By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
A two-day “prospecting” effort will be launched in mid-July by Monroeville Kiwanis members, an effort that will culminate in an informational meeting to see if there is enough local interest to establish a Kiwanis club here.
The meeting, set to last from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 14, will be held at United Bank’s main branch on East Nashville Street. Light refreshments will be served, and Monroeville Kiwanis members will explain the basic tenets of the civic organization and answer any questions about it. The Kiwanis International website says the group’s intent is to “empower communities to improve the world by making lasting differences in the lives of children.”
Monroeville’s Paul England, a 36-year member of Kiwanis who is spearheading an effort to “recruit” a new Kiwanis presence in the area, said Atmore seemed the most logical place to focus that effort.
“We were looking for areas to expand the Kiwanis footprint,” England explained. “We talked to several people down there (in and around Atmore), and there seems to be some interest, so that’s why we’re going try and do that.
“We have a club in Brewton and several in Baldwin County, and we felt like Atmore needed a club, so that’s why we’re going to try and focus our efforts down there.”
England said the decision to abort the plan or move forward will be based upon “what kind of feedback we get from the community.”
He added that Monroeville Kiwanians will spend two days doing “advance work” prior to the meeting, which is open to the public.
“The meeting is Thursday, July 14, but we will have call teams physically in the community on Wednesday and Thursday, July 13 and 14, with a kind-of 9 (a.m.) until 4 (p.m.) time frame,” England said. During those two days, Kiwanis members will meet one-on-one with anyone interested in joining such a club or finding out more about the organization.
“We’ll be prospecting a little more over the next couple weeks,” the Monroeville man said. “We’ve got a whole team, about eight people, who’ll be making calls, talking to people over those couple of days. If anyone is interested, I ask that they please reach out to me.”
England added that members of the Atmore community would ultimately decide whether or not a “branch” of the international organization will be established here.
“Honestly, it depends on what response we get,” he said. “Again, the community has got to want it, and there has to be enough people to support it.”
England can be reached by email at englandp@icloud.com.