It is without a doubt, go time.
Our calendars are packed and I hope everyone can enjoy some downtime too.
In terms of what is going on, we have a lot happening. ORN is full on now. The first 2 nights of service we did 16 rides Friday and 48 rides on Saturday. We are still looking for volunteers for NYE, so if you can, please consider it. Brian also reminded us of our own Christmas party is December 4, at 6pm for fellowship, 7pm for dinner.
Other highlights:

• Barry B has calendars for sale to help out Virginia $15.
• Arley had a wonderful thank you card from Greendale Elementary for Super Reader.
• Santa Shuffle, the fundraiser for the Salvation Army, happens on December 3rd, if you can help out contact Sheila.
• FVDES is welcomeing any Kiwanian to their Robotic morning next Tuesday at 10:30am at FVDES- email Michelle if you are interested in atending
• Ken reminded us that dues are now payable at your convenience
• Key Club is coming for a visit on December 6.
• Communications that were circulated were: Update Letter from the Chilliwack Hospital Foundation, CKI thank you cards, and a SIGN update

Today we had the pleasure of hosting Sue Attrill- 8 year City of Chilliwack counsellor and Executive Director of the Chilliwack Hospice Society. Sue talked to us about the wonderful work that is going on at Hospice. Everyone is hard at work and they are now also offering counselling classes and berevement support. She also spoke about their growth in our community and the need for Hospice to expand, which they are currently working on right now.
Sue then talked about our wonderful City.
All the work being done.
The homeless issue.
The tax increase.
The airport.
We asked lots of great questions and she provided us with lots of awesome answers and information. Thank you Sue, for all your time! Your expertise was greatly appreciated.
I trust everyone will have an awesome week, we will see you at ORN on Friday night!

Yours in Service and Webbed Feet,
Michelle

"You don't owe anyone anything. That's why giving, how and when you're able, is so remarkable."
~Colin Wright

Another rainy morning, I am seeing a trend developing here!

This morning, our scheduled guests did not show, however, we were greeted by four lovely members from the Chilliwack Club joining us for coffee and fun! Also to make sure we know to come visit and celebrate the season at their Christmas Party on December 10!  We also had two special guests Natalia Porro and her mom Margo. Natalia has been helping me, as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Silver standard, stuff Comfort dolls. It's been a real treat to involve Natalia in one of our projects. I think she presented back 20 dolls or so, and I get to sew 48 more for her. And a huge thank you to all those who have been so tirelessly involved with the Comfort doll program for years!
Peter had a very special presentation and gift for Pete! We also had updates about Super Reader, as it comes up on a slight break, and that Arley is looking for a protege! We also know that ORN kicks off this Friday! Thank you so much to everyone involved! I know this year will be even more fun!

Brian spoke about Wrapping tonight at 7 (a huge success and all wrapped up, check out our Facebook post). A pleasant reminder our own Christmas party is December 4.
Do not forget to bring your dues, they are now payable to Ken, $130.
Till next time, I leave you with a snapshot of Natalia's national competition winning painting.

Cheerio, and make it a fabulous one! 
Michelle

A dark, rainy, dreary morning...

Until you got inside the club house and we were on point this morning!
It's wonderful to see Peter back after his worldly adventures. We also had not 1, not 2 but 4 GW Graham Key Club members visit us for a full house! 
We had an update from soup kitchen. A reminder about Christmas shopping tonight and Christmas wrapping next week. Pete also reminded us that Salvation Army bell-ringing is this Saturday. Additional to all that is of course, only 2 weeks until ORN'16 kicks off weekend #1! Arley also gave us an update for Super Reader and all the bags and binders that he has stuffed! Incredible work!
Key Club brought chocolates to sell and a review of all that they are doing at GW and around the community! It is a real treat to see how motivated these Key Clubbers are! We even sold them out of chocolates this morning!
Brian also had a few more details on our Kiwanis Christmas party, and the gift exchange rules!

And who says we aren't busy?

We continue to send our thoughts and get stronger wishes to Shirley and Jack.
And we begin the brainstorming for a new meeting location as the clubhouse at the Mt. Cheam golf course is closing.
Don't forget to check out the link above to the calendar- all our dates are in there, also Chilliwack club's dates. As I get more I will continue to add them on a weekly basis.

Way to keep being amazing and inspiring Sardis! Together this season will be even better then the last.

Yours in Kiwanis,
Michelle

Can you tell we have hit the busy season yet?
Lots of updates! Lots of members! 2 guests! Oh. My.
We had our Lt. Gov. Greg Wegrich pop in for a visit and an update, w even found his missing lawn chair! We also still maintain that his visit is related to a certain event occuring state side today...
We also had Virgina O'Brien as our guest speaker on behalf of the Behath Centre in Tanzania! Virginia is so inspiring! She brought us an update on the Bahath Centre as they celebrate 5 years of keeping children off the street. Her passion can be heard in every story and it is so heart-warming to know our Kiwanis contributions have helped in so many ways- including helping install the tap- for water, in the compound! It was also nice to hear the future plans for the centre and that the children all have huge aspirations of becoming pilots, teachers and doctors! Such great work!
If you had $15 on you, you could purchase her fall fundraising calendar, we will keep you posted when we hear about her spring silent auction night!
Thank you to the crew that braved the elements on Saturday night to assist the Chilliwack Hospice gala fundraiser. Also a big thank you to Brian for the night at the races on Friday night!

As for updates:

• Operation Red Nose- Derek has promotional material that must be distributed, please contact him if you can help
• DCM - November 14 at the Abbotsford Legacy Building 5pm SIGN meeting, 7pm DCM
• Soup Kitchen on November 12
• Food Safe Update- not for profit and volunteer organizations are being targetted in a compliancy check, we are hoping to offer Food Safe training or the refresher course in the new year
• Santa Shuffle update- for the Salvation Army
  
• Ringing Bells for Kettles- Pete still has some spots available to ring bells for the Salvation Army this coming week, be sure to sign up with him
• Kiwanis Kid Christmas Shopping on November 15 at 7pm

Lastly, do not forget to drop by your local Cenotaph on Friday around 10:45am to reflect and give rememberance. We are blessed to have all we do, so thank you to all those who served and do serve in our military ranks.

Yours in Service,
Michelle

I swear it is getting darker and darker in the mornings, but it is sure a treat to share them with our crew.
Today was an internal meeting with Courtney taking the reigns on my plan of introducing Social Media again. With the holiday season around the corner, and so much that we do occuring weekly, we definitely want to share our message more with our community.
Courtney gave an overview of the three big platforms we all tend to hear about the most: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Here is a link to a presentation I did a few years ago to the School District:  click on : Facebook to watch
Also here is a presentation I did on Twitter for a course on Twitter (click to watch)
To navigate through both presentations just use the left and right arrows.
We heard great feedback and we are looking at expanding our knowledge on a few more occasions to our members.

Operation Red Nose is in full swing and don't forget to drop off your internal applications to Ken. Any friends of family will need to get their applications form the Airport Road RCMP detachment. We have a parking duty opportunity on Saturday night, so we will see some of you in your best rain gear. Board Meeting is tonight at 7pm! I am looking forward to exploring our new digs.
Till next week,

Michelle