by Bob Cressy, Governor 2006-2007
With First Lady, Nancy Cressy
Capital District Kiwanis International

What a magnificent journey it has been to be your Governor and First Lady for this past Kiwanis year. Nancy and I thank you for the privilege and honor of being with so many of you in this Kiwanis year. We are proud to have been involved in your projects, celebrations, conferences and conventions. We have all had FUN and accomplished a lot together. The SECRET is People, you know - - YOU! "One Can Make a Difference"; you have proved it again. This is the BEST time to be a Kiwanian!

I have to admit, it is hard to believe our official term has ended, but in the tradition of the Capital District, I called Governor Art Riley at a little past midnight October 1st to officially congratulate him and Vickie on the beginning of a wonderful year for them and Capital District Kiwanis.

A Little Philosophy - "Visualize or Fossilize"

Allow me to philosophize a little with you on a comment I heard from Steve Siemens. Then he was KI President as I attended the Governor - Elect's training session way back in January 2006 at KI. He said: "We must Visualize or we will Fossilize! We must measure the size of Kiwanis by the size of its potential not by the size of its present condition." I have repeated this thought at many visits and conferences through the year. One word will, and is, turning our Capital District around: It's 'Vision'.

It is critical that we take this to heart and mind. 'Visualize' what your club can do. Remember, 'Vision' is a process. Visualize what your club must do to thrive. We know we have enough Kiwanians to do what we are doing, but we do not have enough to do what needs to be done.

K- Service Leadership Programs - Our Most Important Product

The Capital District Service Leadership Programs have twice the membership of Kiwanis. That's terrific and a testimony to their recruitment of members. Perhaps the most distinguishing product of Kiwanis is the youth leadership development programs of our K-Family. Once you have been to a Key Club or CKI DCON, international convention or the district's K-Family weekend you will really know how special, talented, intelligent ... and crazy these young leaders are. They are our future! The Capital District Key Club Administrators Joe Stankus and Bill Hand and CKI Administrator Jeff Wolff do a terrific job year after year with these programs. Of course, it all starts with each Kiwanis club's support, at the heart of Kiwanis.

The Reshaping, Regional Plan is Working

We know now that with Regional Plan we put in place we have prepared more people to be Kiwanis leaders of their clubs and committees. The training is now closer to your home town taking less time and cost for you. The eight Mid-Winter Conferences now have over 900 total attendees. It has begun to transform our divisions and the Capital District itself. We know its working better although it can still use some tweaking.

For the first time in many years we will have a net gain in District membership. We have five new clubs this year: Potomac and Bel Air Kiwanis Clubs in Maryland, Toano and Dulles Area Kiwanis in Virginia, and our fifth club is Charlotte Hall Kiwanis Club in St. Mary's County, Maryland. Their Charter Night is November 6th. All were organized this year and much of the leadership came from New Club Building Chairman Tom Ganse, now Governor Elect, and Past Governor John Tyner. We owe them a great round of applause. Thank you both for the vision you have to build Kiwanis.

Thank you as Kiwanians for bringing approximately 1,000 new members in while improving the retention of our current members by closing the back door. Increased membership allows increased community service. We all know someone who would be good for Kiwanis and who Kiwanis would be good for. ASK them to join you. We know Capital District will get better every year, building on a firm foundation. We will help meet that goal of 'One Million Members by 2015'for Kiwanis worldwide.

Kiwanis Leadership an Experience You Won't Forget ... or Regret

I encourage you to take a leadership position or encourage others in your club to do it if you have already served. There are two things that can help. One is to groom leaders in each club with committee assignments, chairs, the Board, then progressing to become president and perhaps LG. The building block experience makes it so much easier to become comfortable in leadership positions. Next, don't shy away from it. It is really an experience of a lifetime you will not regret. You already know how to manage. It's just learning the Kiwanis product and tips. You'll have enough expert advice from experienced members. It helps.

At the same time, we have always referred to our vision on leadership in the district as a three-year rolling plan where each club president, past president and president elect work together for a common vision and club goals. This continuity is true as well for the like positions at division for lieutenant governors and at district for governors. Certainly goals can be modified and new ideas encouraged as we work together with all team leaders and members over multiple years on a plan for achieving long term goals.

The Wrap-Up

As you can tell, Nancy and I have thoroughly enjoyed this quick year. I hope it inspires others to seek the joys of club, division and district leadership. We have a very strong and active cadre of past officers who can provide guidance and assistance. You can see this strength in all the past presidents, lieutenant governors, trustees and governors who still take an active role in building Kiwanis as new leaders take up the duties.

Last but certainly not least, I want to thank "Bob's Builder's" for our team accomplishments. The lieutenant governors who lead the divisions, our eight District Trustees who supported our divisions and are the district board of trustees, committee chairs and members and of course all club officers.

Special thanks go to Ellis Stroup our District Secretary for his wisdom, humor, guidance, and the organizational skills to keep the Capital District running on a daily basis. And, thanks to Dave Maloney our Capital Builder Editor for his extraordinary graphics and computer skills. He brings you our photos and news in the Builder each month. Dave was especially creative at our DCON with our video shows. And to all the Past Governors who have been there before and offer their experience ... a sincere thanks!

My First Lady ... and Yours, Nancy Cressy

There really are no words that can express all that Nancy has meant this year as My First Lady. We have been many miles, discussed addresses, planned meetings, edited my writings, and helped plan conventions. She planned and ran the District dinner in San Antonio and organized the Christmas ornament sale to benefit the Ryan 'Stack' Clark memorial fund. She made many addresses throughout the year with great style and class. We have been virtually everywhere in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and the District of Columbia and enjoyed it all. She is my best friend, confidant, critic and supporter. I could not have done this without her. As my wife ... and a Kiwanian, we have been a team. God Bless you Nancy, I love you. And Bless and keep this Capital District, you and the service that you all do. "You have made the difference." We're proud of you. Thanks!