Always time to help others
Golden K members give their all throughout year
When the calendar page turns, like leaves on a maple, to September and its glorious autumn colors, Kiwanis of Cape Breton Golden K Club (Charter Kiwanis International member since 1984) preps itself for the beginning of another exciting year.
From September to June we meet every Monday morning, except for holidays at 9 a.m. Many of us come much earlier to catch up on news, share concerns or just to have a laugh.
We are very open to new members and anyone considering joining can stop in and check out a meeting at the Sergeant’s Mess, Victoria Park, 12 Ortona St. Sydney.
Like all Kiwanis clubs, our meetings follow a set agenda which takes one hour. Members know that by 10 o’clock, things will be winding down and it’s time to get into the swing of our own new week.
The brass bell rings at 9 exactly and the agenda includes welcoming any visitors, singing O Canada, sharing in a moment of reflection, roll call and sometimes a presentation to the group by a visitor or member. Each committee briefly reports, we have a sing song and announce member birthdays and anniversaries, our president updates and/ or reports, a 50/50 draw takes place and we close with “God Save the Queen.”
A “cuppa” and a morning treat do not go amiss at meetings. We have a committee in charge of setting up the executive table which includes podium, mics, an area for club members to sit and our “welcome” spot by the door (where members also have a chance to “toonie into” an even split. They come early to get those jobs done and stay long enough at the end to store it all away for next time.
When we sign on for any job, from making coffee to chairing a committee or becoming a member of the board of directors or executive, we do it with pride. Each and every member is dedicated to helping make our club and our community the best they can be.
It’s important to note again that our club is not primarily about fund raising. We have only one fund raising event throughout the year, Eastlink TV Bingo. The majority of proceeds from those games, which our members run, are turned over to the general fund of the club. They are later distributed to community projects and groups in need who’ve made a successful application to us. Our focus is on volunteering time, energy and assistance to those in need.
Any groups seeking a possible donation from our club should send it in writing to: Kiwanis Cape Breton Golden K, PO Box 1353, Sydney, NS B1P1K3. The service committee meets monthly and presents to the board shortly thereafter where a decision is made.
We entered into our club “new year” on Monday, September 11. Some executive, board and committee chair members will change in October this year. All club commitments follow a set time frame.
The Kiwanis of Cape Breton Golden K Club is determined to make sure that all members are treated equally and seen as equal parts of our volunteer team. We always call each other by our first names. No titles or special kudos of any sort are allowed. We believe credit should not be taken by individuals. Rather, as H.E. Luccock so wisely noted, “No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it.”