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Kiwanis International Update
April 2008
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New wheels, new hope
Though she actually is 24 years old, Parameswary looks like a girl half her age. A polio-like disease stunted her growth, and today she weighs no more than an adolescent child. For much of her life, she has lived on the floor of her family's tiny apartment or relied on others to carry her about.
Living on a tea estate in Sri Lanka, her family's only income has been generated by her father, but only when the estate has work for him.
Kiwanis, however, changed her life.
"She is by disposition cheerful," says Patrick Harrigan, a representative of the Sri Lanka Children's Trust, whose mission is to improve the general well-being of needy Sri Lankans. "But you can imagine that her condition was beginning to get her down. A wheelchair was a priority, so she could sit by the window or outside on the walkway.
In cooperation with the Children's Trust, the Kiwanis Club of Colombo City purchased a wheelchair for Parameswary. Since then, she has received a television, which makes her home a gathering place for neighbors. She also established a small retail shop and earns 300 to 500 rupees per day.
"Parameswary was the (Children's Trust's) first recipient of a wheelchair and the first to start up her own shop, so this has been the laboratory for us to learn how best to empower the handicapped with minimal financial input," Harrigan says. "Now we're hoping to replicate this success for other families living with disabilities."
And it all began with Kiwanis.
Powerful photos
Whether you're publishing a newsletter, an e-newsletter, a blog or a Web site, photographs are a vital tool for engaging your audience, says nonprofit marketing expert Nancy E. Schwartz. All the more reason to use more photos in your publications-and to be sure your photos are the highest quality possible.
Here's a photography technique that will empower you to take stronger photographs of your Kiwanis events: the rule of thirds.
Long before the invention of the camera, artists discovered that images can be more interesting if the main object is positioned off center. You can create compelling off-center photographs by using the rule of thirds, which divides a scene-and a photograph-into a nine-section grid.
Almost always, the point of interest should be on or near one of the grid's four intersections.
Caution: If you are using an autofocus camera, make sure your camera keeps the point of interest in focus.
Are you proud of your club's photos?
Share your story with fellow Kiwanians.
Other photo tips:
Builders Club aims for growth
To spark growth, Builders Club will begin assessing an annual club fee (English) of US$150, rather than individual dues. Beginning with the 2008-09 administrative year, the Builders Club fee will be billed to the sponsoring Kiwanis club.
Remember:
- Kiwanis International is accepting nominations for the Young Children: Priority One banner patch award program. A project must be nominated by a lieutenant governor, district Young Children: Priority One committee chairperson, district governor, or an International Officer. (Young Children: Priority One projects address the needs of children prenatal to age five.)
- Key Leader has announced its spring and summer schedule.
- Kiwanis International-European Federation Convention, June 6-7, Linz, Austria.
Share your One story
Here's your chance to help fellow Kiwanians. Your club's Kiwanis One Day achievements can inspire others to lead the way in helping children worldwide. There are two ways to tell the world about your club's Kiwanis One Day success:
- Post a photo and report at Share Your Story, where you also can read how, in just one day, the world was blanketed with Kiwanis service.
- Before June 1, submit a report form to Kiwanis International to qualify for a One Day banner patch.
Convention is coming
An online registration form is available now to save your place at the 2008 Kiwanis International Convention in Orlando, Florida, June 26-29. Registering early also will save you money. After April 25, the registration fee increases from US$175 to $200.
The housing form also is available to secure your hotel accommodations.
Candidates announced
The following Kiwanians are candidates for the 2008-09 Kiwanis International Board. The election will be conducted at the Kiwanis International Convention in Orlando, Florida, June 26-29.
President (elect one):
- Donald R. Canaday, Meridian Hills, Indianapolis Indiana, club.
President-Elect (elect one):
- Paul G. Palazzolo, Springfield-Downtown, Illinois.
Vice-President (elect one):
- Chia "Sing" Hwang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Webster A. James, Goldsboro, North Carolina
- Sylvester Neal, The Valley, Auburn, Washington
- Jorge García, Bogotá, Colombia
- Joel Lee Williams, Troy, Alabama
Region I Trustees-United States (elect three):
- Wm. "Ed" Hutchinson, Cape May, New Jersey
- James S. Jennings, The Santa Ritas Green Valley-Sahuarita, Arizona
- Garry L. Warner, Sikeston, Missouri
Region V-At-Large (elect one):
- Robert Vande Rieviere, Tielt, Belgium
- Tadao Oda, Sendai, Japan
Region IV-Asia-Pacific (elected at 2008 Kiwanis Asia-Pacific Convention, March 20-22, Jakarta, Indonesia):
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