Linda Kostenbader recently explained what she and her amazing teens in the Interact Club of East Jefferson County were doing at Chimacum High School.

"The purpose of this club, which is sponsored by the Rotary Club of East Jefferson County, is to provide opportunity for young people to work together in a world fellowship dedicated to service and international understanding.

"The goals of the club are:
1. To recognize and develop constructive leadership and personal integrity.
2. To encourage and practice thoughtfulness of, and helpfulness to, others.
3. To create an awareness of the importance of home and family.
4. To build respect for the rights of others, based on recognition of the worth of each individual.
5. To emphasize acceptance of individual responsibility as the basis of personal success, community improvement, and group achievement.

6. To recognize the dignity and value of all useful occupations as opportunities to serve society.
7. To provide opportunities for gaining increased knowledge and understanding of community, national and world affairs.
8. To open avenues of personal and group action leading to advancement of international understanding and good will toward all peoples.

"Interact is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young people. Made up of members age 14-18 or secondary-school age, Interact gives young people an opportunity to participate in fun, meaningful service projects. Interact clubs perform at least two projects a year, with one serving the community and the other furthering international understanding. Along the way, Interactors develop their leadership skills and initiative while meeting new friends.

"In the year 2003-2004, we have a membership of 36 students, with about 18 active at one time. Busy high school schedules took away half the group for our meetings. We meet twice a month and, as needed, for projects.

"We have an excellent school advisor, Gaye Martin. Rotary sponsors are Linda Kostenbader and Kevin Ryan. Most of the time, we have a least one Rotary sponsor in attendance at the Interact meetings and projects.

"We have had several community projects in 2003: Visits to Kah Tai Nursing Home at Christmas where they delivered cards and gifts and caroled, assisting in the set up and serving for the Tri-Area Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, and setting up and running the Santa Booth at the Chimacum Arts and Crafts Fair. Rotarians helped with supervision at the Santa Booth. Milt Morris and Vince Verneuil were Santas. The Interact Club raised over $200 by offering Polaroid photos with Santa for $4 per picture. These monies will be applied to the Interact international project, the Heifer Project.

"We have one international project, the Heifer Project. We donated $75 for a share in a heifer and water buffalo for a family in South America last year. We haven’t made our decision of what to purchase this year.

"For the rest of the year, the Interact Club plans to visit Kah Tai for Valentine’s Day, bringing cards and gifts; give time to assist the kindergarten teachers at Chimacum Creek Primary School; assist in the Rotary reading program; and further projects for OlyCAP.

"We have checking and savings accounts with Bank of America. These were started by the Rotary Club of East Jefferson County. The students pay dues to the school account, $10 per student. The students will use this money to buy cords for the senior graduation gowns and pay for the food for an end-of-the-year party."

Gaye Martin leads the Interactors in a carol for Kah Tai Care Center residents.

Interactors. . .just think about the meaning of the word — and what this club is asking of them: Get involved!

This photo arrived recently in an e-mail from Laura Koch, PROCESO coordinator in Guatemala.

Can you spot our Dee Weinstein? How about the Howards, Maupins or Fredericksons?

Notice they're all in the "cool" shade. . .

If you recall, our Dee Weinstein was part of the 16-day trip (Feb.7-22) to Guatemala organized by the Port Townsend Rotary and led by Bill Howard. The trip provided an opportunity to work to improve the living conditions (Habitat for Humanity), learn about the culture, and meet the women who have received solar ovens thanks to your generous donations.

On Feb. 16, Bill wrote, "Thought we had better send an update from Guatemala. We have been working hard, and the construction on our two houses is moving right along. We started both houses from scratch, and there won't be time to complete construction, but we should be close.

"This weekend we had an enjoyable two days of R&R, taking a launch from here to Panajahel and then taking a minibus to the town of Chichicastenango. Chichi has one of the best markets in the area, and it is a very colorful mountain town.

"Tomorrow we go to the coast to participate in a solar oven workshop. Last Friday evening, the director of the Central American Solar Energy Project had dinner with us and afterward, gave an interesting presentation about the work of the project. The director told us to expect temperatures near 100 degrees at the site of the workshop. The women at the workshop will prepare lunch for all of our group in two solar ovens that have already been completed. We will supply the drinks. Afterward we plan to spend a couple hours at the beach before returning to San Lucus.

"When she returns, Dee will tell you all about the Habitat work, the solar oven workshop, and the other projects she has had an opportunity to see. Thanks for your support and the support of East Jefferson Rotary." Bill

Laura Koch, coordinator of PROCESO Guatemala, praised our group, "I wanted to let you all know how much we enjoyed having you come out with us to Monte Gloria last week. I have never had the opportunity to take a group of funders out to a community for a workshop, but it was truly a pleasure. Bill and I were both nervous to see how all the logistics would work out, but it turned out to be a wonderful experience for everybody. The women thoroughly enjoyed your visit and are eternally grateful for all the help putting on the wheels! Plus, I think it was very meaningful for them to see the faces and meet the people that are so generously supporting them in this project. Thank you all again for all your great questions, observations, ideas and youthful spirits. I hope we all continue to be in touch this year and in the future. You are all welcome back to Guatemala anytime."

According to its Web site, "Hábitat para la Humanidad Guatemala (HPHG) is a private non-profit, housing ministry working to bring together people of all faiths and backgrounds to eliminate poverty housing in Guatemala. This is done through the building of simple, decent and affordable homes with families in need. Since its beginnings in 1979, HPHG has built more than 10,000 homes with an equal number of families. With an average of seven people in each home, more than 70,000 Guatemalans have changed their lives by partnering with Habitat."

Is this not the cutest youngun??!!

This Rotarian has been a garbage man, lawn mower, pool boy, painter, piano teacher, quality control assistant for steel pipe company, folk singer, door-to-door salesman of pots and pans, college campus police dispatcher, phlebotomist, bus boy, meat delivery man, welding shop dresser. .. and a bunch of other things that would give him away too easily. (As if that impish grin won't do it all by itself!)

This is a not-so-sneaky combination of "Mystery Tyke" and "Getting to Know You." If you have any photos of you as a youngster, send them to me. Also, prepare a list of jobs you've had for the "Getting to Know You" portion of the newsletter.

The 2004 "Centennial Assembly" is being held
March 26-27, at the Mary Winspear Centre
in beautiful downtown Sidney, British Columbia.

For more info:
Shirley Walker, assembly chair
South Cowichan Rotary Club
E-mail: districtassembly@rotary5020.org
(250)748-7545

Skiers wanted for long day of Rotary fun

The Strathcona Sunrise Rotary Club, in the beautiful Comox Valley, has extended an invitation to all the clubs in District 5020 to join in its Annual Rotary Ski Day at Mt. Washington Resort. March 5th promises to be a day of fun, prizes, food. . .and did we say fun?

Speaker Jane Burnes, Vancouver Olympics 2010 Communications Director, will give an overview of what to expect in the years ahead to the 2010 Olympic and Pararlympic Winter Games.

The attached sign-up sheet explains all the details. Believe it or not, such fun even counts as a Rotary make-up! If you have any questions please direct them to Alan Hampshire at 1-250-338-5495, or email him at ahampshire@mcelhanney.com.

Need a makeup? Try E-Club One

Rotary's first Internet-based club, "Rotary eClub One" (District 5450), has made it a goal to serve all Rotarians. The club has designated the ability for others to make up missed Rotary club meetings as its international service project. And, yes, the Rotary Club of East Jefferson County does honor a make-up through Rotary eClub One.

Chartered in January 2002, Rotary eClub One had had 8,000 make-ups before the printing of a June 2003 article in The Rotarian. The site now says more than 11,000 Rotarians have used its service.

Make-ups are made by reading one of the informational programs on the site and completing the make-up request form. On it, you'll discuss the program you read, including how it might relate to your home club's activities. You'll also be asked to suggest topics for future makeup programs.