What happens when you combine Rotary members, great ideas, a little friendly competition, and a room full of “sharks”? You get Rotary Shark Tank!

At a recent Kelso Rotary meeting, members put their creativity to the test with our own Rotary-inspired version of Shark Tank. Participants had the opportunity to dream big, develop their ideas, and make their best pitch to convince the “sharks” that their idea deserved to come out on top.

Of course, this was Rotary, so the real goal wasn’t just winning. It was about having fun, thinking creatively, and reminding ourselves what can happen when a group of people comes together to share ideas and imagine new possibilities.

There were plenty of laughs, some creative pitches, and maybe even a little friendly persuasion as members worked to win over the sharks!

Activities like Rotary Shark Tank are a fun way to bring another dimension to our weekly meetings. Along with hearing from community speakers, learning about local organizations, and working on service projects, sometimes it’s good to simply laugh, connect, and enjoy being Rotarians together.

After all, you never know where the next great Rotary idea might come from.

And in the Shark Tank, you’d better be ready to make your pitch! 🦈

At the October 15th Kelso Rotary meeting, we had the privilege of welcoming Jenny Carroll with HEVIN (Helping Every Veteran In Need) to share more about the organization’s important work in our community.

Jenny explained how HEVIN helps local veterans by connecting them with essential resources, assistance, and advocacy when they need it most. Her presentation was a meaningful reminder that supporting veterans goes beyond saying “thank you.” It also means helping ensure those who served our country have access to the resources and support they need.

Kelso Rotary is grateful for organizations like HEVIN that put Service Above Self into action every day. Thank you, Jenny, for spending time with our club, helping us better understand the needs of local veterans, and sharing the important work HEVIN is doing in our community.

Kelso Rotary recently welcomed Mary Beth Tack for an informative update on Kelso Schools and the great work taking place throughout the district. It was a wonderful opportunity for our members to hear about what is happening in our local schools and the continued efforts to support students and their success.

We also had the pleasure of recognizing our October Students of the Month from Kelso High School, RJ Cruz and Ashlynne Droke. These two outstanding students are already making a positive impact in their school and community, and we were proud to celebrate their accomplishments.

It was a great meeting that reminded us of the many reasons to be proud of our local students, educators, and schools.

Proud of our youth. Proud of our schools. Proud of Kelso.