A Publication of the Texas-Oklahoma District of Kiwanis International
February 2025 (Issue NO. 39) |
KI-NOTES
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Governor: Bobby Quinten Immediate Past Governor: Dr. Kathy Culbertson
OUR STORY
KI Notes Staff
The first Kiwanis Club in what is now the Texas-Oklahoma District, was officially completed February 10, 1917, at Dallas, Texas, with a membership of 200. Due to the increasing number of clubs across the country members realized the need of setting up the District organization. In October 1918, the Dallas Club selected one of its members to serve as interim Governor of the Texas-Oklahoma District until an organization conference could be arranged. The first meeting was in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and on February 10, 1919, the Texas-Oklahoma District was organized.
4 Governor's Message 8 Events 12 A Look at Clubs 24 Key Club Convention 25 ICON 26 In Loving Memory 27 Editor's Message
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Contents
www.txokkiwanis.org
https://twitter.com/txokkiwanis
24-25 District Officers
Editor: Evelyn Herrera District Marketing Chair: Marshall Kregel
txokdist@swbell.net
texas oklahoma district
www.facebook.com/texasoklahomakiwanis
P. O. Box 820945, North Richland Hills, TX 76182
817-640-7711
DCON 2025
Denton, TX
Texas Oklahoma Kiwanis District Governor's Message Bobby Quinten
THE PROBLEM WITH SILOS One sinister thing that the global pandemic left in its wake is isolation. I heard it from almost every lieutenant governor during my one-on-one conversations with them in early 2024. “The club is not responsive.” “They never answer my e-mails or return my calls.” “They just want to be left alone.” “They don’t want to have anything to do with District stuff.” In the corporate business world, sometimes functional departments do not interact enough (or at all) with each other. Sales does not talk to Marketing. Marketing does not talk to IT. IT does not talk to Operations. No one talks to HR. Much like grain silos sitting side-by-side in a field with no connectivity, the teams effectively silo themselves from each other. This results in a dysfunctional culture that, AT BEST, slows things down and, AT WORST, disrupts progress, innovation, and even basic processes significantly. On the surface, it makes no sense. Of course, Sales needs to work with Marketing, and Marketing needs to communicate with IT. So, why does something so logical not happen, even in otherwise great businesses? Silos typically happen for one (or more) of these four reasons that I observed in my corporate career. • Previous bad experiences where the interactions went poorly, the results were awful, and no one wants to go back there. • The sense that the other department does not “understand us” or won’t listen to us and our ideas anyway, so why bother? • We think we work best when left alone. • We are in disarray ourselves and do not want you to see that. I would bet most clubs that are considered unresponsive now have siloed themselves for one or more of those reasons. They had a rotten experience with another club or a past lieutenant governor. The whole District thing does not appeal to them anymore. They are struggling and do not want to admit it. Their scarce time is better spent on the club and its members (“ourselves”) alone because they see no value in the opportunities available through working with others. Kiwanis International began in 1915 as a networking organization. In due time, it morphed into a community welfare cause and then a group dedicated to meeting the needs of children. However, its initial reason for being was to assist local Detroit businessmen in networking together (and creating a group benefits plan). Networking is in the Kiwanis DNA, not isolation. To see Kiwanis Clubs turn away from outside interaction is to ignore who we are historically as an organization. The Kiwanis Club of Metropolis not only should interact with Gotham City Kiwanis occasionally. Metropolis and Gotham City need each other! (Sorry. I grew up a DCU kid. Kiwanians, this is why we must find our way back to Interclub visits and Division Council Meetings. COVID killed the Interclub and Division Council Meeting. Resurrecting Interclubs will bring Kiwanians closer together and give us all the perspective of seeing how other Kiwanians engage their community. Getting back to a consistent cadence of DCMs, particularly in person, can bring back the camaraderie that only Kiwanians on mission can develop. Kiwanians need each other’s ideas and socialization. Clubs need their divisional leaders for support, encouragement, and equipping. Clubs need district resources to be the best that they can be. Interclubs, DCMs, Division, and District Leaders increase the capabilities for individual clubs to meet the needs of children in their communities. The craziest, saddest thing to me is when a Kiwanis Club closes with no warning. They never said anything to anyone, just folded. That should never happen, but it does happen because the club silos itself, stops doing things, loses its sense of mission, and struggles alone. We must rebuild our network. We must collaborate. We must grow together. Please work with me and with each other to recreate a culture of growth and mission throughout the Mighty T-O District! Bobby Quinten TX-OK Kiwanis Governor
OUR DISTRICT KIWANIS TEXAS-OKLAHOMA DISTRICT
Come out to the Texas-Oklahoma District of Kiwanis "Christmas in July" Arts & Craft Show being held at the Denton Convention Center. July 25th and 26th from 8 am to 4 pm.
Kiwanis Club of Arlington will be hosting their annual Pancake Day fundraiser this March 1st, 2025. Come join them early morning at 313 N Center St, Arlington, TX 76011.
The San Angelo Kiwanis Club is spreading “LOVE TO OTHERS” at Valentines! Their San Angelo Kiwanis Club has an annual Valentine Bake Sale as a fundraiser. Proceeds benefit children’s programs in their community, and annual sales are approximately $7000 to $8000. All the treats are homemade by their talented Kiwanis chefs and packaged beautifully. The club streamlines their bake sale by offering pre-orders. They generally offer a variety of sweet and savory options for customers to order online at their Kiwanis website Valentine store. The club works diligently to promote their goods through the month of January and early February. They set up a special online ordering link, promoted it on their website and socials, and designed brochures with all of their delectable goods. Check out their awesome promo video on the right! Their pre-sale method allows for the pickup of goodies a couple of days before Valentine's Day. People enjoy the ease of orders and sweetness of this fundraiser every year. This is a great fundraiser to take inspiration from. Great job, San Angelo Kiwanis Club!
Fundraiser spotlight
Valentines Day Bake Sale Submitted by Kim Carter
Bake Sale
Creating massive impact one project at a time.
A Look at Clubs
MutiTasking Featuring The Kiwanis Club of Arlington
As a charitable group, it is easy to fill your plate with projects, programs, and fundraisers. How does one manage this craziness? Simple! Construct an awesome team! Take a look at the Kiwanis Club of Arlington. The club takes special care in making sure everything runs smoothly and that projects and programs are spearheaded by the best of the best. As the club promotes its biggest fundraiser of the year, members like Bob Landon and Larry James work effortlessly to ensure everything goes according to plan. They, along with their fellow volunteers, reach out to donors, key clubbers, and supporters. This year's pancake breakfast is sure to go without a hitch. Come by March 1st to enjoy some fluffy goodness. Yet, as much dedication is being put towards this, this does not mean other club activities go undone. Members like Herman Duh, for example, keep their BUGS program thriving. In fact, he recently held a BUGS award ceremony at Hale Elementary on January 23, 2025. Several children were recognized, and a lucky couple won some cool bikes. While fundraisers and programs take the spotlight, other members like Russ Hagan make sure their club programs involve entertaining and informational speakers. He's the one who makes sure the club meetings are lively and always worth attending. These are just a few of the members that keep the wheels on this fun volunteer bus rolling. If you find your club has a hard time managing tasks and things may be getting out of hand, consider dividing up and conquering. Appoint trustworthy and dedicated individuals to head the charge on projects of other deliverables. Remember, communication and teamwork are key!
Submitted by Charles Kirkpatrick
The third annual Christmas in the City was completed in December. Kiwanians purchased gifts for foster children from Christian Homes of Abilene. A gift-wrapping party was held on December 12th, and Kiwanians gathered to wrap the gifts for the children. The finale was a wonderful evening at the Melvin Martin Center for Children's Safety held for the children and foster families on December 16th. Overall, approximately sixty Kiwanians were involved and spent approximately 180 hours on this signature project. The Kiwanis Club of Abilene’s commitment to serving children and families is evident in its dedication to events like Christmas in the City. By partnering with local organizations like Christian Homes and Family Services, they ensure that the holidays are filled with warmth and joy for those who need it most. The smiles on the children’s faces as they participated in the festivities were a testament to the impact of this special event. Christmas in the City is just one example of how the Kiwanis Club of Abilene is making a difference in the lives of others, one child and one family at a time.
Christmas in the City A Night of Joy with the Kiwanis Club of Abilene
Holly Lake Ranch, Big Sandy Kiwanis Club A strong start Submitted by Michael Laurel
Members of the Holly Lake Ranch, Big Sandy club started off the year strong with a full schedule of activities. The month started with a visit to the East Texas Food Bank in Tyler. Kiwanis volunteers packed over 200 boxes with snacks and over 700 backpack snack bags for students to take home after school. The food will be distributed to needy families in 26 counties in East Texas. With the school spring semester, Kiwanis programs at Hawkins Elementary School were back in session. Volunteers were reading again to Pre-K, kindergarten, and first grade classes every week. Kiwanis volunteers enjoy reading to the kids as much as the teachers and students enjoy our visits. The BUG program held a celebration for the third-grade classes with a cookies and punch party. Teachers reported that the students either maintained or improved their grades from the first grading period to the second. So, when students achieve their academic goals, the whole class celebrates together! The biggest event of the new year so far has been the annual Kiwanis Chili Cook-off on February 1st at Holly Hall. Residents in the community packed the hall ready to taste different styles of chili. Local chefs put their best recipes on the line to compete for best chili. Guests who bought tickets at the door got to vote for their favorite chili. Prizes were awarded for first, second, and third place. There was also a 50/50 raffle with the jackpot being split between the raffle winner and the Kiwanis club. The 50/50 raffle winner went home with $250 cash in her pocketbook. Based on the feedback from visitors, the Chili Cook-off was a tremendous success. All proceeds from the ticket sales and the 50/50 raffle support Kiwanis charities.
Kiwanis Club of Brownwood Good Samaritan Ministries Donation Submitted by Jessica Hardy
Kiwanis Club of Jacksonville, TX Key Club Submitted by Molly Loughmiller
The Jacksonville Key Club supported the Ronald McDonald project by collecting items to be handed out to hospitalized kids to make their stay more comfortable. The club has also partnered with the Key Club to provide coloring books, crayons, and stress toys. They even collected throw blankets throughout the month until January 30th.
The Kiwanis Club of Brownwood recently donated several cold-weather clothing items to Good Samaritan Ministries as a result of a multi-month collection campaign. The club’s community involvement committee coordinated the clothing drive among members at regular weekly meetings and donated items in time for the coldest weather snap so far of 2025. The club began collecting items quarterly to benefit local organizations. Currently, Kiwanis club members are encouraged to donate items for the Pregnancy Care Center to be given in April 2025.
The Latest in Greater Abilene
SPECIAL HOLIDAY PRESENTATIONS DECEMBER 19TH The Kiwanis Club of Greater Abilene had several holiday presentations at the meeting on December 19th. President Gail Jay presented Charlene with 14 Christmas tree ornaments, 14 fleece blankets, and Christmas cards signed by club members for the residents of The Beehive Assisted Living Center in Abilene. This is a new service project for the club. Several days later, Charlene started passing out the Christmas goodies to the residents at the Beehive Assisted Living Center. Also at the presentation, president Gail Jay asked the members who wanted to participate in the “UGLY Sweater Contest” to come forward. Four members and a guest participated. Joey Parker was selected as the winner of the contest and was awarded a Poinsettia Plant as the first-place prize. Runners-up received prizes, too. MEN IN KIWANIS President Gail thanked our “Men in Kiwanis” for helping deliver Teacher Appreciation meals to Long ELC & Stafford Elementary Schools. Thanks to David Sivley & Kent Barnett. Also pictured was Greater Abilene Kiwanis Club Secretary Nancy Baker, Long ELC Principal Julie Wilson, and Kiwanian Julie Neill. STAFFORD/LONG ELC TEACHER APPRECIATION A SUCCESS Thanks to Kent Barnett, Counselor Jaime Aleman, Julie Neill, David Sivley, and Nancy Baker (not pictured) for assisting with the delivery of Teacher Appreciation meals to Long & Stafford along with 56 Christmas tree decorations made by the “Women in Kiwanis” at a recent social for service. They also delivered more “Coats for Kids.” KIWANIANS HELP AT WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA President Gail Jay, Kiwanian Shelley Drennan, and Lt. Governor Division 22 & 35 Lyndel Cook helped out at the Wreaths Across America ceremony on December 14th at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery Abilene. Our club donated $300 or 27 wreaths for the event. Several hundred people from the Abilene area attended the ceremony that lasted about an hour. Later all the volunteers spread out through the cemetery to place the wreaths.
Greenville Golden Kiwanis Awarding the Daisy Day Hab Aktion Club Submitted by Pat Bowman
At the annual Greenville Golden Kiwanis (GGK) Christmas Party at Webb Hill Country Club, six members of the Daisy Day Hab Aktion Club (DDHAC—adults with disabilities), a GGK Service Leadership Program, received Bronze Medallions from the President’s Volunteer Service Awards Organization for earning over 100 volunteer service hours during the year. The owner/leader of the DDHAC, Sharon Ory, shown on the right, received a Silver Award for over 250 service hours. The awards also included a certificate from the AmeriCorps Foundation and a personally addressed letter from President Joe Biden thanking them for their service and encouraging them to continue working to make this world a better place.
KIWAnis clubs of Fort Worth & Weatherford January 2025 Newsletter Submitted by Dr. Kathy Culbertson
Check out the newest newsletter from the Kiwanis Clubs of Fort Worth & Weatherford. Beautifully curated news from Dr. Kathy Culbertson herself. Click the image above to view.
Greenville Golden Kiwanis Presidential Volunteer Service Awards Submitted by Pat Bowman
At the annual Greenville High School Key Club Christmas Party, sixteen members received Presidential Volunteer Service Awards (PVSA) for their volunteer hours earned during the 23/24 school year. Shown in the above photo are 13 of the 16 members, and on the right is Trish Wedel, the PVSA Administrator for the Greenville Golden Kiwanis. Each awardee received a medallion (Bronze, Silver, or Gold) depending on the service hours they earned during the 12-month period, a certificate from the AmeriCorps Foundation, and a personal letter from President Joe Biden thanking them for their service and encouraging them to continue working to make this world a better place.
Breakfast with Santa Featuring The Davis Kiwanis Club
The halls were decked, the trees were trimmed, and the stockings were hung as the Davis Kiwanis Club prepared for their TENTH annual Breakfast with Santa! Practically overnight, volunteers transform the Davis High School Cafeteria into a collage of Christmas scenes from around the North Pole. Classic characters join in the scenes and fun, making everything merry and bright! Around the room, you’ll see Christmas classics like the Charlie Brown gang, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and the one and only Grinch, and new favorites like Bluey! There are inflatables, Christmas photobooth props, sticker books, color sheets, and a station to make reindeer food! We also have a special mailbox that goes directly to the North Pole—each child writes a letter to Santa, and we help make sure Santa sends each one a return letter. On the morning of the breakfast, dedicated kitchen elves arrive early to get the ovens fired up and the mixers mixing. Christmas Elves, made up of middle and high school students from the DHS Key Club, DMS Builders Club, and DHS Business Professionals of America, dressed in official elf suits, are assigned tables from one to twenty-nine and begin welcoming and seating guests and bringing them their choice of orange juice, water, or hot chocolate. Children and parents alike are welcomed, and the morning’s events are outlined. The festivities begin with all children joining a very special MiMi Claus at the front of the room as she reads the tried and true storybook classic, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.’. During the story, Santa’s sleigh arrives on the roof of the cafeteria, and as the story concludes, Santa Claus himself walks in the backdoor to a wave of applause and cheers. As he makes his way to the front and takes his place in the official Santa Claus chair, all the good little girls and boys begin to form a queue to sit on Santa’s lap and get their picture taken. We’re fortunate to have Trey Daugherty with Trey Daugherty Photography as the man behind the camera, donating his time to the event free of charge. He creates an online gallery, and all pictures are available for download at no charge. As the line to see Santa begins to form, the Christmas Elves start the serving process. Christmas plates piled high with fresh pancakes, crispy bacon, and savory sausage are brought to each table, and breakfast officially begins. Throughout the morning, children and parents move among the scenes snapping pictures, completing color sheets, and sliding their completed letters into the magical mailbox. The morning was similar to the last ten years with laughter ringing out and smiles seen on faces as everyone partakes in the Christmas magic. The day concludes with Santa leaving the cafeteria to applause and a chorus of ‘Goodbye Santa’! Our club’s version of Breakfast with Santa began as a dream from longtime Kiwanis member and Head Christmas Elf, Dorena White. She has Christmas Spirit running in through her and helps get everyone into the Christmas Spirit! Over the past decade, we’ve worked hard to make our event an affordable, organized, and, most importantly, magical event for everyone in attendance. From all of us at the Davis Kiwanis Club, we wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
As you reflect and rev up on all the ways you want to be better this year, make sure to include a Kiwanis resolution. Set a goal for volunteer hours, make a list of friends and colleagues to invite to club events, and book your registration at the 2025 Kiwanis International Convention. This event will take place June 25-28 in Pittsburgh, PA. You can plan to regale your club with stories of the people you met, ideas for increasing your club's impact, and a newfound love of Kiwanis. Get started now by logging into your membership page at kiwanis.org.
New Year, New You New Kiwanis Heights!
The Key Club Convention is Around the Corner!
Springtime! The grass starts to turn green, flowers are starting to bloom, and Key Club is working hard to prepare for their Annual Convention. Key Club members and their advisors from across the district will meet in Denton for the 76th annual conference. The Leadership Education District Conference, affectionately known as LEDCON, is set for April 10-13. This is an excellent opportunity to meet new friends, attend workshops, elect district officers, and possibly win a scholarship from the Texas-Oklahoma Foundation. Part of being a Kiwanian is supporting our Service Leadership Programs (SLPs). By doing so, we provide our Key Club members opportunities to serve, build character, and develop leadership. At LEDCON we celebrate the achievements of the students and clubs who have excelled in serving, character, and leadership with awards and recognition. It is so fun to see the excitement and joy in their faces when they are on stage accepting their trophy or plaque. We work hard to keep costs down for our students, but conventions are not cheap to produce. This year we have been very lucky to receive help from many Kiwanis Clubs as well as individual Kiwanians. If you would like to join in the giving and contribute to Key Club’s convention, contact Administrator Kelly Poland at administrator@tokeyclub.com for instructions. Please accept our THANKS and GRATITUDE for making this year’s LEDCON just a little bit better.
KI Notes submissions can be emailed to txokkiwanis@gmail.com.
In Loving Memory
Month
Division
Club
Name
February
39
Arlington
Alton Becker
January
24
Sun City Georgetown
Barbara Anderson
13
Broken Bow
Charles Darby
2
Mc Kinney
James Cairo
19
Northwest Oklahoma City
Emil Huber
38
San Marcos
Delbert Brown
December
34
Mineola
Loy Frazier
Ronnie Thomason
IN LOVING MEMORY
"Legacy is not what I did for myself. It's what I'm doing for the next generation." -Vitor Belfort
Texas Oklahoma Kiwanis District Editor's Message Evelyn Herrera
Have you ever pondered about the things the world could use more of? Have you spent the time to reflect on the California fires? Hurricane Helene? The children who can't afford to eat? When people experience hardship, they are often experiencing moments of hopelessness. Be it economical, physical, or mental hardship, it is easy to give in to this idea that you are alone. What I believe is in dire need in these situations is love, compassion, and kindness. This trio of virtues are often values that ignite the passions of charitable giving, community organization, and action. They can inspire people to rebuild cities, donate to humanitarian efforts, and console those who are hurting. When you utilize these values, you do not dismiss projects because of lack of funds; you put in efforts to fundraise to get the job done. This Valentine's Day, consider doing a passion project backed by love, kindness, and compassion.