International Convention
I have returned
from the International Convention in Indianapolis with renewed energy and
enthusiasm for Kiwanis. The International
gathering always has a different feel to it than the District Convention but
even more so this time when we celebrated the 100th Anniversary and looked
ahead to our second millennium. We were
very proud Canadians as we watched Dr John Button lead thousands of Kiwanians
through 3 days of fun, fellowship and service.
If you haven't yet watched some of the videos forwarded from KI, you
should do so to see the spirit of the convention. Another difference in the ICON is the
participation of hundreds of Circle K, Key Club and Aktion Club members. It changes the tone of the convention as they
cheer, dance, sing and generally enjoy all aspects - and also participate in
service projects throughout the week.
There was a lot of
attention paid to The Formula and it
is working! One addition to the program
this year was a TED-style session where clubs around the world shared their
signature projects in a very quick, concise format. Each hour we learned about 5-6 different ideas
for service and then had an opportunity to talk to the presenters to learn more
about the specifics. This was a great
format with hundreds of projects shared.
Many of these and other more in-depth sessions will be posted over the
next few weeks on the Kiwanis.org website so check them out.
Another very
interesting addition to the convention was the roll out of the Kiwanis
Strategic Plan - aka "The I-Plan". Service and programs in Kiwanis should be
considered using the 4 I's - Impact, Image, Inspiration and Investment. More information will be coming out but even
at the outset, this makes so much sense and gives us a framework to evaluate,
build and strengthen our clubs and projects.
EC&C Shirts
Thanks to the hard
work of Trustee Sheila Donald, we wowed the convention floor with a yellow
tsunami during the Business Session of the KI Convention. Delegates of EC&C wore their new yellow
shirts and we were a very visible presence during the election of officers and
the voting on amendments to the by-laws.
It's not too late to order shirts (order form sent earlier - or an
easier way is to go to the EC&C website and order online and they will be
delivered to you).
Kudos to Clubs
Mayor Mike Bradley presented the Mayor’s Honour List awards to Seaway Kiwanians Ken Stothers, Devonna Stothers,
Ken Machan, Lyn Colthart, Donna Kelso and Luke Winegard in recognition of their
efforts on the Kenwick on the Lake restoration project. The club donated
$50 000 to this project which made it all possible. Funds donated were
raised through TVCOGECO Seaway Kiwanis TVBingo.
The Kiwanis Club of Chatham-Kent held a very
successful Open House with 80% of the membership in attendance to welcome 20
invited guests. Potential new members
were told what C-K members loved about Kiwanis, both globally and locally. Participants commented on how positive
everyone was as they shared information.
The Open House (following suggestions and templates from The Formula
team) resulted in a new member already - with more expected - and community
awareness was increased through word-of-mouth and media coverage.
In addition, KC CK has pledged to become a $100K
club. This is a combination of club
fundraising and personal donations from members - 23 Walter Zeller Fellows (4
at the Diamond level) and 20 "Save 100 Families" donations. This is great news for the Club and the
Division. Much of the success should be
attributed to Eliminate Coordinator Mary Alice Marchand and we continue to
thank her for her leadership.
If your club has an outstanding activity or honour you'd like to share,
let me know so I can give you credit in the next newsletter.
Dates
I really hope you will consider coming to Chatham on July 18
to enjoy the 100th Anniversary Picnic in the Park with the members of the
Chatham-Kent Club. All are welcome and
if you can borrow a child for a few hours, they will have loads of fun at the
splash pad and playground.
There are many other up-coming events [some require notification
to the contact person since food planning is required]. The biggest event in our area is the Centennial
Celebration with John & Debbie. I have tickets and will bring them to each
of the events or you can contact the Guyitts in Ridgetown ($60 cash or make
cheque out to "Kiwanis Club of Ridgetown").
Service
Looks like we are a bit heavy on the fun and fellowship goals of Kiwanis
and a bit light on the service aspect over the next few months but I know that
is not true. Members are still
organizing movies, strawberry socials and pancake breakfasts; still working
hard to open the camps and animal farm so children can have a wonderful summer
experience; still planning for up-coming events; and still working bingos -
lots and lots of bingos.
Looking Ahead to Year's End
In all 7 clubs, the President Elects are planning for their term of
office in 2015-16. Whether returning or as
a new President, the new year brings many opportunities to make a difference in
your club and community. At the District
Caucus Meeting September 19, in-coming Presidents please come prepared to share
your goals and plans. In addition, we
will be joined by Division 2 Key Club Lieutenant Governor Shubhika Mahkul from Northern Secondary School in
Sarnia. More information will come out
in the fall but I wanted to give you advanced notice of the focus of this DCM.
Cathy Telfer, 2014-2015
Lieutenant Governor
Kiwanis EC&C Division 3 - St Clair
Bluewater
519-351-4378 ctelfer@sympatico.ca
