July 19, 2004 Communi-K by President Chris Cooper

Communi-K by Club President Chris Cooper

July 19, 2004

Well, things have finally settled down enough for me to put some thoughts down on paper. This Kiwanis year has been a fast-paced, busy and productive time for our club. I am so incredibly proud and honored to be able to serve as president of such a fine group of people. First of all, I want to start by acknowledging your board of directors for their dedication and enthusiasm. I cannot effectively put into words how impressed I am with the fine work and energy that each and every board member brings to the meetings and various projects that we have taken on this year.

My recent trip to the Kiwanis International Convention and Division Council meeting caused me to sit back and think about how truly special our club is, not only on a local level, but throughout all of Kiwanis International. While at the convention, we (the delegates and alternates) voted on key legislative issues such as an annual dues payment for Kiwanis International dues, the future leadership of Kiwanis International, bylaw and procedural rulings that have direct impact on how we conduct our business at the club level and learned that our grant application to the Kiwanis International Foundation for $15,000 for Kidtopia Park had been approved!

All in all, the trip was a total success. I say this not just because of the fact that we got the grant money, but because we grew closer as Kiwanians and learned more about each other as people, not just club members. I urge each and every one of you to consider the opportunities within our organization to share such experiences because if you will invest that time to go to conventions, serve on projects, go to division council meetings, attend board meetings, serve on committees, you will learn that the single reason that this club is so unique is because we have exceptional members who are not just good contacts within our community, but some of the best friends you could possibly hope to have.

My hat is off to each and every Kiwanian who helped out with Pancake Day this year. At our most recent board meeting, we allocated approximately $15,000 to various organizations that support children in the Texarkana community because of your work. I am VERY proud of everyone who helped in any capacity and would like to issue another special “Thank you” to George Nuckols and Diane Engelkes for their efforts as chairman and co-chair of Pancake Day 2004. Although the fund raising aspect of Pancake Day is important, I would be remiss if I didn’t comment on the incredible level of participation from each and every one of you who showed up early, worked hard, stayed late and smiled throughout the entire event.

I know that we have spent a great amount of time talking about Kidtopia Park, but I do think it is important that we really stop and think about the historical event that our club helped make possible. I attended along with my family and several Kiwanians, the grand opening of Kidtopia Park recently and was amazed to see over 500 children playing and enjoying a new addition to our town that we helped design, build and fund. Judy Walter has shown tremendous vision and dedication in taking on this project and because of her faith in her club, we all get to enjoy being a part of Texarkana history. Because of your efforts, you have set a new record for fund raising in a Kiwanis club with 80 years of proud accomplishments. You have received INTERNATIONAL recognition taking on such a huge responsibility and showing such love and dedication to children. You have made it possible for children for generations to come to play and maintain that smile that comes from enjoying their home town. Please take a moment to reflect upon your own fond childhood memories and then grant yourself permission to well up with the pride that comes from knowing that you helped make such memories possible for more kids than you will ever know. That is what being a Kiwanian is all about and that is why you are so valuable.

As we prepare to venture to Oklahoma City for the Texas/Oklahoma District convention, I again thank you for the opportunity to serve this great organization and thank you for your support, encouragement, constructive criticism and your precious time. Please don’t think for one second that I don’t understand how busy each and every one of you are and how hard it is to juggle career, family, community involvement and Kiwanis. Please also know that it is my goal and sincere wish that the time you spend as a Kiwanian and the memories that this service creates ranks up there with your fondest and most cherished memories.

Let’s finish 2003/2004 with as much dedication and energy as we can stand!

Respectfully,