When many hear the name James Bond, fast cars, good looking sidekicks, and beating the bad guy usually come to mind. But here in New Jersey, his many roles were inspiration for a different story line – the 2011 New Jersey CKI District Convention.
During the weekend of March 25-27, 2011, Circle K’ers from every corner of the New Jersey District joined forces to celebrate a full year of service, leadership, and fellowship while preparing for a fresh slate for the service year ahead. From club cheers to the introduction of distinguished guests including 2010-11 Circle K International President, Amanda Marfisi and Kiwanis International President-Elect, Alan Penn – Friday night was nothing short of a golden kickoff. Wrapping up with the first round of caucusing into the wee hours on Friday. Saturday jump-started with even more questioning for the District Board candidates, an affair any secret agent would approve of. Saturday afternoon came and went with a classy celebration of the club level’s head honchos at the President’s Luncheon. House of Delegates did not disappoint with undivided attention not only from the delegates, but from the candidates as well. The Executive Board was first elected not only from the delegates,but from the candidates as well. The Executive Board was first selected in the following order: Jennifer Hsieh of Rutgers University CKI was elected District Governor, Jacqueline Zakaras of The Richard Stockton State College of New Jersey CKI was elected District Secretary, Sonya Shah of Monmouth University CKI was elected District Treasurer, myself – Amanda Parks of The College of New Jersey CKI was elected District Editor. Each division was then able to select their representative and the following make up the rest of the NJ CKI District Board’s voting members. Edwin Valdez of Saint Peter’s College CKI was elected Metro Division Lieutenant Governor, and way down “South” Ashley Walgreen of Rowan University CKI was elected Garden Division Lieutenant Governor.
Saturday’s festivities rounded off with a celebration of achievements and fellowships. The NJ CKI District Board gave everyone the sense that t he night was going to last “Forever” with their surprise introduction dance and welcomed all guests and CKI members to the coveted Governor’s Banquet. Awards were rewarded to the hardest workers, talents were showcased by the bravest, and tears were cried by those moving on to bigger things with Circle K near and dear to their hearts. But the fun didn’t end there, shortly after following the banquet, our International Godfather Floyd Adams graciously offered up his daring deejay skills that provided NJ CKI members with a night of bonding and board dance auctioning that couldn’t be topped by any television dance show!
Bright and early on Saturday morning, it was hard to believe that the weekend was nearly over and that we had spent it with new and old friends from near and far who lived to serve and loved to serve, just as we did! While enjoying and delicious and nutritious breakfast, the 2010-11 New Jersey District Board of Circle K International was retired with accomplishment and fond memories in mind. Passing on the torch to a new bunch of eager secret agents, ready to protect, serve, and lead on of the mightiest district’s in all of international is no daunting task, but it had to be done. And with that, the 2011-12 New Jersey District Board of Circle K International was installed by their Immediate Pasts and NJ Kiwanis District Board counterparts as excitement and fellowship filled the air.
Who would think that those days would seem like yesterday as summer has nearly come and gone right before our eyes? No worries thought, the 2011-12 NJ CKI CKI District Board still has as much fire and drive as ever, that would give any secret agent a reason to do some further investigation, not just 007!