Monday, October 12, 2015

Division 3 LG Newsletter - Welcome to a New Kiwanis Year!



Proud to Be Canadian, Eh!
What a great year we've had celebrating 100 Years in Kiwanis.  As if that wasn't enough to be proud of, we in Canada have another opportunity to show the world how great it is to be a Kiwanian.  As you are planning your year, remember that on January 1st, we begin our celebration of 100 Years of Kiwanis in Canada.  This gives us many more possibilities for the power of 100 - 100 acts of kindness, 100 books for 100 children, 100 new members, 100 service projects and many hundreds of hours of Serving the Children of the World.

If you want another boost of Canadian pride, plan to attend a convention this year.  The Eastern Canada and Caribbean District Convention in Hamilton, May 12-14 will be a great opportunity to enjoy the fun and fellowship of Kiwanis.  We are also very fortunate to have the Kiwanis International Convention in Toronto this year - June 23 - 25.  Nothing will give you a greater sense of how great it is to be a Canadian than to stand with hundreds of delegates singing the national anthem at an International Convention.

District Caucus Meeting ~ (AKA DCM)
In my previous life and since I joined Kiwanis I have heard about caucus meetings and even attended a few but I was never really sure what it meant.  Caucusing always sounded a little naughty to me and I didn't know how I was supposed to behave.  I came away somewhat disappointed because it was just a meeting where there was a lot of talk, sometimes resulting in action but not always.  Just in case you wondered as well, I went in search of guidance on how to caucus.  The true source for all knowledge - Wikipedia tells us that:  a caucus is a meeting of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement. The term originated in the United States, but has spread to other parts of the world.  As the use of the term has been expanded, the exact definition has come to vary among political cultures.  As a non-political service club, yet not really a "movement", we have come to know caucus as a meeting to discuss Kiwanis business and to work together to share best practices and to improve the world one child and one community at a time.

The online dictionary also tells us that the term caucus is also used in dispute resolution to describe circumstances wherein, rather than meeting at a common table, the disputants retreat to a more private setting to process information, agree on negotiation strategy, confer privately with counsel and/or with the mediator, or simply gain "breathing room" after the often emotionally difficult interactions that can occur in the common area where all parties are present.  Fortunately this does not describe a Kiwanis Caucus.  In our case, caucus is used in much more positive terms - for caring and sharing.  Just remember - you can't caucus alone but if you don't show up, you don't have a say.

January DCM
The next caucus meeting for Division 3 is Saturday, January 16, 10 until 12 at the Active Lifestyle Centre in Chatham.  This will be a sharing meeting - of club officers and committee chairs and of Formula teams.  In addition to the Presidents, Secretaries and other elected officers, this DCM should be of interest to chairs of Membership, Interclubs and Visibility since group discussions will focus on specific interests.

So - in Division 3, DCM means - Don't Come Miserable, but rather Do Come Motivated - to listen, to learn and to share.  Please mark your calendar and talk this up with your club members, officers, directors and committee chairs.

April DCM
Due to the availability of the Active Lifestyle Centre, the date has been changed to April 9 - again a Saturday, from 10 until 12.  This caucus meeting will focus on Kiwanis Kiosks - small group sessions featuring an activity or approach or practice presented by club members.  This was a great success last year and although the plan will be repeated, all of the sessions will be new.  You will get to choose two from a selection of 5 or 6, so it's a good idea to come with others from your club in order to cover all topics.

We are looking for ideas for the Kiwanis Kiosks and volunteers to present topics of interest to others.  If you have a great service project, a unique way to include members in your meetings, interesting program suggestions, or an idea to recruit new members, please consider sharing. 

Eliminate
We are getting so close to our $110 million goal but now is not the time to sit back.  Maternal and neonatal tetanus is still a major concern in 20 countries and we cannot give up the fight until all moms and babies are safe from this preventable disease.  A big round of applause for Chatham-Kent as a $100K club, as well as Sarnia Lambton Golden K and Forest for completing their pledge as a Gold Club.  If you've not donated do so.  If your club has not contributed do so.

Formula
Club Counsellors are available to help.  If you want assistance with a membership drive, if you want information on member education, if you want a presentation at a meeting, if you want an idea for a new service project or if you want to share a special occasion in your club, contact your club counsellor either directly or through me.  We're part of your team!

Thanks Dr John
What a great year we've had guided by the leadership Kiwanis International President Dr John and First Lady Debbie Button.  The very successful year culminated in a wonderful evening of tributes - with the usual Button combination of humour and substance.  Over 170 Kiwanians from as far away as Florida joined  hosts Kiwanis Club of Ridgetown and organizers Gary & June Guyitt to say thank you for leading us over the past year.  As you see from the attached photos, his home Club unveiled a plaque of tribute to Dr Button in Ridgetown's Kiwanis Park and others shared in the appreciation of his dedication to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus, saving the lives of millions of mothers and babies.  A Truly Great Canadian, eh!



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