Rotary Club of West Seattle

Earlier this month, we had the joy of hearing from six distinguished graduating high school seniors and presenting them with Rotary Club of West Seattle scholarships. They are Elliot Dicus (West Seattle HS) and Omar Stefanovic (Chief Sealth International HS), Gambriell Scholarship recipients; Caitlin Boyer (Chief Sealth International HS), Jeremiah O'Keefe (West Seattle HS), and Lemuel Turpaud (West Seattle HS), Rotary Students of the Year; and Addison Horner (Kennedy Catholic HS), Past Presidents' Scholarship recipient. We send kudos and congrats to each student (and to their families) and wish all the very best. Keep in touch!

Hard to believe but we're coming to the end of Ron Palmer's banner year as President of the Rotary Club of West Seattle! Ron = Compassion + Impact + Action! If you're a member of our club, we hope you and your spouse plan to attend the 2026-2027 Installation Banquet on Tuesday, June 30 (dinner and celebration in lieu of a club luncheon meeting that day--see your club bulletin for details). Ron has one more club meeting to lead prior, so we hope to see you on Tuesday, June 23, too!

This week's club luncheon meeting speaker was Helen Gibson, CEO of Express Credit Union, a certified community development financial institution that exists to serve the underserved. Helen talked about Washington residents who are unbanked (or underbanked) and the ways that Express CU has reduced barriers to opening accounts and applying for small dollar loans. What's more, she let us know that every investment in a Social Impact Certificate of Deposit (CD) at Express CU--as low as $100--helps them to help others. We highly recommend Helen's presentation to other Rotary clubs and to community nonprofits.

On Tuesday, June 9, our guest luncheon speaker was Randi Hedin from Heifer International, a nonprofit organization working to end poverty and hunger through agriculture. Heifer bridges opportunity, sustainability, and equality by engaging smallholder farming households (many headed by women), determining local needs and solutions, providing livestock and training for ongoing nutrition and income, and facilitating partnerships and cooperatives. Learn more at www.heifer.org.

At our club luncheon on Tuesday, June 23, our guest presenter is Mallory Lemmer, Co-Director of EcoTHRIVE Housing. EcoTHRIVE is developing a new model of permanently affordable, resident-owned housing designed to help working families build stable futures while preserving affordability and strengthening community resilience for generations to come. You will hear the story behind EcoTHRIVE Village—a 27-home community currently in development in Burien—and discuss how affordable homeownership, thoughtful neighborhood design, and community stewardship can work together to address some of the most pressing housing challenges facing our region. Learn more at www.ecothrivehousing.org. Join us!

Not a member? Visitors are welcome with advance registration. E-mail [email protected] by noon on Sunday if interested in attending. If you wish to be considered for membership, lunch is complimentary; otherwise the cost is $30.

Our Third Friday Happy Hour features a "Phoenecia Experience!" Christine Peak is organizing, and looking forward to seeing you, your significant other and/or your friends interested in joining Rotary from 5-7 PM on Friday, June 19. The Phoenecia Restaurant West Seattle is located at 4717 42nd Ave SW, across the street from Jefferson Square.

Just a reminder--you won't want to miss Helen Gibson's presentation. You'll learn more about credit unions than you ever knew before!

On Tuesday, June 16, come to our luncheon meeting to hear Helen Gibson, CEO of Express Credit Union, talk about the credit union movement’s roots and social purpose, and how an idea built on cooperation and neighbor-to neighbor support continues to advance financial inclusion today. Join us!

Not a member? Visitors are welcome with advance registration. E-mail [email protected] by noon on Sunday if interested in attending. If you wish to be considered for membership, lunch is complimentary; otherwise the cost is $30.