Club Officer Installations almost complete!

October 24, 2011
Isn't it amazing how fast time passes!  I have been busy traveling throughout our wonderful division and have almost completed the installation of club officers for 2011-2012.  It never ceases to amaze me how a group of complete strangers can have such a wonderful bond through the power of Kiwanis!  
Several noteworthy things have happened within the last month.  Windsor Kiwanis's Sunshine Point Camp staff entered an on-line KRAFT Peanut Butter video contest for $10,000.00 and they WON!!!  This money will jump-start the necessary repairs to the camp's main recreation facility, Mollard Hall, which has been non-functional all summer long.  
At the installation of club officers for the Leamington club last week, a personal donation in excess of $30,000.00 was received from a member's son to enable necessary repairs to the Leamington Kiwanis Boys and Girls Camp.
Because both of these clubs struggle to keep the camps functioning and their commitment to the children of southwestern Ontario is evident by the existence of these camps, I have decided to award both clubs with the 4th quarter LG Ribbon Award.  CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH CLUBS!!!! 
Another item of interest - the Division has had a tie for the most net gain in membership for the year 2010-2011 and so the "Al Mifflin Award" will be shared for the 2011-2012 Kiwanis Year by the following clubs - The Kiwanis Club of Forest & The Kiwanis Club of the Seaway.  CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH CLUBS!!!  
Below are a few pictures of my travels and club installations.

 Installation of Chatham Aktion Club President Bob

 Installation of Chatham-Kent Golden K Club President John Tole

 Installation of Forest Club President Martin Brunner

 Kiwanis Club of Leamington officers - left to right - PP Lloyd Honey, President Leo Smith, Secretary Elaine Mayer, Treasurer Charlene Vlodarchuk, Board member John Vlodarchuk, President Elect Chet Gilba, Board member Bill Hutchinson and in the front is Board member James Ives.

 Sarnia Club President Allan McPhee and LG Sheila 

 Sarnia-Lambton Golden K President David Murray and LG Sheila 

 Seaway Kiwanis PP Ken Machan and current President Ken Stothers

 Windsor Club President Ram Sridhar and LG Sheila 

 Windsor East President Betty Vollmer and LG Sheila

 Windsor-Roseland Golden K President Sarah Shklov and LG Sheila

Kiwanis Leaders - Get Ready, Get Set.............GO!!!

Sept. 29, 2011
There are only 2 days left in the 2010-2011 administrative Kiwanis year which means new Leadership is about to take over in each Kiwanis Club.  This is a time for reflection, honesty, team spirit boosting and excitement.  As a member of your club you know what needs to be done.  Don't wait for "the other member" to get the ball rolling..........give that ball the push it needs to get started!!  
Everyone knows what the word "Passion" means.  Merriam Webster's on-line dictionary gives the following definition of passion - "A strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object or concept".  I think the dictionary should just have the word "Kiwanian" next to passion!  We are all passionate about the work that we do for the children of the world.  It is our passion and drive that binds us all together and keeps us focused on the true prize - serving the children of the world and seeing those precious smiles.
I am in the process of making my visits to each club for their Club Officer installations for the 2011-2012 year.  I wish all incoming Officers and Directors all the best for the coming year.  You have all set goals for your year as reported at the Division Council Meeting on Sept. 17th.  Do your very best to reach and possibly surpass your goals over the next year.  I am here for you, the members and leaders.  I will assist you in any way I can if asked.  I can't make miracles happen but you can!  Try something new.  Make sure that the service you are providing to your community is still relevant.  Think about doing a Community Assessment.  It takes time but may pay off in the end for your club.  
So, get ready, get set..........................GO!!
Welcome to the 2011-2012 Kiwanis Year!
LG Sheila

Kiwanis appeals to the Young and Young at Heart!

Recently the Kiwanis Club of Forest inducted 2 new members who's ages span about 70 years!  This goes to prove that Kiwanis appeals to both the young and the young at heart!  Let this be an inspiration to all clubs in Division 3 that nothing is impossible when it comes to gaining new members!  This club has projects that appeal to all ages which is the key to being a successful club and gaining new members!
Below is a picture of President Glen Starkey (middle) with the club's 2 newest members - Aaron Cassidy (left) and Monty Montgomery (right). 

Congratulations Forest Club!
LG Sheila 

Division 3 Clubs continue with their Summer Projects

August 12, 2011
I am happy to report that most clubs in Division 3 continue with their summer programs which also include many summer projects.  
The Kiwanis Club of Leamington continues to host many youth at their Boys and Girls camp just outside of Leamington.  The Kiwanis Club of Windsor also is providing excellent experiences and learning opportunities for youth at their Sunshine Point Kiwanis Camp near Harrow, Ontario.   This year has been particularly difficult for the Kiwanis Club of Windsor.  Mother nature has not been kind to them.  Their main lodge has been damaged due to excessive rain, creating a mold and water damage issue.  This prompted the closing of the building and the necessity to rent a very large tent for the summer.  Despite this set back, the camp counsellors and children put on skits for Kiwanians at their annual "Kiwanis Night".  I was pleased to attend this event along with supporters from the Kiwanis Club of Windsor East and the Kiwanis Club of Windsor, parents and friends.  We all left with a feeling of "this is why I belong to Kiwanis".    It makes me proud to know that the work that we do shows in ways we can sometimes never imagine. 
Many clubs are having BBQ's which are always great fun to attend.  The fellowship opportunities are bountiful.  I recently attended a BBQ hosted by Lois Mitchell of the Chatham-Kent Golden K club.
It was a beautiful setting and the food was delicious.
Another BBQ I attended was at the home of Martin and Annemarie Brunner, incoming President for the Kiwanis Club of Forest.  Again, another wonderful setting with great fellowship.
The Kiwanis Club of Sarnia hosted a BBQ for the Boys and Girls Club day camp attendees on August 9th at the Lochiel Kiwanis Community Centre.  54 children and 6 leaders were served BBQ'ed hot dogs, chips and a drink.  I am happy to say that 75% of the club membership participated in this event. 
As recently reported, we are very close to our $1 million dollar goal for our district Children's Project.Please keep the donations coming!!!  Some of us can afford to dig a little deeper to save a child's life.
The Sarnia-Lambton Golden K members assisted with the Children's Funfest held recently at Centennial Park.  Many thanks to the membership for the volunteer hours put in on this project.
Members of the Sarnia Club and the Sarnia-Lambton Golden K shared time together at Hiawatha Rack Track on Aug. 10th.  A wonderful meal, great entertainment and fellowship was enjoyed by 17 members and spouses.  There were some "big" winners who bet on the horses, won and turned around and donated the winnings to the District Children's Project!  What a wonderful gesture!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Soon we will be back to our regular meetings and onto the ELIMINATE Project which was officially launched in Geneva in July.  The Lead for this project for the next year for our District is Mary Alice Marchand from the Chatham-Kent Golden K.  Mary Alice will be doing presentations to the clubs and encouraging all of us to do what we can to fund raise for this very worthwhile cause.  I look forward to introducing Mary Alice to all club members in the division.
Club Officer installations begin Sept. 20th and complete on Oct. 20th.  Gov. Designate Janet's tag line is "Serving with Passion".  Lets keep the momentum going and serve our communities and the children of the world with "PASSION" which I know is in every Kiwanian.  See you all very soon!
LG Sheila

Division 3 LG BBQ

Thursday, July 28, 2011
On July 28th the Division 3 LG BBQ was held at my home in Point Edward, Ontario.  40 Kiwanians and guests attended the event to share fellowship, food and to raise a bit of money for the EC&C District Children's project.  To prepare for bad weather, the Pergola and part of the backyard where covered in tarps.  As fate would have it, it sprinkled a bit but not the heavy rain that happened the night before or the morning of the event!  I would like to thank everyone for attending and supplying such wonderful food.  A total donation of $200.00 will be made on behalf of the clubs of Division 3 to the District Children's project.  This money combines money raised at the BBQ, personal donations and money donated at my last 2 DCM's.
I look forward to my continued role as the Division 3 LG and working with the clubs over the next Kiwanis year.

 Relaxing under the shade of the tarp!

 Watching the action at the "Washer Toss" game.

 Competitors discussing the finer details of how to play "Washer Toss"!

 Ted Fullerton demonstrates that accuracy is all in the throwing technique!

 Forest club and Sarnia-Lambton Golden K club members in fellowship.

LG Sheila

Division 3 Club Officer Training Day

Saturday, June 18, 2011
Incoming club officer training was held for Division 3 on Saturday, June 18th at the Victoria Ave. United Church in Chatham, Ontario.  26 participants gathered to share fellowship and to be educated by Divisional Trainers Debbie Button and Shelley Des Cotes.  4 participants where from Division 4 and Division 5. 
There was new content in the training this year which was taken over by Kiwanis International in an attempt to ensure that all incoming club officers where given the same information for their year as leaders.  It was extremely helpful that the trainers could show the Kiwanis One web site LIVE to the participants and could guide them through some of it's contents.  The trainers answered many questions that some of the repeating club officers had with regard to where something could be located on the web site.  All in all, the day was quite successful.
Below are pictures from the day.

Trainers Shelley DesCotes and Debbie Button

Many thanks to those that took the time out of beautiful weekend to participate.  For those that missed training, a make-up day will be set in early September.

LG Sheila 

Elmira Kiwanis hosts LOBSTERFEST

May 28th, 2011
The Kiwanis Club of Elmira and President Ron Wagner have again successfully held a wonderful fundraiser in Division 5 - Elmira Lobsterfest.  This was the 30th year for this event held at the Elmira Lions Hall.  There were 2 sittings of a maximum 400 people at each.  The first sitting started at 5pm and the second one started at 6:30pm.  The late sitting also included the dance!  Each sitting provided you with a 1 1/2 lb. Lobster along with Prime Rib, baked potato, beans, coleslaw, roll, butter and ending with fresh homemade pie!  5 Kiwanians from Division 3 along with their spouses made the trip to Elmira to participate.
Below is future Lt. Gov. Bud Orr from the Kiwanis Club of Forest showing his skills at eating lobster!  Well done Bud!!

Stay tuned................maybe Lobsterfest will come to Sarnia!
LG Sheila