Committees

To continue serving our community in the may ways Bradenton Kiwanis has since our founding in 1922, each member is encouraged to join one or more committees. Please review each of the committees listed for a brief description of the events and projects they are responsible for.

 

Agriculture* –  Brenda Rogers
Sponsors annual Farm City Week programs and events, including Leadership Manatee Agriculture Day, Farm City Week Luncheon, the Agriculturalist of the Year Award and the Agriculture Hall of Fame housed at the Manatee County Agricultural Museum. The committee has representation on the 4-H Foundation, the Manatee County Agricultural Museum and the Manatee County Farm City Week Committee. Additionally, the committee sponsors Leadership and Citizenship Awards for youth in 4-H and (10) FFA Chapters.

 

Club Satellite* – Alex Garner & Krystal Laudicina

The Club Satellite is an ancillary committee consisting of individuals who wish to be members of Kiwanis, but who cannot usually meet following the Club’s weekly noon luncheon schedule. These members pay lesser dues and meet (currently) on Wednesday evenings every other week. While they create their own service projects, the members may also participate in most other regular Club activities and events.

 

Committee Coordinator* – Andrew Minor

Current VP serves as chair of this committee and will oversee all committees, coordinate communications and volunteer activities between committees and club members. A co-chair position is currently open.

 

Communications/Public Relations* – Judge Gilbert Jr. Smith & Mac Aldrich
Committee promotes the club through all media outlets. Responsibilities include documenting club programs and projects, press releases and announcements and internal communications via the club website.

 

Community Services* – Mike Bear
The projects this committee oversees includes Better Manatee Day, Kids Against Hunger Food packaging event, Christmas tree sales for the Boys and Girls Club and Bell Ringing for Salvation Army. Other events include the annual Veteran’s Day luncheon and program.

 

Finance* – John Tucker

 

Fundraising* – Sharon Barhorst & Ann Marie Welty

Organizes the fundraising campaign for the Club’s Foundation.

 

Governance*– Janene Amick

Assures that club bylaws are upheld, especially regarding election of executive officers and the board of directors.

 

Historian* – Judge Gilbert Smith Jr. & Brenda Rogers

Maintains history of club.

Human and Spiritual Values* – Janene Amick
Major project of this committee is the annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast held in May. Additionally, the committee arranges for the weekly invocations at our club meetings.

InterClub* –  Barbara Duncan
Arranges visits to other area clubs, Division Council meetings, and assists with recruitment of member volunteers to assist other clubs when manpower is requested.

 

Member Activities* –

If you’re interested in planning social activities for the clubs members and families, this is the committee for you. Help plan the clubs next Christmas Party, Dinner and a Play, Family Night or other event.

 

Membership* – Sharon Barhorst
Committee oversees all facets of membership including review of applications for new members, member retention and member status change requests. Committee is also responsible for developing new member recruitment initiatives, new member orientation and requirement tracking.

Programs* – Neil Unruh
President elect serves as chair of this committee and is charged with arranging and scheduling programs for the clubs weekly meetings. All members are encouraged to submit ideas and contact information for programs to the President elect for consideration.

Service Leadership Programs* –  John Vita & Judge Ed Nicholas
This committee provides leadership for the Kiwanis International sponsored programs for youth. Our club sponsors Key Club at Bradenton Christian and Manatee High Schools, Builder’s Club at BCS, King and St. Joseph’s Middle Schools, and K Kids at Miller, Palma Sola, Samoset and Stewart Elementary Schools.

Scholarships* –  Brenda Rogers
This committee oversees the selection and distribution of $50,000 in scholarships annually to graduating high school students in Manatee County who will be attending college. This committee also provides support the Take Stock In Children program.

 

Veterans* – Ed Cleveland

Organizes and executes the annual Military Veterans program along with any other such events.

Young Children Priority One* – Lisa Morrison
Program emphasis is pre natal to aged five. In recent years this committee has sponsored an annual reading program for preschool children. In 2014 the program provided books to more than 2,000 children. Other years the committee has provided leadership in childhood immunizations, back to sleep campaign and child safety seats.

Youth Services* – Dawn Stanhope & Betsy Benac
This committee’s focus is on programs for elementary school children. The committee provides funding and mentors for the Big K Mentoring Program run by Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Kids Fishing Tournament and the Bringing Up Grades programs. The current signature project for this committee is to support the startup of a Boys & Girls Club after school and summer program at Manatee Elementary School, the first Community Partnership School established in Southwest Florida.