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Kansas

Kiwanian

Kansas District of Kiwanis International Newsletter

Volume 59 Issue 3

April 2011

Mid-Year Adds to Kansas Kiwanis 'Legacy'

Siemens

Steve Siemens

The Kansas District Mid-Year Conference in Pittsburg last month was truly a memorable addition to the Kansas Kiwanis "Legacy."

 

Inspirational presentations by Past International President Steve Siemens and Victory Junction co-founder Pattie Petty highlighted the Conference attended by over 250 Kiwanians and guests representing 61 clubs.

 

Most importantly, over $20,000 was raised for the Victory Junction District Project; the YCPO project brought in 741 items and $528 in cash for the Wesley House outreach program for needy in the Pittsburg area; and over $1,900 was raised in the Silent Auction with the Kansas Foundation donating its half of the proceeds to Victory Junction. Add in the information and camaraderie experienced at the programs and meals and it was a conference to remember.

Patti Petty

Pattie Petty

 

If you were not able to attend, you can experience the activities by viewing Dan Soeken's outstanding photo recap of the Conference on the Kansas District website. If you were in attendance, you will want to view the photos to relive the experience and look to see if Dan caught you in a photo. Also, if you attended, please complete the Conference Survey to help with planning for future conferences.

 

The Pittsburg Sun newspaper published outstanding coverage of the Conference which can also be viewed on the District Website.

 
In This Issue
Message from the Governor
District Secretary Notes
YCPO Conference Projects
MNT Education Starts
Membership Growth
May - Membership Month
Gov.-Elect Notes
Focus on SLPs
Kiwanis One Day
Kansas Kiwanis Kernels

In Memoriam

B. R. "Blackie" McFall
Fort Scott Kiwanis Club

"Blackie" died Jan.13, 2011, at home. He was club secretary for 20 years. He was very involved in Kiwanis and loved working with children.

Loyd Canaday

Junction City Noon Kiwanis Club 

Loyd died Jan.25, 2011, at home. He was club secretary for many years.

Edgar W. Butler

Atchison Kiwanis Club 

Edgar died Jan.19, 2011, at home. 

Sylvia Jean Burns

Leavenworth Kiwanis Club 

Sylvia died Feb.9, 2011, in Leavenworth.

 Quick Links

  
  
  
 

Message from the Governor:

'We won the first game - let's win the second game!'

MartelThis is what Bobby Knight said during the half-time show of an NCAA playoff game. How true that relates to our Kansas District. Because of the focus of our membership, our District has a place next to the top in the Kiwanis world in fulfilling our vision. 

Our International President Slyvester Neal, has asked each District to have a + 1 for the year. I am proud to say that you, our clubs and members, have surpassed this figure with a + 51 as of March 30; and there is still six months to go!! Presently our District is No. 2 in the world in percentage gain in membership (I feel confident we can be No. 1 when the new figures are released at the first of the month). I thank every club that has had a positive gain at this time. I am asking that those clubs that have a negative in club membership to focus on the goal of having a +1 for your club.

Another excellent achievement is that three clubs have already reached the Distinguished Club Level of 100 points. This represents 20 points more that last year's required criteria and, again, there is still six months to go!! There are five clubs currently at the 90 point level. I can envision that we could easily have 60 - YES 60! - clubs that have the 100 point level in sight. By proper recording of activities and in a timely fashion, this is a very achievable goal. I am so proud of your accomplishments. 

Our Mid-Year Conference was a success as indicated in the District Website (kskiwanis.org) Message from the Governor's article.  I just want to again thank all who worked and supported the Conference.

Let's keep our streak alive by winning this "second game." Don't be afraid to go the "extra mile." Don't be afraid to do something different. Don't be afraid to ASK questions. Don't be afraid to "mix" (interclub) with clubs larger or smaller than your own. Don't be afraid to share your successes (or things that don't work -- there is no failure). Don't be afraid to be a "first timer" at a conference or convention (we all have to start sometime).

With continuing effort we will make it to the top - and we will stay there! I like being the "King of the Kiwanis Mountain", don't you?

See you in Hays for our District Convention.

Governor John

District Secretary Notes:
Filing Reports on 'KiwanisOne.org' Helps Everyone 

The first half of this Kiwanis year has flown by very quickly. I am very impressed with the number of clubs who are using the KiwanisOne.org website to not only file their reports, but also to add/delete/update members. The advantage to this is that everything is completed in real time. There are no delays. Your Lieutenant Governor and I, along with Kiwanis International, are now updated almost instantly on your club's status.

It was great seeing so many of you at Mid-Year Conference in Pittsburg. I hope that, if you are a club secretary, you attended Donna Pintar's very informative and up-to-date presentation on how to do your job more efficiently. I think this Mid-Year was one of the best attended with 250 plus Kiwanis members and guests.

In planning this meeting, the convention committee: Governor John Martel, Division 3 Lt Gov. Janette Mauk, and I, tried to give you value for your money and time. We hope you had a great time, enjoyed the excellent cuisine, the informative programs, and our two guest speakers: Past Kiwanis International President Steve Siemens, and Pattie Petty, the driving force behind Victory Junction.

I want to thank Lt Gov. Janette Mauk and all of the volunteers from the Division 3 clubs for their untiring assistance. These Kiwanis members helped make this a successful, rewarding Mid-Year.

In the next half of the year we have a trip to Geneva, with 29 Kansas Kiwanis members and guests currently planning to attend. We are looking forward to a great meeting and education as the Eliminate Project is officially launched. This is an exciting time for Kiwanis and we promise to keep you informed.

August 5-7 will find us in Hays for the District Convention. The Kiwanis members in the Hays Club are planning a terrific time of learning and fellowship. Be sure to "Save the Date" and check the June issue of the Kansas Kiwanian and kskiwanis.org for updates and registration forms and information. Another place to find us is Facebook. Please "Like" our page at Kansas District Kiwanis International.

Until next time, please take full advantage of your Kiwanis membership with meetings and service, but do get out and enjoy the spring weather and flowers.

Yours in Kiwanis Service,

Rusty

YCPO MidYear

YCPO District Chair Virginia Higgins Displays Donations at Mid-Year Conference

Mid-Year YCPO Project Results 'Amazing'

D-Con YCPO Project to Benefit Maternity Home

As we close another successful Mid-Year Conference, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who participated in the service project for Wesley House in Pittsburg. The response was overwhelming as you could see when passing the mounds of diapers, baby food, and assorted items. In all, approximately 741 items and $528 was collected. Director Ellie Foster was amazed at the generosity of Kansas Kiwanians. As she stated during the luncheon she was rendered "speechless."

Now it is time to move forward and prepare for the District Convention in Hays Aug. 5-7. I have selected the Mary Elizabeth Maternity Home for the District Convention YCPO project. The facility was established in 1997 "to serve unwed mothers between the ages of 10 and 21 with resources and social support to enable them to make life-affirming decisions concerning their future and that of their unborn children." This is the first of six goals and objectives. You can read further about this facility at their website http://maryelizabeth.net .

The home is licensed for a maximum of eight mothers and two infants at a time. The girls can stay up to six months after the baby is born if circumstances warrant. In a year's time the home provides assistance and guidance to approximately 15 girls. Because the numbers are so low, this will be a challenging and exciting project to undertake.

I am open to any suggestions you might have regarding this project. During the March Board of Trustees meeting, I provided the Lieutenant Governors with a copy of the Home's "wish list" so we can see the many ways we can help. I will be in contact with the director of MEMH to finalize the August project and pass on this information to your Lieutenant Governor; to Chad Lehman to post on the District website; and in this space in the June Kiwanian.

Virginia Higgins, District Chair, Young Children: Priority One Committee

Foundation Scholarships Winners Announced

I hope each Kansas Kiwanian is having a prosperous 2011 and in return you are thinking about giving to the Kansas Foundation. Only by each of us giving are we able to make a difference. These individual contributions are combined to assist Kansas citizens and our District beyond what clubs or even the District can possibly do.Kansas Foundation Logo

A portion of the money goes to fund the Kansas Foundation College Scholarships. There is at least one per division and several at-large. The Foundation's Scholarship Committee - Bob Hottman, chair, Jackie Byars, Rich Gehlbach, Gary Dickinson and Jana Jantzen - has announced the winners of the 2011 Kansas Kiwanis Foundation Scholarships as follows:

Barta Scholarship ($1,200) - Elizabeth Rupp, Hays (Div. 12)

Barta Salina ($1,000) - Lam Nguyen, Salina (Div.4)

Circle K Matching ($1,000) - Kimberly Ann Prockish, Salina (Div.4) Diondria Danae Echols, Wichita (Div. 7); Kristin Navarre, Prairie Village (Div. 9)

Key Club Matching ($1,000) [chosen by Key Club Board] - Mariah Jo Miller, Harper (Div. 7); Rebecca Lynn Ferguson, Kansas City (Div. 9); Jessica Holdt, Harper (Div. 7)

Honoree ($750) - Ashton Pfannenstiel, Hutchinson (Div. 8); Magen Witcher, Elkhart (Div. 10); Kathy Nguyen, Garden City (Div. 10); Christopher Luck, Elkhart (Div. 10)

Memorial ($500) - Kelly Marie Gibbon, Derby (Div. 7); Adam Gleason, Meade (Div. 10)

Division ($500) - Jennifer Farmer, Leavenworth (Div. 2); Leah Noelle Weir, Iola (Div. 3); Courtney Wiggins, Smolan (Div. 4); Alison Marie Sharpe, Lindsbsorg (Div. 5); Katie Marie Campbell, Leavenworth (Div. 6); Van-Anh Nguyen, Wichita (Div. 7); Ryan Bretches, Great Bend (Div. 8); Jackson Daniel Wagner, Kansas City (Div. 9); Asher E. Chester, Garden City (Div. 10); Rickaya Irene Branch, Topeka (Div. 11); Rebecca Ann Urban, Hays (Div. 12).

Annual contributions to Kiwanis Foundation help support sponsored youth groups, club community projects and the grants that help fund the Recognition of Achievement awards handed out such as the Kiwanian of the Year Award and the Pete Loux Achievement Award. The nominations for the Kiwanian of the Year and the Pete Loux Award need to be submitted to the Foundation by June 15, to be considered for this year. The nomination forms can be found under the Kansas Kiwanis Foundation tab on the Kansas District Website.

If your club has not submitted its annual club contribution ($3, $5 or $10 per member) to the Kansas Foundation, please do so as soon as possible. Matching funds are still available for Putnam Awards. For more information contact Kansas Foundation Treasurer Kenton Krehbiel at 888-245-4017.

Jerry A. Blank, President, Kansas Kiwanis Foundation

April Is 'Skip-A-Meal MonthSkip-a-Meal

April traditionally is Skip-A-Meal month for the Kiwanis International Foundation. This program provides the opportunity for an individual to make a personal gift, the price of a meal, to support the Children's Fund of the Kiwanis International Foundation.

Kiwanis family members and non-members who send the cost equivalent of just one meal help fund the programs that directly benefit children. For more information and suggestions about how you and your club can participate in Skip-A-Meal go to the Skip-A-Meal page under the Foundation section of the Kiwanis.org website. You can also make your Skip-A-Meal gift securely online at the Skip-A-Meal page.

Individual and club participation is crucial to continue serving the children of the world. Join the Kiwanis family by skipping just one meal during the last week in April. Your support will help fund the growing number of grants provided through the Kiwanis Children's Fund.

Dick Bills, International Foundation District Chair

Has Your Club Had a Program Yet ?!?!?

The first phase of the new World Wide Eliminate Project is Education.  All clubs in the District should be educated on this new Global Campaign for the Protection of Children.  Clubs need to know what it is and how they can help to eliminate this dreadful disease.   

If your club has not received a program on the Eliminate Project please contact District Chairman, Dot Leakey at [email protected].  We want all clubs to learn all they can about MNT and the Eliminate Project.  Beside having a program, information and resources are available at www.TheEliminateProject.org.MNT Logo

We also want to encourage people to attend the convention in Geneva.  The campaign will officially launch in Geneva, and hopefully we will be able to share this significant occasion with several members from our District.

Clubs can support the campaign now if they wish.  Any club is able to submit donations through the Kansas District Chairperson Dot Leakey by submitting checks made out to the Kiwanis International Foundation, designated to the Eliminate campaign.  Any club that is able to send US $2,000 or more prior the convention in Geneva will receive special recognition. This club gift of US $2,000 can help save and protect more than 1,100 lives.

If anyone has questions and/or concerns that you would like addressed, please contact the District Chairman so they can be addressed.  After all, this campaign is our tremendous opportunity to come together as a Kiwanis family and work toward one common goal: to save the lives of mothers and newborns.

Thanks for all you do on behalf of Kiwanis.

Dot Leakey, MNT District Chair

Membership Growth Means More Service for Children 

Wow! What an outstanding and memorable time for the Kansas Kiwanis District. With growth happening across the state that just means more service, most important for the children. Right now the Kansas District has grown with 39 members. That means we are number one in growth by Districts in North America. Way to go Kansas!

I have other clubs telling me of growth that hasn't been reported yet. All in all it is happening. When your club or clubs in your division grow everyone grows. People get excited when you see growth because new people have new ideas and that brings growth.

Several clubs are working on new SLP's in their club. That is one great way to encourage the young children to be involved in your community and your club. And when that happens you will see growth. The young students have so much energy and are so talented.

We are still working on ideas and ways to get clubs that are under charter to increase their numbers and are hoping to get that accomplished. Again this takes time and desire from the clubs and members.

A big "Thank You" goes out to the committee of Michael Seufert, Max Klamm and Jan Maxwell. We also tip our hat to the Division Alignment committee of Keith Kandt and Doug Clark for all their work.

If you have any questions feel free to call any of us and we will help in any way we can. Also stay in touch with the information highway for the Kansas District on the District Website kskiwanis.org .

  Brad L Schields - District Growth Initiative & Strategic Planning Chair

 

May is Membership month! Ask a friend to visit your club! Sponsor a new member. Remember all you have to do is ask! More Hands More Service! 

Brought to you by the Kansas District Growth Team

 

Governor-Elect Notes:

Fun Times Across District Need to Be SharedBrad Schields

Fun times across the State! Kansas is so lucky to have great people and all of them I know belong to Kiwanis. And if you know people that are great go ahead and ask them to join Kiwanis. Just as well all be together hadn't we?

I've had the opportunity to attend some events across the state that are so inspiring. The new Key Club Charter in Riley County, what a bunch of talented students and Kiwanis clubs in that area are so involved.

I attended the Circle K DCON in Hutchinson with 23 attendees. What a fun weekend with so much energy! They elected a full slate of District Officers that will make a difference in Circle K and the future of Kiwanis.

So let's stay on track and continue the growth in clubs and SLP's across the state. Good times in Kansas!

Brad L Schields Governor - Elect

Focus on SLPs Ensures Growth of Clubs

Mary HammondService Leadership Programs (SLPs) are the future for Kiwanis. To ensure our Kiwanis clubs maintain and even grow our membership numbers, we must focus on our current SLPs and work to build more in the Kansas District. Each Kiwanis club in the Kansas District should sponsor at least one SLP and if your club is currently sponsoring one, consider sponsoring another. There are Kiwanis clubs in the Kansas District that sponsor three and even four SLPs and these Kiwanis clubs' membership numbers are not more than 50 or 60 members. So it does not take a large Kiwanis club to handle more than one sponsorship.  Many clubs can and do ... do it!

 

We have reasons to celebrate with regard to new SLPs being started in our district. KUDOS to the Manhattan Solar Kiwanis Club for successfully sponsoring a new Key Club at Riley County High School.  Thirty-one new members were installed at the Charter celebration of this new Key Club on Feb. 12, at Leonardville, KS.

The Kiwanis Club of Liberal sponsored a new BUG program at an elementary school in their community. Three third grade classes, with 23 participants, were the recipients of BUG certificates, pins and pencils. Pizza donated by the local Pizza Hut was served to the BUG members.

The Kiwanis Club of Pittsburg sponsored their third K-Kids in March with 27 charter members. Every public school in the Pittsburg community has a K-family leadership club. How cool it would be if we could say that about every Kiwanis community in Kansas!

The Colby Kiwanis Club has made great strides in building a Circle K at Colby Community College. The Kiwanis members are working with the college on getting the right sponsors and they have been getting guidance and resources from their Lieutenant Governor and from a District Circle K Co-Advisor. We should see a Charter celebration for this new Circle K in the coming months.

Like the Colby Kiwanis Club, working with your division's Lieutentant Governor and with the district SLP Advisors is a great way to start the process of building new SLPs. The resources from Kiwanis International with regard to SLPs are endless but if a club is not sure of the process or the steps to take, it can be intimidating. Lieutenant Goverrnors, working with the different district SLP Advisors, can get the information and resources in your hands and help guide your club through the process.

 

Other clubs that have sponsored SLPs are also great resources for advice and support and we are trying to identify an individual in each division that could serve as a division SLP contact, to help clubs and the Lieutenant Governors. Currently we have five divisions covered with these additional support people.

 

SLPThis past January the Kansas District was represented by all SLP Advisors at training in Indianapolis.  Attendance by all advisors at this type of training has not occurred in our district for a very long time but we are working to change that starting with this Kiwanis year. The training the advisors received was invaluable to their better understanding of the materials and objectives for their roles as advisors. Networking with their peer SLP Advisors from other states allowed for the sharing of ideas and added to their resources, which in turn will help the clubs in Kansas. Our SLP Advisors came back to Kansas fired up with enthusiasm and with a better understanding of how they can help our Kiwanis clubs build SLPs.

Do you know who the advisors are for the SLP programs and do you know how to contact them? They are listed on our Kansas District website and in the directory. Every club President and Secretary has a copy of the directory. Most of these SLP Advisors will be in these same positions next year and they will again attend training to bring back new ideas and resources to help the Kansas District grow and thrive! 

If your club sponsors SLPs, THANK YOU!  If your club does not, how can we help change that?                                                                                  Mary Hammond - Vice Governor 

 

 

Kiwanis One Day - What Did Your Club Do?

I hope that your club has had as much fun and success at Kiwanis One Day as my club. I am a member of the Southwest Topeka Kiwanis Club and even though this article is being written before the 2011 Kiwanis One Day of April 2, you are reading it after that day.One Day Logo

We planned to help a family in the Topeka area do some general repair work to their house. We are working through Rebuilding Together, a non-profit all volunteer organization that repairs homes for low income and elderly families in Topeka area. Income must be $15,000 or lower and age must be 60 years old or older. The goal is to keep homes "Safe," "Warm" and "Dry."

We met on Feb. 21 to decide what home to assist in April. The goal was to involve as many of my club members as we could and do the work in one Saturday morning. We were also involving a local church youth group because they need the volunteer time and we need the manpower.

Kiwanis One Day- keep it simple, but do it. That is what Kiwanis is all about, volunteering and giving service to your community. I want to thank each of the clubs and Kiwanis members that participated in Kiwanis One Day. If your club didn't participate this year then tell your incoming President to put it on the calendar for next year- April 7, 2012.

We would love to receive follow-up reports from clubs that participated this year, along with photos of what they did so we can post them on the District Website and include in the June Kiwanian. Submit them to Kiwanian Editor Steve Russell at [email protected].

Greg McLaren, District Community Service Chair

      Kernel Kansas Kiwanis KernelsKernel

NEW MEMBERS

The following have joined Kansas Kiwanis Clubs since Oct. 1, 2010. If we have missed anyone or whenever you have a new member join send their name to Steve Russell ([email protected]) so we can include them in the next issue:

Division 2 - Lansing - William V. Fleek; Frank L. Goss, Danny J. Morford; Leavenworth - Kenneth D. Martin; McLouth - Susan Deeken, Devy McHenry; Sabetha - Julie K. Holthaus.

Division 3 - Chanute - David Stutt, Sherry Stutt; Fort Scott Pioneers - Maureen Jones, Kimberly S. Nolan; Pittsburg - Ali Hammad, Layne Rainey; Pittsburg Sunflower - Nancy and Richard Normand, Chris Childers.

Division 4 - Abilene - Gerald Mason; Manhattan Solar - Tara L. Dean; Marysville - Laura E. Johnson-McNish.

Division 5 - Emporia - Phil Haynes; Hillsboro - Ron Braun, Lori L. Lalouette; Lindsborg - Brian A. Freeman, James E. Parker, Sharon Spohn; McPherson - Jody Miller.

Division 7 - Arkansas City - Eldon Craig Hall; Wellington - Paula Mortimer; Winfield - Karol J. Kenzy.

Division 8 - Great Bend - Berneice Scott; Larned - Chuck W. Twitchell; Lyons - Darci Miller; Pratt - Michael A. Coleman, Rose M. Kuppers, Trent W. McAtee, Tamara P. Morse, Ron Moser, Laura Thimesch.

Division 9 - Gardner - Kristi Kooiman, Kate Kroum, Steve Devore, Eric Boyle, Dean Gulley, Korey York; Kansas City West - Patrick M. Shore; Shawnee - Brad Henry.

Division 10 - Dodge City - Ryan S. Ausmus.

Division 11 - Berryton - Gerald L. Thompson; Tecumseh - James Powell; Topeka - Sandra Jones.

Division 12 - Goodland - Kristi M. Franz, David W. Goodwin; Hays - Abbie Bainter, Paul M. Briseno, Judith M. Brummer, Terry Crull, Belinda DeWerff, Raymond Haas, Lynn Meredith, Nate Rohleder, Tina Scott.

Lieutenant Governor Elections Reported 

Div XI Lt GovDivision 11 recently elected three future Lieutenant Governors (in photo at right): Brent Carter,Topeka Club - 2013-14, Greg McLaren, Topeka Southwest Club - 2012-13, and Jan Maxwell, Topeka Club - 2011-12.

Division 4 future Lieutants Governors recently elected are: Don Gier, Marysville Club - 2011-12; Ronald J. Nold, Abilene Club - 2012-13; and Jo Schwartz, Abilene Club - 2013-14.

 Extra, Extra, Read All About It - Via Email Or On the Kansas District Website

As most of you should know by now, the District is no longer printing and mailing hard copies of the Kansas Kiwanian. Beginning with this issue, the District newsletter will be emailed to all members for whom we have email addresses. We put out a call to club secretaries for email address lists and so far have received responses from about a third of the clubs. For the clubs which have not responded, we are using email addresses obtained from a Kiwanis International report.

The newsletter is also posted to the Kansas District website under the News tab. We are asking club secretaries (and members) who have access to email or the internet to print out hard copies for members who do not have electronic access

And you don't have to wait for the Kiwanian to come out to get the latest in District, Division and Club news. It's all on the District website; or, at least it will be if submitted to the website. The News tab also has a News Submission Form for sending in articles and photos. And besides what's under the News tab, more club news and newsletters can be found by going to the Club Event Listing under the Club Listing tab.

We encourage you to visit the Kansas District website regularly to see what's new. Chad Lehman, the District Website Manager, is working hard to keep it current and continuously improve the content and usablity.

Steve Russell, Editor, Kansas Kiwanian - [email protected].

 

Dates to Remember
May 1 - Power of One (books), District
June 1 - Club Officer Election Reports Due (Online at KiwanisOne.org)
June 3-5 - Key Leader Event, Rock Springs, KS
May 25 - Deadline to Register Online for 2011 International Convention
July 6-11 - 96th Annual Kiwanis International Convention, Geneva, Switzerland
August 5-7 - 61st Kansas District Convention, Hays, KS