Dear Fellow Kiwanians,

Charlene and I have just returned from the 2010 Kiwanis International Convention held in Las Vegas, Nevada. We both believe it was the best IK Convention we have had the priviledge to attend. Two of the highlights were Colin Powell's uplifting and entertaining keynote address, enthusiastically supporting Kiwanis' efforts to help our youth and the new ELIMINATE worldwide service project announcement by actress Tia Leoni, UNICEF and others, including the Bill and Marinda Gates Foundation to help stamp out maternal and Neonatal Tetanus. We all learned this scourge is still the cause of over 125,000 deaths of mothers and newborn infants each year in third-world countries, despite its having been almost eliminated throughout the rest of the planet decades ago. The goal is to erradicate this menace worldwide within the next half decade. I know Kiwanians can do it! International President, Paul Palazzolo, inspired us with his Kiwanis Spirit and message to help our youth. He has truly been one of our most inspiring leaders. Our in-coming International President Sylvester Neal, spoke enthusiastically to us as the convention wound down to join him in lighting a Kiwanis fire that can enlighten, engulf and serve the youth of the world, our future.

Stuart Collyer, who along with his wife Cindy, are most responsible for getting up the new Saratoga Springs, Utah, Club this past month, visited me in my office after the 4th of July. I told him that, due to their efforts and others, Charlene and I were invited over the convention microphone by our great current KI President, Paul Palazzolo, to join some fellow governors and their wives to meet and have our pictures taken with Jay Leno, after what has to be one of his great performances. I even got Jay to sign my name badge with his chin carachature which I proudly wore the remainder of the convention! When Paul called us governors to a meeting in February to discuss locations and personnel for possible new clubs, my first thought was to call on Stuart at Saratoga Springs. Stuart, his dear wife Cindy and others took up the challenge and now we have a new club, including the principal of the new Westlake High School, who are already in the process of serving our youth by organizing a new Key Club and other activities at that school!