IN THIS ISSUE Message from Editor Service Spotlight Rescue Leftover Cuisine Salvation Army Room to Grow December Divisional Board Member Profile Member of the Month Awards/Upcoming Deadlines Riddles/Word Search Upcoming Projects Contacts
Bulletin Editor Sophia Zhang Hey Hunter Key Club! I hope you had a great winter break and 2015 year! 2016 is going to be filled with wonderful volunteering events and LTC! Be sure to sign up if you are thinking of going this year! Also, awards and important deadlines will be coming up soon so watch out! Some of you guys may have already received emails about nominations and applications so keep checking for more information. Have a great January and I hope to see you guys soon! Yours in Service,
Sophia Zhang
S e c i v r Se e in is u C r e v o t f e L Rescue Salvation Army Room to Grow l a n io is iv D r e b m Dece
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Rescue Leftover Cuisine By: Emily Guo and Whitney Yu//Key Club Members On 12-19-15, Key Club traveled to the Financial District to join the Rescuing Leftover Cuisine (RLC) club at Hunter in rescuing leftover food from various restaurants, taking turns carrying 3 bags of food on a 20 minute walk to The Bowery Mission, an organization located in Chinatown that has served numerous homeless and hungry New Yorkers since 1879. A second trip was also made to Little Italy and a total of 106 pounds of food were rescued. On their way back, Key Clubbers were able to see the impact they were making as a line of people waiting for dinner formed outside the doors of the shelter. As of October 2015, there were 59,568 homeless people in New York City. RLC rescues food that would otherwise be thrown out by restaurants and uses a network of volunteers to carry the food to local food banks, shelters, or nonprofit organizations that feed the poor. RLC first partners with businesses near homeless shelters. Volunteers then pickup these bags of food from RLC’s partner locations and walk to nearby homeless shelters or food banks and drop off the bags. The bags are weighed to show business owners the amount of food that they throw away each day! Anyone can help! To help, sign up to join a volunteer event with RLC at their website: http:// www.rescuingleftovercuisine.org/
Salvation Army By: Christopher Chiang//Secretary On Saturday December 12th, our Key Club members helped out at a Salvation Army bell ringing event! Our club was invited by our sponsoring Kiwanis club (the NYC Young Professionals) and we volunteered alongside Nicole Kennedy, the current NYC Young Professionals President. Our group was stationed in the heart of Times Square, and holiday tunes played from the neighboring Disney Store. As we rang our bells next to the Salvation Army donation bucket, many people gave us loose change and often wished us a happy holiday season. One small girl asked if she could ring the bell, and after I complied, her father thanked us with a donation. Soon, our shift was over, and Nicole Kennedy sent us a thank you e-mail and informed us that our combined efforts raised $276.21! It was a great experience volunteering with our Kiwanis club, and with Key clubbers from other schools!
Room to Grow By: Kerry Wong//Key Club Member Room to Grow is a nonprofit organization that helps babies born into low income families by providing items such as clothing, books, baby strollers, and toys. Every three months, from before the child is born until they reach three years old, the parents meet with a social worker and receive the essential items to help with the development of their child. In the Room to Grow location in New York, the room is often filled with generous donations from families in the community as well as corporate companies such as Johnson & Johnson. Neatly organized shelves and racks are filled with clothing, toiletries, and toys, and the large storage area in the back holds other seasonal donations and extra items. Our first volunteering experience at Room to Grow was on December 5, and we now have a group that helps out every available Friday. We mainly help sort out different donations and arrange them in displays or organize them in storage. The first time I went, we mainly sorted out clothing for different age groups and seasons. The second time I went, I helped sort out toys and different toiletries. While the job may seem tedious or boring, it’s actually a really fun way to bond with other members of the club and get work done at the same time!
December Divisional By: Sophia Zhang//Bulletin Editor On December 17th, the December divisional was at Bronx High School of Science. This divisional was special because it had the stuffed animal fundraiser. Key Clubbers prepaid for stuffed animals that cost $8. The first stuffed animal was donated to a local hospital and the other stuffed animals bought could be kept. The LTC, Emily Li, called to order and did roll call. Each club went around and updated the other clubs on what happened during the month of November. Emily then discussed Leadership Training Conference updates, such as the cost, registration, transportation, conference staff, and sponsoring Kiwanis Club. She also talked about applying for awards now, and to email her for a recommendation. Club elections have to be held during February, before LTC. Divisional elections will be held at the January divisional to elect the next LTG. To run at the district elections, students need a letter of intent and form, which is due on February 1st. Upcoming divisional elects included RLC on the 19th. District updates include district-wide pen-pals and the Giving Circle T-shirt Fundraiser for the Governor’s project. Presidents from each club were needed for the Council Meeting at the end. The next January Divisional may be located at Hunter College High School, so get hyped!
Bulletin Editor Sophia Zhang By: Clara Lee//Key Club Member
you? Have there ever been moments when the workload seemed overwhelmKey Club is a machine that runs on many ing? components. The president controls it,-A: I decided to become bulletin editor dictates its actions and guides it in the because I liked to create graphics and right direction-- the fundraising head manages the finances necessary to both display them online. I'm sort of a perfecsustain and advance it, and Bulletin Edi- tionist so I like to manage aesthetics. This tor, Sophia Zhang, updates others on its position has shown me the dedication of all my fellow key clubbers and how progress. much people love to help the communiBecause of Sophia’s dedication, ty. At points, when people don't give me Key Club members are granted supplethe articles, or when there is a lot of mentary information about the occurschool work to be done, creating the rences in the club. Reading about past newsletter can be overwhelming. Otherevents and the attendees’ experiences wise, the position is very chill! inspires other members to sign up for similar, or the same, occasions. It’s clear to Q: Why did you join? see the amount of effort that goes into A: I initially joined Key Club to sell chocothe creation of the newsletter. Photos late but then when I realized all the volare carefully selected and then comunteering opportunities, I became more bined to maximize the appearance of interested and started to invest in the the page while maintaining relevance, club. By joining the club, I believed that I and the inclusion of interactive activities, could gain more volunteering hours and such as riddles, enhances the overall ex- leadership skills. perience of a reader. I inquired about her role as Bulletin Editor in order to more fully comprehend the position and her take on it.
Q: What has being a part of Key Club taught you? Any particular experiences (projects, events) that stand out? What was your favorite event and why?
Q: Why did you decide to become Bulle- A: Being a part of Key Club has taught tin Editor? What has this position taught me how much of an impact volunteer-
ing can have on the community. Whether it is volunteering at walks or handing out food to the homeless, any little thing can help anyone. When I was volunteering for the NAMI (National Alliance Mental Illness) walk, I worked at the bib tent, pinning bibs on walkers. When they came to receive a bib, they would write the name of the person they were walking for. Until that moment, I never realized how many people knew someone who was mentally ill, and seeing all these families come to support them, I felt moved. As cheesy as it sounds, this event broadened my perspective on the amount of people who are in these situations.
Q: How are you planning on easing younger members into the club and making it a non-exclusive environment? A: I plan on trying to have more people stay in Key Club. Many people may come to the first meeting but only a few will stay for the entire year. I want to have more icebreakers where lower termers interact with upper termers. I also want board members to interact individually with lower termers so they don't feel overwhelmed. I also believe in frequent emailing because many lower termers don't have Facebook. If they received many emails about events and opportunities, I feel like they would feel more inclined to talk to us in real life.
Q: How have you changed, as a person Q: Lastly, what do you like most about and as a leader, throughout your time at being a Key Clubber? Key Club? A: I love the environment! Key Club has a A: At first, I was never a good public really welcoming environment. People speaker, because I was shy and afraid of don't judge each other and nothing is rejudgment. However, being in key club ally competitive. We work together to really changed me. When I was at LTC, create a better community. seeing people Hunter and other schools Sophia isn’t only an excellent Bullewalk up to the stage and speak to 600+ tin Editor; she’s also a dedicated Key people was inspiring. The ability to speak Clubber with an agenda for positive eloquently in front of so many people is a change and the will to implement these skill. Especially since everyone in Key changes. What she’s learned from being Club is so nice and welcoming, I bea part of Key Club teaches members the came more accustomed because Key importance of being open-minded and Club is like a family. If you are passionate the possibility of emotional, mental, and about what you are talking about, the physical gain through attending events speaking comes naturally. Additionally, and simply helping others in need. Hunter really preps you (tenth grade personal speeches).
Member of the Month Kalley Huang By: Emily Guo//Key Club Member With the most points of any nonBoard position holding member, Sophomore Kalley Huang was named member of the month in December, a “honor” that she is very “appreciative and thankful” to have bestowed upon her, she disclosed in a Q & A. Kalley joined Key Club be-
cause she wanted to participate in more clubs in Hunter, but soon fell in love with how it allowed her to be “part of the community both in and beyond school” and make new friends with students of various grades. Of all the events she has participated so far, her favorite has been the weekly service project Room to Grow, an organization that helps babies born into poverty, because she knows that volunteering there “really helps the babies and their families in a beneficial way.” When she isn’t volunteering, Kalley enjoys reading in her spare time and hopes to become a prosecutor when she grows up, which she sees as a way to “give back to the community by making it a safer and better place to live.” After high school, Kalley plans to continue taking part in Kiwanis and Key Club, as it enables her to make an impact locally and “make friends
with a lot of different people”. Q: Why did you want to join Key Club? A: I joined Key Club because I wanted to participate in more clubs in Hunter - little did I know that Key Club would become such a great part of my life. Q: What do you like most about Key Club? A: I love how Key Club provides opportunities that allow me to be a part of my community both in and beyond school. Thanks to Key Club, I have made many new friends older and younger than me and been able to give back to my community in ways that I normally would not. Q: What has been your favorite event? (Room to Grow, divisional, etc) Why? A: I honestly have enjoyed all of the Key Club events so far, but my favorite has been the long term service project with Room to Grow, which helps babies born into poverty. It has been my favorite because I know that the organization and my volunteering are really helping the babies and their families in a beneficial way. Q: How does being Member of the Month make you feel? Did you expect it? A: I did not expect to be the Member of the Month, but I am so appreciative and thankful to have re-
ceived the honor. Q: What do you want to be when you grow up/Why? A: I want to be a prosecutor when I grow up because it is another way to help people and give back to my community by making it safer and a better place to live. Q: What are your hobbies?/What do you like to do in your free time (if you have any)?/Why? A: I really enjoy reading because it makes me think. Unfortunately, being a Hunter student, I don’t have a lot of time to do so. Q: What’s your favorite food? A: literally everything Q: What’s your favorite thing about winter? A: all of it and none of it Q: Do you plan to continue taking part in Key Club/Kiwanis in or out of college? (like the people from Key to your Future) A: Yes, I plan to continue taking part in Key Club/Kiwanis after high school. I really enjoy giving back to my community, and Key Club/ Kiwanis additionally allow me to meet and make friends with a lot of different people.
Awards Every year at the Leadership Training Conference, awards are presented to key club members and clubs that performed outstanding work. In order to be eligible/receive/apply for these awards, members/clubs have to apply for them. Award for all members:
Distinguished Key Club Member: this is NON-COMPETITIVE. Usually most key club members receive this award so I encourage everyone to apply! Due Feb 15. http://dkc-app.nydkc.org/
Award for specific GRADES:
Outstanding Freshman/Sophomore/Junior/Senior Key Club Member: this is COMPETITIVE. Each club nominates ONE person from a specific grade to apply for this. Nominations will be emailed in January. Due Feb 15
Award for Clubs:
Traditional Scrapbook Contest: The club will be creating a scrapbook in the coming weeks, stay tuned! Due at LTC Non-digital Poster Contest: The club will be doing this too! Due at LTC Video Contest: Hunter has never done this before so if someone wants to volunteer to help make it, please email us! Due Feb 15 T-shirt Design Contest: One entry can be made from each club. We will start accepting designs in Jan. Due Feb 15 Talent Contest: Singing, dancing, juggling, anything! Judging occurs at LTC Oratorical Contest: 5-min speech based on: How would Key Club membership growth help us further our vision of being caring and competent servant leaders who transform communities worldwide?
An awards booklet will be emailed to everyone with more specific details
Upcoming Deadlines
Articles for February issue of Hunter’s Key due 1/30/16 Distinguished Key Clubber Early Application due 2/1/16 Distinguished Key Clubber Application due 2/15/16 Leadership Training Conference Awards due 2/15/16
***February is when club elections start! **Emails will be sent as the deadlines come closer *For those who submit articles about specific to Hunter’s Key, please consider submitting the articles to the Division 11 newsletter! This will add a plus to your distinguished key clubber application. The newsletters are created by Angela Li, so talk to her and message her the articles.
Riddles 1. What do you get when you cross a snowman with a vampire? Frostbite. 2. Where can you find an ocean with no water? A map. 3. Who says, “Oh, Oh, Oh”? Santa Clause walking backward. 4. What did Santa Clause say to Mrs. Claus on a stormy Christmas Eve? “Come see the rain, dear.”
Word Search A B W S F W E X E J H B D W W
CARING
T D A J T X I C O U Y U L I I
CHRISTMAS
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ICICLES ICY KEYCLUB KEYS KIWANIS MEMBERS PROJECTS SERVICE
M S Y U V H W F C N W B X N H
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Contacts President: Jacqueline Weng (jackiew98@gmail.com) Vice President: Crystal Liu (crystal2345@gmail.com) Secretary: Christopher Chiang (mycena1@gmail.com) Treasurer: Andy Lok (wrestlngfanatic@gmail.com) Editor: Sophia Zhang (sophiazhangx3@gmail.com) Webmaster: Jespar Chen (chnjspo.kk4899@gmail.com) Projects head: Tammy Cheng (trunycgrl123@gmail.com) Fundraising head: Andy Chen (nameandy84@gmail.com) Publicity/Scrapbook Co-heads: Sophia Zhang (sophiazhangx3@gmail.com) Pauline Esguerra (pauline11258@gmail.com) *Email if you have any questions! Thanks for reading!