July was a blur of events!! It kicked off with the Kiwanis International (KI) Convention in Denver, CO. I always enjoy their speakers and breakout seminars. All the speakers were great, but my two favorites were Diana Nyad on “Never, Ever, Give UP”. At the age of 64, she swam from Cuba to Florida! There is a movie about her journey, you really need to watch. Trey Mock, mascot for the Indianapolis Colts, spoke about “Taking Off the Mask.” It’s not all about making people laugh and being a bit crazy. He tells his story of fulfillment and a family that made him realize that. We can all take a lesson from each of these speakers and place it in our own life.
Montana was well represented with 22 members making the trip. I’m very proud to say that we exceeded KI’s goal! (14)
Of course by now, you know of the $25 dues increase. Please advise your members now! Send out a letter and remind them of the benefits of Kiwanis volunteering and what those dues pay for. (Liability Insurance, opportunities for grants, scholarships for our youth and the list goes on.) RETAIN those members, we need them to help our kids and communities!!
MT District Convention was in Missoula this year and if you missed it, you missed a good one! Thanks to Tom Castonzo, Tech Master at KI, for coming and providing some valuable tools to help our clubs. Our SLP administrators gave a SUPER seminar on the responsibilities of Kiwanis Clubs to their Youth. Circle K Governor, Kendall Stokes, never disappoints with her creativity in her presentations. Can-demonium was a hit and the local Food Banks will prosper from it. We have some great “Stakeholders” in Kiwanis that are promising to bring in new members for our District.
I want to take a moment here and THANK the retiring Lt. Governors, Division 1-Sharon Gordon, Division 5-Elaine Stedman, Division 6-Marlene Robertson and Division 7-Charles Wilson. To the new LTG’s, you have BIG shoes to fill and welcome aboard: Division 1-Leila Haack, Division 5-Angela Mendoza, Division 6-Don Lucia and Division 7-Dean Person.
Of course we all know that the District is blessed to have two of the best with Secretary Kristel Callahan and Treasurer Mary Williams. The District is in GREAT hands with these two ladies.
Both conventions were filled with learning, networking and FUN, reinforcing the commitment of Kiwanis members to serving their communities and youth!!!
Esther Fischer - MT Kiwanis District Governor