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Kiwanis International Update
February 2008
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Investment in life
 Elizabeth Ogutu Agalo cannot walk. Her husband died of malaria in 2002. She now looks after eight children in a one-room iron-sheet house. But every day, her son wheels her to a nearby market where she sits in the sweltering African sun, selling maize, beans, and potatoes. Once, she could barely keep her family fed.
Now, she's eking out a living as a Kenyan businesswoman, and someday, she'll help others just as she has been helped.
Through its Ujamaa (family) program, the Kiwanis Club of Kisumu, Kenya, distributes 8,000- to 10,000-shilling grants to families so they can start small businesses to support themselves and their families.
"We started with eight families," reports Kisumu Kiwanian Ross Tanner, who explains that each recipient receives training on how to manage money, reinvest, and operate a business. When the Kiwanians learned that five of the women are HIV positive (two subsequently died), they added group counseling with a health-care professional.
The entrepreneurs meet once a week to discuss ideas, and they repay the program, recycling the gifts so other women and families will benefit from Ujamaa loans later.
Show faces in photos
 Almost always, Kiwanis photos are best when they show faces, because facial expressions often tell the story of how great Kiwanis service can be. And story-telling photos have the best chance of getting published. Nevertheless, a common fault among photographs submitted to newspapers, magazines, and other news media is that the photographer was standing on the rear side of the action. (Also, turn off your camera's dating feature.)
If you have a photo you believe is "great," post it online at "Share Your Story." The Kiwanis Club of Hamog Dabaw, Davao, the Philippines, shared the photograph below and the story about a Kiwanis-sponsored dental and medical clinic.
Words from the press
"Thank you. Thank you," writes Pekin, Illinois, Kiwanian Michelle Teheux, upon reading the January 2008 Kiwanis International Update' s photography advice, warning against posed group photos. As city editor of the Pekin Daily newspaper, Michelle is the type of professional journalist Kiwanis clubs need to persuade when they seek news media coverage.
"I would so welcome a great picture of kids playing on new playground equipment rather than a picture of the donors handing a check to the park district. I can tell you that newsrooms ... just don't have the manpower to shoot as many photos as we'd like. We would run club-submitted pictures in more visible locations-maybe even in color spots-if we got some good ones."
 Actions speak louder than words
In this month's International President's video, Dave Curry finds a club that expresses itself not through words, but through action. Visit with President Dave and the Kiwanis Club of Ute Pass-Woodland Park, Colorado.
Dialing gets easier
In response to callers' suggestions, Kiwanis International is upgrading its phone system:
- 800-549-2647 (North America) and 317-875-8755 (worldwide) remain the International Office's telephone numbers.
- Once connected, follow the recorded instructions or dial an extension number. (It no longer is necessary to also dial 1 and the # sign.)
- During the main greeting or a staff member's personal greeting, dial 0 to access the receptionist.
- Dial extension 411 to access the Kiwanis Help Line, where the Member Services Department is ready to address inquiries ranging from club administration, dues, and membership, as well as take orders for Kiwanis Family Store merchandise.
 Register today for Orlando in June
Online registration is open for the 93rd Annual Kiwanis International Convention, June 26-29, in Orlando, Florida. Early Kiwanis registrants (before April 25) pay US$175. With registrations postmarked April 25, the fee increases to $200. After June 13, you must register onsite at $225.
 Get ready to laugh with Newhart
Accountant-turned-comedian Bob Newhart will bring his "button-down" wit to the stage of the 93rd Annual Kiwanis International Convention, June 26-29, in Orlando, Florida. Order tickets with your convention registration form.
Don't forget
Teamwork sends a message
To help the world understand Kiwanis and its purpose, Kiwanis International has adopted a set of key messages. Kiwanis members worldwide are encouraged to use these messages when talking to the public and news media about the organization. Key messages promote consistency and awareness.
Six cents: It's worth so much
It's a staggering number: 1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water-and 4,500 children die every single day because of this.
But Circle K International (CKI) and the US Fund for UNICEF teamed up this past year to do something about it by establishing the Saving Lives: The Six Cents Initiative to spread awareness of this global issue, and to raise funds to provide clean drinking water. And now, the CKI Service Committee has declared March 22 as Six Cents Day, in conjunction with World Water Day, an international observance begun by the United Nations in 1992.
Experience counts
When it comes to influencing leadership styles, there's nothing like experience. That's the overwhelming response from a kiwanis.org poll conducted this past month. Here are the answers to the question: "What most influences leadership style?"
- Practical experience, 69 percent
- Your bosses, 5 percent
- Your work team, 8 percent
- Personal study, 17 percent
- Public figures, 0 percent
This month, the question is: "In its pursuit of excellence, what is the biggest challenge facing your club?" What's your opinion?
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