I've been telling people since I first became involved with Builders Clubs how wonderful they are. A lot of others are discovering the same thing, and I'm so proud of them and the new clubs developed and chartered this year! At the Kiwanis Family weekend, I asked every Lieutenant Governor if they would get at least one new Builders Club chartered in their division this year. They all promised! To date, we have seven new clubs chartered and actively making their communities in six divisions, a better place to be!
Here is a list of the schools with newly charter Builders Club and their sponsoring Kiwanis Clubs. Congratulations!
Six Lt. Governors have fulfilled their promise to charter at least one new Builders Club. I'm looking forward to the other 21 clubs being chartered!
Kiwanis provides opportunities for Builders Clubs to shine by sponsoring various contests each year. Those Builders Clubs that wish to submit nominations for these contests, send them to the District Administrator. One nomination for each contest may be entered from each district. Last year only two clubs submitted nominations. This year, we had entries from seven different Builders Clubs. I thought it would be best to have people who do not know the advisors or the sponsoring clubs, judge the contests. I reviewed their choices, agreed with the judges' decisions and submitted the best of the entries to Kiwanis International.
I was very proud of every student and club that submitted entries. These young Builders are developing not only leadership skills but writing, speaking, and artistic skills as well while developing self-esteem because of the service they do. I wish I could post copies of the scrapbooks submitted showing the service these young people have done. You should see the "Books" that were submitted documenting their service, or the Single Service projects these clubs did and submitted for judging.
There is a Kiwanis International Leadership Award that requires letters of recommendation be submitted by the Builders Club faculty advisor, a school administrator expressing the student's success in academics, behavioral and social endeavors and a recommendation from someone the student chooses. (Picking the person to write that letter tells volumes about the student.) These kids truly are outstanding, and I promise you, many of them developed those skills and standards by doing service for others, because of the opportunity given to them as a member of their Builders Clubs.
Finally, how many of us really do not care to speak in front of others? We had seventh and eighth grade students not only write a speech about what Builders Club has meant to and done for them, but sent in a DVD of them giving the speech in front of others! I was impressed with each and every entry we received, and so were the judges. These young Kiwanis Family members are well on their way to success in the adult world. We can all be proud of each of them!
Here is a listing of New York District's winners, submitted to Kiwanis International to be judged against the winners of all the other Kiwanis District's winners.
Builders Club Book Contest winner: Woodland Middle School Builders Club. Faculty advisor Crystal Zarcone, Kiwanis Advisor Marc Resnick, and sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of East Meadow.
KI Foundation Leadership Award: Marissa Flaherty, from the Builders Club of W.T.Clark Middle school. Faculty advisor Gerard Ferrara, Kiwanis Advisor Rose Marie Principato, and sponsored by the East Meadow Kiwanis Club.
Club Single Service Project winner: Volunteering at and financially supporting an Animal Shelter. Woodland Middle School Builders Club. Faculty advisor Crystal Zarcone, Kiwanis Advisor Marc Resnick and sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of East Meadow.
Builders Club Speech winner: Austin Ovadia, Woodland Middle School Builders Club. Title: "How Builders Club has improved my experiences in Middle School."
Scrap Book Winner: Builders Club of W.T. Clark Middle School. Faculty advisor Gerard Ferrara, Kiwanis Advisor Rose Marie Principato, sponsored by the East Meadow Kiwanis Club.
Because another scrap book was such a close second, I am personally naming it a Contest Runner-up: Lincoln Orens Middle School, Faculty advisor Karen Davis, Kiwanis Advisor Barbara Rubin-Perri, sponsoring Kiwanis Club, Island Park Kiwanis Club.
A job well done by all seven clubs who sent entries! I can hardly wait to see next year's entries. I'm sure there will be many more entries! Builders Clubs are truly exciting.
Column Posted on Web Site May 6, 2010
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