Summer Schedule and Election Meeting

We will meet on the First and Third Thursday in July and August.

Our next membership meeting will be on July 7th with our election of new officers. On July 21 the board will meet at 11 am and the club at noon.  In August meetings will be on the 4th and 25th.

At the June board meeting : Liz Lawrence-Ross was designated as our delegate to the MNDak Division meeting in Sioux Falls, SD on Aug. 5-7. Her registration will be paid by the club.  A slate of officers for the comming program year was proposed. For President- Stewart Ross; President Elect- to be determined;  Treasurer- Marlys Daly; Co-Secretaries: Liz Lawrence- Ross and Dawn Fairbrother;  Board members: Char Lusher and David Fairbrother.   Nominations will be open on July 7th and the election will follow at that meeting.

Thursday , May 19 Board Meets at 11:00 am Club at Noon

We will build our book supply for summer distribution, come and help with this important service Project.  Elections are just around the corner, please consider your role in the future of our Diversity Kiwanis Club.

Meeting this April 28th. Noon at the UCC

Discussion of Service Priorities and Fundraising Ideas.

May is membership month, time to invite your friends and neighbors to visit our meetings and sign new members.

International Festival On Sunday , April 17 East High School 11Am-4 PM.

This event has so much to offer as we celebrate cultural diversity.  Music, Dance, Foods, Arts and Crafts,  Children’s World , Parade of Nations and so much more.  Plan to attend.  You may participate with our club exhibit in the cultural  area in the gym. And take time to roam and experience the flavors of this growing and traditional event in our community.

We have boxes of new books , labeled and ready to hand out at the event. Please lend us a hand at our booth.

Admission and Parking are free.  Foods are available from vendors.

April 14th Meeting

 Steve Engerly  

 Presentation Title:  The Pork Industry – More Than Just The Other White
Meat.-What¹s going on in the food and pork business in your area.-Trends in the local farm economy that affect jobs and economic development.-Advances in pork production and what they mean to the food we buy.

Thursday , April 7th. Meeting and Planning Session.

Planning our participation in the International Festival to be held on Sunday, April 17th. at East HS. 11-4 PM

It might also serve a useful purpose to evaluate our mid-year club status.  Please bring an open mind and your willingness to explore improvements in our club and the ways we serve others.

Also, please note the program schedule and raise any tips you have for upcoming programs.

Board Position filled; David Fairbrother joins our board.

By vote of the membership at the March 24th. meeting, David was elected to fill the board position we had open and will serve the balance of the term till September 30, 2011. Congratulations, David.

MEETING MARCH 31ST. NOON LUNCH AND PROGRAM

Special Program:  “From Refugee to Citizenship”  by Trinh and Tru Nguyen and Thanh Le.

South Vietnamese and North Vietnamese people who now are US Citizens and Mankato Residents.

Members of the Downtown Kiwanis have been invited for an inter-club visit and we hope that as many of the Diversity Club will attend to make this a most memberable meeting.

“The Message” on campus this week. See link for details.

http://www.facebook.com/?sk=games#!/event.php?eid=150587441672849

March 24 Meeting: “Assisted Housing in Blue Earth Co. and PCs for People” by Andy Elefson

WE MEET TO Serve Children

Our books for kids and families are needed in Mankato.  We will prepare more books from our inventory for distribution: 1. Echo Food Shelf 2. Lincoln Community Center 3. East Jr. High after school African student program and more. Nominations from the membership for the empty seat on our board will be received. Currently nominated is: David Fairbrother. The election for this vacancy will be held at this weeks meeting.

Thursday , March 17th. we meet at noon at the UCC and then go to work on the books, More hands make light work and we chat while we work.

The board meets at 11:00 this week . All members are welcome to sit in and observe.

March 3rd. Program information and Video Preview.

This Coming Thursday Noon
March 3, 2011
The Mankato Diversity Kiwanis meet at the UCC 150 Stadium Ct.
Program:” 50 Strong 50 Wise”
Education in Sierra Leone
Sheka Mansaray, Program Founder and Author

Click here to preview the video message

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utIzbwFNATQ&feature=player_embedded

A Virtual Visit to Sierra Leone

Mar 3 Sheka Mansaray, MSU class of 2011, “50 Strong 50 Wise” Education in Sierra Leone

Thursday, Feb. 24 “Assisting Refugee Families in Mankato”

Feb. 24   MRCI Worksource _ Partnering  in Service  by Jessica O’Brien and others.  How can we help those adjusting to a new country,

new community ?  Where do our talents and connections fit into the programs that exist here?

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011 Board Meets at 11 AM Club Meeting and Lunch 12 Noon

Februrary 3, 2011 Meeting

Noon lunch  and Club service project at the UCC.

More Kiwanis Books for Kids are needed by our outlets so we will once again  prepare a supply.

Coming Soon : Saturday, Feb. 5th. on the MSU Campus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkR7rb1y06c

Refugee needs in our area were discussed.

Todays meeting was most productive as four guests from the MRCI Worksource attended and lead a discussion. Relocation adjustments, transportation concerns, English learning, medical and social matters, employement  and other concerns were aired.  Several areas of our support and involvment  opened up.   Continuing the  dialogue to explore ways we can partner in the efforts to meet some of the needs of those from diverse backgrounds adjusting to our community and their new life here are in order.

Jessica O’Brien and her associates: Mary Kate Lewis, Amal Mohamed and Intern, Jacob Mulkahy were all most informative and shared stories of the folks they work with.  Return visits along with Abdi Sabrie who works with African Children and Families  will be scheduled for meetings in February.

Jessica, Kate, Amal and Jacob

Visit their website:  www.mrciworksource.org

January 27  “Refugee Social Service Programs” by Mary Kate Lewis and Jessica O’Brien

Our meeting begins at 12 noon with a lunch catered by Hyvee and then we have our program presenters.

See you all there at the UCC this Thursday.

Thursday, Jan. 20th Club Service Project: Books for Kids

At our club meeting this Thursday noon we will all work together to prepare more of the books donated to be given to area families.

We will learn more about our collection methods and distribution approaches as we put our hands to work.

 The Mankato Diversity Kiwanis

Weekly meeting  is at 12:00 Noon

at the First Congregational UCC

150 Stadium Court, Mankato , Mn.

Hyvee caters our meal, available for just $6.00 per serving.

Guests and visitings Kiwanians are welcome to join us.

New to this Blog? Please look around and leave a comment here.

Recently efforts have been made to introduce this blog to members so that it may provide a more effective way to communicate and archive the Mankato Diversity Kiwanis ‘s activities and impact.  This is a good time to gather feedback from those of you who are on a quest to discover the resources that can be found on the blog and its many useful links. We invite you to explore and learn.

Upcoming Board Meeting and Club Meetings.

January 13, 2011  Thursday 11:00 AM  Board Meeting ….. any club member may attend.

                                                      12:00 Noon Lunch and Membership Meeting

Program: How to use our Club Blog by Joan Hertel and Mike Daly

Meeting Thursday Jan. 6,2011

We meet again at the First Congregational United Church of Christ at 150 Stadium  Court in Mankato

Twelve Noon for lunch. Today we may compare notes on how to use our club web site: www.mankatodiversitykiwanis.wordpress.com  and the Kiwanis International resource site: www.kiwanisone.org

December 30th. Noon meeting at UCC

Books and Business in lieu of a program.  Let’s see the old year out and approach 2011 together in service.

 Merry Christmas

Holiday Season Social

This Thursday, December 23

At Noon at UCC

Members, Guests and Family  are all welcome

As we share some Holiday Cheer at a social meeting.

Meeting on Thursday, Dec. 16 at UCC

11:00 Board Meeting

12:00 Meeting, Lunch, and Service Day on our Books for Kids Program

Happy Thanksgiving

There will be no meeting of our Diversity Kiwanis Club this Thursday, November 25th. 

We hope you enjoy this special holiday with your family and friends.

Cultural Charisma Friday Afternoon at MSU

Dues Reminder

For any member who has not already paid their full 2010-2011 dues, the balance is due by December 1st, 2010.

Statements will be available at the meeting this week and mailed out to those not attending.

If you have any question about your dues status please call Marlys Daly, treasurer at 507 381 1342.

Nov. 18 “Fair Trade” by Jane Dow

We will meet this Thursday for our regular meeting and lunch from 12-1:00 PM 

The board will meet at 11:00 AM

Next week we will not have a meeting so that members can enjoy Thanksgiving with their family and friends.

Diversity & International Education Week

Monday-Friday, November 16-20

Centennial Student Union on the MSU Campus

See link for the complete schedule of events http://www.mnsu.edu/cultdiv/Diversity%20and%20International%20Education%20Week%20Schedule.pdf

A word from Jessica

The Girl Scouts are looking for women volunteers to come and talk to a large group of girl scouts about their career for career day this Saturday 11/13.  The event is this Saturday at Madison East Mall.  If you are interested you can contact Heather Ballman at Heather.Ballman@girlscoutsrv.org.

Have a good week!
Jessica

Project Eliminate is growing. Learn and act.

http://www.causes.com/causes/526540?ref=sgm

Club meets Nov. 11th at noon

This week we will meet in the Education Wing at the United Church of Christ……. noon-1:00 PM

Dawn Fairbrother has another program for us. 

Welcome our new members

As we begin our new year in Kiwanis we welcome these new members:

John Dorn, Jessica O’Brien, Marcia Highum and Lynn Russ.  Credit goes to  Dwain Petersen, Joan Hertel and Char Lusher for sponsoring them. Pins and keys were presented to those in attendance on Oct. 28,2010.

                                      

John Dorn                    Jessica O’Brien                                  Lynn Russ

Not pictured: Marcia Highum

Mankato Diversity Kiwanis on Thursday Noon at UCC

 Oct. 28 ” Historic Fort Snelling” by Al Thompson

                               

Al Thompson, Speaker

October 21 board meets at 11:00 Membership at Noon

The board will review our proposed budget and service plan for the comming year. All members are welcome to join the board meeting. 

Linda Duckett will be the speaker at this club meeting.

Meeting Notice for October 14, 2010

We will have a “mystery program” be there !  We start at noon.

Memebership meeting , Thursday , Oct. 7 and Noon  at the UCC, 150 Stadium Court

Program: “Membership Growth Tips” by Dwain Petersen

Thursday, September 30th Meeting

This coming Thursday at Noon the Diversity Kiwanis meets as usual at the United Church of Christ dining room. Two items of interest for this Thursday:

1.    There will be an installation of officers for the new Kiwanis year. The Kiwanis year runs from October to October.

2.    Those who wish to remain a member must pay half of their annual dues no later than this Thursday, September 30. The remainder of the dues will be due on December 1^st.

The dues are $120/year, so each of you should have a minimum of $60 paid by this Thursday.

See you at the meeting!

meeting notice

The Mankato Diversity Kiwanis Club

Meets on Thursday Noon, 9/23/2010

Location: The UCC at 150 Stadium Court

Program: “Paddling Club and Area Biking” by Joe De Lory

Club Meeting on Thursday, September 16th. Noon at UCC

Program : Common Hope in Guatemala presented by Mike and Marlys Daly

Planning Session-Sunday, Sep.19,2010 2-5 PM at the Dalys

The outgoing officers and board members and the incoming officers and board members of the Mankato Diversity Kiwanis will meet on Sunday, 9/19/10  from 2-5 PM and later sit down to share a potluck meal.

This important time will give us the opportunity to formulate a plan of action and budget for the upcoming Kiwanis year. We will analyze our strengths and weakness, set priorities and get our course set for the new year.  Those elected to serve  for 2010-2011 will be installed on September 30th and begin the new year on October 1st.

We will gather at the home of Mike and Marlys Daly, 312 Le Sueur Ave. in Eagle Lake, MN.  Come, bring your ideas, a dish to pass and expect to have a good time as we work together.

September 7th–Program: Discussing the thoughts/evaluations of our club’s assets and liabilities

The seasons are changing as we sense the changes in the weather and the shortening of our days. Our new year on the Kiwanis calendar is rapidly approaching.  By the end of September our new officers and board will be installed. On October 1st, we begin a new club year.

The outgoing officers and board as well as those about to assume office will be meeting very soon to develop a plan of action for our next year and a budget to help us accomplish our goals.

Before then, I am asking each of you to participate in a process of assessment of our clubs assets and liabilities and what you think we need to consider as priorities to become more effective in meeting the needs of members and in serving in our community.  We also need to address our clubs role and participation in the new Kiwanis International service project: “ELIMINATE”.

For more information please read about this in the KI website: www.kiwanisone.org

At our next meeting we will spend our program time collecting your thoughts and evaluations.
If by any chance you are unable to attend the meeting this Thursday, September 9th. please take a few minutes to submit your input by replying to the e-mail sent out to you by Club Prez, Mike Daly.

Item 1:  What did I get out of this year in Kiwanis?
Item 2: How could the club better meet my needs?
Item 3: Have I made the decision to continue my membership and commit myself to an active role in service?
Item 4: What area of involvement best suits me?
a. Administration  b. Membership Growth c. Finance  d. Service
Item 5: Will you learn about and participate in “ELIMINATE”?
Item 6: My most meaningful Kiwanis Moment is…………
Item 7: Will you help the Kiwanis grow? In club membership? In adding to the Kiwanis Family of youth clubs in our area?
Item 8: Will I help the Mankato Divisity Kiwanis be a distinguished club in the coming year?

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.  Please respond, your input and ideas are valued and needed.

We hope to see you on Thursday Noon  at the UCC

September 2nd–Guest Speaker is Stewart Ross!

Stewart Ross will be doing a program on Kiwanis!  Come prepared to learn about this great organization and even take a quiz!

Thursday, August 19th

The program will be about the Rosa Parks Building Dedication & Grand Opening / the Eagle Lake Elementary School Public Open House. Hope to see you there!

Thursday, August 26

Program: Mary Beth Townsend, Mn-Dak Division Key Club Director on “Mankato West Key Club.”

August 12th Meeting Cancelled!

It seems many of our members are still either at convention, on vacation, or in Guatemala.  We wanted the Fair Trade Presentation to be for a larger crowd and so did the presenter, Jane Dow. It has been decided to do the unthinkable–cancel our meeting two weeks in a row. This is very rare, so do not expect it to happen very often. Jane will reschedule for a later date.

There are two opportunities coming up to support our community. They are not through Kiwanis, but each organization has presented to Diversity Kiwanis.

1) For those of you who are interested in Christian Recording Artist, Mike Westendorf, he is giving a benefit concert 6 pm, on Friday the 13th, at Wheeler Park. The Benefit Concert is to support the Mankato Area Homeless Youth Drop-In Center. Sponsoring the event is  St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. The concert is free while a collection will be taken to support the Center. If you are unfamiliar with his music, you can hear one of his songs from the link at www.mikewestendorf.com. The Mankato Area Homeless Youth Drop-In Center  presented at our June 17th meeting.

2) Help VINE celebrate its 15th Birthday on Thursday, August 19th from 5-8 pm. The party will be at Wheeler Park in North Mankato. There will be a Hog Roast and Live Entertainment (Bring a lawn chair!) In order to plan the amount of food to supply, it is requested that individuals RSVP to 387-1666 by this Thursday, August 12th. Freewill offerings to support VINE will be accepted. If you need a ride, let VINE know by calling the RSVP phone number. (NOTE: the cost for VINE to supply the food is $5/plate. Proceeds beyond $5/plate will actually go toward supporting VINE rather than paying for the event.)

CANCELLED: AUGUST 5th Meeting

The meeting originally scheduled for August 5th is being cancelled due to the large number of members being away from town.

August 12th. meeting will still be on, as some of the travelling members begin to come back to town. Jane Dowe is scheduled as the guest speaker on ” Fair Trade”.

August 19th. Everyone should have returned from their travels. The board meets 11am-12pm. At Noon, the Diversity Kiwanis program will be about the Rosa Parks Building Dedication & Grand Opening / the Eagle Lake Elementary School Public Open House.