District Project Goals Set, Board Members Run for International Office – The Jersey Key – Sept 2012 by New Jersey District of Key Club International

The jersey key The official publication of the New Jersey District of Key Club International

Jammin' out to flo rida in florida Dances, Disney, and Dreams. What you missed in Orlando at International Convention. See page 20.

Volume 66

Issue 1

the jersey key

September 2012

The Jersey Key Volume 66 | Issue 1 | September 2012

district

Posting service hours online is beneficial 22 Building a Key Club 23

District surpasses fundraising goals for Eliminate 4 Continue to support Children’s Specialized Hospital 5 New Advocacy focus from District Programs 6 The split down south: Division 1 restructuring 6

Events Walking the Boardwalk of Service: DCON 2012 11 Dues and how to pay them 12

Events International Convention: district tour 20

Dances raise money for Eliminate 23

k-family K-Family clubs before high school 14 The Key Club hierarchy 15

international

Eastern High School’s Holiday Hoops 24

Tips from the Public Relations Committee 8

Events International Convention recap 21

International’s Preferred Charities 17

club

Notes from a has-been: life post-Key Club 25

Events Relive the Olympics at Fall Rally 8

Key Club Week 17

Hamilton High School’s Field Day 25

Youth Opportunities Fund: no one applied 17 Two district board members ran for international office 18

Why wristbands are great fundraising tools 22

North Brunswick’s Winter Carnival 26

The Major Emphasis 18

Events Reach for the stars with service 10

facebook.com/ youtube.com/ flickr.com/ njkeyclub.org @njkeyclub

the jersey key

njkeyclub The Jersey Key is published three times yearly by the District Bulletin Editor elected at District Convention. To submit articles, email the District Bulletin Editor at editor@njkeyclub.org.

May the service be ever in your favor.

Coming to your division soon. talk to your lieutenant governor. 3

the jersey key

district

District fundraising goals for The Eliminate Project surpassed. by Chris Addonizio Lt. Gov. Div. 1A The District fundraising goal for the Eliminate Project for the 2011-2012 service year was $79,180.38, representing the seven days a week of dedication, the one infant dying every nine minutes, the $1.80 needed for a set of vaccinations, and the thirty-eight countries plagued by maternal and neonatal tetanus. This meaningful goal, “not only set a numerical value to reach, but also served to remind us of the importance of reaching this goal,” said Revathi Mekala immediate past co-chair for the District Project Steering Committee. Since last year was the first time with Eliminate as the District Project, the biggest task was educating Key Clubbers and persuading them this is a worthy cause, deserving of clubs’ time and effort.

While Project Showcase, a district-wide talent competition, was one of New Jersey’s largest fundraiser, Mekala said that the majority of the donations came from the clubs’ individual contributions. The hard work of all the Key Clubs made it possible to raise over $100,000. At International Convention, New Jersey not only raised the most money as a district for the ELIMINATE Project, but also the highest average individual contribution per dues paid member. This year, once again, the District Project will be the Eliminate Project. The money raised is going towards the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus and teaching mothers safe birthing practices. Thirty-four nations across the world are still plagued by MNT. This Gram-positive Bacillus bacterium exists naturally as spores in soil everywhere. When the bacteria en-

ter the body through open wounds during childbirth it attacks the nervous and muscular systems of the host through secretion of a neurotoxin. After a few days of excruciating pain the infant dies. This is easily preventable by three doses of a 60 cent vaccination to save a mother and her children. This year the fundraising goal is set at $100,602.23. The results of this year’s fundraising goals will be announced at District Convention in the spring. Chris is chair of the District Project Steering Committee. For more information, email ltgdiv1a@njkeyclub.org Want to use these photos in your newsletters? Visit theeliminateproject.org and click on the “resources” section to download videos, photos, and more!

THE ELIMINATE PROJECT NJ’s fundraising goals broken down:

100 for the 100 million mothers who need vaccinations

the jersey key

for the 60,000 infants who die each year from MNT

for the two organizations who’ve teamed up for this cause: Kiwanis and UNICEF

for the 23 divisions working together to eliminate MNT from the Earth

district Why have Key Club themes? Like books, Key Club events on a district level are dependent on their themes. Similar to the way a main theme unites the material in a book, themes in Key Club events give purpose and muster enthusiasm for causes that might otherwise be foreign to us. The theme of “Dance to Eliminate” at International Convention not only helped raise awareness to the cost of maternal and neonatal tetanus but also brought people together; it made the task of helping much more relatable by sharing passion for eliminating maternal neonatal tetanus on the dance floor. While people were having fun with their friends on the dance floor, they took the time to donate their loose change and extra money to donation boxes for The Eliminate Project. Having themes in events makes each Key Club event unique and memorable.

Recent Event Themes:

Reach for the Stars with Service: RTCs 2012 Walk the Boardwalk of Service: DCON 2012 by Mei Chen, Lt. Gov. Div. 11

Swing into the Jungle of Service: Fall Rally 2011 Make This Service Year Sweet: RTCs 2011

Continue to support Children’s Specialized Hospital! by Bria Metivier Lt. Gov. Div. 14 This year, the Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH) was not part of the New Jersey District Project. This was because it was geographically difficult for some divisions to participate with a limited amount of locations of the hospitals. In New Jersey, there are only eight locations: Bayonne, Clifton, Fanwood, Hamilton, Roselle Park, Mountainside, New Brunswick, and Toms River. Although the Children’s Specialized Hospital isn’t a part of our District Project, participation is still strongly encouraged. Each visitation doesn’t have to be any longer than an hour. Visiting CSH is a very gratifying experience. Going into the hospital it is a pleasure to interact with such caring and kind-hearted kids. “My experiences at the Children’s Spe-

cialized Hospital were amazing! From the weekly recreational therapy sessions, walk n’ roll walks, and to the annual haunted trail I can honestly say that those experiences were the highlights of my four years in Key Club,” said Nicole Grandeza, Union High School Key Club president. “Volunteering at CSH, I met great people including the employees, patients, and other fellow volunteers. It brought together my home club, along with those at CSH. I look forward to creating more memories with CSH,” said Grandeza. For information on scheduling a visit with CSH, contact District Govenor Nicole Ventrone. Visits typically occur Sunday through Thursday from 6:15-7:30 at the Mountainside, New Brunswick, and Toms River facilities. Contact Nicole Ventrone by emailing her at governor@njkeyclub.org.

$100,602.23

by April 2013

the jersey key

district District Programs focuses on bullying and self-image by Eric Smuda Lt. Gov. Div. 21

The District Programs Committee focuses its work around the principle of advocacy: speaking or acting on behalf of those who cannot help themselves. The District Programs Committee directly addresses some of the most pressing and prevalent issues in today’s society through advocacy. Last year, the advocacy focuses of the New Jersey District of Key Club were Invisible Children and the Autism Society of New Jersey. Key Clubbers were educated about these causes and this knowledge then turned into action. Service projects and fundraisers were done, more and more people were educated, and a huge difference was made for both causes. This year the District Programs Committee looks to make a huge difference in the areas of anti-bullying, suicide prevention and self-acceptance. Every 40 seconds a teenager loses his or

her life to suicide resulting from depression and or bullying. Countless other teenagers fail to see that they are perfect the way they are and fail to reach their full potential due to unnecessary insecurities. Key Clubs across New Jersey a difference can make a difference in these areas. Lives can be saved and more and more people can learn to love themselves because of these efforts. Over 20% of teenagers have seriously considered suicide and nearly 40% of teenagers have taken drastic measures to try to change their physical appearance. Many people, however, are still unaware of these alarming facts. This service year Key Clubbers will work hard to educate as many people as possible about these problems. A huge difference will be made, and more importantly lives will be saved. Eric is chair of the District Programs Committee. For more information, contact him at ltgdiv21@njkeyclub.org.

The Two Seasons

of District Programs

Season 1runs from

May until Fall Rally and focuses on self/body image.

Season 2 runs from

Fall Rally until District Convention and focuses on anti-bullying and suicide prevention. Together, through two advocacy seasons we are going to help put an end to these problems.

The split down south

Division one splits into two to accomodate for two new clubs built. by Brittany Kraft Lt. Gov. Div. 6 This year, division 1 has been divided in half and is now divisions 1A and 1B. Last service year, division 1 increased from nine clubs to eleven clubs. “Not only is one large division a challenge to the lieutenant governor with that many schools (Immediate-Past Division 1 Lieutenant Governor Cecilia Kang had over 80 officers) but also it is difficult for officers to meet because it is so big,” said Lieutenant Governor of Division 1A Christopher Addonizio. “Division 1 was the largest in the district, but that didn’t stop Cecilia from pushing to build multiple clubs during her term. She is extremely dedicated to sharing her passion for service and Key Club, and even though she didn’t let it show, being the lieutenant governor of Division 1 was undoubtedly a strenuous task,” said Lieutenant Governor of Division 1B Kelly Tran. Immediate Past Lieutenant Governor Cecilia Kang says the split was needed because, “distance was my biggest challenge as a lieutenant governor, with no license at the time.” Luckily, the divisional reconstructing did not affect the relationship between clubs as “new officers were coming in anyway so they all still had much to learn from each other.” “Divisional reconstruction is not only about building clubs but also strengthening old ones,” said Addonizio. “It was with the division’s best interest in mind that the division was split. Now, it is easier for the clubs and members to receive the attention and care from their lieutenant governor that they need,” said Tran. Will more divisions be split in the future? Time will tell. the jersey key

Early Registration: September 25

the jersey key

district

Relive the Olympics at Fall Rally by Kelly Bian Lt. Gov. Div. 9

It’s October again. There is a distinctive crispness is in the air, school is in full swing, and a fresh pile of autumn leaves has gathered on the ground. It is that time of the year, when thousands of Key Clubbers all throughout New Jersey congregate together in the highest percentage gathering in all of Key Club International. This year, on Sunday October 7, the New Jersey District of Key Club International will be holding its annual Fall Rally at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey. The event will start off with a short motivational session from New Jersey’s district board of trustees to rally excitement and establish a sense of unity among the Key Clubbers. Then, before anyone else is allowed inside the park, Key Clubbers are granted exclusive access to the park’s thirteen spectacular roller coasters and other amazing rides. It will be a great day of fun as Key Clubbers learn more about the organization they are involved in and have fun with an early access to the park. “Fall Rally made me realize that Key Club is a great organization to be involved with. It amazed me to see how all these great people come together in one organization to achieve a similar goal,” said Holmdel High School Key Club member Mitch Lam. The early registration deadline is September 25. Visit njkeyclub.org for more information.

Want to show your club a video on Fall Rally?

Tips from the Public Relations Committee by Rocky Trifari Lt. Gov. Div. 20

Public relations helps highlight, promote, and advertise different things that are going on within your Key Club. Public relations is also necessary in order to ensure greater attendance or awareness about meetings or projects. The following lists a few mediums that can help spread the word: Flyers Make colorful flyers to catch the attention of your target audience. In most cases, it is better to use big pictures and limit the amount of text on a flyer. Any writing should be large enough that people can easily read it as they walk by. Newsletters Publish newsletters to inform people on what is going on within your Key Club. Some of the programs that you can use to make newsletters include: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, and Adobe InDesign. PowerPoints PowerPoints are another great way to spread the word about different events. Be sure to use at least one picture on every slide and keep all writing in the form of short bullet points. Videos Creating videos is a wonderful way to capture attention. It is important to make sure the visuals follow graphic standards in order to maintain uniformity with all Key Club materials. School Announcements Keep the message short and sweet. Only list the main details. Try to have the announcement repeated over the course of a few days. Repetition will increase the odds of people remembering the details of the event. Local Newspapers Newspapers are a great way to raise awareness and attract people from your general area to your events. Social Networks Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc. Remember to adhere to graphic standards. The full graphic standard manual can be found at http://www.keyclub.org/fad/cm/gsm.aspx.

“What do you think is the importance of public relations?” “Public relations helps raise awareness about upcoming events in our club. Without public relations, the attendance at our events would probably be much lower.” -Tracy “It’s really important to keep the student body at your school connected with your Key Club. Public relations helps make that possible.” -Miranda

visit http://bit.ly/FallRally the jersey key

“Our bulletin editor is in charge of PR at our school. He makes sure that everyone knows what is going on via his monthly newsletters. We print them out and leave them by the bulletin board in our school so people can pick them up when it is convenient for them!” -Vishu 8

district

Welcome At Key Leader you’re welcomed into a program that teaches you to be a capable leader in a variety of settings.

Attend Key Leader for fun, leadership, and new people. by Nikita Daga Lt. Gov. Div. 3b

Key Leader is spent on a campground; guests sleep in cabins where they bond with new friends. During Key Leader, guests learn active leadership. “Key Leader changed my view on who a true leader can be; it inspired me to take charge and become a leader within my community,” said Eastern Vice President, Sarah DeVries. During the weekend, guests split into neighborhoods. Each neighborhood creates a name and its own mascot. By the end of the weekend, everyone becomes close. A keynote speaker usually creates games and icebreakers as a way for everyone to get to know each other. “Through the people I met, the speaker,

and the activities, Key Leader helped me realize a lot about myself. I learned how to value what I have and what it’s like to be a true leader: to lead others to make the world a better place,” said Valerie Wong, Egg Harbor Township President said. Key Leader can increase involvement. “I was inspired to do more for others and make a larger difference in others’ lives. Key Leader is where I decided I was going to run for Lieutenant Governor,” said Tracy Vollbrecht, Division 8 Lieutenant Governor. Key Leader is a great experience. The cabins are cozy, the food is delicious, and the people are friendly. Nikita attended Key Leader in 2011. Contact her about it at ltgdiv3b@njkeyclub.org.

Key Leader: 2012 When: December 1416, 2012

Where: Cross Roads Camp & Retreat Center, Port Murray, NJ

Cost: $140 for the

entire weekend, food and lodging included!

the jersey key

district

Reach for the stars with service at Fall Regional Training Conferences! When you walk into the first Key Club meeting of the school year you’re probably thinking, Wow. There are so many people and so much information. I thought this was just another community service club. Not quite. Key Club is so much more than just your average community service club. In fact, Key Club is an entire international organization and you can learn everything about it at Regional Training Conferences! Every year the New Jersey District of Key

Club International holds a Spring and Fall Regional Training Conference (RTC). Exactly what happens at RTCs you might ask? Well, what doesn’t happen at RTCs! At each RTC, breakfast and lunch are served, free of charge. A general session is held during breakfast to kick off the conference where you can meet the district board and gain tidbits of information of different aspects of Key Club. General session is followed by four workshops of your choosing, all taught by the district board.

Whether you are a club president, graduating senior, or a freshman eager to join the largest club in your school, you have the opportunity to learn new information to improve your home, school, and community. Come and meet new people, share ideas, and find out how you can be the best Key Clubber you can possibly be. This year’s RTC theme is “Reach for the Stars of Service”. Join us as we shoot for the stars and blast off into the new school year with a cornucopia of Key Club information that is out of this world!

South RTC Southern Regional HS Saturday, September 15

All RTCs Run from 9am- 1pm Central RTC Piscataway HS Saturday, September 22

North RTC Roxbury HS Sunday, September 23

by Celina Baquiran District Secretary

RTCs: Where and When

Learn From high schoolers like you, you’ll learn proactively–by doing.

Fall RTC Workshops

Tip: Try and split up with other club members at workshops to get as much information to bring back to your club as you can Session 1 Session 2 Session 3 Session 4

President//Vice President//Secretary//Treasurer//Editor//Webmaster// General Member

the jersey key

How to Recruit and Keep Members//District Project: Eliminate//FUNdraising// Key Club 411//Key Events and How to Get There// Breaking the Ice and Moving Your Meetings//How to Move Up in Key Club// Public Speaking

Advocacy: Self Image and Anti-Bullying//Club Public Relations//Public Speaking//KEYping it Classy//K Family Relations//What’s a District Board?//ME/POS

Advocacy: Self Image and Anti-Bullying//How to Recruit and Keep Members//District Project: Eliminate//FUNdraising// ME/POS//Graphic Standards//Service 10

district Walking the boardwalk of service: District Convention was a great success

days of awesome DCON was jam-packed with dances, talent shows, and awards.

District Convention (DCON) was held this past year at Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch, NJ from March 30-April 1. It was the first time in over fifteen years that DCON took place in New Jersey (It was held in King of Prussia at the Valley Forge Convention Center). More than 600 Key Clubbers filled the hotel and got ready to “Walk the Boardwalk of Service,” the theme for the weekend. The weekend was packed with workshops, dances, elections, awards, and speakers. The first night began with caucusing, the prerequisite to electing district officers–the District Governor, Secretary, Treasurer and Editor. Later in the evening Bo Shafer, Past International President of Kiwanis International and evoked the spirit of service and helping the community, both locally and globally. Later in the evening, there was an 80s themed neon dance. The next day, candidates gave speeches to the entire body (caucus rooms were divided and had fewer people in each one), and there were workshops on a variety of sub-

jects–from icebreakers, to dressing professionally. There was also a talent show in the afternoon and oratorical and impromptu essay contests. In House of Delegates, delegates (two officers from each club) voted on proposed amendments to the Key Club Bylaws and voted who was to be the executive officers. Later in the evening there was an awards session that recognized the best clubs and individuals that went above that of a normal club or officer. The Governors’ Ball concluded the evening with a board auction where members could bid to dance with board members, all proceeds going to the Eliminate Project. The next day, Sunday, began with a walk on the boardwalk for the Eliminate Project. After, the farewell session began where the Executive Office winners were announced: Nicole Ventrone won Governor, Celina Baquiran Secretary, Joseph Toumanios Treasurer, and Zachariah DeGiulio Editor. The weekend was considered a success by most and members felt “rejuvenated and enthused” for the coming service year.

A message from District Govenor Nicole Ventrone Hello, New Jersey District! My name is Nicole Ventrone, and I have the pleasure of serving as your 2012/2013 District Governor. I’d like to welcome you to another year of caring and service as we continue this year with the same enthusiasm that we began with. From Fall Regional Training Conferences throughout the month of September to Fall Rally 2012 coming up on October 7th, the Key Club fun never stops. Of course, there is much more to Key Club than just fun and games. The true purpose behind this student-led organization is to serve our communities, both locally and abroad. Therefore, I ask you, as Key Clubbers, to fulfill this mission in any available capacity. Whether you plan a fun bowling night for your school or just sell baked goods during your next Key Club meeting, there are so many opportunities for you to present yourselves as servant leaders. If you or your club is searching for an organization to get involved with, there is no need 11

to look any further than our district project: the Eliminate Project! For the second consecutive year, the New Jersey District is focusing our fundraising efforts on the Eliminate Project. As many of you may already know, this charity raises money and awareness for Maternal-Neonatal Tetanus. Though 25 nations have already eliminated MNT from their parameters, 34 countries are still plagued by this terrible disease. For this reason, the NJ District aspires to raise $100,602.23 by District Convention 2013. It is only with the assistance of you, New Jersey Key Club, that we can accomplish this lofty goal, so get crackin’! For more information regarding the Eliminate Project, please visit our district website or read on in this issue of The Jersey Key! Lastly, the New Jersey District is widely respected within Key Club. Not only for our overwhelming enthusiasm at events like ICON or even for our love of the adorable “Tito the Tomato”, but also for our out-

standing fundraising efforts and our undying dedication to service. It is with pride that I say that I am member of our district, one of the mightiest within all of Key Club International. And it is with the utmost certainty that I attribute our renown to all of you. Each and every Key Clubber within the New Jersey District deserves recognition for the service s/he has conducted and the impact s/he has left on our homes, schools and communities. I thank you all for everything you have done to make this district great and for all that you will continue to do throughout the 2012/2013 service year. I look forward to seeing you all at Regional Training Conferences and, of course, our much anticipated Fall Rally 2012! Remember, if you ever have any questions, feel free to contact me via our district website. See you soon! Yours in Caring and Service, Nicole Ventrone NJ District Governor the jersey key

district

Dues

and how to pay them by Joseph Toumanios District Treasurer

The dues process is very simple and is mandatory for all clubs. The process is quite easy and is as follows: First log on to KeyClub.org and select the link in the top right entitled “Dues and Reports”

From there select the red hyperlink under “Membership Update Center” that says “Access the Membership Update Center now”

From there the process will be changing and not operational until October 1st, but the process will now allow you to enter your advisor or secretary’s email address and password instead of your club H-Number. Since this part is new please contact your lieutenant governor or District Treasurer (treasurer@njkeyclub.org) with any problems or questions.

the jersey key

RTC PROMO

Reach for the Stars

WITH Service

fall regional training conferences 2012 South RTC

Saturday, September 15 Southern Regional HS

Central RTC

Saturday, September 22 Piscataway HS

North RTC

Sunday, September 23 Roxbury HS All RTCs run from 9am-1pm

Want more information? Contact: Celina Baquiran RTC Chairperson

secretary.baq@gmail.com 908.337.7137

Nicole Ventrone District Governor

governor.ventrone@gmail.com 732.406.7249

Join the rest of the New Jersey District at Fall Regional Training Conferences! Officers, advisors, and all members are encouraged to come and learn more about their positions, district projects and events, and Key Club International programs. There will also be workshops on public speaking, fundraising, club building/ recruitment, club public relations, making your meetings move, service, District Convention contests, and our District Project! Meet the District Board, see Key Clubbers from around the state as we come together to learn how to reach for the stars, to reach the jersey key our fullest potential through service! Breakfast and lunch will be provided!

k-family

Preparation A Builder’s Club from North Caldwell organizes a Thanksgiving Food Drive, sparking them to join Key Club in high school. Can you spot District Treasurer Joe Toumanios?

The K-Family begins before high school. by Tracy Vollbrecht Lt. Gov. Div. 8

are involved in Builder’s Clubs, “they tend to go on and be the more involved members who go the extra mile to make Key Club even better”, Toumanios said. Giving them a preview of what Key Club is, Builder’s Clubs and K-Kids Clubs can make a huge impact on the lives of elementary and middle schoolers.

The other branches of the K-Family Build er Club ’s is

s n i with o ti lts Akr adu ilities fo ab s di

for m id scho dle olers

le-eKge c r i C coll r is fo ents d u st

Kiw

is th anis e org pare n aniz atio t n

fo is ds ry Ki nta s K- me oler e el ho sc

The Kiwanis Family is a huge organization with many different branches, open to people of all ages. Two of those branches are K-Kids and Builder's Club. K-Kids is the branch of the K-Family at the elementary school level. Students participate in various service projects and help others, growing themselves to be competent, capable leaders in the next level of the KFamily. Following K-Kids is the middle school KFamily branch, Builder’s Clubs, which provide service and leadership opportunities that build students’ character. Just as the officers in Key Club have various responsibilities, being an officer of a Builder’s Club comes with its own set of responsibilities. However, due to the middle school age level of Builder’s Clubs, officers have fewer responsibilities. “The adults handled most variables that Key Clubbers now have to sort out, so as any officer we didn't have report forms or anything like that,” said Joe Toumanios, a former Builder’s Club officer and currently the New Jersey District Key Club Treasurer. According to Joe, the main responsibilities of officers were to advertise events, keep members involved and interested, and announce upcoming plans advisors had told officers about. In both Key Club and Builder’s Club, the focus on service is the same. With Key Club, however, there are more responsibilities. “With those responsibilities is our freedom to expand our projects to be more involved or more fun or even just

larger. In Key Club we have members who know what's going on and have good ideas from experience and some can even drive, so we have the potential to do so much more,” Toumanios said. Being involved in a Builder’s Club gives students a chance to experience what being in Key Club is like. These younger kids who

Key Clubbers–from all levels–are a family by Penny Xu Lt. Gov. Div. 19 Key Club is a big and intricate family. With three functional levels working in conjunction–club, district, and international–the Key Club family was able to raise over $10 million dollars for the Eliminate Project so far, the most out of the whole K-Family. First, at a school level, Key Clubbers are the true foundation and drive of this whole organization. As a Membership Director from Montville High School, Kevin He records hours received from fellow officers for specific events. He also helps to “chair events, reach out to help other officers with their events, and contribute to the pool of ideas for both fundraising and service,” just like other general members. They are the real troopers behind the big numbers behind Key Club’s turnout. Events like bake sales, tournaments, and talent shows aid to benefit from local communities to foreign countries. However, performing on a club level can often encounter “the lack of personal communication between the levels that arises from different duties,” said He. This is definitely an aspect

that both district and international are currently trying to improve. On the other hand, the district has specific responsibilities to help assist and come in contact with individual clubs. Nicole Ventrone, the New Jersey District Governor develops and distributes appropriate training manuals for club officer positions, promotes new clubs and assists prospective clubs grow and develop, fills out report forms regarding district's relationship with assigned trustee, and oversees all lieutenant governors in the district. Because the district has a direct connection with clubs, its presence often prevails that of International’s, which is “due to the lack of knowledge many clubs have of the by-laws and KCI scope,” said Ventrone. The international board differs from the district and club in its role of defining the administrative policies of international and determining important decisions such as Key Club’s preferred charities. The 2012-2013 Key Club International President, Rebecca Riley, defines her part as “guid[ing] and direct[ing] this organization of over 263,000 members, lead[ing] the International Board of Trustees throughout the year, and represent[ing] Key Club nu-

k-family

merous capacities.” In addition, she also performs services that “most of the general public never sees,” from answering innumerable “emails, [to] working with committees” on the international board which allows events like International Convention and Children’s Miracle Network Ball to occur. In order for the International Board to keep in touch with the districts, the districts are assigned to an International Trustee to serve as the liaison between the two levels. This year, Colten Meisner serves as New Jersey’s trustee. His job includes working with other trustees in committees and communicating with districts. Having the chance to serve on all levels of the Key Club Hierarchy, Meisner “enjoyed the hands-on projects in [his] home club, cherished the special friendship on the district board, and was amazed by the impact of International and its choices.” Maintaining that connection with club levels may become difficult for international at times because of the differing responsibilities. Nevertheless, the three tiers on the pyramid act as a machine with interconnected parts to ensure a successful family relationship.

Together Members from the club, divisional, and district levels come together to enjoy themselves at Disney World. In Key Club, on every level, it is a family. 15

the jersey key

k-family

A message from Circle-K Governor Danielle Sammut

It is an honor to introduce myself to an organization as mighty as New Jersey Key Club International! My name is Danielle Sammut, and I serve as the New Jersey District Gover nor of Circle K International for the 2012-2013 ser vice year! My focus for this service year is all about providing the Kiwanis Family experience to my members and ensuring that they are empowered with a life-long commitment to service. I joined the Kiwanis Family back in 2005 as a member of Key Club International because of my passion to serve my community, and through the past seven years I have become a stronger person and dedicated civic leader. Now as District Governor, I have a vision to keep the focus back on the mission of Kiwanis and foster leaders with a mind for service and human development. Remaining true to the Circle K mission, I will foster responsible, involved civic leaders who will continue to spread their passion for service to every community they may experience, with the assurance that they will share their Kiwanis family experience everywhere they go. I believe that when members embody their service and realize that they have the power as individuals to change the world, the world will become a better place. Take a look at how I will lead my district to embody their service: -Energize your campus and community with an enthusiasm for service. The passion and education we share with others will result in a greater impact, while increasing our total service hours and club membership. -Motivate members to connect with fellow Circle K members by participating in inter-club events, as well as district and international events. These life-long friendships will keep the Circle K experience alive long after members graduate!

A message from Immediate Past Kiwanis Governor Rosemarie Gibardi My Key Club experience started in April of 2011 when I had the chance to be involved with the Key Club Board. By October, I was traveling to K Family East in North Carolina with some of the Lt. Governor's whom now have graduated High School. This was an experience I will always treasure. To see the leadership and responsibility of these Key Clubbers was amazing. I felt the bonding and closeness of the New Jersey Key Clubbers and a memory that will last forever. Key Club is a wonderful organization. All of you have devoted your time and effort to support the Children's Specialized Hospital whether it was fundraising or hands on at the hospital. Now you are devoting your time to the Eliminate Project so you can save many lives. I hope you will always keep in mind and stay involved with the Children's Specialized Hospital. Those children's need you also. I thank all of you for all of your time and devotion you take serious in making the communities of New Jersey a better place to live. On behalf of the New Jersey District Board, we wish the entire New Jersey Key Club District a wonderful year full of memories and great experiences with fellow Key Clubbers and Kiwanians. I thank you for all you do with Key Club. You are our future. Thank you for letting me be part of this wonderful organization.

A message from Kiwanis Governor Joseph Teti A hearty "hello" to all the Key Clubbers in the NJ District. As the NJ District of Kiwanis starts its new administrative year, October 1, I look forward to working with you in service to those in need in the NJ District and around the world. I know the power of Key Club, for I started my Kiwanis career as a Key Clubber at Ewing High School. I have been a member of the Kiwanis Club of Trenton for over 42 years.

-Build a stronger relationship with the branches of the Kiwanis Family. Our K-Fam is a powerful unity which makes us a unique service organization.

Your embracing of the ELIMINATE project and the results you have achieved, thus far, are breathtaking. Let's remain united in "Serving the Children of the World," enveloped by the 2012-13 International/District theme "Our Children--Their Future."

-Open up more service opportunities for members through the CKI Service Partners (STUFH, Better World Books, March of Dimes, UNICEF), Eliminate Project, and my Governor’s Project of building a partnership with Aktion Club.

Thanks for all you do.

-Develop greater campus and community visibility through unique service projects & more written reflections in newspapers/newsletters and blogs. -You as a member, leader, friend, and advocate are the key to grow Circle K into a force in your community. When you embody your service and engage in all of CKI’s opportunities, you are truly aiding in developing the abilities of all people and are helping Circle K transform students into leaders! I am confident that if we unite together as a Kiwanis Family, our impacts will be twice as great because more passion, more service, and more fellowship always equals greater results. Cheers to comradeship among our branches of the Kiwanis Family, unprecedented success and innovative pathways to service! the jersey key

A message from District Administrator Ed Hutchinson Happy September to everyone. Where does the time go? This year really flew past quickly and schools are in full swing and so are our Key Clubs. I want to thank you all for being members of the largest and greatest student led organization in the world. The thanks also go out to all the faculty advisors and Kiwanian advisors that work with and support our students, without you all we would not have the success we have. Time is now to roll up our sleeves and get working on our upcoming projects to help those in need, and work with your Lt. Governors to get your training and Division projects rolling. We are all looking to a fun filled year in service by working and visiting other Kiwanis family members. All of us working together makes for better service and most of all, having the fun of meeting new family members and sharing new ideas. Let’s make this a year of fun filled service for all to enjoy. Thank you all for making sharing and caring our way of life. 16

international Consider supporting International’s Preferred Charities by Zack Waldorf Lt. Gov. Div. 12 The three preferred charities are all connected to children. By working with Key Club’s partner organizations, Key Clubs serve children by fundraising and volunteering. These charities relate back to Key Club’s Major Emphasis: “Children: Their future, Our focus”. By working with March of Dimes, Children’s Miracle Network, and UNICEF, Key Clubbers can ensure that children have bright and successful futures!

March of Dimes

The goal of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. It was founded by Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States. Key Clubbers can support the March of Dimes by participating in Prematurity Awareness Month in November and the March for Babies in the spring. The International Programs Committee has set a fundraising goal of $8,100, the 8 and the 1 standing for the 1 in 8 babies who are born premature in the U.S.

Children’s Miracle Networkraises money to aid hospitalized children. Through the efforts of CMN, hospitals are able to purchase up-to-date equipment, train staff, conduct life-saving research, implement outreach programs, and provide health care for children whose parents can’t afford it. Key Clubbers have been helping out CMN by volunteering at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals near them. This year, the International Programs Committee has set a volunteer hour goal of 4,170 hours. The 4 stands for the $4 billion that has been raised and the 170 stands for the 170 CMN hospitals in North America.

UNICEF

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund is dedicated to aiding children in areas such as education, health care, and safe water and sanitation. Currently, UNICEF is helping children in 150 developing countries, and Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF is largest annual fundraiser. All funds will benefit the Eliminate Project, dedicated to eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus. The International Programs Committee has set a fundraising goal of $36,194.60. The 36 stands for the number of countries that have National Committees dedicated to UNICEF and the 1946 stands for the year UNICEF was founded.

Why not apply for the Youth Opportunities Fund? by Zoe Taylor Lt. Gov. Div. 2

The Youth Opportunities Fund was created for Key Clubbers with interesting ideas to improve the community who may not have the funds for it. The Youth Opportunities fund is an endowment fund for Key Clubs to use towards the expenses of a service project. Applying for this grant is very simple. The application is in the “Serve” section of Key Club website, keyclub.org. The form takes only a few minutes to fill out and is due October 15 to Kiwanis International 3636 Woodview Trace Indianapolis, IN USA, 46268. When applying for this grant, a simple explanation of what the money is going towards and how it will benefit the community. A club can request a grant starting from $100 up to $2,000. The Youth Opportunities Fund was created to help clubs accomplish goals, improve their communities or schools. Although a simple application, the due date is early in the service year, and many club members do not realize the potential of this program. Last year, no one from the New Jersey District applied for the Youth Opportunities Fund, and the year before only one club applied and was given $2,000. Kiwanis International is very generous with its aid will give money to nearly anyone who applies. For more information on applying to the Youth Opportunities Fund, talk to your lieutenant governor.

Key Club Week is coming by Ashna Bhatia Lt. Gov. Div. 17

After the hustle and bustle of the new school year in September, November is a time to have fun with service projects, rejoice in new Key Club friendships, and celebrate the Kiwanis Family. The first week of Kiwanis Family Month is the greatly acclaimed Key Club Week, a week dedicated to the strongest branch of the K-Family. From November 5-9 2012, clubs will hold fun activities each day that show the community and school the dedication and excitement the members have for service. “It gives Key Clubbers the chance to express their devotion and pride,” said Nidhi Champaneri, President of Clifton High School Key Club said. With tattoos that say “Key Club Rocks” and shirts that show personal club flair, there isn’t anyone who shouldn’t hear the Key Club motto that week. As the week continues, and the word of Key Club spreads to the incoming freshmen and the new students, fresh faces start appearing in the club. Soon the whole school has heard of Key Club; the club that “doesn’t make keys, but rather a difference”. A timid high school student is now able to start a friendship over his or her passion of service and love for the community with any one of the members. The best parts of Key Club Week are not only the fact that Key Clubs everywhere are able to promote their club but also that each day makes Key Club a household name that is known all over the world. With each Key Club Week that passes every November, Key Club becomes a bigger organization with a deeper passion for service.

Mark Your Calendar: November 5-9! 17

the jersey key

international Two former district board members ran for international office by Mohammed Haji Lt. Gov. Div. 10

4 days in Disney World, 4 days of Key Club International Convention (ICON), and 2 incredible candidates ran for international positions set the tone for an exciting week in Orlando. Cecilia Kang, the immediate past Lieutenant Governor of Division 1, hoped to become the next Key Club International Vice President. As Lieutenant Governor, Cecilia had built so many new clubs that her division had to split into two divisions. In addition, she held ten divisional events, effectively communicating and bringing her large division together. Her goal as International Vice President was to focus on outreach and help members unlock the true values Key Club. She faced 4 other candidates to attain this noble position. Revathi Mekala is the immediate past Lieutenant Governor of Division 10, who

ran for International Trustee at ICON. A hard worker and the co-creator of Project Showcase, a district-wide talent show that helped raise more than $100,000 for The Eliminate Project, Revathi is continually inspired by Key Club to be a better person and to give back to her community, and by serving on the international board, she hoped to have the opportunity to share her inspiration with high school students all over the world. Revathi faced 17 other candidates to become one of the eleven international Trustees. Despite their best efforts, both Cecilia and Revathi did not win their elections. Although they did not win their respective positions, they realized that actions are more important than rank and position. Yet, they still adore Key Club and will continue to actively serve in their homes, schools, and communities. They truly epitomize the values of Key Club International.

Campaign

Immediate-past lieutenant governors Cecilia Kang (top) and Revathi Mekala (bottom) ran for International Vice-President and International Trustee at International Convention. They lost, but still love Key Club and are extremely enthusiastic.

The Major Emphasis and how you can support it How you can support the Major Emphasis • Volunteer at your local children’s hospital • Run a food drive • Participate in Trick or Treat for UNICEF • Participate in March of Dimes March for Babies • Hold a lemonade stand and donate to local organizations dedicated to serving children

the jersey key

by Leslie Castillo Lt. Gov. Div. 7 Service has been a prominent duty of every Key Club member since the start of clubs in 1946. Although every district has its own projects, each district has participated in the same program known as Major Emphasis since the advent of Key Club itself: “Children: their future, our focus”. The International Programs committee serves to advertise Key Club events and to promote Key Club’s preferred charities. The Major Emphasis program was adopted at the third annual Key Club International Convention in 1946 by 250 delegates in New Orleans, Louisiana who were challenged to fo-

cus on an making an international impact. This mission is still in play today through member participation in a variety of service projects and fundraising for some preferred charities–March of Dimes, UNICEF, and Children’s Miracle Network. Students at Wall High School work a lemonade stand at the Belmar Seafood Festival and donates the profits to local organizations dedicated to serving children. “It’s an honor to help out those in need by working something as easy as a lemonade stand and making a difference in lives. Children are the future and we have to serve as the building blocks to their success,” said senior member of Wall High School Key Club, Katelyn Cooper.

international A farewell from Nick Deporzio ImmediatePast International Trustee for New Jersey To the members of the New Jersey district, it has been nothing less than a joy serving you this past year. But it seems, as most good things do, that my time with you has come to an end. In my parting I want to convey one last message. It is a simple one, but one critical to the work we do. To remember. Yes, remember the people we serve. Remember the communities we serve. Remember the problems we seek to solve because ignoring them will only allow this world’s problems to grow. But most of all, do not forget yourself! There is one tool that you can always rely on wielding to institute change, that is yourself. There is so much that can be changed, so much to be fixed, that sometimes, we get so caught up in our world of “what to do” that we forget why we do it. We forget that spark of passion that kindled compassion in our hearts. The compassion that then motivated us to become leaders of change. That spark materialized when we realized something great. For a very particular reason we understood that we have a responsibility to all of humanity. That reason? That each of us is the sum of all our experiences with other people and all that has been given to us by other people. Our parents gave us life, our friends gave us happiness, our ancestors placed us in our communities where we grew from our experiences. These experiences are not experienced in isolation, but they have been shared with others; they are the encounters you’ve had with all the people in your life. It is from the unique combinations of these factors that our person is formed. When we look at it in this light, we realize that all that is us would not be had it not been for the other people in our life. We are in debt to humanity because if we respect ourselves we must respect what created us. It is in this we realize that we have a responsibility to give to others as they have given to us. That is the reason I serve. Because of a love for myself that is equalled by a love I have for every person around me. So there it is. There is what I should hope never leaves your heart, is love. Always love. Don’t strike off the items on your to do list just out of habit, but because with all your heart you love doing so. Passion and love sit hand in hand; have one and you will have the other. They will lift you to face all obstacles, all challenges, and conquer them. Change the world my friends. With Love, Nick DePorzio Immediate-Past International Trustee for the New Jersey District

Meet New Jersey’s International Trustee for the 2012-2013 service year, Colten Meisner. My name is Colten Meisner, and it is an honor, pleasure, and utmost privilege to be serving as your International Trustee for the 2012-2013 year! As your Trustee, my duty is to link all of you – the voices of the New Jersey District – to the highest governing body of Key Club International. Not only am I absolutely ecstatic to be serving on the Key Club International Board of Trustees this year, but also I am incredibly exuberant to be specifically representing New Jersey, a district filled with spirit and passion for selfless service under excellent direction from your Governor, Nicole Ventrone and her executives! On a more personal note, I hail from the 16th largest city in the United States – Fort Worth, Texas! Contrary to popular belief, I do not own a horse, nor would I know how to ride one if I came into contact with it. Spoiler alert, guys: not everyone in Texas fits the bill of a cowboy! Otherwise, I am a philanthropist, amateur philosopher, future journalist, news junkie, horror movie fanatic, wannabe hipster, lame joke teller, excellent listener, dependable friend, brother, and son. One of my largest roles as an International Trustee is working on the committees of the International Board. This year, I will be serving as a member on two committees: the Executive committee and the Education and Development committee. Both have very distinct roles, however, they offer equally interesting prospects to make a difference in this organization. On the Executive committee, I work to improve the governance of the organization, often handling matters that are not necessarily appropriate to be deliberated by a thirteen-member board. This may include things such as removals of International Board members or re-drafting of elections procedures. On the Education and Development committee, I’m currently producing new resources for faculty advisors, Builders Club members, and also recreating the current the USB drive for district officers. My goals largely center on these specific directives, which will be altered and personally suited throughout the year. If you ever have a question about Key Club, service, leadership, elections, or anything of the like – I’d love to hear from you. I’m here for a reason… and the reason is to serve all of you, so that you can ultimately better serve your homes, schools, divisions, and communities. Together, you all have the power to ignite a movement to stop the apathy in youth today. This year will surely be a ride we won’t forget. Together, let’s stimulate this service year. Happy serving!

@coltenmeisner has a video blog! vimeo.com/trusteetv

the jersey key

International Convention: "MAGICAL" The district tour: days 1-3 by Christina Xiao Lt. Gov. Div. 16 ORLANDO, FLORIDA – home of Walt Disney World, 51 million tourists annually, and Flipper’s Pizza, the City Beautiful was also home to Key Club’s 69th annual International Convention. But before International Convention, Key Clubbers from all over New Jersey spent three days on the District Tour: armed with parkhopper passes to four Disney theme parks, tickets and a backstage tour of Cirque du Soleil: La Nouba, and a few nights at the Dolphin and Swan Disney Resort Hotel, the New Jersey district got to explore Orlando and its many offerings. Key Clubbers from division 1 to division 21 got to enjoy Disney’s four parks: EPCOT, the jersey key

Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. “I loved Epcot,” said lieutenant governor Melika Behrooz, from McNair Academic, “It was like traveling the world in a day, and I loved all the culture and diversity.” “Magic Kingdom is where I found my inner child! Cinderella’s Castle reminded me of my childhood how I always wanted to be a princess,” said lieutenant governor Mei Chen, from Piscataway High School. The District Tour also brought these New Jerseyans to Cirque du Soleil’s Orlando show, La Nouba, featuring jump-ropers, tightrope walkers, pierrots, diabolos, cyclists, jugglers, and trapeze artists. “Cirque

du Soleil had to be my favorite part of the tour. The juggler made me feel like my entire life has been a waste of time,” said Jonathan Mostafa of Jackson Memorial. The District Tour didn’t just provide lots of fun for these Key Clubbers, but also brought them closer together. Juliet Kim, from Tenafly, said, “The district tour gave me an opportunity to bond with people from my own district before the actual convention. Going to the different Disney parks was immense fun and I also got to meet people from all over New Jersey.” After four days at the parks, New Jersey Key Clubbers got ready for the 69th Annual International Convention. 20

The Convention: days 4-7

want to see more?

visit flickr.com/njkeyclub and facebook.com/njkeyclub to see more photos! Don’t forget to subscribe to the blog on njkeyclub.org, too! by Heather Krannich Lt. Gov. Div. 18

International Convention 2012, or ICON, took place in magical Orlando, Florida, hosted by the Florida District. From July 4-8, Key Clubbers from around the world gathered together to share a passion for service, elect new International officers, gain useful information at workshops and events, make new friends, dance, trade pins, and create memories to last throughout the entire service year. “My first District Convention was an eye opening experience, seeing how many people were dedicated to service outside of my club has a huge impact on me. I went to ICON 2012 hoping for a similar experience. I was definitely not disappointed,” said Jonathan Mostafa, a Key Club member from Jackson Memorial High School. Hundreds of Key Clubbers flocked the Hilton Orlando Hotel for just that: a convention that would leave an impact on each and every member, with tools and information to bring back home, as well as a relit passion for the service we all love so much. The workshops were one of the many places to gain some new information. Rocky Trifari, Lieutenant Governor of Division 20, commented that his favorite workshop was “the Whatever Floats Your Board workshop taught by Rebecca Riley and Cole Hickman, because they taught me about tons of new icebreakers that I had never heard of. I got to meet new people, make new friends, and learn valuable information about icebreaking activities that I'll definitely use in the future.” 21

The Service Fair was another great source of information, where districts showed off their fundraising and service ideas and organizations spread knowledge about their cause. “The service fair opened my eyes to what other districts did to raise money for the Eliminate Project. Also, candidates for international office answered questions for curious delegates,” said Tenafly member Marisa Wong. An Eliminate Dinner updated the members of Key Club on the progress being made and revealed a new video. At the Closing Session, New Jersey was also acknowledged as the District that made the most money around $100,000 - for Eliminate. Besides some great information gained at ICON, Key Clubbers also had a ton of fun! Two dances, a Dance to Eliminate and an 80’s Neon Dance kept members pumped for convention. There were also inspiring and amazing Keynote Speakers; Eden Sher, best known as Sue Heck on “The Middle”, inspired us to take action and never give up, while amazing magician Justin Willman shocked us all with his magic perfomance. Nicole Darrah, the Immediate Past District Governor, said that she attended the convention “to finish off my Key Club years with a bang. It was my fourth International Convention, and definitely one of the best.” Many on the immediate past board, including Nicole, were also distinguished for going above and beyond during their term. Erik Lim from Tenafly High School, was urged to attend by his lieutenant governor,

but says that he is so thrilled that he went, and hopes to attend International Convention next year in Washington D.C. From fantastic speakers to the Service fair to dances to the delegate house, this year’s International Convention was a blast! Will you be there next year for the fun?

NJ’s Accomplishments: We raised

the most money for the Eliminate Project, both per person and collectively.

14 lieutenant governors received the Robert F. Lucas Outstanding Lieutenant Governor award.

Our District Governor, Secretary and Editor were

distinguished.

Congratulations to the Key Club of-

Phillipsburg High School for placing third in the

scrapbook competition.

the jersey key

club Wristbands: why they’re a powerful fundraising tool by Melika Behrooz Lt. Gov. Div. 15

Car washes, bake sales, ribbon sales: they’re the basics of fundraising. As dedicated Key Clubbers, you have more than likely participated in these activities. But you might want something new, something modern, or something easy to use for fundraising this year. Coming up with a new fundraiser that would be different from the normal car washes, bake sales, and ribbon sales was quite the dilemma presented before a group of officers and a lieutenant governor during a Presidents Council Meeting in division 15. County Prep High School president Parth Majmundar suggested to the group a silicon wristband sale. After the officers voted on the color and the slogan, Immediate-Past Lieutenant Governor Ashley Joseph put the plan into action. Each club had the freedom to choose how many bags it wanted, how much to sell the wristbands for, and where exactly to donate the money (or keep it for their club). With the help of the world wide web, they were able to obtain 200 wristbands for a mere $38. Each club purchased a certain number of bags of wristbands, and some even had to reorder because of high demand. The wristbands were convenient to sell, being that they were small and cheap. Most clubs sold the wristbands at a dollar each. With this price, clubs could expect to make as much as $160 for every 200 wristbands. "There were really no complaints," said Joseph, "and you get more out of it than a ribbon sale, which people are less likely to buy." Joseph recommends first picking a slogan that won't go out of date and is universal. "Go door to door and visits all the classrooms." This is the best way to reach a lot of students. And be enthusiastic! Be the best salesman, and learn about the cause.

Competition Posting hours online fosters a sense of competition between members, and more service is performed as a result.

Posting service hours online is beneficial by Lucas Dos Santos District Webmaster

One of the best ways to promote your Key Club is through a website. Having a website is a great way to keep members within your club well-informed and motivated. While it is nice for a website to look attractive, conveying information is more important. Keeping members up-to-date with the latest information on a website will ensure that they always come back. Some of the most important information to include on websites is hours and events. If a club keeps track of member service hours, then it is a great idea to include that information on the website. This makes it much easier for members to check their hours. Instead of having to check with an adviser or one of your officers, members can easily just visit the club website. Posting service hours also serves as a great motivational tool.

Posting service hours, "can inspire some friendly competition among members,” said Michael Tran, webmaster of Egg Harbor Township Key Club. Members love to see their service hours in comparison to others, and it can inspire them to participate even more. Having club events posted on your website is also an important part of keeping members motivated. Members are not always sure exactly when an event is or what it is about. Having that information on the website will ensure that your members always know what's going within your club. With the availability of technology today, it has become easy to create a website. It is important, however, to ensure that information is always accurate and up-to-date. That way, members will always be well-informed and you can ensure your service year will be a success.

Advocacy Bracelet Sales “BElieve in YOUrself”for the Advocacy focus: antibullying Each bracelet is $1 and proceeds go to The Eliminate Project

These bracelets were sold last year and were extremely profitable! For more information, contact Melika at ltgdiv15@njkeyclub.org. the jersey key

Contact Eric Smuda, ltgdiv21@njkeyclub.org for information. 22

club

Bumpin’ Dances are a great way to build camaradarie, raise a significant amount of money, and inform people about important causes.

How to build a Key Club by Kelly Tran Lt. Gov. Div. 1B Key Club is the world’s largest studentled organization. This holds true in a number of ways; Key Club members plan their own events, vote on their own bylaws, elect their own leaders, and even create their own clubs. Chartering a Key Club helps spread the passion for service that Key Club has to offer. The chartering process is different for everyone, but Kiwanis has a suggested plan of action for the ambitious club-charterer: 1. Find: Find advisors, members, and a place to meet. 2. Lead: Get organized, file paperwork, train club leaders, and build enthusiasm. 3. Serve: Reach out to the community and make a difference through meaningful service projects. Kiwanis family and club building resources can be found at kiwanisone.org. This includes a chartering toolkit, recruitment materials, officer training guides, tips for finding a sponsoring Kiwanis Club, and ideas for service projects. “The most important step when chartering a club would definitely be finding a student contact. That student is the one who will be communicating with his or her principal, advisors, and student body! The hardest part about chartering a club would probably be finding a Kiwanis Club that is willing to sponsor your potential Key Club. We have so many Key Clubs, which is fantastic; but we have fewer Kiwanis clubs,” immediate-past division 1 Lieutenant Governor Cecilia Kang said. Chartering a Key Club may be difficult, but continued perseverance is necessary in order to be successful. 23

Dances raise significant money for Eliminate by Diti Shah Lt. Gov. Div. 13

Many Key Clubbers hold dances as fundraisers. Immediate Past Lieutenant Governors of Divisions 13 and 15, Ashley Joseph and Nidhi Gurjar, have had several successful dances throughout their service year. They not only educated members about The Eliminate Project, but they were also able to have an enjoyable evening with fellow Key Clubbers. Divisional dances are a great way to unify the division. Joseph was able to fundraise over $800 with Gurjar during their first dance. In addition, Joseph and Gurjar each fundraised over $1000 during their second dances.

Although divisional dances are successful, much time is spent organizing the event. Planners spend hours of stressing out to make sure that every aspect of the dance is perfected. Finding a venue that accommodates teenagers is difficult. Joseph had difficulty finding a DJ for her event, however she was still able to pull through and have a successful event. Gurjar often was overwhelmed with the burden of organizing the dance without the support of her home club. However, they were both able to pull through and have successful dances. Divisional dances are a great way to connect to other members from around the division and district.

Balancing your time effectively

Budgeting time can be difficult as a high schooler, so try your best to use your time most efficiently by Sarah Thomas Lt. Gov. Div. 4

With school, sports, extra classes, a parttime job, and Key Club it may be difficult to budget time. In between taking piano lessons, teaching CCD, and being his schools’ NHS secretary, Immediate-Past District Bulletin Editor Andre Rosario and also so pro at balancing out his time managed to keep his grades up and get accepted into the University of Pennsylvania. With all on his plate, Andre continued to be our District Editor. “To be more productive I'd work away from home. I went to Starbucks and my local bookstore’s cafe often,” Rosario said. “Each beverage cost me, but leaving home

helped me focus... I couldn't waste too much time on Facebook.” Division four Immediate-Past Lieutenant Governor, Sarah Diefenbach “made sure to prioritize and divide time up accordingly.” These tricks helped her balance out being on the Field Hockey team, managing the Lacrosse team, and participating in many other clubs. Her biggest struggle was overcoming her laziness and defeating procrastination. “Just stay organized and write down all of your assignments and priorities,” Diefenbach said. “If you can get something right then-andthere then do it. You'll thank yourself later!” It is possible to get everything done, even when it feels like it will never get finished. the jersey key

club Try these ideas for recruiting and keeping members by Alyssa Fazio Lt. Gov. Div. 2 Members are the most important aspect of Key Club. However, it is difficult at first to encourage peers to join. To attract new members it is always good to have an “Invite –a-friend” meeting. Ask all members to bring someone and get them involved. Also use posters and flyers to catch the eye of the public. Try not to use too many words just to try and keep the reader’s attention. The incoming freshman class is a great way to reel in more members. Attend the Freshman Orientation and speak about what Key Club is and how important it is to the community. Explain how we raise money and are currently wiping out Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus from third world countries. Simple service can go a long way. One person can save a life.

Also, try and get a table set up at an open house at school. An open house is a good tool to use. They welcome incoming students and community members to view the school and see what they have been doing. If Key Club was brought to one, more people could learn and see that Key Club is not a club about keys. Kyra Adams, the President of the Lower Cape May Regional Key Club suggests that by incorporating more activities such as icebreaker games and door prizes in the meetings, like group Rock-Paper-Scissors or a winner for people who stay for the entire meeting. More members will want to come not only for the fun but also for the meetings. They will consequently sign up for interesting service projects. Do as much as possible to keep the service projects lively. Make things fun! The more members Key Club has, the more it can do for the world.

Monsignor Donovan visits CSH

Winners Team KTK takes the title at the Eastern High School Holiday Hoops.

One lovely Saturday morning, members of the Monsignor Donovan Key Club visited The Children’s Specialized Hospital in Toms River. Beginning at 9 am, the club walked around the hospital picking up the children that would be playing with them that day. After pairing up one high school student to child, they walked around outside of the hospital. The looks on the children’s faces were inspiring and amazing. Knowing that the club had helped the children was a great feeling for them. They had a blast outside, playing on the swings, blowing bubbles, playing catch, and playing with a parachute. They had to focus on sensory activities because of the children's needs. The club looked forward to visiting again on July 28th, so they can have a wonderful experience, while at the same time putting a smile on the children’s faces.

When planning fundraisers, it is easy to revert to the old standbys, like bake sales or runs/walks for charity. But every so often, inspiration strikes and a great event is bornone that both attracts the general public and raises money. At Eastern High School in Voorhees, this inspiration came in the form of a basketball tournament. On December 8, 2011, the Eastern High School Key Clubbers held a 3v3 basketball tournament dubbed “Holiday Hoops,” allowing students (members and nonmembers) to create teams and register for $10 per person. The officer board was unsure of what the reaction to this radical idea would be; they certainly did not expect it to be their largest fundraiser of the year, with over 100 students committing to the event

stands, there was a half court shoot out in which anyone could participate. At the end of the day, team “KTK” featuring Kevin Sullivan, Tyler Finnigan, and Kevin Heppe, proved to be the tournament champions, and left with Pancheros giftcards, medals, and tons of candy for their victory. Holiday Hoops was Eastern Key Club’s most successful fundraiser of the year, for it not only raised a lot of money for our service project, but it did so in a fun way and at the same time, got non-key clubbers involved. The current Key Club officers plan to host the event again this year, however this time around the goal is to get more people involved, raise more money, and have more fun! Because every new service year is an opportunity to top the efforts of the last.

Holiday Hoops Eastern High School holds 3-on-3 basketball tournament for Eliminate

the jersey key

on Facebook and over $1,200 raised for the ELIMINATE Project. Though putting together an event of such magnitude might seem difficult, the Eastern High School Key Club figured out a way to combine officers and members to make it easier. A special committee, headed by current Co-Vice President Sarah Devries and current Division 3B LTG Nikita Daga, figured out the logistics of the event and, as current President Ravi Chauhan said, “The members came together to bring food, music, and a great experience for the teams.” After weeks of planning, the finished event featured 25 student-formed teams of three, each with its own creative name. Teams played in short games that lasted 8 minutes, and for those cheering in the

club Notes from a has-been: Erica Addonizio shares her thoughts on Key Club’s impact post-high school When I was in high school, Key Club was a major part of my life, and it has helped me in college in ways I never dreamed of four years ago when I was on the District Board. My name is Erica Addonizio, and I am a past Lieutenant Governor from our lovely New Jersey District. The first and foremost thing that Key Club has given me is the love of service that still courses through my body. I may not have joined the Circle K at the University of Delaware, but I still continue to do service projects on the international scale. My freshman year at UD I joined Engineers Without Borders (EWB), and have since been fusing together service and what I learn in the classroom. This past January I was fortunate enough to travel on one of implementation trips to the village of Bamendjou in Cameroon where we did the final implementation of a water distribution system. I am also on the team that will make the final trip to

Bamendjou this upcoming January. Without Key Club, I would not have felt so strongly about joining a service organization, or been able to make these amazing trips. As my love for service grew, in Key Club I knew that I wanted to play a more active role, and was took on a position on the District level. This leadership role, as well as when I was committee chairs in my home club, has given me leadership experience that I now use on a daily basis. Through compiling many reports and newsletters, planning events, and leading meetings, I have gained first-hand experience that has helped now. I have grown to the position of Project Manager in EWB-UD, and all summer have been leading a project in Delaware as well as running the weekly meetings. And believe it or not, as an officer in Key Club, you are developing time management skills thanks to all of the deadlines that occur in your respective offices. I would be

lying if I did not say that freshman year of college one of the biggest things to learn is good time management skills. When you are on your own for the first time, it is easy to put assignments off to do later, but thanks to Key Club, I know how to set short term goals to finish all of my work efficiently (and creating To Do lists everywhere helps too). I hope that every one of you realize that what you are doing now in the great organization of Key Club is going to help you out, even when you leave school. Not to mention it is one of the ways to make friends when you realize other people were also in Key Club, and may even know the same people as you do right now!

Absegami Key Club holds blood drive and collects 197 pints by Rachael Shee Absegami HS Treasurer

You Jelly? Juniors (from left to right) Taylor Corello, Danielle Flood, Allison Reetz, Abbey Miller, and Xena Sperazza make the PB&J sandwiches in the Steinert cooking room.

Hamilton Key Clubbers regularly gather for PB&J Day by Kaitlin Neinstedt Service comes in all different shapes and sizes. In Hamilton Key Club’s case, it comes in chunky, smooth and organic! Peanut butter, that is. Once a month, Hamilton Key Club flocks to the Steinert cooking room to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to donate to the town’s local homeless shelter, the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. This is referred to as–you guessed it–PB& J Day. All of the supplies for the lunches are brought in by generous group members. The Key Club kids whistle while they

work, knowing that they’re providing a needy Trentonian with at least one guaranteed ‘square’ meal the next day. After every paper bag lunch is packed pretty and carefully creased complete with a sandwich, snack, and napkin, the remaining members channel their Tetris skills into packing the 300-400 lunches into the advisor’s and president’s cars. Although it’s not always easy for a hungry high schooler to pass up a PB&J, the sense of accomplishment that comes with helping someone less fortunate is plenty filling. Any way you slice it, PB& J Days are making a difference.

During the 2011-2012 service year, Absegami Key Club reached its peak when it hosted its annual Red Cross blood drive. Together, students, staff, and faculty joined as a unit to ultimately donate a total of 197 pints of blood. In this one event alone, not only did the school come together displaying generosity and compassion, the Absegami community experienced an overwhelming desire to reach out and help the community. Posters adorned the walls advertising the event, announcements were made to spread the word, and several Key Club members roamed the halls and visited homerooms to collect potential donor names. Empathy and sincerity filled the hearts of the student body, which lead to the overwhelming number of willing blood donors. For two days, the school transformed into a giving community, learning to embrace life, and willing to share that gift with others in need. Because of this event, students began to feel sympathy for those who required blood transfusions, and understand how one simple act can save many lives. The Absegami Key Club, every year is proud to host this spectacular event because not only does it bond the school together, it reminds everyone that one effortless act of charity can brighten the world around us. the jersey key

club

Lemon Squashers ate Bradley, Taylor Kwok, Elizabeth Carr, and Gina Migliaccio compete in the tug-of-war competition at Hamilton High School Key Club’s annual Field Day.

Another end to another beautiful year: Field Day at Hamilton High School by Valerie Choy Hamilton Key Club was proud to host a Field Day for the Eliminate Project, an organization determined to eradicate maternal and neonatal tetanus. The event was held on Friday, June 15 where current Steinert High School students and Steinert Key Club alumni joined together at Mercer County Park to fundraise and to celebrate the end of another beautiful year. Festivities included food, music, and a wide variety of games and races. Field Day would not have been a success without the donations from 33 Barber Shop, Central Perk, Yogomix, ACME, Freshworks, Gifted, and the wonderful Assemblyman and advisor, Dan Benson. There was also a Key Club the jersey key

t-shirt sale and a surprise Vera Bradley raffle to top the day off. This end of the year event consisted of a total of six teams: The League of Asians, Those Guys, Hope Floats, The E-Lemonators, The Lemon Squashers, and Kate's Team. The first place prize of three free pizzas for a team pizza party at Brother's Pizza was awarded to Those Guys, the laid-back "lax bros." The second place prize, bestowed to The E-Lemonators, the dedicated Key Club veterans, consisted of five-dollar Yogomix gift cards and packages of Sourpatch Kids and Swedish Fish for each member. Third place, receiving coupons to Yogomix, went to the Lemon Squashers, a group of energetic Key Club newcomers. All in all, Field Day was an absolute success. As Ruchira Kasbekar, an enthusias-

tic key clubber exclaims, “field day was an awesome event…I really hope it continues throughout the years!” Many of our participants even stayed until nearly five when the event ended at four in order to further bonds with their friends and teammates in the lovely ninety degree weather. Hamilton Key Club certainly experienced a truly prosperous year as the event raised 583 dollars in addition to the 1,639 dollars and 57 cents earned throughout the duration of the year. It is an honor to be elected as the new vice-president of such an active and supportive organization. I hope I do the Hamilton Key Club justice as it has proved to be an influential organization in our society. I hold confidence that Key Club, as a whole, will continue to flourish in years to come. 26

club

Attending Kiwanis meetings helps to strengthen the ties of the K-Family by Nicole Knusden Lower Cape May Regional HS

Who ever knew the Kiwanis Club can be so much fun? By going to the weekly Kiwanis meetings throughout the year I have developed several relationships and made many connections with Kiwanians in my community. I learned that Kiwanians is just like Key Clubbers. We serve others in our local

and global community, and all while having fun. Having open K-Family relations can do a wonder for a Key Club. My club has been able to attend several Kiwanis fundraisers, in return, they have done the same to use. Working beside these people has been inspirational. We have been able to look up to them as role models, and have helped us become better leaders ourselves.

The stereotypical image of the Kiwanis Club being just a bunch of old people gathering to socialize is far from true. They are some of the most motivating and caring members that exist in our society. Once I left high school and enter into the real world as an adult, I will definitely join the Kiwanis Club and hopefully be able to inspire students like I once was.

I think you misspelled karaoke: charaoke night at Marlboro HS by Amanda Burke

Singing, laughing, and having fun is what Charaoke is, and not the misspelled version of Karaoke. In fact, it is when those who are willing to participate in a karaoke event raise money for charity. Every year for the past few years the Key Club has put on a remarkable show, while still helping those in need. With the aid of Marlboro High School including the Art Club, many teachers (especially those who had the courage to perform), and all the students who participated, we were able to raise around seven hundred dollars for Children’s Specialized Hospitals and the Eliminate Project. This event was a huge success, with the number of those attending rising every year. The event went from having around fifteen to thirty people showing, to around fifty lending us their time. Knowing that this was only the third annual Charaoke event that our school held, we show great thanks and appreciation to everyone involved in making this such a vast accomplishment. We hope to see even more new faces at our fourth annual Charaoke event coming up this new school year.

get social facebook.com/ njkeyclub youtube.com/njkeyclub

@njkeyclub

North Brunswick’s winter carnival a huge success by Jonathan Lin North Brunswick HS President

North Brunswick Township Key Club hosts a Winter Indoor Carnival each year as a fundraiser for Key Club projects. Hundreds of kids show up and have a wonderful time, and each year the Carnival gets bigger and bigger. Though the Indoor Carnival is our biggest and most thrilling event, there is much work put in to make sure the event succeeds. In order to fund the Carnival, NBTHS Key Club goes around to local stores and asks for sponsorship. By donating money, the local stores get an advertisement during the event. Based on their donation (or anything they like, really), companies can have various offers ranging from having their promotional items distributed or having a banner promoting their business hung up at the food booths. Gift cards ranging from $10 to $100 (given by the businesses) are even raffled off to everyone who comes. Sponsorship is a vital part to the success of the event and many hours are spent in the winter cold gathering these sponsors. In addition to sponsorship, we had to create worthwhile games that kids would love. After all, what’s a carnival without games? Thus, we spent many meetings creating games and signs that kids love. One of our most popular games is the Goldfish Toss – it’s a remake of the Ring Toss game you find at the boardwalk. Instead of winning a stuffed animal, however, winners receive a living goldfish! Other games, to mention a few, include the Basketball Shot, DDR, Mini Golf, Henna Tattoos, and the Soda Can Drop. Although these games are meant for kids, Key Clubbers agree that even they are having fun playing these games. The last part of preparation includes the assemblage of numerous prizes. By playing the games, kids win tickets, which are traded in for various prizes. NBTHS Key Club buys the prizes off of online sites, yet these prizes can range from small pencils (1 Ticket) to an enormous blow-up dinosaur (150 tickets). The night of the carnival is filled with fun and hard work paid off. Admission is free and an “Unlimited Games” stamp costs $5. Hundreds of kids show up, wanting their shot at the goldfish or one of the enormous grand prizes. From the Jello Eating Contest to Musical Chairs, both Key Clubbers and kids love showing up and have a great time. At the end, the board members count the money; through this event, NBTHS Key Club raises approximately $3,000 per year. It is truly a rewarding and great experience. This year, NBTHS’s Indoor Carnival will be held on November 30th. the jersey key

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more than just the rides.

the jersey key