The International Convention in Orlando is just around the corner and it promises to be a very special time for all of us. The last time we were in Orlando was in 1989. What there is to do before and after the convention has really expanded in those intervening 19 years. Not only has Disney World expanded its footprint, so has the Kennedy Space Center where we will be enjoying our District Dinner. The display you will see at the Welcoming Center for this dinner will include actual spacecraft and other artifacts of our Nation's quest of space and beyond.

Space is limited, so please be sure to secure your tickets early. Maureen and Marty Neuringer have done an outstanding job on this event. And, yes, the buses are handicap accessible.

The first Business Session of the House of Delegates in Orlando will be at 8:30 AM on Friday, June 27th. Therefore, our District Caucus will be held directly after the Convention's Opening session on Thursday afternoon (June 26th) at 3:15 PM at the Rosen Plaza Hotel, just a few hundred steps from the Convention Center.

We have noted that very few clubs have sent in their Delegate Registration forms. Be sure you get them in before June 10th so that you will not have to "spend hours" waiting in line to get your credentials. As always, your club's dues need to be paid in order for you to be a voting delegate.

Each year it seems to be a struggle to "get the information right" when we do the District Directory. If you check your club bylaws you will note in Article XI, Section 5 the following:

Section 5. The annual meeting of this club should be held at a regular meeting no earlier than the first meeting in April and no later than the second week in May. The membership shall be given at least two (2) weeks notice of the date and place of the annual meeting. One-third (1/3) of the active, senior, and privileged members of the club shall constitute a quorum.

Now that you have your officers for the 2008-09 Kiwanis year, it is important that the information be sent to Kiwanis International and the New York District Office so that we can have some means of communicating important information to your Kiwanis Club throughout the year.

Let me list for you the "Top Ten Reasons Club Secretaries Need to Report Your Club Elections":

10. The District Directory will help you know when and where your Club is meeting.

 9. The information in the International Directory will be correct for your Kiwanis Club.

 8. The information in the District Directory will be correct for your Kiwanis Club.

 7. Kiwanis International will know where to send The Official Call to their Annual Convention.

 6. NY Kiwanis will know where to send The Official Call to our Conferences & Conventions.

 5. Your Lt. Governor will know where to send notices of Division Council Meetings.

 4. You will get timely notices of Kiwanis events that might interest your club.

 3. Other Kiwanis Clubs can find out where you meet so that they can visit you.

 2. KI can send you timely roster requests so your Kiwanis Club is properly billed for the right number of members.

And finally, the Number One Reason to report your Club Elections now is:

 1. Your Kiwanis Club is the most important service organization in your community and all of your members are proud to be part of the "Kiwanis Club of My Community".

Today, it is so much easier to report your club elections. When you go online to do your monthly reports, one of the selections you have available is to report the club officers for 2008-09. No need to print out and mail (at 42 cents each mailing) the election reports to International and the District. When you report your club officers online both Kiwanis International and the New York District has access to your club's new officers' information immediately.

Finally, several years ago Kiwanis International (for those clubs that did not report their elections) began to automatically "roll-over" the club officers from the prior year sometime each August. This is done to assure that the International Directory did not have Kiwanis clubs listed with no officers. For the past year, the New York District has also taken that policy. No reported officers, then the officers listed will be those last known to the District Office.

In short, now is the time to report your club election results.

This year, our District Convention will be August 7th (August 6th for Lt. Governors and VIPs) through the August 10th at the Turning Stone Resort and Casino. Our District Convention Chair, Joe Battista, has done an outstanding job in making arrangements that are set to "Wow" you! The registration forms are available now on our website.

There is an early registration deadline of July 7th, so be sure you make your arrangements now! For those of you not familiar with Casino hotel pricing, you will note that the cost of a room changes from Wednesday and Thursday to a higher cost on the weekends. And, if you are interested, check out what their "rack" rate is compared to our special rate negotiated by Convention Chair Joe Battista.

Of particular note, Chair Joe has arranged (for one fabulous price) a special Governor's Reception and Dinner that includes an open bar, a raw bar, ice sculpture and a dinner that features a beef and reef selection. See more of the menu on the registration form.

Again, please be sure to register for this Awesome Convention.

If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact the District Office or me at ANY TIME!

Justin Underwood, NY District Secretary, 1-800-419-8898 or justinau@rochester.rr.com..