TOGETHER, WE
BUILD COMMUNITY
TOGETHER, WE
TRANSFORM
TOGETHER, WE
INSPIRE
TOGETHER, WE
SAVE LIVES
The Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island’s mission is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance local community and world
understanding, goodwill, and peace through a fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
Our focus is on schools, parks, cultural activities, events, and local non-profits. For decades, our club has been donating time, money, and expertise to our Island community and beyond. Our meetings provide a forum for business, civic and academia leaders, and our fellowship events are fun!
The best way to learn more about our club and the work we do, is to experience it firsthand!
Rotary Meetings – Visitors are welcome!
Our club holds meetings every Monday with the exception of holidays. The meetings take place at either Noon or 6 PM in the evening at Bainbridge Island Rowing, 281 Brien Dr SE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.
Once a month we hold a Monday meeting at a different and unique venue on our beautiful island. View our club calendar here for time and location. Many of our meetings also include a Zoom option. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date on club activity HERE.
About Bainbridge Rotary
Established in 1947, the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island is the largest, most active and well-known service organization in the community. We are a leadership organization working together to make a difference. Our members include local business, nonprofit, professional and civic leaders. We form lasting friendships through our shared Rotary experiences including weekly meetings with interesting speakers, committee meetings and projects, social events and group service projects within our community and internationally.
Diversity & Inclusion
Having a diverse and inclusive Rotary Club means we value and welcome individuals of all ages, cultures, ethnicities, and races to our Club. We invite younger people, women, and minorities who support Rotary’s values, ideals, and mission to join our members in service to our community, and we strive to give all members equal opportunities to serve as leaders within our Club.
Learn more about us
Get Involved
Attend a Meeting
Are you interested in attending an upcoming meeting? Whether you just want to learn more about Rotary, or speak to our club members, we’d love to have you visit!
Contact us to set up a visit
Join Rotary
Club activities, social events, and volunteer projects offer networking opportunities that build personal and professional connections.
Get Involved with Rotary
What is Rotary International?
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who come together to make positive, lasting change in communities at home and abroad.
Learn more about Rotary International.
CLUB NEWS
Rotary Community Grants Strengthen Our Community
The Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island is pleased to announce 35 Community Grant Awards! The grant amounts range from $750 to $15,000, and support a wide array of nonprofit programs and services on Bainbridge as well as other areas in Kitsap County.
Funding decisions were concluded in March, after careful deliberations by a 22-person team of Rotarians. A list of recipient organizations, and the grant purpose for each, can be found here: www.bainbridgeislandrotary.org/grant-awards/.
This year’s budget was $205,000, which reflects about one-third of the net revenue from our 2023 Rotary Auction & Rummage Sale. Whether you donate items, volunteer, sponsor the event, or shop at the Rotary Auction & Rummage Sale, your support is important and appreciated.
Together we are building a safer, healthier, and more vibrant community!
Spring Break Meals for Bainbridge Island Youth
Rotary Youth Food Committee Update: During the week of April 1st through 5th, schools on the island were closed for Spring Break, and so meal bags for youngsters in need of food were again distributed by Helpline House. The Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island purchases food for these bags based on a menu created by the Helpline Food Bank Manager. Rotarians also distributed meal bags to those who could not pick them up at Helpline.
We have had an increase in the number of children needing food. Helpline is working with BISD to sign up as many of these students as possible, and has also started a separate account whereby staff can pick up food during the school year to give to students to take home. Please know how much this food means to these youngsters.
ONCE A ROTARIAN, ALWAYS A ROTARIAN!
Governor Jay Inslee visited our Club this week, and it was a pleasure and an honor to host him. In fact, he was named an associate member of the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island in 2006, so we were delighted to welcome him home. He graciously took questions from our members about the ferry system, climate, school funding, health care and other issues. We are deeply grateful to his staff for their generous efforts to assure the visit. His wife, Trudi was also welcomed. As a Bainbridge Islander, our Governor represents us proudly as the longest serving Governor in the country.
Giving Back - Supporting Our Community
Last week the Board finalized the portfolio of funding from our large grants committee for this Rotary Year. Our Huney committee is named for charter member Judd Huney and awards grants over $25,000.
The recipients are:
- Helpline House capital project $125,000
- Bainbridge Community Tennis Association tennis at Sakai project $50,000
- Finch Green low income housing project $100,000
- Bainbridge Island Japanese American Exclusion Memorial Association $100,000 for a visitor’s center.
Rotary's Youth Food Program
Approximately 450 young people on Bainbridge Island do not have sufficient food to eat each day. This problem is more acute when schools–public and private–are on break, because during the school year, the state requires schools to provide student meals regardless of ability to pay.
To meet this need, the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island partnered with Helpline House in 2020 to provide weekly meal bags during all school breaks (approximately 16–17 weeks a year) to any youth in need. Each bag provides one breakfast, lunch, and a snack, plus additional food for a week. In addition, during the December–January winter break, Rotary provides up to 150 $25 food gift cards for these young people.
To meet this need, the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island partnered with Helpline House in 2020 to provide weekly meal bags during all school breaks (approximately 16–17 weeks a year) to any youth in need. Each bag provides one breakfast, lunch, and a snack, plus additional food for a week. In addition, during the December–January winter break, Rotary provides up to 150 $25 food gift cards for these young people.
How do we do it? Helpline takes the lead while Rotary supplements these meal bags with youth-friendly food. Based on a menu provided by Helpline, Rotarians place food orders at Safeway for the requested food. This is done a month in advance of each week of break so that the best prices can be obtained. Rotarians pick up the food the Thursday prior to each week's break and deliver it to Helpline. Costs come from the Rotary Trust Budget which is funded by the yearly Auction.
Bags are filled and ready for distribution the following Monday. In addition, if a youth or family needs bags delivered, a Rotarian will provide this service. Rotary works with our public and private schools as well as the Chamber of Commerce to advertise this program, and Town & Country advertises the program on its reader board. Additional food for the bags is donated from local farmers and stores. It takes a village.
This community effort is making a real difference in the lives of our youth.
Read More
Chilly Hilly-Chilly Rotarians!
The Island has just hosted the famous Chilly Hilly. The 33 mile route is known for hills and for its winter weather. This is the 57th annual Chilly Hilly, Hosted by Cascade Bicycle club.
More than 2000 riders cycled their way around the Island. Rotarians from our club served as traffic facilitators and guides. Many thanks to the 24 Rotarians who braved the cold and wind to assure the success of this iconic event. Bainbridge Prepares set up first aid at Battle Point park, and again Rotarians were among those volunteers.
Our Helping Hands committee, led by Dick Brown, is our “hands on” group. We volunteer to help at major civic events. This is service above self from the heart, not from the check book. Many thanks to all who braved the cold and wind to make this year’s Chilly Hilly a success!
Giving Back to the Community
Each year, our club makes a pledge to our community. The club's annual auction and rummage sale is, after all, a community event. We work hand in glove with more than a thousand community volunteers, and harvest literally tons of contributions of sale items from our community. Our club is making great strides in this pledge for 2024. The generosity of our commons is strong.
Our club’s Large Grants committee has been diligent in identifying major projects. The “Huney” committee was named for Judge Huney who, three decades ago, led the effort to create this path for major projects. The committee is led by Rotarian Charlie Averill. This year the committee has made grants to 1) Finch Green LLC (low income housing) $50,000 with an additional $50,000 contingent on achieving some signposts in their process. 2) $50,000 to Bainbridge Community Tennis Association for new courts at Sakai, and 3) $100,000 to the visitors center at the Japanese American Exclusion Memorial. A fourth grant to Helpline House is pending.
The Community Grants committee led by Rotarians Rosemary Shaw and Chuck Everett is currently evaluating requests from a broad array of causes in Kitsap County. The World Community Service folks have also been active - stay tuned for further updates. We follow the motto “Service above Self”. We thank our community for their generosity and support. Our 2024 Auction planning is already underway.
Read More
A Community Event Makes a World of Difference
A Community Event Makes a World of Difference
"There is nothing like this in the world of Rotary."
"You can't imagine this until you see it!"
"Acres covered with everything you can think of."
“This event benefits thousands in our community and beyond.”
These are just a few comments people made about the amazing Bainbridge Island Rotary Auction & Rummage Sale.
This year's Auction, held on July 8th, set a new gross revenue record of $824,365.33 for a sale open for just six hours. No one would have ever believed this when it was first conceived by a small group of Rotarians 63 years ago.
Igniting Magic in the Lives of Our Children
There is nothing more inspirational than the BI Rotary Club Literacy Program. In truth, it makes us as happy as the children we help.
Led by Rotarian Karen Howard, our Literacy program for children, mentoring kids from Kindergarten through the 3rd Grade, has over 50 volunteers. Working in concert with the Bainbridge Island School District, each week we deploy 24 of the volunteers over four schools and provide over 44 hours in one day of mentorship, touching the lives of somewhere between 88 to 105 students in one day. What an Impact!
Over the course of the 13 week program we will provide 572 hours of volunteer mentor service to students.
Volunteers in the Program include Rotarians, city personnel such as both the Police and Fire Chief and some of their staff, the City Manager and other city staff members, retired educators as well as many other retirees and at home parents. Following School District guidelines and goals, classroom teachers work with the mentor, identifying those students who need the most help.
In order to become a Rotary Reader, each volunteer goes through a specific protocol:
1. Read: The Volunteer Orientation Training & Handbook.
2. Review:
Lockdown/Active Shooter Training Slides
Lockdown/Active Shooter Training
3. Complete the online application.
4. Share a copy of your valid state ID ( by taking a photo and emailing it to volunteer@bisd303.org.
For more information on the program contact Karen Howard at karenhowardluxuryhomes@gmail.com.
Read More
BI Rotary Club Awards $50,000 Grant to the BARN
Charlie Averill, head of the Huney Grants Committee, presented a $50,000 check from the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island to the BARN (Bainbridge Island Resource Network).
Pictured here with Charlie and Club President, Vince DiCarolis, are Grae Drake, the BARN's Executive Director, and Sallie Maron, BARN Board President.
The BARN offers a wide variety of programs specifically for youth, as well as adults.
Read More
Amazing Story About Piracy, Rotary and Humanity
“Why I will always be a Rotarian"
Why are we members of the Rotary Club?…
Because it enables us to give back to community in ways we couldn’t do alone.
Because we enjoy the fellowship of new friends that we’ll have for the rest of our lives.
Because we are able to help people in other countries that are seemingly beyond help.
Yes, of course, these and many other very good reasons. But as the future unfolds my personal commitments will change. I’ll move to another community or I simply won’t have the time to participate as much……..but I will always remain a member.
Here’s a story to tell you why:
What if your world suddenly fell apart? What if your worst nightmare unfolded before your eyes?. Here is what happened in late March.
It’s noon on a Tuesday. I’m taking a walk along the water on beautiful Bainbridge Island with my old friend and fellow Rotarian Allen Ferris. The sun was out. A ferry sailed past. It was a wonderful spring day. And, as usual, we were retelling each other stories about our ubiquitous past.
My phone rings. I think, “I really don’t want to answer it”, but I look and it’s Bob Baranski, one of our department leaders at the Rotary Auction.
So… me being me.. I answer by immediately saying, “Bob, were you able to get Toby to sign up for your team? We can’t let Marina get him for hers.” His voice though, sounded agitated. “Vince, no, no it’s not that. I don’t know, I thought maybe Rotary could help me.”
“OK Bob, what’s wrong.”
“You know my daughter Cory and her new husband Chris (they are both in their twenties and just got married in June).We’ve talked about how they live and work on their sailboat. They were sailing down the coast, stopping at places in Central America and then planning to go through the Panama Canal and into the Caribbean.
Last night , they were anchored, waiting for passage, at one of the Las Perlas islands near Panama City, Panama. To get through the Canal you’re required to have two additional line handlers. So two of their former University of Washington classmates, David and Talia came down to join them.
Soon after sunset they heard the purr of a panga. Suddenly, the panga violently rammed their boat. Four men with guns and machetes stormed onboard.
They held a machete to Cory’s neck and hit Chris on the back of the head and neck with a gun. David locked himself in the head below to call for help…unsuccessfully. The attackers broke down the door quickly with their machetes and the cables to the radios and autopilot display were cut. Then they forced them all to lay down at gunpoint….and ransacked the boat …for an hour and a half.
They took all their cash, wallets, computers, phones and passports. Jewelry, foul weather gear, lifejackets, clothing, alcohol, and even fuel jugs containing gasoline were all stolen. They even ripped out as much of the electronic gear as they could. And after all that, hacked the interior of the boat to pieces with their machetes…and took Stella their dog.”
As you can imagine, I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
Bob went on, “Vince, they have nothing, but were able to contact the local police, get some emergency medical help…Chris is OK (he’s a 6’6” former rower for UW)… and get access to a phone to call me. I was able to get them some lodging at a nearby Marina, but they are really shaken up. Do you know someone in Rotary that might provide assistance of any kind?”
All I could say was, “What a frightening story. Thank God they’re all physically OK. I’m not sure what I can do, but I’ll try and let you know.” “ I’m thinking, “A small island in Panama, right, I don’t know what I can do.”
I turned, walked back to my car at Allen’s house and headed home. An hour or so had now passed. When I got home, I tried to contact some people on our World Community Service team, but without any luck.
Then I logged on to the Rotary International website. I couldn’t pull up any info on clubs in Panama…….most likely user error. I went to Facebook and found a Rotary Club located somewhat west of Panama City when I mapped it. There was a phone number. I called, but no answer….. and no ability to leave a message.
Now it’s after 2 PM my time, but still before 5 PM in Chicago. I placed a call to Rotary International.I was routed to a woman and began blurting out the story. She said, “Vince, hold on, calm down, I can help.”
Everything now enfolded at lightning speed. It was kind of a fantastic blur.
She came back with the name, phone number and email of the President of the Panama Este Rotary Club, a small Club outside of Panama City. “But don’t go anywhere”, she said, “let me connect you to Nick Taylor, Supervisor of Club and District Support for the Americas.”
No answer on Nick’s line. I left a message for him and immediately called Bob with the contact information given to me for Marco Austin, current President of the Panama Este Club. Just after I finished giving the information to Bob, Nick Taylor called. He said he was setting up a team.
I wasn’t sure what that meant, but while I was on the line with Nick, Bob called and said he had been able to get in touch with Marco.
Marco was able to quickly reach Javier Juarez, a Club member on Balboa, an island less than two miles from the Naos Marina where Cory and Chris’s boat was anchored.
Javier got there right away. Besides much needed support and comfort, Javier was able to take them to get staples and basics, since as you know they had little or no belongings. Thankfully, they were in good shape considering the ordeal. They were staying in a hotel at the marina where their boat was moored.
Javier contacted more friends in the marine supply business and set up a work group for the next day to coordinate some repairs on the boat.
I was blown away. How long did this take from my initial call - 3 hours?
The story doesn’t end there.
Javier, visited them daily, providing people and resources for labor and boat repair, transportation to stores to buy clothing (both Talia and David’s duffel bags were taken), pharmacy, restaurants for takeout (they couldn’t cook on the boat yet), etc.
Alan Sellers, Rotary International District Coordinator of Zone 25a ….part of Nick’s “team”….also stepped in and contacted Bob to help. In a big way. The attitude of all the local authorities immediately changed.
In Bob’s words, “The Rotary connection sent ripples (more like waves) through other agencies.”
Alan set up connections with:
Aeronaval (the Panamanian Coast Guard), who checked on them daily and reported progress on their search for the pirates.
The Canal Authority, who brought them a prepaid phone when they heard that they needed more communication tools.
The Panamanian Minister of Tourism, who worked with the owner of the marina that Cory and Chris needed to transit their boat to for repairs…enough to make to the nearest U.S. port - Miami.
Alan had the Panamanian Coast Guard escort them to the city of Colon whatever quick repairs could be done. They were accompanied by a Panama Canal agent, escorted by the coast Guard and other boats in the area who had heard about the incident. If I could vote in Panama, Alan would definitely be my choice for President.
But this Rotary story continues.
A fews after the incident, Bob called and said that David Miller, as you might remember one of their crew, was having difficulty with the U. S. consulate in being able to get a new passport.
So….I made a call to another Rotarian, our U.S. Congressman, Derek Kilmer (D- WA 6th District). Derek has a small framed copy of the 4 Way Test on his desk in D.C. Within 30 minutes his office was in contact with David’s parents and the U.S. Consulate so the issues were quickly resolved.
As of today, and because of Bob's fantastic idea to activate his Rotary Club network, Cory, Chris, Talia, and David are through the Canal and on their way to Miami to get further repairs.being provided tremendous boots-on-the-ground support.
Here are Bob’s words to sum up the tale:
“First off, the impact of Rotary in situations of need is immeasurable. It isn’t just what we do as Rotarians, it’s who we know and the influence we have. The impact of influence and connections markedly improved the experience my daughter and son-in-law in Panama.
People have been asking how they can help . For Rotarians who ask, my response is, “Just keep being Rotarians”.
A thought indelibly imprinted on my mind stems from when I tried to thank Allen Sellers for his help and he replied “No, no, this is what we do”.
One last thing.
Even though they haven’t yet caught the attackers, their dog Stella, was found on a small island near the incident.
I’ll always be a Rotarian.
Read More
$170,000 in Community Grants Awarded
The Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island has a long and proud history of providing grants to support diverse community projects, dating back to the Club’s founding in 1947. This year's grants were announced on April 3rd by Committee Chair Chuck Everett and Co-chair Rosemary Shaw.
This year, the grant total was the most awarded in our Club's history - $170,000!
As a direct result of our last Auction & Rummage Sale, the grants went to 34 different non-profit organizations on Bainbridge Island and Kitsap County. For a complete list of this year's recipients go to:
https://bainbridgeislandrotary.org/grant-awards/
Read More
Serving Our Community: 2023 Rotary Auction
The 2022 Rotary Auction & Rummage Sale was a big success. Our return to an in-person event at Woodward Middle School was everything we hoped for.
Building on that success, we are now preparing for the 2023 Rotary Auction & Rummage Sale on July 8 at Woodward Middle School.
Our goals for this event are simple. We want to make the best possible use of the generous donations we receive, re-invest 100% of the net proceeds back into the community and provide a safe, fun event for our local residents.
The Rotary Auction & Rummage Sale represents so much to so many people. Some volunteers have been with us for decades. If you have ever wanted to be a volunteer, this is the year. This is your chance to DO GOOD and FEEL GREAT. If you're interested in finding out more, click this link Join the Community! — Bainbridge Rotary Auction
The Auction & Rummage Sale is also a massive recycle/reuse/repurpose effort. We recycle tons of cardboard, metal, and plastic. In addition, the event provides durable goods to other local nonprofit organizations. Following the Sale, we invite local nonprofits to the site to find treasures among the unsold items. We plan to do even more this year.
To find out more and stay up to date on all the Auction & Rummage Sale activities, please visit our website. Serving Our Community — Bainbridge Rotary Auction
Read More
Rotary Auction Has a Record Year!
Thanks to everyone in the community and the scores of volunteers, this year’s Rotary Auction and Rummage Sale resulted in an all time record. Gross proceeds were in excess of $725,000.
Pictured here, ready to make their Auction purchases are State Senator Christine Rolfes, Governor Jay Inslee, U.S. Congressman Derek Kilmer and Rotary President Vince DiCarolis.
It’s a big win -win for everyone. After expenses every bit of this is given back to the community in the form of Scholarships, Community Grants to needy organizations, World Community Service projects and special non-profit projects….. on and off the island.
The Rotary Auction & Rummage Sale represents so much to so many people. Some volunteers have been with us for decades. They are joined by their spouses, siblings, children, and grandchildren. For dozens of Bainbridge Island youth, the nine days they spend at Woodward preparing for the Auction & Rummage Sale is akin to a summer day camp — for many of them, it is one of their first experiences of having responsibility placed on them by persons other than their parents and teachers.
The Auction & Rummage Sale is also a massive recycle/reuse/repurpose effort. We recycled tons of cardboard, metal, and plastic. In addition, the event provides durable goods to local nonprofit organizations. Following the Sale, we invited dozens of local nonprofits to the site to find treasures among the unsold items. We partnered with ARC of the Peninsulas, which hauled away several trailers of goods.
Thanks to YOU
We are so very grateful to the hundreds of volunteers who worked tirelessly during set-up week and on Sale Day. They brought talent, fortitude, and good humor. They make the magic happen.
Read More
The Rotary Auction & Rummage Sale Returns
We are excited to share our plan to return to Woodward Middle School this summer for our traditional, one-of-a-kind community event – The Rotary Auction & Rummage Sale! The event date has been scheduled for July 2.
For our Auction, the community comes together in a big way….. donating items, volunteering, shopping for bargains and more.
Please know that we are assuming large gatherings will once again be safe, and we’ll make adjustments to follow all public health protocols.
A community tradition restored! After two years of our scaled-down, online-only sale, the Bainbridge Island Auction & Rummage Sale is coming back to Woodward Middle School Saturday, July 2, 2022. We can't wait to celebrate once again at the world's most unique community event. Get ready for the 62nd annual Rotary Auction! Please know that we will follow all public health guidelines with everyone's safety as our #1 priority.
Item Donations
2022 Event Dates
- Volunteer Open House: Monday June 6, 6pm - 8pm
- Donation Drop-Off: June 25 - 29, 8am - 8pm
- Preview Night: Friday July 1, 5pm - 8pm
- Sale Day: Saturday July 2, 8am - 2pm
Want to learn more about the schedule and the event? Please visit www.bainbridgerotaryauction.org/.
Read More
BI Rotary Wins Humanitarian Award
The BI Rotary, along with six other Island organizations, was recognized by the Bainbridge Community Foundation with its 2021 Humanitarian Award for the set up and administration of the COVID vaccination clinics here on Bainbridge.
Rotarian Doctor Fred Hoffer, aka “The Vaccination King” is shown here with the award presented at a ceremony on November 4.
BI Rotary Wins Humanitarian Award For Vaccine Clinic Efforts.
The BI Rotary, along with six other Island organizations, was recognized by the Bainbridge Community Foundation with its 2021 Humanitarian Award for the set up and administration of the COVID vaccination clinics here on Bainbridge.
Rotarian Doctor Fred Hoffer, aka “The Vaccination King” is shown here with the award presented at a ceremony on November 4.
It was a team effort. More than 600 volunteers, including over 60 members of the BI Rotary and dozens of organizational leaders made the Bainbridge Island–led COVID-19 vaccination effort a success, administering more than 25,000 vaccine doses in under six months.
More and more volunteers signed up as the process was streamlined and the roles were further defined and focused. Other volunteers found new ways of helping, such as by eliciting meal donations from local businesses to sustain the volunteers or by playing music at the vaccine clinics.
Read More
New Grants Given to Local Non-Profits
With a focus on the youth of our community, the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island presented large grants to two worthy non-profit organizations at our December 12th Club Meeting.
Charlie Averill, the chairperson of our Huney Committee, presented the grants. One for $55,000 was given to the Battle Point Astronomical Association and a grant for $30,000 went to the First Years Children's Center. Through its many programs, the BPAA supports a child's natural creativity and joy for learning. The First Years Children's Center not only provides much needed day care, but is the only child care facility on the Island offering infant care.
With a focus on the youth of our community, the Rotary Club of Bainbridge Island presented large grants to two worthy non-profit organizations at our December 12th Club Meeting.
Charlie Averill, the chairperson of our Huney Committee, presented the grants. One for $55,000 was given to the Battle Point Astronomical Association and a grant for $30,000 went to the First Years Children's Center. Through its many programs, the BPAA supports a child's natural creativity and joy for learning. The First Years Children's Center not only provides much needed day care, but is the only child care facility on the Island offering infant care.
https://bpastro.org
FYCC is a 25-year-old non-profit organization providing day care for more than 100 children...from the ages of 4 weeks until they begin kindergarten. Our grant will allow them to upgrade their heating system.
https://www.firstyearsbi.com
Read More