IN THIS ISSUE

ØPaying Dues

ØPast Events ØUpcoming Events    

…AND MUCH MORE!

More on the

lovely hunt

on page 7!

Want  to  Volunteer?  Turn  to  page  8  for  our  future  service  opportunities!  

BearKats Monthly

Ø September Issue

Ø Publication for Binghamton University’s Circle K International

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Table of Contents

In This Issue…

On The Cover:

Campus-Wide Eliminate

Scavenger Hunt

ØFall GIM & Service Project…..3

ØPaying Dues…………………..….4

ØFall’s DLSSP..………………….…5

ØEliminate Scavenger Hunt.....7

ØUpcoming Events……………….8

Find out how much fun our

members had at 2013’s Fall DLSSP on

page 4!

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Once Upon a G.I.M.

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During the first week of school, like other clubs at Binghamton

University, Circle-K held their informational G.I.M. As a former

member of Key Club, a club affiliated with Circle-K, during my

four years of High School, I had already known what Circle-K

stood for, and the things they did to better their school and

community. But what I didn’t realize, and quickly began to

understand, was the warm sense of community that comprises

Circle-K, and the members’ true passion for community service.

After viewing the series of colorful presentations and discussions

about what kind of club Circle-K is, and why student should join,

all the interested students were granted the opportunity to

participate in the first service project for the semester.

Using the plethora of arts and crafts materials supplied by the

club officers, we made birthday cards for children in the SOS

shelter, where families with troubled pasts involving domestic

violence are provided a place of refuge with support.

Additionally, all the interested students had the chance to

mingle and make new friends while snacking on pizza and

delicious desserts made by members.

When I walked into the room and sat down, the first thing I noticed was that I was surrounded by unfamiliar faces. "It's not Key Club anymore," I thought to myself, and I sat in my seat anxiously waiting for someone to start speaking about the organization.

Before anyone said anything about Circle K, Walaa started introducing herself, and then a chain reaction began. Name, major, position, and why we should join the club from the entire executive board. After awhile, faces were not so unfamiliar anymore. I remembered that this was a branch of the K-Family - a place where anyone is welcome to learn, serve, lead, and ultimately, be a part of this family. Binghamton's Circle K revealed that through their in-meeting service project: birthday cards for underprivileged children. It was simple, fun, and a work of service.

Now this was familiar to me - a room full of people giving back little by little altogether making a big difference. I knew that I was in the right place that Wednesday night and I am glad that I found a new family to serve and serve with.

By: Tina Lee

By: Jerry Cimo

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Before you completely hate me for the amazing title of this article, hear me out. In order for you to call yourself a beautiful and devoted member of this esteemed club, there is a bit of a requirement. Each semester, every member of Circle K has to pay “dues.” Now, I know your mind is fluttering around the words, “What are dues?” Brace yourselves because I am about to give you that answer.

Dues are pretty much that last blue and white stamp of approval for your membership here and paying them is totally worth it. Not only do you get an awesome membership card to accessorize your wallet, you also solidify the opportunity of becoming a part of the BUCKI family and forming bonds with everyone! On a personal note, I have met a few keepers over the last year, so I am very thankful for what this club did for me. Did I mention it is only $12? I am going to pause for a moment and let that sink in. Just $12 – that is a couple trips to Taco Bell. I think giving up a few chalupas is worth making great lifelong friends. If you do not think so, well, who asked you?

Do the Due

What is the best benefit of them all? Actually getting the chance to make a difference in our community. You guys have no idea how much you really change the neighborhood we all live in. Whether it is from walking for Diabetes to making a birthday card, you impact a huge group of people and that is something you should be proud of and never take for granted . So, take out that wallet from your pocket and give our spectacular president those dues. Remember, the dues need to be handed in before the first week of October 2013 and get ready for the best year of your life!

There are a lot more perks to the laminated card. When shopping at Office Max or buying a few textbooks from Better World Books, just flash that baby and enjoy the discounts! Do you want to know what is even better? You have the option of going to all of the district conventions and workshops, which are a whole lot of fun. At these events, you get to meet other Circle K clubs from all over, network with some lovely Kiwanians, make friends, and most importantly, have a great time!

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You Know You Want the D…LSSP

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This was my first time ever going to DLSSP. I never imagined I would change someone’s day or bond as much with our members as I did. We were split up in groups, so we were forced to talk to other members from different colleges and it was a great idea! My group went to the nursing home. First, we played with balloons; throwing them at the nursing patients and having them exercise by hitting it back. Then we set up a hangman game for everyone (not as easy as it sounds). After all the fun, we left so they could eat. I went to a room whose patient only spoke Arabic (my native language) and I spent the rest of my day there. Her daughter, who is always with her to translate, would not stop thanking me because I made her mother comfortable enough to leave the room. Not only did I get to meet so many new Circle K’ers and bond with my own, but I also found out the significance something as simple as understanding the same language can change someone's day.

By: Krishna Tejani

Bonding time!

I had such an amazing time at the fall DLSSP. It was a great experience to bond not only with the members of our Circle K group, but also with other students from different parts of New York. The service project I was involved in with was at the children's garden. Despite all the rain, we were able to help by pulling out weeds, putting down mulch and plant matter, and laying out bamboo. Getting to see Ithaca, helping out at the garden, and meeting fellow Circle K members was something I will never forget.

I absolutely loved going to DLSSP. I met so many people from all over New York and we were able to connect by doing service together. We helped out a group of people in Ithaca who were working on growing an edible garden. I really felt like I made a difference here because it was apparent that if our group of "Circle-K'ers" were not around, their garden would have been left uncompleted. I am glad I was able to help them out with their garden. I even want to bring the project back to my home club in Binghamton. Thank you, DLSSP!

By: Bridget Okoh

By: Walaa Ahmed

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I was able to attend the District Large Scale Service Project (DLSSP) in Ithaca organized by New York District Circle-K with a few other members from our Binghamton Circle-K club. There was never a dull moment as I was able to meet and make friends with members from colleges and universities scattered throughout New York State and beyond. The fun began immediately following our departure Friday mid-afternoon and it never seemed to diminish.

It was quite the experience sleeping on the hardwood floors of the Ithaca YMCA gym. Especially, after rounds of intense dodge ball and basketball with all the new members I had met. The following morning, we packed our lunches and prepared for a long day of fun and adventurous volunteerism. We split into small groups consisting of students of which I never met before, but surely would become friends with, as everyone at the event was so friendly! Each group went to a different location. I went to a local organic farm in Ithaca that prides itself in its local food donations. I spent many hours harvesting and preparing beets in the fields alongside more volunteers – some from other local groups. Afterwards, my group and I traveled to our next location, a small organic foods festival, called Food Justice, at the Southside Community Center, where we helped distribute and hold signs to help inform the attendees that many of the tables were moved inside due to the rain. Overall, it was a very exciting weekend. I look forward to attending DLSSP next year and the other weekend-long events soon to come during this and next semester!

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By: Jerry Cimo

DLSSP was such a wonderful way to get involved with service projects that were so much fun! My first project was at the library putting books back in order in the children's section. I know it sounds boring, but it was actually really rewarding and awesome to see all the little kids enjoying reading! The other project I did was making apple pies for a fundraiser at a local community center. It was really cool to make apple pies from scratch for the first time. Overall, DLSSP was such a great time for not only doing service projects, but also meeting new people and getting to know our own club members better. I had such a great time and I hope I can go back!

By: Amy Boglarski

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Let Us Scavenge for EliMiNaTe

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It  is  a  beautiful  Saturday  afternoon.  What  are  you  doing?  Are  you  lying  in  bed  nursing  that  nasty  hangover  from  the  night  before  or  are  you  going  on  an  embarrassingly  fun  scavenger  hunt  with  your  friends?  Clearly,  we  all  know  the  answer  to  that  one,  but  for  now  let  us  pretend  that  you  said  the  scavenger  hunt.  Circle  K  just  had  its  Eliminate  Scavenger  Hunt  and  we  saved  over  200  mothers  and  all  their  children!  Talk  about  something  to  brag  about  to  all  of  your  family  when  you  go  home  for  Thanksgiving  break.  Just  picture  it  now.  Your  mom  talking  to  your  stuck-­‐up  cousin  from  out-­‐of-­‐town  saying,  “Oh,  your  son  got  into  medical  school?  That  is  nice,  but  my  son  saved  over  200  people.”      

For  those  of  you  who  could  not  make  it  to  the  event,  do  not  start  beating  yourself  up  for  it,  even  though  you  should.  Everyone  had  a  blast  that  day!  From  the  E-­‐Board  setting  up  and  hanging  out  to  the  teams  going  and  taking  crazy  pictures,  really  all  we  did  was  laugh.  One  of  the  tasks  was  to  “twerk  with  a  senior  citizen.”  Do  you  think  that  stopped  anyone  from  getting  those  3  points?  It  did  not!  A  few  groups  took  videos  of  themselves  twerking  with  the  lovely  people.  

As  the  E-­‐Board  was  putting  their  brains  to  work  tallying  up  the  scores,  the  teams  and  Circle  K’ers  went  straight  over  to  the  activities.  Everyone  made  his  or  her  first  pit  stop  at  the  mural  for  Eliminate.  Dipping  your  hand  in  the  royal  blue  paint  gave  you  the  opportunity  to  really  get  your  hands  dirty  and  leave  your  mark.  Immediately  afterwards,  the  crowd  moved  over  to  duct  tape  origami,  face  painting,  or  the  very  popular,  henna.  Personally,  I  tried  to  make  something  out  of  duct  tape,  but  since  I  lack  all  creative  ability,  it  came  out  looking  like  a  hot  mess.  So  naturally,  I  had  a  girl  paint  my  face  to  look  like  a  cat  –  whiskers  and  all.      

The  best  part  of  the  night  came  along  –  free  food.  The  table  was  swarmed  with  starving  students  ready  to  scarf  down  everything  in  sight.  Full  warning:  never  get  in  the  way  of  a  college  student  and  free  food  -­‐  it  will  not  end  well.  Eventually,  it  was  time  to  announce  the  winner  –  Veggie  Burgers.  It  was  amazing  to  watch  their  faces  light  up  when  they  found  out  they  won  the  grand  prize,  which  was  a  free  TV.      

This  event  was  one  to  remember  and  all  thanks  goes  to  the  beautiful  Krishna  Tejani,  our  Eliminate  Committee  Chair.  We  are  definitely  looking  forward  to  her  next  event  for  this  inspiring  cause!  

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Volunteer Opportunities!

Riverbank Cleanup When: 10/5/13

Where: NYSEG Stadium

Trick or Canning When: 10/31/13

Where: TBA

New York Speaking Conference

When: 11/8/13 – 11/10/13 Where: Lake George

Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk

When: 10/19/13 Where: Recreation Park

Walk to Stop Diabetes

When: 11/3/13 Where: Oakdale Mall

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Bake Sale When: 10/30/13 Where: Tillman

Lobby

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The Lovely E-Board

President – Walaa Ahmed

Vice President – Jordan Asulin

Secretary – Dana Shanon

Treasurer – Kristy Wolfson

Editor – Alyssa Famolari

Webmaster – Stacy Villalva

Kiwanis Advisors – Alan & Joan Kline

Eliminate Committee Chair – Krishna Tejani

Bake Sale Committee Chair – Angela Wu

Scrapbook Committee Chair – Raven Gomez

Fundraising Committee Chair – Amy Boglarski

Service Committee Chair – James Cownie

Advertising Committee Chair – Elise Cecil

Governor’s Project Committee Chair – Bridget Okoh

District Project Committee Chair – Sammi Wu

Icebreaker Committee Chair – Aaron Chernin