Rotary helps bring visitor
The first stop for a Russian business student who is spending two weeks on Whidbey Island learning about business management practices was Oak Harbor City Hall where she met with City Administrator and Rotarian Paul Schmidt.
She was formally welcomed to Oak Harbor and received an overview of the city and its history. Her second stop of the day was the Oak Harbor Farmer’s Market.
Yekaterina Ryseva, a college freshman, business student and customer relations manager for a family-owned textiles company, is being hosted by the Oak Harbor Rotary Club.
She is spending two weeks in Oak Harbor, Langley and Coupeville meeting with businesses and business development organizations to learn about business management and particularly the concepts of marketing, human resources, customer service and advertising.
Her visit is part of the Summer Youth Program administered by the non-profit, non-governmental Center for Citizen Initiatives in San Francisco.
For the past 25 years, the center has implemented programs that assist Russian citizens in securing economic and political reforms and fostering cooperative partnerships and relations between the U.S. and Russia.
The youth program is designed to provide young participants with professional training and career development, as well as introduce them to everyday life in the United States.
Oak Harbor organizations and businesses participating in the training include Frasers Gourmet Hideaway, the Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce and the City of Oak Harbor. Participating Coupeville organizations include the Penn Cove Beach Studio, Island County Economic Development Council, the Captain Whidbey Inn and Local Grown. Host businesses in Langley are Music for the Eyes and the Inn at Langley. Whidbey Camano Island Tourism and Customer Service Bootcamp in Mount Vernon are also hosting.
Social activities include the Choochokam Arts Festival in Langley, an overnight stay in Seattle and boat tour courtesy of Deception Pass Boat Tours.
For more information or to become involved, please contact the local coordinator, Lisa Susan, at 675-6319 or email her at: lisasusan25@yahoo.com.
