T-O Today Volume 29, Issue 2

Circle K

T - O Today

Texas – Oklahoma District

Circle K Pledge

October Edition Volume 29, Issue 2 T – O Today

I pledge to uphold the Objects of Circle K International, to foster compassion and goodwill toward others through service and leadership, to develop my abilities and the abilities of all people, and to dedicate myself to the realization of mankind’s potential.

F.T.C’s District Theme District Convention A Word from Governor Will Governors Project Spring Rallies Circle K Mission T-O Grows Club of the Month Article Submissions CKI Fun Facts

Circle K District Board members continue working together to provide the T-O District with events and promote service, inclusiveness, and leadership

October 2007 · Volume 29, Issue 2 · T – O Today

Fall Training Conference

The first Fall Training Conference was held for the Oklahoma division on September 8th at Oklahoma City University. Six out of the seven chapters attended with over twenty Circle K members total. The next two Fall Training Conferences were held on September 22nd. The Hill Country Fall Training Conference had all chapters in attendance with approximately fifteen members. The conference was hosted by the University of Texas at Austin. On that same day, the Southeast/ Gulf Coast Fall Training Conference was hosted by Sam Houston State University with twenty five members attending. On October 6th, Austin College hosted the Red River/ Metro Division Fall Training Conference. During the conference CKI members learned more about the organization, its goals, and purpose. After the meeting was adjourned, Austin College students and CKI members participated in a service project in which they helped clean and organize a shelter for young teenagers. The last Fall Training Conferences is the South Texas division which was hosted by University of Texas- Pan American October 20th, 2007. Fall Training Conferences are a time for chapters to come together as a division, share ideas and concerns with each other to help build up the division, and serves as a time to bond with one another and form friendships with people at other schools. Thank you to everyone who attended their Divisional Fall Training Conference and let’s have five wonderful divisions this year!!

Heather Brittle, Red River/ Metro Division Lt. Governor 2007 – 2008 Texas – Oklahoma District

District Theme: RSVP! This year’s district theme is RSVP: Radiating Service through Volunteering and Parties.

As active college students, members of CKI strive to serve their communities while building leadership and character. Through group service projects CKI members are able to commit to serving others and become responsible citizens and leaders, all while making life-long friends and relationships.

October 2007 · Volume 29, Issue 2 · T – O Today

District Convention The Texas-Oklahoma District is proud to have this year’s District Convention in San Antonio, Texas, home to the Alamo and famous River Walk. We are really looking forward to this year’s convention which will be held March 7-9, 2008. The T – O District will be meeting to elect the new district board executive officers for 20082009 and to recognize the achievements from different chapters all over the TexasOklahoma District. The weekend will consist of very useful and interesting forums and keynote speaker Dave Kelly. The whole event will be taking place at the Omni Hotel. The theme is Fiesta! So get ready to have an exciting convention and Fiesta!

We look forward to seeing everyone at DCON in San Antonio to celebrate another successful year of CKI! Kris Robles, Hill Country Lt. Governor 2007 – 2008 Texas – Oklahoma District

A Word from Key Club Governor Will This years Texas – Oklahoma District Governor for Key Club is Will Walker. As a high school senior, Will has taken the leadership role to set goals for the district and make sure Key Club has another successful year.

“Something I want to do this year is be able to expand knowledge about this organization to all Key Club members and encourage them to participate in service projects. More specifically, I would like to have members take part on this year’s Governors Project “Make a Wish”, said Walker.

Key Club will be hosting their annual convention in Dallas, TX April 4th – 6th.

“I’m excited about this year’s theme which is Arabian Night. We are hopping to have good attendance this year since our goal is to reach 16,000 members in our district”, said Walker.

Without a doubt, Key Club will continue to serve their home, school, and community as stated in the Key Club pledge. Good luck guys and keep on serving!

Jonathan Herrera, District Editor 2007 – 2008 Texas – Oklahoma District Will Walker, District Governor 07 – 08 Texas – Oklahoma District

October 2007 · Volume 29, Issue 2 · T – O Today

Governors Project I am pleased to announce the 2007-2008 District Governor’s project is working with Special Olympics! As a Special Education major, this is something near and dear to my heart. These athletes work hard to participate in sporting events, but in order to have the events be successful, the organization is always in need of volunteers!

The mission of Special Olympics is “To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic type sports for persons with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.” The vision of Special Olympics is “We approach each endeavor with a single intent-to improve the quality of life for our athletes. The challenges of the future are embraced with enthusiasm and commitment, ensuring that the changing face and needs of our athletes are met.” As volunteers it is our job to help reach the mission and achieve the vision. They depend on us to accomplish their goals.

Here are a few facts about Special Olympics: • Special Olympics is for persons with intellectual and other closely related developmental disabilities • In Texas, 23, 885 athletes starting at age 8 compete in over 200 competitions in 20 sports • Special Olympics Texas is divided into 4 regions with 19 area offices, the headquarters being in Austin • Special Olympics is a privately funded, non-profit organization • Volunteers are the backbone with over 43,800 in Texas alone!

There are many events in which to volunteer. But let’s answer a key question, how can you volunteer and get involved in Special Olympics? As volunteers you can help by volunteering at any of the numerous events and fundraisers, host your own fundraiser, help out with secretary duties in any of the regional offices, and so much more. In order to find out when the events are going to be, and where they are going to be held for chapters in Texas please visit: www.sotx.org and find an opportunity near your location, then contact the person in charge to let them know you will be attending. For chapters in Oklahoma, please visit: www.sook.org to find an opportunity in your area and to find out who you need to contact about attending.

I look forward to hearing stories of everyone’s volunteer experiences. This is a great organization and the athletes will be so happy to see you helping out at their event! If you have any questions about Special Olympics, feel free to contact me!

In Service, Melissa Askew Texas-Oklahoma District Governor

October 2007 · Volume 29, Issue 2 · T – O Today

Spring Rallies Every year, each division within the Texas – Oklahoma District hosts their annual Spring Rallies. The purpose of this event is to come together one last time as a division and share experiences throughout the year. This meeting is set to be a fun one as we come together for unity, inclusiveness, and leadership building.

Another important aspect of this meeting is to elect next years Lt. Governor. Each club is allowed to endorse one CKI member in good standing. This doesn’t mean that only one person from each club can run. Members who are not endorsed by their club may still be nominated off the floor and have someone else second.

Dates concerning this event will soon be set by your Lt. Governor, so please make sure to mark your calendar. If you think you have what it takes to be the next Lt. Governor, contact your current Lt. Governor and good luck!

Jonathan Herrera, District Eidtor 2007 – 2008 Texas – Oklahoma District

Circle K Mission Developing college and university students into responsible citizens and leaders with a lifelong commitment to serving the children of the world.

October 2007 · Volume 29, Issue 2 · T – O Today

Texas – Oklahoma Grows!

Since the beginning of my term as Membership and Kiwanis Family Chairman I have committed myself to the growth of the District. I’m happy to let you all know that T-O is in fact growing, and quickly! We have two new clubs: West Texas A&M and University of Oklahoma. We will soon have Lamar University, Del Mar College, and South Texas College chartered. We are so happy to have them joining us in service, leadership, and fellowship! Hopefully we will also be adding Oklahoma City University, Texas State, Angelo State, Southwestern Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, UT Arlington, UT Tyler, Lee College, and Cyfair College to the ranks of T-O CKI. We especially would love to see Stephen F. Austin and Howard Payne join us again. This truly is an exciting year for the district! You may be wondering how this affects you. Well, it gives you the opportunity to network across the great states of Texas and Oklahoma. At Fall Retreat and DCON you will have the opportunity to meet many different and exciting people who have a passion for service - just like you! You may also be wondering how you can help. The best way would be to continue promoting CKI to all of your friends on campus and across the district. I know first hand that there is nothing like reuniting with an old friend at a district event.

John Cano, Membership and K-Family Chair 2007 – 2008 Texas – Oklahoma District

Club of the Month Club of the month goes to Texas A&M University for having completed the most service hours to date. They have completed a total of 254 service hours so far this year. That is only in 5 months. This is fantastic! Some of their projects include Books for Africa, Special Olympics, and Elderaid. They also tutored students in local schools. If you need any service ideas be sure to ask Texas A&M what they are doing I am sure they would be willing to lend a hand and offer up a suggestion. Again, congratulations Texas A&M for being club of the month!

Denise Braun, District Secretary October 2007 · Volume 29, Issue 2 · T – O Today

Article Submissions Hello guys, The Texas- Oklahoma District has a newsletter which is distributed amongst the many chapters that reside within the district. If you would like to submit an article about what your school is doing, please feel free to send them to editor@txokcki.org. Such articles may include fundraising ideas, successful service projects, social events with other clubs, interclub news, and anything that you think might help others in this district. Our goal is to unify the Texas – Oklahoma District and make is the strongest it can be. I encourage all of you to submit articles and let everyone else what it is that you are doing. There is no limit to how many articles your school can submit. Be creative, submit fun jokes, puzzles, riddles, and anything interesting that would make reading the T – O Today much more enjoyable.

Please make sure to ask your Lt. Governor for the latest issue of the T – O Today and be informed about upcoming events, fundraising ideas, socials, District Convention, updates on the District’s website, and other important information.

So get your pencils and papers ….. and start writing In Friendship and Service, Jonathan Herrera, District Editor 2007 – 2008 Texas – Oklahoma District

CKI Fun Facts • • •

• •

CKI objectives include the objectives of Kiwanis.

District and International Conventions are held each year.

In 1936, the Kiwanis Club of Pullman, Washington, established “Circle K House” at Washington State College, which was rented to young men who needed assistance to attend college.

Current membership is 12,288 college students on 507 campuses in 15 nations in North and South America, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and West Africa.

There were 147 Circle K clubs in 1955, when Circle K was officially recognized as a sponsored organization of Kiwanis International.

October 2007 · Volume 29, Issue 2 · T – O Today