Alabama Kiwanis Kourier Winter 2019 Published by Alabama Kiwanis Foundation 25 pages Celebrating state’s 200 years By Patrice Stewart Kiwanis Kourier editor The Alabama District of Kiwanis has been named a partner with the Ala­ bama Bicentennial Commission for the state’s 200th birthday celebration this year. Some activities were held in 2017 and 2018, and 400 more are planned this year, all leading up to a celebra­ tion and Bicentennial Park dedication in front of the Capitol on Dec. 14. The 2019 “Alabama Day” will mark 200 years since Congress announced Alabama would be the 22nd state. The Kiwanis logo and those of other partners and sponsors will be dis­ played on banners at events. They can be seen at www.ALABAMA200.org, along with information on festivals, parades, exhibits and other events. Visiting Capitol Hill for the launch of the state of Alabama’s 2019 Bicen ten­ How did this partnership start? nial activities are, from left, Kiwanis Governor Ben Taylor with daughter Cathy Gafford approached the com­ Zanie and wife, Hannah; Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange; and Reading Is mission with an idea about her 2019 Fundamental executive director Cathy Gafford. “Read to Succeed” calendar that she thought would benefit both groups. dar. It highlights a children’s book full sion, discussed ideas that led to the of heroes and history for the Bicen­ inclusion of Kiwanis in the Alabama The executive director of Jean Dean 200 Anniversary Circle. Reading Is Fundamental, signature tennial: “Alabama, My Home Sweet The 102­year history of Kiwanis in project of the Alabama Kiwanis Foun­ Home” by Charles Ghigna. Alabama is impressive. The Kiwanis dation, sold the Bicentennial Commis­ Gafford and Jay Lamar, executive sion a full­page ad for the RIF calen­ director of the Bicentennial Commis­ (See BICENTENNIAL, Page 3) Midwinter: dog talk, mystery, strategy By Patrice Stewart tion is there, too). Kiwanis Kourier editor Friday activities include afternoon meetings of several A look at Service Dogs Alabama, a Kiwanis murder mys­ boards, listed in the agenda, plus a dinner, presentation of tery, Disting uished Club awards and information on a Dis­ Distinguished Club and leaders’ awards for 2017­18 by trict Strategic Plan and foundation activities are just a few of Past Governor Armand St. Raymond. Then be entertained the items coming up at the Alabama Dis trict of Kiwanis by a murder mystery, with board members as the cast and Mid winter Confer ence. a script by Governor Ben Taylor. It’s time to register for the Feb. 22­23 conference, which will again be held at the Marriott Legends Hotel and On Saturday, a buffet breakfast will be served from 7 to Conference Center in Prattville. 8:30 a.m., with several meetings over breakfast planned for Jean Dean Reading Is Fundamental supporters and for past You will find the complete agenda and registration form on Pages 8 and 9 of this Kourier, as well as on the district governors and past lieutenant governors. website at alabama.kiwanis.org (a link for online registra­ (See MIDWINTER, Page 7) Plan to attend Kiwanis International Convention June 27-30 at Walt Disney World in Florida Alabama Kiwanis Kourier, Fall 2018 2 3 opportunities for your club In a rut? Try something different to make 2019 your best year yet Greetings from your Kiwanis Governor. I hope you had a won­ derful holiday season with friends and family. Can you believe it is 2019? Seems like yesterday we were convinced the year 2000 would be the apocalypse. Has it been 20 years since we partied like it was 1999? Since it is a new year, we always challenge ourselves personally with new goals and resolu­ tions. How often do you hear the following From the statements? “Our club does the same Governor stuff,” “We have When Zanie Taylor (left photo) accompanied her parents to the Alabama asked everyone in 200 event, she met the Coco­Cola polar bear icon and got one of Coke’s By Ben town to join,” or “I Alabama Bicentennial commemorative bottles. At right, after the speeches, Taylor wish we would try are Alabama Kiwanis Governor Ben Taylor, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, and something differ­ Zanie and her mother, Hannah Taylor. ent.” Well, 2019 may be programs, community activities, and and chaperones for the weekend. It the year for your club. Pay attention! statewide initiatives that teach, inspire will have a professional facilitator to We have three opportunities for your and entertain. motivate the youth. club to experience great times in the Wow — sounds similar to Kiwanis. Any other questions? Contact me or year 2019. With that being said, I am announc­ Jamie Brabston at jamie.m.brabston@ ing our partnership with Alabama gmail.com (see her article on Page 4), 200 years for Alabama 200. Over the year, you will have over or go to the Alabama District website, This year marks the 200th anniver­ 400 events statewide with a final cele­ alabama.kiwanis.org. sary of the Great State of Alabama. In bration on Dec. 14, 2019, in Three words: sign me up! December, I had the pleasure of Montgomery. Our Kiwanis logo will attending the launching of Alabama’s be displayed at events, along with Honor law enforcement 2019 bicentennial celebration. those of other partners. Alabama 200 Concerned Citizens Organized for will need our help in volunteering at While some parts of the multi­year Police Support is a program that is events and promoting events through new to the District. Actually, it is new celebration got under way in 2017 and our local clubs. 2018, the focus now will be on com­ to everyone. CCOPS is a program that Celebrate our state and let people recognizes law enforcement officers in memorating Alabama’s 200 years in know I am in Kiwanis? Sign me up! many ways in 2019. Alabama 200 will your area with quarterly awards. involve individuals, schools and com­ Key Leader coming right up Law enforcement officers serve in critical times for children in situations munities in a variety of programs all Key Leader is fast approaching this over Alabama. that we do not want to even discuss. year. What is Key Leader? They are hands­on serving the chil­ Look at alabama200.org on the web Key Leader is a weekend leadership dren of our community and risking to see ways you can participate and program for our future leaders. The their lives for it. learn. The mission of Alabama 200 is cost is $200. Could your club sponsor CCOPS kicked off in Montgomery in to support, create and execute events a youth from your town to attend May 2018 and is spreading all over the and activities that commemorate the March 8­10 at Lake Martin’s Camp state. For a small investment, it hon­ stories of our people, place and path ASCCA? Or maybe sponsor two stu­ ors deserving officers while giving to statehood. Alabama 200 will engage dents with $100 each. residents and visitors in educational Key Leader will also need drivers (See TAYLOR, Page 3) Have Kiwanis questions? Call Alabama District Secretary Tammy Driskill at 205-945-1334 Alabama Kiwanis Kourier, Winter 2019 3 Alabama District Governor Ben Taylor (tallest in left photo) attended a January regional governors’ meeting in Indianapolis with his counterparts from the eastern United States. Governor­elect Bob Brown, far right, also went to the Kiwanis headquarters city recently. During training sessions for the 2019­20 leaders, his photo was made with current Kiwanis International President Florencio “Poly” Lat of the Philippines. come from and use that to help make a ernor Kay Ivey launched a year of Bicentennial bright, strong future. For that reason, it events designed to “celebrate and (From Page 1) is especially exciting to partner with educate.” A Bicentennial “PastPort” Kiwanis, an organization that has and other items are available. Club of Birmingham, chartered in played an important role in making the 1917, is the largest Kiwanis club in the As names of Kiwanis and other people and communities of our state organizations and businesses in the world and has funded everything strong, collaborative and successful.” from the giraffe area at the zoo to a Alabama 200 Anniversary Circle were In an interview, Lamar added: “At read, the audience included Gafford; new pavilion and lighting at the Vul­ 100 years and counting in Alabama, can statue, which may be the site of Kiwanis Governor Ben Taylor with his Kiwanis continues to set wife, Hannah, and daughter Zanie; the official Bicentennial the bar for service. Its sup­ fireworks July 4. Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange; port of Jean Dean Reading and Jeff Samuel. Taylor, Strange and The Kiwanis Club of Is Fundamental provides Samuel all are members of the Mont gomery is world’s children in our state with Kiwanis Club of Montgomery; Samuel third largest and will turn the tools and skills they is a past president. 100 this fall. Its big fund­ need to succeed. What bet­ raiser, the Alabama “We recognize that our story of suc­ ter way to positively cess is told by our people,” Ivey said. National Fair, will host a impact individual lives And that is who we are celebrating.” bicentennial exhibit in the and our collective future?” fall. This partnership will Several other Alabama Kiwanis help involve more people and “show­ Taylor clubs are nearing the 100­year mark. case Kiwanis’ accomplishments and (From Page 2) “As we commemorate Alabama’s contributions to our history and to our bicentennial of statehood, we look to future,” Lamar said. your club media exposure with huge both the past and the future,” Lamar At the State Capitol on Dec.