Prince Georges County Club Recognized at UMD CKI End of the Year Banquet
by Donna Landis

One of the most rewarding experiences that I have had in my years as a Kiwanian is fostering relationships and mentoring the future of Kiwanis-our sponsored club members. Specifically, I have had the pleasure of serving as the Kiwanis Club Advisor to the University of Maryland CKI Club this past year and as the club's liaison these past two years. Witnessing the journey that this sponsored club has gone through in these two years, including winning the "Most Improved Club" Award at the 2007 Capital District CKI Convention among other honors, has been utterly remarkable. This club went through a quick turn-around in overcoming its struggling reputation, exemplified by the immense expansion of its membership base and the impressive increase in the breadth and depth of service opportunities it offers to benefit the local community. Thus, such great accomplishments should be rewarded and celebrated, and UMD did just that! (Pictured right (L to R) are Sao-Mai Nguyen-Mau - Immediate CKI PLG, Raakhee Sharma - Immediate Past President UMD CKI 2006-2008, LTG Bob Englebach, CKI President Helen Jiang, PLG Donna Landis - UMD CKI Club Advisor and Prince Georges County Kiwanis Club President Susan Newland.)

On Monday, May 5, 2008, the University of Maryland CKI Club held its first annual End-of-Year Banquet to celebrate its accomplishments over the past two years and to recognize outstanding members and advisors that have helped the club to get to where it is today. All CKI members in attendance were treated to a delicious home-cooked meal, provided by yours truly with contributions from several other members of the PG Club. More impressively, the Kiwanis Club of Prince George's County had a great showing at this event to support its sponsoring club (see picture). Among the honored guests in attendance, Kiwanis Lt. Governor Bob Englebach (Division 14) was there to support UMD CKI, alongside our members.

Over good food and dessert, several awards were presented throughout the evening, including the prestigious President's Support Award presented by UMD CKI Immediate Past President ('06-08), Raakhee Sharma, to outstanding CKI club board members and I was humbled to receive the "Outstanding Support Award" as the club's Kiwanis Advisor presented by Immediate Past CKI Executive Board. The Kiwanis Club of Prince Georges County members in attendance were PLG/President Elect Bill Machen, Secretary Dorothy Carroll, Past president Robert Newland, Marilyn Carras and PLG Donna Landis. The Prince Georges Club was recognized for its outstanding support and role in helping the UMD CKI club excel and rebuild its reputation these past two years. In addition, it was an honor for Kiwanis Club President Susan Newland and myself to be recognized for having the most influential roles in strengthening K-Family relations between the two clubs.

With good food, good company, and a heartfelt reflection of the successes of the CKI club during the past two years, this first CKI End of the Year Banquet was a night to remember. This night reminded me that the potential, leadership, enthusiasm, and commitment to service that our sponsored club members have demonstrated is truly heart-warming and reminds me every day why it is that I am a mentor to this club and proud to be a Kiwanian who serves the children of the world.