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WHAT’S INSIDE

ChallengesHeartland Area Meetings

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Heartland District Convention Information

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Governor-elect PreparesJunior Civitan News

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Junior Civitan ContinuedPlanning Ahead

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Calling All CivitansConcession Trailer 4 Sale

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Club NewsPages 8 - 12

GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE: Heartland Heroes are “Meeting the Challenge”

Hello Civitans,

The holidays are over and the year 2009 is well underway. As we look across our District many Civitans are giving of their time and talent to make a difference in the lives of others. These Civitans are true heroes as they meet the challenges of our time. Now more than ever, a hero is needed. As we confront the difficult problems of today’s world, we must realize that rising to meet these challenges will help us gain strength, become wiser, push harder, and find solutions that others thought did not exist.

“Our prayers are answered not when we are given what we ask, but when we are challenged to be what we can be.” Marvin J. Ashton

We are challenged not only to be the best person, but as a club and international organization, be the best! What makes us the best: We reach our potential when we meet the challenges we face. Other service clubs are declining in membership - let them, we’ll meet the challenges and grow our organization. Others say, we’re too busy, we have a job, families, commitments - let them, we’ll meet the challenges by working smarter and more efficiently to cover all the bases and serve our community. Others say. “It can’t be done.” - Let them, we’ll meet the challenges and show them how it is done!

As Civitans, we are community leaders. As leaders, we must understand that each of us faces a set of unique and different challenges. We need to treat each other with patience, tolerance and understanding. We can help each other in “Meeting the Challenge”

An attitude of “Can’t” is the number one obstacle that stops us from “Meeting the Challenge”. A “Can Do” attitude will help us overcome, so that we are “Meeting the Challenge”.

1. Comprehend yourself (Your strengths and weaknesses)2. Ask Others (Learn to delegate - teamwork divides the work and doubles

success)3. Never Give Up (Persistent, Perseverance Pays Off!)4. Dedication (to work diligently)5. Observe (Learn from others and past attempts)

A “Can Do” Attitude creates Heroes among us. In this issue of the newsletter you will read about many of our Heroes. I encourage each of you to develop a “Can Do” attitude to help your club meet its goals, to rise to the challenges of Service, Knowledge and Fellowship and help our organization grow in the number of clubs and members within our clubs, so that we become the best we can be and the best service organization in the Heartland of the USA.

Jack FournierDistrict Governor 2008-2009

Are you ready for a Spring Break… Then “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet”

Coming Soon to your Area

The Heartland District proudly presents a different type of Area Meeting to shake, rattle and roll old ideas and show you how to “Turn the Page” to new Civitan club traditions!

HEARTLAND CIVITAN ROCKS!Is an area meeting that is hands on, interactive and results oriented. The meeting will move at a fast pace, get everyone moving to the Civitan beat, and give you “More than A Feeling” on how to attract and keep members in your club! Your Area Director will show you how to “Walk this Way” and your District Governor and Governor-Elect will facilitate the workshop designed to create an action plan for each member and their club to build membership value with “Sweet Emo-tion” Civitan –style.

HEARTLAND CIVITAN ROCKS!Is for all Civitan members not just those from “My Generation”. It is a three hour program geared for Civitans who are “Born To Be Wild”.

You’ll find “The House is Rockin” as you choose from any of these following meeting locations and dates:

March 7 Hotel Indigo ~ Dallas, Texas Area V March 14 The Church ~ Fordyce, Arkansas Area VII March 21 Holiday Inn - S Broadway ~ Tyler, Texas Area VI March 28 Civic Center ~Muskogee, OK Area II April 18 Red Cross Chapter ~Wichita, KS Area I April 25 Whole Hog Café ~Hot Springs, Arkansas Area IVAnd May 21-23** Harding University Searcy, Arkansas Area III at Arkansas Special Olympics Summer Games

HEARTLAND CIVITAN ROCKS!You say you do not have “Too Much Time on My Hands”, so we’re not wastin' any: Registration and Fellowship begins at 9:30 am * Program at 10:00 am * Lunch is provided * Program concludes at 1:00 pm, and you’ll be a “Free Bird” to be “Rockin Into the Night.” **(Area III agenda differ.)

HEARTLAND CIVITAN ROCKS!You will not need much “Money” The Registration Fee is only $15 per person. (Certified Club Builders $10 and Kids un-der 12 free.) Every Club should be sure to bring their club banner, and a CD or Cassette recording of the song that they feel best represents them or what they do, and a “Whole Lotta Love”.

All registrations must be made at least one week in advance. Don’t be left as “Dust in the Wind”, so for information or to register, contact Heartland District Bon Vivant, Karla Fournier, at

fournierhome@sbcglobal.net or 501.772.1291

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Your biggest challenge isn’t someone else. It’s the ache in your lungs and the burning in your legs, and the vice inside you that yell ‘CAN’T,’ but you don’t listen. You just push harder. And then you hear the voice whisper ‘can.’ And you discover that the person you thought you were is no match for the one you really are”

Unknown - “Overcoming challenges 1. Knowledge of self 2. Knowledge of others 3. Desire to work 4. Desire to learn 5. Ability to say: Yes’ and ‘No’ 6. Ability to pick friends 7. Turn back on bad advice 8. Recognize inner beauty 9. Persistence 10. Avoid temptation”

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Heartland District Civitans are invited to Hot Springs, Arkansas Thursday evening, August 6 thru Saturday

evening August 8, 2009, for a spectacular convention which will showcase the outstanding achievements of individuals and

clubs, provide a varied array of workshops, offer a short review of the business of the district, create an opportunity to visit with old friends and meet new ones, and enjoy the amenities that Hot Springs has to offer vacationers!

Our convention hotel is the newly updated Clarion Resort on the Lake, which sits right on beautiful Lake Hamilton.

Make your hotel reservations by July 7 in order to take advantage of the reduced rate for Civitans, $119.00 per night, by

calling 1.800.432.5145. You can arrange to rent watercraft that can be used right from the hotel’s boat dock. For more information on the Clarion Resort on the Lake, go to www.hotspringsclarion.com.

We are very fortunate that Keith Jackson is able to be at the Friday Citizen Leadership Luncheon. Sooner State

Civitans might remember Jackson from his football days at the University of Oklahoma. He went on to play pro ball

for several teams before coming back to his home in Arkansas. Keith started a summer and after-school program in

Little Rock for economically disadvantaged youth, one that focuses on education. For more information on Keith Jackson,

and his organization P.A.R.K., check out www.keithjackson88.com.

Golfers will have a ball at the course at the Hot Springs Country Club. Civitans and other guests can walk downstairs from the Leadership Luncheon to the Pro Shop and the golf course. Check out the Hot Springs Country Club at www.hotspringscc.com.

If you can, plan on making this convention a vacation. There will be plenty of free time so that that visiting Civitans can check out some of the attractions in Hot Springs. We’re suggesting Gallery Walk on Friday

evening, when approximately 20 art galleries hold open house to show both local and international talent. Also a

favorite, Garvin Woodland Gardens, is high on our list of things to see, either Friday evening or Saturday afternoon. By

convention, attendees will have received more information from host Hot Springs Civitan Club on the many attractions in the area.

Your registration form is in this newsletter. $80.00 covers 4 meals and a packed convention agenda. We’re looking forward to seeing ya’ll for a “Ball of a Good Time!”

2009 Heartland District ConventionClarion Resort on the Lake -- Hot Springs, ArkansasAugust 6-8

Get your calendar’s marked and your reservations made for this years Heartland District Meeting. There is something for everyone awaiting.

Hot Springs is traditionally best known for the natural spring water that gives it it’s name, flowing out of the ground at a temperature of 147 degrees. Hot Springs National Park is the oldest federal reserve in the USA, and the tourist trade brought by the famous springs make it a very successful spa town

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HEARTLAND DISTRICT CIVITAN CONVENTIONAUGUST 6-8 2009

CLARION RESORT ON THE LAKE4813 CENTRAL AVENUE

HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS

REGISTRATION FORM

Civitan Nickname Club

Address

Telephone (h) (w) (c) E-Mail

Check all that apply: " Civitan Member " Guest " Past International Officer " Past Governor " Club Builder

COST # Reserved

Friday Citizen Leadership Luncheon (not included in registration) $20.00

Registration (includes convention materials and all other meal functions) $80.00

Late Registration Fee (after July 7) $10.00

Total check enclosed

Mail registration to: Rita Blackwood, Convention Chair 191 Couchwood Road Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901

Hotel reservations can be made with the Clarion Resort on the Lake in Hot Springs by calling the toll free number, 1.800.432.5145. Ask for the Civitan convention rate of $119.00.

Convention registration and hotel reservations should be made prior to July 7, 2009.

Our Governor-elect Prepares for 2009-2010 Debbie Bruce-Juhlke, our Heartland District Governor-elect for 2009-2010, has been in Birmingham, Alabama attending the Civitan International’s Governor-elect Academy. This is a four-day academy designed to teach governors-elect their responsibilities as officers and leaders. Debbie was one of 24 governor-elect from around the country who attended January 14-17. This training will further enhance her skills as a manager and help her plan comprehensive programs of membership involvement, organizational growth and expansion.

Debbie is a member of the Houston Clear lake Civitan Club, Debbie has held various offices locally, district and with the International Board. Debbie is dedicated to serving others, which is evident by her participation in numerous club and district activities benefiting her community.

Besides being active with Civitan, Debbie is also active with the Round Rock Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors; Round Rock Citizens Police Victim Services and Academy Alumni Association; Parent, Teacher Association; The Voice of Round Rock; Round Rock YMCA, Faith in Action Caregivers and the Williamson County Republican Women’s Club, Student Mentor/Leadership Programs, Coordinator for RCIA (Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults), Diocesan Trainer for Ethics & Integrity in Ministry, Round Rock ISD Partners in Education, Catechist for Religious Education, and Special Olympics!

We are very fortunate to have someone like Debbie with her experience and tireless work for her community to be our Governor-elect! Debbie certainly has the “Can Do” attitude Jack speaks of in his “Meeting the Challenge” article.

Junior Civitan News: The Rose City Community Junior Club was officially Chartered September 30th, 2008, Charter Number 2540. Their banquet was held October 25th in Tyler Texas. Past Governor Elaine Johns Installed the Officers and presented the Charter to the Clubs first President Keith Harrell.

The Rose City Community Junior Club was sponsored by the Rose City Civitan Club. Club builders were Brenda Beedles and Mary Isabell.

Governor-elect Debbie Bruce-Juhlke introduced the key speaker Governor Jack Fournier who did the Welcome to Civitan. They Chartered with 32 members.

Congratulations!!!!

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Junior Civitan Continued:Coming Soon a web site specifically for use by all the Junior Civitan Clubs in the Heartland District. ‘The 411’ a general information page --- ‘News’ upcoming events, accomplishments, activities, etc --- ‘Pix’ photos submitted by Jr. Civitans --- ‘Join Us’ listing of clubs and a link to an application!

David Overton is still tweaking this new site so do let him know what you think and I know he welcomes new ideas. His email address is david@overtondesign.net.

Planning Ahead

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14District Newsletter Publication Deadline

21Area VI Meeting - Victoria Texas

March 7Area V Meeting - Dallas Texas

14Area VII Meeting - El Dorado, Arkansas

15Area Director Int’l Report Form due to District Governor for Mid-Year

April 1Civitan Awareness Month Begins

18Area I Meeting - Wichita, Kansas

25Area IV Meeting - Hot Springs, Arkansas

26District Board Meeting Teleconference

May 14District Newsletter Publication Deadline

21-23Area III Meeting - Searcy, ArkansasArkansas Special Olympics Games

July 1Deadline to Report Officers for 2009 -10Deadline to submit Award Nomination Forms to Award Chair6-989th Annual Civitan International Convention - Las Vegas, NVAugust 6-8

Heartland District Convention, Clarion Hotel, Hot Springs, Arkansas7District Board Meeting

Calling On All Civitans

Collect hearing aids to be recycled and give the gift of hearing. Partnering with Starkey Laboratories, the Polk County Civitan Club have started collecting hearing aids and are getting great responses. The state of Arkansas only sent in 114 (current totals not available at this writing). Within Civitan we can beat that in 2009! This program is at no cost to you and gets great visibility for a very worthwhile project.

Contact Cheryl Swanson at swansonch@sbcglobal.net for more information!

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Civitan Food Concession Trailer For SaleThe Civitan Club of Salina is announcing the sale of their Food Concession Trailer with the Civitan Logo

This trailer has been used for several years to sell Apple and Peach Cobbler at the Smoky Hill River Festival.

• The trailer is 24’ long x 9’ wide with two doors and two serving windows

• Wired for two 50 amp, 220 volt, 50 foot power cables• Roof-mounted power vent exhaust fan• Removable counter mounts outside under serving

windows• Two food preparation counters• One fold-down food staging table• Two built-in food tray cabinets• Lots of drawers for utensils, etc.

• One hand washing sink• One three-compartment ware-washing sink• Fifteen gallon fresh water tank• Fifteen gallon waste water tank• Hot water heater and water pump• One refrigerator• One upright freezer• Two soft-serve ice cream machines• Two portable aluminum food tray carriers• Two 55 gallon trash barrels

Club News:The Corpus Christi Club hard at work hosting their annual Operation Paintbrush. The event this year was held September 8th and was helped out by the local Boy Scouts compliments of a member Scoutmaster. This project was a win for all as the boys were able to earn their Painting Merit Badge. Former Texas Governor Lloyd Holmes was the project chairman for this event.

Friday, October 31st, the Hot Springs Village Civitan Club hosted a Halloween party for the Jessieville and Fountain Lake Life Skills classes, with seventeen students attending. Additionally, Virginia Miller (Junior Civitan Faculty Advisor) brought seven Jessieville Junior Civitans as guests.

CW Miller generously picked up four piping hot pizzas which served as the party snack for the students. Mickey Stant, who was unable to attend, supplied all of the beverages; Mary Ann Witcraft made up individual treat bags of candy for each student; and Sheila and Jim Lebrato were lots of help in organizing the activities.

Earl Babbie read a scary Halloween story that was written by Suze, and some students appeared in costumes, which added to this fun-filled event.

And She Also Danced Perhaps a Visitor from Outer Space? Yikes!!! The Making of a Mummy

One student was selected from each school to be the mummy, and the other students had a great time wrapping toilet paper around them with a lot of cheering in the background.

The teachers and aides provided music and additional games. At the conclusion, the students were introduced to the ghostly, illuminated and smoking skull which CW brought along.

There was some scary stuff going on in the Jessieville Life Skills classroom that day, but it was a sure bet that everyone had a Happy Halloween.

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The Little Rock Civitan Club presented a 25 years recognition plat to Delsa Adams.  She has

been an extraordinary member serving in numerous capacities locally and District etc.

Big D sponsored a Holiday Dance with Carrolton TX Mosaic on December 12, 2008. The event was joyful and enlightening with plenty of food, music singing and dancing. Attached are a couple of pictures taken during the event with President Valarie Middleton, Secretary Jeanette Curry and board member Gloria Woodard along with members of Mosaic.

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The Bartlesville Civitan Club continues their support for:

Make Promises Happen

Make Promises Happen, is the nations largest program offering c a m p i n g a n d o u t d o o r recreational opportunities to persons with disabilities and serious illnesses. They believe that opportunities for outdoor recreation and learning should be available to all persons, including those with disabilities and serious illnesses, and they make that promise a reality through over 35 Make Promises Happen events each year.

Since 1972, they have been able to offer camp and retreat experiences to over 30,000 people who otherwise couldn’t have pa r t i c ipa ted . The participants in Make Promises Happen events come from large and small towns from all over Oklahoma.

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In 2007 the City of Sand Springs began a study to see how they could re-vitalize downtown Sand Springs. Early 2008, the results were in and pub-lished – we need to have a fall festival to compliment the spring Herbal Affair. One of the members of this committee just happened to be a member of the Sand Springs Civitan Club and volunteered our group to host the “fall festi-val”.

Our club had set a goal to raise $10,000.00 over a 3 year period so we could install some handicap accessible playground equipment at Pratt Civitan Park. Well, we got together and decided we could charge a little fee to the vendors, have a concession of our own and make some money for our project; OK, Sand Springs Civitan would sponsor the festival.

After several meetings we had decided to focus on a festival to promote family. We were planning children’s activities, local talent on stage, food and close the evening with a street dance. Then we got a call from Mayor Bob Walker asking if he could suggest the festival have a little soap box derby race. And from there…. The Great Sand Springs Downhill Soap Box Derby was born. We were HOPING for 10-20 soap box cars to race and ended up with 131 “cars” entered and a total of 167 differ-ent drivers. We had every kind of car one could think of; from the Sand Springs FFA Pig to the Zebco stealth racer.

Through the event, we were able to promote the Civitan name on KRMG 740 Radio about 20 times a day, on all local televi-sion channels, written about in 2 newspapers and talked about all over northeast Oklahoma. We had race teams from sur-rounding cities as far away as 1 and ½ travel time. We had teachers who used this event as a part of their student’s grades. Racers ranged from 5 years old to “retirement”. We had a tent set up and handed out Civitan information. We actually had 3 people come to our meetings to get more information.

This project ended up and not only benefited our club but we were able to include other organizations. The Broken Arrow Civitan club joined the fun and volunteered, our local IBC Bank had over 10 volunteers, Scout Troop 101, Curves for Women, City of Sand Springs employees, and Sand Springs Masons, Sand Springs VIPS and countless others all joined the efforts. When people found out about Civitans and what we were working for, they just opened their hearts and helped.

We started the project with a seed of $3,000. We were able to donate to Make Promises Happen and put $8,000 towards our goal.

What started out as an afternoon of family fun ended up being a full day event. 2009 race information is being gathered right now and should be posted to our website soon. (www.sandspringsderby.com) We invite everyone to come down, learn about Sand Springs and enjoy the show.

The Searcy Civitan Club were entertained by a very special Chorus at their December club meeting. Pictured above is the Sunshine School (special needs) Chorus performing. Everyone in attendance throughly enjoyed and proclaimed boy can they sing!!!!!!

The Hutchinson Civitan Club American Flag Project.

T h e H u t ch i n s o n Civitan Club started a new fundraiser for 2008 in honoring our country by flying the Flag, We continue a p r o u d p a t r i o t i c t r a d i t i o n acknowledging our shared bonds and strengthening our city ties. We install an American Flag on the six major Flag holidays each year. Your support of this fundraiser will help us to fund many of our projects. The first year we sold over 200 Flags. The club is planning for 2009 and expanding our program!

The Hot Springs Village Civitan Club provided a class gift of a Sony Stereo Boom Box/CD Player at the Lifeskills Christmas Party on December 10th. The blond youngster in the red sweatshirt had recently lost his home and belong-ings to fire, and received a set of hot wheel cars as a gift from the teachers. Amelie Faure, Earl Babbie and Tom Stant also presented each child with a gingerbread picture ornament.

The Civitan Club of Topeka, major Christmas fund raiser for 2008 was again donating a uniquely decorated Christmas Tree by their members to Sheltered Living for their annual “Festival of Trees”. This year the theme for the Christmas Tree was Christmas on the Home Front. Besides bringing over $500 for this very special cause, this years entry was chosen as the winner in the “Christmas Memories” category. Sharon Dodd and her committee were all smiles and have already begun work for next Christmas.

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CIVITAN STUDENT OF THE MONTH

The Bartlesville Civitan Club recently instituted a Student of the Month award. 2008 recipients of the award are Becky Hammon (September), Hunter Nickels (October), and Nora King (November). In addition to the framed certificate, each received a Wal-Mart gift card.

Hunter and Nora were presented awards and gift cards by Bill Stone, current Civitan club president.

Becky Hammon, daughter of John and Mary Hammon, is a Sophmore at Bartlesville Middle School. She has participated in Special Olympics for 4 years. She loves to draw, sing and plays the piano. She is very active in at First Baptist Church. Becky is shown receiving her award and gift card from Bob Shell, 2007-2008 Civitan club president.

Hunter Nickels, son of Cliff and Joyce Nickels, is a Junior a Bartlesville High School. He has participated in Special Olympics for 6 years. Hunter participates in the Therapeutic Horseback riding programs through All-star and Bluestem. Hunter has participated in the TOPS Soccer program. Hunter is active in the Disciples Christian

youth group. Hunter is shown receiving his award and gift card from Bill Stone, current Civitan club president.

Nora King, daughter of Robert King, is a Junior at Bartlesville High School. Nora has participated in Special Olympics for the past 6 years. She has won several gold medals in the Electric Wheelchair slalom event and softball throw. Nora is shown receiving her award and gift card from Bill Stone, current Civitan club president.

Civitan is a worldwide service organization dedicated to building good citizen by serving individual and community needs, with an emphasis of helping persons who have developmental disabilities. The Bartlesville club meets weekly; the Rogers State campus Civitan club meets as classes permit. For more information on either club, contact Bill or Shirley Stone at 333-9280.

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