One Happy Island
Aruba promotes
itself as "One Happy Island" and 335 registered Kiwanians and guests
certainly experienced happy times at the 98th annual Eastern Canadian &
Caribbean District Convention last week.
There were 244 clubs from 15 countries joined together to support
Governor Serge Viau's goals to rejuvenate,
eliminate and celebrate Kiwanis. It was my pleasure to be in attendance to
watch as Allen Ure from the Kiwanis Club of Ridgetown was elected Governor of
EC&C for 2015-16 - a very proud moment for us in southwestern Ontario to
see the Kiwanis International President Dr John Button (from the same Club)
congratulate Governor Designate Allen. The finale of the convention was the hand-off
to the Hamilton Committee for the DCON May 12-15, 2016.
Phil Rossy from
Eastern Ontario was elected Governor Elect and Bobby Moo Young from Jamaica is
now the Vice Governor. We will be guided
by a very enthusiastic team over the next few years.
One Happy District
We are now able to
order District shirts thanks to Trustee Sheila Donald and her committee who
worked hard to come up with a colour (bright yellow) and design (long or short
sleeves; women's or men's) at a reasonable price ($25 Cdn) that would be
consistent throughout EC&C. These
are not intended to replace club shirts but rather to give us an alternative
and to distinguish us at events such as the International Convention (Indianapolis,
June 24-27, 2015 and Toronto, June 23-26, 2016). The order form is attached (and was sent
earlier this week in a separate email along with Sheila's outline describing
order and delivery information).
One Happy Division
At the Convention
in Aruba, we had 6 voting delegates from 3 clubs in the Division. We were able to brag about the great things
happening in southwestern Ontario and were well represented on the awards
podium.
Trustee Sheila Donald received
the "Coup de Chapeau Award" 'presented to a District Committee
Chairperson based on outstanding work and contribution to the District'. PLG Bud and Jackie Orr received the "Spirit of Service
Award" 'to recognize a Kiwanian for enthusiastic dedication and
outstanding service to the District'. Both
nominations were made by Past Governor Hope Markes. In addition, PLG Bud Orr received a letter of citation from Past
KI President Gunter Gasser for service in Building
Bridges to the Future for Children.
One Happy Club
Congratulations to the Kiwanis Club of Chatham-Kent for
achieving the LG Award for the second quarter.
What sets this club apart from the rest is, in addition to all of the
service projects, volunteer hours and interesting programs, they also make a
commitment to Kiwanis education and to the Eliminate Project each quarter.
In addition, KC CK is very proud of its 23 Walter
Zeller Fellows (4 at the Diamond level) and 16 "Save 100 Families"
donations. This is great news for the
club, the Division and much of the success should be attributed to Eliminate
Coordinator Mary Alice Marchand. They
have recently surpassed their goal to be a Gold Level Club.
One Happy Coordinator
Speaking of
Mary Alice - she and I would like to thank you for your warm hospitality as we
toured the District with the Eliminate update.
Even since we started our club visits a few weeks ago, things are
changing and we are now over $81 million world-wide. Division 3 is at 117% of its goal and almost
140% with the Kiwanis Foundation of Canada and Government matches. That does not mean we can stop our efforts, though. As Dr Button said at the Convention, "We
are not done until tetanus is done."
One Happy LG
The rejuvenation
of the Division continues with a total of 27 new members (with an amazing 13 in
Windsor and 5 each in Sarnia-Lambton Golden K and Chatham-Kent). Sunshine Point Children's Camp is alive and
well with a full summer of opportunities planned for campers thanks to the Bad
Examples Riders Group, the new members of the Windsor Club and their hard work
to achieve community support.
The Way Ahead
With all the happiness in this newsletter, we can't lose
sight of our goals and service work. We
still have 4 months to go in this year and there is lots to be done - 4 months
of fun, fellowship, fundraising and service.
Clearly The Formula is working locally and world-wide as membership
continues to rise, new clubs are opened and existing clubs are strengthened.
Already I am making arrangements for the installation of
officers for 2015-16 and if you have a preference, please let me know. I have two clubs booked already and would be
pleased to make arrangements as you are beginning to plan programs for late
September or early October.
As you are
thinking ahead to the budget for next year, please plan on the same funds to
support the work of the LG [although I expect the per member allocation may be
a few dollars less]. You will be voting
on this at our caucus meeting September 19 and I will give you advance notice
of my own budget when it gets closer.
Lots to be happy about right now - and most particularly I'm
happy to be a member of Kiwanis - the largest service organization in the world
devoted to children.
Yours in Kiwanis Service ~
Cathy Telfer, 2014-2015 Lieutenant
Governor
Kiwanis EC&C Division 3 - St Clair
Bluewater
519-351-4378
ctelfer@sympatico.ca
Interclub
Opportunities and Events of Note
There are many opportunities to join with fellow Kiwanians
within your own club and within the Division during the next few months.
Date
|
Event
|
Contact
|
Tuesday, June 2
|
President's Potluck Picnic
Canatara Park, Sarnia
|
Dick Felton - NOW
rcfdickfelton@gmail.com
(519) 332-3175
|
Tuesday, June 9
|
Meeting and Presentation of 65th year Legion of Honour Pin
by Dr John Button
|
John Foley by June 1
Kiwaniscommunication@live.ca
519-566-0636
|
Wednesday, June 10
|
30th Anniversary of the Windsor Roseland Golden K with
Guest of Honour Dr John Button; tickets - $35
|
Norm Diffey by May 29
ndiffey@cogeco.ca
519-972-1902
|
Saturday, June 20
|
Leader Education for 2015-16 Presidents and Secretaries
and anyone else interested in learning more about Kiwanis; $10 to cover lunch
Anglican Parish Hall
16 Church Street
Ridgetown
|
Cathy Telfer by June 10
ctelfer@sympatico.ca
519-351-4378
|
Saturday, July 18
|
100th Anniversary Picnic in the Park sponsored by the
Kiwanis Club of Chatham Kent (includes cake and refreshments); also serves as
the LG gathering for this year so please come and bring children to enjoy the
park and splash pad
|
George Service
georgeservice27@gmail.com
519-354-4825
or
Cathy Telfer
ctelfer@sympatico.ca
519-351-4378
|
Tuesday, July 21
|
Kiwanis night at Sunshine Point Children's Camp in Harrow;
gather at 5, dinner at 6 followed by campers' presentation
|
John Foley by July 10
Kiwaniscommunication@live.ca
519-566-0636
|
Saturday, September 19
|
District Caucus Meeting at the Active Lifestyle Centre, 20
Merritt Ave in Chatham
|
Cathy Telfer by September 11
ctelfer@sympatico.ca
519-351-4378
|
Saturday, September 26
|
Centennial Celebration with John & Debbie; limited
tickets at $65
|
Gary or June Guyitt
519-674-2805 juniegus@sympatico.ca
|
I apologize if I've missed any special event in your club or
if I've not provided correct information.
Please let me know if you have opportunities for interclubs or anything
coming that you would like promoted.
PLG Bud & Jackie Orr,
Kiwanis Club of Forest with Past Governor
Hope Markes receiving the
"Spirit of Service Award" at the
EC&C Convention in Aruba
- May, 2015.
Trustee Sheila Donald,
Sarnia-Lambton Golden K with Past Governor
Hope Markes receiving the "Coup de Chapeau Award" at the
EC&C Convention in Aruba
- May, 2015.
Photo Credits: Allan McPhee, Sarnia-Lambton Golden K
