Bama Bulletin

Do you want to get the most out of your Key Club experience? I know I do, and after going to District Convention last year I couldn’t recommend a more fulfilling experience for other Key Clubbers. This year’s District Board is working hard to make the upcoming convention (mark your calendars for March 26-28^th now) the best yet. We decided that this year we would work with a State Fair theme and ask Key Clubbers to “Step up to Service”. We will have workshops where you can learn about all different types of things, from Unicef and Children’s Hospital, to how to dress for an interview. There will be the traditional competitions – scrapbooking, essay writing, skits, talent, ect. – as well as a variety of fun games for which you will buy tickets. The money from these tickets will be donated to Children’s Hospital, and you will get a prize for playing; therefore, everyone wins! As always there will be dances and numerous other social opportunities for you to make new friends. District Convention is an invaluable opportunity for you to serve others, learn, and have fun all at the same time. I hope to see you there!

Submitted by Annah Rogers

January 1, 2010

Welcome to a new year!  Last night along with millions of others around the United States, I sat down to watch Dick Clark’s New Years Eve show.  It was nice to watch the memorable moments throughout the year, but the best moment was watching the ball drop.  All the people in time square, and those at home focused on the enormous ball decked with millions of tiny lights staring back at their audience, as it slowly dropped to the final ten second countdown.  As the final second comes to an end, fireworks are shot, confetti is released, and everyone, everywhere, lets out a unified scream of “HAPPY NEW YEAR!!”  It was amazing to see everyone so excited over something so simple, a new decade, a new year, a new moment. 

I could not help but to think of what it would be like for all those people to focus their attention, time, and energy on something else, something that would make a difference in the world around them.  Then I thought of how much the members of the Alabama District of Key Club International could change if we devoted every spare moment we had to making a difference.  Instead of watching our favorite shows on television, we could make care packages for children in need.  Instead of spending time with friends, we could hang out with senior citizens.  Alone it may seem as though a few hours of our time is not worth it, or that our few dollars could never help, but it does.  When you look at the service we do on a larger scale, we alter the world around us more than we think.  Together as a district we have no limits to the amount of change that we can make.  If we were to unite together, just like those in time square, we could revolutionize the meaning of service, and set the bar one notch higher. 

The Alabama District Board is set up and designed to make this possible.  All year we have worked to keep the members of the district up to date on what their fellow members are doing, and getting every member to participate in a single district project, “Keeping Promises”.  Keeping Promises is a foundation set up to build a new addition to the Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, and the Alabama District has pledged to contribute $150,000 between the years of 2008 and 2013.  This seems huge to any single member, but if every member were to participate, we would surpass all expectations, and set the bar higher for future generations of members to achieve. 

The Alabama District board also plans the District Convention, where members from all around the state gather to share their service experiences with one another, compete in competitions, accept recognition for their achievements throughout the year, and learn more about how they can better serve their homes, schools, and communities.  You also participate in a hands on service project, where you can see up close and personally how much of a difference we can truly make. 

So I challenge you to take a moment to make a change not in your community, but in yourself.  Make a resolution to make 2010 a year of caring, of giving, of serving, and I promise that this time next year, when you look back on all that you have done in 2010, you will find your year to be more rewarding than it would had you spent it watching your favorite show, or spending countless hours sitting on the couch with friends.  Let’s make 2010 a year to remember.  Are you up to the challenge?

Your Friend in Service,

Brandon Bourque, Governor

The Alabama District

Key Club International

The Division 10 “State Fair” fall rally was held on October 11, 2009 at
Childersburg High School.  Six clubs were in attendance as well as
Kiwanians, lieutenant governors, advisors, and guests.  The rally began
with a tricycle race followed by refreshments and state fair games. Then,
the heart of the rally began.  President Laura Runyan (Childersburg Key
Club) and Kacie Cast (Randolph County Key Club) began with our pledge and
invocation.  Then , each president gave a president’s report to share the
progress and achievements of their club.

I spoke to the Division 10 Key Clubbers about Key Club being your vehicle
to service, participation, and leadership.  Next, Lieutenant Governor
Shirin Torabinejad (Division 1) and Lieutenant Governor Mark price
(Division 13) started the rally with a skit- “The Key”. Following the
skit, Mr. Palys and Janee Strader-Children’s Hospital Liasons- talked
about Children’s Hospital and the Keeping Promises Campaign.  An inspiring
short video called “My Dreams” re-enforced the information given
previously.

Next, Tim Holloway, the guest speaker, shared with us his experiences
within the medical field. As a nurse, he sees the day-to-day struggles of
children and families. He talked about Key Club and showed how we, as Key
Clubbers, can truly make a difference.  His powerpoint presentation
included Key Club history plus his role in the lives of children.
Afterward, The second part of the skit began and door prizes were given
out.

Overall, the Division 10 rally was very successful.  Over 70 members,
advisors, Kiwanians, and guests were involved.  It took about a month, if
not more, for preparation and planning.  Food, decorations, door prizes,
and monetary gifts were donated from local stores and businesses.  There
were more than 65 stuffed animals donated to be given to Children’s
Hospital.  Key Clubbers were having fun, swapping phone numbers, and
getting to know each other.  I was excited to meet members and see them
have so much fun. Some Key Clubbers traveled from one hour to one hour and
a half to the Division 10 “State Fair” Fall Rally.  That truly shows how
dedicated and wonderful the Key Clubs in Division 10 are!  I can’t wait to
plan the winter rally!

Submitted by:
Allie Haynes
Lieutenant Gov. Division 10
The Great Alabama District
256.487.3946

It is weird waking up and not knowing what it looks like outside, that’s how we felt the morning of October 24^th. Unfortunately we were traveling the day before to Black Mountain, North Carolina for a Key Club weekend called KFC. Not the restaurant silly, Kiwanis Family Convention! On the way there we were accidentally hit by a lady driving 70 miles per hour while we were stopped on the interstate. It was pretty scary and one of our beloved adults had to venture in an ambulance to the hospital to be checked out. Mr. Payls, the Children’s Hospital liaison was checked and fine. We were all worried but he insisted we travel on to Black Mountain. By the time we arrived in Black Mountain, it was so dark we had no clue of our surroundings, but the next morning when we woke up, boy was it beautiful!

Not only had the trees bloomed, but the K-Family was up and shinning brighter than the sun! Breakfast was filled with hellos, and introductions. As we headed to our first session, I was nervous, most of the time when I go places; I have an agenda of where and when I need to be. Although there was an agenda, I had no clue what it meant! We started out the morning with yoga and a few leadership activities before our first session started. After the first session, we entered in group time. I was excited because I was in the Roller Coaster group, and I heard from others this group was fun. Boy where they right! Our group was lead by the Key Club and Circle K International Presidents, Abigail and Jason. Group time allowed a time full of interaction with the other branches, and especially the late night session where we were all asked questions we must answer provided a great “family” time.

Another great experience was making carnival games. Each group was given a plastic bag with limited supplies in it. Our group received a bag of nerf balls, cups, and straws. We were clueless. What should we do? Just sitting around thinking we started making shapes out of the straws. The shapes were so cool we built off of that idea and made the Shape Shifter. Players threw balls through straws and earned points, and prizes for getting the ball through the shapes. It was lots of fun and another great time to interact with the other groups and see their creativity. This also showed the simplicity in having a fun game night or carnival at a location near you to raise a few dollars. Kids will pay anything to just have fun!

The difference between this weekend, and many other Key Club weekends was it was relaxing. We just got to hang out with some of the coolest people! I was so thrilled to have this adventure, oh yes, it was an adventure, full of fun, friends, and memories. I will never forget the people I met, the experiences I had, and the family I now know about. Sorry you missed the boat this year, but remember there’s always next year! Mark your calendars, November 5-7.

Submitted by Shirin Torabinejad