Margaret and Don go to Key Leader


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Among the attendees at a Key Leader event in Wernersville, Pennsylvania’s Camp Conrad Weiser were two “observers”: Kiwanis International Trustee Don Sanker and Margaret Nelson, a member of the International Office staff.

KIWANIS Connected asked Don and Margaret about their experience with 69 teenagers. From their different perspectives came different—but sometimes similar—answers. Read for yourself:

Describe the Camp Conrad Weiser facilities.

Don says	Margaret says
Scenic, up to date, clean, hard to walk on gravel pathways. The main room was just big enough for activities.	The camp was really nice! The main meeting room (Wigwam) was spacious, and the camp was kept really clean. It also probably helped that the weather was perfect!

What was your favorite Key Leader activity?

Don says	Margaret says
I have two: the challenge course and “The Art of Listening” activity.	I really enjoyed seeing what the students came up with for their neighborhood names and chants. Also, the Larry story was really moving, and I think it applied really well to the principles of Key Leader.

Describe your success with the low ropes/initiative/challenge course.

Don says	Margaret says
I took lots of pictures … and had fun doing it.	It was great to see the kids taking what they learned in the seminars to the low ropes course. It challenged them physically, gave them a great sense of accomplishment when they completed each task, and helped to bond them closer together.

How did this Key Leader event compare with other leadership events you have seen?

Don says	Margaret says
Key Leader is more interactive….lots of interplay between the students.	I think the Key Leader program is one of the best leadership events I have seen. It does a good job relating the key principles to the students and gives them real skills to take back to their organizations.

What was your funniest moment?

Don says	Margaret says
Margaret’s reaction to my taking a picture of her “napping.”	Probably the funniest moment was seeing how they got some of the students over the challenge wall. They definitely got creative on that one!

Through your observations, how did students relate to Key Leader?

Don says	Margaret says
They were all participating. I watched one young man sitting quietly at his community table Friday evening. He was into it on Saturday.	The students really enjoyed the program, and the neighborhoods allowed them to all actively participate. Each student really seemed to get involved with the material.

What was your favorite Key Leader meal?

Don says	Margaret says
Spaghetti	Not really a meal, but they had tons of Reese’s Cups, which are one of my favorites!

Why does Key Leader work?

Don says	Margaret says
Good facilitator, good adult supervision, good planning by the local committee, great curriculum, raising students’ expectations of themselves.	Key Leader works because the students are actively using the information they are learning, instead of just being talked at.

How much sleep did you get?

Don says	Margaret says
Not enough.	About six and one-half hours each night.

Why should Kiwanis clubs send students to Key Leader events?

Don says	Margaret says
To help the students, our future leaders, learn what it takes to be leaders, making them the best leaders possible. And so they learn that being a leader does not mean holding a title.	It is such an amazing event and a great way to develop leadership skills, regardless if the attendees are currently in a leadership role. It definitely teaches skills they can take with them throughout their lives!

What leadership lesson are you most likely to apply to your life?

Don says	Margaret says
Improve my listening skills.	I will never forget the story about Larry the Collector. It reminds me that one person really can make a difference, and you don’t need to have a title to do that!