I want to begin by letting me know what my plan is for this coming year. I want us to go back to the beginning, the basics. I want to bring back the fun, excitement and energy that was here when I first joined this club.
How can "WE" make this happen, you may ask? Well . . . By remembering that we are a Volunteer Organization." What we are doing is specifically earmarked for our youth and our aged population. We are all on the same page, working toward the same goal -- to provide services in our community.
My theme for the year is "Back to Basics". This may mean that we need to re-orient ourselves with what Kiwanis is really all about. Maybe we need a refresher course. Whatever it takes, I am ready and I know that you all are ready also.
Being that this is my first time being President, anticipate some stumbling, some mistakes. But no matter what, my focus is this: I want to come back to the excitement that was once our club. The joy in coming together every week, the excitement of the events we do together, the look of thanks on the faces of those that we serve in the community. We are in this together. Please join with me in coming "Back to Basics".
Your President, Roy J. Souffront
In his last message as President, Bill Morris questioned the origin of the phrase "Swan Song." No sooner had the newsletter gone out than I got this email from Mike Akana: "The phrase "*swan song*" is a reference to an ancient belief that the Mute Swan is completely mute during its lifetime until the moment just before it dies, when it sings one beautiful song.
By the way.... if you want to check out what's happening in Key Club Division 34 North, check out...
www.keyclubd34north.org
Sequoia Key Club sells popcorn, cookies and water at Sequoia High School during a Car Show..
Member News:
We were delighted that Phil Wang could join us at our Aug. 25 meeting. Phil became a Kiwanian in the 1960’s when he joined the Woodside Terrace Club (a noon club in those days.) In 1972 he was instrumental in helping to form the original Bayshore Club (and recruited Larry Graves, a business leader in East Palo Alto at that time, to join.) He also helped to form the mid Peninsula AM Club (later merged with the Woodside Terrace Club to form the Woodside Terrace A. M. Club) and he served as Lt. Governor in 1977-1978.
As a member of our club, Phil spearheaded the formation of our Key Club at Sequoia High School (rumor has it that he and Glenn Lew and Geri Mayers used to offer free pizza to any students who would attend their club meetings) and our July 4th Carnival. He also started our scholarship program with a donation of $5000, and even though he moved to Hawaii several years ago Phil has continued as a member of our club and has continued to donate $5000 every year for our scholarship program. Phil and his wife Louise recently celebrated their 88th birthdays!! Phil was our guest speaker for the evening and drew a standing ovation (and also the largest attendance we have had in months.) It was wonderful to see Phil again, and we are all sad (possibly also a bit jealous!!) to know he has since returned to his home in Hawaii.
