Kiwanis Leaves a Legacy

This week brought news that the Kiwanis Club is going on hiatus. For 34 years, The Kiwanis Club has been supporting island youth with programs, scholarships and events. They have volunteered as readers in the kindergarten, supported literacy and activities in the elementary and middle schools and hosted the Key Club in the High School. Led by Velma Doty for many years, they have touched generations of youth on Orcas.

They will be ending this chapter by leaving a legacy, helping to build a new play structure in Buck Park in partnership with Park and Recreation March 15-17. If you are interested in celebrating the club and helping build the structure, please contact Teri Rodgers to sign up.

Recently, San Juan County published their Community Health Assessment, in which they report that wages for women remain lower than men in all industries in the County. On this International Women’s Day, that is both distressing and solvable.

Every Board, business and organization can review pay scales and ensure that they are equitable. Equal pay is achievable if we are committed to make it so. Today, on International Women’s Day, we can as a community commit to making equal pay a reality. Orcas is rich with women in leadership, in business, nonprofits, on Boards, and in County Government. I greatly appreciate their investment in making this community so strong and welcoming. They deserve to be compensated equitably.

This weekend, the Annual San Juan County Agricultural Summit Is happening on Orcas. Plenty of interesting activities and events to enjoy on a drizzly weekend.

And don’t forget to move the clock back on Saturday night!

Best, Hilary