Thank you for attending the 1st Fall Community Engagement Summit! We hope you enjoyed the day and are able to return to your clubs with renewed energy, excitement, and ideas! Please make sure to fill out our survey. We will have more great speakers joining us for next year’s Summit! Check back again soon for more information.
Saturday, November 22, 2025 8:00am – 3:00pm Program will begin at 8:30am
Eagle Eye Golf and Banquet Center 15500 Chandler Rd., Bath, MI 48808
Clubs were never just about programs or dues – they were built to bring people together and serve the community. Learn how belonging fuels engagement and how shifting your mindset from membership to community transforms everything from participation to purpose. Learn to strengthen connections and inspire authentic engagement.
This program is open to all Kiwanis members. Bring a friend!
Investment
Early Bird Registration $65
Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch, and continuous beverage service.
DON’T MISS OUT! Space is limited, and reservations will be accepted until the event is full. If your plans change, your registration can be transferred to someone else—but refunds aren’t available. Please contact the Michigan District of Kiwanis office to transfer your registration.
Matt Gillett is the owner of Saddleback BBQ, Lansing’s premier craft barbecue destination, and the driving force behind several local food brands. With over 20 years in the food industry, he’s turned his passion for barbecue and hospitality into a thriving group of restaurants rooted in flavor, quality, and community. Under his leadership, Saddleback has expanded to two BBQ locations, Slice by Saddleback artisan pizza, a full-service catering division, and Coach’s Pub & Grill, a popular community sports bar. Matt’s commitment to authentic food and genuine hospitality continues to make Saddleback a cornerstone of the Greater Lansing dining scene.
Dr. Jennifer Marcy is Director of the Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise M.A. and Certificate Programs at Michigan State University. A scholar-practitioner with nearly 20 years of experience in nonprofits and higher education, she combines academic insight with practical expertise. She has secured over $150 million in external funding for global programs focused on economic development, food policy, and higher education capacity building. Her international work spans Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. Dr. Marcy’s research explores global student mobility and cross-border partnerships, and she is dedicated to preparing culturally aware, purpose-driven nonprofit leaders.
Dr. Morgan Shipley is the Inaugural Foglio Endowed Chair of Spirituality and Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Michigan State University. His work examines how spirituality enhances personal wellness, collective well-being, and ethical living. His current research explores secular spirituality and the “spiritual but not religious” movement, emphasizing spirituality’s role in ethics, education, and social justice. Before joining MSU, he worked in the nonprofit sector as a research analyst for the Government Finance Officers Association, focusing on transparency and fiscal responsibility. A passionate educator, Dr. Shipley inspires students to grow as professionals and as compassionate global citizens.
KENNETH NELSON, JR.
Award Winning Filmmaker, Producer & Director and Founder and Creative Director of Ray Media Creative
Kenneth Ray Nelson, Jr. is an award-winning filmmaker, producer, and director with B.A. and M.A. degrees in Media from Michigan State University. His debut feature film, Sincerely, Brenda —a powerful story of forgiveness and reconciliation—earned 44 nominations and 19 wins worldwide, including Best Film of the Year in Rome. At MSU, Kenneth developed The Business of Low Budget Filmmaking and Introduction to Filmmaking courses and led a million-dollar production studio serving Fortune 500 clients. Now leading Ray Media Creative, a Black-owned storytelling agency, he helps social impact organizations amplify their message through strategy, creativity, and his POWER Storytelling™ Framework.
Get ready to SOCK IT TO ’EM! Our division-wide SOCK fundraiser runs from October 31 through December 31, 2026, giving us plenty of time to share, sell, and spread some holiday fun!
We’re Starting with SOCKSGIVING!
We’ll kick off our fundraiser with SOCKSGIVING—a fun way to add some warmth, personality, and Kiwanis spirit to Thanksgiving while raising funds for our clubs and communities.
The Lt. Governors have everything you need to get started! They have the fundraising information, flyers, promotional materials, and details to help your club jump right in.
Share. Sell. SOCK IT!
Get your club involved, share the fundraiser with family and friends, and spread the word far and wide.
Kiwanis International President Hope Markes visited East Lansing on Sunday, November 8th and visited with club members from across the Mid-Michigan Area.
She will be visiting the Ann Arbor Kiwanis Club today at Noon at the Kiwanis Thrift Store and at the founding club of Kiwanis International, Detroit #1 in Detroit later tonight. See our events page for more information about todays events across Michigan. We hope you can join us to meet with Kiwanis International President, Hope Markes! ... See MoreSee Less
The Kiwanis Club of East Lansing hosted Kiwanis International President Hope Markes, who has been involved with the volunteer organization for nearly three decades.
Fall Community Engagement Summit 2025
Thank you for attending the 1st Fall Community Engagement Summit! We hope you enjoyed the day and are able to return to your clubs with renewed energy, excitement, and ideas! Please make sure to fill out our survey. We will have more great speakers joining us for next year’s Summit! Check back again soon for more information.
Saturday, November 22, 2025
8:00am – 3:00pm Program will begin at 8:30am
Eagle Eye Golf and Banquet Center
15500 Chandler Rd., Bath, MI 48808
Clubs were never just about programs or dues – they were built to bring people together and serve the community. Learn how belonging fuels engagement and how shifting your mindset from membership to community transforms everything from participation to purpose. Learn to strengthen connections and inspire authentic engagement.
This program is open to all Kiwanis members. Bring a friend!
Investment
Early Bird Registration $65
Registration includes continental breakfast, lunch, and continuous beverage service.
DON’T MISS OUT! Space is limited, and reservations will be accepted until the event is full. If your plans change, your registration can be transferred to someone else—but refunds aren’t available. Please contact the Michigan District of Kiwanis office to transfer your registration.
NO REFUNDS WILL BE AVAILABLE
2025 COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS SPEAKERS
MATT GILLETT
Owner, Saddleback BBQ and Award Winning Entrepreneur
Matt Gillett is the owner of Saddleback BBQ, Lansing’s premier craft barbecue destination, and the driving force behind several local food brands. With over 20 years in the food industry, he’s turned his passion for barbecue and hospitality into a thriving group of restaurants rooted in flavor, quality, and community. Under his leadership, Saddleback has expanded to two BBQ locations, Slice by Saddleback artisan pizza, a full-service catering division, and Coach’s Pub & Grill, a popular community sports bar. Matt’s commitment to authentic food and genuine hospitality continues to make Saddleback a cornerstone of the Greater Lansing dining scene.
DR. JENNIFER MARCY
Director of Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise programs, Michigan State University
Dr. Jennifer Marcy is Director of the Nonprofit Leadership, Global Cultures, and Social Enterprise M.A. and Certificate Programs at Michigan State University. A scholar-practitioner with nearly 20 years of experience in nonprofits and higher education, she combines academic insight with practical expertise.
She has secured over $150 million in external funding for global programs focused on economic development, food policy, and higher education capacity building. Her international work spans Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America.
Dr. Marcy’s research explores global student mobility and cross-border partnerships, and she is dedicated to preparing culturally aware, purpose-driven nonprofit leaders.
DR. MORGAN SHIPLEY
Associate Professor, Foglio Endowed Chair in Spiritualty , Michigan State University
Dr. Morgan Shipley is the Inaugural Foglio Endowed Chair of Spirituality and Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Michigan State University. His work examines how spirituality enhances personal wellness, collective well-being, and ethical living.
His current research explores secular spirituality and the “spiritual but not religious” movement, emphasizing spirituality’s role in ethics, education, and social justice.
Before joining MSU, he worked in the nonprofit sector as a research analyst for the Government Finance Officers Association, focusing on transparency and fiscal responsibility. A passionate educator, Dr. Shipley inspires students to grow as professionals and as compassionate global citizens.
KENNETH NELSON, JR.
Award Winning Filmmaker, Producer & Director and Founder and Creative Director of Ray Media Creative
Kenneth Ray Nelson, Jr. is an award-winning filmmaker, producer, and director with B.A. and M.A. degrees in Media from Michigan State University. His debut feature film, Sincerely, Brenda —a powerful story of forgiveness and reconciliation—earned 44 nominations and 19 wins worldwide, including Best Film of the Year in Rome.
At MSU, Kenneth developed The Business of Low Budget Filmmaking and Introduction to Filmmaking courses and led a million-dollar production studio serving Fortune 500 clients.
Now leading Ray Media Creative, a Black-owned storytelling agency, he helps social impact organizations amplify their message through strategy, creativity, and his POWER Storytelling™ Framework.
Upcoming Events
Circle K Snowpia
Circle K District Convention
Facebook Posts
LET’S GET OUR SOCKS ON!
Kiwanis Division Wide Challenge Is On..
One Sock at a Time
Get ready to SOCK IT TO ’EM! Our division-wide SOCK fundraiser runs from October 31 through December 31, 2026, giving us plenty of time to share, sell, and spread some holiday fun!
We’re Starting with SOCKSGIVING!
We’ll kick off our fundraiser with SOCKSGIVING—a fun way to add some warmth, personality, and Kiwanis spirit to Thanksgiving while raising funds for our clubs and communities.
The Lt. Governors have everything you need to get started! They have the fundraising information, flyers, promotional materials, and details to help your club jump right in.
Share. Sell. SOCK IT!
Get your club involved, share the fundraiser with family and friends, and spread the word far and wide.
October 31 – December 31, 2026
SOCKSGIVING → THE SEASON → KIWANIS SERVICE
Let’s make this a SOCKS-cess! ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Kiwanis International President Hope Markes visited East Lansing on Sunday, November 8th and visited with club members from across the Mid-Michigan Area.
She will be visiting the Ann Arbor Kiwanis Club today at Noon at the Kiwanis Thrift Store and at the founding club of Kiwanis International, Detroit #1 in Detroit later tonight. See our events page for more information about todays events across Michigan. We hope you can join us to meet with Kiwanis International President, Hope Markes! ... See MoreSee Less
Kiwanis International president visits East Lansing club
www.wilx.com
The Kiwanis Club of East Lansing hosted Kiwanis International President Hope Markes, who has been involved with the volunteer organization for nearly three decades.0 CommentsComment on Facebook