Thank You!

Greetings CKI!

Thank you so much for a fantastic year of service, leadership, and fellowship.

I am super proud to report that the House of Delegates has met and elected Jason Stewart of the Ohio District to be your new International President!

Jason is a former Key Clubber and IP Governor of the Ohio District and will do an amazing job!!!








On behalf of the entire 08-09 CKI Board we thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to serve you and wish you the best of luck in the future!




Always yours,
Kristen M. Reed, New York District
2008-09 International President, Circle K International

I believe in ZERO

Ducks 4 Kids

What a cute Kiwanis Club Project!

Be a Hero!

Greetings CKI!

July 22 is “Be a Hero for Babies Day” and we’re asking you to don your cape and donate as little as $1.99 to help premature babies. Farmers is doubling your gift, so the bigger you give, the bigger the match. Be an everyday superhero — sacrifice your morning coffee, sub, weekend movie ticket, or those new shoes to help give every baby a healthy start! Donate online at http://www.marchofdimes.com/hero

Here’s what’s extra cool: you can pick up our avatar after you make your donation and show off your superhero status to your Facebook friends!

Live to Serve -- Love to Serve,

Kristen

Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

"Focus on others, not yourself." -Randy Pausch

Membership Updates

Greetings Everyone!

Please take the time to check out http://community.kiwanisone.org/media/p/3035/download.aspx for the newest updated Circle K International Club Information Listing regarding where we are in terms of membership and dues payment.

This was updated on 7/1/09 and is our most up to date document.

Congratulations to the 5 largest districts in CKI:

1. California-Nevada-Hawaii: 1,509 members
2. New York: 920 members
3. Pennsylvania: 915 members
4. Capital: 853 members
5. Pacific-Northwest: 531 members

Questions, changes, comments, concerns: e-mail gmullen@kiwanis.org in the Member Services Department or call 1-800-KIWANIS ext. 411

Enjoy and have a great day!

--Kristen

Goodbye Ogdensburg, Hello Dallas!

Hi all:

So I'm about to leave for Key Club International Convention in 30 minutes or so (it takes me a while to drive to the Syracuse airport.) Just wanted to pop on and share with you fine people the HOT weather forecast that awaits me.


Goodbye rainy Ogdensburg, Hello HOT-Dallas :)

--Kristen

Summer = Celebrations!

Greetings all:

Happy Canada Day to all of my Canadian friends in the Kiwanis family and I hope that everyone in the States has a very safe and healthy 4th of July Celebration this upcoming weekend!

I've been super busy lately traveling during this summer service season. I was fortunate enough to spend a great weekend in Pittsburgh for the Pennsylvania District Summer Board Meeting, travel down to the sweet south to Nashville for the Kiwanis International Convention, and now I find myself packing my bags to Dallas, Texas for the Key Club International Convention. Yeehaaaw!

When I return I'll have full write-ups for everyone on Pittsburgh, Nashville, and Dallas to share as well as a few fun photos to attach along.

Thank you to the hundreds of people who read this blog every month and to all the Kiwanis family members making the commitment to serve this summer :)

Live to Serve -- Love to Serve,
--Kristen

"Dude, life isn't as hard as people think. All you have to do is keep livin' , laughin', and lovin' " ~Kia Albertson-Rogers, 2008-2009 Key Club International President

Create custom postage and support the March of Dimes

Hey there CKI!

Looking for a great way to support the March of Dimes? Click here for more information on how you can create custom U.S. Postage stamps and fundraise for the March of Dimes at the same time!

Live to Serve -- Love to Serve,

--Kristen

I love Kiwanis :) One CAN Make a Difference

Congratulations Minerva!

Congratulations to Immediate Past Duke University CKI President Minerva Thai for winning the CKI Six Cents Initiative fundraising contest! Minerva won a FREE International Convention Registration for raising the most money on the UNICEF Six Cents Portal this year.

Curious how much Minerva raised? Click here!

Live to Serve -- Love to Serve,

--Kristen

Google is giving back!

Greetings CKI!

Click Here to check out how you can use the same great Google Search Engine that you've always loved to help the American Cancer Society!

Live to Serve -- Love to Serve,

--Kristen

CKI has Twitter!

Challenge. Create. Change. Video Contest - Win $10,000!

Visit Youtube.com/converseonestar to enter the contest.

In a short, creative video, show us how you're changing your world for a chance to win $10,000 + a $1,000 Converse One Star Wardrobe.

Additional Prizes:
2nd Finalist: $5,000 cash + $500 Converse One Star Wardrobe
3rd Finalist: $2,000 cash + $500 Converse One Star Wardrobe

The three finalists will all receive a trip for two to the Wanderlust Festival in Lake Tahoe, California, where one finalist will be announced as the Grand Prize Winner.

Submit your video by June 28. Go to YouTube.com/converseonestar to submit and for more information

Encouragement: Pass it On

Greetings CKI!

Got a minute? Check out the YouTube video below. This small clip is one of my favorite commercials out on TV right now. It's to promote the Foundation for a Better Life however it is extremely adorable and teaches us a nice life lesson in only 61 seconds. :)

Live to Serve -- Love to Serve,
--Kristen

Volunteering is SEXY

Guest Post: Volunteering is sexy
By Adam

Do you want to be happier, more successful, have more friends, and a loving partner? Now these are the kinds of promises that many self-help gurus make millions out of. In fact if I charged you a lot of money and gave you this promise you'd more than likely pay. However, there is a way to get all of these results, it's SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN (yes really) and it's FREE. What's the answer - you ask? Volunteering I say.

The scientific findings of volunteering and positive psychology show that:

• Giving (not taking) makes us happier
• Volunteering can increase life satisfaction and self esteem
• Volunteering facilitates meeting others, connecting with others and making friends
• People who volunteer are seen as more attractive to the opposite sex
• People who volunteer are seen as cooler than those who don't volunteer

There is a wealth of research that demonstrates endless psychological and sociological benefits of volunteering.

Why then don't more people volunteer? To the ill informed volunteering is seen as dowdy. It has an image problem. Volunteer groups (with the exception of a few) have done a very poor job of making themselves look sexy - and it is. There is research to back up the claim that people who volunteer are more attractive to the opposite sex than is say having a cool car, or talking about your bulging pay pack. Basically, if you want to be happier, be in a relationship, have better self-esteem.... and so on - volunteer.

The other reason people don't volunteer so much is that it is a hassle. Who do I call? Where do I go? How can I find a place close to where I live? How can I find something I'm interested in to volunteer? To not make to fine a point about it - most of these barriers are addressed through SEEK Volunteer, a centralised database of all the volunteer jobs available in Australia (and a lovely client of Naked's).

So what needs to happen for more people to volunteer?

1. Volunteer organisations need to re-brand themselves and strip away their dowdy image - you can make yourselves better.
2. People need to be aware of the benefits, and believe they are real.

Try it.

Adam Ferrier is a Consumer Psychologist and Managing Partner of Naked Communications. He has degrees in Clinical Psychology and Commerce. Adam worked in Forensic Psychology, brand consultancy (Added Value), and advertising (Saatchi & Saatchi) before founding Naked Australia. Naked is working with some of the world's most progressive brands and ambitious marketers. Naked was Adnews Agency of the Year in 2007. Adam is registered with the NSW Psychologists Board, and a member of the Australian Psychological Society. You can find him online at consumerpsychologist.blogspot.com.

My Summer 2009 Playlist

Hey there CKI!

Looking for any cool tunes to jam out to on your summer road trips? or maybe you need some good ear candy for the long 6 hour road trip to your District's summer social? Check out below for my fun Summer 2009 playlist that I've got playing right now! Feel free to comment and leave your favorite Summer 2009 songs, I'm always looking to expand my music collection!

Kristen's Summer 2009 Playlist

1. Walking on the Moon by The-Dream
2. American Cowboy by Jada
3. Something Pretty by Seth Horan
   
4. Fire Burning by Sean Kingston
5. That's not my name by the Ting Tings
6. Forgive me by Leona Lewis
7. Road to Paradise by TAT
8. C'mon get Higher by Matt Nathanson
9. Sugar by Flo Rida
   
10. Cold Shoulder by Adele
11. My Life would Suck without You by Kelly Clarkson
    
12. I know you want me by Pitbull
    
13. I don't need it by Jamie Foxx
14. Empty House by Paper Route
15. Breaking Dishes by Rihanna
    
16. Farewell to the Fairground by White Lies
17. My Delirium by Ladyhawke
18. Day 'N' Nite by Kid Cudi
    
19. Goodbye by Kristina DeBarge
    
20. Jai Ho! (You are my Destiny) by The Pussycat Dolls/A.R. Rahman
    
21. Half Mast by Empire of the Sun
22. Take me on the Floor by the Veronicas
    
23. Boom Boom Pow by The Black Eyed Peas
24. Heads Will Roll by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
25. Trouble by Nevershoutnever!
26. Welcome to the World by Kevin Rudolf
    
27. Give it to me Right by Melanie Fiona
28. T.O.N.Y. by Solange
29. Funny the Way it is by Dave Matthews Band
    
30. Poker Face by Lady GaGa
31. Who's Got Your Money? by Tina Parol
32. Love etc by the Pet Shop Boys
33. I do not Hook Up by Kelly Clarkson
    
34. Happy House by The Juan Maclean
35. She loves Everybody by Chester French

Yours in a Fellowship and Fun Summer,
--Kristen

This one time...

This one time...I turned the recreation room at my parent's house into a loading station for my club's Better World Books Book Drive, haha! And when I say "This one time..." I actually mean today, LOL!

.......thanks Mom & Dad for being so kind as to let me completely take over the pool table and recreation space. Love you guys :)

I'll be spending tomorrow packing these up and getting them ready to ship off with the UPS man on Friday!

Live to Serve -- Love to Serve,
--Kristen

Shop UNICEF this summer!

Celebrate Summer in Style with UNICEF!

Play, shine and soak up the sun with new gifts picked fresh for summer.

Shop UNICEF for bright gift ideas, activities for summer travel, and totes that take you from the pool to the mall in style.

Shop UNICEF today.

Every card, every gift saves a life.

While this may not go towards our Six Cents Initiative it is still an awesome way to support UNICEF when you are away from your clubs in the summer. So Shop, Support, and Soak up the Sun CKI!

Live to Serve -- Love to Serve,

--Kristen

Send a free postcard to an American Soldier - Memorial Day Blog (U.S. Holiday)

Greetings CKI'ers!

Happy Memorial Day to all of my American Circle K'ers out there :) If you get the chance to take a break from barbecuing, parades, and enjoying the holiday off of work please stop by http://www.letssaythanks.com.

Let's Say Thanks is a project run by the Xerox Company to allow people (just like you and me!) to send cards to American soldiers for FREE!

4 minutes + Let's Say Thanks + your caring & compassion = Free Card to a deserving Soldier

Yours in the spirit of SIMPLE service having a SERIOUS impact,

--Kristen

Updates from the President

Brooke and I holding up our signs to lead our athletes to their games!

My buddy Jesse and I dancing!

Mary, Brooke, Allison, Me, Joe (amazing Kiwanis Advisor), and Laura at the end of the day!

Hey there CKI!

So now that final exams are FINALLY over I can sit down and write you a thorough update on what's shaken in the life of your IP.

1. Fell in love - Absolutely! So since the last time I wrote I have completely fallen in love (again) with the Special Olympics organization. If your club hasn't had the opportunity to work with them in the past you should definitely check out their web-site for more information on how to get involved. They are some of the sweetest and most caring individuals I've ever had the pleasure to meet and the events at the Special Olympics are a blast! You can do everything from face painting, scoring the games, or assisting the athletes. To look at some pictures from my Special Olympics event go ahead and up to the top!
   
   
2. Read a Book or 2 - Since finals have been over I have been able to lay in my backyard and catch up on some reading. I finished Secret Diary of a Call Girl which has now been made into a ShowTime TV show, kinda cool. I really recommend it as a good summer read in case anyone is looking for one. Also, yesterday I was laying on a blanket in my yard trying to read The Curious Case of Benjamin Button since I've seen the movie but I always think books are better. Well, I had to take a quick phone call on my cell phone inside (okay I lied it was like a 40 minute phone call..haha) and came back to have the pages ALL OVER my YARD! My puppy Buster had torn apart book! Apparently, I am a mother of a very anti-literacy dog or he was hungry or something because the pages were EVERYWHERE! I'll have to go to the Book Store this weekend and get a new copy since my fiesty little puppy went crazy on me.
   
   
3. Service! Yes, I am so excited. This upcoming Saturday I organized a city-wide clean up for my hometown of Ogdensburg, N.Y. My co-chair Nick Vaugh, he's a City Councilor *oh la la!* has been absolutley fantastic and we have contacted everyone and their neighbor to come out and pitch in. It looks like the weather is going to hold up for us which is pretty sweet. Also, on Saturday I am chaperoning a Key Club Dodgeball Tournament and then working a Key Club Talent Show on June 3rd. So, essentially a Kiwanis Family summer. I love it!
   
   
4. Blogging - So, besides blogging on here I also write on Blogging for Babies. I was appointed last month to be a Collegiate Council Ambassador for the March of Dimes. Pretty sweet, right? In a nut shell, because I love babies I get to help out people who love babies to by encouraging campuses to get involved with the March of Dimes. I love it! So, if you get a moment check out my March of Dimes blog. Every comment is a chance to win a purple Dell wireless Computer Mouse. Wahoo go free stuff!
   
5. CKI - Saved the best for last! Muahha! In addition to serving as your International President for the year I'm really proud to be the International liaison to the LSSP Committee. They have been super hard at work at figuring out logistics, meals, amazing service projects, fellowship day, t-shirt colors, and much more. They are one hard bunch of workers and Chair Lukas and Vice Chair Heather are fantastic as well. Also, an update will be going out shortly about the results of the April Board Meeting. The minutes are being approved (it took a little bit longer then expected because iBoard members have final exams to study for too!) but none-the-less you'll be getting a full update in your inbox pretty soon. And we can't wait to tell you about all the rockin' stuff we did!

Anyways - tada! I hope you enjoyed my update and feel free to leave some comments and let me know what you're up to this summer, I'd love to hear!

Love of Service, Sun, and Summer,

--Kristen

p.s. Click Here for 6 ways to do Service in the Sun by. NY District LtG Kari Martin

In need of motivation?

"Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain." ~Unknown

Have a great day all.

In the spirit of service,

--Kristen

Blog Poll: Facebook

Hi there CKI!

Blog Poll - Answer via Comments! Share your ideas with the rest of the blog readers!

"How does your club use Facebook as a recruitment tool?"

Live to Serve -- Love to Serve,

--Kristen

I'm Marching for Maddie, are you?

I'm making a difference by helping to save the lives of premature babies.

Are you?

Click Here to support March for Maddie.

Together, we can help babies to be born healthy...we just have to walk to get there.

End of the Semester

Hi Everyone-

I figured I would stop in and say "Hellloooo!" since I am in need of a study break! Congratulations to those of you who have finished your semester or are on your way/have graduated. I'm still in school for the next week doing final exams, final portfolios, and final papers for my six courses.

However, I am excited that next semester will be my second to last and I will finally be a senior, woot!

Anywho, I can't wait for my finals to be over so that I can give my blog more attention. In the mean time if you're interested in what I've been up to click here for pictures from my SUNY Potsdam CKI's Special Olympics as well as here for March for Babies.

Yours in the spirit of academia,

-Kristen

One Day, One Way, One K

Better World Books Videos

Hi Everyone!

Looking for some cool directions to help your Better World Books Book Drives? My great account Representative Ed sent me these videos the other day. I highly encourage everyone to check them out and learn more about the Book Drive process with Better World.

1. Donation Guidelines: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeweMRT3FT4
2. Prescreening Books: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM21-gkORV4
3. Boxing Books: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC8fees24Rs&feature=channel_page
4. Shipping via Freight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3-YeZpGb_M
5. Shipping via UPS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07_XUgQNTI4


Thanks for reading and have a magnificiant day!


Live to Serve -- Love to Serve,

--Kristen

March for Babies - Plattsburgh, NY

Greetings All!

I just wanted to pop in and say Thanks a ton to everyone who has donated to my March for Babies campaign. I am super excited to be walking this weekend and the money that everyone so generously donated will be going to help make sure that every baby is born a healthy baby!

-Kristen

Walk, Donate, and Advocate TODAY for Healthy Babies!


The money we raise for March for Babies will help:

• ...support all-important research offering preventions and solutions for babies born too soon or with birth defects
• ...educate women on things they can do to increase their chances of having a healthy baby
• ...provide comfort and information to families with a newborn in intensive care
• ...push for newborn screening and health insurance for all pregnant women and children.

Please help our team help babies— click JOIN THIS TEAM at the top of the page and get started!

The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.


***
Click Here to make a donation no matter how big or small:
http://www.marchforbabies.org/personal_page.asp?w=111018965&u=kristencki
***

***
Click Here to walk with me and join my team and walk in Plattsburgh on April 26th: http://www.marchforbabies.org/teams/586090
***


Yours in the spirit of healthy babies,
KRISTEN REED, born prematurely at 34 weeks
Team Captain, SUNY Potsdam March for Babies ♥
E-mail Me: KristenCKI@gmail.com


~*~*~*~
DONATIONS:

Courtney Taylor - $15.00
Julia Smith (my grandma!!!) - $20.00
Mary Murphy - $20.00
Bascom Allen - $50.00
Michael Murray - $25.00 THANK YOU SO MUCH COURTNEY, GRANDMA, MARY, MICHAEL, AND BASCOM FOR YOUR DONATIONS! ♥

Kiwanis International and Circle K International Board go Bowling for Babies

Wahoo we raised close to $400 for the March of Dimes!

I'm planning a Better World Books Book Drive!

Hey CKI!

I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I was today when I got my shipment of Better World Books Book Drive boxes!

I've been organizing a Book Drive with BWB for April 22nd's Earth Day because by collecting books we are saving so much paper from landfills. Feel free to check out http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=81422457550 for the cool posters and information of how we are promoting our Book Drive. I'll keep all of you posted on how things go.

I love Better World Books so much and my Account Representative Ed has been the bomb with hooking me up with all the materials I need. I highly encourage your club starts organizing a book drive for the end of the semester. For more information check out www.circlek.org.

Off to Indianapolis in the Morning for the CKI April Board Meeting! I'll be checking in with you guys soon!

Yours in love for Better World Books & Books for Africa,
--Kristen

In need of a new cell phone :)

Hey there CKI!

Whenever I am stuck with a big decision in life I usually turn to Circle K'ers to give me advice and help me through it. So, I figured I'd let all of you know that I am in the market for a new cellphone after mine has been through war and back (dog trying to bury it in the backyard and a fall into a toilet.) haha! Any suggestions for good phones I should look at on the Verizon network?

Thanks a ton and have an amazing week!

Yours in the spirit of communication,
--Kristen

Frustration & Faith in New York City

Hey CKI!

I hope everyone had a great Kiwanis One Day, Passover, Easter, and any other holidays that have been occurring lately. Last weekend I traveled to Indianapolis to attend the Governor's & Administrator's Training Conference (GATC) with VP Ricardo and the great leaders of our organization. The weekend was a complete blast and I am so proud of all of the leaders that each district has elected to serve as their Governor this upcoming year - everyone is going to do such a great job!

So, if you know me you know that while I do fly often I run into troubles anytime I fly through LaGuardia airport in NYC. My travels on my way to GATC proved this theory correct! I was scheduled to leave Syracuse at 11:45am and after a 2 hours delay I finally left and landed in LaGuardia with only 30 minutes left to make my connection to Indianaoplis I really thought I wouldn't make it. Let me tell you I was wrong! After my flight failed to make it's 2:25pm departure the take-off time kept getting pushed up hour after hour after hour. Finally my fellow passengers and I found out we wouldn't be leaving NYC for Indianapolis until 7:30pm. As you can imagine I originally set out my day thinking I would land in Indianapolis at 4:45pm and now wouldn't be leaving until almost 3 hours after that I was a bit frustrated, cranky, and tired. I called our CKI Director Erin Fischer and told her "I am not a happy camper!" and some how her calming voice made me feel better.

So why am I blogging about annoying and nagging travel arrangements? I may not have landed in Indianapolis until 12:00am but I was reaffirmed a very important life lesson in NYC's LaGuardia airport and that is that there is a silver lining to every cloud. While waiting on my 5 hour delay I had the opportunity to meet 2 of the sweetest children I've ever met.

The first kid I met was named Danny and he was a 6 year old African-American boy traveling home with his dad after having surgery. He was in a wheel chair and had a hard time speaking. The reason why he had surgery his father told me was because he was terribley burned in a house fire last year. He wore a helmet, mask on his face, and had a prosthetic leg but he also had a beautiful smile. Danny and his dad sat next to me at Gate 2 and his wheel chair was parked right next to my seat at the end. His dad set up a coloring book and crayons on his lap and when I setting down my book Danny looked at me and asked if I would color with him. I looked at his dad with a chuckling smile and his dad handed me a coloring book and crayons as well. Danny and I must have sat there for 45 minutes comparing pictures, colors, and drawings and while I was getting my art skills on with this sweet boy I couldn't help but think of how amazing the concept of the innocence of children is. I think this is why Kiwanis is so important. I always have loved the Kiwanis motto of "Serving the Children of the World" but it really is ridiculously beautiful if you think about it. All around the world children are suffering from things like disease, hunger, neglect, and to know that as Kiwanians and as a Kiwanis Family we can make a difference and make the world a better place is an amazing thing. No, I didn't count my art project time with Danny as service hours but I wish he had a monthly report form to fill out. If he did he could list 45 hours of service to me because this little boy showed me that no matter how bad your circumstances are there is always time to make a new friend and there always time for crayons. :)

The second little girl I met couldn't have been more then 4 years old. I met her in the bathroom when she was trying to reach for the sink to wash her hands and couldn't climb or jump to get to the sink. I put my bags down and looked around to see if any parent, grandparent, or family member was with her but afer a really long wait realized she was all alone. Now don't get me wrong I don't go around lifting little children to reach sinks but this little child started to cry. I first had a lot of fury inside of me just thinking about the concept that a parent would let their 4 year old kid go to the bathroom in an airport alone but secondly wanted to help if I could. I crouched over and asked if she was by herself and after shaking her head yes she began to cry and repeated "I can't reach! I can't reach!" I lifted her up so that she could wash her hands and then after leaving the bathroom she realized she didn't know which gate her mom was sitting at. She grabbed my hand and started to essentially take off running. For a moment I was super nervous that someone (possibly her mother) would see us together and think I was trying to kidnap her kid. After she roamed around and couldn't find her mom she started to cry again. I took the girl to a US Airways agent who made an announcement for her parents to meet her at the gate. Come to find out her mom and sister were sitting up at the foodcourt located on the other side of the airport. I couldn't believe this kid had traveled this far! All that mattered at the end of the day was that she found her mom and I was happy to help by being dragged along by her. About 20 minutes later I'm sitting at home sweet home Gate 2 again and I have a half of a piece of an oatmeal raisin cookie thrown at my face and falls in my lap. Truthfully, I was like "what the heck!?" I looked up and it was the same girl I just helped (I wish I could remember her name.) She walked by with her mom and spotted me and apparently took off running again and wanted to give me half of her cookie. I gave her a hug and said thank you very much and her mom thanked me for returning her child.

I apologize for this blog post being so long but I just had to tell you guys about these 2 really sweet kids. I learned from Danny that no matter how hard you think your life is there is always someone who has it worse and to be sure to stop and enjoy the little things in life such as coloring. I also learned from the girl I helped in the bathroom that kids are extraordinary and her compassion and gratitude by giving me half of a cookie was one of the sweetest sentiments ever. To top things off at Gate 2/3 in LaGuardia there is a huge advertisement for the March of Dimes. Apparently, fate put me at that gate and I like to think that fate was the reason why I learned faith in children and the future amidst frustration at the airport.

In closing, always remember that you're never too old to learn/re-learn a lesson and you're never too busy to make a difference in the life of a child.

Have a great weekend CKI!

In the spirit of helping children around the world,
--Kristen

New Reflectors for District Officers

Hi all:

Below you will find a list of the newest reflectors created for April 1st, 2009. Please be sure to pass these along to any/all of the new officers that may find these resources helpful.

Thank you in advance.

-Kristen R.

• Club Officers and Members
  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2204663922&ref=ts
  Google Reflector: http://groups.google.com/group/CircleKInternational

• Lt. Governors & District Board Representatives
  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=59472128230
  Google Reflector: http://groups.google.com/group/0910ckiltgsreps
  

• District Secretary, Treasurers, Secretary/Treasurers
  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53013397042
  Google Reflector: http://groups.google.com/group/0910ckidistrictsectreas
  
  
• District Editors
  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53013397042
  Google Reflector: http://groups.google.com/group/0910ckidistricteditors
  
  
• District Chairs
  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53013397042
  Google Reflector: http://groups.google.com/group/0910ckidistrictcommitteechairs
  
  
• District Governors
  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53935398943
  Google Reflector: http://groups.google.com/group/0910ckigovernors
  
  

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing the World Together,
Kristen M. Reed
International President, Circle K International
president@circlek.org - www.circlek.org

"Developing college and university students into a global network of responsible citizens and leaders with a lifelong commitment to service."

Thank you 2008-2009!

Hey there CKI-

Whether you know this or not there are probably over a hundred Circle K'ers around the world right now waiting and counting down til their clocks hit 12:00am EST. Well, with that being said I know I will be one of those people and I am just as sad as I am excited.

April 1st, 2009 at 12:00am EST marks the brand new 2009-2010 service year and while I am absolutely ecstatic about the opportunity to meet with new bright and brilliant leaders this year I can't help but also be sad and say goodbye to the leadership team family I have known to grow and love this year as well. Thank you so much to every officer and member who helped your districts succeed. The year that we had would not have been as great without any single person missing from the equation and I am very proud to have been along for the ride as International Representative and to finish it off as President. I hope that every single person knows how thankful I am for the great things that they have done and I know will continue to do inside and outside CKI.

May your hearts always be warm 08-09 & gear up 09-10!

--Kristen

UNICEF Videos

New Videos from unicef

• UNICEF: Slavery Victims Remembrance Day Video debuts
• UNICEF: Rwandan girls awarded for academic excellence
• UNICEF: New Yorkers walk a mile on World Water Day
• UNICEF: International Youth Conference meets in Liberia
• UNICEF: Joel Madden and Tap Project for safe water

By Popular Demand: Boo Boo Bunnie Directions

Hi to all my friends who attended the Member's Workshop this morning at NYCKI DCON 09!

By popular demand here are the directions for BooBoo Bunnies. I know you guys were interested in doing them for the service project at your club meetings and I hope you have a ton of fun!

Supplies:

• googly eyes
• pom poms (small and mini sized, small = tail, mini = nose)
• rubber bands
• glue (tacky glue works)
• washcloths (square, can get like...an 18 pack at walmart or something)
• thin colored ribbon
  

To make a booboo bunnie:

• fold the washcloth in half diagonally
  
• start rolling the washcloth from the shorter side (not where the fold is in the washcloth, but where the two points met, if that makes sense)-this will be the bunny's body
• fold the cloth in half; the fold will now be the bunny's butt. secure with rubber band about halfway
• fold the cloth in half again and secure about 1/3 way with the rubber band. cover the rubber band with a thin ribbon. this side will be the face. the excess towel part will be the ears, make them look like ears
• glue on googly eyes and mini pom pom for the nose
• voila! you're done and now have a beautiful Boo Boo Bunnie

(See Picture for CNH members with finished bunnies! How cute!?)











For those of you who weren't at my workshop this morning (haha, most of you reading this) I hope you find this as a fun project to do for children and seniors as well.

Take Care!

Live to Serve -- Love to Serve,
--Kristen

There's no place like HOME!

Hey there CKI!

I arrived this morning with my District Treasurer Gabby to the New York District's District Convention. It was really great to be welcomed by my fantastic Assistant Administrators as well as the rockin' SUNY New Paltz CKI club and their great decorations. This year's convention is themed "Service: Gettin' jiggy with it!" It's pretty rockin because everywhere you are you can find pixie sticks, pokemon cards, Power Ranger action figures and much more. When I get home I will upload pictures of the cute table decorations varying from Salut your Shorts to Rugrats.

The clubs were the most enthusiastic I have ever seen them before and the dance was awesome with things like the alligator dance, cotton-eye joe, and karaoke.

Congrats to NY for having 21 clubs in attendance this year - that is quite the milestone!

Cal-Nev-Ha, Capital, and Pennsylvania: I hope you guys are having a blast at your DCON too! :)

Yours in the love of NYCKI,
--Kristen

March for Babies Call

YOU'RE INVITED!

Want to share your best fundraiser? Looking for new ideas to recruit other students to your team? Just curious as to what actually happens on March for Babies day? Gear up for the big day in April! Join us on this call led by March of Dimes National Youth Council members to chat with other students from across the nation about the March of Dimes’ major event, March for Babies. Please pass this call information on to anyone you think could benefit!

DATE: March 30th
TIME: 9 pm Eastern CALL-IN: 1 800 411 7650 code 0820#

Yours in the Spirit of Saving Babies,
--Kristen

April Board Book

Hi there CKI!

The International Board will be holding a meeting next month in Indianapolis, IN. For Committee Updates and Reports from the International President please click here to view the April Board Book. Feel free to e-mail any member of the International Board if you have any questions.

Live to Serve -- Love to Serve,

--Kristen

Catch the Bracket Fever! Join the "CKI Bracket Madness" Facebook group!

Hey CKI!

Whether it's in class, during your club meetings, or at work I am sure during one place or another you have been invited to join a Bracket pool or you've seen printed empty brackets waiting to be filled up. Never fear CKI is here!

One of our greatest strengths as an organization is our fellowship and what better way to celebrate this then with a little help with the good ole' NCAA.

To help make this March Madness a fun CKI time I've created a "CKI Bracket Madness" group on Facebook that will allow you to make your bracket, dish out smack talk, and interact with out CKI members from schools all over the nation and world.

So upload your bracket, get your smack talk ready, and visit the group for a friendly competition and great time with fellow Circle K'ers.

Live to Serve -- Love to Serve,
--Kristen

Year-to-date Statistics

Below is an e-mail I received from our helpful friend Tony Cooper at the Kiwanis International Office. Check out these awesome statistics!

Keep growinggggg, growinggg, strong CKI and thank you to everyone who helped us exceed our 10,000 threshold. These new totals bring us to 83.66% towards our year goal of 13,125 members!

Live to Serve -- Love to Serve,
--Kristen

-----------------------------------------

Hi Kristen,

Here are the Y-T-D club and membership stats for CKI.

CLUB STATS

Paid clubs: 416

Suspended 58

Retained 60

New 11

TOTAL 534

MEMBER STATS:

Paid members: 10,980

Have a good day!
Tony

Tony Cooper

Kiwanis

International

Area Director

Service Leadership Programs

New CKITV Video: "District Convention in 5 minutes!"

Ahoy, me harties from Michigan!

Yo ho ho! Ahoy, mates!

I wanted to take a quick second to hop online and send you pirate love from the amazing Michigan District of Circle K! This evening and weekend have sure been a lot of fun and I am very blessed to have had the opportunity to spend this weekend in such remarkable company. I've always been impressed by the potential and sparks of enthusiasm that occur when people gather for one common purpose and this District Convention is no exception. This weekend through Penny Wars, Costume Contests, games of "Guess how much Booty is in the jar?" and other friendly competitions the clubs of Michigan have come together to raise money for the Six Cents Initiative. As soon as Governor Ashley gives me an update on the Penny Wars I will surely keep all of you posted with how much they raise. I always love it when I can visit some place and immediately feel welcomed as if I was at home. It was also great to see our CKI Director Erin Fischer visit to lead the Michigan District's advisors and Kiwanians in Advisor Leadership Bootcamp: Fischer Style! Thank you to the Michigan District for being such a "warm home feeling" place, attending my early 7:20 am Officer Workshop with the District Exec Board (remember, "I AM SO NOT TIRED!"), and participating in this DCON.

This evening continued with a Keynote Address from Jim Dreyer, a world class swimmer who has swam all 5 of the Great Lakes, a few tid-bits of motivation from moi, and well deserved awards. In addition, I also got to meet in person a huge group from the amazing CKI Club at the University of Michigan who is renowned for their 24 hours of Service and large dues-paid roster.

Prior to attending District Convention I only knew about the University of Michigan for 3 reasons. 1.) The school is mentioned in my all time favorite movie "The Break Up" 2.) I bought a U of M shirt one time at Steve & Barry's for the sole reason that I knew they had a Circle K Club, and 3.) meeting our fabulous IP Blood Drive Committee Chair Jenna Dahn at ICON last year. However, this evening I was able to witness first hand the true testament to the type of leadership they foster with their 163 member CKI Club. I say I got to witness this because at this evening's award ceremony the entire 2008-09 Leadership Team for U of Michigan CKI received Outstanding Officer Awards! Congratulations to U of Michigan for becoming such a well oiled service machine and to all of the clubs who won awards including Central Michigan for growth, Wayne State for Scrapbook, and Michigan State CKI for their distinguished officers.

The evening ended with a dance and you can bet that Editor Kristina Croes, myself, and Governor Ashley Malmsten did the Leadership Academy dance to "The Way I Are" in honor of our friends from Leadership Academy as well as the Alligator Dance (shorts and all!) dedicated to Sub-region C! ;) I promised the UMich CKI Club that I would wear my lovely UMich shirt and sing their fight song with them if they donated $6.00 to the Six Cents Initiative (I know, cheap but it's still a lot of lives) and returned the District gong. Although I will admit that I butchered it because I couldn't remember where I put down the lyrics I did however know the beginning line and the last one "the champions of the west!" It is my goal before International Convention to learn it in it's entirety so that I can sing along with them at the CKI Tailgate at our Birmingham International Convention.

Tomorrow morning the House of Delegates will reconveign at 7:00am and then I will be off to catch an early flight out and return back to Syracuse before the CKI Board meets for our evening bi-weekly phone conference.

Lastly, shout out to my fantastic roommates: Governor Ashley, 0910 Michigan State President Karen, and 0809 Michigan State President Kate for a great time guarding the gong, printing ridiculous amounts of paper, complaining about the lack of lighting, and overall just having a plain awesomely great time.

Weigh anchor and hoist the mizzen!

--Kristen

Have you hugged an advisor lately?

Hey all-

I hope everyone is making it through midterm season and has managed to take a break from working, volunteer, and spend some time with your club.

At my Circle K meeting last night we had our nominations for officers and I am ridiculously excited for what the year will bring next year and proud that I have one more year to dedicate to my club and CKI (woot go Class of 2010!). All the candidates who were nominated would do a phenomenal job in any office and I'm looking forward to another great SUNY Potsdam CKI E-Board.

The picture above is with Joe Swan (our FANTASTIC advisor), my Club President Lauren, Club Secretary Kari, Club Comptroller Liz, Club Treasurer Kari, and Club Editor Jen. I wanted to post it and congratulate them as well as the retiring 08-09 Club Exec Boards for working so hard all year to promote service, leadership, and fellowship. This thanks is also especially deserved to the advisors and Kiwanians who dedicate their time to helping our organization succeed. Truthfully, without my Kiwanis Advisor Joe or Faculty Advisor Karen I don't quite know how successful or how much service would get done.

With that being said, take the time at your next club meeting to hug your Kiwanians and thank them for all they do. I encourage all clubs to hold surprise Thank You parties for your advisors and honor them in any way you can through cards, awards, etc.

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and have an amazing rest of your week.
Michigan District CKI, Seeeeeee you this weekend at DCON! =)

So Proud to be a Potsdam CKI'er,
-Kristen

Cutest Project Ever: Austin State School Sensory Room

Hey all-

If you have a quick minute click here for the latest Megaphone Highlight on the CKI Web-site. One of my favorite projects I have heard of this year is being highlighted from the fantastic Texas-Oklahoma District. Congratulations to Hill Country Division Lt. Governor Brittany for planning such a moving and beneficial project for the kids of Austin. Live to Serve -- Love to Serve,

--Kristen



Photo Credit: Eric Carter, UT CKI