THE EMPIRE
KEY
February/March 2018 Volume 9, Issue 5 “I pledge, on my honor, to uphold the Objects of Key Club International; to build my home, school and community; to serve my nation and God; and combat all forces which tend to undermine these institutions.” SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook: New York District Key Club Instagram: @nydkc Twitter: @NYKeyClub
Table of Contents Governor's Update (1)
International Trustee's Update (2)
Secretary and KCR's Updates (3)
Treasurer and Editor's Updates (4)
Service Spotlights (5)
Leadership Training Conference (6)
District Project (7)
Governor's Project (8)
Preferred Charities (9)
Kiwanis District Charities (10)
Directory (11-14)
A NOTE FROM THE GOVERNOR GAVIN LI Hello New York District Key Clubbers! And just like that-we are in the month of March. Looking back at the past 11 months of service, I hope you are all satisfied and proud of everything you and your clubs achieved. This year has been a recording-breaking one. We crushed both our service hour goal and our fundraising goal with all-time high numbers of 120,000 hours served and $150,000 raised… and the numbers only continue to increase!! The Mighty New York District also made monumental leaps in expansion. Within this year, we chartered 12 new clubs across the New York District, increasing our district’s number of clubs by 5%. Our membership growth did not disappoint, either. We are currently at 12,170 members and we are still getting a steady stream of members. But enough with the numbers. Let’s now focus on the BIGGEST event we have coming up in a few days: Leadership Training Conference. We have rounds of informative workshop sessions ranging from professional skills outside of Key Club and valuable Key-Club oriented training for club officer positions. In addition to the workshops, we have two professional Keynote Speakers, one of whom is our all-time favorite from the Thirst Project, Evan Wesley! Each night will be sparked with events like our PLAYFAIR icebreaker on Friday night and a Key Club Dance on Saturday night. Also, remember to bring some money to participate in some of our fundraisers, take advantage of our photo booth, purchase Key Club merch at our store, and many more! I look forward to seeing you all our 70th Annual Leadership Training Conference! Every dollar raised and every hour served makes a difference in someone’s life, and I can’t wait to celebrate our year’s efforts with you. New York District, you truly are amazing and it has been the pleasure of my life to serve each and every single one of you. See ya at LTC, beavers! Yours in Love and Service, Gavin Li Contact Information GAVINLI.GOV@GMAIL.COM (646)-436-3340
A NOTE FROM THE INTERNATIONAL TRUSTEE ALISA NGUYEN
Hello, New York Beavers! With less than a month left until LTC, I would like to extend one final thank you. Thank you for dedicating your time and energy to bettering the lives of those around you. I am continually impressed by what you and your clubs have accomplished this year, ranging from fundraising for in the governor's project, The Honeybee Conservancy, to doing hands-on service throughout New York. Know that what you have invested in others has left a lasting impact on your homes, schools, and communities. As this service year comes to a close, I encourage you to make the most out of what Key Club has to offer. There are still many opportunities to get involved through the HALO movement, our new travel partnership with Squads Abroad, and of course, International Convention in Chicago this July. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to maximize your Key Club experience. Again, thank you for embodying the true meaning of servant leadership. I look forward to celebrating service with you at LTC in the coming weeks, but until then, Happy Key Clubbing! Yours in service, Alisa Nguyen
Contact Information ALISANGUYEN.KCI@GMAIL.COM (520)-234-6663
A NOTE FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR MR. GOLDSTEIN
To the New York District Key Clubbers & Advisors: Welcome to the 70th Annual New York District Leadership Training Conference. We would like to thank the Desmond Hotel staff for all they have done to help make this conference a success. Their support of this conference is greatly appreciated. I want to congratulate Governor Gavin Li and his board for a great service year. I want to thank you Key Club advisors for your dedication and making a difference in this world. You are advising our future leaders. Your District Board and Conference Committee have worked very long and hard to make this event the best ever! They have tried to make this year's conference a little different and even more enjoyable. They considered your evaluations and, where possible, made changes. We have some new and exciting workshops for you to try. We again have the ever popular PLAY FAIR and a KEY NOTE SPEAKER. Governor Gavin and I are very excited to offer you this great conference and we would encourage each of you to take full advantage of all that is offered. I want to thank each of you for all the time and service that you give to your homes, schools, communities and the world. You truly epitomize the term “Servant Leaders.� It is a privilege to serve as your Administrator. Yours in Key Club Service John Goldstein District Administrator
A NOTE FROM THE SECRETARY NATALIE D'ONOFRIO
Hello NYDKC, As our service year comes to a close I want to congratulate you all on an amazing year. Our total service hours at this point of the year is 117,568 and I could not be more proud. The goal we set for this year was 120,000 so with a month left our goal will most definitely be attained. It is imperative that everyone continues to serve their home, school, and community then send in the monthly report form in order to be recognized for your service. Our goal is completely attainable, but we do not want to just reach our goal; we want to surpass it! Sincerely, Natalie D'Onofrio
A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR CLARA LEE
Hello! This is the last issue of The Empire Key, and with its release comes a mixture of feelings. I'm so excited to be producing yet another newsletter for your reading pleasure, yet it's bittersweet saying goodbye to a publication that has given me so much joy over the past year. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to The Empire Key in some way, whether it be through submitting a service spotlight or just offering kind words or advice on how I can better the newsletter. I hope you enjoy looking through this final issue, and I can't wait to see everyone at LTC! Anyone who is interested in applying for the position of district editor can reach out to me with any questions. I'm more than happy to help. Yours in Care and Service, Clara Lee <3
A NOTE FROM THE TREASURER MATTHEW PORTNOY
Hi NYDKC, Congrats on another amazing service year! You should all be proud of the work you have put into holding all of your events and fundraisers. From raising $1 to $20,000, everything you raised counts! I'm happy to announce that we have reached our fundraising goal! We have currently raised $153,756.57 out of our $150,000 goal. This is amazing! Additionally, as of now, we have exactly 12,170 paid members! The New York District is one of the largest out of the 33 and we have continued to grow over the last few weeks, but we aren’t finished yet! So far, only 215 clubs out of 241 have paid dues, so please continue collecting dues payment and then submit them as soon as possible if your club hasn’t done so yet. Lastly, I’ve had an amazing experience serving as your district treasurer. I wish you all good luck throughout the next service year. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns you may reach out to me at matthewportnoy.treas@nydkc.org Yours in service, Matthew Portnoy
service spotlights
One of my clubs, Proctor High School, hosted a fundraising event at Applebee's for the first time! Like many upstate Key Clubs, they were rather small, but it was clear they were accomplishing great things. During the two-hour event, members were hard at work serving tables, cleaning up, doing all the things good waiters and waitresses too. But with this hard work there was a sense of joy and accomplishment. There was one young boy who ran around the aisles playing cops and robbers and dragons and knights and whatever else his imagination could come up with. Instead of ignoring him, the members of Proctor Key Club would high-five him as he passed by, or feign chasing after him, all with a smile on their faces. This is what Key Club should be: spreading a dash of joy with every ounce of service we offer. Alice Cho, Division 19
I thoroughly enjoy being a member of Key Club, especially since I get to participate in activities such as Big Buddy. Through Big Buddy I am able to spend time with elementary schoolers, play games, and have meaningful conversations that I feel benefit both myself and the kids. After each Big Buddy I am already looking forward to their next visit. It is so important that kids these days have people to look up to, and I feel privileged that I am able to set a good example for them. I also enjoy seeing how much fun everyone has during Big Buddy. Knowing that we can brighten their day inspires the club as a whole to be the best role models we can be.
Ethan Ecret, Division 14
LEADERSHIP TRAINING CONFERENCE 2018 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LTC!
When: March 23-25, 2018 Theme: Birthday Where: The Desmond Hotel (Albany, NY) Why? Meet new people, attend informative workshops, and elect your new executive district board
70 YEARS OF SERVICE SAVE THE DATE!
WHAT? "Sunrise Day Camps are the world’s only dedicated day camps for children with cancer and their siblings, provided completely free of charge."
WHY? "Providing memorable summers since 2006 for children ages 3 1/2–16, Sunrise Day Camps bring the simple pleasures of childhood back to children struggling with cancer, changing months of loneliness and isolation into summers filled with sunshine, laughter and happiness. And because Sunrise is a day camp, it does all this while allowing the children to continue their medical treatment and enjoy the comfort and safety of their own homes at night."
HOW? "There are currently seven Day Camps — three in New York (Long Island, Pearl River & Staten Island), three in Israel (Beit Yehoshuah, Be’er Sheva & Ramat Yochanan) and Horizon Day Camp in Baltimore, Maryland. Sunrise Association Day Camps are affiliated with 30 renowned hospitals and medical centers."
DISTRICT PROJECT: SUNRISE DAY CAMP LONG ISLAND VISIT
HTTP://SU NRISEDAYCAMP-
LONG ISLAND. ORG /
F OR
MORE
INF ORMATION
"SPONSOR A HIVE 1. To bolster bee populations 2. Because bee houses can advance education 3. To support local food initiatives 4. To inspire communities to act as stewards for bees and their natural environment 5. To improve quality of life
BEES MATTER! They play a crucial role in our ecosystem. A third of the fruits and vegetables we eat depend on bees for pollination. Honeybees in particular play a vital role as pollinators, which is why their sudden-die off (Colony Collapse Disorder) in recent years is such a critical environmental issue. While we don’t yet know what is causing Colony Collapse Disorder, we do know that forces like habitat destruction, invasive species, overuse of pesticides, global warming and other environmental stresses create risks to honeybees."
GOVERNOR'S PROJECT
HONEY BEE CONSERVANCY "THE HONEYBEE CONSERVANCY IS A NON-PROFIT ESTABLISHED IN 2009 IN RESPONSE TO THE BEE CRISIS. WE ENGAGE IN EDUCATION, OUTREACH, SUPPORT RESEARCH AND BUILD BEE HABITATS. WE ARE A PROJECT OF SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENTREPRENEURS."
VISIT HTTP://THEHONEYBEECONSERVANCY.ORG/ FOR MORE INFORMATION
PREFERRED CHARITY
unicef "UNICEF, the only organization of the United Nations dedicated exclusively to children,works with other United Nations bodies, governments and non-governmental organizations to assist in children’s needs through community-based services in primary health care, basic education, and safe water and sanitation in more than 150 developing countries. Since 1994, Key Club has been Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF and over the years has raised nearly US$5 million for iodine deficiency programs worldwide and HIV and AIDS programs in Kenya and Swaziland. Now, the Kiwanis family, in partnership with UNICEF, is working to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus through The Eliminate Project. How? By raising US$110 million by 2015."
For more information, visit https://www.unicefusa.org/trick-or-treat
PREFERRED CHARITY
march of dimes "The March of Dimes has led the way to discover the genetic causes of birth defects, to promote newborn screening, and to educate medical professionals and the public about best practices for healthy pregnancy. We have supported research for surfactant therapy to treat respiratory distress and helped initiate the system of regional neonatal intensive care for premature and sick babies. Our recent Folic Acid Campaign achieved a dramatic reduction in the incidence of neural tube defects, birth defects of the brain and spine. Since 2003, our fight to save babies has been strongly characterized by our Prematurity Campaign. The rising incidence of premature birth has demanded action, and the March of Dimes has responded by initiating an intensive, multi-year campaign to raise awareness and find the causes of prematurity." For more information, visit http://www.marchofdimes.org/mission/history.aspx
PREFERRED CHARITY
children's miracle network hospitals "More than 10 million kids enter a children’s hospital like Cohen Children's Medical Center of New York across North America every year. To provide the best care for kids, children’s hospitals rely on donations and community support, as Medicaid and insurance programs do not fully cover the cost of care. Since 1983, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has helped fill those funding gaps by raising more than $5 billion, most of it $1 at a time through Miracle Balloon icon campaigns. Its various fundraising partners and programs support the nonprofit’s mission to save and improve the lives of as many children as possible. 62 children enter a Children's Miracle Network Hospital for treatment every minute. Whether they suffer from common childhood afflictions like asthma and broken bones, or fight bigger challenges like birth defects or cancer, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals provide comfort, treatment and hope to millions of sick kids. In fact, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals treat one in ten children in North America each year."
For more information, visit https://ccmc.childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/
KIWANIS DISTRICT CHARITIES KIWANIS PEDIATRIC TRAUMA CENTER
"THE KIWANIS PEDIATRIC TRAUMA CENTER SUPPORTS PEDIATRIC TRAUMA EFFORTS AT THE COHEN CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER AS WELL AS PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE AREA TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF CHILDREN AND TO IMPROVE THE ABILITY OF LOCAL EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES RESPONSE TEAMS. IN 1991, NORTH SHORE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AND THE NEW YORK DISTRICT OF KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL ESTABLISHED THE KIWANIS PEDIATRIC TRAUMA CENTER. KIWANIS' COMMITMENT TO CHILDREN AND COMMUNITY COUPLED WITH NORTH SHORE'S MEDICAL EXCELLENCE, OUTREACH AND EDUCATION, HAVE CREATED A LIFE-SAVING PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN THROUGHOUT THE REGION." FOR MORE INFORMATION: HTTP://KIWANISPEDIATRICTRAUMACENTER.ORG/
KAMP KIWANIS
"KAMP KIWANIS IS AIMED AT PROVIDING FUN, PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND ADVENTURE. IT STRIVES TO AFFORD OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN A CREATIVE OUTDOOR GROUP EXPERIENCE IN A DEMOCRATIC SETTING AND DEVELOP CHARACTERISTICS OF LEADERSHIP AND FAIR PLAY. THE PROGRAM AT KAMP KIWANIS IS DESIGNED TO MAINSTREAM ALL CHILDREN, INCLUDING UP TO 20 EACH SESSION WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. RULES FOR ACCEPTANCE AND PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM ARE THE SAME FOR EVERYONE WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, SEX, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN. KAMP KIWANIS IS OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE NEW YORK DISTRICT FOUNDATION. SINCE ALL NEW YORK DISTRICT KIWANIANS IN GOOD STANDING ARE FOUNDATION MEMBERS, THE CAMP IS ESSENTIALLY OWNED BY ALL KIWANIANS IN THE NY DISTRICT." FOR MORE INFORMATION: HTTP://WWW.KAMPKIWANIS.ORG/
KIWANIS PEDIATRIC LYME DISEASE
"THE LYME DISEASE PROJECT AIMS TO HELP PAY FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN WITH LYME DISEASE, WHICH IS CAUSED BY BACTERIA TRANSMITTED BY THE DEER TICK AND MAY NEGATIVELY AFFECT THE BRAIN . OTHER COMMON SYMPTOMS INCLUDE MIGRAINES, MOOD SWINGS, IRRITABILITY, DEPRESSION AND MARKED FATIGUE.. OUR SUPPORT IS FUNDED THROUGH DONATIONS FROM KIWANIS CLUBS AND INDIVIDUALS AND CHANNELED INTO THE PEDIATRIC LYME DISEASE FUND." FOR MORE INFORMATION: HTTP://WWW.KIWANIS-NY.ORG/LYME/
District Governor Gavin Li gavinli.gov@nydkc.org
District Secretary District Treasurer Natalie D'Onofrio Matthew Portnoy nataliedonofrio.sec@nydkc.org matthewportnoy.treas@nydkc.org
District Webmaster Dante Gil-Marin dantegilmarin.web@nydkc.org
District EA Josephine Leung josephineleung.ea@nydkc.org
District EA Sherry Yu sherryyu.ea@nydkc.org
District Editor Clara Lee claralee2018@gmail.com
LTG Division 1 Eva Reese evareese.ltg@nydkc.org
LTG Division 2 Chelsea Shuren chelseashuren.ltg@nydkc.org
DIRECTORY
LTG Division 3 Morgan Persky morganpersky.ltg@nydkc.org
LTG Division 4N Lauren Farkas laurenfarkas.ltg@nydkc.org
LTG Division 4S Salaar Khan salaarkhan.ltg@nydkc.org
LTG Division 5 LTG Division 6 Caroline Casella Shivani Patel carolinecasella.ltg@nydkc.org shivanipatel.ltg@nydkc.org
LTG Division 8 Annie Liu annieliu.ltg@nydkc.org
LTG Division 8A Shu Gao shugao.ltg@nydkc.org
DIRECTORY
LTG Division 9 Patricia Ahmed patriciaahmed.ltg@nydkc.org
LTG Division 10 Ramota Olatunji ramotaolatunji.ltg@nydkc.org
LTG Division 11 Eric Zhao ericzhao.ltg@nydkc.org
LTG Division 12 Zahra Watson zahrawatson.ltg@nydkc.org
LTG Division 13 Trisha Melton trishamelton.ltg@nydkc.org
LTG Division 14 Erica Swirsky ericaswirsky.ltg@nydkc.org
LTG Division 15 Marlies Amberger marliesamberger.ltg@nydkc.org
LTG Division 16 LTG Division 17 Samira Ahmed Arianna Lanzi samiraahmed.ltg@nydkc.org ariannalanzi.ltg@nydkc.org
DIRECTORY
LTG Division 18 Nicole Presti nicolepresti.ltg@nydkc.org
LTG Division 19 Alice Cho alicecho.ltg@nydkc.org
LTG Division 21 LTG Division 20 Rachael Rosenstein Macy Missigman rachaelrosenstein.ltg@nydkc.org macymissigman.ltg@nydkc.org
LTG Division 22 Olivia Lovejoy olivialovejoy.ltg@nydkc.org
LTG Division 23 LTG Division 24 Catherine Callahan Braeden Dorchester catherinecallahan.ltg@nydkc.org braedendorchester.ltg@nydkc.org
LTG Division 25 Devin Murphy devinmurphy.ltg@nydkc.org Assistant Administrator Jason Steiner IanJS@aol.com
LTG Division 26 Alexis Murawski alexismurawski.ltg@nydkc.org
International Trustee Alisa Nguyen alisanguyen.kci@gmail.com
District Administrator Mr. Goldstein nydkca@frontier.com
Assistant Administrator Michael Berthel mjberthel@gmail.com
DIRECTORY
leadership - character building - caring - inclusiveness