by MATTHEW NASH

Sequim Gazette 

The Sequim Boys & Girls Club has a new leader.

Club officials hired Darci Ulin as the new unit director of the Carroll C. Kendall unit, 400 W. Fir St.

She follows Mary Budke, current executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Olympic Peninsula, who held the position from 2006 to November 2010, when she was promoted.

Budke said she and a committee of six others chose Ulin for her managerial experience and ties to the community and because she personifies the clubs’ mission.

“She brings a fresh perspective because she doesn’t have a Boys & Girls Club background,” Budke said. “She has a sense of maturity, a hard work ethic and a love for the kids in our community.”

Ulin, Greywolf Elementary PTA president for three years, won the position over 30 local applicants.

With a degree in hotel business management, Ulin spent her career between restaurant management and in the dentistry field.

She’ll lead 15 part-time employees, which she says are good enough to take the club to the next level.

“I want it be a revered learning center and want to support schools fully,” Ulin said.

She plans to start various programs in the club for drug awareness, self-respect and civics, among others.

“We want to bring everybody up and be more structured for students in first through fifth grades,” she said.

Ulin has set several goals, including bringing in more volunteers to teach and/or tutor with all subjects, inviting fun speakers and bringing more purpose for children to come to the club.

“I want it to be a place you can come to become a better person as a scholar and as an athlete,” Ulin said. “It’s important for children to have other adults in their lives who can breathe some objectivity in their lives. We don’t just want to put out behavioral issues but elevate everyone.”

Budke said the clubs’ administration expects her to deliver high quality programs while increasing daily attendance.

“We want her to help our children become successful,” Budke said. “Our main goal remains for all of our students to graduate from high school.” 

The club’s summer session begins June 18 with summer camp from 7:45 a.m.-noon with activities, trips and more for $60. Afternoon summer session is from noon-6 p.m. for the $30 annual membership. 

Contact the Sequim Boys & Girls Club at 683-8095.