BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
David Kniseley was installed as the president of the Kiwanis Club of Starke at its 2021-23 installation banquet, which was held Sept. 27 at the Downtown Grill.
Kniseley told members he’d keep his remarks brief, joking that when he practiced his speech and it turned out to be two minutes in length, his wife, Brenda, told him it was 30 seconds too long.
In all seriousness, Kniseley said early childhood literacy was one of two areas he wanted to focus on during his one-year term.
“If you can’t read, you’re not going to function as well as you could,” he said.
Kniseley noted that the club has provided financial support to athletic programs at Bradford High School. He said his wife came up with an idea of getting those student-athletes involved in reading to young children.
“Let’s teach them how to be a mentor,” Kniseley said. “It’s going to enrich them in so many ways.”
His other area of focus is increasing membership — an area of focus for clubs throughout the U.S. Kniseley said if each member invited just one person to a meeting, and that person in turn joined the club, it would have a huge impact.
“I think we’ve got 35 people in our club. If we can bring half that many into our club, that’s pretty darn good,” Kniseley said, adding, “I really think that’s a key to keep our club moving forward.”
Kniseley takes over for 2021-22 President Brad Smith. As past president, Smith will serve a one-year term on the board of directors.
Besides Kniseley, the following officers and board members were installed: Vice President Nelson Green, Secretary Lisa Heeder, Treasurer Adam Chalker and board members Bear Bryan, Warren Carver, Richard Cason, Patricia Evans, Ed Rensberger and Cliff Smelley.
As part of his final remarks as president, Smith said it didn’t seem like it was only a year ago that he was installed. He joked that it felt like five.
Smith said it was almost a relief to be done with his tenure, noting how demanding the position is, but he added that he’ll be realize just how much he enjoyed the chance to serve as time goes by.
“I am certain that after a couple of weeks of decompression, I’m going to look back and really appreciate this time,” Smith said. “I have learned so much from working with each and every one of you in whatever capacity.
“I appreciate the confidence that you had in me.”
One of the final tasks of the president is to select the Kiwanian of the Year. Smith said he chose Kniseley, noting the time and effort he put into making the golf tournament a success and for bringing in seven new members, six of whom are still active.
“The Kiwanian of the Year this year was always there helping,” Smith said. “He pushed me through a lot of difficult situations, but he was also out there in the forefront.”
