January 2024

Happy Anniversary Kiwanis!!!

The Nebraska-Iowa District was organized Jan. 6, 1920. We are beginning our 104th year of service. Thank you to all the clubs and members past and present for making that service to kids possible.

Kiwanis International notes its anniversary on Jan. 21 and celebrates 109 years of service.

Kids Need Kiwanis!!!

EXPLORE IN '24

Get Ready for Denver! Information is now available and the registration is live for the 2024 Kiwanis International Convention in Denver, Colorado July 3-6.

Plan to attend and embark on an extraordinary journey at the convention. Discover the pathways to expanding your club’s membership and magnifying its influence on your community. Delve into innovative fundraising concepts. Learn how to transform service projects in ways you never thought possible. Receive hands-on guidance in becoming a skilled Kiwanis leader. Plus, get the chance to connect with fellow Kiwanians and swap fresh ideas.

Convention Notes:

• The District will not have a chartered bus offered this year to and from international convention.
• Nebraska-Iowa will again partner with Texas-Oklahoma and the Kansas districts for an evening of fun, fellowship and food on Friday, July 5. More details coming soon!
• The district's assigned hotel is Hyatt House. This hotel is just two blocks away from the convention center and in the same building as Hyatt Place, where four other districts are assigned. Free breakfast is included at this hotel, and there is also a bar on the first floor for evening socializing.

$500 AVAILABLE FOR FIRST TIME CONVENTION ATTENDEES

Never been to an international convention?

Don’t stay on the outside looking in -

2024 is the year to go!!!

This year’s convention is in Denver at the Colorado Convention Center. Not only is the location close to our district but this year, there is a chance for first-time convention goers to get a few dollars to help with the cost of attending.

The LaRue Fund is a temporary fund, set up to assist with special projects across the district. It was created because of the generous bequest from Past District President James LaRue. He left his estate dollars for the district leaders to use as they saw best. This year’s allotment of funds has been targeted at international convention and first-time attendees.

If you are a first-time attendee, you have a chance to win one of five (5) $500 scholarships to help offset registration and other costs. On May 1, five names will be randomly selected to receive the scholarships.

Scholarship Information & Entry Rules: 

1. Register to attend international convention and be a first-time attendee to an international convention. (As confirmed by registration records at Kiwanis International.)

2. Complete the “I want to go to ICon in Denver” entry form. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/IwantogotoDENVER

3. On May 1, the District will announce the five names drawn as scholarship winners.

4. If you are a scholarship winner, you will be asked to provide receipts (registration, hotel, etc.) immediately following convention and, once those are received, the $500 scholarship check will be issued to attendee.

5. You may also be asked to share your convention experience at a district or division event in the coming year.

It's that simple for first-time attendees to get a chance to be one of the $500 recipients!

For more information or with questions, contact the District office. 

SUBMIT YOUR CLUB'S SIGNATURE PROJECT

Does your club have a signature project? The Kiwanis International Signature Project Contest is now open and contest submissions will be accepted until Thursday, Jan. 25 at 10:59 pm (Central Time).

What is a Signature Project?

These projects:

• Re-occur annually. 
• Enhance the Kiwanis image or brand in the community.
• Demonstrate significant impact on the community in terms of monies raised or children served.
• Strengthen membership and partnership opportunities.

All projects must be submitted to Kiwanis International, using the entry form found at the link below. The District's Signature Project Committee will then, based on the critiera, select two entries – one from Group I clubs (27 and few members) and one from Group II clubs (28 and greater members) – to represent the district and advance to judging at the international level.

VIRTUAL CHATS SCHEDULED



The Club Leadership Chats (CLCs) continue this year with upcoming meetings on Jan. 18 and Feb. 5.

This month's chat will focus on material for club presidents. In February, the focus will be for treasurers. While each chat has a specific officer focus, any club member with an interest is invited to attend. CLC is a free educational opportunity provided by the district. Pre-registration is required to receive the Zoom link for the meeting.

AKTION CLUB, K-KIDS, BUILDERS CLUB MEETINGS

Three virtual meetings coming up in the next month will provide information on three Service Leadership Programs - Aktion Club, Builders Club and K-Kids. Advisors of these SLPs are encouraged to attend to find out the latest updates from KI as well as an exchange of ideas. Any club with an interest in starting one of these SLPs is also invited to attend to get information and ask questions.

The Aktion Club Meeting will be Jan. 17 and is hosted by District Aktion Club Administrator Lynda Henningsen. Pre-register to get the Zoom link for the meeting.

Aktion Club Information Meeting

Wednesday, Jan. 17

7 p.m. (CT)

Pre-Register Here

K-Kids Administrator Jim Dane and Builders Club Administrator Sue Waldren have scheduled meetings for Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. Both meetings will offer similar information on both K-Kids and Builders Clubs. Advisors and those interested in these SLPs can pick which evening works better for them.

K-Kids/Builders Club Meeting

Wednesday, Jan. 31

7 p.m. (CT)

Pre-Register Here

K-Kids/Builders Club Meeting

Thursday, Feb. 1

7 p.m. (CT)

Pre-Register Here

LEARNING AND LIVING LEADERSHIP OUT LOUD

Kiwanis Amplify is a leadership program for those who want to amplify their ability to lead a team. Participants will: 

• Explore the value of servant leadership. 
• Discover their personal strengths so they can lead confidently and successfully. 
• Strengthen the ability to lead others in a strategic manner. 
• Build and manage a strategic plan that works. 
• Learn from experts as well as from peers from across the globe. 
• Earn a certification of completion. 

Interactive modules will be released weekly. Participants can work through the material at their own pace and will have the chance to interact in online discussions with fellow participants moving through the curriculum. 

The participation fee is $50 for members of Kiwanis International. The fee is $600 for non-members.   

Participants will take a deep dive into eight leadership topics: 

1. Leadership
2. Communication
3. Event planning
4. Diversity, equity and inclusion
5. Working with others 
6. Marketing
7. Strategic thinking
8. Self care as a leader

Registration for the 2024

class is open.

YOUTH PROTECTION REPORT

As we move into the New Year, I want to thank club presidents and secretaries for putting club training for Youth Protection on the club calendar and getting it done! I know a club president and secretary make a powerful team and I appreciate your efforts. The reports from KI are looking good!!!

I also have a round of applause for our lieutenant governors who have been promoting the required club training to their clubs and in some cases, doing the club training themselves. You are awesome!

Finally, thanks to Governor Dale Doudna for his support and emphasis on the importance of the Youth Protection Guidelines and Policies for all Kiwanians.

Youth Protection Club Training serves as an educational part of our mission as Kiwanians to involve ourselves with children and youth in our communities. It provides all of us with the information to make solid, appropriate decisions about the issues which we may encounter as we work with children and young people.

If your club still needs training, go to www.kiwanis.org/youthprotection to locate the club training tab and get it on the club calendar so your members can also be educated on this critical piece of information. Also, if I can assist you in any way, don’t hesitate to contact me at laplaczek@cox.net.

Linda Placzek,

Youth Protection Manager

Nebraska-Iowa Kiwanis District

I was privileged to make 34 Thank You calls in the past couple of weeks to clubs that have already donated to the Kiwanis Children’s Fund during this Kiwanis year. Thank you so much! It was nice to be able to visit with some of the people I called. Thanks for your generosity early in the year.  

MORE KCF NEWS!

Friends of Kiwanis Children's Fund Report submitted by Children's Fund Vice President Lenora Hanna. Click on report to download.