Division 12 and Division 13:

Ottawa Region

Lieutenant Governor Firma French (Division 12) and Lieutenant Governor Jay McLaren (Division 13) preside over the two-Division Council Meeting.

Divisions 12 and 13 are made up of the 16 clubs that reside in the Ottawa-Hull region. In an excellent demonstration of cooperation and teamwork, Lieutenant Governor Firma French (Division 12) partnered with Lieutenant Governor jay McLaren (Division 13) to create a two-Division Council Meeting. In doing so they brought together a large number of area leaders to discuss concerns, celebrate successes and strengthen communication throughout the region. The day long DCM was a huge success.

Kiwanians arrived early to set up displays that showcased the best of what they do. There was a flurry of activity in the Manotick Legion, as Club President Gary Coulombe, PLG Greg Newton and their team coordinated the assembly of the many displays. The 16 clubs in our "parliamentary" region range from the very large (i.e., the Kiwanis Club of Ottawa with 154 Kiwanians) to the very small (i.e., the Kiwanis Club of Kanata with 7 active Kiwanians). All of the clubs contribute to strong legacy of service that Kiwanis has created in the Ottawa valley.

Kiwanis Club of Orleans President Bill Cowperthwaite proudly tours the Kiwanis Adventure Playground.

We learned of, and had an opportunity to visit the Kiwanis Adventure Playground in Orleans, a community just East of Ottawa. Here, the 23 Kiwanians of the Orleans Club, under the leadership of President Bill Cowperthwaite raised $50,000 to create a much needed playground for the young people of the community. Not content to simply sit back as able fund-raisers, the club animated their community getting them actively involved in landscaping and playground installation. The results speak for themselves. On a hot summers day hundreds of young people can be seen utilizing the park, exercising their bodies and their imaginations. Even on the cold fall day that we visited the playground mothers huddled together watching their children play.

Governor Gary on stage with the Yuk Yuk performers at the Kiwanis Club of Ottawa West's Charter Night.

Kiwanians do what they do because they enjoy doing it. Accentuating this, President David Schiller and the Kiwanis Club of Ottawa West choose to honour their Charter by hosting an annual Yuk Yuks comedy fundraiser. Performers from the venerable comedy troupe came to entertain the packed house of Kiwanians and guests. We had the opportunity to share in the fun and the laughs and celebrate with Past Governor Elke McCumber and the rest of the Ottawa West team.

At one point I was called upon to take part in their skit, earning another first for my résumé: Puppet Master.

Governor Gary, Lieutenant Governor Firma and President Gilles with the Principle and music teacher from École Secondaire Mont-Bleu at the door to their new music room.

Saturday evening, October 24, marked the 50 anniversary of the Kiwanis Club of Hull, Quebec. Club President Gilles Roy invited us attend the gala event and bring greetings on behalf of our Eastern Canada and Caribbean District. The evening was punctuated with special performances from winners of the Kiwanis Music Festival.

The Kiwanis Club Hull chose to hold their event in the École Secondaire Mont-Bleu. In addition to having an excellent venue for the event, the high school was chosen to give us an opportunity to officially open the new music room the Club had raised money to create. In only one year, through a number of creative fundraising endeavors, the Club raised $32,000 to turn a previously unused storage space into a large and spacious muck room and recording studio. Félicitations pour un travail bien fait!

Lieutenant Governors Jay McLaren and Firma French are to be commended for their inclusive program and attention to detail. All who took part in the many and varied activities left feeling richer for the experience.

Click here to see a Division 12 and 13 slide show