BearKats Newsletter Name Monthly Issue 7, October ‘14
What’s up, Bearcats?
Table of Contents 1. Editor’s Remarks 2. G.I.M. 3. Day of Caring 4. DLSSP 5. Dues 6. Spotlights 7. Upcoming Events 8. Spot the Difference
We’ve made it through our 1st month of service! Pat yourselves on the back, please. Yes, actually do it. Now, that we’re back in the swing of things, it’s time to be the best we’ve ever been! Last year was an amazing service year, but I know this year can easily top it. I have faith in you lovely people. You all haven’t failed to impress, so I can’t wait to see what you’re capable of next month. Oh, our club also won the Spirit Bear at DLSSP. #NoBigDeal Stay classy, not trashy.
I am a god, Kanye West
2014—2015 Executive Board President: Jerry Cimo Vice President: Stacy Villalva Secretary: Tina Lee
Treasurer: Kristy Wolfson Editor: Alyssa Famolari Webmaster: Tinali Amarasinghe
Fall G.I.M. A lot of new members showed up to join! We had a really fun icebreaker, which helped current and new members get to know everyone, including the E-Board, a bit better. Afterwards, we had a service project aimed toward firefighters and policemen that serve the city of NY in honor of the upcoming anniversary of 9/11. We made cards to thank them for their service to not just the city of NY, but also to our nation. Overall, the GIM was a great experience and I can’t wait for rest of the service year! Written By
Karandeep Singh
Hello fellow Circle K'ers (and those who are interested in Circle K, but haven't joined yet—side note: you should; it's pretty awesome). As a former Key Clubber, I would like to tell you how awesome Circle K is and will be. Though there is much to say, I will simply talk of my experience at the GIM. Wait, did I say GIM? I meant GIMs because I went to both—yep it was worth it. The E-Board started off strong by showing an elegant, tasteful, and flat-out AWESOME video illustrating the ideals of Circle K as a community service organization. It was all about how one simple act of kindness could blossom into a big deal for someone else (every little thing you do counts towards something big). This segued into a description of the projects Circle K is involved in and what each member of the E-Board does. Finally, along came the inevitable ice breakers, which were actually more fun than one might have expected at first. Not only did everyone get to know each other better and warm up to the atmosphere, but we also got free candy and who doesn't like free candy? So, if you're on the fence about checking out Circle K, don't be. Check it out and see if it's right for you. We're all nice and inviting people; feel free to give it a try, and if for whatever crazy reason you don't want to stay with the most awesome club on campus, then there's no obligation. Just do what you can because every little action counts. Written By Eric Ravens
Day of Caring
Written By
Tori Pena
On September 6th, a handful of Circle K members all went to help out at the Endicott Visitor's Center. We took two cars to arrive there and were ready to work as soon as we arrived. The two women who worked at the Visitor's Center were very generous and welcoming. They supplied us with all the materials we needed to complete this "interior painting project". Most of us there did not know much about painting, but we did not let that stop us from trying.
…there was something very special about that day Although, painting walls and such does not sound very eventful, there was something very special about that day. One of the women there told us that the Visitor's Center functions so well because of all the volunteers who come to help as much as possible. She appreciated how much we wanted to help and how much painting we actually accomplished in less than three hours. She was so grateful that she gave us a quick history lesson about the college known as "Triple Cities College" that one day became "Harpur College" then finally "SUNY Binghamton University." This Circle K event hit very close to home when we learned about how Binghamton University started and had the privilege to help such a historical place. Thank you, Circle K, for giving us the opportunity to have this experience.
DLSSP
During the weekend of September 12th to the 14th, 10 members from our Circle K in addition to Circle K’s from several other colleges and universities attended the District Large Service Project (DLSSP). This year’s project took place at Kamp Kiwanis in Taberg, NY. Camp Kiwanis services children as well as those with different types of disabilities and health impairments; in addition, the camp also caters to adults with developmental disabilities. During our stay at Kamp Kiwanis, we helped winterize the area. We were split up from our home clubs and shuffled around into new groups that accomplished different tasks. The tasks varied from sorting through old clothes and blankets to cleaning paddle boats.
I was part of a group that painted the inside of a cabin for the morning shift, and for the afternoon shift, my group and I organized and alphabetized the Kamp’s library. We also had small service projects not directly related to Kamp Kiwanis such as making dog toys from discarded fabrics and paracord bracelets for troops. Besides the service projects, some of us were also responsible for helping with the meals. I was part of the team on Saturday that cleaned the breakfast dishes and prepared lunch. Despite the horrible cold and rainy weather, it was a fun event where I got to reconnect with some of my friends from other Circle K’s, and got to meet some new people from home club and the other clubs. I got to do all this while helping out a great organization.
Written By
Janet Nelson
15 Reasons for Paying Dues
1. 2. 3. 4.
Attending Club Events and getting your service hours counted for! Ability to run for Club Office! Officially be a part of your club. Member Benefit Program- each member is presented with a pin, a membership card with a specific membership number, and a membership handbook. 5. You can make a difference in this world because you have the opportunity to reach so many lives in your community. 6. Ability to run for District Office! 7. Attend district events, such as District Convention! 8. Great personal interactions with Kiwanians throughout the entire district 9. Ability to run for International Office! 10.Receive free program and public relation information materials developed by the international office to assist club administration, growth and development. 11.Scholarship and Networking Opportunities! 12.Insurance at CKI Events! 13. Be a part of something great and share in the tradition of serving your campus and community by making a long lasting and far-reaching impact on the environment. 14.Great resume builder- you increase your marketability for employment after college and stand out as a leader who plans to make a difference in this world. 15.Professional Development- CKI’s connection to Kiwanis promotes career networking between collegians and professionals as well.
Provided by District Treasurer, Walaa Ahmed
Spotlights
This month’s Event Spotlight shines upon Circle K’s appearance at University Fest. For those of you scratching your heads, University Fest is an annual campuswide event where incoming freshmen have the opportunity to learn about all of the clubs and organizations offered at B.U. This year, Circle K gave out free cookies on top of the worthy knowledge bestowed upon each student. Now, we did not get tans because it was cloudy outside, but we did have a bunch of signatures from fresh and new faces! University Fest was the jumpstart Circle K needed and we cannot wait to welcome all of our new members!
This month’s Member Spotlight brightens up the face of Wenna Duan. This girl is who everyone hopes to be in the future! Can we talk about how courageous this graduate student is? She was only in Circle K for a week and she went to DLSSP for an entire weekend without knowing one person there. That takes some guts, so I tip my hat off to you, my dear. She is the most adorable person you will ever meet and the best paracord bracelet maker of all time. Seriously, she will make you rethink every decision you have ever made in your life. She is that good.
Spot the Difference
Committee
Chairs
International Project Committee Chair Krishna Tejani Service Project Committee Chair Melissa Levine Fundraising Committee Chair Amy Boglarski Fellowship Committee Chair Julia Dunnigan Bake Sale Committee Chair Angela Wu Historian Karandeep Singh Public Relations Committee Chair Jenna Spak Governor’s Project Committee Chair John Albergo District Project Committee Chair John Tirino
Congratulations John Tirino & John Albergo on being appointed as our new Governor’s Project & District Project Committee Chairs! Four for you, Glen Coco. YOU GO, GLEN COCO!