The K-T District Kiwanis Family Kickoff was a huge success.
Members from Maryville College, Middle Tennessee State University,
East Tennessee State University, Northern Kentucky University,
University of Tennessee-Knoxville, and University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
attended. The events started on Saturday the 22nd of October,
at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville's University Center.
Registration went smoothly, then Governor Chad Taylor led
everyone in opening session.
The Circle K International President, Brian Egger, came
to us all the way from Oregon. He made some remarks on what International
was doing and how important it is for us to keep striving and
to come together as a District. Then came Kentucky-Tennessee's
Kiwanis Governor, Mark Garman, who was wearing his Michigan
T-shirt in light of the football theme. Governor Garman encouraged members
all to continue our partnership with Kiwanis, as well as to consider
the children that needed to be helped in our District.
After that, everyone split into workshops. People learned how
to make meetings fun, how to keep and recruit members, and all
about International from Brian himself. Lunch rolled around, and
everyone oohed and ahhed over the sandwich choices. Thanks to
Division 5 of Kiwanis for lunch! We played several games, some
started by Assistant Administrator, Jamie Ketron, others
by visiting Capital District Lt. Governor, Justin Sanders.
Afterwards, it was time for the officer training.
Hopefully, all the officers attending learned a lot and they took
the information back to their clubs. Finally, everybody trekked
down to Maryville College for a team building exercise, including
ETSU's Kiwanis Advisor, Jim Epps. Things immediately got
interesting. Led into the College Woods, everyone was confronted
with a wall.
A 12 ft high wall, that is. Well, then we were told by Ralph
and Betsy, our Mountain Challenge guides, that we needed
to get everyone up the wall without rope. Three people on the
top at a time were allowed. And once you got down from the top,
you couldn't help lift. Somehow, we got everyone up there, even
with two girls lifting Kiwanian Jim Epps. And he's not
a small man! Gary Carver, from ETSU, was the last one to
get up, thanks to help from Bryan Dunn of UTK and Justin
Sanders, from Capital District. Altogether it was an amazing
feat. Nicole from NKU, who is afraid of heights, even joined
in. To further emphasize the importance of teamwork, we walked
back blindfolded, with 4 leaders clapping us back to the edge
of the Woods. They put obstacles in our path, in the form of leaves
and branches, but we made it through, even crossing the creek
on the log bridge without seeing. So way to go K-Ters!
Things mellowed after that. Everyone met at Ruby Tuesday's in
Knoxville and had a great dinner before people had to leave. The
board members went on to have their board meeting, with International
President Brian Egger present. The next day, the remaining
7 left went to Pigeon Forge to partake of food, laser tag, go-carts,
and putt putt golf. All in all, it was a great weekend and we
were sad to part ways. Until Y'all in January, everyone!
Submitted by
Michelle "Chelle" Hatmaker
Lt. Governor East 2005-2006
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