Doreen Pellittieri was elected Governor-Elect for 2007-08 at the House of Delegates on Saturday at the District Convention.

Pellittieri, a member of the Webster club and a former Finger Lakes Division Lt. Gov., won the race at the 90th annual Kiwanis District Convention.

Pellittieri is pictured at left following her election, and at right receiving congratulations from her supporters following the event's conclusion.

The election, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of women's admission into Kiwanis, is the first time the district has had a race for Governor-Elect without a male candidate. The district has had a female governor before, Gov. Susan Ganey, in 1997-98. Pellittieri's opponent was Jean Andrick of the Hoosick Falls club, a past Lt. Gov. of the Van Rensselaer Division.

Following his election as the district's governor for 2007-08, Donald Herring explained his theme for the year while holding a dream catcher. The goal will be to catch dreams and make them a reality during the coming year.

Past Distinguished Gov. Peter Mancuso was the honoree at the District Convention.

A resolution in his honor was approved and he was thanked for his efforts on behalf of his East Meadow club, the Long Island South Central Division, the district and the district foundation.

Pictured at right are Karen Mancuso, Peter's wife; Gov. Joseph Corace and Mancuso during the presentation during Saturday's House of Delegates.

Mancuso thanked many others including Steven J. Eisman for getting him involved in Kiwanis.

Mancuso joined Kiwanis in 1987 and was his club's Kiwanian of the Year in 1988. In 1992-93 he was the distinguished president of his club; in 1996-97 he was the Super Distinguished Lt. Gov. of the Long Island South Central Division, and in 2003-04, he served as Distinguished Governor.

At the District Convention in Buffalo we held a special luncheon to honor veterans for their devoted service to America. The event was a wonderful success and many Kiwanians asked if they could mirror the event in their own clubs.

Attached is the Veterans Certificate which can be downloaded, for you to present to your honored veterans.

Augustine "Gus" Marano, long the head of the district's Iodine Deficiency effort, was awarded the Gerald Christiano Distinguished Service Award at the District Convention Friday morning in Buffalo.

Marano played a key role in the district's successful effort to raise $1 million to fund the effort to eliminate Iodine Deficiency in the world. His lengthy service to his home club of Nunda and to his division, the Genesee Division, also was part of his selection for the award. The award winner is selected by the district's Past Governors Council.

Marano is pictured at right following the award. Below he stands at the podium with his family and other supporters standing behind him.

A successful summer at Kamp Kiwanis was applauded repeatedly by Kiwanians attending the annual District Foundation meeting Friday afternoon at the District Convention in Buffalo.

While the total number of children at kamp, 579, was not a record, the number of children who had special needs, 295, was much higher than in previous years, Kamp Director Rebecca Lopez reported to those in attendance. In addition to the children, there 44 disabled adults who attended the first week of kamp this year.

During the fifth week this summer the kamp hosted 131 children, the largest group they've had at once, she said.

The number of kampers who are applying directly to the kamp for scholarships has increased 25 percent, she said. Extra visibility on the district web site may be causing some people to apply without having contacted local clubs, she said.

The kamp had 44 staff this summer she said. Of that total, 28 were from outside the United States, and those 28 represented 10 countries.

One effort this year designed to reduce costs paid off, she said. Changes in the busing schedule saved $12,000 in busing costs.

Pictured at right and left are two staff members from the kamp who led the Kiwanians present in a couple kamp songs to introduce the report on the kamp.

After 10 years as president of the District Foundation, Orlando "Lindy" Marrazzo conducted his final meeting in that chair, having decided to step down from the position.

A series of speakers praised Marrazzo for his efforts on behalf of the kamp, but Marrazzo said his reward is evidenced by all the physical improvements in the kamp during the past 10 years, and especially in the more than 6,000 children who have spent a week at the kamp during that time.

Marrazzo, who served five years as a Foundation Board member before being elected president, was honored at last year's District Convention for his efforts on behalf of the foundation and the district, and last May was surprised when the kamp's administration building was dedicated in his honor.

David Rothman

Ed Sexton

Michael Siniski

Three people were elected to the District Foundation Board during the meeting on Friday. David Rothman and Ed Sexton were re-elected to new three-year terms, and Mike Siniski was elected to the board for the first time, replacing Tom Gallagher who did not seek re-election.

The race was uncontested.

Kiwanians looked over the Kiwanis items on sale at the convention.

Past Gov. Jim Yochim, the convention coordinator, at work behind the scenes at the convention.

Karen Yakovac of the Kiwanis International staff speaks to a forum on public relations, working with the district's Public Relations chair Janice Seyfried.

A forum on Aktion Clubs drew a good crowd.

The Circle K table was busy during Saturday.

District Secretary/Treasurer Justin Underwood during a forum for club secretaries on the online reporting system.