Governor

As the weather turns a bit chillier, the days grow a tad shorter and the leaves turn into a rainbow of sparkling colors, the New York District of Kiwanis International enters into another year. Because space is limited, we say thanks to Governor Bill and his Boosters; a job well done.

My team of All-Stars understand that we are here to serve the membership, with the hope that all Kiwanians will serve their communities - and beyond - especially those children and their families who need the most help and encouragement.

This year, our theme is "ALL-STARS". To become an ALL-STAR team, we will need the entire membership to step up and be counted; no one player is any greater than any other. Growth, while an important element in our survival, will not be a primary theme; rather, developing stronger ties to what made you join Kiwanis - which will lead more members to make the transformation from "member" to "Kiwanian" - is our goal. If we have more Kiwanians putting Kiwanis first, we will create an environment that flourishes with great memories and motivation. These "M & M's, as I like to call them, will lead to a stronger district that will provide sustained growth and prosperity.

To do this, we need to eliminate the negativity that can undermine all the great things we do as a district. Instead of speaking negatively about Kiwanis or Kiwanians, let's do what our grandmother's taught us and "say nothing at all, if we don't have anything good to say."

Dr. Jenny and I have come up with two projects that we believe will be special. Special because it will be the clubs that will decide how to best conduct and complete the projects. After all, Kiwanis Clubs know what their communities need most. The First Lady's Project will ask you to empty your closets of slightly used clothing to give to local citizens who need a makeover to help them land a job or improve their current position. It is said that "presentation is 80 percent" of the effort. Let's give them that boost of self-confidence and self esteem.

The Governor's Project is near and dear to my heart. It is a literacy/book program. You can decide to buy school age appropriate books yourself, or through a vendor I've recently met, or you can go through your home library to see what your local schools/libraries/shelters can use. If our country is to have a vibrant future, we must make certain that our leaders of tomorrow can read and write today!

This Kiwanis year will be exciting and challenging. We are asking you all to do your part as a team. Next September, 2013, I'll ask you if you feel greater self-satisfaction belonging to this wonderful organization than you started with on October 1, 2012. If your answer is "YES"!, then we have established ourselves as an ALL-STAR Team. Let's go TEAM!!!

Column Posted on Web Site October 30, 2012