New Young Members-Instant Impact
At the Auburn Valley Kiwanis club, our first Special Guest Day membership drive held in October 2008, brought in seven new members. Six were female and two were under 30. The impact of these new members is having a profound impact on our club of about 70 members.
Nickole Evans, a former CKI member, was inducted on her 24th birthday. At her tender age, her service resume with CKI and other volunteer organizations would rival the careers of many seasoned Kiwanians. She has volunteered with an AIDS group in Africa and has won numerous awards. As the District International Understanding Chair for CKI last year, Nickole organized a service project in Jamaica for about 20 members of our PNW CKI. Nickole has her own web page at www.y2kyouth.org. You will need a few minutes to review all her accomplishments.
I suggested to our president that Nickole should chair our Kiwanis One Day event for 2009. She accepted. A college student who organized the travel, project, supplies, etc for an International building project can surely handle this for us. We will have the best ever.
Meet 22 year-old Miss Auburn, Cara Rudd. Our club sponsored her in the Miss Auburn contest and she won. Her platform dealt with children with disabilities (also a Kiwanis concern). Cara piloted a new program in the Auburn School District for fifth graders. Cara received the Miracle Make Award for raising over $11,000 for Children Miracle Network. In a January 31, 2009 local news article, Cara spoke about her active passionate life style saying, “That’s my version of fun: making things happen, getting things done, leaving a lasting legacy”.
With her singing talents, our club looks to make her the permanent song leader. However, most of the time we should shut-up and let her sing. She has performed for our club on several occasions. But Cara has leadership skills our club recognized during her visits and during her orientation. She works with a family service organization and serves as the advocate for that group to our club. We currently have an opening for Vice-President. Cara is ready to fill this roll right now. See the local article at; www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/aub/community/38621629.html
Who says Kiwanis cannot attract young people, women, and minorities? If your club has a challenge for younger members, they will come and they will stay. They will change the face of your club as these two young ladies are doing at the Auburn Valley Kiwanis Club.
Sylvester Neal
Kiwanis International Vice President