March 2022 District Newsletter |
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Greetings!
Welcome to The Kiwanian, the newsletter for the Nebraska-Iowa Kiwanis District. Please feel free to share this issue with potential new members or make a copy for those who don't have email. An online link to this newsletter will be made available on the District Website.
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Spring Into More Habits
Welcome to March!
With March comes the beginning of spring and the rebirth of the green plants and flowers. I actually have budding tulips and crocus in my yard already. It is also a good time to revisit what your club has accomplished over the past six months and to look ahead to the next six months. Last month in this column, I talked about the power of having a vision for your club. I talked about taking time to talk about what it means to be a Kiwanian. I talked about what your Kiwanian Moments look like and sound like! I have talked about “Keeping the Habit of Service.” If you have not yet had these conversations, the rebirth that comes with Spring is a great time to do so!
Kiwanians have a great history of service to our youth and our communities. As governor, I have had the great pleasure to witness it firsthand as I visit clubs in Nebraska-Iowa. I have participated in the packing of school supplies for a school in Mexico. I have watched the almost limitless enthusiasm of a new Kiwanis Kids club. (By the way, every student wanted to be an officer -- is that how it works in your club?) I have participated in numerous discussions at the club level on how we can expand our influence and serve even more youth in our communities.
I have been with clubs celebrating 45, 65, 85 and 100 plus years of service to their communities. I have read in The Kiwanian about the numerous service activities our clubs are providing to their communities. There are many Pockets of Greatness around the District. But we need to continue and expand that!
The Nebraska-Iowa District has approximately 85 trained Kiwanians ready and willing to assist your club with any issues that you are facing. In addition, we have former governors, former lieutenant governors, former district officers, who are willing to assist clubs as well. Kiwanians excel in serving others! We serve for the greater good. We put service above ourselves. But it takes work and commitment.
Things are happening, but it must be by design and not by chance. Enjoy the Spring and join the rebirth of nature with the continued growth of your club and service to our youth and communities.
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Gov. Don
Don Fritz, District Governor, 2021-2022
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DISASTER RELIEF FUND AVAILABLE TO HELP |
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We've all been seeing the destruction of the March 5 tornadoes in central Iowa. It's hard to fathom what so many families in Winterset, Earlham, Cumming, Norwalk, Pleasant Hill, south side of Des Moines, Creston and other communities are going through. Fifty homes were damaged in Madison County alone. Seven people were killed as a result of these tornadoes.
Many of us, as Kiwanians, are wondering how we can help.
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A couple years ago, a Disaster Relief fund was established within the Nebraska-Iowa District Foundation expressly for those who wish to contribute something at the time of a disaster, as well as for those clubs who may want to make a difference in their communities by helping financially. As an example, the clubs in western Iowa/eastern Nebraska helped out with meals and water during the flooding of the Missouri River. Clubs have looked into supplying new children’s books to families. Remember, when you’ve lost everything, you’ve lost everything! Foundation funds helped.
- Should your club (or individuals) wish to help financially, please use the attached form and send your check to the foundation.
- Should your club wish to provide specific help in your community, please use the attached form to outline your service project plans showing the amount of money you are requesting. Instructions are included on the form.
We do want to help. Remember, we’re “dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.”
Submitted by Nebraska-Iowa District Disaster Committee Chair Jan Burch
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THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER |
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Who should attend:
- Current Club and District Leaders
- Emerging Club and District Leaders
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Summit Focus:
- How to be an Impact Player
- Exploring Leadership Opportunities in Kiwanis
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District, Region and Division leaders received an invitation and were asked to invite other Kiwanians. If you would like a registration invitation, contact District Administrator Lisa Brichacek at NIKiwanisDistrict@gmail.com. |
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Pre-registration for the March 21 Secretaries Chat is open. Topics to be covered include upcoming dates of importance, tips/help from Kiwanis International Member Services, current issues and more. And, of course, there will be time for Q&A and chatting!
Club Leadership Chat: Secretaries
March 21, 7 p.m., Zoom
Get Ready for May Membership Month...learn about the new "Two For Two" and other membership initiatives
Club Leadership Chat: Membership
April 26, 7 p.m., Zoom
You don't have to be a club officer to join a chat. All Kiwanians are invited to attend. There is no cost to attend these virtual meetings hosted by the Nebraska-Iowa District but pre-registration is required.
Save the Date
- May 23 - Club Leadership Chat: Fundraising Ideas
- June 14 and July 16 - Virtual Club Leadership Education
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Plan NOW to attend International Convention
in Indianapolis June 8-11!!!
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District Dinner In Indianapolis
This is a combined event with other districts. Kiwanians in our district have the opportunity to register through March 31 to guarantee a seat!!!! (Seating may be limited after March 31)
If you want to pay by check, make it payable to “Michigan District of Kiwanis” include your names, cell number, email address and district. Mail to: Michigan District of Kiwanis, PO Box 231, Mason, MI 48854
Hotel Accommodations
The Nebraska-Iowa District is assigned to the JW Marriott. The hotel is across the street from the Convention Center and is connected via a climate-controlled sky bridge. The Kiwanis block room rate is $189 plus tax per night.
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- Education
- Round Table Discussions
- Foundation Basket Fundraiser
- First Time Attendee Prizes
- Fun, Food & Fellowship
PLUS
Friday evening's spotlight: Service Leadership
Projects and games with Circle K & Key Club
Saturday's special speaker: Dr. Lawrence Chatters
Dr. Chatters is Executive Associate Athletic Director for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at University of Nebraska in Lincoln. He also serves as the secondary sports administrator for the men's and women's cross country and track and field programs. He's a Kiwanian too!
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District Convention ~ Friday, Aug. 5 & Saturday, Aug, 6
The Cornhusker Marriott, Lincoln, Nebraska
More Details Coming Soon!!!
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The Convention Committee is again looking for individuals, clubs, organizations and businesses to be a part of the convention by being a program sponsor. Dollars raised through the sponsor program help to offset convention costs. Sponsors get their name in the program booklet handed out at convention and, depending on the level of sponsorship, also listed in The Kiwanian.
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CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Congratulations to all clubs and members who received awards during the Feb. 19 Mid Year Awards Celebration.
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TRUSTEE CANDIDATES SOUGHT, ELECTION DATES SET
Nebraska-Iowa District Region 2 and Region 3 have set dates for regional meetings this spring.
Region 2 – Virtual (Zoom) Regional Meeting, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 19
Region 3 – Virtual (Zoom) Regional Meeting, 9 a.m., Saturday, May 7
At the end of the current Kiwanis year, the terms expire for Region 2 Trustee Barb O’Donnell and Region 3 Trustee Norma Beaver. Included on the agenda at each regional meeting will be the election of a new trustee.
Candidates for trustee should complete the form found on the website and submit to the DIstrict office by March 18. Application includes an endorsement from the candidates's club, photo and bio.
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Officers of each club in Region 2 and Region 3 have been emailed information about the Regional Meetings and have been asked to share with club members. These meetings are open to all Kiwanians in those regions. Each club in the region is entitled to have two delegates vote during the election of a trustee. Delegate certification forms should be completed and returned to the District office by April 4.
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CAMP OK CANCELLED
The Camp OK Committee has decided to cancel the camp for a number of reasons. This topic will be addressed at the District Foundation Annual Meeting on Friday, Aug. 5 at District Convention in Lincoln. All members of Nebraska-Iowa Kiwanis Clubs are eligible to attend the Annual Meeting of the Foundation.
Submitted by Nebraska-Iowa District Foundation President Jody Melcher
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KIWANIS CHILDREN'S FUND
Happy March, Nebraska-Iowa Kiwanians! March certainly came in like a lamb this year. Let’s hope it goes out the same way!
It was another good month for Nebraska-Iowa Kiwanis and the Kiwanis Children’s Fund. As of Jan. 31, our District clubs, individuals and other have donated a total of $35,707. I wonder if the “other” has anything to do with corn. Last year, a member donated what he would have made from a certain amount of corn. Creative thinking!
I made 14 thank you calls in February to clubs that donated. We have had 49 clubs donate so far this Kiwanis year. That’s fantastic! Thank you so much! What’s interesting at this point is that individual donations have outpaced club donations. Thanks to the individuals that have donated. If you have people in your club that made a donation since Oct. 1, please let me know. If they are okay with me knowing who they are, I would like to send them a thank you note.
On a sad note, our Central Area Children’s Fund Ambassador passed away in February. His name was Chuck Schroder and he was from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He made a big impact on me during the 3 1/2 years I worked with him. I appreciated his support when I called or emailed with questions. I will miss him a lot. I know the Children’s Fund will work hard to find a replacement for Chuck. He’ll be a hard act to follow.
The grant I would like to share with you this month comes from Nepal. The Kiwanis Club of Nilgiri, Nepal received a grant from the Children’s Fund to provide vision screening to more than 20,000 children in 39 schools. Many children in Nepal are born with congenital cataracts. This can lead to vision loss and blindness unless treated with surgery or therapy using an eye patch. Eye specialists will provide testing and any needed surgery or treatment for the children. The club members are hoping to recruit more Kiwanis clubs to help with this program. They also plan to go back to the schools each year for follow-up exams. Great project!
I counted my “K” Dollars a couple of days ago. Since Oct. 1, I already have $64. That’s more than I had all last year! Join me in saving your “K” Dollars to send an individual donation or to help your club with its Annual Club Gift. Have a contest in your club to see who can come up with the most “K” Dollars. Make collecting them fun!
Don’t forget I am available to present a program on the Children’s Fund at your meeting. I am scheduled to do one at Iowa City Noon Kiwanis this month. Thanks for asking me!
Have a great March and thanks for reading this!
Submitted by Kiwanis Children's Fund Chair Jody Melcher
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DATES TO KNOW
- March 1: District Foundation Grant Requests Due
- March 12: District Leadership Summit
- March 21: Club Leadership Chat: Secretaries
- March 21-26: Builders Club Week
- March 25-26: Nebraska-Iowa Circle K Convention
- April 7-10: Nebraska-Iowa Key Club Convention
- April 29: District Board Meeting
- April 29-30: Lt. Gov. Elect Training
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BE SURE TO READ THIS MONTH's NEWS FROM AROUND THE DISTRICT,
SENT IN A SEPARATE EMAIL, TO LEARN ABOUT GREAT CLUB PROJECTS AND CELEBRATIONS!
Clubs Featured This Month Are...
- North Platte
- Miracle League
- West Des Moines
- Kearney Golden K
- Alta
- Creston
- Greater Missouri Valley
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WHAT'S YOUR CLUB DOING?
LET US KNOW!!!
SEND YOUR CLUB'S NEWS TO LISA BRICHACEK BY THE 1ST OF EACH MONTH TO BE FEATURED IN THE NEXT KIWANIAN
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