Bartletts, Elections Highlight NIF Convention

NIF Bartletts, Elections Highlight Convention

Warren Spencer, District Foundation Vice Presi= dent

Bartlett Awards

Things always seem to come in threes. It should c= ome as no surprise, then, that the Nebraska-Iowa Kiwanis District Foundation prese= nted three Bartlett awards to deserving Kiwanians during the 2007 District Convention in Spence= r.

Perhaps most recognizable on the list was First L= ady Arlene Hessman. Through Governor Dave’s efforts, the Foundation was targeted to receive divisional gifts during his Kiwanis year. Sufficient fu= nds resulted in Governor Dave receiving a Bartlett at this year’s Midyear Conference in Ames. But gifts reached an additional $= 1,000 to qualify the governor for a diamond level Bartlett. Instead, Dave asked that the donations go to honoring Arlene with a Lady Bartlett. Her medallion was presented by District Foundation President Mary Langdon during SaturdayR= 17;s Installation Banquet.

Hal Tuttle, familiar to most Nebraska-Iowa Kiwani= ans as an exceptionally active member and Division 4 Foundation Trustee, also beca= me a Bartlett Fellow. Hal’s citation was a surprise gift from his family, = and was presented by President Mary during Saturday afternoon’s Honors Session. Accompanying Hal’s presentation was one to equally prominent past Nebraska-Iowa Governor Gus Erickson, currently Division 20 Foundation Trustee. Gus becomes the 70th Bartlett in the district.

New Foundation Projects

In conjunction with the convention, the Foundatio= n’s annual and board meetings addressed topics including new projects in the wa= ke of PTK, and election of Trustees for three-year terms.

Foundation board members ratified two new project= s. Each is elective by clubs throughout the district and addresses differing n= eeds, although both are aimed at the Foundation’s commitment of helping children. The new Backpack Program will provide backpacks and duffel bags holding essential and personal items for children forced from their homes f= or emergency reasons, including domestic violence. Through coordination with l= ocal social agencies, Kiwanis clubs will provide the backpacks or duffel bags wi= th selected items. Or they will provide only the bags, with allied agencies supplying fillers. Additional information and opportunities to participate = are available from Foundation Secretary Marvel Dunaway.

Also approved as a Foundation project was Child L= ures, an in-school program designed to inform students through high school about threats emanating from a variety of sources. Web predators, societal dangers from sex offenders, and potential hazards to life and health are identified= and defense techniques offered. Under the program, Kiwanis clubs can purchase m= edia kits and take-home materials for local schools where teachers and administrators will handle day-to-day details. Clubs in the district will receive initial contact in the near future, including full information and signup opportunities.

Annual Elections

During annual elections, officers and Trustees we= re named for the upcoming year. One change in the officer ranks saw Linda Van = Horn of Ames= elected as Foundation Treasurer, succeeding Bob Dunaway who stepped down due to hea= lth reasons. New Trustees are: Paul Brenner, Division 3; Terry Virtue, Division= 5; Jane Clingerman, Division 8; Bob Dunaway, Division 10; Ron Stoen, Divisions= 13 and 16; Jack Crook, Division 15; John Woolson, Division 17; George Phelps, Divi= sion 18; Julie Goodwin, Division 22; and Jolene Ward, Division 24. Combining of Divisions 13 and 16 represents an initial step in Foundation administrative streamlining through expanded territories for individual Trustees.