Dr. John Button Receives Award

April 21, 2011
The Chatham-Kent Golden K presented Dr. John Button, International Trustee with Kiwanis International and member of the Kiwanis Club of Ridgetown with the Syd Kemsley Community Service Award to honour his long time membership in Kiwanis, his contribution of time, energy and dedication to the children of the world and outstanding service to the community of Chatham-Kent.  Along with a certificate, a lapel pin was also presented to him.

Pictured above is Dr. John and John Tole, President Elect of the Chatham-Kent Golden K.  

Dr. John was quite honoured to receive this award and thanked the members of the club.

More Kiwanis One Day Pictures

If the weather would cooperate and spring would arrive, all Kiwanians in Division 3 would be "worker bees" with regard to their specific KIWANIS ONE DAY activities.  Various clubs have completed their work while others are waiting until it gets a bit warmer.  I can't say I blame you! 
Seaway Kiwanians assisted with St. Christopher's High Schools' "Cyclone Aide" food drive for the Inn of the Good Shepherd on April 16th.  Below are pictures from that event.

 Mary Knowles sorting food.

 Paul, Cindy and President Ken getting prepared to drive volunteers for the food drive.

Mary Knowles helping sort the collected food into food groups.

Thank you to all Kiwanians who took part in this project.

Eliminate Project Update

Hello Fellow Kiwanians!
Here is an update regarding the ELIMINATE Project.

Kiwanis International announced the team that will lead The Eliminate Project’s campaign, a partnership between K. I. and UNICEF. The campaign is the largest fundraising campaign in K. I. history. Randy DeLay, J.D. from Houston, Texas, was named chairman. Dave Curry from Butte, Montana, Sue Petrisin from Lansing, Michigan, and John Button, M.D. from Ridgetown, Ontario were named vice chairmen.

The appointment of the campaign’s international leaders is the first step in building a worldwide team of more than 9,000. The global team will work in unity with the entire Kiwanis family to raise US$110 million to help eliminate maternal/neonatal tetanus, which affects nearly 129 million mothers and their future babies in 39 countries.

Each chairperson has a strong background in service and has held prestigious leadership positions at Kiwanis. DeLay is currently serving as a trustee on the Kiwanis International Foundation Board, having just served three years as a Kiwanis International trustee . A member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater North Houston, DeLay has served as distinguished president and as governor of Texas-Oklahoma.

Curry served as Kiwanis International president in 2007-08. He is a 21-year life member of Kiwanis International and a diamond-level George F.Hixson Fellow and Tablet of Honor recipient. Curry served as governor of Montana District in 1999-00, and has earned distinguished honors at every level from club president to lieutenant governor and governor.

Petrisin was elected to a three-year term as a Kiwanis International trustee at the 95th Annual K.I. Convention. She also has served as Kiwanis International Foundation trustee. A 22-year member of the Kiwanis Club of East Lansing, Petrisin has served as Circle K and Key Club advisor and sponsored youth committee chairman. She served as governor in 2001-02 and earned honors as distinguished president in 1995-96.

Button was elected as a K.I. trustee in August 2008. A former Key Clubber and a second generation Kiwanian, Button joined the Kiwanis Club of Ridgetown in 1978 and served his club in a number of capacities, including twice-distinguished president. He was Governor of E.C. & C. 2004-05. He chaired Kiwanis’s Iodine Deficiency Disorders Worldwide Service Project committees for both his club and division.

Kiwanis International and The Eliminate Project’s campaign leadership team will mobilize Kiwanis International’s nearly 600,000 members to raise needed funds to defeat MNT.

The Eliminate Project’s campaign official kickoff will occur during the 96th Annual Kiwanis International Convention this summer in Geneva, Switzerland. The campaign will continue until 2015, when Kiwanis celebrates its 100th anniversary.

For additional information about the Eliminate Project, go to

www.TheEliminateProject.org.

Kiwanis One Day Fast Approaching!

 

Think you won’t make a difference? Think again.

Each year, Kiwanis clubs around the world join in a day of service. In 2011, Kiwanis One Day is April 2.
It’s a global effort, but it’s made of personal commitments.

After all, Kiwanis One Day consists of the involvement of Kiwanis club members around the world. It begins with your club’s participation. It extends to the impact you have on your community. And it results in an international spirit of service that inspires people worldwide.
There will be no limit to what you can do—and no boundaries on your spirit of fellowship. In fact, your efforts will be echoed by clubs in communities all over the globe.
Start planning today for Kiwanis One Day and join the world wide event!

LG Sheila  

"Region A" Trustee Election Meeting Held

Saturday, March 26, 2011 - Ingersoll, Ontario

This is the day that will be remembered as "where it all started" for Divisions 3, 4, 5 and 6 who, as of October 1, 2011 will become known as "Region A" of the Eastern Canada and Caribbean District of Kiwanis International.

This is the day that we elected our very first TRUSTEE for our Region.  I am pleased to extend my congratulations to Allen Ure, Past Lt. Governor for Division 4 and proud member of the Kiwanis Club of Ridgetown, Ontario who was elected for a 1 year term as Regional Trustee.  Many thanks to Jim McIntosh who also was in the running for this position.  It certainly is wonderful to have healthy competition within our region.

Our region was 1 of 2 that held a "face to face" vote for this position.  The 4 LG's - Sheila Donald, Division 3, Jim Scott, Division 4, Shelley Des Cotes, Division 5 and Terry Gracey, Division 6 all agreed that we needed to do our vote in this fashion to show that when the time comes for the Governor's visit to our region, members of the clubs will be able to manage driving the distance to participate in that event.  

Governor Designate Janet Atkinson will be hosted by Division 3 for her official visit to Region A during the 2011-2012 year.  Below is the breakdown of the Governor's Visits to the Regions for the next few years:

Rotation of Divisional Visits

2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2015-2016 3 4 5-6 3 8 9 10 8 11 12 13 11 14 16 17 14 18 20 21 18 1 2 22 1 23E & 23W 24 25 23E & 23W 26 27 28 26 As you can see, the travel for the Governor will be greatly reduced, thereby creating a cost savings to our District which in turn will keep membership dues from going up. The 4 LG's in Region A will be working together, along with the clubs within each host division each year, to put together a program for the Governor's visit.  Please stay turned for more information regarding this. I would like to extend a very big "THANK YOU" to all the clubs in Division 3 who sent delegates to this meeting.  We had an 80% club turnout for this event which makes me very proud.  It warms my heart to know that I have your support.  Again, THANK YOU. Attached below are pictures from the Ingersoll meeting.  LG Terry Gracey, Division 6 and LG Sheila Donald, Division 3 preparing for the meeting  LG Sheila Donald, Mary Alice Marchand, Chatham-Kent Golden K, Janet Braddon, President, Chatham-Kent Golden K and Bonnie Morrison, President, Chatham Kiwanis Club  Allen Ure, Trustee, Region A, Pat Moore, Kiwanis Club of Ingersoll President and host, and Jim Scott, LG Division 4  Mary Alice Marchand, Chatham-Kent Golden K, John Patterson, LG Elect for Division 5 and Bonnie Morrison, President of Chatham Kiwanis   Morris Rogers and Ted Fullerton, Sarnia-Lambton Golden K voting delegates in discussion Yours in Kiwanis Service,  Lt. Governor Sheila Donald

Governor's Message for March 2011

Kiwanis Friends,
Today I am in Jamaica, enjoying the warm hospitality of the Kiwanians here. It is the occasion of my official visit to Divison 23E and Division 23W. Lieutenant Governor Llewellyn Allen and Lieutenant Governor Anthony Williams have decided to work together to host my visit. It has been wonderful, the passion and commitment to service is contagious in Jamacia, congratulations to them both for the good work they continue to do in the name of Kiwanis.
My travels will take me to Canada later this month, where I am expecting to see the wonderful contributions to service of the Kiwanians in Division 1, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16. Christiane and I are enjoying our travels through the District, the service projects in which Kiwanians have touched the lives of those in our communities is so appreciated, and I encourage all of you to continue to give of your time and efforts.
Congratulations on what you have done so far to raise funds for our HIV / AIDS District Project. The pace is heating up, but we cannot stop until we have reached our target. I am therefore asking you to include a project in the month of April which I have declared as HIV / AIDS month – the project must be espeacially to raise funds for the DISTRICT HIV/AIDS PROJECT. As your contributions come in we will be celebrating our progress, look out for more about this on the District website.
Also in Collingwood there will be continued efforts to reach our target of 1 million dollars. The early registration deadline has past but I am still hoping to see as many of you as possible in Collingwood ! Wouldn’t it be great if we could meet our target in May, let’s work towards that fellow kiwanians !
Your Governor and friend in Kiwanis
Paul Toussaint
Governor 2010 -2011

Snow will NOT STOP me!!!

Hello Fellow Kiwanians!
What can one say about the winter we have had!  I don't recall seeing this much snow for many years in Southwestern Ontario.  I also don't recall it sticking around for as long as it has!  I feel much like the local postman in that "neither rain, sleet or snow will stop me or slow me down" on my club rounds!!  I have been quite fortunate not to have encountered any driving issues lately when making my visits.  I hope that the weather continues to cooperate with me and gets us all into spring, sooner than later.
By now your clubs should have selected their voting representatives that will be attending the very first Regional Meeting to elect our Trustee on March 26th in Ingersoll, Ontario.  Each club is allowed 2 votes only.  There is no proxy voting so if no one attends from you club, you do not have a vote. We now have 3 candidates running - Allen Ure, Ron Deichert and Jim McIntosh.  Most clubs were represented at the last DCM on Feb. 12th in Chatham and heard both Allen and Ron speak.  Jim submitted his letter of intent after the meeting so unfortunately was not invited to attend and give his presentation.  The Kiwanis Club of Brantford is hosting an interclub on Thursday, March 17th at noon.  You should have received an invitation to this by e-mail from me today, March 9th.  Jim will also be presenting at the Regional meeting on March 26th so you will have an opportunity to hear him and make your decision before the actual voting takes place.
March 8th I visited 3 clubs - Sarnia-Lambton Golden K, Seaway and Windsor.  I had the wonderful opportunity to present 4 Legion of Honour pins and certificates to members of the Windsor club.
David Greaves - 35 yrs of service.  He is currently away so I presented the certificate to his son, Doug.
Andival Henry - 25 yrs of service.  He was absent at the meeting but do congratulate him on his years of service to the Windsor community.
Doug Branch - 25 yrs of service.  He was also not able to attend the meeting but I do also congratulate him on his dedication to Kiwanis and his community.
Roy Bartlett, 45 yrs of service.  Roy is a very youthful 90 yr old who is the club's current Secretary.  Roy's dedication to his job is amazing.  He is extremely organized and proves that you are never too old to work!
My congratulations to all of these gentlemen who have served and will continue to serve Kiwanis and the Children of the World.  Pictures will be posted once I receive them from President Ram.
Another celebration is approaching us - St. Patrick's Day.  To all the Irish and everyone else -

One final word - Division 3 is growing!!!  Please keep the great work of recruitment forging ahead.  There are many future Kiwanians out there, all you have to do is ASK!

LG Sheila