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Kiwanis has its day of service

While wet Canadian Kiwanians braved snow, rain, wind, and mud, a Caribbean crew enjoyed a sun-drenched beach. Same day. Different weather conditions. Same purpose: Service.

Early submissions of Kiwanis One Day activities tell of the varied experiences among Kiwanians worldwide who, despite geographical distances, worked together primarily for the benefit of children:

Despite a wet, cold, messy weather conditions, members of the Kiwanis Club of Woodlawn, Nova Scotia, picked up litter along a walking trail.

In Pennsylvania, children 3 years old and older conquered obstacle courses and tumbled through gymnastic routines at the annual YMCA Healthy Kids Day, co-sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Upper Bucks.

With their toes buried in white sand and their faces shielded by the shade of palm trees, children listened attentively as members of the Freeport, Bahamas, Kiwanis club read stories. When the stories ended and the books were set aside, Kiwanians organized games, conducted a spelling bee, and served lunch.

For the second consecutive year, the two-year-old Kiwanis Club of Avelgem, Land van Streuvels, Belgium, spent Kiwanis One Day at the Engelenhoeve, a horse-riding farm that provides therapy for persons who have disabilities. This year, members built a wooden fence.

Report your club’s Kiwanis One Day service activities before June 1 to qualify for a banner patch.

Celeb speaks for children, Kiwanis

Miss Indonesia has a second title to carry during her 2007-08 reign: Kiwanis Indonesia’s children’s rights ambassador.

The nation’s Kiwanis club bestowed the honor on Putri Raemawasti during ceremonies at the Kiwanis Asia-Pacific Convention in Jakarta, March 27-29.

“I believe that the tears of children are the tears of a nation,” Raemawasit told New Tang Dynasty Television. “And the tears of a nation are the tears of the world.”

The industrial engineering student will compete in the Miss Universe pageant this summer. During her reign, she will serve as an advocate for children's rights and Kiwanis Indonesia.

Building Kiwanis three ways

Kiwanis is on the brink of unprecedented membership growth in Europe and Asia. Growth Summits, conducted in each region, communicated the organization’s three-prong strategy for achieving its 1-million-members goal:

Open more clubs than ever before.

Invite more members to join existing clubs.

Retain members.

A summit was conducted in coordination with the Kiwanis Asia-Pacific Convention in Jakarta, Indonesia, March 27-29, and a second event in Brussels, Belgium, April 12-13.

Are you going to Orlando?

Online registration for the 93rd Annual Kiwanis International Convention in Orlando, Florida, June 26-29, continues. After June 13, only onsite registration will be accepted.

Convention registration: online or pdf

Housing arrangements: online or pdf

Learn to serve, grow, lead at convention forums

The 93rd Annual Kiwanis International Convention promises to be fun, entertaining, and inspirational. It also will be educational. Workshops will help attendees serve, build membership, and strengthen leadership. Sample offerings:

• Guidelines for adults working with youth

• Marketing your club

• Why you need another Kiwanis club in your community

• Projects that make a difference for children

• The Kiwanis family of foundations

• Resolving conflict

• Utilizing technology as a leader

• Personal organization tips and tricks

• Club meetings with impact

• Women of Kiwanis

Forums focus on storytelling photos

The 2008 Kiwanis International Convention will offer two photography forums: one for beginners and a second for persons with more advanced skills.
Participants should bring digital cameras, manuals, and comfortable walking attire, because they will be assigned to practice their photography throughout the convention.