08/19/2026
💙 A Morning That Reminded Us Why We Are Rotarians 💙
What a meaningful morning at Everett Port Gardner Rotary!
We were honored to welcome Rotary District 5050 Governor Kathleen Olson as our special guest and speaker. Kathleen gave us a powerful reminder to get back to the heart of Rotary, our roots, our foundation, and the reason we show up week after week.
It’s about Service Above Self. It’s about choosing kindness wherever we go. It’s about seeing a need and asking, “What can I do?”
And most importantly, it’s about remembering that the small things we do can make a very big difference in someone’s life.
Kathleen and our club also had the privilege of presenting Paul Harris Fellow awards to Jeff and Peggy in recognition of their commitment to Service Above Self.
These moments are incredibly special because they represent years of service, dedication, and love for the work Rotary does in our communities and around the world. 💙
We were also excited to welcome and induct a new member, Anne Scott into our Rotary family! Growing our club means growing our ability to serve, and we are excited to have another person joining us in that mission.
We were also grateful to have Morgan with the YES Program join us and remind us about this incredible opportunity for high school students.
The YES Program gives high school juniors the opportunity to travel to Guatemala for a truly life changing experience, where they can experience another culture, build friendships, learn about service, and see the world in a whole new way.
The YES team work together throughout the year to raise the funds needed for students travel and accommodations, so the student and their parents do not have to pay for this amazing experience. What an incredible gift and opportunity for a young person!
If you know a high school junior who might be interested in the YES Program, please tell them about it! You never know when one opportunity can change the entire direction of a young person’s life.
We were also thrilled to have Madyke, our Rotary Youth Exchange student from the Netherlands, join us this morning. Although she is no longer on her exchange with us, she returned for a visit and to spend time with the families and friends who became part of her life here. ❤️
That is Rotary.
It’s friendships that cross borders. It’s families that grow around the world. It’s strangers who become friends, and friends who become family. It’s breaking bread together, serving together, laughing together, and showing up for one another.
This morning was a beautiful reminder that Rotary is so much bigger than a weekly meeting.
I have been honored to be a Rotarian for more than 14 years, and wherever life takes me, I hope to continue serving alongside fellow Rotarians. Rotary has given me friendships, purpose, opportunities to serve, and a family that reaches far beyond any one community.
So if you have ever wondered what Rotary is all about…
If you have ever wanted to make a difference but weren’t sure where to start…
If you want friendships that can span a lifetime and connections that can span the
globe…
Come find us.
There is a Rotary club in communities all around the world , and there is a place for you if you have a passion for people, service, and fellowship.
Find your people. Find your purpose. Become a Rotarian and make an impact all around the world.
Become a Rotarian. You never know where Rotary will take you, or how many lives you’ll touch along the way. 💙
