Telegraph Staff Writer
The Kiwanis Club of Starke installed its officers, including President Brad Smith, for the 2021-22 year at a Sept. 28 banquet at the Woman’s Club of Starke.
“I wanted to start by thanking Michelle, my fiancé, and my daughter, Bailey. They are my support group every single day,” Smith said, adding, “I also want to thank each and every one of you — all the members — for having your support and the confidence to vote me into this position as president. It’s humbling. It’s humbling to follow (2020-21 President) Kenny Clark and all the other 40-plus presidents this club has had through the years.”
One of those past presidents (1995-96) was Smith’s mother, Ingrid, who’s now deceased. Smith recalled how she would take him to meetings when he was home on breaks as a college student.
“I really can’t say enough about what this means to me to follow in her footsteps,” Smith said.
Smith, the undersheriff at the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office, had already been following in his mother’s footsteps in that he takes his daughter to club meetings when she’s not in school. Bailey, a seventh-grader at Bradford Middle School, has also helped the club at various fundraising events.
“I want to instill in her service above self,” Smith said. “This club represents that.”
His hope is that Bailey will grow up and become involved in a service club, even if it’s not Kiwanis. It seems as if she’ll do just that.
“She wrote me an amazing, little note today, talking about me coming up here and doing this and that she can’t wait until she gets to start doing this,” Smith said. Then, looking at his daughter, he said, “I’m very proud of you, Bailey.”
Tom Weller, Florida Kiwanis Division 4 Trustee, installed the officers: David Kniseley as president-elect, Betty Trawick as vice president, Linda Lee as secretary and Pat Mundorff as secretary.
Patricia Evans, Nelson Green and Ed Rensberger were installed as new members of the board of directors and will serve two-year terms. They join board members Warren Carver, Richard Cason and Cliff Smelley, who have one year remaining in their terms.
As is the case every year, the outgoing president names a Kiwanian of the Year. Clark presented the award to Carver, saying that Carver rarely misses a fundraiser and always works behind the scenes to help those ensure the success of those fundraisers.
“In my opinion, he’s one of the faces of Kiwanis,” Clark said.
Club member Dale Woodruff was recognized as a Robert W. Thal Life Member Fellowship for his support of the Florida Kiwanis Foundation, receiving a certificate from Weller.
Also recognized were members with perfect attendance: Kniseley (two years), Smith (four years), Clark and Mundorff (five years), Mike Ruszkowski (seven years), Evans (nine years), Smelley (11 years), Jim Lewis, Mike Reddish and Virginia Walkup (12 years), Lee (13 years), Bear Bryan (16 years), Cheryl Canova (18 years), Rensberger (25 years), Carver (26 years), Bob Milner (32 years), Woodruff and Terry Vaughan (34 years), Phillip Johns (35 years) and Steve Futch (42 years).
Before passing the gavel to Smith, Clark thanked the club members, saying the past year’s accomplishments weren’t because of anything he specifically did as president.
“I’m only as good as the people surrounding me,” Clark said.
Clark said he’s been honored to be part of a club where members work together for a common good.
“It’s been a blessing to me see just how many different personalities in people come together for the good of the community and its children,” Clark said.
Clark, in referencing the pandemic, said it was impressive that the club was able to raise more than $16,000 during this past year in what have been “some pretty trying circumstances.”
“We still persevered through all of it and managed to do what we have done,” he said.
Smith gave kudos to Clark and Mundorff, the 2019-20 president, for handling “very unique issues” and said his goal as president is to keep the club moving forward and helping it attract new people.
“I want to push hard in growing our membership,” Smith said.
The incoming president said he also wants Kiwanis’ high-school service club, Key Club, to become more involved with the adult club and to have a Builders Club at Bradford Middle School once again.
“I think that’ll help grow the club in the future,” Smith said.
In closing, Smith said, “I just want to thank you all again for the incredible opportunity. I look forward to what the year has in store.”
