News for July 2007

92nd Kiwanis International Convention

Howdy, My Fellow Kiwanians,

Six thousand Kiwanians descended upon San Antonio , Texas for the 92nd Kiwanis International Convention. They represented 93 nations, 5 regions, 52 districts, and 8,000 plus clubs. IT was a great convention!

In our Club many of you are past presidents. Each year we send our incoming president to the International Convention to represent our Club and to gain some Kiwanis knowledge. That trip probably represents one of your fondest Kiwanis memories. This was supposed to be our incoming president, Anita White's International Convention. So how is it that I ended up going?

Incoming Lt. Governors are asked to attend the convention prior to their administrative year. Therefore I was planning to go. It just so happened that Anita had a conflict in her schedule and could not go to San Antonio . She asked our Board if they could send ME in her place as our Club's delegate and representative.

Linda and I planned a very simple itinerary. We would arrive one day before the Kiwanis business sessions, go on a city tour; then devote the rest of the time to the Kiwanis things.

Mon. 7.02. We left LAX at 3:35 pm and arrived in San Anton @ 8:35 pm (2 hr. time difference). We stayed at the Marriott Riverwalk Hotel. Weather was overcast with slight sprinkles. The temperature was in the 80's. It reminded us of Hawaii — not too hot; but humid.

Tues. 7.03. We registered at the convention center, and then went on a city tour. We toured the Alamo and other missions, saw The Battle at the Alamo movie at the IMAX theater, and boated down the Riverwalk canals. Great stuff. San Antonio is a beautiful city. The Alamo seems to be the main attraction. Just ask the tourists.

Wed. 7.04. There was a CalNevHa caucus at 7:15 in the morning. About 200 people convened to review the amendments and the various candidates who were running for office. I had breakfast with Robert Ebiner of the West Covina Club. At 9:00 am I went to a Focus Forum/Seminar on photography. In the afternoon we had our First Business Session and we voted on some of the amendments. That night we went to a CalNevHa sponsored rodeo and dinner BBQ at the Don Strange Ranch.

Thurs. 7.05. Linda and I went to the Fellowship Breakfast, which had La Donna Gatlin ( Texas ) as the keynote speaker. At 9:00 am our Second Business Session convened to vote on the rest of the amendments. At 1:30 pm I went to a Focus Forum/Seminar entitled How to Kill A Club by Steve Siemens.

Fri. 7.06. At 9:00 Third and final Business Session convened to elect the officers and trustees. That afternoon I went to a Focus Forum/Seminar for presidents and Lt. Governors. At 4:00 pm we had the closing ceremony where the new Kiwanis International officers and t r ustees were introduced.

Keynote speakers.

CEO Rob Parker: Spoke on Membership. `92= 324,727 '05 = 248,210 `06= 267,071. In 14 years we lost 57,000 members. Why? And How? "The Back Door was Left Open". Correction: Modernize our governance. Focus on members; not leaders. Recognize results; not activities. Focus on freedom and creativity; not rules. Improve our members experience in Kiwanis. Let's see what will happen as we pursue these goals.
2015 Goal: 500,000 Next Generation members + 500,000 Adult members = 1 million members.

Past Kiwanis International President Steve Siemens: Attitude, Creativity. Vision. Direction. Responsibility.
Kiwanis International President Nelson Tucker,
Incoming Kiwanis International President Dave Curry. "Share our Story" Special Olympics and Aktion Clubs. The Texas and Oklahoma District comprised the host planning committee. They did a great job to keep each day and session interesting, fun, inspiring, and educational.