2021 - 2022 District Officer Elections Packet
New Jersey District of Key Club International
1 A Message from District Governor Sarah Jacob
Hello DECON Attendees!
Along with the celebrations on all of our accomplishments this past service year, one of the most important parts of this conference is electing our fearless leaders for the next year. The District Executive Board consists of the Governor, Secretary, Treasurer and Editor, however, you will also see International candidates running for endorsement. Essentially, all people running for International positions must be endorsed by their District and if endorsed will run at International Convention. Each elected official will have an immense impact upon the next year’s successes. Due to this, it is incredibly important that you pay attention to the candidate’s flyers, speeches, answers, goals and their presentation. They way they carry themselves and how hard they work on their campaigns is a huge indication for how their term will be. Let’s make sure we enable the best leaders to serve not only the New Jersey District, not only all of you but Key Club International as a whole!
What Kind of Questions Should I Ask? Table of Contents: Specific Specific questions lead to specific answers. Caucus Questions………….…………...... …...…...3 They show how much effort a candidate has put in and how much they want to Governor Candidates..……..……….…………...…....6 serve you all. Specific answers and plans Secretary Candidates………….……………...... 11 are better than vague ones! Same Treasurer Candidate……………..………...... …..16 Keep one staple question in your caucus Editor Candidates……………………………………….19 room. It will help you have something to International Vice President compare everyone too. It will be beneficial to everyone in your caucus room too. Endorsement Candidate…………………………..….24 Significant International Trustee While humorous questions may be fun, only ask questions that will truly help you Endorsement Candidates……………………………..27 understand the candidates and will help Amendment to the you determine if you think a candidate could effectively serve our organization. New Jersey Key Club Bylaws……………..…………32 2 Sample Caucus Questions
General Knowledge Questions 1. Why, where, and under what circumstances was the first Key Club begun? A Kiwanis Club in Sacramento, California wanted to provide vocational guidance to high school students in May 1925. 2. What is the Key Club motto? “Caring...our way of life.” 3. Recite the Key Club Pledge? “I pledge, on my honor, to uphold the objects of Key Club International, to build my home, school, and community, to serve my nation and world, and to combat all forces which tend to undermine these institutions.” 4. What are the colors of Key Club International, and what do they symbolize? Blue—unwavering character, Gold—service, and White—purity 5. When is Key Club Week? It is the first full week of November. 6. How does one start a new club? Obtain a charter kit, find a sponsoring Kiwanis club, gain school administration approval, and a faculty advisor, solicit members, and send in paperwork to KCI. 7. How many divisions are there in New Jersey? There are 21 divisions in New Jersey. (Beginning in 2021 - 2022 Service Year) 8. Who is the District Administrator? What is the highest position that he has held in Kiwanis Family? Robert Acerra, International Trustee - Circle K International 9. What organizations make up the K-Family? Kiwanis, Circle K, Key Club, Builder’s Club, K-Kids, and Aktion Club. 10. How is the Key Club leadership structured? International President, International Vice-President, International Trustee, District Governor, District Secretary, District Treasurer, District Editor, Lieutenant Governor, District Webmaster, Club President, Club Vice-President, Club Secretary, Club Treasurer, Club Editor, Club Webmaster and General Member. 11. What is Fall Rally? The largest gathering of Key Clubbers in New Jersey at Six Flags Great Adventure. 12. Which individuals currently sit on the New Jersey District Executive Board and in what capacity? Sarah Jacob- District Governor, Jeremy Zoller- District Secretary, Grace Pluemacher- District Treasurer, Taner Drexler – District Editor 13. What is the official publication of the New Jersey District called? 3 The Jersey Key
14. What is the 2020 - 2021 New Jersey District Project? Keeping the Garden State Green 15. Where is the 2021 International Convention? Orlando, Florida 16. What is our Major Emphasis Focus? “Children: Their Future, Our Focus.” 17. What is advocacy? Speaking on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. 18. What is the 2021 New Jersey District Education Conference theme? The theme is Olympics. 19. What is the deadline for dues, and how many paid members must a club have? Normally December 1; 11 members. 20. Who are the current District Governors of the New Jersey Districts of Kiwanis and Circle K? Kiwanis– Mr. Joseph Giordano and Circle K— Kyle Lank 21. What are the 4 core values of Key Club? Leadership, Inclusiveness, Caring, and Character Building. 22. What are the four Preferred Charities of Key Club International? March of Dimes, UNICEF, Thirst Project, and Children’s Miracle Network
Sample Thought-Based Questions: 1. Why did you join Key Club? 2. Why is Key Club important to you? 3. Who is the most important member of Key Club and why? 4. Of what importance is Kiwanis to Key Club? 5. Why should anyone join Key Club? 6. What do you feel will be the most important aspect of your job if elected? 7. What sets you apart from the other candidates? 8. What benefits have you gained from Key Club and what do you expect to gain as Lieutenant Governor? 9. What is your greatest strength? 10. What inspired you to run for higher office? 11. What is most important to you as a person? 12. Do you feel a leader should bow down to public opinion? 13. What is your vision for the future of your division? 14. What past experiences have prepared you to be a Lieutenant Governor? 15. What do you feel at the most important qualities of leaders, and how will you utilize these qualities during your term? 16. Describe your favorite service project and how you contributed. 17. If you could add a core value, what would it be and why? 18. Besides the minimum job requirements for this position, what do you think you can bring to the table that would raise the bar for your successors? 19. What are some of your weaknesses as a leader that you can improve on? 20. Describe one potential divisional service project that you hope to organize if elected. 21. What experience do you have working on a team or on a committee? 4 22. What is your best leadership characteristic? Candidates:
District Governor: ● Noor Elhamouly ● Jaya Singh
District Secretary ● Carson Clemas ● Hana Hamid
Treasurer ● Eric Wong
Editor ● Clarice Fune ● Sana Kakumanu
Endorsement for International Vice President ● Carrie Saney
Endorsement for International Trustee ● Irene Kim
● Jeremy Zoller 5 District Governor Candidates:
Noor Elhamouly Jaya Singh
6 Noor Elhamouly
Sparta High School
Key Club Offices ● 2018 - 2019 - General Member ● 2019 - Key Leader Attendee ● 2020 - 2021 - Lieutenant Governor ● 2020 - 2021 - Secretary of Structure Committee ● 2020 - 2021 - Chair of DECON Workshops ● 2020 - 2021 - DECON Presentation Committee Member ● 2020 - 2021 - Kiwanis Family Relations Committee Member ● 2021 - Key Leader Facilitator
Non-Key Club Offices ● 2019 - 2020 - Robotics Captain ● 2019 - 2021 - Mock Trial Secretary ● 2019 - 2020 - Pass it Along (GoLead) ● 2020 - Present - Pass it Along (Service Corps) ● 2019 - 2021 - We are the Dream (Co-Founder, Board Member) ● 2020 - Present - Sussex County Democrat Committee (Deputy Intern)
Other Activities and Organizations ● 2019 - 2021 - Mock Trial ● 2019 - 2021 - TED Ed ● 2018 - 2021 - Model UN ● 2018 - 2020 - Robotics ● 2019 - 2021 - We are the Dream ● 2020 - 2021 - Find the Courage ● 2018 - 2021 - Pass it Along ● 2020 - 2021 - Sussex County Democrats Committee ● 2018 - 2021 - Compadres ● 2018 - 2021 - Tilly's Kids
Awards (Key Club and Non-Key Club) ● 2018, 2019, 2020 - Sparta Honor Role (Principal Scholar) ● 2018, 2019 - Russian Olympiad (Gold) ● Harvard Model UN ● TED Ed Published 2020
7 8 Jaya Singh Old Bridge High School
Key Club Offices ● 2019-2020 - Club President ● 2020-2021 - Club President ● 2020-2021 - Member Representative - Advocacy Committee
Non-Key Club Offices ● 2018-2019 - Asia Pacific Club President ● 2018-2019 - Future Business Leaders of America (Local) Freshman Liaison ● 2019-2020 - Asia Pacific Club President ● 2019-2020 - Future Business Leaders of America (Local) Membership Vice President ● 2019-2020 - Future Business Leaders of America (State) Social Media Committee ● 2019-2020 - Student Senate Senator ● 2020-2021 - Asia Pacific Club Community Service Vice President ● 2020-2021 - Chinese Honor Society President ● 2020-2021 - National Honor Society Junior Representative ● 2020-2021 - Old Bridge Relay for Life Youth Leadership Team ● 2020-2021 - Future Business Leaders of America (State) Membership Vice President ● 2020-2021 - Future Business Leaders of America (National) Parliamentarian's Council Executive Assistant ● 2020-2021 - Student Senate Senator ● 2020-2021 - Rainbow Bridging English Tutor
Other Activities and Organizations ● 2018-2020 - Orchestra ● 2018-2021 - FBLA ● 2018-2021 - Asia Pacific Club ● 2019-2021 - Student Senate ● 2019-2021 - Chinese Honor Society ● 2019-2021 - Science Honor Society ● 2020-2021 - National Honor Society
Awards (Key Club and Non-Key Club) ● 10th Place National FBLA Public Speaking ● 1st Place New Jersey FBLA Impromptu Speaking ● 3rd Place New Jersey FBLA Public Speaking ● FBLA Business Achievement Awards ● FBLA Community Service Award (500 hours) ● 2018 Chamber Ensemble Orchestra Concertmaster ● 2019 FBLA Financial Literacy Contest ● 2020 Honors Choir ● 2019 NJCCSF Research Competition Runner-Up ● 2020 National CLASS Chinese essay Contest Honorable Mention 9 ● 2020 New Jersey Chinese Arts and Culture Show Winner 10 District Secretary Candidates:
Carson Clemas Hana Hamid
11 Carson Clemas Atlantic County Institute of Technology
Key Club Offices ● 2020-2021 - Club Secretary ● 2020-2021 - Club Treasurer
Non-Key Club Offices ● 2018-1019 - Freshman Class Secretary ● 2020-2021 - Sophomore Class President ● 2019 - AFJROTC Unit Kittyhawk Commander
Other Activities and Organizations ● 2018 - 2020 - Science Club ● 2018 - 2019 - Debate Club ● 2018 - 2020 - Student Council ● 2018 - 2019 - Freshman Council ● 2019 - 2020 - Sophomore Council ● 2020 - 2021 - Junior Council ● 2018 - 2019, 2020 - 2021 - Mock Trial ● 2019 - 2020 - Global Literacy Volunteers
Awards (Key Club and Non-Key Club) ● 2019 - January Member of the Month ● 2018-2021 - Academic Merit Roll ● 2019-2020 - AFJROTC Academic Ribbon ● 2019-2020 - AFJROTC Distinguished Unit Award with Merit
12 13 Hana Hamid Hopewell Valley Central High School
Key Club Offices ● 2019-2020 - Club Treasurer ● 2020-2021 - Division 5 Lieutenant Governor ● 2020-2021 - Advocacy Committee Chair ● 2020-2021 - Theme Committee Chair
Non-Key Club Offices ● 2020-2021 - HOSA Vice President ● 2019-2020 - ISCJ Assistant Teacher ● 2020-2021 - ISCJ Assistant Teacher
Other Activities and Organizations ● 2018-2019 - HOSA ● 2019-2020 - HOSA ● 2020-2021 - HOSA ● 2020-2021 - PANDA (Preventing Alcohol n' and Drug Addiction)
Awards (Key Club and Non-Key Club) ● 2018-2019 - HOSA Southern Regional Conference 5th place in medical spelling ● 2018-2019 - Distinguished award for performance at SRC HOSA ● 2019-2020 - Distinguished Officer Award Key Club ● 2019-2020 - Excellence in Chemistry Certificate of Achievement ● 2020-2021 - National Honors Society
14 15 District Treasurer Candidate:
Eric Wong
16 Eric Wong Monroe Township High School
Key Club Offices ● None
Non-Key Club Offices ● 2020-2021 - Sportshi Chapter President ● 2020-2021 - Founder and President of The Businessholics Podcast ● 2020-2021 - LEADucation Mentor in Career Development
Other Activities and Organizations ● 2020-2021 - Internship at Brandarrow Agency ● 2020-2021 - Internship in the Sportshi Ambassador Program ● 2021-2021 - Braathe Enterprises ● 2021- 2021 - Economics for Leaders Summer Program at University of Michigan ● 2021-2021 - SEWA volunteering program ● 2019-present - DECA ● 2020-present - Economics and Finance Team ● 2012-present - Baseball
Awards (Key Club and Non-Key Club) ● 2019 - Academic Principals List ● 2020 - Academic Honor Roll ● Presidential Volunteering Service Award ● NJ DECA 2020-2021 State Finalist
17 18 District Editor Candidates:
Clarice Fune Sana Kakumanu
19 Clarice Fune Brick Memorial High School
Key Club Offices ● 2020-2021 - Lieutenant Governor
Non-Key Club Offices ● None
Other Activities and Organizations ● 2018 - Present Student Government Association ● 2019 - Present Math Team
Awards (Key Club and Non-Key Club) ● 2019 - Key Club Member of the Month
20 21 Sana Kakumanu Monroe Township High School
Key Club Offices ● 2018-2019 - Builders Club President
Non-Key Club Offices ● 2019-2020 - Toastmasters International District 38 Advanced Youth Leadership Vice President
Other Activities and Organizations ● 2019-2020 - National Arts Honors Society ● 2018-2020 - Advanced Youth Leadership Toastmasters ● 2019-2020 - Middlesex County Arts High
Awards (Key Club and Non-Key Club) ● 2019 - Outstanding Leader (Toastmasters) ● 2019 - Academic Principal's List ● 2020 - Outstanding Communicator (Toastmasters) ● 2020 - Honor Roll - Middlesex County Arts High School ● 2020 - Academic Honor Roll
22 23 Endorsement for International Vice President Candidate:
Carrie Saney
24 Carrie Saney Columbia High School
Key Club Offices ● Member - 2020-2021
Non-Key Club Offices ● 2019 - 2020 - Freshmen Class Vice President ● 2020 - 2021 - Sophomore Class Vice President ● 2020 - 2021 - Student Council Chair of Black History Month Committee ● 2020 - 2021 - Student Council Chair of Women’s History Month Committee ● 2020 - 2021 - President of Pre-Med Club (Founder of HOSA TBD)
Other Activities and Organizations ● 2019 - 2020, 2020 - 2021, Present - Science Curriculum Developer at a student-led nonprofit organization (femmeinsteam) ● Research Intern at Rutgers (vWISE Program) ● 2020 - 2021 - Defense Witness for Mock Trial ● 2020 - 2021 - ACHIEVE tutor for World History ● 2020 - 2021 - Independent Research in Neuroscience
Awards (Key Club and Non-Key Club) ● 2019 - 2020 - Academic Honor Roll ● 2019 - 2020 - Academic High Honor Roll ● 2020 - 2021 - Nominee for an Award of Excellence from Congress of Future Medical Leaders
25 26 Endorsement for International Trustee Candidates:
Irene Kim Jeremy Zoller
27 Irene Kim Bergen County Academies
Key Club Offices ● 2020-2021 - Lieutenant Governor ● 2020-2021 - Chair of Amendments and Resolutions Committee ● 2020-2021 - Secretary of Advocacy Committee ● 2020-2021 - Member of Fall Rally and Scholarships Committees ● 2020-2021 - Club Vice President ● 2019-2020 - Club Treasurer ● 2018-2019 - Club Freshman Liaison
Non-Key Club Offices ● 2018-2019 - Student Council Class President ● 2019-Present - Founder and Executive Director (Justice Education Project) ● 2019- Present - Regional Director of Chapter Conferences (Junior States of America) ● 2019-Present - Curriculum Director of Bergen County Middle School Debate League (free tutoring for debaters) ● 2019-Present - NJ Student Activist Coordinator (Amnesty International) ● 2019-2021 - BCA Executive Sustainability Committee ● 2018-Present - Executive Board and Head of Legal for ProVita, one of the only student-led pharmaceutical companies, exclusively at Bergen Academies - Presented in front of CEOs, FDA Agents, researchers at Rutgers University, pharmacies in Israel
Other Activities and Organizations ● 2016-Present - Debater on the National Circuit (across the country) ● 2020-Present - Primary Writer for HRW’s Annual Report on Human Rights ● 2020-Present - Racial Reform Focus Committee with School Administration ● 2019-Present - Founder and Executive Director of the Justice Education Project ● 2019-Present - Served as a free math tutor at YMATH ● 2019-2020 - NJ Student Climate Advocates (Involved in writing, getting sponsors for, and advocating for a carbon cashback policy with students from Princeton University) ● 2018-2019 - Served as Summer Camp Counselor at Camp Sunshine, camp for mentally/physically disabled campers ● 2018-Present - Varsity Player for Bergen County Academies Tennis Team
Awards (Key Club and Non-Key Club) ● 3x High Honor Roll: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior year ● National Honor Society ● International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate ● 3x FINALIST for 3 National Circuit Debate Tournaments (Princeton, Randolph, Montville), Lincoln Douglas and Public Forum styles ● Best Speaker: Fall One Day Junior States of America, for public speaking ● 3x1st Place and 2x 2nd Place at DECA’s Regional, State, National Levels ● SEMIFINALIST for Diamond Challenge (National Entrepreneurship Competition) 28 ● 3x Scholastic Writing Award 29 Jeremy Zoller Livingston High School
Key Club Offices ● Board Positions: ○ 2020-2021 - District Secretary ○ 2019-2020 - Lieutenant Governor ○ 2019-2020 - Club Secretary ○ 2018-2019 - Freshman Class Representative ● Other Key Club Leadership Positions: ○ 2020-2021 - Chairperson, International Programs Committee ○ 2020-2021 - Chairperson, Scholarships Committee ○ 2019-2020 - Chairperson, DCON Talent Show/Key of Honor Committee ○ 2020-2021 Member - District Structure Committee ○ 2020-2021 Member - DECON Service Fair Committee ○ 2019-2020 Member - District Programs Committee ○ 2019-2020 Member - DCON Club and Officer awards committee ○ 2018-2021 - Chairperson/Liaison, Livingston Advisory Committee for Disabilities
Non-Key Club Offices ● 2017-2018 - President, Builders Club ● 2020-2021 - Regional Vice President, BBYO ● 2019-2020 - Chapter Vice President, BBYO ● 2018-2019, 2020-2021 - Chapter Vice President, FBLA ● 2018, 2019, & 2020 Member - BBYO Convention Steering Committee ● 2019, 2021 Chairperson - BBYO Convention ● 2018 and 2019 Member - FBLA American Enterprise Day Committee ● 2018-2020 Class Officer - Student Government ● 2020-2021 - Class Representative, Student Government ● 2020-2021 - President, Art Honor Society ● 2020-2021 - President & Founder, Microorganism Experimentation and Botany Club
Other Activities and Organizations ● 2018-2021 - Livingston Advisory Committee For Disabilities ● 2018-2021 - Livingston High School Varsity Swim Team ● 2018-2021 - FBLA ● 2018-2021 - BBYO ● 2018-2021 - Student Government ● 2020-2021 - Art Honor Society ● 2020-2021 - Spanish Honor Society ● 2020-2021 - Math Honor Society ● 2020-2021 - Microorganism Experimentation and Botany Club ● 2019-2020 - Swim Coach for Piranhas (special needs swim team)
Awards (Key Club and Non-Key Club) ● 2018-2021 - Academic High Honor Roll ● 2019 - FBLA Public Speaking Winner 30 ● 2019 - Piranhas Outstanding Volunteer award 31 Amendment to New Jersey Bylaws The New Jersey Key Club Bylaws shall replace uses of “he/she,” “her/him,” “he or she,” etc. with the gender neutral and trans-inclusive use of “they/them” singular.
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