November Message

Dear Kiwanis Family Members,

It was only a few short weeks ago that I sat at the computer to do my first Governor’s Monthly Message. I don’t know if time seems to fly by for you but it sure does for me! Last week I thought I was loosing my mind when, during a very, very long distance phone conversation, our friends from Russia were talking about changing the clocks and I thought I’d lost my chance at an extra hour of sleep! As it turned out, I’d forgotten that daylight savings in the U.S. began three weeks early last spring in addition to continuing an extra week in the fall. Congress did this as a money saving and energy conservation move but when I heard the amount of savings, 30 cents per family per year, I thought this was such a small drop in the bucket that it really didn’t make much difference. All that changed when I found out that 30 cents per family grew to be a savings for our nation of 100 million dollars a year. The 100 million dollar difference in the energy we used happened by adding the savings of one family, and another and another. That’s the power of working together and that’s the power of our Kiwanis Family. By adding together all of our 600,000 K Family members - Kiwanis and K-Kids and Builders and Key Club and Circle K and Aktion Club - and counting all of our great deeds, we are a mighty force.

So far I’ve attended over half the region fall meetings and I’ll finish the remainder in the next two weeks. The trustees worked out the schedule so that I could attend all seven and it’s been a wonderful experience. It’s great seeing old friends and making new ones. I’ve learned so much and I wish I could pass it all on but there isn’t enough space and none of you have the hours it would take to read anyway. The heart warming, tear jerking stories are adding up. David and I have truly been blessed with the opportunity to meet so many of you who have so much to share. Just because you aren’t governor doesn’t mean that you can’t travel in your own area to see old friends and make new ones, learn what others are doing and hear those heart warming, tear jerking stories, too. Travel a little when you can and give yourself the gift of learning more about those Kiwanians and clubs around you that are making a difference.

I’m going to begin a “Share Our Story” page soon that I’ll update as I hear exciting things that are happening around our own district. If you have something you think should be included please call, email or send your newsletter (mail or electronically) so I can get it out to the rest of the district. This is just another way for me to help you to “Share Our Story.” Here’s a start …

After the Region 1 meeting, LTG Cathy Szymanski challenged all our LTGs to have 100% participation from clubs in their division in Kiwanis One Day on April 5th, 2008. She asked “the Gov” to sweeten the pot with “something.” After David and I discussed it a little we decided to provide hot dogs, hamburgers and veggie burgers along with dessert for a picnic to honor the winning division. The criterion is being worked on as of this moment and your LTGs should have you all up to speed soon. For more information about Kiwanis One Day go to the International web site.

In Region 2, K-Kids Region chair Sandy Brackin shared a story telling that when she was a high school tutor she didn’t think a grade was good enough unless it was an “A.” Soon she realized that some students had to struggle to earn even a “C” and that they should receive just as much recognition, and possibly more, than the student whose grades came easily. That’s why she believes B.U.G. (Bring Up Grades) can play such an important role in the success of a child who seldom is recognized for anything, let alone grades.

Alice Arnold shared at the Region 3 Governor’s visit about her Juniata Club providing
225 – 250 Thanksgiving Food Baskets for the needy of their community. Even though this is a club of fewer than 20, they are making a huge difference. Think what they could accomplish (hint, hint) if they added a handful of new, excited, energetic, dedicated new members!

Last but not least, from the Region 6 meeting, comes a Key Club success story. This is the very reason we should support Key Club and our other SLPs: service leads to life changing experiences. A quiet student, who seldom participated in anything, perked up when the Stroudsburg Key Club advisor explained about beginning a new Fall program called “Lead and Read.” The advisor kept in contact with the student, (who she found out had a severe hearing impairment) throughout the summer to make sure she continued to be excited about participation. This fall the student, who got a summer job at the local library because she wanted to prepare herself for doing the best possible with this new PA Reads program, has stepped up to volunteer, speaks out at meetings and can’t wait until the “Lead and Read” program begins at the elementary school. KC Faculty Advisor Lori Ann Giovinco (Stroudsburg President-elect) says this student is a “changed child” because Key Club offered a way she could become involved in something meaningful. If there was ever a doubt about how Kiwanis changes lives just look to this story.

I always hesitate to give examples of what I hear during my travels or read about in newsletters because I can’t mention every great example of relevant service, lasting friendship or membership growth. What I will say, and continue to say, is that everything I mention is “owned” by each and every Kiwanian. Take pride in what your fellow Kiwanians are doing and emulate the great deeds you hear. If a bingo game takes place at a Senior Citizen Center, diapers are provided to the local domestic violence shelter or an Aktion Club member gains enough confidence to go to a Kiwanis meeting, we each own a little piece of these things. Instead of complaining about how somebody thinks we should give $25 instead of $50 to a charity or griping because you didn’t get to pick the date of bell ringing for the Salvation Army, put your differences aside when you walk through the meeting room door. We are all engaged in the humanitarian efforts it takes to change the world and we “Share Our Story” best when we work together!