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Issue 1

IntroductionAs we start the year off with eight Kiwanis clubs, it’s evident that 2010-2011 will bring great things to our clubs and our communities. There are many challenges that lie ahead, but I am confident that together we can make a difference in the lives of many.

We will ‘light a fire’ in Houston by letting the secret out: Kiwanis is here to serve our communities and there’s no reason to be quiet about it.

Join me this year by committing to ‘STEP UP.’ Your clubs, your division, and the communities of Houston are counting on you.

In This Issue:

2010 Fall Training Conference - SUCCESS!On Saturday September 18, Texas-Oklahoma’s Division 3 hosted its second annual Greater Houston Area Key Club Fall Training Conference (FTC). Witches, wizards and muggles alike gathered at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - Houston Campus (Houston Community College) to experience a fun-filled day of magic, fellowship, and leadership training.

The event is designed to help the Key Clubs start their school year off strong by providing students with the opportunity to receive leadership training while inspiring them to make a difference in their communities. This year, more than 130 Key Clubbers were in attendance, representing nearly 20 Key Clubs and three Key Club divisions (3N, 3E, and 3S). The participation had doubled since last year!

“I most valued the opportunity to interact with so many other Key Clubbers and exchange ideas,” said one attendee.

Although the sponsoring Kiwanis Clubs within Division 3 secure the facility and provide necessary funds, the FTC agenda and curriculum is entirely developed by the three Key Club Lieutenant Governors in the Houston area: Megan Iselin of 3N, Graham Lero of 3E, and Kelly Huang of 3S.

The theme of this year’s event was inspired by Harry Potter: Capturing the Magic of Leadership. It was chosen by the event committee in order to emphasize that even “muggles” can be magical – everyone can make a difference. (continued on next page)

2010 FTC

Lake Houston Charters

Governor’s Banquet

Step Up Clinic

K-Family

Sophomore of the Year

Kiwanis One Day

CMN Opportunities

Division Leaders Needed

What ELIMINATE Means This Year

DCM Calendar

Congrats New Club Officers

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Upon arrival, each attendee was placed into one of the four Hogwarts houses – Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Slytherin - by a virtual Sorting Hat, and images of the house crests were placed on each nametag. The general session room was decorated like the Hogwarts Great Room and students sat in their designated house in order to meet Key Clubbers from other high schools.

The Harry Potter influence was evident throughout the day: The various breakout rooms were identified as magic school classes, such as “Potions,” and “Defense Against the Dark Arts.” The icebreaker, led by Kingwood Park Key Club’s President, Angela Morisette, was heavily influenced by the magical game Quidditch. And most excitingly, a real magician performed for all of the attendees!

Forums topics included the new Worldwide Service Project, the K-Family, Membership Development, Recruitment, District Projects, and more. The last breakout session of the day was each Key Club division’s first President’s Council Meeting of the year.

“We were in so much need for the information and without this we would have been lost!” said one Key Clubber.

Finally, the first divisional Spirit Award was presented to Jersey Village High School Key Club. The award winner is decided by Kiwanians in attendance and given for participation at the FTC. Criteria include: dressing up to the theme, wearing Key Club t-shirts, pins, bringing the club’s banners, contributing to forums, and volunteering during general sessions.

The FTC was a tremendous success this year, but would not have been possible without the support of Houston Community College (HCC), who graciously allowed Kiwanis to use one of their facilities for this event. Division 3 is very fortunate to have such a great relationship with HCC and appreciates their support of local youth. Houston Sunrise’s James Sparks arranged the facility.

LTG-Elect Heather Harrington served as this year’s event chairman and was assisted by Kingwood’s Diane Perry and West Houston’s Bobby Schroeder. In addition about 20 other Kiwanis members volunteered during the event. Sincere thanks to all faculty advisors, parents, students, Kiwanis members and volunteers that made this event more successful than a wizard could have imagined!

FTC, continued from front

Jersey Village HS Key Club Lamar HS Key Club

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After just months of hard work and persistance, the Kiwanis Club of Lake Houston chartered with 28 members on September 30, thanks to Bruce Nickell (Club President), John Sheridan (Immediate Past LTG) and help from Stephanie Ursini (Kiwanis International Area Director).

Lake Houston is an area of tremendous growth and the need for a Kiwanis Club was apparent: “It’s about time you arrived. I’ve been waiting for you!” said one prospective member before she joined.

The Lake Houston club is sponsored by Kingwood and will soon take on the responsibilities of advising two Key Clubs: Atascocita High School and Summer Creek High School.

Congratulations! We can’t wait to see the positive impact you will make!

The Governor’s Banquet will be held on Veteran’s Day, November 11th 2010. Please join Division 3 in celebrating Veteran’s Day with our Texas-Oklahoma Governor and First Lady, Sam and Joyce Curry.

The reception beings at 6:00PM with entertainment provided by the Atascocita High School Choir who will sing a selection of patriotic songs in light of the holiday. The banquet begins at 7:00PM.

Kiwanis Clubs are encouraged to donate to the Governor’s gift, which will be a donation to the Texas-Oklahoma Foundation.

Please remember to invite your sponsored youth and bring your club banners.

Paid reservations are required. Read more...

Kiwanis Club of Lake Houston Receives Charter on September 30th

Governor’s Banquet Goes Red, White & Blue

Step Up, Check Up Clinic: Get Ready to Rally

Step Up, Check Up Clinics are being held all around the Texas-Oklahoma District! The designated Clinic for Division 3 will be on November 13th at 10:30AM at the Goose Creek Country Club in Baytown, TX. Four divisions will be in attendance: 3, 9, 10, and 28.

The purpose of the Clinics is to RALLY (identify future leadership), REVIVE (gain membership) and REWARD (focus on Texas-Oklahoma services)! Make sure all members of your club who have joined within the last 18 months attend this event.

Clubs will also receive credit toward the Governor’s Step Up Achievement Plan for attending. Read more...

Please RSVP here so attendance can be estimated.

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As a kickoff to a year with a series of new ideas, it begins with K-Family on Halloween weekend, October 29-31. The Lieutenant Governor of Division 40, Kelly Poland, is leading a newly designed format that will be more inviting to all of our Service Leadership Programs, not just the traditional Kiwanis leaders, Key Club, and Circle K officers. New this year will be a special invitation for Kiwanis Clubs to invite members of their proud local K-Kids, Builders, Aktion Club, and Key Leader participants. There will also be an excellent opportunity to participate in a joint service project. Underprivileged children from around the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex will join us as we host a FUN FAIR for them.

Programming on Saturday Oct. 30 will be geared to involve all members of the Kiwanis Family. Traditional forums will take on a different look whereby presentations will be made to the entire gathering. Read more..

Kiwanis One Day Project Announced

Sophomore of the Year 2011 Applications Due Soon

K-Family Has a New Look!

Sophomore of the Year applications are due to Heather Harrington by December 6, 2010. This recognition is meant to: 1) seek out, recognize and develop leadership potential commencing with high school sophomores, and to encourage and prepare the next generation of civic and corporate leadership for America’s future, 2) to help sophomores gain experience in applying for scholarships, and 3) to educate people in the schools and communities about the Kiwanis organization.

All Kiwanis Clubs should nominate a student. Nominating a candidate earns Kiwanis Clubs one additional step towards Governor Sam’s Step Up Achievement Program. Candidates do not have to be members of Key Club. Scholarships are awarded in the amount of $600 each, and approximately 20 are distributed every year. Read more...

The 2011 Kiwanis One Day Project will benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. All of the K-Family within Houston will unite on this one day to focus our efforts on a single project – and make the largest impact possible.

This is also the Key Club Governor’s Project for 2010-2011, and all funds raised will be donated in the Key Clubs name to earn credit towards the Texas-Oklahoma Convention competition.

Kiwanis One Day is scheduled for April 2, 2011 but we still need volunteers to be on the committee! Please contact kiwanis3ltg@gmail.com if you’re interested playing a key role.

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What ELMINATE Means This Year

Division Committee Members Needed

CMN: Texas Children’s Hospital Tour

Division 3 has a Kiwanis International partner right here in Houston at Texas Children’s hospital in the Texas Medical Center! If your club is looking for new service project ideas, this is a great opportunity to get involved on both a local and global level.

There are numerous volunteer opportunities available at the hospital: delivering toys to children, playing games with or reading to patients, helping a child with homework, leading an art project, hosting a puppet show, opening a playroom, delivering crafts or even going on air with Radio Lollipop. There are also opportunities for Kiwanis Clubs to create their own project with the hospital.

Texas Children’s hospital will be conducting a private tour for Kiwanis members in the Houston area. Read more...

Division 3 will be creating some new committees this year such as 1) the Kiwanis Kid’s Triathlon Committee, 2) the Kiwanis One Day committee, and 3) the Key Club Fall Training Conference Committee.

It is more important than ever for our Kiwanis Clubs to work together to increase awareness within the Houston Area. Therefore, every Kiwanis Club is asked to select at least one representaive from their club to serve on one of these divisional committees.

Please contact kiwanis3ltg@gmail.com for details to volunteer.

With The Eliminate Project, Kiwanis International and UNICEF have joined forces to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus. This deadly disease steals the lives of 60,000 innocent babies and 30,000 mothers each year. The effects of the disease are excruciating — tiny newborns suffer repeated, painful convulsions and extreme sensitivity to light and touch.

As this is the first year of a five year program, Kiwanians can make the largest impact by strengthening their clubs through growth. This will enable us to have the manpower and raise the funds necessary to fight this deadly disease in the upcoming four years.

For more information about The ELIMINATE Project, click here.

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Congratulations New Club Officers!

2010-2011 Division Council Meeting (DCM) Schedule Released

Division Council Meetings are a key leadership tool for club officers and other division leaders. Meeting regularly allows for division leaders to to evaluate progress in achieving goals, address common club concerns, share ideas and successes, create a leadership pipeline, and promote events. Please ensure the officers of your club make arrangements to attend.

A motion was passed at the last DCM stating that the Kiwanis Clubs will alternate the responsibility of providing meals at each DCM. Please see your club’s assignment below. Contact if adjustments need to be made.

With the exception of holidays, all meetings will be held on the last Wednesday of every other month, beginning in November. Meetings will be held at 6:30PM at Houston Community College, Pinemont @ Ella location.

Below is the 2010-2011 DCM schedule:November 17 - Kiwanis Club of Kingwood (moved forward one week)January 26 - Kiwanis Club of Greater North HoustonMarch 30 - Kiwanis Club of HoustonMay 25 - Kiwanis Club of Houston Sunrise July 27 - Kiwanis Club of Cy-Fair September 28 - Kiwanis Club of Houston-Intercontinental

To view the complete Division Calendar, click here.

Kiwanis Club of Cy-FairSteve Gleinser, PresidentGeorge Crowl, SecretaryJames Meadows, Treasurer

Kiwanis Club of Greater North HoustonRobert Murray, PresidentStephen Peters, SecretaryAndy Estrada, TreasurerDr. Pamela Boveland, Vice President

Kiwanis Club of Houston Gabriele Merrill, PresidentCurtis King, President-ElectBonita Ramirez, SecretarySherri Charrin, Secretary

Kiwanis Club of Houston-Intercontinental Martha Clark, PresidentMelissa Culpepper, President-ElectDavid Ferris, SecretaryCarol Angelone, Treasurer

Kiwanis Club of Houston SunriseGwendolyn Branch, PresidentMelvin Myers, President-ElectTimothy Heinrich, SecretaryLionel Sims, Treasurer

Kiwanis Club of Kingwood Jeremy Talton, PresidentCorey Turner, President-ElectBill Grun, SecretaryDiane Perry, Treasurer

Kiwanis Club of Lake HoustonBruce Nickell, President

Kiwanis Club of West HoustonAlyson White, PresidentRandy Delay, President-ElectBobby Schroeder, SecretaryNate Woody, Treasurer

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Did you know that almost all of the information in the newsletter is available in real time on the division website?

www.greaterhoustonkiwanis.org

Check this site regularly for important updates and announcements.Send potential members here for information on the Kiwanis Clubs in your area.

Keep your club’s site updated! If you don’t know how, ask!

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For more information, contact:Heather Harrington

Kiwanis Texas-Oklahoma DistrictDivision 3 Lieutenant Governor

kiwanis3ltg@gmail.com