expect, David delivered an informative and engaging presentation.

Thank you, David, for sharing your expertise and helping us better understand this important step in homeownership!

Rotary Fellowship & Fun

Strikes, Smiles & Fellowship: A Fun Night at the Lanes 🎳

Kelso Rotary traded in business attire for bowling shoes as members gathered for a fun-filled Fellowship Night at Triangle Bowl—and what a night it was! Laughter echoed just as loudly as the crashing pins, reminding us all that some of the best Rotary moments happen when we’re simply enjoying time together.

From the first frame to the last, the energy was high and the competition friendly. Whether you were chasing a strike or celebrating a well-earned spare, everyone brought enthusiasm and great spirit to the evening. But one Rotarian in particular stood out—Ally! She wowed the group with her impressive skills and signature moves, giving us all something to cheer about (and maybe a little inspiration for next time!).

Fellowship Nights like this are a great reminder of what makes Kelso Rotary so special. Beyond service projects and meetings, it’s the connections, laughter, and shared experiences that strengthen our club and make it feel like family.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a fantastic night of bowling, fun, and fellowship. We’re already looking forward to the next get-together—who’s ready for a rematch? 🎳😊

 

     

No Limits Track Meet
Serving Up Smiles at the No Limits Track Meet 🍔💛
Kelso Rotary was proud to be part of another inspiring community event at the No Limits Track Meet held at Kelso High School on Friday, May 29. This incredible event celebrates athletes of all abilities, bringing together participants, families, caregivers, and volunteers for a day full of encouragement, achievement, and joy.
Our Rotary Food Wagon team was on-site, busy on the grill serving up a crowd favorite—hamburgers! In total, we proudly served 400 burgers to participants and their families and caregivers, helping fuel the day and keep everyone energized.
Beyond the food, it was the smiles, laughter, and heartfelt moments that made the day truly special. Events like the No Limits Track Meet are a powerful reminder of the strength of our community and the importance of inclusion, support, and connection.
A big thank you to all the Rotarians and volunteers who helped make this possible, and to everyone who participated and attended—you made it a day to remember. We are honored to support such a meaningful event and look forward to continuing this tradition for years to come!

Rotary Recap 5-21-26

Building Connections Near and Far

At the May 21st Rotary meeting, we had the pleasure of welcoming fellow Rotary President Monica Seidl from the Longview Early Edition Rotary Club. Monica shared an inspiring update on the meaningful and impactful work being done through Belize Blessings, highlighting the many exciting ways the organization continues to serve communities abroad.

We always value opportunities to connect with partners who share our passion for service and making a difference. Hearing about the continued growth of Belize Blessings and the lives being touched through their efforts was both uplifting and motivating.

Opportunities like this remind us of the power of collaboration and the importance of looking beyond our own backyard to support global initiatives. We look forward to continuing to build this partnership and finding new ways to work together to strengthen communities—both locally and around the world.

Rotary Recap 05-14-26

Celebrating Students and Community History

This week’s Rotary meeting offered a meaningful blend of celebrating our community’s future and honoring its past.

We were pleased to welcome Kelso High School Director of Student Services & Assessments, Gunnar Guttormsen, along with our May Students of the Month, Brooke Hefley and TJ Brinkman. It is always a highlight to hear directly from our local students—learning about their experiences at Kelso High School and the exciting paths they are preparing to pursue. Their achievements and goals continue to inspire us all. 👏

Our program also featured fellow Rotarian David Futcher, who shared an engaging presentation on the historic Berg Building, a true gem in the heart of downtown Longview. His insights provided a fascinating look at the building’s rich history and its continued significance within our community today.

From recognizing the promise of our students to reflecting on the landmarks that shape our shared history, the morning was a wonderful reminder of the strength and character of our community.

 

 

Rotary Recap 5-7-26

A Look Ahead: The Future of Kelso 🤝

At a recent Rotary meeting, members had the opportunity to gain valuable insight into the future of our community through a presentation from Kelso’s City Manager and fellow Rotarian.

The update highlighted exciting progress and ongoing efforts to support Kelso’s growth—from business development initiatives to projects aimed at enhancing quality of life for residents. It was inspiring to hear how thoughtful planning and strong leadership are helping shape a vibrant and sustainable future for our city.

Opportunities like this to hear directly from local leaders provide meaningful perspective on the work being done behind the scenes and reinforce the importance of collaboration in building a stronger community.

We are grateful for leaders who are deeply invested in Kelso’s success and committed to making it an even better place to live, work, and grow.

Executives & Directors

President
 
President Elect
 
Vice President
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Foundation Treasurer
 
Immediate Past President
 
Membership Chair
 
Fundraising Chair
 
Service Projects Chair
 
Public Image Chair
 
The Rotary Foundation Chair
 
Club Administration
 
Youth Protection Officer
 
Club Care
 
Fellowship
 
Food Wagon
 
International Service Chair
 
Lights in the Park Chair
 
Newsletter
 
Programs
 
Scholarships
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Spray Park
 
Website
 
Member Birthdays
Janet Cole
June 13
 
Ron Colbert
June 26
 
Join Date
Dorothy Hanson
June 1, 1991
35 years
 
Ashley Frasier
June 2, 2022
4 years
 
Karen Thelin
June 6, 2024
2 years
 
Cal Miller
June 15, 2019
7 years
 

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From the May Board Meeting

CLUB TREASURER Debra Gardner reported that we have a balance of $5,016.41 as of April 30, 2026.

COMMUNITY SERVICE: No Report

CLUB MEMBERSHIP: Keenan is the new Membership Chair, no report.

PUBLIC IMAGE - We need a new Public Image chair.

  • Social Media - Lisa Diaz reported that our social media is experiencing a strong following on all outlets.

CLUB ADMINISTRATION Lisa Diaz

  • Programs - Now being scheduled by a committee: Lisa Diaz, Mike Karnofski, David Futcher, Lisa Straughan.
  • Fellowship - We meet at Lexi's last month and 4 Rotarians attended. We have bowling at Triangle Bowl for 5/27.
  • Website - No report.

FOUNDATION TREASURER - Jori Scruggs-Brown reported that we have a balance of $114,956.45 as of April 30, 2026.

SERVICE PROJECTS - No Report

ROTARY FOUNDATION - No Report

FUNDRAISING - Mark Diaz

  • Kelso Rotary Lights in the Park
    Lisa Diaz - The committee is meeting June 8th.
  • Food Wagon
    Jori Scruggs-Brown & Georgia Vaughn – Co-Chairs: We have the No Limits Track meet coming on 5/29.
  • Kelso Rotary Flags
    Mark Diaz & David Houten – Co-Chairs: We currently we have 58 flag subscriptions. 

Next Board Meeting June 17th 5:30 at Scythe Brewing.

Upcoming Programs

Jun 04, 2026
Club Assembly
Jun 11, 2026 12:00 PM
Pacific Northwest Missing Persons
Jun 18, 2026
Longview Fire/Emergency Medical Services Levy
Jul 30, 2026 12:00 PM
Washington State Treasurer
View entire list

Club Calendar 

Lights in the Park Committee Meeting
Jun. 08, 2026 5:30 p.m.
Longview
Renaud Electric

Board Meeting
Jun. 17, 2026 5:30 p.m.
Longview
Scythe Brewing

FOOD WAGON - Youth & Family Link - Back to Summer Prevention
Jun. 24, 2026
10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Longview
Youth & Family Link

President's Changeover Picnic
Jul. 02, 2026
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

We will be meeting at Tam-O-Shanter Park from 12:00-1:00 at the covered picnic area. We will have lunch catered.

Kelso
Tam O'Shanter Park

Independence Day
Jul. 04, 2026

Castle Rock Fair Flag Booth
Jul. 16, 2026 4:00 p.m. –
Jul. 18, 2026 9:00 p.m.
Castle Rock
Castle Rock Fairgrounds

View entire list

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Update to electronic Rotary magazine

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How Have You Been Green Bubble Icon Graphic by dgkartt · Creative Fabrica

When we don't see you in person we miss your face! 

Is there anything that your Rotary Club of Kelso "family" can support you with (i.e. family changes, death of a loved one, illness or other health concerns, lost a job, other professional needs, etc.) or do you know of another Rotarian who may need help? 

We have a Club Care committee that would like to know and help. Send an e-mail to Julie Rinard or you can email us at  kelsorotary@gmail.com