Governor Tom's Message

by Gov. Tom Varner

CONVENTIONS

We are well into the Kiwanis convention season. In a few days over fifty Capital District Kiwanians will leave for Geneva. It will be a crowded three or four days for attendees. There are multiple training opportunities each morning and then sessions each afternoon. The Friday afternoon session is the House of Delegates with the election of the International Officers and one-third of the Trustees. Additionally, there are several receptions/meals for the Eliminate Program, the International Foundation, etc.

In a little less than two months, Captial District Kiwanians will gather in Williamsburg for the 2011 Captial District Convention. The host committee has arranged for a special hotel rate to be available before and after the actual dates of the Convention to allow for family vacations. You may want to take advantage of this opportunity to view early American history. Come one day early and participate in a golf tournament to benefit the Maternal Neonatal Tetanus program. On Friday, in addition to many committees and the District Board meeting, there will be a pool party with hot dogs, hamburgers and all the extras for a party.

Something new on Friday will be four three-hour training opportunities for members who come to Williamsburg a day early. The final Club Leadership Education program for all Club Officers who missed their Regional sessions, a Key Leader for Adults, Kiwanis 101, and Achieving Club Excellence are scheduled. Go to www.Kiwanisdcd2011.com for information about the Convention. The Committee would like you to indicate which sessions you are planning to attend so they can have the correct size rooms available. Take advantage of the package registration and meal package and save money.

For the last six years, we have had Regional Midwinter Conferences rather than a District Midwinter Conference. The up side is the attendance has risen from around 400 to close to a 1000 members attending the eight midwinters. The down side is that is has negatively affected the amounts of money we raise for the Capital District Foundation and the seven Pediatrict Trauma Hospitals in the District.

Two fundraisers are held at each Distract Convention. The first is the Ducky Derby. This is a fund raising raffle with many cash and other prizes awarded to the lucky ticket buyers. Your clubs should have the Ducky Derby adoption certificates for sale.  Make sure you buy one or three and you could be a winner. You do not have to be present to win.

The second is the Caring Corner. For many years, the partner of the Immediate Past Governor and the current Lieutenant Governors partners ran the Caring Corner. The Captial District Foundation now runs it. Ron Reynolds and his partner have run the Caring Corner for the past few years. The key to success here is Kiwanians, partners, and friends who make and donate crafts for sale or for auction at the convention. This is an area where every Kiwanian can contribute. Again, you do not have to attend the convention to participate. If you have something to donate, call your club representatives or your Lieutenant Governor and they will see it gets to Williamsburg.

MEMBERSHIP

At the end of May, the Capital District was in the best shape we have been in years. Our membership stood at plus 38 when compared to October 1, 2010. My appreciation to all clubs and Lieutenant Governors who made this happen. They have worked hard for eight months.

Now, we all have to put the pedal down to maintain these gains and to grow some more. Does your club have a plus membership for the year? If everyone has a net increase of one, we will have added over 170 Kiwanians. With age and mobility, it is not easy doing this, but if we all work at it, it can happen. 

Thanks to the entire membership who have taken time for their busy lives to help Kiwanis grow and serve in the District.

Governor's Schedule:

July 5-9                     Geneva                              International Convention, Geneva

July 12                      Williamsburg VA               2011 DCON Committee

July 22                      Mechanicsville MD           Division 22 Official Visit

July 23                      Richmond VA                    Finance Committee Meeting

August 6                   ?                                        Division 1 Official Visit

August 12                 West Point VA                   West Point Golf and Crab Feast

August 18-21            Williamsburg VA               2011 DCON