So most of you know that I am a member of Adelphi University's Circle K International. Since Circle K is part of the Kiwanis family, the organization as a whole is a big deal. I was pretty involved last semester, going to a handful of service events when I could, running a food drive, and making all the meetings. Therefore, since I was considered a "Distinguished Member" I was invited to travel to the New York Circle K District Convention in Albany. About 17 people from our club went, and we were the largest group there (since Adelphi paid for all expenses besides food).
In short, I had a BLAST! I learned so much about the program in general, and how I can make my club better. I'm officially in love with the program now, and I plan to be more active in the next three years!
Anyway, I have about 40 pictures to share with you! I bring you a weekend filled with old friends, meeting new friends, service, a town that pales in comparison to NYC, and many outfit changes.
We arrived in Albany at around 11:00am after a three hour drive. Our club's hotel rooms were split up on all different floors, and we were thrilled to be on the 8th floor. Above is part of our wonderful view.
After we checked in, we walked down the street and had lunch at a great little pizza place. Then, since technically our team was co-hosting the event, we spent a couple of hours getting everything together (stuffing envelopes, setting up the banquet hall for dinner, etc.). We also attended a great education session about many of the aspects of our CKI clubs.
Nicole, Alicia, and I waiting for dinner at the tables we helped decorate.
Nicole, Me, Ariel from RPI's CKI, Alicia, and Meagan. Meagan was assigned to room with Me, Nicole, and Alicia. We had never even met before, but it was the start of what we hope will be a great friendship.
Other Adelphi CKI girls, Lauren, Kat, Mallory, and Maribelle.
Dinner was taking too long. Ariel snuck into this picture.
Sexy.
The next day we woke up early, got dressed, and attended several different workshops.
We then walked around near our hotel looking for a place to eat. We ended up eating at a small pub, which was one of the only places open.
Meagan and I running back to the hotel to make it to our next workshop. Somehow we lost Nicole and Alicia, but we were too dedicated to CKI to care about them, lol.
After several more workshops it was time for the service fair. Along with tables giving out information on different CKI events and projects, everyone had the opportunity to paint flower pots, backpacks, or make pillow hugs for veterans. I decided to help run the pillow hugs table, since there was a 99.9% chance that if I painted, at least some of it would end up on my clothing.
The front and back of my pillow hug.
Alicia's pillow hug.
Then we went back to our room and changed for our 2nd caucus (we had one the night before as well). Basically there are district positions that students can run for (governor, secretary, editor, and treasurer) and those students must campaign. The divisions are split up into different rooms, with two or three division in each room, and then the candidates go around to each room giving speeches and answering questions. Then on Sunday morning, two delegates from each club get together to vote.
This is CKI, however, so we have to make things fun! Each caucus room has a theme. Ours was pajama party. However the Long Island division (LICKI) had made t-shirts, which everyone wore. We all sat together and we looked like a sea of baby blue. I wish I had a picture of it.
Anyway, we went back to our rooms to change into PJ bottoms and our t-shirts.
There was still time left over for the service fair after we changed, so Meagan painted a pot. Hers was totally the best one, lol.
Alicia painted the last one. She had to rush to finish it though, since the caucus was starting.
We had some free time between the caucus and dinner, so we decided to explore Albany!
We walked down by the river.
The two Nicole's.
Alicia and I were doing the walking Can-Can, lol.
I would just like to point out that Alicia is wearing my jacket, I'm wearing Nicole's, and Nicole isn't wearing a jacket at all.
Albany was beautiful.
This really doesn't need much of a caption.
The state capitol, with skateboarding teens in the background.
After presumably a fire, all that was left of this building was the facade.
While Albany was aesthetically pleasing, it was pretty boring. Not even Rite-Aid was open past 5:00pm.
Then it was time for dinner!
That's Jenn, our club president, in the middle.
They had this awesome little activity at dinner where you could write notes to people at other tables. You would hold them up and someone would come around, take it from you, and deliver it to other people. Hence the pen in my hand.
They gave out awards at the dinner. Jenn won Outstanding Club President, Lauren won Outstanding New Member, and we won several other awards for our many service projects.
Then it was time for the decade dance!
Alicia and Nicole were 80's. We had to talk Nicole into doing the side ponytail.
Meagan and I were 60's...
Which was a popular decade.
I love Kat's outfit, she was 90s, like the Spice Girls.
This is Tom and Aaron, we hung out with them a lot, but usually not together. I don't think I was around for this picture, I snagged it from Meagan's facebook, so I don't really know when it was taken.
This is after brunch the next day. Remember those district positions I was talking about? Jenn won for District Editor, and Rickie (the only boy in this picture) won for District Governor, which is pretty much the head of all New York CKI. That is why we get an awesome banner!
Since Jenn and Rickie won district positions, we had to wait a couple of hours until we could leave. We decided to go and get pizza. Nicole took this picture for me, and I'm tagged in it on facebook.
Lunch.
There was a big college hockey tournament going on in Albany, many of the teams were actually staying on our hotel. Siena had lost two nights prior, so we found this sign hilarious.
Right before we left, the whole Adelphi CKI group.
