LSSP

June 23rd -June 26th

Large Scale Service Project, or LSSP, takes place immediately prior to ICON and is an event where Circle Kers from across the world come together to do community service. This is a great opportunity for Circle K International to give back to the city that hosts its International Convention each year. As a part of registration for LSSP, participants receive a t-shirt, souvenirs, breakfast and lunch on Monday, June 24th and Tuesday June 25th in addition to transportation to and from the project sites. Here is a video from last years LSSP.

ICON

June 26th - June 30th

Circle K International Convention, better known as ICON, is an event that brings together Circle Kers from across the world and is a great way to get to know so many people from a variety of places and backgrounds. This five day event includes not only the chance to get to meet Circle Kers from around the world but also includes a formal dance, entertainment by Justin Willman of Cupcake Wars, two large-scale dinners with the Michigan District and Subregion C, and a chance to experience the Kiwanis International Convention which will be taking place in the same city this year!

Color Run

May 11th

Circle K will be taking part in the Color Run which is a 5K run filled with joy. Participants start the race wearing white and at each stop throw different colors at one another. They end the race with the festival color throw. To get a better understanding of the Color Run read the following article.

Projects and New Ideas

Meet the New Chairs!

April Wesolowski- Children’s Committee Chair

Junior, Majoring in Psych/Women’s Studies from Richmond, MI
Optimistic, Patient, and Perfectionist!

Favorite CK Story: Committee Lock in was awesome because I went into the day knowing not a single person in Circle K, but after some great games and dancing to Gangham Style, I left with so many friends and excitement for Circle K!

Leif Helland- Elderly Outreach Committee Chair

Junior, Majoring in Biomolecular Science from Rochester, MI
Tenacious, Intense, and Unquenchable

Favorite CK Story: sleeping in a haunted mansion for fall rally

Zachery Gizicki-Environment Committee Chair

Senior, Majoring in Programs in the Environment & Ecology & Evolutionary Biology from Livonia, MI
Passionate, Sustainable, and Caring

Favorite CK Story: Every Arb and Botanical Garden Workday I go to brings new inspirations into my life. Seeing the beauty of nature and the deep passion of all the volunteers. Whenever someone does this project for the first time, they usually tell me how great they feel making a direct and immediate impact to better our native ecosystem.

Megan Rizzo-Health and Wellness Committee Chair

Junior, Majoring in Psychology from Chicago, IL
Creative, Helpful, and Compassionate!

Favorite CK Story: My favorite Circle K experience was going to Waco, Texas to work on the World Hunger Relief Farm on an ASB trip with Circle K. Not only did I have the opportunity to meet so many interesting people who work on the farm, feed baby goats (who were precious), and learn a lot about the issue of hunger, but I also had the opportunity to build so many friendships with fellow Circle K members. We made so many memories that never fail to put a smile on my face when I think about the trip. ASB with Circle K was definitely a life changing experience. Farmily forever!

Taylor Sullivan-Hunger and Housing Committee Chair

Sophomore, Majoring in Neuroscience from Okemos, MI
Adventurous, Optimistic, and Powerhouse!

Favorite CK Story: On the ASB trip to Denver, we worked in a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Normally when I volunteer at the ReStore, it's just sorting things and moving random appliances. This time, the volunteer coordinator told us that we could rearrange the living room furniture however we wanted to make little vignettes. Our group spent four hours with "a vision" making mini rooms out of mismatching couches and chairs. It was actually so cute in the end and we had such a good time!

Supriya Jalukar-Fundraising Committee Chair

Junior, Majoring in Neuroscience and International Studies from Troy, MI
Hardworking, Loyal, and Dedicated!

Favorite CK Story: The Circle K ASB Trip to the World Hunger Relief Farm was the most incredible, eye opening community service experience I've ever had! During the trip, our group bonded so much, from the car ride to Texas, to sleeping in the one-room Nicaragua House, working in a local pecan orchard and doing farm chores, such as collecting chicken eggs and feeding (super adorable) baby goats. Our daily dinner-making competitions and making an entire meal from scratch, were also so enjoyable. I learned a ton about hunger issues, cooking and sustainability, and my favorite CK story would be a mesh of the great memories from that unforgettable week of service learning with the "farmily".

Joe DeFever-International Relations Committee Chair

Senior, Majoring in Sociology with a CASC Minor from Bloomfield Hills, MI
Easy Going, Outgoing, and Dedicated!

Favorite CK Story: My sophomore year I decided to spend all 24 hours at Circle K Service Day and it was so much fun getting to work on all the different kinds of projects, meeting new people (from other clubs and our own) and for LT pieing, a friend of mine and I dedicated all of our efforts to get Gina pied. And we were successful! And I can't forget playing the moose game with those there and having to roll around the floor of the Ginsberg center when I lost!

Chiara Kalogjera-Sackellares-Kiwanis Family Relations Committee Chair

Sophmore, Majoring in History from Gainesville, FL
Energetic, Dedicated, and Passionate!

Favorite CK Story:Fall Rally 2012. The Drive to Lake and back again!

The Way There: Matt, Will, Alyssa and I were cruising along, chatting and listening to music, on our way to Fall Rally and my first district event ever. Equipped with the essentials, gas and gummy bears, we were set to arrive in time for dinner. Dusk approached, Will was in charge of instructions. He got us lost. I, thinking I knew something about directions, ALSO got us lost. After passing the exit we were supposed to take, eventually discovering we were lost, turning around, trying to find the other Circle Kers at Camp Lake, we finally arrived, late.

The Way Back: Not long after we left Lake, we got a flat tire. Luckily, Matt had a spare tire, or so we thought. Spare tire didn’t fit. Matt bought a new tire. Matt taught us how to change a tire. Matt tried to change tire. Car kept falling down. Random expert mechanic guy comes by and changes tire. Eternally thankful.

Best trip ever due to Matt’s awesome optimism and can do attitude, Will’s and Alyssa’s good sense of humor, and my talent for sleeping through everything. Best Circle K bonding experience ever!

Jake Carolan- Public Relations Committee Chair

Junior, Majoring in Biochemistry with a Minor in Physics from Grosse Point Parks, MI
Attentive, Solicitous, and Perceptive!

Favorite CK Story: On our way to Colorado for Alternative Spring Break, somewhere in Nebraska, one of our members started feeling sick and we decided to pull over by a random cornfield. We all got out of the vans but my CD was still playing and "Wobble" came on, so we all started doing the dance to it!

Aroosa Malik- Historian Committee Chair

Junior, Majoring in Neuroscience from Warren, MI
Passionate, Determined, and Unique!

Favorite CK Story: I was able to spend the entire ASB week with my Farmily at the World Hunger Relief Farm. Each day was its own adventure and I had the best time. Waking up to roosters, feeding the rabbits and baby doelings, working in the biointensive garden, eating Ben J's brownies, reflections, basically every minute I spent that week made it my favorite.

Jessie Sahakian-LEAD Committee Chair

Junior, Majoring in Public Policy from Manchester, MI
Friendly, Passionate, and Dependable!

Favorite CK Story: My favorite Circle K story would have to be Senior Prom at Gilbert Place last year. It was one of the first projects that I had done as a part of the Elderly Outreach Committee. It was really nice to do a project with all the other committee members. The residents at Gilbert Place were so pleasant and they really enjoyed all the dancing. It was fifties themed, so we danced in poodle skirts with the residents. One resident could really shake it!

Nicole Potchen-Membership Development Committee Chair

Sophomore, Majoring in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Okemos, MI
Enthusiastic, Determined, and Positive!

Favorite CK Story: The ASB trip with Habitat for Humanity was such an eye opening experience for me that I can't pick just one memory from the week! We got to learn some sweet construction skills and help build houses for families in need. I worked on the roof and it was awesome. Our group was so weird and bonded over long car rides and crazy songs. Best trip ever!

Vishaal Kalwani- Technology Committee Chair

Junior, Majoring in Computer Science/Mathematics from Rochester, MI
Fluid, Fantastical, and Bootstrapped!

Favorite CK Story: My favorite CK memory is Charit-a-bowl 2013, which was a totally hilarious (and "successful") fundraiser which included tons of bonding and me bowling a personal best, 116, (right after bowling a 60).

Want to know more about the chairs?

International Relations-New Events/Activities

March of Dimes

March 13th

Every day 1 in 8 babies born in the U.S. arrive too soon. Circle K members help by raising funds annually for March of Dimes programs to help prevent premature babies. The March of Dimes currently focuses on raising awareness of prematurity and reducing the rate of premature births. CKI members collect money to support the March of Dimes and participate in the annual March for Babies, which usually happens in the spring.

Six Cents Initiative

March 20th

The Six Cents Initiative is a campaign to help provide the most basic element to life: clean water and sanitation. Partnered with UNICEF, is designed to help children get the re-hydrating salts they need to survive dehydration spells.

The Eliminate Project

March 27th

Kiwanis International and UNICEF have joined forces to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT), which is a deadly disease that kills 60,000 innocent babies and a significant number of women each year due to inadequate immunization coverage, a lack of safe-delivery services and improper post-partum care.

DCON

March 22nd - March 24th

Alexandria Novo, outgoing Kiwanis Family Relations Chair and Incoming External Vice President shares her experience:

DCon is one of my favorite events to go to! I've been going since my freshmen year, and I really like being able to meet people from different clubs who I normally do not get to see. This year I met Mac, the president of Ferris State. I have been e-mailing him all year, but this was the first time I was able to meet him. We had a ton of fun getting late night dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings with 20 other Circle Kers, and it was great being able to socialize with everyone. I can't wait for DCon next year!

Alternative Spring Break(s)

March 2nd- March 10th

Jake Carolan, outgoing Hunger and Housing Committee Member and incoming Public Relations Chair, talks about his week in Colorado:

Alternative Spring Break with Habitat for Humanity was a very eye-opening experience for me. Building quality housing for deserving families in need gave my spring break a sense of purpose and direction, and I was amazed by what we could accomplish in the time we had.
We also had a chance to meet some of the people whom we were building for, since clients help in the building of their own homes. Between the clients and the volunteers at the site, we met some incredible people with interesting stories and were also able to hear about Habitat For Humanity's amazing mission of providing quality, sustainable housing for those in need. This spring break was one of the best experiences I have ever had and I am extremely grateful to everyone who helped make it possible.

Supriya Jalukar, outgoing Kiwanis Family Relations Committee Member and incoming Fundraising Chair, shares her experience:

Through ASB, I traveled with 13 other Circle K members to Elm Mott, Texas, (near Waco), to work at the World Hunger Relief Farm. The WHRI farm is an international organization, which is primarily an educational facility that trains individuals to bring sustainable farming techniques to developing nations, such as Liberia and El Salvador. For five days, we lived, worked and ate at the farm, truly immersing ourselves in the “farm life”. ”. It was an incredibly unique experience, because of its authenticity.

A central theme that week, sustainability, seemed to weave into our whole experience. From our living arrangements and food, to the activities we performed and work we did, living on the farm vividly demonstrated the significance of using resources sustainably. One particularly exciting activity we did as a group that week was cooking dinners. Personally, I was worried when I learned that our group would be responsible for cooking our own dinners (me being a horrible cook!), but as it turned out, it became a really enjoyable and eye-opening experience, because we turned our cooking into competitions. Dividing into 4 groups, we each budgeted money (out of the total allotted to our entire team) and were responsible for preparing two meals. Although this had not been a planned educational activity, I believe the experience of cooking for myself was one of the most meaningful parts of the trip, because it became a wonderful bonding experience, but also demonstrated to me how significant a meal can be. A dinner or cooking may take time and energy, but it can make a huge difference in saving resources overall, and can be delicious too. Preparing meals with my “farmily” was one of the best parts of ASB.

Overall, I enjoyed every moment of alternative spring break, because it was a completely new experience for me. I had never been exposed to farm life before, and being immersed in such a novel lifestyle gave me a new perspective and respect for members of the agricultural community, both in America and other nations.

1st Alumni Appreciation Week

March 17th-March 23rd

Chris Cannon, outgoing Internal Vice President and Senior writes:

I had a blast planning and implementing the inaugural "Alumni Appreciation Week." The purpose of this was twofold: (1) we wanted to show our support and thanks for those that worked hard to build up our club to what it is today, and (2) to connect our current CK members to past alumni. We started off the week by changing our FaceBook profile pictures to feature us with an alum who particularly inspired us or helped transform the club. It was so great to see how well received all of this was - I heard that some people even got phone calls from alums! We ended the week with an "Alumni Appreciation Day" to reflect on the past and recognize alumni efforts since "we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us." We talked about what alumni meant to each of us, looked through past scrapbooks and wrote personal notes to past alumni! We mailed the notecards out and many of the alums personally thanked members for their sweet messages. I know that I am about to graduate soon and will no longer be a Circle K member, but I would still love to stay connected with this amazing organization. So I feel like events such as this are a great way to stay connected with our volunteering roots as we move on to future service experiences! I can't wait to see how alumni relations progresses in the future.

Installations

April 4th

Katie Rokakis, outgoing Historian Committee Member and Senior writes of her experience:

At Installations, our club reflected on a great year and looked forward to the coming one. We celebrated 12,517 service hours, 203 members, and uncountable memories. As a senior, I fluctuated between happiness in seeing the accomplishments of my friends, and sadness in knowing that it was one of our last meetings together. At one point, the seniors were asked to stand up, and the rest of the club shared what they had learned from us. This was so touching, and I wished that we could have switched places, and I could have told them all what I have learned from them. They are some of the most compassionate, hard-working, and courageous people I know. And while I may not be a part of Circle K after graduation, the lessons I have learned from them will always be a part of me. I am so proud of all we have accomplished together, and I am excited to see the amazing work they will do in the future!

DMUM

April 6th-April 7th

Christina Pechette, outgoing President and Senior describes being a part of Dance Marathon:

This year our DMUM team was paired with the Proen family – and believe me when I say this family was the BEST. Ten year old Ben loves basketball and blew us away with his Gangnam Style skills, his twin sister Katina always seemed to be dancing and giving out hugs with a huge smile on her face, and 13 year old Sofia loved to carry her younger siblings on her shoulders. The amount of energy and spunk these kids had was incredible, and their parents Deb and Angelo were nothing but loving and kind. This year the family was with us almost the entire time throughout the marathon - learning the line dance, participating in pod “quests” (during which we created an inspiring poem that we had to perform for another team; here’s an excerpt: “we’re so funny, we’ll make you pee”, which was Sofia’s favorite line), and even performing some of Katina’s cheers on stage! It was certainly an exhausting 30 hours on our feet, but having the family there made it that much more worth it. We also got to celebrate the incredible final-four win with 1000 other tired and therefore slightly crazy dancers, which was amazing – the win definitely woke us up! Finally, personal favorite songs/dances from the line dance? “Look at Me Now”, which had some key booty popping, and “Man, I Feel Like a Woman”, involving a hilarious story of a man at a gym showing off his sexy calf.

This year our team succeeded in raising a total of $4552 to support pediatric rehabilitation at Mott and Beaumont Hospitals. Congrats to Alex Bodner, Melinda Dewald, Josh Kurtz, Katie McGowan, Phoenix Zhang, Shana’e Clark, Lita Ray, Hannah Feldshuh, Cindy Yu, Megan Pratt, Wisam Berry, Megan Brown (and myself) for helping us reach our goal and/or for standing for the whole 30 hours – all FTK!

Alumni Relations

We’ve really be working hard this year to increase our alumni appreciation and contact with YOU! Let us know what we can continue to do to keep this friendship going by contacting Aroosa at aroosamm@umich.edu with any and all ideas.

We are in the process of creating an alumni recognition page on the Circle K Website. If you would like to be featured on the Circle K Website as an alum, please contact Aroosa at the above e-mail address.

MARCH/APRIL NEWSLETTER

Coming Up!