Key Club is the largest and oldest service organization providing high school students with the opportunities to expand their leadership skills and serve the community; however, Key Club is more than just a student organization, it is also a close-knit community and family.
When I entered high school, I had no idea what Key Club was. As a matter of fact, I had no club involvement until the beginning of sophomore year when a few of my friends pushed me to join Key Club. Quickly after, Key Club became more than just meetings, service, and projects, it became a community and place where I’ve made some of my closest friends and made memories that I won’t forget.
Key Club fosters an inclusive community driven by passion. The passion that members have for service and leadership creates an environment where members feel welcomed, and it enables the growth of long-lasting relationships. A specific example of this is Division 32! At all District Conventions I’ve been to, I’ve noticed that Division 32 members are always the kindest. They’re always taking the opportunity to meet people from other divisions and making meaningful connections with them. With the biggest smiles on their faces, they truly exemplify the community that Key Club fosters.
Another aspect of Key Club is the huge impact that it has on the community. Key Clubbers are consistently serving the community and working to make it a better place everyday. From small service projects to the bigger ones such as the District Project (Ronald McDonald House Charities), all of this service contributes to a bigger impact overall! The small things are just as important as the big things, and at the end of the day, part of Key Club’s purpose is to empower and strengthen the community.
EY CLU EY CLU EY CLU
Looking back, it’s funny how the things that end up meaning the most to us often start as something so small. For me, this was Key Club.
When I joined as a freshman at Robert Service High School, I wasn’t exactly looking for a leadership position or anything that important. I was just looking for something to do during Monday lunches. I attended the quick meetings, participated here and there, and didn’t think much of it. Over time, though, what started as just a school club became something much more, opening doors to friendships and experiences I never expected.
During my sophomore year, I found myself becoming more involved. A big reason for this was our president, Dihan, and vice president, Dean. As twin brothers, they brought so much energy and spirit to Key Club. More importantly, they made everyone feel welcome in Room G33 during weekly meetings. Whether it was someone’s first year or they had been attending for years, they always made an effort to help people feel included. Watching them lead showed me that leadership extends beyond organizing events and running meetings, it’s reflected in the way you treat people. One of my most memorable moments was my first Key Club Day. The truth is, I almost didn’t go. I was nervous because there were so many people attending who I didn’t know, and the idea of spending hours with strangers felt intimidating. However, Dihan and Dean kept encouraging members to attend, and because of that encouragement, I decided to attend. That day, we made hygiene kits, created slime, and played many games. One of my favorite memories was trying to pass an egg on a spoon down a line of people without dropping it. While the activities were fun, what stuck with me most was realizing that Key Club was more than a service organization. It was a place where people from different schools could come together through a shared purpose.
That experience made me want to become a bigger part of Key Club and help it grow. It taught me that service isn’t always about grand gestures. Sometimes, making a difference comes from small acts of kindness and simply showing up for others. Those lessons along the way pushed me further into leadership, first as Treasurer and eventually as Lieutenant Governor.
When I decided to run for Lieutenant Governor, I wasn’t entirely sure what I was getting myself into. I knew the basic responsibilities, but I didn’t fully understand how much the position would impact me. Over the past few months, it has given me opportunities to meet incredible people both within my division and beyond it. Through these experiences, I’ve realized that leadership is about being approachable and supportive. I want to be someone others feel comfortable turning to, whether they need help, advice, or simply someone to listen.
While Key Club is centered around service and giving back to our communities, I’ve come to realize that it has given me just as much in return. It has given me confidence, and valuable skills that I will carry with me long after high school. The people I’ve met have shown me that making a difference isn’t only about the projects we complete or the hours we serve, it’s the impact we have on one another. I’m grateful that I decided to walk into those Monday lunch meetings and that I said yes to attending my first Key Club Day. What started as a way to spend my lunch period became one of the most memorable parts of my high school experience. The teachings I’ve learned and the people I’ve met are continuously shaping me into a better version of myself, and as I continue serving as Lieutenant Governor, I hope to provide others with the same encouragement that inspired me to become involved in the first place.
EY CLU EY CLU EY CLU
y freshman year. Entering high school, I w y Club was something new, so I jumped President inspired me to continue in the club, she was like an older sister to me. Because of her leadership, I was inspired to run for Key Club office. I became Treasurer at Bremerton Key Club, and my friends had become officers too. I attended DCON 2024 in Portland, Oregon, and got a full grasp of what the organization was. My Treasurer term was a learning experience, but I was finally understanding who I was, and what I wanted to be through Key Club. Volunteering with my friends and helping set up events and ways to raise money was something I really enjoyed. In February, I decided to run for President. I was really unsure of myself and my leadership style, I constantly told myself, “I’m not fit to be a President.” I didn’t know if my leadership style was fit for such a big role.
Attending DCON 2025 pushed me to learn more. I learned more about the international level of Key Club, and I also learned more about CKI. I was still nervous about how my term would go.
But, as I became President of Bremerton, I saw firsthand the joy that Key Club brings. My home club was made up of diverse people from all walks of life. Each and every event, getting to talk to my members and getting to know their dreams, hopes, and aspirations filled me with pride. Being President for me, wasn’t just about the work, it was also to help ensure that members saw their worth, their potential, and the power they had to change communities, and change lives. Through the vehicle of service, my homeclub was able to take 29 people to DCON 2026, the most in our 50 year history. Together, we created the biggest board in our history, along with taking our membership to a decade high. I was also able to visit Central Kitsap and Olympic Key Clubs early during my term, and also invite them to my club meetings.
My home club and my peers in my division showed me a different way to succeed, that “unconventional wisdom,” was a leadership strategy that could help inspire, motivate, and help move mountains as a team, together.
I was elected Lieutenant Governor on January 3rd, 2026. In my final meeting as President in late February, I couldn’t help but be emotional in my final speech. I looked around the room and finally realized what we had all helped build. It was the work of my graduating seniors who had just joined Key Club, it was the work of my committee members who were emerging as leaders in our school and community, it was the work of our alumni– who without them, none of this would be possible. I glanced at my new officer team and all my members, I remarked to them, “The future is here, and the future is you.” I would leave for the Winter Board the very next day, still thinking about my members back home, wondering how to best represent them at the District level.
I have watched my division go through many trials and tribulations throughout my time as Treasurer and President. What I noticed in Division 36, was the strong communities in each of our Key Clubs. Each club is humble, yet completes service in a big way. From our monthly Presidential Council Meetings, club visits, and interacting with my members on social media, there is an energy of hope that every conversation brings me. Each moment reminds me of the high honor of being Lieutenant Governor, and how the role needs to be taken with responsibility and a sense of care. Through meeting people in my division and on the district board, this role has become a dream. The possibilities are simply endless.
If there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it is that hope is my strongest asset in this role. The hope for a better tomorrow, the hope for a better future for my community, and most importantly, the strong hope I put in my members and officers to achieve great things, while working together in partnership. The night before my election and even today, I remind myself of the hundreds of people and their efforts that ensured that Division 36 would still be standing today. As my time in Key Club winds down, I want to make every effort to ensure that their stories are heard.
LIEUTENANTGOVERNOR(33)
My DCON experience was truly unforgettable to say the least. I met countless new people, made incredible memories, and built so many meaningfulconnectionsthroughoutjusttwodays.
Theworkshopswerehonestlysomeofthemostentertainingexperiences ever , ranging from “How to Be Key Club Famous” (Instagram and social media tips and tricks) to “How to Get a Date.” For me, what made DCON trulyspecialwasgettingtobondwithmyfellowLTGswhilevolunteeringat theseamazingworkshops,allwhilespendingthelastbitsoftimewiththe outgoingboard.
AlsoatDCONIwassohappytorepresentmydivisionandourclubs.Itwas reallycooltoseeallofthemembersfromallofthedifferentschoolsinour divisioncheerandshowtheirspirit;winningthespiritstickwasthecherry on the cake. I really enjoyed all of the activities that we did as a division, such as cheering and bonding with the other members. These activities made me even more proud to be a part of Key Club and a part of my division. DCON made me appreciate my role in the club even more and remindedmewhyIamapartofthisorganization.
han just workshops and awards. It was a service rship celebration, and a friendship celebration. Seeing nddedicationtoserviceatDCONmademeexcitedto onandfosterevenmorespiritinallourclubs.
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DISTRICT ADMIN UPDATE
Written by Angela Bruhl
Welcome to the new Key Club Year! I am happy to be serving as your new District Administrator. I hope you take the time to familiarize yourself with all that PNW Key Club has to offer you. The Executive Committee and Lieutenant Governors work hard to create resources and to support all 286 clubs. Please subscribe and read the Bi-weeklys and Divisional Newsletters, as well as visit our website to learn about these materials and resources.
It is summer, a time to relax and recharge before the next school year. It is also a good time to continue your Key Club work. While you may find yourself on vacation or in an internship, you may also find yourself with a lot of time on your hands. I recommend using this time to prepare for the fall. If you are an officer, you should have attended your division's Officer Training Conference and set goals for the school year. You could begin planning service projects, visiting your local Kiwanis clubs, or develop strategies for member recruitment. Whatever your individual goals or club’s goals are, it is never too early to begin working on them. I encourage you to begin thinking about DCON and budgeting for this and other Key Club events.
Finally, at the end of Summer are Key Club Days! This year Key Club Day South will be Saturday, August 22nd at Oaks Park in Portland Or and Key Club Day North will be Saturday August 29th at Wild Waves in Federal Way, WA. Early bird registration is now open through the Key Club Shop on the district’s website (www.pnwkeyclub.org). I look forward to seeing you either at an in-person event or at the free virtual kick-off event.
Congratulations to all the graduating seniors, please keep in touch through our PNW Alumni Association or joining a CKI at your college. For the rest of you, I am excited for the next year of leadership and service. Please contact me with any questions at angela@pnwkeyclub.org.
It is Tyler Moran, your International Trustee for the 2025-2026 Service Year! I hope that you all are having a great start into the 2026-2027 Term, and one thing to note is that with summer here, this is the perfect opportunity to get ahead. From getting service hours, planning for member recruitment, and of course attending events. There is so much to do, and I hope that you all take advantage of this! With this being said, here is my final message to you all before I retire at ICON 2026 in Dallas, Texas!
Currently, the International Board is in reflection season and preparing for ICON! Within my committee of Programs & Partners, we have been working on writing transition reports for the next I-Board and reflecting on all the amazing things we have done this year, such as raising $35,000 for Thirst Project! As Chair of the Elections Committee, I have been working hard to get all the candidates prepared for a smooth election process at ICON! Speaking of ICON, we have our amazing speakers like Olivia Zhang and Sofia Carson, plus workshops, KEY-nnections, and so much more you guys won’t want to miss!
It has been quite inspiring seen all Pacific Northwest has been doing, to energetic DCMS, filled with service, to promotion of all things Key Club, seems like the year is off to a great start.
While my term may be ending, my love and respect for PNW will never leave! I just wanted to say how grateful I am to have served one of the best districts in KCI. So don’t hesitate to contact me via Instagram @tys1uv or email (tmoran@keyclub.org). I hope to see you all ready to saddle up for service at International Convention 2026 in Dallas, Texas!
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Hello PNW Key Clubbers! My name is Sierra Newell, and I am the 2026-2027 Kiwanis-Family Relations Committee Chair! I am so incredibly excited to work with all of YOU, and our Kiwanis Family this service year! Please contact me right away at kfam@pnwkeyclub.org if you have any questions or seek support in strengthening your Kiwanis Family.
What is the Kiwanis-Family? What is the Kiwanis-Family? What is the Kiwanis-Family?
What is the Kiwanis-Family?
As we continue to grow, learn and serve throughout this year, it is super important that you develop a full understanding of the Kiwanis-Family, to help your club succeed, and truly make a positive impact in your community. Make sure that you pass on the knowledge of what you learn here today to all of your fellow Key Clubbers! First, it is important to establish that Key Club is not alone! We are an international service organization made up of clubs from all ages. In elementary school, we have the K-Kids Club. For middle school, we see Builders Club, and as students transition into high school, they can join their Key Club! After High School, Key Clubbers can move on to join the Alumni Network, as well as their College’s Circle K. Once you officially move into the adult years of your life, you can join a local Kiwanis Club, and continue to serve your community! As the Kiwanis-Family Relations Committee, we work to connect and strengthen the bonds between each branch of the Kiwanis Family, as explained above, however, we can not accomplish this task without YOUR involvement and enthusiasm!
What can you as a Key Clubber do to
What can you as a Key Clubber do to
What can you as a Key Clubber do to connect the Kiwanis Family? connect the Kiwanis Family? connect the Kiwanis Family?
What can you as a Key to connect the Kiwanis Family?
Connecting the Kiwanis Family in your own community involves countless benefits; Opening up more opportunities and scholarships for Key Clubbers, connecting to serve and create a more meaningful, positive impact, and creating a community of advice and support are just a few of these benefits, so make sure you don’t wait, and you start your journey to connect your KiwanisFamily now! Some of the things you have the power to do include: Chartering a K-Kids or Builders Club at elementary and middle schools nearby to your high school! Stay in consistent communication with your sponsoring Kiwanis Advisor and Kiwanis Club, make sure you update them on what your club is up to, and invite them to all of your events! Don’t have a Sponsoring Kiwanis Club? Make sure to contact me at kfam@pnwkeyclub.org, along with working with your faculty advisor and Lt. Governor to identify your local Kiwanis Club, to begin connecting, communicating, and collaborating! One last big thing that we will talk about today is planning joint service-projects as a Key Club!! There are countless more courses of action that you and your Key Club can take to strengthen your Kiwanis Family and make a difference in your community, so make sure you contact me or your local Lt. Governor for support and additional ideas on how to do so!
FAM FAM
Chartering
Chartering
Chartering
Chartering
K-Kids and Builders Clubs
K-Kids and Builders Clubs
K-Kids and Builders Clubs
K-Kids and Builders Clubs
Begin this Process by identifying a nearby school in need of a K-Kids or Builders Club, then create a plan of action with your Key Club during a meeting. Draft and send an email to the principal of this elementary or middle school informing them of your hope to connect the community and charter a club, and work with them to identify a faculty advisor at their elementary/middle school. After accomplishing this first task, work closely with the faculty advisor, principal, and others to promote the new club in newsletters, announcements, online posts, handouts, posters, and more! Make sure you set a clear first meeting date and time, as well as a future meetings schedule!! Along with this, make sure to put an emphasis on promotion as the new school year is starting, and even get people excited over the summer! Make sure you work closely with the KFam committee, or your Lt. Governor to sort out chartering details! Next, help the school hold its first meeting, and continue to support it moving forward! Make your first meeting meaningful, and engaging! Teach students about their new club, remind them about dues, and future meetings, and include a service project during the meeting!
Connecting and Communicating with Kiwanis
Connecting and Communicating with Kiwanis
Connecting and Communicating with Kiwanis
Connecting and Communicating with Kiwanis
Key Clubbers! Make it your mission to do an outstanding job this year connecting with your Kiwanis Club! No matter if you are sponsored or not, reach out to your local Kiwanis Club president or advisor, and keep them updated on what you are working on! Make sure to always invite Kiwanis Club members to your upcoming service projects, and even your meetings! If you need help connecting, communicating, or becoming officially sponsored by your local Kiwanis Club, once again, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at kfam@pnwkeyclub.org, or your local Lt. Governor!
Service Projects
Joint Service Projects
Joint Service Projects Joint Service Projects
Planning and Organizing Joint service projects is one of the easiest and most effective ways to strengthen your Kiwanis Family! Begin this process by finding a good service project that is appropriate for the age of Kiwanis-Family branch you plan to include! This could be painting kindness rocks with K-Kids, all the way to packaging hygiene kits or cleaning up the community area with your Kiwanis Clubs! Once you have a service project identified, make sure to invite your targeted branch of the Kiwanis-Family plenty of time in advance, to successfully carry out the joint service project, develop relationships, and even get spotlighted by K-Fam on the PNW Key Club Instagram!
Thank you all so much for reading, and displaying interest in developing and strengthening the Kiwanis Family in your community! Don’t forget to reach out to kfam@pnwkeyclub.org with any questions, or need for support! Continue to attend local upcoming Kiwanis Events, and make sure to in return, keep Kiwanis in the loop regarding Key Club events. Don’t give up in your pursuit to better your community! Strengthen the Kiwanis Family today by using the knowledge from above, reaching out for help, and utilizing the K-Fam Resources!
Introducing Our 2026–2027 District Project Introducing Our 2026–2027 District Project
The Pacific Northwest District is proud to announce that our District Project for the 2026–2027 service year will continue to be the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Throughout the coming year, Key Club members across the district will have the opportunity to support families facing some of life’s most difficult challenges and make a meaningful impact in communities throughout the Pacific Northwest.
For decades, Ronald McDonald House Charities has provided comfort, care, and support to families with children receiving medical treatment. By offering a place to stay near hospitals and creating a supportive environment during times of uncertainty, the organization helps families focus on what matters most: the health and well-being of their children.
As Key Club members, we are united by our commitment to caring for others through service. Ronald McDonald House Charities exemplifies the values of compassion, community, and support that are at the heart of our organization. Through fundraising initiatives, service projects, donation drives, and awareness campaigns, clubs throughout our district will have numerous opportunities to contribute to this important cause.
DIST DIST
RICT PROJECT RICT PROJECT
As Chair of the District Project Committee, I am excited to work alongside members, club officers, and district leaders to develop meaningful ways for our district to engage with this project. Throughout the year, the committee will provide resources, ideas, and opportunities to help clubs participate and maximize their impact.
I encourage every club and member to become involved in supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities. Whether through a large-scale fundraiser, a local service project, or a simple act of generosity, every contribution will help provide comfort and support to families when they need it most.
Together, we have the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of countless families across our communities. I look forward to seeing the creativity, dedication, and service that Pacific Northwest Key Club members bring to this year’s District P oject
DISTRICTGOVERNOR DISTRICTGOVERNOR DISTRICT GOVERNOR
DCON THEME DCON THEME DCON THEME
AANNOUNCEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT NNOUNCEMENT
STRATEGIC PLAN STRATEGIC PLAN STRATEGIC PLAN
Written by Katelyn Kawamura
Written by Katelyn Kawamura
Written by Katelyn Kawamura
It is time to develop a new strategic plan! The strategic plan is the guiding document that determines the overarching goals for the PNW District, pushing the district to continue growing and improving. This year, YOU have the opportunity to shape the future of the PNW.
The Strategic Planning Committee will bring together diverse voices from all around the PNW to evaluate current programs and drive to improve engagement, impact, and inclusivity within them. The committee will be responsible for gathering member feedback, determining primary goals, and setting the long-term vision for the district.
A committee interest form will be released over the summer to recruit Key Clubbers from all around the district to design the future of the PNW. Be on the lookout for its release! Take this opportunity to make YOUR voice heard–no matter your experience level or leadership background.
Even if you don’t have the capacity to participate in the committee, but still have ideas on how to improve the district, please feel free to reach out and share. The basis of the district is you, the member, and any feedback is greatly appreciated.
If you have any questions or comments about the committee, please feel free to reach out to me at katelynkawa2009@gmail.com.
KEY CLUB DAY KEY CLUB DAY
Key Club Day North 2025 helped me realize the sense of community and belonging that comes with being a part of the Key Club family. A few months before the event, when I was first notified about it, I thought nothing of it. Looking back, I’m incredibly glad I changed my mind before the registration deadline-I would have missed out on so much.
I attended Key Club Day North with my friend Libby from Lakes High School Key Club. At that time, she was the club’s vice president, and I was the editor. While we weren’t especially close, we were more than acquainted. After spending some time searching for our fellow Division 35 Tigers on the Wild Waves premises, we finally found them among the many other divisions in attendance and quickly realized just how impressive the event was. I had thought skyscraping, flamboyant spirit sticks were reserved for DCON, but I couldn’t have been more wrong—divisions brought them to KCDN, too.
Once the event was in full swing, we participated in games with Key Clubbers from across the region. One activity had us creating secret handshakes with other Key Clubbers, while another involved flipping cups upside down in search of specific marked letters. Like any grandiose social event, the games could be a little confusing at times, but there was a unique joy in working through that confusion together. Whether we were pretending to understand the rules or grouping together to ask for help, those small interactions brought us closer together. It's those little moments that create some of the strongest connections.
After the games came to a close, we were released into the theme park. Libby recognized my bright orange hair, and we reconvened before unexpectedly joining up with three members of Steilacoom High School Key Club, Max, Gigi, and Shay. They became our KCDN buddies, and we spent most of our day at Wild Waves together.
Since our division was among the first to enter the park, we headed straight for the wooden roller coaster and were some of the first people in line. After the brief wait, the ride was an absolute blast. I was nervous at first, but Libby and Shay pep-talked me to push past my fears. Their support helped me enjoy not only that ride but several others as well, including the drop tower (which, in my humble opinion, was very lackluster) and the park’s looping roller coaster.
Libby and I spent the next hour re-riding our favorite coasters and reflecting on everything we had experienced. During those conversations, I realized something important: in Key Club, you can find camaraderie in almost anyone. We all have different personalities, interests, and perspectives. Some of us are more outgoing than others. Yet there is one thing we all share—a desire to serve. That common purpose provides the foundation for meaningful friendships and lasting connections.
If there’s one piece of advice I can offer, it's to make your greatest effort to attend Key Club Days. You won’t regret it.
KEY CLUB DAY KEY CLUB DAY
Key Club Day South was one of the only other experiences I had to meet other divisions aside from DCON and the occasional Joint DCM, so going into Oaks Parks I thought I knew all that it had to offer but I couldn’t have have been more wrong.
Being with my Division helped me get to kno that I hadn’t got the chance to meet, as well interest in serving higher office.
The day started off with the programming f with fun Ice breakers, and mini-games participation in these activities really e experience and community.
I would say it's been one of the most fulfilling parts of my term and I even met some of my now life long friends there like Mandy Chang, our District Webmaster.
May, the District Board gathered for Spring Board, our first official board meeting of the 2026 2027 term. Throughout the weekend, board members participated in training, established goals for the year, and began developing plans to support clubs and members across the Pacific Northwest. The passion, dedication, and vision demonstrated by our student leaders reinforced my confidence in the year ahead.
One of the most exciting developments from Spring Board was the formation of our district committees. These committees will play an important role in advancing district initiatives, increasing member engagement, and expanding opportunities for leadership and service. I am honored to serve as Chair of the District Project Committee, where I look forward to working alongside committee members to strengthen our district project and encourage meaningful service throughout our communities.
As Governor, my priorities for this year include strengthening communication between all levels of our district, increasing opportunities for member involvement and leadership development, and supporting clubs in delivering impactful service to their communities. Through collaboration and innovation, I believe we can continue to grow the positive influence of Key Club throughout the Pacific Northwest.
ey Club Day North and Key Club Day South. These events provide Club members, learn more about district initiatives, develop at unites us. Whether you are a returning member or joining Key ge of these opportunities to engage with our district community.
mer unfolds, I encourage each of you to remain committed to and leadership Whether you are volunteering in your local nity, preparing for the upcoming school year, or exploring new support your club, your efforts contribute to the success of our tion and the communities we serve. district. In
Thank you for your dedication to Key Club and the values we represent. I am honored to serve as your District Governor, and I look forward to working alongside all of you as we make this year one of growth, impact, and service. Together, we can continue building a stronger Pacific Northwest District.
SSE SEEC UUPDATE UPDATE PDATE
ak from school and have some fun activities planned (in hopefully some warmer weather)! I have enjoyed hearing about the end-of-year activities your clubs have been conducting through Secretary Reports, and applaud all of you for your timeliness and efforts the past few months, whether it was through raising funds for the District Project or completing Secretary Reports every month in detail. You are truly making a difference!
I am happy to inform you that as of June 2nd, 2026, the PNW has contributed over 1,090 service hours and over $2,400 to Ronald McDonald House Charities in just March and April alone. Way to go, PNW! Please continue to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities over the summer through events such as donation drives, care packages, making cards, or even volunteering inperson at the house as a club. We need your help to support the RMHC to the very best this year!
Finally, I’d like to encourage you all to take this summer as an opportunity to h some warm-weather activities and get to know your club better. Summer m seem like a break from Key Club as well, but there are still many activities go on that I encourage you to participate in! Make sure you register for Key C Days and look out for committee webinar assignments.
I hope you feel accomplished looking back on the past school year, and make sure to get some rest this summer! Please reach out to me at secretary@pnwkeyclub.org if you’d like any assistance or have any questions!
hat means: three months of hopeless job seeking, SAT/ACT studying, and thinking about college apps for my fellow class of 2027…but it’s not all bad! Summer also means sleeping in, fun in the sun, and hanging out with friends! Regardless of what you choose to do this summer, I encourage you all to make the most of it, whether that be by learning a new skill or spending some valuable time with family—most of us have only a few t should be lived in a meaningful way. My personal goal this hobbies I was unable to pursue during the school year, from reating music. What will YOU do to live your summer to the
you are busy making the most of your summer, don’t forget the importance of service to your community. Service is great uring your summer is full of new memories and experiences lso making the world a better place! See if your Key Club has rvice projects available over the summer, and if not, look for other volunteer opportunities at your local food bank or animal shelter; the options are endless! And as you explore the needs of your community, reflect on what sorts of service projects would benefit your community the most. Dream big, because the Pacific Northwest Opportunities Fund is opening right as school starts to help fund your biggest, baddest service project ideas!
This summer, I’m going to be busy interning at my local research lab, but I’ll also be working hard to lift our district to new heights through working on PNWOF and DCON 2027, creating fundraising help guides, and much, much more. I want you to reflect on how you can advance your Key Club journey as well, and never forget that your awesome District Board and I will always be here to help you the whole way through. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about PNWOF, fundraising, or if you just want to say hi! I’d love to hear about all of your summer experiences and how you have chosen to live in a meaningful way.
EEDITOR EDITOR DITOR
UUPDATE UPDATE PDATE
Clubbers! Clubbers!
Happy Summer! After countless days of counting down through finals and testing, we’ve finally made it to the moment we’ve all been working toward: summer break! This is the perfect time to live life to the fullest, soak up the sunshine, hang out with friends, and try out new things. Personally, I am so looking forward to traveling with my family and getting ice cream and desserts with my friends.
But alongside all the summer fun, I am so excited to dive into my role as your District Editor for this term. I’ve been really enjoying working on this issue of The Espresso, and I hope you love reading it just as much. Since I was appointed to the District Editor position after DCON, I didn’t have a chance to share this earlier, but my main goal this year is to make sure your incredible club service stories get the spotlight they deserve!
Even though school is out, Key Club keeps going. Don’t forget to keep tracking your hours and staying connected with your home clubs. For my fellow editors and webmasters, I highly encourage you to start planning your promotions for Key Club Days, summer service projects, and fundraisers now. Key Club doesn’t stop when school is out, and planning early means you can beat the deadlines and enjoy a worry-free break.
I’ve already been so impressed by your divisional newsletters, and I’ve seen so many amazing social media posts from you all. I’m incredibly excited to meet all of you in person at the end of the summer at Key Club Days.
Well, that’s a wrap for my update. Take a look through this issue to see what the PNW District has been up to, and enjoy the rest of your break! As always, feel free to contact me at editor@pnwkeyclub.org if you have any questions or concerns.
Hello, PNW Key Club! Hello, PNW Key Club!
or, it is dizzying to think about d from my term. While I learned a myriad of skills in leadership and project management throughout my term as District Governor, the most fundamental lessons about leadership include those related to feedback, perfectionism, and a “humanist” approach to leadership.
Creating an environment in which feedback is welcome was one pillar of my learning as District Governor. Early on in my term, I was introduced to the SBI Method of providing feedback, an alternative to “the sandwich method” which may be familiar to many Key Clubbers right now. By using the SBI approach, members of a team can help each other celebrate positive behaviors and correct negative behaviors in a professional, non-adversarial manner that maximizes growth. Generally, during my term, I discovered that leaders should never hesitate to provide feedback, and they should always invite it, too. When leaders foster an environment in which speaking honestly is welcomed, divisive conflicts are more preventable, team culture improves, and teams can operate at maximum efficiency. IIPDISTRICTGOVERNOR
A disposition toward perfectionism is also something I encountered during my term. Early in the year, I would find myself reading and re-reading emails for mistakes, only to spot a typo or minor grammatical error after clicking “Send.” The mistake might result in frustration that I would allow a minor mistake to find its way into my work. Ultimately, however, we are all human, and we are all susceptible to human error. Everyone makes mistakes—even leaders. But the best leaders commit to making it right when a mistake is made. Did you accidentally send an email with incorrect information? Don’t lose any sleep over it! Send a follow-up email with an apology and the correct information as soon as possible. Did you send a club meeting agenda late? No worries! Apologize to your team, commit to ensuring it won’t happen again, and record the experience as a lesson learned. I often repeat the mantra, “You didn’t lose, you learned.” Originating from a leadership camp I attended, this mantra, affirms that leaders don’t have to be perfect, because no one is perfect. Leaders must simply be accountable for their work and grant themselves and their team the grace needed to learn from mistakes.
Everyone is a leader in their own right. One does not need a title, rank, or degree of authority to be labeled a leader and to implement these lessons As you move forward in your life, I hope you positive behaviors and those th the need to be perfect with the
Hey, PNW Key Clubbers! Hey, PNW Key Clubbers!
e summer season. As the eflect on my junior year.
A massive part of this year was my journey with Key Club. During the last few months of the school year, I’ve been able to take some time to reflect on my term and take away a few very valuable lessons. I would like to share the two most valuable with you all today.
Throughout my term as District Secretary, I was pushed again and again to step out of my comfort zone. Whether that was making the original choice to run and make two campaign addresses at DCON 2025, or having to differentiate between being both a friend and a leader, there were many challenges during my term I felt remarkably reluctant to take on. Yet, I came en scary mpowered o avoid a ill do you
If I could take away a single lesson from this year, though, it would be the importance of taking care of myself. As my term progressed, it became easier and easier to sacrifice personal time to take care of my never-ending list of tasks. Not only did this make it more difficult for me to stay in touch with myself, but it slowly caused me to lose touch with the passion and purpose that drove me to serve as District Secretary in the first place.
It was only by reconnecting with my family, friends, and individual identity–and taking a few days away from my duties–that I was able to sustainably finish out my term. By reconnecting with the things that make me who I am, I was able to get back in touch with my purpose as District Secretary, as well. Always remember that before you focus on anything else, you must take care of yourself. Only by prioritizing your wellbeing and maintaining your self-identity can you continue to be an effective, driven leader.
Thank you, PNW, for giving me the opportunity to serve you all as District Secretary. This position has taught me so many valuable lessons, given me lifelong connections, and grew my passion for service even further. I wouldn’t be who I am today without all of you. I am eternally grateful for this organization–and I can’t wait to see what great things we achieve together this year.
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Lillian Willard, and I served as the 2025-2026 Pacific Northwest District Treasurer. As though this role is carried out by a new successor each year, what made my term so special was that I was appointed in the Fall, making my term just over seven months long. This meant that I had a lot to do, but a very short time within which to do it.
My term started very abruptly on visit to Hermiston Oregon in Divis wasn’t just the first time I was wor Executive Committee, but it was a time I would be meeting the peo would be working with for the re the service year. I ended up le weekend having learned so much, ready to accomplish anything. weekend on, I quickly settled in and began embracing every oppo came my way. Whether it w divisions hours away or having zoom calls with clubs around t each experience helped me grow and made me even more grateful district. Even though my term felt sometimes a lot of work, I could my life without it. In only seven m the opportunity to grow as a le meaningful friendships, and serv that has given me so much over th
I think it is easy for people to get caught up in titles and positions, believing that leadership is defined by the role someone holds. However, one of the greatest lessons I learned is that leadership is not about the title you hold or the position that is listed next to your name. Leadership is about the impact you make with the people you inspire. A title may open doors, but it is what you do once you walk through that door that truly matters. I have had the opportunity to meet so many people who have done incredible things for their community, and some of them never held a title at all So as you approach this service year don’t be discouraged if something it because its up to you to your way. No matter where n your club, community, and my legacy is not defined by e relationships I built along ber takes away from their ke an impact. Every act of has the power to create a being said, let's make this ear one to remember! IIPDISTRICTTREASURER
IICON ICON CON EEXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE XPERIENCE
ICON is Key Club’s International Convention, where members from around the world come together to learn, grow, and celebrate service. This year, everything is bigger in Texas, making Dallas the perfect place to host the event along with Circle K International.
For PNW members, ICON is a unique opportunity to meet new people and experience the impact of Key Club on a global scale. Attendees can participate in activities, learn from others, and connect with members who share a passion for service and leadership.
One of the most exciting parts of ICON is stepping outside your everyday routine and being surrounded by people dedicated to making a difference. Through sessions, conversations, and shared experiences, members can create lasting memories. I can’t wait to see you all at ICON 2026!
The Major Emphasis Award is given to the Key Club that has produced The best Major Emphasis Project of the year, completed on a local scale according to the theme of “Children: Their Future, Our Focus.”
To win this award, you will type out a report, turn it in, and it will be judged, before awards are given to the first, second, and thrid place Major Emphasis awards at the International Convention.
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