October 2026

District Newsletter

Greetings!


Welcome to The Kiwanian, the newsletter for the Nebraska-Iowa Kiwanis District. Please feel free to share this issue with potential new members or make a copy for those who don't have email. An online link to this newsletter will be made available on the District Website.


QUICK LINKS

Nebraska-Iowa District Website

Nebraska-Iowa District Facebook

Nebraska-Iowa District Instagram

Nebraska-Iowa District Foundation

Kiwanis International Member Resources

All-In For the Kids


All-In, two simple words that express this Governor’s commitment to the Nebraska/Iowa Kiwanis District for the next 12 months.


Join me, two more simple words that I hope you will consider as we begin our journey in helping kids not only in our district but around the world.


Here is a list of my goals for the upcoming year:

  1. Open four new clubs! Plus 4 new Voices Clubs.
  2. Each club should add at least one new member this year.
  3. Each club should support one or more SLPs (Service Leadership Programs).
  4. Support and provide guidance to upcoming district leaders.


I need your help to achieve these goals. I am asking you today to give a little more of your time and effort to make these things happen. I am asking you to make calls to prospective members, to put boots on the ground recruiting new members for new clubs, to grow leadership in Kiwanis by becoming lieutenant governors, to serve as club officers and to make the world a better place one child and one community at a time.


On Oct. 8 and 9, the newly constituted district board convened for its first meeting of the year. Trustees Elaine Moore and Geri Derner, together with Vice Governor MJ Rodriguez, will join Governor-Elect Julie Weaver, Past Governor Brian Wells, District Administrator Lisa Brichacek, District Treasurer Curt Reis, and District Trustees Keith Prettyman, Linda Placzek, Barb Hames, and Gary Lindgren.


You can count on these people being ALL-IN.


JOIN US, BE ALL-IN.


Gov. Tim McGee

 

Learn, Chat & Share!


To get the Kiwanis year off to a great start, there will be a Club Chat on the evening of Oct. 22.


All Kiwanis members are invited to attend the 7 p.m. meeting on Zoom. Topics will include:

2026-2027 District Theme & Goals, Youth Protection Training, Achievement Awards and Club Fundraising (share ideas!)

All In Club Chat

Thursday, Oct. 22, 7 p.m. (Central Time)

Click HERE To Register & Get Zoom Link

The second Club Chat of the Kiwanis year is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 5 and will focus on topics for club secretaries.


Secretaries Club Chat

Thursday, Nov. 5, 7 p.m. (Central Time)

Click HERE To Register & Get Zoom Link


Achievement Award applications due Dec. 1


The past Kiwanis year was a good one in the Nebraska-Iowa District, and the District is again sponsoring an Achievement Awards program for 2025-2026.


The criteria for Exemplary Club, Outstanding Secretary and Interclub activities has remained similar to past Kiwanis years. However, the application process has been updated and can now be all be done online.


Award applications will be accepted Oct. 1 through Dec. 1 and more information can be found HERE.


Exemplary Club

This award is given to honor those clubs that accomplish Kiwanis’ mission by conducting service projects, growing membership, staying in compliance and taking advantage of educational opportunities.


Interclub/Fellowship

This award recognizes a Kiwanis club that exemplifies the meaning of interacting and having fellowship with other Kiwanians, including those in Service Leadership Program clubs. Visiting other clubs and Kiwanis activities includes meetings, events and projects.


Outstanding Secretary

Club secretaries are often the cornerstone of a successful club. This award recognizes those secretaries who make sure their club and members are the best they can be.


International award recognition

Kiwanis International offers "distinguished" recognition to clubs that meet established criteria demonstrating special dedication to service, membership strength and Kiwanis education. This program and criteria change from year to year.


More information about the 2025-2026 distinguished club program is available on the KI website, https://www.kiwanis.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2nd-Update-Distinguished-Criteria-Info-2025-26-1.pdf


For the 2026-2027 recognition program, the criteria for distinguished club has been announced. It can also be found on the KI website, https://www.kiwanis.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/DIST-DISTRICT-2026-2-3.pdf


Click For the District Calendar

CHILDREN'S FUND NEWS

There is great news for the Nebraska-Iowa District. I have a report that shows how much each district donated in the past Kiwanis year.  Nebraska-Iowa is number two out of all of the districts in the world! Illinois-Eastern Iowa is number one. Both districts are in our Central Region. Many children, both locally and worldwide, benefit from our generosity. 

All members need youth protection training


October is the perfect time for Kiwanis clubs to conduct annual mandated youth protection training, review Kiwanis Youth Protection Policies and ensure Service Leadership Program advisor contact information is updated in our system.


Nebraska-Iowa District Youth Protection Manager Linda Placzek has some great information for clubs to ensure this annual training is completed. Click the "Read More" button for her letter to all clubs about this important training.

Key Club Unlocked cancelled

It was announced by Nebraska-Iowa Key Club earlier this week that the Unlocked scheduled for later this month has been cancelled due to low registration numbers. Only in its second year, Unlocked is a program for high school students to explore leadership opportunities and build on Key Club strengths.


It is the intention of Nebraska-Iowa Key Club to offer Unlocked again next year. For more information, contact Key Club Administrator Tracey Domgard.

Save the date!


The next Kiwanis International Convention will be held in Dallas, Texas June 16-19, 2027. Information about the convention is already available and registration opens Jan. 4!


Dallas Convention Web Page

 

DATES TO KNOW

  • Oct. 22: All-In For Kiwanis Club Chat
  • Oct. 12-17 Circle K International Week
  • Nov. 1: Key Club Early Bird Dues
  • Nov. 2-6: Key Club Week
  • Nov. 5: Club Chat for Secretaries
  • Nov. 30: Club Dues paid to International
 
 

Submit your club shares by the first of each month to nikiwanisdistrict@gmail.com

Photo submissions are welcome. Photos should be attached as jpg or PDF files. Please note, photos embedded in word documents or of low resolution/quality may not be able to be used in newsletter.

NEBRASKA-IOWA KIWANIS DISTRICT

402-430-9647

nikiwanisdistrict@gmail.com

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