District Secretary

Club Elections are overdue
Checking your club bylaws, you will note that club elections are to be completed by the middle of May. In preparing for next year, the district needs your help. Secretaries, you can report your club elections "online" when you do your monthly reports. In fact, reporting online is easier than submitting your elections in writing. Through your Secretary's Dashboard, just pick out your club's officers next year by using the convenient "drop down" list and the entire officer's required information is automatically filled in for you! If you wish to use "snail mail" then you can download the club officer reporting form from the Kiwanis International website, www.kiwanisone.org. In any case, please report your new officers as soon as possible so that your incoming Lt. Governor and next year's leadership team can plan their year accordingly.

Kiwanis International's 97th Convention
WOW! What a great convention. The New York District of Kiwanis International now has the leading officers in three Kiwanis Family organizations! We start the list, of course, with our own Tom DeJulio being elected as International President for 2012-13. Then, we find that Peter Mancuso is also the President of the Kiwanis International Foundation Board. Then, at a separate convention, but also in New Orleans at the same time, Circle K International elected NYCKI's Immediate Past Governor Josephine Lukito to be their President for the 2012-13 year as well. We had over 300 celebrants cheer Tom DeJulio and Dr. Rosemary after the House of Delegates Friday evening. Indeed it was a grand and wonderful convention.

Some Amendments Passed and some did not.
Through a series of bylaw amendments, your club's bylaws will change drastically to become more streamlined and should help your club operations. Many parts of the current Standard Form for Club Bylaws were removed and put into a new club document called Club Policies. This should help remove a lot of confusion for clubs as to "What is the Law" and what should be club policies. Look for the new documents around Oct 1. There was no dues increase approved, but rather that amendment was referred back to the Finance Committee to be presented in Vancouver. The amendment to add a seventh Kiwanis Object was defeated as was the amendment to add a Kiwanis International standing committee of past Kiwanis International Trustees. You can view all of the amendments and election results by going to the Kiwanis International website, www.kiwanisone.org

The 95th Annual NY District Kiwanis Convention
The District Convention in Niagara Falls is going to start off with a special salute to Veterans as the Color Guard from the Niagara Falls Air Base will present our nation's colors complete with bagpipes. Our Friday luncheon will celebrate 25 years of Women in Kiwanis with a special guest speaker, Janet Flinders, 2001-02 Governor for the Utah-Idaho District and their current District Secretary. Forums are going to be really special as Governor Elect Al Norato has outlined some new and exciting forums with a different twist. Add to that a special guest presenter in Les Gagne, a Kiwanian and a past International Area Representative, who will present an exciting perspective on strengthening your club though social media. It is a great time of the year to be in Niagara Falls. The American Falls is a well-disguised tourist attraction that many people miss. But, do not forget to bring your passport and/or enhanced NYS Driver's license so that you can easily visit the entire Niagara Falls area on both sides of the river.

25th Anniversary of Women in Kiwanis
This year marks the 25th year that Kiwanis has opened its doors to women. And what would Kiwanis be today without these dedicated Kiwanians? Take a look at what your club can do to celebrate our female Kiwanians. How about throwing a party? How about some news articles strategically placed in your local newspaper or even on a local TV or Radio show. Why not honor your Kiwanis members that joined in 1987 with a Legion of Honor recognition? Go to the Kiwanis International website www.kiwanisone.org and click on the Women in Kiwanis logo for more ideas, some snappy brochures, handouts and PowerPoint presentations.

And Finally
The District Office is always available to you. Currently Past Governor Jack Tetamore is generally in the District Office between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays of each week. Please do not hesitate to contact us anytime at (585) 427-0006 or districtoffice@kiwanis-ny.org. Many people wonder about the 1-800-419-8898 number. That number is routed automatically, 24 hours a day, to 585-721-9185. Please leave a message if I am not able to answer and I will get back to you!
 

Column Posted on Web Site July 28, 2012