August 2010

This month's message from President Paula

Each week we begin our meeting by reading the Six Objects of Kiwanis. This summer, the fifth of those objects has taken on very special meaning for our club. "To provide through Kiwanis Clubs a practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service and to build better communities."

Some of us have been friends for a long time; others shorter. But our club is one that shares one another's joys and sorrows, success and struggle. We truly understand that the value of our club as a small part of the larger Kiwanis family and even larger - our neighborhoods, city, state, nation and the world.

It does take all of us. Individually, we bring strengths that others lack; Corporately we share in the opportunity to serve others. Our goal is to build better communities and while we are doing that we are building friendships.

One of our newer members, Radford Reel, has expressed his interest in deepening friendships. The answer to that is to continue to be involved with us, joining in the common goal of altruistic service.

When you work with someone on a project, you get to know them better. When you share a meal and talk about your work, your family, your past times, the friendships follow.

We have shared concern when one of us is ill or has a family member who is undergoing medical challenges. We have rejoiced in new jobs, grand babies, and other success.

Recognizing that we are an example of Object Five should be an encouragement to us to endeavor to be an example of all SIX Objects and so that we are successful in fulfilling the mission of Kiwanis - Changing the world, one child at a time - As we incorporate these objects into our lives and into our club, we will be successful!

-Paula