BY CLIFF SMELLEY
The Kiwanis Club of Starke held its installation banquet on Sept. 30, with Ed Rensberger becoming the new president and Virginia Walkup being announced as the Kiwanian of the 2024-25 year.
Walkup was unable to attend the banquet, so George Konkel, the outgoing president, presented it to her at the club’s Oct. 14 meeting. He told Walkup she was receiving the honor “because of all the work that you put into the Terrific Kids program.”
“This is a real honor,” Walkup said, adding that she’s received great support from so many members in helping Terrific Kids be a success.
“I appreciate everything that everyone does for this program,” Walkup said. “I’m looking around — I think I’ve gotten help from every single person here.”
Prior to the installation of officers at the Sept. 30 banquet, members with perfect attendance were recognized: Konkel (one year), Michael Heeder (one year), Bear Bryan (20 years), Rensberger (29 years) and Steve Futch (46 years).
Rensberger will be serving as club president for the second time. He previously filled the role in the 2001-02 year.
Lt. Gov. Nelson Green, who’s a member of the Starke club, performed the installation of officers. He remembered how he took over as president after Rensberger’s first term.
“You looked a lot younger then,” Green said.
In all seriousness, Green said, “You have been elected to the highest office the club can bestow on anyone. It is an office of great honor, and it is. Kiwanis has a good reputation in Starke.
“You will become the base of the Kiwanis Club of Starke. The direction of the club this year will depend on your leadership at the club and the board meetings.”
Green said as president, Rensberger won’t be doing all the work but will instead rely upon committees he establishes and serve as a guiding force for the club’s vision as he and the board of directors set goals for the upcoming year.
“Thank you for dedicating yourself to this leadership position,” Green said.
Rensberger said, “I’m looking forward to a great year. The times we’re living in how have been changing in the way we do things. I think we need to adapt somewhat and still keep making a difference in our community.”
One thing Rensberger said he wanted the club to focus on was trying to bring in new members. He said he remembered when the club had approximately 40 members, but now the number has been hovering between 20 and 30.
“I’d like to see us increase — at least get up to maybe 35 or 36,” Rensberger said. “What I’m asking members to do is just ask your friends or acquaintances to come to lunch and come to a meeting. Let Kiwanis sell itself.”
Rensberger said he hoped the club would be able to sell food at the Bradford Agricultural Fair and host its golf tournament — two things it was unable to do in 2024-25 due to changes in the format of the fair and the fact that the Starke Golf and Country Club underwent renovations and improvements.
“Hopefully, our fundraisers, such as the fair and the golf tournament, will return,” Rensberger said. “If not, we may have to think outside of the box for different fundraising events. If we don’t raise money, we can’t give.”
Rensberger said he welcomed ideas from any club member.
“I encourage all members to contact me for any reason to discuss anything they think will help our club,” he said.
Green first installed three incoming board members: Michael Heeder, Cliff Smelley and Dale Woodruff.
“The board of directors handles most of the business of the club — an important responsibility,” Green said, adding, ““There’s a lot of business that must take place. You set strategic directions, approve the club budget, support committee activities and oversee the administrative tasks of the club.
“I know you will accept these responsibilities with a desire to see the club has its best year ever.”
Green also recognized returning board members Steve Futch, Tanya Remirez and Mike Ruszkowski as well as those who are coming off the board: Bear Bryan, Richard Cason and Patricia Evans.
Shane Parmenter was installed as treasurer.
“Shane, as treasurer, you have been elected to an office that demands absolute integrity and financial and accounting skills,” Green said. “It is your role to deposit and disburse funds of the club upon the direction of the board of directors. You’ll also report on the club’s finances at each board meeting.”
Lisa Heeder will continue to fill the role of secretary.
“In Kiwanis, the club secretary is the master of details,” Green said, noting that Heeder will record the details of club and board meetings, make reports available prior to meetings and keep club records up to date with Kiwanis International.
“Your job is essential for the club to run smoothly,” Green said.
Pat Mundorff, who was unable to attend the installation, will be the new vice president. The office of president-elect has not been filled.
Green, in recognizing Konkel as immediate past president, said, “This club benefits from the immediate past president continuing for one more year on the board of directors. Your experience is invaluable to this club.”
Konkel said unlike some past presidents, he planned to be a part of the club in the future.
“I definitely want to be here to help out in any way that I can,” Konkel said.
As part of his final remarks as president, Konkel decided it’d be fitting to provide a brief history of Kiwanis.
“I know a lot of you guys have been here for quite some time, but some of us are a little bit newer than others,” Konkel said. “You guys probably had some of the same questions that I did, such as, ‘What is Kiwanis?’ I know somebody asked me that question not too long ago. So, I figured this would be a good opportunity to re-address where Kiwanis actually started.”
Konkel said Kiwanis was founded in Detroit in 1915 under the name of the Supreme Lodge Benevolent Order of Brothers.
“Obviously, somebody said, ‘We need to change that name,’” Konkel said.
A year after its founding, the organization became known as Kiwanis — a name chosen by founders, based on their understanding that it translated from the Algonquian Native American language family as “we build.”
“Initially, the focus was business networking like Rotary,” Konkel said, “but the organization changed its focus to service in 1919 — specifically service to children.”
Kiwanis became an international organization with the founding of a club in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Konkel said, noting that Kiwanis is now a presence in approximately 80 nations.
Konkel then reflected on his time as president, saying, “It’s hard to believe a full year has passed since I had the privilege of standing before you as your incoming president.”
“Of course, no president can serve alone,” Konkel said. “To our officers and board members, thank you for your guidance and your patience. To our longtime members, (thank you for) your wisdom.”
Then, with an eye toward the future, Konkel said he looked forward to new members becoming involved and sharing new ideas. He also expressed his optimism about the upcoming year, while stressing that the club needs to continue moving forward.
“Your next president, Ed, inherits a club that is still strong and ready for the future, but our work is far from done,” Konkel said. “There are still children who need mentors, there are still families who could use a helping hand and there are still opportunities to grow.”
Konkel closed his remarks by expressing gratitude for being allowed to serve as president and saying he looked forward to continuing to contribute to the club.
“I want to say thank you for trusting me in this role,” Konkel said. “It’s been a great honor to lead the club for the past year. I step aside today, not as someone leaving, but as a fellow Kiwanian ready to serve in new ways. Let’s keep changing lives — one project, one child and one act of kindness at a time.”
