Gov. Tom's Message
by Gov. Tom Varner
The 2010 - 2011 Kiwanis year finally started with a bang. I have had the opportunity to travel and visit several Clubs and many outstanding Kiwanians in the past four weeks. We got started before October 1, when I went with Division 4 Lieutenant Governor John Morris to Middlesex to install their officers and then on the last day of September, Lin and I met with the North Central Richmond Club and I installed their offices. Two days later, we were pleased to be able to go to Poquoson and install their officers.
Friday, October 8 found us in Baltimore to make and official visit to the Mason-Dixon Region. We saw many old friends and to meet many more new friends. Thanks to Division 12 Lieutenant Governor Adam Paul for organizing the visit and to Division 9 Lieutenant Governor Renee Mackey and Division 14 Lieutenant Governor Marnie Fallon for the gifts to the Kiwanis International Foundation in my name and for Lin's pin.
Only three days elapsed before we were back in Maryland. This time we were able to participate in the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Kiwanis Club of Reisterstown. Thanks to Jan Dudey for organizing a great event. One of the highlights was the Norman Meekins relating stories of the Clubs past from his almost 60 years of service in Kiwanis. For both of these visits a special thank you to past Governor Don and Jan for hosting us in their home.
The third weekend of October was very special to the Capital District. We celebrated the culmination of Governor Don, TAG Chair John Tyner, Growth Chair Carla Morin and many others in the District. The events were the official Chartering of two new Clubs by 2009-2010 International President Paul Palazzolo. The Kiwanis Club of Fort Eustis received its charter on Sunday, October 17 with 29 members. The last member turned in his application as Paul arrived and he still had his golf Clubs in his hand. Newly installed Club President David Wells has set a very lofty goal of 200 members by the end of his term.
The next evening, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Hilton received it charter from President Paul. As Governor Don gave everyone present a last chance to become a Charter Member, a man stepped forward and made the Clubs charter strength 29. President John Lash set out very ambitious goals for his year in office.
Now, there is a little time to rest from travelling from Kiwanis. My next trips will be only to Frdericksburg Virginia for the District Board, November 6, and then the District Foundation Board the following Saturday. In between on November 11, we will attend the Service Leadership Program night in Division 20.
Now back to the future, last month, I talked about the need to have our Club and Division officers elected in a timely manner. I need to add after the election, the report the results in a timely manner. The Lieutenant Governor and Lieutenant Governor-Elect election results are reported to the District Secretary in March. The Club officer elections are by the second meeting in May and reported to Kiwanis International via the automated reporting system.
Once elected, these officers must attend training. Why, you may ask? Is it for the knowledge of Kiwanis and its organization? Is it for skills in management of the Club or Division? Is it for the requirements of the individual Club office? Yes! It is all of these. However, the most important reason we have training is to allow the Club officers in a Division or Region to meet one another, to develop friendships, and to build a network of support. While there are Lieutenant Governors, Trustees, Club Support Committee members along with the District Officers to assist and to answer questions, the peers who are doing the same things may be the best source of counsel and information.
It all goes back to the same starting point. There can be no training, no interactions, and no camaraderie without the officers in place. Who is responsible to elect these officers? The Club and the Club delegates to the Division election conference do the elections. Every Kiwanian in the Division is responsible to insure there are elections. Do you have your Club and Division officers for 2011-2012?
Each year the two or three Regions in the District elect their District Trustees. In 2011, the DelMarVa and the Southwest Regions will hold their elections. This is the time of the Kiwanis year that the Clubs are notified that there will be an election and to submit their nominees for District Trustee. To be a candidate, a Kiwanian must have completed one year as a Lieutenant Governor. Do you have a Past Lieutenant Governor in your Club who would serve the District, who would make decisions that will protect and insure the welfare of all Captial District Kiwanians? If so, let your Club officers know and nominate that person to be a District Trustee for you Region.
It is also that time in the Captial District when we finalize plans for the Regional Midwinter Conferences. These conferences provide easy access to training from the District Officers and committee. They are geographically accessible to all Kiwanians. They are within economic reach of most Kiwanians. The Regional Midwinters are a great time to meet new friends and to give and receive new ideas.
Here is my calendar for November 2010 through March 2011
November 6 District Board, Fredericksburg
November 11 Division 20 Service Leadership Programs Night, Fairfax
November 13 District Foundation, Fredericksburg
November 20 Division 4 Counci,l Richmond
November 21 Ashland Christmas Parade, Ashland
December 27 - January 3 Smoky Mountains
January 22 DelMarVa Midwinter
January 27-30 Governor's Council, Indianapolis
February 5 District Board, Fredericksburg
Februarys 5 Lieutenant Governor Council Fredericksburg
February 12 HR Midwinter Old Dominion University
February 18-10 CKI DCON, Crystal City
Februarys 26 HOV Midwinter Richmond
March 5 Potomac Midwinter
March 12 Mason Dixon Midwinter, Columbia
March 25-27 Key Club DCON, Crystal City
