Birthday gift idea: a new Kiwanis club

The Kiwanis Club of Belton, Texas, gave itself a birthday present: the Kiwanis Club of Bell County Chisholm Trail.

The Belton club recently celebrated its 17th anniversary by opening the new club, which also goes by its initials, BCCT. Melissa Parker envisioned the idea of a noontime club when she still was a member of the breakfast Belton club.

“Melissa’s vision is now reality through the efforts of dedicated recruiters—all grandparents—and Melissa,” says Belton Kiwanian Pearl Fellingham. “Belton club president Karen Clemons led the drive to form the new club, with help from our Together Achieving Growth (TAG) Team and the Kiwanis International staff. The ‘recruiting grandmas’ brought in 25 new Kiwanians from February through the formal organizational meeting on May 25.”

The new club set a goal of filling out its roster to 40 members before its charter ceremony.

“The makeup of the BCCT club resembles the diverse area of Bell County, with representatives from local and international nonprofits, businesses, child-care centers, retreat centers, schools, and colleges,” says Pearl. “Included among their numbers are world travelers, homebodies, Canadians, and native Texans. Artists and massage therapists are represented, as are cosmetic consultants and realtors. The average age is mid 30s. Women outnumber men, but the gap is closing quickly.”

Charter member Julie Chapman comes from a Kiwanis family. Her father, Bill Bunting, tells outrageous stories about his Key Club International convention experiences during the 1950s.

“What a privilege to be a part of this great group in Belton Texas,” Julie says of the opportunity to join Kiwanis. “Watch out, because together as friends we are going to make great things happen for children of all ages in our area!”

BCCT Kiwanians are eager to serve their community and already are considering Young Children: Priority One programs and conducting a drawing as their first fundraiser. The winner may win a riding lawnmower.

“They bring experience in sales, business, budgeting, and leadership to the club,” Pearl says, “but they check their titles at the door. As they learn more about Kiwanis, they believe that together they can make a difference. They are the face of the new Kiwanis.”