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Kiwanis Interntional Update
December 2007
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Living a dream
 Czaplinek, Poland, is a dream city. Its reputation as an idyllic small town earned it the attention of the reality TV show Miasto Marzeń (Dream City). For nearly a year, cameras followed chosen residents in every aspect of their lives, documenting their joys and their setbacks. Among the city’s 7,000 citizens, one heroine emerged: 9-year-old Agnieszka Hajdukiew.
The Miasto Marzeń TV cameras captured a brave young girl overcoming incredible challenges:
- She was born without legs and without a left arm.
- She and her four brothers are orphans.
- One brother has leukemia.
- Her aunt quit her job to take care of the children.
- Eight family members, including a paralyzed grandfather, live in a tiny apartment unsuitable for Agnieszka’s disability.
Agnieszka’s courage and joy for life captured the hearts of TV viewers across Europe, including Kiwanians:
- The Kiwanis Club of Bad Schwartau, Germany, paid for Agnieszka’s rehabilitation in Hanover, Germany, where she was fitted with prostheses for her legs in 2005. Kiwanians also paid for a new pair of prostheses in 2006.
- Czaplinek, Poland, Kiwanians led a community-wide project to build a home for her and her family, obtaining an agreement with the country’s Ministry of the Interior to conduct a nationwide fundraiser.
 Now there’s a dream home in the dream city. It has windows, doors, electricity, a roof, heat, water, gas, and heated floors—all designed and built for Agnieszka.
“Agnieszka is an intelligent and very lively young girl,” says Magdalena Mokrogulska, president of the Czaplinek Kiwanis club. “Thanks to Poland’s generosity, she has faith in her future.”
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How great is your club?
Kiwanis magazine is looking for clubs that excel in all of the following areas:
- Consistent growth over the past 10 years
- Generous giving
- Effective service
- Fellowship
If you know a club that qualifies, e-mail your nomination, describing how the club excels in each of the four categories.
Deadline for nominations is December 31, 2007.
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Stories for your use
Kiwanis International now offers “Ready-to-Run” Kiwanis stories your club, division, or district can use for its publications. Topics vary. One document includes inspiring quotations. Another reports on Kiwanis International’s successful campaign against iodine deficiency disorders. And another provides marketing and public relations suggestions.
Clubs also may reproduce content from this Kiwanis International Update.
Ready-to-Run articles are available in English only.
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Get your family ready for Orlando
Family-friendly Orlando, Florida, is hosting the 93rd Annual Kiwanis International Convention, June 26-29, and the event’s schedule leaves plenty of time to combine Kiwanis fun with family adventures. Watch for information in future issues of this Kiwanis International Update, the February 2008 issue of KIWANIS magazine, as well as online at www.kiwanis.org/convention/.
Meanwhile, explore some of Orlando’s favorite attractions:
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Improve your Update
Kiwanis International Update requests your suggestions in improving its service to Kiwanis members worldwide.
What type of stories would you like to receive? Which of the stories in this issue appeal to you? Let us know if you have technical problems with the newsletter.
Please e-mail your comments and suggestions.
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Key Leader set for spring
Key Leader, a Kiwanis-sponsored leadership experience for today's youth, has announced its spring schedule. The season runs from February 15 to June 8.
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Dave speaks out
Every month, Kiwanis International President Dave Curry talks with Kiwanis members worldwide via the World Wide Web. His video message for the month of December describes how Ecuador Kiwanians are trying to provide educational facilities for needy children. |
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Kiwanians are talking
Kiwanis International CEO Rob Parker talks every week with Kiwanians worldwide. The conversations are conducted via a “blog” on the Kiwanis International Web site.
Rob’s Leadership Matters blog currently is posted only in English, but Kiwanians of all languages are invited to visit, translate the conversation (if you have multilingual skills), and comment in their own language or English. December topics will include:
- Future Worldwide Service Project
- Kiwanis’ top 10 priorities
- Local club success stories
Status of 501c3 status
In May 2005, Kiwanis International filed an application to the United States Internal Revenue Service for 501(c)3 status. The organization currently has 501(c)4 status. Both designations qualify as nonprofit, but 501(c)4 does not qualify for tax-deductible dues/fees, as well as other 501(c)3 advantages.
Here is an update on the status of Kiwanis International’s application:
- The applications have been forwarded with an agent’s and supervisor’s recommendations to the IRS Quality Review Department. Though no official communications have been received, this department reportedly will send Kiwanis International additional questions related to the original applications.
- If the department denies 501(c)3 status, the application will proceed to Washington, DC, to another level of review.
- If 501(c)3 tax reclassification is approved, the IRS wants a January 1, 2007, effective date, not October 1, 2007, as requested in the application. Kiwanis has responded that it is willing to accept that change.
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