Salem Kiwanis Club

Kiwanis Day of Giving | Kiwanis International Home > Who we are > Kiwanis Children’s Fund > Ways to give > Kiwanis Day of Giving Kiwanis Day of Giving Help over 30,000 kids! With the Kiwanis Children’s Fund, US$2.25 is enough to make a positive impact in the life of one child. During last year’s Kiwanis Day of Giving, we raised enough mon...

Who are the two people you and a fellow club member are meeting with this month to share your Kiwanis story? Here’s an idea: Reach out to an attorney that practices family law and a local plumbing professional. Tell them about the smiles you get from the kids you serve. Invite them to join Kiwanis.

Get more membership tips: kiwanis.org/two-for-two

The countdown is on for our second Kiwanis Day of Giving. Join us online February 21-22, 2024, to enhance the lives of kids around the world. Just US$2.25 is enough to reach one child through Kiwanis Children's Fund grants. How many kids can you reach on ?

Learn more: kiwanis.org/dayofgiving

It's our birthday! 🎉
Kiwanis International turns 109 years old today, and we're ready to celebrate! Here are a few ways you can commemorate Kiwanis' birthday — together with your club or on your own:
🔹 Spend the day performing random acts of kindness in your community.
🔹 Snap a photo of yourself wearing Kiwanis gear with pride — and post it using the hashtag .
🔹 Make a donation to the Kiwanis Children's Fund.
🔹 Personally invite people in your network to join you at your next club project. What better way to celebrate Kiwanis than by encouraging others to volunteer?

Happy 105th anniversary PNW Kiwanis! The Pacific Northwest District of Kiwanis International was established over 100 years ago on January 17, 1919.

View the Winter 2024 Edition of 'Kiwanis Builder' (PDF) athttps://dwyq4sa1lz55y.cloudfront.net/uploads/sites/611/2024/01/Builder_Winter_2024.pdf

Salem Kiwanis Club remembers our long-time member and former president Gordon Belson who passed away on February 17, 2022. https://www.statesmanjournal.com/obituaries/ssj061369

Obituaries in Salem, OR | The Statesman Journal Gordon J. Belson Salem - Born in New York City on 12-24-1933, Gordon J. Belson was raised and educated in Southern California, earning an A.A....

SALEM KIWANIS CLUB REMEMBERS NORM FRINK:

[August 2 Post by Scot Frink]
While not a nationally well-known audiologist, my father was a pioneer when it came to private practice audiology. And to me, a giant among us.

Norman D. Frink passed away, at the way of 80, on July 24, 2021 after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease. He was raised in Perrydale, Oregon, where he met his wife of 59 years, JoAnn Dart. Norman served for four years as a radar man in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in 1962. He married JoAnn on August 11, 1962.

He attended the Oregon College of Education (now Western Oregon University) following his stint in the Navy, originally planning to be a dentist. But couldn't get over how he would be causing pain to people while at the same time helping them. A friend of his who was already in the audiology program at OCE suggested he consider entering it as well, and the rest is history. He completed his masters degree in audiology in 1968.

He took an initial position at Glenrose Children's Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (where I was born), before becoming the audiologist for the State of Oregon Health Division, testing children in schools. In 1982, he left that position to found Salem Audiology Clinic, one of the first private practice audiology clinics in Oregon. Salem Audiology Clinic, now run by his children, has grown to become one of the largest in the state, with three locations and 23 employees.

Over the next three decades, he was very active in the audiology community, helping to grow his practice and to help found the Oregon Academy of Audiology. His focus on audiology was to help his community to hear better.

Norman retired from Salem Audiology Clinic in 2006, and spent much of his free time traveling throughout the United States and Europe with his wife, JoAnn. Norman was known for his love of books, and was frequently seen browsing in various new and used book stores along the Oregon coast, where he spent a lot of his free time at a second home in Pacific City. He became very active in the Salem Kiwanis Club, heading up their children’s book distribution program, which by 2013 had helped to distribute more than 42,800 books to about 8,573 kids at 95 local schools and head start programs.

In 2015, Norman was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He remained active, however, until his passing on July 24, 2021. Everything Norman did in his life he did in the spirit of service – for his family, his country, and his community.

Norman was preceded in death by his father, Milton Frink; mother, Luzelle Frink; and son, David Frink. Norman is survived by his wife, JoAnn, daughter Lesli Hiller (Steve), son Scot Frink (Lynise); seven grandchildren (Catherine Frink, Christopher Frink, Allyson Hiller-Waite (Dereck), Joe Hiller (Shelby), Andrew Frink, Cassandra Frink, Michael Hiller); one great grandson, Clark Hiller.

A memorial service is scheduled to be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Sunday, August 15th, 2021 at 2 pm. For those that can’t attend in person or who are concerned about Covid-19, the service will be live streamed and accessible on the Westminster website (https://www.salemwestpres.org/). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Salem Kiwanis Club Children’s Book Program.

Jerry Russell was our guest speaker on March 10, 2020. He was raised in the Midwest and came to Oregon as a student at Oregon State University. He graduated in Finance and went to work for Georgia-Pacific Corp. When Georgia-Pacific was moving out of Oregon, he moved to work for the State of Oregon as an auditor. He retired in 2010.

He became interested in covered bridges as a child, as his family traveled to visit covered bridges in the Northeast part of the USA. After retiring, he became President of the Covered Bridge Society of Oregon. The Society will no longer be active as membership has declined with no new members interested in being involved.

The first covered bridges began being built in 1850. The first bridges had to be 12 feet in width, and where covered for many reasons. A few reasons were 1. Lasted longer when covered. 2. Would hide bad workmanship. 3. Kept horses from being scared when crossing over river. Tolls were paid to cross a number of the bridges. The tolls ranged from 3 cents a head for a herd of animals crossing the bridge to 18 cents for a single buggy with horses and 2 people.

The first bridges were built by workers that lived near or at the sites. They used local resources because of easy access to the sites. In the early 1900’s, counties started to have plans for building the bridges using “Howe” trusses as a common bridge construction. In Oregon, Douglas fir trees were used because of the properties that the wood and availability of it.

From 1905 to 1925, the number of bridges numbered around 600 bridges. Of those, there are only 50 or so, left, which have been renovated and are not used to actually carry autos across them.

Each bridge has a world guide number. The “first two numbers” – represent the State of the bridge location. For Oregon the number is # 37. The “ second two numbers” – represent the County location of the bridge. For a Marion County bridge the number is # 20. The “ last two numbers” – represent the Location of the bridge in which County.

He ended his talk by giving out 6 notecards w/envelopes with Covered Bridges on their covers.

Article by Laura Hildebrandt, Photo by Bob Repine, from Kiwanis Klippings

MAYOR CHUCK BENNETT: Salem Mayor Chuck Bennett was our guest speaker today. The mayor talked about the continuing problem of the homeless. He was our guest speaker back in 2009 before he was mayor, but back then the issue of the homeless was not as bad as it is today.

Mr Bennett pointed out that Salem has really grown in the last few years. This year the overriding issue is folks downtown sleeping and doing other things “on the sidewalks.” He stated that this problem won’t be solved anytime soon. He feels that the city is doing well compared with other cities of similar size.

A new comprehensive city plan is in the works with transportation issues looming large. He noted the $17 million investment in downtown with new developments. The new Salem Police facility will open soon. A new business plan for the Salem Airport is in the works. The city is growing and doing well.

~Article and photos from Salem Kiwanis Klippings, by Bob Tribotti

IAN DAVIDSON, PRESIDENT OF SALEM AREA MASS TRANSIT DISTRICT: Ian Davidson was our guest speaker today. He is a new president of the transit board having been on the board for 6 months. He noted that Marcia Kelley was on the transit board for longer than he has been alive.

Under new legislation, board members are now appointed by the Oregon Governor. Each board member represents one of seven subdistricts. Their primary responsibility is stewardship and trusteeship. The Board establishes priorities, evaluates the performance of the transit system, and approves budgets.

The Board also works with community members to improve bus service and address transit-related issues. Board members serve Cherriots in unpaid positions.

Officially known as the Salem Area Mass Transit District, the agency provides bus service for over 76 square miles in Salem, Keizer, and the mid-Willamette Valley serving some 14,000 folks daily. And in May of this year, will provide bus service for the first time on Sundays. Bus service will also run till 11pm. Also coming soon, service on all holidays except Christmas and New Years Day.

A new fee structure for youth, at 50¢ per ride, or $1 day pass has increased ridership by some 44%. Seniors also have a reduced rate.

~Article and photos from Salem Kiwanis Klippings, by Bob Tribotti

Haley Kahrmann was our member speaker today. She is a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones Financial Services. She outlined 10 “Rules of the Road” for setting up an investment plan.

The following is from the Edward Jones Web site: Retirement may be the most important financial goal you hope to achieve, but it’s likely not the only goal. The path to reaching any short- and long-term goal starts with having a strategy in place.

Here are three steps to guide you.

1. Determine what’s most important to you. Maybe you want to plan for a child’s future wedding, remodel your kitchen or take that dream trip you’ve always talked about. The first step to achieving your goals is figuring out what’s on your list.

2. Prioritize and weigh the trade-offs. Write down each goal, estimate how much it will cost, and determine when you want to achieve it. By ranking your goals in order from most to least important, you’ll find it easier to separate the “need to haves” from the “nice to haves.”

3. Share your goals with your financial advisor. He or she can review your goals and help you find ways to achieve them. This could include discussing "what if" scenarios that help you prepare for obstacles that may come up or suggesting actions you could take to realize them sooner.

Finally, enjoy the journey. Half the fun of setting goals is dreaming about them as you work to make them a reality.

Richard Chesbrough was our featured member today. He had the double duty to be the program as well as the featured member. 
 As Division 70 Lt. Gov. Richard will be on hand when the new system of naming PNW divisions comes into play. He noted that there is talk of Div. 70 being renamed “Upper Willamette Division” but stay tuned, that is not cast in concrete yet.

WILLAMETTE UNIVERSITY ASSOCIATE DEAN, DANNY SANTOS: Our guest speaker today was Danny Santos. After two decades in service to four Oregon governors including Neil Goldschmidt, Barbara Roberts, John Kitzhaber and Ted Kulongoski.

Mr. Santos, a graduate of Willamette University College of Law, returned to the school in June 2011 as Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Administration. He consulted with student organizations and conducted oversight on the offices of Admission, Career and Professional Development, and Student Services.

Mr. Santos is a graduate of Southern Oregon University. He was a senior policy advisor for Gov. Ted Kulongoski and worked on an array of issues including tribal and labor relations, collective bargaining, housing, education and military services. In the first administration of Gov. Kitzhaber he served as legal counsel, education policy coordinator, and worked on juvenile and adult criminal justice issues.

Santos was Governor Roberts’ legal counsel & chair of the Oregon Board of Parole & Post-Prison Supervision. He also served as Deputy Citizen’s Representative and director of the Commission on Agricultural Labor in Gov. Neil Goldschmidt’s administration.

Mr. Santos earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology at SOU in 1975 followed by a juris doctorate from Willamette University College of Law before entering government service.

~Article and photo from Salem Kiwanis Klippings, by Bob Tribotti

BOB REPINE: Former Oregon State Representative Bob Repine was our program speaker today. He is a board member of the Oregon State Capitol Foundation. He was asked to oversee the restoration project on the Oregon “Liberty Bell” which has been exposed to the elements outside the Capitol for years.

The bell is one of 54 bells created by a fundraising bond program envisioned by President Truman and U.S. Secretary of State John W. Snyder to help pay the war debt.

The bells are exact replicas of the U.S. Liberty Bell. Each state and U.S. Territory received a bell. Also there was a bell for Independence Mo. the birthplace of President Harry Truman.

Bob has selected a company back east, Christoph and Paccard Foundry, to restore the bell. The Oregon bell will travel east and be there about 3 months for restoration. The bell will be back in Oregon and placed on the Capitol grounds in time for a ceremony featuring the restored bell on July 4, 2020.

~Article and photos from Salem Kiwanis Klippings, by Bob Tribotti

Salem Kiwanis lost a great Kiwanian and a great friend this week. Hugh Nelson

BEV CLARNO: Secretary of State Bev Clarno was our guest speaker at the January 14th meeting Salem Kiwanis Club. She was elected to the Oregon legislature the same year as Bob Repine, that year being 1988.

In the early years of her tenure in the House she would reach across the aisle in order to accomplish benefits to all Oregonians regardless of political party. Today the legislature, like the country, is more divided along party lines. One of the aspects of the Secretary of State’s Office is the Audits Division which administers Municipal Audit Law to ensure local governments comply.

Municipal Audit Law requires Oregon’s local governments to submit annual financial reports to the Secretary of State. In the interest of transparency and accountability, they assist with understanding and complying with the law and making information available to the public. She was asked about the security of Oregon’s election system snd she feels that measures are in place to insure the integrity of Oregon’s elections.

Ms Clarno feels that one of the biggest problems in Oregon is the Forest Management system. Gov. Kate Brown is clear about how she believes Oregon should clean up its state forest mess. She has requested that Oregon Department of Forestry leaders and its oversight board develop an agreement with federal authorities that consultants say will save the agency money.

~Article and photos from Salem Kiwanis Klippings, by Bob Tribotti

OREGON SECRETARY OF STATE BEV CLARNO: Secretary of State Bev Clarno will be our guest speaker at the Salem Kiwanis Club meeting on Tuesday, January 14th, 2020. Kiwanis members are encouraged to invite a guest for this informative presentation. Contact us if you would like to attend this meeting as a guest. https://sos.oregon.gov/Pages/meet-the-secretary.aspx

Happy New Year from Salem Kiwanis Club!

TOY DRIVE: Bob Repine with toys donated to the Les Schwab Holiday Toy Drive by Salem Kiwanis Club. Also shown in the photos, our secretary/treasurer Marcia Kelley with Chris from Les Schwab.

Lt. Governor Richard Chesbrough presents Kiwanis pins to club president Laura Hildebrandt and secretary Marcia Kelley at the club meeting on November 26th, 2019.
~Photo from Salem Kiwanis Klippings, by Bob Tribotti

DISTINGUISHED CLUB AWARD: President Laura Hildebrandt and Lt. Governor Richard Chesbrough show Distinguished Cub certificates awarded to Salem Kiwanis Club.
~Photo from Salem Kiwanis Klippings, by Bob Tribotti

MOUNT ANGEL OCTOBERFEST: Our guest speaker at the 11/12/19 meeting was Monica Boshler, who is with Mount Angel Octoberfest. She has been a member of the board for 8 years and is in charge of marketing and public relations. Prior to that position she worked at the St. Mary Parish Booth for 10 years at the festival. When not involved in Octoberfest, she manages the guest houses at the Mt. Angel Abby.

Next year the festival will celebrate 55 years. The booth sales have grossed $770,000. There are 45 groups involved in the yearly festival. Some 7500 people volunteer every year at the festival. (article and photo by Laura Hildebrandt)

"A celebration of the harvest in Bavarian style. A wonderful blend of family fun, music, food and beer."

~Article from Salem Kiwanis Klippings by Laura Hildebrandt

FAMILY PROMISE OF MID-WILLAMETTE VALLEY: Our guest speaker at the November 5th meeting was T.J. Putman, Executive Director of Family Promise of Mid-Willamette Valley. They opened their doors in 1999 and have served thousands of individuals and local families.

Last year they helped over 2,000 families with children. One-third of folks who are homeless are families with children. In the Salem schools there are about 30 to 35 kids who are homeless at any one time.

In 2019 with the assistance of Family Promise, 324 Salem kids had a safe place to live and 78 families were helped with transitional housing or shelter.

Family Promise is part of a national organization of over 200 affiliates.

Here in Salem on average four families are assisted with housing and food at any given time through a number of local churches. In 2019 13,167 meals were served.

~Article from Salem Kiwanis Klippings, by Bob Tribotti

EUNICE KIM, PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE SALEM AREA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN: Our guest speaker on October 29th was Eunice Kim, Project Manager for the Salem Area Comprehensive Plan. She presented a series of visuals showing the city’s vision of the future. Also on hand was a large map of the greater Salem area with the option of having residents choose to show where they believe various types of housing, commercial and recreational facilities should be available in the Salem area. This map has been circulated in the community and folks have had a chance to make their
priorities known to the city planners. We were invited to share our ideas regarding the future of the city.

Shown on the photos: Bob Repine selects a dot to show
where he believes there is a need for shopping facilities.

~ Article from Salem Kiwanis Klippings by Bob Tribotti

GARY HOROWITZ, KBZY-1490AM: Our guest speaker at the October 22nd meeting was Gary Hortowitz, Sports Director/Announcer, with KBZY-1490AM and a freelance sportswriter.

Gary told us how he was encouraged in school to become
a writer when he wrote a story about “Freddy,” a very short basketball player. With his three brothers he became a sports fan and after graduating from Ohio State turned his avocation into a 20-year career as a sports writer and photographer with the Statesman Journal.

~ Article from Salem Kiwanis Klippings by Bob Tribotti

KELLY CARLISLE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SALEM-KEIZER EDUCATION FOUNDATION: Our guest speaker at the 10/1/19 meeting was Kelly Carlisle who was named the new executive director of the Salem-Keizer Education Foundation on Aug. 2, 2019. The foundation is widely known for two signature events, its annual Awesome 3000 fun run for Kids and the annual Crystal Apple Awards. Carlisle served as a district administrator in Salem-Keizer for ten years until he retired in 2018.

As reported in The Statesman Journal… “as district assistant superintendent, he supervised K-12 education and student services, taking part in efforts to promote educational equity, increase career and college readiness, and maintain positive school and community relations, officials said. In his earlier post as the director of high schools, officials said he worked with principals to improve equitable student participation in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses, access to college credit for high schoolers and to increase the graduation rate and re-engagement of students who had dropped out.”

He feels that one of the best things SKEF does is the Awesome 3000 where kids have a great time and join together for fun and are rewarded with t-shirts, medals, new books and high fives.

His goal for the future in this community of 65 schools, 42,000 kids and a population of 209,000 in Salem and Keizer is to bring the community closer to kids and the kids closer to the community.

His early school experiences including his musical skills were key to his feelings of belonging to a greater effort than just one’s self.

~ Article from Salem Kiwanis Klippings by Bob Tribotti

DAVE WORTMAN, OREGON STATEWIDE SUSTAINABILITY OFFICER: Our guest speaker at the September 24th meeting was Dave Wortman who is the Statewide Sustainability Officer for Oregon. In his position he helps agencies in state government to conserve energy, save water and reduce waste in government. An emphasis to recycle, and purchase environmentally friendly goods and services is a high priority.

The following information is from their web site… With over 100 state agencies and more than 40,000 employees, the state government's sustainability efforts can significantly influence the efficient use of energy and water, promote alternative transportation, reduce waste, promote the purchase and use of more sustainable materials and foster equity and inclusion, among other topics. These efforts can also help address the challenges of climate change, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions from state operations and consumption and preparing to be resilient to a climate that is already changing. Several agencies have already prepared sustainability plans and developed programs and initiatives to address various aspects of sustainability.

EarthWISE Certification recognizes businesses in Marion County that have made a commitment to environmentally friendly practices. The following are some of the businesses who have met the EarthWISE certification criteria and are environmental leaders in Marion County: Cooke Stationery, CompanyCrosby Hop Farm, LLC, Debra Herring Studio Habitat for Humanity ReStore-Salem, Habitat for Humanity ReStore-Woodburn, One Fair World, Rapid Refill Print Solutions, South Salem Ace Hardware, South Salem Cycleworks, AJ's Auto Repair, Capitol Auto Group and Brooks Automotive.

~ Article from Salem Kiwanis Klippings by Bob Tribotti

More info Oregon Sustainability at https://www.oregon.gov/energy/About-Us/Pages/Sustainability.aspx