The Kiwanian District Newsletter Special Edition

Aug. 6, 7 and 8 District Virtual Convention

Lights, camera, action are not usually the words associated with the District Convention. But, this year certainly has been one for the history books and the convention was no exception. The convention for the Nebraska-Iowa Kiwanis Dis-trict that turned 100 this year was supposed to be at the Cornhusker Marriott in Lincoln. So, the planning committee of Arlyn and Kathie Uhrmacher, Lenora Hanna, Sue Waldren, Curt Reis, Don Fritz, Jane Er-ickson, Lisa Brichacek, Ron Petsch and Lynda Hen-ningsen began planning the convention last fall. COVID-19 halted those plans in March and by April, the District board made the difficult decision to cancel the in-person gathering.

New Ways to Connect As the pandemic took hold, many clubs across the District began turning to virtual meetings to stay con-nected with members. So too, the convention commit-tee saw online possibilities as the next best alternative and planning got underway for the Aug. 6, 7 and 8 virtual convention. The delegates-at-large for the District meet via Zoom on Thursday evening to conduct annual busi-ness. Curt Reis of Storm Lake was elected 2020-2021 governor. Don Fritz of Lincoln SouthPointe was voted

THE TRADITION CONTINUES Virtual Convention may have been dif-ferent this year, but it still carried many traditions that have become a part of the Nebraska-Iowa District Convention. Immediate Past Gov. Sue Waldren (top photo) steps in front of the cameras to read the winners of the annual District Awards. Newly elected District leaders (at right) handed off the “home club” banners like usual. 2019-2020 Gov. Lenora Han-na, Gov. Designate Curt Reis, Gov.-Elect Designate Don Fritz and Vice Gov. Desig-nate Lynda Henningsen accept their ban-ners for the coming Kiwanis year.

District Convention Reaches Out Virtually

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in as the next governor-elect. Lynda Henningsen of Omaha Inc. got the nod for 2020-2021 vice governor. Elected by declaration of unanimous ballot were Andy Webb as Region 5 trustee and Jim Dane as Region 6 trustee. The delegates were also presented with Bylaw Amendment No. 6. This amendment, which extends the maxi-mum time a trustee can serve from three- to six-consecutive years, passed on a vote of 36-1. The Aug. 6 District Council meeting was broadcast live and recorded on NE-IA Kiwa-nis District Fa-cebook. It is still available to view on Face-book.

Celebration and More About a dozen Kiwanians gathered at Fellowship Community Church in Lincoln to conduct the live portions of the con-vention. Several more joined as present-ers from remote locations. Stratum Pro-ductions, an audio-visual company in Lincoln, was hired to help coordinate the live, remote and pre-recorded con-

vention segments. It was important to the committee to keep the virtual convention low cost and free of charge for Nebraska-Iowa Kiwani-ans to attend. A sponsorship program was established and 25 sponsors helped defray expenses.

Kiwanians watching at home Friday evening got to play along as John Hay (above, right) led the trivia questions broadcast live. He

had a little fun too with Gov. Lenora Hanna, who walked away with some fun prizes. One of the pre-recorded speakers on Friday even-ing was Alex Drahos (at right), the newly elected Key Club Interna-

tional president. Drahos is from the Nebraska-Iowa District.

Convention was a mix of pre-recorded messages and live presen-tations. One of the pre-recorded speakers was Dave Christensen (seated above), a 64-year Fremont Kiwanian. Ron Petsch (left)

prepares to record, while Fremont Kiwanian Lon Olson watches.

The “first spouses” had a little mask fun with the friendly rivalry between Nebras-ka and Iowa sports fans. Connie, wife of Gov. Elect Curt Reis, fashions an Iowa State Cyclone mask and Milford, hus-band of Gov. Lenora Hanna, models a

Nebraska Husker mask.

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With the cameras and AV equipment rolling Friday evening, the District threw a party for its 100th anniver-sary. Congratulation messages came from current KI President Daniel Vigneron and KI President-Designate Art Riley. As a special activity, Lincoln Northeast Ki-wanian Paul Hay was at the church to lead those at-tending Friday evening through interactive trivia. Saturday’s speakers included Circle K Governor Tatum Vondra, Key Club Governor Kyle Egbert, KI Trustee Cathy Szymanski, Past KI President Steve Sie-mens and KI Area Director Brad Boyd. The District also presented a donation to the Child Advocate Center (CAC), following Christy Prang’s talk about the work of CAC. Other convention highlights included a District histo-ry video, annual awards and officer installation. Recordings from the convention are currently being process and will be made available on the District web-site. It may not have been what was originally planned, but the Nebraska-Iowa Kiwanis District made sure it cel-ebrated its 100th anniversary and that the member-ship could still take part in a convention. It is indeed a year for Actions, Not Just Words!

Stratum Productions provided the technical audio-visual services and equipment to integrate an on-site livestream with

pre-recorded and remote location presenters.

Curt Reis, gover-nor designate, talks about the

vision he has for the 2020-2021

Kiwanis year at the close of the

convention.

Gov. Elect Desig-nate Don Fritz

(above), who served as master of cere-monies, goes over

the schedule, while International Trustee

Cathy Szymanski offers comments

from Pennsylvania.

Christy Prang (at right) was the fea-

tured speaker on Saturday and

shared information about the Child Ad-

vocacy Center in Lincoln.

Ron Petsch Past Gov. Sue Waldren presented special recognition to Past Gov. Ron Petsch. When Ron served as gov-ernor, his theme was “Discover the Passion.” Ron continues to live that passion through the many hours he puts into technical support and audio-visual expertise for the District, especial during mid-year conferences and annu-al conventions.

Laypersons of the Year

Click Image for Convention Book & Written History of District

Everyday Hero Awards

Special Recognition

Distinguished Leadership Service programs

Lisa Brichacek Gov. Lenora Hanna presented a Ray-mond Crossman District Centennial Fellowship to District Administrator Lisa Brichacek. The fellowship was a gift seed-ed by a “pay it forward” act of Gary Muckel, another surprise Crossman Fellowship recipient earlier in the year.

Anna Magnussen Nominated by Ames Noon Kiwanis

Rick Ayres Nominated by Spirit Lake Kiwanis

“Anna is a spark of enthusiasm whether working on a project or in a meeting.”

“Rick has always given unselfishly of his time and talent.”

Food at First Nominated by Ames Noon Kiwanis

“What began as a Lenten meal outreach activity at one church in 2003 has grown into a small enterprise located in another. It is a community undertaking with (volunteer) individuals and organizations handling every aspect of the program.”

Happy Harmony Mittens Nominated by Nevada Kiwanis

Happy Harmony Mittens was started nearly seven years ago as a way to raise money for Harmony Clothing Closet and has now expanded to other organiza-tions. Sisters Sue Kohler and Mary Brink-man have enabled these organizations to raise $100,000 to benefit many people.

University of Iowa Circle K Nominated by Iowa City Old Capitol Kiwanis

Hoover Elementary K-Kids Nominated by Iowa City Old Capitol Kiwanis

Cathy Schweer Nominated by

Iowa City Old Capitol Kiwanis Club

Jody Melcher Nominated by

Nevada Kiwanis Club

Everyday Hero Organization Awards

Crossman Fellowship

Click Image for Links to Pre-Recorded Convention Videos