More on our Association and Club
Our club is a member of District 4 which encompasses all of Alberta and part of British Columbia, including Dawson Creek and Fort St. John. District 4 is then divided into various zones. We are a member of Zone B which includes Leduc, Camrose, Wetaskiwin, Edmonton, Provost. District 4 holds a mixed conference each May called District Conference.
Fall Leadership Conference: This is an enjoyable, sociable weekend for Kinettes only. The business portion on Saturday morning is where the District Governors and Deputy Governors from each zone share their reports and ideas and present awards. In the afternoons there is often a presentation from a charitable organization as well as personal development opportunities for Kinettes.
The Kin motto “Serving the community’s greatest need” means we are always looking for new ways to help within our community. Through various fundraising activities our club has supported W.I.N.G.S. (Women in Need Growing Stronger), Terra Association (an association offering support to pregnant teens and teen parents), The Stollery, Kids in the Hall and many more.
What to expect at a meeting
Meeting dates: General (2nd Thursday of the month), Executive (4th Thursday of the month)
General Meetings: The Kinette Club of Edmonton meets on the second Thursday of each month. Cocktails and fellowship begin at 5:30pm with dinner following at 6:00. During this time, you may notice everyone shaking hands. This is the traditional Kin greeting and a great way to get to know someone new. Somewhere among the members is Madame X who is taking note of Kinettes who do not shake her hand. You will learn her identity at the end of the meeting at which time you will be fined if you did not shake her hand earlier. The fines will not exceed $.25 per infraction and are added to our Convention Fund
The president will call the meeting to order at 6:00. After introductions of members and guests are made, the president will ask one of the members to lead us in the singing of O Canada, followed by the Kinette song and then the Kinette Grace.
Once dinner has ended, the business part of the meeting begins following a prepared agenda, copies of which can be found non each table. .There are reports from the executive members and committees. Items may be tabled or discussed and motions are made and voted on. There is meeting protocol that must be adhered to at each meeting.
A Sergeant at Arms is busy taking note of members who commit infractions during the meeting. Offences could include protocol infractions such as improper address to the Chair, or impolite actions such as chewing gum or allowing your cell phone to ring. Fines, usually $.25, are in order if you are declared guilty of an offence as determined by the Sergeant at Arms. These fines are also added to our convention fund.
The cost for dinner is not included in your dues and must be paid at each meeting. The cost of dinner is usually about $15.50. If you will not be having the meal or you will not be at the meeting, you must notify the Entertainment Director by the Monday prior to the meeting in that name week. Failing to do so means that you will charged for the meal even though you did not eat or may not even have been at the meeting.
Once all of the business is conducted, the formal portion of the meeting is adjourned. Madame X will be revealed, as will be the Sergeant at Arms and Good of Kin will be shared.
Kinettes and guests are encouraged to stay after the meeting for fun and fellowship. Fellowship and socialization are always encouraged and are a very important part of being a Kinette.
Our club’s newsletter, The Bulletin, is published each month and posted on the website prior to each meeting. It contains valuable information such as the minutes from the previous general and executive meetings, reports from the executive and committees, a timeline of Kinette events and activities, important notices and much more. The names of members and contact information can be found on the roster.
The Executive
The executive is elected to a one year term. The Kin year runs from July 1 to June 30. Meetings are not held in July and August. Elections are held between April and May 15 each year. Any active member is eligible for office. The positions of President, Vice President and Treasurer require that candidates have one full year of executive experience before being eligible to run for office.
Club Activities and Fundraising
There are many ways that you can get involved within the club. Service is what the club is all about. We assist several different organizations and have many committees set up to raise money or provide service. Participating on a committee (or committees) is an excellent way to become involved. Besides allowing you to use your talents and skills, you’ll have fun and make some good friends.
Below are some of the fundraising and service committees and activities:
For a complete List check HERE
Spring Fling: This is an annual fundraiser benefiting W.I.N.G.S .It usually involves a dinner, silent auction and entertainment.
Kinsmen Dream Wheels: Every year the Kinsmen run their Dream Wheels car raffle during Capital Ex. Kinettes support the Kinsmen by helping to sell tickets and by operating the hostess trailer and acting as Grill Masters.
Lady Sunshine: On behalf of the Kinette Club of Edmonton, this Kinette ensures that we celebrate special occasions and extend condolences and support to our members in times of loss.
McCauley Boys and Girls Club: This Kinette acts a liaison with this club and ours and familiarizes us with the needs of the McCauley Boys and Girls Club and ways we can help.
Terra Association: This Kinette acts a liaison between Terra and our club and familiarizes us with their needs and ways we can help. One annual Christmas project we do is to purchase gifts for the moms and babies enrolled in the program located at Braemar School. Kinettes get together at the end of a meeting to wrap the presents and have a great evening of fun and fellowship.
Bar: The Kinette who volunteers to run the bar at our meetings has a great opportunity to meet the members of the club during the cocktail hour.
Operation Friendship: This Kinette organizes the purchase and assembly of “Goody Bags” for the people who take part in the Operation Friendship Christmas dinner.
Cookie Walk: Another fundraiser organized by Kinettes where the public is invited to purchase home-made cookies.
Aquatic Management and Kin Park Advisory Committee: These are two committees which foster the association between the Kinettes and Kinsmen Clubs of Edmonton and the City of Edmonton.
Kin Kids Christmas Party: You can help organize a Christmas party for the kids!
River Valley Place Facility: This Kinette represents our club at meetings regarding the River Valley Place Facility and acts a liaison to keep the club up to date on repairs and general facility issues.
Rookies Night: Rookies are responsible for organizing a night of fun, food and entertainment for the last general meeting of the Kin year.
Don’t be shy! The positions offer wonderful opportunities to get involved in the club and serve the community. You can even find a buddy and co-chair a committee!
Dues:
Club dues have been set at $150.00 for the 2010-2011 year. Dues are paid by members to cover the many costs (administration costs for example) of operating a large organization on a national, district, zone and club level. Dues are paid by all active members. Life and Honorary members do not pay dues. Members are required to pay a $35 non-refundable deposit by Septembers General meeting followed by the remaing $115 which can be made to pay in 2 or 3 installments with the Last payment due no later than the January meeting. Each new Kin year, the dues are reassessed and may be increased.
Attendance:
Our club awards an attendance tab (to be added to your name tag) to each of our members who attain perfect attendance for that year. A new member who joins before January 30 is eligible for an attendance tab if she attains 100% attendance for the balance of the Kin year. If you miss a meeting, you make it up by attending an executive, another club’s meeting or a Kinette conference.
New Member School:
Each year our Vice President hosts a New Member School to assist our mew members in their efforts get to know all about Kin: how the organization is structured, our history and our objectives. Everyone is welcome to attend.