The 2019 Mid-Year Conference took place Feb. 15-17 at the Desmond in Albany. It was a time for Kiwanis education, fellowship and to honor the 2017-18 District Board and clubs for outstanding achievement during the past Kiwanis Year.

During the weekend there were several items of interest that were discussed/acted upon.

• A "miracle minute" collection was taken up during the banquet for donations to General Needs, the foundation on Long Island which serves homeless veterans. Lonnie Sherman, the organization's founder and a member of the Northport-East Northport club, was the keynote speaker at Friday's opening session. During the one-minute collection period, $1,070 was donated. Gov. Hank Baker then noted that Past Lt. Gov. Keith Cummings had agreed to match that amount, so $2,140 would be provided to the organization.
• Lt. Gov. Kimberly Davis, the district's Eliminate Project ambassador, said the district has now less than $300,000 to go toward its pledge to the project. Several events during the weekend raised money to help with the effort.
• Governor's Project Chair Past Lt. Gov. Lucien Giancursio reported that he had money for 48 military children to attend Kamp Kiwanis this summer when he arrived at the conference. By Saturday's banquet, that number had risen to 73, and promises of several more had been made. The goal is to send 150 military children to kamp this summer.
• During the rally to support the candidacy of Kiwanis International Trustee Peter Mancuso for Kiwanis International Vice President, Distinguished Past Gov. Joseph Corace said the district reception at the KI convention in Orlando will be at 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 27. The event will be an opportunity for New York Kiwanians to get together. Delegates from other districts will be invited as well in anticipation of the election the following day. The New York caucus will be at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 28.