The Kiwanis Club of La Cañada recently held its 71st annual installation via Zoom in celebration of incoming 2020-21 officers and directors, as the gavel was virtually passed to new President Dennis Fors from Immediate Past President Michael Freed.
Club board member Michael Leininger served as master of ceremonies at an event attended by nearly 50 members and guests at which past officers and directors were congratulated for their work.
In addition, the 2019-20 Gil Smith Award was presented to Sky Sprowles for his exemplary work in keeping members connected and informed through a weekly newsletter. The 2019-2020 Rookie of the Year Award went to Georgina Mueller for outstanding leadership and service as a new member. Her work included coordinating care packages to nursing home patients early in the pandemic and a complimentary weekly pizza provided by Stella’s Pizza in La Cañada Flintridge to a deserving club member.
The Kiwanis tradition of the retirement of outgoing officers and board members was carried out by 2019-20 Kiwanis Division 3 Past Lt. Gov. Jose Sierra. Tina Tabora-Lim, the 2020-2021 Division 3 lieutenant governor, oversaw the formal installation of incoming officers and directors. Besides Fors and Freed, they include President-Elect Terry Piasky, Vice President Trish McRae, Secretary Sky Sprowles and Treasurer Farhad Motia. Directors include Greg Brown, Carl Christensen, Diane Della Valle, Patrick Liddell, Alice Perez, Joe Radabaugh, Matt Regan, Gigi Schlueter and Terry Walker.
“A constant comment I hear from club visitors and new members is the great camaraderie they find here — even in a Zoom meeting,” Fors said of his upcoming term. “We bring together people from a variety of backgrounds, including political and religious persuasions, and create a real sense of community.
“This is a time of opportunity and need to which we must rise. The social, mental, emotional and physical health of our kids were already subjected to the effects of social media, only to be exacerbated by COVID-19. I believe that Kiwanis can help our youth reach their best potential by sponsoring and promoting programs, such as the Builders’ Club, Key Club, our Scout troop and baseball team. Also, our literacy efforts, like the Terrific Kids programs, scholarships, student trips when they’re available, and more, can help encourage our youth to reach their highest potential.”
To help in this endeavor, Fors has created three task forces to stay relevant and energize the club in fundraising, service and membership recruitment.
A native of LCF, Fors has been volunteering since his youth. He joined the Kiwanis Club of La Cañada in 2017 and moved up through the ranks, serving as interim president this past year. He retired in 2016 after a 37-year career in banking and has long been involved in Scouting, serving in a variety of positions from Cub master to president of the Verdugo Hills Council, where he was honored with the Silver Beaver Award for lifetime distinguished service. The San Gabriel Valley Council also recognized Fors with the Baden Power Award for creating and running a Cub Scout pack for minority youth in Altadena.
His wide range of volunteer activities included being on the advisory committee for the La Cañada Unified School District’s 1999 bond offering, and serving as president of the Los Angeles Chapter of the BYU Management Society. He’s an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Fors and his wife, Linda, have four children (all La Cañada High School grads) and 12 grandchildren.
Those who wish to learn about the club are invited to attend a Zoom meeting; sessions are held every Wednesday at noon and feature the Guest Speaker of the Week program.
The club’s goal is to help local youth by sponsoring community projects and scholarships, all within a context of fun and friendship.
To receive a private invitation to join the Zoom session, visit the La Cañada Kiwanis Facebook page and leave a note in the comment section. Interested parties may also follow the club on Instagram @KiwanisClubofLaCanada and direct-message the club or leave a note in the comments.
Kiwanis Club Installs Officers and Directors
