IMG_6630.JPG=Look at this!  The celebratory crowd stretched from wall to wall, as far as you could see with the 975 plus attendees.  WOW!
IMG_6681.JPG=Forums are for leaders to bring ideas back to their clubs.  Without Division, District and International Conventions and Mid-Winter Conferences, Kiwanians, CKI-ers, and Key Clubbers would not be able to share successes and learn from all our K-Family members what it takes to “sell” our Kiwanis Family product of ‘Community Service’.  Help your SLP club to share by supporting and attending these events.  District Editor Christine Pajewski presents a forum on publicity, club newsletters, graphics standards, and other communication tools.  This is where you learn and share, folks.
IMG_6647.JPG=Newly elected Division LG Tripti Soni holds the ‘Spirit Stick’ won by Division 17, Montgomery County, MD.
IMG_6653.JPG=Opening remarks on the Key Leader Development Retreat Program are given by Division 22 LG Chelsea Stahl.  It’s a great program coming up April 23-25th.  Kiwanis clubs can still help sponsored Key Clubbers attend.  Hurry!
IMG_6824.JPG=The 61st Annual Capital District Key Club District Convention was held at the elegant Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia, March 19th -21st,  2010 with the largest attendance ever.  Over 975 Key Clubbers, Kiwanians, advisors and guests came to share the fun and learning experiences of this Annual Leadership Conference at the spacious hotel complex.
IMG_6697.JPG=Service Theme Club Displays show creativity can promote successful fund raisers and spark ideas.  The West Potomac Key Club’s Michael Lagana and Amanda Sin show their Unicef Fund Raiser display booth.  Very well done!
IMG_6918.JPG=Assistant Key Club Administrator Bill Hand has served many years in his position and has been the “Right Hand” of Administrator Joe Stankus.  They have been the leadership team on every Key Club event.  Joe presented Bill with the Capital District Kiwanis Foundation – Founder’s Society Award for his dedicated service.  PG Bob Cressy represented the CDKF in the presentation reminding us that the funds raised for the Founder’s Society go directly to supporting our SLP organizations.  Thank you, Bill, and you also, Joe for making this award.
IMG_6643.JPG=The first night’s Key Note presentation was by Patrick Maurer, a speaker and educator who was also a past Key Club president, Lieutenant Governor and Governor in California-Nevada-Hawaii District.  An Arizona State University grad and holding San Jose State University teaching credentials, after teaching for four years he created PMaruer Communications, LLC.  He speaks nationally on his life’s experiences and taking on leadership roles in organizations for your own development.
IMG_6744.JPG=Key Club Zone Administrator Justin Garrow and Assistant Administrator Bill Hand enjoy the Governor’s Banquet.
IMG_6862.JPG=A Special Award from Kiwanis Division 22 to Jonnie and Gordon Mann for their super support of La Plata High School and the Division 22 Key Club Program, presented by Joe Stankus and Governor Samah McGona.
IMG_6913.JPG=The new Key Club Governor Rachel Slotter 2010-2011 Elected at the 61st Annual Convention of Capital District Key Club International.
IMG_6616.JPG=The Key Club District Convention theme was “Roman Into Service” and got off to a fast start with Capital District Governor Samah McGona awaiting her escort for a majestic entrance to the Royal event.
IMG_6901.JPG=Bill is surrounded by his close friends a the podium and by all those who take pride in what he, with Janet at his side have done for Key Club over many years.  You can see that praise, recognition and thanks in their faces. We all say “Thanks, Bill, well done.  You are loved in this Capital District”.
IMG_6695.JPG=Forum:  “Leadership Skills:  Learn the skills of the Gods; Become a true Leader.”  Kiwanis promotes Leadership Development at every K-Family branch.  All can share their skills; All can learn from others.  Forum leaders LG 19 Chelsea Varney, LG 22 Chelsea Stahl and LG 4A Lesley Read gave an excellent interactive, full room class.  Ideas are born.
IMG_6819.JPG=Key Club Administrator Joe Stankus looking his finest, with a few of his “finest’.
IMG_6656.JPG=Avanti Kollarum, Capital District CKI Governor brings greetings to the Key Club DCON.  Thanks!
IMG_6718.JPG=Saturday afternoon the Delegates Caucus’ are held where candidates for Capital District offices present their qualifications and answer questions from the floor for the positions of Key Club Governor, Treasurer, Secretary, Editor, and International Trustee to the club delegates.  With over 900 Key Clubbers, multiple caucus rooms by divisions are lined up.  Competition is strong and spirited.  Alek Burkard, candidate for Treasurer from the Fishburne Military Academy addresses a caucus.  He won!  ALL competitors learn and grow by competing.
IMG_6668.JPG=Lieutenant Governor Chelsea Stahl and Shelby Smith, LaPlata High School, Division 22.  The Capital District makes friends in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.  Thanks for sponsoring a Key Club, Kiwanians!
IMG_6660.JPG=Kiwanis Governor Don Dudey kicks things off on behalf of the K-Family speaking of our wonderful involvement of all our Kiwanis unique six K-Family member Sponsored Leadership Program organizations. Together we’re leaders at every level.
IMG_6792.JPG=This is the “Y” of “YMCA”.  Or is it the “Why”?  Tom, Don, Bill & Justin.  Very entertaining, boy
IMG_6788.JPG=Now HERE’S a group of Winners!  This is the geriatric players singing, yep, the “Y-M-C-A” song.  From the left, Administrator Joe Stankus, Governor Elect Tom Varner, Governor Don Dudey, Assistant Administrator Bill Hand, Zone Administrator Justin Garrow and Advisor Tom Wagstaff.  You had to see it to believe it.
IMG_6663.JPG=A Photo-OP:  Sometimes it’s just a man’s world out there.
IMG_6734.JPG=Division One Key Clubbers are ready for the Governor’s Banquet.  Past Kiwanis Governor Linwood Watson, an always faithful and attendant Advisor, poses with some of the division’s proud leaders.
IMG_6700.JPG=Virginia “Scare Grounds” Halloween time display booth to help raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House.  Broad Run High School, Virginia, Key Clubbers Meagan Richard and Lahanna Balinskas offer successful ideas to Key Clubs.  Feel free to ‘borrow’ ideas and share yours.
IMG_6849.JPG=The “Outstanding Treasurer Award” to Emily Crawford, James Wood High School.
IMG_6866.JPG=“The Scott Hunter Key Leadership Award” for “dedication, service and leadership to the Capital District Key Club International” was presented to Tom Wagstaff by Governor Samah McGona and Key Club Administrator Joe Stankus for his years of service.  Well done, Tom.
IMG_6626.JPG=There was dancing in the streets by the Royal Key Club Executive Board!
IMG_6856.JPG=The “Outstanding Vice President Award” to Eunice Ko, Centerville High School, Division 20B.
IMG_6617.JPG=Now here the rub …THESE are her gallant sedan chair bearers ready to bring her highness into the ballroom of hundreds upon hundreds of her fans. Yes, its Mr. Bill Hand, Mr. Joe Stankus, Mr. Justin Garrow, and Mr. Tom Wagstaff raring to go!  Governor Samah, are you ready for this?
IMG_6739.JPG=A very proud moment:  Capital District Key Club Governor Samah McGona is escorted by her proud parents in the presentation of the Governor to the cheers of the K-Family.  Terrific!
IMG_6621.JPG=Here they come!  The ‘Gov’ has a lot of faith, daring and trust to let this ‘group of four’ bring her down center isle with all those Key Clubbers watching.  But they did it, delivering Gov. Samah safe and sound to the waiting podium for her welcoming remarks.
IMG_6911.JPG=On this last day, the Retirement of the 2009-2010 Officers & Directors was done by Joe, Governor Don Dudey and Governor Samah, and the Installation of the 2010 – 2011 Officers & Directors, Lieutenant Governors by Governor Elect Tom Varner and Joe, plus our new Assistant Key Club Administrator Nichole McDermott was installed.   The newly elected Key Club Governor is Rachel Slotter, from Division 15.  Congratulations, Rachel to you and your team!
IMG_6637.JPG=After ALL take the Key Club Pledge, each the roll call of each Division in turn is done.  This is the “Spirit Stick” award contest, too, with the loudest … well, screaming by a Division wins the “Spirit Stick” award.  The Advisor with his hand over his ear finds out what’s its like close up from the ever gentle Division 17, Montgomery County Maryland.
IMG_6850.JPG=The “Outstanding Secretary Award” to Angela Cho, Battlefield High School, Division 10A.
IMG_6694.JPG=Another Group Photo-Op:  Sherwood High School Key Club in Maryland.
IMG_6902.JPG=Bill Hand announced his retirement as Assistant Administrator of Key Club at this Convention to also announce he is running for Kiwanis District Trustee for the Mason Dixon Region.  He has everyone’s, and we mean everyone’s respect, admiration and thanks for his service to Key Club and Kiwanis.  Most of us have seen him at work with our Key Clubs from district and international conventions, to the K-Family Weekend, and as Zone Administrator, ALL at the same time.
IMG_6745.JPG=It takes a lot of talented people to bring off a smooth, seamless show before 975+ attendees.  Behind the scenes coordinators are CKI LG (and past Key Club Governor) Sarah Smith, Advisor and next year’s Assistant Key Club Administrator Nichole McDermott and audio/visual tech expert Cameron Tripplet.  Thanks to all who staff the ‘back room operations center’ as well.
IMG_6863.JPG=The 2009-2010 Dale Larson Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award to Mic Platt, Poquoson High School.  Boy, was he surprised!  I guess he thought no one was watching!  Congratulations!
IMG_6859.JPG=Sunday morning:  House of Delegates, the Farewell Breakfast and awards presentations.  Governor Samah presents the “Outstanding Club President Award 2009-2010” to Amy Liu, Montgomery Blair High School. Congratulations!
IMG_6632.JPG=As is traditional, the ‘Presentation of the Colors’ with a special flare provided by the Key Club at Fishburne Military Academy Color Guard doing the honors.  This was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and singing of our National Anthem.  It was the proper way to open this weekend celebration.  Good job!
IMG_6667.JPG=LG Division 17 & Board Member Anh Truong with the new Winston Churchill Key Club President Tessa Port.  One of the best things about Key Club is meeting new friends and providing service together greater than one can do alone!