T-O Today - Volume 28, Issue 1

Texas-Oklahoma District of Circle K International

The T-O Today

Your insight into the T-O District of CKI

April 2006 Volume 4, Issue 1 Inside this issue: A Little Bit of Gov Luv

1

District Convention Wrap 1 Up Meet your District Board 2-3 UT Chili Cook-Off

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Key Club Connection

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Kiwanis Corner

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International Convention and Highlights

5

Contact Information

6

Be sure to check out these special features: • Interesting facts about

everyone on District board.

• News on what Key

Clubs and Kiwanis Clubs are up to.

A Little Bit of Gov Luv Howdy!

Howdy from Texas A&M University! I hope you’re all excited about the new CKI year and the experiences in service, leadership and fellowship that are coming up. I would first like to thank you for electing me Governor during District Convention in March. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know your divisions, your wants, needs, and concerns about CKI. You have given me and the new district board good and strong direction of what needs to be done to make CKI grow and prosper. I’ve just returned from Indianapolis, Indiana where International President Brian Egger hosted GATC. Here I learned many new details that I will be sharing with your officers during Weekend Officer Workshop (W.O.W) to help your chapters succeed in the Texas-Oklahoma District. The board has many goals that we have developed for you, but I would like to share my per-

sonal goals so you know what I am shooting for this year.

My Personal Goals: •To expand the T-O district by building and strengthening CKI chapters through communication, support, and proper direction.

•To make T-O one of the top districts in CKI. •To improve the involvement between the three levels of CKI: international, district, and chapter.

•To improve chapter level knowledge of proper CKI procedures as stated in the bylaws and policy codes.

Fuzzy Wuzzy Governor’s Project: Another key aspect of the upcoming year will be the Governor’s project. It includes the collection of teddy bears and children’s books, and also making tie blankets for Linus Project. The teddy bears will go to Child Protective Services (CPS), the books will go to

local elementary schools, and the tie blankets will go to the closest Linus regional pick-up for distribution across the state. The focus of this project is to provide love, support, comfort, and education to children across the state. So remember the three aspects of the Fuzzy Wuzzy Governor’s Project are: •teddy bears •children’s books •tie blankets I’m looking forward to sharing a great year with everyone!

Sincerely, Jon Shaw, T-O CKI Governor

District Convention Wrap Up

• An overview of and

invitation to International Convention.

• A Soduku Puzzle!

District Convention took place in Galveston in the Hotel Galvez from March 3rd to the 5th. While there, attendees were able to enjoy the pirate themed decorations and icebreakers as

well as a wide array of interesting and informative forums.

On Saturday evening those who weren’t in the House of Delegates were able to take part in a beach cleanup service

project. Our new district officers were elected, and here are the results: Governor: Jon Shaw Secretary: Adriana Casas Treasurer: Angela Ragan

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T-O Today

Meet Your District Board!

Name: Jon Shaw Position: District Governor Age: 21 Birthday: January 29, 1985 School: Texas A&M University Major: Political Science Focus: Non-Profit Legislation, Urban Administration, and Pro-

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Name: Adriana Casas Position: District Secretary Hometown: Dallas, Texas College: University of North Texas Major: Early Childhood—Fourth Grade Bilingual Education Year: Senior Goals: One of my main objectives is to have 100% reporting from all chapter secretaries. I also plan on assisting the webmaster with ideas on how to make the monthly reports easier to turn in. Finally, I plan on showing chapter secretaries incentive programs to get members to report all of their hours, as well as having 50 hours of community service to report myself.

Favorite Service Project: My favorite service project is Saturday Scholars, where volunteers go every Saturday morning for about two hours and help students with math, reading and writing. At the end of the day, students get to take home a book that the they read that day.

Hobbies & Interests: Dancing, interesting food, weight lifting, rock climbing, community service

gram Planning Favorite Color: Blue Favorite Sweet: American Cookie Factory Cookie Cake Pets: A dachshund name John Deere Name: Stephanie Mills Position: District Editor Name: Angela Ragan Hometown: Cibolo, TX Position: District TreasCollege: University of Texas at Austin urer Major: Geology/English Hometown: Carrollton, Goals: I really want to work on recruitment TX throughout the T-O District by helping club College: University of officers think up recruitment strategies and North Texas improving our communication tools (i.e. the Major: Biology, ChemisT-O Today and the website). I’d love to get a try CKI back at Texas State University as well, and Goals: -I would like to see all the chapters turn in the fall I’m planning on doing a large service Favorite Project: Volunteerin their dues on time (by Oct. 1st!!) so they can project at UT for the Humane Society. ing at the animal shelter. be eligible for awards and not be suspended.

That’s how I got my dog!

-I would also like to help chapters with Interesting Stuff: I’m a die more fundraisers. Not only will this help with hard Spurs fan, I love my famprojects, but also it will help more members be ily more than anything, I have Teamwork is the ability to work together able to attend district events.

THE most amazing dog (that toward a common vision. The ability to -All chapters should participate in the happens to weigh over 100 direct individual accomplishment toward 1/3's plan, where the chapter pays a third, the pounds), and I love doing organizational objectives. It is the fuel sponsoring Kiwanis pays a third, and the memanything and everything outber only has to pay 1/3 to attend District events. that allows common people to attain side. Camping, hiking, swim-The most important thing for Chapming, tubing—you name it, uncommon results. ter Treasurers to know: Dues are due by OcI’m there!

- unknown tober 1st!!!

Funny Stuff: I once had over 15,000 people "boo" at me. I'm a die hard Indiana Pacers fan and every time the Pacers came down to Dallas I would wear my Pacers jersey, dye my hair blue, paint my face half blue-half yellow to show a “little” pride. During a time out, the jumbotron was showing people in the crowd. All of a sudden, the sold-out arena started to roar with 'boos.' I looked up to see what they were all yelling at, and I saw myself on the screen. Of Turn to page 5 for more information. course, I just started jumping up and down waving my posters and chanting in support of my team. It was the proudest moment of my life!

YOU are invited to International Convention in Boston, August 12-15, 2006!

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T-O Today

Name: Jeremy Flowers School: Southwestern Christian College Hometown: Detroit, Michigan Major: Religious Education Year: Junior Position: Red River/Metro Lt. Governor Favorite Service Project: Terrell State Hospital Party Goals: Seeing Red River/Metro find a sense of harmony.

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Name: Greg Brown School: The University of Texas at Austin Hometown: Kingwood Major: Geography (Pre-Law) Year: Class of 2007 Position: Hill Country Lt. Governor Favorite Service Project: Buckner Villas Birthday Party Goals for the year: Helping Circle K become a district wide family.

Something interesting: I have a twin sister, and I am really into movies.

Name: Jessica Yvette Gonzalez School: University of Texas-Pan American Hometown: Rio Grande City, TX Major: Biology Major, Chemistry and Psychology Minors Year: Senior Position: South Texas Lt. Governor Favorite Project: Project Linus Name: Kaycie Tugman Position: District Events Chair Hometown: Burkburnett, TX College: University of North Texas Major: Spanish Year: Senior Goals: I plan on having an amazing District Convention and Fall Retreat. I hope to successfully plan Summer Reunion, an event that will center around a large scale service project in a state park.

Favorite Service Project: My favorite service project thus far has been working with the children at the Nelson Center in Denton by helping them make Christmas Mice to send to their sponsors.

Funny Stuff: I worked for Walt Disney World on the Disney College Program. I lived in Orlando from January 15, 2003-August 15, 2003. I had the most amazing time!

Name: Jill Marie Elizabeth Sauer Wicks (or you could just go with Jill Wicks) Position: Information Technology Chair Hometown: Davenport, Iowa College: The University of Texas at Austin Major: Geosystems Engineering Year: Junior Goals: I plan on keeping the website updated and having all important documents available with sections dedicated to each division. I also want to make the website more interesting and user friendly instead of just information.

Favorite Service Project: Mentoring and tutoring at the Boys and Girls Club Interesting Facts: I want to be in the World Series of Poker like my dad, go on a dig for fossils in the Burgess Shale of Canada, study abroad in the UK next year, make it to all 50 states and at least 5 continents by the time I'm 25, finish reading the works of Henry David Thoreau by the end of the year, and be on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire".

Goals: Charter new schools for our small division.

Texas A&M-Kingsville, South Texas College in McAllen and Texas A&M International University has expressed their interest.

Interesting fact: I absolutely adore my baby.

She's 2 years old and is the cutest thing you have ever laid eyes on. Her name is "Kisses". She plays dead and thinks she's human but she's really my pet Chihuahua.

Name: Zachary Johnson School: Texas A&M Hometown: McAllen, Texas Major: Agriculture Leadership Year: Class of 2009 Position: Southeast Texas/ Gulf Coast Lt. Governor Favorite Service Project: HOSTS (Helping One Student to Succeed) Goals: To united my division and reactivate a couple of schools and motivating my chapters to be the best again.

Interesting Fact: I went on a missions trip to Peru where I lived on a boat on the Amazon and took bathes with piranhas.

Name: Katie Kuhns Position: Membership/K-Family Chair College: Texas Tech University Major: Biochemistry Year: Class of 2009 Goals: -To increase CKI's base membership from graduating Key Club seniors by promoting the FLIP program -Focus on current membership retention -To develop better communication with local K-Family units such as Kiwanis, Key Club, Builders Club, and K-Kids.

Favorite Service Project: My Governor’s Project, Lending a Paw, where we went to elementary school to talk with kids about proper pet care.

Embarrassing Moment: My most embarrassing moment happened at a Tech football game against Indiana State. Stephanie Mills was visiting, and we were both talking, unaware the kicker was warming up—and we were behind the goal posts. One of the footballs bounced off the commentator’s box and hit me right in the head, in plain view of everyone!

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T-O Today

UT CKI Chili Cook-Off The University of Texas at Austin chapter of CKI recently held their annual Chili Cook-Off in order to raise money to donate to Children’s Miracle Network. The cook-off was held on April 8th at Walnut Creek Park in north Austin. UT CKI members arrived early to prepare their site at the park with a banner, games like horseshoe and basketball, a display of the raffle prizes, and a bake sale. Attendees outside of the UT CKI included Kiwanis from University Area Kiwanis, Golden K Kiwanis, and New Braunfels Kiwanis, members from assorted Key Clubs, and UT students from other clubs. The cook-off was also honored by the attendance of past Kiwanis Governor Gene Jantzen and current Kiwanis Governor Jack Carlton, who both were judges of the chili competition. Although competition was fierce, three winners emerged above the rest. The results were: 1st: New Braunfels Kiwanis 2nd: UT CKI 3rd: Golden K Kiwanis Over all, the cook-off raised over $1,000 to be donated directly to CMN. Thanks to all the participants and congratulations to the winners!

“United we stand; divided we fall.”

—Aesop

Key Club Connection What’s been happening with our high school protégés.

Kiwanis Corner What our amazing sponsors are up to.

•University Area Kiwanis club members and UT-CKI students are volunteering at the Oak Hill Elementary School on April 28 (Friday) for their annual Field and Track Event. This is a joint Kfamily project involves helping the physical education teacher with the 400 elementary students at this two day event. Volunteers gather about 8:30 a.m. and are assigned to a specific track event - rock climbing, relay races, etc. The Track & Field event kicks off with all students carrying flags of different countries in an Olympic track meet setting. After that occurs, the students will begin a variety of outdoor and indoor sports to demonstrate their skills. I’ll be providing box lunches for all of our Kfamily volunteers. It's a great outdoor activity and parents and teachers have really shown their appreciation of our help with the school.

•The CMN Radio-thon is on the horizon. The Radio-thon is scheduled at the Children's Hospital on May 11 and 12th and we're asking Kiwanians, Circle K, and Key Club members to volunteer for this important event in the community. Kiwanis has provided more volunteers than any other civic group over the years. The CMN Television Celebration will be held in June at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Austin. If you’re interested in participating, contact Bill Powell from University Area Kiwanis.

—By Carol Powell, University Area Kiwanis

Members of the UT CKI and their Kiwanis sponsors pose in front of their banner.

On April 23, myself and nine other Key Clubbers from Leander High School went to the Round Rock Dell Diamond to participate in the annual Relay for life. Relay for Life is put on in order to raise money to fund research for a cure for cancer, and is put on by the American Cancer Society.

The fundraiser took place from 7:00pm to 7:00am.

The night’s activities included 250 cancer survivors being recognized and a walk. It was required that every team have at least one team member walking at all hours. We took turns walking, and while we waited to walk there were live bands to listen to, line dancers who gave free lessons, a hypnotists, a rock wall, swimming, basketball, a moon bounce for little kids, a place to see how fast you can pitch, movies and pizza at midnight, and free doughnuts at 4:30. There was also merchandise available to buy to support the American Cancer Society. All in all, the event was a huge success and a lot of fun; I highly recommend it to young and old alike. One suggestion that I do make if you go bring water and have a team theme. The theme this year was Hollywood, and the Cancer Survivors were the stars. Teams had fun names that went along with the theme like Snoopin’ Around for a Cure, and Kick Cancer Back to the Stone Age. —By Sarah Peters, Leander High School

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T-O Today

International Convention

Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers

This year, the Circle K International Convention will take place from August 1215 in Boston, Massachusetts. While there, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of CKI related workshops put on by the organizations brightest minds, attend caucuses and House of Delegates to participate in choosing next year’s international officers, meet people from all over the country and world, attend one of CKI’s largest service fair, and tour the beautiful city of Boston!

The T-O District Board encourages anyone interested in attending ICON to check out the brochure at http://www.circlek.org/circlek/lit/06convbroch.pdf and contact your lieutenant governor for more information. Check out the information on the rest of this page to get an idea of some of the awesome opportunities that will be available at ICON.

The beautiful and ornate Boston Park Plaza Hotel was built in 1927 and is located in the hub of downtown. It houses seven world class restaurants within it and is in walking distance of shopping on the famous Newbury Street. It is only three miles from Logan Airport and provides public transportation to many of the city’s most exciting venues. Go to http://www.bostonparkplaza.com/ for more information.

Motivational Speaker Josh Shipp Although this energetic speaker is only in his early twenties, he’s already accomplished more than some people manage in a lifetime. From writing books to hosting his very own reality show, Josh Shipp has established an international reputation as an entertaining and motivating speaker. Having experienced his own fair share of trial and tribulation in life, Josh is able to connect with his audience in ways that many speakers are unable to even dream of. By sharing this special relationship with the audience—and being downright hysterical—Josh Shipp has developed a way to get his simple but powerful message across to over one million people. This is one part of ICON you definitely don’t want to miss!

See International President Brian Egger’s video invitation to International Convention at: http://www.circlek .org/circlek/lit/vid eo.asp?nom=circlek conv2

The City of Boston Boston is one of the county’s most exciting cities.

It contains a gamut of historical, cultural, educational, and exciting attractions. It is home to the Boston Red Sox Stadium as well as Harvard University and Boston College, and visitors are welcome to walk the path Paul Revere followed or spend the day shopping on Newbury street, which houses everything from vintage clothing to music shops. Here are some of the attractions you should be sure to check out.

• • • • •

Faneuil Hall Marketplace New England Aquarium Duck Boat Tours Fenway Park Six Flags New England

Be sure to check out all these attractions and more during breaks in this year International Convention.

Texas-Oklahoma District of Circle K International If you have questions or comments about this issue of the T-O Today or are interested in submitting an article for the next issue, contact District Editor Stephanie Mills at: Phone: 210-632-6140 E-mail: stephmills05@yahoo.com Address: 2030 Green Valley Rd. Cibolo, TX 78108

Check us out on the web at: www.txokcki.org

Service.

Leadership.

Fellowship.

Yea, we got it all.

Fill in the blanks so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1-9 and never repeats.

Contact Information: Governor: Jon Shaw

281-728-2273

administrator@txokcki.org

seniortrojan085@aol.com

South Texas LTG: Jessica Gonzalez

817-577-4619

254-744-4674

JYGONZA@aol.com

Asst. Administrator: Anna Ethridge

Secretary: Adriana Casas

956-487-5231

annabanana4065@aol.com

Ady927@gmail.com

South East Texas LTG: Zach Johnson

817-685-8039

940-591-8514

Zactaak6487@aol.com

Asst. Administrator: Hunter Faubion

Treasurer: Angela Ragan

956-648-4853

Hunter_Faubion@yahoo.com

Ang31Reg@gmail.com

District Events Chair: Kaycie Tugman

254-532-4635

940-591-8514

kbt0009@unt.edu

Asst. Administrator: David Escandell

Editor: Stephanie Mills

940-781-8509

david@escandell.com

stephmills05@yahoo.com

K-Family Chair: Katie Kuhns

817-508-1888

210-632-6140

Katherine.kuhns@ttu.edu

Asst. Administrator: Scott Kimball

Red River/Metro LTG: Jeremy Flowers

936-520-8634

KrazyKidKimball@gmail.com

tacomachicken2@aol.com

Information Technology Chair: Jill Wicks 972-467-7806

313-207-4706

jillers1219@hotmail.com

Hill Country LTG: Greg Brown

361-218-2490

greg01@kingwoodcable.com

Administrator: Sean Raich