KILLEARN KIWANIS

PRESIDENTS QUARTERLY REPORT

JANUARY 3, 2008

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR! WE HAVE NOW COMPLETED THE FIRST QUARTER OF OUR 2007-2008 PROGRAM YEAR. IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE BUT OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER HAVE COME AND GONE. IN HIS CLASSIC “ALICE IN WONDERLAND”, LEWIS CARROLL HAD ONE OF HIS CHARACTERS SAYING “ THAT WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING ANY ROAD WILL GET YOU THERE” WE, AS ALWAYS, MADE AN EFFORT TO DECIDE WHERE WE WANTED TO GO BEFORE WE STARTED DOWN THE ROAD.

IN AUGUST WE ADOPTED A SET OF PROGRAM OBJECTIVES AND A BUDGET TO ACHIEVE THOSE OBJECTIVES.

WE ACTUALLY ADOPTED A SERIES OF ACTIVITIES FOR EACH OF THE THREE LEVELS OF KIWANIS, THE FLORIDA DISTRICT, DIVISION 3 AND FOR OUR OWN LOCAL KILLEARN KIWANIS CLUB.

FOR THE SAKE OF BREVITY, I AM ONLY GOING TO DISCUSS OUR KILLEARN KIWANIS PLANS, MANY OF WHICH COINCIDE (NOT SURPRISINGLY) WITH DISTRICT AND DIVISION ACTIVITIES.

THE KILLEARN KIWANIS PROGRAM PRIORITIES FOR 07-08 FISCAL YEARS ARE

1. TO PROVIDE MONETARY AND OTHER SUPPORT FOR THE DIVISION 3 MIRACLE FIELD PROJECT.

IN THAT REGARD OUR ORGANIZATIONAND ITS AFFILIATES, THE AKTION CLUB AND THE KEY CLUB LED THE WAY IN DIV. 3 BY CONTRIBUTING IN EXCESS OF $8500 (DIV.3 HAS RAISED OVER $33,000) TO THE EFFORT. STEVE MAYBERRY HAS CONTRIBUTED MUCH TIME IN HELPING CONTACT VARIOUS CORPORATE CHARITABLE FOUNDATIONS IN AN EFFORT TO RAISE MORE MONEY.

                    2. TO ASSIST IN HELPING WITH THE EFFORTS OF OUR AKTION

CLUB. UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF BOB BULL AND ASSISTANCE FROM BEN COLMERY AKTION CLUB HAS ENGAGED IN MANY PROJECTS, AMONG THOSE PROJECTS, THE AKTION CLUB HAS ADOPTED THE BREHON INSTITUTE FOR FAMILY LIVING, A TEMPORARY HOME FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS AND PROVIDES TRAINING TOWARD INDEPENDENT LIVING…THE AKTION CLUB HAS PROVIDED OVER $225 IN FOOD AND OTHER NECESSITIES, MANY OF OUR MEMBERS DONATED ITEMS TO THAT EFFORT. ADDITIONALLY THEY RAISED $441 FOR THE MIRACLE FIELD AND RAISED OVER $550(SOME MATCHING FUNDS FROM KKC AND FROM LARC) TO PROVIDE “BED KITS” FOR NEEDY CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD

3. ASSIST AND PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR MAKING OUR CHILES HIGH KEY CLUB A VIBRANT OPTION FOR CHILES HIGH STUDENTS TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

RICHARD ZIEGLER HAS SERVED AS OUR MAIN LIAISON WITH AN ASSIST FROM JOHN ROBBINS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND THE CLUB HAS THRIVED AS ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL KEY CLUBS IN THIS PART OF THE STATE. THE CLUB MOST RECENTLY RAISED MORE THAN $1400 FOR THE “MIRACLE FIELD” PROJECT. CURRENTLY THEY ARE GETTING READY FOR THEIR MAJOR ANNUAL FUND RAISER CALLED THE “LORD LAWTON” EVENT. IT WILL BE HELD ON FEBRUARY. 5TH.AT WHICH TIME THE WINNER OF OUR EARL BUFFTON SCHOLARSHIP WILL BE ANNOUNCED.

 4. TO MAKE “YOUNG CHILDREN PRIORITY ONE” TRULY A PRIORITY ONE..

WHILE WE HAVE DONE A GOOD DEAL OVER THE YEARS WORKING WITH TMH AND PREGNANCY HELP AND INFORMATION CENTER AND THE MARCH OF DIMES ETC. BUT THE DIAPER DROP, FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS, HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT PROJECT FOR US AND FOR DIVISION 3. THE PROJECT HAD ITS ORIGINS IN THIS CLUB. TOMMY MILLS HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN COORDINATING OUR EFFORTS.THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THIS IS AN AREA IN WHICH WE COULD USE SOME HELP. AS PLANS UNFOLD WE WILL KEEP YOU UP TO SPEED ON THE NEEDS.

ALSO ANOTHER IMPORTANT PROJECT DESIGNED TO HELP CHILDREN IS THE INITIATIVE BY AL TO GET A NEW K-KIDS CLUB STARTED THIS YEAR AT DESOTO TRAIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WITH THE HELP OF “L. T” AND OTHER IT MAY GET OFF THE GROUND SOON.

5. ASSIST DIVISION 3 WITH THE DICTIONARY PROJECT

THIS, LIKE THE MIRACLE FIELD IS A DIVISION 3 PROJECT WHICH REMAINS TO BE LAUNCHED AT WHICH TIME WE WILL PARTICIPATE. I HAVE VOLUNTEERED MYSELF AS THE LIAISON FROM OUR CLUB TO THE PROJECT. WHEN THIS PROJECT IS LAUNCHED WE WILL LET YOU KNOW WHAT KIND OF HELP WILL BE NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE OBJECTIVE.

6. TO INCREASE KILLEARN KIWANIS MEMBERSHIP WITH SPECIFIC EMPHASIS ON WOMEN AS MEMBERS.

INCREASING THE NUMBER OF WOMEN IN OUR MEMBERSHIP HAS BEEN A GOAL FOR SOME TIME. AND WE HAVE HAD SOME MODEST SUCCESS IN RECRUITING FEMALE MEMBERS BUT WE HAVE NOT BEEN GOOD ON THE RETENTION END OF THE EQUATION. THIS YEAR OUR MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN, GEORGE SWEAT, HAS SCHEDULED A SPECIAL EVENT FOR RECRUITING WOMEN INTO OUR ORGANIZATION. DO NOT FORGET THAT AS PART OF THAT EFFORT WE ARE ALL EXPECTED TO DRAFT AT LEAST ONE PERSON OF THE FEMALE PERSUASION TO ATTEND BREAKFAST AS OUR GUEST ON JANUARY 24TH. I FOR ONE, AM GOING TO DO MY PART EVEN IF I HAVE TO GO DOWN TO THE HOMELESS SHELTER TO FIND HER.

            7. TO SUPPORT OTHER DIVISION 3 CLUBS WHERE POSSIBLE

THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE DESIGNED TO HELP THE KIWANIS MOVEMENT IN OUR DIVISION. THERE ARE SOME SMALL CLUBS THAT STRUGGLE FROM YEAR TO YEAR TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES. WE CAN HELP BY SUPPORTING THEIR FUND RAISERS, LIKE GOLF TOURNAMENTS AND OTHER EFFORTS THEY MIGHT MAKE. AND WE HAVE DONE THAT AND WILL CONTINUE TO HELP WHERE WE CAN. THIS YEAR LT.GOVERNOR AL HAS LED THE EFFORT TO START A NEW CLUB AT SOUTHWOOD. HE HAS HAD SOME SUCCESS AND WE HAVE TRIED TO ENCOURAGE THAT EFFORT. RECENTLY, WE CONTRIBUTED A SMALL AMOUNT OF MONEY TO HELP THE FLEDGLING GROUP CONDUCT A FOOD FOR NEEDY FAMLIES PROJECT AT CHRISTMAS TIME. ALSO THE PLAYGROUND PROJECT WHICH WE HEARD ABOUT LAST WEEK FOR THE FLORIDA STATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HAS TIES TO THAT EFFORT. WE WILL HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT AT A LATER MEETING.

8. TO SERVE AS THE HOST CLUB FOR PLANNING AND CARRYING OUT THE ANNUAL DIVISION 3 DINNER FOR THE FLORIDA DISTRICT PRESIDENT.

IT IS OUR TURN TO SPONSOR THIS ANNUAL VISIT BY THE FLORIDA DISTRICT GOVERNOR TO DIVISION 3. THIS YEAR ITS SUCCESS IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT BECAUSE OUR OWN,AL EPPINGER IS LT. GOVERNOR OF THE DIVISION AND WE WOULD LIKE IT TO BE THE BEST EVER. THIS IS CERTAINLY A PROJECT IN WHICH EVERYONE CAN PARTICIPATE BY SIGNING UP TO BRING YOUR SPOUSE OR SIGNIFICANT OTHER TO A DINNER THAT WILL SERVE AS OUR MEETING FOR THAT DAY. IT WILL BE A GREAT DINNER ALONG WITH ENTERTAINMENT (Johnnye will play piano during the reception and we will have Mike Phillips and four others entertaining as a brass ensemble after dinner0 BEST OF ALL YOU WILL ALSO GET TO HEAR Governor Mark Taylor speak of his hopes and plans for Kiwanis in Florida. SEE JIM BARGER

9. TO SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN OUR ANNUAL KILLEARN KIWANIS CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC AS OUR ONLY FUND RAISER.

FOR TWENTY TWO (22) YEARS THE KILLEARN KIWANIS GOLF CLASSIC HAS BEEN OUR BREAD AND BUTTER. WHEN WE STARTED WE WERE ONe OF ONLY A HANDFUL OF CHARITY GOLF FUNDRAISERS…NOW THERE ARE LITERALLY DOZENS EVERY YEAR.

THE GOLF COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY CHARLIE NUZUM WAS CHARGED WITH LOOKING AT THE TOURNAMENT IN ALL OF ITS ASPECTS TOWARD MAKING IT MORE ATTRACTIVE TO THOSE WHO PLAY AND HOPEFULLY TO GENERATE MORE REVENUE.. EVERYTHING WAS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION, PUBLIC RELATIONS, PROMOTIONS, PRIZES FOR PARTICIPANTS, SPONSORSHIPS, PLAYER FEES, MULLIGANS, PUTTING CONTEST AND FORMAT WERE ALL DISCUSSED . I THINK IT IS SAFE TO SAY THAT EXCEPT FOR THE FORMAT OF THE TOURNAMENT, WHICH STAYS THE SAME ALMOST EVERY OTHER ASPECT HAS UNDERGONE SOME CHANGE, FROM THE BASIC FEE TO PLAY TO SPONSORSHIPS TO PRIZES. ONE MAJOR PIECE THAT DOES NOT CHANGE IS THE NEED FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.IN SIGNING SPONSORS AND PLAYERS TO COLLECTING DONATED PRIZES. AS THE OLD SAYING GOES, “THE ONLY LETTER IN THE WORD SUCCESS THAT REALLY MATTERS IS “U” IAM EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES FOR THIS YEARS TOURNAMENT AND HOPE YOU ARE TOO. YOU WILL HEAR MORE OF THIS AT EACH MEETING FROM NOW UNTIL MAY.

 
OBVIOUSLY THESE NINE GOALS ARE NOT THE ONLY ACTIVITIES IN WHICH OUR CLUB HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN THE FIRST 3 MONTHS OF THIS YEAR. OUR COMMUNITY SERVICE COMMITTEE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF DAVE COLOMBO HAS CARRIED OUT SUCH PROJECTS AS THE GRETCCHEN EVERHART THANKSGIVING BASKETS , THE CHRISTMAS CONNECTION, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, HOSPICE TREE OF REMEMBERANCE , SALVATION ARMY BELL RINGING, AND ROAD CLEAN-UP TO MENTION A FEW. 

JOHNNYE LUEBKEMANN HAS KEPT TRACK OF OUR BITHDAYS AND NEWS ON OUR HEALTH AND WELFARE AS WELL AS WATCHING OVER THE NEEDS OF REFUGE HOUSE INCLUDING THE COLLECTING OF VARIOUS TOILETRIES TO BE DISTRIBUTED TO RESIDENTS. BOB GRAGNANI HAS REGULARLY COLLECTED BOOKS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO VETERANS CLINICS AND ITEMS OF CLOTHING FOR YOUNGSTERS AT TMH

                            ALSO WE WERE ONE OF THE FEW CLUBS THAT MANAGED TO COMPLETE INTER-CLUBS WITH ALL THE OTHER CLUBS IN DIVISION 3 THANKS TO THE EFFORTS OF “C. K.” AND I EXPECT THAT ACTIVITY TO BE REPEATED THIS YEAR. HE HAS ALSO BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COLLECTION OF LITERALLY 100S OF POUNDS OF ALUMINUM TABS WHICH BENEFIT THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE HE HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COLLECTION OF 100S OF CAMPBELL SOUP LABELS WHICH BENEFIT THE GRETCHEN EVERHART SCHOOL

FINALLY WE HAVE DONE MUCH BUT MUCH REMAINS TO BE DONE.