Stewart Ross, recently elected Kiwanis International Trustee from MN-DAK was assigned three districts, serving as counselor for the 2009-2010 Kiwanis year.  The first was MN-DAK, his home district.  “I must say that returning to my own, wonderful district was a gift from Kiwanis International.  This year they decided that each newly elected trustee would work with their own district the first year on the board.  I will not get this opportunity again in my three years as KI Trustee.  Liz and I had a great time working with the MN-DAK leadership and members at the convention.  At times it was an odd feeling to be serving as a trustee at my own convention but it was fun to know so many (nearly everyone at the convention).  We have a terrific district and being assigned to MN-DAK was a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Stewart was also assigned to the Andean/Central America Kiwanis District.  The week after the MN-DAK convention, Liz and Stewart flew to Panama City where the convention took place.  “Being assigned a district outside of North America was a real surprise and exciting for us.  We have many new friends in that area and invitations to return and stay with Kiwanians in Panama.  (see photo of Stewart with the current governor of Central America Kiwanis) In fact, a few members from Colombian clubs asked me to come back to give my “Magic “ speech to their clubs.  (I worked hard to do part of my speech at the convention in Spanish)  I doubt we will be able to do that but I was honored just to be asked.  Liz and I were treated so well by everyone and had a VIP tour of the Panama Canal….Liz and I were able to sit at the main computer and open and close gates for a ship coming through the canal!!  The Kiwanians in Panama and Colombia really know how to party!  Saturday night they danced until about 2 a.m. while Liz and I went to bed at midnight so we could catch a taxi at 5 a.m. to fly back to Minneapolis.  When we went to the taxi the next morning at 5 a.m. a wedding from the previous night was still going strong.  Being assigned such an exotic and interesting district helped Liz and I realize Kiwanis is truly a global organization.

The week after the Panama City convention Liz and I flew to Albany, New York for yet another Kiwanis District Convention.  It was easier than Panama since everyone spoke English.  The New Yorkers were so welcoming that Liz and I were amazed.  It seemed every couple of hours someone came by and asked if we were enjoying the convention.  New York has a whole different culture than MN-DAK and does many things differently than we do.  It is so interesting to see the varying traditions as you travel from one convention to another.   We were invited to attend the Mid-Winter New York Kiwanis District Convention in March and look forward to returning.  We have many new friends from New York and great old friends like past trustee Tom DeJulio.

On September 1-2 the CEO of Kiwanis International, Rob Parker, is flying into Minneapolis for one-on-one meetings with me.  I look forward to learning more about Kiwanis in those talks.  At the end of September I fly to Indianapolis for four full days of board meetings where we will decide the next Kiwanis International Service Project.  I will also be officially inducted as a KI Trustee and Liz will join me for the weekend.

I am so grateful to the MN-DAK District and our great campaign committee for giving me this amazing opportunity and promise to represent our district well at all conventions, meetings and board sessions.  Thanks MN-DAK, you are the best! "–-Stewart  Ross, KI Trustee for 2009-2012