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Olashuk attends conference

WEIRTON -- More than 1,500 delegates were in attendance at the Kiwanis International Convention which took place July 3-6 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.

Among the delegates was local representative Mary Kay Olashuk of the Weirton Kiwanis Club, Capital District. The officers who were named as this year's Kiwanis leaders were Lee Kuan Yong of Malaysia, president; Michael Mulhaul of New Jersey, president-elect; and Hope Markes, Eastern Canada and Caribbean District, vice president. The Kiwanians year begins Oct. 1, offficials said.

Olashuk said of the conference there was a notable amendment that passed, being to increase the dues $25 annually. The increase is expected to generate $4 million annually and reduce future deficits, ensuring the organization's long-term financial health.

The amendment passed with an 87 percent vote, she said. An amendment that did not pass was to allow remote voting at the international conventions, Olashuk stated.

"Only registered delegates attending the convention can vote, as has been the case," she said.

Olashuk serves as lieutenant governor of Division 18 of the Capital District with Kiwanis clubs in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia. She has been attending these conventions since 1999. Next year's convention will take place June 25-28 in Pittsburgh.

"Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child and one community at a time," Olashuk commented.