April 1st, 2008 Governor's Monthly Report

On March 13th we traveled that long road #401 east to visit Division 10 with the Oshawa Area Clubs at an interclub meeting hosted by the Westmount Kiwanis Club.  The Club Band, “The Westmount Wanders” gave us a sneak peek of their entertainment they provide throughout the area for seniors and other events.  They were fun. 

Westmount Kiwanis Club knows how to have a

good time and you never know what was going to happen during lunch.  What I call good honest “Silly Time.”  It was great to meet the Aktion Club and especially Action Club Member “Crystal” as she showed me her Bronze Medal won for Figure Skating.

The Division Council Meeting with the Presidents and Past Officers was most productive as they agreed to work as a Team to assist the Whitby Kiwanis Club with growth solutions.  We had a discussion around the possibility of the Action Club Members attending the District Convention on the Friday to see the House of Delegates in action, enjoy the KFamily Luncheon and have an Educational Forum for Aktion Club Members.  I promised to look into the possibility.  Great day. 

On Friday March 14th we arrived in Division 14 in Montreal.  We had a very positive Division Council Meeting where we talked about solutions to Growth and their needs to  succeed.

Hey, my French is improving but in any language our challenges were quite similar to all Kiwanis Clubs in E.C. & C., “How Do We Grow.” 

The 40th Anniversary of the St. Eustache Kiwanis Club on

the Saturday Evening with 220 in attendance was just fantastic.  The room was spectacular, the 12 piece band was great and we ate far too much food but danced it away.  The warmth of the Kiwanis Members and Guests made it an evening to remember.   It was great to see old friends.  PLG Jacques Brault was the evening's MC and we (DST Madelane and LGE Robert) presented a Mel Osborne Fellow to DLG Serge Duthé from his Club Members.  Well deserved and an honor to be involved.  How many times do you get to sit with the Canadian Ballroom Dance Champions as we did with President Pierre and Lynn?  They were fantastic dancers and most gracious hosts.  Thanks for allowing us to share in a fun evening.

On  March 19th-20th we visited the Peterborough Area Kiwanis Clubs.

Our first stop in the morning was the Scott’s Plains Kiwanis Club where we met a lot of Kiwanis Friends who we have not seen for awhile.  This is the Club that provided me the Leadership in the IDD Campaign when the President (the late Fred Randall) stood at our first meeting of 35 Presidents and said he was going to encourage his club to raise $50,000.00 over 5 years. (They actually raised $60,000.00).

We had a lot of fun and their positive attitude about growing their club was very motivating – more later on this. 

We then attended the Peterborough Kiwanis Club Interclub Luncheon and it was great to see the 12 Trent University Circle K Officers in attendance (led by Advisor Professor Mike Konopaski – PLG Frank Konopaski’s twin 30 years ago-actually his Son) and 4 of the Millbrook Public School Builders Club Officers (Treasurer Emma won the 50/50 Draw and I drew the ticket). 

Each Youth President spoke very positively.  We later enjoyed our time with the Club Officer in attendance from other clubs with a 45 minute Caucus meeting and it produced some very positive ideas.  Thanks to the Scott’s Plains Club, Sydenham Club (Great to see LGE Don Hercia and wife Sandra), Kawartha Club and Peterborough Club for their donation to SCAW in our name.  Thanks Deputy Mayor Henry Clarke for the beautiful City Plate presented to Dorothy and I.

LG Chris guided us down to the Scott’s Plains Kiwanis Apartments where we met with the Peterborough Liftlock Aktion Club Officers and they showed a great power point presentation about their club, who they are and what they do.  It was fantastic, fun and I received a Liftlock Aktion Club “Thanks For The Hug Teddy Bear”.  The Scotts Plains Kiwanis Club presented their 2 - 30 second and 60 second DVD presentations airing on Chex TV - 5 spots per week for 26 weeks using the KI – DVD Marketing Information and adding their names and contact information.  It was most impressive and quite positive to see their forward thinking attitude.  Well done Scott’s Plains Members.  We enjoyed an excellent tour of the facilities and the fellowship. We had a great time.   By the way, PLG Frank Kanopaski paid his debt and presented me with a $50.00 Dinner Credit Card from our Super Bowl Bet.  Frank was very gracious in his loss (boo-hoo).

On Friday the 28th we headed out for our 600 Kilometer trek North to Kirkland Lake. We promised LG “Big Ben” and PLG Louise we would make every effort to be in Division 1 for a Division Council Meeting and Kirkland Lake Kiwanis Club's 80th Anniversary Dinner. Friday evening we enjoyed dinner with LG Ben as he brought us up to date on the Division and how his Daughter Line was doing. She is progressing slowly after breaking both of her legs and Claudette who had a car accident is healing. Ben continues to keep his positive attitude. Keep them in your prayers.

On Saturday morning everyone began to arrive for our DCM starting at 10:00 A.M. Club President Marco of the Val d'or Club, President Elisa and 3 members from the Val D'or Lemieux Club (a lively group), PLG Ron representing the Noranda Club, President Leo and 3 Members of the Timmins Club and Vice President Bart and 5 Members of the Kirkland Club our Hosts for the weekend. We had presentation from all attending Clubs, good information sharing, a question and answer period with all in attendance and a look at all new DVDs prepared by Kiwanis international. We finished at 4:00 P.M. and prepared for the 80th Anniversary Dinner.

The 80th anniversary Dinner was fantastic and the evening was well planned, beautiful table settings and corsages for the ladies. We presented VP Bert and the Members with their 80th Anniversary Certificate and congratulated them for their 80 years of service to the community of Kirkland Lake. It was a great time and everyone enjoyed the fellowship and had a fantastic time. Dorothy and I were very surpised with the beautiful gifts provided to us from all clubs present. Sunday morning it was breakfast with LG Ben then off to North Bay.

On Monday the 31st we headed down to Huntsville to pick up KI CEO Rob Parker who was going to be doing 3 Growth Seminars for us over the next 3 days while he was in the area. Monday afternoon we began with our meeting with the Nippissing, North Bay and Sudbury Kiwanis Clubs with LG Ken Sikio and 50 Members of the North Bay Aktion Kiwanis Club.