Two community service organizations rule
students can attain dual membership
not hold an office in both
It passed, but with much controversy
"I think that in small areas it can be quite benefi
cial," said Kiwanis member Cheryl Wilson. "But it takes a
very devoted person to participate in both." Wilson spent
all four of her college years as a member of Circle K and
is currently Circle K advisor at Harrisburg Area
Community College (HACC).
Wilson noted that Circle K, with more than
12,000 members, is the world's largest collegiate service
organization. "Kiwanis and Circle K can be quite demand
ing at times and if one has superior time management skills
they might be prepared for the challenge."
The benefits of dual membership include increased communication
between Circle K and Kiwani and a breakdown of possible stereotypes held of
Kiwanis and Circle K members. Also, a dual member is more likely to join
Kiwanis after college graduation if he or she was a member during their college
years.
Amy Brown has personally been affected by the bylaw. Brown is cur-
rently the Lieutenant Governor for PACK. She held the office of secretary in
Kiwanis until she chartered the HACC Circle K. Because she was in both, which
BY RACHEL SHEPHERD
Capital Times Staff Reporter
With all the.conflict over whether college kids are
making the right decisions, it was refreshing to hear the
debate at the Pennsylvania Circle K Convention (PACK) the
weekend of March 28-30.
After long deliberation, PACK decided to amend
the bylaws that would allow Circle K members to participate
in both Circle K and the Kiwanis club, though students could
Spring 2003 Schedule..
Mon 2 - 5:50 p.m. E2si,
Tue 3 - 5:50 p.m. E 257
Wed 3 - 5:50 p.m. E 25
the rules forbid, she had to resign both her position and membership in Kiwanis.
"I understand having to resign my position as secretary, but I should have
been allowed to retain at least my membership in Kiwanis," she said. "I stand com
pletely behind this amendment."
"I think dual membership is a great idea," said Kristen Egrestis, current
vice-president of Circle K at the Penn State Harrisburg campus. "It allows college
students to have interaction with the Kiwanians and to really see what the 'K
Family' [Key Club, Circle K, Kiwanis] is all about...and we all know getting stu
dents' foot in the door as a member is half the battle."
Whose rule is this anyway? Ashley Fisher, HACC Circle K president said,
"It is Circle K International that is being pigheaded.
Kiwanis International sees nothing wrong with doing
a dual membership."
Fisher explained that she grew up with
Kiwanis in her hometown and that if she had to
choose between the Middletown Kiwanis club or
HACC Circle K, Kiwanis would win hands down.
"They have done so much for the Key Club
I was in and I feel I owe them membership," she said.
"It was a good experience for the youth to interact
with people their own age and also people of another
generation."
It may be a good experience to participate in
both, but there are drawbacks. These include members being "stretched too thin"
as well as the distinct line that some view separating a Kiwanis member from a
Circle K member. Wilson advised to "pick one and give it your undivided atten-
The amendment was passed by the House of Delegates for PACK with a
vote of 53-1.
The student who voted against it was a representative of the University of
Pennsylvania (UPENN). He said, "There is no reason to be in both. We do enough
as it is."
Business owner gives
money management
From the Student Activities Office
Brian C. Shedleski, President of Shedleski Investment Services,
Inc., recently conducted a financial management lecture entitled "Money
Power" at Penn State University, Harrisburg campus. Mr. Shedleski oper
ates his own investment business and is a professional speaker/educator,
who conducts investment seminars and lectures throughout Pennsylvania
and was pleased with the large number of attendees. Approximately fifty
students, faculty, and staff attended the one hour lecture, which focused on
important financial concepts including interest rates, credit cards, budget
ing, and the psychology of money management.
The lecture was designed to motivated and encourage students to
make instant changes in their financial behavior in order to improve their
money management skills. "I think 'Money Power' was a huge success,
stated Carol McNamee, Assistant Coordinator of Student Activities for
Penn State Harrisburg. "It seemed like everyone was entertained and cer
tainly learned a lot."
Press Release
lecture