february tex-o key

Watch how Key Clubbers show love to people that need it most.

Run out of Ideas for good Ice Breakers to start off your meet-ings? Read to find out more!

visit our website at www.tokeyclub.com

theTex-OKey

February 2013 Volume 1 Issue 3

Do You Have the HEART to Serve?

Heart

Tex-OKeythe official

4 District Governor’s Report5 District Editor’s Letter6 Article Details7 DCON ad8 Completion Form Links8 Project Committees/ Updates9 Contribution Page10 Dues11 Membership Update12 Key Leader Dates13 Help a Heart Beat Ad

14 International Update

20

26

18

17 Paid Clubs Updated List18 Sharing the Love20 Putting the “Fun” back in Fundraising20 The Social Network20 HEB Feast of Sharing21 For the Benefit of Animals22 How to Keep your Meeti ngs Interesting22 Cypress Ranch Aids Ur ban Harvest Annual Fruit Tree Fundraiser23 Key Club: United to ELIMI NATE24 Christmas Gifts for the Texas Children’s Hospital26 Jacket Muscle Under Construction

District

International

Clubs

14 International Update

International

dance graphic

Tex-O Key December 20123

District Governor’s ReportH

ello Texas-Oklahoma!

With only months left in our terms, we have a lot to do to leave our mark and to make the transition to a new year ahead. Whether it is holding officer elections, participating in the Governor’s Project or District Project, or cel-ebrating it all at District Convention, we have a busy next two months ahead of us. If your club is planning to attend our end-of-the-year celebration at the luxurious Sheraton hotel in Dallas, Texas, Convention Registra-tion is now up! Be sure to check out tokey-club.com and get your club’s log-in informa-tion today so that you can get signed up in time to celebrate service and show us that you’re not afraid to serve. If you club is still not convinced that DCON is the event for you, I can only give you per-sonal testimony. My club, Manor New Tech, went to DCON the first year they were char-tered about 4 years ago. Since going, my club and the officers have done such an amazing job. DCON energizes the newly elected offic-ers and gives the outgoing officers something to look forward to at the end of the year.

Members get the chance to learn more about Key Club, develop leadership skills and have fun with over 1,000 other high schoolers from across Texas and Oklahoma. DCON is certainly not the only thing to focus on at this time of the year, there are many other things that your club needs to be focused on (dues submission, fundraising, service, officer elections, etc.) but I hope to see your club at DCON. As our terms come to an end, and others begin, remember that service and caring are not tied to a title or a position – they are what make you a Key Clubber. Continue to serve past your position and take the things you’ve learned throughout your term and use them to shape the world. It has been an honor to serve with you all and I will see you all in April.

If you have questions, just call or email me at

[email protected]

DISTRICT


A Word from your

H

send your articles here!

got any ques-

tions? call here!

District Editor

[email protected]

817-962-8945

ey there Key Clubbers!

I hope you all are enjoying the second semes-ter of school so far. If you’ve noticed, there are some article topics I’ve asked for that have not been put in the Tex-O Key. Don’t worry! I didn’t forget them. They’ll be in future issues.

Now I have some things to discuss. First off, for future references, club article topics and due dates will always be in the District Website, under my blog! Please check when you have time so that you don’t forget! Next, I have been getting articles through PDF format. If you are just sending them to me for points, you’re good. On the other hand, if you’re wanting that article to have the chance to be in the Tex-O Key, you’ll need to have it converted to a word document or attachment otherwise I can’t edit it. For the pictures, I would really really like them to be sent as a JPEG format through email attachment. You could send them as a word document, but I might not be able to open

it because of certain problems. Sorry about all of this!

DCON is almost here!! Are you guys excited? I am! Does your club have great quality pictures from previous DCONs? If so, send them to me for the chance to be in the DCON Tex-O Key. Everyone that attends will read it, and even better...It’ll be printed! Your club can treasure it forever, knowing that your picture’s inside! Keep up the good work! I hope you enjoy the February Tex-O Key!

From your District Editor, Grace Liu


to making a good Tex-O KeyThe Key

is YOU.

Ready to get started?

Pictures

The Tex-O Key itself is consisted of precious Key Club memories constructed inside for the purpose of spreading ideas, lessons, and tips on how to benefit the community no matter where you are. These memories come from clubs spread out in the T-O Dis-trict. Your help is needed to make the Tex-O Key successful!

are a beautiful thing. They brighten up your words. They illustrate your story. They contribute to your memories. Unlike articles, there are no limits to pictures. Send as many as you want. If you choose to take pictures for the Tex-O Key, please keep in mind that they should be taken in a positive at-mosphere, shown with diversity, and overfilled with Key Club spirit. Pictures with excellent quality and large sizes are preferred.

1. Recognize your club and write articles!2. Have great ideas on what events to go to that will help benefit the com-

munity? Write about it!3. Are you a good leader? Write advice and tips that can help others be one

as well.4. Did you attend an event that changed your/someone’s life for the better?

Write about it.5. Read the article assignments that I send out every month or look at the

back of every Tex-O Key that I publish (like this one!) and think about what to write for them.

DISTRICT


to making a good Tex-O Key


The advent of the new year means that District Convention is right around the corner!As a quick refresher, DCON is a 4 day retreat in Dallas, Texas on April 47. The purposeof DCON is to celebrate the past year and share ideas for the upcoming year. Be onthe lookout for tons of Convention material including the Convention CD which will bepublished online this year, the club forum application, and registration material. TheConvention CD will include material such as contest information, the ConventionBulletin, and dress code information! Also, since DCON is during STAR testing, makesure you talk to your principal NOW so that you guys can leave at your normal time. Ifyou have any questions, email your Lieutenant Governor or me!

Roshni ChandwaniTO Convention [email protected]

District Convention 2013

Governor’s Project

District Project

Completion Form Links

http://tokeyclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/2012-2013-Gover-nors-Project-Completion-Form.pdf

http://tokeyclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/District-Project-Completion-Form-2012-2013.pdf

Have you completed any projects in your club? If so, recognize it by completing the project form and clicking on the links below.

DISTRICT


Completion Form Links contribution pageCover Picture

Rebekah E. Drennon

Table of Contents PictureRebekah E. DrennonIsaiah ValleQuinones

Jennifer Li

Move Your Feet Help a Heart Beat AdJennifer Kay Tuggle Hinze

DCON FlyerRoshni Chandwani

DuesMaci Slater

ArticlesMacy Pollard

Isaiah ValleQuinonesLuke BroussardMiranda Mishan

Jennifer LiNathaly Aparicio

Carley ExigaThuy Bui

Raj. RanganathanClayton MarshallThomas Franco

Tashrima HossainRebekah E. Drennon


Well Hello T-O!

I know it is a busy time of the year, but it is VERY important that you and your club pay dues. Did you know that if your club does NOT submit their dues to international, you will not be able to:

So as you can see, paying your dues should be at the top of your list! Now, I know some of you have been having trouble with the new Membership Update Center (MUC). Just understand that you aren’t the only one! For step-by-step instructions on how to get a new pass-word, contact your LT. Governor or me today! There is also a step-by-step video that I would be glad to send to you! The cost per member is $12.50. The $12.50 per member is what you must submit to interna-tional. So please, please PAY YOUR DUES!

I am always here if you need me, just a text or email away!

Yours in service,

Maci SlaterDistrict Treasurer

• Attend DCON• Have a vote in your Division Election

Conference (DEC) where you vote for your Lt. Governor

• Run for Lt. Governor of your division and your club will be deemed as suspended

duesduesduesduesduesdues}duesdues How to update your membership

The club will not receive a password from Kiwanis this year. The new Mem-bership Update Center (MUC) sys-tem generates the individual’s pass-word directly to the individual. Remem-ber only the Faculty Advisor and Club Secretary will be able to access the system. It is also criti-cal that you follow the steps to get into the system. You can not use last year’s Advisor’s name(if different from this year’s) or password, or any other mem-ber of the club. It is best if you start with the Faculty Advisor because we know the secretary infor-mation is probably out of date. Here are the steps to fol-low to get started.

Before you start

DISTRICT


How to update your membershipin 7 steps:

1)Log on to Key Club International at: www.keyclub.org

2)Select the “Lead” tab along the list of tap just above the blue pencil. A drop down menu will appear on the left.

3)Select “Membership Update Center” form the drop down menu. You can also get into the center by selecting “Dues and Re-ports” tab just above the red search box in the upper right hand part of the screen and then select the Membership Update Center links in the center of the page.

4)On the Membership Update Center page select “register/reset password. This is a critical step that you must take on your first attempted log in. Do not just try and enter your email address and password on the form. This will take you to a page to input your email address.

5)Input your email address. If it is the email address that Kiwanis has in their records, after a short delay (1 minute or so) you will get a hyper-link to a site to generate your own password. Once you have logged in then the secretary can take over and fill in the club’s membership information. Please pass the training video link to your sec-retary so he/she can see how to update the system. It is very easy but reviewing the training video will make it even easier. Here is the video link: http://www.youtube.comwatch?v=0tfAvudii-w&feature=youtube

6) If the email address that Kiwanis has on file for your club’s Faculty Advisor is incorrect you will get a message that the login at-tempt has failed. Then you will need to con-tact Kiwanis Member Services at [email protected] or 1-800 Kiwanis (549-2647) ext 1 and they will assist you in getting on line. You will need your club number which you can find at in the attachment. Club are listed in alphabetical order. Here is a sample message to Member Services:

“Dear Member Services, My name is (insert FA full name) (email is XXXXXXXXXXXX) and I am the faculty advisor for the (insert school name) High School Key Club. My club ID number is (insert Club number). I would like to request an update in your contact infor-mation to reflect this change. I am in Division (XX) and the campus resides in the Texas-Oklahoma District. Please let me know when this change is made.

Thank you so very much,”

Member Services will send you a email stat-ing your email has been updated and at that point you can reenter the system us-ing step 5. They may also send you a temp password, if they do then you can log in on the first page and proceed with the mem-bership update.

7) Once the Secretary has the member in-formation loaded he/she can go on line and do the same steps 1-5 and then the Secre-tary will have direct access. The Faculty Ad-visor and Secretary will be the only people allow direct access to the system to update membership, so if either of you change job/graduate make sure to update the new information before you leave the position.

For Club Advisors & Secretaries

Before you start


email: [email protected]

INTERN

ATIO

NA

L


$145 for Key Clubbers $170 for non-Key Clubbers $85 for student facilitators

COST

Date: April 26th-28thLocation: Glen Rose

Date: May 17th-19thLocation: Kingston, Oklahoma

Date: April 19th-21stLocation: Huntsville, Carolina

Creek, Texas

KeyLeader information

email: [email protected]

INTERN

ATIO

NA

L

Tex-O Key December 201212 13March 15th

7pm-1am for more info, go to:http://goo.gl/vIVuB

INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT UPDATE

INTERNATIONAL TRUSTEE UPDATEemail: [email protected]

Rebecca Riley

Kayla Lash

email: [email protected], Texas-Oklahoma Key Clubbers!

It may be chilly outside, but I hope that your Januaries and Februaries have been filled with the warmth of a servant’s heart this winter! As District Convention season quickly approaches, I love to use this time to reflect back on all the fantastic people, great memories, and phenomenal life experiences that I have encountered through Key Club--starting from my very first DCON back in 2010. The Lieutenant Governor-Elect for Division 5 of the Great Alabama Key Club District, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, and I was more than a little apprehensive about what conven-tion might hold. However, from the minute I arrived, I was surrounded by the enthusiastic, joyful welcome that only a group of Key Clubbers can provide; I instantly felt important, valued, and included. And thus began the Key Club journey that has changed me profoundly ever since.

As T-O’s District Convention quickly approaches, I would encourage each and every one of you to find a way to be there. You never know who you’ll meet, how you’ll be im-pacted, or what journey you’ll start at a District Convention. Don’t pass up the oppor-tunity to be at the best weekend of the year this April 4-7 in Dallas, Texas. You won’t regret it!Thanks again, and happy 2013!

While your district is preparing for District Convention, the International Board is putting the finishing touches on our work for the International Board meeting that will be February 7th-10th in Washington DC. We could not be more excited to be staying at the site for International Conven-tion 2013. Some of the things that we will be working on at our board meeting are planning potential webinars for after District Convention season, working on the promotional video for membership recruitment, turning the service fair at International Convention into an online event as well, and evaluating the YOF grant process. For more information about what we will be accomplishing at our meeting, you can find our minutes on the Key Club International Website on the homepage! As for other International News, January 16th was the Eliminate Wordwide Report Day, which was a day where all the Kiwanis Districts and Kiwanis SLP representatives provided updates on their fund-raising totals. The reports received reflect the amazing progress already achieved as a result of Kiwanis International and Kiwanis International Foundation’s efforts for The Eliminate Project, as well as show the tremendous potential for growth. For information on the totals, check out the Eliminate web-site! Key Club has raised a total of $667,639.28 with a per member average of $2.55. All of the Kiwanis SLPs combined have donated over $1 million dollars, meaning 555,555 lives have been saved. The goal for each SLP member over the next three years is $5.40, meaning three lives per member. International thanks you for all of the amazing work that you have been doing for the organi-zation. Keep up the great service!

INTERN

ATIO

NA

L


INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT UPDATE


Your bill will be do-nated to Children’s Miracle Network, so get out there and dine at the IHOP near you.

CLUBS

CLUBS


one day...all babies will be born healthy.

marchforbabies.org/oneday

Top 25clubs

Paid Clubs Report

A&M Consolidated 26AC Jones 39Academy High 54Allen 160Arlington 378Atascocita 37Atlanta 15Ball 129Bandera 16Baytown Christian 38Bellaire 41Bishop Kelly 24Booker T. Washington Senior 10Booker T. Washington 137Broken Arrow N. 27Broken Bow 21Brownwood 48Bullard 51Byron P. Steele I I 72Canyon 70Carl Albert 123Cascia Hall 150Cedar Park 42Center Point 20Charles Akins 27Chisum 76Christian Education Alliance 32Cinco Ranch 152Cleburne 41Clements 23Clyde 26Coleyville Hertiage 68Coventant Christian 49Creekview 81

Cross Plains 39Crowley 64Cy-Fair 378Cy-Falls 230Cypress Lakes 158Cypress Springs 95Cy-Ridge 144Cy-Ranch 658Cyrus Wood 302Davis 55Dekalb 30Devalle 22Denton 20Dewey 14Dobie 15Dunbar 12Duncan 71Durant 18Early 90Edmound N. 139Eisenhower 81 Eisenhower Sr. 33Elgin 113Elk City 58Elkins 16Empire 27Garland 108Gateway 38 Goose Creek 93Granbury 125Guthrie 40Harding Charter Prep 36Harlingen 25Harrah 43Hebron 243Henderson 66 Hereford 9Holdenville 12Hunstville 58

Hudson 45Idabel 25Ingram Tom 25James Bowie 207James Bowie 256Jarrell 33Jenks 198John Foster Dulles 52Jones 32Jordan 25Judson Early College Academy 142 Kempner 39Kennedale 75Kingwood 83Kingwood Prk. 76Kliens Collins 66LC Anderderson 155 Lake Ridge 15Lake Travis 21Lamar 134 Lampasas 25Lee 33Lawton 17Leander 38Lindale 75Legacy Christian 13Libery Eylau 38Little Cypress M. 61 Lonegrove 25 Lockhart 52Los Fresnos 10 Lumberton 116MB Lamar 83 MacArthur 82Manor New Tech. 53 Mansfield Frontier 39Mansfield High 177Mansfield Legacy 46Mansfield Timberview

32Marble Falls 20Marine Military 85McCallum 70McKinney Boyd 50McKinney N. 62Midwest City 27McLoud 18Mineral Wells 18 Mineola 61N. Crowley 44N. Garland 93Nacogdoches 100New Braunfels 25North Lamar 12NYOS Charter 24Our Lady of the Hills16Palo Duro 20Paramus 31Pathways Middle Col-lege 20Pflugerville 57Plano West Sr. 99Polythecnic 26Ponca City 54Prague 18Port Aransas 32R.L. Turner 34R.L. Paschal 37Red water Senior 26Rice 56Richarte 13Robert E. Lee (Tyler) 25Ronald Reagan 77Ross S. Sterling 97Rouse 12Sachse 30Saginaw 43Sam Houston 44

Sam Rayburn 40Samuel Clemens 32San Angelo Central 56San Benito 18San Augistine 11San Marcos 23Second Baptist 101Shepton 51Sperry 34St. Agnes 143Stillwell 57Strake Jesuit Prep. 186Stratford 48 Street 16Sulphur 29Summer Creek 108 Sunset 49Texas City 39Terrell 36 Texas Senior 58The Woodlands 45Tulsa School or Arts and Science 24Union 53Union Intermediate 23Vandergrift 98Venus 35WB Ray 34WE Boswell 44Whetherford 33West 37West Brook 89West Moore 68Westfield 48Wetumpka 17Whitcita Falls 22

12,272 members185 paid clubs

CLUBS


marchforbabies.org/oneday

l by Luke Broussard, LTG 12 & 22

l by Macy Pollard, LTG 26

Sharing love can start many different things: like friendships, relationships, and emo-tions. What do we strive for when we share love? Happiness in another’s facial expression? When I show someone love, it is usually through a compliment, or build-ing that person up in en-couragement! It can be something simple like “Hey Suzy! I love that scarf you’re wearing to-day!” You just made Su-zy’s day! Then Suzy will compliment some other person, and so on. It’s like a train effect. The littlest things can make an impact on someone even if you’re not sure you made one or not.Compliments, conversa-tions, helping others, etc. Every little thing can af-fect someone who needs it most. Aim for happi-ness in someone’s eyes.

Help is not a ge-neric term. We all need help in different ways. Some of us need help on math homework, while others need a place to live or food to eat. Looking around your community to find a prominent issue that can be easily solved will guarantee an upbring-ing of service and commu-nity effort close to home.

For example, can food drives are easy to host, but can change many lives in your hometown or county. What is more loving than feed-ing a family that may not have enough money to buy all that they need? Love is shown by finding these specific instances and chang-ing them for the better.

Sharing the love

CLUBS


l by Miranda Mishan, LTG 2

l by Luke Broussard, LTG 12 & 22

l by Isaiah ValleQuinones, LTG 18

Showing love to others is always something that I’ve valued. However there are some that need our love more than others. As Key Clubbers, we have the power to make these people feel loved in great ways. I‘ve always loved chil-dren, and thought that they need as much love as we could possibly give them. So, when I heard about the B.R.O. Project, I realized that terminally ill children need our love the most. In my opinion, the best thing we can do for these sick children is to give them strength, and most importantly, hope. One way that I’ve been a part of this is through very simple but effec-tive direct service projects. At the Region 8 Fall Training Con-ference back in September, I got a small taste of what it’s like to share some love with those who

so badly need it. During our ser-vice project, Key Club members from my region came together to make paper flowers to donate to terminally ill children. While the flowers couldn’t cure their diseases, or treat their symptoms, I hoped that the bright, colorful flowers could bring some light and love into their lives. When my division and I made cards for the B.R.O. project it was done simply with the hope of spread-ing love and strength to those children who need it so much. The B.R.O. project has shown me where my love is needed most, and I’m proud that Key Club en-ables me to share love in such a way. Hopefully this year we can all give a little love to those in need.

It is difficult to show love, especially to people who need it most. However, Key Club handles this diffi-cult task easily, by doing it every day in everything they do; they just do not know it. Key Club shows love by serving.Through the simple ac-tion of volunteer service, Key Clubbers touch the lives of many every day. While most Key Club-bers join Key Club just because it is fun or they need it to look good on a college scholar-

ship, little do these Key Clubbers know that they are spreading love throughout their community, especially to those who need it.For instance, each and every year, the Salva-tion Army has an “An-gel Tree” donation that gives gifts to children who cannot afford gifts themselves. By buying a gift and donated it to that child, you are simply showing them that they are loved and though about.Coming together for a

simple service project, like a talking to old people at a retirement home is an easy way to not only gain service hours, but show those old folks that you are willing to listen to them, you care about them, and you love them.Key Club is all about doing greatness to the community and spreading love around, and we do that every day by simply serving our community. So, get out, start serving, and spread the love .

Brings:

HappinessJoyStrengthLightEncouragementDelightGratification


l by Nathaly Aparicio, Kempner Key Club

l by Jennifer Li, Bellaire Key Club

With amazing events like DCON, ICON, and Dance Marathon just around the corner, it’s more imperative than ever that clubs really hone in on raising funds. It’s the only way you can ensure your Key Club ends the year with the bang that we all know you deserve. Planning a fundraiser doesn’t have to be a stressful, dreaded task. Through following these sound tips, you’re sure to have a successful event that will leave you wanting to plan more.

1) Be creative. The idea is always half of the battle. It’s important that your club members are just as engaged as the officers. The added man power is what’s going to turn a decent fundraiser into an epic one. Trust me. Bake sales, lemonade stands, and car washes are all sound ideas. It might, however, be helpful to take a risk and think outside of the box.

2) Stay organized: While this might sound rudimentary at the start, it’s absolutely essential. Make sure your secretary is keep-ing track of all the assign-ments and tasks. Keeping a spreadsheet and sending out minutes is essential. Board meetings to plan are invalua-ble. They will make or break your event.

3) Evaluate need: Does your school have 2 movie nights each week but no one selling popcorn during

lunch? Talk to your club members, friends, and peers and find out what they want to see happen. If you meet their desires, they’re much more likely to support your idea.

4) Think seasonal. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, play it up. Sell roses, candy-grams or any other creative idea. This not only sparks interest, but it spreads your name across campus.

5) KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid- Make sure that your event has the ability to be executed. Don’t plan something outrageous and set yourself up for failure. Vision and goals are good, just run them by your entire officer board and make sure they’re realistic.

Like in all success-ful relationships, commu-nication is the key to keep everything in order between the officers and its members. Social networking sites are one of the most important ways in keeping communication among you and your members going. Facebook and Twitter are the top sites in enforcing this contact. Keep note that there are members out there who don’t have access to social networks, so send e-mails to all your members, too. Reminders are im-perative in reinforcing infor-

mation within your club. For meetings and events, send a notification not only on the day before of the event, but also three days before, too. Encourage your members to ask questions. Let them know that there is no harm in doing so. Communication is important among officers, too. If you’re unable to com-plete a task or if you disagree with something, it is vital that you tell your fellow offic-ers. Lack of communication among officers can make the club unstable and go awry.

Facebook helps keep all club information such as documents, photos, and events in good order.

Twitter makes it simple to send out short mes-sages to your members instantly.

Raising Awareness for CMN

SOCIAL NETWORKTHE

Feast of Sharing

Putting the “Fun” Back in Fundraising

l by Carley Exiga, West BrookKey Club

During these beautiful holi-day days, West Brook Key club has given a hand to those in need. H-E-B’s commitment and participation in the community has been recognized as an important part of the way the company does business. The twenty-two-years of Feast of Sharing Dinner tradition started in Laredo and Cor-pus Christi, Texas in 1988. Estab-lished to celebrate the holiday season, H-E-B has hosted the annual Feast of Sharing dinner, an H-E-B tradition for community residents to enjoy a delicious, free meal. This year held on, Friday, December 7, 2012, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Ford Park Event Center in Beaumont. The HEB Feast of Sharing is an enormous effort to serve the community and share the holiday spirit. HEB appreciates their customers and prepares the Feast of Sharing as gratitude. HEB does this event in 21 communities and pro-vides holiday meals and good cheer to about 250,000 residents in Texas. H-E-B feast of Sharing expects to serve and entertain more than 5,000 people in Southeast Texan. The Feast of sharing is not the only event HEB does to fight hunger, but this event is the peak of their support. In just one Feast of Sharing HEB helps with 3,000 pounds of sliced ham, 380 gal-lons of mashed potatoes, 140 gallons of gravy 750 apple pies, 1,100 lbs. of vegetable medley, 5,000 dinner rolls and soft drinks will be served. Hundreds of students help to serve food at the event. More than 1,300 volunteers’ adults and students from different Southeast Texas or-ganizations and schools sign up to help H-E-B serve as many as 5,500 meals. As volunteers go from table to

HEBCLUBS


Raising Awareness for CMN Children’s Miracle Network

On the warm, sunny Saturday of January 19, 2013, Mustang Key Club went to the Pets and People Humane Soci-ety Animal Shelter to volunteer. The major-ity of us arrived at noon. We were each given a dog to take on long walks down the street, brush/groom, and play with. We also had the option of playing with and taking care of the cats. Later, more members showed up, and we had to group up in triplets or pairs to walk the dogs since our group of volunteers had

so many people. We walked dogs for two hours. By 2 pm, they no longer needed us to walk the dogs. We were given clean up duties. We were split up into groups to clean up the animal shelter. We cleaned up dog poop around the area, in the dog park and down the street. We also raked up leaves and picked up other trash to be thrown away. After two excruciating hours of cleaning, we finished our volun-teer hours for the day and headed home. We had a total of 16 members volunteer at Pets and People.

Mustang Key Club Volunteers for the Benefit of Animalsl by Thuy Bui, Mustang Key Club

l by Carley Exiga, West BrookKey Club

table handing out meals; family and friends enjoy the performances of different schools performing Christ-mas carols on a beautifully decorat-ed stage. If the audience cannot see the stage form their seat this is not a problem because a huge screen is displaced so all views can enjoy the performance. Along with the food and entertainment, bounce houses, an arts and crafts section and The Strikers indoor soccer team were all available to the kids. Dance Dance revolution was also available for the kids to encourage kids to get up and move. Children who attended the Feast of Sharing were also able to re-serve an autograph for the Strikers soccer team. One of the most popu-lar entertainment activates was taking pictures with Santa. HEB encourages

parents to read to their children at least three times a week to build a strong foundation for early literacy. H-E-B has given away more than 1 million books through donations and distributes the book to the children who attend HEB feast of sharing. This is a big project which involves so many people and is en-joyable for everyone who attends.


Cypress Ranch Key Club Aids Urban HarvestAnnual Fruit Tree Fundraiser

On Saturday, January18, ten Cypress Ranch Key Club members and faculty advisor Katie Lauver volunteered at the Urban Harvest Fruit Tree Sale. The event took place at the Hou-ston Community College where hundreds of Houstonians gath-ered to partake in the largest annual fruit tree sale in Houston. The volunteers from Cypress Ranch Key Club were spread out throughout the market and were assigned jobs that ranged from cart distribution to line management. The group start-ed in the morning by uncovering the trees from their frost covers. Later in the day, they helped customers who had bought more trees than they had hands for move through the checkout line. After the event ended, the volunteers helped strike the setup of tents, fences, and wagons. One vol-unteer described it as, “well organized and well managed.”Urban Harvest is a nonprofit organization dedicated to pro-moting “healthy communities, sound nutrition and respect for the environment by educating children and adults and facilitating harvest and habitat gardens.” Every year, they in-vite dozens of suppliers to sell their trees at this event. The sale takes place on the third Saturday in January each year. They can be contacted through www.urban harvest.org. With the help of the Cypress Ranch Key Club, Urban Harvest was able to nearly sell out of trees, swiftly move custom-ers through to checkout, and effectively manage crowds. Debbie Leflar, Urban Harvest’s Volunteer Assignment Coordinator re-ported that “the sale was a huge success, less than ten trees were returned un-sold and the parking lot was completely clean when we left.” The Cypress Ranch Key Club looks forward to work-ing with them again and urges you to support Urban Harvest.

l by Clayton Marshall, Cypress Ranch Key Club

No president or pre-senter wants to see the back of some member’s head, the top of some member’s head, or the bottoms of some mem-ber’s shoes while he/she sleeps. Members shouldn’t feel as though going to meetings is a burden: instead they should look forward to the exciting activities that are planned during the meeting. Here are some ways that keep our meetings interesting:

1.Throw candy out during meetings: This was recommended by our Lieutenant Gover-nor Carolina Hernan-dez, and it works like a charm. We randomly toss candy to people while presenting up-coming events and reminders.

2.Give out gift Cards: We hide sticky notes under seats and give out gift cards to the people that find them!

3.Play Music: Before and after the meeting, we blast music to set

the mood.

4.Videos: Instead of explaining important projects like The Elimi-nate Project or Trick or Treat for UNICEF, we’ve use videos to convey the message and directly show who we’re helping.

5.Ice Breakers: Wheth-er we find our Perfect Match, play Never Have I Ever (PG style), 3truths and 1 lie, or Key Club Jeopardy, Ice Breakers are a great way to have an interactive meeting.

6.Food: When all else fails, food never does. If we’re having a morning meeting, we get mem-bers to bring donuts: if we’re having an after-noon meeting, we bring cookies, chips, or other snacks. These activities have greatly increased mem-ber participation during our meetings, also making them fun and exciting.

How to Keep your Meetings

Interestingl by Raj. Ranganathan , Cy-Fair Key Club

CLUBS


San Angelo Central Key Club, in unison with Key Club International, has been subject to a common goal: to rid the world of maternal and neonatal tetanus. After the release of this year’s Eliminate promotional video, thousands of hearts were touched. As one Key-Clubber put it, “We are here to make a difference in the world and we can’t ignore that. These lives must be saved.” According to the Kiwanis Eliminate Project web-site, the deadly disease steals the lives of nearly 60,000 innocent babies and a significant number of women each year. As servant leaders dedicated to change the world, Central’s Key Club decided they would take a stance for Eliminate. In a Fall kick off for service, Central’s Key Club brought forth a great service project that further involved the community in the effort to support the Eliminate cause. Ft. Concho Elementary

, a local school, was given the opportu-nity to lend its hand. Students partici-pated in a “penny war,” and the rules were simple: each class was to compete in a race to raise the most money that they possibly could. The class with the most money collected would win a pizza party. This project is one that has been offered on a yearly basis to Ft. Concho Elementary, and is one that has had much success in the past. This year, however, students decided they would leave an even bigger mark on maternal and neonatal tetanus. Altogether, the school raised a total of $449.00. Each vaccine shot only costs $1.80 and saves the lives of a mother, her baby, and all of her future children. With the grand total that was collected this year, Ft. Concho virtually saved 250 lives! To recognize the school for their significant contribution to the Eliminate Project, Central Key Club’s President, Rebecca Bingham, and Key Club International Service Ambassador, Thomas Franco, and Rudy Barron, Region 5 Advisor Tx-Ok Key Club District, took part in the school’s morning show. A large ‘check’ was presented and certificates of appre-ciation were distributed—a small token for the immense impact that the school made. What greatly intrigued Key Club officers and advisors was not only the difference that Ft. Concho made in re-gards to fundraising, but the significance that their efforts held in further linking the community with Key Club. All year long, the club puts forth thousands of service hours dedicated to giving to the community and providing for its needs. Here, however, the community seemed to be giving back the much appreciated service. As a result, lives were being

saved; It was almost as if a blessing was being recycled. In October, Central Key Club once again pushed forth for the Elimi-nate cause—They surely did not want to leave raising funds solely to the community. After all, every dollar truly does make a difference. For that reason, the club decided to raise funds from individual member donations. Each member was given a ‘Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF’ box to make collections. As a part of the festive spirit of Halloween, members presented their creatively decorated boxes and asked for donations rather than candy when trick-or-treating. The results were outstanding! The club managed to raise $169.00. What would Key Club be without Kiwanis? That question is one that can easily be answered: nothing. Kiwanis International is built on the foundation of ‘Serving the Children of the World®,” and it is very evident. San Angelo Downtown Kiwanis Club, Central’s sponsoring Kiwanis, also took part in supporting the Eliminate Project. The Kiwanis donated a total of $169.00. With this donation, the club had raised enough money to receive the Eliminate patch that now proudly hangs on their banner. For Central Key Club, the year has been full of much service both to the community and to the world. The contributions that have been made to support the Eliminate Project have been exceptional in every aspect. Perhaps with the combined efforts of Key Club International and Kiwanis International, maternal and neonatal tetanus can be something permanently of the past. We are Key Club: United to Eliminate.

Cypress Ranch Key Club Aids Urban HarvestAnnual Fruit Tree Fundraiser

Key Club:United to ELIMINATEl by Clayton Marshall, Cypress Ranch Key Club

l by Thomas Franco, San An-gelo Central Key Club


It’s a cold winter morning. A small girl sits under a brightly decorated tree and eagerly tears the red-and-green paper from a large box. Excite-ment fills her eyes as the contents of her gift are unveiled before her—coloring books, art sets, and other trinkets. Her hospital gown drags across the ground as she runs to present her treasures to the nearby nurse. She and other grateful children spread light in the dimly lit room of the Texas Children’s Hospital as they see what Santa has in store for them.

On Friday, December 21, the Cypress Falls Key Club visited the Texas Children’s Hospital to de-liver gifts to the young patients. Throughout the month of December, volunteers from the organi-zation decorated gift bags, pillowcases, and holi-day cards to present to the children who would be staying at the hospital during the festive season.

Christmas Gifts for the Texas Children’s Hospitall by Tashrima Hossain, Cypress Falls Key Club

CLUBS


It’s a cold winter morning. A small girl sits under a brightly decorated tree and eagerly tears the red-and-green paper from a large box. Excite-ment fills her eyes as the contents of her gift are unveiled before her—coloring books, art sets, and other trinkets. Her hospital gown drags across the ground as she runs to present her treasures to the nearby nurse. She and other grateful children spread light in the dimly lit room of the Texas Children’s Hospital as they see what Santa has in store for them.

On Friday, December 21, the Cypress Falls Key Club visited the Texas Children’s Hospital to de-liver gifts to the young patients. Throughout the month of December, volunteers from the organi-zation decorated gift bags, pillowcases, and holi-day cards to present to the children who would be staying at the hospital during the festive season.

“As a result of our hard work,” Stephanie Doan10 said, “we were able to wrap a lot of gifts, and the bags turned out to be really ador-able. Just thinking about all of the kids who would receive the presents brought me pure joy.”

When the Key Club volunteers visited the hos-pital, the staff was enthusiastic to learn of the Christmas surprises in store for their patients. The children were quite grateful upon receiving their presents as well.

“Making the gifts and delivering was an uplift-ing experience,” Clayton Brasher12 said, “and it helped me appreciate what I have been blessed to have. This experience truly got me into the giving spirit.”

Not only were the children thankful someone had them in mind this Christmas, but also the volunteers were enlightened by the experience.

“It was amazing taking the Christmas gifts down to Texas Children’s Hospital,” President Gabi Bradshaw11 said, “Knowing that sick children will be able to receive our gifts and put

a smile on their face is really rewarding.”

Without the generous donations from the Mead-ow’s Foundation, the project wouldn’t have been possible. The Cypress Falls Key Club was thank-ful for the funds to purchase the gifts for the hospital patients.

“I would like to thank the Meadow’s Founda-tion,” club sponsor Kathie Kiklas said, “Mem-bers had fun decorating and filling the bags, and the trip with the bags to the children’s hospital was very rewarding.”

This year, Santa took on a new name: the Cypress Falls Key Club. Every year, children throughout the world spend December mornings scurrying excitedly to their family’s tree to open gifts. At the Texas Children’s Hospital, however, the chil-dren are away from their home, their family, and their traditions. Though many of them were tired from hours of chemotherapy or yet another sur-gery, they spent this winter smiling because Santa always cares. Key Club volunteers always care.


Do your part to protect the con-nection. Do your part to keep fami-lies together. Do your part to change the world.

“Work hard! Get fit! Whoop whoop! Gooo Jackets!” are the words that echoed in a standing room only gym Friday, January 18 in Mineola, Texas. In an effort to “Connect the K’s” or get Kiwanis family organizations to work together on major projects, Key Club Lt. Governor for Division 34, Rebekah Drennon, created a jacket Fitness Club program for High School Key Club members to work with the elementary K-Kid stu-dents in Mineola Elementary Gym each morning Monday through Thursday from 7:15-7:45. The program includes a marathon club each Mon-day morning. K-Kids come out and run. When

Jacket Muscles Under Constructionl by Rebekah E. Drennon, LTG 34

CLUBS


students complete 26.2 miles they receive a medal for running a marathon and a t-shirt from Dan-iel Mosher and Motivated Consulting. Students arrive early on Tuesday morning for jump rope and aerobics club. In this club students on the jump rope team teach K-Kids new rope tricks. On Wednesday mornings students begin with stretch-es and pacers to prepare for the Fitness team and continue into a K-Kids favorite- aerobics club. Basketball club meets on Thursday mornings, in this club students practice fundamental basketball skills. Parents, grandparents, Kiwanians, and Key Clubbers are encouraged to participate in the clubs each morning.

In an effort to combine some of the clubs Rebekah, Lorrie Drennon, and K-Kids members created a work-out routine using cuts from the favorite music of elementary students. Students practiced their routine at morning clubs and during P.E. to prepare to perform as the half time entertainment at the varsity basketball games on January 18 and February 1st. We encourage everyone to take on our K-Kids Lt. Governor’s Challenge to “Work Hard and Get Fit!”

Jacket Muscles Under Construction


Grace LiuT-O District Editor

[email protected]

Thanks For ReadingTell me what you think of this issue!

Start thinking about what you can write for next month’s Tex-O Key:

1) What event have you attended that was made to help Children’s Miracle Network, March of Dimes, or Unicef?2) What is an event that you always look forward to? Why?3) What are some ways to raise money for DCON or other important events?

Feel free to submit other articles as well! Who knows? They might have a chance to end up in the Tex- O Key too! Remember to add a picture, a title, your school, and last but not least, your name!

Does your club have good resolution, diverse, and compassionate Key Club related pictures that show a positive effect? If so, send them to me for a chance

to end up on the front cover or table of contents!

february tex-o key

Documents

district project

key clubbers

district texo key

district convention

new year

governors project

year celebration

officer elections