Take your images from ho-hum to high impact. 

By Julie Saetre

Whether you want to boost the power of your club’s social media posts or spotlight its achievements through a showcase exhibit, well-composed photos make all the difference. Vibrant images show what Kiwanis club members do and who they serve. To take your photos from ho-hum to high impact, incorporate these five tips into your next snapshot session. 

Plan ahead. What story do you want your photo to tell? How do you want viewers to react? 

Be polite. Don’t just start snapping photos of someone. Talk to your subject in a conversational tone and ask if you can take the photo. 

Think active, not passive. Show your club or project in action. If your club is hosting an event to shop with kids or distribute school supplies, photograph a child trying on new shoes or exploring the contents of a backpack. A static photo of your club members lined up before the event won’t be meaningful to your audience. 

Experiment with angles. Take a wide view of the room or event space, then try a few closeups of faces. Get down to kids’ eye levels by kneeling. Move closer to your subject and avoid shooting down at them — you’re more likely to get a genuine expression. Play with perspectives and see which images you like best. 

Keep it simple. If you’re shooting a portrait, choose an uncluttered background. Avoid trees or items that appear to “grow” from behind a subject’s head. Don’t use the flash function if possible. Seek natural light and avoid shadows. Ask your subject to move forward from a backdrop, banner or poster. Don’t have a person stand straight against a wall. You want a memorable image, not a mug shot. And don’t forget to update your Kiwanis logos! 

We encourage Kiwanis clubs to use their own photos of members, events and service projects when possible. (Remember, if you take photos of minors, be sure to get written permission from their parents or guardians.)  

If you’re stuck for inspiration and need a little help, we have photos available for you to download and use. 

Other results include Cathy Szymanski as president-elect and Toto Gonzales as vice president.

By Tony Knoderer

Hope Markes of Hanover, Jamaica, was elected president of Kiwanis International for 2026-27 at the House of Delegates session during the 2026 Kiwanis International Convention in Manila, Philippines. Convention delegates also chose Cathy Szymanski of Wattsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S., as president-elect and Trinidad P. “Toto” Gonzales of Pampanga, Philippines, as vice president.

In addition, Valarie Brown-Klingelhoefer of Greenfield, California, U.S., Taka Ogata of West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., and Linda Ramsey of Martin, Tennessee, U.S., were elected to represent the United States and Pacific Canada Region as trustees.

This year, the Kiwanis International Asia-Pacific convention was held jointly in Manila, where Jose Ramon “Ike” Altavas of New Kapis, Philippines, was elected as a Kiwanis International trustee from the Asia-Pacific Region.

All of the Kiwanians above begin their terms on October 1, 2026. 

Votes on proposed amendments
The House of Delegates also voted on proposed amendments to the Kiwanis International Bylaws. (Note: Proposed Amendment 1: Remote Voting for Kiwanis International Business was withdrawn by the Capital District before the convention.) 

The following proposed amendments were not approved: 

• Proposed Amendment 2: Reduction of Executive Committee Members. Submitted by the Kiwanis International Board, this amendment would have adjusted the size of the Executive Committee to be commensurate with the size of the Kiwanis International Board.  

• Proposed Amendment 3: Kiwanis Object #4 Change of the Word “Aggressive.” Submitted by the Kiwanis Club of Maplewood in the Missouri-Arkansas District, this amendment was intended to adjust the wording of the Object for modern sensibilities. 

Details on elected leaders
Hope Markes is a charter member of the Kiwanis Club of Hopewell in Hanover, Jamaica, and a member of the Kiwanis Club of Northwest Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. For Kiwanis International, she has been chair of the Leadership and Education Committee and a member of several other committees, including the Executive Committee and the Membership Committee, as well as a member of the Kiwanis Youth Programs Board. Markes has a background in early childhood education and enjoys traveling, crossword puzzles, tennis, reading and gardening, as well as spending time with her family, friends and pets. 

Cathy Szymanski has been a Kiwanis member since 1994. Her home club is the Kiwanis Club of Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S., where she has served as Distinguished president and secretary. She was elected as a Kiwanis International trustee in 2019 and served as the board’s membership chair, as well as counselor for Circle K International, the Kiwanis program for college and university students. Szymanski has also served as Distinguished governor of the Pennsylvania District. Her spouse, David, is secretary of the Kiwanis Club of Millcreek and a member of eKiwanis 2.0. Szymanski will be president of Kiwanis International in 2027-28. 

Toto Gonzales has been a Kiwanis member since 1988. He is a three-time president of the Kiwanis Club of Angeles City, Philippines, where he has also served as secretary and treasurer. For the Philippine Luzon District, he has served as treasurer and as Distinguished governor. Gonzales was a member of the Kiwanis International Board from 2022 to 2025. He also served as the chairman of the Asia-Pacific Region in 2016-17. He is a Punong Barangay (barangay captain) of Barangay Sta. Cruz, Magalang, Pampanga. Gonzales and his wife, Beth, have three children and four grandchildren.   

The 2027 Kiwanis International Convention will be held in Dallas, Texas, U.S., June 16-19.