I hope that you had a wonderful January and survived the winter weather if you live where it is cold and snowy or enjoyed the warmth if you live where it is warm and sunny. I am wishing you a joyful Valentine’s Day ahead!
Spring is just around the corner; Punxsutawney Phil, the weather-predicting groundhog from Punxsutawney, PA, declared it so on February 2. Phil’s optimistic message predicts that those that have been snowbound can soon count on being out in the field opening clubs.
Now is the time to plan, organize your team, and make appointments so that when the weather clears, you are ready. The 1–31-20 Club Opening Scorecard indicates that worldwide, Kiwanians have opened 50 of the 2019–20 goal of 355 clubs. In North America, we have opened 18 of the 190 new club goal. Now is the time!
Our club has good news about increasing our membership. Five membership applications were submitted in January, with the promise of several more. We are pleased to welcome Barbara Breuer, Florida District LtG-Elect; Nanette Clark, Florida District LtG; Sharon Moody, Florida District Member Retention Chair and Vice-Governor Candidate; Joe Rugierro, New York District Governor; and Harvey White, Florida District Vice-Governor. We are fortunate to have these awesome leaders join our club, furthering our goal of supporting and encouraging leadership and bringing our membership to 55.
We are already planning to meet our goal of opening clubs before the Kiwanis International convention in Indianapolis this June. Thank you to Joe Meyer and Jim Rochford for their work to prepare for club openings and a fundraiser. We will learn more details at the February 20 meeting. If you have not yet signed up to be part of the club opening team, please complete Gary Levine’s Doodle poll that you should have received via email.
We continue to be engaged in service activities for our club. While visiting Roatán, Honduras, Charlie and I had the opportunity to buy and deliver groceries to three families of students whose lives have been affected by AIDS. Be sure to send your hours, monetary donations, and pictures to Secretary Alan Guire.
When we celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on January 20, I was reminded of one of my favorite Dr. King quotes: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?’” Members of this club have awesome answers for that question, and I can’t wait to hear them at our meeting on February 20! Thank you for your service and leadership.
Sincerely,
Barb Thompson
President, Eye of the Tiger eKiwanis