Sleeping Children Around the World Meeting with Filipino Kiwanis
Before going to the Philippines, I was able to make contact with SLP or Service Leadership Program Chair Marilyn Jugueta. In order to meet in person, she invited me to a Sleeping Children Around the World Meeting which included mostly Filipino Kiwanians.
Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) donations provide bedkits to children of any race and/or religion who will benefit the most; typically being located in underdeveloped and developing countries.
I was very impressed with how the Kiwanians from the Philippine Luzon District organized their meeting led by the first Asian and Filipino Kiwanis International President, Juan “Ito” Torres Jr. Their meeting is basically about a project where there will be Canadians coming from SCAW who will be providing clothes to poor Filipino children. The operation expands throughout the whole Luzon Island from Northern Luzon provinces such as Tarlac, to Southern Luzon provinces such as Quezon.
After the meeting, I was introduced by Ms. Jugueta to the various notable Filipino Kiwanians which includes Mr. Torres himself. With my short meeting with him, he asked some basic information about me and asked me to say the words “I am going to be a Kiwanian”. He also oriented me the difference between Rotary, Lions, and Kiwanis where he told me that Rotary is good at fundraising, while Lions is good at fun times while Kiwanis is good at management. This short meeting for me is valuable since I already admired his accomplishments, and it was reinforced through the fact that he graduated from my university during my freshman year, the University of Santo Tomas.
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When everyone left, we finally started our “official” meeting with regards starting a CKI Philippine District. Governor-Elect Mr. Melvin Mendoza joined us for the meeting and various insights and discussions were presented regarding the current situation. We all collaborated and decided that SLP Chair Ms. Marilyn Jugueta will be spearheading the districting by first communicating and verifying the 10 CKI clubs in the wherein 3 has been confirmed active. The Circle K International Expansion Committee or IXC will then be providing an information packet which includes information on how to be a district, how does a district work, why does CKI clubs need to be districted, etc. which would be emailed to Ms. Jugueta. She will print copies of these packets to be given to CKI clubs so that they would be oriented regarding the agenda and purpose of districting. Since Kiwanis Philippines Luzon is also separate with Kiwanis Philippines South, it has been agreed that there will be two Philippine Districts based on the existing Kiwanis structure. Glenridge’s School Key Club Administrator Glenn Malihan was also in attendance and is excited for possible collaborative efforts among Filipino CKI and Key Club members. The Filipino Kiwanians were all excited about the opportunity I presented and promised their full cooperation with CKI and Kiwanis International regarding this new development.
UPLB CKI Meeting
I also met with Polyn Quintela and Marina De Los Reyes, members of the University of the Philippines Los Banos CKI Club. I met up with them at a mall called TriNoma for the first time. It was a nice meet-up and we were able to break the ice instantly through lunch as we both share the common love for service, leadership, and fellowship. The fact that they have a good sense of humor made the meeting more comfortable with the agenda produced by the International Expansion Committee.
Both parties are excited with the simple fact that they were able to meet up in person. Growing up in the Philippines and operating in the Capital District of Circle K International, this is a dream come true since it’s always been my goal to meet Filipino CKI members in person. The discussions were fun and productive as I was able to learn more about how CKI in the University of the Philippines Los Banos works. From their secret handshakes, to their meeting structures, it was simply fascinating to realize the similarities and differences of Circle K International, worlds apart. I was also able to share district events such as District Convention, Fall Membership Rally, International Conventions, and other CKI events that North American clubs normally experience which they long to attend.
As excited as they are, they realize that being a district and going to International Conventions won’t happen in an instant. Accordingly, a collective goal was set to start a CKI Philippine Luzon District before the 2015 International Convention wherein the District should be able to send representatives to that year’s ICON in Indianapolis, Indiana. They were motivated by the fact that this International Convention marks the 100th anniversary of Kiwanis as both Kiwanis and Key Club will be joining Circle K for its International Convention.
It was also realized that Polyn and Marina’s club has a lot of manpower but not enough resources. They hope to acquire some assistance from their Kiwanis clubs or even to international clubs if they can sponsor them for ICON or any other service project which requires funding. As representatives of their clubs, they also confirmed that Facebook and email is the best way of communication with them. They are also excited about an idea of “Google Hangout sessions” with other CKI members outside their country such as Malaysia, Taiwan, Canada, and the United States.
Overall, my visit with Filipino Kiwanians and CKI members was a huge success and things are looking forward. We currently have directives for the International Expansion Committee, as well as the Philippine Luzon Kiwanians in formulating the structure of the district. University of the Philippines Los Banos CKI members are also motivated to help as much as they can for this cause of having a CKI Philippine Luzon District.
Written by:
Sancho Jacinto
