For its exemplary community service projects over the past year, the Bellevue College chapter of Rotaract received a Rotary International Changemaker Award at Rotary’s District 5030 conference in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho recently. It’s the first time any Rotaract chapter has received a Rotary award in district history.

Eileen Cho, president of the chapter and a student at Bellevue College, said: “It’s a huge honor. This award really capped a hugely successful year, where we helped a lot of people.” Rotaract, part of Rotary International, is a leadership and community service organization for students and young professionals.

The 40 active members of BC’s chapter organized several projects to benefit communities in foreign countries. Most recently, they collected 300 pounds of donations, including school and art supplies, clothes, soccer balls and other items, which were handed out to needy Peruvian children by six members who traveled to the country. They also spent time on the trip painting buildings at schools and orphanages.

Earlier this year, club members staged a bake sale that raised money for “End Polio Now,” Rotary’s polio eradication program. The money, which was matched by the Bellevue Rotary Club, went to vaccinate children. Also this past year, members collected food for local food banks and volunteered to help athletes train for the Special Olympics.

On May 8 and 10, the club will hold another bake sale to raise money for mosquito nets for several villages in Papua New Guinea, helping to prevent malaria. Another upcoming fundraiser hopes to raise $750 to purchase backpacks, walking sticks, school supplies, vitamin supplements and textbooks for blind children in Nepal. And the club organized an event called “The Ability Experience,” to be held May 17-18 on campus, that seeks to educate students and the public about global health and disability issues.

For more information, check out the club’s latest video at http://vimeo.com/39957928, or visit its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/rotaractatbc.

Carroll earns the award in recognition of his creation of A Better Seattle, the organization he launched in 2011 to combat youth and gang violence in our community.

“We’re thrilled that Coach Carroll has transplanted such a successful program from Los Angeles to help create ‘A Better Seattle’ in his new home,” said Justice Bobbe J. Bridge (ret.), founding president and CEO of the Center for Children & Youth Justice. “Not only is it combating violence and improving the lives of our young people, it has galvanized several key organizations to work together to benefit our community long into the future.”

The Center’s own efforts on gang intervention include initiating the South King County Coordinating Council on Gangs, which is working toward a comprehensive and cooperative process to address gangs throughout communities in South King County and Bellevue.

Partnering with the YMCA and the Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative, A Better Seattle – also supported by Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer – promotes and funds efforts to deploy former street youth as outreach workers to intervene directly with vulnerable young people. The goal is to help youth avoid gangs or get out safely if they are already involved. The local effort builds upon the success of A Better L.A. Foundation, which Coach Carroll founded when he was coaching at USC.

“We are honored to receive the Norm Maleng Advocate for Youth Award,” Coach Carroll said. “Our work with A Better Seattle and A Better L.A. is in the spirit of what Mr. Maleng believed. And that work is built on the notion that the greatest of things can happen for young people – especially for the most at-risk and oftentimes overlooked young people – if we provide them with a little coaching and direction. Our street outreach workers are transforming our community by reducing violence and connecting with young people in a way that creates hope and helps them understand what they can become.”

Named in honor of the late King County Prosecuting Attorney, the Norm Maleng Advocate for Youth Award recognizes those who show exemplary leadership, dedication and commitment to the youth and families of Washington state. Previous recipients include the Maleng family, the law firm Perkins Coie LLC, Anne Ramsay-Jenkins of the College Success Foundation and Jim Mallahan.

In addition to the award presentation, the breakfast will include a keynote address by Gerald Hankerson, who at 18 was convicted of being an accessory to murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Behind bars, he earned his high school diploma, started a program for at-risk youth, participated in a variety of causes aimed at bettering inmates’ lives, and became an advocate for justice system reforms. In 2009, after 22 years in prison, his bid for clemency was successful, and today he works to spread the message that “good things happen when you take personal responsibility for your actions and make good choices.”

Guests at the March 1 event are asked to make a tax-deductible contribution of $150 or more. To register or to learn more, visit the website at www.ccyj.org.

Founded in 2006, the Center for Children & Youth Justice is a nonprofit organization dedicated to shaping better lives for children and youth involved in Washington’s foster care and juvenile justice systems. In partnership with parents, advocates and policymakers, the Center develops and advances innovative approaches to systemic changes that will support kids, stabilize families and strengthen communities.

“We are incredibly proud of our ranking and honored to be in the company of such premier properties around the country,” said Les Utley, general manager for the Heathman Hotel in Kirkland. “The fact that this ranking is a result of guest reviews makes this recognition that much more rewarding.  This is a testament to our incredibly dedicated staff and our equally dedicated and supportive ownership group.  The recognition is a wonderful reflection of our core value message and motto: Where Service is Still an Art.”

On the TripAdvisor website, travelers rave about Heathman Kirkland’s upscale accommodations, its full-service spa Penterra, and top-notch staff. Many guests also mention the hotel’s critically acclaimed restaurant, Trellis, led by executive chef Brian Scheehser.

The Heathman Hotel, which recently celebrated its fourth anniversary, is also a member of the Preferred  Hotel Group.

TripAdvisor’s “2012 Travelers’ Choice Awards”

The 10^th annual awards revealed premier properties in the U.S. and around the world, in addition to winners in the categories of Best Luxury and Bargain, Best for Service, B&B and Inns, All-Inclusive, Spa and Trendiest. In total, 3,943 properties globally have been recognized this year with dedicated lists featured for 30 countries and eight regions worldwide. Unlike any other hotel honors, TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice winners are based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from travelers around the world.

About The Heathman Hotel in Kirkland

The Heathman Hotel in Kirkland located on Seattle’s eastside provides guests with the ultimate in gracious service in an ambience of understated elegance and comfort.  The property has garnered the AAA of Washington Four Diamond Award®, an indicator of excellence which promises travelers an unparalleled lodging experience and is also a member of the Preferred Hotel Boutique Group. The Heathman Hotel features 91 classic guest rooms and suites; the 5,000-square-foot Penterra Spa, complete with a sanctuary room, individualized treatment spaces and deluxe fitness center; 2,500 square-feet of meeting and event space; and Trellis, a 90-seat wine country inspired restaurant and bar helmed by Chef Brian Scheehser.  Trellis’ rustic, robust menu evolves with the seasons, often featuring items from Scheehser’s own five-acre farm.  For reservations and information, visit http://heathmankirkland.com/ or call (425) 284-5800 / (866) 997-5475.

The challenge was how to brand a new customer experience into the design of an outlet store for a department store, including several department areas from clothing to accessories, within an existing commercial space of 24,000 sq. ft.

Davis, who brought technology and interactivity into her design, says of her winning entry, “My concept is to reinvent the way a person shops for apparel; a closet that is interactive. An Equation Screen in the store or an individual app will provide the customers with different options to build a complete outfit. They can also link their personal Equations with images from their current wardrobe and have a virtual closet.”

Some retailers are considering using her concept. Said Davis, “I floated the design project by some business people I knew and it was received strongly.  So now I have a team working on making the idea a reality.  Hopefully retailers will receive it as well as the design competition judges.”

Davis’ design instructor at Bellevue College is Mark Mappala, who earlier this year was named the nations’ most innovative design instructor. Mappala said, “Cammy demonstrated great perseverance, coordination, and conceptual thinking throughout the quarter. Her concept about creating a “virtual closet” as a new means of shopping and how that could potentially change the way we buy as well as creating space all within the confines of the existing program (outlet store) was a great concept. Technology + Retail.”

According to RDI, “The struggle of department store retailers during the recession is a hot topic in the retail design industry, as many operators currently looking for areas of expansion are using value-based channels to open new locations. Several department stores have been redesigning, rebranding and rolling out new outlet prototypes.”

Four students in Mappala’s design class entered the competition. Davis said of Mappala, “His positive approach, flexibility and input is what allowed me to keep working until I came up with an idea that made sense to me. He put in many extra hours meeting with us, even after the quarter ended.”

Davis finished her 3-year associates degree in Interior Design in June, has completed BC’s one year program in Sustainable Design, and has been accepted into the BC Interior Design bachelors degree program which she will begin spring quarter 2012.

“Winning has given me a stronger belief in myself,” said Davis, “It reminds me to be true to what I like and to believe in myself.”

She is also an artist, and said, “It’s helped me reach out to more people in my art business, contact retailers and gallery owners with confidence.” Her paintings are displayed in Seattle and Portland and may be viewed at.cammydavis.com.

RDI has held the annual competition since 1971. A story and photos of this year’s winning entries appear in the July issue of RDI magazine.

Presented to the CMIT Solutions franchisee who best demonstrates the company’s core beliefs, the All-Star Award honors Stewart for his commitment to growing his business and leveraging his resources to the fullest.

“With his constant participation and leadership throughout the entire franchise system, Dallas is the definition of an All-Star,” said Jeff Connally, CEO and president of CMIT Solutions. “It has been exciting watching Dallas grow into an engaging, interactive leader. His constant participation in calls once of month with potential franchisees has been much appreciated. This is one of the several ways Dallas has taken the reigns and been incredibly helpful with showcasing what it means to be a part of our franchise system.”

As proof of his “All-Star” status, his company’s revenue has increased by 200 percent during the last year. Stewart accredits the success of his business to the highly-skilled and professional staff, as well as the honesty and integrity he built his client base upon. In addition, Stewart will be representing CMIT Solutions‘ Franchise Advisory Council, which he was nominated for by the Western region of the franchise system.

“By giving our clients the attention that they deserve, especially in this economy, my business has had a steady climb to success during that last two years,” said Stewart, who noted that he started his business during one of the worst economic times. “By focusing on a reasonable pricing strategy and providing exceptional customer service, I have been able to grow my business through client referrals. I couldn’t have done it without the help of my IT family. Their ongoing support and attention to detail has positioned us for success in this competitive marketplace.”

CMIT Solutions enables company leadership and hard working employees to focus on their top priorities—building and maintaining a successful organization. CMIT Solutions’ managed-services platforms, CMIT Marathon, CMIT Guardian, CMIT Anti-Spam and CMIT Service Center have been designed to provide small businesses with proactive monitoring, business continuity, and computer support creating a full outsourced IT team. Additionally, the company recently launched CMIT Anywhere to allow business professionals the ability to utilize their business data anywhere through cloud computing.

CMIT Solutions of Bellevue, Kirkland and Redmond can be reached at (425) 256-2508 or visit http://www.cmitsolutions.com/bellevue/.

About CMIT Solutions

Founded in 1996, CMIT Solutions (CMIT) has grown into a nationwide franchise with approximately 125 locations throughout the United States. Individually owned and operated, CMIT franchise partners offer small business clients customized solutions, round-the-clock technical support, and the opportunity to take advantage of CMIT’s nationally renowned technology partnerships. By utilizing these personalized, local services with all the latest technical resources, small businesses can receive the support of a large national company on a small business budget. For more information, please visit www.cmitsolutions.com.

The award, to be presented at the chapter’s May 18 Spring Luncheon, honors Floten for making education more accessible by bringing baccalaureate degrees to Bellevue College.

Known nationally for its innovative programs, Bellevue College offers two baccalaureate degrees: a Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Radiation and Imaging Sciences, launched in 2007, and a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Interior Design launched in January of this year.

Bellevue College was awarded accreditation as a bachelor degree-conferring institution earlier this year by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, which sets standards for all four-year institutions in Washington and nearby states.

Floten joined Bellevue College as president in 1989. Since then, the college has grown to become the third largest educational institution in Washington state, serving approximately 35,000 students annually.

The college was listed by Yahoo Finance in March as one of “15 Fantastic Higher Education Values” nationally.

A series of national, regional and local awards have recognized Floten’s contributions to higher education, most recently including an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree, conferred by City University; the Shirley B. Gordon Presidential Award of Distinction, from Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society; and the John L. Blackburn Award for Exemplary Models of Administrative Leadership, from the American Association of University Administrators.

Floten serves on the Educational Testing Service national advisory board, the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Key Bank Advisory Board.

She earned Master of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Portland State University.

Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most widely known academic honor society, encourages and supports academic excellence in the liberal arts and sciences. Its Pathfinder Award honors people “who encourage others to seek new worlds to discover, pathways to explore, and untouched destinations to reach.”