Your Future Neighbor: Kristen Tucker & Central Johnston Rotary
For Central Johnston Rotary President Kristen Tucker, being a good neighbor starts with paying attention–and being willing to show up.
Finding Her Place in Smithfield
Kristen has served as senior pastor of First Baptist Church Smithfield since January 2022 and lives in downtown Smithfield. As she settled in, she intentionally looked for opportunities to get involved and meet people beyond her everyday work.
That led her to Rotary.
What first inspired you to join Rotary?
I learned about Rotary through some members of my church. The thing that attracted me to Rotary is their motto: Service above self. Service above self for me is something all communities need. They need community members that are focused on serving the community and each other. Every time I would go to Rotary I would hear that they are people of action. Since I already sit around tables in different committees and have discussions, I really appreciate that Rotary actually meets and then moves into action.
For someone unfamiliar with Rotary, how would you describe the organization and its purpose?
I would describe Rotary as people coming together to make a difference. We're a global organization, but our work is very local. We bring together businesses and professional leaders who use their time, their talents and their resources to address needs in the community. Sometimes that may mean raising money for scholarships, volunteering for Meals on Wheels or even roadside cleanup. At heart, Rotary is about relationships, bringing people together to serve and make a positive difference.
Growing Alongside Johnston County
Kristen shared that as Johnston County has grown and changed, the club has changed with it. The former Smithfield Rotary became Central Johnston Rotary to reflect a broader geography that includes communities like Four Oaks, Selma, Wilson Mills and other surrounding communities. More importantly, the club has adapted its work to changing community needs.
One thing I appreciate we've done is thinking about workforce development, the entrepreneurship, the education, the youth leadership, and giving them access to the opportunity of how we connect people with organizations. For example, we have a good relationship and club support of Launch JoCo, which is an entrepreneurship program for underserved residents.
Putting Service Into Action
Youth and education are a significant part of that work. Kristen says the club has provided more than $100,000 in scholarships over the years, along with programs that give young people opportunities for leadership and career exploration. Its job-shadow program has exposed students to fields including medicine, fire service, science, law, business and finance.
Our job shadow day is a great example of giving young people opportunities for leadership and career exploration. Students actually get to step into different professions to see what those careers look like. Recently we have had students explore fields like medicine, fire, science, law and business. This project has a common interest of serving our youth while supporting them financially. We'll put our money behind you, now go explore your passion.
When she first moved to Smithfield, she remembers seeing flags displayed outside the hospital and discovering that Rotary was behind them. The project later moved to Johnston Community College and expanded to recognize community heroes as well as service members. For Kristen, the flags are both a visible reminder of people who have served and a way Rotary raises money to support other community efforts.
When I first moved here I was going by the hospital and saw all these flags on the lawn. When I got a closer look I saw these medallions that were honoring service men and women, living or dead, retired or still serving. I learned that Rotary was behind that. We have all these flags that serve from Memorial Weekend to right after July 4th. People can read the medallions and even purchase a flag for a hero of their own. We keep these medallions and deliver those to people that they honor. The money we make from the medallions help us to financially support others.
This program has been a huge impact on me because it's one thing to thank a veteran. It's another when you see how many are out there that deserve the thanks and they can see it through those flags of honoring.
Photos courtesy of 2nd Street Photo & Video
Service. Connection. Growth.
These are the three priorities for Kristen this year as President of Central Johnston Rotary.
She wants Rotary to continue being "people of action", strengthen relationships with other organizations and community leaders, and help more people see themselves as someone who could participate. Her measure of success isn't simply a stronger Rotary club; she wants Johnston County to be a little stronger because Rotary was there.
What would you say to someone who wants to serve but doesn't know where to begin?
And finally, what makes a good neighbor?
Your Future Neighbor introduces you to the people, businesses and organizations already shaping the community around Local70. Because finding your place starts with getting to know the people who are already here.
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