January Newsletter by Kate Castro

Better Better Better

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. LETTER FROM THE LTG

2. UPCOMING DATES & DEADLINES

3. SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

4. DISTRICT RESOURCES

5. DIVISION 39S RESOURCES

6. DIVISIONAL PROJECT

7-8. LEDCON THEME & INFO

9-10. GOVERNOR’S PROJECT

11-13. DISTRICT PROJECT

14. KEY CLUB IN QUARTERS

15. WHY SHOULD YOU DONATE?

16. CONTEST & AWARDS OVERVIEW

17. NEW CONTEST & AWARDS

18-19. K-FAMILY FLYER & CHALLENGES

20. PREFERRED CHARITIES

21. KEY CLUB PARTNERS

22. KIWANIS FAMILY BRANCHES

23-25. DISTRICT STAFF & LTG CONTACTS

26. CLICK TO VIEW LINKS

Hello everyone!

My name is Kate Castro, and I am incredibly grateful to serve as your Division 39S Lt. Governor. I hope you are having a great return to school this semester! Now that it is the new year, it is time to start preparing and getting excited for LEDCON. As you have officer meetings and discuss the convention, please reach out with any questions!

I wish all of Division 39S the best this school year!

Yours in friendship and service,

Upcoming Dates Upcoming Dates

Feb. 1

Feb. 3

LTG Candidacy Forms due for Division 39S

See to the Jan. DCM!

LEDCON Contest & Awards Open to Apply Find C&A forms on the T-O Key Club website!

Feb. 5 forms found on T-O website or T-O GroupMe’s

Feb. 5

Feb. 15

Feb. 17

Feb. 28

Editor & Secretary Reports due @ 11:59 PM

Division 39S Election Conference Mansfield Legacy Library @ 6:00 PM

District Office Candidacy Forms Due See the the T-O Website Candidacy Forms page!

February Division Council Meeting Location information coming soon!

LEDCON Early Registration Ends Register on the T-O Key Club website!

Service ServiceOpportunities Opportunities

Animal Shelter Volunteering

Animal shelters and pet stores across Mansfield and Arlington are always looking for volunteers!

Arlington Animal Services (18+) and Second Chance Dog Rescue (16+) have plenty of options available.

Check out this link for Arlington Animal Services volunteer sign-ups and this one for information about Second Change Dog Rescue volunteering!

Weekend Backpack Program

EVERY Wednesday 4-5 PM you can join Common Grounds Mansfield in packing bags of food for students in need over the weekend!

United Methodist Church, Building D, 777 N. Walnut Creek Drive

Send Cards to Hospitalized Children

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has a program in which you can write personalized cards to support and bring joy to the kids of St. Jude and their families!

See this link to write a message and make a difference in a child’s life!

District DistrictResources Resources

District Training Conference Presentations

See to the presentations listed under District Training Conference for up-todate information about officer responsibilities, higher officer, LEDCON, and more!

Click this link for the forums!

Contest & Awards Videos

The Contest & Awards Committee has put together instructional videos over most of the LEDCON contests. These videos include a breakdown of the rubric and award requirements!

Find them on T-O Key Club’s YouTube!

Fundraising Guide

See to this document for suggestions on how to fundraise for your club this year. This list is extensive so I hope it benefits you!

Dues Payment Steps

See this document for details about how to pay club dues! Remember the on-time due date is December 1st! Message me with any questions.

Click this link for the guide!

Division 39S Division 39S

resources

See to this Google Folder for all of the documents, presentations, newsletters, and guides that I’ve created. This includes information about the Divisional Project, officer training forums, templates, and much more.

If you are interested in getting extra updates & staying connected with the Division, join the Division 39 S Instagram here!

Mansfield Lake Ridge

Mansfield Legacy

Mansfield Summit

Mansfield Timberview

Uplift Summit International Prep

Venus

Arlington College and Career

Frontier STEM Academy

James Bowie

Juan Seguin

Kennedale

Mansfield

This Divisional Project, “Key to Success,” is intended to ensure no school, club, or individual is left to feel unprepared for the future through a series of inspiration that prompts professional development and leadership training. “Key to Success” is a purposefully broad proposal that focuses on empowering high school students to not only excel academically but to emerge as assertive and effective leaders in the field of their choice. To act on this, clubs should provide students with the chance to practice their intrapersonal skills, learn from experts, and build on their pre-existing knowledge of the opportunities available to them.

Host your school’s freshman orientation

Invite guest speakers from a professional field

Volunteer to read to kids

Organize study sessions before finals

Host resume-building workshops

Host an educational game night for kids

Volunteer to tutor kids

Host college readiness workshops

TEXAS-OKLAHOMA DISTRICT

KEY CLUB - LEDCON 2025

ONCE UPON A SERVICE

THURSDAY - SUNDAY, APRIL 10-13

EMBASSY SUITES DENTON CONVENTION CENTER

STEMulating Hearts

2024-2025 T-O District Project

What is it?

“STEMulating Hearts” aims to engage Key Club members by encouraging them to apply their knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to meaningful service-oriented projects. The focus of this projectrevolvesaroundtwomainareasofscience: theenvironmentandhealthcare.

Our Mission:

However, in addition to the core focus areas, the initiative also opens the door to exploring a variety of other STEM-related topics. This flexibility will allow members to diversify their service opportunities and tailor their projects to address a wide range of community needs, enriching their learning experiences and fostering a spirit of collaboration and innovation amongtheircommunitiesdistrictwide.

Monthly Challenges

2024-2025 T-O District Project

tutor in STEM related subjects create community cleanup events have plastic-free days/weeks donate medical equipment to medical centers

hold a blood donation drive plant trees in your community have local speakers come and talk about STEM collect recyclable materials to repurpose volunteer at nature reserves place trash bins in heavily littered areas hold engineering webinars

hang posters to educate students about STEM volunteer at local hospitals

make and maintain a compost bin at school fundraise for healthcare organizations

hold STEM career exploration events

SHOWCASING STEM!

The STEM field consists of numerous different career paths, all of which are equally important to our communities functioning. With this event, clubs will be able to create and hold a career event in their school’s district that showcases everything STEM has to offer, from medical paths to engineering paths. This event can be held at any grade level, or even with multiple grades, as long as it stays within their school’s district. Ideas for how this can work include having different stations/tables with different STEM related careers, or even having a huge interactive presentation where guest speakers are invited. By introducing these kids to more opportunities, you’re not only leaving an impact on the STEM field, but also on their futures.

Contests & START PLANNING TO APPLY FOR

2025 LEDCON 2025 Awards

WHAT ARE CONTEST & AWARDS?

Contests and Awards are exciting opportunities for you to showcase your skills, creativity, and achievements in various categories at the LEDCON awards ceremony!

STEP-BY-STEP:

Locate the Submission Forms: Find the specific entry forms for each contest on the T-O Contest and Awards Page.

Explore Categories: Find contests that match your interests or EXPERTISE!

Follow Submission Guidelines: Ensure you meet all the entry requirements listed in the C&A Code & study the rubrics for awards!

Submit Before the Deadline: Ensure all entries are submitted by the specified deadline to be considered.

Get Recognized: Compete for awards and gain recognition at the LEDCON ceremony!

E W A W A R D S N E W A W A R D S

UNICEF CUP

This competition will recognize the club that has raised the most funds for Key Club International’s partner, UNICEF USA.

No application or nomination process is required for this award.

The winner of the UNICEF Cup will be calculated by dividing the total amount raised by the number of members in the club.

This contest will be graded by the UNICEF Champion and District Secretary.

OUTSTANDING

MEMBER AWARD

This competition recognizes the district’s most outstanding member(s) who depict responsibility and thoroughness in their dedication to serving others.

There is a limit of 2 applicants per club The faculty advisor must endorse the member(s) Two reference letters are required. See the rules for details.

Applicants who score 90/100 points will receive Distinguished Recognition. The highest scoring applicant will receive the Outstanding Award. Click here to view the requirements & scoring criteria.

INTRO TO KIWANIS

T-O K-Family & International Relations Committee

WHAT IS IT?

Kiwanis is a group of international volunteers dedicated to being a positive influence for every child and community. Dedicated to serving the next generation, Kiwanis focuses on education, health, and youth leadership.

HISTORY

Originally formed in 1915 as an business based organization, it became a service based foundation in 1919. Kiwanis became an international force in 1960, and there are 80 countries and nations with Kiwanis clubs worldwide today.

IMPACT

The K-Family supports service leadership programs such as Key Club and Aktion Club. By holding local fundraisers and service events, Kiwanis raises about 390 million US dollars each year, going towards libraries, school supplies, and medical equipment.

Key Club supports Start Strong: Zambia, a world wide initiative to help the children in Zambia

receive proper nutrition, education, and health care. Key Club’s collective efforts include building community centers, training health care providers, teachers, and volunteers to assist those in need, and providing toys and books to children that benefit their development. Join the cause by donating money to support UNICEF and the wellbeing of children in Zambia!

Thirst Project has a commitment to bringing clean drinking water to those in need through their

worldwide charity organization. Thirst Project works primarily in the Kingdom of Eswatini, but works in 13 countries to serve over half a million people. Get involved by donating and fundraising for the world’s largest youth water organization!

Erika‘s Lighthouse

Erika’s Lighthouse supports the mental health of elementary through high school students by providing programs for depression and spreading suicide awareness. The organization has a Positivity Pledge, a month long activity that aims to help students establish good habits for their mental health.

Schoolhouse is a non-profit tutoring organization built by a Key Club alumni that aims to connect the world and prepare students for college entrance exams, and help them succeed in their high school careers. Schoolhouse encourages all Key Club members to become tutors and join the cause!

K-KidsBuilders Club

Elementary students are given the opportunity through KKids to develop their passion for service. K-Kids builds early leadership through service projects to benefit the community and build their character.

Key Club

Key Club is an international, high school student led organization that emphasizes altruistic service to others. We host service projects, fundraisers, and work together to do good in our communities.

Circle K

Circle K is the largest college organization in the world. CKI empowers students to serve beyond their high school careers. Consider joining CKI to build your community and continue your devoted service to others.

Builders Clubs offers middle school students experience in leadership and allows them to serve others This club gives middle schoolers the confidence and skills they need to continue their service later.

Aktion Club

Aktion Club stands as the only service club specific to disabled adults. Aktion Club allows everyone to make a difference in the world while building confidence and taking on leadership roles.

Kiwanis

Kiwanis International is the backbone to the K-Family. Adult volunteers dedicate themselves to serving each other, the youth, and their communities. With Kiwanis, individuals can strive to be a source for good.