‘Traveling show’ rocks Kansas-area Kiwanians

What should you expect from K University? To be “recharged” for Kiwanis? To find a fresh perspective? To discover something new about yourself? To learn life-changing lessons? How about “all of the above?”

Pat Hurrelbrink describes her K University experience as motivational, inspiring, energizing, and exciting.

But, she says, that’s not what she expected at all when she registered for the daylong event in Kansas City this past December.

“I wasn’t looking forward to it,” admits the Kansas City-West, Kansas, Kiwanian, “because I thought it would be dull.

“It wasn’t.”

Pat attended a K University session because, as a member of just two years, she wanted to become more educated about the organization. But she, and many others who’ve participated in K University, also became more educated about herself and her perspective on life.

Described as a “traveling road show,” K University is led by professional speakers and key International Office staff. The one-day sessions motivate, educate, share a vision of Kiwanis’ future, and enhance communication. Pat says she especially enjoyed learning about “changing perspectives,” a message shared by Past International President Steve Siemens, who served as a facilitator at the event she attended.

“It makes you want to ‘do,’” she says. “It was a great day—not only for Kiwanis, but for life.”

Likewise, Downtown Hutchinson, Kansas, Kiwanian Wendy Dowling took home lessons applicable to her life—specifically her career in the training department of a financial services software provider.

“Not only did I learn about Kiwanis,” she says, “but I got some ideas on how to provide effective training.”

She also gained ideas to help her club grow its membership.

“We are trying to get some new perspective, and (K University) taught me to widen our scope of whom we might try to solicit to join our group,” she explains. “We need to break the mold of how we do things and change how we are going to do things moving forward.”

She and Pat both encourage others to attend a K University in their area.

“The K University experience impacted me by showing me what Kiwanis is really about,” Wendy stresses. “What I discovered is that it is so much more than just an organization that helps kids. (Kiwanis) can change a community.

“I walked away from the experience knowing I wanted to be a part of (Kiwanis), not just thinking I did.”