The Minnesota-Dakotas District was honored to have Mr. Paul Palazzolo, Kiwanis International President, come for a Minnesota-Dakotas Official Visit to our District and take part in the “Kiwanis Family Celebration” and “Kiwanis One Day” activities. April 10th was a fantastic day for all those who joined in the activities. The Kiwanis International President visits various Districts once every five years.
The afternoon started with Kiwanians and guests going to the Kids Against Hunger packaging event. There were approximately 100 people, working as a team, and packaging 29,160 meals. When you take the 29,160 meals and divide that by 365 days, that equals enough food to feed about 80 children for the entire year! A container with this packaged food will go to the “Tent City” in Haiti. A big “Thank You” to all those who worked so hard at this event to help the children of Haiti!
In the evening, a banquet was held for President Palazzolo, Kiwanians and guests. Governor Bruce Klair opened the banquet and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Lt. Governor, Denis Cornell gave the invocation. After a very nice dinner, there was a terrific performance, by the Mankato Theatre Aktion Club, led by Director and Kiwanian, Wilbur Neushwander-Frink. The Theatre Aktion Club performed Scene One from “Soph and the Nana” and the following music: “Amazing Grace”, “Skipping a Step” and “I Have a Dream”. They received a standing ovation! John Dierbeck, program Co-Chair, introduced President Paul Palazzolo.
The two addresses presented by President Palazzolo were, “Take Time to Make a Difference” and “Habits of Successful Clubs”. President Palazzolo had a handout entitled, “Ten Objectives of Club Leadership”. President Palazzolo talked about having gathered these objectives as he traveled to various Kiwanis Clubs. He stressed that Kiwanis Clubs need to do a “Community Analysis” and a “Membership Analysis” in August or September of each year. Clubs need to work to have Distinguished Clubs and work on getting new members as you lose an average of 10% to 11% of your membership each year. President Palazzolo stressed, “We can’t let our Kiwanis Clubs slip away!” President Palazzolo thanked each and every Kiwanian in the Minnesota-Dakotas District for their hard work and being part of “...a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time”. President Palazzolo was a very joyous, happy speaker showing strong belief, passion and insight; plus he interlaced his address with plenty of great antidotes and jokes. It was a fantastic day and evening for all who attended.
President Palazzolo received the gift of a Jack Vantine Life Fellowship from Jack Zierdt, Secretary/Treasurer of the Minnesota-Dakotas District Educational Foundation. It was a memorable night for all those in attendance!
Lt. Governor, Denis Cornell received a surprise gift of a George F. Hixon Fellowship and medal for donating $1000 to the Kiwanis International Foundation.
Mary and John Dierbeck were the Co-Chairs for this event. Between the chairpersons and the members of the committee, they all worked very hard to plan a terrific day of events.
The very hard-working Committee members were Governor Bruce and Phyllis Klair, Lt. Governor, Denis and Nancy Cornell, Lt. Governor-Elect Barb Winfield, Mary and Dale Bowen, Denny and Mary Harris, Gail and Courtney Heyda, Diane Johnson, and Liz Lawrence-Ross. Special acknowledgements to Tim Stromer, Director, Kids Against Hunger, Mary Haemig, Mary Dierbeck, Mary Bowen, Mary Harris, Ely Kiwanis, Fridley Columbia Heights Golden K, North Suburban St. Paul Golden K, the Division 9 Key Club and Circle K Club members.
(In photo: Kelly Adler, President of Lake City Key Club and Shannon Johnson, Key Club Lt. Governor along with President Paul.)
