November 2021 Sparkle Gazette

Hello New England and Bermuda Kiwanians

It’s amazing how quickly the first month of the new Kiwanis year flew by! I was happy to attend club installations and other club events in-person this month.



I am so happy to see all the clubs working to recruit new members and grow their clubs. I am happy to say we are on the right track to increase our membership this year. As you can imagine, coming out of a pandemic with two years of no club building does take a toll on the district. It is even more important to grow our clubs and continue to build new ones for our organization to continue to grow and thrive.

I am excited to announce that our district membership committee has both a plan to support clubs in increasing their membership and to build clubs in communities without Kiwanis currently. This will enhance our Kiwanis reach and service within the New England and Bermuda areas. Thinking of new ways to attract new members and retain current members has always been a challenge; I am inspired by the creativity that so many of you have shown to continue to grow Kiwanis in your clubs.

I am hoping to see many of you in November at the Fall Conference in North Conway, New Hampshire. The deadline to register is November 10, 2021. There are several educational sessions, service projects, and hospitality time for all members to enjoy. I’d like you to consider bringing someone with you that has never been to a conference or convention before. I remember attending my first convention in Mansfield, MA when I joined Kiwanis and I was hooked. Meeting people from all over the district is empowering; we should encourage members to attend whenever we can. 

I am also looking forward to engaging in hands-on service projects that your Lt. Governors are planning for Governors visits to the divisions this year. As we head into the holiday season, please think of ways your clubs can help those in the community with the most need. From a mental health perspective, please remember the holidays can be a difficult and emotional time for people as well. Make sure to show extra compassion and lead with your Kiwanis Heart!

Always remember, YOU are the Sparkle in Kiwanis!

Governor Gayla

Putting the Sparkle in Kiwanis

MY KIWANIS MOMENT

By Ava Adams, District Chair, Committee on Young Children

I visited my doctor in July 2020, and she told me she was pregnant with her first child. She and her husband were obviously excited. They knew the baby would be a girl expected in February. About a month later I had a follow up appointment, and I brought her an Early Childhood Injury Prevention Kit. She was grateful for the information especially the water sensitive duck.



I saw her again this past May and asked how she and her baby, Piper, we’re doing. Of course she had to show me pictures and a video of the adorable baby. As I was leaving she said to me; “You know, I think of you every day when I give Piper a bath, and I put that duck in her bath water to test the temperature!” I was speechless. And she made my day! We never know how many lives we touch when we complete service projects or do an act of kindness. But we definitely do. Kiwanians do make a difference in this world.

LOOKING FOR A HANDS-ON SERVICE PROJECT?

EARLY CHILDHOOD INJURY PREVENTION KITS (available from Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute, KPTI,) include Bath Safety Duck to test water temperature, Car seat information sticker, Car seat and seat belt information card, Shaken baby information card, “Keeping the Promise” window safety brochure, Burn prevention brochure, Home safety checklist booklet, Electric outlet covers(24 pk).

These materials are available to ALL Kiwanis Clubs and need to be put together in a plastic bag which is also included with the materials. Then the Kits need to be delivered. Possible distribution to: Day Care Centers, Day Care Homes, Mother’s Groups, Hospitals with Birthing Centers, Health Clinics, Pediatricians’ offices, Obstetricians’ offices or any facility that provides prenatal classes or care for expectant mothers. This is a perfect project for ALL Clubs…large or small! I encourage your Club to complete this project which can save lives and prevent traumatic injuries to infants and toddlers.

EACH CLUB IS ALLOWED 200 KITS ANNUALLY FOR DISTRIBUTION.

For more information:

Go to kpti.org and click on Community Programs tab, (order form available)

MANCHESTER, NH TURNS 100!

The Kiwanis Club of Manchester celebrated their Centennial on September 24, 2021 at the Millyard Museum. Joining in the celebration was Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig, Governor Denis Murphy, Governor Elect Gayla Bartlett and representatives from division clubs.

Special thanks to the Kiwanis of Hooksett for presenting Manchester with a new club banner. It was a wonderful night looking back on the history of this great club and looking forward to what great things they will be doing in the future for our community.

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CONGRATULATIONS HAMILTON, BERMUDA!

The Kiwanis Club of Hamilton celebrated its 50th Anniversary on Wednesday, 2nd June 2021 which was the date when the Club was chartered. The club also recognized the charter on Saturday, 18th September 2021 when the first Board of Directors were formally installed.

Due to the Pandemic their plans to have a Gala Banquet this year had to be scaled down considerably. So on Friday, 17th September 2021 at 7.00 am (Bermuda time), they arranged a meeting with the Royal Gazette newspaper for a photo shoot and displayed a banner at Crow Lane Round-A-Bout in Paget, highlighting 50 years of service to the Bermuda community. The club members waved to people on their way to work. Several people sang out to the Kiwanians and honked their horns. It was a lot of fun and the Kiwanis Club of St. George’s joined in for the celebration.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS – Join us every Wednesday!