John Cano
KI-NOTES
October 2025 (Issue NO. 43)
Meet our new Governor,
A Publication of the Texas-Oklahoma District of Kiwanis International
Contact us
Editorial
Happy Kiwanis New year!
New year, new us! Check out new leadership and more!
4 Governor's Bio 6 Governor's Message 10 What's New? 24 Events 26 A Look at Clubs 32 Increased Emphasis on Disaster Relief Programs 34 Levels of Participation in Disaster Relief Program 37 Poster Winner from Key Club Convention 38 Key Club at Aktion Club LEDCON 40 In Loving Memory 41 Help Identify 42 Editor's Message
Contents
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 488 Schulenburg, TX 78956 www.txokkiwanis.org www.facebook.com/texasoklahomakiwanis www.instagram.com/texas.oklahoma.kiwanis/ www.txokkiwanis.org/contact-us/ www.linkedin.com/company/txokkiwanis https://vimeo.com/user95154993 www.youtube.com/@txokkiwanis
Editor: Evelyn Herrera Public Relations Coordinator: Courtney Harris District Governor: John Cano Contributing Writers: Susan Hennum, Kristin Pilcher, Glenda Rast, Lyndel Cook, Kay Lancaster, Marshall Kregel, and Kelly Poland
texas oklahoma district
Who's our new leader?
John Cano of Austin, TX, was installed at the 2025 District Convention in Denton, TX, and took office as District Governor on October 1, 2025. A Kiwanis-family member since 2004, Cano is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Silicon Hills, for which he has served as a distinguished president, on numerous committees, and is currently the club secretary. Cano has also served Kiwanis in leadership positions beyond the club level. He has been a lieutenant governor for Division 24 and a trustee for Region 10. In addition, Cano served 7 terms on the district’s Kiwanis Committee on CKI as assistant administrator for finance and IT. As a donor to the Kiwanis Children’s Fund, Cano is a Presidential Walter Zeller Fellow, a member of the Kiwanis Children’s Fund Heritage Society, and a CKI Carthage-Pullman Society member. As a donor to the Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis Foundation, he is a Cornerstone Patron of the CKI Legacy Fund and a member of the Legacy Society. A ninth-generation descendant of Antonio Gil Y’Barbo, founder of Nacogdoches, John has deep Tejano roots in Texas in both East Texas and the Rio Grande Valley. He was born and raised most of his childhood in Victoria, TX, spent a few years growing up in LaPlace, LA, and graduated from Victoria Memorial High School. He attained his bachelor’s degree in history from The University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in management from Wake Forest University. Cano has worked for The University of Texas at Austin since 2016 and is currently a senior IT manager overseeing a team of six analysts responsible for maintenance and enhancement of the systems that process payroll, payroll accounting, timekeeping and absence management, and benefits administration for the university’s ~32,000 faculty and staff. John and his partner, Howard, have been together since 2020 and try to split their time between visiting family and friends in Texas and Williamstown, MA. Morrison is a technical assistance specialist with SRI and supports states to develop and enhance early childhood data systems. He’s also the president of their condo owner’s association and volunteers his time with the statewide advocacy organization, Texans Care for Children. In March 2026 he’ll be the co-chair for the third year in a row for Texans Care for Children’s annual Founder’s Award Luncheon, which raises over $300,000 per year to support the non-profit’s work. When they’re not busy with work, Kiwanis, and volunteering, they can usually be found at a concert, play, musical, music festival, movie theater, or on the couch catching up on one of their many favorite streaming shows. John also enjoys gardening, hiking, genealogy, and yoga in his free time.
John's Bio
Have you been wondering who our new governor is? The man on the cover? Well, look no further! Our new 2025-2026 District Governor is none other than John Cano. To learn more about this energetic leader, take a look at his bio and his governor's message. Each piece conveys John's love for service and aspirations for his year as the leader of our district. Dive in to take a peek at our future.
Texas Oklahoma Kiwanis District Governor's Message John Cano
Greetings Kiwanians and Friends of Kiwanis, I am so excited to start this new year with you all and appreciate the support you’ve given me in the previous year as your governor-elect. I believe we have an enormous opportunity ahead of us to improve the lives of children across Texas and Oklahoma by building up new and existing Kiwanis Clubs. The theme of my year is Embrace Excellence, and in a change from years past, I am not announcing a district project or governor’s project. My priority is to focus on the programs and initiatives that our district and clubs already do well. To expand on my theme for the year, to me, excellence is never settling for good enough. It means looking at your club’s projects and activities and thinking, “That was great, but how can we make it even better?” Discovering what excellence means to your club is an individual journey, but I’m encouraging your clubs and boards to utilize the resources you have available to you, such as the Achieving Club Excellence tools. If I had to boil it down to a few key points, I would suggest that you'll know excellence when you see… Active leaders motivating their club member Active members serving in their communities Exceeding goals by challenging the status quo Sharing your club’s story with reporting (internal) and public relations (external) Membership growth and sponsoring new clubs to exponentially expand our service capacity Over the past year we’ve laid the groundwork for optimizing our district’s operations. Changes in our District Bylaws create clarity about the roles and responsibilities of our leaders. Starting with this new Kiwanis year on October 1, some clubs have been moved into new or adjusted divisions to build new networks and advance our goal of organizing new clubs and building stronger connections. Ideally, our clubs will be able to reach one another (or reach a central location) within about an hour’s drive for a Division Council Meeting or interclub. This will ensure our clubs have the opportunity to support and learn from each other. I have seven priorities for the district this year and would like to articulate them in detail here: Fulfill the district’s primary purpose of helping Kiwanis clubs and Kiwanis International advance the Objects, objectives, policies, and strategic goals of Kiwanis, and specifically to cooperate with Kiwanis International in: Building new clubs and strengthening existing clubs; Delivering education to clubs; and Delivering service leadership programs (SLPs) and global campaign for children programming to and through clubs. Support our district SLPs with increased investment, including raising funds for the T-O CKI Legacy Fund as well as reactivation of Key Leader to develop young leaders. We will commit increased District funds to our SLP committees to ensure their growth and success. Established by my CKI district board of officers in 2009 within the Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis Foundation, the CKI Legacy Fund is intended to reach a base endowment of $100,000, from which interest generated will be returned to the CKI District for ongoing leadership development and support. It’s time to finish the fund and set up the CKI District for another seventy years of success, and you can give now online. For decades our District Foundation substantially supported the high school leadership weekend retreat Weekend of a Lifetime. Since the program’s retirement over a decade ago and uneven transition to and eventual discontinuation of Key Leader, we’ve seen a growing need for youth leadership development. We have not held Key Leader since 2017. The time is now to revive Key Leader weekends for our district, and that starts with funding, which we’ve budgeted, and a committee chair to lead Key Leader. Streamline our administration and operations by leveraging technology and process improvement. With Laura Arnhart’s retirement over the summer, we are taking a fresh look at the administration of our district. Expect some changes as we figure out the things that we feel are essential to our operations and allow us to best fulfill our primary purposes. Recruit and develop future leaders for the district. For too long we’ve had multiple people in the district wearing multiple hats. Our district will thrive when we draw from a broader pool of talented volunteers who each bring their unique talents and skills to the table. More importantly, we’ll work to avoid burnout of our most dedicated and knowledgeable leaders. Participate in the Kiwanis Voices pilot program by identifying at least two sites where the concept can be most effective. In communities where we’re unable to build a CKI club, we will try the Kiwanis Voices pilot program to keep graduating Key Club alumni engaged while offering them an affordable option to remain in the Kiwanis family. Voices is not intended to compete with membership for CKI clubs or for your Kiwanis clubs. If you think your community has a space for a group of 18-26 year-olds working separately from but closely with and guided by your Kiwanis Club as a sponsor, please raise your hand and let us know that you’re ready for Kiwanis Voices! Share our Kiwanis story by increasing club reporting and producing the district annual report. The club monthly reports will now gather information about district initiatives and priorities, empowering you to collect the data that can be reported locally and rolled up to report across the district. Building upon our first annual report for 2023-24, we will make this a recurring publication that shares the story of what we all accomplished together. Expand the depth and breadth of our district’s service initiatives around disaster preparedness, relief, and recovery as well as coloring, activity, and reading booklets for children. Starting this year we have a contracted resource to fully operationalize our disaster relief and preparation service activities at the district and in support of work at the club level. Our newly formed Service Committee will consist of a team of volunteers who advance our disaster relief efforts in addition to our work with children's activity and reader booklets. In Kiwanis we know that more members means more hands for service and new ideas to improve our communities. To that end, we will pursue three growth goals: Open 15 new clubs with 20 as a stretch goal Total membership of new clubs will add at least 450 members Each region has a goal of opening 2 clubs We can do so much working together, and I’m looking forward to visiting as many clubs, divisions, and regions as I can. If I can be of any help to you throughout the year, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. - John
Click to view interactive map
What else is new?
In the following pages we will update you on the newest and streamlined changes impacting the district. These additions and transformations are made with the focus on embracing our excellence and boosting our best qualities. Take a moment to explore all links and features. Our website updates are made to engage members and keep them updated on all of the exciting new happenings. We are glad to have you along on this journey!
Reminder: Pay Kiwanis Dues
This isn't the first time you've had new leadership. But this is the beginning of some new changes for the district.
click for due breakdown
New Divisions and Club Assignments
This year brings a new look for our divisions. With so many divisions moving around, we now have an online district map to help ease this transition. This interactive map lets you click on divisions and clubs. As for the changes, the following can be seen in the map: Joining Division 4 - Beeville, Sinton, Taft, Victoria, Joining Division 5 - Seguin Joining Division 20 - Durant New Division 27 - Lockhart, Luling, San Marcos New Division 29 - Laredo Joining Division 32 - Bonham New Division 36 - Uvalde Joining Division 38 - Kerrville, Lampasas
You can now find governor's visits on our online calendar!
Website updates
Have you taken a look at our district website recently? If you haven't, you are missing out! The TX OK Kiwanis District has updated and streamlined its website. Now you can see our live Facebook feed and new content. We now feature more interactive and educational membership material for your convenience. Some handy things to check out include, but are not limited to: 2025-26 Leadership Listing Past Governors Listing Service Projects District Calendar
Click for Leadership Listing
Click For homepage
Click for Calendar
In addition to the Kiwanis International recognition program, the district has five criteria to be recognized at the district level. They are: Achievement of Kiwanis International Distinguished Club minimum criteria Complete at least one Achieving Club Excellence tool Active participation in the district service initiatives for disaster relief (volunteer, donate money and/or materials) or the coloring/activity/reading books Donate at least $10 per member to the Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis Foundation or a minimum of $250 specified for the CKI Legacy Fund in the Foundation to become a Patron Have no expired background checks for SLP advisors by September 30, 2026
Distinguished Criteria resources
click for International distinguished recognition program 25-26
Mighty T-O District Distinguished Criteria
click for International and District criteria tracker
Governor John Cano Governor - Elect Marty Mullins Immediate Past Governor Bobby Quinten District Secretary Al Richard District Treasurer Kameron Klement
Key Positions
Key Club Kelly Poland
Leadership Roster
Aktion Club Belinda Journey
Click to Contact
COmmittee Chairs
Region 1 - Randy McDaniel Region 7 -Sherry Dupre-Bridges Region 2 - Bryan Matthys Region 8 - Konrad Brandemuhl Region 3 - John Curlee Region 9 - Paul Heinz Region 4 - Dr. Mark Crouch Region 10 - Rhonda Hershey Region 5 - Jim Smith Region 6 - David McCaghren
SLPS
Risk Manager - Monty Murry Youth Protection Manager - Brian Walker Kiwanis Children’s Fund Chair - Paul Heinz Public Relations Coordinator - Courtney Harris Membership and Engagement Coordinator - Paul Heinz Club Strengthening Coordinator - Dr. Claude Cunningham Club Opening Coordinator - Chris Bunkoff Leadership Development Coordinator - Vacant Meetings Coordinator - Susan Hennum
Trustees
CKI Colleen Biggerstaff
Bylaws and Policies - Robbie Day District Convention (Texarkana) - Barbara Walker Finance - Scott Kimball Service - Marshall Kregel Human & Spiritual Values - Walter Adams International Convention (Manila) Contact - Al Richard Past Governors - Dr. Kathy Culbertson Long Range Planning - Dr. Claude Cunningham
Division 1 - Shawn Loaicano Division 14 - Darrel McDonald Division 2 - Christopher Bunkoff Division 16 - Hayley Harris Division 4 - Roberto Gonzales Division 17 - Andrew Barrett Division 5 - Glenda Rast Division 18 - Jeremy Davis Division 7 - David Mallard Division 21 - Rachael Melot Division 8 - Daniel Clanton Division 24 - Rebecca Adams Division 9 - Brittany Stiborik Division 25 - John Sherman Division 12 - James Glasscock Division 26 - Billie Dyer Division 13 - Lauren Layne Division 27 - Richard Pickering Division 28 - Leah McWhinnie Division 30 - Sarah Auguenstein Division 33 - Mary Kay Phelan Division 34 - Roy Shockey Division 35 - Lyndel Cook Division 39 - Sean Raich Division 40 - Jennifer Iwuchukwu
Lieutenant Governors provide support and assistance to the clubs in their division, plan and preside at divisional meetings under the direction of the District Board, assist the Governor and the District Board in communicating and implementing the plans and goals of the district in their divisions, and report to the Governor about the condition and activities of clubs within their divisions.
LT. Governors
Division 3 Division 10 Division 11 Division 15 Division 19 Division 20 Division 22 Division 23 Division 31 Division 32 Division 36 Division 38
Vacant LT. Governor Positions
Foundation Leadership
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Submit club officer updates to ENGAGE
Check out our e-library resources
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Remember to plan for your officer installation, retirement, and club celebrations.
Check your club marketing health
Reminder: Complete CLE training
Other Reminders & Resources
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OUR DISTRICT KIWANIS TEXAS-OKLAHOMA DISTRICT
Kiwanis Club of Sapulpa, OK, is hosting their annual pancake breakfast on November 7th from 6:30AM to 1PM. Tickets are $10 each, and the event is being held at First Baptist Church Sapulpa.
The 78th annual Tyler Rose City Kiwanis Turkey Shoot is being hosted by Camp Tyler this Nov. 22 from 8:30AM to 3PM. The camp will be serving a pancake breakfast again for this year's event.
Aktion Club Duo Wins Gold at Texas Special Olympics State Golf Tournament Submitted by Kristin Pilcher
Richard Manuel, a proud member of our local Aktion Club, and his golf partner, Jim Smith, brought home gold at the Texas Special Olympics State Golf Tournament held in Midland on October 4, 2025. Competing against talented athletes from across the state, Richard and Jim showcased not only their golf skills but also the spirit of perseverance, teamwork, and sportsmanship that defines the heart of the Special Olympics. Their outstanding performance earned them first place in their division, marking a major achievement for both the athletes and our entire Aktion Club community. Richard has been a dedicated member of Aktion Club, always exemplifying the club’s values of leadership, character, and service. This win is a testament to his commitment and hard work both on and off the golf course. Jim Smith, longtime supporter and leader of the Aktion Club, has been instrumental in encouraging and guiding members like Richard to reach their full potential. “We’re incredibly proud of Richard and Jim,” said a local Kiwanis member. “Their gold medal win is not just a celebration of athletic talent—it’s a celebration of friendship, inclusion, and the power of believing in one another.” Congratulations, Richard and Jim, for bringing home the gold and representing our community with excellence and heart!
Creating massive impact one project at a time.
A Look at Clubs
Submitted by Glenda Rast
LOCAL KIWANIS CLUB ANSWERS THE CALL
After the devastating floods in early July, the Texas Hill Country Kiwanis Club readily accepted the opportunity to serve as the lead club for the Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis District’s flood relief effort. As word spread, donations came in from throughout our Kiwanis District and across the nation. Thanks to our fellow Kiwanians and our friends and family, we collected over $48,000. These funds were used to support individuals impacted by the flooding and organizations directly involved in flood recovery and restoration efforts. These funds helped provide meals for first responders, victims, and volunteers; purchase medical equipment, dehumidifiers, and supplies; purchase utility wagons, storage containers, and rental equipment; rebuild camp riverfronts and shelters; purchase underwater communication equipment for a volunteer search and recovery diving group; purchase additional backpacks and supplies for future disasters and emergencies; and purchase computers for a school that was flooded this summer. The organizations supported included Hunt, Center Point, and Highland Lakes Volunteer Fire Departments; Bear Creek Scout Camp; Project Mend; Center Point for Progress; CAMP (Children’s Association for Maximum Potential) Camp serving special needs individuals; Mercy Chefs; Fireside Chat; Texas Public Safety Divers; and the Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis District’s Disaster Committee. On September 3rd, Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis District Governor Bobby Quinten presented Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis District Certificates of Recognition to Glenda Rast (President, Texas Hill Country Kiwanis Club), Colby Duke (Program Director, Operation ResQ and Rebuild), and DeLisa Leopold (President-Elect, Texas Hill Country Kiwanis Club and Executive Director, Bulverde Spring Branch Activity Center) for “outstanding leadership and compassionate support for the July 2025 Texas Hill Country flood victims and communities.” We welcome your help as we continue to support our community. We meet at 8am the first and third Wednesday of each month at the Bulverde Spring Branch Activity Center. Come join us. Kids need Kiwanis, and we need you.
greater abilene kiwanis club HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY TO KIWANIAN JOE MARSHALL!!! Submitted by Lyndel Cook
Kiwanis Club of arlington UTA Partnerships Submitted by Kay Lancaster
This month 50 UTA students, under the coordination of CKI, helped Sharefest furnish 5 apartments for families in need of housing. ShareFest-Texas’s founder is none other than the Kiwanis Club of Arlington's very own John Theilman. With his mentorship, he has helped guide KCA's SPLs in acts of service and action. Through the partnership between the Kiwanis club, Sharefest, and CKI, much has been achieved. Together they create an inspiring collaborative trio that motivates the leaders of tomorrow.
Submitted by Lyndel Cook
KIWANIAN DAVID MCCAGHREN RECEIVES KIWANIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD/BECOMES REGION 6 TRUSTEE
Joey Parker, last year’s Joe Marshall Kiwanian of the Year Award recipient, read the history of the award, honoring its namesake Joe Marshall, and asked former recipients to stand. Joe Marshall has been a Kiwanian for 68 years and just had his 100th birthday. He has been a Texas/Oklahoma District Governor and Club President and has been on numerous committees. He has been a constant figure in the club and helped in fundraisers. Joey read a short Kiwanis biography of the recipient, listed accomplishments and past Kiwanis awards, and named Incoming T/O District of Kiwanis Region 6 Trustee David McCaghren as the Kiwanian of the Year for 2024-2025. Congratulations, David! It’s well deserved. You make us proud! Retiring T/O District of Kiwanis Region 6 Trustee Joey Parker inducted David McCaghren, who will begin serving a 3-year term as the new Region 6 Trustee beginning on 10/01/25.
Kiwanian Joe Marshall celebrated his 100th birthday at University Place on September 4th. President Gail Jay was on hand to inform the crowd about his accomplishments in the Greater Abilene Kiwanis Club. She mentioned his time as governor of the Texas/Oklahoma District, president of the club, and many other activities in Kiwanis. Lt. Gov. Lyndel Cook and several other folks from ACU and friends and family congratulated Joe on his birthday. Also, Kiwanian Shelley Drennan supplied some of the birthday treats, such as cake and ice cream, and passed the goodies around to the guests. Congratulations, Joe, and happy 100th birthday!!!
Increased Emphasis on Disaster Relief Programs for District Clubs
The idea behind the Newly Expanded Disaster Relief Program is to get ALL clubs in the district to work on ways that they can respond to local, regional, and district-wide disasters by having members trained in basic first aid, CPR, first-responder training with local fire departments, and/or participating in the district-wide Disaster Relief Backpack Program, which gets packs filled with supplies to families and kids who have lost their homes due to fire, flood, tornadoes, or other natural disasters. The Disaster Relief Team feels that having this type of program that all clubs can participate in will help "brand"; the organization as a group of volunteers that are ready and able to help their communities during times of trouble. We are prepared to make this a very long-term commitment so that all incoming governors for the next 4 or 5 years will all share this program and will strive to promote emergency preparedness and disaster relief as district-wide Kiwanis efforts. Who should be involved in this effort? There is only 1 way in which this effort can be successful, and that is to get all the core members involved as well as the SLP programs. This means that Key Clubs, CKI clubs, K-Kids, Builder’s Clubs, and Aktion Clubs should be included in this district-wide effort at education and training in disaster relief. With many thousands of members, the SLP programs could be a major player in the effort to inform local communities of the Kiwanis Disaster Relief program! There is no reason to stop there. Imagine if the FEMA CERT volunteers were enlisted to support the Kiwanis Disaster Relief Programs. (CERT stands for Community Emergency Response Team). These are folks who have already volunteered to undergo training at a local level to assist their towns in times of need. They are perfect volunteer models for membership in a Kiwanis Club that is working toward the same goals. Furthermore, it is imperative that the Salvation Army and the Red Cross (both are Kiwanis partners) participate in training programs and provide personnel to assist the local Kiwanis clubs in developing training classes for the community. Local fire departments, medical clinics, and EMT programs should be enlisted to help with “Basic First Aid Training Fairs” sponsored by Kiwanis clubs. All training material handed out to participants should have the big KIWANIS “K” on the front of the documents. There are clubs in the district that are providing classroom instruction in Stop The Bleed programs as well as CPR classes for the public. Many of these FREE classes are standing room only! What will the District Disaster Relief Team do? The Disaster Relief Team will design a program that will let communities around the 2 states know that Kiwanis stands not only for great kids' programs but also for disaster relief and training programs for families. Working within the district’s marketing budget, a plan for disseminating this information across the 2 states will be established using radio, TV, newspaper, magazine, and all forms of social media. It would be desirable to have all materials used in training or disaster relief to be marked as Kiwanis approved. This means that backpacks for families will have local or district Kiwanis markings, training materials will be developed or published with Kiwanis markings, and disaster relief supplies like first aid kits will also have the Kiwanis markings. This newly expanded program should be marketed as a great way for people to volunteer and serve the local community. Participating clubs: 1. Shall work on putting backpacks together and getting them to first responder units in their communities or store them for regional or district use. 2. Team up with local EMT, RN, or paramedic personnel to provide basic first aid and CPR training to club members and folks in the community. 3. Shall enlist new members to promote community awareness about the need to be trained in basic first aid and CPR as well as the important Stop The Bleed programs 4. Shall enlist new members to handle the backpack programs and deliver supplies when needed. 5. Could establish fund-raisers where disaster relief supplies are sold to the community, like first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and first aid books on the subject, or perhaps enrollment in local classes sponsored by the Kiwanis club and paid for with local grants or participant enrollment fees. 6. Shall enroll new members who can work with other community groups to increase awareness of Kiwanis programs that are designed to save lives. What are our long-term goals? 1. Develop a long-term program that excites members of the community and makes them want to participate with the local Kiwanis clubs. 2. Establishes Brand Awareness that Kiwanis is a major organization concerned with saving lives AS WELL AS having great programs for kids in all levels of education. 3. Build grass-roots awareness of Kiwanis even in communities without existing Kiwanis clubs, which will make new club building easier in the future. 4. Bring many thousands of people back into the organization to participate in these worthy programs. 5. Get many additional community organizations to partner with Kiwanis Clubs to get trained in disaster relief and emergency preparedness. For information about all of these programs, contact your Disaster Relief Director, Marshall Kregel, at mkregel@hotmail.com Marshall was part of a team that put the first plans together for a district-wide program in September of 2012. Since then, the district has sent thousands of backpacks to people in need and delivered millions of dollars in supplies along the way.
Levels of Participation in the Tx Ok Kiwanis District Disaster Relief Program
Choose a part of the program that excites the members of your Kiwanis club. There are so many parts to the Disaster Relief program. The Texas-Oklahoma District has run a successful Disaster Relief Program for over 12 years (since the Joplin, Missouri, tornado in 2011). Since this time, the Tx Ok District has delivered over 2500 backpacks and 5 million dollars in aid and supplies to people in need. Contact TxOkDistrict@gmail.com for more information or a request for a Zoom meeting. Fundraise for supplies to fill disaster relief packs. It takes about 30.00 dollars to fill a men’s or women’s adult pack. The empty pack costs about 8.00 to print and deliver in bulk. Empty packs can be purchased from the district at cost. Collect supplies for flood buckets. Flood buckets are 5-gallon buckets with a lid for easy storage that carry cleaning supplies to use in homes that have had standing water from floods. Includes masks and gloves plus bleach and various soaps. Major box stores sometimes donate the large 5-gallon buckets. Be sure to provide them with community exposure for their kindness. Build and Store Backpacks. Locate a climate-controlled facility to store your assembled kits. The deodorants, toothpastes, lip balm, bars of soap, and other toiletries are susceptible to heat and must be protected during the summer months. We have supply lists for backpacks and for flood buckets. Organize the community to participate in collecting supplies for backpacks or flood buckets. Set up collection points around town and advertise through the paper, community Facebook pages, the chamber of commerce, the club Facebook page and Instagram account, and check out your local radio station and see if they would make some free announcements about the program. Delivery drivers are needed for backpacks and supplies across regional boundaries. This usually requires a pickup truck or trailer being available. Collect boxes of supplies for women’s shelters and homeless shelters. Or participate in gifts or supplies for foster children or the families that care for them. You can enlist members of your SLP programs to help. Help stock a local food pantry or start a food pantry in a local school. Food insecurity is a major problem in school districts around the 2 states. It is a worthy program all by itself but can certainly be part of a larger program. Partner with a local FEMA CERT program to deliver supplies in a natural disaster. A CERT is a Community Emergency Response Team. Most large towns have CERT programs. Contact your local firehouse and ask them if they support a local CERT program. If not, then advertise in all local media that the Kiwanis club is looking for volunteers to help build a local disaster relief program. You may find many new members this way. Establish partnerships with other area agencies or non-profits to team together to respond to disasters. This is not only weather-related but also fire-related. Your club can build disaster kits for the local firehouse to deliver to families that have lost their home or apartment in a fire. Travel to all the different clubs in your division and share the program with them. Then, as a group, divvy up the responsibilities and build a supply base or backpack program to help during local or regional disasters. Plan classes for adults and older kids in CPR and Stop the Bleed programs. Enlist nurses and paramedics to participate. Arrange with a local hospital for a classroom, or use a classroom at the local firehouse or chamber of commerce or even a local school classroom. Teaching people how to save a life helps everyone in a community. Ask your club members to also take these same classes. Age doesn’t matter. Contact the District Disaster Relief Team for assistance or for registering your club with the program at TxOkDistrict@gmail.com. Registering your club's disaster relief efforts allows the district to support your efforts with a local marketing program.
Winning Poster from the Key Club International Convention by West Brook High School in Beaumont, TX
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Key Club had a fantastic year, ending with 17,262 members and 17 new Key Clubs! In fact, we led all districts with the most new clubs. Unfortunately, too many of the 17,000+ have no idea what Kiwanis is. We also have 52 Key Clubs that are not sponsored by a Kiwanis club. However, we do have many Kiwanis Clubs that come through for Key Club. Thanks to the generous donations from Kiwanians and Kiwanis clubs last spring, our annual convention, LEDCON, was a success and left us with funds to support the 2026 event. This past summer, we brought home 11 awards from the International Convention, which was a huge achievement! I’m excited to see what next year’s LEDCON in Wichita Falls and ICON in Dallas have in store for us. I’m proud to say we have a full board with all divisions covered, and I’m confident that we can continue to thrive. If you need help with Key Club, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Lt. Governor, Regional Advisor, or me, your District Administrator. One of the highlights of the year was the first-ever AKtion Club LEDCON, which was organized by Aktion Club District Administrator Belinda Journey and led by 8 Key Club members. They showed incredible character, compassion, and leadership; they were truly impressive. If you would like to be invigorated about service again, I have a way for you to do so. We’re looking for Kiwanians to become regional advisors in the Denton, Tulsa, Lawton/Wichita Falls, Beaumont, and Abilene areas. Being a mentor to the Lt. Governors and developing relationships with the faculty advisors in the region will warm your heart. The dedication and commitment seen in these individuals is amazing. With over 4 times as many members in Key Club as Kiwanis, I believe that Key Club has the potential to be a great future for not only CKI but Kiwanis as a whole. Imagine what our Kiwanis Clubs would look like in 5 years if we had just 1/10th of the Key Club's current membership join every year. That would be 8,500 new Kiwanians! I encourage you to get more involved with Key Club. Get to know the Key Club members in your community and school. Let them get to know you. Encourage them to join CKI or Kiwanis after graduation to continue with their passion for service leadership. Show them Kiwanis is working to change the world, one child and one community at a time. You’ll be glad you did!
Last month, September 11-13, eight Key Club members had the honor and joy to assist the Aktion Club Administrator Belinda Journey in conducting the 1st ever Aktion Club LEDCON. Although Belinda was very grateful and the Aktion Club attendees enjoyed the event, the Key Club members benefitted even more. Here are thoughts from a few of them. "When I think of being a part of the Kiwanis family, my first thought is of the community. I feel. That was especially true when I was able to attend the Aktion Club LEDCON. I was surrounded by an amazing group of people who were excited to be there. There was so much camaraderie during the forums and even at dinner. The talent show was one of my favorite parts; it was so much fun watching everyone perform their songs and dances. The dance moves were unmatched when everyone was up on the stage, especially Jamell, who helped to teach me some of his awesome dance moves. This is what I love about the K-family, and being a part of Key Club is that I get to meet amazing new people and learn new things. Attending the Aktion Club LEDCON will forever be one of my favorite memories." - Lt. Governor Div 32 Sophia Kailukaitis "Volunteering at AKtion Club’s LEDCON was not just a way to earn hours; it was a way to change my life. Every day was full of positivity, new friends, and cheer buzzing through the air. I was able to help DJ Lightsaber manage his table and set list, play Headbands with Jamell, and teach everyone about the values of leadership. Although leaving was a heartbreaking experience, I know the memories of AKtion Club’s LEDCON will never leave me." - Assistant District Editor Mia Wilcock "My experience at the AKtion Club LEDCON touched my heart in so many ways. The people there were some of the kindest and most thoughtful I’ve ever met. They always made sure I was OK and never failed to brighten up the room with their positivity. Being surrounded by that kind of love and energy made me feel so welcomed and valued. What moved me most was realizing that even with so few resources, they still found a way to get things done and create real change in the community, all while carrying a smile on their face. That kind of joy, resilience, and dedication is what reminds me what true leadership and service look like." - Lt. Governor Div 40E Aubrey McCord "I recently had the amazing opportunity to attend and help out with the AKtion Club LEDCON. At first I just went so I could spend time with my best friend, Aubrey, but once I got there I met so many amazing people. I made a lot of new friends and even adopted a new brother. Jamell became one of my favorite people during those 3 days and even called me sister. He became really close with us through dancing, playing board games, and evening swinging in the park. I’ve been to many camps and conferences, but I can say that this one has definitely been my favorite, and it’s because of the people who attended." - Lt Governor 40W Pragnya Gopisetti "Aktion Club LEDCON was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. The opportunity to be part of empowering people with disabilities and witnessing their resilience and strength was monumental. I had a blast dancing, running the mixer, and leading sessions - but more than that, each experience showed me the limitless capabilities and spirit of AKtion Clubbers. Their joy, determination, and sense of community reminded me why service matters. I left LEDCON with an excitement to return and a desire to grow closer to my K-Family." - Convention Liaison Nancy Nguyen
Key Club at Aktion Club LEDCON
Month
Division
Club
Name
June
12
Pecan Valley Early
Kenyon Black
August
5
San Antonio Army Residence Community Golden K
Charlet Little
30
Jones
Michael Ehrman
September
4
Corpus Christi
Louis Pugh
11
Edinburg
Fernando De La Garza
17
Elk City
Robert Sharp
25
Sapulpa
Fred J Barnes
Sean Sowell
Norman
Carl Sugg
Joseph Weaver
24
Taylor
Dennis Meyer
October
Brownwood
Jimmy Jones
16
Alva
Richard Ryerson
20
Duncan Chisholm Trail
Kitty Beavers
31
Stilwell
Hershal Dotson
34
Hideaway-Lindale,
John Kirton
In Loving Memory
Our district has been working diligently to archive and organize our media and documents to preserve our district's history. As we file away such commemorative and inspiring tokens of our history, we recognize that we can't do this alone. In order to maintain accurate records, we are asking for your help in identifying the people in the photographs on the right. These four photographs depict past governors. Any information or details about their identities are greatly appreciated. Please direct your responses to
“There is no better teacher than history in determining the future. There are answers worth billions of dollars in a $30 history book.” – Charlie Munger
info@txokkiwanis.org.
Gov. 3
Help Identify
Gov. 1
Gov. 2
“At the end of the day, we’re not remembered for what we do, but by the people that we impact.” —Doug Smith
Gov. 4
KI Notes Submission Deadlines
Issue
Issue's Submission Date
December
November 20, 2025
February
January 20, 2025
April
March 20, 2025
May 20, 2025
July 20, 2025
These dates are subject to change. Please feel free to email if you need an extension.
KI Notes submissions can be emailed to txokkiwanis@gmail.com.
Texas Oklahoma Kiwanis District Editor's Message Evelyn Herrera
Many Changes! Can you believe the many changes the district is undergoing this year? I know change can seem frightening or uneasy, but the best way to ease in is to stay connected. Try checking into the district website at least once a month or following the district on social media. By setting aside the time to explore the latest the district has to offer, the easier it is to absorb changes and remain proactive. This year is being kicked off with new leadership, changes in positions, and updated divisions. While these changes may take some getting used to, they are made with the intention of embracing excellence. These changes are geared towards facilitating the functions of the district and increasing efficiency and collaboration. We are excited to see the positive impact of these transformations and hope you too share your own club updates with us online and through KI Notes.