Doing our Part pg.12
ISSUE NO. 22
DCON Pg.8
A Publication of the Texas-Oklahoma District of Kiwanis International
M&M Classes pg.3
KI-NOTES
April 2022
Contact us
Governor: Brad "Governor B" McKenzie Governor-elect: Patrick McCage Immediate Past Governor: Paul Heinz
OUR STORY
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.
4 Governor's Message 8 DCON 10 Our District 12 Doing Our Part 14 A Look at Clubs 24 Important Reminders 26 Distinguished 30 68th Annual T-O CKI District Convention 32 Spring Into Membership 33 Finding sponsors for events – Marketing 101 34 Indy Convention: What To Do Around Town 35 K-Dollar Convention Challenge 2022 36 Governor-Elect Candidate 37 Children Services Programs 2021-22 38 Kiwanis Family Membership Plan 40 Growth Team Club Coach Coordinator 42 In Loving Memory 43 Editor's Message
Contents
www.txokkiwanis.org
We are planning a series of virtual M&M classes (Marketing and Membership) for any of the last 3 Saturdays in April. These are the 16th, 23rd, and 30th. It is the same class offered on those 3 weekends and anyone in the district can register to visit with us on one of those Saturday mornings. The class will last 3 hours and it is jam-packed with great information. If you would like a link to one of these 3 classes, please go to txokkiwanis.org/program and choose your Saturday. We can have up to 100 people in each class. Include your club name so he can create a scorecard for the district. The M&M tour has been successful and well-attended in the district with lots of Face to Face meetings and also a Virtual class to Region 10 last February. We're bringing you the latest Hot Tips from membership gurus around the Kiwanis world as well as marketing tips from professionals that guide huge non-profits and major corporations. Come join us!
21-22 District Officers
Editor: Evelyn Herrera District Marketing Chair: Marshall Kregel
txokdist@swbell.net
texas oklahoma district
www.facebook.com/texasoklahomakiwanis
P.O. Box 13160, Arlington 76094-3160
817-640-7711
www.instagram.com/texas.oklahoma.kiwanis/
https://twitter.com/txokkiwanis
Who is most important in Kiwanis? The answer is simple: YOU! The most important person in this amazing service organization is you, the member who is committed to your local club, pays your annual dues, and gives hours upon hours to make the world a better place, one child and one community at a time. We often say, “Kids Need Kiwanis,” but in all seriousness, “Kiwanis Needs You, the member!” For Kiwanis to succeed in its mission to serve the children of the world, we need each and every member to do their part to make a difference, to be the good and positive for children. The reality for the Mighty TO District is this: without our amazing members, our district and clubs would not exist and the children we serve would be without the much-needed service and support given by our members each year. We all know the needs of our world are ever-increasing, especially for children, and these needs will continue to increase. Our work is never finished, and our clubs must continue to grow in membership to have the human resources to meet the ever-growing needs. My governor predecessors all worked hard to see the district grow in membership by promoting education, new member drives, and opening new clubs. Even with all this amazing work and dedication, our district has continued to lose more members than we gain every year. It has been about a decade since our district ended a year with positive growth in membership. This trend has several reasons, but none of these reasons are impossible to overcome. How can we reverse this trend and end this year with positive membership growth? It all comes back to you. The greatest asset and resource we have in this district to recruit and gain members is again YOU! Members personally recruiting and sponsoring others to join Kiwanis is the most effective and successful way to see new members come into your club. When you become a Kiwanis new member recruiter, you are making it possible for more children to be served in your community. We cannot grow without YOU! Our goal for 2021/2022 is to gain 1,000 new members this year. Although this is an ambitious goal, we have determined this is the number needed to be reached to overcome the loss of members with new members. This is what the Governor B’s K Club is all about! K is the goal of 1,000 new members. Anyone who personally sponsors a new member this year will be inducted into Governor B’s K Club and will receive several acknowledgments, including the coveted Governor B governor’s lapel pin for this year. The member who personally sponsors the most new members by DCON in Georgetown, TX will receive his/her club dues paid for the coming year. This is a club you want to be a member of! To date, we have added over 300 new members and currently are +82 for the year! This past week in his travels in Abilene, TX, Governor B inducted nine new members into the K Club from the Abilene Club and the Greater Abilene Club representing 12 new members for the TO District! Pictured here are new K Club members from the Greater Abilene Club, (L to R) Darrin Cox, Shelly Drennan, Joey Parker, Gail Jay, and Lyndel Cook. Congrats to those who have recruited a new member and joined the K Club! Who will you recruit this year to qualify for the K Club? We are depending on YOU!
Texas Oklahoma Kiwanis District Governor's Message Brad "Governor B" McKenzie
The Power of the WOOO! Our world and the communities we serve desperately needs positivity. It is unfortunate how easily negativity and melancholy can bring down the morale and atmosphere of a family, the reputation of an individual, and even the culture of a Kiwanis Club. With so much negativity, devastation, and bad news all around us, we all need a big dose of positivity, enthusiasm, and passion! This is found in the power of the WOOO! The WOOO is more than a sound, more than a shout, more than a cheer. The WOOO is the vocalization of what the great Brad Boyd calls, “Pure Kiwanis Goodness!” The WOOO calls us to celebrate not just what is good about our members making a difference but an invitation for others to join the best service organization in Texas/Oklahoma and the world. The WOOO can relieve stress, take away tension, and even cause spontaneous joy needed to make a difference in our world. The WOOO is contagious. When you discover the WOOO, you find the power to be the best of yourself, the best for your family, and the best for your community. The power of the WOOO enables all of us to BE Kiwanis! I wake up every morning genuinely excited about the amazing members, the incredible clubs, and the phenomenal service of the Mighty TO District of Kiwanis International. Serving this year as governor has truly been one of the greatest joys of my life. I feel extremely blessed to have the chance to visit clubs at their meetings, fundraisers, and service projects. I continue to have the chance to meet and make new friends as well as carry on relationships with Kiwanians I have known for years! The greatness of our district is found in the treasure of our people. The members of Kiwanis in Texas and Oklahoma embody the power of the WOOO! My fellow Kiwanians, I continue to invite you to BE positive about who we are and the difference we make. Don’t be afraid to celebrate our successes and invite others to join you in making a difference by living in the power of the WOOO. When we are excited and positive about Kiwanis and the servant leadership we bring to communities, we will attract others to join us in the essential work we do. As we continue to serve this year: continue to celebrate, continue to be filled with enthusiasm, and continue to WOO! BE POSITIVE, Proclaim the WOO, and BE KIWANIS! Yours in Service, Brad "Governor B" McKenzie Governor Texas Oklahoma District Kiwanis International www.txokkiwanis.org www.kiwanis.org
Plug-N-Play
Gov. B'S K Club Pin
Upcoming PLUG-N-PLAY ideas...
Take a look at Gov. B's new K Club pin! This pin was designed by Kiwanian Kelly Poland. Members automatically qualify to receive this pin when they recruit a new member.
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. May Cinco de Mayo - Host a taco bar appreciation lunch or banquet for teachers. National Police Week (week of May 15) - Do something nice for your local Police Force. June World Environment Day (June 5) - Organize or participate in a “pick up litter” campaign. National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month - Donate fresh fruits/vegetables to homeless, local pantry, school backpack program, or others.
Gov. B presents his very first WOOO rally! Watch along as he does his Governor's visit for region 1. Along with him are speakers Kathy Culbertson, Michael Mulhal, Lilian Thai, Bobby Serda, Susan Hennum, and Kelly Poland. During this visit Governor B also awards his first Governor B K Club pin (also known as a Bro-oach).
WOOO!
DISTRICT CONVENTION 2022 Georgetown
There is a lot to see and do at the convention! Dedicated educational tracks to help improve the impact you make in the community. Recruitment. Retention. Social media. Impact. Become a better Kiwanis leader to inspire and organize your club, district or community. Check out our agenda to see what interests you!
Register Now
Registration
save the date
Agenda
Marshall Kregel takes Kiwanians on a quick tour around the Sheraton Austin Georgetown Hotel. Enjoy a sneek peak at our upcoming convention venue!
https://www.txokkiwanis.org/dcon/
View Agenda
A quick Look
Increase the positive impact your club makes in the lives of children. Choose the registration options that are right for you.
August 4th, 2022-August 7th, 2022
Kiwanis Club of San Marcos is hosting a clay shooting event on April 30, 2022. There is a 100 bird main event and a 50 bird main event offered to individuals and teams.
OUR DISTRICT KIWANIS TEXAS-OKLAHOMA DISTRICT
Lone Grove Kiwanis Club is hosting their annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 16, 2022. The hunt will feature lots of prizes and the Easter Bunny will be there too! Ages are up to 11 years old!
University Kiwanis Club of Wichita Falls, Texas will be hosting their annual Pancake Day on April 23, 2022. The event is from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m and tickets are $10 each.
Spring break brings thoughts of beaches, sunburn and parties. Imagine yourself enjoying a nice spring break at a nice resort with your children and friends when you hear that war had come to a neighboring country. It’s very hard for us in the USA to do. Canada and Mexico are not likely to be attacked. This very thing happened to a woman and her family who live in Poland. Meet Veronika Laczynska, a former exchange student who lived with our family during the 2001-2002 school year. We have been lucky enough to visit Poland twice, once being her wedding. (Stories of Polish weddings are TRUE!) Veronika, her husband and children were enjoying a nice spring break vacation when the news of Russia invading Ukraine hit. I immediately FaceTimed her to tell her to come to Oklahoma and bring her parents and sister’s family. But that’s not what happened. Veronika’s dad owns a travel agency and had several Ukrainian men working for him. He used some of his tour vans, filled them with supplies and took the men to Ukraine about 2 hours away. Once there, he picked up Ukrainian women and children and them to Poland. Veronika’s heart was moved and she began contacting friends to see if they would help with food, clothing and lodging. It’s funny how the Lord works. Recently, I was on a Zoom with Randy McDaniel, a part of the Allen Kiwanis Club who has worked with Kids for Hunger to package and send food to Honduras. Governor Brad set up a meeting to visit with Sharon Brian of this organization to see if the TX-OK Kiwanis could send food to Ukraine instead. The next day I talked again with Veronika who me told she had not limited her efforts with the just the mothers, wives and children of her dad’s employees. She has joined others in her city to help with the continuing onslaught of refugees pouring into their country . These wonderful Poles have established an organization called “Siemanowice dla Ukrainy” Currently this organization feeds and helps apx. 100 families per day. Lest you think otherwise, these are not the same 100 families every day. Some continue to other countries while others have found a home in Poland and are now volunteering themselves. Seeing an opportunity for our T-O Kiwanis to help, I contacted Governor Brad and bullied my way into his meeting with Kids for Hunger. With the magic of Zoom, I brought Veronika on the call to tell us stories you won’t hear on the nightly news. She told us of a 15 yr old girl who will not speak. Of a Ukrainian grandmother lucky enough to get a flat who is now taking some of the donated foodstuff, preparing it and bringing it back to their warehouse. She told us her dad still makes trips to the border with food and medical supplies then brings back as many people as he can fit in his 9-passenger van. She helps these refugees find a place to stay, something to eat and clothes to wear. She told us of some who had packed all they could carry and made their way to the train station only to be told there was no room for luggage. They left Ukraine with literally only the clothes on their back. Monday of this week, their organization was out of food. She told us of her heart breaking to hear the babies crying from hunger. FaceBook works well in Poland too. A post brought food enough for the rest of this week. If you’d like to follow their page, go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/337323664829644. She is my hero. But even she has her limits. She told us of a gymnasium that was filled with over 200 women and children and the fact that she can’t go there to help because it hurts her heart too much. I have seen the destruction left by mother nature with Texas hurricanes and Oklahoma tornados. Heart wrenching for sure, but once the weather event is over, clean up can begin. With this war, no one knows when it will be over or how long it will take to find a normal again. I don’t know how I would handle what she is dealing with on a daily basis. Our Zoom meeting concluded that we need to immediately help Veronika’s organization by sending money for them to buy food there. Kids for Hunger will continue their fine work by sending freeze-dried packets to Siemanowice dla Ukrainy to be used for the refugees as well as taken to the border for those still in Ukraine. By now, I’m hoping you’ve seen Facebook posts on our District’s Facebook page and have found it in your heart to donate. Governor Brad has challenged us to donate money enough to feed 400 people 3 meals a day for 1 week. Veronika estimates the cost is $10 per person. My math tells me that is $28,000. I’m hoping by publication of this article, we have a good start. This will take care of immediate needs. As with Kiwanis, 100% of anything donated to Veronika’s organization will go to Ukrainian refugees. Simply write your tax-deductible check to Allen Kiwanis Foundation and mail it to P.O. Box 962, Allen, TX. 75013. We will soon have a link on the Allen Kiwanis website for donations via credit cards.
Doing Our Part
Providing humanitarian aid to those impacted by the war in Ukraine. Submitted by Kelly Poland
Kiwanis Club of McLoud McLoud Intermediate K-Kids Receive BancFirst Grant Submitted by Paul Heinz
Kiwanis Club of Silicon Hills sensory boards Submitted by John Cano
santa fe aktion club Week of service Submitted by Kelly Poland
Since 2020, the Kiwanis Club of Silicon Hills (née, Austin-Northeast) has worked with the Mary Bailey Head Start Center in Georgetown on a couple of occasions to improve the grounds. The history of the center is one with deep roots in the African American community in Georgetown. As noted in the “Histories of Pride: Thirteen Pioneers Who Shaped Georgetown’s African American Community,” Mary Bailey established the first preschool in the county open to nonwhite children in 1953. To this day it serves children of all races and backgrounds to provide equitable early childhood education, health and wellness, and comprehensive services for children of families below the federal poverty level. With the pandemic forcing many projects to be halted, members of the club had to think of outdoor projects where they could maintain social distancing. In September 2020, Bill Gordon (Past Lt. Governor), Adrian Thompson (Club President-elect), and David Walker and his family spent weekends in advance constructing sensory boards that could be installed at the school playground. Sensory boards are tools that stimulate children's minds with sound, texture, and color. Interacting with the tools on the boards also builds dexterity and fine motor skills. Club members also installed a steel drum on the playground so the kids can have some fun making music. If you had a chance to see Rachel Giannini's keynote address in person or online at the Leadership and Education Conference in Salt Lake City last summer, you'll know how important play is for developing young minds! (Note: she'll be back in Indianapolis this summer for International Convention and you don't want to miss her!)
Local news shines light on Santa Fe Aktion Club recognizing the many service hours members dedicate each week. Click on the image on the side to view the original news article and video.
Creating massive impact one project at a time.
McLoud Intermediate K-Kids learn a lot when working with their advisor Alona Buchanan. Although they love doing the projects, they also enjoy finding ways to fund them. Their latest was a grant from BancFirst. They don’t just do projects, they learn how to raise money to help fund their projects. K-Kids member Haylee Kimsey, a 4th grader at McLoud Intermediate, applied for a grant for her K-Kid organization from BancFirst. The bank has a board that reviews applications and determines which schools will receive a grant. Haylee’s grant application was accepted and awarded. The bank did a presentation to all grant winners and some of the McLoud K-Kids attended the award ceremony to accept the check. The McLoud chapter of K-Kids will be using the grant to paint and pot flowers as a gift for Teacher Appreciation Week. The grant will also be used for their annual Christmas Socks Project for the nursing home, where they make skid-proof socks for residents. Some of the money will be used for supplies to make their special occasion cards. The cards are one of the things Alona likes most because it teaches the students that small acts of kindness can have a big impact. They also plan to use some of the money for their end-of-year park clean-up and cook-out. The members hope to be using some of the paint supplies to paint the windows at the local nursing home before the end of the school year. This is just another example that age does not limit what can be done if the effort is put forth. These young individuals truly have servant's hearts and are the future leaders of Kiwanis and the community.
A Look at Clubs
Rotary Flag Repair
Six times a year, the streets around Greenville are decorated with a beautiful display of American flags, thanks to Daybreak Rotary’s(DR) Flag Project. This project has been the principal fund-raiser for the club since the late 1900s. Local homeowners and businesses subscribe to the service. On six US holidays, with16 Flag routes serviced by volunteers, approximately 700 flags are deployed for each holiday. The cost for one year of this flag service is $42 with a $6 discount for Veterans. This flag service provides the installation of a flag for each of six US holidays. The holidays are; President’s Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July, Labor Day (flags usually remain for 9/11), and Veteran’s Day. There is a webpage ( http://www.greenvillerotaryflags.org) where people can enter their information on a form which triggers an invoice via email from Rotary. The Daybreak Rotary Flag Program has three real benefits to the community. First, the program provides funding for the Rotary Club to use in donations and projects for the Community. Second, the program reinforces patriotism by displaying the flags during significant events during the year that remind us that American is the greatest nation in the history of mankind and that we are all very blessed to be Americans. Third, it provides a means for other service clubs to generate funds for their projects/donations that help make our community a better place to live and work. On March 10, a beautiful day, the Lakes Regional (LR) Aktion Club (AC) conducted a flag repair session for the Rotary Flags at the LR facility. The Key Club (KC), which also has flag route (Tuttle Creek), was invited to help in the project and four KC members were present. The President of the Daybreak Rotary and the club Treasurer, Howard Davis presented a check to the AC for their last deployment/recovery of the Jackson Run Route (55 Flags). Some good work was accomplished, and some camaraderie was gained by members of both clubs. In addition, a good time was had by all participants.
Submitted by Greenville Golden Kiwanis
Kiwanis Club of Sapulpa, OK is pleased to recognize two of their Service Leadership Program Faculty Advisors who have been honored by Sapulpa Public Schools as Teachers of the Year 2021-2022 for their individual schools. Debra Williams is the long-time Faculty Advisor of the Sapulpa Junior High Builders Club. She has taught Spanish and Coached distance runners in the Sapulpa school system for 22 years. She is married to Shane and has two sons who have been active in Builders Club and Key Club. Coach Williams has lead the SJH Builders Club in service to the community and to receive recognition from KI. She is being honored as Teacher of the Year for Sapulpa Junior High. Jeremy Lusk has been Faculty Advisor of the Sapulpa High School Key Club for 3 years. He has been with Sapulpa Public Schools for 18 years as a teacher and cross country/track coach. Under Coach Lusk's leadership the Key Club has managed to remain not only functioning but thriving and serving the community even during the last two difficult years. He is married to Brandy, who is also being recognized as Teacher of the Year at her school, and he is father to three sons. He is being honored as Teacher of the Year for Sapulpa High School. Interesting but wholly unrelated fact, Jeremy is an identical twin and his wife is an identical triplet!! Both Williams and Lusk will be considered for the district Teacher of the Year. The whole Texas-Oklahoma District of Kiwanis wishes them Good Luck!
The Kyle Buda Kiwanis Club nEW bOOKS Submitted by Cynthia Bentley
Kiwanis Club of Abilene Big Country Regional Spelling Bee Submitted by Charles Kirkpatrick
Members of the Kiwanis Club of Abilene, for the fourth consecutive year, conducted the Big Country Regional Spelling Bee on Feb. 26, 2022. Twenty-three students in grades 5 through 8 from schools in and around Abilene participated in the Bee held at the historic Paramount Theatre. Tessa Jones won the 23rd Annual Big Country Spelling Bee by correctly spelling sapphire. Tessa will receive a trip for her, and a parent/guardian to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. on June 22, 2022, a one-year online subscription to the Encyclopedia Britannica and the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary, and a 2022 U.S. Mint Proof Set donated by Mr. Jay Sugarman. The pronouncer for the Spelling Bee was Dr. Larry R. McGraw, Associate Dean and Professor, Logston School of Theology HSU. Head Judge for the event was Mike McAuliffe, Justice of the Peace. Shawna Atkinson, City Secretary, City of Abilene, and Lora Lynn Christensen, Professor, McMurry University were also judges.Congratulations to all the outstanding spellers who qualified for the 23rd Annual Big Country Spelling Bee Amanda Wiskow, Chair of the club's Spelling Bee Committee, organized and conducted the event. She was assisted bl 15 Kiwanians who helped with this year’s Spelling Bee. It was a great success.
Kiwanis Club of Sapulpa Recognizing Service Leadership Program Faculty Advisors Submitted by Sandie Howard
The Kyle Buda Kiwanis Club in partnership with the City of Kyle Parks and Recreation Department, The Kyle Library and Unforgettable Families and Friends gave new books to children. Each child selected books for their personal library. To commemorate the event each child was given a commemorative pouch with a Maya Angelou quarter in it.
Our club had a busy Wed. March 17th club meeting, Gov. Brad attended and spoke to the club and we inducted one of two new members to the club (Jayma Lincoln) with our club President Karen Wilson presenting the membership certificate. Karen also presented Lents Prendergast with his 50th year of service Legion of Honor certificate. A much-appreciated milestone achievement of continued service (with perfect attendance). Next Konrad Brandemuhl presented 2 Presidential Zellers to current Club President Karen Wilson and immediate Past Club President Jeanette Miller. Our Dewey Key Club also attended the meeting to discuss their current year's fundraising efforts and their upcoming trip to LEDCON. Earlier in the month on March 2nd, the Dewey Key Club had their annual Hunger Banquet Fundraiser in support of Oxfam plus a local non-profit as well as raising funds for their trip to LEDCON. Students, parents, and Kiwanis members learned about world hunger.
Kiwanis Club of victoria, Texas Kidz Fest & 12th annual Riverside Ride Submitted by Mark Westerman
Sarah Augenstein, President of Southwest Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club, presents Oklahoma County Deputy Sheriff, Justin Barton, and his wife, Lynn, recognition as “Deputy Sheriff of the Year’. The SW OKC Kiwanis Club has presented this award for over twenty years. The Deputy received a plaque recognizing his great accomplishments. The Kiwanis Club also presented a gift to the spouse recognizing the patience and support the spouse provides to the deputy while putting his life on the line for our community. Deputy Justin Barton was recommended by the Oklahoma County Sheriff, Tommie Johnson because of his exhibited high degree of professionalism and outstanding contribution to the Criminal Interdiction Team of Central Oklahoma. During the calendar year of 2021, Deputy Barton’s hard work and dedication have resulted in multiple felony arrests, drug seizures, and asset forfeiture cases, resulting in the following seizures: Marijuana-324.4 lbs., Heroin-54 grams, Methamphetamines-38 lbs., Cocaine-2 lbs., THC products 109 lbs., Money Seizures-$545,684.75, 11 firearms, and 49 felony arrests. Deputy Barton also provided services on 249 motorist assistances to the motoring public. Deputy Barton has not only made the citizens of Oklahoma County safer because of his hard work and dedication but the millions of other citizens around the state of Oklahoma
Southwest Oklahoma City Kiwanis Club SW Oklahoma City Awards “Deputy Sheriff of the Year” Submitted by James Augenstein
Kiwanis Club of Bartlesville A busy Month Submitted by Konrad Brandemuhl
You can see the original article here https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/eedition/page-a1/page_0fe21e73-071e-58e0-b118-43792cf8a400.html
Kyle Buda Kiwanis Clothes Drive for Hays CISD Clothes Closet is helping the children in Hays County. Hays CISD Clothes Closet has helped over 500 students with clothes and have provided food bags for over 800 persons. The clothes closet also provides 265 weekend backpack bags and 80 of those are homeless students. The Kyle Buda Kiwanis will continue to support Hays CISD Clothes Closet with new and gently used clothing and food items.
Kiwanis Club of Kyle-Buda Hays CISD Clothes Closet Submitted by Cynthia Bentley
Kiwanis Club of Abilene Take Your Club on a Field Trip Submitted by Randy Roewe
This project has been in the planning stage for some time and now the actual work on building 25 bed kits has started. The purpose of the beds is to provide needy families with children the opportunity to have each child have their own bed. This is an essential requirement that Child Protective Services (CPS) has in assuring the safety/well being of children. Thus, providing a bed/beds for needy families can help them avoid becoming a CPS case.
The Kyle Buda Kiwanis presented many individuals with a numbered poster commemorating Black History month 2022. Each poster was numbered and will not be reproducedand has a Maya Angelou quarter on it. The club presented the Kyle's City Council, Mayor and a few other city officials with these posters. The poster was also presented to Frederick Case. He is a charter member of the Kyle-Buda Kiwanis Club. Frederick was presented with a Black History Poster as a thanks for his assistance in the club's region. He is very active in the club and is also a Trustee in the club's region. He is responsible for Region 10, Division 23 Kieen to Waco, 24 Austin to Georgetown, 38 Seguin, Marblefalls, San Marcos, Fredericksburg, Lockhart, and Kyle. Frederick is always only a phone call away for assistance with his wealth of information about the TX-OK Region and Kiwanis International. The poster was also presented to Vanessa Westbrook, she became a Kiwanian in October 2021. Vanessa turned volunteer Susan Reyna into a member and recruited Lia Schnackenberg with Suds Deluxe as a corporate member.
Kiwanis Club of Kyle-Buda Black History Month Submitted by Cynthia Bentley
Greenville Golden Kiwanis (GGK) Hunt County Kids and the Greenville Golden Kiwanis (GGK) Bed Building Project Submitted by Cynthia Bentley
Who didn’t love going on field trips when you were a kid? Remember the anticipation and excitement as the big day approached? Offer that excitement to your club. The Kiwanis Club of Abilene and its Club Satellite have begun having periodic offsite meetings at various points of interest. These may be organizations we support with donations from fundraising events, or venues that are new and generally off-limits to the general public. The City of Abilene and the surrounding area (Big Country) is fortunate to have the Ben Richey’s Boys Ranch. This organization takes in boys and teaches them how to be productive members of society. The Ranch also takes in single mothers and their children who need help while they establish independent living. Ranch staff fed and updated the Club about its mission and projects. The Dodge Jones Youth Sports Center was opened in February 2020. The Center is one of the premier athletic facilities in Texas and Oklahoma. Its vision is engaging, equipping, and empowering coaches, parents, and young athletes to unite, inspire, and change the world through sports and Christian principles. The design of the facility places the spectators above the playing floor, which allows athletes, coaches, and referees to focus on the game without the distractions from spectators. Spectators are not allowed on the floor. As Executive Director Brandon Osborne stated, Kiwanians were able to “walk on sacred ground” during the tour of the facility. The Abilene Independent School District constructed and opened a state-of-the-art school known as LIFT (Leadership & Innovation in Future Technology) in September 2021. The facility houses Abilene’s STEM campus, but also houses several vocational labs such as construction, electrical, and automotive mechanics. The facility also offers culinary training centered in an amazing commercial kitchen training facility. Culinary students prepared and served Kiwanians lunch. Staff then informed Kiwanians about the school and provided a guided tour. Club Satellite members have met at the newly renovated Taylor County Expo Center Coliseum, and the Christian Service Center of Abilene. These mobile meetings have been a great departure from routine and provided an exciting, interesting, and informative experience about organizations serving the children of Abilene to our members. Go on a field trip! You won’t regret it!
plga extra mile award
Important Reminders
Facebook/Website Contest
Due: June 30, 2022 Do you produce a bulletin or do you produce a newsletter? Semantics ... we will throw them all in the same hopper for this contest, then separate the publications into categories based on the size of your club. Once again, it's not the volume, it's the quality of the content.
Due: May 1, 2022 Every Club in Kiwanis has one or more members deserving of special recognition for not only outstanding Kiwanis service but also activities in their respective churches, synagogues, or temples, and in the community. These folks are ideal candidates for “Layperson of the Year.”
Layperson of the year
Click on the image or title of the document to see the document in full for more details.
Due: May 15, 2022 The Past Lieutenant Governors Association (PLGA) awards a plaque each year to that deserving individual who has demonstrated, through devoted duty and dedicated deeds, above and beyond all other members of the District, that desire to go the extra mile in service to their fellow man, their community, and world as a whole. In turn, that person exemplifies and lives out the principals of Kiwanis.
Due: June 30, 2022 Each club entering the contest must submit both a website AND a club Facebook page for judging. Judging Criteria is now split between the club Facebook page and club website.
Bulletin/Newsletter Contest
Distinguished
Division
Club
President
Secretary
1
Lake Granbury
Paige Hopkins
Carol Pirkle
Weatherford, TX
Michael Barham
Larry Royal
2
McKinney
Ashley Sine
Sandra Williams
5
New Braunfels
Courtney Fallway
Cynthia Clark
San Antonio Army Residence Community Golden K
Gloria Magruder
Maida Perkins
12
Brownwood
Gerald Sims
Amanda Mason
23
Belton
Victor Wiggins, Jr.
Kim Kroll
25
Sapulpa
Kimberly Hayes
Sandra Howard
26
Jacksonville
Andy Calcote
Judy Batton
30
Moore
Eddie Peck
Belinda Journey
32
Paris
Jimmy Steed
Peggy Hawkes
34
Hide-A-Way Lake
Russ Sword
Jack Davis & Ann Lee
Mineola
Roy Shockey
Joyce Curry
Quitman-Lake Fork
James Evans
Joanne Wisdom
35
Abilene
Timothy Adcock
Faye Dodson
Greater Abilene
Julie Neill
Nancy Baker
Distinguished Clubs
The following clubs and members have achieved the criteria necessary to earn the distinguished title for the year 2020-2021. The awards for this achievement are as follows:
Clubs that accumulate at least 90 criteria points will receive the distinguished club banner patch, a distinguished lapel button for the president and secretary, and will be recognized during the 2022 Texas-Oklahoma District Convention. Any member who sponsors 2 new members will receive a lapel pin. Any member who sponsors 5 new members will receive a lapel pin and a gift certificate for $50 to be used towards DCON registration in 2022. Any member who sponsors 10 new members will receive a lapel pin and a gift certificate for $100 to be used towards DCON registration in 2022 and recognition at the 2022 Texas-Oklahoma District Convention. ]
First Name
Last Name
Jeaneane
Lilly
Athens
Judy
Batton
Renea
Dillon
28
Baytown
Brad
McKenzie
Rick
Claxton
Capitol Hill High School
Carolyn
Sopher
Wendell
Kluge
Del City
Charlotte
Coulter Huddleston
Heart of Oklahoma, Purcell
4
Armelda
Moody
Cheryl
Burrell
South Oklahoma City
Michael
Morris
Joshua
Mack
31
Tahlequah
Donald
Dickerson
Cherry
Harper
3
Peggy
Hawkes
Shannon
Jones
Sam
Curry
Roy
Shockey
John
Landers
Joey
Parker
Cynthia
Bentley
38
Kyle/Buda
New Members Recruited
Matthew
Mills
Carol
Pirkle
David
Southern
Fred
Pfeiffer
Alamo, San Antonio
William
Stoner
Steve
Mohundro
Bonham
Nathan
Brown
Clark
7
Courtney
Fallway
Lewis
Jamison
San Antonio ARC G-K
Marilyn
O’Hair
Texas Hill Country
6
8
Joe
Holland
Denton, Breakfast
Carl
Boivin
11
Juan
Ozuna
Scott
Cupp
22
Alpine
Victor
Wiggins
Kimberly
Hayes
Sonya
Sheffel
Distinguished Members
68th Annual T-O CKI District Convention Submitted by CKI District Governor Bobby Serda
(Left) CKI Scholarship Winners: Left to Right Jorge Peña - Oklahoma City University Katherine Bartek – Cameron University Hannah Owens – Cameron University
From March 4-6, 2022, The Texas-Oklahoma District of Circle K International held their 68th Annual District Convention. What made this one stand out from the previous ones however, is that this time it was held in conjunction with the Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis Mid-Winter Conference! Bringing both Kiwanis & Circle K together in one place shattered numbers from the past few years and allowed us to put on an event with attendance and sessions reminiscent of pre-COVID-19. On Saturday March 5th, the two organizations got together for lunch where we had the opportunity to match up Circle K-ers and Kiwanians with similar career interests for a networking luncheon. Our nearly 40 Circle K members in attendance loved being able to hear stories and learn more about both their preferred fields and Kiwanis from the other members of their table. No joint K-Family event would be complete however without taking an opportunity to brainstorm how to improve our organizations. T-O Kiwanis Governor Brad McKenzie had the wonderful idea to host a JEDI: Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Panel for both Circle K and Kiwanis members. The panel, led by Circle K Regional Advisor Robbie Day, composed of T-O Kiwanis Governor Brad McKenzie, Kiwanis International Trustee Michael Mulhaul, T-O CKI District Governor Bobby Serda, T-O CKI District Secretary-Treasurer Mariane Sanchez, T-O Key Club Governor Lilian Thai, and T-O Kiwanis Growth Chair Susan Hennum. Each member of the panel had an opportunity to answer a series of pre-set questions and a couple of questions from the audience. Both Kiwanis and Circle K members learned a lot from the panel, and we can comfortably say that both organizations now have a better grasp on what makes an organization accessible and successful so that we can utilize these tactics to improve our membership rates, retention rates, and overall club environments. Thank you Governor Brad for the wonderful idea! We cannot wait to see how we can take the information that we received at convention and implement it this upcoming service year to make a better T-Oday for a better T-Omorrow in both Kiwanis and Circle K. It is worth noting that the entire weekend would not have been possible without the support of so many different people and clubs across T-O. The Texas-Oklahoma District of Circle K International would like to issue a huge thank you to everyone who made this year’s convention possible. Firstly, we would like to issue a huge thank you to our Event Partner, the Texas-Oklahoma District of Kiwanis International. In addition, we would like to issue our sincere gratitude to this year’s sponsors: The Kiwanis Club of Pleasant Grove, The Kiwanis Club of Lake Granbury, The Kiwanis Club of Borger, Dr. Kathy Culbertson, The Arlington Kiwanis Foundation, The Augenstein Family RV Trust, The Kiwanis Club of Southwest Oklahoma City, and The Kiwanis Club of Silicon Hills. Finally, we cannot forget about our presenting sponsor, The Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis Foundation who in addition to their generous donation, gave out 14 scholarships to T-O Circle K members. On behalf of all T-O Circle K International, we love T-O Kiwanis! You all have never failed to offer us an endless amount of support, and we would be no where near where we are today without your help. The 2021-2022 T-O District Board of CKI extends our full gratitude to you for helping us to make this an amazing CKI year, and the 2022-2023 T-O District Board of CKI is looking forward to another great and productive year. For more information about T-O Circle K, feel free to visit our website at www.txokcki.org. If you have any questions, you may reach out directly to our District Admins at admins@txokcki.org or District Governor-Elect Bobby Serda at governor@txokcki.org
(Right) 2021-2022 T-O CKI District Board: Back Row Left to Right: Regional Advisor Robbie Day, Assistant Administrator John Cano, Northern Outpost Lieutenant Governor Tristan Adams, Hill Country Lieutenant Governor Meredith Baranosky, Assistant Administrator Allison Macias, District Administrator Colleen Biggerstaff Front Row Left to Right: District Secretary-Treasurer Mariane Sanchez, District Governor Bobby Serda, District Editor Lizzie Schmitz, Central Plains Lieutenant Governor Margaret Moore Missing: Assistant Administrator Marcelo Urieta-Bravo, Regional Advisor Mark Crouch
And Remember.... Put your new members in when you sign them up. It is important not to hold on to these names. Keeping accurate records of our membership numbers is important to your club and the District. Also.... Members must be inputted by secretary to be able to receive the Kiwanis Magazine and Insurance!
Should we email our potential sponsors and tell them about our event? Should we use social and legacy media and just blast out the need for sponsorships and hope someone sees us? Should we call all of our old sponsors and tell them they are needed again? Or…should we print out our forms and requests and go visit potential sponsors in person? The answers to these questions are….well ok, that will help, getting warmer, and YES, absolutely! In the decades I worked for a corporation in Dallas, we were consistently getting requests in the mail or via email for opportunities to sponsor non-profit events in town. We had secretaries who collected and opened the mail each day so requests didn’t automatically go into file 13. But, if there wasn’t a compelling story, we didn’t pay much attention. How do you stop what you are doing in a busy workday and try to understand a vague email or simple letter? What impressed me the most were the folks who dropped by, left me a page with messages and pictures, and told me briefly why their program was so important to the community. It was that human contact that often sold the deal for them. And having them insure me that they only needed 2 minutes of my time often helped seal the deal. If they took more than 2 minutes, it’s because I was interested in what they had to say or was asking them questions. There are clubs in our district who have taken the art of finding sponsorships to professional heights. And, they have the sponsorship letters and forms to prove it. And, now you do too. I’ve asked clubs in our district to send me their most successful forms and letters to share on our district website. I’ve created an offline folder (google docs) and put all the letters and forms in that folder. Then I shared that link here at the top of the page: https://www.txokkiwanis.org/marketing-materials/ As clubs send me their most successful programs, I will post them to the marketing section of the website. Additional sponsorship forms and letters will go into that really cool folder so continue to check back and see what might get added.
Finding sponsors for events – Marketing 101 Submitted by Marketing Chair Marshall Kregel
Spring is in the air and as your club starts to prepare for fundraisers and service projects you may find you are short a member or two or even more! The 18 month Pandemic took a toll on many of our clubs and as we return to our new normal we may find that we are in need of some new members. Remember to look at any event you have whether it be a fundraiser or service project as an opportunity to attract new members. Be sure your Membership Chair, Fundraising Chair, PR, and Marketing Chair are all sitting down during the planning stages to be sure your event is ready to attract new members. Always have membership materials on hand at any event and be sure all your members know your service projects and what your club’s mission statement is.
Greenville Golden K 6 San Antonio Army Residence 6 Waco Seniors 6 Waco Seniors 6 Paris 7 Robson Ranch 7 Kyle-Buda 8 Greater Abilene 9 Texarkana 10 Lake Kiowa 11 Hide-A-Way Lake 13
Spring Into Membership Submitted by District Growth Chair Susan Hennum
Congratulations to These Clubs Who Have Added 6 or more New Members!
Numbers are based on information received prior to 3/23/22 from Kiwanis International
Indy Convention: What To Do Around Town Submitted by Courtney Taylor
Remember when we thought the three-year K-Dollar Challenge made sense? Due to constraints on activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Texas-Oklahoma District Conventions for 2020 and 2021 were virtual, and we were unable to complete the third year of the Challenge. WE’RE READY TO GET BACK TO FACE-TO-FACE BUSINESS! Many of the T-O District clubs have received the first two portions of the patch. You are now ready to complete the patch with the “outer ring.” For those clubs, a minimum donation of $100 this year will complete the K-Dollar Challenge and you can display the entire patch on your club banner. There are a limited number of years 2018 and 2019, so there is still time to get all three parts of the patch with a $300 donation. We look forward to seeing you in Georgetown when we finally celebrate the successful completion of The Eliminate Project K-Dollar Challenge. Thank you to all participating clubs and members.
K-DOLLAR CONVENTION CHALLENGE 2022 Submitted by Francine Eikner
We all know about the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the offices of Kiwanis International, but what else is there to occupy free time between sessions at this summer’s convention in Indy? Let’s take some advice from local expert Brad Boyd. “The Athenaeum has a fun Biergarten featuring good beer and local bands. Best hamburgers are at The Workingman’s Friend; however, they don’t take credit cards. Our Children’s Museum is the largest one in the world, and includes an outdoor sports park. The Slippery Noodle is our state’s oldest tavern restaurant. Indy is home to the NCAA, so check out their Hall of Champions to check to see if your alma mater’s team is featured. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has both a museum and public golf course both inside the track! Long’s Donuts have the lightest, tastiest treats. And make sure to enjoy a breaded tenderloin sandwich and the hot shrimp cocktail sauce from St. Elmo’s Steakhouse. Indiana citizens are nicknamed “Hoosiers,” and our hospitality is legendary.” Don’t wait another day to start booking your trip! Register, explore the convention schedule, and plan your stay at kiwanis.org/convention/2022. The hotel assigned to our district is the Omni Severin, but off the record, you are welcome to choose from any of the convention hotels or another place to stay that may fit your travel needs. Registration for the convention is scheduled to close on May 1 without an on-site option.
Young Children Priority One: Young Children Priority One (YCPO) is an ongoing community service program of Kiwanis International that addresses the needs of children age 0–5. All clubs are encouraged to carry out at least two YCPO projects per calendar year, though many clubs are able to do more—serving children, families and communities. Young Children Priority One focuses on four key areas: •maternal and child health “Pregnancy Crisis Centers” •child care and development •parent education and support •safety and pediatric trauma School is moving into SPRING. As the kids start spending more time outside at “Recess” they tend to have more scratches and scrapes. How is your sponsored school’s supplies of band-aids and antibiotic ointment? Now is the time that Kiwanians can make a difference in the school life of many children. Check with YOUR local school and see what the staff needs that the Administration doesn’t purchase. My club bought 2000 Band-aids for our elementary school. It is the little things that sometimes makes a big difference. Cost was only $135.00. K- Kids: K-Kids can be sponsored to do special projects helping the school and their community. They can start a Beautification Project at the school or in a nearby community park. They could expand the program to clean up around a nursing home or some homes of neighborhood Senior Citizens. Think of the pride that the kids will get when they make their neighborhood look good. This program works well when adapted to Middle school or Jr. Highs. If your club likes to FUN work, how about a “Bicycle Rodeo”! It is an opportunity to get Kids, Law enforcement and Kiwanians to work together to make sure that the kid’s bicycles are in good working order, the kids know the SAFE bicycling rules of the road and are capable of riding safely. Get your Key Clubs involved and make it a K-Family affair.
Click on the image below to look through the slides and find more about Kathy Culbertson.
CHILDREN SERVICES PROGRAMS 2021-22 Submitted by Chair Children Services Sarah Augenstein
Governor-elect candidate
At the September 2021 T-O District Board meeting, the T-O board unanimously endorsed the Kiwanis International (KI) Family Membership by-law amendment which will be voted on at the 2022 Kiwanis International Convention on June 11 in Indianapolis, IN. I am requesting anyone going to the KI Convention in June to review the facts about the amendment and consider supporting it. As a little background, the T-O District Board and I believed this amendment will increase Kiwanis membership. Furthermore, we thought it would be a great tool to help strengthen the membership and service of the Kiwanis clubs in the T-O District to be voted on at the 2022 Kiwanis International Convention on June 11 in Indianapolis, IN. Some important things I believe should be known: Will KI and the district have a revenue drop? The answer is yes, but the additional members this is expected to bring in will offset this loss and eventually lead to increased revenue and members. This only pertains to KI and the T-O District when we change our by-laws, it does not change the club’s dues structure. This amendment is not about money, it is about service. Please continue to review the additional information that follows so you can make an informed decision. WHAT IS THE PROPOSED FAMILY DUES AMENDMENT? 1. One family member sharing a residence with a current, active, full dues-paying Kiwanis member may join the same Kiwanis club and pay only 50% of Kiwanis International and District dues. This is assuming your District passes a similar by-law amendment, which is a requirement of the proposed International amendment for your District to participate. 2. A current Kiwanis member that qualifies for family membership may convert to the family membership plan, but the converting member would pay 75% of International and District dues in the 2022-2023 year and 50% thereafter. All other member-related fees including, but not limited to, insurance and local club dues will remain. Although clubs will have the option of reducing the club portion of the dues as well if they so choose. 3. A new club being formed must have 15 full dues-paying members before family members can be added. 4. Family members shall have full rights and privileges of club membership. 5. Family membership may not be transferred to another club. MORE ABOUT THE AMENDMENT We urge you to read the enclosed Proposed Amendment and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) as they contain the specific amendment language and much information about the Amendment. Email addresses of contacts in each of the sponsoring Districts are provided should you have any questions or if you would like to speak with one of them in person about the proposed amendment. Some of the highlights are: • This amendment is based on the very successful plan implemented by Lions International in 2006 and the pilot programs of three Districts that trialed this family membership initiative from 2012-to 2017 (one district was 2013-to 2018). All three districts felt the pilot was successful, has the potential to be a great tool for membership recruitment, and are enthusiastic co-sponsors of the amendment. • In 2018 this amendment proposal was offered by the Pacific Northwest District (PNW) and co-sponsored by the Ohio, Southwest, and New England & Bermuda Districts. It received 53% support from the House of Delegates in Las Vegas. In 2019 it was again offered by the PNW District and co-sponsored by the Texas Oklahoma, Ohio, and New England & Bermuda Districts. The vote in the House of Delegates increased to 60.6% in favor. • This amendment provides a CHOICE to Districts to offer this reduction in dues. Supporting this amendment as a tool does not mean that your District has to offer this as an option. However, your District would need to amend its by-laws to reduce its dues in order to receive the 50% discount on International dues. • While Kiwanis International staff are worried about a loss in revenue, the data we have supports the amendment. We believe the membership gains will more than makeup for any temporary revenue loss. HOW CAN YOUR DISTRICT SUPPORT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT? This proposed amendment requires a two-thirds positive vote of delegates in attendance at the Kiwanis International Convention to pass. Therefore, your help is needed to encourage attendance at this convention and the house of delegates to hopefully vote in favor of this amendment. If you have questions or would like additional information please reach out to one of the sponsoring Districts, whose contact information is in the FAQ sheet, or visit www.kiwanisfamilymembership.org. At this site, we have the following information for you to consider (plus much more): • Digital copies of the amendment and FAQs. • Cover page with rationale • Data from the pilot Districts If you have any questions or would like a presentation from a member of our committee, please email: support@kiwanisfamilymembership.org Thank you for your consideration.
Kiwanis Family Membership Plan Submitted by Growth Team Club Coach Coordinator Paul Heinz Sarah Augenstein
Greetings fellow Kiwanians, Springtime is a busy time for Kiwanians as we do our fundraising, provide scholarships, cook pancakes, prepare for conventions, and elect officers. We do a lot of great work in Kiwanis and it shows in our communities, but I have noticed that club elections are not always at the top of our priorities. Officers play an important part in our organization. They not only provide leadership but are an important communication point. Without active leadership, valuable information does not make it to the individuals in the club. Please get club leaders elected and updated no later than June 1st. Once your club officers are elected the Lt. Governor will be providing them with the leadership books. If you want to get a head start, here is the link for the online guides: https://www.kiwanis.org/clubs/member-resources/training/leadershipguide (toward the bottom of the page there is a link to download the entire guide). This guide is informative for officers and also has a Kiwanis 101 section that is a great intro for the new Kiwanian. Don’t forget to elect your Lt. Governors. I can tell you from experience that 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. I have been looking at growth in the T-O District and two-thirds of the Divisions in T-O have had positive growth this year. Although that is good, I know we can do better. We have a large team of club coaches in the T-O District to assist when requested. A club coach alone cannot guarantee success; it takes club members willing to put in the effort to succeed. Simple actions provide positive results. Start by asking your guest speakers if they would like to be a member, invite those helping you with your projects, follow up with former Key Club and CKI members, and ask friends and relatives. By not asking, you are denying them the opportunity to say “YES”. Consider inviting potential new members to a project. Most new members are more interested in our projects than in our meetings. Some important dates to remember: Key Club Leadership and Education Convention (LEDCON) - April 21-23, 2022, Dallas, TX Kiwanis International Convention – June 8-11, 2022, Indianapolis, IN Texas Oklahoma District Convention – August 4-7, 2022, Georgetown, TX If you want me to visit or get someone to come to help your club with growth or 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, Growth Team Club Coach Coordinator, Lt. Governor Divisions 20 & 21 Texas/Oklahoma District of Kiwanis International (405)246-5972(405)246-5972 #KidsNeedKiwanis
Texas Oklahoma Kiwanis District Growth Team Club Coach Coordinator Paul Heinz
KI Notes submissions can be emailed to txokkiwanis@gmail.com.
Month
Name
February
Saginaw
Billy Williams
Fort Worth
Terry Slotsve
March
Waco
Terry Strickland
Texas Bay Area
James Guthrie
Temple
Roscoe Harrison
San Antonio ARC Golden K
Quinn Becker
Waco Seniors
Jimmy Stafford
April
17
Hinton
Eldon McCumber
All listed with sympathy and memory.
In Loving Memory
“Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them.” – George Eliot
Texas Oklahoma Kiwanis District Editor's Message Evelyn Herrera
Hello Fellow Kiwanians, This issue of KI Notes may have made it to you a little later than usual, but it is packed with a lot of great content. We wanted to make sure to give you all of our most updated news about DCON as well as important reminders. This issue contains a lot of great articles from clubs. We received a greater influx of stories for this issue and are excited to see the numerous stories sent in! Please take the time to read about some of the fantastic projects and happenings of clubs within our district, Remember, we currently accept articles, images, and videos. Always feel free to send us your content and ask questions if you have any! As we are close to our next issue release please remember to send in your content prior to the June issue release. The best time to send in your content is during the week of May 22nd. The earlier the better!