Jim Gary, Past President, Past Lieutenant Governor (Division 4) and current Webmaster of the Kiwanis Club of Forest City – London was last Thursday’s speaker. Many members of the Kiwanis Club of Chatham-Kent will remember Jim as the District Coordinator for the Kiwanis partnership with UNICEF to Eliminate Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus worldwide. We were once again congratulated on our club’s commitment to that project and the District success of achieving 99% of the goal, the highest in Kiwanis International.

Jim is the Eastern Canada and the Caribbean District (ECC) Trustee representing Region A which spans from Windsor to Niagara for Divisions 3, 4, 5 and 6. Trustees work directly with Lieutenant Governors, not clubs. Although Jim prefers the role of cheerleader and supporter, he acknowledged that in an organization as large as ours, there needs to be administrative oversight, as provided by Trustees with the leadership of the District Governor, Dr. Delores Lewis of the Barbados. The role of Trustee is a 3 year term with focus on budget and finance, constitution and bylaws, and advance planning. As a member of the long-term strategic planning committee, Jim is working on establishing an equitable divisional structure which might necessitate some changes to the organization in the future. Eastern Canada and the Caribbean Divisions range from 3 to 25 clubs with significant geographical distance and distinct needs between them.
One of the highlights for Trustee Jim is the up-coming ECC Convention which will be conducted virtually May 14-15. Jim commented on the low registration fee of $25 and the importance of utilizing our 3 Delegate votes to elect a new Kiwanis International Trustee, with a very difficult choice between two Past Governors – Phil Rossy & Hope Marks. We will also be electing the District Executive for 2021-22. The keynote speaker on Day 1 is Steve Siemens (a past President of Kiwanis International) – always a dynamic, entertaining and informative speaker with a Kiwanis heart. Organizers hope for 600 attendees and it is an excellent way to find out more about how our District operates – in spite of the limitations on gatherings, social interaction and relaxed connections with Kiwanis friends.

Jim shared his pride in the Eastern Canada and the Caribbean District as the fastest growing District in the Americas with new clubs forming and new members joining in spite of the challenges of the pandemic. He made reference to the new clubs in Petrolia and Port Stanley.

To hear the full presentation from Trustee Jim Garey, click here