JOIN TEAM KIWANIS AT THE 2020 DISTRICT VIRTUAL CONVENTION!Submitted by Jean Long Manteufel, 2019-2020 WI-UM Kiwanis District Governor-elect

Yes, we all wish we could get together face-to-face.

Maybe we cannot do things like in the past, but we can

get together differently at the 2020 Wisconsin-Upper

Michigan Kiwanis District Virtual Convention (VCON).

We have been working hard to bring you a virtual

convention that is fun, educational and engaging — with

an all-star lineup of presenters. This year, it will cost

nothing to attend.

Friday night, we will have the Pledge of Allegiance,

led by a Purple Heart recipient, Governor Roger’s son.

The convention will then kick off with former Wisconsin

Badger and Green Bay Packer, Mark Tauscher. Wear your

favorite team colors.

The Saturday morning workshops will feature presenters

from all around the country — live! We have several past

Kiwanis International presidents, inspirational speakers and

hot topics and we’re involving our whole Kiwanis family.

Saturday afternoon includes our House of Delegates

where your club’s vote counts! The 2020-2021 Governor

and Governor-elect will be chosen. Sunday morning a

special memorial service for Kiwanians we lost this past

year will be held.

It’s all being hosted by a team of tech-gurus, so we can

sit back and relax. Drop in for the sections that interest

you. Bring your own beverage and snacks. If your club

can gather in a place where you can safely hold a social

distancing viewing party, great!

We look forward to “seeing” all our Kiwanis friends at the

2020 WI-UM Kiwanis District Virtual Convention!

2019-2020 WI-UM Kiwanis District Governor-elect Jean

Long Manteufel can be reached by phone at 920-585-

7769 or by email at jean@longmoving.com.

#KIDSNEEDKIWANIS

“ THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE SENSE OF CHANGE IS TO PLUNGE INTO IT, MOVE WITH IT, AND JOIN THE DANCE.” – ALAN W. WATTS

PAGE 2 WI-UM KIWANIS DISTRICT KIWANEWS

GOVERNOR RECOMMENDS STEVENS POINT CLUB BELL PROTECTORBy Roger Krogstad, DVM, 2019-2020 WI-UM Kiwanis District Governor

Is your club’s Kiwanis bell a casualty of

accidents or mishandling by set-up staff? This

was a common observation during my Lt.

Governor club visits. My club has experienced

the frustration of attempted repairs after the

top of our bell has been repeatedly broken. At

a visit to the Stevens Point Kiwanis Club I had

one of those “aha” moments.

I took a picture of this unique creation to

protect the Kiwanis bell in hopes to share the

design with other clubs. The woodworker,

Stevens Point Kiwanian Fred Hebblewhite,

gave me some construction tips and

permission to share this project. The base

is four separate pieces of cherry wood and

the roll bar is a solid stainless rod threaded

on both ends and recessed on the base

bottom. A hollow area in the base holds the

gavel to begin and end meetings.

Do you have time on your hands and a gift

in woodworking? Give this a go. For more

information call Fred at 715-498-3810.

‘WEAR’ OH ‘WEAR’ IS KIWANIS? EMPHASIZING BRAND RECOGNITIONBy Roger Krogstad, DVM, 2019-2020 WI-UM Kiwanis District Governor

No, that is not a misprint in the

title of my message. According to

an English professor I know the

relationship of the words where

and wear, with similar sounds but

different meanings, is called a

homophone. Therefore I do mean

to emphasize ‘wear’ is Kiwanis.

As we shelter at home, many communities have not seen

the usual service projects or fundraisers that typically

make us visible in the community. So now they may be

wondering where is Kiwanis. It’s time to dust off the

district t-shirts and volunteer neon yellow Kiwanis logo

wear so that everyone sees that Kiwanis is still active in

the community.

My Kiwanis moment to experience this effect is shown in

the photo of me at a recent Red Cross blood donation

event. After taking a year off following a return from

Africa and an additional two month COVID delay, I was

finally able to schedule a donation for pint #124 (151/2

gallons). I donned my club polo shirt and Kiwanis ball cap

and headed out. I was amazed by the interest sparked

and conversations started concerning Kiwanis, sharing

the focus on kids and communities with Red Cross staff.

One of the phlebotomists knew the president of a nearby

Kiwanis club. It was truly an opportunity to wear Kiwanis

and share the message. This is not a time to hide Kiwanis.

As you — either as a club or individually — venture out or

volunteer, you are the face of Kiwanis. If you volunteer

to deliver meals, fill backpacks, or deliver ‘Kiwanis

Cares’ cards to seniors, you fulfill the vision of Kiwanis.

Although some community members may wonder where

is Kiwanis we can still be seen because what we wear is

Kiwanis. #KIDSNEEDKIWANIS

2019-2020 WI-UM Kiwanis District Governor Roger

Krogstad can be reached by phone at 715-207-2720 or

by email at krog4kiwanis@gmail.com.

Dr. Roger Krogstad

Governor Krogstad wore a Kiwanis shirt and cap to a recent blood drive.

JUNE/JULY 2020 PAGE 3

KIWANIS KITCHEN GOVERNOR’S PROJECT MOVES FORWARD AT CAMPBy Roger Krogstad, DVM, 2019-2020 WI-UM Kiwanis District Governor

My 2019-2020 Governor’s Project, The Kiwanis Kitchen

at Camp Wawbeek, was off to an amazing start through

the generosity of many clubs until COVID-19 appeared.

Federal and state recommendations and regulations

curtailed many public events and Kiwanis fundraisers.

Many clubs have reassessed their financial priorities.

Camp Wawbeek will unfortunately be closed for the

summer camping season. It is sad that so many campers

will not be able to have this special time. Since the

kitchen will not be in use, we have an opportunity to

begin some of the kitchen upgrades planned for the fall.

The funds contributed to date — about half of the

needed total — are being released to the camp now to be

available for the projects.

I thank all clubs and individuals who have contributed to

the project, which continues the legacy of support from

our Kiwanis District to Camp Wawbeek. I hope you will

consider the Kiwanis Kitchen Governor’s Project in your

club’s future benevolence.

A MESSAGE FROM KI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STAN SODERSTROM Submitted by Stan Soderstrom, Kiwanis International Executive Director

Governor Roger and Governor-elect Jean want to ensure

this message from Kiwanis International reaches all members.

Watching the civil unrest in the United States in recent

days, our organization’s initial response was to encourage

calm and patience — and to listen.

In recent days, we have heard from some members who

have told us that is not enough.

We are listening. We are learning. And as we do, we also

want to be clear on where we stand.

Kiwanis International does not tolerate racism. We know

that black lives matter. We value inclusion from every

community in every nation. We also know there’s more

work to be done.

We know that in the United States, citizens have a right to

protest, to advocate and to petition their government for

redress of grievances. We support both the responsible

exercise of this right and the freedom to use it without

the fear of physical violence.

We are saddened by the vandalism and violence but can

understand how we’ve gotten here.

The Kiwanis family will continue to stand for bringing

people together to make a difference in any and every

community we can. Our solution is not to be the loudest

voice on any specific issue, but to help everyone see

that resolution can only come by listening and working

together. That has been a successful strategy for Kiwanis

for more than a century, and it can be the only path

forward for our members in the United States and around

the world.

Stan Soderstrom is the executive director of Kiwanis

International and the Kiwanis Children’s Fund. His

background includes global and community-based work

in the public and private sectors.

KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL DOES NOT TOLERATE RACISM.

WE KNOW THAT BLACK LIVES MATTER.

WE ALSO KNOW THERE’S MORE WORK TO BE DONE.— Stan Soderstrom, KI Executive Director

PAGE 4 WI-UM KIWANIS DISTRICT KIWANEWS

2020 WI-UM KIWANIS DISTRICT VIRTUAL CONVENTION: TEAM KIWANISFRIDAY AUGUST 21, 2020

1:00 — 4:00 2019-2020 Board Meeting

4:00 — 5:00 Convention Opening — Candidate Forum

Presentation of the Flags Madison Area Boy Scouts

Pledge of Allegiance Micah Krogstad, Purple Heart Recipient

Welcome Governor Roger Krogstad

Kickoff Speaker Mark Tauscher former Wisconsin Badger and Green Bay Packer

5:00 — 6:30 Social Led by the Circle K and Key Club Boards

SATURDAY AUGUST 22, 2020

8:15 — 8:30 Help with Zooming Today Anna Bruhn

8:30 — 9:00 Service Project Led by Circle K Board

9:00 — 9:50 Workshops I

10:00 — 10:50 Workshops II

11:00 — 11:50 Workshops III

Workshop Titles (times to be determined later)

• Finding the Leader in You Steve Siemens, Past Kiwanis International President

• Membership: Your Committee and Our Team Working Together Membership and Engagement Team

• Rediscover Service Sue Petrisin, Past Kiwanis International President

• Young Professionals, the Next Generation of Kiwanis Alec Macauley, Carolina Kiwanis District

• International Children’s Fund Jeremy Grinslade, Bev Burnap

• What Should a Successful Membership Plan Look Like? Membership and Engagement Team

• KI Partnership Programs Debbie Suennen Rickard, District Partnership Coordinator

• Interacting with Circle K and Key Club Katelyn Van Buren, Circle K District Governor Addie Vandeloo, Key Club District Governor

• Maximizing your Public Relations Jay Stephany, Appleton-Fox Cities Kiwanis Club

• iPads Make a Difference Sheila Kloepping, Lynn Messer

• Diversity and Inclusion Karen Nelson — D&I Coordinator, City of Appleton

• Growing Membership Made Easier with ACE Tools Membership and Engagement Team

• Making Our Clubs More Welcoming Valarie Brown-Klingelhoefer, Cal-Nev-Ha Kiwanis District

• Fun Raising Jay Stephany, Appleton-Fox Cities Kiwanis Club

• Have Fun in Your Club Meeting! Emily Sharpe, Northeast Region, Kiwanis International

12:00 Break for Lunch

1:00 Awards, Circle K and Key Club Governors and Keynote Speaker

District Awards Jim Buskel, 2018-2019 District Governor Addie Vandeloo Key Club Governor Katelyn Van Buren Circle K Governor Peter Mancuso Kiwanis International

President-elect Designate

2:00 Fundraisers KDF Virtual Basket Raffle Drawing Circle K Fundraiser

2:40 — 2:55 Group Laughter Yoga Cynthia Paris, Director Team COA

and Laughter Yoga Midwest www.coaprograms.org

3:00 — 4:00 House of Delegates Reports and Officer Elections Featured Speaker, Kiwanis International Trustee Counselor

4:00 — 5:00 Retirement and Installation of Officers Kiwanis International Trustee Counselor

SUNDAY AUGUST 23, 2020

9:00 Memorial Service Jim Kieso, Human & Spiritual Values Chair Honoring those District Kiwanians

who have passed away since the last convention.

10:00 — 12:30 2020-2021 Board Meeting

JUNE/JULY 2020 PAGE 5

GOVERNOR-ELECT NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED THROUGH JULY 31 Submitted by Mark Finger, WI-UM Kiwanis District

Candidate nominations for Governor-elect will not be

accepted later than three weeks prior to the opening

day of the District Convention, July 31, 2020, for the

name to be presented to the assembled delegates of the

Wisconsin-Upper Michigan Kiwanis District Convention.

TECH ADVOCATES NEEDED!Kiwanis International has free websites for all clubs!

Before we can offer this to clubs in our District,

we need some volunteers to learn the ropes and

be the go-to person for clubs who need technical

support. Without tech advocates, we can’t offer this

to our members. Do you have the technical skills

to step up and help? Familiarity with Word Press

is needed. Online training will be provided by

Kiwanis International. Please contact Eileen Nelson

at 608-606-9077 or eonelson@wisc.edu for more

information or to volunteer as a tech advocate.

LARRY KOZIOL ANNOUNCES 2020-2021 GOVERNOR-ELECT CANDIDACYSubmitted by Larry Koziol, Candidate for 2020-2021 WI-UM Kiwanis District Governor-elect

In 2004 after the passing of my

first wife, Mary, a friend asked me

to attend a West Bend Early Risers

membership social. I liked what I

saw and joined. At a time of need,

Kiwanis put purpose back into my

life. I’ve since been trying to repay

that. I know that kids need Kiwanis

but I found that adults do too!

I want to continue the repayment by being your 2020-

2021 WI-UM Kiwanis District Governor-elect.

Most of my working life was spent as a field service

engineer for Coulter Corporation (Beckman Coulter), a

manufacturer of laboratory diagnostic instruments.

In Kiwanis, I served the West Bend Early Risers in various

board positions including president in 2007-2008 and

2012-2013. I’m currently serving as club secretary. I was

honored to be the recipient of the West Bend Early Risers

Kiwanian of the Year award four times — in 2007, 2009,

2011 and 2019.

On the district level I served as Lieutenant Governor of

Division 11 from 2015-2017 and currently as Division 3

Lieutenant Governor. I’m also serving as a member of the

WI-UM Kiwanis District Membership and Engagement

Team and a Regional Club Coach. I assisted with the

opening of a new club in Slinger.

My volunteering started with Cub, Boy and Explorer

Scouts. Jaycees were next where I served as president

of the West Bend Jaycees and later as president of

the Wisconsin JCI Senate. I served on the West Bend

American Cancer Society Relay for Life committee as

logistics chair and event co-chair.

I remarried in 2005 to my lovely wife, Lynn. Between us

we have four children and five wonderful grandchildren.

My hobbies are camping and traveling. I’ve been

fortunate enough to have visited all 50 states, completing

the quest when Lynn and I visited Hawaii and Alaska.

I ask for your support at the district virtual convention this

August. It will be a great event and I encourage everyone

to attend.

Larry Koziol can be reached by phone at 262-338-1996 or

by email at larrykoziol@gmail.com.

Larry Koziol

PAGE 6 WI-UM KIWANIS DISTRICT KIWANEWS

ACCEPTING CHANGES WE CANNOT CONTROL IN LIFESubmitted by Jean Long Manteufel, 2019-2020 WI-UM Kiwanis District Governor-elect

I miss visiting Mom, my sisters

and brothers, and my children.

I miss my grandchildren. I miss

my friends, church and my

Kiwanis club members. I miss

saying goodbye at the funeral

for someone I dearly love. I miss

events and parties.

I miss business as usual. I miss going out and meeting

new customers. I miss the everyday give-and-take of life.

I miss you.

I miss hugs!

I will admit to feeling angry, frustrated, scared and

anxious. My energy level has gone down. I have been

eating more — and none of it is healthy. My husband will

perhaps agree that I have been irritable.

Sound familiar? I am not alone.

Here we all are. Change is difficult, but we have really

been hit with body-slamming, overwhelming change.

Brené Brown, professor at the University of Houston, said,

“if you don’t name what you’re feeling, if you don’t own

the feelings, and feel them, they will eat you alive.”

This week, I heard someone express it as ‘grieving’. Yes,

we have had a major loss.

Tom Zuba, life coach said, “grief occurs when a dream

that we held for our life ends or changes in some way or

isn’t going to turn out the way we had hoped.”

Just recognizing it makes me feel a little less alone. We

need to give ourselves permission to grieve. I looked for

information about loss.

Kübler-Ross stages of grief are denial, anger, bargaining,

depression and acceptance.

Here is my take on it.

Denial: How many of us are waiting for everything to go

back to “normal”?

Anger: Why me? Why now? This was going to be a great

year. Now everything has changed.

Bargaining: If I could go give Mom a big hug (at her

quarantined senior community), I promise I will…

Depression: This includes those physical signs listed

above; changes in appetite, irritability, headaches…,

including feeling that ‘this stinks’ and ‘why bother getting

up in the morning?’.

Acceptance: We are going to be OK. We cannot change

this, but we can figure out how we will deal with it.

Brown also said: “I believe that you have to walk through

vulnerability to get to courage, therefore…embrace the

suck. I try to be grateful every day and my motto right

now is ‘courage over comfort.’”

I am making my way into the new future. Hopefully, you

are too. We cannot fix the social distancing, but we can

wear our masks and work around it. I can still visit the kids

and grandkids, online. On one game of Houseparty with

my grandkids, I laughed until I lost my voice. Now, we

stop at their house and give air hugs.

In business and in my Kiwanis club, we’ve been getting

creative. Also, I’ve been forcefully dragged into learning

technology — and, surprisingly, I have been enjoying it. I

Zoom (gather virtually) with my friends. It is great to see

their smiles.

I attended an online memorial service and still shared

love and loss with the family.

Tuesday night is happy hour with Mom and the siblings.

Virtually. Cheers!

Jean Long Manteufel

JUNE/JULY 2020 PAGE 7

2020 KEY LEADER WEEKEND LEADERSHIP EVENT IS CANCELEDSubmitted by Anna Bruhn, WI-UM Kiwanis District Key Leader Coordinator

Like every other large gathering, we’re worried about

your safety and our safety!

The WI-UM Key Leader team read the recommendations

from the American Camp Association. These guidelines

were shared with us twice — once from Camp

Wawbeek and once from the Kiwanis

International Key Leader staff.

Our leadership team met and discussed

how the information would impact us.

We came to the conclusion that we didn’t

have enough time left to adjust and comply to

suggested recommendations and there were still

some unanswered questions! When we also consider

that parents may not want their students traveling under

the current conditions, it seems like we really needed

to stop, figure out exactly how we are going to operate,

understand how the changes will impact our budget and

make a new plan. That is exactly what we are going to do.

Pencil Key Leader into your calendar for the weekend

of September 17-19, 2021. We will be at

Easter Seals Respite Camp in Wisconsin

Dells that weekend! We encourage

you to continue to raise funds and

contact local businesses to sponsor

your trip to Key Leader in 2021.

Please send questions to the Key Leader

Coordinator at info@wiumkeyleader.org. You can

also sign up for our brand new newsletter at https://

wiumkeyleader.org/wi-um-key-leader by clicking on the

“Sign up for our newsletter” link.

PAST LT. GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL TO MEET VIRTUALLY IN JULYSubmitted by Paul Shrode, Past Lt. Governor’s District Representative

The Past Lt. Governors’ Council has traditionally met

over breakfast at the District Convention. With the many

changes we are experiencing this year due to the global

pandemic, we are learning to do many things differently.

Some change can be difficult as we are forced to let go

of traditions, comfortable and customary practices and

familiar ways of doing things. Yet in the midst of change,

we are also learning new ways of meeting, socializing

and accomplishing work. We are connecting more with

family at home and returning to time-honored traditions

such as the family dinner table, watching TV together and

even reading for pleasure! Our thoughts turn more often

to the needs of our neighbors and the impact of isolation

on our seniors. Much good is emerging from our safer at

home experience.

One positive outcome may well be the opportunity to

reframe and reform our Past Lt. Governors’ Council. By

meeting at a different time of day and utilizing an online

meeting format, we can reach more of our ranks without

necessitating travel costs, time invested and scheduling

conflicts. Toward that end, we are planning to host an

online meeting of the Past Lt. Governors’ Council on

Thursday, July 30 beginning at 6:30 pm. Executive

Director Mark Finger will send an invitation. Any current

member who has served as a Lt. Governor, any current

Lt. Governor and anyone else who wants to join in the fun

is welcome. If you don’t receive an invitation from Mark,

please reach out to him and provide your email address

as we may have lost track of you through the years.

Meeting online is a successful way to continue the work

of our Kiwanis family. You can participate on a computer,

but you can also join with a tablet or hand-held device.

You can even call in using any phone, so there is really

no reason to feel like the technology may ask more of

you than you think you can handle. Mark is willing to help

you if you need a little extra guidance. I look forward to

greeting and meeting with you on July 30. Feel free to

send any questions, suggestions for the agenda or your

good ideas to shrode@fvtc.edu or you may also call me

at 920-809-2872.

PAGE 8 WI-UM KIWANIS DISTRICT KIWANEWS

PAST LT. GOVERNOR’S COUNCIL SEEKS SUPPORT FOR KEY CLUB SCHOLARSHIP HONORING PAST GOVERNOR KATHY VORPAHL GILLISSubmitted by Paul Shrode, Past Lt. Governor’s District Representative

Past WI-UM Kiwanis District

Governor Kathy Vorpahl Gillis

has been memorialized in recent

years through the generosity of

individual donors with the Kathy

Vorpahl Gillis Scholarship given

to a Key Club member to support

attendance at college. Kathy

was an active force in Kiwanis,

generous of spirit, dedicated to serving youth and

particularly fond of Key Club.

She was born into a Kiwanis family and followed her

father into our ranks. She served as club president,

Lt. Governor and Governor of the Wisconsin-Upper

Michigan District in addition to working on numerous

committees. She also served on the Wisconsin-Upper

Michigan Kiwanis District Foundation Board for many

years and was a champion of building the Foundation’s

endowment to serve youth throughout our district

through club project support and scholarships. Her

indomitable spirit continues to be missed at district

meetings and functions.

The Past Lt. Governor’s Council wants to work toward a

permanent scholarship in her name and we need your

help. At our annual meeting, we decided to help support

efforts to provide for this scholarship. Donations of

any size are most welcome and may be directed to the

Wisconsin-Upper Michigan Kiwanis District Foundation

for the Kathy Vorpahl Gillis Scholarship.

Donations to the foundation are tax deductible as

allowed by the IRS. We hope to endow this scholarship

so that it may be awarded in perpetuity. Until it reaches

an endowment level sufficient for earnings to provide

for the annual scholarship award, donated funds may be

used to support the annual award. With your help, we

can most certainly develop a lasting memorial to Kathy

and in the process, continue her work to support the

growth and success of a deserving graduating Key Club

member planning to attend college.

Please send your donations to the WI-UM Kiwanis District

Foundation in care of Mark Finger, 571 Center St, Berlin,

WI 54923. We appreciate your generous support and

lasting tribute to a dedicated Kiwanian.

IN MEMORIAM: 1991-1992 KIWANIS DISTRICT GOVERNOR JACK SMIDSubmitted by Mike Fitzpatrick, Past WI-UM Kiwanis District Governor

John “Jack” George Smid, age 80, of Oconomowoc,

passed away on his 80th birthday, Saturday, February 22,

2020 at Angels Grace Hospice, surrounded by his family.

He was born February 22, 1940 in Chicago.

Jack attended Marquette University where he met the

love of his life and future wife, Susan Ann Rentmeester.

They were married at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in

Oconomowoc on August 24, 1963. He enjoyed camping,

fishing, and traveling. Jack enjoyed cooking as family grill

master and Friday Night Fish Fry with special friends. He

was a member of the Oconomowoc Kiwanis Breakfast

Club and he was Governor of the WI-UM Kiwanis District

in 1991-1992. Jack loved being a dad and grandpa.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Sue Smid; his

children John Smid, Catherine Sinkula and David Smid;

eight grandchildren: Amber Smid, Cory Smid, Zachary

Smid, Ali Goodin, Kaylyn Sinkula, Lindsay Sinkula,

Samantha Smid, and Emily Smid; as well as his brother,

Michael Smid.

A Mass was held on February 29. Memorial donations

to Angels Grace Hospice, St. Catherine’s of Alexandria

Catholic Church or the Kiwanis District Foundation Case

Van Kleef Fellowship are appreciated.

Kathy Vorpahl Gillis

JUNE/JULY 2020 PAGE 9

KIWANIS CHILDREN’S FUND IS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST KIWANIS CLUBSSubmitted by Bev Burnap, Kiwanis Children’s Fund District Chair

Kiwanis International is closely

monitoring the COVID-19

outbreak and continually

assessing the potential impact on

upcoming events and operations.

The staff of the Children’s Fund

are working at home following

shelter at home and stay safe

guidelines.

At this time the usual club and district grants are on hold

because of the pandemic. The KCF is funding grants

through the COVID-19 Response Program. Grants up to

$2,500 are being given to clubs and

districts on a first come, first served

basis. Clubs and districts can use the

funds to make masks, deliver food to

healthcare providers, donate to food

banks, provide infant care needs and make sure kids

have the technology they need to learn at home. So far

the Children’s Fund has given out $115,000, but there is

still almost $200,000 in grants left to be funded.

Even though Key Club district conventions, midyear

conferences and our own club meetings and events in

the usual sense are not happening, the Kiwanis Children’s

Fund staff is available to help districts as they consider

options and make important decisions.

We want to emphasize the benefit of giving as a way

to participate in Kiwanis. We can still carry on through

social media to help the children of the world. Help KCF

continue to fulfill their work through their five causes:

service leadership programs, disaster relief, iodine

deficiency disorders, Eliminate maternal and neonatal

tetanus program, club grants and district grants. I’ve

talked about four of the five causes in past articles. Let’s

focus on service leadership programs.

Builder’s Club Week happened this past March. Did you

know Builder’s Club is the largest service organization for

Middle School and Jr. High students? Members learn the

value of service and leadership by choosing and running

their own projects ranging from hosting fundraisers for

those in need to doing high impact service projects such

as bringing miniature therapy horses to nursing homes.

Aktion Club week was March 2-6. More than 12,000

members belong to Aktion Club, which is the only

service organization for adults with disabilities. More than

500 Aktion clubs could participate in a different activity

each day. They spread the word by wearing Aktion Club

gear and talking

about what they

do, recognizing

members and

advisors or hosting

a day of service spreading happiness by random acts

of kindness. KCF provides programs, literature and

opportunities to relate to individuals with disabilities from

countries worldwide.

KCF supports Key Clubs so they can hold Key Leader

events along with helping with service projects when

necessary. KCF sponsors Circle K members so they

can attend Spark — a four-day leadership experience

designed to help ignite CKI members’ leadership

potential with an emphasis on developing future leaders.

KCF offers continuing education scholarships to Key Club

and Circle K members.

The Kiwanis Children’s Fund can only do this with your

annual donations. If your club has made a donation this

year, thank you! If not, please consider doing so and also

so the 15% our District receives back in grants is larger!

Stay safe and healthy so we can get through this stressful

time together. #KIDS NEED KIWANIS.

Kiwanis Children’s Fund District Chair Bev Burnap can be

reached at 715-868-5633 or bjburnap45@gmail.com.

Bev Burnap

SUPPORT THE CHILDREN’S FUND WITH YOUR GIFT TODAY!

PAGE 10 WI-UM KIWANIS DISTRICT KIWANEWS

IDEAS FOR KIWANIS CLUBS AND MEMBERS IN A COVID-19 WORLDSubmitted by Beth Kindschi, Kiwanis International Committee for Young Children Representative

The International Committee for Young Children met in

June and approved a list of project ideas for clubs to

use during the pandemic. These are not intended to be

a “how to” list but, rather, ideas to spur clubs to look at

needs in their own community.

Donate food or give financially to food distribution

centers. Continuing to feed children at this time is critical.

Food pantries are experiencing increased demand for

food and are receiving more inquiries for non-food items

like cleaning supplies and diapers.

Encourage members and the community to donate

blood, if possible. Donations are needed as supplies are

at a critically-low level. Visit www.redcrossblood.org to

make an appointment.

The budgets of early education and childcare centers

are under heavy strain. Some centers may now have

older children all day. Ask them about items that may

be needed for that age group. Check to see what needs

centers might have and discuss how your club might

help meet them. Consider giving gift cards to providers.

Consider an appropriate socially-distanced fundraiser.

Advocate with your local and state elected officials

urging them to support early education and childcare.

With government budgets under heavy stress, many

will view early education and childcare as an easy target

unless they hear from groups like Kiwanis.

Support school-aged students who depend on two or

even three meals a day at school. Reach out to your local

school district and ask them how to help.

Offer parents who might be suffering from new stresses

the opportunity to have support by organizing discussion

and sharing groups.

Child abuse could be on the rise. Contact local agencies

to see if there is some way you can help them reach out —

like staffing a phone help line.

Set up programs explaining COVID-19 to kids (with cool

analogies and graphics), especially when a second wave

later this year sounds likely.

Consider sponsoring a community Vroom session. Early

learning can happen anywhere at any time. If parents are

looking for free and easy-to-access resources, Vroom has

more than 1,000 creative and fun ways to add learning

to meal time, bath time, bed time and more. You already

have what it takes to be a brain builder! For more Vroom

tips, to download the Vroom App, or to sign up for

Vroom by text, visit www.vroom.org.

Remote learning resources for preschool through middle

school age children from Tufts Medical Center Boston

Massachusetts are available at www.tuftsmedicalcenter.

org/news%20events%20media/news/web/covid%2019/

remote%20learning?fbclid=iwar34eo-zvto7kdvmyaut9jty

qtnv6voyfxeellrod84zkcdsxrmeg0akzyy.

Help your own members. Set up a system in your own

club to make sure members and their families have the

support and materials they need.

Try to be public as a Kiwanian while participating in

community efforts aimed at strengthening and educating

the community. This will help us come back as a healthy,

functioning community as soon as possible.

LIFE ISN’T ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS… IT’S ABOUT LEARNING TO DANCE IN THE RAIN.

— Vivian Greene

JUNE/JULY 2020 PAGE 11

KIWANIS AUTISM PROJECT CONTINUES TO POSITIVELY IMPACT KIDS Submitted by Lynn Messer, Kiwanis Autism Project District Chair

We are all in a situation which we have never before

experienced. Kiwanis clubs are facing challenges as to

how to hold meetings. Fundraisers have been canceled

or rescheduled, which has affected how the club is able

to support community contributions.

These unprecedented factors do not change the

communication requirements of special-needs children

who are participating in online education at home. The

district continues to receive grant requests for iPads and

clubs are still finding ways to fund them. What a great

way for Kiwanis clubs to make a positive impact on these

families and their communities.

Therapists and special education teachers who are aware

of the Kiwanis Autism Project routinely ask if the effort is

still active. The project is ongoing. To date, 1,206 iPads

have been granted with more on order. Thank you to the

clubs who are stepping up to support this project and

tend to the needs of these children.

Who would have thought that when this project was

launched in 2012 it would still be in place as the District

Signature Project in 2020? By helping children on the

autism spectrum this is a project supported by Kiwanis

clubs which has a major impact in the club’s community. I

thank the clubs who continue to support this project.

Kiwanis Autism Project District Chair Lynn Messer can

be reached by phone at 920-946-0652 or by email at

lmmsr001@gmail.com.

SHEBOYGAN FALLS KIWANIANS SUPPORT IPAD SIGNATURE PROJECT Submitted by Lee Gumm, Kiwanis Club of Sheboygan Falls

The Kiwanis Club of Sheboygan Falls recently presented

two more iPads for children on the autism spectrum.

The recipients were Daniel Scibby, age 6 and his sister,

Natalie, age 5.

This program originated in 2012 when Lynn

Messer served as the WI-UM Kiwanis District

Governor. Inspired by a granddaughter on the

spectrum, Lynn’s goal was for clubs throughout

the district to donate 1,000 iPads to kids on the

autism spectrum from families with financial need.

The program involves professionals who work one-

on-one with children on the spectrum. The intent is to

provide a means of communication that these kids do

not have without the iPad. Many smiles have come to

caregivers as they see a young person being freed from a

prison of not being able to communicate.

It took a while to reach the 1,000 mark, but Kiwanis

leaders have kept this program alive because of

its value, naming it the District Signature Project

in 2018. Autism will not magically disappear, so

the program continues with hopes of helping as

many kids as possible.

To date the number of iPads given in the district has

exceeded 1,206 with $600,000 raised by sponsoring

Kiwanis clubs. Daniel and Natalie received iPads number

53 and 54 of those donated by the Sheboygan Falls Club.

iPads were recently awarded to children on the autism spectrum by members of the Sheboygan Falls Kiwanis Club.

PAGE 12 WI-UM KIWANIS DISTRICT KIWANEWS

LA CROSSE KIWANIS CLUB MEMBERS MEET VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOMSubmitted by Cedric Friesen, La Crosse Kiwanis Club

The La Crosse Kiwanis Club isn’t letting COVID-19

meeting restrictions keep them from getting together.

They still practice social distancing while meeting weekly

via Zoom. “We enjoy seeing each other’s faces while

sharing virtual happy dollars and even have a brief

program,” said club member Cedric Friesen.

WISCONSIN DELLS KIWANIS CLUB RECOGNIZES LONGTIME MEMBERSSubmitted by Randall Durner, Kiwanis Club of Wisconsin Dells

Longtime Wisconsin Dells Kiwanian Duane Wilcox and

his wife, Joan, recently celebrated 70 years of marriage!

Duane is a recent 25-year Legion of Honor recipient.

Another longtime Dell’s Kiwanian, Dave Lunde and his

wife, Joyce, recently celebrated 60 years of marriage!

Dave is a 40-year Legion of Honor recipient.

Congratulations to both the Lundes and the Wilcoxes

on their many years together and their long-term

commitment to Kiwanis!

Joan and Duane Wilcox, right, have support Kiwanis for more than 25 years. Duane is shown wearing his Kiwanis shirt and cap in this photo.

JUNE/JULY 2020 PAGE 13

MADISON WEST HOSTS DRIVE-UP LUNCH PRIOR TO ZOOM MEETINGSSubmitted by Ken Saville, Madison West Kiwanis Club

The Madison West Kiwanis Club hosted a drive-up box

lunch every other week during the Safer at Home order

to help members stay connected and to support the

catering company who had seen a drop in revenue.

Nearly 50 lunches were picked up at the bi-weekly

drive-up event. People then went home and joined the

club’s Zoom meeting and program.

“This format worked well for club members and helped

support a local business at the same time,” said Ken

Saville. This is a wonderful example of how Kiwanians can

stay connected and continue to serve their community

during this health pandemic.

HELPING TO MEET FOOD NEEDS DURING COVID-19 IN WHITEWATERSubmitted by Marjorie Stoneman, Kiwanis Whitewater Breakfast Club

The Kiwanis Whitewater Breakfast Club Board of

Directors met virtually in April to discuss the impact of

COVID-19 on the Whitewater community and decided

that, in addition to their regular $1,000 donation to the

Whitewater Food Pantry and $1,000 to Bethel House, the

club would also donate $1,000 to The Community Space

and $1,000 to the First United Methodist Church to assist

them in their extraordinary efforts to feed those in need.

Lorrie Koppein, president of the Kiwanis Whitewater

Breakfast Club, said, “the need in our community for

meals is large, and we are so very happy and blessed

to be able to assist some of the groups making a huge

impact every day here in Whitewater.”

A line of cars winds its way to the catering truck where Kiwanis members picked up a box lunch before attending the virtual club meeting.

A high percentage of children are categorized as “food insecure” with inconsistent access to resources to alleviate hunger.

PAGE 14 WI-UM KIWANIS DISTRICT KIWANEWS

WEST RACINE KIWANIS CLUB KEEPS MEMORIAL DAY TRADITION ALIVESubmitted by Paul Holley, West Racine Kiwanis Club

The Kiwanis Club of West Racine didn’t let the COVID-19

public health crisis get in the way of an annual Memorial

Day tradition this year.

For the past 24 years, club members — led by Mary

Willmes and Barb Walker — have produced a public

tribute to veterans as part of Racine’s annual Memorial

Day parade. They’ve arranged for Kiwanians who have

been military service veterans to ride in the parade in two

cars bearing signs that read “Kiwanis Club of West Racine

Salutes Our Veterans.”

The two have also annually handled the purchase and

distribution of upwards of 1,000 miniature U.S. flags to

parade goers. Adults and kids look forward to waving

their flags and cheering as the honored veterans ride

past down the parade route. The West Racine Kiwanis

annually budgets $1,000 for the tribute.

Mary and Barb have a special place in their hearts for

those who have served our country. Barb’s father was

killed in World War II. Mary’s uncle served in World War

II, a brother served in Vietnam and a great nephew is

currently a Marine fighter pilot.

But when the 2020 parade was canceled because of

public health concerns related to COVID-19, the West

Racine Kiwanians had to come up with another way to

keep the Memorial Day message alive.

Instead of distributing the flags to parade watchers, club

members placed nearly 200 flags in the front yards of

homes along the parade route. Attached to each flag was

a small card bearing this message: “The parade has been

canceled, but the sacrifices made by the brave defenders

of our nation will stand forever. We will not forget. Please

take time this weekend to respectfully honor those who

have given their lives for our country. — Kiwanis Club of

West Racine.”

Club members put the flags in the yards a few days

before Memorial Day. The homeowners were asked to

leave the flags undisturbed until at least midday Monday,

May 25, to serve as a visual reminder to people walking

or driving along the parade route.

The Kiwanis Club of West Racine donated the $1,000

that had been budgeted for this year’s Memorial Day

observance to Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin, a local

nonprofit that provides services to homeless veterans.

Kiwanis Club members in Racine helped maintain a 24-year tradition of honoring those who have lost their life while serving our country.

#KIDSNEEDKIWANIS

“ TRY TO BE A RAINBOW IN SOMEONE ELSE’S CLOUD.” – MAYA ANGELOU

JUNE/JULY 2020 PAGE 15

DUAL DUTY: HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT WHILE SUPPORTING KIDSSubmitted by Peter Valitchka, Kiwanis Club of Stevens Point

The Kiwanis Club of Stevens Point was looking for a few

new projects to get members involved. Club member

Peter Valitchka learned about grants available through

Pheasants Forever which started the wheels turning for a

future philanthropic project.

He requested a grant to develop a pollinator bed,

which is a garden that is planted predominately with

flowers that provide nectar or pollen for a wide range

of pollinating insects. Peter then began looking for a

suitable location which would also fit the Kiwanis focus

of serving children. Kiwanis member Kelly Caughlan,

who works for the YMCA, put Peter in touch with Tiffany

Praeger, the director at YMCA Camp Glacier Hollow.

“Tiffany was really excited because she wanted to

develop a new environmental curriculum for the youth

at camp,“ recalls Peter. The Pheasants Forever grant

was approved but, due to COVID-19 issues, the large

pollinator plot was put on hold until the fall.

In the meantime, Tiffany requested that the Kiwanis club

develop a few native flower gardens. Peter organized a

meeting with fellow Kiwanis member Bob Brush, who

had a background in landscaping, and Paul Skawinski,

President of Wild Ones of Central Wisconsin. The group

met with Tiffany and discussed a suitable location: a 220

square foot section near the lake front.

Wild Ones helped with the design of the bed and

flower selection. The Kiwanis club purchased 231 native

flowers from J&J Aquatic Transplants in Wild Rose,

Wisconsin. Bob and Peter picked up the plants and club

members Michael Schmidt and Marv Van Kekerix helped

plant them. The club was hoping to include a group of

youth but COVID-19 put a damper on those plans. The

Kiwanians also installed a paver-tile border.

The new native garden will allow more than 720 youth

who attend camp each year to view the flowers and

pollinators doing their work. This will be an ongoing

project for the Kiwanis club, maintaining the bed with

the YMCA and young campers. Future plans include

making signs for the garden and developing educational

programs. Kiwanians will work with the YMCA to develop

a large pollinator garden using money from the Pheasant

Forever grant in the fall.

Through the generosity of club members, who faithfully

paid their dues in spite of COVID-19, the club was able

to make several contributions recently, including $500 to

the Stevens Point Community Foundation COVID-19

Relief Fund, $200 to the Stevens Point Reading First

Literacy Program and $400 to the Camp Glacier Hollow

beautification project. “Our members take pride in

supporting our community through worthwhile programs

and assisting when possible,” noted Peter.

Club members planted a native species garden at YMCA Camp Glacier Hollow with the input of Wild Ones president Paul Skawinski, right.

Marv Van Kekerix and Michael Schmidt put the finishing touches on the garden by lining the border with landscaping pavers.

PAGE 16 WI-UM KIWANIS DISTRICT KIWANEWS

PLATTEVILLE KIWANIS CLUB CONTINUES TO SERVE DURING PANDEMICSubmitted by Bev Johansen, Kiwanis Club of Platteville

In Platteville, Kiwanis members participated in activities

to be of service to the community during the pandemic.

For years the club delivered bananas and fellowship

to about 150 residents in four assisted-living facilities,

but since these are all on lockdown, club members

can’t enter. To cheer up isolated friends, club members

created window decorations for the outside of their

windows, and sometimes as they were putting them up,

the residents talked to them through the windows.

The club also participated in a highway clean up in June.

“We usually have a big chicken BBQ meal that day, but

the corona virus nipped that for us. So we scheduled our

highway cleanup instead, and 10 Kiwanians came out

and collected 6 bags of trash and recyclables from very

tall grass,” said club member Bev Johansen. Pictured

at left are Kiwanians Jesse Lueschow and Tom Lindahl.

“Jesse was a member of UW-Platteville’s Circle K Club,

and, after graduation, went to work as an engineer at

John Deere in Dubuque, then joined our Kiwanis Club.

He brings our average age down quite a bit”, joked Bev.

Lexy Staskal, daughter of Kiwanian Samantha Staskel, helped decorate windows at Park Place assisted living facility this spring.

Kiwanis Club members participated in the Adopt-a-Highway program, cleaning up their assigned stretch of highway in early June.

JUNE/JULY 2020 PAGE 17

DANE COUNTY KIWANIS CLUBS RAISE FUNDS FOR SCHOLARSHIPSSubmitted by Eileen Nelson, Kiwanis Club of Downtown Madison

Eight Kiwanis clubs in Dane County, Wisconsin recently

presented a check in the amount of $12,000 to the

Madison College Foundation.

The funds were raised during the clubs’ 2018 and 2019

Kiwanis Golf Outing and Raffle held at the Oaks Golf

Course in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin. The money will

provide scholarships for six students attending the

Madison College Goodman South Campus during the

2020-2021 academic year.

Quoting Tammy Thayer, CEO of the Madison College

Foundation, “the distance between opportunity for some

and opportunity for all is achievable with the support of

donors like you — those who see that with investment in

individuals and their dreams, anything is possible”.

Kiwanis Clubs of Dane County include Belleville, Madison

After Hours, Downtown Madison, Madison East, Madison

West, Middleton, Stoughton and Verona.

COVID-19 RELIEF FUND RECEIVES SUPPORT OF MONROE KIWANIS CLUBSubmitted by Jim Glessner, Monroe Kiwanis Club

Monroe Kiwanis Club president Patrick Bodell recently

presented United Way’s Teresa Keehn with a donation to

assist the United Way in aiding the COVID-19 Relief Fund

for Green County families in need of help due to the

pandemic. The Monroe Kiwanis Club’s Board of Directors

approved a club donation of $5,000 and individual

Kiwanians added another $5,895 to that. The club is

also conducting a major effort in these times of crisis by

placing “Kindness is not Canceled” yard signs at locales

around Monroe.

TRISHA PETERSON IS NAMED WI-UM PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATORSubmitted by Jean Long Manteufel, 2019-2020 WI-UM Kiwanis District Governor-elect

Governor Roger Krogstad and I are pleased to announce

that Trisha Peterson has accepted the position as District

Public Relations Coordinator.

Trisha will be available to work with clubs on district

issues, help with social media, share resources and act as

a “go-to gal” for clubs that need advice on social media,

public relations, marketing or communications.

The PR coordinator role is key

to making sure the clubs in the

Wisconsin-Upper Michigan

District have the communications

materials they need to share the

success stories of Kiwanis.

Welcome to the team, Tricia!

Madison College President Jack Daniels speaks with Downtown Madison Kiwanis 2019 President Dick Hammerstrom and 2020 President-elect John Esser.

Trisha Peterson

PAGE 18 WI-UM KIWANIS DISTRICT KIWANEWS

What is Camp Wawbeek?

Camp Wawbeek is the longest, continuously running Easter

Seals camp in the nation — since 1938! Located in Wisconsin

Dells, Camp Wawbeek serves children and adults with

disabilities and offers their families a respite from daily

care-giving responsibilities as well. Kiwanis has supported

Camp Wawbeek’s efforts in many ways over the years — from

donations and camperships to Governor’s Projects assisting in

the support and sustainability of facilities. Circle K and Key

Leader also hold their events at camp each year.

Why the Need for Kitchen Upgrades?

Each year, Camp Wawbeek serves around 2,000 campers.

That’s a lot of mouths to feed! And meal times are one of the

most hectic times — three times a day. With newer, more

equipped appliances, our staff will be able to serve campers

much more efficiently. A new steam table means that each and

every camper is served a hot meal, no matter if they’re the first

or last camper to fill up their tray! New work tables help the

food preparation process run more smoothly and minimizes

the chance of cross contamination and new pots and pans

give staff the reassurance of safety in the kitchen.

FUNDRAISING GOAL = $15,000This project includes, but is not limited to:

(if we’re able to purchase more with funds raised!)

Roger E. Krogstad, DVMWI-UM Kiwanis District GovernorEmail: krog4kiwanis@gmail.comPhone: 715-207-2720

To participate in this effort, mail checks to:

Mark Finger at the WI-UM District office

or give directly to Governor Roger at club visits,

Midyear Conferences or the District Convention.

Make checks payable to the District Foundation

and note that it is for the Governor’s Project.

• One Steam Table

• Two Enclosed Base Work Tables

• Two Open Work Tables with Drawers

• Multiple Pots and Pans (various sizes)

THE KIWANIS KITCHENA FUNDRAISER FOR CAMP WAWBEEK!

JUNE/JULY 2020 PAGE 19

KI BOARD DEEMS IT INADVISABLE TO CONDUCT KIWANIS CONVENTIONReprinted from a Kiwanis International press release

The 2020 Kiwanis International Convention is canceled.

The Kiwanis International Board of Trustees declared a

condition of emergency exists because of the COVID-19

pandemic. The board concluded that conducting a

convention for the 2019-2020 administrative year

would be inadvisable and impracticable because of the

health threat to Kiwanis members, their families and all

individuals traveling to and from the convention.

“It is with profound sadness we make this decision today,”

said Daniel Vigneron, 2019-2020 Kiwanis International

president. “All of us looked forward to gathering in

Indianapolis to conduct the business of the organization,

partake in great Kiwanis education and, of course, enjoy

the fun and fellowship of our Kiwanis friends.”

Those who have registered for the convention received

an email with details about their refund. Additional

questions can be sent to registration@kiwanis.org.

The only other interruption in annual conventions came

during World War II when it was necessary to substitute a

Kiwanis International council meeting for the convention.

A small administrative convention was conducted in 1943

and 1944 with limited attendance.

In 1945, the Kiwanis International council again

conducted the necessary business, but in 1946, Kiwanis

resumed its regular convention operation. Nearly

10,000 people attended that convention, breaking all

convention attendance records.

A meeting of the Kiwanis International council will be

held before October 1, 2020. Details are being finalized.

The Kiwanis International council consists of the Board

of Trustees, past Kiwanis International presidents, district

governors and the chairs of the Kiwanis International-

European Federation and Kiwanis Asia-Pacific.

“We are disappointed the 2020 convention is canceled,”

said Stan Soderstrom, Kiwanis International executive

director. “We hope you will join us for the 2021

convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. Planning is well

underway to present important and timely Kiwanis

education. Additionally, many of the important decisions

that were scheduled for a vote at the annual meeting in

June will be delayed until next year.”

The 2021 convention in Salt Lake City is scheduled for

June 23-26.

THE WORLD IS CHANGING FASTER THAN HIS VOICE.Our 600,000 members are present for the future. Giving kids around the world the time and support they need to ensure the world’s best years are ahead of us. Get involved at Kiwanis.org.

PAGE 20 WI-UM KIWANIS DISTRICT KIWANEWS

CLUB LEADERSHIP EDUCATION AVAILABLE ONLINESubmitted by Jean Long Manteufel, 2019-2020 WI-UM Kiwanis District Governor-elect

Because we are unable to get together in person,

Kiwanis International has put together some

pretty nice training tools using a virtual meeting

app. Club Leadership Education (CLE) topics now

available include Club Membership Committee,

Club Treasurer, Club Secretary and Club President.

The link to the training is www.gotostage.com/

channel/3ef013995cb2493881c15113d3a6eedb. All club

officers are strongly encouraged to attend CLE. There

is a workbook that accompanies the training. Ask your

Lieutenant Governor or Jean Long Manteufel and one

will be mailed to you.

TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF KIWANIS INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPSSubmitted by Debbie Suennen Rickard, District Partnership Coordinator

The Kiwanis Corporate Partner portfolio includes 30

partners. They offer ways to make service easier, increase

a club’s purchasing power and offer benefits and rewards

for members. These partnerships assist clubs with

opportunities to work together for common missions.

Kiwanis Warehouse is an online wholesale distributor.

Kiwanis clubs receive access that is typically only

available to large enterprises. Clubs may purchase

items at a discount, keeping service project budgets

reasonable. Kiwanis Warehouse is operated by

DollarDays, which offers more than 265,000 high-quality

goods at wholesale and bulk prices. Sample offerings

include backpacks and school supplies, health and

beauty products, footwear, fleece blankets and more.

Office Depot/OfficeMax offers in-store and online

preferred pricing to Kiwanis clubs including reduced-

priced copies. They also offer dedicated

customer support and access to a suite of

digital services.

Kiwanis Visa® Rewards offers a Kiwanis-branded affinity

credit card for personal and club-related purchases.

When approved for a new card, you will be issued a $30

gift code for redemption at the Kiwanis Family Store.

Earn cash back of 1%, 2% or 3% for purchases in select

categories and there is no annual fee! A percentage of

all net merchandise purchases will be contributed to

the Kiwanis Children’s Fund. This is another way to help

children in our daily lives.

Reading is Fundamental (RIF) works in communities to

inspire a passion in children for reading. They provide

literacy tools, best practices and support materials while

empowering Kiwanians to build a culture of literacy.

Free resources are

available for teachers,

parents and children

that goes beyond the

book. Literacy Central,

RIF’s new, free digital resource offers access to activities,

games, reading passages, lesson plans, calendars and

videos paired with classic and popular K-6 books.

This article highlights just a few of our Kiwanis partners.

More information and additional partners are available at

www.kiwanis.org/about/partners.

Kiwanis Partnership Coordinator Debbie Suennen Rickard

can be reached by phone at 715-338-7720 or by email at

dsrickard@frontier.com.

JUNE/JULY 2020 PAGE 21

APPLETON-FOX CITIES CLUB ADOPTS POLICE DEPARTMENT ‘SOFT’ ROOMSubmitted by Jay Stephany, Appleton-Fox Cities Kiwanis Club

The Appleton-Fox Cities Kiwanis Club has a rich history

of helping others in the Appleton community. Recently,

Kiwanis approached the Appleton Police Department

searching for a way to help children and adult victims

encountered by the police.

One suggestion was that Kiwanis adopt the department’s

“soft room” — a room within the police station dedicated

to providing a comfortable area for victims, adults and

children. Kiwanis members offered to redecorate the

room as a service project. Led by member Dawn Malcom,

who contacted furniture stores for donations, the club

was successful in developing a relationship with Bob’s

Discount Furniture who donated beautiful furnishings to

finish off the area.

Kiwanis members cleaned, organized and purchased

items to renovate the room. When the project was

completed, the Appleton Police Department was happy

that there is a more comfortable environment for victims

to talk with officers — a more relaxed setting for any

victim, who are often going through a difficult time.

Thanks to the generosity of a local furniture store owner and Kiwanis volunteers, the transformation of the “soft’ room was complete.

A play area in one corner of the soft room allows children who are visiting the department to feel more comfortable in this setting.

The “soft” room in the Appleton Police Department was cluttered and uninviting before the Appleton-Fox Cities club began its makeover.

PAGE 22 WI-UM KIWANIS DISTRICT KIWANEWS

DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORSGovernor Roger Krogstad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-207-2720 krog4kiwanis@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marshfield

Governor-elect Jean Long Manteufel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920-585-7769 jean@longmoving.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appleton-Fox Cities

Executive Director Mark Finger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920-361-9954 markfinger31@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Berlin

Immediate Past Governor Jim Buskel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262-796-0633 buskel@wi.rr.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Elm Grove Golden K

Past Governor Trustee Anna Bruhn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608-393-6811 anna.bruhn@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sauk Prairie, Prairie du Sac

Past Lt. Governor Representative Paul Shrode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-942-1726 shrode@fvtc.edu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appleton-Fox Cities

Lt. Governor Division 1 Melissa Loebach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224-730-1558 mbondy1024@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenosha

Lt. Governor Division 2 Ron Sonderhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262-751-7627 ronald@wolffsonderhouse.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Waukesha

Lt. Governor Division 3 Larry Koziol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262-338-1996 larrykoziol@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . West Bend, Early Risers

Lt. Governor Division 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant

Lt. Governor Division 5 Ken Saville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608-225-3377 kensaville.1951@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Madison West

Lt. Governor Division 6 Jim Burmeister . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608-429-2905 burmji@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Portage

Lt. Governor Division 7 Bill Abbott . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608-935-9526 wabbott@charter.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dodgeville

Lt. Governor Division 8 Ken Irwin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920-827-2109 irwins@tcei.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chilton

Lt. Governor Division 9 Tim Lubinsky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920-450-3951 tlubinsky19@hotmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ripon

Lt. Governor Division 10 Mike Hipple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920-730-9502 mikehipple4@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appleton

Lt. Governor Division 11 Miki Bix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-748-3237 mikibix@hotmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medford

Lt. Governor Division 12 Steve Wojan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-246-6553 slwojan@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Richmond

Lt. Governor Division 13 Dave Havel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-369-4821 davehavel@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhinelander

Lt. Governor Division 14 Steve Halsey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 906-362-0298 trh_sph1987@yahoo.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marquette

KDF OFFICERS AND ZONE REPSPresident Jan Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920-237-5544 jan@jwains.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Berlin

Vice President James Burmeister . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608-429-2905 burmji@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Portage

Secretary/Treasurer Mark Finger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920-361-9954 markfinger31@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Berlin

Immediate Past President Jim Sanderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920-348-5568 jjsanderson@centurytel.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cambria

Division 1/Term: 2018-2021 Gail Pachucki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262-728-3711 chooky2@tds.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Waterford Area

Division 2/Term: 2018-2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant

Division 3/Term: 2018-2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant

Division 4/Term: 2017-2020 Jim Buskel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262-796-0633 buskel@wi.rr.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elm Grove Golden K

Division 5/Term: 2017-2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant

Division 6/Term: 2019-2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant

Division 7/Term: 2018-2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant

Division 8/Term: 2012-2021 Ken Irwin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920-827-2109 irwins@tcei.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Holstein

Division 9/Term: 2019-2022 Louise Gudex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920-923-6870 lgudex@fdlpha.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fond du Lac

Division 10/Term: 2017-2020 Mary Ann Wepfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920-725-6004 dwepfer@new.rr.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appleton-Fox Cities

Division 11/Term: 2019-2022 Lori Bents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-389-1570 lbentsdc@tznet.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Marshfield

Division 12/Term: 2019-2022 Debbie Suennen Rickard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-338-7720 dsrickard@frontier.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . New Richmond

Division 13/Term: 2019-2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant

Division 14/Term: 2017-2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vacant

Past Foundation President Representative Paul Shrode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-942-1726 shrode@fvtc.edu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appleton-Fox Cities

Past Governor Representative Justin Hahn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 414-510-1609 justinhahn1128@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Waterford Area

KDF Financial Consultant David Morrison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262-957-6825 Adam S. Drake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .414.975.2865 Highland Investment Advisors LLC . . . . . . . . . 414-755-2309

Webmaster Bec Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 414-213-8130 rjl0802@gmail.com . . . . . . . Metropolitan Milwaukee Nights

JUNE/JULY 2020 PAGE 23

KIWANEWS Volume 96, No. 5 USPS 296-420

Kiwanews is published six times each year in November, January, March, May, July and September by the WI-UM District of Kiwanis International, at 571 Center Street, Berlin, WI 54923. Periodical postage is paid and mailing made at Berlin

and additional mailing offices. Subscription price is $3.50 per year.

POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to: WI-UM Kiwanis District, 571 Center Street, Berlin WI 54923.

DISTRICT COMMITTEE CHAIRSBylaws and Policies Jim Burmeister . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608-429-2905 burmji@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Portage

District Signature Project Lynn Messer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 920-946-0652 lmmsr001@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sheboygan Falls

Finance Bruce Hoehne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608-798-1904 b.hoene@yahoo.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Madison West

Human and Spiritual Values Jim Kieso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262-442-1749 mrkieso@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . Elm Grove Golden K

Leadership Development Coordinator Ron Schuler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608-821-0987 rschuler@wisc.edu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Madison West

Membership and Engagement Dale Vannes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-851-1038 drvannes@yahoo.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appleton

Membership and Engagement Anna Bruhn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 608-393-6811 anna.bruhn@gmail.com . . Sauk Prairie, Prairie du Sac

Service Ann Pilot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262-939-1614 annmarie.pilot@gmail.com . Metro. Milwaukee Nights

APPOINTED DISTRICT POSITIONSAktion Club Administrator Charles Zarnoth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .920-849-2658 cjzarnothapc@-gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chilton

Builders Club Administrator Fay Burmeister . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .608-429-2905 fayburmeister@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Portage

Circle K Administrator Justin Hahn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .414-510-1609 wumcki.districtadvisor@gmail.com . . . . . . .Waterford Area

District Convention Ken Saville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .608-225-3377 kensaville.1951@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Madison West

International Convention Mark Finger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .920-354-0594 markfinger31@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Berlin

Key Club Administrator Sarah Nolan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262-909-9683 nolans24@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Westosha, Salem

Key Leader Coordinator Anna Bruhn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .608-393-6811 anna.bruhn@gmail.com . . . . . . Sauk Prairie, Prairie du Sac

Kiwanews Editor Tonya Alling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .920-748-6468 tonya@allingenterprises.com . . . . . . . . . . Ripon Early Birds

Kiwanis Children’s Fund Bev Burnap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .715-868-5633 bjburnap45@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bruce

Kiwanis Partnership Coordinator Debbie Suennen Rickard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .715-338-7720 dsrickard@frontier.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .New Richmond

K-Kids Administrator Becky Mattson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .715-832-1303 rmattson711@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eau Claire

Master Instructor Jean Long Manteufel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .920-585-7769 jean@longmoving.com . . . . . . . . . . . . Appleton-Fox Cities

Parliamentarian Paul Shrode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .715-942-1726 shrode@fvtc.edu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appleton-Fox Cities

Public Relations Coordinator Trisha Peterson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .906-396-5450 peterson.trisha@gmail.com . . . . Iron Mountain-Kingsford

Risk Management John Collins. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262-914-2721 coljrcollins@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Western Kenosha

Youth Protection Margaret Rudolph . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .608-697-3390 rudolphm@portage.k12.wi.us . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Portage

KIWANEWS SCHEDULEOctober/November . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Deadline: October 20

December/January . . . . . . . . . . . .Deadline: December 20

February/March . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deadline: February 20

April/May . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deadline: April 20

June/July . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deadline: June 20

August/September . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Deadline: August 20

MEDFORD KIWANIANS BUILD BUS STOP HOUSES FOR CHILDRENSubmitted by Miki Bix, Medford Kiwanis Club

It looks like an old-fashioned outhouse from rural

America but it has a window! It has the word “Kiwanis”

stenciled on the outside. What is it? It’s the Medford

Kiwanis Club’s bus stop house, designed to provide

shelter for kids waiting for the bus in the early morning

hours on cold, wintry days. This year the club had a

bigger demand than usual and gave out five houses

rather than the usual three.

Children stand in front of a bus stop house shelter provided by the Medford Kiwanis Club.

RIPON EARLY BIRD KIWANIANS PLAN SEPTEMBER 9 GOLF OUTINGSubmitted by Joan Karsten, Ripon Early Bird Kiwanis

The Ripon Early Bird Kiwanis Club is

hosting a fundraising golf scramble on

Wednesday Sept 9 at the Golf Courses of

Lawsonia in Green Lake. Check-in is at 10

with a shotgun start at 11. Join the club for

hole prizes, raffles, an exceptional meal under a tent and

loads of fun. To register, or for more information, please

email riponearlybirdkiwanis@gmail.com.

BUILDERS CLUB SHOE DRIVESubmitted by Brian Reilly, Ripon Noon Kiwanis

The Ripon Middle School/Catalyst Builders Club,

sponsored by the Ripon Noon Kiwanis Club,

completed their spring service project by hosting

a shoe drive and collecting new and gently-used

shoes. Boxes were placed at several Ripon schools

for students and families to drop off donations.

Members sorted and cleaned the shoes. The club

president delivered the shoes to Guatemala during

spring break where they were donated to residents in

the area the family visited.