In less than 4 months, we shall be holding our 95th Annual Convention in Niagara Falls. At that time, and with your blessings, I anticipate being elected Governor-Designate. Throughout this year, our team has attended more events than one could imagine to better prepare the team for the coming year. For example, in less than one month, in a move that will save both time and money to all parties involved, we will be holding our Lieutenant Governor designate training, which will provide them more than five full months to better train the club leaders for next year. This is a change from the traditional July training period.
Open Audition Call to All NYD Members:
The purpose for this letter is to inform you that we are assembling our team of "Al's All-Stars" now! I've had many excited Kiwanians approach me asking to become a part of the team. I'm humbled to see so many offering to help in any way that they can. When I inquire as to what they would like to do, most candidly say "whatever you want me to do, because I know this is going to be a special year"! While I am pleased with the offers, the truth is that I would much rather place team members in positions that they feel they are best suited for. For example, if we were assembling a baseball team, you wouldn't put a great catcher as a first base coach; nor would you take a starting pitcher and make that person a designated hitter. The job of the coach is to place the best players were they are going to work best together in the hope that in the end, the year will culminate in a championship banner. Being New Yorkers, I'm sure you all can appreciate that.
The Process to Become an All-Star:
If you have any interest in being a district chair or co-chair or to work on a committee, (even if you've told me your desires already) please contact me directly with either a resume explaining your attributes that make you the better qualified individual, or better yet, provide me with a brief (a paragraph is fine) explanation of your experience and what you'd like to do to help the team accomplish its mission. I can be reached at alnorato@optonline.net.
Governor/First Lady Projects:
Contrary to rumors you may have heard, we will be conducting a Governor's Project and a First Lady's Project. While we are in the process of finalizing the exact means in which to accomplish this, I can tell you that the Governor's Project will be dealing with collecting/purchasing books for school age children, especially, children who are in elementary school and reside in locations in which school budgets are either being tightened or have traditionally been less than adequate. Of course, many clubs already perform this type of project, as past Governor's Projects and First Lady's Projects, but we would like to see the entire district become involved. If your club already performs a project similar to this, then perhaps you can expand upon the project by either sending books to other parts of the district that are in greater need or expanding the program to reading with the children. Regardless of which fork in the road you choose, the kids win and that's what it's all about!
The First Lady's Project is also geared towards helping our fellow neighbor, but also in helping yourself. This year, Dr. Jenny is seeking to help you in cleaning out your clothing closets with clothes that you haven't worn in many years that are simply collecting dust and taking up space. There are many people within our own communities who either don't have adequate clothing or more importantly, don't have situation-appropriate clothing. By this I mean they would like to apply for a better paying job, or an entry-level position, but don't have clothing that is suitable to make an impression with a prospective employer. If all they really need is a boost in their wardrobe to help them overcome that hurdle, I'm sure that we all have an over abundance of slightly worn clothing that will meet their needs.
Of course, if you have other ideas, I'm more than willing to listen/read your thoughts. We are all in this together, and together, we will make this a better world - one child and one community at a time.
Column Posted on Web Site April 22, 2012
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