Division 6:

The Niagara Peninsula, Ontario

Lieutenant Governor Marje and Key Leader Administrator Jim McIntosh meet with Governor Gary.

The portion of Southern Ontario that lies between the south shore of Lake Ontario and the north shore of Lake Erie is known as the Niagara Peninsula. The peninsula has a population of approximately 1,000,000 people and is as diverse as any. From the industries of Hamilton to the rich, fertile farmlands of the Niagara Valley this region boasts fine wineries, fine theatre and of course: Niagara Falls.

There are 5 active clubs in our Division 6, led by Lieutenant Governor Marje Slinn. Of particular note is our "number one" club, the first Kiwanis club built outside the United States. The Kiwanis Club of Hamilton was charted, one year after Kiwanis first began (in Detroit, Michigan), in 1916. Our Governor's visit begins here.

Hamilton Club President Ron Burshaw presents Governor Gary with a photograph of their Charter Night Meeting in 1946.

Members of the Hamilton Club, led by President Ron Burshaw convened to hold a dinner and Divisional Council Meeting (i.e., Caucus). We were joined by representatives from Division 6 clubs and by our Key Club Governor Brian Kim and Key Club Division 4 LG Elizabeth Kim. Important issues of celebration and concern were discussed. An extensive Key Leader report was given by Administrator, PLG Jim McIntosh.

A variety of exciting fundraising and service projects were discussed. President Ron gave us an exciting tour of their impressive facilities culminating with a glimpse into the past. In addition to serving as club president, Ron acts as their chief historian and archivist. When it comes to painstakingly preserving and cataloging the Club's rich past, Ron and his committee have more then measured up. Well laid out, well documented and well preserved, we browsed through a number of vintage minute books, photographs and important items of Kiwanis memorabilia.

Key Club Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Kim and Key Club Governor Brian Kim share the stage with Governor Gary.

Kiwanis is the only service club in the world today that has active programs for men and women of all ages. We are proud of our Service Leadership Programs and recognize that through them we are changing the world by developing the leaders of tomorrow. I was pleased to be joined by Key Club Governor Brian Kim and his Lieutenant Governor, Elizabeth Kim.

Inviting members of our Service Leadership Programs (SLP) to our club meetings and our council meetings is a good way for Kiwanians to keep in touch with our "raison d'être": our youth. It not only fosters good citizenship skills in our youth but serves to remind us why we do, what we do.

Here, Power of One pins were presented to both Brian and to Elizabeth.

PLG Ed Minchin has breakfast with Julia (i.e., Just Julia).

The following day we had an early breakfast meeting with members of the Kiwanis Club of Welland. President Heather Horton talked about serving the increasing needs of her community. The loss of major industry such as John Deere is putting increasing strain on government provided services, increasing the need for Kiwanis and the good Kiwanians do in the community.

The Welland club is small but has experienced recent growth. Long-time member Bob Wylde was pleased to introduce us to new Kiwanian, Patrick Simpson. When not serving the children of the world, Kiwanian Patrick serves the people of Canada as a member of our Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Lieutenant Governor Marje and Governor Gary meet with members of the Kiwanis Club of St. Catharines.

That afternoon we continued our tour of Division 6 with a visit to the Kiwanis Club of St. Catharines. We began with a light lunch and a tour of their Kiwanis owned and run senior's complex and continued with a tour of parks, playgrounds, and conservation areas all created by the hard work of the Kiwanis Club of St. Catharines.

The Falls of Niagara are one of the seven natural wonders of the world, but a short visit to Division 6 testifies that the work of Kiwanis is no less wonderful.

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