Many individuals join Kiwanis clubs specifically because we are an international
organization with a global mission-that lofty goal of changing
the world one child and one community at a time. To this
point, with a few notable exceptions, our Capital District
clubs seem to have focused on local efforts directed toward
helping our own children and communities. This is commendable,
but it does not address the incredible needs of children
worldwide...Accordingly,
our District Committee on International Understanding has
decided to pursue a new approach
to achieving our global mission. We have selected Africa because its needs are great and most of us know extremely
little about this part of the world...In
the spirit of election season, K-Kids cast their votes
by Glynnis Schmidt, (301) 737-6311, bwsges@yahoo.com
On Tuesday, October 21,
2008 the K-Kids Club at Lexington Park Elementary School
Boys & Girls Club held their annual officer elections. Nominations took place two weeks
prior, and many student candidates spent those two
weeks campaigning by hanging posters around the school
and preparing their pre-election speeches. The K-Kids
Club is co-sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of St. Mary’s
County and the CKI Club of St. Mary’s College of Maryland.
The elections were planned and coordinated by the CKI students, led by Kristen Brunot who serves as the CKI Vice President of Service and K-Kids Advisor. In attendance that day for Boys & Girls Club were approximately 80 students, and the regular practice for K-Kids meetings is to have all those students "become" K-Kids for the hour-long meeting or service project, or whatever activity is planned for that day. The event was also supported by 3 members of St. Mary’s Kiwanis, and approximately 6 students from the CKI Club.
On Election Day, the candidates were called to the front of the crowded room one by one to deliver their speech if they had one, and after the speeches the students received ballots and were instructed to circle the name of the candidate of their choice. The Kiwanis and CKI Club used the current Presidential election season to use the K-Kids Elections as an educational opportunity for the elementary students about the democratic process and voting. Glynnis Schmidt, who serves as the Kiwanis Club SLP Chairperson for St. Mary’s, explained the electoral process to the students and encouraged the voters to choose the candidate they thought would do the best job. "Everybody’s vote counts, you all get to decide who the leaders of your club will be this year" said Schmidt.
The overwhelming buzz of conversation indicated the eagerness of the student members to proceed with elections. As campaign speeches began, here are some of the candidates comments: "I would be happy to help those who are in need." Viviana Buentello, candidate for President; "I will do my best to do more educational things. I will set up teams in each grade to have fundraising competitions, and I will have an open-door policy." DeAundra Green, candidate for President; "I want to help keep track of your ideas so we can help our school and community." Rose Capro, candidate for Secretary.
After a short break, while the children were sent to the playground to expend their pent-up energy, the results were tallied by CKI students and the children were called back in to hear the results. Loud cheers went up as the winners were announced: Viviana Buentello (President), DeAundra Green (1st runner-up, so Vice President), Kayla Welch (2nd runner-up, so Sergeant-At-Arms), Rose Capro (Secretary), and Sean O’Roark (Treasurer).
The local St. Mary’s County newspaper, The Enterprise, covered the event with a reporter and photographer, and a wonderful article with two photos was included in the October 29 edition.
The K-Kids Club at Lexington Park Elementary School Boys & Girls Club was chartered in 2004.
