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Gateway Rotary Club members are community leaders in Thurston County ranging across all sectors of business from nonprofit to higher education, real estate to finance. The club meets weekly to discuss community service projects and events, network amongst each other, and learn from industry leaders on community-specific news. Gateway Rotary provides members an opportunity to get involved through both local and worldwide service efforts.

Annual Paul Harris Dinner - March 19, 2020

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Nov 03, 2019

The Annual Paul Harris Dinner celebration will be conducted on March 19, 2020. The event starts at 5:30 pm at the Hotel RL, 2300 Evergreen Park Dr SW, Olympia, WA 9850. New Rotarians to Rotary during this year will receive a discounted price of $26.50. In addition, new Paul Harris Fellows will also be offered the discounted price. Early registration to all other Rotarians is $35.00 (if registered and paid by January 15th). The post January 15th price will be $40.00.

Please go to https://www.paulharrisdinner.com/ to register for the event. The front page will ask a question on if you are a new Rotarian/Paul Harris Fellow - if yes, it takes you to the discounted registration page ($26.50 per) or if no, it takes you to the early registration page ($35.00 per).

December Social & Pleasant Glade Service Project!

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Nov 18, 2019

The Service Committee and Social Committee are joining forces to make a difference for PGE children and families. This year we are helping Pleasant Glade Elementary with both their Food Drive and their Giving Tree.

Please plan on joining us at the Club Social on December 5th, 2019. We will be meeting at the River's Edge restaurant at the Tumwater Valley Golf Course from 4 - 7 pm. Please bring the canned goods and desired presents to the Social and.be prepared to wrap! In addition to the gifts/canned foods, we will need wrapping paper/tape/scissors/bows/name tags for the actual wrapping of the items.

If you cannot attend the Social, you can still help! Please plan on bringing cash/canned foods to any of the upcoming meetings leading up to the December Social.

Please sign up for the specific gift you would like to purchase ahead of time to avoid duplication.

Please visit here:

https://portal.clubrunner.ca/8353/Event/december-social-2

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Courtney Williams.

November is Rotary Foundation Month

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Nov 14, 2019

Whether you are a newer member to Gateway Rotary Club or a long-time Rotarian, you can participate in the Rotary Foundation Month activities! Every gift to the Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. For more information, visit www.rotary.org/foundation. Thank you to those that have made gifts already!

To inspire our club members to participate, The Foundation Committee is excited to announce the below fundraising opportunities now through the end of the month:

$25 gift = Candy Bar | Select a candy bar of your choosing for making a gift of $25 or more to the Rotary Foundation. A gift of $25 makes you an Every Rotarian Every Year donor.
Give $100, Get 100 | For every $100 gift to the Rotary Foundation, you become a Sustaining Member donor of the Foundation (and will receive a blue sticker for your name tag) and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar for Paul Harris Fellow points up to 100 points. This will get you to your next Paul Harris Fellow level much quicker.

You may make a gift online at www.rotary.org/en/donate after creating your own profile on Rotary International online here. You can also make out a check to “The Rotary Foundation” and deliver it to Nate Peters or Club Treasurer Mike Jones to be sent in.

October Young Professionals Rotaract Club events

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Oct 22, 2019

Join us for the October Young Professionals Rotaract Club meeting this Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in Harned Hall 110. The program topic is leadership and management presented by Ramiro Chavez, county manager for Thurston County. Ramiro leads a large, complex local government agency with many employees. We'll have food and a drawing for prizes!

The Rotaract Club members will be joining the Gateway Rotarian for the Pin for Polio event at O'Blarney's Irish Pub on Thursday, Oct 24 starting at 4 p.m. $2 per pint will be donated toward the Rotary International PolioPlus initiative for eradicating the Polio disease. Hope you can join us!

The Saint Martin's Young Professionals Rotaract Club is sponsored by the Gateway Rotary Club of Thurston County. Gateway Rotarians are welcome to attend all monthly programs. In this partnership, Gateway provides annual funding and speakers. Saint Martin's helps introduce Rotary to younger professionals through meeting attendance, service projects and professional development.

September is Literacy Month

Posted by Laurie Carroll on Aug 30, 2019

September we celebrate literacy and basic education, one of the six areas of focus for Rotary. Did you know that 1 in 3 American children start Kindergarten without the skills they need to learn to read? Developing literacy skills early makes it easier for kids to learn to read. Reading aloud is the single most important activity leading to language development, sound and letter recognition, understanding of how stories work, vocabulary, and the ability to listen.

Once again we are having a book drive, collecting new or gently used books for ages birth to high school. These books will be donated to the South Sound Reading Foundation. (www.southsoundreading.org) Their mission is to ensure that all children and families have access to books. They are most in need of board books for babies, beginning readers (level and easy chapter books), Spanish and bilingual books and high quality non-fiction.

So Gateway Rotarians, start cleaning out your kid’s books, pick up books while you are at the store, visit a garage sale, and purchase all the kids books you can find or put a box in your place of business and collect there. Also, here is a link for an Amazon wish list for South Sound Reading Foundation.

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/368Y1C96QBGOU/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_3?_encoding=UTF8&type=wishlist

This is a contest with the Lacey Rotary Club ending the end of October. We have been beat soundly the past two years. Lets not make it three in a row for them.

Young Professionals Rotaract Club

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Aug 27, 2019

This month’s Young Professionals program will feature the Lacey MakerSpace. The program will be held at the Lacey MakerSpace, on campus in Zaverl Hall, and hosted by Lacey MakerSpace Director Joseph Anderson beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28. Learn about this innovative community asset located right on the Saint Martin's campus and how it can benefit you. Join us for snacks and a prize drawing! Learn more online: laceymakerspace.org. The Young Professionals Rotaract Club is sponsored by the Gateway Rotary Club of Thurston County. Gateway Rotarians are welcome to attend all monthly programs. In this partnership, Gateway provides annual funding and speakers. Saint Martin's helps introduce Rotary to younger professionals through meeting attendance, service projects and professional development.

Event information:

TOMORROW— Wednesday, Aug. 28
3:30-4:30 p.m.

Lacey MakerSpace in Zaverl Hall (online campus map)

President Len Faucher presents State of the Union

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Jul 10, 2019

The Gateway Rotary Club 2019-2020 President, Len Faucher, presented his State of the Union message to the club for the upcoming year at the weekly meeting on July 10, 2019. Click here to review Len's presentation.

District Governor to speak at August 15 Luncheon

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Jun 27, 2019

There will be a consolidated luncheon for local Rotary clubs in Area 14 and Area 13 on August 15, 2019, for the 2019-2020 Rotary District 5020 Governor Maureen Fritz-Roberts (Mo). She has 91 clubs in the District to visit and conducting a multi-club luncheon assists her in travels to visit the clubs.

Attending club presidents will provide a two-minute verbal presentation on their clubs fundraising event(s), community involvement, and any international work with which they may be involved.

The luncheon on August 15 will be at the Saint Martin’s University Worthington Center. The lunch will start serving at 11:45 a.m. and the meeting program will start at 12:30 p.m. and conclude at 1:30. The meal cost will be $15 for Salad, Entree, Soup, Beverage (Iced Tea, Coffee and/or water) and a Desert. There is a $10 cost for just Soup and Salad, Desert and Beverage. Otherwise, there is a $3 cover charge that includes Beverage only.

President Len Faucher will be the person to make reservations with to attend. Should a member commit to attending and then not show, the individual will be charged.

This Thursday luncheon on August 15 will be in lieu of the Gateway Rotary weekly Wednesday meeting on August 14. Please make plans to attend this event.

Sponsor, Volunteer and Support - Brats, Brews and Bands Festival

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Jun 27, 2019

The Gateway Rotary Club is hosting the 7th Annual Brats, Brews and Bands Festival on September 7, 2019 at The Hub At Woodland Square, in Lacey, Washington.

Janine Ezzell is the Chairperson of this year’s event. There will be a huge requirement for volunteers so mark the date on your calendar and plan to participate. This is the club’s premier fundraising event.

BBB Sponsorship Opportunities

"Event" Sponsor - $5,000
"Octoberfest" Sponsor - $3,000
"Matterhorn" Sponsor - $2,000
"Top Brat" Sponsor - $1,000
"Brewmaster" Sponsor - $500
"Keg Club" Sponsor - $195
"Friends of BBB" - $50

One of the premiere events of the South Puget Sound area, The “BBB” features several live bands, a wide assortment of craft beers, ciders and Washington wines. There is also a variety of specialty brat offerings.

Tickets and event information is available at: http://www.bratsbrewsandbands.com/

New 19-20 Board Installed and Awards Announced

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Jun 26, 2019

The Rotary Club of Gateway-Thurston County, which meets at the O'Blarney's Irish Pub at 7 a.m. on Wednesdays, installed its new Board of Directors during its weekly meeting on June 19, 2019. They are: President: Len Faucher; President-Elect: Janine Ezzell; Vice President: Amanda Vey; Treasurer: Michael Jones; Secretary: Jerry Wilkins; Sergeant-at Arms: Madelin White; Director, Service Projects: Doug Mah; and Past President: Kimberley Bauman.

Committee Chairpersons for the upcoming year are: Administration: John DeHan; Youth Service: Nathan Magee; Membership: Shannon Glen; Public Relations: Troy Kirby; Literacy: Laurie Carroll; Vocation: Grace Kendall; and Foundation: Nate Peters.

During the installation meeting the following awards and special recognition were presented: Rotarian of the Year: Michael Jones, President’s Award: Nate Peters, and the Service Above Self Award: Troy Kirby and Nathan Magee.

Classification Talks

Posted by Jerry Wilkins on Jun 24, 2019

Noted below is the schedule for upcoming three minute Classification Talks during a Gateway Rotary Club meeting.

Loving Family & Community

Karen was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, attended Henry J. Kaiser High School (go Cougs), South Puget Sound Community College and got my undergraduate degree at Washington State University’s Distance Degree program while raising 4 kids. She’s a marketing, sales and community outreach professional. A community-minded person, her involvement is primarily focused on Dry Tikes & Wet Wipes, where I serve as the Board Chair, and Homeless Backpacks, where I fill in the gap. She also has donated over 15 Hawaiian Dinners as auction items to several other nonprofit organizations, bringing in over $5,000 to local area charities.

Get To Know Janine Ezzell

Everyone is interesting if you just take the time to meet with someone and ask what they’re about. I had the awesome pleasure of taking time to sit with Gateway Rotary Incoming President Janine Ezell to find out what she’s about.For starters, she was born and raised in Olympia, attended Capital High School, then South Puget Sound Community College and completed the CTE Santa Rosa Law Enforcement Academy program. Her career endeavors include a buying Tiffany Jewelry for Talcott’s, a stint at Key Bank, a land developer, then 9 years with Chicago Title. She is currently state-certified in Washington to teach classes for lenders, agents and lenders. She’s married to husband “O” for 4 years and has a son, Jace.

Gateway Rotary's World Traveler

Gateway Rotary Club is fortunate to have such a diverse membership, including a number of veterans. Nate Magee is one our awesome vets who came to us 2 years ago, after retiring from the Army, and is an active member of Gateway.

Gateway Rotary Club Member Spotlight On Doug Mah

It’s great to get to know our Gateway Rotary Club members, but because we are all so busy, it can take a while. It was a pleasure to interview my Gateway Rotary Club Membership sponsor, Doug Mah, and get to him a little, as well as learn more about his involvement with our Club’s community and the community at-large.

Getting To Know Gateway Rotary Club's Surfer

Last month, I sat down and met with our featured Gateway Rotary Club member, Scott Michie, a member since 2015. I learned that this commercial banker with Heritage Bank grew up in west Olympia, graduating from Capital High School, then on to Western Washington University, graduating with an undergraduate degree in Economics. (Is it me or are there a few Vikings in our Club?) Some of the unique experiences of this father of 13-year-old Andrew, 5-year-old Asher and amazing fiancée of Sierra, include teaching pottery in Thailand, going on a running vacation and running a marathon in Jamaica and surfs or runs when not being with the family, working or being at Rotary.

Welcome to Gateway Rotary Club Shannon Glenn

Gateway Rotary Club is growing new members on a regular basis. Have you met one our newest members, Shannon Glenn?

Graduating in 2012 from Weatherwax High School, this highly-motivated gal attended Grays Harbor College, then the University of Las Vegas, completing an undergraduate degree in criminal justice. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in organizational management and plans to graduate this May to enhance her leadership skills. She currently serves as the Alumni Relations and Community Engagement Coordinator (Community Relations) at the South Puget Sound Community College. Her family still remains in the Aberdeen area, with sister following in her footsteps at Grays Harbor College. She’s good at bat trivia and games, so if we start having a Rotary Club Game Night—watch out! Her favorites include the family vacation on Maui, Hawaii celebrating her parents’ 25^th wedding anniversary (no travel agenda, no devices!), macaroni and cheese, Christmas (gratitude and opportunities to help others) and mom’s birthday. In her spare time, you’ll find Shannon kayaking on Woodard Bay or going to concerts.

Meet Gateway Rotarian David Bader

At Gateway Rotary, we have a great group of members who are from such diverse backgrounds and industries, and they all share a common trait—community. David Bader, a Gateway Rotarian since February 2018, is all about community. This Capital High School alumni is married, has a daughter and is definitely a part of this community. Prior to developing his craft in the financial and mortgage industry, he managed retail audio systems stores. He moved up north for a few years before returning to Thurston County, where he’s been a Country Financial agent for the past two years. He not only works and lives in the City of Lacey, but also supports worthy causes here. His involvement has ranged from supporting Homeless Backpacks and the Lacey Chamber Golf Tournament, to being one of the sponsors of the Lacey Police Department’s Cops & Cars event.

Get To Know New Gateway Member Cameron Wilson

We have such cool members at Gateway Rotary Club; one of them is new member Cameron Wilson. Joining our Club in February, he’s a commercial real estate broker for The Rants Group, where he helps small business find location for their business, helps landlords get tenants for their commercial spaces. He’s been in the business since he was 19 years old and has never looked back.

Gateway Rotary Member Spotlight on Christine Forrey

We are so blessed to have so many different community members in Gateway Rotary, including Christine Forrey, who’s been a Gateway Rotary member for 4 years. She’s served as the Meet and Greet table and has been a part of our amazing Gateway Rotary culture.