alabama kiwanis kourier summer 2014

Celebrate 100 years of Kiwanis at the International Convention in Indianapolis June 25-28

Alabama

Kiwanis Kourier

Summer 2014 Published by Alabama Kiwanis Foundation 24 pages

(See PRATTVILLE, )

By Patrice StewartKiwanis Kourier editor

Circle K in Alabama has pledged to raise $6,000 this year for the Jean Dean Reading Is Fundamental program, and it has created a new fellowship program to help.

The Joe and Jean Dean RIF Fellowship was announced at the Kiwanis District Convention in Mobile by Circle K Governor Jessica Bloom, who then presented the first two fel-lowships to Past Governor Joe Dean and daughter Cathy Dean Gafford.

Dean, who is almost 92, did not make the trip to Mobile, so Gafford accepted for him and took his medal-lion back to Opelika.

Gafford is executive director of Jean

Dean RIF, which is named for her late mother, who helped Dean during his many years of service to Kiwanis and to young children.

In honoring Dean and Gafford, Bloom said, “These two individuals have spent their lives serving the chil-dren of Alabama, and their love and dedication to the Jean Dean RIF pro-gram has been an inspiration.”

Bloom said they hope to put books in the classroom by raising funds through this fellowship, which also offers a way to recognize outstanding individuals who have contributed in many ways to Jean Dean Reading Is Fundamental. The $6,000 is part of a

By Patrice StewartKiwanis Kourier editor

Kiwanians attending the Alabama District Convention in Mobile got a glimpse into the future of Kiwanis, as well as a look back at the past as the civic club prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2015.

The Aug. 1-3 convention, directed by Past Governor Karla Moons and fellow members of the Azalea City Kiwanis Club of Mobile, was held in a historic downtown location, too: the restored Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel.

They kicked off the weekend with “The Great Gatsby” theme (and many members in costume) Friday evening at the History Museum of Mobile. The Mobile Azalea Trail Maids joined Kiwanians for Friday and Saturday festivities.

On Saturday, club members from around Ala-bama learned about The Formula, a new KI ini-tiative (see Page 9) and heard from youth mem-bers of Circle K and Key Club and Key Leader

Cathy Gafford, left, accepts first Joe and Jean Dean RIF Fellowships from Circle K Governor Jessica Bloom.

Circle K pledges $6K for RIFFellowship program will raise money; Gafford and Dean honored

(See RIF, Page 4)

Building on history

Alabama District officers who will start their terms Oct. 1 are, from left, Bill Phillips of Pell City, past governor; Keith Graham of Mobile, vice governor; Brian Rodgers of Indian Springs (Hoover Metro Kiwanis Club), governor; and Bob Palys of Cullman, gover-nor-elect. Phillips has been governor during 2013-14. (See MOBILE, Page 4)

It is tempting to call this my farewell column. But since I plan to continue in Kiwanis and, God willing, work for its good for a long time, I prefer to think of this as my thank-you column, because that is the way both Jean and I feel as I approach the end of my term as your governor.

Thank you for your support and confi-dence you have shown in me, thank you for the welcome we have received all over our district, and thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Alabama District Governor for 2013-14.

Three years ago in Andalusia you hon-ored me by electing me to be your District Treasurer, which soon became District Vice Governor. That started a three-year journey that has been one of the most enjoyable times of my life. I thought I had an idea of what to expect when I was elected, but one must really live through it to fully know the enjoy-ment of preparing to serve and serving as the Alabama District Governor.

I have had the opportunity to visit clubs all over our Alabama District and see old friends, meet new friends, and work with other Kiwanians who are serving in leadership capacities, a truly

great experience. I also went to governor-elect training in Indianapolis and met fellow governor-elects from all over North America and around the world. There I started friendships that I expect will last the rest of my life.

Our Alabama District was honored this year to host Kiwanis International President Gunter Gasser and his wife, Christiana, for an official visit. We had them for three full days and visited four cities and four Kiwanis clubs during their stay. Jean and I had the opportunity to spend time with them and learn about their home country, Austria, and their clubs. Gunter and Christiana belong to different clubs in their hometown of Spittal An Der Drau.

We learned about Gunter’s travels, the work he has been

doing for Kiwanis and some of his plans and hopes for Kiwanis worldwide. Our new growth program is a natural result of his thinking and planning. Their visit was another very enjoyable experience for us.

Measuring resultsI started this year with several objectives I hoped to be

able to accomplish; several deal with club and membership development. Measuring the results of work toward meet-ing some of these objectives is subjective, and how well we

did toward meeting them may not be apparent until after this year is over. How well we are going to do on one of my main objectives, growing the club, division and district membership, is much easier to measure, and the results are uncertain at this point in the year.

After what I consider to be a very good start, at the end of December we were up 49 members for the district. Now we are down 45 members through the end of June. The loss of three clubs accounts for the single larg-est membership loss to date. Without the loss of these clubs, we would be projecting growth in the Alabama District, something we haven’t experi-

Alabama Kiwanis Kourier, Summer 2014 2

Plan to attend the Alabama District Mid-winter Conference in Prattville Feb. 20-21, 2015

Looking back with thanks to you

From the Governor

By BillPhillips Jr.

Alabama Kiwanis KourierPublished by Alabama District Kiwanis Foundation

Address news, photos and other correspondence to:Patrice W. Stewart, Editor

256-303-1668 n [email protected] and technical assistance by Steve Stewart, assistant professor, Troy UniversityBill Phillips Jr., Pell City ([email protected]) . . . . . . . . . . . . . GovernorBrian Rodgers, Indian Springs ([email protected]) . . . Governor-electBob Palys, Cullman ([email protected]) . . . . . . . . . . . Vice GovernorWayne Sisk, Alexandria ([email protected]) . . . . . . . .Past GovernorPat Manasco ([email protected]). . . . . . . . . . District Secretary

DISTRICT OFFICE: 85 Bagby Drive, Suite 206, Birmingham, AL 35209 Phone (205) 945-1334 or (800) 745-1334, Fax (205) 942-5348; alabama.kiwanis.org

At the District Convention luncheon in Mobile, Governor Bill Phillips presented wife Jean a Zeller medallion in honor of her support and help during his year as governor of the Alabama District. Later, he was surprised with a Zeller from the Alabama District.

(See GOVERNOR, Page 3)


Have questions? Call the Kiwanis District Office in Birmingham at 205-945-1334

enced in a number of years.But this points out something we

need to remember: Kiwanis is dynam-ic. Kiwanis membership is dynamic. Kiwanis clubs are dynamic. We are always going to have changes in membership, clubs and our organiza-tion. One of our goals each year needs to be making sure these changes are for the good.

Turning 100We are about to start our 100th year

as an organization. But during our 99th year, several important changes and programs have been initiated to strengthen Kiwanis and prepare us to move into our next century. The KI president and board have established that Key Club and Circle K students, once reaching their 18th birthdays, automatically become Associate Members of Kiwanis.

This change formalizes and strengthens these students’ ties to Kiwanis and encourages their contin-ued participation in our organization and our work for the children of the world. These young people are impor-tant to us and to Kiwanis, and as President Gasser likes to point out, “Young people are our future.”

One very important program that was introduced at the Vancouver KI Convention last summer is our five-year growth program, The Formula. This program, which I hope each of you is at least somewhat familiar with, utilizes a team of volunteers at all levels of Kiwanis to work toward opening new Kiwanis clubs in every division of Kiwanis and strengthening existing clubs everywhere.

The FormulaThis is a Kiwanis International ini-

tiative, and Jamie Brabston of Birmingham is our regionally appoint-ed leader here in Alabama. We have a good start toward building our growth teams in each division, and Jamie will be working hard to com-plete these teams so we can have a unified effort of growth throughout the Alabama District. And to make its goals easier to remember, many of the goals of the KI growth program mir-ror my objectives for 2013-2014. In fact, they are amazingly similar, which only goes to prove great minds think

alike, or perhaps I should say great engineering minds since Gunter, like me, is an engineer.

We are nearing the end of our five-year Eliminate Project, under the lead-ership here in Alabama of Tammy Driskill. In Alabama, we still have work to do to meet our goal, and I know we will, as usual, rise to this challenge.

Our SLP pro-grams and their leadership have been a joy to work with and watch as our young people grow in confidence and leadership this year. I am con-vinced we have some of the best SLP leadership in Kiwanis, and I know no district anywhere has finer young people. If we can keep these young people in Kiwanis and work-ing, the Kiwanis future is going to be bright and the children of the world can look forward to a better world to grow up in.

RecognitionsThere are so many people I would

like to recognize who have helped me in many ways, offering encourage-ment and help. If I tried to recognize everyone by name, I would likely leave someone out.

1. The people at Kiwanis Inter-national have been a great help to me this year, supplying information and answering questions.

2. Our District Secretary Pat Manasco has been my true ”Girl Friday.”

3. I want to give a special thanks to my lieutenant governors. Some of you have gone the extra mile in your efforts to help us reach our objectives and help build your divisions. In some cases your efforts have not reaped the rewards you deserve to have, but I know what you have done and I will never forget your hard work.

4. I would like to thank my District Chairpersons.

5. I want to thank the Kiwanians who planned and invited us to visit your clubs to speak and for Governor’s Banquets. These events allowed me to visit your clubs and get to know your people and area better.

6. And I would like to thank all of

the Kiwanis members in the Hunts-ville, Birmingham, Montgomery and Gadsden clubs for their many hours of hard work on the receptions and banquets honoring our International President and wife. These functions were wonderful events and well received by everyone. They left a last-

ing impression on all of us.

7. I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize the great work of Karla Moons, her committee and the Azalea City Kiwanis Club for their fine planning and work in host-ing the District

Convention at the Battle House Hotel in Mobile Aug. 1-3.

The futureWhen I look at Kiwanis and think

about the future, I see a renewed enthusiasm and dedication among many of our members to the task of growing our organization. I have seen a willingness on the part of our club officers and lieutenant governors to work toward our objectives this year. I see this same energy and spirit in the officers who will be taking over Oct 1. I think this is a good indication of what we can expect in 2014-2015, a year of celebration, growth and accomplishments.

As I complete my year as governor, my wish is that you will continue to work toward the objectives we have had this year to strengthen our clubs, develop our members to be leaders and grow our Kiwanis membership in all clubs and divisions of our great district. You will have the opportunity to do this through the growth pro-gram.

I would ask that you give our incoming Governor Brian Rodgers, Governor-elect Bob Palys and newly elected Vice Governor Keith Graham the same support and help you have given me this year. I wish for you, Brian and all of us the very best year we can possibly have.

I leave you with two parting thoughts:

“In all you do, have fun” and “I can’t, you can’t, we can.”

Governor(From Page 2)

Renewed enthusiasm, dedi-cation, energy and spirit suggest that 2014-2015 will be a year of celebration, growth and accomplish-ments for the Alabama Kiwanis District. Let’s increase membership in all clubs and divisions.


Email news and photos of club projects to the Kiwanis Kourier, [email protected]

Remember these important dates n K-Family DayOpelika, Oct. 11, 2014(work day in Reading Is Fundamental warehouse)

n Mid-winter ConferencePrattville, Feb. 20-21, 2015

n Kiwanis International Conventionand 100th anniversary celebrationIndianapolis, IndianaJune 25-28, 2015

n Alabama District ConventionTuscaloosa, Aug. 7-9, 2015

long-term goal of $50,000.This fellowship requires a

$500 gift, and it will provide books to two classrooms of 20 children. Fellows also will receive a medallion and plaque in recognition of their dedica-tion.

Gafford oversees auctions and other RIF fundraisers every year, and she has been especial-ly touched by Circle K’s willing-ness to help and pledge funds.

“Special thanks to Alabama Circle K for establishing the Joe and Jean Dean RIF Fellowship to help raise money for the chil-

dren served by Jean Dean RIF,” Gafford said.

“My dad and I truly appreci-ate the founding of the Fellowship and receiving the first two awards from it. Four classrooms of at-risk young chil-dren in Alabama will receive three books for each child to take home based on these first two awards.”

Bloom said, “We hope to honor many more individuals through the Joe and Jean Dean RIF Fellow ship.”

For more information, email Circle K Administrator David Womack at david.womack@ alabama.circlek.org or Bloom at [email protected] .org.

participants in many convention sessions, along with an Aktion Club adviser.

Driskill endorsedThe Alabama District Board unanimously approved Past

Governor Tammy Driskill’s plans to run for the Kiwanis International Board of Trustees, and delegates also endorsed the idea at the business session. Driskill won Distinguished Lieutenant Governor honors and has also headed the Key Leader and Eliminate programs at the state level. She is a bankruptcy attorney in Gadsden and member of the Kiwanis Club of Gadsden.

Also during the business session, delegates elect-ed Keith Graham, a Certified Public Accountant in Mobile, as vice governor for 2014-15. He is expect-ed to move up the officer ladder to become gover-nor in 2016-17. The two-term distinguished presi-dent of the Azalea City Kiwanis Club, he is current-ly completing a term as Division 14 lieutenant gov-ernor. He is the managing partner of Graham, Brown & Dutton P.C.

At the Governor’s Banquet Saturday night during this 96th District Convention, officers for 2014-15 were installed by Bob McCurley, past governor and past KI trustee.

Brian Rodgers of Indian Springs (Hoover Metro Kiwanis Club), now governor-designate, will take over as governor Oct. 1, and Bill Phillips of Pell City will move to past gov-ernor. Bob Palys of Cullman will become governor-elect, and Keith Graham of Mobile will be vice governor.

Lieutenant governors are listed on Pages 5 and 6. Their terms will also officially start Oct. 1, 2014. Pat Manasco of Home wood/Mountain Brook has been appointed to serve as district secretary again in 2014-15.

In his farewell speech at the Governor’s Banquet, Phillips said the four days he and Jean spent showing Alabama and its Kiwanis projects to KI President Gunter Gasser and

wife, Christiana, from Austria were among the most mem-orable of his year.

‘Renewed enthusiasm’In what has seemed an up-and-down kind of year,

Phillips said to remember that Kiwanis is “always going to have changes in membership, clubs and our organization, but we need to make sure these changes are for the good.”

This year, he has enjoyed seeing “a renewed enthusiasm and dedication among many of our members to the task of growing our organization.” He said he sees “this same

energy and spirit in the officers who will be taking over Oct. 1,” so 2014-2015 should be a year of cele-bration, growth and accomplishments.

At the Interclub Luncheon, Pat Manasco told about Indianapolis as the site for the next Kiwanis International Convention June 25-28, 2015. “There are many things for families to do in Indianapolis,” she said, “and we’ve got to have a good delegation attend because we’re going to ‘Win with Tammy.’”

The 2015 District Convention is scheduled for Aug. 7-9 in Tuscaloosa. One of the organizers, Betty Whisenant, said they are planning to celebrate the Kiwanis 100th anniversary with cake, fellowship,

speeches, special events “and opportunities to learn better ways to serve children.”

‘Need to be moved to action’“We need to get every member excited about this year of

celebration,” incoming governor Brian Rodgers said in his talk at the Interclub Luncheon. He urged everyone to “dream big” and said, “It will be an exciting year if we want it to be….”

“As we approach the summit, we can see the past, and the future is a bright one -- but we need to have everyone join in,” Rodgers said. “We need to be moved to action.”

Read through this issue of the Kiwanis Kourier online, and you will spot more information and photos from the Mobile conven-tion, from awards and fundraisers to the “Great Gatsby” supper at the History Museum of Mobile and officer installation in a ballroom at the restored Battle House Hotel.

Mobile(From Page 1)

Tammy Driskill

RIF(From Page 1)


Deadline for the fall edition of the online Kiwanis Kourier is Nov. 1, 2014

’14-15 District officers installed

Jean and Bill Phillips Holly and Brian Rodgers Melba and Bob Palys Dee Dee & Keith Graham

Alabama District officers and lieutenant governors for 2014-15 were installed Aug. 2 by Bob McCurley, past governor and international trust-ee. Shown, front, are Keith Graham, vice governor; Bob Palys, governor-elect; Brian Rodgers, governor designate; Bill Phillips, who will turn the duties of governor over to Rodgers on Oct. 1; and Pat Manasco, district secretary. Behind them are lieutenant governors Charles Jones, Pam Fleming, Pollyanna Higgs, Betty Whisenant, Colean Black, Armand St. Raymond, Tammy Driskill, Ben Taylor, Joel Williams, Paul England, Mark Kellerman and Karla Moons (not pictured, Darrell Parker and Alan Taylor). These installations will become official Oct. 1, but pins, gavels and gifts were swapped during the District Convention in Mobile.

Photos by Patrice Stewart



Incoming and outgoing lieutenant governors mingled during the Aug. 2 Honors Reception and Governor‘s Banquet at the District Convention and were thanked for their service by Governor Bill Phillips, whose term will end Sept. 30. Lieutenant gov-ernors completing the 2013-14 year are Richard Hartz, James Stansell, Pollyanna Higgs, Betty Whisenant, Owen Bradley, Gerald Ware, James Kendrick, Alan Taylor, Margaret Murphy, Thomas Lott and Keith Graham. Pat Padgett and Joel Williams assisted during the year. Past Governor Wayne Sisk was also recognized.

District officers, lieutenant governors

2014-15 officersGovernor

Brian RodgersHoover-MetroGovernor-elect

Bob PalysCullmanVice governor

Keith GrahamAzalea City/MobileImmediate past governor

Bill Phillips Jr.Pell CityDistrict secretary

Pat ManascoHomewood

Lt. governors for 2014-15Division 1, Charles Jones, HuntsvilleDivision 2, Pam Fleming, SheffieldDivision 3, Pollyanna Higgs, JasperDivision 4, Betty Whisenant, TuscaloosaDivision 5, Colean Black,

Homewood/Mtn. BrookDivision 6, Armand St. Raymond,

BirminghamDivision 7, Tammy Driskill, GadsdenDivision 8, Darrell Parker, Pell CityDivision 9, Alan Taylor, Millbrook-CoosadaDivision 10, Ben Taylor, TallasseeDivision 11, Joel Williams, TroyDivision 12, Paul England, MonroevilleDivision 13, Mark Kellerman, FairhopeDivision 14, Karla Moons, Azalea City, Mobile



Bob McCurley

Alabama District Kiwanis history

This is the fifth in a series of articles on Alabama District Kiwanis history compiled by Bob McCurley, who has served as an Alabama District Kiwanis Governor and as a member of the boards of Kiwanis International and its foundation.

Ala. sponsored youths are worldwide leaders

(See HISTORY, Page 8)

The Kiwanis youth family is the pride and joy of the Alabama Kiwanis District: Key Clubs, Circle K, Builders Clubs and K-Kids, along with Aktion Clubs.

Many have said if Kiwanis did nothing more than spon-sor youth organizations, it is successful. In fact, our spon-sored youth organizations are world leaders.

Key ClubsIn 1947 G. Harold Martin, past governor of the Florida

District who is acknowledged by many as the father of Key Club International, helped organize Alabama Key Clubs in Decatur, Troy and Huntsville. The following year Governor Albert Tully appointed James H. “Shipwreck” Kelly to be Kiwanis chairman for Key Clubs in Alabama. He would serve for the next five years.

To promote Key Clubs in Alabama, Kelly organized a group of Key Clubbers known as the “flying squadron” to talk to Kiwanis Clubs throughout the state. This effort was rewarded by the organization of active clubs.

In 1953, Zeke Fox and John H. White were appointed chairmen for Key Clubs in the Alabama District. In just a couple of months, a district organization was set up, with the first annual convention held in Montgomery on March 28-29, 1953. At this first meeting 20 Key Clubs met at the Jefferson Davis Hotel, where they elected Billy Long of Baldwin County High School as the first Key Club Governor.

A year later at the second convention, 30 Key Clubs met at the Battle House Hotel in Mobile. Within two more years, the Key Club District was publishing the Bama Bulletin, chronicling the Key Club movement throughout the district.

John H. White, affectionately called “Judge White,” had graduated from the University of Georgia Law School but after the service moved to Bay Minette, where he was an

accountant with Newport Industrial Corp. in its chemical division. Judge White took the lead to promote the devel-opment of Key Clubs as Key Club administrator. Judge White was followed by Cullman High School principal Stanley Johnson as the second Key Club administrator. Then Bob Bottsford, another high school principal, was the third administrator, and now George Price is only the fourth Key Club administrator in more than 60 years of Key Clubs in Alabama.

The Alabama District of Key Club started with four divi-sions which at that time were called areas, but within a year were organized along the same division lines of

Kiwanis, moving first to 7, then to 9 and 14 divisions the same as Kiwanis. The growth of Key Club continues; in 2014 there are 20 divisions with 187 clubs and 7,500 members. Alabama is the only dis-trict with more Key Clubs than Kiwanis Clubs.

Circle KIn 1955 Kiwanis International

officially recognized Circle K as a member of the Kiwanis family.

Circle K, or CKI, is the largest college-based civic organiza-tion in the world, with over 13,000 members in 500 clubs throughout 17 nations. The Alabama District was officially organized as the seventh district of Circle K International on June 30, 1958.

The University of Alabama was the first club built in the district and the 72nd club organized in Circle K Inter-national, officially chartering on Feb. 26, 1954. About a year and a half later, Auburn University’s club was orga-nized.

Dr. Walter Jones of the University of Alabama became the third Kiwanis International Chairman of Circle K. He was the first Alabamian to be involved in either the district or International level of Circle K.



In 58 years, the Alabama District has produced approximately 35 Inter-national officers.

The following Kiwanians have served as Alabama’s Kiwanis Chairman and Circle K Advisor: Dr. Henry B. Moore, 1958; Doug Wasson, 1959-61; Winning A. Currie, 1961-64; Tom Lile, Tuscaloosa, 1964-66; Walker Curry, Tuscaloosa, 1966-73; Steve Means, Gadsden, 1973-81; David Womack, Tuscaloosa, 1981-1989; Critt Snellgrove, Dothan, 1989-91; David Perkins, Tuscaloosa, 1991-93; Jim Thomas, Jasper, 1993-2000; and David Womack, Tuscaloosa 2000 to present.

Builders ClubsBuilders Clubs later became the fast-

est growing member of the Kiwanis family. This organization for junior high and middle school boys and girls became a KI program in 1976.

Builders Clubs remained in its embryonic state with approximately six to 10 clubs in the Alabama District until 1990. That year Past Governor Andy Chaffin was selected Kiwanis International Chairman of Builders Clubs. Almost immediately, the Alabama District and Kiwanis clubs around America became aware of the advantages of Builders Clubs, and these clubs began to spread like wild-fire.

Within three years, more Builders Clubs were built in Alabama and across America than in the prior 15 years altogether. Kiwanis Inter-national proudly added the Builders Club logo to all its materials, as well as to the front entrance of the Kiwanis International building in Indianapolis. The top Builders Club International award is named for former Alabama Governor and Builders Club catalyst Andy Chaffin.

Builders Clubs are the largest youth organization for Grades 6 through 8 in America. The number of clubs has already surpassed the number of Cir cle K clubs. Some divisions now have more Builders clubs than Kiwan is clubs. There are more than 35,000 mem bers in 1,500 clubs in five countries.

Aktion ClubsThe Aktion Club is the only commu-

nity service club for adults living with disabilities. An Aktion Club allows

members to develop initiative and leadership skills in serving their com-munities while enabling their integra-tion into society. They learn leadership skills and how to work as a group and develop their individual abilities.

The Florida District organized the first Aktion Club in Putnam County, Fla., in 1987. The concept quickly spread across Florida as Kiwanis clubs embraced working with the disabled. It was not until Oct. 1, 2000, that Aktion Clubs became a part of the Kiwanis family as an official spon-sored program of Kiwanis International. There are more than 400 Aktion clubs with over 10,000 mem-bers in eight nations.

Aktion Clubs began in Alabama in 2002 as an outgrowth of Special Olympics. Dr. Glenda Selman was appointed the first administrator for the Alabama District and continues to lead the program, which has nine clubs and 167 members in Alabama.

K-KidsK-Kids also began as a Florida

District project in 1998 to complement Key Clubs and Builders Clubs while focusing on Grades 1-5. It was quickly adopted by Kiwanis International as the first K-Kids club was chartered in Brooksville, Fla., on Oct. 1, 1998.

As soon as K-Kids became a part of the Kiwanis family, Governor Steve Cragon appointed Phillip Selman of Gadsden as district administrator. The Gadsden club quickly chartered the first club at the Gadsden Episcopal Day School. By the end of the Kiwanis year, two more clubs were chartered. In the next 10 years under the leader-ship of Phillip Selman, Alabama has grown to 17 K-Kids Clubs with over 400 members.

There are many more “Kiwanis stories waiting to be told.” If you have anecdotes or stories to include in the Alabama District history, please send them to me. Anyone who may have information or Kiwanis pictures about these early days should also send them to me, Bob McCurley,[email protected], or District Secretary Pat Manasco, [email protected]) .

The last edition of the Alabama Kiwanis Kourier during 2014 will include excerpts about our District leadership. Tlhen “Alabama District of Kiwanis History, the First 100 Years” will be published Jan. 21, 2015, to coincide with the 100th birth-day of Kiwanis International.

History(From Page 7)

Newly elected Kiwanis International Trustee Kenneth Alovera has been named counselor to the Alabama District for 2014-15.

He is a member of the Roxas City Kiwanis Club in the Philippines and was elected to a three-year term on the KI Board of Trustees in July at the 99th annu-al Kiwanis Interna-tional Convention in Tokyo-Chiba, Japan.

He was unable to attend the Alabama District Convention in Mobile but sent a video speech and told those attending he looks forward to visiting Alabama in the future.

‘Good work’He congratulated the Alabama

District on its large number of Walter Zeller Fellows and contributions by $100K Clubs and Model Clubs to the worldwide Eliminate Project that is battling maternal and neonatal teta-nus.

“Keep up the good work, Alabama!” he told conventioneers via his video.

A member of the Roxas City Kiwanis Club for 26 years, Alovera has served as club president, lieuten-ant governor and 2011-12 governor of the Philippine South District.

He also was Kiwanis Asia-Pacific vice chairman in 2012-13.

Club formationAlovera spearheaded the formation

of the Kiwanis Clubs of Iloilo City and Metropolitan Iloilo, where he also serves as a charter member.

An attorney, he works as a corporate lawyer in the banking industry. He is also a law professor at the College of Law, Colegio de la Purisima Concep-cion, and at the College of Manage-ment and Accounting, University of Iloilo.

He and his wife Eugenia, also a Kiwanian, have three children.

Kenneth Alovera

Kenneth Alovera is KI counselor for Ala. District



By Jamie BrabstonAlabama District Chairwoman for The Formula

What is The Formula?The Formula is a multi-year, mem-

ber-led initiative to strengthen Kiwanis membership in existing clubs and expand Kiwanis’ reach to com-munities that do not yet have the ben-efit of a Kiwanis club.

The initiative is based on the simple premise that when members have an exceptional Kiwanis experience, they want to share Kiwanis with others.

We all LOVE our clubs, and The Formula helps us to spread our mes-sage by sharing Kiwanis with others, which strengthens our existing clubs and brings Kiwanis service to more communities.

We are building a Formula Team in the Alabama District, and we need YOU to join us! We need volunteers in most divisions to help as club openers and club counselors (training materi-als and resources will be provided).

Please contact me at (256) 679-6341 or email [email protected] if you have ANY interest in finding out more about how you can become involved in this mission to share the Kiwanis experience.

Many of you attended our work-shop at the District Convention and/or stopped by our booth to pick up materials and brochures Thank you for your interest! Please pass along to

your clubs the information you obtained about The Formula, and con-tact me if you would like someone on

The Formula team to speak to your club about this initiative.

LOVE IT. SHARE IT. LIVE IT.

So, what is The Formula? It’s this:

1. Take something you love.

2. Share it with others.3. Make it a part of your

life.

Join the Formula Team to share Kiwanis experience with others

Governor-designate Brian Rodgers and The Formula Chairwoman Jamie Brabston lead a workshop at the District Convention in Mobile. They were among those from Alabama who went to Atlanta last spring for a seminar on The Formula.

Send 2014-15 club officers, info to District officeReminder to club leaders around the state: Send the

names and contact information (emails, phones, ad dresses or whatever you have) of your 2014-15 offi-cers (president, president-elect, secretary, treasurer or any others in the leadership group of your Kiwanis club).

District Secretary Pat Manasco needs this information sent to her in the Alabama District of Kiwanis office in Birmingham as soon as possible so your club can stay in touch and informed throughout the year. She hopes to have the District Directory with district and club leaders listed on the district website (alabama.kiwanis.org) by mid-October.

You can email your information to her at patricia-

[email protected]. Lists can also be mailed to the Alabama District Office at 85 Bagby Drive, Suite 206, Birmingham, AL 35209.

The office phone is 205-945-1334 or 800-745-1334. Fax info to 205-942-5348.

Manasco reminds all Kiwanians of several important dates to keep in mind as preparations are made for the 2014-15 club year:

n Mid-winter Conference, Prattville, Feb. 20-21, 2015n Kiwanis International Convention, Indianapolis,

Indiana, June 25-28, 2015n Alabama District Convention, Tuscaloosa, Aug. 7-9,

2015


Support Reading Is Fundamental with readers and donations for books and other needs

Jo Ann Bartlett Lanier and Sidney Lanier became the first couple to receive the annual Jean Dean Courage Award during the District Convention luncheon Aug. 2 in Mobile.

In presenting the honor, Cathy Dean Gafford called them “two outstanding peas in a pod who for over 50 years have shared the joys and the trials that life has brought them with strength and grace.”

The 2014 recipients have long been active in the Alabama District of Kiwanis and were honored “for their courage along life’s way,” said Gafford.

They are treasured members of the Wedowee Kiwanis Club -- Sidney for 30 years and Jo Ann for close to 10, said Gafford. “Local club members and many of you are famil-iar with how they’ve worked tirelessly to help the children of the world through Kiwanis.”

Both have served as president of their club “more than once” -- and in every other office, as well.

Sidney is a past governor of the Alabama District of Kiwanis and Jo Ann his “First Lady.” She was also the first woman to be president of the Wedowee Kiwanis Club -- a club her own dad had been proud to be a leader in.

Sidney serves on the Alabama Kiwanis Foundation Board and has served as its president and chairman of the Jean Dean Reading Is Fundamental Advisory Board.

Both have also served in leadership positions in various clubs, their alma mater, Auburn University, and their church, First United Methodist.

Sidney retired from the Air Force as a full colonel after a 30-year career handling logistics in various bases across the United States and in England and Korea. When he and Jo Ann moved to Wedowee, he joined Kiwanis. When Jo Ann retired from teaching English, she became even more involved in improving her community through member-ship in the Garden Club, Music Club, Study Club and Federation of Women’s Clubs, Gafford said, and then Jo Ann joined Kiwanis, too.

“Anybody in their club will tell you … the Laniers are a mighty force for Wedowee Kiwanis, serving in various leadership roles and always getting something done to help someone else in Kiwanis, in their church, in their community,” Gafford said.

They have shown courage over their many years together, whether as a young couple serving their country in other parts of the world while raising three daughters, in the classroom or in Kiwanis and com-munity projects.

“They not only have supported all projects in their local club but also in the district,” said Gafford. “And I mean ALL projects: RIF, HOBY, Relay for Life, IDD, Eliminate and more — plus they started their own leadership project that lasted for many years.

“Has life been a cakewalk for them — did they have more time and better health than others to do all of these things?

Absolutely not,” Gafford said. “Jo Ann, with God and Sidney’s help, has battled cancer several times but continues to look for ways to help others every day -- as does Sidney, who has braved several back and leg operations but never complains. They continue to show courage.”

Fellow club member James Kendrick said, “There is nobody more deserving of this honor than Jo Ann and Sidney”, and the Courage Award committee agreed.

“They are two courageous individuals my mother would have genuinely liked and enjoyed,” Gafford said.

She and her father, Past Governor Joe Dean, 91, give the Courage Award annually in memory of their mother and wife.

“Courage is a word that defined Jean Torbert Dean … not just as she faced her final illness with strength and grace, but all of her life. A lifelong asthmatic, she had suffered both a heart attack and a debilitating stroke

before she was 40 years old, but every day until she was confined to a wheelchair on oxygen, she got up at her beloved Danway, looked after her family and looked out into the world around her to see whom she might help, as a Sunday school teacher, den mother, Girl Scout leader and more, Gafford said.

“After she ‘drove herself to the hospital a race horse and came home a turtle,’ as she put it, she still used her mind to help Daddy help others through Kiwanis,” Gafford said. ”I believe courage is taking the circumstances God gives you, and making the best of them.”

Cathy Dean Gafford, left, presents the Jean Dean Courage Award to Jo Ann and Sid Lanier of Wedowee.

Jo Ann, Sid Lanier are the first couple to receive Jean Dean Courage Award

“Has life been a cakewalk for them — did they have more time and better health than others to do all of these things? Absolutely not.”

— Cathy Dean Gafford, Jean Dean’s daughter


Put the Alabama District Convention in Tuscaloosa on your calendar: Aug. 7-9, 2015

Key Club Administrator George Price, left, gives a Zeller honor to Vice Governor Bob Palys for his work on the Chil-dren’s Hospital project with Key Club, and Jamie Brabston gets a Zeller medallion for her work with Key Leader and The Formula from Past Governor Pam Fleming, right, center photo. Gordon Ruggles, Alabama Kiwanis Founda tion president, helped George Aiken, right, honor his wife, Kiwanian Allyne Aiken, with a J. Mercer Barnett award for her contributions to Kiwanis. Also, Jean Phillips (see Page 2) received a Zeller from her husband, Bill, who was surprised with one from the district. Oxford Golden K received a banner patch for 100 percent contributing to Eliminate.

During the 71st Key Club Inter-national Convention in July in Ana-heim, Calif., Robert “Bob” Palys received the Key Club International Key of Honor.

Palys has been the advisor to the Holly Pond High School Key Club near Cullman for 25 years and a member of the adult District Board for Alabama Key Club for 16 years, serving as advisor representative.

The Alabama District of Kiwanis elected him vice governor last year, and he will become governor-elect Oct. 1. He is expected to serve as governor in 2015-16.

The Key of Honor is the highest recognition presented by Key Club International — to an individual who has made a lifelong positive impact upon youth in general and Key Club specifically, or an organi-zation honored for a long-term support of youth and Key Clubs.

No more than two Keys of Honor can be given in one year. Nominees are those who have “gone above and beyond the call of duty” in dedication to youths.

Palys was recognized for influ-encing students to always strive for their best.

Palys said he was “shocked and surprised” with the award, but also honored and proud. “It is a dream

come true for me,” he added.He noted that the Holly Pond

Key Club has been named the out-standing Key Club in its category (based on number of members) for 23 consecutive years and the most outstanding club overall 19 years. It also has won international recog-nition for service achievement three times.

“The Holly Pond Key Club has been blessed with excellent club leaders and young adults who are dedicated to providing service to make a difference in our Alabama community,” Palys said.

Key Club Governor Kacie Hines presented the award to Palys before his Kiwanis peers at the District Kiwanis Convention in Mobile.

In its 62 years of existence, the Alabama Key Club District has had six Key of Honor recipients: John H. “Judge” White (founder of Ala-bama District Key Club), Stanley T. Johnson, Robert L. Bottsford, Clar-ence E. Brooker, George L. Price and Palys.

The presentation of the award to Palys can be seen on You Tube, Closing Session 2014 Key Club International Convention, begin-ning at the 28 minutes, 18 seconds point.

Bob Palys gets Key of Honor

The Key of Honor was originally given to Bob Palys during the Key Club Inter-national Convention in Anaheim, Calif., but Key Club Governor Kacie Hines pre-sented the award to Palys again during the Kiwanis District Convention in Mobile.


Keep up with progress of the KI worldwide service project at www.TheEliminateProject.org

Memories in Mobile

Summer convention, Aug. 1-3



Memories in Mobile‘Great Gatsby’ theme at museum





2014 District ConventionBattle House Renaissance Hotel, Mobile


Send your annual club gift of at least $5 per member to the Kiwanis International Foundation


2014 District Convention


Plan to attend the Alabama District Mid-winter Conference in Prattville Feb. 20-21, 2015

2014 District ConventionPhotos by Patrice

Stewart



By Olivia HumphriesAlabama District Chair Kiwanis International Foundation

In the Alabama District, I have sev-eral people to recognize with Kiwanis International Annual Giving Awards for Kiwanis year 2012-13.

First is the division with the highest per capita, or per member, giving: Division 14 and 2012-13 Lt. Governor Waynetta Black.

In addition to that division, two oth-ers exceeded $5 per capita giving: Division 2 with David Beasley, and Division 10.

Current givingThe 2013-14 KI Foundation report

for the Alabama District shows the following totals of per capita giving

by division so far: Division 1, $8.21; Division 2, 45 cents; Division 3, $1.53; Division 4, $2.91; Division 5, $4.81; Division 6, $6.33; Division 7, $5.72; Division 8, $3.12; Division 9, $4.73; Division 10, $6.42; Division 11, $6.83; Division 12, $4.17;

Division 13, $3.19; Division 14, $3.19.Congratulations to the top five divi-

sions so far: Divisions 1, 11, 10, 6 and 7, ranging from $8.21 per member to $5.72 per member.

A reminderNote that all contributions going to

the Kiwanis International Foundation EXCEPT Eliminate funds will be counted toward our goal of $22,990. This is the goal that was designated by Governor Bill Phillips for 2013-14.

We should strive to meet or exceed

this goal in order for the Alabama District to be in contention for Outstanding District. We are currently at $17,777, or $4.84 per capita.

Remember, we will not be receiving any Circle K scholarships this year unless we are in the top five districts of Kiwanis International. We can get there, but each club will have to con-tribute and also award a good many straight Hixsons and Tablets of Honor, which will count toward the district rankings (but Eliminate Project honors do not count toward this).

I would like to express my apprecia-tion to the Alabama District for allow-ing me to be your district chair for Kiwanis International Foundation for the last three years. This has been a very rewarding time of my life with Kiwanis.

Past Governor Joel Williams will be taking over this role, and I wish him all success to achieve the goals being set by the International Foundation.

Olivia Humphries

Division 14 tops International Foundation giving in 2012-13

Governor-designate Brian Rodgers presents a gift to Olivia Humphries for her three years as Alabama Dis-trict chair for the Kiwanis Inter na-tional Foundation.

KI Foundation Chair Olivia Humphries calls names from the podium as her husband, Ed Humphries, assists in presenting awards to Waynetta Black and David Beasley for their divisions’ high Annual Club Giving during 2012-13.

Clubs should look at their donations to the Kiwanis International Foundation because more giving is needed to reach the 2013-14 goal of $22,990 (Eliminate funds do not count toward that goal).


Support Reading Is Fundamental with readers and donations for books and other needs

From Kiwanis International

Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of the Japanese Imperial Family welcomed members and guests to the 99th annual Kiwanis International Convention during opening cer-emonies in Japan.

Delegates met July 17-20 at Makuhari Messe Convention Center in Chiba, outside Tokyo.

During elections, Ridgetown, Ontario, Kiwanian John R. Button was confirmed as Kiwanis International president for 2014-15. His term will begin Oct. 1, 2014.

Susan A. Petrisin of the Michigan District was approved as president-elect, and Jane M. Erickson of the Nebraska-Iowa District was elected vice president.

Elected trustees for the United States and Pacific Canada were Arthur N. Riley of the Capital District, Dewey Smith of the Georgia District and Barbara Thompson of the Missouri-Arkansas District.

Kenneth A. Alovera of the Philippine South District won an at-large seat for the Asia-Pacific Region on the Kiwanis International Board. Koshiro “Kit” Kitazato of the Japan District was elected to an at-large seat earlier during the 2014 Asia-Pacific convention in Japan.

The Canada/Caribbean and Europe regions do not have guaranteed trustee seats open for the 2014-15 administra-tive year.

Amendment, resolutionThe House of Delegates convened in Japan approved a

bylaws amendment that will establish stronger disciplinary provisions to help protect the Kiwanis organization and the youth it serves.

In addition, delegates adopted a resolution directing the Kiwanis International Board to investigate the use of online voting on business matters normally conducted at

convention. The resolution directs the board to initiate the study, with a report due to the delegates at the 100th annual convention scheduled for Indianapolis June 25-28, 2015.

The following were approved by the House of Delegates in Japan:

n To restate the existing authority and responsibility of the board to comply with “best practices” for nonprofit organi-

zations.n To clarify provisions related to filling a vacancy in the

office of Kiwanis International trustee.n To provide greater flexibility in district operations, in

agreement with proposed revisions to the Standard Form for District Bylaws.

n To ensure that every Kiwanis club in North America is protected from liability through affordable directors and officers insurance coverage (D&O).

Other businessA proposal to provide a two-year waiver of Kiwanis

International dues for persons who have recently served in the military was withdrawn; it had been submitted by the Kiwanis Club of Cascadia, Ore.

Referred to committee was a proposal to eliminate the required separation of subscription funds to allow them to be applied to various printed, electronic and digital com-munication vehicles now commonly used by Kiwanis members.

The September 2014 Kiwanis magazine will include cov-erage of the Kiwanis International, Circle K International and Key Club International conventions.

To see the convention through the eyes of your fellow Kiwanians, search for #ki2014 on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, or check out our Storify page for the full scoop.

John Button Susan Petrisin Jane Erickson

2 Japanese Imperial Family members greet Kiwanians at Tokyo conventionButton, Petrisin and Erickson will lead Kiwanis International for 2014-15

Ralph Cook, a lawyer and for-mer member of the Alabama Supreme Court, represented the Alabama District during the Kiwanis International Conven tion in Japan.

He is president-elect of the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham.

Birmingham delegate represents Alabama


Send your annual club gift of at least $5 per member to the Kiwanis International Foundation

By Jamie BrabstonKey Leader Administrator, Alabama District

The 2014 Alabama District Key Leader weekend once again success-fully provided the opportunity for students from around the state to learn and grow as servant leaders, while having an amazing time and forming new friendships.

Key Leader 2014 took place at beau-tiful Camp ASCCA in Jackson’s Gap, Ala. Our participants came from Huntsville to Mobile and from all “walks of life.” It was truly a remark-able experience for all of us (adults included).

We appreciate all of the clubs in our District who support Key Leader and sponsored many of the youth who attended this year. We also appreciate

the support of the Key Club and the Foundation for their generous scholarships which helped several students attend who otherwise may not have been able to do so. Thank you!

Support, recruitmentKey Leader would not have

been successful without the dedication of the entire Alabama District leadership team, who spread the word about Key Leader, recruited students to attend and also provided financial support for students. Thank you all for your support!

Kevin Yates has been a dedicated member of our team since the district first began participating in the Key Leader program, and we always

appreciate his presence and, of course, his photography skills. Please “follow” Alabama Key Leader on Instagram to see photos of our event.

We were also fortunate to have Sabrina Young return as our site coordinator, and Melissa Purdy, teacher at Alexandria High School, returned as a chaperone for the third year in a row. Thank

you also to Ed Courtney from Huntsville for joining our Alabama District Key Leader team.

We need more Kiwanians like these to “step up” and join our team so that we can continue to recruit youth from all over the state and ensure there are

Jamie Brabston

High school students learn leadership in annual retreat

Team-building exercises and small group activities were all a part of learning about leadership for the eighth- through 12th-graders who attended the Key Leader weekend in April.

(See KEY LEADER, Page 20)



plenty of chaperones next spring. We promise that you will have a truly fun and rewarding experience!

Facilitators returnWe also appreciate the time and

enthusiasm of the four amazing stu-dent facilitators: Tucker McCaleb, who attended Key Leader for the third time this year, and Dee Tuggle, Emme Martinez, Tiensae Teshome and Sarah Brabston, who all attended for the sec-ond time.

These students exhibited true ser-vant leadership, which often means letting others learn to lead as well. The students in their “neighborhoods” enjoyed these facilitators and were rewarded by the leadership of these outstanding young people.

We are already looking forward to Key Leader 2015, which will again be held at Camp ASCCA. The dates are April 17-19, 2015. Please consider join-ing the Key Leader team now to help us market and recruit emerging lead-ers in your community to make plans to attend Key Leader next spring.

We must continue this program as it offers so many benefits to our youth, and we need the support of the entire Kiwanis family to make it happen. We MUST fill all spots (60 to 70) next year, or we will not be able to continue to offer this fabulous opportunity to our kids.

New ambassadorThe Key Leader team is excited to

welcome Jeremy Ware, a Key Club lieutenant governor who has been appointed by the Key Club to be our Key Leader Ambassador this year.

I am so excited to work with Jeremy and the entire Key Club to once again spread the word about this awesome opportunity for Key Clubbers and all of our youth throughout the district.

In case you’re still asking yourself “What IS Key Leader?” --

Key Leader is Kiwanis International’s service leadership pro-gram for students (eighth- to 12th-graders). It is a fun-filled weekend event comprised of small and large group activities, interactive events, and presentations from a professional facilitator that focus on servant leader-ship. It is an incredible opportunity for “emerging leaders” who need that extra push to become true leaders in their schools and communities.

For more information, or to find out how you can help, please visit www.key-leader.org or contact me at [email protected] or 256-679-6341.

Key Leader(From Page 19)

Auctions buy books and save lives

Silent and live auctions held during the Kiwanis District Convention in Mobile raised funds for Ala-bama’s Jean Dean Reading Is Fundamental and the Eliminate Project to rid the world of maternal/neona-tal tetanus. Clock wise from top left are Azalea City Quilters Guild member Elaine Wil liams, who made the quilt shown, auctioned for $3,000 for RIF, with Dee Dee Graham and Waynetta Black; Gov er nor-designate Brian Rodgers offering a lamp and an auto-graphed Auburn football for live bids; KI Elim inate Area 2 director Ashley Meruani helping Past Governor Bob Mc Curley show prints of Ala bama coaches Nick Saban and Bear Bryant; and Ca mille Maier tallying silent auction proceeds ($1,500 for RIF and $1,500 for Alabama Kiwanis Foundation).


Keep up with progress of the KI worldwide service project at www.TheEliminateProject.org

By Jessica BloomCircle K District Governor

This is an exciting year for the Ala-bama District of Circle K Interna-tional. In 2014-2015 we are focusing on three areas: Rebuilding, Relations and RIF.

First is rebuilding. There are current-ly more than 300 members in Circle K clubs on 10 college and university cam-puses across Alabama: Alabama Southern Community College in Monroeville, Auburn University, Cen-tral Alabama Community College (Alexander City and Childersburg campuses), Gadsden State Com mu nity College, Jacksonville State Uni ver sity, University of Alabama, Uni versity of Alabama at Birmingham, University of North Alabama, Uni ver sity of South Alabama and Wallace State Community College in Hance ville.

In the past year, these members have completed over 6,000 hours of service. We wish to spread the oppor-tunity for service, fellowship and leadership to college students throughout Alabama by focusing on membership this year. Our goal is to build six new clubs within the district

while also aiding membership recruit-ment at our current active campuses. Our overall membership goal is to reach 500 members.

Next is relations. The Alabama District of Circle K wishes to increase the interac-tion between the branches of the

K-Family. One way that we are doing this is by reinstating our Keys to College program. This is a program where Circle K members visit a Key Club to encourage them to continue their education past high school while remaining an active student leader. Through this program we are increas-ing the Kiwanis Family bond and also seeking to ease the transition between college and high school.

Increase communicationCircle K also wants to increase our

communication with Kiwanis throughout the year. We are requiring each Circle K club to meet with its sponsoring Kiwanis board in order to plan opportunities for interaction and discuss expectations for the year. Circle K believes that serving the chil-dren of Alabama is a group effort, and when we work together we can accomplish great things.

So how can you and your Kiwanis club become involved with Circle K? There are two simple ways that you can do this. First, you can sponsor a Circle K club. We are always seeking to expand the Kiwanis Family within the Alabama District, and we would love to help you charter a Circle K in your community.

Please contact our District Administrator David Womack at [email protected] or me at [email protected], and we would love to provide you with help and resources for the chartering process.

The second way that you can become involved with Circle K is to integrate Circle K into your Kiwanis club. Invite us to your meetings, plan projects with us and include us in your club publication. The ways that you can integrate Circle K are limit-less.

One SparkThe third area that we are focusing

on in 2014-2015 is Reading Is Fundamental (RIF). The Alabama Circle K District Project is One Spark. This is a campaign to raise $50,000 for Jean Dean RIF. We believe that it takes one spark to ignite a flame -- one spark to inspire a lifetime of learning. We encourage the Alabama District of Kiwanis to join with us to be that one spark.

Circle K in Alabama has pledged to raise $6,000 this year for Jean Dean RIF. We hope to accomplish this in part by creating a means of recogniz-ing outstanding individuals who have contributed to Jean Dean Reading Is

Twenty-eight Circle K members representing eight clubs around the Alabama District attended the Circle K International Convention in Nashville June 17-22.

Jessica Bloom

Circle K is focusing on 3 areas: Rebuilding, Relations and RIF

(See CIRCLE K, Page 22)


Put the Alabama District Convention in Tuscaloosa on your calendar: Aug. 7-9, 2015

Fundamental, so we have created the Joe and Jean Dean RIF Fellowship (see story, Page 1).

For 2014-15, I am serving on the Circle K District Board with Secretary Megan Krewsky, University of Alabama; Treasurer Amy Traylor, University of South Alabama; Communications Officer Shefa Suhaila, University of Alabama at Birmingham; Capitol Lt. Governor Savannah Tidwell, Auburn University; Foothills Lt. Governor Travis Eberhardt, Jacksonville State Univer-sity; Plains Lt. Governor Stacey Tome, Auburn University; Valley Lt. Gover-nor Daniel Crooks, University of North Alabama; Vulcan Lt. Gov ernor Kristin Blanchard, Univer sity of Alabama at Bir ming ham; Warrior Lt. Governor Sarah Kidwell, University of Alabama; and Wiregrass Lt. Gov-ernor Danielle Hamilton, Troy Univer-sity.

CKI convention, awardsMany of us attended the Circle K

International convention in Nashville June 17-22. It was combined with the Large Scale Service Project (LSSP) to create the ultimate six-day CKI expe-rience! The Alabama District was well represented with 28 attendees from eight clubs.

Attendees took in the full experience of the event by vol-unteering during the service project, serving on convention committees, attending workshops and meeting fellow Circle K’ers. The Alabama delegation also participated in the House of Delegates to elect the 2014-2015 International Board.

The convention also recognized clubs and individuals from across the globe with a variety of awards, and the 2013-14 Alabama District Board was recognized for its hard work. Congratulations to the following, and thank you for your service in 2013-2014:

n Zach Nolen (UAB), Distinguished Governorn Meggie Hall (UA), Distinguished Secretaryn Haley Greathouse (Troy), Distinguished Lt. Governorn University of Alabama, Club Achievement Award,

third place (Gold Division)n University of Alabama, Growth Enhances Membership

Award (Emerald Division)n University of Alabama, Service

Partners Award, third placen Jacksonville State University,

Growth Enhances Membership Award (Sapphire Division)

n Jessica Bloom and Kristin Blanchard, chosen for Talent Showcase.

Thank you for all that you and your Kiwanis clubs do to support the Alabama District of Circle K. You make it possible for us to serve the children of Alabama. Live to Serve. Love to Serve.

Jessica Bloom is a senior at Auburn University majoring in psychology and pursuing a career in cognitive linguis-tics. She is a member and freshman advi-

sor of the Auburn University Marching Band and vice president of service for Kappa Kappa Psi, the national honorary band ser-vice fraternity. Jessica has been in the Kiwanis Family for more than seven years. She started as a member of the Winston County High School Key Club where she served as club editor, president, and Division 7 lieutenant governor. Her Circle K roles include club vice president, president, lieutenant governor and governor.

Circle K(From Page 21)

Past Governor John Wesley Sales Jr. of Monroeville, 81, died July 31, 2014, at his home.

He followed Joe Dean of Opelika and the late John Maddox of Mobile to lead Alabama District Kiwanis clubs for 1992-93.

Governor Sales, known as J.W., was a member and officer of the Monroeville Kiwanis Club first. Later he was elected to serve on the Kiwanis International Board of Trustees. Kiwanians were honorary pallbearers at his funeral, and the family requested memorials be made to the Monroeville Kiwanis Club, along with other charities.

The funeral service was held at 11 a.m. Aug. 4 at First Baptist Church of

Monroeville, where he was a member and held many church posts through the years, along with being active in the music program. Officiating were Dr. Thomas Lane Butts, Rev. Micah Gandy and Rev. Glen Eubanks. Johnson Funeral Home was in charge, and burial followed in Pineville Cemetery.

Mr. Sales grew up in the Flomaton-Century area of Escambia County and began his career in the automobile business in 1954, selling Plymouths and Desotos in Mobile. He started J.W. Sales Inc., a used-car busi-ness in Century, Fla., in 1962. He pur-chased Sales Ford Inc. in Monroeville in 1966, and in 2002 bought a second

dealership, Sales Ford Lincoln-Mercury Inc., in Grove Hill.

His family recalled his belief that selling was an attitude, and that you must have the right attitude to achieve success. He always tried to incorpo-rate a strong pride in church, family, community and country into his busi-ness.

He and the former Willean Bondurant were married for 59 years. He is also survived by two sons, John Wesley Sales III and James William Sales Sr., both of Monroeville; two daughters, Janiece Sales Brewer of Huntsville and Diane Sales Lindsey of Gulf Breeze, Fla.; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren; one sister and two brothers.

J.W. Sales Jr.

Past Governor J.W. Sales Jr. dies at 81



By Kacie HinesKey Club Governor

My term as Key Club governor is already halfway over, and I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many wonder-ful people representing Key Club, Kiwanis and Circle K as I’ve been doing quite a bit of traveling.

I made one non-Key Club trip this summer when I went with my family to New York City. I was in awe of that city! It was so interesting to me how the city is such a seamless mix of old versus new. It is an established city, but there is new development every-where. The city is bustling with life,

both long-lived and full of youth.It reminded me of the Kiwanis

Family. The established traditions and legacy of the past are honored and continued by Kiwanians at the same time that the next generation of Ki wan ians are being developed through Key Club, Builders Clubs, K-Kids and Circle K.

Thriving as a familyThe future of our Kiwanis Family is

being built every day, and we manage to find the perfect ways to incorporate that into our already thriving family and to enhance the group as a whole.

We are all Kiwanians. We may be the Kiwanians rich in tradition and full in experience, or we may be the Kiwanians in the beginning stages of development. But we are all part of a Kiwanis Family that is truly amazing.

I can see why people visit New York and never leave. I hope that people see that same type of passion, com-mitment and love of Kiwanis through all of us, regardless of what category of Kiwanis we find ourselves.

If New York is the Big Apple, then Kiwanis is the Big Pancake, and I don’t want to leave!

Service updateI want to give you all an update on

the state of Alabama Key Club, the future of our Kiwanis Family.

We are continuing our commitment to serving the children of our world through our new district project, sup-porting three very important groups both financially and in service hours: Children’s Hospital of Alabama, Reading is Fundamental, and, of

course, the Eliminate Project.We are finding new ways to recruit

and retain members through special-ized committees and committee work.

We are targeting for possible club growth both public and private schools in Alabama that do not have Key Clubs. There are currently 589 high schools in Ala bama, and we have Key Clubs in 188 of those.

Alabamian Livingston is elected to Key Club International board

Alabama continued its legacy of leadership with the election of an Alabama representative to the Key Club International Board.

Rip Livingston from Homewood High School was elected one of 11 inter national trustees. He is work-ing with the Indiana, Carolinas and Ken tucky-Tennessee districts.

Key Club Governor Kacie Hines, a junior at Vestavia Hills High School, reported that 63 from Alabama, including 42 Key Clubbers, attend-ed the Key Club International Convention in Anaheim, Calif., in July, where Holly Pond adviser Bob Palys was presented the Key of Honor (see story, Page 11).

As governor, Hines is assisted by Alabama District Key Club Sec-retary Brianna Farley of Evangel Christian School and Board Spe-cialist Laura Owen of Baldwin County High School.

Here are the Key Club lieutenant governors and the schools they attend: Denisse Moreno, New Century Technology High School; Levi Bevis, Central High of Florence; Madison Williams, Winston County High; Griffin Stephens, Holly Pond High; Shayla Millwood, Coosa Christian High; Kasey Gamble, Alexandria High;

Olivia Harrison, Vestavia Hills High; Mackenzie Johnson, Northridge High; Lexey Monceaux, Evangel Christian School; Darden Walton, Elmore County High; Ross Herring-Opelika High; Morgan Tew, Elmore County High; Derek Kelly; EmilyAnne Hart, Cottonwood High; Kalyn DelVecchio, Cotton-wood High; Taran Carrasco, Anda-lusia High; Gabby Bohannon, J.U. Blacksher High; Milin Vira, Bayside Academy; and Jacob Dennis, Ala-bama School of Math and Science.

Kiwanis Family honors tradition while developing next generation

(See KEY CLUBS, Page 24)

Kacie Hines

Rip Livingston, left, in Mobile with Kiwanis Governor-designate Brian Rodgers.



We are reaching out better to all our members in meaningful and effective ways, which of course with teenagers means texts and social media.

We are encouraging high schoolers, even in schools without Key Clubs, to attend Key Leader events so they can get leadership training.

We are highly encouraging atten-dance at Kiwanis Family Conference in Black Mountain, N.C.; Key Club District Convention in Mobile in March; and the 100th birthday party celebration at our joint Kiwanis Family International Convention in Indianapolis next June.

We are building leadership skills through members of our District Board, which had to grow this year by two lieutenant governors to accommo-date club growth throughout the state.

Adding to the legacyWe are continuing Alabama’s legacy

of leadership at the international level with a newly elected International Trustee, Rip Livingston from Home-wood High School.

And of course, we want to continue

to grow in our relationships within our Kiwanis Family. We don’t want Key Club to just be that thing in high school, but a part of each member’s life forever.

By supporting Key Clubs, you are investing in the future of Kiwanis, and

we thank you with full hearts for that commitment.

Without Kiwanis, there would be no Key Club, and we Key Clubbers would like to say thanks for the sup-port you show us and for being mod-els of caring and responsible citizens.

Key Clubs(From Page 23)

By Cathy GaffordExecutive director Jean Dean Reading Is Fundamental

Many thanks to Kiwanians for their support at the District Convention in Mobile.

I appreciate your bringing auction items, buying tickets and supporting the Reading Is Fundamental quilt fund raiser. The Alabama Kiwanis Foun dation auction netted $1,500 for RIF and $1,500 for Alabama Foun-dation projects.

The wonderful quilted wall hanging featuring books and toys on a child’s bookcase, made by Azalea City Master Quilter Elaine Williams, made $3,000 for children served by Jean Dean RIF.

Special thanks to Pam Fleming, who won the item and then gave it back to be live-auctioned. This raised the prof-

it from $2,300 to $3,000, and Larry Mooney took home this unique handmade item.

You may want to mark these dates on your calendars for our annual RIF workday and fundraisers, all in Opelika:

n Oct. 11, 2014, K-Family RIF Day (Tri-K Day)

Your help is needed for this annual fall event in the Jean Dean RIF Warehouse, 1105 Fitzpatrick Avenue in Opelika (direc-tions on www.jeandeanrif.org), from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m. Give whatever time you can; Kiwanians, Golden K and Circle K members, Key Clubbers and others share fun and fel-lowship doing this every year while inventorying and labeling thousands

of books to get them ready to ship to reading sites. Bring items for our warehouse shower, and take home some silent auction items. Make lunch reservations by Oct. 1 at 5 p.m. by calling me at 334-750-9974 or e-mailing [email protected]. More infor-mation will be posted on the RIF website.

n Nov. 1, 2014, Run to Read.Participate in this 5K, 10K and 1.5-

mile Fun Walk and help Jean Jean RIF. Watch for online registration forms at jeandeanrif.org.

n June 6, 2015, Ride to Read.Watch for more details; all cycles

welcome.

Cathy Gafford

Convention’s events raised thousands for children; more fundraisers coming

Governor-designate Brian Rodgers with two sponsored youth leaders: Cir-cle K Governor Jessica Bloom of Auburn University and Key Club Gov ernor Kacie Hines, right, of Vestavia Hills High School.

alabama kiwanis kourier summer 2014

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