The international president of the Kiwanis Club told local members Thursday that if the organization is to survive, it must continue to serve its communities.
"If Kiwanis is to survive and grow in these changing times, we must all take a hard look at our club's projects and meetings being relevant and worthwhile," said Anton J. Kaiser during a weekly luncheon meeting of the Salt Lake Kiwanis Club.Kaiser praised the Salt Lake club for being one of the oldest and strongest in the organization, and congratulated its members for their contributions and achievements.
"I hope this club can be the best it can be and continues to be an ever-growing force for good," he said. "During the 70 years of service to the community, I know your contributions have been great and enormous."
Kaiser said he planned to visit many of the club's projects and activities during his stay. He was scheduled to visit Northwest Intermediate School Friday to present a student with the "Terrific Kid Award" - given each week by the Kiwanis Club to a student who shows promise in academics and citizenship.
"It recognizes the students in junior high, where there's not always a lot of recognition given," said Jim Livsey, Salt Lake Kiwanis Club secretary/treasurer. Honored students are given a certificate, a badge, a Kiwanis cap and a calculator.
Kiwanis members also planned to accompany Kaiser to visit the Primary Children's Medical Center to witness another Kiwanis program unique to the Salt Lake club - the Pediatric Trauma Prevention Program.
Club members work with hospital officials in educating the public on how to prevent accidents, Livsey said. "It's a lot easier to prevent an accident than to try and save lives later in the hospital."
Livsey said it is programs like these that Kaiser wants to see the organization foster. "He (Kaiser) feels like these things give clubs a purpose," Livsey said.