International Leadership Committee

Elation - the feeling every New York District Kiwanian had when they heard the words "Your next International Vice President is Peter Mancuso!"
As you all know by now, after a long campaign, Peter won the election held at the recent Kiwanis International Convention in Disney World. In a sea of red campaign t-shirts, emblazoned with Peter's name and the slogan "Together We Can Go the Distance", supporters burst into applause, and hugs and kisses were universally shared after the announcement was made.
One experiences different kinds of feelings of elation during their lifetimes, but I can honestly say for me (and I believe for many in attendance) this one was different. We all pulled for our candidate. We worked the campaign booth and the crowd hard. We had meaningful conversations behind the scenes to line up support. Our candidate gave two thoughtful speeches (there was a run-off with another candidate), both expertly delivered and more than memorable. Those speeches gave life to the fact that our Kiwanis family is truly an extension of our own families. Peter won and elation poured out - it was a great day.
More importantly, it was a great day for all those that we serve, including the children. While they may not know it, many lives became a little better that day. The leadership Peter is already providing means the quality of our service to others will improve. We will add more members with your continued support and provide more service in the process. Kiwanis will be a better financial steward of your membership dollars and put them to work more judiciously. And, we will be more focused on the most important part of Kiwanis, the "club." Peter has stated many times before and during his election speech, he believes everything good that Kiwanis does emanates from our clubs.
Peter's message to you is this: "I am deeply grateful for all of the support I received from our wonderful district - from our campaign inner circle, from those who came to the convention as volunteers and voters, and from those who contributed to our campaign financially and otherwise. I will continue to represent you to the very best of my ability as Kiwanis International Vice President."
We are a better service organization because of election results but, the journey is not over. Peter will become our next International President starting in 2021 and into 2022.  So, while we have gone the distance to win the election, the real marathon is only just beginning. Peter will continue to require your support for years to come. And, with it, we will do more great things together. Together we will keep going the distance for Kiwanis and all we serve, and because of you, with Peter in the lead.

Column Posted on Web Site October 17, 2019