IMG_6560.JPG=The 2008-2009 CKI Board is retired by Governor Don Dudey after which Governor Elect Tom Varner installed the new Board....
IMG_6394.JPG=Kiwanis Governor Don Dudey offers his welcome and encouragement to partake of the many workshops and forum during the convention.
IMG_6409.JPG=The Capital District Kiwanis Family is most fortunate to have as our honored guests at our Mid-Winter Conference and CKI District Convention the “Kiwanis International First Family”, Kiwanis International President Paul Palazzolo, his wife Susanne, daughter Maria and son Anthony,  President Paul spoke at the Kiwanis Club of Waldorf, Maryland, at their 39th Charter Night anniversary dinner on Thursday, February 25th and will address us as Key Note speaker at our Saturday evening Governors’ banquet.  They are a wonderful family and we are proud to have them all visit us for these four days.
IMG_6455.JPG=Nicole McDermott is the District Chair for the Key Leader Program.  Kiwanians, this leadership program is now, right now, taking you club’s reservations to send one or two high school age people to this three day development course.  Look up Key Leader details in the eBuilder today.  There are only 80 slots and they will get filled quickly.
IMG_6443.JPG=Immediate Past Governor Tom Ganse took great pride in presenting the 2008-2009 Distinguished Lieutenant Governor Awards to (from the left) Millie Krimelmeyer (Division 22), Jim Gilchrist (5), Jeffery Wolff (20), Elana Gardiner (1), Allan Kujula (11), Judy Pantelides (13) and Scott Zimmerman (23).  That’s exciting!
IMG_6434.JPG=At the Leadership Luncheon a number of awards were given by CKI and Kiwanis.  CKI leadership awarded the “Distinguished CKI Club Non-Traditional Officer Awards” by Governor Avanti.   Cassie Allison, Virginia Wesleyan College, is the club PR chair.  Well done!
IMG_6371.JPG=Guest Samah McGona, Key Club Governor, was not sure what she was seeing either
IMG_6349.JPG=One of the main purposes of this year was to join in on this 50th year milestone celebration with CKI and to experience more closely how each conducts its meeting, enhancing the knowledge of the broader K Family network.  The main tent offerings started with a ‘Kiwanis Casino Night’ on Friday at 7:30 followed by an opening session of greeting and re-acquaintances at 9 to 10 PM, which in turn was followed some fun with ‘psychic hypnotist’ who was, …well entertaining and different.   Hypnotist Dr. Larry Volz asked for about twenty CKI-ers to join him on stage.  He had no problem getting volunteers. Then it got most interesting!
IMG_6472.JPG=It’s a BIRTHDAY PARTY!   Capital District CKI is celebrating its 50th Anniversary!   It can’t be done with much more style than I can think of:  KI President at the party and a BIG five layer white frosted cake.  Governor’s Don and Avanti cut the cake with flashing cameras.  Then pieces of Chocolate cake were passed out to all.  It was good, but what happened to the big white cake? I told them I thought it was taken from a wedding party and after the cutting ceremony we had to get it back … quickly!
IMG_6561.JPG=...more 2008-2009 CKI Board retired by Governor Don Dudey after which Governor Elect Tom Varner installed the new Board.
IMG_6524.JPG=Roy A. Sheets has been awarded a Founder’s Society award from his family members who were looking for a way to show their admiration for his work in Kiwanis and especially for his fund raising for the Virginia Commonwealth University Kiwanis Family Center.  Roy is a CDKF Trustee and reports that funds raised in the Ducky Derby and Caring Corner over the year have resulted in over $500,000 being given to the seven pediatric hospitals we aid each year.  Amazing how generosity adds up!  Wow!
IMG_6435.JPG=6435          Kathryn Braun of the University of Virginia has been named the Ellis H. Stroup Distinguished CKI Club Secretary for 2008-2009 by CKI with guidance by Capital District Secretary-Treasure Ellis Stroup.  The award is presented by Ellis and Governor Avanti.
IMG_6539.JPG=CKI International Trustee Kristen Reed and CKI LG Sarah Smith present Avanti Kollaram the Carthage Pullman Award for her excellent year of leadership as Governor of the Capital District CKI for 2008-2009.  Well deserved!
IMG_6471.JPG=Saturday evening is always the BIG night for the Governor’s (CKI and Kiwanis) Banquet and this time also for an address by the President of Kiwanis International, Paul Palazzolo.  Many asked to have photos taken with him and we show a few.  It’s like Kiwanis’ night with a star, Paul, who is also a club member just like all of us.  This is Sarah Smith, CKI Susquehanna Division, President Paul and Nicole McDermott, Tysons Kiwanis Club.
IMG_6392.JPG=Immediate Past Governor Tom Ganse presented two prestigious Carthage Pullman Society awards to CKI’s Kristen Brudt and Kelli Hill.
IMG_6536.JPG=Sunday’s Inspirational Speaker was Dr. Barbara E. Joe who spoke to us principally about her time in the Peace Corps which she joined later in life, when she was 62.  She spoke a little Spanish so volunteered to serve in Latin America.  She served a tour of 27 months; training plus two years in Honduras.  She discussed their poverty and living conditions with no electricity, limited safe water, a low educational level and diseases. She was reaching out suggesting personally that we help personally with some financial donation.  She’s very dedicated to her cause.
IMG_6398.JPG=CKI District Convention Chair Sarah Smith, LG Susquehanna Division and Past Key Club Governor, sends people off to sessions with the days announcements and messages.
IMG_6483.JPG=Pres. Paul wants you to dedicate yourself and put into practice his three main points:\
  \
1.  We need Growth For Service, to be able to provide new services by New Clubs in new areas.\
2.  We need Growth to expand Service and the Kiwanis experience to others at our existing Kiwanis clubs.\
3.  We need Growth For Service to fulfill our commitment and support of our Service Leadership Programs.
IMG_6423.JPG=The heart of all the Kiwanis family is the member clubs and division, district and international officers, chairs and others are ready to help you with answers to your questions and ideas fro you.  There were 45 workshops and seminars available for club members to attend while at the convention.  Kristen Reed, CKI International Trustee from SUNY at Potsdam and Immediate Past President conducted a session on “Moving On Up” to international leadership positions.  Share your skills as a K-Family leader.
IMG_6569.JPG=It is tradition that the CKI Governor’s official banner is transferred at this time from 2008-2009 Governor Avanti Kollaram to 2009-2010 CKI Governor Brian Cofrancesco.  The CKI club presidents transfer the banner from Virginia Commonwealth University to the University of Virginia where it will be displayed at each meeting.  That is as soon as they can get it down from the 15’ curtain where it has been for the convention.  No problem.  Thanks to you and your teams for serving CKI and the K-Family.
IMG_6356.JPG=Then a deeper sleep, altogether as a group.  At first you doubt this is happening, that someone would not be able to stifle a laugh or have some reaction of awareness but they did not.  Well, it went on with ‘suggesting’ that half of them were suddenly very cold and the other half very warm,  And that’s what appeared … cold and hot people.  Then a few were told they could only speak ‘Martian’ while one was a translator.  A bit crazy, but fascinating and for this you REALLY had to see it.  Well, on to convention.
IMG_6408.JPG=Remarks from K-Family Leaders at the Kiwanis Family Breakfast Saturday morning.  From the left:  Kiwanis Governor Don Dudey, Jessica Schuler Westminster Builder’s Club, Emilie Pinto on Key Leader from Warhill High School, Enrique Crank-Brock Arlington Traditional School K-Kids Club, Capital District Key Club Governor Samah McGona, Kiwanis International President Paul Palazzolo, and Capital District CKI Governor Avanti Kollaram.
IMG_6552.JPG=Governor Avanti Kollaram presents the Governor’s Carthage Pullman Award for distinguished service as CKI Secretary-Treasurer to Deidre Clark, The Georgetown University.  Congratulations Deidre!
IMG_6487.JPG=Paul was given a very nice Waterford Crystal dome of the United States Capital as a remembrance of their visit.
IMG_6512.JPG=OK, now you know.  Not all Kiwanians can do “YMCA”!   The new “Capital Kiwanis Players” made an appearance to sing and dance, no less, with walker & crutches no less, to the YMCA song.  You really had to see it. Photos give you a touch, but just a touch.  Indian Joe beats his drum to the beat, sort of, while GE Tom just jumped off his bike.
IMG_6347.JPG=Dr. Volz took these alert people and promptly put them … to sleep.
IMG_6351.JPG=Sleep time.
IMG_6553.JPG=Capital District CKI Administrator Jeff Wolff formally retires the 2008-2009 CKI governor. He puts the past governor pin on Avanti Kollaram offering her congratulations on her great year.
IMG_6484.JPG=Pres. Paul wants you to dedicate yourself and put into practice his three main points:\
  \
1.  We need Growth For Service, to be able to provide new services by New Clubs in new areas.\
2.  We need Growth to expand Service and the Kiwanis experience to others at our existing Kiwanis clubs.\
3.  We need Growth For Service to fulfill our commitment and support of our Service Leadership Programs.
IMG_6530.JPG=Kiwanis International President Paul Palazzolo was recognized and thanked for his wonderful visit by your Capital District Kiwanis Foundation as an “Honorary Founder’s Society Member” after his address at the President’s Banquet.  Paul was very pleased.  Over $106,000 has now been raised for the endowment fund thorough the Founder’s Society for the support of our SLP.  Please see the web site or your CDKF trustee so you can become a member.  Thank you!
IMG_6482.JPG=Kiwanis International President Paul Palazzolo is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Springfield - Downtown, Illinois.  He was a Key Club member and went directly into Kiwanis at 18 years old.  It’s in his being … and his family’s being.  How wonderful that Susanne and their children, Maria and Anthony, came with them to our district. Paul’s message is straight forward and you really already know it.  He wants you to dedicate yourself and put into practice his three main points:\
  \
1.  We need Growth For Service, to be able to provide new services by New Clubs in new areas.\
2.  We need Growth to expand Service and the Kiwanis experience to others at our existing Kiwanis clubs.\
3.  We need Growth For Service to fulfill our commitment and support of our Service Leadership Programs.\
\
That is how we will fulfill our destiny.
IMG_6457.JPG=International President Paul Palazzolo conducted an overflow session on the “10 Habits for Kiwanis Club Success”.  Every Kiwanian is a member of their local club, of course, and have similar challenges and opportunities for attracting new members and for expanding service to communities.  President Paul gave out rips from his experience and travels.  Thank you, Paul!
IMG_6527.JPG=Capital District Kiwanis Foundation – Founder’s Society –  A Foundation is an important part of our Kiwanis organization so that we can accept charitable donations, from people like you and organizations, and make tax free donations as a Foundation to such organizations as our SLP units and the seven pediatric hospitals.  One way is through the Founder’s Society award for dedicated service to Kiwanis.  Spearheaded by LG Rosemary Cummings Division 11 clubs have given a Founder’s award to Distinguished Lieutenant Governor Allan Kujala.  Allan was very surprised and moved by your appreciation.  Thank you!
IMG_6399.JPG=CKI District Convention Chair Sarah Smith, LG Susquehanna Division and Past Key Club Governor, sends people off to sessions with the days announcements and messages.
IMG_6596.JPG=“Service through the Decades” was the theme of a combined 50th Annual Capital District CKI Convention Celebration held in conjunction with the 2010 Capital District Kiwanis Midwinter Conference held February 26-29th in Crystal City, Virginia.  This unique gathering in the Hyatt Hotel just across the Potomac River from Washington brought representatives from throughout the Capital District with the strongest showing from the closest Regions of Potomac, Northern Virginia, Heart of Virginia and Mason Dixon.
IMG_6385.JPG=On Saturday, after the Kiwanis Family breakfast the opening session included remarks by CKI Governor Avanti\
Kollaram of CKI at Virginia Commonwealth University, then by Immediate Past Kiwanis Governor Tom Ganse.
IMG_6436.JPG=The award of the Lindley “Dig” DeGarmo CKI Distinguished CKI Club Vice President goes to Ryan White of Virginia Commonwealth University.  Past Kiwanis International Trustee Dig and Governor Avanti made the presentation.  Congratulations!
IMG_6441.JPG=Paul Mehler of the Mt. Vernon Kiwanis Club gave us a laugh when he came up to the stage to take a picture of the recipient of a Kiwanis International Foundation recognition award plaque, when he found out at the stage that HE was the recipient.  Club President Bruce Malkin presented the award with thanks.  Paul was surprised.  Good fun.
IMG_6431.JPG=The Keynote Address for the Leadership Luncheon was given by Pam Farr, National Chair of Volunteers, American Red Cross.  While the Red Cross is a huge organization, the needs for the services are equally huge as has just been witnessed in Haiti.  They too need volunteers to meet these crisis both long term and in an emergency.  Perhaps your club can team up with a Red Cross chapter in times of need.