Kinette club plans in the works

CORNER BROOK - A pair of newcomers to the city are hoping to renew the sense of community service that accompanies a Kinette Club.

Jennifer LeBlanc and Judy Snelgrove, past members of Kinette Clubs, are hoping to charter a club and create an organization that would, not only assist the community, but provide a fellowship for women in this area.

"The motto is serving the community's greatest need," LeBlanc told The Western Star.
"Corner Brook is a big city and, yes, they have a Kinsmen Club, but there's only so many things one group or organization can tackle. There's definitely different things and different areas we will go to that may need our help."

Not only will the club help a person get to know the community, but also to meet the people in it.

"There's really good fellowship within Kinettes," Snelgrove said. "You meet a lot of friends - and not only in your own area, but when you get together for district or zone meetings you meet people throughout Atlantic Canada and the rest of the country. Once you meet a person in Kinettes, you have that connection.

"As new people in a community, it's a way of meeting new people that are community oriented."

The pair met with the help of the local Kinsmen Club, and began the effort to set up a Kinette Club before Christmas. It started slowly during the holiday season, but has picked up in the new year. There were four people and then six at their last two meetings, and they are hoping it continues to grow as they meet every second Thursday.

A chartered club requires 10 members, but - recognizing that more helping hands will lead to greater success - they are not holding themselves to that number.

There is no set direction in which the club will take on as of right yet. That is something LeBlanc and Snelgrove are hoping will develop through its expanded membership.

"New ideas are welcome," LeBlanc said. "If there is a need in the community right now and you want to fill it, that can be our first goal. The more people we have, the more we know what that need is and how to fill it."

Service groups in general have experienced difficulties surrounding declining memberships, but the pair are not disheartened by that trend.

"It's just getting the word out there that this is not just all about work," Snelgrove said.
"There is so much fundraising out there and it is so competitive right now, with the schools and sporting events. Everybody that has a child involved with anything knows the meaning of selling tickets and pies and chocolate bars.

"People are just maxed out with it. People have to realize that this is more than fundraising."

They are encouraging anybody interested to attend their next meeting on Thursday or to call LeBlanc at 638-4333 for more information. She said no commitment is needed to attend a meeting, and anybody is invited to see it first hand before deciding.

Kin Canada - Association of Kinsmen, Kinette and Kin Clubs - is an all-Canadian service organization made up of active volunteers. Working together, members are enhancing the quality of life in their communities by promoting service, social interaction, positive values, and national pride.