David Maloney, Editor

February 2006

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January was an extremely active month for me. Variety, and lots of it, is the best way to describe the activities for the month. Five Official Division visits, a Governors’ Council meeting, and several conferences contributed to the marvelously enjoyable mayhem.

I had the pleasure of attending five very different and memorable official visits during the month. Division 17 was the first division on my list for January. I made that visit the night before I was due to fly out of Norfolk International Airport to attend the Governors’ Council Meeting in Orlando, FL. The four-hour long drive home after the festivities had never seemed so long.The remaining visits were made during a 5-day period. Divisions 5, 9, 12 and 13 graciously welcomed me. During the visit to Division 12, I assisted Past International Trustee Dig DeGarmo in presenting the Robert P. Connelly Award to the parents of Joel Cox. (Joel displayed a true act of heroism. On Tuesday, June 28, 2005, Joel lost his life while saving the lives of a 10 year old boy and 16 year old girl. This was, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the most emotional task that I have had to perform as Governor.) Thank you Lt. Governors Gary Boswell, Jeanne McAllister, Jim Jacobs, John Henderson, and Dot Murray for assisting in making January 2006 a memorable month.

After making the 4-hour trip from Division 17, getting no rest, and running through the airport to make the flight to Orlando for the Governors’ Council meeting, it felt good to know that I would soon be in a warmer climate enjoying what other Kiwanis Governors had to say about their districts. The weather in Orlando was a little chillier than expected, but the fellowship was warm and friendly. I must tell you, I wanted to have some fun while in Florida, but International President Steve would not allow that until all the work was done, and with Kiwanis, the work is never done! He had very specific plans for us. He made sure that we got up early and stayed up late. He made us sit through meetings where we came away inspired, motivated, challenged, and committed. Just when we thought the work was done for the day, President Steve took us to a place called Pleasure Island where he insisted that we have fun by eating and dancing the night away – that “Task Master”! We knew we had to obey his orders. One evening, Mickey Mouse came to our rescue. Mickey had get-a-way buses waiting to take us to Epcot where we were free to eat all kinds of desserts and watch the fireworks. Unfortunately, President Steve discovered what Mickey had done and had us escorted back to the buses and taken back to our hotel. We had a lot of fun, but we also accomplished quite a bit at this Governors’ Council meeting. What an experience!

Conferences, conferences, conferences. I attended three during the month of January. The first was the Midwinter Conference in the Presidential Region (formerly known as Region C). Presidential was the winning name selected during the Name the Region contest, which was a big hit during their first annual midwinter conference. Region C (Presidential) was the very first Region in our District to hold a midwinter conference under our new structure. The Delmarva Region, which was a mini version of past District Midwinter Conferences, was the second region to hold their first annual midwinter conference. Both conferences were well attended, had excellent facilitators and great training sessions. I also took the opportunity to attend the Circle K Y’All Conference. This was the first year Circle K’ers from the Capital District have hosted the Conference. I have a strong suspicious they will be asked to host another Y’All Conference real soon. Our Circle K Governor, Monica Price, and her Board did an outstanding job coordinating the Y’All Conference for the 120 Circle K’ers in attendance. (Pictured above Gov. Holly accepts gift baskets during her Official Governor's Visit to Division 9.)

Other events that occurred during the month of January included my birthday on January 12. I celebrated my XX birthday. Don’t ask, age is nothing but a number, and mine is unlisted! A rather sad event occurred with the passing of our 1989-1990 Capital District Governor, Kavanaugh “Spike” Thrift on January 19. Spike was a member of the Downtown Norfolk Kiwanis Club.

We are growing! The second new club for the Capital District is very close to their charter date. Division eight Lieutenant Governor, Jon Rife, said things are progressing rather quickly. There organizational meeting is scheduled, a name has been selected, the charter date is set, and prospective members are already participating in service projects.

Due to health reasons, Ken Tracey resigned as the District’s Diversity Enhancement Chair. Thank you, Ken, for a job well done. As Ken’s replacement, I have appointed Division Twenty Lieutenant Governor-elect, Tony Gee, to serve as the Diversity chair for the remainder of the year.

WANTED: 250 Capital District Kiwanians to attend the annual Kiwanis International Convention in Montreal, June 28-July 2, 2006. Registration fee is $150, if postmarked by April 15; $175 if postmarked April 16-June 15. Our assigned headquarter hotel is the FAIRMONT QUEEN ELIZABETH ($179). Overflow hotels are Holiday Inn Select Montreal Centre-Ville ($170), Hotel Nelligan ($170, including breakfast), Marriott Springhill Suites Old Montreal ($165, including breakfast). The rates are quoted in Canadian dollars. Check www.dcerates.com for current exchange rates. Hotel reservations can be made online at www.the-connection.com and click on Kiwanis International. To obtain the special convention rates, all hotel reservations must be made by May 26 through The Meeting Connection.

As an added bonus, the International Jazz Festival will also be Montreal, June 29-July 9, to add to our entertainment pleasure. This gigantic summer music celebration will feature non-stop entertainment, noon to midnight, in the heart of downtown Montreal.

Oh, and one other thing — a friendly reminder to all Lt. Governors. February 15th is the deadline for nominations for Teenager of the Year. Check with your clubs to make sure that they are on target with the date and will have a nominee. If you have any questions at all regarding this program, contact Roger Diehl. Each club should have a nominee.

If you have a passion for serving the children of the world (and I know you do); if you have a passion for this global organization of volunteers called Kiwanis (and I know you do); if you have a passion for changing the world (and you know you do), then join me in Montréal, Québec for the 91st Annual Kiwanis International Convention June 28-July 2, 2006. We are going to celebrate like we’ve never celebrated before. We are going to learn new ideas and how to use new tools. We will see old friends and make new friends. We will share and listen to one another’s success stories. We will celebrate our past and plan our future. And we are going to convert our Kiwanis passion into action. Make a difference in your Kiwanis club, your community, your world, and yourself by attending the 2006 Kiwanis International Convention in Montréal. A Kiwanian by Choice & A Kiwanian for Life, Stephen K. Siemens, CSP, International President.

Major Convention events include: Opening Session on Thursday afternoon, June 29 at 1:30 pm; Live On-Stage: Spotlight on Broadway, Thursday evening, June 29 at 8:00 pm; First House of Delegates on Friday afternoon, June 30, at 1:30 pm; Second House of Delegates on Saturday afternoon, July 1, at 1:00 pm; and the Closing Session on Saturday evening, July 1, at 7:00. Our own Dana Cable will be a featured speaker on June 30 at 10:00 am and then again on July 1 at 9:30 am. For the complete KI Convention 2006 Brochure, click here (PDF, 528k).

Attendees should arrive on Wednesday, June 28, or by Thursday morning, June 29, to participate fully in the convention activities. With the exception of those selected to serve on the 2006-07 KI Board of Trustees, departures may be scheduled any time on Sunday, July 2.

Note: Those attending the 2006 KI Convention in Montreal, Quebec, Canada will not be required to carry a passport. (Passports for travel to Canada will not be required until December 31, 2006.) However, a passport is your best means of personal identification. If you don't have a passport, be prepared to provide a photo ID and proof of US citizenship such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate.

The 2006 Capital District Kiwanis Convention Planning Committee is hard at work to make the 88th Annual Capital District Kiwanis Convention an experience you will never forget. Click here for the latest Convention 2006 Newsletter.

This year's convention will take place August 18-20, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Reston in Reston, Virginia. The theme for this year's convention will be "Service Takes Center Stage" as we put a spotlight on the basis of Kiwanis International. For the latest information, go to the Convention Web site at www.tysonscornerkiwanis.org/dcon2006. We look forward to seeing each and every one of you in Reston next summer.

As you attend your regional Mid-winter conferences, you will be seeing a presentation on District Convention by a member of the 2006 Kiwanis Convention Committee. The convention will be held August 18-20, 2006 at the Hyatt Regency Reston just outside of Washington DC.

Just confirmed is our Keynote Speaker for the weekend, Ms. Kate Forbes, National Director of Volunteers for the American Red Cross. Ms. Forbes is a dynamic speaker who will provide us insight into the direction the Red Cross has taken in handling recent emergencies here in the US and around the world.

Please consider taking out an ad in the convention program for only $50 for a half page or $100 for a full page. This year, we have also added an Honored Donor List for those would like to support the convention without the full expense of a program ad. Our Gold level donor commitment is $10, Platinum level is $25 and Diamond level is $50. You can find a link to the form to place an ad or be an honored donor on our website under the “Program” section.

Our featured entertainment at convention this summer will be Flynnatra. With more than two hundred shows booked for 2006, Steve Flynn has set a record pace for establishing himself as the most popular Sinatra tribute artist in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area. He sings the songs that Sinatra sang in a remarkably similar voice and style. Steve will be entertaining us at the President’s Banquet as well as the Masked Ball that will follow dinner.

Registration forms will be published in the next printed issue of the Capital Builder and will be available on our website at http://www.tysonscornerkiwanis.org/dcon2006 shortly. Online registration will be available at our website as well.

Don’t forget to make your hotel reservations at the Hyatt Regency Reston by calling 888-591-1234 and letting them know that you are with “Capital District Kiwanis” to receive the $107/night convention rate.

We look forward to seeing you all in Reston this summer as “Service Take Center Stage”.

Please come & join us for the first Potomac Region Mid-Winter Conference "Tools to Survive & Thrive" to be held March 4, 2006 at the College of Southern Maryland LaPlata Campus, LaPlata, MD. Educational and training sessions will include:

• Why Kiwanis?
• Revitalizing Membership
• Roles & Responsibility/Presidential Leadership
• PR & Communication
• SOAP - Key Club, Circle K & Transition to Kiwanis

There will be an exhibit area to include the District Foundation Raffle & Silent Auction. Also, an exhibit covering the International Convention in Montreal & the District Convention in Reston, VA. Plus other exhibits. Registration cost will be $40. We have been working hard to put together an educational and fun conference for the Potomac Region. Plan to come to LaPlata March 4, 2006. See you all then!

All eight of the Capital District Regions have announced dates for their respective Regional Midwinter Conferences. At the time of this publication, two have already been held. Here is a complete list of dates and contact persons for all eight 2006 Regional Conferences:

What’s Lime Green, has 622 legs, and loves to fish? If you said the kids who attended the 5th Annual Capital District Kiwanis Division 21 Children’s Fishing Day Clinic, you’d be right.

Held July 19th, 2005 at the James River Fishing Pier, this years’ event was BIGGER and BETTER than any other year. Months of preparation and countless hours of volunteer time resulted in a fantastic day of fishing, fun, and education for local kids – many of whom had never experienced the fun of fishing before. Throughout the planning process we had hoped to “fish” 250 kids and were pleasantly surprised to have 311 young anglers show up.

As the children arrived they were divided into groups of 10 – 15, each group named after a different fish that can be found in and around the James River. Groups were assigned one or more “Pier Volunteers” who escorted them through information displays covering water safety, waterway ecology, fish species, even sun-safety and the importance of using sun-screen. Before proceeding to the pier, each group received a safety briefing by a representative from the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) and then it was off to catch the big-one.

The fishing was especially good this year, with a number of kids reeling in Blue Crabs, Croakers, Eels, Oyster Toads, Spot, Flounder, Sea Bass, and many other varieties of fish common to the Lower James River. After a few hours on the water, the kids were brought back to the main tent area for lunch and swapping fish stories. Each child left with a t-shirt, hat and fishing-pole, but more importantly, they left with a positive experience that they will remember for years to come.

This annual event has grown bigger and better each year, thanks to the support and contributions of many individuals, groups, and organizations. Over 125 volunteers cut bait, set-up fishing poles, “de-nested” tangled fishing lines, cooked hot-dogs, set-up and took-down tents and tables, and did it all with a smile in the 90+ degree heat. Everyone had a wonderful time and eagerly anticipates next year and another opportunity to share the fishing experience and the joy of service to children of Hampton Roads.

In light of a recent national decline in service club memberships, the Kiwanis Club of Wilmington has taken a unique approach to counter this trend which has affected both Kiwanis and other non-profit fraternal and volunteer organizations.

An aggressive membership campaign is being developed to enable the Club to gain new growth in the positive impact it can have in improving the quality of life for citizens of Wilmington, particularly among the very young and very old.

To All the Wonderful Kiwanis Clubs who entered the Newsletter Contest for 2004-2005. I present the Winners. All the Newsletters were just wonderful and the judges had a fun time judging all of them. Thank you for taking the time to send your clubs newsletters. Your Editors work extremely hard during the year to spread your clubs news. Here are the winners:

Gold Division
1st Richmond Kiwanis Club
2nd Winchester Kiwanis Club
3rd Roanoke Kiwanis Club

Saddle up, pardner! The Circle K Desperados are coming to town as Capital Goes West for the 46th Annual Capital District Circle K Convention February 17-19, 2006 at the Hyatt Dulles in Herndon, Virginia.

It’s going to be rootin’ tootin’ good time as roughly 200 Circle K members, Kiwanians and Key Clubbers round-up in Northern Virginia for our annual conference to salute the accomplishments of this year’s clubs and members and elect our new district leaders for the 2006-07 year.

Please take the opportunity to join us at any point during the weekend. There is NO registration fee for Kiwanians to attend non-meal functions. The Kiwanis-Family Breakfast, President’s Banquet and Farewell Breakfast sessions are simply the cost of the meal itself.

An online registration form can be found at the convention website located at http://www.cdcki.org/events/district_convention.htm. We look forward to seeing you at the Hyatt!