Governor's May 1st Report

April was certainly the month of Kiwanis Club Anniversaries and it all began with our 8 ½ hour trip to Kirkland Lake for our Division 1 DCM with LG “Ben” Chartier and the celebration of Kirkland Lakes Club’s 80th Kiwanis Anniversary.

Kiwanis Clubs from Val D’Or (2), Noranda, Timmins and Kirkland Lake took part in the one day DCM followed by the Kirkland Lake Club’s 80th Anniversary Dinner.

It was fun and they were fantastic Hosts.

The Lemieux De Val D’Or ladies club was such a positive group which answers the question of why they have a waiting list for Members as their facilities will not allow more than 42 Members. It was worth the effort to be with everyone and discuss ideas and solutions around growing Kiwanis. A job well done “Ben”, a great party Kirkland Lake and thanks to Members of Division 1 for your effort in attending.

On March 31st and April 1st and 2nd CEO Rob Parker and I presented three Growth Seminars to the Officers and Kiwanis Members. March 31st in North Bay Division 2 LG Ken Sikio organized a Growth Meeting (We had dinner with the Aktion Club first) with a side trip to see the North Bay Hospital Project on the morning of April 1st with Host North Bay Kiwanis Club President Richard Vezina (They raised $750,000.00 in 5 years), Sudbury Club President Davis Marcoux and the LGE for 2008-09 from the North Bay Club, Jeff Vallin and LG Ken. We traveled down to Division 8 in Barrie where LG John Hamilton organized the 4 hour Session with 46 Kiwanians in attendance. On April 2nd we had 75 Kiwanis Members who confirmed their attendance to the Toronto Growth Seminar from Divisions 3, 4, 5W, 5E, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 11 and were surprised but happy to see 126 attending. We enjoyed an informative and upbeat 3 days with KI CEO Rob Parker who provided positive presentations and an opportunity for an informative question period. The program was worth the effort. Well Done Rob or Bob or Ron. What’s in a name anyway?

April 3rd at 5:00 A.M. Dorothy delivered Rob & I to the Airport where I traveled to Montreal for a flight to Guadeloupe and Rob to Indianapolis.

April 3, 4, & 5th I spend in Guadeloupe with LG Georges and his Kiwanis Officers and Members. This French speaking Division is trying to build a New Division (27C) and our Board of Trustees has provided three years for this to happen. The goal is 150 Members by September 30, 2010. Everyone is working towards this goal which was quite evident as we discussed the next three new Kiwanis Clubs. Club #5 has 13 Members in hand with 4 attending our Saturday DCM. We have also determined locations for Club #6 and club #7 Everyone in Div. 27C is playing an active role in this goal.

The Charter Night event was a blast with “250 Guests” in this 81 Member Division to celebrate the Chartering of the Kuhquane Kiwanis Club. A fantastic, enjoyable, and positive time with fun loving Kiwanis Members.

April 7th to April 12th we spent in Ottawa enjoying the Kiwanis fun and fellowship with LG Greg and Petie Newton of Division 13 and LG David and Mary Daubney of Division 12. We were not disappointed.

First, we had to be very careful as Petie Newton is an Ottawa Senators die hard hockey fan. Toronto was out so it was easy for me to cheer for Ottawa. The rest of the story you read in the paper (boo-hoo). Our first Club visit was to Greg Newton’s home club, Manotick, where the South Carleton HS Key Club ran the meeting. We received a generous donation to the CNIB Project and an unbelievable picture photo by Greg Newton. Bright and early next morning, President Germaine and the Ottawa West Kiwanis Club were our hosts and we visited their Headstart Program (Annavale Nursery School) where we met some terrific young people and experienced Kiwanis at work serving the Children of the world. Later the same day we drove down to Pembroke Kiwanis Club where we met several past Kiwanis friends. Despite a few grey hairs (some missing hair as well) Kiwanis friendships last a lifetime. We had the pleasure of presenting my good friend Jack Ford with his 65 Year Legion of Honor Kiwanis Pin.

Jack has not changed a bit and was up to his old musical tricks. His wife piped in to the luncheon, I was introduced to speak by Jack and his musical foursome sang my introduction. It is evident this club is vibrant and visible as Club President Jay McLaren drove us around the community and we saw their name everywhere relating to “Community Programs and Buildings.” We had a blast. Back we traveled to see 75 grade 7 students in a School orchestra play at the Orleans Kiwanis Music Festival. They were just fantastic. We met several of the Members who were working at the site.

Thursday after a great tour of Manotick with Petie and LG Greg, we were off to Division 12 and lunch with the Rideau Club. Wow! Were we impressed? How many times do you go to a Kiwanis function and they have to set up two more tables? It was an honour to present a Mel Osborne Fellowship to Karen Barton, the Secretary of the Club (The reason for the 2 Tables). We met the Key Club from Lisgar College. What a vibrant and positive group. That evening we had dinner with the Prime Minister. Well it was close. We (with LG Greg & Petie) had dinner in the House of Parliament Dining Room after a fantastic tour and history lesson by David Daubney and Mary of Parliament Hill. This David guy is just not a pretty face.

Friday morning we were introduced to a Kiwanis Reading Program and the Silver Birch program at a local school.
Later that day was lunch at the Chateau Laurier where the Ottawa Club enjoyed their 90 Years of Kiwanis History. We had agreat crowd of Kiwanis Members who reminisced about their 90 years of service to the Ottawa community. It was a delight to be entertained by the Ottawa Music Committee as they sang about their 90 years and their favourite song over the years – Organ Donor Script. (Put you glands in the hands of a man like Wilbert Keon, Give your eyes so some guys, will be better able to see)

We later enjoyed our discussions at the Division 12 DCM where our conversation was positive and very supportive of growing Kiwanis. Friday evening we enjoyed the cooking of Ottawa Kiwanis Club Member and former PNW Governor Frank Hegyi. LG Greg and David – a fantastic 5 days.

April 16th we were delighted to be in Toronto and in attendance at East York’s 65th Anniversary Dinner, our own Club. It was great to visit with our friends and neighbours that we haven’t seen lately.

April 17th and 18th it was off to Division 11 and our stay with LG Bill and Donna Downham. We laughed for 2 days. Donnawas bragging about all of the deer in their community and how many they saw every day. We have a photo of one wooden deer from someone’s back yard because that is all we saw. Kente Trenton Kiwanis Club was great and fun loving hosts. These men have 13 Terrific Kids programs and are very active and upbeat.

We were most impressed (There is a future LG in this Club). It was offto Tweed where again we enjoyed fun and fellowship at a dinner with a very active and fun loving group. They were great hosts and the attendance showed their interest. With flooding that was occurring everywhere the President maintained a sense of humour as he talked about their Children’s Playground and announced the new Water Park with water slides and floating table rides. Trenton Club Members added to the fun.

Friday morning we attended a terrific Kids Program where awards were presented. Parents, Grandparents and Friends were in attendance and all with big smiles as the Children (Grandchildren) received their Terrific Kid Certificate and Medal. Yes it is true, I was honored by becoming a “Terrific Kid” and I have my Certificate and Medal. This Division boasts 51 Terrific Kids Programs and so they should.

The Division Council Meeting was an open, direct discussion about growth and how this can happen in Division 11. At the Belleville Kiwanis Club’s 85th Anniversary Dinner we were able to visit with long time Kiwanis friends who were in attendance. It was great to see Helen Robb, the wife of the late Paul Robb, a former President of this Kiwanis Club, Kiwanis Foundation of Canada President, PLG of Division 11 and very dedicated to Kiwanis. Helen, by the way, is now a Member.

Saturday April 19th at 5:00 A.M. we tip toed out of the house and were off to Chicoutimi, Division 17, to celebrate their 50th Anniversary that evening. Here is the best part. We were 15 minutes outside of Picton heading for the 401 and yes right across in front of our van jumped a deer. I wanted to call Donna right then and there but Dorothy would only allow me to call at 8:00 A.M. We must have laughed for 20 minutes and still chuckle.

We arrived in Chicoutimi in time to change and get ready for their 50th Dinner. It was well done and again we visited with Kiwanis Past LGs and Members who many we have not seen since the Chicoutimi Convention. (I reminded them of that). LG Jean Lavoie was fantastic and this was our first meeting together as he was not able to make Jamaica or the Mid-Winter. We enjoyed a fantastic evening of fun and fellowship as they had a great turn out. My speech was translated and on every table. Dorothy and I had no problem with language as my translator, PLG Pierre Normand, was fantastic and everyone practiced their English.

Sunday morning we enjoyed a brunch followed by our Division Council Meeting which was well attended and very positive. Growth is on the lips of all Officers and everyone is upbeat on making that happen. We enjoyed a fantastic dinner in La Baie hosted by LG Jean and off Monday morning to Quebec City.

LG Patrick, Division 14, arrived from Trois Rivères and we enjoyed the hospitality of the Kiwanis Club of PT Pierre Laliberte. Again it was great to see those who we have not seen since the Chicoutimi Convention. It was a fun lunch. Before we left for Trois Rivères, Pierre Laliberte gave Dorothy and me a great tour of the City of Quebec - a 400 year old city with beautiful old architecture that has been well maintained. (We received a 400 year history of Quebec from the Club and look forward to watching it.)

We were off to Trois Rivères where we checked into the Host Hotel, Delta, for the 2009 E. C. & C. District Convention, a beautiful hotel well situated in the city. We frantically moved to the meeting room downstairs with LG Patrick as he had the time wrong and we entered the room at 5:45 P.M. with a room full of Kiwanis Montreal Canadian Fans with the look in their eyes that said “the game starts at 7:00 P.M. - we have a program - we have the Governor who is speaking - but we love out hockey team too.” I immediately announced from the door way – no long speeches and we are out of here at 6:55 P.M. We heard the loudest applause I have received on this trip. All kidding aside it was great to see old friends, received a very “Special Montreal Canadian Sweater with my name on it” and a smiling LG Patrick who I know was behind it all. (He confessed to mehe was going to present it at the DCM the next evening but being the 7th game he did have some concern if Montreal lost). Great to see PLG John Turpin who is now settled with his family in their renovated home after experiencing a fire.

After a visit to CMI Key Club for their 25th Anniversary, we were off to Quebec City again where we met at the La Jacques-Cartier Kiwanis Club and then enjoyed a very upbeat and positive Division Council Meeting. LG Patrick presented his “Special K’ Awards to Clubs. (He purchased the sweater and I purchased the cereal) Great job LG Patrick and we look forward to August 2009 Convention in Trois Rivières.

The next morning we were off to Granby where we attended a special luncheon as we presented a Mel Osborne Fellow to a very deserving Club Member John Doueard for his dedication to this Kiwanis Club. We also had the opportunity to induct a new member. It was worth the extra effort and very moving event. We had a great lunch with DST Madelane in attendance to help with the success and surprise presentation.

April 30, 2008 we were off to New Brunswick to visit LG Leigh and Lynn Prescott. I hope we get to ride in “Leigh’s Jeep”. See you next month.

Governor Chuck & Dorothy