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Every New Year brings us new opportunities, new hope, new members, new energy and greater chances to make a difference in our community. As the Lt. Governor of PNW Division 22, I ask myself how we can make the New Year the best Kiwanian year yet.

 

We all recognize that times are tough at present and that many people and businesses are suffering in the current economic climate. However, in these difficult times, a positive message and a positive attitude are needed and I am sure that we will all enter 2012 with that spirit. Every New Year, we look to see where we can help, what needs of the community we can address and how we can make our communities and our world a better place. We should look to see where change is needed and how we can make a positive change a reality.

 

I hope that in this New Year that each Kiwanis member looks within themselves to find the strength to bring about the change that our community so greatly needs. I look for our first emphasis to be on the family, because the family is where everything begins. I hope that we all realize that we all are part of the Kiwanis family. It is our family, not the individual, which is the building block of the community.

 

In Kiwanis, our potential is endless and the stakes have never been higher. So in this New Year, let us all resolve to give ourselves fully to our Kiwanis work and together work to create a safer, healthier and more joyous world free of childhood cancer.

 

Your Lt. Governor,

Jim Garcia

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As I am writing this note, it is Oct. 6th and I have officially been Lt. Governor of Division 22 for 6 days. My goals and objectives are no different than the past Lt. Governors. I want each member and club to achieve distinguish recognition by the end of the year.

 

I have visited each club two or more times. I have had a divisional meeting with the Kiwanis Pacific Northwest Governor Claudell King. We served 64 dinners to Kiwanians that have made a difference. I have installed four club boards, and two new members. I have had a divisional council meeting.

 

I have already had some great people come up to me and pledge their support. Each day I have been more motivated if that is possible. I have that wonderful feeling that our division is going to have their best year ever.

 

I want to make sure that we all remember WHY we joined Kiwanis and its MISSION of “enhancing a community by enhancing its children”, and knowing that “one act of kindness CAN change the course of a life”… I really feel it’s important that we keep our clubs ACTIVE and ENGAGED and a club that we want to be a part of and one we want our friends or colleagues to join as well.

 

I am starting my year out as a “GREENhorn” and my wish is that by the end of the year members will say:” Jim was a great Lt. Governor because we made him GREAT!”

I am learning that the older I get, the earlier bedtime comes. It is going to be a fantastic year.

 

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The need to belong is an integral part of our psychological development. We need to recognize that belonging to Kiwanis is a vital and essential part of our relationship with ourselves and others. It is important for our organization to have a color that our members and community can associate with. We have chosen the color green for the 2011-2012 Kiwanis year.

 

Grass green is the most restful color. Green symbolizes self-respect and well-being. Green is the color of balance. It also means learning, growth and harmony. It often symbolizes money.

 

Types of Green

Green light - go, permission to proceed (A club that take an active role in helping the community

The green room - in theater or televisions it is the room where performers and guests go to relax (A professional organization where you are proud to be part of)

Green thumb - good with plants (Growth within our clubs by bringing in new members with new ideas)

Greenback - US dollar bill, money. (Raising funds to meet the needs of our community)

Greener pastures - something newer or better. (Such as new projects)

 

Green contains the powerful energies of nature, growth, and desire to expand or increase. Each Club will increase their membership at a minimum of five and take a more active role in their division. We will become more involved in the District project (KCCP).

 

Balance and a sense of order are found in the color green. Change and transformation is necessary for growth, and so this ability to sustain changes is also a part of the energy of green.

 

We would like this year to be the start of the “greening” of Kiwanis. Seeking out newer members and younger generations and growing a more vigorous Kiwanis. Green symbolizes the master healer and the life force. We want to raise funds to help find the cure for children with cancer. We want to play a key part in giving hope to children and families that are presently coping with the diagnosis of cancer.

 

We need to have a true belief that no problem is too big or too small. Working together, our members achieve what one person cannot accomplish alone. When we give a child a chance to learn, dream and succeed, great things happen.

 

Green is the color of nature, fertility, life. We cannot hide our Kiwanis light in a hole. We need to plant the seed that lets it grow to shine the values of Kiwanis. Let our Kiwanis values be a beacon to all those that want to make a difference by Serving the Children of the World.