The Kiwanian
NE-IA KIWANIS DISTRICT NEWSLETTER
April, 2018
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IN THIS ISSUE
Formula Team Report
Childhood Hunger Project
Club Kudos
SAVE THE DATE
World Series District Convention
QUICK LINKS
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Greetings!
Welcome to The Kiwanian, the newsletter for the Nebraska-Iowa Kiwanis District. The Kiwanian is published the 1st week of every month. The next Kiwanian will be published in May. Article submissions are due to our District Secretary by the 15th of every month. Please feel free to share this issue with potential new members. Thank you to this month's content contributors Elaine Armstrong, Jan Burch, Jane Erickson, Mary Langdon, Bob Mitchell, Don Muff, Diana Sickles and Steve Siemens.
Click
HERE
to print this issue of
The Kiwanian, April 2018
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NEW CLUBS ON THE HORIZON - WILL YOU HELP?
Our goal for 2017-18 is to open EIGHT NEW KIWANIS CLUBS in the Nebraska-Iowa District. Eight new clubs with approximately 20 charter members equals 160 NEW Kiwanis members in our District. According to statistics compiled by Kiwanis International, every new Kiwanian touches the lives of at least 200 children. This new group of Kiwanians will touch the lives of 32,000 kids! How can we NOT open at least eight new clubs?
While we have new clubs in progress, we have yet to open a new club in the Nebraska-Iowa District this year!
We need YOUR help! If you know of any prospects (friends, neighbors, relatives, work colleagues, etc.) at any of the sites outlined in this article, please tell us! If you can volunteer a couple of hours to help with recruiting, please tell us! If you can lend a few words of encouragement, please do so! There’s nothing more energizing than bringing new Kiwanis members into this great organization! After all, somebody asked you!
Jan Burch, Governor, 2017-18
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FORMULA REPORT
The Formula for strengthening Kiwanis is to
Love IT!
Share IT!
Live IT!
Kiwanis international has provided extensive tools to help clubs implement strengthening strategies. These tools are available to everyone and easily accessible through the
www.kiwanis.org
website.
To access them, follow these steps:
2. When the Front page appears, look at the top right to find “
Member Resources
” (Just above the word “Featured”) and click on it.
3. When the “
Member Resource
s” page appears, scroll down a bit to the large “FORMULA” box and click on it.
4. Now you will see the “Formula” page with headings:
5. Put your mouse over “Strengthen a Club” and a whole list of resources comes up, among them:
- Achieving Club Excellence
- Tips and Tools for Inviting Others
- Retaining Members
- Membership Committee
- Building Leadership
- Hosting a Membership Drive
6. Now, pick Achieving Club Excellence and another list of resources appears:
- Creating the Purpose
- Measuring Member Satisfaction
- Analyzing Your Impact
7. If your club seems stuck and is not adding new members, you may need to take a fresh look at who you are and what you are about in your community. I recommend you start with the
Creating the Purpose
tool. Investing some time doing the suggested exercises can help you clarify and potentially re-energize your club’s direction and appeal. But, it does require a willingness to invest the time and energy it takes to do some self-examination. So set aside a special time to do only this. The result can be a good “action plan” to begin strengthening your club.
8. Next Month: Hosting a Membership Drive
Kiwanis:
Love IT,
Share IT
and
Live IT!
Bob Mitchell, Formula Chair, NE-IA District
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Childhood Hunger Service Project
Divisions 13 and 16 in greater Des Moines are working with Iowa State University Extension's Nutrition and Wellness Specialist, Mary Krisco. Mary and a Kiwanis planning team are hosting two Healthy Baby Showers, one in English and one in Spanish. Mary will teach low-resource expectant mothers about the crucial importance of nutrition for their health and the health of their baby. She will also promote an 8-session course, Buy, Eat, Live Healthy, which teaches low-resource mothers of small children how to eat well on a limited budget.
Local clubs are providing a back pack valued at $100 filled with baby necessities, including a baby thermometer purchased with a NE-IA District Foundation grant. Local clubs support the Buy, Eat, Live Healthy classes by providing graduation gifts of either a slow cooker or electric skillet--graduate's choice. The attendance and comlpletion of this course has increased due to the gifts provided by Kiwanis clubs.
Diana Sickles, District Service Co-Chair
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DOBYTOWN KIWANIS WINS NI-DISTRICT SIGNATURE PROJECT AWARD
The smiles tell much of the story, and there have been many of them. “That’s what it’s all about. Seeing the smile on their face,” said Diane Nikels. With Cheryl Gerdes, Nikels co-chairs the Dobytown Kiwanis Club’s quarter-century old tradition that is the annual Back 2 School Link Backpack Project.
The Nebraska-Iowa District Board of Trustees recently selected Kearney Dobytown’s “Back 2 School Link Backpack Project” as this year’s
winner of its Signature Project award
. They will represent Nebraska-Iowa in the Kiwanis International Signature Project competition.
The Back 2 School Link Backpack Project serves children from Pre-Kindergarten through 12
th
grade in Kearney and is available to help young people in five neighboring counties. Nikels said the Kiwanis Club doesn’t advertise a lot outside the city. “Eighty percent stay in Kearney,” she said of the donated items.
Andy Roberts, The Daily Record, Omaha
Dobytown’s “Back 2 School Link Backpack Project” was one of five outstanding signature projects recognized this year by the Nebraska-Iowa District. The other four projects were the:
“Marion Barbecue Rendezvous” sponsored by the
Marion Metro Kiwanis Club
“Pasta for Pantries” project sponsored by the
North Platte Kiwanis Club
“Hy-Noon 5K Run/Walk” sponsored by the
Spencer Hy-Noon Kiwanis Club
“Secret Santa” project sponsored by the
Washington AM-ers Kiwanis Club
.
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AMES GOLDEN K PLEDGES $50,000 TO INIS GROVE MIRACLE LEAGUE PARK
Ames Golden K Kiwanis along with other Kiwanis Clubs in Story, Boone and Greene counties have pledged $50,000 towards the estimated cost of $1.5 million for the construction of the All-inclusive Playground and Miracle League Park that will be located at Inis Grove Park in Ames. Ames Golden K has pledged to raise $20,000 of the overall Kiwanis goal. The fund raising program began in November, 2017. The Ames Foundation is the primary fund-raising organization.
First payment of $10,000 raised by Ames Golden K was presented January 18 to Keith Abraham, Director of Ames Parks and Recreation. Funds are being raised in two ways--weekly donations from members using a "baseball game theme", and direct solicitations from individual members. For the baseball game theme, club members have been divided into two teams--Redbirds and Goldfinches. Red and Gold socks are passed around at weekly Golden K meetings and members contribute to their assigned team. Teams score "runs" based on the donations received. Each game consists of 5 innings and the first game was recently completed. The series of games will continue until June, 2019 when the fund-raising campaign ends.
For more information about Ames Golden K Kiwanis, please check their website
www.amesgoldenk.org
D
on Muff, Sr., Ames Golden K Kiwanis Publicity Coordinator
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KIWANIS CLUB OF GLENWOOD AWARDED CLUB OF THE YEAR
The Kiwanis Club of Glenwood was awarded Club/Organization of the Year by the Glenwood Area Chamber of Commerce. Criteria for nomination for this award is defined as,
“A non-profit club, church, or organization that has exhibited concern for community betterment and/or has volunteered time to contribute toward the good of the community”
The Glenwood Chamber of Commerce stated, " Sometimes the efforts of others go unnoticed or unappreciated. We are proud to acknowledge and thank Kiwanis Club of Glenwood for their contributions to the community. Kiwanis is an international organization, but we are fortunate to have a local club, comprising of passionate volunteers who help our community and enrich the lives of children."
Some of the club's projects include the Hiley Park Project, a neighborhood park in the Glenbrook area of Glenwood. They have put more than $40,000 worth of improvements into this park in the last few years.They sponsor K-Kids at West Elementary, leading students from an early age by guiding and engaging them in community service projects. They also sponsor Builder’s Club and Key Club and more.
Elaine Armstrong, Lt. Gov. Div. 17
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WHAT'S YOUR CLUB DOING?
SEND YOUR CLUB'S KUDOS TO
AMBER PATTERSON
TO BE FEATURED IN THE NEXT KIWANIAN
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19 Crimes -The Banished Dark Red
A wine from Australia made from Shiraz/Syrah and Grenache grapes creating a Rhone Blend. It ranks top 5% of wines in the world and top 3% of wines from South Eastern Australia. 19 Crimes pairs well with beef, pasta, lamb, and game (deer, venison). It is full and rich with a touch of sweetness, also some dark chocolate and vanilla. The nose carries over and mixes nicely with some sweetness balanced by other spices (clove, for one). It finishes vice nicely. It is a very good, well made wine at a very affordable price. The price ranges from
$7.99-12.99
. A good price for a great taste.
Do something extra fun with the bottle. Download the free app “Living Wine Labels”. Open the app. Put your phone in front of the label and a story will be revealed.
Steve Siemens, KI President, 2005-06
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TRAVEL ADVENTURES BY MARY
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The Panama Canal
The unique location of the Panama Canal at Central America’s narrowest point between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean provided an idea for creating a passageway between these two bodies of water. In 1880, the French made the first attempt to build a canal, but disease and financial problems defeated them. In 1903, Panama and the US signed a treaty by which the United States agreed to take over the project. The following year the US purchased the rights and properties from the French. The project took 10 years to complete at a cost of $387 million. Over 200 million cubic yards of material were removed during the excavation. Since then over 900 vessels have transited the waterway. The construction of the canal has had far reaching effects on commercial development. Panama has taken over the administration of the canal. The transit cost of an average size vessel is $45,000. The canal is 50 miles long. Three sets of locks elevate the ships up 85 feet above sea level to Gatun Lake, where they cross the Continental Divide and then get lowered back to sea level on the other side of the Isthmus. The lock chambers are 110 feet wide and 1,000 feet long. Fresh water flowing from the rivers is used in the operation. During the transit, vessels move on their own power. In the locks, ships are assisted by electronic locomotives.
Mary Langdon, KI Found. Trustee, 2010-13
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To Be, or Not To Be
Every minute of every day we have a choice; to be, or not to be the positive leader, the leader whose behaviors others wish to emulate. Here are some “leader be’s” to work on this month.
Be here
SHOW UP and be totally present in mind, body and spirit. So many times we simply put our lives on cruise control, just hoping to get by. This month concentrate on making each moment count. Be present; show up for every minute. Start by putting your phone or tablet down while you’re having dinner, having a conversation or working on a project. Truly listen as you converse and be able to repeat back what was just said. Showing up in a conversation is a true gift you can share together. Show up, be present in mind, body, spirit all engaged and ready to go.
Be respectful
We tell our kids this all the time, but how often do we need to be reminded as well. Help create a safe place for all to share, support, and grow. Tim McGraw says it so well when he sings “hold the door, say please, say thank you, don’t steal, don’t cheat, and don’t lie. I know you got mountains to climb but always stay humble and kind.” This month let’s try to find the good in everyone; it’s easier to be respectful that way.
So from this moment on be here and be respectful….to be, or not to be. The choice is yours.
Jane Erickson, KI President, 2016-17
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CONGRATS TO FB CONTEST WINNER,
CRAIG NEIDERHEISER!
Craig Neiderheiser of Spencer-Daybreakers Kiwanis club wins NE-IA Kiwanis District Facebook Contest. Craig is the lucky
winner of a reduced registration prize package to District Convention 2018 World Series and an invitation to a private reception at District Convention, hosted by the District Governor, Jan Burch. The theme for 2018 Nebraska-Iowa District Convention World Series is
Grand Slam for Success
and is sure to be a home run for all who attend! District Convention will take place August 10-11 at the Holiday Inn Des Moines Airport Conference Center. Registration for District Convention will be open soon.
Thank you to everyone who joined the District Facebook Group and made this contest fun. In less than a month we increased our Facebook Group membership by 147!
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LT. GOVERNOR TRAINING AT
LIED LODGE
Lt. Governor Training and Past Governor's meeting will take place this weekend, April 6-7 at Lied Lodge in Nebraska City. Training will be facilitated by Governor-Elect, Sue Waldren and Brad Boyd, KI Central Area Director. The weekend will be engaging and educational for everyone in attendance. A big thank you to all Lt. Governors, past, present, and future for your service to the NE-IA District and your divisions.
Lt. Governors still needed for divisions
3, 5, 6, 10, 12, and 15. If you are located in one of these divisions and interested in the position please contact
Sue Waldren
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ANNOUNCING: 2018 GOVERNOR'S TRIP TO GRAND CANYON/SEDONA
Please join Governor Jan and First Gent Bob on the 2018 Governor's Post-Convention tour, July 1 - July 5.
After the busy times of the International Convention in Las Vegas, relax in a comfortable luxury motor coach as we tour the Grand Canyon National Park. We'll travel from Las Vegas to Williams, AZ for three nights at theGRAND CANYON RAILWAY HOTEL. Our first afternoon will be in Bearizona Wildlife Park where we'll view the High Country Raptor Show. Day Two, we'll travel via the GRAND CANYON RAILWAY to the Grand Canyon, Mather Point and the South Rim. Day Three, we'll enjoy the spectacular views in Sedona from a guided trolley. Or you can view from a guided jeep! Your choice. We'll also spend time in the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village & the Inspirational Chapel of the Holy Cross.
Day Four we'll travel back to Las Vegas for some fun Independence Day events. July 5th will be a travelhome day, unless you want to spend more time in Vegas!
Plan to join us to enjoy some social time with fellow Kiwanians as well as experience one of the most beautiful visual displays of natural grandeur in the U.S., perhaps even the world.
The price includes transfers, tours, train and trolley, as well as several meals!
Thanks to Tracey Domgard for putting together this fun-filled trip. Have specific questions? Please contact Tracey at
tsdomgard@gmail.com/
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WORLD SERIES
DISTRICT CONVENTION
NE-IA Kiwanis District Convention
Des Moines, IA
August 10-11
Holiday Inn Airport/Conf Center
Registration Coming Soon
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Kiwanis International Convention
Las Vegas
June 28-July 1,
Paris & Bally's Hotels
Early bird registration ends April 15
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