Kiwanis is a worldwide organization of volunteers committed to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. To expand our reach both internationally and locally, Kiwanis International is divided into 49 Districts and Provisional Districts. These Districts consist of Divisions, which vary in number depending on the district. Some districts include a single state or country, while others cover multiple states or countries. Certain districts also serve specific geographical regions. A governor and other elected officials lead each district.
The Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph/Benton Harbor, MI, led by 2025-2026 Club President Ray Russell, is part of the Michigan District in Division 13. The other clubs in our Division include Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Sunrise, Niles-Southwestern, Paw Paw, South Haven, and Westside Kalamazoo.
A Lieutenant Governor leads each division. Jennifer Green holds this distinction in our Division for the 2025-26 Kiwanis year. In all, there are 20 Divisions in the Michigan District.
There are over 8300 Kiwanis clubs worldwide, located in 80 countries and geographic areas. These clubs comprise over 294,000 adult members and an additional 536,000 in associated youth clubs.
2025-2026 Club Officers
Pictured standing from left to right: Board Member Mike Sinn, Board Member Tom Nelson, Board Member Bruce Molineaux, Club Secretary Ashley Schulte, Club Treasurer Dean Driscoll, and Board Member Jim Bartley
Pictured seated from left to right: Division 13 Lt. Governor Jennifer Green, Club President Roger Bertsch, Club Vice President Jay Wojcik, Club President Elect Ray Russell, and Club Immediate Past President Dave Miller.
Not pictured are Board Members Laurie Kelly and Kimberly Risk.
What is Kiwanis? We are an eclectic mix of ages, genders, occupations, backgrounds, and interests. We are all passionate about making our community and the world a better place for children so they can thrive.
So proud of these outstanding young leaders!This weekend, 360 Michigan high school members from 32 schools gathered to celebrate a year of service, leadership, and impact through Key Club. Students participated in breakout sessions focused on leadership skills, club organization, hands-on service projects, and fundraising techniques.
Of the clubs sponsored by the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor Kiwanis Club, both St. Joseph and Lakeshore were proudly represented by 34 members, along with advisors Katie Woodard (LHS) and Lauri Berry (SJHS). We are so grateful for the ongoing support, direction, and enthusiasm of our Kiwanis partners — and our members truly appreciated seeing the Good Luck ads scrolling across the conference screens!
Student Key Club State Elected Positions – We Are So Proud!
* Sukainah Saleem (St. Joseph freshman)* – Elected 2026–27 Lieutenant Governor for Division 8 * Aminah Garcia (St. Joseph junior)* – Elected 2026–27 Michigan District Bulletin Editor * Riya Veershetty (St. Joseph junior)* – Endorsed to run for International Trustee at ICON
We also want to recognize these outstanding student leaders for their year of district-level service:
* Samaira Suri (Lakeshore junior) – Division 8 Lieutenant Governor * Joe Berry (St. Joseph senior) – District Treasurer * Juhi Bhatt (St. Joseph senior) – District Secretary
Thank you for representing our schools with excellence!
Student Key Club Conference Awards: 1st Place – Partners in Service Award • $200 raised through our UNICEF Trick-or-Treat campaign • $400 raised for The Thirst Project through our Culver’s Give Back Night and bracelet sales Outstanding Executive Board Member Award – Juhi Bhatt 3rd Place – Traditional Scrapbook Early Bird Dues Award – Thanks to Riya Veershetty 2nd Place – Kiwanis Family Relations Award
We could not be more proud of the leadership, service, and heart our students demonstrate every single day. The future is bright! Go Bears! ... See MoreSee Less
This week we heard from club member and Assistant Superintendent of SJ Schools Amy Dirlam. She shared how professional development of teachers is a critical part of SJ Schools strategic plan. On this Valentine’s Day, we want to give heartfelt thanks 💗 to Amy and all of the area administrators, teachers and support staff who put in thousands of hours of work and study, year-round, to help our kids get an outstanding education. 📚🎭🔬💻🎼🧮 ... See MoreSee Less
Our club was happy to hear from Aravind Ale, Co-owner and Chef for @intaliarestaurant opening in March! He made our mouths water describing the flavorful fusion foods from India and Italy that he will prepare. Aravind also shared his big heart for helping children and the community. Be sure to check out Intalia on Glenlord Rd in Stevensville! ... See MoreSee Less
Kiwanis Affliation
Kiwanis is a worldwide organization of volunteers committed to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. To expand our reach both internationally and locally, Kiwanis International is divided into 49 Districts and Provisional Districts. These Districts consist of Divisions, which vary in number depending on the district. Some districts include a single state or country, while others cover multiple states or countries. Certain districts also serve specific geographical regions. A governor and other elected officials lead each district.
The Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph/Benton Harbor, MI, led by 2025-2026 Club President Ray Russell, is part of the Michigan District in Division 13. The other clubs in our Division include Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Sunrise, Niles-Southwestern, Paw Paw, South Haven, and Westside Kalamazoo.
A Lieutenant Governor leads each division. Jennifer Green holds this distinction in our Division for the 2025-26 Kiwanis year. In all, there are 20 Divisions in the Michigan District.
There are over 8300 Kiwanis clubs worldwide, located in 80 countries and geographic areas. These clubs comprise over 294,000 adult members and an additional 536,000 in associated youth clubs.
2025-2026 Club Officers
Pictured standing from left to right:
Board Member Mike Sinn, Board Member Tom Nelson, Board Member Bruce Molineaux,
Club Secretary Ashley Schulte, Club Treasurer Dean Driscoll, and Board Member Jim Bartley
Pictured seated from left to right:
Division 13 Lt. Governor Jennifer Green, Club President Roger Bertsch, Club Vice President Jay Wojcik, Club President Elect Ray Russell, and Club Immediate Past President Dave Miller.
Not pictured are Board Members Laurie Kelly and Kimberly Risk.
Facebook
Kiwanis Club of St. Joseph Benton Harbor
What is Kiwanis? We are an eclectic mix of ages, genders, occupations, backgrounds, and interests. We are all passionate about making our community and the world a better place for children so they can thrive.
So proud of these outstanding young leaders!This weekend, 360 Michigan high school members from 32 schools gathered to celebrate a year of service, leadership, and impact through Key Club. Students participated in breakout sessions focused on leadership skills, club organization, hands-on service projects, and fundraising techniques.
Of the clubs sponsored by the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor Kiwanis Club, both St. Joseph and Lakeshore were proudly represented by 34 members, along with advisors Katie Woodard (LHS) and Lauri Berry (SJHS). We are so grateful for the ongoing support, direction, and enthusiasm of our Kiwanis partners — and our members truly appreciated seeing the Good Luck ads scrolling across the conference screens!
Student Key Club State Elected Positions – We Are So Proud!
* Sukainah Saleem (St. Joseph freshman)* – Elected 2026–27 Lieutenant Governor for Division 8
* Aminah Garcia (St. Joseph junior)* – Elected 2026–27 Michigan District Bulletin Editor
* Riya Veershetty (St. Joseph junior)* – Endorsed to run for International Trustee at ICON
We also want to recognize these outstanding student leaders for their year of district-level service:
* Samaira Suri (Lakeshore junior) – Division 8 Lieutenant Governor
* Joe Berry (St. Joseph senior) – District Treasurer
* Juhi Bhatt (St. Joseph senior) – District Secretary
Thank you for representing our schools with excellence!
Student Key Club Conference Awards:
1st Place – Partners in Service Award
• $200 raised through our UNICEF Trick-or-Treat campaign
• $400 raised for The Thirst Project through our Culver’s Give Back Night and bracelet sales
Outstanding Executive Board Member Award – Juhi Bhatt
3rd Place – Traditional Scrapbook
Early Bird Dues Award – Thanks to Riya Veershetty
2nd Place – Kiwanis Family Relations Award
We could not be more proud of the leadership, service, and heart our students demonstrate every single day. The future is bright! Go Bears! ... See MoreSee Less
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This week we heard from club member and Assistant Superintendent of SJ Schools Amy Dirlam. She shared how professional development of teachers is a critical part of SJ Schools strategic plan.
On this Valentine’s Day, we want to give heartfelt thanks 💗 to Amy and all of the area administrators, teachers and support staff who put in thousands of hours of work and study, year-round, to help our kids get an outstanding education. 📚🎭🔬💻🎼🧮 ... See MoreSee Less
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Our club was happy to hear from Aravind Ale, Co-owner and Chef for @intaliarestaurant opening in March! He made our mouths water describing the flavorful fusion foods from India and Italy that he will prepare. Aravind also shared his big heart for helping children and the community. Be sure to check out Intalia on Glenlord Rd in Stevensville! ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook