thewebbypenguinnovember 2015 • late fall edition

Hello New Jersey District! Time flies. I can’t believe it’s already November; although it was eight months ago, District Convention 2015 feels like yesterday. I can’t seem to process that we’re more than halfway through the service year already. That being said, these past several months were unlike anything else I’ve ever experienced. Twenty six people who were complete strangers back at Midwinter Convention in February have become family to me. Through Key Club, I’ve met some of my closest friends, learned new skills, and accomplished things I couldn’t have before imagined. This edition of my newsletter, The Webby Penguin, lies somewhere along the lines of a scrapbook and a timeline. It reflects on some of the things I’ve experienced from March to November, and then it looks forward into the future at events that are coming soon! At the end, you’ll also find information about applying to the 2016-2017 District Webmaster position.

Shannon Peng

2015-2016 District Webmaster

2

Table of Contents My Journey …………….…. 3 Some highlights from this 2015-2016 service year.

The Website ...……………… 7 The website’s journey this past service year.

Looking Ahead ………….… 8 • Upcoming Events • Roles of the District Webmaster • Applying for the 2016-2017 Service Year

3

My Journey Let’s start from the very beginning

march 27

april 18

DCON 2015 I attended District Convention 2015 with my home club, Millburn High School, when I was appointed as the 2015-2016 District Webmaster.

April Board Meeting April was our first official board meeting. Every board member delivered his or her first oral report – in front of the entire room. In between sessions, we brainstormed ideas for and filmed the RTC Promo Video for our chosen theme,

pumping up the volume of service.

4

may 9

june 23

`

Spring RTC’s After attending many Regional Training Conferences (RTCs) with my school, I found myself at the podium at the front for the first time. I prepared and presented the Club Webmaster and Social Media workshops, took pictures at the events, and met tons of awesome people.

ICON 2015 International Convention 2015 took place in Indianapolis, IN. Key Club, Circle K, and Kiwanis all gathered to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Kiwanis International. We attended workshops, met Key Clubbers from around the world, and elected the next International Board (shoutout to Trustees Devin Sun and Kacie Hines!)

5

august 15

sept. 12

August Board Meeting We held our second official board meeting, August Board, at Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ. In addition to our discussion and oral reports, we made puffy paint socks and participated in the ELEMONATE Challenge!

Fall RTC’s September was busy with another round of RTC’s, one of which took place at my school, Millburn! Thanks to the hard work of the RTC Committee and Committee Chairs LTG Meghan Nevola and LTG Emma Clark, the RTCs were a great success.

6

oct. 10

nov. 14

Fall Rally Oh, the Service You’ll Do! The day before Fall Rally, we gathered for Fall Rally Board, where we read the script over and over until we reached (near) perfection. The next morning, we got up at the crack of dawn to reach Six Flags, and then read it again – this time, in front of almost 3,000 Key Clubbers from around New Jersey!

November Board Meeting At Fall Rally Board, we voted and decided on the secret agent-inspired 2016 District Convention Theme: License to Serve! Fall Rally marked the official midpoint of the service year. Since then, we’ve been hard at work with Second Half Special Committees, organizing the different aspects of DCON 2016.

7

The Website njkeyclub.org

From the #njkeyclub tagged, Instagram-filled

homepage to the Seuss-themed Fall Rally event page, we shine the spotlight on some of the most notable additions to the website this service year.

8

Looking Ahead

Key Leader December 4th– 6th, 2015 at Camp Crossroads in Port Murray, NJ. A weekend retreat in the woods where you’ll befriend students from around New Jersey and develop your leadership skills.

District Convention April 1st–3rd, 2016 at Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch, NJ. An annual convention of hundreds of New Jersey Key Clubbers celebrating the end of a successful service year and the beginning of a new one. Meet Key Clubbers from all over the state, elect the next NJ Executive Board, attend workshops, participate in contests, have fun at dances, and more!

9

The 2016-2017 New Jersey District Webmaster If you have a passion for technology, service, and Key Club, you should consider applying to be the 2016-2017 District Webmaster.

Roles of the District Webmaster As the District Webmaster, your tasks may include: v Updating the NJ Key Club district website with the most recent news, events,

announcements, and media. v Joining or collaborating with the Public Relations Committee, promoting Key Club

and NJ District events through social media. v Presenting workshops at Regional Training Conferences and District Convention. v Attending District Board Meetings and district events, including Fall Rally and

District Convention. v Finding new, creative ways to incorporate technology into Key Club.

Topics and Skills You’ll Explore These are a few topics that you’ll learn more about during your term. You’re not required to have prior experience with them to apply. v Building websites with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (front-end web development) v Graphic design with Photoshop, Illustrator or other design software v Video filming and/or editing v And more!

10

Application Timeline The application for the District Webmaster is quite different from the process of running for an executive position – there are no campaign speeches or caucusing involved. Here is a general idea of what your application process will be like:

1. The official Elections Packet can be found in the December District Mailing, including additional information about the position, and the official District Webmaster Application.

2. The application typically consists of biographical information, links to previous websites you’ve created, and two short essay questions. You can find last year’s elections packet at njkeyclub.org/downloads/district-resources/for-everyone/2015-16 Elections and Campaigning Packet.pdf

3. There will also be a form to reserve a spot for Midwinter Training Conference from March 4th – 6th, 2016.

4. At Midwinter, you’ll meet the 2016-2017 Lieutenant Governor elects, executive candidates, and other District Webmaster candidates. You’ll also attend workshops, receive training from the current District Webmaster, learn about the different committees, and watch an official board meeting.

5. At District Convention 2016, you will have an informal interview with the current District Webmaster and District Governor.

6. The results will be announced on Sunday morning of the convention.

A Special Note

As of International Convention 2015, the District Webmaster position is now officially internationally recognized – this means that if you meet certain criteria, you will be able to be distinguished at International Convention at the end of your term. I went through this application process last year – if you have any questions, I’m more than happy to answer them. Don’t hesitate to email me at webmaster.speng@gmail.com, and I will get back to you as soon as possible!

Shannon Peng 2015-2016 District Webmaster