Books & Buddies pg.23
Spreading Love
ISSUE NO. 21
Joining Forces pg.16
A Publication of the Texas-Oklahoma District of Kiwanis International
When its Cold, we spread warmth
IT’S ALL FOR LOVE pg.10
KI-NOTES
February 2022
Contact us
Governor: Brad "Governor B" McKenzie Governor-elect: Patrick McCage Immediate Past Governor: Paul Heinz
KI Notes Staff
The first Kiwanis Club in what is now the Texas-Oklahoma District, was officially completed February 10, 1917, at Dallas, Texas, with a membership of 200. Due to the increasing number of clubs across the country members realized the need of setting up the District organization. In October 1918, the Dallas Club selected one of its members to serve as interim Governor of the Texas-Oklahoma District until an organization conference could be arranged. The first meeting was in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and on February 10, 1919, the Texas-Oklahoma District was organized.
5 Governor's Message 8 Our District 14 A Look at Clubs 24 Sample Personal Emergency Bag 28 Marketing 30 Running for Gov-Elect 32 Texas Oklahoma Kiwanis M & M Team Returns! 33 Serving the Children of our Communities 34 Happy People, Happy Planet 35 Growth Team Club Coach Coordinator 36 In Loving Memory 37 Editor's Note
Hotel Location & Nearby Attractions Located in Georgetown, Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel & Conference Center is within a 5-minute drive of The Williamson Museum and Georgetown Palace Theatre. This 4-star hotel is 2.9 mi (4.6 km) from Southwestern University and 3.1 mi (5 km) from Inner Space Cavern. Popular Hotel Amenities and Features Don't miss out on recreational opportunities including an outdoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center. Additional amenities at this hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and wedding services. Business, Other Amenities Featured amenities include a 24-hour business center, express check-in, and express check-out. Planning an event in Georgetown? This hotel has facilities measuring 26672 square feet (2478 square meters), including a conference center. Free self parking is available onsite. Restaurants, Bars, Lounge & Dining options Enjoy American cuisine at Brix and Ale, a restaurant where you can enjoy drinks at the bar/lounge, take in the garden view, and even dine alfresco. You can also stay in and take advantage of the 24-hour room service. Cooked-to-order breakfasts are available daily from 6:30 AM to 11 AM for a fee. Hotel Accommodations and Guest Rooms Stay in one of 222 guestrooms featuring LED televisions. Your pillowtop bed comes with down comforters and premium bedding. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms have designer toiletries and hair dryers. Pet Policy for Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel & Conference Center If you are thinking of bringing your pet and want to know if pets are allowed at Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel & Conference Center, please read the hotel pet policy. Sometimes the hotel may charge pet fees or have weight limit on pets. The pet policies of Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel & Conference Center are listed. Additional Hotel Details Property follows a brand or regulatory agency's sanitization guidelines Commitment to Clean (Marriott) Professional property host/manager Property confirms they are implementing guest safety measures Parking height restrictions apply Social distancing measures are in place Property is cleaned with disinfectant Guests are provided with free hand sanitizer Property confirms they are implementing enhanced cleaning measures
Contents
www.txokkiwanis.org
save the date
21-22 District Officers
Editor: Evelyn Herrera District Marketing Chair: Marshall Kregel
txokdist@swbell.net
P.O. Box 13160, Arlington 76094-3160
817-640-7711
DISTRICT CONVENTION 2022 Georgetown
OUR STORY
Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel & Conference Center
texas oklahoma district
August 4th, 2022-August 7th, 2022
www.facebook.com/texasoklahomakiwanis
Texas Oklahoma Kiwanis District Governor's Message Brad "Governor B" McKenzie
For the love of Kiwanis! There is something fascinating about the English word love since it can be used in so many different contexts. We use the same word, love, for describing a passion for tacos as we do in expressing our deep feelings for family and friends. In addition, love is a word that is both a noun and a verb, not just emotion, but also action. We can all agree it is easy to give to and sacrifice for someone or something we love. Servant leaders who give their time, talents, and resources to Kiwanis, do so with feelings and activity. I want to remind us why we do what we do, why we love to serve as a Kiwanian. Kiwanis International defines for us two essential aspects in our love for Kiwanis: THE KIWANIS MISSION- Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. THE KIWANIS VISION- Kiwanis will be a positive influence in communities worldwide — so that one day, all children will wake up in communities that believe in them, nurture them and provide the support they need to thrive. We love Kiwanis because of the impact we make on the children of the world and the children of our own community. Our desire to do for one child what we wish we could do for all children drives us to the action of serving in ways necessary for the health, welfare, and the opportunity to thrive all children deserve. We love serving as Kiwanians because we love kids and our communities, and we love the impact we can make when we come together to be the positive good for all. We love being servant leaders! As we are in the second quarter of the 21-22 Kiwanis year, I want to remind you again of our focus and theme. BE Kiwanis BE Positive BE Intentional BE a Servant Leader BE Kiwanis! As we continue to work and live by these tenets, I emphasize again the call for every member serving, every club serving, every single month! You are Valued and Loved! In Service, Brad "Governor B" McKenzie Governor Texas Oklahoma District Kiwanis International www.txokkiwanis.org www.kiwanis.org
Plug-N-Play
Follow us on Twitter!
Upcoming PLUG-N-PLAY ideas...
We've enabled Google Alerts to scour the web for any news stories about Kiwanis Clubs in Texas and Oklahoma that we can then link to and share. We will also follow any Kiwanis and SLP clubs or division Twitter accounts to help keep everyone informed. Give us a follow and help us expand our Twitter presence. Special shout-out to the Kiwanis Club of The Woodlands for their excellent, regularly posted content!
February American Heart Month - Provide Valentine cards to elementary schools for kids who can’t afford them. Donate time or money to local Boys & Girls club National Canned Food Month - Donate canned goods to local food pantry .March World Orphan Week - Partner with local DHS to donate goods/money to orphans CKI Convention - Sponsor a CKI member’s attendance to DCON or donate to the T-O Foundation towards a CKI scholarship April National Volunteer Month - Honor one of your members for their outstanding volunteerism. Key Club Convention - Sponsor a Key Club’s attendance to DCON or donate to the T-O Foundation towards a Key Club member’s scholarship
Gov. B and his wife, Emily, welcomed the district into the new year with a great Monday Motivational video. The power couple announced the district's fantastic new quarterly numbers and followed it with hearty, "Wooooo!". They then reminded members of Governor B's K Club, encouraging members to always aim high. As Governor B stated, "Be positive, be intentional, be servant leaders, be Kiwanis!".
WOOO!
First United Methodist Church - 313 N Center St. Arlington,TX 76011
Kiwanis Club of Arlington PRESENTS Their
2.26.2022 8am to 12pm $7 per ticket
63rd Annual Pancake Day
Kiwanis Club of Mineola, TX will be hosting their 13th Annual First Responders Chili Cook Off. The event takes place 11 a.m.-1p.m., Feb. 5, 20022, at the Mineola Civic Center. Tickets are only $5. Guests will determine the, "People's Choice Award". There will also be guest celeberty judges present at the event.
A reminder that the deadline to apply for T-O Foundation scholarships is fast approaching. The deadline is Feb. 5, 2022. Students must submit a school transcript and an essay. The application also involves an interview.
OUR DISTRICT KIWANIS TEXAS-OKLAHOMA DISTRICT
The Texas-Oklahoma CKI District is seeking sponsorships for their upcoming district convention in March. All donations will go towards planning a convention that will educate and train the college-aged servant leaders of tomorrow.
Serving the community by serving you!
June 1st, 2003, I was a sudden widower losing my mate, Judy, of 45 years to a pulmonary embolism. Gone in an instant, our plans to go on the road as full-time RVer’s moved to trash. In 2001, Judy had created the main fundraiser for our club in Sun City, the Holiday Home Tour, and chaired it Tour I and Tour II. It caught on in our community and is today, Tour XX, a tradition. ($20K + net in ’21) Well, the Tour is the key to my meeting Renée, whose home was on Tour III and I was assigned to be a Docent in her home. Subsequent dinners together led to my recruiting Renée to Kiwanis, she listed my home to allow me to downsize. Several months later came the life-changing decision I kept the house and married the Realtor! Married in July ‘04, began traveling TX-OK as Governor and First Lady in October ‘04 we got acquainted quickly. Renée then served as Club President, and D/24 Lt Gov. Renée chaired Tour V, Our home was on Tour VIII and again on Tour XX. The tour and Kiwanis are a matter of Heart in our household.
Phil and Courtney Fallway
Gene and Renee Jantzen
have been married 17 years, as Skip says, of Heaven on Earth!!! When asked how they knew they were the one, Skip replied, “I met her (she was not expecting me to be there) at 2:30 AM at SAT airport, with “Hugs” a cuddly Teddy Bear, after her 31-hour flight back from a mission trip to Africa.” Skip joined Kiwanis In 1974 in Universal City, TX after being invited by two close friends Charlet Joined around April 1, 2004, invited by Skip, my Sweetheart. Skip has been Club Secretary, Vice President, President, Director, Div Treasurer, Division 5 Lt. Gov, TX-OK district training director while Charlet has been Club VP, President, Club Director, Div 5 Lt. Gov. and Div 5 Treasurer, T/O Director and division Eliminate chair When asked what is their favorite part of being together in Kiwanis, they replied, “Working on service projects with youth. Because it gives back to the community and involves the Youth.”
When asked to share their story, Courtney replied, “Short version: We met in person at the Kiwanis International convention in Las Vegas (2018). We shared our first kiss the next evening - we’d enjoyed a lot of wine and dancing during that Three Dog Night concert - and he proposed right after the Don Felder concert at the conclusion of the Orlando convention a year later. Long version: We first connected in the fall of 2017 when Courtney commented on a few Facebook pictures Phil posted from a Key Club parade he and his daughter attended at the invite of an old friend. Inspired to serve his community and also by the modest hope he'd get the chance to meet Courtney someday, Phil then joined that Kiwanis club, which also happened to be Courtney's former Kiwanis club back in Fargo, ND. They messaged back and forth a few times and talked once on the phone in the nine months that followed, chatting about Kiwanis, conventions, and helping at-risk kids. Finally, they met in person at the 2018 Kiwanis International convention in Las Vegas. Clueless Courtney was happy to welcome a Kiwanis newcomer to the ICON scene but secretly found herself wanting to kiss Phil while they hung out chatting that first night about their lives. Little did Courtney know that Phil had already fallen completely in love with her from afar over the past few months of chatting online and was in awe of all that she did for Kiwanis and her community. Twenty-four hours later, they did indeed share their first kiss, aided by a memorable night of friends, wine, and dancing while Three Dog Night played on the stage. Courtney didn't want to face the end of the convention, so they stayed up all night walking along The Vegas Strip together holding hands. As they watched the sun come up, Phil confessed his deep admiration for Courtney and declared she was the woman of his dreams. One year later to the date at the 2019 ICON, they danced again, this time to Don Felder and the timeless classic "Hotel California" in Orlando. When they wandered back under the stars along the Disney resorts boardwalk afterward, Phil proposed, and Courtney said yes. They married in the fall of 2020 surrounded by their beloved Kiwanis friends in New Braunfels, TX.” Phil joined after an old friend invited him and his daughter to participate in a Key Club parade in Fargo in 2017. “We loved being a part of it all, and I wanted to find more ways to serve the kids and local community, so I joined the Fargo Rough Riders club.” Courtney joined the Kiwanis family in 1999 as a high school freshman in search of a worthy volunteer club. Phil has been Public Relations Chair, Board Member, and Club webmaster while Courtney has been Key Club LTG, Circle K International trustee, club secretary, club president, Kiwanis LTG. “We have a shared passion for the international conventions (see above), but we love any project we get to do together, especially cleaning local parks and building modules for the Texas Ramp Project. Isabelle cannot wait to become an official Kiwanis member like her dad and stepmom, so we bring her to meetings and projects whenever we can.”
IT’S ALL FOR LOVE
Looking around the district, we noticed there are more than a few couples who share the love of Kiwanis. Some are long-married and some are newly married and one actually met because of Kiwanis. Here are some of their stories of how they met, their Kiwanis work, and more. Happy Valentines Day and Enjoy!
Married 52+ years Mike says, “We met on a Blind date arranged by my brother. I was on leave from the Army having just been commissioned as a 2LT. I knew she was the one after our 2nd date. Don’t know how I knew, I just knew. The big issue was she was only 17 years old and had just graduated from high school. I was on orders for flight school and en route to Vietnam as soon as I graduated from flight school. Jan says We went on a blind date set up by Mike’s brother. It was a true blind date, I didn’t wear my glasses. I was only 17 years old, but I knew quickly he was the one for me. He also had a cool car, a 1967 Pontiac GTO white/Red Convertible. Wish we still had it. Mike joined Kiwanis Aug 21, 2009. He was a school district superintendent and met with two Kiwanians who wanted to reestablish a Builders Club at my middle school. After it was established, he saw how effective the club was with the students decided to be part of an organization that focused on helping kids. Jan joined May 31, 2012. She was a teacher at the school in which Mike reestablished a Builders Club. He convinced her that she would be the ideal faculty advisor. She enjoyed advising the club. They did wonderful things including receiving the distinction of placing 2nd IN THE WORLD in the Kiwanis Builders Club Scrapbook competition. She joined Kiwanis shortly after she retired in order to continue working with kids. Mike has served as Club level: Director, Secretary, President; District level: Div 17 Lt Gov, South West District; Div 5 Lt Gov TX OK District, Trustee, TX OK District, CLE Instructor while Jan has served as Club level Director, Secretary Their favorite Kiwanis activity is “most any community service project or SLP project. Really enjoy face-to-face meetings with fellow Kiwanians. We enjoy attending District and International Events and learning additional ways to help the children in our community.”
Forest “Skip” and Charlet Little
Mike and Jan Clark
am says, “Married 56 years, we first met at North Texas State University (now UNT) at a Radio-TV Club Meeting. Joyce came with a friend and it was an immediate attraction to the new visitor.” Joyce says, “I was a sophomore at the University of North Texas majoring in Elementary Education and Sammy (as he was known then) was a senior journalism/radio/tv major. My best friend who lived across the dorm hall invited me to an event where a Dallas radio celebrity was speaking and she wanted me to meet a guy she had a crush on (Sam) who was President of the Radio & TV Club. I thought he was cute and there was an immediate attraction! Soon I was invited to help with the homecoming float. Our first date was homecoming in November. We were engaged by Christmas and married six months later. I knew he was the one because he has always made me feel like a queen.” Sam joined Kiwanis in 1975 when a fellow broadcaster friend came from Tyler, TX to Mineola to meet me at the DQ. I thought he wanted to discuss radio business but instead, he opened the meeting with “It’s time Mineola opened a new Kiwanis Club”. After he discussed the objects of Kiwanis and how it would benefit my town, I agreed to help organize a group of friends for further discussion. That led to a successful chartering of the Kiwanis Club of Mineola in Nov. 1975. I became the Charter President. BTW, that friend who introduced the idea was Aubrey Irby, who eventually became the International President of Kiwanis. His journey of 46 years in the organization included a repeat as Club President at my 25th year as a member In Mineola and served as Club Treasurer the past dozen years. I was drawn to the District by serving as Lt Governor in 1999-2000 and 10 years later as Governor of the T-O District. I served nearly all District committees during these years and about 16 years on the Club Leadership Education team including 9 years as Coordinator. Great Times! Joyce has been a member of Pilot International for 50 years, serving as Texas Governor, and never felt I needed another service club. When Sam was running for T-O Governor-Elect, we traveled all over Oklahoma and Texas meeting wonderful Kiwanians everywhere and I realized I needed to join to support him. Having taught school for twenty years, Kiwanis was a perfect fit for my love of children. I am on my seventh year as Mineola Club Secretary. I also served six years as Eliminate Coordinator for Division 34 and we were the second division in the world to be a model division! Sam’s favorite Kiwanis activity (among many) might be attendance at several years of BUG ceremonies at 2 of our area schools when young students gleam when handed certificates and hearing their names announced for improving their grades. Unfortunately, COVID 19 restrictions in schools had curtailed that joy this and last school years. Joyce’s favorite Kiwanis activity is working with our SLP organizations serving people and both my service clubs allow me to do that. Thanks for “Stepping Up” to this duty, Kelly, and a salute to Gov. Brad for this idea.
Sam and Joyce Curry
have been married 59 years. Darrell worked weekends and before school at a grocery store. “Peggy’s mom was my boss and the only way I could get Saturdays off as if I took her daughter to her piano recitals so you might say our marriage was “arranged” in a grocery store.” Darrell joined Kiwanis in 2002, because “our son invited me”. Peggy joined in 2005 because “Darrell was having too much fun!” Darrel has been Membership chairmen, President, Club board, Lt Gov., PLGA President, International convention chairperson while Peggy has been the Club Secretary for 16 years. When asked "What is your favorite Kiwanis activity to do together? They replied, Attending meetings, conventions, and working club projects.
Susan Hennum-Brehm and Tom Brehm
Ray and Kelly Poland
We were introduced by two friends who thought we would be PERFECT for each other. He had been stationed at Carswell AFB in Fort Worth, Texas. I was born in Fort Worth and never moved that far from home. When I first met him, not knowing he was military, he was in his Italian leather short coat, black boots, and jeans. I first thought he was a wanderer. We were around our friends and when I left, I gave him my office phone number instead of my home phone. It was a Friday evening and I had to work the next day. My son and I cleaned apartments and homes as my second job on the weekends, my day job was as an operations manager of a bank building. We had returned home from working on Saturday and planned to shower, eat pizza, and watch our favorite old movies. The doorbell rang and my son ran in after answering the door and said there was a man by the name of Paul on the porch and a red Camaro parked out front. (At the time, my son, Jeremy was 16 and learning to drive.) I told him to ask him in and I quickly changed. We went out that night. I found he was an Air Force meteorologist, computer analyst and did Army support for overseas missions. Even though I am older than him, we found we both had the same interests, were homebodies, and when I realized he loved both m and my son, I stopped turning down his marriage proposals. We were married in our home in Benbrook, Texas outside the base. We had been volunteering with the McLoud Kiwanis Club during their pancake breakfasts, chili cooks offs, and other events for a couple of years, as Kay’s Town Administrator at the time, Pete Seikel, was a member and we helped out as City representative during the weekends to assist the events. It was not until 2007, when Bob Brooks, an original charter member of the McLoud Kiwanis Club, asked, “HAS ANYONE EVER ASKED YOU IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE KIWANIS CLUB?”, nobody had asked before and we joined. Paul has been the McLoud Club President 2 terms, Division 40 Lt. Gov 2 Terms, Governor-Elect, Governor, Immediate Past Governor, Division 20 Lt. Gov, Division 21 Lt. Gov, District Club Coach Coordinator. While Kay has been the McLoud Kiwanis Club President 4 terms, McLoud Flag Committee Chair. We love attending the projects together, helping, and serving. Why? It is a great organization and brings so many people together in the community and we have made so many friends and lost a few over the years, but the memories will always remain. Paul will soon be retired, and we are looking forward to spending more time working with clubs on projects and growth across the T-O District and the country.
Tom and Susan have been married 11 years. When asked how they met, they said, “We met at Susan's 50th birthday party. It was being held at Tom's neighbor's house. Tom was invited and the rest is history. When you say opposites attract - we are the perfect example.” Susan joined Kiwanis in 1988 after being invited by the late great Nila Wilhelm. Tom joined when Susan was elected to the Governor-Elect position. They have served in many different capacities. For Tom, he was T/O First Dude 2010/2011 (not an official office) District Treasurer, Treasurer for SWM Kiwanis and now is Treasurer for Northeast Dallas Co. Susan was Treasurer, President of several clubs, Lt, Governor, Div. 37, District K-Kids and Builders Club Adm., District Risk Management Chair, Kiwanis International K-Kids Chair, District Governor (Distinguished), Kiwanis International Central Area Chair for The Formula and is currently District Growth Team Chair since 2012. They say their favorite part of Kiwanis is working alongside other members to complete a service project. Whether it is putting together Cake Kits or Disaster Backpacks we have gotten to share our life and work with so many wonderful Kiwanis Members. We have met so many friends through our work. Object #5 To provide through Kiwanis clubs a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service, and to build better communities.
Darrell and Peggy Hawkins
Paul and Kay Heinz
Married for 43 years, Ray says, we met in High School, Sophomore year, walking out the door, going to lunch and she gave me a "flat tire," stepped on the back of my shoe! I think I always knew. Definitely figured it out during our Sr. year, I was stupid, she took me back, graduated in May, married in Oct. 1978. Kelly says He was the “new kid”. Growing up in a small town, new, tall, good-looking boys that I hadn’t known my entire life and wasn’t related to was hard to come by. I kept trying to get his attention and finally resorted to stepping on the back of his shoe. Then why did he join Kiwanis, Ray replied, “1998, Went to college late in life, Poli Sci. Prof said if you want to get elected you need to be a part of your local civic clubs. The Jones Kiwanis Club was Chartered in 1975, the same year I moved to Jones. I remember the Kiwanis Club always involved in the community, from sponsoring and putting on the July 4th celebration, Kiwanis Ball Fields, building parks, and supportive of all school activities. I Joined the Jones Kiwanis and found there were many other reasons to be involved! I quickly became immersed in the Kiwanis culture and believed in what we are doing for the world! And I did get elected Mayor! Kelly says she joined not only because Ray did, but also because their children were getting to be high school age and her good friend was the faculty advisor of Key Club. The friend asked Kelly to join so they could do Key Club projects together. Ray has served as Distinguished Pres. Distinguished Sec., District level: Div 40 2003/2004 Distinguished Lt Gov and Lt Gov of the Year, 2004 Convention Comm, 5 yrs Key Leader Chair, Youth Services Chair, Service Leadership Chair, Long Range Planning Chair, Pres. Past Lt Gov Assn. Kelly has served as Distinguished Club President, Distinguished club Secretary,/Treasurer, Lt. Governor for 2 terms, Community Service Chair, Long Range Planning, Key Club Kiwanis advisor, Builders Club Kiwanis advisor, Key Club regional advisor and is currently serving as Key Club asst. administrator and Governor B’s communication & travel liaison. Club meetings and District Convention are some of our favorite things because our club is full of characters and you never know what's going to happen, but all in service to our community! Conventions are a good way to catch up with old Kiwanis friends, again, knowing we are all there for the children. For Kelly, she has found her calling in working with the Key Club board. “I love my Key Club kids and get Christmas cards and Mother’s Day cards from some who are now adults. Everyone should be as lucky as me.” Hey Ray, anything else you'd like to add? “I am very proud of my home club, the Jones Kiwanis Club, and our accomplishments within our community and throughout the Texas/Oklahoma District. I am a Kiwanian for life!” Me too, Ray, me too!
This is the fifth year Davis Kiwanis Club hosts Breakfast with Santa. At the inception, they sought to make it an affordable event that families could enjoy. It was hosted at their cafeteria and the menu included: pancakes, sausage, bacon, hot chocolate, and orange juice. The big man in red arrived at the start and read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ to all in attendance. Each child received a visit on Santa’s lap, a gift, a personalized ornament, and a hot chocolate mug to take with them. They also had a local photographer that donated his time to take the pictures and then post them online in an album which parents are able to download. We also had photo opportunities spread throughout the cafeteria and a reindeer barn station, where kids can make their own reindeer food. It is loads of fun and this year they saw over 100 kids, with around 250 people total in attendance.
Kiwanis Club of McLoud 156 Tickets sold Submitted by Kay Heinz
One of Gainesville, Texas's Kiwanis Key Clubs were featured in the Gainesville ISD Spotlight magazine, which highlights various areas, students, programs, and teachers in the school system. The Gainesville, Texas Kiwanis Club is very proud of their Key Club. It was established in 2011 and has grown by leaps and bounds since then. It is very active in the community and continues to produce student leaders in the school and area.
Davis Kiwanis Club Breakfast with Santa Submitted by Heath Foster
Kerrville Kiwanis Club Heroes For Heroes Project Submitted by Diana K. Comuzzie
Hello from Kerrville Kiwanis Club! Yesterday the club was delighted to once again conduct their Heroes For Heroes Project. Partnering with Jimmy Johns, they provided sandwiches to all of the hero firefighters in Kerrville, Texas by delivering to all of the fire stations. The club thanked their local heroes for their excellent support of the community.
The Gainesville, Texas Kiwanis Club Key Club in Gainesville, Tx Submitted by Kay James
Creating massive impact one project at a time.
Alivia Ward, 9-year-old, fourth grader from McLoud Intermediate School and member of the McLoud Cub Scout Troup, took it upon herself to ride her CycoCycle up and down the neighborhoods selling 156 tickets for the annual Sonny Bright Duck Race in Turner Falls, benefiting the Children’s Miracle Network Foundation. One of her customers was so obliging, that he asked her to return to his home so he could run to the bank to obtain money for the ticket. This year the race yielded over $28,000, which will be matched by an anonymous donor. Alivia has an extremely sweet smile and is a dedicated achiever. At any given time of the day after school, you can see her riding her CycoCycle in front of her house with friends in tow. Alivia attends the McLoud Cub Scout meetings every Monday night at the McLoud Methodist Church, earning her Wolf and Webelos patches. She is in her first year of the McLoud K-Kids Service-Leadership Program in her school. These clubs meet after school for about 45 minutes to complete service projects; this year they are making non-skid socks for the McLoud Nursing Facility and Christmas cards. Last year they made ornaments, cards, and potted plants during the shut-down, delivering to the door of the facility. The year before, they were able to hand deliver their ornaments and cards directly to the residents, smiles and joy from so many. Alivia and the K-Kids are selling poinsettias for the McLoud Kiwanis Club’s annual Poinsettia project, raising donations for the purchase of coats and shoes for children of the community. It is youth such as Alivia and others who will be the service leaders of tomorrow. Let us help them make every effort count! Thank you for your support.
A Look at Clubs
Joining Forces
With the ongoing restrictions and precautions of Covid-19, South OKC Kiwanis Club decided to do its best to have a positive impact on their local community. After some deliberation, they decided they could have a larger impact by joining forces with other like-minded service groups. A primary example of this is their Christmas Food basket program. This is a group effort based out of the Midwest City Elk’s Club location and supported by the Elk’s Junior Service League, Fort Thunder Harley Owners Group, Lions Club, Season of Change, Harvest Assembly of God Church, McCloud Police Department, and South Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club. This group effort allowed them to collectively provide approximately 180 food baskets that feed a family of 4 for a week. Items provided are turkey, ham, eggs, 10 lbs bag of potatoes, butter, a gallon of milk, bread, and what is pictured. Additional food was provided for families of 5 or more. Most of the baskets were delivered by the organizations listed above. In a group effort, they were able to provide enough food for over 15,000 meals! On top of that, through the tireless work of many of the Junior Service League members, each family was provided age/gender appropriate gifts for the kids in the families along with personal hygiene products for all. Food baskets were delivered to families from 29 elementary schools, Aktion Club, homeless veterans, and churches providing for those in need. This impacted many and shows what we can do when we work together. South Oklahoma City Kiwanis supported 55 of the baskets with a membership of 29. All 55 were delivered on Saturday the 18th by our members. The joy this project brought made the fundraising and all the work by many well-worth it! Of the 55 baskets, 33 went to 5 elementary schools and 5 went in support of the Aktion Club along with 47 dozen cartons of eggs and excess food from the basket build. The remaining baskets were donated to the Harvest Assembly of God and needy families of our community. By doing this project with others and with the help of the following retailers, they were able to provide support to many throughout their community. They would like to recognize the following: Harp Food Store, Winco, Buddy’s, Crest, Walmart, and many others to include individuals that donated time and money.
DENTON NOON KIWANIS CELEBRATES 100TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Denton’s temperature hovered around 25 degrees on Dec. 24, 1921, as 440 children and their families gathered around the large cedar Christmas tree festooned with electric lights on the south side of Denton’s Courthouse Square. Although electric Christmas lights were commercially available in 1921, they were too expensive for most Americans. This first event for Denton’s new Kiwanis Club was an enormous undertaking for a town with 9,548 residents. Each child received a stocking filled with nuts and fruit, and 153 children received gifts and warm clothing. A handful of kids received haircuts, dental care, and medical care. Several weeks earlier, 50 men started Denton’s Kiwanis Club with a luncheon at the First Baptist Church. They chose the Community Christmas Tree for impoverished children as their first project. Denton’s Kiwanis Club sponsored the city’s first Boy Scout troop in 1923. The club started the Children’s Clinic in 1925 with money raised or donated by club members, and medical services provided by local professionals who donated services or worked at reduced fees. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Denton’s Kiwanis Club provided medical care for children. Their early fundraiser was the popular Saturday Variety Show led by professor Floyd Graham and the forerunner of the University of North Texas One O’clock Band. A handful of Denton residents who donated talent to the variety shows, including Joan Blondell, Ann Sheridan, and Nancy Gates, became national celebrities. In 1955, Denton Kiwanis started the Children’s Clinic Trust Fund. The variety show was revamped, and Pat Boone performed with ’Fessor Graham. Denton’s two Miss Americas, Phyllis George, and Shirley Cothran Barret, lent support to the cause in the 1970s. The club’s annual fundraiser shifted to Denton’s Fourth of July fireworks display in 1973. Today the club continues serving children through its children's clinic providing free medical care, prescriptions, dental procedures, vision services, and mental health services as its signature project, having provided these services continuously for 97 years. The clinic provides these services to approximately 350 children each year. In 2020-2021 club members assembled and distributed 2,250 dental hygiene bags to each second grader in the Denton school district. In addition to the clinic, the club awards several scholarships to 4-H Gold Star recipients as well as a scholarship to each of Denton's 5 high schools, along with various other service projects throughout the year.
The Mineola Kiwanis Club 2021 recap Submitted by Joyce Curry
The Allen Kiwanis Club had a successful donation only Pancakes with Santa & Ms. Claus. We were supported by the Allen Key Club and UTD CKI. We also had the Olson EL 6th grade choir perform. The event served around 300 people and netted over $2,200 dollars with most of the supplies donated for the event. Protocols were in place for pictures and all had a fun time.
The Kiwanis Club of Sapulpa Bell Ringing Submitted by Kathy Berryhill
The Mineola Kiwanis club has been very active all throughout 2021. Not only have they conducted their own community centered projects, but they have also participated in District offerings and Division meetings. The following are snipets of such instances. Marshall Kregal took his Marketing and PR show on the road to the MINEOLA Kiwanis Club around September and went back there October 30th for a four hour session from 9:00-1:00 which was open to all clubs and other interested individuals. A light breakfast was available at the MINEOLA Civic Center. Past Lt Governors were among the Kiwanians present for Marshall’s program. They included Past Governor Erby Eikner and Francine of the Tyler Rose City Kiwanis, Lula Johnson of Gilmer Kiwanis, Marshall Kregal, Gene Bruce of Tyler Rose City, Gabe Sansing of Hideaway, and Past Governor Sam Curry of the MINEOLA Kiwanis. Cassandra Walker, a student at Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Texas was selected by the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities as a 2021 HBCU scholar. The program recognizes students for their accomplishments in academics, leadership and civic engagements. Cassandra is a senior education major with a 3.8 grade point average. Besides being a member of the JCC women’s track and field team, she is a member of the Jarvis Circle K Club sponsored by the Mineola and Holly Lake Kiwanis Clubs. She is very involved in one of the CKI projects, volunteering in the college’s food pantry. Past Governor Sam Curry conducted his last officer training session. During his twenty years of service to the Texas-Oklahoma District as a trainer, he spent eight of those years as Leadership Development Coordinator, traveling to regions in both Oklahoma and Texas. At a recent Division 34 Council Meeting in Mineola outgoing Piney Woods Trustee David Lockridge of the Tyler Rose City Club (with the big smile) welcomed newly elected Trustee Marty Mullins of Cedar Creek Kiwanis. David is a charter Texas-Oklahoma Trustee having served two three year terms.
Greenville Golden Kiwanis Club Building 25 bed kits Submitted by Pat Bowman
The Greenville Herald Banner (GHB) highlighted a new GGK Signature Project, Building Beds for Hunt County Kids (HCK), which is still in the preliminary planning stage. The materials have been received and are available for the work to begin. The GGK Ramp Building Team(RBT) is leading the effort. The club will build 25-bed kits and store them for use by the HCK organization as needy kids/families are identified. The GGK RBT has asked if members of the Key Club would like to participate in this project. In order for KC members to participate, some of the work sessions will be scheduled on Saturday and the RBT will train/supervise the KC efforts.
The Allen Kiwanis Club Allen Pancake Breakfast Submitted by Randy McDaniel
The Kiwanis Club of Sapulpa joined with the Salvation Army to raise funds by participating in the annual Bell Ringing on December 17, 2022. Member and chairperson Mark Misner organized 15 Kiwanians who rang bells for 8 hours. Besides collecting over $550, the overlapping volunteer schedule allowed for new members to spend time getting acquainted with long time members. The club loves having a presence in the community and helping children at the same time! Pictured: Sapulpan Rhetta Crawford, Past President Dennis Chaffin and new member Pam Ibbetson
It all started in February 2020--little did they know... Reading has always been a fundamental chord in Plano Kiwanis service to the community and kids. The Kiwanis Club of Plano knew all kids especially bilingual speakers may need a little help in reading both Spanish and English. Without the professionalism, interest, and devotion of teachers this Books and Buddies program could not exist. Many thanks to Plano ISD teachers for their unwavering dedication to education. Books & Buddies is the Kiwanis Club of Plano's service project to aid kids reading through the availability of bilingual level 1-3 books. Dual language books are not always in the classroom. A word from one of the school principals participating in our effort, "We know the more time students spend, in conjunction with teaching, the better students develop as readers. Your generous donation provided students the opportunity to access more Spanish books to practice their reading on their independent levels, in order to increase their reading proficiency." The club plans on continuing this project with other local schools as soon as possible.
Books & Buddies
Sample Personal Emergency Bag Submitted by Marshall Kregel
HYDRATION Drinking Water (3 Liters / day / person) Collapsible Water Bottle (allows you to refill when you find sources of fresh water) Aluminum Water Bottle / Canteen Water Filters / Purification Systems (ex: Lifestraw) Water Purification Tablets (1 bottle or soft pack) SPARE CLOTHING for each Family member Lightweight Long Sleeve Shirt Underwear Wool Hiking Socks (Qty 3 pair per person) Medium Weight jacket, vest, hoodie, or wind breaker Hat w/ Flex Brim Working Gloves Rain Poncho (very important) FOOD OR SNACKS FOR 3 DAYS (per person) Protein / Energy Bars (Qty 6) Dehydrated Meals (Qty 3) (requires a LOT of extra water for drinking and cooking) Canned vegetables are great as well as canned beef/chicken “Spork” or spoons and forks. Metal is preferred P-38 Can Opener or regular manual can opener Metal Cooking Pot, PLUS a bowl or cup for each person Pot Scrubber with a small bottle of dish soap Portable Stove or small portable (12”x12”) firepit grill Stove Fuel in small cans or butane fuel. (can be found at Walmart, Lowes, Amazon) SHELTER AND SLEEPING Tarp or Tent Sleeping Bag or wool blankets with water proof carrying bag. It’s ok to drop your sleeping bag in a large plastic trash bag for carrying. Plastic pad or ground cloth (Try not to sleep directly on the ground. Use a plastic sheet or poncho as a ground cloth) FIRE STARTER Ignition Source (Qty 3) (Matches, lighters, flint/steel, etc) Tinder (Qty 3) (wood shavings, tampons, oily steel wool, etc.) Waterproof Storage (sm. soapbox or plastic baggies) FIRST AID First Aid Kit (personal or family sized) Insect Repellant Mylar Survival Blanket First Aid book (U.S. Army & Red Cross sources are excellent) Survival book Lastly, and most importantly, take a First Aid class and learn how to use your kit. Contact your local Fire Department, Red Cross office, or community college for help. HYGIENE OR PERSONAL CLEANING Wet Napkins / baby wipes / non-alcohol Hand Sanitizer All-Purpose Camp Soap (or bar soap in a baggie) Compact Mirror Small Pack Towels and / or a washcloth for each person Travel Toilet Paper (Qty 3 / person for 3 days) Put travel packs of toilet paper, or rolls of TP, in gallon sized plastic bags to keep them dry. Feminine pads TOOLS 550 Parachute Cord (100′) Duct Tape (25’) Survival Knife with leather sheath. Hatchet or small ax (some hatchets have a small saw in the handle) or wire saw Multi-Tool is great, but a pair of pliers are a necessity Flat blade and Phillips screwdrivers are very handy LIGHTING LED Headlamp Hand Crank Flashlight (2 min of crank = 20 min light) Chemlight Glowsticks (the break and shake kind) LED flashlight (LED lights use less battery power) Candles plus matches or a lighter Spare Batteries (remember to change or charge these yearly) PERSONAL ITEMS $100 Minimum in Small Bills (if the electricity is out in a large area, the ATM machines won’t work and stores may not be able to take credit cards) Local Area Map Compass Small Note Pad / Pencil Emergency Whistle COMMUNICATIONS Cell Phone Crank Power Charger (or solar charger) Emergency Weather Radio with Hand Crank and also battery powered (optional) 3 -5 watt walkie-talkie or hand-held cb for each member of family. Replace batteries yearly. Keep spare batteries for radios because they don’t last long or use rechargeable batteries. Large Rechargeable battery (10,000 Milli Amp Hour or larger) can recharge multiple phones – Pick up at Walmart MISCELLANIOUS ITEMS Large Contractor Garbage Bag (Qty 2) Resealable Bags - Qty 5, Various Sizes (quart and gallon sizes) N95 Face Masks x3 Sewing Kit Latex Tubing (6’) For siphoning fuel or setting up gravity fed water filters. STUFF YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED TO ADD TO YOUR BAG Copy of driver’s license or passport (1st page only) List of personal and family medications along with locations and phone numbers of pharmacies and doctors! Put this information on paper. Don’t just keep it on your phone. Copy of prescriptions for each person in the family A list of any allergies that each family member may have Spare eye glasses “Off the shelf” allergy and pain meds. Rotate these as necessary throughout the year to avoid expiration dates. Copy of Insurance papers for home, yourself, car Pet meds and Pet food, collars with tags, rope, pet toys. This list is simply a guide to help you get started putting your own Emergency Kits together. By no means is it totally complete. Each family is different and has different needs. Keep “mini” packs available for when you travel in the winter or are away from home. If you have small children, you will need toys and games as well as food items that they can eat. Many thousands of families are displaced each year because of fires, floods, tornadoes, ice storms, and hurricanes. Your emergency kit is a form of insurance that can help you and your family through a tough situation. Sources for this list come from multiple online Prepper and Survival sources as well as FEMA, Red Cross, and U.S. Army publications. These are in addition to many personal years of participating in local, regional, and national Disaster Relief efforts as well as putting together disaster preparedness backpacks for individuals and families for over 20 years. This Kiwanis District prides itself on its history of helping others who have suffered a loss of their home due to fire, flood, hurricane, tornado, ice storm, or other disaster. And while we are quick to store supplies for others, we seldom think about having a spare supply kit at home in case we are struck with personal loss. It seems as though we think it will only happen to the other person down the road, and not us. Having a personal emergency kit for each member of the family is much like an insurance policy that we hope we never have to use. But, in a tough situation, it can mean the difference between safely getting through the emergency or being severely uncomfortable or perhaps in a more dangerous situation. These emergency kits can be purchased intact from several online sources and stored away in a hall closet for a situation where you need to leave in a hurry and don't have time to pack a bag. But, you don't have to purchase a kit ready-made. Build your own kit over time and customize it to fit your needs and the needs of each person (and pet) in your family. Each person may have different medical requirements or food requirements. Not having these items in an emergency where you must leave your home in a hurry, could be very detrimental to the health of that person. Make it a hobby. Take the list and use it like you would for a scavenger hunt. Find items for your bag (or box, or cooler, etc.) and add them or trade them out. It's educational and fun and will give you a sense of satisfaction and prepardness. Almost everything on this list can be purchased at a Costco, Walmart, or Sam’s Club. You can purchase 1 Year survival kits at Costco or you can go to www.readywise.com and purchase long term food kits. You can also find great deals on food and supplies (like large water filters and camp stoves) at www.mypatriotsupply.com. Don’t skimp on fluids when putting your kit together. Water for drinking and cooking is your #1 priority. Materials / Lists supplied by Tincross Camping, Hunting and Survival Gear. Contact: Owner - Marshall Kregel Email: mkregel@hotmail.com
As we near the anniversary of Texas' 2021 winter freeze, we want to remind members of the importance of prepping for the unknown. One great way to prepare for emergencies is by creating a personal emergency bag. Your personal or family kit can be stored in boxes, back packs, a large cooler, or large tubs with lids. Know your situation and determine whether your needs are met by a RURAL kit or maybe a more URBAN kit. If you live in the middle of town and there is a local disaster, relief in the form of Red Cross, Community or local government support teams, or Salvation Army happens quickly. If you are in a rural area, you may need to be self-sufficient for a few days! Consider storing your kit (or a spare kit) in a place where you want to go in an emergency (ie: Homes of Family or Friends), in case you can’t get back to your own home to grab your gear or don’t have it in your car. You won’t need everything on the following lists. They are suggestions for kits but you will need to determine what items you may need in your personal kit. You can find almost everything at Costco or Sam’s Club or Walmart.
This list is simply a guide to help you get started putting your own Emergency Kits together. By no means is it totally complete. Each family is different and has different needs. Keep “mini” packs available for when you travel in the winter or are away from home. If you have small children, you will need toys and games as well as food items that they can eat. Many thousands of families are displaced each year because of fires, floods, tornadoes, ice storms, and hurricanes. Your emergency kit is a form of insurance that can help you and your family through a tough situation. This Kiwanis District prides itself on its history of helping others who have suffered a loss of their home due to fire, flood, hurricane, tornado, ice storm, or other disaster. And while we are quick to store supplies for others, we seldom think about having a spare supply kit at home in case we are struck with personal loss. It seems as though we think it will only happen to the other person down the road, and not us. Having a personal emergency kit for each member of the family is much like an insurance policy that we hope we never have to use. But, in a tough situation, it can mean the difference between safely getting through the emergency or being severely uncomfortable or perhaps in a more dangerous situation. These emergency kits can be purchased intact from several online sources and stored away in a hall closet for a situation where you need to leave in a hurry and don't have time to pack a bag. But, you don't have to purchase a kit ready-made. Build your own kit over time and customize it to fit your needs and the needs of each person (and pet) in your family. Each person may have different medical requirements or food requirements. Not having these items in an emergency where you must leave your home in a hurry, could be very detrimental to the health of that person. Make it a hobby. Take the list and use it like you would for a scavenger hunt. Find items for your bag (or box, or cooler, etc.) and add them or trade them out. It's educational and fun and will give you a sense of satisfaction and preparedness. Almost everything on this list can be purchased at a Costco, Walmart, or Sam’s Club. You can purchase 1 Year survival kits at Costco or you can go to www.readywise.com and purchase long term food kits. You can also find great deals on food and supplies (like large water filters and camp stoves) at www.mypatriotsupply.com. Don’t skimp on fluids when putting your kit together. Water for drinking and cooking is your #1 priority. Materials / Lists supplied by Tincross Camping, Hunting and Survival Gear. Contact: Owner - Marshall Kregel Email: mkregel@hotmail.com
Club Marketing Plan Template
Video messages are the most successful form of news media within the social media world. More people pay attention to video than standard text or pictures. (even so, if the video doesn’t capture attention within the first few seconds, the audience is lost). A video message needs to capture the attention of the viewer and hold it. The most important places to put video messages are Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and then link these into the club websites, email messages, and news releases. In the world today, Google owns the lion’s share of search inquiries with almost 2 trillion searches/year, or about 63,000 searches/second. They have 70% of the world’s search inquiries with YouTube being the 2nd most active search engine in the world. Without a club YouTube video channel and lots of descriptive text, an organization is losing out on lots of potential viewers. A YouTube account is so easy to set up. Add some descriptive text to each uploaded video and the search engines will be able to find your video for any searches about Kiwanis activities. And, if you need help setting this up, you have a Kiwanis District marketing team who will teach you how to take the videos and upload them directly to Facebook, your computer, or YouTube. One of the major goals for the marketing team in 2022 is expanding our library of videos that can be shared by our clubs across the district. So, if your club has activities coming up, either fund-raising or service, send us a note and perhaps one of our marketing members can visit and get some great video! And, we appreciate any club videos that are sent to us that we can share with the news agencies in the district.
Coming Soon: Indy Convention 2022
No matter what type of project your club undertakes, there must be a plan involved to be successful at your efforts. Sometimes, the plan can be a few paragraphs on a sheet of paper. Other times, the plan takes the form of a small book! This document outlines the steps needed to formulate an actionable marketing plan for a service or fund-raising project and includes spaces for goals and objectives, personnel, marketing and promotion, a time frame for each part of the program, materials needed, and final critique after the program is over. For a long-term marketing plan, many of the concepts listed in these pages remain the same. At it’s simplest, you would list your goals for the club and then list the “tools” you would use to achieve those goals. Keep a timeframe and measure your results periodically to determine whether you are on track. Don’t hesitate to ask your district marketing or membership teams for assistance along the way. We have a lot of business professionals on our teams and they are available to help. The following link will take you to the document http://www.txokkiwanis.org/marketing-materials/.
The 2022 Kiwanis International Convention website is live! https://www.kiwanis.org/convention/2022 Registration opens March 15. In the meantime, use the website to plan your budget and explore the training opportunities. The convention will take place June 8-11 in Indianapolis. Similar to last year, a discounted virtual option will be available. New are the attendance options that we anticipated in 2020: attend just the training sessions on Thursday and Friday, show up only for the business sessions on Saturday, or join for all three days at a reduced price. The ticketed events are also listed on the website. In addition to convention information, the website includes details about hotels and sightseeing. Check back in the next issue for suggestions and secrets provided by the locals… In addition to convention information, the website includes details about hotels and sightseeing. Check back in the next issue for suggestions and secrets provided by the locals…
Video is the most important news tool for our clubs
Club Marketing Plan Template worksheets for membership drives, new fund-raising projects or service programs
The following message is by James “AUGGIE” Augenstein. I am officially submitting my name for consideration for election to the office of Texas/Oklahoma Governor-Elect 2022-2023 at the District Convention to be held in Georgetown, Texas in August 2022. I feel that I am qualified and experienced to preform the duties of the office and serve the Kiwanis Members of the Great Texas/Oklahoma district. I would appreciate your support and your vote this August in Georgetown. My background is as follows: James Edward Augenstein 5311 North Central Road, Bethany, OK 73008 405/ 495-8357 auggie01a@att.net Kiwanis Background Joined Southwest Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club August 17, 1978 *** 43 plus years Perfect attendance President SW OKC Kiwanis: 1979-80, 1980-81 & 1999-2000 (Distinguished) Club Secretary: 1985-1999 & 2000 – 2008 (Distinguished 21 times) Club Secretary/Treasurer: 2008-2009 & 2016 to present Lt. Governor: 1982-83 (Distinguished) and 1987-88 T/O Keywanette Administrator: 1983-1986 T/O Keywanette Convention Coordinator: 1986-87 T/O District Sergeant-at-Arms: 1994-95 T/O District Chair Sophomore of the Year: 1995-96 T/O District Chair Children Miracle Network: 2009-10, 2010-11 & 2011-12 T/O District Chair Children Services: 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18 & 2018-19 T/O Division 30 CMN Chair: 22 years T/O Division 30 “Sophomore of the year”: three years T/O Division 30 Chair Annual Prayer Breakfast: 2007, 2008 & 2009 Life Member Kiwanis International since 1983 Recipient Kiwanis International Hixson Award Life Member Texas/Oklahoma District o Kiwanis Life Member Texas/Oklahoma Past Lt. Governors’ Association Member of Kiwanis/Children’s Miracle network Advisory Committee (29 years) Attended 34 Texas/Oklahoma District Conventions Attended 18 International Conventions Auggie’s Personal Background Born May 04, 1943 in Gowanda, New York Three Sisters and two Brothers (Born third) Widowed twice: 1996 (married 31 years) and 2016 (married 19 years) Married to Sarah Ann on September 09, 2018 (Sarah is a Kiwanian) One daughter- Dr. Jamie Augenstein (Past President Kiwanis Henderson, NV) One Step-daughter and Two Stepsons from previous Marriages 12 Grand children and three Great Grand children Graduated from Arcadia High School, Arcadia, California 1961 Attended Pasadena College, Pasadena CA Joined U. S. Marine Corps 09/26/1962 to 01/26/1966 - Cryptographic Maintenance Technician Worked for Pacific Telephone & Telegraph 02/07/1966 to 07/17/1972 Transferred to Southwestern Bell 07/17/1972 – retired 05/06/1996 Loaned to United Way by SW Bell “Selected Loaned Executive of the year1989” Volunteered with United Way serving as a Loaned Executive 1996 Member Board of Directors for the “Oklahoma Foundation for the Disabled” 1990-1997 Hired as the Executive Director for the “Oklahoma Foundation for the Disabled” 1997-1998 A spokesperson for the Oklahoma Children’s Hospital Foundation” since 1984 (CMN) Hired as the Office Operation Supervisor for the Denver Region of the 2020 United States Census from February 2019 through 2020 for Kansas, Oklahoma and North Texas. Deacon Tulakes Baptist Church, Bethany, OK. Teach Sunday School at Tulakes Baptist Church Operate a monthly Senior Luncheon and produce/edit a monthly senior newsletter.
James “AUGGIE” Augenstein announces his candidacy for Governor- Elect.
Serving the Children of our Communities Submitted by Sarah Augenstein,Children Services Chair
Now, we are in the time of year that we start thinking of Spring and the start of planting our vegetable gardens. Let turn this into something Kiwanians can do to teach children about planting a garden. Kiwanis clubs can work with our local elementary schools to teach children about gardening and raising some of our own food. Visit with your school contact; whether it is the Builders Club Advisor or the facilitator of your “Terrific Kids” program. The club can develop a plan to provide all of the supplies for your school to begin their own gardens. The plants can be individually grown to be taken home by the child or the school and the club can start a community garden at the school. In either case kids will learn what it takes to plan a garden. They will need to select the area for a garden. Select the right seeds/vegetables they want to grow. They will need to learn how to prepare the soil, plant the seed properly and how to water the seeds. This is an opportunity to get your County Agriculture Supervisor involved with the Kiwanis Club. You could use this opportunity to get you High School students involved with the elementary school, especially if your school or county has FFA or 4H clubs. A project to build raised gardens at the school might be another thing you can do with your Kiwanis club. This is a great opportunity to teach about food and from where it come. The growing, selection, cleaning and preparation of food. What will it cost the club other than time is dependent on the number of classes and the number of children involved? Now is the time to do your planning. Some research at your local hardware/garden store is imperative. You might even get the store Garden Manager or County Agent to present a program at your club, and don’t forget to invite them to become a member. Now is the time to bring the idea to your Kiwanis club. Gardening isn’t your thing look in to sponsoring an animal with your local FFA or 4H chapter in your county. County animal shows are starting to begin in your area. These young people need our support and encouragement. Serving the children of the world one community at a time!
The Growth Team has been building a new club in Waxahachie, Texas and we are happy to announce that the new club should be ready to charter in February. If you have any contacts in Waxahachie that you would like to share Kiwanis with please send their contact info to WaxahachieKiwanis@gmail.com We will get them on the list for the next meeting.
There is a new kiwanis club coming to Waxahachie!
The M & M Team will be presenting a virtual workshop for all Divisions in Region 10. This includes Division 23, 24 and 38. Watch your inbox for information from your Lt. Governor with the link to register. The team is hoping to hit the road once again in person in March for a training in Region 8. Watch your inbox for information on a training in your area. Marshall and Susan have already presented in Region 1, 5, 7 and 9 . To request a trainiing for your area contact the team at TxOkDistrict@gmail.com
Texas Oklahoma Kiwanis M & M Team Returns! Submitted by Susan Hennum
Greetings fellow Kiwanians, I hope everyone is having a great start to 2022. I have visited several clubs and some are going back to virtual meeting due to high COVID transmission in their area. I want to commend the officers for keeping the members health in focus. If you have not checked out Governor B’s Monday Motivation videos, I highly recommend going to the District Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/texasoklahomakiwanis), scroll down to the videos and take a look. If you want other interesting topics to view or share in you club, go to the Kiwanis International Lunch With A Leader for some short videos (https://www.kiwanis.org/news/covid-19-kiwanis-suggestions/covid-19- lunch-with-a-leader). In our virtual world it makes it easy to share these when you are having a meeting. During my club visits, the clubs have had some very engaging speakers. Some of the clubs invited neighboring clubs to interclub and enjoy their speakers. Interclub is a great way to get to know other, get ideas, and help clubs succeed. Something that made me very happy was that the clubs inviting the speaker to join their club and they said “YES”!! We didn’t have one no. Remember to ask people to join Kiwanis. If you don’t ask someone to join Kiwanis, you are denying them the opportunity to say YES!! Spring has sprung and I see clubs all over getting out to do projects, fund raisers banquet, and other activities. Invite people to come to these events and use them as a recruiting tool. Be enthusiastic about everything you do in Kiwanis. Remember it is a GREAT DAY TO BE A KIWANIAN and as Governor B would say, celebrate with a “Wooo”. Positive thoughts, enthusiasm, and smiles are all contagious and when you think about positive influence you have on thousands of children, how can you not be enthusiastic. Speaking of spring, we should be looking for our next officers and scheduling officer elections. I find it a privilege to be an officer, representing a group of Kiwanians, and setting the organization’s pace. Being a Kiwanis officer is an experience like no other. The support from those that elected you, your peers, and the officers above you guarantee success. We have great potential officers in the Mighty T-O so there is no reason we cannot fill every office. Don’t forget the Sophomore Of the Year scholarship is approaching fast. Get the word out so the students can start preparing. These awards are important to the students and also a great opportunity for a club to talk to people about membership. I have spoken to past award winners and they said it was one of the most important scholarships they won because of the encouragement it provided. If you want me to visit or get someone to come to help your club with growth or just to make the Kiwanis experience better. Call, text, or email me to get a coach and/or Past Governor mentor scheduled to visit your club so that we may help you recruit new members and/or get back to the pace you were before the pandemic. Thank you for your service, Paul Heinz Immediate Past Governor Texas/Oklahoma District of Kiwanis International (405)246-5972 #KidsNeedKiwanis
Texas Oklahoma Kiwanis District Growth Team Club Coach Coordinator Paul Heinz
Who doesn't love volunteering with the Texas Ramp Project - but what do you do with all those wood scraps? When you have two-by-fours too short for a railing, don't rush to toss them in the dumpster. Those scraps can be used for endless crafting! You've all seen them, those seasonal wooden signs at your local hobby and antique stores. But not every budget can justify the cost of those or even the supplies to make their own. If you don't enjoy crafting yourself, call your local nursing home or memory care facilities and after-school programs. Sanding can exercise the residents' or students' hands and arms, and the painting can provide an outlet to share their creativity. No month is without its symbols and catchy phrases - "love" and hearts, "lucky" and clovers, flowers for the spring, and so on. As a bonus, the completed projects pose far less of a risk than decorating glass jars might. I tested these projects most recently around Christmas with my memory care residents, and we had a blast. I collected my scraps from the TRP warehouse in New Braunfels. After a number of the male residents declined my invitation to help smooth the woodblocks, a handful of the women surprised me by rolling up and asking for a piece of sandpaper. A few stayed to help with painting the backgrounds. I took over for the detailed trees and snowmen – under the full direction of the residents: what shape to draw, what color to make the tree ornaments, which way to tilt the hat and scarf. We had fun mixing paints to create new colors when we poured too much of one color. We made adorable decorations – and memories that I treasure. Next time you work on a module or a ramp, lessen the impact on the landfill and offer your spare supplies to a neighbor.
Happy People, Happy Planet Submitted by Courtney Fallway
KI Notes submissions can be emailed to txokkiwanis@gmail.com.
Texas Oklahoma Kiwanis District Editor's Message Evelyn Herrera
Hello Fellow Kiwanians, I hope you are all keeping warm during this chilly season! As you may have noticed, our KI Notes has taken up some new formatting. As usual my aim is to "level up" our favorite newsletter. I want to make sure our look continues to be polished up, adopts new design layouts, and better competes with other newsletters. KI Notes still has a long way to go to be able to reflect the high quality that other organizations produce, but we are excelling in our own way. I hope you have been enjoying the new changes thus far. Please feel free to let me know what you think! Let's aim to get our stories out there and let people know who WE are as Kiwanians. Sincerely, Evelyn Herrera
Month
Division
Club
Name
December
17
Hinton
George Gorton
38
San Marcos
Ted Breihan
5
Texas Hill Country
Joseph Byers
31
Poteau
Randall Ayres
January
30
Capitol Hill High School
Charlene Ward
16
Enid
James Bandy
Mustang
Glendon Muse
14
Lufkin
Nap Videan
Barbara Ward
Marble Falls
George Seckler
24
Sun City Georgetown
Eugene Gregory
32
Sulphur Springs
James Tully
All listed with sympathy and memory.
In Loving Memory
“Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality. ” - Emily Dickinson
