2012-13 Key To Caring Issue 3

Key to Caring WIUM’s Issue 3

DCON IS ALMOST HERE!!! Here is what some key players

have to say!!!

For any of your members that are unsure how to take

the next step with Key Club, bring them to DCON and they

will come back with an invigorated enthusiasm for all things

service. A short weekend, jam-packed with learning and fun,

can make all the difference for your club.

I began with Key Club in my freshman year and signed

up to go to DCON, a little apprehensive about being around

hundreds of strangers for a weekend. It was easily one of my

best decisions. It showed me that Key Club is not just your

school; there is a whole network of people in Wisconsin and

Upper-Michigan that are doing the same things you are.

DCON also was a way for our club to bond and become a

stronger team. After DCON it was easier for us to

communicate and share our ideas. We became a family, not

just a group of people that do service projects together.

I encourage you to bring your club to DCON and

experience a weekend that will change your perspective on

what Key Club can be. Make sure to bring the members that

you hope will take over as board members at your club level,

and members that are very involved and could run for a

district board position. Giving everyone a chance to see

what Key Club can do on a wider scale will open their mind

to new possibilities of what your club could be in years to

come. I hope to see you in March!

Submitted by:

Colleen Rothe Division 8

Hey Key Clubbers!

We are approaching this year’s District Leadership

Convention, and I want you to get excited. We have a

great DCON planned for you all this year and I really hope

you enjoy it. When you come to DCON this year you will

be entering a “Seusstacular” World of Wonder! I

encourage each of you to contact your Lieutenant

Governor and start planning for your Divisions theme now

to get your club excited. We have some very fun

workshops, dances, and a lot of activities to make your

weekend excellent. I will say though, be prepared to lose

your voice by Monday from all the Key Club Spirit!

Happy Holidays!

Erin Idler,

Lt Governor, Division 1

The Wonders of DCON

District Leadership Conference (DCON) changed my whole

perspective on Key Club. In my freshman year, I was very involved

in Key Club, but I wasn’t considering running for an officer position.

That year, I attended DCON with five others from my school—

Menomonee Falls High School. It was such an amazing experience!

All of the cheering, decorations, and energy of all the Key Clubbers

that weekend were mind-blowing, and I learned a great deal of

information.

A good portion of the weekend was filled with workshops

put on by the district board members. I learned a lot about Key

Club in general, Key Club’s preferred charities, service project

ideas, etc. At this year’s DCON, there will be workshops about the

Eliminate Project, membership recruitment, fundraising, service

projects, public speaking, college life, duties of each of the club

board positions, etc. There are workshops for club officers, general

members, and even advisors. In addition, there are dances each

night, tons of delicious food, a keynote speaker, fundraisers for the

Eliminate Project, Camp Wawbeek, and Bay Cliff Health Camp,

etc. You do NOT want to miss out on this year’s DCON!

All in all, DCON is a valuable and exciting experience, and I

can honestly say I have learned a lot. After DCON of my freshman

year, I came back to my home club, pumped up for Key Club and

had many new ideas to share. If I wouldn’t have gone to DCON my

freshman year, I know I wouldn’t be in the Lieutenant Governor

position I am in today. My love for Key Club and service has grown

over these past few years and continues to do so.

Julie Schweiss,

LTG Division 8

"This year at DCON, I'm really looking forward to our

dances!! I can't wait to see everyone’s creative

costumes and ideas!! We have planned exciting

events this year that we hope will out shine the rest

for example; a neon dance!! We will be handing out

glow sticks beforehand, just use them properly! At

our division themed dance, dress your best to

support your division!! If you have any questions on

your division theme, ask your Lieutenant Governor!

They'd be more than happy to tell you!!"

Kristen Rosen

LTG Division 14

DCON is more than just a weekend to learn

more about Key Club, it's three days that have the

potential to change one's outlook on life forever.

March is approaching faster than we think and it's

time to start getting pumped up for an outstanding

weekend filled with workshops, dances, and

experiences that will create memories that last

forever. I have spent one year at DCON and loved

every second of it! There is so much Key Club

enthusiasm, it is impossible not to have a great time.

Over 600 Key Clubbers gather together from all over

Wisconsin and Upper Michigan and although no one

knows each other, everyone is connected through a

common goal and that is service! By the time the

weekend is over, everyone is sleep deprived but no

one is ready to go home and end a fantastic

experience that only comes once a year!

Molly Metzler

LTG Division 17

Service is Service-No Matter How Small

Recently, I, and a few of my friends, decided to

volunteer at a carnival for one of our elementary

schools. We drove to the school and immediately were

working to set up games and lay out prizes on the

display tables. We finished not a moment too soon. The

elementary kids ran inside the gymnasium and got their

blue tickets for the games (red tickets are for prizes).

Some decided to use their blue tickets on a catapult

game where they tried to hit the end of a lever and

launch a ping pong ball into the air, hopefully landing

on the bull’s-eye. Others decided to play games which

gave them the most tickets so they could buy prizes

instead of playing a game. I worked at a station where

ducks would float around in a kiddy pool and then the

kids would throw rings around the ducks. I would flip the

ducks over and then give them points based off the

number on the undersides of the ducks. I gave out too

many tickets to a kindergartener (17 when everyone

else gave out 2 or 3), and got reprimanded. But it was

worth it to see the little boy light up at the sight of so

many red tickets. After the night was over I gave out

around 200 tickets when others gave out only 50. I had a

great time, and, because the carnival was over at

8:00pm, I was able to have a late dinner with my friends

at Culvers.

Trent McKinnon

Lt. Governor Division 4

*A Word from Our Governor*

What it means to be a True Delegate

Your club has decided to go to DCON and you were chosen as a delegate! Congratulations! You are an essential

component to making the District run smoothly. As a delegate you will have the responsibility and opportunity to give your input

on matters regarding the District, which is why it is incredibly important for you to take this position seriously. In order to be a true

delegate, you must do a few things. You must be fair and open-minded when you are in the caucus rooms and the House of

Delegates. You should discuss each decision with your club before you make it, and you should make your decisions with the

members of Key Club in mind. These elections are not a popularity contest, so please take these decisions seriously. Being a

delegate can be a great learning experience-- embrace it!

Running for District Office

District Leadership Conference (DCON) is where I decided

that I wanted to take my leadership skills to the next level. I had

realized that I was passionate for Key Club, I was driven to make the

District the best it could be, and I was sure after talking to the

previous Board Members that I was ready to take on the workload

that accompanies the job.

Running for a position on the District level is a decision that

shouldn't be taken lightly. Serious planning and contemplation are

required so that you know that the position you are running for

doesn't overwhelm you; and it fits into your schedule for the

upcoming year. One of the most demanding aspects in holding a

District Office position is that when school starts, the workload only

gets more important and strenuous. Understanding time

management and how busy you will be in school or with those

extracurricular activities, the next year, is essential when considering

running for a District Position.

Another point to consider when running for a District Position

is whether or not you are willing to dedicate at least an hour daily to

Key Club work. And, the higher the office, the more time will be

required. These District positions aren't to be taken lightly as there are

7000 members in Wisconsin-Upper Michigan who will be counting on

you if elected. You need to think whether or not this organization is

something that you are truly passionate about, or if it is simply going

to be resume filler. The rewards you experience from these positions-

the personal growth, the feeling of accomplishment, the knowing

that you are making the District a better place, wouldn’t be worth

the effort without a passion for the Key Club organization.

Running for District Office has been one of the most

rewarding experiences I've had in my life. I never would have

imagined the amount that I could learn in one year, the friends I

could make, or the difference I could see an organization like Key

Club make in this world. While the District Positions are intensive and

incredibly important, if you're sure that this position would be a great

match for you don't be afraid to run. Only you can decide how you

will do in a position like this; and therefore no one else should be

making this decision for you. If you have any questions on whether

District Board is right for you, I would be happy to talk to you (920-

284-7157), or send me an email at [email protected].

Let’s Get Chalked Full of DCON Information!

Did you participate in the Ascend to

End MNT walk at the 2012 WIUM Key Club

District Leadership Conference? We raised

$629.47 last year at DCON, which equal 350

lives that WIUM saved! Our fundraiser for the

Eliminate Project this year is going to be a

competition between Divisions. Key Club

members will be able to purchase a truffula

fluff at DCON for $2 (1 life saved for every

fluff), and then sign their name and add it

to their Division’s truffula tree. The goal is to

see who can get the biggest tree! Are you

up for the challenge? Start saving now, and

make a big difference at the District

Leadership Conference in March!

Baylee Radke

Eliminate Chair

Interested In Running For A Position On The District

Board At DCON?

Great choice! As a member of the WIUM district

board you get the opportunity to gain valuable

leadership skills, meet great people, and have a

great time. As a member of the district board you

have the opportunity to communicate with the

members of the WIUM District, and plan amazing

events such as DCON! If you are interested in running

for either an executive position, or a Lieutenant

Governor, contact you own Lieutenant Governor for

steps on how to run. At District Convention you will

have the opportunity to give a speech and answer

questions in front of your peers. I have had an

amazing experience as a LTG on the District Board,

and I know if you choose to run, you will not regret

one minute of your Key Club experience.

Kelsey Connors

LTG Division 18

E-mail Address

[email protected] [email protected]

[email protected] [email protected]

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

[email protected] [email protected]

[email protected] [email protected]

[email protected] [email protected]

Name:

Sam Leicht Rachel Bath Nick Lewicki Brandon Li Erin Idler

Stephen Lin Madison Springhetti

Trent McKinnon Connor Sawyers Mitchell Roeske Julie Schweiss

Nikil Prasad Charlie Thao

Jenna DeMoulin Mitchell Sauder Maddy Bologna Kristen Rosen

Melissa Falagian Molly Metzler

Kelsey Connors

Ian McIntire Megan Kelley Jenna Larson Jenna Larson Jenna Larson

Melissa Panetta Alyssa Laird

Kristen Rosen Ian McIntire

Baylee Radke Kathy Gillis Kim Wesley

Check out WI-UM’s very own website at http://www.wiumkeyclub.com and

be sure to look at all the tabs, especially the DCON tab, to find out everything

you need to know, like divisional themes. Plus, be sure to watch our

informative video.

Happy Holidays from all of us at WI-UM!

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