Author: Dave

Serving the children of the world

MiniBuilder the newsletter of the Capital District

February 2011 — March 2011 Dave Maloney, Editor

Governor’s Message by Governor Tom Varner

This was a great start to an even better year coming up in Kiwanis. Our membership is on the rebound after the initial hit in October from clubs purging their roles, and we are down 52 members from the beginning. With a new club organized - Kiwanis Club of Tidewater Young Professionals on January 20 with 27 new Kiwanians, we should be down about 25 at the end of this month.
Congratulators to Lieutenant Governor Amy Thorstad, Past Lieutenant Governor Carla Morin and Past Governor John Tyner for their hard work in getting the third club in the Tidewater area organized in the last six months. The Charter President is Alex Hazelwood. Thanks to all for making Kiwanis a reality to even more young people.
I have had three excellent visits this month. The first was the Governor's official visit to Division 17 where Lieutenant Governor Sharon Joyce hosted Lin and I on January 14. Preceding the visit, the Division 17 Council met with many of the Division Key Club Presidents and Lieutenant Governor Tripti Soni. We had an excellent discussion of long range planning and many of the clubs found out that by involving their members they received some good, solid ideas on what the clubs could be doing in the future.
Over 80 Kiwanians and guests attended the diner. It was highlighted with induction of five new Kiwanians - Eric Hooper from Wheaton-Silver Springs; David Crosby and Carolyn Sieradzski from Leisure World; and George Eaves and Houston Edward Hancock form Rockville. Welcome to these new Kiwanians and many thanks to their sponsors: Helen Williams, Phoebe Clark, George Chako, Stacey Miller, and John Tyner. George Chako received the 50-year Legion of Honor pin.
On Saturday, Lin and I along with Dale Kane, attended the Northern Virginia mid-winter in Manassas. The Kiwanians from Divisions 10 and 20 attended received excellent training. Mike Rind presented his first mid-winter session on Sexual Harassment in the general meeting after lunch. By the questions asked and the attentiveness, I believe this is a session everyone will want to attend in the future mid-winters.
As noted above, on Thursday, PG John Tyner, New Club Chair Carla Morin, and I attended the Organization Night for the Kiwanis Club of Tidewater Young Professionals. They are starting with 27 members and will increase before their Charter Night tentatively scheduled for March 5, 2011.
This past weekend, we drove over to Eastern Shore to Millsboro, Delaware for the DelMarVa midwinter. I had another super day with my favorite people - Kiwanians. I met with the club presidents for almost two hours and covered a lot issues that concerned the officers. Following their Lieutenant Governor elections, the DelMarVa Key Clubbers made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a shelter. While Governor Rachel said they had fewer members, they managed to make over 350 sandwiches. The limiting factor was the running out of bread. In the informal poll, grape beat out strawberry. In a sidelight, the women presented Lin with a 14 layer, Smith Island Cake. Effective October 1, 2008, the Smith Island Cake became the State Dessert of Maryland.
Thanks to all the people who had a part in making our visits a special time.
In looking ahead, I have had to cancel my trip to Indianapolis for the Governor's Council. I had some surgery on my lip and was advised to not travel this weekend.
On Saturday February 5, the District Board, the District Lieutenant Governors Council, and the District Foundation Board will all be meeting in Fredericksburg. The District Board will be considering changes to our convention and conference policies. We need to revisit these policies so that we have our meetings in facilities that will comfortably hold our conventions. The biggest obstacle is having a meeting room large enough to hold our meal meetings and then still have sufficient rooms that are large enough to hold our training sessions.
A second policy we'll be adding is one that covers "social networking." The basis of this policy is not unlike that of the sexual harassment policy. That is, they are guidelines to keep Kiwanians out of potential trouble in the future. Social networks are not as safe and secure as one might believe. In addition, what you put on the Internet might go beyond your intended audience.
Before I close, two questions: For all Kiwanians, have you invited someone you know to join the greatest service organization in the world? For Trustees and Lieutenant Governors, have you found a site and contacted the District New club Committee for help in expanding our outreach to a new group of people? All of us need to work on these things.

(cont’d on page 2)

This was a great start to an even better year coming up.

“Kiwanis Update” Launched: One More Reason to Get Online! by Governor-Elect Jeffrey Wolff

This month we launched a new form of communication in the Capital District. The Kiwanis Update is an HTML-email based publication that will go out once a month and highlight important issues for all members of our District. The unique aspect of this communication is that it is the first time we are sending e-mail directly to club members. In the past, all e-mail based communication was sent to the club presidents and secretaries and then they were expected to pass the information on to their membership.
As a result of Kiwanis International now allowing the districts to download the contact information (including e-mail addresses) of their members, we are able to do these monthly update messages directly to all Capital District Kiwanis members who have an email address on file. The first issue, viewable here http://bit.ly/ifwNBY has information on Club Leadership Education, 2011-12 District Committees and the 2011 Kiwanis International Convention in Geneva, Switzerland.
In case you are curious about the statistics, there are roughly 6,375 Kiwanis members in our district. Of those, only 4,309 (68%) members have e-mail addresses on file with Kiwanis International. The email was sent on January 27 and as of the writing of this article so far, 975 people (22.6%) have opened the message, 114 people (2.6%) have clicked on at least one link in the email message, 887 (20.6%) of the emails have bounced back meaning those addresses are not valid and only 14 people (0.3%) have requested to be unsubscribed. More people will open the message as the days go by, but we've already reached more people with this message than any single e-mail update sent in the past.
To be sure that you receive future issues of Kiwanis Update, please make sure that your club secretary has your correct email address. This information is reported by the clubs to Kiwanis International. We will update our list of members e-mail addresses once every quarter so that hopefully with each subsequent issue we can reach more and more of our members. If you have any suggestions for future issues, please send them to me at jeffrey@wolff.net.

(cont’d on page 4)

The unique aspect of this communication is that it is the first time we are sending e-mail directly to club members.

Governor’s Message (cont’d from page 1)

Mike Rind presented his first mid-winter session on Sexual Harassment.

(cont’d on page 3)

The MiniBuilder is published six times a year in February, April, June, August, October, December by the Capital District of Kiwanis International
Dave Maloney, Editor dave@maloney.com P.O. Box 2049 Frederick, MD 21702 301-228-2279 Deadline email submissions to dave@maloney.com last day of the month preceding publication
Capital District Kiwanis International
Organized August 23, 1918
Governor Tom Varner 13065 Riverside Court
Ashland, VA 23005-3132
h-804-798-8497 c-804-514-7826
thomas.varner@comcast.net
Secretary-Treasurer Ellis H. Stroup 7307 Coventry Drive P.O. Box 855 Middletown, MD 21769-0855 301-371-4650 ehstroup@comcast.net
Governor-Elect Jeffrey M. Wolff 12404A Liberty Bridge Road Fairfax, VA 22033-6041
w-617-279-0140 c-703-615-4477
jeffrey@wolff.net
Immediate Past Governor
Don Dudey
1110 Kingsbury Rd.
Owings Mills, MD 21117
h-410-356-5707 c-443-794-1112
ddudey@verizon.net
Capital District Foundation
Executive Secretary Charles P. Adams 1601 Charrington Drive Midlothian, VA 23113 804-794-1019 govadams@aol.com

Governor’s Message (cont’d from page 2)

A second policy we'll be adding is one that covers "social networking."

In Memoriam

January 2011 Rebecca Heath, Greater Hilton, Va. Eugene Mills, Crisfield, Md. Perry Reese, Crisfield, Md. Albert A. Page, Hampton, Va. Richard Lewis, Bridgeville, De.
December 2010 David Combs, Winchester, Va. Julia Stanley, By The Bay, Va. PLG Bernard Gardiner, Wheaton-Silver Spring, Md.

“Kiwanis Update” (cont’d from page 1)

Governor’s Message (cont’d from page 1)

there are roughly 6,375 Kiwanis members in our district. Of those, only 4,309 (68%) members have e-mail addresses on file with Kiwanis International.

Key Leader Registration by Nicole McDermott

Key Leader is Kiwanis's values-centered, weekend leadership education program for high school students. There will be TWO Key Leader weekends in the Capital District in 2011, and I hope your club is committed to sponsoring at least one student to the event closest to you. Our two Capital weekends are as follows:
April 15-17, 2011, Jamestown 4-H Educational Center, Williamsburg, Virginia
May 13-15, 2011, Arlington Echo Outdoor Educational Center, Millersville, Maryland
Spring Key Leader events are open to any 8th-12th grade students (in or out of Key Club or Builders Club). Once again, our goal for each event will be 60 students plus an additional 8-10 student facilitators.
It is $200/student (or $175/student if the student is a member of Key Club or Builders Club). For such a small amount of money, Kiwanis can truly make a difference in a young adult's life.
Registration is open NOW on the website -- key-leader.org! We anticipate selling out both events as we did in 2008 and 2009. For this reason, it will be very important to register students as soon as possible.
Key Leader is a leadership education weekend for high school students focusing on the concept of service leadership and five principles: integrity, growth, respect, community and excellence. The weekend is casual and includes hands-on exercises; writing and reflection activities; cooperative, team activities; physical challenges and more. Students arrive between 4-6 p.m. on Friday and depart between 11 a.m.-12 noon on Sunday. All adult chaperones have undergone background checks, and the weekend is run by a professional facilitator who has successfully completed a training course on the curriculum and who brings experience working with young people.
If you need more information or are interested in serving on the Key Leader District Committee and helping to promote Key Leader around the District and in your own area, please contact District Chair Nicole McDermott (Kiwanis Club of Tysons Corner/McLean, Virginia) at capitalkeyleader@gmail.com or 703.829.5481. We are currently looking for representatives from the following regions particularly: DelMarVa, Heart of Virginia, Mason Dixon, Presidential, and Southwest Virginia.

(cont’d on page 5)

Key Leader (cont’d from page 4)

District Committee Applications Now Being Accepted by Jeffrey Wolff
Are you interested in helping our organization reach even greater heights? We are currently recruiting committee members and chairs to serve on the 2011-2012 District Leadership Team.
There are 20 committees that operate at the district level to support clubs efforts. They encompass areas as diverse as Community Service and New Club Building to Young Children: Priority One and our Service Leadership Programs.
Each committee includes a representative from each region within our district. Goals are established by each committee at the start of the year and then communication between the committee and district board will occur quarterly.
If you are interested in serving on a committee, please contact Governor-Elect Jeffrey M. Wolff at (703) 615-4477.
2011-2012 Club Leadership Education by Jeffrey Wolff
Many of you have inquired about how Club Leadership Education will take place for your officers. No Club Leadership Education will be facilitated at Regional Midwinter Conferences this year.
Kiwanis International is requiring re-certification for all Certified Instructors and as a result we are currently auditioning Kiwanis members for the position. If you are a Past Lt. Governor interested in serving as a Kiwanis Certified Instructor, please contact PG Don Dudey at (410) 356-5707.
These new instructors will be trained at the CKI District Convention on February 19th, 2011. Once this has been completed, the Education Committee will be working with the sitting Lt. Governors in your divisions to coordinate your local CLE event. These will all take place on the weekends of May and June 2011. All current President-Elects (those who will serve as 2011-2012 Club Presidents) as well those who will serve as club secretary starting October 1, 2011 are required to attend CLE.

Kiwanis International is requiring re-certification for all Certified Instructors and as a result we are currently auditioning Kiwanis members for the position.

Capital District Solicits Applications for Position of District Secretary/Treasurer
by Mike Rind, Capital District Risk Manager

The Capital District Board of Trustees was advised by Secretary-Treasurer Stroup at the February 5, 2011 District Board Meeting that it is his intention to retire from that position effective September 30, 2011. Job description and application for those interested in the position are available at http://bit.ly/guitv0 and http://bit.ly/elJMOr, respectively. They are also available from Sec. Ellis at (301) 371-4650.

Kiwanis One Day is April 2.

One Day: Think you won't make a difference? Think again.

Each year, the 600,000 members of the Kiwanis family are called together for one day of service. In 2011, Kiwanis One Day is April 2.
It's a global effort, but it's made of personal commitment. After all, Kiwanis One Day consists of the collective participation of Kiwanis, Aktion Club, CKI, Key Club, Builders Club and K-Kids members around the world.
It begins with your club's participation. It multiplies by involving other Kiwanis and Service Leadership Program clubs in your community. 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 around the globe. Visit www.KiwanisOne.org/oneday to get started planning your project.

Welcome New International Area Director, Rhonda Vrell Growth & Education Team

Grafton Kiwanian to be honored with Humanitarian Award by Robert Elsass
by Sylvester "Syl" Neal, President, Kiwanis International

James E. Barnett (right) , one of the Grafton Kiwanis Club's most active members, will be honored on February 24 with a 2011 Peninsula Humanitarian Award by the Virginia Center of Inclusive Communities. He is one of six citizens of the Virginia Peninsula being celebrated this year.
"The kinds of people I really want to reach out and help are the people who amidst their own need, can still find a way to give back to the world, even if all they have is a cheerful thought," Barnett says. He is the County Attorney for York County and is being cited for, among other endeavors, his work as Co-founder of Homeless Week at Rodef Sholom Temple in Hampton, and his volunteer dedication to the Boy Scouts of America.
The Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC), based in Richmond, conducts programs that promote understanding and respect on ALL issues of diversity, for ALL age groups, ALL across Virginia. Each year, Inclusive Communities leads educational programs, conferences, retreats, and workshops for thousands of youth, educators, community members, non-profit organizations, and corporate and business leaders. These events and experiences teach participants not simply to notice differences, but also to respect variety in race, religion, and culture. The message is delivered in schools, houses of worship, the community, and in the workplace.
The event honoring Barnett continues a 43-year tradition of recognizing local humanitarians. The celebration will take place at the Newport News Marriott at City Center.

"The kinds of people I really want to reach out and help are the people who amidst their own need, can still find a way to give back to the world, even if all they have is a cheerful thought."

New Club Builders - New Club Charter Gifts

As Kiwanis clubs continue to reflect their members and their communities, new formats of clubs have been encouraged by the organization. These formats include Internet clubs, 3-2-1 clubs, young professional clubs and others. While these clubs have evolved in recent years, the practice of providing new club charter gifts has not adapted to reflect these new club formats. As an example, an internet club does not have a purpose for a gong, gavel, banner, or flag as their meetings do not take place in a physical room where these items may be displayed. Unfortunately, these items go unused. To meet these changing needs, Kiwanis International is now offering a "Kiwanis Kash" certificate to all new clubs that can be redeemed in a one-time purchase of either the traditional new club charter gifts (including the gong, gavel, banner, and flag) or a total retail value of US$350 of merchandise. All new clubs will still receive member pins, membership certificates, and other items not considered "gifts" and would be eligible to redeem offers for one free International Convention registration and a free BUG or Terrific Kids kit in addition to redeeming the Kiwanis Kash certificate. This new process begins January 1, 2011.

MiniBuilder the newsletter of the Capital District

David Maloney, Editor P.O. Box 2049 Frederick, MD 21702
Phone: 301-228-2279
dave@maloney.com

We’re on the Web!
Capital.Kiwanisone.org

Suburban Frederick Club Supports Local Child Lab School with Literacy Rug by Peter Brehm

The Kiwanis Club of Suburban Frederick recently presented to Onica Prall Lab School Director Susan Weddle, Head Teacher Debbie Smith, and the three-year old class at the Onica Prall Lab School a Literacy Rug purchased by the Kiwanis as a donation to the school. The Literacy Rug is a triangular carpet that encompasses bright red, yellow, green, and blue colors plus a variety of shapes that is used in lessons to enhance student learning. Assisted by the class and Smith, club Vice President Eric Gatrell and member Peter Brehm unrolled the rug, which was put to immediate use. The Onica Prall Child Development Laboratory School is operated by the Department of Education of Hood College. The school provides preschool education for children who are three and four years old.

Governor’s Message (cont’d from page 1)

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MiniBuilder February 2011 – March 2011

MiniBuilder February 2011 – March 2011

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