RB Kiwanis trying night meetings - Pomerado Newspaper Group
By Elizabeth Marie Himchak
A successful experiment by the Rancho Bernardo Kiwanis Club — holding a night meeting — could mean more will become involved or stay in the international service organization.
Debbie Hartman-Fares took over as Rancho Bernardo Kiwanis Club president in October.
The club’s first night meeting was held on Jan. 25, with additional ones planned for the last Wednesday of each month, said President Debbie Hartman-Fares.
“We had 43 people (that night) and usually struggle to get 25 or 27 (at a morning meeting),” Hartman-Fares said. “Some brought their spouses, other members do not come to morning meetings, but were there (at) night.”
Hartman-Fares, who in October stepped up to the leadership position after Frank Rojas gave it up for personal reasons, said the club has experienced the same membership decline other service organizations have experienced in recent years. It currently has 44 members.
“Many members are still working … and have a problem getting there,” she said. “I work pretty far away, but made it my goal to be in Kiwanis.”
Hartman-Fares, who drives to Murrieta each day to work at a funeral home, said others who would like to be Kiwanians cannot adjust their schedules so they can be at the club’s weekly 7-8:30 a.m. Wednesday meeting at the Country Club of Rancho Bernardo. But the evening meeting, held in lieu of that Wednesday’s morning meeting, gives another opportunity to participate.
Higher attendance also financially benefits the club because the venue requires 27 attendees for the private room. When not enough members attend, the club has to pick up the $15 per person meal tab. In a year, Hartman-Fares said that can easily reach $900.
She would like to have the club complete at least one service project per month. Projects have included Ronald McDonald House at Rady Children’s Hospital, cleaning computers given to children, Wounded Warriors and making deliveries for Nannell’s Flowers with proceeds going to Rady’s.
The hospital is special to Hartman-Fares and a reason she chose Kiwanis four years ago.
“When my son (Grant Hartman), who is 17 now, was critically ill as a newborn, he was (treated at Rady’s),” she said. “I wanted to do something for other people (there) since his life was saved by (its staff).”
A year after her son’s illness, Hartman-Fares said she served for three years on the hospital auxiliary’s board of directors in the mid-1990s.
The native San Diegan, who has called Poway home since 1999, said she used to volunteer in her children’s schools. But with two grown and only her youngest at home, she has time for volunteer work, something Hartman-Fares said she saw her mother do, whom she called a “hands on” volunteer.
Kiwanians’ dedication to doing things, not just raising money for causes, was another appeal, she said.
“Kiwanis is more of a hands-on service club, where you can really get your hands dirty doing things versus raising money or opening your pocketbook,” she said.
For membership information, call John Gomez at 619-995-8207 or go to www.ranchobernardokiwanis.org.
Related posts:Frank Rojas starts year as RB Kiwanis Club president
Tom Piccolo is new Poway Kiwanis president
RB Kiwanians are top Red Shoe fundraisers
Loretta Setter: Busy Rancho Bernardo volunteer moving to Delaware
Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary provides schools with dictionaries
Short URL: http://www.pomeradonews.com/?p=21128
Posted by Elizabeth Marie Himchak
on Feb 2 2012. Filed under Clubs.
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