2011 is certainly going to be a challenging year for us, we are very confident that the year will see a very significant expansion in the UK. During 2010 we undertook a number of strategic initiatives that were intended to put into place a structure that would enable us to expand

• We decided on a strategy of attempting to grow from a base of the existing clubs with local mentors, rather than attempting to start new clubs in “remote towns”. 
• Because of the need to expand we set up three divisions in London, the Northern Home Counties and the Midlands. Each Division has its own Lieutenant Governor. All these LGs are extremely keen to expand
• We then set up the first ever UK Board, comprising a Chairman, the 3 LGs, the previous LG for the UK, a head of growth, a head of Youth Growth, a Training Officer as well as the crucial permanent positions of District Secretary and District Treasurer. That Board now meets quarterly at venues that rotate between the three divisions and will be subject to the normal Kiwanis election processes each year at a Convention.

The success of Kiwanis, however, depends upon the collective efforts of its members and the programmes undertaken by the various clubs. Not all clubs act in the same way but the common theme is one of strong fellowship among the members and the desire to serve our communities and their children within the spirit and objectives of our Kiwanis family. To commit to growth and service we need to ensure that at all times we are looking out for new members to join our clubs and are seeking out potential leaders who can establish new clubs. Everyone has a role to play and therefore I do not think it is beyond our capability for each existing member to invite someone to come and join us and for each club to identify and establish a satellite club in a nearby location.
 
That is the challenge I would like to set each member and leader Good luck to all our members in 2011.


Joe Smith                                     
Chairman
Kiwanis UK (2011)