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Nose for News by Sarah Stultz

As I write this, I’m anticipating a gathering I have tonight as part of the Albert Lea Noon Kiwanis Club.

Each year around this time, we meet as a combined board of the old officers and directors from the last year, along with the new officers and directors who will be joining starting Oct. 1.

It’s a lot of fun as we wrap up our fiscal year and look ahead to a new one.

This last year, I have had the privilege of serving as the president of our club. It has given me a chance to not only serve my own club members and lead the meetings, but also to reflect on what I enjoy about being a part of a service club — and particularly this service club.

I joined the Albert Lea Noon Kiwanis Club in 2015 at the invitation of a former member once I became editor of the newspaper. My predecessor was also a member.

In the nine years that I have been a Kiwanian, the club has seen changes like most other service clubs, but our mission is still the same: to improve the world one child and one community at a time.

Through Kiwanis I have been part of fundraisers for efforts that better children in the community, including for Albert Lea’s splash pad and the inclusive playground.

I’ve been a part of reading to kindergartners and preschoolers in the local schools and encouraging fifth-graders to set and achieve goals in their academic lives and otherwise.

We’ve gone Christmas shopping for families in need, reviewed and awarded scholarships to graduating seniors and rang bells for the Salvation Army. Those are only some of the opportunities that we take part in each year off the top of my head, but there are more.

The club provides an easy way to serve others, and it is fulfilling to be a part of.

If you’re looking for a way to give back to the community but don’t know where to get started, service clubs are a great place to start.

Not only will you be handed service opportunities, but you’ll also be given a built-in network of new friends that you can fellowship with once a week (or however often the club meets).

To the longtime members of our club that have helped the club’s legacy continue for about 102 years, I thank you for your dedication and work to do so.

To the new generation of business leaders in the community, I urge you or one of your staff to expand your impact through a service club.

There are clubs that meet at various times and would be eager to have you on board.

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Tribune.