North Mason Interact kids helping out with the Taste of Hood Canal T-shirt Booth
 
By Ken Boad
 
We chartered in 2002 with the help of Pt. Orchard Rotary and Shelton Rotary.  Our first president, Mr. Joe Matthews originally from Pt. Orchard, was instrumental in getting us started in the basics of Rotary and Rotary Foundation.  Since then, we have evolved into a thriving club of 32 members with with several new member prospects on the horizon.
We chartered in 2002 with the help of Pt. Orchard Rotary and Shelton Rotary.  Our first president, Mr. Joe Matthews originally from Pt. Orchard, was instrumental in getting us started in the basics of Rotary and Rotary Foundation.  Since then, we have evolved into a thriving club of 32 members with with several new member prospects on the horizon. 
 
Our club was chartered as a Lunch club, however throughout the years, we had lost members due to rising commitments with jobs and families.  Our president, Ms. Katie Hopkins, came to us fresh with new idea’s and a desire to strengthen us in membership along with our ability to work together, not only to strengthen our goals, but to keep us connected in our community and the Foundation.  This included splitting up our meeting times to include 2 morning meetings each month, along with an evening social meeting at our local brewery including family members and friends.  This has proved to be a huge success in bringing back 3 previous members as well as a new found interest to 2 potential new members from our local high school.  It was contrived to be simple in planning: Lunch meetings on the first and third Thursdays, morning meetings on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays, and on the 5th Thursday, and evening meeting at our local brewery here in Belfair.  This meeting gave members a chance to socialize with family and friends as well as showing other members of the community that our Rotary knows how to have fun. 
 
One of our most successful endeavors to connect with our community is sponsoring our annual “Taste of Hood Canal” summer event held at the Belfair State Park in August.  This event is open to all persons who will experience numerous kiosks of tasty prepared seafood such as oysters, shrimp, and other seafood favorites, along with hamburgers, hotdogs as well as cold deserts and liquids to capture anyone’s taste buds.  A summer event on Puget Sound, is not complete without the capture of music and kids enjoyment as well as a “Car Show” that will draw folks from all over to see these beautiful restored auto’s in pristine condition.  And don’t forget the terrific bands who play those great tunes of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s tunes that take you back in those joyous years. This event is comprised of a tremendous amount of work and dedication by our entire Rotary membership, but most of all, it’s also a lot of fun. 
 
Each year we partner with local community clubs to assist needy families in the area with the “Annual Christmas Giving Tree” here at North Mason County.  This event brings food, gifts and basic living needed supplies to our homeless, low income and needy families in our community. 
 
North Mason Rotary Club is committed to the Rotary Foundation by completing 95% of our club membership as Paul Harris Fellows.  This was accomplished by the hard work of our Foundation Director Ed Serra. 
 
We also have been Bronze Contributors to the “Shelter Box” foundation providing 2 of these boxes each year to desperate victims of disasters throughout the world.  These shelter boxes are also displayed at our “Taste of Hood Canal” event each summer.
 
As we complete this year of Rotary, we can honestly say that we’ve made a positive impact in our community and throughout the world.  We are also committed to continue to bring in new members, new ideas and new ways to make a positive difference in ourselves and our world.
 
Ken Boad
President Elect
North Mason Rotary Club 
 
North Mason Rotarians, Leanne Sanchez, Mel Coffman and Joe Scott helping set up for our Taste of Hood Canal
 
Representatives from “Shelter Box” displaying their tent and emergency supplies which we sponsor when disaster strikes anywhere in the world.  These tent shelters, along with food items, emergency water and household supplies, will shelter and feed a family for 10 days