DECEMBER 2018
® SERVING THE CHILDREN OF WORLD
How can you be more neighborly? AMERICA'S NEIGHBOR FRED ROGERS
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p002-003_KIM_1218_TOC.indd 2 11/2/18 7:23 AM KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.
2018–19 OFFICERS, KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT Florencio C. “Poly” Lat, Pasay City, Metro Manila, the Philippines PRESIDENT-ELECT Daniel Vigneron, Howald, Luxembourg IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT James M. Rochford, Peoria, Illinois, USA VICE PRESIDENT Arthur N. “Art” Riley, Westminster, Maryland, USA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Stan D. Soderstrom, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
TRUSTEES Katrina J. Baranko, Albany, Georgia, USA; Greg Beard, Alexandria, Louisiana, USA; Chian Chu-Ching, Taichung City, Taiwan; George R. Delisle, Westfield, Massachusetts, USA; M.A. “Fred” Dietz, Hudson, Wisconsin, USA; Elio Garozzo, Catania, Italy; Charles R. “Chuck” Gugliuzza, Homestead, Florida, USA; Tony Gunn, Mordialloc, Victoria, Australia; Peter J. Mancuso, North Bellmore, New York, USA; Richard G. “Dick” Olmstead Jr., Lancaster, California, USA; Paul Inge Paulsen, Florvåg, Norway; Ernest Schmid, Einöde, Austria; Sam Sekhon, Sandy Hook, Manitoba, Canada; Ronald E. “Ron” Smith, Fountain Hills, Arizona; USA; Bert West, Divide, Colorado, USA
2018–19 OFFICERS, KIWANIS CHILDREN’S FUND PRESIDENT George E.H. Cadman, Q.C., North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada PRESIDENT-ELECT Ann Wilkins, Tahlequah, Oklahoma, USA IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Chia Sing “Sing” Hwang, Selangor, Malaysia TREASURER Albert James “Jim” Dooley, Metamora, Illinois, USA; EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Stan D. Soderstrom, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Ann Updegraff Spleth, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
TRUSTEES Patricia “Patti” Barsotti, Concord, California, USA; Albert Filip Delanote, Koksijde, Belgium; Robert M. “Bob” Garretson, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA; Robert S. Maxwell, Topeka, Kansas, USA; Benjamin R. “Ben” Osterhout, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, USA; Arthur N. “Art” Riley, Westminster, Maryland, USA; James M. “Jim” Rochford, Peoria, Illinois, USA; Shih Yu-Mei, Changhua County, Taiwan; John Tyner II, Rockville, Maryland, USA; Norman A. “Norm” Velnes, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada; Amy Zimmerman, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
MAGAZINE STAFF EDITOR Stan D. Soderstrom CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Ben Hendricks Amazon Prime PAGE 20 PUBLISHER/CIRCULATION MANAGER Jack Brockley MANAGING EDITOR Kasey Jackson ASSISTANT EDITORS Curtis Billue, Julie Saetre ART DIRECTOR Andy Austin CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Tony Knoderer
KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL OFFICE 3636 Woodview Trace, Indianapolis, IN 46268-3196 800-KIWANIS (in US/Canada), 317-875-8755 Fax: 317-879-0204 Contents Email: [email protected] DECEMBER 2018 • VOLUME 103, NUMBER 8 Website: kiwanis.org Magazine website: kiwanismagazine.org
ADVERTISING SALES 3636 Woodview Trace, Indianapolis, IN 46268 DEPARTMENTS FEATURES 317-217-6196, Fax: 317-217-6196 Email: [email protected] New England and Mid-Atlantic: 4 VOICES 12 SIMPLE KINDNESS RB Advertising Representatives Inc., President’s Message; Executive If we all started our day like Fred 8 Binger Way, Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567 914-769-0051, Fax: 914-769-0691 Perspective; Letters Rogers did, imagine the possibilities! Email: [email protected]
FUTURE CONVENTIONS 8 NEWS 20 AMAZON PRIME Walt Disney World, Florida, USA, June 27–30, 2019 Tickets to the kingdom; “Burn Kiwanians from two continents bring Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, June 18–21, 2020 Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, June 24–27, 2021 Notice” gets noticed; the number seasonal joy to Colombian children. Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, June 22-25, 2023 45,807; give the gift of reading; 28 HOME SAFE HOME KIWANIS (ISSN 0162-5276) is published monthly stay safe; replenish school supplies; except February, May, July and November by Kiwanis It’s easier than ever to stay in it your International. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Kiwanis superstars; time to volunteer; Kiwanis, 3636 Woodview Tr., Indianapolis, IN 46268-3196. entire life. Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, IN and additional tips and tools; avoid online scams; mailing offices. (CPC Pub Agreement #40030511) Return policy changes undeliverable Canadian addresses to Kiwanis, 2835 Kew Drive, 34 EVERY 40 SECONDS ... Windsor, ON N8T 3B7. ... someone, somewhere in our 48 SHOWCASE Member’s annual subscription is US$8. Nonmembers may world, takes their life. subscribe for US$12 per year. Birthdays The information in this magazine is for illustrative and 40 GROWING AGAIN discussion purposes only. It is intended to provide general 50 BACK PAGE information about the subject matter covered and is provided Club openings push membership with the understanding that Kiwanis is not rendering legal, Kindness is free accounting or tax advice. You should consult with appropriate number into a net gain. counsel or other advisors on all matters pertaining to legal, tax or accounting obligations and requirements. Copyright © 2018 by Kiwanis International ON THE COVER: Fred Rogers • Photo courtesy of The Fred Rogers Company
DECEMBER 2018 3
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE EXECUTIVE PERSPECTIVE Fredrick Paul POLY LAT • KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT STAN SODERSTROM • KIWANIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Pursuing greatness In case you haven’t heard Advertiser: Contact: Paradysz-Matera Ellefsen Kory at 763.647.5131 Phone: Email: [email protected] On Sale: 11/28/2018 If you do not know where ment, you can share a sense I write about membership to communities worldwide you are going, don’t be sur- of accomplishment. quite a bit in this column. with the goal of opening prised if you get lost! Clubs grow stronger That’s because it is important two or three clubs at each I believe much of your bonds by working on one that our organization always stop. They were joined by personal and professional big thing they do well. look for new members to local members who had success comes from how Collins identifies this as join existing Kiwanis clubs, conducted a community well you have prepared. the Hedgehog Concept, as well as members for new analysis, identified one or You can’t always see what’s or in Kiwanis language, a clubs in new communities. more needs for service and ahead, so mental prepara- club’s signature project. Get Conventional wisdom of provided the club-opening tion and attitude can help people involved in a fun the day is that service clubs experts with introductions achieve positive outcomes. event or activity that can no longer are relevant, that to the mayor, school super- The theme of my year as become a highlight of your they’re dying everywhere. intendent, chamber of com- president is Growing Kiwan- community. And the brutal truth is that merce and other business is from Good to Great. This G.R.E.A.T. strategies align the past couple decades leaders. One new member is based on preparation and with the Kiwanis Strategic have been very difficult ones usually led to a recommen- the principles of Jim Collins’ Plan of membership and for all service clubs, especial- dation for another leader book “Good to Great.” In the engagement, community ly in North America. who also was invited to join. October/November 2018 impact, our Kiwanis image However, just in case you Over the period of a few issue of Kiwanis magazine, I and financial viability. The haven’t heard, we believe we days, dozens of meetings used the acronym G.R.E.A.T. 2018-19 year focuses on cre- are turning the corner on this were held, invitations ex- to offer guidance in plan- ating great clubs by follow- challenge. tended and new Kiwanians ning for clubs, divisions and ing the strategic plan, which Our losses have been slow- identified. Often, a new Key districts to be the best they you can read at kiwanis.org/ ly disappearing over the past Club, Builders Club or K-Kids can be. strategicplan. few years. Our focus on intro- club was also born. The principles are really As we look forward to ducing new communities to And a community gets very simple. We have an 2019, I wish you peace, Kiwanis, through the focused the benefit of a new Kiwanis amazing organization with happiness and good health. membership campaign we club. selfless, talented people. To continue being one of the called The Formula, seems In this issue of Kiwanis Recognize and use their world’s leading service or- to be working. For the year magazine (page 40), we strengths to get the right ganizations, we must focus ended September 30, 2018, celebrate a growing Kiwanis people in the right roles in on continuity from leader to we had a sizeable growth International, and we recog- your club where they can be leader and year to year. Let’s total to celebrate. nize some key players who most effective. not settle for good when we In fact, we finished our helped make it happen. When you see things that can be great. Every member best club-opening year in We challenge every can be improved upon in has the responsibility to modern Kiwanis times and Kiwanian to read about our your area, face the facts and grow Kiwanis in his or her the second best in our 104- accomplishments during get to work. community. Take year history. 2017-18. Kiwanis is all pride in it, and During the And we about team- we can celebrate past year, we challenge every work. That takes that we are organized doz- Kiwanis member discipline and helping more ens of new-club everywhere to accountability, children by giv- blitzes, where join in for the and with a sup- ing them more some of our current 2018-19 portive environ- opportunities. leaders traveled year!
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Letters READERS OF KIWANIS MAGAZINE’S PRINT VERSION AND BLOG RESPOND TO FEATURES FROM THE AUGUST, SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 ISSUES. JOIN THE CONVERSATIONS AT KIWANISMAGAZINE.ORG OR EMAIL [email protected].
glacier? Does “LOL” describe the wit of Cover Issue TELLING THE KIWANIS an Oscar Wilde play? I need to tell you our experience with STORY Many collections have been published the most recent Kiwanis magazine. I SEPTEMBER 2018
® containing the “world’s greatest corre- automatically added the magazine with spondence,” as assessed by editors and Marvel’s pile of advertising, because I did scholars of disparate taste and applying not recognize it as anything else. varied criteria. I will not hold my breath Later, Marvel brought the magazine while waiting for publication of “OMG — to me after she had almost thrown it SERVING THE CHILDREN OF WORLD A Collection of the World’s Greatest Text in the recycling bin and asked if I had Messages.” recognized it as the Kiwanis magazine. It takes a Nope, I hadn’t. Don Reid The logo being gray in color (and Kiwanis Club of Ellensburg, Washington being on the side rather than the top) VILLAGEA BELGIAN TOWN COMES TOGETHER blended in with the photo and neither of FOR FILM, FOOD, FAMILY AND FUN A couple of Key Club kids taught me
TEEN TUTORS TEACHING TECH how to use a couple of functions on my us knew it was our Kiwanis magazine. SAFETY FIRST, SAY CANADIAN KIWANIANS Having worked as a writer and editor VULCAN'S THE MAN IN BIRMINGHAM then-new smartphone at a conference. of magazines for about 40 years, I know + Tom Ontis that things look different once they are Kiwanis Club of East Sacramento, California in print — and often not as good as the money drives out good, the brief, off- “plan.” However, our rule was always the-cuff messages that constitute the Planting Love to make sure the reader immediately bulk of such communication supplant recognized our magazine name. This is certainly, without doubt, an excel- thoughtful, better reasoned and more I still cringe each time I see “KIWANIS” lent project (September 2018). Nothing completely expressed sharing of going up the side of my issue rather than but good can result, and I thank John ideas, emotion and information that at the top. Howell for passing along the idea. I hope is possible in a well-written letter. A many clubs are attracted to this idea and Bob Dunaway text message, of course, could be both do likewise. What a wonderful world. Kiwanis Club of Urbandale, Iowa eloquent and meaningful, and a letter could be poorly written. On balance, Dudley Ball Rust Never Sleeps however, the truncated words, dubi- Kiwanis Club of Kingston, Jamaica ous grammar and shallowness of con- Of all the press we have gotten over the tent that constitute the bulk of texting Thank you, Kiwanis Club of Capilano, past four years, I thought your article have become a sort of inflation in our West Vancouver, for growing trees, (September 2018) did the best job of verbal currency. I would guess that communities and most importantly capturing the essence of the effort and some individuals will send more texts young citizens. Having personally its significance. Thank you. in a single week than the number of planted Kiwanis trees in the Philippines, Tom Thagard letters they would write in a lifetime. Germany and Tanzania, I know firsthand Kiwanis Club of Birmingham, Alabama Each digital vowel and consonant, how glorious that project can be. You every emoji and acronym and every are preparing the environment and our Teaching Tech description of the oatmeal one had for young leaders for generations to come. The proliferation and general ac- breakfast dilute the value of the cor- Thank you! ceptance of texting offer an obvious respondence. Can “OMG” convey the Jane Erickson parallel to Gresham’s law. Just as bad awe inspired by the sight of a distant 2016-17 Kiwanis International president
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p006-007_KIM_1218_Letters.indd 6 11/2/18 7:25 AM with local youth leaders to create Kid Friendly TELLING THE I received my October/November KIWANIS an opportunity for boys who had STORY 2018 Kiwanis magazine today and outgrown Little League to continue AUGUST 2018 AUGUST
® am thrilled with your article “Kid playing in a six-team league for 13- Friendly.” You did a good job guiding and 14-year-olds. and advising mentors, advisors and PONY Baseball and Softball (pony. PLAYAN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OFBALL! KIWANIS AND BASEBALL Kiwanians. Pat yourself on the back org) now has leagues in 50 countries.
for a job well done. SERVING THE CHILDREN OF WORLD Every year, the PONY League World Series is held at Lew Hays Field in Wash- Mary Bowen ington. Years ago, Kiwanis constructed Kiwanis advisor, Fridley Senior High the Paul Shearn Kiwanis Pavilion in the School Key Club, Minnesota adjacent Washington Park. For the past several years, we serve a picnic lunch to Play Ball the 10 participating teams from around LIP SERVICE: READING OUT LOUD The feature “Play Ball” (August 2018) EXTREME MAKEOVER: CLUB EDITION VIVA LAS VEGAS: KIWANIS CONVENTION 2018 the world in that pavilion. We have omitted a prominent connection been joined by other local service clubs between youth baseball and Kiwanis. + in that annual event on the first day of PONY Baseball and Softball — now the PONY League World Series. an international organization with programs for boys and girls from ages Washington, Pennsylvania. Kiwanians Willard C. White 5 through 18 — began in 1951, in Lew Hays and Paul Shearn worked Kiwanis Club of Washington, Pennsylvania
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DECEMBER 2018 7
p006-007_KIM_1218_Letters.indd 7 11/2/18 7:25 AM NEWS
What’s happening TRENDS, TIPS, FACTS AND FIGURES FROM KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL As to Disney properties/artwork: to As © Disney
Tickets to the kingdom Mixing business with pleasure is easy when the 2018 Kiwanis International convention is at Walt Disney World Resort, Florida, June 27-30. Make the most of your free time with special Disney theme park tickets. Advance purchase lets you skip the lines at the ticket windows, 45,807 save money and customize your Terrific Kids bumper stickers sold free time to suit your individual by the Kiwanis Store in 2017-18. interests. Learn more by calling +1-407-566-5600. kiwanis.org/store
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p008-011_KIM_1218_News.indd 8 11/2/18 7:27 AM The gift of reading All too often, children are forced to stand in the reading line instead of the purchasing line at book fairs. Why? Because they can’t afford new books.
Help build a child’s home library by purchasing Scholastic Books reading certificates. Talk with your school’s counselor to find out how you can help. kiwanis. org/readingcerts
Kiwanis superstars The New York District sent more than 300 cases of goods to relieve victims of Hurricane Florence in Lumberton, North Carolina. The New Yorkers remember the help they received from fellow Kiwanians in 2012 when Superstorm Sandy devastated their communities. Read more at kiwanis.org/2019florence.
Replenish school supplies With every equation and mistake, pencils and erasers wear down. In fact, teachers will tell you that school supplies are needed all year. Find out how you can support local classroom needs with assistance from Kiwanis Warehouse. Shop online at kiwanis.org/ warehouse.
DECEMBER 2018 9
p008-011_KIM_1218_News.indd 9 11/2/18 7:27 AM How many hours do you volunteer a year? Compare yourself to the U.S. average. Avoid online scams IdentityForce provides an early warning system to notify you when your personal information is at risk. Alerts are sent to your smart phone, tablet or desktop computer, so you have the power to act before damage is done. Kiwanians get a 20 percent discount. Learn more at kiwanis.org/identityforce.
Stay safe As the holidays approach, homes are filled with valuables of every kind. This is the perfect time to 35 and younger Median annual hours 65 and older protect your home with 20-percent of volunteering discounted packages from Kiwanis partner Protect America. Stay safe this holiday season and beyond. protectamerica.com/kiwanis
‘Burn Notice’ gets noticed Every year, Folio’s Eddie & Ozzie awards recognize publishing excellence. This past October, Kiwanis magazine received best- single-article honors among BURN NOTICE WHEN WILDFIRES RAVAGED GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE, LOCAL KIWANIANS HEEDED THE CALL FOR HELP. nonprofit associations for the August STORY BY JULIE SAETRE • PHOTOS BY LUIS GARCIA
tructures were still smoldering this past November, after the most dev- 2017 feature “Burn Notice” about astating wildfires in Gatlinburg, Tennessee’s history, when David Coul- S ter, president of the nearby Sevierville Kiwanis Club, began receiving calls and emails. Coulter’s club serves Gatlinburg residents, hundreds of whom were now homeless, and Kiwanians from across the country wanted wildfires that ravaged Tennessee to help. What, members asked, could they do? Mark Ross, chief professional officer of the Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains, saw the fire’s impact firsthand. Two of his employees (kiwanis.org/2017burn). lost everything, as did 21 other families In the fall of 2016, the that had children Chimney Tops’ 2 wild fires, (42 in all) enrolled right, forced some 14,000 in Boys & Girls Club residents to evacuate. programming. They In addition, the publication earned More than 420 households needed help to pur- in Sevier County would be chase food, clothes, left homeless. toiletries—life’s basic honorable mentions for design At left, Hannah Dove necessities. Coulter stands in front of the ruins contacted Ross, and of her family’s home. the Kiwanis Wildfire excellence for the entire December Relief Fund was born.
2017 issue and for the issue’s feature, Photo credit: Reuters “Use This” (kiwanis.org/2017usethis). 22 KIWANISMAGAZINE.ORG AUGUST 2017 23
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p008-011_KIM_1218_News.indd 10 11/2/18 7:27 AM Tips and tools If you’re working with elementary school students, you’ll find all the K-Kids, BUG and Terrific Kids tools you need at the refreshed kkids.org website. If you’re a faithful patron of NEW CLUB terrifickids.org and bringupgrades. org, these web pages will continue to serve as an alternative path to the same materials. PRESIDENT OR SECRETARY? Get the knowledge you need before you begin—with online education. Go to Kiwanis.org/CLE.
Policy changes CLE AD 2017.indd 1 2/20/17 11:39 AM This past October, the Kiwanis Inter- national Board revised policies to: NOW IT MATTERS • agree with the bylaws amendment adopted at the 2018 Kiwanis Inter- national convention providing that a person cannot be endorsed as a MORE THAN EVER. candidate for Kiwanis International trustee until they are immediate In some of the world’s most dangerous areas, past governor. this is the crucial moment. Don’t rest now. • provide that the members of the Help eliminate MNT from the face of the Earth. Kiwanis International Board shall also be the members of the Kiwan- kiwanis.org/TheEliminateProject is Youth Programs Board.
The board also adopted a new inter- pretation of the Kiwanis International bylaws to clarify that the term “shall have served” means serving more than one-half of the term.
For more details, visit kiwanis.org/ oct2018policies.
DECEMBER 2018 11
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p008-011_KIM_1218_News.indd 11 11/2/18 7:27 AM COVER STORY
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p012-019_KIM_1218_Kindness.indd 12 11/2/18 7:28 AM SIMPLE KINDNESS IF WE ALL STARTED OUR DAY LIKE FRED ROGERS DID, CAN YOU IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES? Story by Kasey Jackson
ometimes the world feels with friends or family. People are like a heavy place. being mean to one another. We’re S Threats of war. Fights saying things we know aren’t over science. Racism. Sexism. Feud- kind. It seems we need a reminder ing politicians. Inequality. Enraged of how to treat one another. citizens. Lost children. Disease. Maybe it’s time to turn to an Climate concerns. Bullying. old friend: Mister The list goes on and on. Rogers. While some experts report the It’s not an ex- “Human kindness was world is actually better off than in aggeration to say probably the single any time in the past (according to that millions of most important thing Our World in Data, the world is people of all ages better in terms of poverty, literacy, and backgrounds to Fred Rogers.” health, freedom and education), (mostly in the it can be hard to believe when United States and — Maxwell King television, radio and social media Canada) remem- scream negative news on a con- ber something specific about the stant basis. Many of us go to bed iconic television character Mis- angry and wake up angry because ter Rogers from “Mister Rogers’ we are inundated with negativity. Neighborhood.” We worry that if we talk about it, Red sweater. Blue shoes. Songs. we might set off a heated debate Fish. Trolley. Puppets. Neighbors.
Photo courtesy of the Fred Rogers Company
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p012-019_KIM_1218_Kindness.indd 13 11/2/18 7:29 AM and CEO Maxwell King shared they’re teaching? Fred Rogers stories he learned while serving as would do that for the day he was director of the Fred Rogers Center about to enter into. But you know for Early Learning and Children’s what he was doing it about? He Media at Saint Vincent College was thinking about who he would in Rogers’ hometown of Latrobe, see at work. Who he would see at took us on fabulous, curious Pennsylvania, and while research- lunch. Who he’d see at a meeting Headventures to learn how pretzels ing and writing the biography, “The that afternoon. And how was and crayons are made. He intro- Good Neighbor: The Life and Work he going to be prepared to be as duced us to musicians. We met his of Fred Rogers.” King explains thoughtful and kind as he could neighbor who wore lampshades that at his core, Rogers really did be? This is what he did. Because on her head. embody his character. he really viewed his important But what many of us remember “Human kindness was probably role that he played in life as being most about Mister Rogers is the the single most important thing to an exemplar of human kindness.” way he made us feel. He spoke Fred Rogers,” King says. “People Rogers’ background in televi- directly to us, like a friend. He was think of him as a television inno- sion, religion (he was a Presbyte- gentle. Soft-spoken. Honest. Kind. vator, as an early childhood ed- rian minister) and early childhood Would the world be a better ucation expert, as a musician, as education studies gave him a place if it were made up of real a scriptwriter, as a songwriter, as unique perspective and the oppor- people with qualities like the a performer, as a puppeteer. But tunity to reach millions of children character Mister Rogers? Definite- what he cared about more than to spread his message of love and ly. But people like this are few and any of that is human kindness. kindness and acceptance. Every far between, right? “You know how athletes or word of his messages was careful- Well, Fred Rogers was exactly speakers will sometimes do a ly chosen and crafted. He spoke like his character, according to visioning exercise to think about into the camera, giving children those who knew him. what’s coming up and how they the sense that he was their friend, Inside the office of The Pittsburgh are going to play the game or do their neighbor. Someone they Foundation in May 2018, President the speech or conduct the class could trust.
Photos: Getty Images
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p012-019_KIM_1218_Kindness.indd 14 11/2/18 7:29 AM “There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.” — Fred Rogers
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p012-019_KIM_1218_Kindness.indd 15 11/2/18 7:29 AM “When someone does something for you when you’re a child, something that really feeds and nourishes your soul, you don’t forget it.” — Brad Montague
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p012-019_KIM_1218_Kindness.indd 16 11/2/18 7:29 AM that he took so long. When told dren. He gives them an opportu- it’s exactly what Fred Rogers was nity to be heard. Much like Rogers “I think known to do with his fans — to did in work and in life. In fact, there’s a part of us that doesn’t give each and every one of them a Montague has been called “the want to believe that he was real,” moment to make them feel special 21st century version of Mister says Brad Montague. “That he may- — Montague sits back and looks Rogers.” It’s a comparison he calls be wasn’t as kind as he seemed. at the ceiling. He pauses, smiles a “massive compliment,” but also That he fought in wars. That he had shyly and almost in a whisper one he struggles with. a bunch of tattoos. Because we can’t says, “Thank you. Thank you.” “I don’t think Fred would want wrap our heads around gentleness If you follow Montague’s work there to be another Fred Rogers,” and kindness. But I think those are at all you’ll see he’s a big fan of he says. “In the same way he the boldest things you can do. I Fred Rogers. He shares his quotes wouldn’t want there to be another think he gave me as a child and is on social media and mentions me. I think I take that as a compli- still giving me as a grown man an him in his workshops. Montague ment of the highest order because image of gentleness as boldness. works closely with young chil- he embodies what it means to be a He’s fiercely kind. Relentlessly kind. And that makes a dent.” You likely wouldn’t recognize “Fred spread kindness a variety of ways Brad Montague if he walked past through his program. Influencing children you on the street. He might not to understand and appreciate kindness. be as popular as Fred Rogers — yet — but his work has quite a Influencing their parents to understand following. He’s the creator of Kid what children needed from them.” President, videos featuring that spunky kid who has given a pep — Maxwell King talk to more than 40 million view- ers (so far) on YouTube. It’s September in Nashville, Ten- nessee, and Montague has just fin- ished another Wonder Workshop, where he motivates, inspires and encourages people to “joyfully rebel against how things are to create the world as it should be.” Workshop attendees are lining up to personally thank him, pose for selfies, share project ideas. He spends more than 30 min- utes chatting, smiling, laughing, offering advice. Giving hug after hug after hug. He spends time with every person in the line. He sits down for a few questions after
Photo by Caley Newberry by Photo he finishes, instantly apologetic Photo by Matt Kryger
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p012-019_KIM_1218_Kindness.indd 17 11/2/18 7:29 AM with the same increases and decreases in those chemicals. Oxy- tocin, serotonin and dopamine are ‘feel good’ chemicals that aid in lowering blood pressure, improv- ing overall heart health and help us feel calmer and less depressed. Cortisol is the ‘stress’ hormone that has been found to decrease in the bloodstream when people regularly participate in kind acts.” So if science proves kindness can make us feel better (in addition
Photo by Anne M. O’Neill to being better), is there a way to learn how to be more kind? Can “Fred was very clear that the role of we change the emotional wellbe- ing of the world with kindness? technology in a child’s life is secondary. Jones says “absolutely.” And in He was adamant that a computer or a fact, that’s what staff at Random TV are never to replace the importance Acts of Kindness strive for every day with free kindness curriculum of face-to-face interaction.” — Junlei Li for students. Globally, the RAK curriculum reaches more than 2 million students a year. door opener and a helper, a guide. many people have such fond “We know it can be taught,” she So when the Fred Rogers Center memories of him? says. “One of the resources we offer reached out and talked about The answer could be science. is an evidence-based curriculum how (our Kid President videos) Brooke Jones is vice president rooted in kindness. It has a full year show empathy and kindness, I of the Random Acts of Kindness of lesson plans covering concepts thought ‘Well, maybe we are at Foundation. She says science like compassion, respect, responsi- least scratching the surface and at- plays a role in how kindness, like bility, integrity and gratitude. When tempting to be a fraction of what that shown by Fred Rogers, affects we practice kindness and begin to that show was to me as a child.’” our brains and our bodies. embody it, we are naturally teach- This year marked the 50th “I call it the ‘trifecta’ effect,” ing others why it’s important.” anniversary of “Mister Rogers’ she says. “We all know that when Montague has a similar, yet dif- Neighborhood.” There have been we commit an act of kindness or ferent, take on kindness and how documentaries, King’s book and receive one, we feel good. There we can affect one another’s lives. a movie with actor Tom Hanks is an increase in oxytocin, sero- “I think we remember when playing the role of Rogers is in tonin and dopamine as well as someone is kind because it jolts us production. So, yes, it’s an anni- a decrease in cortisol. But what into realizing who we are and who versary celebration of one of the most people don’t know is that we are capable of being,” he says. most popular children’s programs the person who witnesses an act “I interviewed a bunch of children of all time. But why all the fuss of kindness has the same phys- and I asked them, ‘What can I do to about Fred Rogers? Why do so iological response in their body be a better grownup?’ and over-
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p012-019_KIM_1218_Kindness.indd 18 11/2/18 7:44 AM Spread kindness to all living things
• Laugh often. • Pick up trash around town. • Foster a pet. • Write a handwritten letter. whelmingly they want grownups • Plant a tree. • Leave a generous tip. to show up. They just want you • Hang clothes to dry. • Give a friend a ride. to be there. Junlei Li at the Fred • High-five a tranger.s • Compliment someone. Rogers Center is doing the same • Say thank you. • Befriend the new kid. research and finding just like Fred Random Acts of Kindness offers many free kindness Rogers said, you don’t have to do resources, such as posters. See the Back Page (page 50) for anything spectacular, you just need examples. For more tips, visit randomactsofkindness.org. to be there. Just you tying their shoe, looking them in the eyes, is the most important thing you investments from others.’” thing worth giving the world?’” could do — if you do that in love, Call those others family, friends, That’s Li’s philosophical as the caregiver to the child.” your tribe or complete strangers answer to how we can be more Li is a senior fellow and former with a do-good heart. They were caring and kind like Fred Rogers. director of the Fred Rogers Center. all neighbors to Fred Rogers. You His practical answer? He says that indeed, “what makes were his neighbor too. “I think (he wanted us) to look the ultimate difference in people’s “Fred created a rich model of for helpers around us but in resilience in the face of adversi- what a neighborhood is like, and ourselves as well,” Li says. “In the ty is the presence of at least one what each of us can do, with all most ordinary, mundane, simple caring, trusted and supportive of our own uniqueness, to be a everyday interactions and acts. person.” Like Montague says: neighbor to others — to honor That, I think, may be the one thing Show up. and respect the uniqueness of our within reach for everybody.” K Li calls it the ‘at least one’ prin- neighbors,” Li says. “His audi- ciple. ence may have been children, Learn how the Fred Rogers Center is working for and with “Each of us needs ‘at least but his message is for the entire children at fredrogerscenter.org. one’ person like that as we are world to hear. Become a “Joy Rebel” at growing up,” he says. “Each of “In the last public speech Fred montagueworkshop.com. us has the opportunity to be ‘at gave, he said each and every one Read more about “The Good least one’ for someone else at of us longs to know that there’s Neighbor” at abramsbooks. some point of our lives. something about us that’s worth com/goodneighbor. “Fred Rogers has a classic quote giving. By that he meant worth about the ‘at least one’ idea: ‘Any- giving to our neighbors, our fam- one who has ever been able to sus- ily, our community, our society. tain good work has had at least one He felt that, ‘What if the greatest person — and often many — who service we can offer to another have believed in him or her. We just human being, a neighbor or even don’t get to be competent human a stranger, is to help that person beings without a lot of different know that he or she has some-
“Kindness starts with one. That’s the beauty of kindness. It doesn’t need an army of well-organized people to change the world.” — Brooke Jones
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Amazon
primeKIWANIANS FROM TWO DIFFERENT CONTINENTS BRING SEASONAL JOY TO COLOMBIAN CHILDREN IN NEED. Story by Jack Brockley Photos by Joaquin Sarmiento • Archivolatino
n the indigenous reservations in the most remote regions of Colombia, OChristmas is a day much like every other day. Toddlers, living in the northeastern peninsula of Guajira, for example, join their families on hours-long walks to find food. At the nation’s southernmost tip, the boys and girls of the Amazonas District play games with objects made of twigs and plants. December 23, 2017, however, was a Christ- mas unlike any other. For the first time, these children played with balloons, ate bread, opened presents and met a kindly strange man named Papá Noel. On that day, the Kiwanis Club of Nativos hosted Christmas parties in two locations that are more than 950 miles apart — a massive undertaking for a club only one month old. But that’s exactly why the club formed. “These are the most forgotten children of Colombian society,” says Olga Eby, a member of the Nativos club as well as the Kiwanis Club of Upper Keys, Key Largo, Florida. “The Nativos
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“THESE ARE THE MOST FORGOTTEN CHILDREN OF COLOMBIAN SOCIETY.”
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p020-027_KIM_1218_Colombia.indd 22 11/2/18 7:32 AM club wants to reach the remote places where poverty and lack of support abounds.” The Nativos club organized in November 2017 with one pur- pose: serve the nation’s indige- nous people. Its roster, comprising Colombian and Florida Kiwan- ians, also includes members locat- ed within the reservation commu- nities. These satellites coordinate Kiwanis activities at the reser- vations. Such members proved invaluable as on-site resources for planning and conducting the Kiwanis Christmas parties. Long before the Nativos club officially organized and many, many months before Christmas, Kiwanians across Colombia and abroad, notably in Florida, began collecting gifts, sorting them according to age and gender, packaging them and storing them in readiness for delivery to the reservations. Those who would travel to the parties provisioned tents and hammocks for sleeping arrangements. They hired security guards for their journeys. Eby recalls her itinerary, which began with a flight into Valledupar to meet other Colom- bian Kiwanis members. From there, the caravan drove seven hours to Cabo de la Vela. The next day, after another five-hour ride, they arrived at Punta Gallinas to embark on a 45-minute boat ride by sea to the reservation. The fatigue of long-distance travel and the complications of logistical challenges were well rewarded. On the day of the party,
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Nativos Kiwanis club President Moises Ramirez “With a boat on recalls the scene in the Amazonas community of the seashore and Miriti Paraña, where 105 children gathered in a room prepared by the Kiwanians. fisherman sitting “It was decorated with simple things like nearby, Santa balloons,” Ramirez says. “They’d never seen bal- loons before! We wanted to prepare a meal, but came walking something different for them. We made a chicken along the sand. rice with bread. They had never eaten bread!” In both locations, the families entertained Many children their visitors with cultural shows, wearing cos- followed him. tumes of the regions and dancing. In La Guajira, where 2,000 children were gathered, they and They didn’t know their families welcomed their Kiwanis guests with Christmas carols. One song opened: if they should “Let the children sing, let them raise their help him.” voices.
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“Make the world listen sand,” she says. “Many children the most loudly,” Eby recalls. “That they join their voices and followed him. They didn’t know “They are means of transpor- reach the sun. if they should help him.” tation. For some, it is the only “In them is the truth.” It soon became evident that way to get to school.” The performance, with the chil- Santa was carrying packages. The next day, Ramirez watched dren holding one another’s hands, Gifts! There were soccer balls, as children continued to show off remains an enduring, endearing shoes, dolls, diapers, toy cars, and share their presents. memory for Olga Eby. As does hygienic items and clothes, each “They didn’t care if some- Santa’s arrival. received with a hug, a smile thing were blue or yellow or “With a boat on the seashore and a “muchas gracias” or “pala pink. They were happy. For and fisherman sitting nearby, pilichaka nula.” me, this was a very different Santa came walking along the “The bicycles were cheered Christmas.” K
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p020-027_KIM_1218_Colombia.indd 26 11/2/18 7:32 AM Joy in July AN EARLY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION HELPS HOMELESS CHILDREN GEAR UP FOR SCHOOL. Story by Cindy Conover Dashnaw • Photos by Logan Newell
ollier County on Florida’s Gulf Coast for 1,060 children either homeless or at risk. is one of the wealthiest areas in Amer- In the aftermath of 2017’s Hurricane Irma, the C ica, yet hundreds of children there are demand for supplies more than doubled. homeless. But not forgotten. “We now have over 1,300 children deemed For the third consecutive year, nine clubs of homeless, plus 1,200 more at risk,” Ricigliano the Florida District hosted Christmas in July said as the clubs prepared for the 2017 event. “A for the children. The event originated in 2001, lot of (donors) are burned out from all the hurri- when the Collier County Public School System canes, so the backpacks may not be as stuffed as identified 589 homeless children. they were last year, but we’ve made sure every “In 2016, we raised US$11,000. We were able child is prepared and proud to go to school.” to get backpacks, school supplies, toiletries Ricigliano credits partners and foundations and size-specific sneakers, pants, shirts and for part of the project’s success. JCPenney of- underclothes for 150 of the 589 kids,” says Bill fered discounted clothing, Bikes for Tykes gave Ricigliano, a Northside Naples Kiwanis Club every youngster a bicycle and Meals of Hope member who helped organize the original July fed families. Santa and Mrs. Claus handed out party. “We knew we could do better.” backpacks inside a holiday-decorated Florida The next year, the Kiwanians calculated that Sports Park facility. Then families selected a backpack cost $89 to fill, so the campaign of- whatever school supplies they needed. fered donors the chance to “sponsor an angel” “We have close to 270 Kiwanians in our divi- for $89. People responded generously, donating sion,” Ricigliano says, “and I’d say 80 percent $107,000 to provide a full backpack plus a meal of them get involved. It’s a great community.”
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p028-033_KIM_1218_Aging.indd 28 11/2/18 7:34 AM HOME SAFE
HOMEYOU’VE MADE YOUR HOUSE YOUR HOME. AND NOW IT’S EASIER THAN EVER TO STAY IN IT YOUR ENTIRE LIFE. Story by Julie Saetre
hen you hear the wheelchairs. Statistics show that, words “aging in once we find the perfect home in a Wplace,” what pops community we love, we intend to into your mind? If you’re like stay there. And anyone who plans many people, it’s thoughts of to remain in a certain house for institutional-style grab bars glar- the long term should be thinking ing from the walls of an other- about making that space more wise fashionable bathroom or a convenient, comfortable and safe, wheelchair ramp rising toward a regardless of residents’ ages and home’s front door. mobility. “The term,” says Dan DiClerico, The Harvard Joint Center for smart home strategist and home Housing Studies reports that in expert for HomeAdvisor, “doesn’t 2035, for the first time in Amer- really resonate with homeowners. ican history, one in five people From the very beginning, (it) has will be older than 65. And AARP had a little bit of a PR problem.” studies have found that 90 percent That’s unfortunate, experts say, of those people plan to remain in because aging in place doesn’t their homes as they age. That par- focus only on accessibility issues adigm shift means that the time for seniors using walkers or to start making our homes livable
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p028-033_KIM_1218_Aging.indd 29 11/2/18 7:34 AM in the long term is now, stresses Rodney Harrell, director of Liva- “People have that fear, that bility Thought Leadership for the they’re going to make their AARP Public Policy Institute. “We really need to get people to house ugly. But you can start thinking about their future,” he stresses. “We need to create make your house even the homes that will work for us more attractive.” regardless of what circumstance we find ourselves.” ugly. (But) you can make your Every time one of them gets hurt, It’s a concept called “universal house even more attractive.” they end up living with grandma design” by builders, architects It also will make your home for a while, because grandma’s and other home experts, and more welcoming to family and got that bathroom that works so when implemented well, it’s any- friends, a concept the pros call well for them.” thing but institutional. “visitability.” Chappell-Theunis- Starting now to make your “People don’t realize that sen, who has more than 17 years home more livable also enables we can do aging in place and of experience in home design and you to spread out the costs over universal design so seamlessly building, says that her 92-year-old time. HomeAdvisor’s 2017 Aging that they realize that the house aunt can still climb the flight of in Place Report includes a “plan- is more comfortable, but they stairs in her two-story home. But ning pyramid” that begins at don’t know why,” says Joanne because her house includes a bath- a base with basic maintenance Chappell-Theunissen, who chairs room that incorporates universal projects and continues upward the (US) National Association of design elements, she finds herself through low-cost improvements, Home Builders Remodelers Coun- getting much-welcome company. ease-of-living features and safety cil. “People have that fear, that “She’s got grandchildren who elements to the final additions they’re going to make their house are all heavily involved in sports. of widening doorways, adding ramps and shifting to a first-floor master bedroom. “As we continue up the pyra- mid, the projects become more complicated and, as a result, more expensive,” DiClerico says. “That’s another reason for a holistic ap- proach and early planning and do- ing this work in phases. It doesn’t have to be prohibitively expensive if you’re smart about it.” One way to approach the pro- cess wisely: Consult with a spe- cialist. The NAHB reports that 80 percent of remodeling companies are doing aging-in-place projects, up from 68 percent five years ago. But hiring a random handyman
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p028-033_KIM_1218_Aging.indd 30 11/2/18 7:34 AM or remodeler here and there can create problems down the road. “I’ve had clients come to me after they’ve had a couple of things done to the house, and as we progress, we have to undo things to get to that next stage,” Chappell-Theunissen cautions. “And so they’re spending money (on earlier projects) that they end up having to throw away.” The NAHB and AARP collab- orated with Home Innovation Research Labs to develop the Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist program. Construction and design “A lot of people neglect to professionals who become CAPS certified undergo training focused think about lighting. But our on building or remodeling homes so they accommodate all stages of eyes need more light as we residents’ lives. get older to see clearly.” “It puts someone in your life who can step back, take a realistic your shadow,” Chappell-Theunis- items closer. Arrange frequently view of it all and develop a plan for sen explains. used items on open shelving for you,” Chappell-Theunissen says. If that kitchen follows a one- easy access. What might that plan encom- note color scheme — think white “When it comes to storage pass? Plenty, starting with the on white — add a contrasting hue throughout the home, a helpful most basic of all elements. to countertop edges. phrase in the industry is ‘re- “A lot of people neglect to think “It seems like a design aesthet- member the nose-to-knee rule,’” about lighting,” says Harrell. “But ic,” says Chappell-Theunissen, DiClerico explains. “The goal is to our eyes need more light as we “when in fact it’s really a very organize your cabinet, your closet, get older (to see clearly).” sensible issue with regards to lim- other storage areas in the home The more natural light, the ited sight. As we get older, the eye so that nothing heavy or large or better, pros say, so choose window receptor changes, and so we don’t awkward is above your nose or coverings that let the sun in during see contrasts as well. So you’re below the knees.” the day while still providing constantly running your hip into Also consider adding the luxury privacy at night. After dark, LED that (countertop) corner when of a convection cooktop. Through motion-sensor lights in bathrooms you never did before.” a nifty heating process, electricity and hallways offer a soft glow to While you’re in the kitchen, warms a coil, causing a magnetic guide your steps. And in the kitch- consider adding adjustable-height field to form under the cooktop en, under-cabinet lighting helps countertops and reorganizing surface. When used with com- illuminate your meal prep. your pantry and cabinets by patible cookware, currents cause “With traditional lighting in a adding pullout shelves and lazy the pan — not the surface — to kitchen, you’re often working in Susans to bring hard-to-reach heat instantly. Cooking is faster
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p028-033_KIM_1218_Aging.indd 31 11/2/18 7:34 AM and more even, while the cooktop says. Any high-shine slick sur- stays blissfully cool. faces should be reconsidered as “Induction cooking is great well. Replace them with low-pile — the power, the precision, the carpets or satiny-finished floor- performance,” DiClerico says. ings that are smooth to the touch “It’s a great solution in the kitch- but aren’t slippery. en, and it’s also great for aging “There are so many more in place because it really reduces products and materials that are the risk of burns.” geared toward this,” DiClerico Next up: Get grounded by says. “Slip-resistant flooring that reevaluating your floor surfaces. looks great and porcelain tiles that Area rugs and high-pile carpet- look exactly like wood but that ing need to go: They commonly meet the highest threshold for slip cause slips, trips and falls, which resistance are examples of that.” and aging in place. They have put combined are the leading cause Adds Chappell-Theunissen, on the market a whole plethora of of nonfatal and fatal injuries “Manufacturers have really em- materials that are well suited to among older adults, DiClerico braced the idea of universal design what we’re trying to do and that aesthetically are just very pretty.” But don’t just think about physi- cal changes. Today’s tech products not only help you outfit a home for the long term, but they’re also convenient — and fun — for today. And making your domain “smart” is easier than you think. “There really are so many applications that are going to im- prove the accessibility, the safety, the convenience around the home for all homeowners, but especially for that aging-in-place crowd,” says DiClerico. Start with a virtual voice assis- tant, such as Amazon Echo, Apple HomePod or Google Home. These devices recognize human speech and respond to your commands, whether you want to know the “Start with a virtual voice day’s weather forecast, traffic con- ditions or sports scores. They also assistant. These devices can be used to make a hands-free recognize human speech and phone call, send a text, schedule appointments or receive medica- respond to your commands.” tion reminders.
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p028-033_KIM_1218_Aging.indd 32 11/2/18 7:34 AM A 2017 study by the Front “It’s a wonderful safety fea- something off when you’re not Porch Center for Innovation and ture,” says Chappell-Theunissen. home or take care of pets or plants Wellbeing provided residents “(Water) doesn’t accidentally get while you’re traveling, you can of a continuing-care retirement too hot. You figure out what’s assign them a temporary access community in California with an comfortable for you, set that, and code that expires when no longer Amazon Echo for six months. At you actually have a visual (dis- necessary. the study’s conclusion, all users play) of it. So you’re not trying As you develop your plan for said the devices made their lives to work a handle and remember a safer, more convenient, more easier, with 75 percent reporting about where it goes.” livable home for the long term, using them daily. A virtual voice assistant also can help you control other smart home devices. A smart thermostat works in conjunction with your home’s heating and cooling sys- tems, allowing you to control the temperature even when you’re on the go. Some models remem- ber your preferred settings and automatically adjust to current conditions. They also can send you maintenance reminders and energy-use reports. Similar technology is used in smart faucets for your sinks and shower. Set the temperature you prefer for hand-washing and bathing, and you’ll get that exact level every time you turn Another smart feature to expect to find even more innova- on the faucet. consider: locks for your home’s tions to make life easier for you entrances. A smart lock eliminates and your guests. fumbling for keys and trying “There are a lot of things hap- to manipulate them into locks. pening right now that are help- Some use a key pad or your smart ing people stay in their homes phone to enter a code; others au- longer, but also are just making tomatically unlock when your key our homes so much better in so fob is near the door. Depending many ways,” DiClerico says. “It on the model you choose, a smart all bodes well for the future of lock also can coordinate with your housing.” K smart thermostat, automatically lowering the home’s temperature Learn how Kiwanis partner when you leave, for example, HomeAdvisor can help you with and raising it when you enter. If a your home project needs at friend or neighbor needs to drop kiwanis.org/homeadvisor.
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p028-033_KIM_1218_Aging.indd 33 11/2/18 7:34 AM EVERY SECONDS
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p034-039_KIM_1218_Suicide.indd 34 11/2/18 7:36 AM EVERY 40 SECONDS SOMEONE TAKES THEIR LIFE. Story by Michelle Rusk
uicide has no boundaries. Sure, on a journalism degree and looking for- some people are more susceptible, ward to the writing career I had wanted but it cuts across all groups, leav- since I was 6 years old. ing an aftermath like a psychological hur- Instead, I found myself spending the ricane. Stigma — and the complication remainder of my undergraduate college of finding ways to help — have made it years repeatedly asking, “Why?” I didn’t challenging to combat the rising number understand why my sister ended her life, of suicide deaths. especially when she was about to head I was reminded of how quickly a sunny off to college, a time when, I believed, day can turn dark as I relaxed recently the world becomes one’s oyster. But she with a magazine in my backyard. I re- was plagued with depression, bulimia ceived a message from a longtime friend and a date rape I didn’t know about that her brother had died by suicide. Life until after she died. once again was disrupted by the news of I was left to pick up the pieces and yet another person ending his life. find my way forward again without the She reached out to me because I’d girl with whom I shared a room for 10 been there. Twenty-five years earlier, my years — the girl who knew more about younger sister, Denise, ended her life just me than anyone else. After taking several three weeks before her 18th birthday. I years to adjust to life without her, the was 21 at the time, in the thick of working road in front of me began to clear and,
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p034-039_KIM_1218_Suicide.indd 35 11/2/18 7:36 AM “THE RECENT CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL REPORT DOCUMENTS THAT SLIGHTLY UNDER HALF OF PEOPLE WHO DIE BY SUICIDE HAD A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM.”
among other things, I found worldwide to teach people about ing,” says John McIntosh, pro- myself writing books on coping suicide and its aftermath. But I fessor emeritus of psychology at with suicide. I also was elected know the facts are grim: suicide Indiana University South Bend. president of the American Asso- rates continue to climb. “It would be easy to attribute it ciation of Suicidology. to politics and pessimism, stress, For my friend, part of my THE NUMBERS uncertainty, but the increase has sadness came because I knew According to the American Asso- been happening since the late she was now on a road I’d faced ciation of Suicide, in the United 1990s, so it is not just immediate years ago. I have traveled to States in 2016, the most recent time related. There are likely gen- many corners of the world, year data is available, 44,965 erational group issues, economic, including Australia’s South people died by suicide. Of these, social and other factors that are Pacific beaches, New Mexico’s 34,727 were men and 16,196 were at play that provide a complex, Indian reservations and the middle-aged (45 to 64 years old). multi-determined picture.” pueblos where I now live, and That’s an average of one person Peter Gutierrez, professor in done extensive media interviews every 11.7 minutes, compared to the department of psychiatry data from 2011 that shows 39,518 at the University of Colorado people died by suicide — one School of Medicine, believes about every 13.3 minutes. the change needs to come from According to the World Health focusing on it as a public health Organization, approximately problem rather than a mental 800,000 people die by suicide a health problem. year; roughly someone every 40 “The recent (Centers for Dis- seconds. Globally, suicide is the ease Control) report documents second-leading cause of death for that slightly under half of people 15- to 29-year-olds. who die by suicide had a mental As the rates continue to climb in health problem,” he says. “So I the wrong direction, the answer to think we need to be focusing our “why?” is complicated — because attention on both public health suicide is complicated — and interventions which seek to iden- there is no one way to bring a tify and address the precursors decline to the number of deaths. to suicide risk at a population “I, like many, am really at a loss level (e.g., income inequality, lack Michelle Rusk and her sister, Denise regarding why suicide is increas- of social connection) to prevent
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p034-039_KIM_1218_Suicide.indd 36 11/2/18 7:36 AM “There is more awareness, myths; learning about suicide is more advocacy and more sci- like learning about CPR. Peo- ence,” he says. ple should know the warning It’s also important to under- signs and what to do if they are stand the myths around suicide. worried about someone they care One of those is the common mis- about. The best thing you can do conception that suicides increase is be direct: Ask the person if he in December during the holidays. or she is feeling suicidal. The opposite is actually true. Ac- “Everyone can do small things cording to the CDC, November every day to increase a sense and December are the months of connection with others, like with the fewest suicides. routinely asking people how they Peter Gutierrez McIntosh points out that sta- are doing and listening to their re- tistics show suicide deaths peak sponses,” says Gutierrez. “When people from reaching the point in the spring, not the winter, as people say they aren’t doing well, where suicide is a serious con- most people believe. It’s possible are struggling with problems cern in the first place.” that more people get stressed or provide other indicators that There have been numerous or even depressed during the something’s wrong, we need to be high-profile suicide deaths in the winter months and holidays, but able to hear that and respond with news in past years. Facts show that depression doesn’t spike the empathy and concern.” that suicide rates are high among suicide numbers. That means there are many veterans. And it’s heart-wrench- “There are several issues roles that Kiwanis clubs can play ing to hear when a young involved with depression and to help prevent suicide. While person dies by suicide because when it occurs — rises or dimin- everyone can of bullying. Because of this, more ishes — that are obviously not donate to a John McIntosh people are talking about suicide. as distinct as the time of one’s suicide-related But more talk doesn’t seem to be suicide,” he says. “Other social organization doing much for the numbers. and even psychological factors (funds are “I don’t believe there has ever can and likely are involved with always needed been a time when a topic has re- the seasons as well.” for prevention, ceived more attention,” McIntosh research and says, “and efforts for prevention, YOU HAVE A ROLE IN THIS support), clubs intervention and postvention It’s not just about dispelling also can reach have been provided and expand- ed, but rather than going down, the rates and numbers continue to go up.” However, we can’t lose hope. “EVERYONE CAN DO Robert Gebbia, the executive SMALL THINGS EVERY director of the American Foun- dation for Suicide Prevention, DAY TO INCREASE A believes the numbers eventually will start to drop because of ex- SENSE OF CONNECTION posure to the topic. WITH OTHERS.”
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p034-039_KIM_1218_Suicide.indd 37 11/2/18 7:37 AM tional events to dispel the myths It’s also about supporting the around suicide, teach people the survivors — those who have warning signs and show where attempted suicide and lived to get support if someone is wor- and the bereaved, the people ried about a loved one. left behind after a suicide — to “They can help awareness ensure they don’t become suicide about this topic that used to be statistics too. taboo,” Gebbia suggests. “They Heidi Bryan, a suicide preven- can have groups talk about it, tion advocate who once attempt- which is very powerful and a ed suicide, talks about her own Robert Gebbia way to reduce stigma.” experience, hoping to help others It’s not just about educating who want to end their lives as out to local suicide prevention people about how to prevent she once did. organizations and arrange educa- suicide and where to go for help. “I hated myself with every fiber of my being and had been thinking about dying or killing myself for about as long as I could remember,” she says. “It would fluctuate, but it was always in the back of my mind: ‘If things get too WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE bad, I can always kill myself.’ I • Threatening to or talking about • Withdrawal from friends, family was disabled from Lyme disease, hurting or killing oneself and society my marriage hit a rough spot, I was depressed and waiting for the • Looking for ways to kill oneself by • Rage, uncontrolled anger, desire right opportunity to kill myself.” seeking access to firearms, avail- for revenge able pills or other means • Impulsively engaging in reckless • Talking or writing about death, or risky behaviors dying or suicide • Dramatic mood changes
• Increased substance (alcohol or If observed, seek help as soon as drug) use possible by contacting a mental • Expressing a lack of reason to live health professional or calling 1-800- or sense of purpose 273-TALK (8255) for a referral. (In • Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep Canada, visit suicideprevention.ca/ or sleeping all of the time need-help for contact information.) • Expressions of hopelessness or Source: American Association of feeling trapped Suicidology
RESOURCES
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers a variety of training opportunities related to suicide. While some are specific to mental health, a basic introduction to suicide prevention workshop is also offered. Find out more at afsp.org. Heidi Bryan
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p034-039_KIM_1218_Suicide.indd 38 11/2/18 7:37 AM “IT IS IMPORTANT TO TELL CHILDREN THE TRUTH ABOUT SUICIDE IN A WAY THAT IS AGE- APPROPRIATE, AND YOU
Julie Cerel CAN ADD DETAILS AS
When her older brother killed THEY ASK OR AS THEY himself, she was stung that suicide GET OLDER.” no longer was an option for her. She had to make life work. Today she credits her husband and her dogs for helping her move past its own set of guidelines. While there are many ways stressful situations. Bryan also “It is important to tell chil- to help prevent suicide and works hard to stay emotionally dren the truth about suicide in support attempters, their loved and physically healthy. a way that is age-appropriate, ones and the bereaved, the late “I take the attitude of my and you can add details as Edwin Shneidman, who founded chronic suicidality as being a they ask or as they get older,” the field of suicidology, said it chronic illness, so I try to main- says Julie Cerel, president of comes down to two questions: tain my health,” she says. the American Association of “Where do you hurt, and how Most of the bereaved never Suicidology and professor at the can I help?” find the answers they seek. University of Kentucky College That’s something all of us can There’s a journey in looking of Social Work. practice daily. K for answers while grieving the loss of a loved one and recon- ciling the life one lived with how that life ended. Often they Michelle L. Rusk, formerly Michelle need to tell the story over and Linn-Gust, is a writer whose first over again until they realize the book, “Do They Have Bad Days in answer they seek probably will Heaven? Surviving the Suicide Loss never emerge. A mark forward of a Sibling,” launched an interna- in one’s grief journey is separat- tional career of writing and speak- ing the end of the life from the ing following her younger sister’s life one lived. death by suicide. Today she lives in After a suicide, working with Albuquerque, New Mexico, focusing children — who often in the past on writing fiction and her lifestyle were not told of a loved one’s brand, Chelle Summer, choosing suicide because of the fear they to inspire people through a life of either would not understand or creativity. Read more about Michelle might end their lives too — has at chellesummer.com. Michelle L. Rusk
DECEMBER 2018 39
p034-039_KIM_1218_Suicide.indd 39 11/2/18 7:37 AM 2017-18 GROWING AGAIN Built upon the The Formu- opened clubs with swift results — often in la’s five-year membership just two days. In the following pages, we 1,504 initiative and bolstered help Rochford recognize members of the by a renewed focus on organizing new Eye of the Tiger team who led by example clubs, Kiwanis closed the 2017-18 year with and helped open a new generation of clubs. 191,439 members worldwide — an increase “The Eye of the Tiger means not wanting of 1,504 women and men who now are to be denied,” Rochford says. “It means wearing the “K” as they serve the children having the perseverence to overcome any of the world. It is the first year of growth hurdle that’s put in front of you and mov- since 2005-06. ing forward to achieve success. That’s what “There are many Kiwanis leaders who we’ve been doing in Kiwanis. worked very hard to maintain and im- “At the beginning of the year, I could prove our efforts around the world,” says count on one hand the number of people Executive Director Stan D. Soder- who could go out and open a club within strom. “Congratulations to two days in a community they’ve never 2017-18 President Jim been in. Today, there are more than 25 — Rochford, his Eye of the and growing all the time.” Tiger team and district To capitalize on the growing number of Formula leaders club-opening experts and Kiwanis’ 2017-18 everywhere for their membership success, Soderstrom issues a dedication and hard challenge: work.” “We must remember that membership is Over the past year, not a spectator sport. Every member must Eye of the Tiger specialists be involved.”
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p040-047_KIM_1218_Tiger Team.indd 40 11/2/18 7:40 AM BLITZED EYE OF THE TIGER TEAM OPENS THREE CLUBS TO BOOST SUPPORT OF YOUTH PROGRAMS.
Las Vegas, Nevada, has one of locations to open new clubs.” the three communities that had the world’s largest Key Club That meant driving through the been identified by the preliminary 3 populations with more than city, visiting chambers of com- legwork. Squads of two or three 3,000 high school students. Yet late- merce, becoming familiar with recruiters set out for prearranged ly, there has been only five Kiwanis the business centers and schools appointments with key pros- clubs in the area. This past year, and conducting preliminary in- pects. They talked about Kiwanis’ three more were added. terviews. It also involved seeking priority of serving children. They Vegas’ strong Service Leader- support from existing clubs, as discussed the need to support ship Programs were a primary well as prospect referrals. Local and grow the area’s SLPs. They reason 2017-18 Kiwanis Inter- members joined the blitz and extended invitations to join new national President Jim Rochford learned Eye of the Tiger methods Kiwanis clubs. And they asked for selected the city for a names of other potential club-opening blitz. It members. By the end of is a scenario that was a the weekend, the nu- hallmark of his term as clei of three clubs had president. His Eye of formed. the Tiger club-opening “In Centennial Hills, specialists swooped into three officers are former Chicago, Denver, Kuala SLP members,” Rochford Lumpur and elsewhere to says. “Three babies in visit educators, mayors, strollers attended the or- business executives and ganization meeting with other community leaders their parents who are to sell the need for new now Kiwanis members.” Kiwanis clubs. In Vegas, The Southwest Las they aimed to open three clubs, for inviting members and open- Vegas and Summerlin clubs seeding each with dual members ing clubs. were formed in areas booming from existing clubs as coaches. This past January 19-21, the Eye with development. Southwest Val Brown-Klingelhoefer was of the Tiger team, accompanied Kiwanians already have opened one of the Tiger team members by half of North America’s district a Builders Club and are working sent early into Vegas to prepare governors, arrived in Vegas. on K-Kids clubs. for the blitz. They were led by “Las Vegas is so huge and Rochford and Past “I love what we do. My ability to growing so fast,” Brown-Klingel- California-Neva- open Kiwanis clubs is the biggest hoefer says. “But it’s segmented da-Hawaii District into distinct areas; so we needed Governor Alan gift I can give to a community.” to assess these different com- Guire. The group — Val Brown-Klingelhoefer munities and identify the best split up to canvass
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p040-047_KIM_1218_Tiger Team.indd 41 11/2/18 7:45 AM THE RACE IS ON NEW CLUB HITS THE ROAD RUNNING WITH SERVICE AND GROWTH.
It’s an impressive number For another “Everyone can do this. Every for a new club’s charter. attempt, Past community has teachers, parents, 75 Yet, the Kiwanis Club of New York District Ridgewood, NY 3-2-1 was just Governor Joe coaches — people who live and getting started when its orga- Eppolito teamed work in the kid world.” — Bob nization papers were approved the Kiwanis Club Monahan on April 4, 2018, with 75 charter of Middle Village members. These new Kiwanians with the Kiwanis dinators and representatives of already have much greater aspi- Club of Glendale. Monahan, a 35- other children-serving programs. rations. year member of the Glendale club True to its “3-2-1” name — a “We haven’t even started and The Formula club opener, ratio of three parts service, two recruiting yet,” says member Bob had a strong interest in Ridge- parts social and one part meeting Monahan. wood. As president of the Greater — the club went straight to work. As of this past September, there Ridgewood Youth Council, he When a young man was chased were more than 125 Ridgewood was well aware that the council and killed in a nearby communi- 3-2-1 Kiwanians. and Kiwanis shared a common ty because of mistaken identity, Kiwanis had a long-standing interest: children. Ridgewood President Liz Fitz- tradition in the community, open- “We quickly had 25 to 30 mem- gerald proposed to re-establish a ing a club there in 1927. After six bers from the council, and we network of “Safe Havens” where decades of service, it closed in the began to wrap everything around youth and seniors can find securi- late 1980s. Efforts to build a new that solid core of service-minded, ty and emergency assistance. club failed. child-focused people,” he says. Early editions of the club’s With a 38-year newsletter report about other history in the com- activities: a food pantry collection; munity, the council participation in a street fair and a has a reputation for 104th Precinct Night Out Against providing educa- Crime; serving a meal at the Ron- tional, counseling, ald McDonald House; donating job preparation and backpacks of supplies to area other services to area schools; opening K-Kids, Builders youth. Monahan and Clubs and Key Clubs. his staff have strong “We expect we’ll soon be the connections to other largest club in the New York child-serving agen- District,” Monahan says. “But it’s cies, and the Kiwanis not about the numbers. We want club quickly became to do service, and people want a magnet for clergy, to join us because they want to police, parent coor- serve too.”
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p040-047_KIM_1218_Tiger Team.indd 42 11/2/18 7:40 AM ALL STARS
EMILIA GUGLIUZZA KEY LARGO, FLORIDA, U.S.A.
hree months into the 2017-18 Kiwanis year, Emilia Colombia,” says 2017-18 Kiwanis International President Jim stepped in as the Eye of the Tiger leader in Latin Amer- Rochford. “These clubs and their passionate members are T ica, and she hit the ground running. She guided efforts doing great things to help children in areas where there is to open more than half of the 26 clubs opened in Latin much need. America this past year. “Kiwanis has its own Wonder Woman, Emilia already had established a pattern of excellence in and her name is Emilia Gugliuzza,” Roch- the Florida District, leading by example on The Eliminate ford adds, noting that, as of this past Project and supporting Service Leadership Programs. September, Emilia personally partici- “But nothing has compared to the success in which she pated in opening 20 clubs. “She’s on the turned around three areas in Latin America, especially path to 25.”
JIM DOOLEY KATRINA BARANKO PEORIA, ILLINOIS, U.S.A. ALBANY, GEORGIA, U.S.A. Jim worked on opening his first few clubs with Rochford and Katrina helped the Georgia District as its Formula chair, took off running, earning the position as The Formula chair but she also has been active on an area level. Due to in the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District. This past year, he took her sales ability and her people skills, she was asked to on the role as chair of The Formula’s Americas Area, helping join the Eye of the Tiger team. This past June, she was achieve a record-setting year. “Jim has an awesome voice, a elected as a trustee to the Kiwanis International Board. great sense of humor and is a tremendous philanthropist,” “She continued to refine her skills throughout this year to says Rochford. become a top tiger,” says Rochford.
KATHLEEN MOYLAN LARRY MEMMER LYNNWOOD, WASHINGTON, U.S.A. CHELSEA, MICHIGAN, U.S.A.
Moving her address and her Kiwanis membership from “Larry was a member of the May 2015 Chicago blitz, and Georgia to Ohio and now to Washington, Kathleen has he has grown tremendously in expertise since then,” helped the three different districts grow. She also has been says Rochford. “He’s a mainstay of the Michigan District’s a strong supporter of Service Leadership Programs. “No membership team and continues to hone his skills as an matter where she hangs her hat, opening new clubs is her Eye of the Tiger leader. He’s a great team leader.” Larry passion,” says Rochford. “She’s generous to a fault and sup- currently is serving as governor of the Michigan District. portive and protective of her teammates. She’ll continue on the Eye of the Tiger team in a leadership capacity.”
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p040-047_KIM_1218_Tiger Team.indd 43 11/2/18 7:45 AM ALL STARS
LEE KUAN YONG ANNA WU KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA HACIENDA HEIGHTS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A. As the Asia-Pacific chair for the Eye of the Tiger team, Lee “Anna is another one of those rising stars whom we so worked with Rochford in 2017-18 to help Malaysia set its desperately need in leadership roles in Kiwanis,” says all-time new-club-opening record. “His keen intellect has Rochford. “She opened the very first new club of the allowed him to change his approach toward the Eye of the 2017-18 year and has never stopped. I’ve challenged her Tiger club-opening model,” Rochford says. to recruit 1 million members herself. No doubt about it, if anybody can do it, Anna can.” She opened six clubs in her district as well as helping numerous other districts. She recently became involved in efforts to open clubs in China.
VAL BROWN-KLINGELHOEFER TERRY CUNEFARE GREENFIELD, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A. GROVELAND, ILLINOIS, U.S.A. The Formula chair for the California-Nevada-Hawaii Dis- Terry served as the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District’s New trict in 2017-18, Val helped open clubs in her home district Club Opening chair the same year — 2001-02 — Rochford and beyond. “She’s totally committed to membership at all was district governor. Together, they helped set the times,” says Rochford. “This PhD-holder has been the right district’s all-time club-opening record. After the 2018 prescription for helping to turn the numbers around in district convention, Terry and Jim went back on the road both the Cal-Nev-Ha District and Kiwanis International.” and continued to open clubs. “Terry opened the second most clubs in the history of our I-I District as our 2017-18 governor,” says Rochford. “He’s a real doer.”
ALAN GUIRE STRATHMORE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A. lan was governor of the California-Nevada-Hawaii accompanied Jim to Malaysia to open two new clubs there. District in 2014-15 when he first encountered “He has quickly risen to be one of the most consistent A Rochford, who was assigned as the Kiwanis Interna- new-club openers in the Kiwanis world,” says Rochford. tional Board counselor to the district. Together, he and Alan was Jim’s coordinator of incentives for top 2017- Jim opened two clubs in the district that year, and they 18 governors, openers and recruiters. were partners again that year for the first mega-mem- And he and his wife, Melissa, were bership blitz in Chicago, Illinois. Alan returned home, co-chairs for the 2018 Kiwanis Inter- where he helped open nine clubs before the Kiwanis national convention in Las Vegas. year ended. “Truly,” Rochford says, “Alan Guire This past year, he did double duty as Eye of the Tiger chair is everywhere. He’s everywhere! And and The Formula chair for the Western USA Area. He also Kiwanis is much better off for it.”
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BARB THOMPSON ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, U.S.A.
im Rochford describes Barb as cerebral, in part be- she continued to be a rock of support on the Eye of the cause she was assistant superintendent of the largest Tiger team. J school district in St. Louis. “She also has continued to help “Over the course of our association, she has grown open clubs in her Missouri-Arkansas tremendously as a club opener to be one of the best,” District.” Rochford says. “She’s very detail-oriented and capable of Besides traveling the world opening opening the majority of her sites within two days. clubs, Barb served as vice chair of the “She has overcome broken ribs and bloody noses, and Eye of the Tiger team.
JUANITA EDWARDS MARY JO BRUBAKER ALEC MACAULAY DALTON, GEORGIA, U.S.A. BANNER ELK, NORTH CAROLINA, U.S.A. CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, U.S.A.
At the start of the 2017-18 Kiwanis A former school principal, Mary Jo’s Alec has been a Key Club member, year, Juanita wasn’t on the charts of organizational skills impressed Rochford 2006-07 CKI president, a Kiwanis club-opening leaders. But after moving during lieutenant governor training in employee and is a 2018-19 Carolinas into the 99th position, she continued to 2011. “She made a huge difference in District lieutenant governor. “Alec is improve all year long. “She has tremen- membership numbers for the Carolinas an awesome presenter,” notes Roch- dous leadership skills and was involved District with her intensity and attention ford. “He helped on many club-open- in a great Georgia to details,” he says. She helped develop a ing sites with District team,” says club-opening team the paperwork Rochford. “By the in the Carolinas and and clearly has end of the year, she participated with a bright future was sharing her Jim on the first club ahead of him in talents with other opened in the dis- our organization.” districts as well.” trict this past year.
JAN MAXWELL RO WOODS-MITCHELL ÓSKAR GUÐJÓNSSON TOPEKA, KANSAS, U.S.A. PASCAGOULA, MISSISSIPPI, U.S.A. KÓPAVOGI, ICELAND
Another Eye of the Tiger team member “Rogena became a star when the Eye The 2017-18 Eye of the Tiger leader in who leads by example, Jan used her of the Tiger team opened three clubs in the Europe area, Óskar is now serving organizational and interpersonal skills three days in her division,” recalls Roch- as 2018-19 Kiwanis International-Eu- as Eye of the Tiger lead in the Central ford. “She followed with an additional ropean Federation president. “He USA Area this past year. “Jan is a huge three clubs.” She also opened clubs in always has a smile on his face and is supporter of the Kiwanis Children’s the Rocky Mountain, New York and very positive and supportive of others,” Fund, and she and her husband, Southwest dis- says Rochford. “He Robert, make a tricts. “Her enthusi- helped Europe winning team,” asm is contagious, exceed its new- says Rochford. and she’s capable club goal for the of closing any sale,” 2017-18 year, Rochford adds. supported by his sidekick, Konnie.”
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GARY LEVINE OWEN SOUND, ONTARIO, CANADA ary wasn’t even on Jim Rochford’s radar screen as a po- Kiwanis year, he began working in the field on numerous sites. tential top opener at the start of the 2017-18 year. “Gary’s upbeat personality lifts his entire team,” Rochford G “His membership claim to fame was that he was The says. “He served as membership chair for the Kiwanis Inter- Formula chair in the Eastern Canada and Caribbean District national Board and had positive direction to spur member- for three years, competing each year for the top spot ship growth.” among the Americas’ club openers with the Illinois-Eastern Because of his expertise, Gary pro- Iowa District,” says Rochford. duced Jim’s ‘On the Road’ webinar series. Jim now sees Gary as one of the best closers throughout “He’s a real doer,” says Rochford. “Some the Kiwanis world, consistently opening clubs in two days on people have even seen Gary wearing a sites where he has served as the captain. Early in the 2017-18 cape. Maybe he’s Superman.”
KENDRA SKIDMORE CYNTHIANA, KENTUCKY, U.S.A. endra was assigned to Rochford’s team in May 2015 Kendra made her mark after being on Jim’s team in the on a mega-opening in Chicago. A dental hygienist by first three mega-openings by returning home and open- K trade, she has become one of the top salespeople in ing clubs in the Kentucky-Tennessee District, where she the Kiwanis world. was elected governor for the 2019-20 year. “She’s highly motivated and extremely competitive,” Kendra credits Jim with helping de- says Rochford. “She truly has been my right hand in velop her sales skills, but he points out the field. She’s a tireless worker. She does whatever it her tremendous drive to excel. takes — setting appointments, submitting paperwork “She literally has helped open clubs and coordinating pre-work — and she does it all with a throughout the entire Kiwanis world,” smile on her face.” he says.
JIM ROCHFORD PEORIA, ILLINOIS, U.S.A. rior to the 2017-18 year, Jim helped assemble and trained applied as leader of the Eye of the Tiger team. the Eye of the Tiger leadership team. Leading by example, “This is a team of tireless workers who frequently will skip P he has been responsible for opening more than 250 new meals and go 12 to 16 hours during a day of recruiting, moti- clubs in more than 30 districts. vating and leading by example at all times,” he says. Jim was a sales leader and company owner/manager of a From high-profile success as a litigator sales operation before becoming a lawyer. He built an Am- to a national-class AAU program to a suc- ateur Athletic Union basketball program and coached more cessful jury presenter for the community than 100 future college players and some future NBA players. and a top salesman/office manager, Jim In addition to his success as a litigator, he identifies teaching lives by the creed: “Be better than good; and management as his most valuable skills, both of which he be best.”
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p040-047_KIM_1218_Tiger Team.indd 46 11/2/18 7:41 AM THE NUMBERS
clubs opened, exceeding new clubs organized 400 for only the third time within the first week 411 in Kiwanis history 45 of 2018-19
children served by our global 191,439 38,287,800 members
During the 2017-18 Kiwanis year, each issue of Kiwanis magazine listed top club openers and member sponsors. Here are the year’s final results.
TOP 5 DISTRICTS FOR CLUBS OPENED TOP 5 DISTRICTS FOR MEMBERS ADDED Rank District Clubs Rank District Members
1 Philippine Luzon 59 1 Taiwan 3,222
2 Philippine South 44 2 California-Nevada-Hawaii 2,002
3 California-Nevada-Hawaii 30 3 Philippine Luzon 1,842
4 Taiwan 20 4 Florida 1,352
5 Colombia 17 5 Philippine South 1,208
TOP 5 INDIVIDUAL CLUB OPENERS TOP 5 INDIVIDUAL NEW-MEMBER SPONSORS Rank District Clubs Rank Sponsor New members
1 Jim Rochford 44 1 Jim Rochford 157
2 Val Brown-Klingelhoefer 27 2 Anna Wu 150
3 Lolita Salazar 140 Katrina Baranko 3 26 (Tied) Kendra Skidmore 4 Kendra Skidmore 128
5 Alan Guire 25 5 Barbara Thompson 83
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p040-047_KIM_1218_Tiger Team.indd 47 11/2/18 7:41 AM SHOWCASE
Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation (All Periodicals Publications Except Requester Publications) BIRTHDAYS 1. Publication Title: Kiwanis The following Kiwanis clubs 2. Publication No.: 011130 celebrate their 100th, 50th and 25th 3. Filing Date: August 21, 2018 anniversaries in January 2019. 4. Issue Frequency: Monthly, except Feb., May, July, Nov. 5. No. of Issues Published Annually: 8 6. Annual Subscription Price: $8.00 100TH—1919 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 3636 Woodview Tr., Indianapolis, IN 46268-3196 Pottsville, Pennsylvania, January 13 Contact Person: Jack Brockley Telephone: 317-217-6170 Windsor, Ontario, January 13 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: 3636 Woodview Tr., Indianapolis, IN 46268-3196 Vancouver, British Columbia, January 21 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor. Publisher, Jack Brockley; Editor, Stan D. Soderstrom; Managing Editor, Kasey Jackson, all Omaha, Nebraska, January 23 at 3636 Woodview Tr., Indianapolis, IN 46268-3196 10. Owner: Kiwanis International, 3636 Woodview Tr., Indianapolis, IN 46268-3196 Huntington, West Virginia, January 27 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None Houston, Texas, January 29 12. Tax Status: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months 13. Publication Title: Kiwanis 50TH—1969 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: September 2018 Graz, Austria, January 23 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months/No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: 25TH—1994 a. Total Number of Copies: 124,646/125,557. b. Paid Circulation Cahokia Area, Illinois, January 4 (1) Mailed Outside-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: 117,607/118,455. Sterling Heights High Noon, Michigan, (2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541: 0/0. January 5 (3) Paid Distribution Outside the Mails Including Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Paid Distribution Outside USPS®: 6,082/6,160. Keila, Estonia, January 6 (4) Paid Distribution by Other Classes of Mail Through the USPS: 0/0. c. Total Paid Distribution: 123,689/124,615. d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (1) Free or Nominal Rate Outside County Copies included on PS Form 3541: 0/0. (2) Free or Nominal Rate In-County Copies included on PS Form 3541: 0/0. (3) Free or Nominal Rate Copies Mailed at Other Classes Through the USPS: 22/0. (4) Free or Nominal Rate Distribution Outside the Mail: 230/207. e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution: 252/207. f. Total Distribution: 123,941/124,822. g. Copies not Distributed: 706/735. h. Total: 124,647/125,557. i. Percent Paid: 99.80%/99.83% 16. Electronic Copy Circulation Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months/No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: a. Paid Electronic Copies: 0/0. b. Total Paid Print Copies: 123,689/124,615. c. Total Print Distribution: 123,940/124,822. d. Percent Paid: 99.80%/99.83%. I certify that 50% of all my distributed copies (electronic and print) are paid above a nominal price. 17. Publication of Statement of Ownership will be printed in the December 2017 issue of this publication. Signature and Title: Jack Brockley, Publisher. Date: September 26, 2018. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties).
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p048-049_KIM_1218_Birthdays.indd 48 11/2/18 7:42 AM United Medicare Advisors proudly partners with Kiwanis International to help better serve our community through personalized, hands- on assistance and support. This service-fi rst mentality shapes the way we work; we have refocused our attention to providing in-depth education and support— refusing to simply rush you through the process of buying Medigap insurance. We guide you through your options step-by-step, giving you the knowledge and confi dence you need to make better healthcare decisions. We believe that your healthcare plan should be as unique as you are. That’s why our licensed agents partner with you to create a personalized Medicare strategy that best fi ts your needs and budget.
What our customers are saying:
“Our agent went to great “The agent was personable “The bottom line: Our agent lengths to make sure I and actually cared about what saved me over $500 a understood everything and to was really best for us. We felt year for the EXACT same be sure I was getting the right much better and very secure coverage I had.” coverage for me.” in our decision.”
Learn more and get a free quote: 855.562.9800 unitedmedicareadvisors.com/umakiwanis
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 49
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Kindness is free ARE YOU INSPIRED TO SPREAD KINDNESS? HERE’S AN IDEA HOW TO DO IT.
The mission at the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is to change schools, the workplace, families and society through kindness. The foundation does this by creating free content that promotes kindness toward others and teaches important kindness skills to kids.
These posters from Random Acts of Kindness can be used in elementary and middle schools — perfect for Kiwanis clubs to share with their sponsored K-Kids and Builders Clubs.
Download the posters online at randomactsofkindness.org/printables.
CARING COMPASSION GRATITUDE Feeling and showing Being aware when others are sick, Being thankful for and appreciating concern for others. sad, or hurt and wanting to help. what you have and those around you.
RESPONSIBILITY SELF-CARESELF-CARE INTEGRITY Being reliable to do the things that Taking care of yourself through Acting in a way you know to be are expected or required of you. kind words, actions and thoughts. right and kind in all situations. ©1995-2018 The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. All Rights All Reserved. with permission. RandomUsed The Acts of Kindness Foundation. ©1995-2018
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p050-051_KIM_1218_Back Page.indd 50 11/2/18 7:43 AM KCF full page ad.indd 1 GIFTS GO FARTHER TOGETHER. When you give to the Kiwanis Children’s Fund, you amplify your Kiwanis impact. That’s because you’re joining with Kiwanis family members who have done the same. After all, we do more when we do it together. Let’s reach kids who need Kiwanis — all over the world.
kiwanischildrensfund.org
p050-051_KIM_1218_BackKCF full page ad.indd 1 Page.indd 51 11/2/188/31/18 7:43 9:15 AM AM Kiwanis Intl. 3636 Woodview Tr. Indianapolis, IN 46268-3196 USA ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED
WHAT’S YOUR STORY? If your club has a success story, simply email a summary and a few photos to [email protected] to be considered for possible future use in Kiwanis International publications.
READ KIWANIS MAGAZINE ONLINE Enjoy the inspiring stories you love from Kiwanis magazine, plus added content, slideshows and video. Visit kiwanismagazine.org to read about great Kiwanis projects, and then share those stories and photos via social media buttons for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram found right on the page. It’s that easy. When you read something you love, pass it on. #kidsneedkiwanis #kiwanis
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