Members of the St. Jerome Builders Club with faculty advisor Jennifer Kandis, Kiwanis advisor Laurie Braund, WI-UM Governor James Burmeister,St. Jerome principal Jamie Cotter and Columbus Kiwanis Club president Christine Behl.

Columbus Kiwanis Club Members Charter New Builders ClubBy Christine Behl, Columbus Kiwanis Club

The Columbus Kiwanis Club is proud to announce theopening of a new Builders Club at St. Jerome School inColumbus, Wisconsin. WI-UM Kiwanis DistrictGovernor James Burmeister and his wife, Builders ClubDistrict Chair Fay Burmeister, attended the ceremonyon December 14, 2015 to present the charter and installofficers. Several members of the Columbus KiwanisClub and Builders Club family members also attended.

WI-UM District Builders Club Chair Fay Burmeister, right, presents theSt. Jerome Builders Club charter to president Frank Roelke.

Front row, left to right, St. Jerome faculty advisor Jennifer Kandis andColumbus Kiwanis Club president Christine Behl. Back row, left to right,Columbus Kiwanis member and past WI-UM District Governor DickMortimer, Kiwanis member Emogene Johnson, WI-UM DistrictGovernor James Burmeister, St. Jerome principal Jamie Cotter, Kiwanisadvisor Laurie Braund and Kiwanis member Peter Kaland.

Page 2 December 2015/January 2016 KIWANEWS

M E S S A G E F R O M T H E G O V E R N O R

Learn Something New at an Upcoming Midyear ConferenceJames Burmeister, 2015-16 WI-UM Kiwanis District Governor

The holidays are over and I hopeyours were all very enjoyable.The season offers an opportunityto spend more time with friendsand family. As we begin 2016, weneed to get back to some seriouswork. We will soon be startingour midyear conferences (seepage 4). One of the mainpurposes of midyear conferencesis education. We will be holdingtraining for incoming presidents,

presidents-elect and secretaries. It is important forofficers to take this training to better prepare them toguide their clubs.

There are other educational opportunities at midyearconferences. A team of eight of our members recentlytook part in a conference on the I-Plan, KiwanisInternational’s strategic plan for the future. Specialthanks to Dale Vannes, Mark Finger, John Collins, JimSanderson, Margaret Rudolph, Justin Hahn and LenaScheibengraber for working with me on this project.We are in the process of developing a strategic plan forthe WI-UM district based on the Kiwanis InternationalI-Plan. Our proposal will be presented at midyearconferences before the District Board reviews it. This isyour opportunity to ask questions and offer input.

A major part of the strategic plan addresses the steadydecline of membership in our district and the impactthat decline has been having. You may be aware of thedues increase to Kiwanis International. This was neededin large part due to membership decline and loss of

dues revenue. For several years international has beenpromoting The Formula program to counsel existingclubs and open new ones. This calls for club counselorsand club openers in each division. Our district is notdoing well at filling these positions. If you think youmay be interested in serving in either capacity, please letme or District Formula Chair Dale Vannes know.

While the focus of Kiwanis International is mainly onopening new clubs, I feel our success lies mainly instrengthening existing clubs. We need to reverse thetrend of declining membership and have every club endthe year with a net gain in membership.

Another educational element of midyear conferences isa presentation offered on declining membership andrevenue to operate our district. You will learn the extentof the membership decline and how it is impacting ourfinances. You will see the projected effect of membershipincrease and you will see why, if membership does notincrease, we will be facing a dues increase in ourdistrict. I urge you to be informed and involved in ourfuture. Help WI-UM remain a strong part of Kiwanis.

An important element of midyear conferences is theelection of Lt. Governors for some divisions. We needstrong individuals for these positions. Please considerbecoming a Lt. Governor or taking part in the processto elect your representative to the district board.

I look forward to seeing you at a midyear conference.

WI-UM Kiwanis District Governor Jim Burmeister can bereached at burmji@gmail.com or 608-429-2905.

James Burmeister

West Bend Midyear Conference. . . . February 27, 2016West Bend Mutual, West Bend, WI

District Board Meeting . . . . . . . . . . February 27, 2016Following the Midyear Conference, West Bend, WI

Circle K District Convention . . . . . . March 4-6, 2016The Radisson, Green Bay, WI

Key Club District Convention . . . March 11-13, 2016Hyatt on Main, Green Bay, WI

Escanaba Midyear Conference. . . . . . March 19, 2016Bay College, Escanaba, MI

Richland Center Midyear Conference . April 9, 2016UW-Richland Center, Richland Center, WI

District Board Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 9, 2016Following the Midyear Conference, Richland Center, WI

Circle K Spring Fling . . . . . . . . . . . . April 22-24, 2016Camp Wawbeek, Wisconsin Dells, WI

Kiwanis International Convention . June 23-26, 2016 Toronto, Ontario, Canada

WI-UM District Convention . . . . August 12-14, 2016Olympia Resort, Oconomowoc, WI

Key Leader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 16-18, 2016Camp Wawbeek, Wisconsin Dells, WI

Kiwanis International Convention . July 13-16, 2017Paris, France

Wisconsin-Upper Michigan Kiwanis District EventsBy Mark Finger, WI-UM Kiwanis District Executive Director

KIWANEWS December 2015/January 2016 Page 3

Midyear Conferences Midyear conferences will be heldin West Bend on February 27,Escanaba on March 19 andRichland Center on April 9.Some divisions will holdelections for Lt. Governors, butyou are encouraged to attend anyconference that is convenient foryou. Please refer to the scheduleand registration form on page 4or find the information online at

www.wiumkiwanis.org/midyear.

The midyear conferences will feature an introduction tothe I-Plan, Kiwanis International’s new strategic plan.In December, eight members from the district met fortwo days, learned about the I-Plan and put together adistrict strategic plan. We want to share the I-Plan withclubs at the midyear conferences so they can formulatetheir own strategic plan. This is one of the best ideasKiwanis International (KI) has introduced with most ofthe structure for a good club-level strategic plan inplace. All clubs have to do is to use the goals providedby KI or adapt them to their liking, choose whichstrategies fit best for their club, then complete actionsteps aligning with the strategies chosen.

Annual IRS Form 990 Due February 15thYour club’s 2014-15 IRS Form 990 is due by February15th. All clubs need to file at least a 990-N no matter

how much your club has in receipts. Some clubs havelost their corporate status because they have failed tosubmit a Form 990 for three years.

District Website: www.wiumkiwanis.orgThough many people like the recently revised districtwebsite, information may not be where you mightexpect it to be. When on the district website, go to themenu tab at the top right of the page and click on thedifferent pull-down categories. The locations of manyof the tabs you are used to seeing have been moved todifferent tabs in the new menu structure. Check out allof the pull-down tabs to see what’s available on the site.

Kiwanis District Foundation (KDF)I have accepted the position of Executive Secretary/Treasurer of the Kiwanis District Foundation (KDF).Please send KDF correspondence to the district office.Last year your district foundation awarded almost$27,000 in grants and matching scholarships. The KDFboard reviews grant requests twice a year after theMarch 1 and September 1 deadlines and reviewsscholarship requests after the March 1 deadline. Mostof the money for these grants and scholarships comesfrom annual club contributions. To be eligible for agrant or matching scholarship a club must havecontributed to the KDF at least once in the previousthree years. See the KDF website at www.wiumkdf.info.

WI-UM District Executive Director Mark Finger can bereached at mfinger@wiumkiwanis.org or 920-361-9954.

M E S S A G E F R O M T H E E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R

Useful Information from Your WI-UM Kiwanis DistrictBy Mark Finger, WI-UM Kiwanis District Executive Director

Mark Finger

The Kiwanis District Foundation (KDF) will havebasket raffles at each of the midyear conferences. Weappreciate your basket donations. All funds raisedsupport scholarships and grants. KDF matches clubscholarship monies designated for a Circle K or KeyClub member in an amount of up to $500. The KDFalso matches club scholarship monies for non-sponsored youth up to $250.

Kiwanis Club service projects and programs whichpromote the ideals, goals and objectives of KiwanisInternational and our District, and which have a scopebenefiting multiple individuals are eligible forconsideration. Forms are available at www.wiumkdf.info.All applications must be submitted by March 1. Takeadvantage of these scholarship and grant opportunitiesto help your clubs.

Kiwanis District Foundation Requests and RemindersBy Gail Pachucki, WI-UM Kiwanis District Foundation Zone Representative

WI-UM District Foundation Seeks Investment AdvisorBy Mark Finger, WI-UM Kiwanis District Foundation Executive Secretary/Treasurer

The WI-UM Kiwanis District Foundation (KDF) isseeking an investment advisor to oversee the KDF’sportfolio, which is in excess of $250,000. An ad-hoccommittee is compiling a Request for Proposal (RFP)

which will include a copy of the KDF’s InvestmentPolicy. The RFP will be sent to all interested parties.For details, please contact KDF Executive Secretary/Treasurer Mark Finger at mfinger@wiumkiwanis.org.

Page 4 December 2015/January 2016 KIWANEWS

2016 Midyear Conference Registration FormFebruary 27, 2016 – West Bend Mutual, 1900 S. 18th Ave., West Bend, WI – Div. 2 & 6 Lt. Gov. Election

$25 per person (includes lunch and morning snacks)/$35 after February 13 deadline

March 19, 2016 – Bay de Noc Community College, 2001 N. Lincoln Rd., Escanaba, MI – Div. 10 Lt. Gov. Election$20 per person (includes lunch and morning snacks)/$30 after March 4 deadline

April 9, 2016 – UW-Richland Center, 1200 Hwy. 14 West, Richland Center, WI – Div. 3 & 4 Lt. Gov. Election$20 per person (includes lunch and morning snacks)/$30 after March 26 deadline

Please see the tentative schedule below with the workshops that are being planned. Please note that we are alsooffering a Club Leadership Education session for Presidents, Presidents-elect and Vice Presidents.

Tentative Schedule8:00 Registration

8:30 – 9:45 Opening Session The Kiwanis I Plan

10:00 – 1:00 Club Leadership EducationPresident, Presidents-elect andVice President Training

10:00 – 10:45 Workshops 1Room 1: How Well Do You Know Our Service

Leadership Programs? Led by Justin Hahn

Room 2: The Financial State of the DistrictLed by Bruce Hoehne

Room 3: Kiwanis District Foundation andKiwanis International FoundationLed by Jim Sanderson and Fred Dietze

11:00 – 11:45 Workshops 2Room 1: Chartering a Service Leadership

Program and Recruiting an AdvisorLed by SLP Administrators

Room 2: Club Secretaries and TreasurersLed by Mark Finger

Room 3: The Formula Works – Lakeland AreaMinocqua Kiwanis ClubLed by Dale Vannes

12:00 – 12:45 Workshops 3Room 1: Circle K/Key Club Graduate Program

Led by Fred DietzeRoom 2: Marketing your Kiwanis Club

Led by John CollinsRoom 3: The Distinguished Club Program

Led by Charlie Price

1:00 – 2:00 Lunch (included with registration)

2:00 – 3:00 Division Council Meetings

Please indicate the session you would like to attend so we can plan for meals and room requirements.Please check if you are attending Club Leadership Education and select the workshop track you will attend.

n February 27 West Bend, WI n March 19 – Escanaba, MI n April 9 – Richland Center, WI

n Club Leadership Education (Club Presidents, Presidents-elect and Secretaries)

n Workshops 1 n Workshops 2 n Workshops 3

__________________________________________________________________________________________________Member Last Name First Name

__________________________________________________________________________________________________Phone Number (day) E-mail

__________________________________________________________________________________________________Division # Kiwanis Club 2015-16 Office Held

Charge Card Authorization n Master Card n Visa n Discover

Account Number___________________________________ Exp Date __________

Name on Card (Please Print) ____________________________________________

Zip Code_______________

Mail registration to: WI-UM Kiwanis District

571 Center StreetBerlin, WI 54923

Fax registration to:866-484-4745

Email registration to:mfinger@wiumkiwanis.org

KIWANEWS December 2015/January 2016 Page 5

We have now shared with our families Thanksgiving,and the December holiday season. For those withchildren I’m sure the holidays were so special! Thedecorations, sweets and presents are all so great. Nowthat we are in the new year, if you are able, give of yourtime at a soup kitchen, visit a nursing home andconsider putting together food baskets for families inneed. Remember the true meaning of the season. Manyfolks look to a higher power for their true meaning.

We as Kiwanians give of ourselves to help the growth ofchildren. We help nourish, educate about diseases andhelp guide our children and disabled adults throughtheir early years. Kiwanians are lifesavers. Let usstart 2016 with a goal of four new members per clubbefore next October. We have this power!

Ron Soellner can be reached at 262-359-0508 or by email atrlsoellner1912@gmail.com.

Make a Commitment to Community Service This YearBy Ron Soellner, District Chair, Fundraisers, Human Spiritual Values and Services

Service Leadership Programs (SLP) are one of Kiwanis’greatest assets. Let’s make sure we are keeping ouryouth and their advisors safe. Kiwanis Internationalrequires SLP advisors to have a clear background check.The sponsoring Kiwanis club must participate in youthprotection guidelines training once per year, preferablyduring youth protection week in September.

KI recently issued a report listing clubs who completed

the training last year. I am certain that more clubsactually completed the training than was reported. Theclub secretary must record the completed training onthe secretary’s dashboard to Kiwanis International (KI).Please visit the website at kiwanis.org/youthprotection andcontact me if you need help.

Dale Vannes can be reached at 715-851-1038 or by email atdrvannes@yahoo.com.

Participate in Youth Protection Guidelines TrainingBy Dale Vannes, District Chair, Youth Protection

The WI-UM Kiwanis District Formula Team is readyto help your club. Each Lt. Governor should have inplace two club counselors and one club opener to servetheir clubs. If you would like to learn more about theFormula for success, contact your Lt. Governor and heor she will assign a club counselor to attend yourmeeting with a goal of helping to strengthen your club.

We are still looking for motivated Kiwanians to serve asclub counselors and club openers. If you are interested,want to get involved or would like more information,please contact me.

Dale Vannes can be reached at 715-851-1038 or by email atdrvannes@yahoo.com.

Club Counselors and Openers Support the Kiwanis FormulaBy Dale Vannes, District Chair, The Formula

When the temperature doesn’tget above 0° summer seems likea long way off, but June willcome quicker than expected.Why is June important? On June23, the Kiwanis InternationalConvention will kick off,celebrating the 101st anniversaryof Kiwanis International and the100th anniversary of Kiwanis inCanada. The Convention will beheld in Toronto, Ontario,

Canada this year and I would love to see you there.

Of course I have an ulterior motive for encouraging youto go to Toronto. I am running for KiwanisInternational Trustee. I need your vote and would likeyou to help with my campaign. I encourage you tocome to a midyear conference to find out more aboutToronto and how you can help with the campaign.

For more information about my candidacy, please visitwww.freddietze.com and be sure to like my Facebookpage: Fred Dietze for Kiwanis International Trustee.

Fred Dietze can be reached at 715-381-0038 or by email atfred@freddietze.com.

Support Fred Dietze for Kiwanis International TrusteeBy Fred Dietze, Candidate for Kiwanis International Trustee

Fred Dietze

Page 6 December 2015/January 2016 KIWANEWS

Support the District Foundation with Van Kleef FellowshipBy Mark Finger, Executive Secretary/Treasurer, Kiwanis District Foundation

Please consider honoring adeserving club member with aCase Van Kleef Fellowshipaward.

Case Van Kleef served as theWI-UM Kiwanis DistrictFoundation (KDF) President,was WI-UM Kiwanis DistrictGovernor in 1995-96 and servedas Kiwanis InternationalPresident in 2004-05.

The $1,000 donation to the KDF from a club or anindividual will strengthen Kiwanis. Honor a clubmember, strengthen your District Foundation andprovide more service through our district at the clublevel by honoring someone with a Van Kleef. If aminimum of 25 Van Kleef Fellowships are reservedbefore the district convention in August, 2016, CaseVan Kleef will be at our convention to present theawards. Contact the KDF to reserve yours today.

Mark Finger can be reached at 920-361-9954 or by emailat mfinger@wiumkiwanis.org.

The three midyear conferencesshould be fun and educational. Iwould like you to attend one ofmy workshops regarding theKiwanis International Founda-tion (KIF), but you will also havea wide range of choices. If youcan’t come to one of theworkshops, please stop by theKIF information table and pickup some information to takeback to your club. I will be

available at all three midyear conferences to answer anyquestions you might have regarding the KIF. I am alsohappy to travel to any club in the district to present aprogram. All you have to do is ask.

Now for some exciting news. The following Clubs havebeen recognized by the KIF for their cumulative (bothindividual and club) giving:

2014-15 Silver Level Today Clubs ($25/member)Madison West • Waukesha Golden K

Wausau • Wisconsin-Upper Michigan E-Club

2014-15 Diamond Level Today Clubs ($100/member)Greater Hudson • Kenosha Breakfast

On behalf of the Kiwanis International Foundation andthe children of the world, thank you!

Fred Dietze can be reached at 715-381-0038 or by email atfred@freddietze.com.

The KIF…Coming Soon to a Midyear Conference Near YouBy Fred Dietze, District Chair, Kiwanis International Foundation

Fred Dietze

The Elkhorn Kiwanis Club is happy to announce therecent installation of the Elkhorn Area High SchoolKey Club officers. Congratulations to:

President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Katelyn GollyVice-President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Abby PriceTreasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Greyson LopezSecretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jaden MatzkeBulletin Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Elly Russell

A special thank you to Lt. Governor Jessica Korduckiand Key Club Advisor Amy Polyock for helping withthe ceremony.

Elkhorn Kiwanians wish Key Club members the best!

Elkhorn Area High School Key Club Officers InstalledBy Julie Lopez, Elkhorn Kiwanis Club

Officers of the Elkhorn Area High School Key Club were recently installed.

KIWANEWS December 2015/January 2016 Page 7

The Platteville Kiwanis Club, together with theUW-Platteville Circle K Club and the Platteville HighSchool Key Club, joined together for the first time everon December 1, 2015. The event was organized toprovide an opportunity for all members to celebrate the100th anniversary of Kiwanis International. More than70 people attended the celebration held in the newengineering hall building at UW-Platteville.

Special guests attending were Division 3 Lt. GovernorBruce Hoehne and past Division 3 Lt. GovernorCharles Price, who brought an unexpected gift ofmoney for the UW-Platteville Circle K Club, donatedby his Dodgeville Kiwanis Club. The event affordedattendees the opportunity to donate winter clothing insupport of the Circle K project for the PlattevilleFamily Advocates.

The highlight of the night was presenting a George F.Hixson Fellowship to Bev Johansen who has served theclub and community with service since joining in 1988.She has served as club president and for many years assecretary and treasurer. Bev has taken the lead on manyof the club’s service projects in the community, such asorganizing the monthly banana night visitations to allthe nursing homes and assisted-living facilties in thecommunity, the road clean up of Highway 80 andassisting in the recent Reach Out and Read Program incooperation with Southwest Health.

In addition, she has been a Kiwanis mentor to thePlatteville High School Key Club and the UW-Platteville Circle K Club. Bev has been a key worker inclub fundraisers which support many children andyouth and other activities in the community.

Past President Thomas Lindahl shared that “Bev is thespark plug of the Platteville Kiwanis Club. It was fun tosee her long-standing efforts recognized”, he said. Therecognition was truly a surprise to Bev and that made itextra special. To bestow a Hixson Fellowship, PlattevilleKiwanis Club members donated more than $1000 tothe Kiwanis International Foundation Eliminate Projectfor maternal and neonatal tetanus.

Platteville Kiwanis Family Celebrates Kiwanis CentennialBy Gary Lindahl, Platteville Kiwanis Club

Long-time member Bev Johansen received a George F. Hixson Fellowship.

Three branches of the Kiwanis family met in December to celebrate theKiwanis International centennial.

Mineral Point Club Works toRepurpose Kiwanis LodgeBy Joelle Doye, Mineral Point Kiwanis Club

The Mineral Point Kiwanis Club is busy planningthe revitalization of a lodge in Water Tower Park.The guest house was built in the 1930s by the cluband has been used through the decades as a visitorcenter. It sat largely abandoned for some time andthe group hopes to give it new life and purpose.

Page 8 December 2015/January 2016 KIWANEWS

The Greater Wausau Kiwanis Club is proud to supportso many great causes in the community. One way itdoes so is through large donations. In October, the clubwas honored to provide funding for and deliver a newriding tractor from Grebe’s Hardware (valued at $5,500)to Stable Hands Equine Therapy. In addition, Grebe’sHardware donated some supplies that can be used alongwith the tractor. A few weeks later, the club held itsbiweekly meeting at Stable Hands Equine Therapy.After a presentation by staff, which included insights on

the individuals thatare being helpedthrough the program,members attended asession that wasscheduled for theevening. Threechildren with socialinteraction challengesspent an hour ridingand doing variousexercises with theircompanion horse.The smiles on theirfaces as theycompleted tasks andguided their horsewere heartwarming.As the equine therapycenter continues toexpand in the comingyears, the goal is to provide more classes for childrenand adults and to be able to hold sessions year ‘round.

Greater Wausau Kiwanians Support Equine TherapyBy Jeremy Tabin, Greater Wausau Kiwanis Club

On hand for the donation, left to right,Diane Abitz, Tim Grebe, Jamie Elenbass,and Kiwanis members Henry Osswald andMarv Machel.

The Greater Wausau Kiwanis Club presented theGeorge F. Hixson Fellowship to five long-time clubmembers who have helped the club positively impactthe community. Gary Alexander, Pat Morath, JeffMulhern, Warren Torgerson and Bob Volker werehonored with the Hixson medal, pin, and plaquethrough a generous $5,000 donation by the club, to bedirected toward The Eliminate Project. With these fivefellowships, all current members of the club have nowbeen bestowed with this great honor.

The club also presented honorary lifetime membershipto three distinguished members: Bob Gifford, WayneSchmidt and John Webb. The club is truly grateful for the dedication and hard work these members have

provided throughout the years. John Webb has achievedmore than 40 years of perfect attendance, served at thedistrict level as Lt. Governor, and is a recipient of theSolberg Award. Bob Gifford provided a link to the localschools, was a past Key Club advisor for Wausau WestHigh School and served as a club president. The club isthankful to Wayne Schmidt for his early-morning workat the Wisconsin Valley Fair Kiwanis Elephant Earsfundraiser, along with his skilled work at transportingthe club’s popcorn wagon over the years. Althoughthese individuals are unable to make meetings on aregular basis, club members look forward to seeingthem at special events in the future.

Hixson Fellowships Awarded to Wausau Kiwanis MembersBy Jeremy Tabin, Greater Wausau Kiwanis Club

Kiwanis club members receiving Hixson Awards, left to right, WarrenTorgerson, 2015-16 Club President, Bob Voelker, Jeff Mulhern, PatMorath, 2014-15 Club President, and Gary Alexander.

Three children, riding their therapy horses, are accompanied by volunteeraids and lead by the session trainer.

The Greater Wausau Kiwanis Club is proud to have been able to honor allcurrent members with a George F. Hixson Fellowship Award.

KIWANEWS December 2015/January 2016 Page 9

Spotlight on an Active and Engaged Medford Kiwanis ClubBy Miki Bix, Medford Kiwanis Club

Medford Kiwanis Club members kicked off the fallseason with the Medford Reads Program – a programthe club started in partnership with the school districtmore than 20 years ago. Mentors read with elementarystudents who are not reading at grade level to help themdevelop better skills. Currently, 84 kids are mentored bymore than 75 community volunteers including severalKiwanians. Twice a year a banquet is provided for theMedford Reads participants, their parents and theirmentors. In the fall the club serves BBQ; in the spring itserves pizza, which is donated by Tombstone Pizza. Theclub always provides a huge cake for the kids.

The club cleans up two miles of Highway 13 eachspring and fall, and a road sign acknowledges the workdone. Members also mow five miles of the rail-trailrecreational path several times each summer and fall.

Each year the club raffles off two or three bus stopshelters so that elementary school students have a placewhere they can wait for the school bus out of the wind,rain, snow and sleet. This year, a local mobile homepark requested a large shelter to accommodate severalchildren. The club received many donations of wood,window and roofing materials and members puttogether a fine shelter which is used every morning.

Twice a year the local theater has a comedy night withseveral comedians performing. Members handle thebeverage service and receive a portion of the profits fortheir efforts. The parents-in-law of the theater ownerare both involved in the club, so that certainly helps!This year the club made $800 from two events.

The club also held a raffle for a Green Bay Packerspackage of four club seats with a parking pass for ahome game. More than $1,850 was netted – our bestraffle ever. Members also run a Big Ticket Bingo event.

Participants buy a big ticket for $22.50 which includesthree cards for each of fifteen games. $100 is given outin prize money for each game. The club had the bestyear ever, making more than $2,000 from the bingo, a50/50 raffle and the concession stand.

In December, additional lights were added to the club’s20-foot Christmas tree, which served as the anchor forthe new Holiday Magic event on the Medford millpond. Along the roadway were many other decorationswith lighted displays – Santa and his reindeer, variouscars, trucks, and tractors outlined in lights, holidaysingers, the twelve days of Christmas – all done withLED lights and plywood cutouts. The MedfordKiwanis Club is spearheading this event along with theMedford Chamber of Commerce. This was the event’sinaugural year with about 20 displays. Given thedonations and community interest, it looks like thisevent will grow substantially in the future.

The club sent three high school students to the KeyLeader program, one boy to Badger Boys State, and onegirl to Badger Girls State. It gave another iPad to a

Kiwanians Paul Webb, Jim Peterson, Herb Archibald, Dave Goessl and JonKnoll work on the bus stop shelter at Riverside Terrace Mobile Home Park.

Participants at Big Ticket Bingo concentrate on winning the Big Bucks.

Medford Area Public Schools Special Education Director Joe Greget, JaydenGasser and her mother Sarah, and Medford Kiwanis Club PresidentCatherine Leifeld shared a special moment when Jayden received her iPad.

…continued on page ten

Page 10 December 2015/January 2016 KIWANEWS

student on the autism spectrum at the middle school,donated funds for the school district’s online summerreading and math program, and gave a $1,000scholarship to a high school graduate and $500 to astudent at Northcentral Technical College.

Members rounded out the year with a Coats for Kidscollection. Local businesses, churches, and schoolsworked with the club on this program which collectedmore than 600 coats and a total of 1,300 other itemssuch as mittens, scarves, snow pants and gloves. Itemsare taken to the local food pantry where they are givento anyone who needs cold weather gear. This was thebest year ever although demand was not high early inthe year because of the mild weather. When theweather changed there was a big run on warm coats.This year, one of the middle school classes chose Coatsfor Kids as their project, and they collected about 50coats and 250 other items.

We also spent a full day ringing the bell and collectingdonations for the Salvation Army.

Circuit Court Judge and Medford Kiwanis Clubmember Ann Knox-Bauer spearheaded a projectproviding Christmas gifts for three children from theSt. Paul Community Giving Tree.

Then the club ran into a snag. It usually puts a barrel onthe mill pond ice and sell tickets for people to guesswhen the ice will melt and the barrel will sink.Remember that nice weather we had? Ever try to put abarrel out on water? It doesn’t work. The club finallygot it out – albeit about three weeks late!

The club tries to involve other organizations, businessesand people in its projects. This fall, members were verysuccessful in doing that. The club is fortunate to havestaff from the local newspaper, The Star News, among itsmembers so it enjoys a lot of local publicity. When wesay “Kiwanis” everyone knows who we are!

Editors note: I enjoy featuring the good works of the clubs inthe WI-UM Kiwanis District and I would love to spotlightyour club, too! Submit stories to tonya@allingenterprises.com.

Coats for Kids donations from Medford Middle School students.

Bob Whetstone rings the bell for the Salvation Army on a cold day.

Kiwanis members purchased holiday gifts for several children.

Stan Carbaugh and Dave Goessl put the ice out barrel on the ice.

Spotlight on an Active and Engaged Medford Kiwanis Club… from page nine

KIWANEWS December 2015/January 2016 Page 11

Would you like to play in the mud and earn money foryour club at the same time? The Kiwanis Club ofGreater Hudson did just that. They collected muddyshoes from participants at the Muck Fest in Somerset,Wisconsin after they finished their run through theobstacle course.

The club learnedabout shoecollectionsthrough a boothat the KiwanisInternationalConvention inIndianapolis.The company isFunds2Orgs.They collectused footwearto send tomicroenterprisesin developingnations likeHaiti, Ghana,Nicaragua,Guatemala,Benin andSenegal. The

shoes are re-purposed and then sold locally by anentrepreneur.

Collecting muddy shoes is fun and easy and your club ispaid 50¢ per pair. You don’t even have to clean the mudoff the shoes! The company sends you the plastic bags,members put 15 pairs in each double bag and then storethem until a truck is in the area to pick them up. Acheck is issued a few days after the shoes have beenunloaded andcounted. It takesthree people pershift of aroundfour hours eachand a pick-up truckfor each of the twoshifts to lug awaythe bags of shoes.The GreaterHudson club filledover 47 bags (that’smore than 700pairs) with oldmuddy shoes!

Fund2Orgs alsohas a moreextensive plan tohelp you collect gently used shoes over a few months’time. This project earns money by the pound (averagingabout 40¢ per pair). They offer a designated coach tohelp your club with advertising, planning where andwhen to collect, etc. Who doesn’t have shoes in theircloset that they don’t wear any more? This campaignrequires 25 pairs of shoes in each bag (they are dry andlighter weight) and the goal is to collect at least 100bags (2,500 pairs) of shoes. It’s not that difficult to do ifyou give bags to friends, relatives and colleagues.

For more information, please contact Tom Hendersonat 407-930-2979 or visit www.Funds2Orgs.com.

Greater Hudson Kiwanis Club Cashes In On Muddy ShoesBy Nancy Dietze, Kiwanis Club of Greater Hudson

Participants are invited to “scrob your muck” to remove some of the mudfrom their clothing and shoes.

The Kiwanis Club of Greater Hudson turnedmuddy shoes into cash following the Muck Fest.

Greater Hudson Kiwanis members earnedmore than $350 collecting muddy shoes.

Key Club Members HelpPrepare Holiday BasketsBy Dan Weninger, Fond du Lac Lakeside Kiwanis

Left to right, Alex Chiavetta, Olivia Newton,Katelyn Mulholland, Mikayla Newton, and LauraWusterbarth, all members of the Oakfield HighSchool Key Club, assisted the Fond du LacLakeside Kiwanis Club with creating Christmasbaskets for twenty less fortunate families.

Page 12 December 2015/January 2016 KIWANEWS

iPads Donated to Children on the Autism SpectrumBy Karin Oliver-Kreft, Kiwanis Club of Sheboygan Falls

In their continuing commitment to serving the childrenof the community, the Sheboygan Falls Kiwanis Clubpresented four iPads in support of the WI-UM KiwanisAutism Project. The project, developed in 2012-13 byKiwanis District Governor Lynn Messer, strives toprovide iPads and funding for apps for children on theautism spectrum with financial need. The presentationof these two iPads marks the 36th and 37th iPadspresented by the Kiwanis Club of Sheboygan Falls. Todate, more than 750 iPads have been donated and closeto $350,000 has been raised throughout the district.

Presenters included Kiwanis members Mike Holden,Sheila Kloepping and Lynn Messer. The presentationtook place at Sheboygan Falls Middle School onNovember 5th. Recipients included Ty Davenport andJohn Bonnos, whose families attended the event. Two additional iPads were presented by Kiwanis

members Mike Holden and Lynn Messer to students atPlymouth Riverview School. These donations weremade possible from the Edward Miller memorial gift tothe iPad project. Recipients included William Meyerand Isaiah Voss.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a lifelong disabilitythat affects the way a person communicates and relatesto others. According to estimates from the Centers forDisease Control, one in 50 children in the UnitedStates is on the spectrum. Teachers use iPads to reachout to children with ASD with remarkable results.Children show tremendous improvements after playingfun-filled exercises on the iPad, which is less stressfuland more fun for the teachers and the students.

Left to right, front row: Heather Davenport, Ty Davenport, John Bonnos;back row, Sheila Kloepping, Ty’s sister, Ty’s father, Valerie Bonnos, LynnMesser and Mike Holden.

Left to right: Mike Holden, Lynn Messer, Lisa Meyer, William Meyer,Dalene Voss and Isaiah Voss.

Kids Need Kiwanis; Together We Will Change the WorldBy Sue Petrisin,�2015-16 Kiwanis International President

Kids need Kiwanis. Without Kiwanis, kids in New Yorkwouldn’t have art supplies at summer camp; kids inCalifornia wouldn’t have bike helmets; kids in Missouriwouldn’t have a safe playground. Without Kiwanis,children with Down syndrome in Malaysia would haveno place to learn life skills; children in Madagascarwould be in the landfill fighting animals for food.Without Kiwanis, millions of babies would not survivethe ravages of tetanus.

Plain and simple, kids need Kiwanis – now more thanever.�I joined Key Club in 1977 to make a difference inmy community. I saw that my efforts had a biggerimpact when joined with those of others. That desire tocontinue improving lives and communities led to alifetime as a member of the Kiwanis family. I amhonored and humbled to begin my term as KiwanisInternational President. This is an historic moment, not

only because Kiwanis is the first of any of the majorservice organizations to elect a female president at theinternational level, but most importantly, this is thestart of our second century of serving the children ofthe world.

As we start this new Kiwanis year, I ask you to pauseand remember why you first joined this remarkableorganization. I joined to make a difference in mycommunity. I bet that’s why you joined too. Continue tomake that difference. Re-energize those around you. Bethe spark that helps children live better lives. Show theworld what you are doing to help children.

I can’t wait to see what you and your club is doing tomake the world a better place for children.

Together, we will change the world. Kids need Kiwanis.

KIWANEWS December 2015/January 2016 Page 13

Appleton Fox Cities Kiwanis Participates in Tree Lighting By Jay Stephany, Appleton Fox Cities Kiwanis Club

Nothing says Christmas time like a Christmas tree. Thesmell of the pine, the twinkling of the lights – it’smagical. What’s also magical about the holiday season isvolunteering. The Appleton Downtown ChristmasParade committee was seeking a volunteer organizationto take ownership of the tree lighting ceremony in CityPark prior to the parade. The Appleton Fox CitiesKiwanis Club stepped up to the task.

The weather was chilly but spirits were warm. Carolersfrom the Fox Valley Chorus of Sweet Adeline’s, holidaymusic by DJ Legend George, food vendors, free hotchocolate, coffee, and apple cider and decoratingChristmas cookies entertained attendees.

The tree was lit and everyone made their way toCollege Avenue in time for the parade, which is thelargest night-time parade in the midwest. Last year’sevent drew approximately 80,000 spectators todowntown Appleton. The Appleton Fox Cities KiwanisClub is excited about what it can do next year to growthis great community event.

Members of the Appleton Fox Cities Kiwanis Club planned and carried outthe tree lighting ceremony just prior to the Appleton Christmas Parade.

League Partners with Kiwanis on Voter Education ContestBy John Newhouse, Kiwanis Whitewater Breakfast Club

Some people vote, or don’t vote, based on apreconceived notion of the relative value of one ballot.The Whitewater League of Women Voters (LWV)desired to challenge negative attitudes by offering apositive project for students. Knowing that manystudents in the current high school senior class will beof voting age soon, the LWV decided to sponsor aregistration and voter ID video contest to educatestudents about registration and voting as a seriousprocess. The organization feels that knowing how tovote is as important as deciding who to vote for.

The LWV publicized the plan and asked for financialsupport to offer money prizes, which the KiwanisWhitewater Breakfast Club supported, approving $400for three top prizes. Students could team up or work

independently to prepare a three-minute videopresentation. A team of experienced citizensvolunteered to judge the 23 entries, including a UW-Whitewater professor, a local TV producer and anewspaper correspondent and a Kiwanis member withextensive election poll experience.

One object of the contest was to use the top videos toinform voters, both in school and in the public,especially those who will be voting for the first time in2016. The LWV scheduled a premier showing of thewinning videos and presented awards to the threewinning student teams at their annual holiday dinner.The Kiwanis Club then hosted the students and theirwinning videos at a subsequent club meeting.

Winners of the Registration and Voter ID video contest received cash prizesprovided by the Whitewater Breakfast Kiwanis Club.

Students eagerly awaited the announcement of the winning teams.

Page 14 December 2015/January 2016 KIWANEWS

GovernorJames Burmeister608-429-2905burmji@gmail.comPortage

Governor-electJohn Collins 262-914-2721coljrcollins@gmail.com Western Kenosha

Executive DirectorMark Finger920-361-9954mfinger@wiumkiwanis.orgBerlin

Imm. Past GovernorAnna Bruhn608-393-6811anna.bruhn@gmail.comSauk Prairie, Prairie du Sac

Past Governor’s CouncilLyle Plagenz, Chair920-398-2611lpip@charter.net Markesan

Past Lt. Gov.’s CouncilRon Soellner, Chair262-359-0509ron.soellner@yahoo.comWestern Kenosha

Lt. Governor Division 1Randy Henderson 262-210-0265wium1517ltgovdiv1@gmail.com Union Grove

Lt. Governor Division 2Jim Buskel 262-796-0633buskel@wi.rr.com Elm Grove Golden K

Lt. Governor Division 3Bruce Hoehne 608-798-1904b.hoehne@yahoo.com Madison West

Lt. Governor Division 4Dennis Andreasen608-768-7543denniscandre@rucls.netReedsburg

Lt. Governor Division 5Vacant

Lt. Governor Division 6Lynn Messer920-738-9235lmmsr00l@gmail.com Sheboygan Falls

Lt. Governor Division 7John Day 920-738-9235applevalley@new.rr.com Appleton-Fox Cities

Lt. Governor Division 8Roger Krogstad715-384-6583kiwanis8rog@aol.comMarshfield

Lt. Governor Division 9John Rheinberger651-439-4199johnrheinberger@centurylink.netGreater Hudson

Lt. Governor Division 10Melissa Histed 906-869-4274mkdevern@mtu.eduGladstone

Lt. Governor Division 11Larry Koziol 262-338-1996larrykoziol@gmail.comWest Bend, Early Risers

2015-16 Wisconsin-Upper MichiganKiwanis District Board of DirectorsWisconsin-Upper Michigan Kiwanis

District Foundation (KDF) DirectorsPresidentJim Sanderson920-348-5568jjsanderson@centurytel.netCambria

Vice PresidentMichael Pierski262-679-5395pierski@juno.comMuskego

Exec.Secretary/TreasurerMark Finger920-361-9954mfinger@wiumkiwanis.orgBerlin

SecretaryJan Williams920-279-2736jan@janwilliamsagency.comBerlin

Treasurer/ImmediatePast PresidentLori Bents715-389-1570lbentsdc@tznet.comMarshfield

WebmasterBec Loss414-213-8130 rjl0802@gmail.comMetro Milw. Nights

Zone 1/Term: 2015-18Gail Pachucki262-728-3711chooky2@tds.netWaterford Area

Zone 2/Term: 2015-18Vacant

Zone 3/Term: 2015-18Mary Mennes608-924-1721memennes@mhtc.netMadison West

Zone 4/Term: 2013-16Dennis Andreasen608-768-7543denniscandre@rucls.netReedsburg

Zone 5/Term: 2014-17Jim McMullen608-436-4568jmcmullen@kanduindustries.comJanesville

Zone 6/Term: 2015-18Ken Irwin920-827-2109irwins@tcei.comNew Holstein

Zone 7/Term: 2014-17John Polansky920-954-1316jrpolansky@msn.comAppleton-Fox Cities

Zone 8/Term: 2013-16Vacant

Zone 9/Term: 2013-16Debbie Suennen Rickard715-246-5884dsrickard@frontier.comNew Richmond

Zone 10/Term: 2014-17Melissa Histed906-869-4274mkdevern@mtu.eduGladstone

Zone 11/Term: 2013-16Diane Toraason920-361-0341dtoraason0341@charter.netBerlin

Past FoundationPresident Rep.Paul Shrode715-942-1726shrode@fvtc.eduAppleton-Fox Cities

Past GovernorRepresentativeKathy Gillis920-475-0500wium.admin@gmail.comLittle Chute

Financial ConsultantTerry Dignan262-303-4503terry@cedarpointinvests.com

KDF Zones=District Divisions

KiwanewsSchedule

Issue: February/MarchDeadline: Feb. 28

Issue: April/MayDeadline: April 15

Issue: June/JulyDeadline: June 15

Issue: August/SeptemberDeadline: August 30

Submit stories to editorTonya Alling, 11 StantonSt., Ripon, WI 54971 oremail them to tonya@allingenterprises.com.

KIWANEWS December 2015/January 2016 Page 15

Kiwanis District Committee ChairsBylaws and PoliciesCharles Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .608-935-7224cdplep@aol.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dodgeville

EducationRon Schuler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .608-271-7114rschuler@wisc.edu . . . . . . . . . . . . .Madison West

The Eliminate ProjectMarv Amundson . . . . . . . . . . . . .715-637-3551mpa@chibardun.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Barron

The Formula/Youth ProtectionDale Vannes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .715-851-1038drvannes@yahoo.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Appleton

Past Lt. Governor’s/Fund Raising/Humanand Spiritual Values/ServicesRon Soellner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262-359-0509ron.soellner@yahoo.com . . . . . . .Western Kenosha

Past GovernorsLyle Plagenz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .920-398-2611lpip@charter.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Markesan

Public RelationsVacant

Young Children Priority One (YCPO)Vacant

Aktion Club AdministratorCharles Zarnoth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .920-849-2658cjzarnothapc@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chilton

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

Circle K AdministratorJanet DeGroot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .608-347-7865janet.degroot@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Berlin

District ConventionTo be announced

District Foundation PresidentJim Sanderson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .920-348-5568jjsanderson@centurytel.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cambria

District Foundation Secretary/Treasurer/KI Convention/Web Site AdministratorMark Finger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .920-361-9954mfinger@wiumkiwanis.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Berlin

K-Kids AdministratorEmily Condon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .414-403-9744emilycondoncki@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . .Sauk Prairie

Key Club AdministratorKathy Gillis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .920-475-0500wium.admin@gmail.com . . . . . . . . . . . . .Little Chute

Key Leader CoordinatorJustin Hahn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .414-510-1609justinhahn1128@gmail.com . . . . . . .Waterford Area

Kiwanews EditorTonya Alling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .920-748-6468tonya@allingenterprises.com . . . . . . .WI-UM e-Club

Kiwanis International Foundation/CK-KC Graduate ProgramFred Dietze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .715-381-0038fred@freddietze.com . . . . . . . . . . . . .Greater Hudson

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

Risk ManagementPaul Steinlage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .715-675-2063psteinlage2068@charter.net . . . . . .Wausau Golden K

Appointed Kiwanis District Positions

Kiwanews Volume 92, No. 2 USPS 296-420

Kiwanews is published six times each year inNovember, January, March, May, July andSeptember, by the WI-UM District of KiwanisInternational, at 571 Center Street, Berlin, WI54923. Periodical postage is paid and mailingmade at Berlin and additional mailing offices.Subscription price is $3.50 per year.POSTMASTER:Send address corrections to: WI-UM KiwanisDistrict, 571 Center Street, Berlin WI 54923.

Page 16 December 2015/January 2016 KIWANEWS

Madison East Kiwanis ClubDonates 27th iPadBy Karen Bailey, Madison East Kiwanis Club

On December 10, 2015, the Madison East KiwanisClub awarded an iPad to 6th-grade student KiraVandekieft at Sennett Middle School. This is the 27thiPad the club has donated to a child on the autismspectrum, in support of the WI-UM Kiwanis AutismProject. Local organization Madison4Kids providedgrants totaling $2,000 dollars towards the project.

Back row, left to right, Karen Bailey, Phyllis Orsburne, Diana Russell,Cori Vandekieft, Bill Allen and John Russell. Front row, left to right,Tazuko Ferhuson from Madison4Kids and recipient Kira Vandekieft.

West Bend Noon ClubPacks Three Trunks Fullof Holiday Compassion By Tom Bergerud, West Bend Noon Kiwanis Club

The West Bend Noon Kiwanis Club donated threetrunkloads of gifts for delivery to three families“adopted” by the club for Christmas. The familieswere referred through the Washington Countysocial services agency. The club was able to supplythe children with new clothes and toys and theparents with much needed home supplies. This is aproject that the club has been proud to participatein for many years.

Chuck Myrhum and Cindie Pitz packed three trunkloads full of giftsfor three families “adopted” by the West Bend Noon Kiwanis Club.

Annual Meat Raffle WillSupport Autism iPad ProjectBy Dan Weninger, Fond du Lac Lakeside Kiwanis

The 4th Annual Meat Raffle will be held March 6 atthe Beer Run Tavern in Pipe. Proprietors Dick andSally Renk donate profits from the event topurchase iPads for local families with childrenimpacted by autism. The event is two hours of funand a great escape from the winter blues! For moreinformation, please contact Dan Weninger at 920-979-1542 or danweninger@yahoo.com.

Kiwanis International Hasa Massive Service Impact

Service is at the heart of everyKiwanis International club, nomatter where in the world it’slocated. Kiwanis membersstage nearly 150,000 service

projects, devote more than 6 million hours of serviceand raise nearly $100 million every year for families,communities and projects. Key Club members pitch in12 million hours of service each year, and CKI membersanother 500,000 hours of service! Aktion Club membersdonate another 92,000 hours of service every year. Addit all up, and that’s more than 18 million hours ofservice every year!