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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!

Imagine Rotary” is the 2022-23 presidential theme for RI President-elect Jennifer Jones. She is asking Rotary members to dream big and take action: “We all have dreams, but acting on them is a choice. Imagine a world that deserves our best, where we get up each day knowing that we can make a difference.”

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

Margret Gilman and Kathy Gensel

Jan 26, 2023

Imagination Library

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: Jess Gutzwiler

Jess grew up on a registered Angus beef farm in Eastern South Dakota. As a farmer's daughter, she learned a strong work ethic, love for the land, and the desire to get out of South Dakota. Jess went to college at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD where she was very active in their broadcasting and theatre program as well as a full-time volunteer at Spirit of the Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. After graduation, Jess worked in broadcasting until the opportunity to take a job in Alaska presented itself. In July of 2007, Jess packed up her 4Runner and hit the Alcan. Jess worked for Wells Fargo Financial until 2010, when at Wells Jess met her husband, Aaron. Jess moved directions in her career and worked for the American Cancer Society and managed most of their largest fundraising efforts for 8 years. During that time Jess became involved in Rotary and found her Alaskan Family. Jess was Club President in 2016-17 for Anchorage South Rotary Club and became a ShelterBox Ambassador in 2018. She went on to become a Pacific Northwest Training Leader from 2017 to 2020, District Sponsorship Chair for PDG Diane Fejes conference as well as DG Chery's conference. In 2018, Jess made the career change to Advanced Oncology Associates where she is the Practice Representative. Her day-to-day varies wildly, but that is what Jess loves most about her job, it's always changing and presents new challenges. In 2021 Jess, Aaron, and their beloved micro mini-pig, Spank, moved to Clam Gulch, a long-term dream of theirs. In July of 2021, Jess became a member of the Soldotna Rotary Club and the Assistant Governor for the Kenai Peninsula/Kodiak Area Rotary Club.

5 Ways to End Polio

What is Rotary?

What is Rotary Youth Exchange?

Honorary Member Mike Tauriainen

Mike Tauriainen became a SRC member in 1979. During his 43 years of being a rotarian, Mike has done many wonderful things. That is why it was a very easy choice to make when the SRC board was presented to make Mike an Honorary Member. Honorary membership is the highest distinction that a club can bestow and is used to recognize rotarians who have distinguished themselves by living by the motto of service above self and embodying Rotary ideals.

During his time as a Rotarian Mike has served this club and has had a lasting impact on our committee. Every December our club auctions off many different items for the Empty Stocking Fund that was created by Mike. In honor of Mike and all the families he has helped through the empty stocking fund the club has decided to officially name change the name to the Mike Tauriainen Empty Stocking Fund. From the entire SRC thank you Mike!

2 Soldotna Rotarians Recognized

Thank you to KSRM for finding out two of our wonderful Rotarians received recognition from the Governor's office for their volunteer efforts. President Charlene and Rotarian Kathy were both recognized yesterday at First Lady's Volunteer of the Year event. Congratulations to both of you! You are a shining example of Service Above Self!

2022 PETS Keynote Speaker Watch Party

Due to PETS being virtual this year, it gave the club an opportunity to come together and watch the Saturday Keynote speaker RI PE Jennifer Jones together along with Kenai River Rotary & Kenai Rotary.

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.

Rotary projects around the globe – December 2022

Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in the United States, Mexico, Germany, Italy, and India.

A community cure

Backed by Rotary’s Programs of Scale award, Partners for a Malaria-Free Zambia confronts a worldwide malady at the local level

Turning wine bottles back into sand

A club in Washington’s wine country uses a novel approach to keep glass out of the landfill.

Leveraging expertise with Ashoka

Leveraging expertise with AshokaRotary’s partnership with Ashoka brings together the vision of Ashoka’s social entrepreneurs with the local expertise of Rotary members to inspire innovation that can solve problems, create leaders, and

Engagement through experiences

During the COVID-19 pandemic's initial U.S. wave in 2020, Detroit, Michigan, was one of many cities where first responders and medical personnel needed more personal protective equipment. A Rotary club in India learned about the situation and contacted its longtime partner, the Rotary Club of