July 2020 Edition
THE GOVERNOR'S QUACKER
2019-2020 Governor Allen Yergovich

Kiwanis Family:

As always, I hope that you all are taking care of yourselves appropriately and that this crisis has not touched you or your loved ones.  

I applaud the many clubs that are meeting regularly online and some that are safely doing projects and fundraisers. At the very least, we need all clubs to maintain regular communication with their members (via newsletters, email, phone tree, etc.) When this is all over, I don’t want to have lost anyone unnecessarily. There are many projects that homebound members can still participate in. Clubs should also be taking advantage of the dues waivers to get new members involved. These new members should be added to your official roster as any new members would be. Please contact your Lt Governor or respond to this newsletter if you have questions about anything.

Our Virtual District Convention has been announced and the official link will be advertised any day now. We are just tying up the loose ends. This really has been “reinventing the wheel,” but we are sure you will like it. Since there will not be a large-scale service project on the Sunday of Convention, I am asking that clubs do something, anything, as a project to benefit your community, and especially the children, on that Sunday, August 16. Report what you’ve done, with pictures where appropriate, and we will celebrate those in the September Quacker.

The District unanimously supports Past-Governor Chuck Gugliuzza in his bid for Kiwanis International Vice-President, so we wish him all the best on July 25. We should all be very proud to stand behind such a outstanding, qualified candidate.

As kids return to day-care, child development experts have realized that the required face masks will have a detrimental effect on young children’s brain development. Seeing facial expressions is vital to their learning. Please see the link to a clear mask project we are supporting through our Young Children: Priority One committee, in partnership with FAIMH, Florida Association for Infant Mental Health. If you, your club, or your division would like to sponsor masks for child care center(s) in your area, have your Lt Governor contact me, there may be donation matching available.

We are also still promoting the Important documentary film “No Small Matter.”

As individual schools and school districts manage whether/how they will have classes. We should anticipate that there will be limitations on clubs and service and we should start planning how our Kiwanis clubs can help our Service Leadership Programs to carry on.

I would like to congratulate:
The Kiwanis Club of Ormond Beach on their win in the Kiwanis International Signature Project Contest!
Cristian Tello for winning the Chuck & Emilia Gugliuzza Scholarship!
Salma Eldeeb for being elected Key Club International Trustee!
Danielle Swanson for winning the Builders Club District Essay Contest!

Finally, because Ducky has been part of my theme throughout the year, I would like to wish the Kiwanis Club of Tampa the best of luck with their Incredible Duck Race on July 25.

Thank you. And Thank You for ALL you do!

Allen Yergovich
Governor - Florida District of Kiwanis International 
#KidsNeedKiwanis #FLKiwanis #GetQuacking
From Your District Chairs
Virtual District Convention

Save the Date!
Strategic Planning
Redivisioning

Has your club ever felt out of place in your division? Do you feel you would connect better with the clubs in a neighboring division that may be closer? Kiwanis recognizes that communities change over time, which may result in better synergy among clubs. Therefore, the bylaws mandate that the District formally evaluate the make-up of the Divisions every four years. Most of the time, no changes are made. However, re-divisioning could lead to improvements by moving a club from one division to another; splitting a division in two; or combining neighboring divisions into one.

If you have any suggestions for shifting the borders of any of the Divisions, please contact your Lieutenant Governor and district chair Jeremy Riehl ( [email protected] ) with your ideas no later than July 25, 2020. This will allow us time to talk with the affected clubs and divisions prior to presenting the ideas to the District Board in August. 
Young Children Priority One
Faces are Essential - Clear Mask Initiative

Use of face masks is our new reality. The YC:PO committee is partnering with the Florida Association for Infant Mental Health to promote the use of clear masks by childcare professionals to provide children the necessary visual input to support their social emotional development and relational health. To hear more about this initiative, visit https://www.faimh.org/faces or contact your Lt. Governor to find out about matching grant opportunities to provide clear face masks for childcare facilities in your area.
No Small Matter: Host a Virtual Screening
 
Kids Need Kiwanis, now more than ever. High quality education for all isn’t just powerful — it’s possible. This powerful film will motivate you and your members to get involved in promoting positive experiences for all children in your community. 
 
Don't let physical distancing keep you from sharing this important film. Host a virtual screening! Our “digital screening kit” can help you plan and promote your event, from getting the word out to setting up the technology to inspiring action after the film. Invite partners and friends; a virtual screening is a great member recruitment activity! 
 
And don’t forget to apply for a grant to cover the cost of your screening! Florida Kiwanis has partnered with the Florida Grade Level Reading campaign, the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida and other partners to provide funds to support virtual screenings. Clubs can apply for a grant to receive a free license to view the full film or shorter versions, depending on your needs.
 
For information about the film, the grants and the digital screening kit, contact Jennifer Ohlsen, Young Children Priority One Chair at  [email protected]
Caring Corner
Virtual Caring Corner

The purpose of the Caring Corner at District Convention is to raise funds through the Florida Kiwanis Foundation for our Service Leadership Programs (SLPs): Key Club, Circle K, Aktion Club, Builders Club, and K-Kids.

This year, each club has been sent a Pledge Card from the Florida Kiwanis Foundation. We are asking for a pledge of $250. We know times are hard because most clubs are not able to do all of their fundraising projects, but please do what you can. It is for our Kids! 

We are still looking to do a virtual silent auction. We need each Division to make a gift basket, take a picture and send it to me. We can still raise some funds and have some fun doing it.

If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact:
or
2021 Kiwanis Family Cruise
Join Governor Mary-Lynn and Joe with all your Kiwanis Family and friends on a fun-filled adventure sailing aboard Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas.

Sailing February 7th, 2021 - Final Payments due November 5th.

See Flyer for more information and share with your club members!
Kiwanis Store
Kiwanis Face Masks are Here!
Kiwanis-branded face masks are now available! Go to shopkiwanis.com  to order yours. You can even choose to customize it with your club’s name!
Order soon — demand is high.
Kiwanis face masks will also be available at the  Kiwanis Family Store  in August.

Currently available exclusively at the  Kiwanis Family Store : Kiwanis-branded fabric labels. If you’re a DIY-crafts type, they're great additions to your own face masks. They also add a perfect finishing touch to DIY projects such as hygiene kits.

Club Headlines
Tampa
The Incredible Duck Race is now Virtual! 

The Kiwanis Club of Tampa made the difficult decision to transition their annual Duck Race fundraiser to a virtual event for 2020. 

The 2020 Incredible Duck Race is going VIRTUAL! Adopt a Duck for $5 at TampaDuckRace.com. On Saturday, July 25, 2020 (time TBD), The Kiwanis Club of Tampa will hold a Virtual Duck Race via Facebook Live. Actual ducks WILL NOT be raced, but we will have a fun and creative way for you to enjoy the race from home. WINNERS WILL BE SELECTED VIA A RANDOM NUMBER GENERATOR. The first three ducks to "cross the finish line" will win amazing cash prizes! First place is $5,000, second place is $1,000, third place is $500.

Last year’s race sold over at 10,000 ducks and raised $25,000 for kids in the local community! This year all proceeds will benefit the Kiwanis Club of Tampa's children's programs and COVID-19 relief programs at Feeding Tampa Bay, and Metropolitan Ministries. Adopt a Duck at TampaDuckRace.com for just $5.
Ormond Beach

Kiwanis Club of Ormond Beach wins
Kiwanis International Signature Project Contest

The Kiwanis Club of Ormond Beach is creating energetic and passionate readers by building home and classroom libraries. So far, the club has provided 2,319 books to students and teachers at a local elementary school. The club says the project engages students. The school finished third among all Florida schools in the number of minutes read in the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge. This project won the gold award in the Tier I category of the 2020 Signature Project Contest.

Charles S Rushe Middle School Builders Club

District Essay Winner Announced:
Congratulations to Danielle Swensen

Topic: How do I see myself contributing as a member of the Kiwanis Family?

" People are akin to flowers. They are born just as seeds are planted and grow as
individuals. They develop just as flowers blossom into all the colors of the rainbow with their beauty. Then, as a person dreams a goal, they plant an idea that can travel just as a seed would make its way through the wind and sky. And this seed travels until another flower blooms, and another, and another, until the world is alight with beautiful unique flowers and the ideas that each have brought with them."

Click to read her essay and let's give a huge virtual round of applause for Danielle!
Chuck for KI VP 2020!

Support our very own International Trustee and Past Florida District Governor Chuck Gugliuzza as he seeks the office of International Vice President at the 2020 council meeting of Kiwanis International on Saturday, July 25th. A livestream of the council meeting will be available for all Kiwanis members to watch. Broadcast details will be shared through email, kiwanis.org and our social media channels. 
For content submission, contact
Angie Bailey, 2019-2020 Communications Chair
via email at [email protected]

Submissions are due by the 10th of the month.