T-O Today - Volume 30, Issue 4

T-O TODAY

Official Newsletter of the Texas-Oklahoma District

Volume 30, Issue 4

Texas-Oklahoma

Weekend Officer Workshops North W.O.W. Date: April 18-19 Host: West Texas A&M University Location: Canyon, TX

SOUTH W.O.W. Date: April 25-26 Host: St. Edward’s Univ.

Location: Austin, TX

Front Cover: UT-Austin CKI member Michael Lundin and Southwestern University CKI member Laura Romer working the grill at the UT Chapter’s 14th Annual Chili Cook-Off on February 28.

T-O TODAY

Table of Contents Weekend Officer Workshop Locations Texas-Oklahoma District Directory Letters CKI: Mission and Vision Updates: Events and Goals Tips and Tricks: Marketing and Endings Hill Country: Sensory Room Project Front Lines: The Tomorrow Fund Reviews and Fun DCON Pipelayer

inside cover 1 2 3 4 5 5 6 7

TX-OK CKI District Board EXECUTIVE STAFF

Governor Secretary

LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS

South Texas Southeast/Gulf Coast Hill Country Oklahoma/Panhandle DISTRICT CHAIRS

K-Family & Membership District Events

John Cano, Univ. of Texas-Austin Genna Offerman, Univ. of Texas-Austin

governor@txokcki.org secretary@txokcki.org

Delisa Arredondo, Univ. of Texas-P.A. Monica Caudillo, Texas A&M Univ.

Brittany Davis, Univ. of Texas-Austin Ben Chadek, Oklahoma State Univ.

southtexasltg@txokcki.org southeasttexasltg@txokcki.org hillcountryltg@txokcki.org oklahomaltg@txokcki.org

Will Walker, West Texas A&M Univ.

Megan Walker, West Texas A&M Univ.

kfamilychair@txokcki.org districteventschair@txokcki.org

Submissions to the T-O TODAY should include the writer’s name, school or location, and Kiwanis-Family affiliation. They may be sent by e-mail to: editor@txokcki.org. All submissions become property of the Texas-Oklahoma District of CKI and may be edited for length and clarity as needed.

March 2009

1

LETTERS:

H speaker

ow does one define

I say collaborators here instead of

leadership? According

followers because anyone involved

to

International

in envisioned changes is an active

Convention keynote

and dynamic part of the envisioning

Brendan

Burchard,

process. Knowing this, I encourage

“leadership is the process of leaders

you to involve others in the creation

and collaborators coming together

of a meaningful and effective vision

through an influence relationship

of success for your chapter. Only by

and seeking envisioned changes

fully utilizing your collaborators will

that reflect their mutual purposes.”

your chapter achieve unprecedented

The Student Leadership Guide 3rd

success because each member is

Edition.

Using this definition it

working towards a goal that they have

becomes easier to simply define a

a personal stake in. Enjoy this year’s

leader as one who undergoes the

final issue of the T-O Today and

process of leadership.

The most

never underestimate the power of a

important thing one should note here

few dedicated people with a shared

is that leadership is not a singular

purpose.

activity; it must involve collaborators.

W

John Cano

2008-09 District Governor

hat exactly is a service hour? A question that continues to be posed by both members and officers is always, “Does this count as a service hour?” It seems that the answer can never be overemphasized. CKI defines a service hour in the following ways: Voluntary act with no payment given; A service project – a voluntary act by one or more dues-paid members of CKI; Service hour – sixty minutes of work performed by a dues-paid member of CKI on a service project approved by the chapter or board of officers; Total chapter service hour is the sum of each dues-paid member’s individual hours on the project; Kiwanisfamily functions - any function, meeting, banquet, rally, conference, or convention of CKI, Kiwanis, Key Club, Builders Club, or other Kiwanis-sponsored organizations; Fundraising activity - activity where payment, profit, or donations are received; Service – assistance to charitable entity or an organization that provides service for monetary assistance to an individual or group of individuals who possess a basic need for said service; Administrative hour – sixty minutes of work performed by a dues-paid member of CKI on behalf of their chapter, counts as a service hour. Okay, so what counts and what doesn’t? The following things COUNT as part of a service hour: Prep. Time – Time spent coordinating a particular service project. This includes the actual

time planning the project with a committee, coordinating a project with a community agency, acquiring project supplies, or conducting/ completing necessary volunteer training; Travel Time – Time spent traveling to a service project or event at which the PRIMARY purpose is service. Mealtime, social hours, or overnight stops do not count!

-Service projects planned or organized by the organization – if a division, district or the organization plans the project, then it does not need to be approved by the chapter board to count. The following things DO NOT count as part of a service hour: -Half of the travel time to events where the primary purpose is not service (i.e. DCON and ICON); Service projects not approved by the club or club board before the project takes place; Service projects not open to the entire club (i.e. if you have to be a nutrition major to volunteer then it will not count). However, it is perfectly acceptable to abide by a set limit of people allowed to volunteer as long as everyone is open to fight for the spots; Individual hours not performed with or promoted by CKI; Hours expended by non-CKI members (i.e. faculty, non-paid members, honary members, etc.); Service projects that only benefit a CKI member’s family or a friend (except in special circumstances).

Genna Offerman

2008-09 District Secretary

2

T-O TODAY

Mission Possible

C

ircle K International’s mission is to develop college and

through active chapter, district, and international participation.

university students into a global network of responsible

Leadership opportunities afford CKI members the resources and tools

citizens and leaders with a lifelong commitment to

needed to become active citizens. If nothing else, CKI members know

service. The three tenants of CKI are service, leadership,

fellowship. All other tenants depend on working relationships between

and fellowship. collectively, CKI members perform almost a million

the clubs and the larger society and, in turn, further develop fellowship.

hours of service on their campuses and in their communities annually.

Whether they are fundraising, volunteering, or partaking in a social,

One service project at a time, CKI’ers make a positive impact on the

CKI member internationally welcome the opportunity to form new

world. Circle K members frequently pledge to “dedicate myself to

relationships. Through fellowship, CKI members meet lifelong friends

realization of mankind’s potential.” Few however, take a moment to

and develop priceless social skills.

remind themselves of what this line means. Overall, the potential of Submitted by:

CKI lies first and foremost in the ability to positively impact members

Genna Offerman

of society who are faced with personal decisions and those who will one

The University of Texas at Austin

day create the vision of mankind for generations to come. From serving as International President to helping resolve a conflict that occurs with a service project, leadership comes in many forms. CKI members have the opportunity to assume formal leadership responsibilities at all levels of the organization, but many members chose to lead informally

A Feast for the Senses

D

connect with their world.” Previously, the division had worked with

CKI in the Texas/Oklahoma District converted a room

the school on other projects, such as painting bathrooms to helping

at Austin State School, a facility that provides services

out with the facility’s Halloween Carnival. “Everyone had a good time

and support to people with mental retardation, into a

and really felt like they made a difference in the lives of the residents,”

desperately needed sensory room. A sensory room includes equipment

Brittany says. “The members of the Austin State School that we worked

and activities that benefit sensory processing difficulties. Sensory

with were very pleased with the results.”

rooms support interaction, discovery and communication, enabling faster learning and development through increased awareness of the surroundings. They also encourage positive actions for those with sensory impairment. Sensory rooms also promote rest and relaxation for the agitated or stressed. Two of the four CKI clubs in the division designed portions of the space and all four clubs worked together to complete the task. Soon, an empty room became an interactive display of color, games and lights. “I remember going into the room the first time and seeing the residents agitated and staring at the walls,” says Brittany Davis, Hill Country lieutenant governor and member of The University of Texas at Austin CKI. “Now they have puzzles and

TIMELINE

uring a November weekend, The Hill Country division of

Written by:

Amberly Peterson

From : www.circlek.org

interactive things on the walls. I know the room will help the residents

March 2009

3

UPDATES from around Texas-Oklahoma Fall Retreat Deemed a Success!

L

ast November, members of the Texas—Oklahoma District joined together for a weekend of leadership, fellowship, and service. Between fun icereakers such as the snake and capture the flag, S’mores, service through making Linus blankets,

hiking, archery, a competition for six cents initiative, and freezing in the cabins, there was little time left to boredom. Some brave CKI members even forgot that it was freezing and went for a dip in the lake! At the end of the retreat, I am proud to announce that we made $270 for six cents initiatives and did collectively more than 60 hours of service making Linus blankets. Just as importantly, new bonds of fellowship formed within chapters and between chapters. I met a number of amazing people with whom I hope to see again at DCON. Whether you missed this year or had a blast, I strongly encourage everybody to come again

Submitted by:

next year for a weekend full of entertainment.

Genna Offerman

The University of Texas at Austin

W.O.W., Look What I Can Do!

Working Towards Goals as Year Nears Close

ith the end of the CKI year quickly approaching, chapters should have already held elections for their 20092010 officers. Some of the candidates will have served as KEY Club officers or may even be elected to continue serving as a CKI officer. Either way, Weekend Officer Workshops are a vital tool to produce capable leaders. So whether you are a new officer or returning from years of leadership positions, bring any questions and suggestions with you to WOW. We look forward to seeing you.

he District as a whole is working hard to achieve the goals. As an added incentive, Brittany Davis (UT) and Monica Caudillo (A&M) agreed to donate their hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths if we achieve the interchapters goal before DCON.

W

Submitted by:

Genna Offerman

The University of Texas at Austin

4

T

♦ Service Hours: 5200/8000 ♦ Members: 429/650 ♦ Inter-clubs/chapters: 205/200 ♦ Chapters in Good Standing: 17/20 ♦ Attendance of Chapters at Events (75% Goal): • Summer Reunion: 6/19 • Fall Retreat: 10/19 Submitted by: • District Convention: 13/15 John Cano

The University of Texas at Austin

T-O TODAY

TIPS and TRICKS Marketing Your Chapter

B

elow is a list of marketing and public relations ideas for your chapter to try out. Remember, www.circlek.org has a plethora of downloadable and customizable recruitment materials so feel free to check those out! The list I have compiled uses some of those downloadable resources with a mix of unorthodox methods of recruitment. I hope this helps you with all of your recruitment needs during this busy time of the year and good luck roping in those new members.

• Write on the white/chalk boards in classrooms • Lollipops with messages attached • Write on Frisbees and pass them out • Signs inside bathroom stalls • Make buttons for people to wear • Find some old t-shirts, reverse them, and write the information on them • Send out mass e-mails to residents life staff and ask them to announce your event

• Chalk Sidewalks (make sure its washable) • Put Signs on Orange Cones • Make up stickers and distribute • Campus Newspaper • Distribute information during meals • Signature block on your emails • Your AIM Profile • Make a Facebook Flyer • Myspace Group • Create Table Tents Join

!

!

Service • Leadersh ip • Fellowsh ip

Submitted by:

Kristen Reed

Check out the great marketing templates by visiting www.circlek.org/templates

State University of New York - Potsdam

10 Ways to End the Year

1 2 3 4 5 6

Have

a

farewell

dinner

to

celebrate

the

semester’s

accomplishments.

Give out semester superlatives (i.e. most hours, funniest quote, most memorable, wackiest, most spirit).

Have a bowl-a-thon. Take chapter members to the bowling lanes and have fun knocking the pins down to de-stress before finals.

Host a movie night and popcorn scramble. Watch movies and make homemade popcorn with wacky toppings.

Plan a final day of service.

Host a funny awards Night.

March 2009

7 8 9 10

Plan a summer service reunion.

Attend a school-sponsored event as a chapter (i.e. finals breakfast, cookie break, comedy show).

Take a chapter camping trip.

Set up a book drive for Better World Books. Donate textbooks you don’t need and know that you’re helping a great cause and

raising funds for your chapter.

Source:

CKI Service Committee www.circlek.org

5

FRONT LINES The Tomorrow Fund

T

he Tomorrow Fund is an endowed fund for Circle K International held within the Kiwanis

Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind when completing the application:

International Foundation. This fund, utilizing the

• The committee judging the application does not live in

interest earned, helps Circle K Clubs and Districts

your community, so the better you clarify the project, the better

serve the world through grants for service opportunities. The fund is established through a portion of your Circle K Club International dues, through direct donations, through the donation of Carthage-Pullman Society Memberships, and through the donation of Sapphire Circle Honoraries. Tomorrow Fund grants can help you take action. Look around and identify the things that need to get done on your campus, in your community and in your world.

Circle K Clubs and Districts can now apply for grant funds to support varied service projects. Some examples of what Tomorrow Fund grants might support include: • Based on a need to develop better reading skills among at-risk kindergarten students, a Circle K club might make chair

the committee can understand the project.

• Write legibly, or enter the application on a computer utilizing the application format.

• Follow the directions! Do not attach any additional pieces except for the budget.

• Ensure that all required signatures are included.

• The project should reflect appropriate planning and ideas that have been thoroughly thought-out.

• Have someone else read the application to check for grammar and spelling.

• The budget must cover all areas of the project and should be clear.

• The timeline should be accurate and well prepared.

covers with pockets in them for books. Each kindergarten student has a book read to them by the Circle K member, and the books and chair covers are donated to the classroom.

There is only one funding cycle for the Tomorrow Fund. The postmark deadline is December 15, 2010. The applications

• A District Project might focus on neglected and abused

must be submitted to the Youth Funds Specialist at Kiwanis

school children who are less likely to have book bags and

International, 3636 Woodview Trace, Indianapolis, IN 46268;

school supplies. The district could solicit donations from many

or via fax at 317/879-0204. If you read the application, clubs

area businesses and together with their grant be able to supply

may request funding assistance from $200 to $2,000. The

200 children with book bags supplies to get started in the

committee typically funds those clubs who are asking for

school year. Grants by the Circle K International Board from

a portion of the total cost of the project, and clubs who are

the Tomorrow Fund must be in accordance to the Policies

working with other organizations to fund and complete the

of Circle K International. The Tomorrow Fund grants are

project. Even though it is January it is never too early to think

granted only to Circle K Clubs and/or Districts. The Grant

about applying for a grant – Please let me know if you have

Review Committee may award up to, but not more than, the

any questions on the application, disbursement, or just general

amount of interest earned off of the endowment available at

information on the Tomorrow Fund. The College of New Jersey

the convening of the committee.

and Christopher Newport University both received Tomorrow Fund grants this past granting cycle and your fantastic CKI club can get one as well!

Submitted by:

Kristen Reed

Circle K International President SUNY-Postdam

6

T-O TODAY

REVIEWS and FUN District Convention Review

T

his year’s 55th Annual District Convention was held at the

chanegs to the structure of the District Board and elected a brand new

DFW Marriott In Irving, TX March 6-8. The District Board

Executive Staff. On Saturday night the bulk of the awards were given,

of Officers arrived a day early to work with some great Key

the ballroom was doubled over in laughter from an amazing comedy

Club Volunteers from North Crowley High School and

performance by THE Rachel Jackson of Texas A&M University, and

Southwest High School to create stage and room decorations. It was

everyone celebrated the weekend with a dance! Sunday morning the

Truly a star-studded event as numerous members were recognized for

2008-09 Officers were retired and the district welcomed the leadership

the amazing work in their home chapters. With workshops ranging

of the 2009-10 Board of Officers.

from recognizing signs of depression to dancing, attendees had the opportunity to find something to fit their interests. Divisional lunches

Look out for the the first issue of the 31st Volume of the T-O Today for

allowed neighboring chapters to build bonds of fellowship that can be

full details on the new officers and a listing of all of the awards given.

taken back home and built up long after DCON. Of course, there was business to be had as well! The 55th House of Delegate svoted to make

Submitted by:

John Cano

The Univerity of Texas at Austin

Pipelayer Pipelayer is a game played with two grids of dots that are slightly offset from one another, as shown in the animation at the right.

The players take turns moving by connecting two dots.

A player can only connect dots that are adjacent horizontally or vertically and also only dots of his own color.

No move may draw across another move.

To win a player must make a continuous connection from one side of the board to the other in the long direction for his color of dots. For the white dot player in the example this is from left to right; the black dot player is trying to connect top to bottom.

March 2009

7

Live to serve, Love to serve.

a Kiwanis-family member www.circlek.org www.txokcki.org 3636 WOODVIEW TRACE INDIANAPOLIS, IN USA 46268 • 1-317-875-8755 • US AND CANADA: 1-800-KIWANIS 624 SIX FLAGS DRIVE STE. 265 ARLINGTON, TX USA 76011 • 1-817-640-7711 • F: 1-817-6491905