My Dear K Family,
 

It’s hard to believe that almost a year has passed since I wrote my first Governor’s message and now I’m writing my farewell message. When I reflect on my leadership journey in Kiwanis, I find that it has been a series of songs. As I began my journey, my first song was “I’m So Excited and I Just Can’t Hide It”.  I took out my orange pompoms and megaphone and had you cheering and yelling that you had Kiwanis Spirit. When we began this 2009-2010 administrative year on October 1, I gave you the words from

the song “Seasons of Love” and told you that we had “Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes” to leave a legacy and show our seasons of love. While traveling to Zone Conferences and K Family events around district, I told you it was “Celebration Time” and that there was a party going this year and that it would last throughout the years. I asked you to celebrate Kiwanis and being a Kiwanian. I encouraged you to Celebrate What was Right with the World. Now, as my term as Governor draws to a close, I have two songs; “Thanks for the Memories” and “I Had the Time of My Life”.

When I was a little girl growing up in Hoboken, New Jersey, each year in early September, everyone would be talking about the Miss America Pageant which was being held in Atlantic City. As a very little girl, I would walk around the house with a handmade crown on my head, a makeshift robe, a bouquet of paper flowers, and a yardstick scepter pretending I had just been announced as Miss America. I waved to my fans as I walked down the hallway runway. When I got a little older, I would practice responses to the all important questions asked of contestants. Well, I didn’t grow up to be Miss America. I grew up to be someone more special for me. I grew up to be the Florida District of Kiwanis Governor.

Miss America gets to do so many interesting things such as travel, give speeches, meet interesting people and serve as an ambassador. As Kiwanis Governor, I did all that and so much more!

As Governor, I had the opportunity to travel around giving speeches and spreading my message about my love for Kiwanis and all we do. I visited with clubs congratulating members for their service to the community and thanking them for all they do to make this world a better place. I met with Governor Crist and the Cabinet and encouraged them to appropriate more funds for children and projects which directly support and affect children. I thanked Colin Powell for all he was doing for children and asked if he could do just a little more. I celebrated anniversaries with clubs and applauded members for decades of dedication.

I also had the opportunity to attend so many fun events such as the Kiwanis Day at the Dolphins when the east coast met the west coast for a day of fun and fellowship at the Dolphins vs. Buccaneer game. At the Carson Barnes Circus, which was sponsored by one of our newer clubs, the Kiwanis Club of Nature Coast, I got to ride an elephant. I peered down into the eyes of children and those young at heart knowing that because of Kiwanis they were having fun. I worked on my pitching with George Stone and threw out a fairly good first pitch at the Rays vs. Marlins game. I still say if my son was the catcher, he would have caught my ball! My wave was perfected as I participated in many parades. Did you know there are so many different ways of waving to a crowd? Bob and I and members of our family joined Kiwanians for our “Tales for Tots” cruise which was a mixture of fun and service. We visited several ports abroad bringing over 900 books, which had been donated by our Florida Kiwanians, to the children of those countries. The interclub with the Kiwanis Club of Over the Hill, Nassau, helped to reinforce that wherever we go, we have Kiwanis friends to help us celebrate and serve.

 
But best of all, as Governor I represented you at so many heart tugging service projects. Projects that changed lives, impacted communities, and truly did “Make a Difference”. I was filled with pride as I represented you and gratitude for being a Kiwanian. At each project, I thanked God that in 1980, my husband Bob was invited to become a Kiwanian. Because of the simple act not only was his life, it changed my life and thus affected change to so many others.

Katherine Graham once said “To love what you do and feel that it matters …how could anything be more fun?”

I have loved being your Governor, felt it mattered, and had so much fun! 

When I began my term as your Governor, I asked you to become a STAR.  As the year draws to an end, I ask you to continue to be a STAR.  Please continue to:

Strive to live the Objects of Kiwanis. 
          They have served us well over the years and are our blueprint for success in Kiwanis and life.

Tell everyone about Kiwanis.
             We need to stop being the best kept secret in town.  Let’s get the word out about this 
             organization in every way; word of mouth, in all forms of media, on the apparel we wear, 
             at our meeting location and on our vehicles.

Actively support Service Leadership Programs and Young Child:
          Priority One Projects. 
            These are our banner programs which make such a long-lasting impact on
             the lives we touch.

 Recruit and retain quality members.  
              This is vital for our existence.  You know the importance of this. 

I know that Governor Elect Tom is passionate about the same things I am and will continue to advocate that we have fun while celebrating Kiwanis and increasing service to our communities.  Let’s get ready for, “It’s Time to Serve”.
 

In closing, thank you for making this journey such a memorable, exciting experience for Bob and me.  You are awesome and I love you! I hope that every time you hear the song, “Celebrate Good Times”, look at a starfish, and see the word celebrate, you’ll think of this year and all we accomplished together. 
 

And now, I leave you with the words of my final song of this journey: “I had the time of my life. No, I've never felt this way before. Yes, I swear it's the truth. And I owe it all to you!

Continue Making a Difference,

Donna