New members, up close

New Kiwanians come in a kaleidoscope of ages, nationalities, religions, races, genders, interests, occupations, and more. But their passion for Kiwanis and commitment to changing the world align for a beautiful picture

Compiled by Amy Wiser

With Kiwanis embarking on its goal of attaining 1 million members by 2015, Kiwanis magazine takes a peek at some of the organization’s newest members to see who is joining—and why. Following is a forum in which each new member was asked a series of questions about their membership, their background, and why they joined and what they think about Kiwanis’ future. (Click on an image to read that person's comments, or click here to begin reading all comments.)

AMY GREINER, new member of a new club Age: 35 Profession: Banker Home: Married, two children (ages 3 and 2) Hobbies/Interests: Tae Kwon Do, travel, reading Club: Kiwanis Club of Norcross, Georgia (charter president)	IRFAN H.A. VAZEER, new member in a new Kiwanis nation Age: 46 Profession: Chief executive, James Finlay Limited Home: Married, one child Hobbies/Interests: Learning about other cultures, service to underprivileged children Club: Kiwanis Club of Karachi, Pakistan	SHARON RADTKE, rejoined Kiwanis for the third time Age: 55 Profession: Arts Program coordinator, city of East Lansing, Michigan Home: Married, one child Hobbies/Interests: Walking, orking toward degree in art history Club: Kiwanis Club of East Lansing, Michigan
ELIE LANGEVIN, former Key Club member Age: 22 Profession: Hotel front desk agent and night auditor; full-time hotel management student Home: Single, no children Hobbies/Interests: Volunteer work, snow skiing, summer travel, and reading motivational and leadership novels Club: Kiwanis Club of Lakeshore, Montréal, Québec; past member of the Key Club of Vaudreuil County High School, St. Lazare, Québec	BARBARA NUECHTERLEIN, new member of 50-plus-year-old club Age: 71 Profession: Retired system control dispatcher from an electric and power company Home: Widowed, two great-grandchildren Hobbies/Interests: Red Hat Society, church usher, and collects handkerchiefs and dolls Club: Kiwanis Club of Saginaw, Riverside, Michigan

AMY GREINER

Kiwanis magazine (KM): What drew you to Kiwanis? Why did you decide to join?

Amy Greiner: I was new to the market I was working in and looking for a way to meet people. I looked into several Rotary clubs because I had been a Rotary exchange student, and my father had been in Rotary. The Rotary clubs kept telling me they didn’t have room for a banker. I kept telling them that, yes, I wanted to network, but that I really was looking to get involved in the community.

Then, I was approached by Deborah Hicks (Kiwanis Club of Duluth, Georgia). She told me about Kiwanis, and I knew it was the place for me. I didn’t realize at the time that I was going to be voted the charter president of the Norcross club!

KM: Congratulations on the leadership position and the new club. We understand you were key to building the Norcross club. Why do you think it’s important to build new clubs?

Amy: Kids are our most important resource in this world. It’s not that hard to get involved in helping your community; yet, so few people actually do it. The more people are exposed to Kiwanis, the more they will realize it’s not that much of a time commitment compared to the amount of good it does.

(Editor’s Note: The Kiwanis Club of Norcross, Georgia, celebrated its charter June 8.)

KM: And what’s your reaction to Kiwanis so far?

Amy: It’s so simple to explain to people what it’s about: Helping kids in your community where you can make a difference. I’m always impressed with the willingness for everyone to help out.

KM: What is it like being a young woman in Kiwanis?

Amy: I can’t imagine Kiwanis without women. I know that sounds strange, because I know the history. But I really think that will be our future. I think women are the very draw toward helping children and the community, and the more women we can bring into leadership positions, the better.

KM: Besides raising two young children, you’re also busy working full-time as a banker. How do you fit Kiwanis into your lifestyle?

Amy: You make time for the things that are important to you; and really, I think for most members, it’s not that much of a time commitment unless you choose to become more involved.

KM: Looking at your own club and the overall International organization, what do you think the future holds for Kiwanis?

Amy: I am very proud of the group we’ve managed to bring together. It’s a very diverse group, with ages from 19 to 70 and occupations from bankers to nonprofits to a wine distributor. We are eventually going to figure out how to run proper meetings and get all the things done “as they should be.” In the meantime, we are going to have a good time doing it and helping the kids in our community.

For myself, I hope to bring my children with me to events and show them how important it is to give back to your community. It’s the right thing to do, and I don’t just want to tell them; I want to show them.

Leadership will be the key to Kiwanis International—so much of Kiwanis is locally focused, and I think it means a lot to know that we are part of something big as well.

KM: What about Kiwanis International’s goal to reach 1 million members by 2015? How do you think Kiwanis will accomplish that goal?

Amy: One thing I learned by recruiting the majority of members in my club is to recruit smart. We don’t need to invite everyone we meet; we need to invite people who want to be in the organization for the right reasons. Otherwise, you are going to lose more people than you can bring in.

KM: And do you believe Kiwanis can reach its goal of 1 million members by 2015?

Amy: Absolutely.

IRFAN H.A. VAZEER

Kiwanis magazine (KM): What drew you to Kiwanis?

Irfan Vazeer: The need to develop an organization to help children who are less fortunate was evident in Pakistan. Many children who are born into poor families have no choice but to work rather than to go to school. They are forced into child labor, unable to break away from the vicious cycle in which they are trapped from one generation to another.

Some children are born with limitations and are rejected by society. These children are unable to go to school to get a decent education. They cannot enjoy living a normal life that another child without limitations can enjoy.

It has been my desire to do something for children affected by Down syndrome. I have been associated with these special children within my circle of friends as well. These children need special care, attention, and, most of all, love. They must be made to realize they are part of society.

Kiwanis in Pakistan aims to cross all these barriers and provide for special children as well as the less fortunate ones of our society. With our varied backgrounds, skills, and experiences, we thought we could change the lives of some kids. Every child—whether rich or poor or born with certain limitations—is the key to our future, and the future of the country as a whole.

KM: How did Kiwanis come to be in Pakistan?

Irfan: In Pakistan, there is a very low level of awareness, particularly in low-income and middle-income families, about genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome. The Karachi club, with support from clubs in Malaysia, established the first-ever Down Syndrome Children’s Early Intervention and Counseling Service. Through Kiwanis, we aim to guide and advise parents with the latest information to handle their special child.

KM: What is it like being a new member of a new Kiwanis club in a nation where Kiwanis never before existed?

Irfan: It is a great feeling to be a part of an organization that turns the dreams of a few needy children into a reality—especially in a nation where such an organization has never existed before.

KM: What was it like to build the club?

Irfan: It has been a difficult task. While the concept of Kiwanis was appreciated by many, it was difficult to find people who could spare time toward the cause. However, we now have a group established that is dedicated to the cause, and meetings are held on a regular basis to work toward different projects. All the club’s activities are financed by the members’ own contributions and support-in-kind from friends.

KM: What do you think it will mean for your nation to now have a Kiwanis club?

Irfan: Kiwanis offers an opportunity for personal involvement in the leadership and improvement of the community and the nation. Especially in a country like Pakistan, where you will find a number of children who desire more but because of their limitations, are not able to lead the life many of their brothers and sisters live. Special children need special care. As far as having an impact on the nation, Kiwanis has most certainly proved that by raising funds for the earthquake victims of Pakistan.

Kiwanis is an organization that can make a difference in someone’s life. It has a long history of serving the children of the world. As a rapidly expanding organization in Asia Pacific, we can benefit from its resources.

KM: Looking at your own club and the International organization as a whole, what do you think the future holds for Kiwanis?

Irfan: In general, I would say it holds a very positive sign of growth in our part of the world. After seeing the future plans laid out during the Asia-Pacific Convention in Taiwan this past March, I think the future looks very positive for Kiwanis International. For myself in the future, I see more active participation; not only locally, but also internationally.

KM: What do you think Kiwanis needs to do to continue expanding and reach its goal of 1 million members by 2015?

Irfan: More clubs can be established in the Asia Pacific region and also in places like the African Continent, where poverty issues remain on a high.

KM: And do you believe Kiwanis can reach its goal of 1 million members by 2015?

Irfan: Yes, I believe it can happen.

SHARON RADTKE

Kiwanis magazine (KM): What drew you to Kiwanis originally?

Sharon Radtke: When I first moved to Michigan (from Buffalo, New York) in 1988, I worked at the Volunteer Action Center, where I placed volunteers with nonprofit organizations. Service was—and still is—something I valued. I explored different service organizations, and I liked the feel of Kiwanis the best. I started out as a member of the North Lansing Kiwanis club, but when I took a job with the city of East Lansing, it made more sense to join the East Lansing club, which I did.

KM: Why did you leave the club?

Sharon: I didn’t want to. I took a job that did not allow me to be a member of Kiwanis. It was hard, because I saw members of the club every day!

KM: How were you able to come back?

Sharon: I went back to work for the city of East Lansing. My boss, who is a member of the East Lansing club, asked me if I wanted to join Kiwanis again, and I said, “Of course!” It only took me about 25 seconds to decide. It’s just a nice group of people, and besides the service, the fellowship is a big part of it.

KM: As a new—but returning—member, what has been your reaction to Kiwanis since your rejoining?

Sharon: The only thing that’s changed is that there are some new members—which means there will be some new ideas. The feeling is that joining the club again has been just like going home. I have been asked to join other clubs, but there’s a real comfort level for me in Kiwanis.

KM: What do you think the future holds for your club and for Kiwanis International as a whole?

Sharon: This club is a very active club, and with new members come new ideas, which is exciting. Also, I am a Circle K advisor, and I’d like us to get more of these young people interested in our club so they’ll automatically want to join after they graduate.

As for Kiwanis as a whole, I think there’s always a need for service. We just need to stay current with the times.

KM: What do you think Kiwanis will need to do to reach its goal of 1 million members by 2015?

Sharon: We need a way to attract younger people.

KM: Do you believe Kiwanis will reach its goal?

Sharon: I think Kiwanis can do it.

ELIE LANGEVIN

Kiwanis magazine (KM): What drew you to Kiwanis?

Elie Langevin: Becoming a member of Kiwanis was simply a logical step in continuing the service work I began in 1996 as a member of Key Club. During my years in Key Club, I was exposed to many different facets of the organization through many leadership positions, namely Eastern Canada District governor. I was, and still am, particularly proud of the quality of service work that is done to make a difference in our society.

The Worldwide Service Project is one project that has always been close to my heart. The idea of the Kiwanis family partnering with UNICEF to combat iodine deficiency disorders shows to what extent Kiwanians care about humanity. I also believe Kiwanis has enabled me to develop a wide range of contacts both personally and professionally.

Also, the leadership qualities I have developed will prove to be great assets in my future business career. I am very fortunate at my young age to have been exposed to so many individuals and to honestly say I know at least one person in every state and province in North America and beyond. Not very many 22-year-olds can say the same.

Another very important aspect is the mentorship young leaders receive through their advisors. I have personally developed a close friendship with many of my mentors, and I am now proud to call them my friends.

KM: So, it’s safe to say your experience in Key Club influenced your decision to join Kiwanis?

Elie: Most definitely. I believe Kiwanis has given so much to me in the past; it is now time for me to give back something to the organization and continue on with my quest of serving, as well as assisting others to attain their full potential.

KM: What’s it like being a “younger” member of Kiwanis?

Elie: I actually find it quite refreshing in some way. I know my leadership skills will contribute in many areas. I know I am not the only young member in the organization, and that is what is refreshing about it. It is good to know there are others out there striving to make a difference. I believe it also helps to change the views of the average person who believes young people are the “troublemakers” of society. When you have a group of young people working to improve the world, the image is suddenly changed. More young people need to be encouraged to contribute to their society in order for our world to live in harmony.

KM: As a relatively new member, what has been your reaction to Kiwanis so far?

Elie: I believe Kiwanis is a great organization where volunteers are dedicated to improving their communities. Much progress has been done in the recent years to ensure the organization is truly international. However, it is important not to lose focus on the ideals and the core values of our organization. As the membership age is on the rise, the actual idea of service tends to diminish and be replaced more with fellowship. Though this is very important, a renewal in membership is important to ensure the service work is maintained.

KM: You certainly have your hands full with work and school. How do you fit Kiwanis into your busy lifestyle?

Elie: Kiwanis is a part of my everyday life. I try to balance my life to make everything I do as enjoyable as it could be.

KM: What do you think the future holds for you as a Kiwanian? For your club? For Kiwanis International as a whole?

Elie: I am a member of a strong Kiwanis club that has been serving its community since 1958. There is a wide range of service projects being done on an annual basis. There is also that openness for greeting new members in the club. People feel welcome and are excited to come back. On an individual level, I feel that I have a strong future ahead of me in Kiwanis. Since becoming a Kiwanian in 2002, I have been serving in many capacities, namely vice-president of my former Kiwanis club at the age of 19, secretary of the Eastern Canada and the Caribbean District Convention Committee, assistant district administrator for the Eastern Canada District Key Club, facilitator for the new Key Leader program, and, most recently, as chairperson of the Kiwanis-family Lounge Committee at the International Convention in Montréal. I feel as though I am continuously in a learning process and that these experiences are beneficial for my future. However, my contributions as an individual are not what is important; rather, working together as a team of individuals dedicated to making a difference is what will truly have an impact on an international level.

KM: Thinking about Kiwanis’ goal to reach 1 million members by 2015, what do you think Kiwanis needs to do to attain this goal?

Elie: A focus needs to be made on attracting younger members, and not only through the Service Leadership Programs, but also through local businesses and exposure at local community events. People need to have an incentive to join, and they also need to feel valued. We need to be able to answer the question: “What will I get back from (joining Kiwanis).”

KM: Do you believe Kiwanis can reach its goal of 1 million members by 2015?

Elie: Optimistically, I would say yes. But realistically, I am still uncertain. Though it may seem like a fantastic objective, it is very difficult to predict at this point whether or not the objective will be met. I believe the new marketing strategies will help change the image of Kiwanis and hopefully attract more people. The organization needs to become open to change in order to meet the demands of the 21st century.

BARBARA NUECHTERLEIN

Kiwanis magazine (KM): What drew you to Kiwanis?

Barbara Nuechterlein: I moved to Michigan from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to marry my husband, past-lieutenant governor Robert “Bob” Nuechterlein. After a wedding celebration trip to Las Vegas, we discovered he had pancreatic cancer. I had to bury him a month after we married. I was in a strange state, in a strange town, and I had a funeral to host.

During this time, Kiwanians from my husband’s club came to the house, and said, “What can we do to help?”

I looked around at all the boxes still unpacked from the move, and I said, “Just unpack me so I can prepare for the funeral.” I told them to just hang the pictures and mirrors wherever they would put them in their own homes.

They vacuumed, unpacked the boxes, broke the boxes down, and hung pictures and mirrors—which still are right where the Kiwanians hung them. They took me out and showed me where the grocery store was, and such. They just took me under their collective wing and made me feel like family.

When they asked me to join the club, I didn’t know much about Kiwanis, but I wanted to pay them back for the love they gave a stranger. They made me feel at home in Kiwanis and in town, and because of them, I felt safe and loved.

KM: You joined in 2002, what’s been your reaction to Kiwanis since that time?

Barbara: The first thing that strikes me is that Kiwanis is caring—mostly for children, but also for its members. It’s really important we go above and beyond for one another. One of my best friends is a Kiwanian I met for the first time when she was vacuuming my house after my husband’s death.

A lot of churches do this sort of thing, but it’s nice to know service organizations do it also.

KM: Your club is more than 50 years old. What were its demographics like when you joined?

Barbara: There were only three women when I joined. There are six now, and I will become the club’s second female president this October.

When I first joined, I felt I needed to “prove” myself. I took on (several fundraisers) and signed up for inter-clubs. I believe that as a woman, you have to take an active role in participating—not just in a club, but in life—you can’t just sit back and expect people to ask you to participate.

When other members saw I was a worker, they were at ease. I feel very respected.

KM: As a president-elect, no doubt you’ve heard about Kiwanis International’s goal to reach 1 million members by 2015. What do you think about that goal?

Barbara: I believe membership is one of the most important focuses we need to have. If everyone would invite one to three people to join, do you realize how fast we would grow? If every club could gain five new members, can you imagine how much it would help?

Kiwanis is such a wonderful organization. We’re reaching out to children from the time they are born—what other organization does this? Every child we can help is an asset for the future of the world.

KM: What do you think Kiwanis will need to do to accomplish its goal?

Barbara: We have to move forward and accept change.

In my own club, the members had the idea it was going to have to dissolve. People were set in their ways and unwilling to accept change.

I said, “Do you realize what the people ahead of us 50 years ago did to establish the good things our club does in the community? Are you willing to just throw that away? We need to do everything we can to move forward; we need to change our mindset and be positive.”

A big mistake some clubs make is keeping the same individual as membership chairperson. You must step up and give people fresh opportunities and allow people to try new ideas. You’ve got to trust new people—and new members—to take leadership roles.

One thing we don’t do enough of us promoting networking. People are busy, but the club shouldn’t just be for retired people. Networking is good for everyone, and it’s an asset of being a member.

And we need to be positive: If you get a turndown for membership, go back to that person again later and see if they’re interested. People’s circumstances change.

Everyone is busy and everything is expensive; but we must put that behind us and look at the goal to the future.

KM: And do you believe Kiwanis will reach its goal of 1 million members?

Barbara: Yes.