Division 12

Kiwanis Division 12
div12kiwanis.org

CA-Nev-Ha District Kiwanis International

Mike Montanari
Division 12 Lt Governor
October 2009-10

Hi Fellow Division 12 Kiwanians,
It is a tremendous honor and privilege to be representing this great division. Time is flying bye and our new Kiwanis year is just beginning. The planning for these next 12 months, the investment in time, many emails, phone calls, attending installation events, great teamwork and focus. Yes-focus on one main principle: the service towards others in order to make a difference in the lives of those we touch in our community. It’s is truly exhilarating to see so many Division 12 members working toward the goal of increasing service, increasing members and having fun along the way. We know the challenges facing our division today and the upcoming year are very similar ones: Declining attendance, membership retention, attracting qualified new members and participating in meaningful community service projects. However, let me say you are not in this alone but have the complete support of the District and Division 12 leadership team resources behind you to ensure that this division not only continues to succeed, but retains an atmosphere of growth in service & membership, fellowship and fun. You call and we haul.

To meet these challenges we have three key goals this upcoming year all supported by developing our leadership: 2 x 2 x 2

•   Increasing service projects (net 2 per club)
•   Increasing membership (net 2 members per club)
•   New club building: one new Kiwanis Club and  one SLP club, especially K-kids/Builders Clubs

And of course, having fun doing it. Join us in making that difference. The depth of talent of the members in this Div is exemplary and without question high powered. As we transition into 2009-2010 we need to focus on recruiting new members, increasing our community projects and growing our SLP programs-2 x 2 x 2. The greater the number of members increases our opportunity to have a significant impact on our community. The greater number of community projects increases our opportunity to attract and retain new members- Making a difference. In summary, I feel we are perfectly positioned to meet each clubs needs and the needs of our community. Our responsibility is to do our part while it’s our turn- Making a difference-2 x 2 x 2. I am looking forward to working with each leadership team and club members to have an exciting and most successful year. A year in which we continue the legacy of this great Division. The legacy of increased growth, notable community service, vastly successful projects, SLP involvement and lots of fun. Making a difference. It’s a great time be a Kiwanian! Have a Kiwanian type day!!!!!!!!

“I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble”. Making a difference -Helen Keller

All members are invited but I wanted to encourage the Presidents & Secretaries to attend the Division Council Meeting:

Every 3rd Wednesday of each Month
at Home Church
1799 Winchester Blvd, Campbell, CA 95008
Dinner: 6:00PM. Program: 6:30PM-8:00PM

KIWANIS is a thriving organization of service-minded men and women who respond to the unique needs of their communities and address worldwide issues by "Serving the Children of the World."

Founded in Detroit, Michigan, USA, in 1915 by a group of businessmen, Kiwanis International is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Today, the entire Kiwanis family has more than 600,000 members in more than 13,000 clubs. Kiwanis clubs serve in 92 countries around the world and achieve what individuals cannot do alone.

Kiwanis Impact
Worldwide Kiwanis clubs:

Assist children, young adults, the aging, and the needy

Improve communities

Encourage international understanding

Kiwanis clubs also sponsor Kiwanis-family organizations for young people and adults: K-Kids clubs in elementary schools, Builders Clubs in middle school and junior highs, Key Clubs in high schools, Circle K clubs at the collegiate level, Kiwanis Junior clubs for young adults in Europe, and Aktion clubs for adults living with disabilities. These clubs teach future world leaders the importance of helping others.

Thousands of Kiwanis clubs support Young Children: Priority One —a continuing service program focusing on the needs of children, prenatal through age five, with projects in pediatric trauma, safety, child care, and early development.

The Worldwide Service Project —a Kiwanis-family initiative in partnership with UNICEF—aims to virtually eliminate the world's leading cause of preventable mental retardation, iodine deficiency disorders.

The Objects of Kiwanis

To give primacy to the human and spiritual rather than to the material values of life.
To encourage the daily living of the Golden Rule in all human relationships.
To promote the adoption and the application of higher social, business, and professional standards.
To develop, by precept and example, a more intelligent, aggressive, and serviceable citizenship.
To provide, through Kiwanis clubs, a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service, and to build better communities.
To cooperate in creating and maintaining that sound public opinion and high idealism which make possible the increase of righteousness, justice, patriotism, and goodwill.

Guided by six permanent Objects, Kiwanis clubs view their role within their respective communities with a great deal of foresight. Key aspects to operating an effective club include:

Evaluating both children's issues and community needs on an ongoing basis
Conducting service projects to respond to those identified needs
Maintaining an active membership roster of professional business people who have both the desire and the ability to serve their community

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Our Motto:
Serving the Children of the World

Throughout its history, the Kiwanis name has been synonymous with endeavors that build character, knowledge, commerce, communities, and—through genuine concern for others—hope. We Build in Kiwanis by serving the children of the World.

A TYPICAL KIWANIS CLUB is a snapshot of its community, with members from all walks of life and at every step of the career ladder. They are unified in their belief that children and their communities benefit from the efforts of a proficient group of caring and involved volunteers. In a typical year, Kiwanis clubs invest more than 6.2 million hours and US$100 million in communities around the world. Through these efforts, the Kiwanis organization truly leaves a lasting impression on future generations.

Kiwanis Membership

Prospective members are invited to join by existing members. The club's board of directors then reviews membership information for approval. Beyond initial induction fees, members contribute annual dues as determined by the club. Kiwanis clubs meet weekly or twice a month. Members, on average, invest about six hours a month by participating in meetings, projects, and volunteering in their community.

Through Kiwanis membership, individuals give their talent, time, and love to those in need. Kiwanians worldwide dedicate themselves to a way of life in which they believe.

Club Meetings & Service Projects

Club meetings traditionally are conducted once a week and offer an atmosphere of fun, learning, and fellowship. In addition to attending the meetings, the typical Kiwanian volunteers each month to assist with club service projects.

Service projects often are linked to the Kiwanis program, "Young Children: Priority One." This initiative places continuing focus on the needs of children in pediatric trauma, safety, child care, early development, infant health, nutrition, and parenting skills.

Service projects also can address other needs within the community, such as working to stop substance abuse, helping the elderly, promoting literacy, supporting youth sports and recreation, responding to disasters, and supporting specific persons in need.

Kiwanis also plays a special role in developing future generations of leaders. K-Kids clubs at the elementary school level, Builders Clubs in middle school and junior highs, Key Clubs in high schools, and Circle K clubs at the collegiate level all are Kiwanis organizations that teach community service and leadership skills to young people. In addition, Aktion Clubs are made up of adults with mental and physical disabilities who enthusiastically perform service to help others.

The Rewards of Membership

Communities are improved.
Friendships are built.
Leadership skills are developed.
More importantly,
the lives of children around the world are changed for the better.

The Name

The name Kiwanis stems from a North American Indian phrase, which, like many aboriginal terms, had a variety of meanings, including;"We have a good time, " "We make a noise," or"We trade." Learn more about Kiwanis, here.