Governor

I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of myself and Dr. Lavonia, to wish everyone a very Happy, Healthy and Wonderful New Year. I am looking forward to a great year in the New York District of Kiwanis. We are off to a good start. Our district is doing a good job of building up our Sponsored Youth Programs. Since the beginning of October our divisions have added K-Kids, Builders Clubs, Key Clubs and Circle K clubs to our District. I am very proud of all the people who have worked hard to make this happen.
I am also proud of Lt. Governor Dr. Steve Perrick of the Long Island South Central Division and New Club Builder Georgiana Sena for helping to build our first Kiwanis Club during my year as Governor. I am referring, of course, to the new Farmingdale Kiwanis Club. At the organization meeting was Past Distinguished Governor Joe Corace who also joined the new Club to lend support to the new Kiwanians, thank you PG Joe Corace. I also want to thank Past Distinguished Governor Joe Eppolito with his e-mail encouragement to the New Club Building Team.
I plan to build a new Kiwanis Club in my own Queens East Division and I encourage all my Lt. Governors to do the same in their divisions.
I am very excited about our up and coming Mid-Year Conference this year at the Holiday Inn on Wolf Road in Albany. We have added some new and exciting forums, many of them suggested by Kiwanians around the District.
Some of the new forums will help clubs build membership through the use of the Internet and social media such as Facebook. This is in addition to how to start an "Internet Club" and establishing Websites for Clubs and Divisions, helping them to become stronger and more effective through all the new electronic communication methods (e-mail, social media, etc.).
We have forums set to amaze you! New ideas for Fund Raising, Getting your Club News Out, How do Clubs Qualify for District Awards, How do Clubs Become Distinguished, The Role of Kiwanis and Autism, plus forums by all of the Sponsored Leadership Programs, all of the Foundations and, of course, the Annual Kamp Kiwanis shower and the Basket Raffle. I have designated half of the proceeds of this year's Basket Raffle to Kamp Kiwanis and half of the proceeds to our Children's Trauma Centers.
We will also have sessions to help Treasurers, Secretaries, Presidents and Lt. Governors get a better understanding of their role in Kiwanis. I would encourage you to try and arrive by noon on Friday, Feb. 24, to take advantage of some of these excellent forums that will be starting at 1 p.m. that day.
Many thanks to Executive Assistant Joe Corace for helping to put together these interesting and informative forums.
Later Friday evening I will bring out my saxophone and play some music for your enjoyment and we will all just have some fun.
I would like to thank District Secretary Justin Underwood and Jack Roddy (secretary of the Albany Club) of the Holiday Inn Wolf Road for putting together a great package that I feel will be affordable for everyone.
All in all, I feel this will be a great Mid-Year Conference and an enjoyable time for everyone.
Thanks to all the clubs that have already completed the Governor's Project of Childhood Asthma and the First Lady's Project of Child Fire Safety.
Finally, I wish to thank each and every Division that have hosted Dr. Lavonia and me as we traveled the New York District. You have shared many of your successes in projects and fund raising with us and all of you have made us feel truly at home.
 

Column Posted on Web Site February 3, 2012