Rotarians that gathered for the fall 2019 highway cleanup.

July 1 marks the start of the halfway point of the year on some calendars. But on others, that date marks the start of a new year.

The Rotary Club of Seaside marked the start of a new year on July 1. It was my pleasure to serve as the club president for the 2019-2020 year and it was a memorable and wonderful experience.

At a virtual banquet in late June, I recognized the work of the club, thanked those that labor tirelessly in a volunteer capacity and celebrated the incoming club president, Lt. Bruce Holt. Bruce has been serving in our community for the majority of his life and his humor, compassion and leadership will serve the club and our community well in the year ahead.

The Rotary Club of Seaside has a longstanding tradition of dedicated service in our community and although I have officially passed the gavel to Bruce, I want to recognize the year that was.

The club works tirelessly to give back and make life better for locals and citizens throughout the world. One of the most amazing aspects of our club is our devoted involvement with sanitation and other humanitarian projects in other parts of the world.

Last year, Stewart Martin, chair of the International Service, coordinated a project that brought almost $30,000 to allow families in Kenya to send their children to high school, a privilege we obviously take for granted here.

Locally, the club executes three amazing holiday programs: Shop with a Cop, Adopt-a-Family and the Wishing Tree. These programs enable thousands in our community to have a holiday season where they feel cared for and loved.

The club raised significant funds at their annual auction in September 2019, and it’s a good thing because many fundraising events in the past few months have had to be canceled. At that event titled, “Tailgate with Team Rotary,” attendees raised funds to light the basketball courts at the public park in between the Sunset Pool and Broadway Middle School.

Despite the pandemic, the Rotary Foundation raised funds to distribute to local high school students through the Seaside High School scholarship program. Assuming that life gets back to normal eventually, those funds will provide a significant difference in the pursuit of a college degree or trade program.

The club conducted numerous service projects and met for social interactions throughout the year. One of my favorite events was gathering at a local restaurant for a lovely dinner and a spirited and competitive game of bingo.

Our club hosted an exchange student last year and our outbound student Ben had a great time in Russia before being called home early due to the pandemic.

I also thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to gather with Rotarians to clean up both sides of U.S. Highway 101 twice over the past year. Featuring more than 40 club members and guests, these efforts hauled in some 35 bags of trash.

Throughout all of our efforts, we do it with a willing heart and keeping the Rotary “Four-Way Test” at the forefront of our minds. “First, is it the truth? Second, is it fair to all concerned? Third, will it build goodwill and better friendships? And fourth, will it be beneficial to all concerned?”

That standard, implemented in each meeting and action we took, is what Rotary is all about; making our community better using the most honest and benevolent of methods.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve the club and this community. More importantly, I’m grateful for the many dedicated club members who I was able to work alongside, learn from and improve our world, both here and abroad.

Skyler Archibald is executive director of the Sunset Empire Park and Recreation District.