Governor

This year's holiday season will soon be coming to an end. All the hectic racing around displaying decorations, going to parties and exchanging gifts are behind us. Now is the time for new beginnings; a beginning of a new year and a new beginning for our New York Kiwanis District 2014. I want to thank you all for all of the wonderful things you did to make our district, and indeed, our world a better place in 2013. I want to also wish you a wonder Happy and Healthy New Year for 2014.
As everyone around us makes their resolutions this year, let us all resolve to work together to make our New York District the best it has ever been. At this time of renewal and new beginnings I encourage everyone to renew your commitment to Kiwanis. Let us rebuild our clubs and our divisions. Let us reconfirm the importance of Kiwanis in our communities and around the world by educating our members to the goals and objects of Kiwanis. Let us build our membership and add clubs to our organization so that the work of Kiwanis can be spread out to all those places in need. To sustain this positive feel let us work closely with our sponsored youth. They are our future.
At this year's Mid-Winter Conference, to be held Feb. 21-14, we will introduce some new ideas and make some changes to help revitalize our district. I will encourage you all to reach out to your clubs to make an added effort to invite guests to become new members of Kiwanis. I will ask you to consider family, friends, members of the community and our sponsored youth, specially the Circle K, as potential members.
Let's get more members and sponsored youth involved in our educational forums, and all the other events we have planned for this conference. I urge all members to do their best to attend this conference in Albany.
All the presidents and secretaries have received their registration packets. We urge them all to contact their clubs and to spread the word about this year's conference. We plan to make this a most enjoyable and educational weekend.
Any division wishing to host a hospitality suite is urged to contact our district secretary as soon as possible. This year we are asking each hospitality room to have a theme. There will be a governor's award and trophy for the best hospitality room. This is a great time to informally meet with our fellow Kiwanians.
We are also asking that clubs or divisions supply gift baskets to be raffled off during the conference. Again, there will be a governor's award and trophy for the best basket. Contents of the baskets are your choice. All proceeds for this year's raffle will go towards the Governor's Project - Autism.
On Saturday of the conference we will recognize all of our new members and sponsors. Throughout the weekend we will be recognizing the achievements and outstanding work of the clubs over the last several months. Some of the things we will focus on will be growth, years of service, and special events such as birthdays or anniversaries. I am asking you to send me any special milestones your club may be having and an event that your club has done that is clearly above and beyond the call of duty. These clubs deserve to be recognized and I wish do to so.
On Saturday night Immediate Past Gov. Al Norato Jr. will present awards for the achievements of his dream from 2012-13. Let's be on hand to show support to Gov. Al and his team of hard-working Kiwanians. We are proud of their work.
This is our district and we are extremely proud of all the fine work we do as volunteers for this great organization. Kiwanis is in our hearts and our hearts are in Kiwanis. Let's build those bridges to the future for our children. Let us reach our goals for 2014.
Again, on behalf of the First Lady and myself, we wish you and your families a Happy, Healthy and Productive New Year.

Column Posted on Web Site January 29, 2014