Hello, PNW Key Clubbers,
Happy summer! I hope you’ve had a chance to take a break and enjoy the warm weather. Now that school is over, it’s time to pause and reflect on the past year. I encourage you to think about the work you did, the goals you accomplished, the people you helped, and the lives you touched throughout the school year. By coming together in-person throughout this past year, we’ve all been reminded of the power that each and every one of us has in changing the world. One act of service may touch someone’s life more than we’ll ever know, so be proud of your work this year!
While you reflect on this past school year, it’s important to consider what you would do differently or change. You can use this upcoming year, and this summer, to do just that. Whether it is participating in more impactful service projects, diversifying the service you do, or working with new organizations, there are ways that all of us can improve the quality of our service. Lots of volunteer organizations and nonprofits are looking for volunteers during the summer, so please make an effort to reach out and help them! One great option to consider is a local food bank, which will also help support our District Project: Help End Hunger. You can find some near you with our Food Bank Tracker further down in the District Project section of this Biweekly Update. There are plenty of indoor and outdoor opportunities from gardening to packaging food with food banks, so choose what works best for you!
Another great goal to consider is how to further create an inclusive environment in your service. In service, we often get the opportunity to help people with different stories, situations, and backgrounds than us. That diversity and difference makes it especially critical to be open-minded and listen to those you are helping and those who truly understand the issues at hand (nonprofits, community workers, etc.). When you listen to those with lived experiences, you are able to better maximize your time and make a greater impact on your community. There exist a variety of issues we care about, ranging from human rights to food insecurity, so focus on uplifting the voices that need to be heard.
Finally, I want to say happy Pride Month! As we celebrate people in the LGBTQIA+ community this month, remember to consider how we can show support all year round in the fight for equality. In Key Club, we welcome and support all people, and appreciate the contributions that LGBTQIA+ individuals continue to make in providing service to others. Our organization would not be where it is today without them. There are plenty of ways to show your support back, such as raising funds for the Trevor Project, which I’ve linked below. They provide a crisis line for youth to talk about situations and struggles they’re facing, such as coming out, or mental health issues like depression. If you are facing any of the issues mentioned above, know that you deserve to be supported as your authentic self. Remember that there are resources, such as the Trevor Project, out there to help you. We can all spread feelings of positivity and inclusivity by continuing to perform meaningful acts of service.
Outside of summer service opportunities, please stay connected with our District. We will have a lot of new information for you in the coming months, such as webinar announcements or more Key Club Days information. There are already exciting opportunities for you like our DCON Logo Design Contest, District Project Goal announcement, and an OTC Feedback Form, all of which you can find later in this Biweekly.
If you ever have any questions, ideas, concerns, or spotlight requests, please do not hesitate to contact me via email at governor@pnwkeyclub.org! Summer is a great time to get in touch, and I would truly love to support you in any way possible.
As you may already have seen on our Instagram, the theme for DCON 2023 is going to be… Once Upon a Service! DCON will be a weekend of whimsical workshops, enchanting decor, and, of course, a ball! What is a fairytale without a ball?!
In order to help bring DCON to life, consider taking part in the Logo Design Contest! Showcase your creativity by submitting a design that highlights and celebrates our theme. The winning design will be displayed on convention merchandise (pins, t-shirts, bags, etc.), worn by all attendees. Further, the selected artist will receive free registration to DCON 2023. Get creating, because submissions are open until August 1st, and you don’t want to miss out on this opportunity!
For more information, check out the PDF attached below. Feel free to contact District Convention Chair Lynnsay Pham at convention@pnwkeyclub.org with any questions or concerns you may have. Happy designing!
Our District Project, Help End Hunger is more than just a project. It’s a movement. Originally created with the intent of providing local relief to communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19, the continued plague of food insecurity has provided reason for this district project to be extended into the 2022-2023 term. This project provides meaningful and unique opportunities to get involved through multiple vehicles of service. Throughout the service year, Key Clubbers are especially encouraged to participate in service projects at their local food banks, through food packaging, food drives, monetary donations, and educational events. We are excited to announce that the goal for the 2022-2023 service year is to provide 100,000 meals to those in need! Our District’s contributions to this goal will be calculated through monetary and food donations recorded in secretary reports, so please help us reach our goal this year!
To get started, you can see past resources from the 2021-2022 District Project Committee below at our Issuu page. They have published numerous resources, ranging from General Fundraising Guides to articles in past ESPRESSOs. Two particularly useful resources are their one pager and Food Bank Tracker, which I’ve linked below for your convenience. The time to get involved in the District Project is now! You are always welcome to reach out to our District Project Committee Chair, Pauline Adonis, at project@pnwkeyclub.org with any questions, ideas, or suggestions.
Get excited, because Key Club Days are quickly approaching! Mark your calendar for September 10th (Key Club Day North) at Wild Waves Theme and Water Park in Federal Way, WA, or for September 17th (Key Club Day South) at Oaks Park in Portland, OR. This year, both Key Club Days will have an online and in-person component, increasing accessibility for the event. You’ll be able to join us for a day filled with education, service, and fun! See the video below for some highlights from last year’s event.
Be on the lookout for registration information in July. We hope to see you there!
If you have attended an Officer Training Conference this year, please fill out the OTC Feedback Form below as soon as possible. All respondents who submit the survey by Sunday, July 24th, will be eligible to receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card. The results of this survey will be incorporated into training materials for the 2023-2024 District Board, the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, and future events or opportunities offered by PNW Key Club. Your feedback and involvement is highly appreciated.
Are you looking for something to do over the summer? Do you desire to become a better leader? If the answer to either of those questions is yes, then, you should consider getting yourself a Global Leadership Certificate. Check out the video below by our International Trustee, Emily Leonard, to learn more!
PNW Key Club can now be supported through Amazon Smile! Activate AmazonSmile on the Amazon mobile app or shop through smile.amazon.com with Pacific Northwest Key Club as your selected charity to have a portion of your eligible purchases donated to Key Club at no extra cost to you.
Follow the instructions below to activate AmazonSmile on the mobile app.
We are pleased to report that nearly all Divisions have Lieutenant Governors now, and some for the first time in many years. This is all thanks to the help of the advisors and Key Clubbers that nominated eligible students. However, we still need your help! Lieutenant Governors are vital to the health of each Key Club division, and serve as the critical connection between the club and district levels. Clubs in divisions that have no Lieutenant Governors lack a consistent source of relevant updates, resources, and leadership.
The following divisions have Lieutenant Governor vacancies.
- Division 9
- Division 34
- Division 42c
- Division 52
- Division 62
- Division 74
- Division 78
If you or anyone you know is from one of these divisions and is interested in serving as a Lieutenant Governor during the 2022-2023 year, please contact me at governor@pnwkeyclub.org or District Administrator Brian Egger at administrator@pnwkeyclub.org for more information. I can assure you that serving on the District Board is an incredible experience and will help you develop your leadership skills.