The jersey key The official publication of the New Jersey District of Key Club International
Come join us as we celebrate another roaring year of service!
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Volume 66
Issue 2
the jersey key
January 2013
The Jersey Key Volume 66 | Issue 2 | January 2013
club
district
The Second Season of Advocacy had begun 4
Hackettstown works with Broadway Cares 18
Social networking: the best and the worst 15 Frequency of meetings impacts success 15 Del Val thinks pink 15 Planning events without an advisor: how to do it 16
The role of the host club 4 Scholarships Committee to award 18 scholarships to NJ Key Clubbers 5 Events RTCs help members reach for the stars with service 5
District Convention Get ready for an awesome DCON 6 Workshops 7
The Talent Show 9 Running for district office 9 The Eliminate Games 10 Being lieutenant governor 10
Montville’s Moanville day excites local children 16
Bloomfield’s Halloween event raises money for Eliminate 23
Colonia Cleanup a huge success 17 Improving newsletters 17 Are you Key Club’s next top member? 17
k-family Notes from a has-been: Former Governor 12 Building connections with builders clubs 12
international Major Emphasis goals set 14 Multiple clubs apply for Youth Opportunities Fund 14
Sessions 7 Service Fair 8 Dress Code 8 the jersey key
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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. Cover by Rocky Trifari
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February 2:
District-wide games Check the facebook page for DATe and time 3
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district The Second Season of Advocacy has Begun by Eric Smuda Lt. Gov. Div. 21
The 2012-2013 Key Club service year is well underway and Key Clubbers have already made a drastic impact in the areas of self-acceptance and eating disorders. Advocacy is defined as speaking on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. The first advocacy season focused on making a difference in the areas of self-acceptance and eating disorders. Eight out of every ten people in America are not satisfied with their appearance and 90% of people with an eating disorder are between the ages of 12 and 25. Key Clubbers were able to make this difference by raising awareness through newsletter articles, school assemblies and reaching out to people who may have needed to be reminded of how perfect they are. The first advocacy season concluded at Fall Rally but this does not mean that Key Clubbers should stop working to make a difference in these issues. The second advocacy season began at this year’s Fall Rally and will be focused around anti-bullying, suicide prevention and depression awareness. One of the biggest ways that Key Clubbers can make a difference in these issues and the issues mentioned in the first advocacy season is through purchasing an advocacy bracelet. The District Programs Committee will be selling light blue bracelets with the saying “BElieve in YOUrself” on them for just $1 each. The bracelets will be sold in bulk and
or individually beginning in November by each division’s Lieutenant Governor. The proceeds from the advocacy bracelet sales will be donated to the ELIMINATE project and simply seeing someone wearing this inspirational bracelet may help those get through a really hard time in their lives. Nine out of ten students admitted to witnessing bullying each day and 14.3% of
teens have carried out plans for their own suicide. The time is now to make a difference in these issues. Please join us on our day of silence later this year to commemorate those we have lost to suicide and to raise awareness. to suicide and to Support those in need, raise awareness, inspire others and help lead this movement.
The role of the host club by Brittany Kraft Lt. Gov. Div. 6
Every year the New Jersey District has fun events like Regional Training Conferences and Fall Rally to bring clubs from all over our state together. These events would not be possible without a dedicated and organized host club. Using the event’s theme as a guide, the host club is responsible for creating decorations. These decorations create a welcoming atmosphere for the attendees. A host club must be prepared to work tirelessly the weeks leading up to the event. Point Pleasant Beach High School, the Fall Rally host club this year, had twenty members help after school every day for two weeks totaling over one hundred hours of work. “Hosting Fall Rally was such an honor. It really was an unforgettable opportunity, and the countless hours of work we did to prepare for it and setting up the day of the event definitely paid off,” said Point Pleas-
ant Beach President Brianna LaGuardia. The host club is picked by the theme committee, Kiwanis committee, and Governor. Factors considered in selecting the host club include strength, reliability, and how many members the club tends to bring to events like District Convention. According to District Secretary Celina Baquiran, the group selecting the host club “likes to give everyone a chance so if a club has hosted something before, odds are they wouldn’t be picked again.” Although hosting a district event requires so much work to President Brianna it was all worth it, “seeing the impressed faces of the New Jersey District Board when they saw all of the decorations was an absolutely priceless experience. It gave me a feeling of accomplishment I will never forget and in that moment I could not have been any prouder of my club.” The District Convention host club will be revealed soon.
Decorative
The host club is in charge of creating the decorations pertaining to the theme at district events. At Fall Rally, the Point Pleasant Beach High School club created the Olympic themed decorations for the event.
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Fall Regional Training Conferences out of this world by Celina Baquiran District Secretary
On September 15, 22 and 23, something out of this world happened in the New Jersey District. That is right, Fall Regional Training Conferences took off this past September and made a blast in North, South, and Central New Jersey! Regional Training Conferences are an opportunity for Key Club members and officers to learn more about the district, the ELIMINATE Project, and more.
With enthusiastic Key Clubbers at each conference and shiploads of information exchanged from member to member, this year’s fall RTCs were ones worth remembering. For those of you who attended, you might have noticed the new workshops we added. After an out-of-this-world breakfast, attendees explored the Key Club universe in workshops like Keyping it Classy, Meeting the District Board, and more!
A message from District Govenor Nicole Ventrone Hello again, New Jersey Key Club, and as I have said so many times before, welcome to the 2012/2013 service year! With only three months left in our terms, I hope you all have been enjoying this Key Club adventure as much as I have. From ICON to the Eliminate Games, we surely have had a jam-packed year thus far, but does that mean we should let up now? Hardly! Instead, we need to finish off this service year with as much excitement as we began it. One great way to do so is to look for new and innovative service projects for your club to support. Whether you are aspiring to assist your immediate community, your home district, or your country, there are many wonderful ways to get involved. Recently, our own home state was hit by Superstorm Sandy, which left incomparable damage in its wake. While some of us complained about
the lack of electricity, others were left picking up the pieces of their lives around them. Though this cause may have taken a backseat to college applications and the holiday season, we as a district need to continue to show our support for all those affected by this storm. For more information on how you can get involved, please call 1-800-Jersey-7 or simply dial 211. NJ District, let’s all unite to truly “restore the shore”! To get involved on a national level, I urge you to do what you can for the victims of the Sandy Hook shooting. This tragedy has so profoundly shaken our country that I can hardly imagine the heartache of the immediate communities. Not only as Key Clubbers but as students, we have a responsibility to slowly but surely boost the morale of those affected. Many resources are available online, but please feel free to contact your Lieutenant Governor or me for suggestions.
Afterwards they were treated to an interstellar lunch and an exciting space raffle. A shoutout to Southern Regional High School, Piscataway High School, and Roxbury High School for their wonderful job in setting up and preparing for the conferences. The New Jersey District Board would like to thank everyone for attending and we hope you were inspired to reach for the stars of service! We cannot wait to see you at District Convention 2012. On a much more pleasant note, the District Board has been working extremely hard in the recent months to plan our upcoming District Education & Leadership Convention (DCON). From implementing our 1920s theme to “spicing up” our workshops, we are doing everything in our power to make this the most worthwhile convention any of you have ever attended. This year, we will once again be hosting our DCON at the Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch, NJ. If meeting new friends, improving your servant leadership skills, and electing your district executives is not enticing enough, then, hopefully, a beachfront property will be! I truly hope to see you all there on April 5th-7th as we “Celebrate a Roarin’ Year of Service”, so be on the lookout for your registration mailing. With that said, thank you all for anything and everything you do to support your homes, schools, and communities. I am more grateful than you know. Keep up the great work, New Jersey!
The scholarships committee to award 18 scholarships to New Jersey Key Clubbers by Tracy Vollbrecht Lt. Gov. Div. 8
Scholarships are awarded to senior Key Clubbers who exemplify dedication to serving the children of the world, demonstrate an outstanding capacity in academics, and uphold the object s of Key Club International during high school. The 18 available scholarships range from $1000 to $2000. Applicants only need to apply once to be eligible for all of the scholarships. In order to apply, download the complete Scholarships Packet at http://njkeyclub. org/awardsresources.php. Fill out the Application Information Sheet. Use the School Transcript Form to request a copy of your transcript. On a separate sheet of paper, list involvement in Key Club projects. Provide a summary of any outside service. On a separate 5
sheet of paper, give a brief description of your most important academic or extra-curricular achievement unrelated to Key Club. Write a two-page essay about a memorable Key Club Service Project. Obtain letters of recommendation. Have an advisor fill out the Advisor Verification Form. Refer to the packet for complete instructions. Mail this entire packet (except for the transcripts as guidance counselors will mail them) by February 20th, 2013. Once the applications are received, a committee of Kiwanians read through the applications. The main criteria these Kiwanians focus on are that the entire packet is complete, the essay, and the letters of recommendation. The essay and the other descriptions are the applicant’s opportunity to tell the committee who he/she is, what he/she has done
in and out of Key Club, how he/she got involved, his/her motive for doing community service, and how he/she benefitted from the service. These personal portions of the packet are where the applicant can show about how Key Club has developed the applicant’s leadership skills and how the applicant has benefited from the leadership opportunities that Key Club provides, such as Key Leader. Ron Orthwein, a past Kiwanian on the Scholarships committee, advised that the applicant get letters of recommendation from people outside of Key Club who are familiar with the applicant’s service record. The example he provided was a Kiwanian with whom the applicant worked on a service project. Please feel free to contact Tracy Vollbrecht with any questions or concerns. Send completed applications to: the jersey key
the Sixty Seventh
District Annual
Convention Get Ready
for an
by Bria Metivier Lt. Gov. Div. 14 The New Jersey District Board is proud to announce that this year’s District Convention theme is the 1920s! District Convention will be held from April 5 to April 7 at the Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch, New Jersey. Our annual service fair will be transformed into a speakeasy, minus the alcoholic beverages, of course! Mingle and have the opportunity to look at all the service projects.The theme will also be incorporated into the dances as well with jazz music. Charleston, fox-trot, and shimmy to at the
Awesome DCON Friday night dance and Governor’s Ball. The convention will include decorations such as boas, feathers, and other small elements of the 1920s along with a black and white color theme. Ladies, come dolled up in your flapper attire and gents keep it spiffy with your three piece suits and fedoras. All attendees should expect to have a blast from the past into one of the classiest time periods in history. Don’t miss out on a swell time with the New Jersey District and Key Clubbers from all around New Jersey! Board and the Key Clubbers all around New Jersey!
Winning
The Saturday Morning Awards session is an exciting time where clubs are recognized for their outstanding efforts in the past year. Awards are given in categories ranging from best scrapboook to single service project to increasing the number of duespaid members
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What’s Happening at
DCON
Workshops
Sessions
by Kelly Tran Lt. Gov. Div. 1B
by Ashna Bhatia Lt. Gov. Div. 18
goes on to the “Meet the Candidates” where meet all of the members running for district office talk about themselves before House of Delegates. The day ends with a Recognition Session. This is when the Achievement Awards and Robert F. Lucas winners get awarded giving everyone a chance to applaud the great leaders within the District. “These sessions are extremely enjoyable and memorable. They are interesting and helped me made some personal and Key Club changes in my life,” said Nutley High School secretary Jessica Gallager. The last session takes place on Sunday where the service year officially ends, and we start another with a new District Board. District Convention is an exciting weekend, and these sessions are just the icing on the cake. Don’t miss out three days filled with new people and new experiences!
Hit the john, put on some glad rags, and Every District Convention there is a seget ready for some awesome workshops at ries of sessions that allow Key Clubbers this year’s 1920s themed District Conven- from all over the state to meet in one room and celebrate the past service year. tion. The first session is Friday night, where Awards and dances aside, a large portion of District Convention’s focus is on work- the weekend starts off with a bang. After shops. The New Jersey District Board puts revealing next year’s district project and a lot of work into making the workshops ex- the nominations for District and Internaciting and useful to both incoming and out- tional Office, the District invites a Keynote going members. There is a wide selection of Speaker to speak or perform. This speaker workshops ranging from information about invigorates the members with passion and officer positions and helpful tips for transi- excitement for the future as well as the next few days. tioning to college. The next morning, there is an AppreciaBecause of the large size of the workshops, District Convention is the ideal place for tion session where the clubs and members members to share ideas and reflect on their who have shown the most Key Club spirit experiences from the past year. “District and dedication are recognized. The day Convention workshops are definitely a lot bigger than Regional Training Conference workshops and the focuses of them are a lot different too. At RTCs, the New Jersey District Board trains new officers and gives them tips for the service year. At District Convention, the workshops are more collaborative and everyone shares their ideas from the past year. They're also a lot more interactive--it's inspiring and interesting to see so many Key Club members sharing their experiences!” said Vishu Kumar, Montville High School President. At District Convention, presenters are closing in on their terms and have a year full of experience to spill when teaching workshops. Not only do district board members present, but also there are presenters. “Workshops at District Convention really help general members learn how Key Club works at a club, divisional, district, and even international level,” said Ali Pham, member of the Marine Academy of Science and Technology Key Club. urprise aircut Be prepared for tons of exciting surprises at Districr ConAttend District Convention to get the vention. Last year Immediate Past District Editor Andre Rosario had his head shaved on most out of the service year! stage!
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Learn About Different Charities at the Service Fair
Tips
Making DCON a Success
by Mohammed Haji Lt. Gov. Div. 10 It only takes seconds to find inspiration, motivation, or even new friends. This year’s DCON service fair will give you the chance to do this all. After walking through the marvelous halls of the Ocean Place Resort and Spa and settling in to your room, the Service Fair, brimming with opportunities, awaits you. As you walk past reception and towards the banquet halls, you’ll see an array of trifolds, evenly spread out across the hall, waiting to be read. Then you’ll hear heart-pumping music as you stop at each stall and take a few minutes to learn something new. And at the end of your quest, you will find games, which you can use to break the ice and meet other Key Clubbers! And if you’re lucky, you may get to meet some district board members as well! But its not always about the destination, but the winding journey in between. On your way, you will see a tri-fold about the March of Dimes, an organization that helps families with premature babies. They hold many walk-a-thons, so it’s easy to get involved with such a noble cause. You will also find information about the Children’s Miracle Network, which helps children obtain treatment for their various conditions. To find information about volunteering at such hospitals, make sure you stop by and get contact information for these special locations. Afterward, you will find a booth about To Write Love on Her Arms, a group whose beliefs correlate with our Advocacy theme of anti-bullying and self-respect. This organization holds seminars throughout America to help decrease bullying and suicide rates, a major problem in the current generation. These are just some of the organizations that will be showcased at this year’s fair, which is abounding with valuable info. You won’t have time to be bored. At this year’s Service Fair, there’s always a way to give back to the community, regardless of age. thejersey jerseykey key the
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Planning:
• Make sure to have a chaperone available for every ten members • Have applications in on time and they must be notarized • Provide a bus for all your members that are attending • If you are entering a contest please be prepared with applications • Check the dress code before packing!
Fundraising: Business Professional
During all official sessions of District Convention (with the exception of the closing session Sunday morning), all attendees must wear business professional attire. This includes suits and ties for men and dresses and skirts for women.
Dress Code: Keep it Classy by Kelly Bian Lt. Gov. Div. 9 This year the New Jersey District of Key Club International will be holding its annual District Convention in Long Branch, New Jersey. While informal outfits are acceptable to bring and wear during free time, it is required that everyone wear business professional clothing to both sessions and meals. For males, this includes several dress shirts, pairs of pants, and blazers. For females, appropriate dresses, skirts, blazers, and pants are must-brings to District Convention. Not only does dressing in a uniform and appropriate fashion keep the event classy, it also strengthens the unity of Key Clubbers from different divisions. Whether
• Sell baked goods such as cookies, cupcakes, cakepops • Hold an event such as a talent show, lip singing contest, or car wash • Ask sponsoring Kiwanis to help pay for a percentage of the total cost - Ali Perri Lt. Gov. Div. 5
a Key Clubber lives on the southern tip of division 1 or the northern point in division 21, a similar dress code establishes a sense of community. Furthermore, a professional dress code makes District Convention more serious. Although District Convention is a time to have fun and meet new people, crucial elections and workshops take place as well. For important events, appropriate clothing can set serious atmosphere in the room. Besides, the dances held throughout the weekend provide perfect opportunities with relaxed dress code. In accordance with the DCON theme for 2013 (the 1920s) “Don’t dress like a flapper, keep it dapper.” Keep it classy, New Jersey. 8 8
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Running
for
by Diti Shah Lt. Gov. Div. 13
District Office
Do you think you have what it takes to run for a district office? Do you have a passion for Key Club and want to take your dedication to a new level? Holding a district position entails great responsibilities, but is also exciting. The stress is enormous but in the end it is all worth it. If you truly believe you can serve the New Jersey District, run for office whether it is lieutenant governor or district governor. Keep in mind that running for district office, (governor, secretary, treasurer, and editor) is something that is planned months in advanced. Candidates must have a campaign team that creates banners, entrances, and various forms of advertisements to gain votes during District Convention. Candidates must be prepared to talk in front of a room full of Key Clubbers and persuade them that they are the best candidate. Candidates must also be prepared to answer questions on the spot about the plat-
form they run on. That’s just the beginning though! Candidates must also go through caucusing. Candidates must answer questions in a debate format in front of members from all over the district. Although running for district office is stressful, do not forget to enjoy the experience as well. If elected, you have a service year ahead of you that you get to help plan. Immediate Past Lieutenant Governor Cecilia, who ran for district governor for the 2011-2012 service year, shares that even though she lost she was able to get a better look into the dedication and efforts of the past officers. Even though she lost, she is still able to serve and stay involved in Key Club. Running for district office can be stressful, but you can also run for lieutenant governor for your division. Candidates must give a short speech about why they should be elected and answer questions from the election packet. If you are interested in running, please contact your lieutenant governor for more details!
Campaigning
The elections process is a large part of District Convention. Candidates are put through caucusing and rounds of speeches and debates.
The Talent Show by Joe Toumanios District Treasurer
Eclectic
All types of acts perform at the District Convention Talent Show, from musicians to dancers to even yo-yo-ers. The talent show is held during free time Saturday Afternoon photos courtesy Jen Hsieh
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Sword swallowing, juggling chainsaws, and imitations of Governor Nicole Ventrone. These are all truly remarkable skills, and if you possess these, or any other splendiferous talents, the Key Club District Convention Talent Show may be just the place for you! We will accept any acts that are appropriate, so although there will be no sword swallowing, magic is welcome, as well as singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, reenacting your favorite scene from Pokémon, and displaying any other creative skills you and your friends may have. Maybe you’re just a funny person and you want to make people laugh, test out your material (just make sure it’s all appropriate). It is a great chance to show off your individuality and flair to hundreds of people! It will be more fun than a barrel of monkeys. For more details just contact your Lieutenant Governor or District Treasurer Joseph Toumanios. A sign up will be in the District mailing for DCON and anyone is welcome to audition. I can’t wait to see all your ebullient faces. the jersey key
district Being a lieutenant governor: an inside look by Penny Xu Lt. Gov. Div. 19
Working Hard Being lieutenant governor requires attendance at board meetings among a lot of other hard work including holding meetings and paperwork. Being lieutenant governor is a huge time commitment.
The Eliminate Games
by Chris Addonizio Lt. Gov. Div. 1A
Twenty-three tributes from New Jersey will be competing head-to-head to be crowned victor at this year’s Eliminate Games. This district-wide event is a fundraiser for the Eliminate Project. Any high school student can sign up to participate in the divisional preliminary round. Contenders will partake in challenges in a Minute-to-Win-it fashion and slowly be eliminated until only one remains. This person will be named the divisional tribute. Then, in February, each division will send their tribute to compete in the District finals and will be crowned victor for this year’s Eliminate Games. If you want to see your tribute do well in the district level you will have a chance for sponsorship. There will be a set period of time after the preliminary rounds when any money raised by the clubs for the Eliminate Project will give their tribute a slight advantage in the Games. The Eliminate Games will only be successful with the support of the entire district working together. As Key Clubbers the purpose is to raise money to save as many mothers and their infants as possible. While tributes will be struggling to survive in the Games, there are still thousands of babies across the world fighting for their lives against Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus. Help reach the goal of $100,602.23; volunteer as tribute, become a spectator, and sponsor your tribute. the jersey key
Being Lieutenant Governor is a difficult job that can be extremely rewarding. On a typical day of the week, we check our inboxes to ensure that tasks are being completed. For example, if a secretary emails to ask about how to complete the club monthly report form (CMRF), we would email him/ her back the exact procedures. We would also email clubs for updates from the district on events like officer training, Fall Rally, Regional Training Conferences, and District Convention. Additionally, we text or call our officers to either give a warm regard or discuss key club duties. On a monthly basis, we complete lieutenant governor monthly report forms (LTGMRFs), which are very similar to CMRFs. However, this form requires a more detailed description on the activities of the LTG and clubs. Most importantly, the LTGMRF is dependent on the CMRFs of that LTGs division, meaning that we cannot
accomplish our report without every secretary’s CMRF! Club Monthly Report Forms are crucial to the functioning and well-being of the district. For this reason it is important to send these forms in on time. At the same time, we create and send out newsletters to convey important information. Although they may be overlooked, start paying attention to them now because they do contain crucial news for clubs. Last but not least, we run the big shows! From Fall Rally, RTCs, divisional events, to DCON, we make them possible (of course, with help from the Kiwanis committee and you!). We do this through numerous board meetings, committee work, countless emails, phone calls, and tons of dedication! We do this for one reason: to make a change in this world. Hopefully, this article has uncovered some of the mysteries of our profession! If you are interested in knowing more, contact your LTG. To find the LTG in your area, visit njkeyclub.org
Stacked Key Clubbers pose for a photos of an oversized cup pyramid, one of the events at the Eliminate Games. The Eliminate Games will have its final round in mid-February.
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Rainy Fall Rally turns out to be huge success by Sarah Thomas Lt. Gov. Div. 4 October 7 was the New Jersey District’s biggest event of the year: Fall Rally at Six Flags Great Adventure. The morning started off slow and chilly but transformed into a lively by 9 o’clock. During general session approximately 3,000 Key Clubbers united in one stadium and cheered on the Lieutenant Governors, the Executive Board, key speakers including, the newly elected NJ Kiwanis Governor, Joe Teti, NJ Circle-K Governor, Danielle Sammut, and Eliminate Project Coordinator, Michael Mulhaul. They spoke about the excitement of Key Club on all levels. Not only did Fall Rally attendees get the “in” on how to follow through in the K-Family after high school, the speakers motivated people to be the best that they can be. Throughout the morning session, NJ Key Clubbers got the insight on what was going on throughout the district. “I loved how we got a bunch of information pertaining future events, and that everyone was a different country,” Amanda Alston, officer in Division 4, said about her time at Fall Rally. And that’s right! Each division represented its own country pertinent to the Eliminate Project and a part of the Olympics. From countries like France to Singapore, every LTG represented either a country affected by MNT, or a country with Key Club in it. Even though the day ended with a little rain, Fall Rally 2012 was definitely an experience not to be missed.
Did you know? You don’t have to attend Fall Rally with your school. As long as you have parental permission and a ride to Six Flags, you can still come to Fall Rally! Learn more about working without an advisor on page 16.
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Excited Key Clubbers from all over New Jersey cheer at Fall Rally for the coveted spirit stick, given to the most rowdy division in the district. Fall Rally was held on Sunday, October 7. Photo courtesy Meaghan Joyce.
600 pounds of school supplies collected at Fall Rally by Alyssa Fazio Lt. Gov. Div. 3A
Across the country, people are donating school supplies to help out those families who need a little assistance to the school year off right. The Tools for Schools drive ensured that each and every student has what they need to succeed in the classroom. On October 7th, at Fall Rally, members donated school supplies to our annual drive. This year was no different. The New Jersey District donated more than 600
pounds of supplies! All of the items ranged from notebooks and folders to pencils and pens to rules and glue and so many more useful things. A Tools for Schools representative Helene Meissner and Phillipsburg High School Key Club advisor Greg Babbitt, said that the abundance of supplies, filled her entire car and his whole truck. All of the supplies were donated to the Community Food Bank in Hillside the next week. They were extremely grateful for such a large donation. the jersey key
k-family Notes from a has-been: former Key Club Governor shares her experiences by Nicole Darrah Immediate-Past District Governor A day in the life of a has-been: wake up, go to class, go to work, realize you don’t have any Key Club work to do, repeat. I’m only partially kidding when I say this. The life of a former Key Club member is difficult in that you realize how incredible the service organization you were a part of in high school is no longer a huge aspect of your life. Obviously, most people realize how awesome Key Club International is when you’re a current active member… but when you phase out of it, you realize one of the greatest opportunities of your life has come to a close. Key Club is certainly not just a club – it’s a way of life. As a four year member, and a member of the District Board of Trustees from my freshman to senior year of high school, graduating and moving on from Key Club was one of the most difficult things I’ve done in my life. Although, I comprehend more and more each day how Key Club helped me to mature through the leadership and service aspects of the orga-
nization. Serving as first a general member (such a vital role in KCI), to then becoming elected to the position of Lieutenant Governor, to then serving as District Bulletin Editor, and from there working as the District Governor, Key Club taught me about responsibility, hard work, giving back to others, among many others things. The leadership aspect and taking on large roles within the organization’s hierarchy were huge responsibilities for a high school student to have, but more so an incredible honor that people believed in me when I was elected into each position. However, the truly rewarding part of being a member Key Club International is serving your homes, schools, and communities. From working with my club each year in packing boxes full of food for their Thanksgiving Food Drive to benefit families in our own town, to collecting warm winter clothing to be given to a local shelter when the cold weather approached. Helping others, in turn, helps you. Through service, I learned so much about myself and so much about the effect
that one person can really make a difference in another person’s life. When my years in Key Club came to a close, I realized I didn’t want to stop serving. Because I became so educated on Circle K International, Key Club’s “older sibling” organization, I wanted to join – but the college I was going to didn’t have their own chapter of Circle K… so I decided to build one. I’m currently in the process of building a Circle K Club at my school, in hopes that one day I can rejoin the Kiwanis Family and serve my homes, schools, and communities. As much as I would rather this not be an advertisement for Circle K, I just want all Key Club members to see that the service and leadership you perform throughout high school doesn’t have to end. Circle K is just another journey awaiting you. For a has-been like me, Key Club is where it all began. The memories, the lessons, and the impact this incredible organization has made on my life will never be forgotten and I hope your experience is just as mesmerizing as mine was.
Building connections with Builders Clubs by Heather Krannich Lt. Gov. Div. 18
One of the greatest parts about being a Key Club is being part of the Kiwanis Family: Circle K, Aktion Club, K-Kids, Kiwanis. The closest branch of all, however, is Builders Club. Before Key Club in high school, Builders Club gives students the opportunity to experience the joy of community service in middle school. Modeled after Key Club, Builders Club has student officers who hold fundraisers and service projects which focus on helping people in the community. Key Clubs and Builders Clubs are probably the most compatible duo in the entire K-Family. Visiting a Builders Club and working on projects together encourages Builders Club members to continue their K-Family journey in Key Club. Numerous projects, both service and fundraising, can be molded for both Key Club and Builders Club. At almost any project, such as a dance or movie night or car wash, Key Clubs can invite Builders Club members to help out and experience the fun of Key Club. After the projects, explain what the jersey key
cause the project is benefiting, as this will intrigue Builders Club members to be aware of the needs in the community and internationally. Also aid Builders Clubs with their projects; by being active at their events, the members see how dedicated Key Clubbers are to service. While helping expand the minds of members of Builders Club, visiting their meet-
ings on a regular basis is one of the best ways to cultivate future Key Club members and increase membership in your club for future years. Members become more interested at a young age which can lead to future officers, committee chairpersons, and District and International officers. To charter a Builders Club at a local middle school, contact a lieutenant governor.
Together Newly chartered High Bridge Middle School Builders Club has already worked together with the North Hunterdon/Clinton Kiwanis and the Voorhees and North Hunterdon HS Key Clubs at various events. Builders Clubs are a prime way to get younger kids interested in community service. 12
k-family A message from Kiwanis Governor Joseph Teti Hello to all the Key Clubbers of the NJ District. The Kiwanis administrative year started with “gusto.” I attended Fall Rally at Six Flags and K Family East in Black Mountain, NC. Both were exhilarating experiences. You, young people, certainly have the market “cornered” on enthusiasm. The poet and author, Ralph Waldo Emerson, said, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm!” How right he was and IS. A few weeks ago, our friends and neighbors in NJ were hit by the most violent hurricane in the last 100 years. There is great loss of property, creature comforts and some loss of life. Help and aid of all kinds are needed. This is why you joined Key Club--TO HELP THOSE IN NEED. The needs are greatest in our shore communities. Whatever “hands on” help you can give, would be greatly appreciated. If you are apt to raise funds for disaster relief, the NJ District Foundation is prepared to receive those funds. Direct them to the NJ District Foundation, c/o Disaster Relief Fund, 120 Morris Avenue, Summit, New Jersey 07901. The funds will be disbursed through local Kiwanis Clubs in the communities where there are needs. It is times like these when we get a chance to make real differences in people’s lives. I am honored to be serving with you. Together Everyone Accomplishes More T
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A message from District Administrator Ed Hutchinson Happy New Year to ALL Key Clubbers and Advisors!!! As we reflect back on 2012 and look forward to 2013 we are reminded of the joys and challenges that last year brought, but we can also spring into the New Year with the anticipation of the joy, challenges and personal accomplishments we hope to see in 2013. I hope it is a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year for all of you. As Key Clubbers you can look forward to exciting times that will give you a chance to shine doing what you do best… service. First, you have Lieutenant Governor Elections. Your new division leaders for 2013-14 service year will be trained in March at the Mid-Winter Conference. Then, all of your clubs will elect their new officers for next year. Finally in April we will gather at Ocean Place in Long Branch NJ to convene the NJ Key Club District Convention where you can meet old and new friends, learn more about Key Club , compete in contests and elect the new Executive Officers that will lead you in the new 2013-14 service year. Your Key Club pride will shine brightly and you will receive the deserved recognition for all of your hard work. Now is the time to start planning and fundraising for convention. Show your enthusiasm for Key Club by running for an office in your club, division or district and by attending the District Convention. With almost 12,000 Key Clubbers in NJ, I know the attendance at this year’s convention will be the largest ever. Let’s rally our club members and reach the 900 mark this year. We look forward to seeing all of you there! 13
A message from Circle-K Governor Danielle Sammut This has certainly been an epic year for the New Jersey Kiwanis family for so many reasons. Here is a quick Circle K update from your college pals! The fall semester has been a wonderful beginning to the service year as NJ Circle K has chartered and welcomed two new clubs into our family: Centenary College and Ocean County Community College. We have also revitalized Rider University back into active status with some of the highest membership totals in the district! On October 14, members from around our district united together for our annual Club Rally event where members participated in team building competitions and got excited for all of the interclub bonding in the new service year! As members continued to serve in their communities and strengthen their clubs, Superstorm Sandy tragically affected our mighty state of New Jersey. Soon after the devastation, members from Circle K quickly initiated relief programs and service trips around the state. Sandy may have physically impeded us, but it did not damper our spirits! Due to the storm, our annual Insight leadership retreat was rescheduled to November 30-December 2nd where our members enjoyed a weekend in the woods at the Camp Mason YMCA in Blairstown, NJ. Attendees experienced a variety of team building activities in a low ropes course, an Amazing Race event and district board member sliming in honor of the “Old School Nick” theme! The event could not be complete without lots of service! Members spent a few hours helping the camp with a variety of projects around the camp and later on in the evening, there was a mural painting competition. All murals were donated to a children’s hospital in Philadelphia, PA. Who knew there were so many Picassos in CKI??? The next district event of our service year is our Winter Social Benefit Dance happening on Saturday, February 2nd at 6:30 p.m.! We invite members from our entire K-family to come to Centenary College to enjoy a night of dancing, food and small service projects! Tickets are $20 and will be available at the door. All proceeds are being donated to the Hurricane Sandy relief effort. If you would like to purchase a ticket, please feel free to reach out to me personally at dsammut.cki@gmail.com. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at any time! I look forward to hearing all of the great things New Jersey Key Club will accomplish this service year!
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international A message from International Trustee Colten Meisnter Greetings, New Jersey District! We’ve now finished 2012 (and survived!), and hopefully, you all are getting ready for the new year filled with opportunities for Key Club as well. With the end of the Key Club year on the horizon, February will bring the election of your club officers! It is imperative that you all do this prior to District Convention in Long Branch, NJ, so that each of the incoming officers can be properly trained into their newly touted roles. Speaking of DCON, it is equally important that you attend this fantastic education and leadership opportunity. There will be a slew of leadership workshops, exciting sessions, guest speakers, district executive elections, awards, and the opportunity to meet many, many new faces in New Jersey! On another note, have you thought of taking on a higher level of leadership in the New Jersey District of Key Club International? If so, now is the time to run for Lieutenant Governor! Composed of 23 divisions, the New Jersey district is led on an area-level by individuals known as Lieutenant Governors (or LTGs, for short). The LTGs are responsible for communication with local clubs, training of officers, leadership committee work within the state of New Jersey, and many more tasks throughout the year. Certainly, the job is not a breeze; however, it is very rewarding, should you have what it takes! Be sure to contact your local Lieutenant Governor very soon about this opportunity, and if you aren’t sure who that is, feel free to contact me directly for that information. Need a service project idea? There are many service opportunities in the spring months for everyone to take advantage of. First and foremost, our preferred charities are a great place to start if you cannot think of a project idea. If you’re hosting a service project and would like materials to distribute to your attendees regarding our preferred charities and sponsors, please contact the following: Hershey’s Track & Field Games: htfg@hersheys.com Nickelodeon: david.bruson@nick.com Children’s Miracle Network: rprescott@cmnhospitals.org March of Dimes: teamyouth@Marchofdimes.com The Eliminate Project: campaign@TheEliminateProject.com These contacts are excellent resources, but you can also see their individual websites for a multitude of project ideas. In the midst of all of these events and happenings, be sure to have a good time as well! Being an active, involved servant leader can be a lot of work, so be sure to balance it with some free time as well. If any of you ever have any questions regarding Key Club, you can always contact your local Lieutenant Governor… or even me, should you have any questions about the international level of our organization. I look forward to hearing about all of the wonderful things that are happening in New Jersey!
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Major Emphasis goals are set for the 2012-2013 service year by Zack Waldorf Lt. Gov. Div. 12
The International Programs Committee has come up with goals for each of our Preferred Charities. For UNICEF, a goal of $36,194.60 has been set. The 36 represents the number of countries that have National Committees dedicated to UNICEF and the 1946 represents the year UNICEF was founded. The International Programs Committee worked with the District Project Steering Committee to create publicity tools for Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF including an article for club newsletters as well as a flyer. For March of Dimes, there is an $8,100 fundraising goal. Both the 1 and the 8 come from the 1 in 8 babies that are born premature in the U.S. Last year’s goal was $3,000. The International Programs Committee is working on a March of Dimes walk map, which will allow key clubbers to find local walks to participate in. For Children’s Miracle Network, a volunteer-hour goal of 4,170 hours has been set. The 4 represents the $4 billion that has been raised for CMN and the 170 represents the amount of hospitals throughout the U.S. Last year’s goal was 15,600 hours, so this year’s goal is highly attainable. The International Programs is also working to create a map which displays local hospitals at where Key Clubbers can volunteer. Be on the lookout for the International Programs Cookbook, which will provide further publicity for the Preferred Charities.
Multiple clubs from New Jersey apply for Youth Opportunities Fund by Zak DeGiulio District Editor New Jersey clubs were busy early on in the service year applying for grants from the Youth Opportunities Fund, an endowment of Key Club International, funded by G.Harold Martin fellowships and a portion of dues money. The Youth Opportunities Fund provides money from $200$2,000 to clubs who want to plan service projects (not fundraisers), but do not necessarily have the means necessary to execute the projects. Because the Kiwanis and International service years operate on different schedules from the District service years, the due date for the YOF is October, making it difficult for clubs just starting school to apply. Last service year, no one from the New Jersey District applied for the grant. This year, however, multiple clubs applied. According to International Trustee, Colten Meisner, clubs from divisions 12 and 13 both applied for grants from the YOF, with the possibility of other clubs applying too. Decisions for the YOF will be released no later than January 15. The YOF is a simple application that can be found on keyclub.org under the “serve” tab. 14
club Social networking: the best Frequency of meetings impacts success and worst by Lucas Dos Santos District Webmaster Social networking can be a great way to get in touch with club members and officers, promote clubs, and show Key Club spirit! Not all social networking sites are created equally however. Here are a few tips on how to use social networking sites to your advantage.
the best Facebook is by far the most popular social networking website. In fact, many Key Clubs use Facebook to communicate with their members. Groups and pages are also very effective ways to communicate with a large audience. Remember to keep content professional (including photos, statuses, and posts).
Twitter allows for short, 140 character messages. Want to send out a quick message without e-mailing all your members? Tweet it!
Easily the most popular video-sharing website, YouTube attracts billions of viewers each day. Videos are a very fun way to attract potential members and show off a club’s accomplishments. Make videos to promote events and attract more attendees.
the worst Instagram is a popular photo-sharing application for smartphone users. Although it can be fun with its faux-vintage filters and square crops, Instagram is more suited for personal use than sending out important messages. It also leaves out those without access to a smartphone.
by Nikita Daga Lt. Gov. Div. 3B
No matter how many members a Key Club has, each club should hold meetings on a regular basis. However, each club holds its meetings on a different schedule that works for them. Alexis Arnell, President of Burlington Township High School’s Key club, said that her club meets once a month. This frequency works for her school because, “There are too many other club activities going on,” that prevent her club from holding successful meetings more often. Although Burlington only has one meeting a month, each meeting is still very successful with its attendance and its information conveyed. However, at Eastern High School, “Our club meets two times a month, with service projects all over the place. We’ve tried to come up with more service projects to maximize the number of hours our members can earn. Since the beginning of the year, we have experienced strong membership because we have plenty of opportunities for service hours,” said Ravi Chauhan, President of Eastern Key Club. Eastern’s Key Club meets more often because of the huge number of members, so each member has more opportunities to help the community. Each club should hold its meetings at a schedule that fits the school, depending on the club’s size and popularity, as well as the number of other clubs at the school. Be sure to constantly keep your members updated and create new ways to hold meetings!
Del Val thinks pink by Laura Delvers Delaware Valley Regional HS
Starting on October 18th, the Delval Key Club started its annual advertisement of Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Friday October 26th. Posters encompassed the hallways to promote students to buy “DVRHS Thinks Pink” t-shirts, which cost $10.00. Due to Hurricane Sandy the following week, the school was unable to take part in Breast Cancer Awareness Day, but it did push the event back two weeks to ensure that students were able to deal with home issue such as power outages first. During this two week period we advertised with poster and had members volunteer to sell the t-shirts during lunch periods. By the time Friday November 16th came around we were able to decorate a single hallway with all pink, and encouraged everyone to wear not only their shirts, but anything that supported Breast Cancer Awareness. Delaware Valley Club raised over $1000.00 for Breast Cancer research.
Remember Myspace? Although it has come a long way since then, Myspace is best left for band and artist pages. With its cluttered interface and quickly declining audience, Myspace is a very ineffective way of communicating with others. Social networking can be fun and a useful way to get in touch. Don’t forget to update your pages often and keep the content professional. This way there will always be plenty of friends, followers, and subscribers! 15
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Plan events without an advisor: how to do it by Melika Behrooz Lt. Gov. Div. 15
If an advisor is out of the picture, either uninvolved or unmotivated, it is still possible to plan service projects and attend district-wide events like Fall Rally and District Convention. With some initiative and effort on clubs can go anywhere and do anything. The first step to working without an adult is acting like an adult. When speaking to companies, it’s imperative to be professional. When addressing adults, it is important to sound and act trustworthily. Dress appropriately, be prompt, and make sure email addresses are professional (not something like kclubluvergal2345@gmail.com). Working without an advisor includes a great deal of responsibility. Don’t take on too much, and be realistic. Telling a venue that there will be 200 attendees may be too ambitious, and remember that at most places, an empty seat will need to be paid by someone. In some cases, a club will have to get to Key Club events without an adult. The orga-
nizer must take responsibility of keeping the group together and making sure everyone gets home safely. In some cases, a bus will have to be chartered. It is not as scary as it sounds. Contact local transportation companies, reserve your bus, and arrange to pay them once transportation money has been collected. In some cases a loan may have to be taken out. This is okay, so long as it is possible to be pay it back in a timely manner. Always be smart with decisions, and seek
the opinions of all the officers before making them. It all may seem impossible, but Division 15 won the spirit stick with 270 students, 5 rented buses, and no advisors. Not having an advisor makes it harder to run clubs, but it builds on leadership skills and makes every accomplishment more rewarding. Melika has planned multiple events without an advisor and has been extremely successful. Contact her at melikabltgdiv15@gmail.com with any questions.
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Division 15 wins the Spirit Stick at Fall Rally. All students who attended Fall Rally from division 15 did not have an advisor with them; the entire event was studentplanned. Photo courtesy Meaghan Joyce.
Montville’s Moanville Day excites local children by Vishu Kumar Montville Twp. HS Throughout my journey in Key Club, there have been countless fundraisers, events, and experiences that have made me realize how important Key Club is to me personally. With every experience, I learn something new about myself and others. At every event and fundraiser, I’m taken aback by how many people are able to come together and work towards the common goal of helping others. Most recently, on October 27th, 2012 at Lazar Middle School, an event called Moanville Day took place. Moanville Day is a day for children of all ages, their families, and students to get into the spirit of Halloween a little early. There were a variety of activities for children to take part in. Some of these activities included face painting, games, and tying bracelets. Refreshments and snacks could be found in the cafeteria along with arts & crafts. Additionally, children were able to go trick or treating throughout the hallway, where numerous tables were set up.If that isn’t enough action for you, we turned the gym into two haunted houses! For those who were brave enough to enter, there was a haunted house for older children and a less spooky house for younger children. These houses are divided into 4 rooms each that children were able to travel the jersey key
through under the supervision of our key club “tour guides.” However, the fun didn’t end there. A fortune teller was stationed by the gym as well, waiting to tell the future. We spent almost all of October planning, organizing, and working with Kiwanis members for this event. By putting officers in charge of different aspects of Moanville
Day and the haunted houses, it was easier to keep everything organized. When the day finally arrived, the officers and key club members were busy setting up the haunted houses and the trick or treating hallway. With the combined effort of our club, the day went smoothly and the kids had a great time!
Possessed Brittany Liebes, Marcelle Mathews and Nicole Rella brew up a potion in the
Witches room at Montville’s Moanville Day. The event was geared towards younger kids and included face painting, games, and food. 16
Are you Key Club’s next top member? by Marisa Wong Tenafly HS
There’s a difference between joining Key Club and participating in Key Club. It’s pretty simple to join Key Club, but it takes more work to be involved. Active Key Clubbers go above and beyond the scope of what is expected of them. They help run projects (or chair them) and attend district or international events. These involved members
Colonia cleanup a huge success by Christian Alvarado JFK Memorial HS Saturday, September 29th was a long day for most John F. Kennedy Memorial High School Key Clubbers as they were waking up early for the Colonia Cleanup! The Cleanup was held at the Charlie Shaughnessy Park on Inman Avenue. Key Club members from JFKMHS met behind the Getty gas station at the corner of Inman and Amherst Avenues at 9 a.m. and they were ready to clean and beautify the park with gloves, rakes and shovels which they brought from home. Even though there was a possibility of rain, Key Clubbers were prepared to help their community clean the park. Various other clubs from JFKMHS, such as Eco-Friendly Club, joined the JFKMHS Key Club in the Colonia Cleanup. The youth cleaners were undaunted in their efforts to clean the park and help their community. Many waded into the murky river and picked up trash, sorting it into regular garbage and recycled garbage. Other youth decided to clean the park and the surrounding areas. They raked the fallen leaves and picked up any trash which they might have found. They even helped to care for the landscaping in the park by planting new flowers and watering the gardens. JFKMHS is very proud of its Key Club members who were able to participate in the Colonia Cleanup. Regardless of rain or shine, members were all smiles and they were ready to help beautify the park and the river. We are grateful to all members who were able to help out by bringing rakes, gloves, shovels, garbage bags and other cleaning items. For the Key Clubbers who were not able to attend, please remember that the Colonia Cleanup happens each year. Next year will be the 24th annual Colonia Cleanup and we are looking forward to having the largest group present from the JFKMHS Key Club! 17
also tend to possess leadership skills, or gain them through experiences from events and projects. However, the most important quality of active Key Clubbers is their passion for service, since Key Club’s purpose is to care for and make changes in others people’s lives. Thus, sometimes dedicated members move onto leadership positions. Positions tend to be on club, district, or international levels, and Key Clubbers are required to attend conventions if they win places in office. When Key Clubbers attend district or international events, they learn more about what the organization is, get involved in more service, and meet new people that share the same interests – and they don’t have to be on the district or international level to enjoy these events! For instance, I am currently a club secretary and I’ve attended District Convention (DCON) for the past two years and International Convention (ICON) this past year. I discovered that I had just as much fun as my lieutenant governor had at ICON, even though
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the event is geared towards district officers. Tenafly High School Treasurer Hayley Austin went to ICON as well. She recalls the experience as “extremely fun” and that she now has “a stronger passion for Key Club and clearer view of what service really means.” And although DCON is a valuable experience for officers to attend, many general members go to this event too. It is both a time to spend with friends and explore the vision of Key Club. Being an active member of Key Club takes hard work and dedication, but more importantly, passion. Most involved Key Clubbers I know love helping others, and often they inspire others to do so as well. Pak Chau, Egg Harbor Township Editor, claims that he “became inspired after seeing what his friends take pride, in the service they were doing and how much fun they were having at the same time.” Involved members are always rewarded: they know that they are helping others in some way, making differences in lives, and bringing smiles to other people’s days.
Creating the best possible newsletters by Rocky Trifari Lt. Gov. Div. 20 With all of the resources available online, it is not difficult to make newsletters visually appealing communicate messages in an easy-to-read, straightforward manner. The NJ Key Club website offers a choice of three templates that are easily downloadable. The templates can be altered as necessary and serve as a wonderful platform springboard for creating newsletters. Plus, Key Club International offers a vast selection of various graphics, including variations of colors and patterns for the widely recognized pencil graphic! Graphic standards are the basic rules of design that help keep a sense of uniformity and recognition within Key Club. In addition to the information-packed graphic standards manual, the Public Relations Committee has put together a cheat sheet that explains all of the basic rules to make the information even easier for you to access. Here are some general guidelines of what to include in newsletters: • A Cover Page (Generally a large image is likely to catch someones eye.) • An Introduction Page (Summarize everything that is within the newsletter.) • Summarize Recent Events (Keep everyone in the loop!) • Promote Upcoming Events • List Important Dates and Reminders • Include a Plethora of Photos (This one is extremely important!) Remember to proofread and be timely with articles. And remember to make it fun! Pictures, colors, and a well organized format will make people more likely to take the time to read the publications. Ask club members for ideas, articles, and photos to help make the best newsletter possible.
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Bloomfield’s Halloween event raises money for Trick-orTreat for UNICEF by Nick Acuna Bloomfield HS What a better way to raise money for UNICEF than host a Halloween Event. On October 27th, Bloomfield High School Key Club held an event at our local high school allowing children from the elementary schools come and have a great time. Though none of this could have been possible without the commitment from our members, executive board, and advisors. By holding committee meetings in our cafeteria Key Clubbers from Bloomfield High School divided into groups pertaining which part of the event they wanted to participate. Whether it was the arts and crafts room, face painting, the media center, touch and feel room, game room, hallway decorations,
Taking tests by Mei Chen Lt. Gov. Div. 11
Proper test taking strategies are vital to improving grades on exams and academic success. Here are some tips to improve test-taking skills: 1. Get a good night sleep. Don't try to pull an “all nighter”. Get at least 8 hours of sleep before the test. 2. Eat before a test. Having food in your stomachis an energizer so long as it is not a heavy food that causes fatigue. 3. Go to the bathroom before walking into the exam room. Don’t waste time worrying about bodily needs during the test. 4. Bring at least two pens/pencils with good erasers, a calculator with enough batteries and any other resources such as snacks and water. 5. Carefully read the instructions, directions and questions. 6. Keep a positive attitude throughout the whole test and try to stay relaxed. Take a few deep breaths to relax. 7. Do the easiest problems first. Don't get stuck on a problem; skip it! 8. Write legibly. If the grader can't read what is wrote, he or she will most likely mark it wrong. 9. Don't worry if others finish early. Focus on the test. 10. Spend time looking over the test. Make sure all questions are answered. the jersey key
food and beverages, and finally the Scary Hallway all members were enthusiastic to partake. As all groups decided general members to become leaders showed us, Executive Board Members, how well and organized they could handle such a big job. It was a great opportunity to expose members to leadership roles. Little by little, groups came up with ideas and brought in the necessary supplies in order to make each room successful. After school on Friday everyone came together and started to set up for the big day the following day. Groups broke off and went straight to work. Arts and craft room printed out instructions to follow so the kids could create the fantastic projects. Face painting room arranged the room accordingly so they all had a desk and room to paint each child’s face the design they pleased. Touch and feel room brought in supplies so when the kids put their hands into boxes it would feel as if they were touching “pig intestines” when in reality it was just cold spaghetti. They decorated they room dark and gave it a feeling of a science laboratory. In the media center members had to arrange the tables and chairs and set up the pro-
jector so they kids could watch Halloween movies. Members of the game room set up their Halloween games for the kids to play with the Key Clubbers. The Scary Hallway decorated the hallway in dark and brought in cobwebs, banners warning children to “Enter at your own risk,” and prepared their costumes to dress up as zombies to scare and fearless kids that wished to enter. The day of the actual event surprised many. Fellow Kiwanians came out to support our Halloween Event. It was wonderful having support from other branches of the K-Family. We advertised Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF to all the parents and advocating how it is such an amazing cause. Children were running around the hallways enjoying making projects and having their faces’ painted. All donations we made from our event went to the Eliminate Project. At the end of the event it was a huge success. We taught these kids, many in K-Kids, the importance of helping the UNICEF organization. Bloomfield High School Key Club will continue the tradition hosting a Halloween Event because UNICEF is a sensational organization and we feel the youth of America should become more familiarized and help with.
Hackettstown club works with Broadway Cares by Brett Sanders Hackettstown HS
An aspect of Key Club I admire is the people you come to know, for they are so caring and go out of their way to help in any way they can. Joe, the Director of Education and Outreach for Broadway Cares, was no exception to that quality! He sent out a bunch of Broadway memorabilia and bracelets to Hackettstown High School free of charge, giving permission to use the items however the club sees fit. Because of the potential this service project had, our Key Club got other parts of the school involved. Not only were Key Clubbers going around selling the bracelets with ‘make a difference’ engraved on them, but members of the chorus and drama club were generously inspired, as well. Our Key Club taught other organizations that every dollar raised counts, for the world is now one more dollar closer to finding a cure for the HIV virus. The Hackettstown High School Key
Club also had a raffle with some of the Broadway merchandise, giving prizes out for donating a certain amount of money to the charity. Prizes included signed posters, soundtracks, snow globes, hats, and much more. Last service year ended with our advisor sending a nice check to BC/EFA, giving all who helped raise money a feeling that they truly did make a difference. Many Key Clubbers also came up to me, telling me that the service project finally gave them that feeling of happiness while helping others. With a service project so close to many students’ hearts, the Hackettstown High School is in the process of bringing back another BC/EFA project for the new service year. Key Clubbers are more dedicated than ever to turn the world in a positive direction. With experience from last year, the officers of Hackettstown High School are in a strong position to raise lots of money, perhaps making this the year where a cure for AIDS will be discovered. 18