Our district is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Kiwanis in New York. This is a colossal event and many clubs who have already reached this landmark have had impressive celebrations honoring their district, members and volunteers.
New York celebration should outshine all the other clubs. With such a large district, we should be number one, a district that sets an example, one that should be revered. Unfortunately, without growth and new members Kiwanis won't be able to continue on for the next 100 years.
We have 261 clubs. As large as our district is, we should have doubled that amount to more than 500 clubs. As Gov. Forbes Irvine stated, we take care of our own, but how can we do that without members? We can't celebrate if we continue to go on a downward spiral.
We all know what will happen Sept. 30. A new administration begins, there's a clean slate, but, at the same time, we start to lose members. Ten years ago we were 16,000 strong, and to date, we are only 7,000. If we continue trending backwards, where will Kiwanis be in the future? What will happen to our communities, those in need?
As in the past, and in this district, please let's not end this anniversary year with a deficit. I encourage all clubs to start with a plus one at year's end. We need to prove that the New York District means business and we refuse to lose momentum. Our one mutual goal and mind set should be moving forward, upwards and onwards with new members, more clubs, impressive growth, and expansion to lead our beloved Kiwanis organization into the next 100 years with pride.
Column Posted on Web Site August 5, 2016
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