My fellow Kiwanians,

Last month I asked the leadership of this Division to complete a survey so
that we might find out what role you (the membership) would like to see
our great Division play in supporting and strengthening our clubs. The
resultswere overwhelming: you would like to see us work more as a team and be
more united as an organization. I look to the survey responses as a positive
step forward in Kiwanis becoming a more productive, and a more prominent,
organization within the San Fernando Valley.

Now that we know our direction, we need a plan to take us there. I have
met with your Strategic Planning Chair, and we have come to see that, one of
the greatest benefits that the Division can bring to the clubs is to help our
members focus on service projects that allow us to make a greater impact
in our communities, bring the passion back to our organization, and empower
our membership to roll up their sleeves, get their hands dirty, and
reestablish relationships with those we serve.

My plan is a simple one. Instead of me telling you what I want, and what
I think we should do, I have decided that I would like you, the members of
the clubs of Division 25, to tell me what is important to you. I would like
for us to search out a couple of focused, high-impact projects, that will both
meet large, persistent, needs in the community and, at the same time, have
the ability to brand the name of Kiwanis in our communities.

Here is but one example: The Northridge Medical Center is building a
Pediatric Trauma unit that will be the only one of its kind in the San
Fernando, Santa Clarita, and Conejo Valleys. They have embarked on a
capital campaign to raise the funds. Once funding is in place, they will
begin the process of upgrading their trauma unit’s level of readiness and
effectiveness.

Soon after that, they will seek what we Kiwanians can offer: volunteers to
identify and assist with the many needs of the children that will be
confined to the hospital beds during their stay; and the needs will be
many.

Serving children in need. That’s what we Kiwanians do best. We could
become the driving force behind meeting this challenge and attach our Kiwanis
banners to this noble effort.

Mind you this is but one example of what we could do. I bet there are
many others – many that we aren’t even yet aware of in our own communities.
So, here is what I propose: I want the leaders of every club – the
Presidents, the Secretaries, the Treasurers, and the Board Members – to
meet with your members, and to begin an honest discussion about the needs in
your community. I challenge you to begin a dialogue with the first-responders
in your community -teachers, police officers, fire fighters, doctors and
nurses, church and temple leaders, food banks and shelters – to re-learn
which needs are going unmet.

Then, I want each President to come up with two (2) high-impact projects
that your club would like to see begun. Don’t worry about how you will
accomplish the project; for now, I just want you to imagine what your
community would be like if that project was underway.

Finally, I want each President to commit to bringing one (1) additional
member (besides your Secretary) to the November DCM; someone who knows,
deep down inside, that Kiwanis can be bigger than what it is today.
At the November DCM we will start on our journey to greatness. This will
be the beginning of our adventure which will ultimately help a much larger
group of people and, at the same time, will establish Kiwanis as a
household name in our beloved San Fernando Valley.

I look forward to seeing you later this month.

Nicolas R Montaño
LTG Division 25
ltgov@cnh25kiwanis.org

The deadline to reserve an exhibitor space is Oct. 26, 2009.
Please download the attached exhibitor reservation form and send to Chatsworth/Porter Ranch Chamber office at 10038 Old Depot Road, Chatsworth, CA 91311 or call us at 818-341-2428

Hosted by:
Canoga Park/West Hills
Chatsworth/Porter Ranch
Encino
Woodland Hills/Tarzana

West Valley SBE Reservation

All clubs please send Nicolas Montano an e-mail with the names of a couple of representatives.

Chris Ratana and Rafael Malapitan of Reseda High did a wonderful job. Thanks !

[View with PicLens]

Make a Difference Benefit Concert Photos

Performers included:

AJ Rafael
Andrew Garcia
Cathy Nguyen
Kathleen Badar
Richard Tran
Jagg Molina
Keshia Llarenas
Francis Rochino

Collabor8 – Abraham Valdez, Bielena Reyes, Brandon Juezan, Brenda Ramos, Camaren Burgess, Cassandra Yang, Daniel Huynh, Fian Peng, Gabby Ligad, Ilia Acosta, Jeremy White, Joanna Amores, John Aratan, Juan Berumen, Kara Mathews, Karen Chan, Leonie Tang, Michael Villareal, Michaelle Banayos, Rich McCarter, Rochelle Benitez, Salome Valdez, Savannah Garcia, Vannesa Rosado

2D Family – Rob Barragan, Chanelle Wang, David Lee, Anneshia Kalim, Ryan Lo, Kelley Pohamotang, Valerie Reganit, CJ “2AUCE” Edwards

Elusive Dance Crew – Bina Emerson, Sabrina Emerson, Dana Quindara, Emmerine Candelaria, Karen Quindara, Gerald Malinao, Michael Avelino, Bryan Nuval, Jamison Lopez, Rex De La Santos, Perseus Ancheta, Kenneth Valera, Jonathan Argame, Anselle Elomina

Audience of One – Willene Aisporna, Julia Cagas, Sharaleah Kay Cagas, Jenah Mae Florita, Toni Fae Florita, Kay Galang, Bethel Aubrey Ona, Marielle Ordono, Crystal Ramirez, Christine Vu, Joel Dustin Andrade, Michael Sean Florita, Jon Erick Gorospe, Marvin Ordono

Booniez Crew – Stacey Speer, Ryke Reyes, Karen Alvarez, Kira Reyes, Renee Fernandez, Kristina Bello, Jessica Helms

VENT – Jeanelle Pineda, Jan Macaranas, Mel Mahinan, Sophia Saringo, Robby Rapisura, Brad Apigo, Trizzia Tan, Carissa Trinidad, John Mascardo, Patrick Du, Rowena Garcia, Kit Gutlay, Ivan Lara, Tuyen Nguyen, Kat Nogoy, Sabrina Zare, Aileen Altamira, Elyse Fairchild, Lloyd Rabo

Pediatric Trauma Program
Recognizing the serious need for education and training in the areas of pediatric trauma and injury prevention, the Kiwanis Cal-Nev-Ha Foundation established the Pediatric Trauma Program in 1994. Our mission is to develop local projects, which will reduce the number of children in our district who are killed or injured by trauma. Utilizing the knowledge and expertise of our partner hospitals, the Foundation identifies projects the Kiwanis family can undertake to address the issue of Pediatric Trauma within their own communities. The Foundation’s partnership with children’s hospitals in Oakland, San Diego, Loma Linda, Madera, Honolulu and Reno connect the Kiwanis family to the issue of Pediatric Trauma.

The Kiwanis Cal-Nev-Ha Foundation works closely with our partner hospitals to provide funding to train pediatric doctors, nurses and first responders, to purchase much-needed pediatric medical equipment and to create or expand community outreach programs.

All of this is only possible due to the generous support of our clubs and members. Donations designated for PTP are spent in three major areas: grants to our partner hospitals; grants to Kiwanis and SLP clubs; and PTP safety items which are available for purchase by the Kiwanis family at a subsidized cost.

For more information about our Pediatric Trauma Program, including additional resources: click here.

We are proud members of both the California-Nevada-Hawaii District, and Kiwanis International. Take a look around our website and find out about all of the exciting things we are doing in the community.

TAG Newsletter – Aug/Sept 2009 Edition   
Here is the latest TAG Newsletter, from Dave Schmitt.

Kiwanis Insider – September 2009 Edition   
Here is the latest Kiwanis Insider, from Kiwanis CEO, Rob Parker.