Partnerships work like magic

It’s reality, not sleight of hand that impresses Victor Brown. So when the relatively new member of the Kiwanis Club of Magic City, Birmingham, Alabama, attended the International convention in Indianapolis a couple years ago, he was struck by the amazing feats Kiwanis clubs accomplish when working in partnership with each other and with other community organizations.

“My Kiwanis club already was working on a number of projects when I joined,” Victor notes. “But at that convention, I was inspired by examples from Michigan and Florida where Kiwanis clubs formed these partnerships to provide long-term service—service that makes a difference.”

When Victor returned home, he shared his revelation with his club, and fellow members were likewise inspired. Since then, the club has been cultivating support from other Kiwanis clubs in the Alabama District for a long-term project to eliminate illiteracy among children in child-care centers throughout the state. Victor is hopeful the eight-year project, to be launched later this summer, also will bring much-needed exposure and membership growth to Kiwanis in general, and his club in particular.

“Our goal is to grow from about 40 members to 100,” he explains. “We are marketing and promoting through word of mouth, e-mail, and invitations to meetings, and, one by one, people are beginning to take notice. Our members are encouraged. Our club is energized. We are about to do some big things.”