Aktion Club became an official Service Leadership Program of Kiwanis International on October 1, 2000. Aktion Club is the only service club for adults with disabilities, with more than 12,000 members worldwide. Club members become competent, capable, caring leaders through the vehicle of service.
Chartered in September 2002, the first Aktion Club in the NY District was right here in East Aurora! Co-founders Don Back and Paul Synor got together in early 2002 to discuss how to embrace the developmentally disabled in our community and get them more involved. Today you’ll see our over 100 club members and volunteers all over town. The can be seen helping with Kiwanis chicken barbecues, holding car washes, making and selling greeting cards, demonstrating sportsmanship in Aktion Club baseball and other sports, marching in parades, showing off their artwork at exhibitions, caroling at the nursing home, performing in talent shows, working at local companies like Tops and Absolut Care and much more.
There were growing pains, of course; the constant turnover of staff at group homes affected member involvement. Then came John Voss, approximately ten years ago, just as he was getting ready to retire from NYSEG. John knew how to raise funds; he was a dynamic guy who could mobilize people. The members love him, and support has grown since he’s been with the club.
The Aktion Club meets formally once a month. Often there is dinner, a guest speaker and an activity. They have holiday parties with music, dances and food. If you’ve ever been to an Aktion Club Talent Show, you know how entertaining they can be. Aktion Clubbers have elections for president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. They plan events, set up fundraisers and plan field trips. Every month, they publish The Chatter, a newsletter chronicling the highlights of the recent month.
Desire to Serve
2022 Stocking StuffersAktion Club stuffs stockingsOver 120 Stockings donated
The Aktion Clubbers got together to stuff over 120 stockings for less fortunate children in our area. The stockings we distributed by the Rural Outreach Center to various families throughout East Aurora.
When people discover their desire to serve, they decide that serving others isn’t just something they do—it’s their way of life. Aktion Club provides opportunities for members to discover their desire to serve. In fact, the service-club experience helps people of all ages accept their ability to make a difference, enhance their knowledge of their own passions and convictions, and develop empathy with those in need in their communities.
Leadership
Leadership is one of Aktion Club’s core values. Every person has leadership potential and Aktion Club can help people discover their desire to lead. In fact, someone with the desire to lead will decide to step forward when the easier choice might be to stand still. The service club experience can help members accept their own identity as a leader.
Engagement
LeadershipEngagementAktion Club
Engagement is about living a life of collaboration, not isolation. More than ever, adults with disabilities are becoming active in their communities. Our members develop skills for building coalitions that address community needs. They also enhance their ability to create strong connections through conversation.
Aktion Club is supported at the district level and by the Kiwanis International Office in Indianapolis, Indiana, which provides programs, literature and opportunities to relate to individuals with disabilities from countries worldwide.
Aktion Club of East Aurora
Aktion Club where Development has No Disability
Aktion Club History
Aktion Club became an official Service Leadership Program of Kiwanis International on October 1, 2000. Aktion Club is the only service club for adults with disabilities, with more than 12,000 members worldwide. Club members become competent, capable, caring leaders through the vehicle of service.
Chartered in September 2002, the first Aktion Club in the NY District was right here in East Aurora! Co-founders Don Back and Paul Synor got together in early 2002 to discuss how to embrace the developmentally disabled in our community and get them more involved. Today you’ll see our over 100 club members and volunteers all over town. The can be seen helping with Kiwanis chicken barbecues, holding car washes, making and selling greeting cards, demonstrating sportsmanship in Aktion Club baseball and other sports, marching in parades, showing off their artwork at exhibitions, caroling at the nursing home, performing in talent shows, working at local companies like Tops and Absolut Care and much more.
There were growing pains, of course; the constant turnover of staff at group homes affected member involvement. Then came John Voss, approximately ten years ago, just as he was getting ready to retire from NYSEG. John knew how to raise funds; he was a dynamic guy who could mobilize people. The members love him, and support has grown since he’s been with the club.
The Aktion Club meets formally once a month. Often there is dinner, a guest speaker and an activity. They have holiday parties with music, dances and food. If you’ve ever been to an Aktion Club Talent Show, you know how entertaining they can be. Aktion Clubbers have elections for president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. They plan events, set up fundraisers and plan field trips. Every month, they publish The Chatter, a newsletter chronicling the highlights of the recent month.
Desire to Serve
The Aktion Clubbers got together to stuff over 120 stockings for less fortunate children in our area. The stockings we distributed by the Rural Outreach Center to various families throughout East Aurora.
When people discover their desire to serve, they decide that serving others isn’t just something they do—it’s their way of life. Aktion Club provides opportunities for members to discover their desire to serve. In fact, the service-club experience helps people of all ages accept their ability to make a difference, enhance their knowledge of their own passions and convictions, and develop empathy with those in need in their communities.
Leadership
Leadership is one of Aktion Club’s core values. Every person has leadership potential and Aktion Club can help people discover their desire to lead. In fact, someone with the desire to lead will decide to step forward when the easier choice might be to stand still. The service club experience can help members accept their own identity as a leader.
Engagement
Engagement is about living a life of collaboration, not isolation. More than ever, adults with disabilities are becoming active in their communities. Our members develop skills for building coalitions that address community needs. They also enhance their ability to create strong connections through conversation.
Aktion Club is supported at the district level and by the Kiwanis International Office in Indianapolis, Indiana, which provides programs, literature and opportunities to relate to individuals with disabilities from countries worldwide.
Quick Links
East Aurora Scholarship Program
Aktion Club of East Aurora
Key Club of East Aurora
Become A Kiwanis Member