Many cultures blend into one: Kiwanis service

Amid a pageantry featuring dancing dragons, acrobatic cheerleaders, and karaoke performers, the 31st Kiwanis Asia-Pacific Convention welcomed more than 2,000 registrants to Kaohsiung, Taiwan, this past March 10-12.

The host Taiwan District scheduled a weekend of cultural displays, Kiwanis business, and inspiration, set into motion by a visit from the nation’s vice-president, Lu Hsiu-lien.

“We need to educate children on the importance of being a good person,” Lu said, expressing admiration for Taiwan Kiwanis’ contribution to the young children of the world. “Let our children not repeat the same mistakes we made. Parents all want to send their children to the best schools; this is how they show their love. But oftentimes children cannot feel this love; consequently, they show no respect for human rights nor do they know how to love. These issues need to be addressed by organizations like Kiwanis, to teach the children things that are not taught in the classrooms.”

Other convention highlights included:

• Election of the 2006-07 ASPAC Board: chairman Tien-Lai “David” Lin of the Ta Li, Taichung, Taiwan, club; chairman-elect Stewart LaBrooy of the Klang, Malaysia, club; vice-chairman Ildelfonso “Body” M. Carino Jr. of the Metropolitan Manila, Philippines, club; and Kiwanis nations representatives Frederick J. Horecky of the Hafa Adai, Agaña, Guam, club; Irfan H.A. Vazeer of the Karachi, Pakistan, club; and Andy Simanjuntak of the Jakarta, Indonesia, club.
• Sharing of service projects, such as: Australia District supporting research to find the cause of congenital heart disease; distribution of child-abuse pamphlets in the Japan District; an Easter egg hunt for 200 foster children in Guam; providing artificial limbs for more than 3,000 patients in India; and delivering meals to senior citizens in Singapore.
• Commitment to Kiwanis International’s goal of achieving 1 million members by January 21, 2015. In general sessions, forums, and board meetings, attendees discussed plans to build membership through retention, recruitment, and new-club building.

“Just imagine,” challenged International President-Elect Nelson Tucker, “what Kiwanis will look like with 1 million members. Just imagine what Kiwanis can do with 1 million members.”

Nelson emphasized, however, that Kiwanis growth does not occur at the International, regional, district, or division level.

“Kiwanis grows in just one place,” he said. “That is in the club. The club is where our focus must be.

“We grow,” he concluded, “for one reason: more service.”

In 2007, Manila and the Philippine Luzon District will host the 32nd Kiwanis Asia Pacific Convention, March 9-11.