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Charlene Tautfest

We are proud to be a part of Rotary International. The Soldotna Rotary Club embodies the motto of “Service Above Self.” We have a long history in our community, and this year, we look to continuing our efforts to make it a fantastic place to live and play. Our homepage contains some of our service projects and events - please browse the site and look up Soldotna Rotary Club on Facebook. Additionally, you can find out about our speakers and when they will be at our Club meeting. Want to share knowledge or information, please contact our Vice-President to get on the speaker list!

Soldotna Rotarians are excited to welcome all visitors, and we hope that you can join in the fun! If you're a visiting Rotarian, we would love to have you at our luncheon, and if you would like to find out more about becoming a member, please feel free to email anyone on the Board for more information. You can also contact our Membership Chair at any time. Make sure to take a peak at our brochure about how to become a member and see if we are the right Club for YOU! We know we are, but we want to make sure you do too!

RI President Shekhar Mehta is urging members to become more involved in service projects, saying that caring for and serving others is the best way to live because it changes not only other people’s lives, but also our own.

Rotary Club of Soldotna, Alaska Welcomes You to Our Website!

Service Above Self

We meet Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Addie Camp

43550 Whistle Hill Loop
Soldotna, AK 99669
United States of America

District Site

Venue Map

Brandon Kyle

Jan 27, 2022

Salvation Army update

Dr. Larry Daughtery

Feb 03, 2022

Radiating Hope & the Kathmandu Cancer Centers

Kathy Gensel - Central Peninsula Health Foundation

Feb 10, 2022

Transportation fund

Mike Horne

Mar 03, 2022

Malawi School Building Project

View entire list...

Soldotna Rotarians are a special type of Rotarian! Here are stories of local Rotarians and why Rotary is their organization of choice.

Rotarian: Allen Auxier-

I’ve been a member of the Rotary Club of Soldotna since 2001 when Joe Kashi was President, and he became my Sponsor. First-person to invite me to lunch was John Lourke but then he left town and moved to Fairbanks before he could become my Sponsor. So far I have 20 years of Perfect Attendance, I was Vice President for at least 5 years and Club President twice (2010-2011 and again 2020-2021). My Dad was a Rotarian and he always enjoyed the fellowship and spoke highly of Rotary and all the good things they do locally, nationally, and internationally. After learning the Rotary motto is “Service Above Self” and remembering my Dad’s praise of Rotary and Rotarians, I was very happy to join and become a participant. I have spearheaded (or “inherited”) a few Club projects over the years (Troop Support Care Packages, Adopt a Road Clean Ups, Rotary Handicap Access Fishing Park Clean Ups) and participated (monetarily or physically) on every project our Club has undertaken.

I have been an actor since I was a kid and have been involved in theatre pretty much my entire life! I am constantly amazed and pleased to find all of the talented actors, costume makers, scene builders, etc. found in every community I have lived in. It is a pleasure for me to continue performing at any and every opportunity. I am proud to be a Life Member of the Kenai Performers and have also acted with Triumvirate Theatre (please support their rebuilding efforts).

I graduated from Coronado High School (Scottsdale, Arizona) and Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, Arizona). I am an Army Veteran and served as an Infantryman in Viet Nam. I took a “Mountain Man Journey” through the Rocky Mountains, using only supplies, clothing, food, and equipment available in the Rocky Mountains prior to 1840. Lit my fires with flint and steel, made my own saddle and pack-saddles, and learned the art of horse-trading! I worked in Anchorage in 1969 and realized I belonged in Alaska, so moved to Bethel in 1975 (after Army Service and a couple of years of drifting).

I met my wife Mari when I was a crewman on my Uncle Neil’s 40 ft. Ketch “Tillicum”. She joined the crew after learning we were going to sail around the world—which, we never did. We did sail around the Hawaiian Islands for a year (lots of fun) and then back to California (not as much fun).

Mari and I were part owners of a dinner theatre in Tacoma, Washington for about 4 years but she told me I had to get a “paying job” so we moved back to Alaska in 2000 when I took the job as Station Manager for KDLL—Public Radio for the Central Kenai Peninsula! Mari worked for the Kenai Peninsula School District and we both retired in 2016.

5 Ways to End Polio

What is Rotary?

What is Rotary Youth Exchange?

Ringing of the Bell 2021

Bell ringing helps people remember that there are people in their neighborhoods who won't have a Christmas without their help." Since its beginnings in San Francisco in 1891, the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign has become one of the most visible community holiday fundraisers nationwide. Soldotna Rotarians gather every year to support the kettle by volunteering to ring the bell for two days. There is a friendly competition among area clubs to raise the most money. Soldotna Rotary does not yet know if we've won, but we're hopeful!

Christmas Party 2021

RuralCap House build

Soldotna Rotarians, joined with a couple of Kenai Rotarians, had a work day on September 25, 2021 in the cold, snowy weather to help work on houses for families in the RuralCap program.

Soldotna Rotary Club Supports Art in the Community

Don’t miss the Art Park in Soldotna Creek Park, where you’ll find a fantastic curated exhibit contained in two 4’ by 8’ weatherproof displays. Each side of each display contains a panel of art. You might see locally created fine art or the works of artists from around Alaska and the Pacific Northwest.

https://www.alaska.org/guide/how-to-see-the-soldotna-murals

Rotarian Allen FLOCKED!

Rotarian Allen Auxier returned home from a Rotary meeting earlier this month to find a flock of very pink flamingos in his yard. He quickly deduced Rotarian Brian was the mischief maker behind the flocking!

Soldotna Rotarians Celebrate Thanksgiving 2020 Style

Soldotna Rotarians come together to be of service to their communities. In the history of the Club, it has never been so difficult to act upon our desire to work with others to better our community. Although 2020 has provided some major hurdles, this Thanksgiving was reminiscent of the past events with laughter, fellowship, and service.

Sock it to October

Soldotna Rotary Club challenges area Rotarians to provide socks to those experiencing homelessness or near homelessness by collecting socks through the month of October.

Shelter Box 2020

Congratulations to each of District 5010's 2019-2020 "Bronze Level" Shelter Box Rotary Clubs.

Each Shelter Box can completely sustain for months a family that has lost everything when disasters such as storm and earthquake strike.

It's one of the least expensive, easiest, and most personal and direct ways to help stricken families across the globe.

Joe Kashi

District 5010 Governor

2020-2021

Congratulations to the Rotary Clubs of :

Anchorage Hillside

Anchorage South

E-Club of District 5010

Fairbanks Downtown

Fairbanks Golden Heart

Homer-Kachemak Bay

Juneau

Petersburg

Seward

Soldotna

Susitna

Rotarians Care About the Environment

The Soldotna Rotary Club completed their first of 3 road clean ups. Check out the publicity we go from Radio Kenai!

http://www.radiokenai.net/2019-rotary-road-spring-trash-clean-up/

Backpacks for Students in Transition

Soldotna Rotary Club came together with the Kenai Peninsula School District and the Students in Transition to provide backpacks with basic necessities and an invitation for mentorship with a Rotarian.

Kenai River Interact Service Update

The Kenai River Interact, the 12-18 year old, youth program of Soldotna Rotary Club has had a busy year! They believe strongly in service above self.

Soldotna Rotarians and Kenai River Interactors Working Together

On Thanksgiving day, the Salvation Army's basement fills with the smell of turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. Thanks to the effort by Soldotna Rotarians and Kenai River Interactors, those without get a home cooked meal.

Youth Exchange Students and Host Families

https://youtu.be/pspgla9pyfg

Soldotna Rotary is looking for students in either their sophomore or junior year of high school that are looking for an adventure! We are actively seeking open-minded, flexible students who demonstrate leadership qualities to receive scholarships for study for a year in a foreign country. Applicants must have high moral standards that will enable them to become excellent cultural ambassadors for their country and the Rotary club and district that supports them. District 5010 Rotary Youth Exchange provides students ages 15 to 17 with an opportunity to travel to a foreign country and experience the culture while serving as an ambassador for their home country.

We are also looking for interested families willing to open their home to an incoming student from another country.

Hosting a student can be an extremely rewarding experience for everyone in the family, yet it is a role that requires a lot of responsibility. The hosting period is typically 3 - 4 months.

Host families are to meet the following expectations:

Before the student arrives establish communication with the student.
Understand the program rules the student must follow.
Know how to contact key Rotarians involved in Youth Exchange in case of an emergency.
During the exchange provide a safe and welcoming environment for trust and friendship to develop between the student and your family.
Support and make the student feel like a part of the family, with the same privileges and obligations.

Victoria and President Dan Exchange Flags

Soldotna Rotary was introduced in person with their new daughter from Brazil, Victoria. Victoria is a vibrant and exciting exchange student that will provide Soldotna Rotarians more opportunities to work with youth as well as the ultimate goal of bringing peace to the world. Welcome Victoria!

Rotary Youth Exchange has Arrived

District 5010 participates in the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. With the support of the D5010, Soldotna Rotary Club is proud to be a participating Club in the Youth Exchange Program!

Senior Center Planters

Soldotna Rotarians joined forces to build planters for Ninilchik and Soldotna Senior Centers. This was a local project that required ingenuity and patience in order to get all of the supplies and coordinate with the local senior centers. They can now use these planters therapeutically as well as practically!

2017 Foundation Dinner

Posted on May 22, 2017

Soldotna Rotary Plans International Literacy Project

Posted on Jan 25, 2017

Rotarians Make Up Everywhere

It is important for our Soldotna Rotarians to make it to meetings. It is especially important to a Rotarian that has over 30 years of perfect attendance, Mike Sweeney.

Pictured from left to right: Chuck Cook, Dave Peterson, Chris Hough, Allen Auxier, Gary Hinkle, Joe Kashi, David Wartinbee, and Mike Sweeney. Photo credit: Merrill Sikorski

Soldotna Rotarians Volunteer for Heritage Place

Every year, Soldotna Rotarians donate their time and skills to cook salmon for the residents of Heritage Place, their care givers, and staff. Rotarian, Dave Wartinbee leads the charge organizing the volunteers. It takes weeks of organization, but each year is a smashing success.

Check out this link from the Peninsula Clarion for more information:

http://peninsulaclarion.com/news/2016-05-22/heritage-place-serves-salmon-to-celebrate-salmon

Soldotna Rotary Arts Park Project

The Soldotna Rotary Club, in partnership with the Soldotna ARTSpace, and the City of Soldotna, worked diligently to install an avenue for aspiring artists to showcase their work to the public.

Soldotna Rotary Club Supports D.A.R.E

The Soldotna Rotary Club continues to support the local D.A.R.E program. Ofc. Tobin Brennan is the D.A.R.E. instructor in the three local elementary schools. Yearly, Ofc. Brennan provides D.A.R.E education to 5^th graders and then provided a lock-in/graduation event. This year, Soldotna Rotary Club was able to provide the grand prize to the winning essay writer on why D.A.R.E is an important program and why it is important to them. D.A.R.E. is an important program in the community.

Soldotna Rotary Supports Art Space Program

By partnering with the Rotary Club of Soldotna, the City of Soldotna, the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, and local businesses, Soldotna’s ARTSpace, Inc. is implementing a community-based public art program. Many of these projects result in regular exhibits and annual events intended to promote public art that enhances the Soldotna area in a manner that’s democratic and for the enjoyment of all.

Click here for more! http://peninsulaclarion.com/dispatch/2015-09-28/art-space-program-proceeds-for-artists

Soldotna Rotary Club Supports Student Summer Reading

Soldotna Rotarians joined forces with K-Beach Elementary, Soldotna Elementary, and Sterling Elementary to encourage students to read through the summer months. This fall the schools joined with Rotarians to recognize those students that read this summer.

District 5010 Conference

The Soldotna Rotary Club was well represented at the District 5010 Conference held in Girdwood this year. We represented our Club, our members, our projects, and our fundraising.