New Aktion Club is Chartered in Montgomery County, Maryland, Sponsored by Division 17's Montgomery Village Kiwanis Club
by Past Governor Bob Cressy.
Photos By Ayda Sanver, Director of Community Development, CSAAC Foundation and Montgomery Village Kiwanis Club Member

January 14, 2009 - As a Kiwanian, have you ever had the joy of working with fellow Kiwanians, agency professionals and prospective members to build a new Aktion Club for adults with disabilities? Well, the Montgomery Village Kiwanis Club in Division 17 sponsored and chartered the "Community Services for Autistic Adults and Children Aktion Club" ("CSAAC Aktion Club" for a short name) at an evening ceremony in Montgomery Village, Maryland.

It does take some careful planning by all concerned to coordinate and bring to fruition such a worthwhile new club. You can see the happy result when Charter Night occurs and the new members are given their Aktion Club pins. You could see the delight on the faces of new members, Kiwanis advisors and agency advisors. This is an team effort well worth your initiative and dedication.

In the photos included with this article, you'll see the principle organizers including Ayda Sanver, CSAAC Director of Community Development, Aktion Club Advisor and Director of Quality Assurance Kim Dennie, and Past Presidents of the Montgomery Village Kiwanis Club Betty Figlure and Liz Jackson. Club member's photos are used with permission although only first names are used to protect privacy.

Some may ask, what really is an Aktion Club? An apt description might be to describe it by saying the six Objects of Aktion Clubs are the same as Kiwanis Clubs. Perhaps most descriptive is Object #5: "To provide a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render unselfish service and to build better communities".

The specific mission of Kiwanis Aktion Clubs International is:

• to provide these adults an opportunity to develop initiative and leadership skills
• to serve their communities
• to be integrated into society
• to demonstrate the dignity and value of citizens living with disabilities

The first Aktion Club was formed in Putnam County, Florida in 1987, became an official sponsored program of Kiwanis International in 2000. Today, in addition to the United States, there are clubs in Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, Jamaica and Malaysia. As Governor, Nancy and I had the honor of being involved in the chartering of the Aktion Club of Dover, DE, and Aktion Club of Great Neck, VA. It's an experience of a life time worth repeating again and again. Look for an opportunity to sponsor an Aktion Club in your community.

Past President Liz Jackson of Montgomery Village Kiwanis, standing center, is shown with two new Aktion Club members at the Charter ceremony. Refreshments, photos and the installation of charter members made the evening memorable for all.
The Kiwanis Aktion Club Advisor Kim Dennie is CSAAC Director of Quality Assurance and Aktion Club Advisor. Kim is also the newest member of the Montgomery Village Club and receives her Kiwanis member pin from Immediate Past President Betty Figlure.
Montgomery Village Kiwanis Club Past President Liz Jackson pins the CSAAC Aktion Club President, whose name is John (we don't use last names for privacy purposes) at the Charter Night ceremony held January 14th.
CSAAC Aktion Club Charter Member Paul is congratulated by Past Capital District Governor Bob Cressy at charter night in Montgomery Village CSAAC facilities.
Aktion Club Kiwanis Advisor Kim Dennie is shown with eight of the thirteen charter members. They're an excited crew to be contributing to their community along side the sponsoring Montgomery Village Kiwanis Club.
The Aktion Club founders and Montgomery Village Club members, left to right: Ayda Sanver, CSAAC Director of Community Development, LG Elect Marv Jackson, PP Liz Jackson, IPP Betty Figlure, PP Carla Benway, IPLG Dave Benway and current Division 17 LG Tom Masser.
Some of the new CSAAC Aktion Club of Montgomery County with Lieutenant Governor Division 17 Tom Masser (left) and Past District Governor Bob Cressy (right).
THE Aktion Club Charter Night cake top the evening with a rainbow of hope and fellowship.