Our speaker for the 1/7/2026 meeting was Tanya Melendez, Executive Director of the Good Samaritan Inn. She spoke about how the Good Samaritan Inn is funded and the Mercy Gardens.
January 14 2026
Our speaker for the 1/14/26 meeting was Josh Chamblin, Chamblin Wealth Management. He discussed “Smart Charitable Giving…and Other Retirement Topics.”
January 21 2026
Our speakers for the 1/21/26 meetings were Chris Ellis (Board President) and Devon Joyner (Executive Director) of Old Kings Orchard. They spoke about all of their programs that help the youth of Decatur.
January 28 2026
Our speakers for the 1/28/26 meeting were Leslie Risby, Supervisor, and Ashley Grayned, Executive Director, and Rahgeb Qatoum discussed the Decatur Public Schools Prep Academy.
Feb 4 2026
Our speakers for the 2/4/2026 meeting were Lacie Elzy, Director of Economic and Community Development and Director of Transportation Services for the city of Decatur and Melissa Hon, the new City Manager.
Feb 11 2026
Our speaker for the 2/11/26 meeting was Jami Fawley, Executive Director of The Decatur Area Arts Council. She spoke about the importance of the arts in our lives and the new programs and direction being taken by the Arts Council./
Feb 18 2026
Our speaker for the 2/18/26 meeting was Mark Scranton Vice President Lincoln Square Theater. He updated us on the many happenings there, including restoration efforts and live shows. The theater, which is in its 110th year of serving the downtown area , has hosted stars including Houdini and Barrymore.
Feb 25 2026
Our speaker for the 2/25/26 meeting was Clay Gerhard, Executive Director of Decatur Park District. He spoke about the Senior programs and services provided by the Decatur Park District including the new Scovill Senior Center addition being built at The Scovill Senior Center.
March 4 2026
Our speaker for the 3/4/26 meeting was Jim Hall, mentor & volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters. He presented the 2026 vision for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois.
March 11 2026
Our speakers for the 3/11/26 meeting were Denise Meyers, retired professor Millikin University and Natalie Mase, student at Millikin University. They are co-directors of the Golden K produced Children’s Play “Boxed Out” at Millikin University March 28-29 at the Virginia Rogers Theatre.
March 18 2026
Our speaker for the 3/18/26 meeting was Kent Newton, Executive Director, CFO of Sanitary District of Decatur. He spoke about the Sanitary District history and the planned upgrades.
March 25 2026
Our speaker for the 3/25/26 meeting was Elizabeth Riddle. Volunteer Coordinator for Meals On Wheels. She spoke about what the volunteers do.
April 1 2026
Our speaker for the 4/1/26 meeting was Bruce Nims who spoke about his two hikes in 2025: Way of St. James (Switzerland) and Alta Via 2 through Gran Paradiso National Park (Italy); trips occurred in early/mid-summer (July–August).
April 8 2026
Our speaker for the 4/8/26 meeting was Debbie Bogle, Executive Director of United Way of Decatur & Mid Illinois. She spoke about many of the programs provided including the ALICE Program (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) highlights households that earn above the federal poverty level but cannot afford basic necessities like housing, food, and childcare. It provides data-driven research to create community-based solutions, policy changes, and initiatives aimed at improving financial stability for working families.
April 15 2026
Our speaker for the 4/15/26 meeting was our own Grant Bullock, Masters of Science in Education, Guidance & Counseling. He spoke about Suicide Prevention. (Talk Saves Lives).
April 22 2026
Our speaker for the 4/22/26 meeting was Crystal Hoadley, Executive Director Sunshine Supplies for Teachers, NFP. She spoke about how the program for teachers works and the the different supplies they provide for the teachers.
April 29, 2026
Our speaker for the 4/29/26 meeting was Linda Boles, Past President Decatur Quilters Guild. Also with her were Penny Barry- President, Rita Ham- programs and Elizabeth Montgomery. They presented and spoke about their different quilts.
May 6 2026
Our speaker for the 5/6/26 meeting was Vanessa Duncan, Assistant Director of Development from Special Olympics, Region 1. She spoke about the different sports and competitions in the the Special Olympics.
May 13 2026
Our speaker for the May 13 meeting was Lynda Durnil. She conducted a brief review and adoption of Kiwanis International Standard Form of Club Bylaws and Policies for the Kiwanis Club of Golden K, Decatur, IL
May 20 2026
Our speaker for the May 20 meeting was Kathryn Johnson, Community Liaison for East Central Illinois Area on Aging. She spoke about scams.
May 27 2026
Our speaker for the 5/27/26 meeting was Pastor Wayne Kent who spoke about his trips to Poland and Ukraine.
June 3 2026
Chief Brad Allen presented “Behind the Badge: Leadership, Trust, and Policing in Our Community,” describing policing as largely service-oriented, the importance of internal leadership and a culture that produces professional, compassionate responses
Golden K Weekly Speakers
Upcoming Speakers
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hlkWUE8Z1A81D1pYWN0YOMR-LOVHXaxllTRVIpWi9Z4/edit?usp=sharing
January 7 2026
Our speaker for the 1/7/2026 meeting was Tanya Melendez, Executive Director of the Good Samaritan Inn. She spoke about how the Good Samaritan Inn is funded and the Mercy Gardens.
January 14 2026
Our speaker for the 1/14/26 meeting was Josh Chamblin, Chamblin Wealth Management. He discussed “Smart Charitable Giving…and Other Retirement Topics.”
January 21 2026
Our speakers for the 1/21/26 meetings were Chris Ellis (Board President) and Devon Joyner (Executive Director) of Old Kings Orchard. They spoke about all of their programs that help the youth of Decatur.
January 28 2026
Our speakers for the 1/28/26 meeting were Leslie Risby, Supervisor, and Ashley Grayned, Executive Director, and Rahgeb Qatoum discussed the Decatur Public Schools Prep Academy.
Feb 4 2026
Our speakers for the 2/4/2026 meeting were Lacie Elzy, Director of Economic and Community Development and Director of Transportation Services for the city of Decatur and Melissa Hon, the new City Manager.
Feb 11 2026
Our speaker for the 2/11/26 meeting was Jami Fawley, Executive Director of The Decatur Area Arts Council. She spoke about the importance of the arts in our lives and the new programs and direction being taken by the Arts Council./
Feb 18 2026
Our speaker for the 2/18/26 meeting was Mark Scranton Vice President Lincoln Square Theater. He updated us on the many happenings there, including restoration efforts and live shows. The theater, which is in its 110th year of serving the downtown area , has hosted stars including Houdini and Barrymore.
Feb 25 2026
Our speaker for the 2/25/26 meeting was Clay Gerhard, Executive Director of Decatur Park District. He spoke about the Senior programs and services provided by the Decatur Park District including the new Scovill Senior Center addition being built at The Scovill Senior Center.
March 4 2026
Our speaker for the 3/4/26 meeting was Jim Hall, mentor & volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters. He presented the 2026 vision for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois.
March 11 2026
Our speakers for the 3/11/26 meeting were Denise Meyers, retired professor Millikin University and Natalie Mase, student at Millikin University. They are co-directors of the Golden K produced Children’s Play “Boxed Out” at Millikin University March 28-29 at the Virginia Rogers Theatre.
March 18 2026
Our speaker for the 3/18/26 meeting was Kent Newton, Executive Director, CFO of Sanitary District of Decatur. He spoke about the Sanitary District history and the planned upgrades.
March 25 2026
Our speaker for the 3/25/26 meeting was Elizabeth Riddle. Volunteer Coordinator for Meals On Wheels. She spoke about what the volunteers do.
April 1 2026
Our speaker for the 4/1/26 meeting was Bruce Nims who spoke about his two hikes in 2025: Way of St. James (Switzerland) and Alta Via 2 through Gran Paradiso National Park (Italy); trips occurred in early/mid-summer (July–August).
April 8 2026
Our speaker for the 4/8/26 meeting was Debbie Bogle, Executive Director of United Way of Decatur & Mid Illinois. She spoke about many of the programs provided including the ALICE Program (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) highlights households that earn above the federal poverty level but cannot afford basic necessities like housing, food, and childcare. It provides data-driven research to create community-based solutions, policy changes, and initiatives aimed at improving financial stability for working families.
April 15 2026
Our speaker for the 4/15/26 meeting was our own Grant Bullock, Masters of Science in Education, Guidance & Counseling. He spoke about Suicide Prevention. (Talk Saves Lives).
April 22 2026
Our speaker for the 4/22/26 meeting was Crystal Hoadley, Executive Director Sunshine Supplies for Teachers, NFP. She spoke about how the program for teachers works and the the different supplies they provide for the teachers.
April 29, 2026
Our speaker for the 4/29/26 meeting was Linda Boles, Past President Decatur Quilters Guild. Also with her were Penny Barry- President, Rita Ham- programs and Elizabeth Montgomery. They presented and spoke about their different quilts.
May 6 2026
Our speaker for the 5/6/26 meeting was Vanessa Duncan, Assistant Director of Development from Special Olympics, Region 1. She spoke about the different sports and competitions in the the Special Olympics.
May 13 2026
Our speaker for the May 13 meeting was Lynda Durnil. She conducted a brief review and adoption of
Kiwanis International Standard Form of Club Bylaws and Policies for the
Kiwanis Club of Golden K, Decatur, IL
May 20 2026
Our speaker for the May 20 meeting was Kathryn Johnson, Community Liaison for East Central Illinois Area on Aging. She spoke about scams.
May 27 2026
Our speaker for the 5/27/26 meeting was Pastor Wayne Kent who spoke about his trips to Poland and Ukraine.
June 3 2026
Chief Brad Allen presented “Behind the Badge: Leadership, Trust, and Policing in Our Community,”
describing policing as largely service-oriented, the importance of internal leadership and a culture that
produces professional, compassionate responses