Guy Suankaew, 11, will be the next Lieutenant Governor of Division 35 West Key Club for the 2017-2018 term.

Arroyo Key Club has had many LTGs in the past, Suankaew being the 10th. Presiding over thirteen high school branches such as West Covina, Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, El Monte, Glen A. Wilson, and several others, Suankaew is ready to take on the heavy duty and responsibility of being a leader to all.

With passion, Suankaew stated, “When I ran for this position, I wanted to share my personal experience as a club officer and member of Key Club. I wanted to include everything I’ve accumulated over the years and implement it to build something strong and sturdy that will last for many more generations. I want to create a good foundation for Key Club to grow.”

The Lieutenant governor’s job is to oversee the Key Clubs in a particular division.

“My job is to preside over the clubs and see that they’re all doing well, personally and financially. I make sure everything runs smoothly. Another duty I have is to contribute to Key Club on the district board of the California-Nevada-Hawaii District, where I work as a board member among different committees in the district,” he explains.

Every month, Division 35 West hosts a Division Council Meeting (DCM) to share ideas amongst the various clubs in the division and to listen for updates. One of his biggest plans for DCM’s are to “create a huge bond amongst the clubs and make sure that the clubs feel more included in the division.” He hopes to emphasize inclusiveness and ease any tensions.

At his side are his advisors Cheri Lee, Bill Yates, and Mahmood Bashir. Mrs. Lee is the Arroyo’s Key Club advisor and Mr. Yates is the Kiwanis advisor of El Monte. Mr. Bashir is an advisor of the Hacienda Heights Kiwanis.

“They take very good care of us [officers and members] and always make sure that we have service and volunteer events to experience. They’re always updating us about what’s going on in the Kiwanis Club level as well as any other important information that we need to pass on to members,” Suankaew said.

In the past years, the Kiwanis Club of El Monte has supported the Key clubs of El Monte and Arroyo high school through financial assistance and organizational opportunities. Unfortunately, the city’s club is no longer in existence.

“There just wasn’t enough financial support for it. I remember going to the Kiwanis meetings and my advisor [Cheri Lee] had informed me the unfortunate news,” explained Suankaew.

So what have the Key clubs of El Monte and Arroyo done to adjust to the changes?

Suankaew responded, “We actually moved to Hacienda Heights Kiwanis, and they have a very strong program for Arroyo’s Key club.”

Arroyo’s Key club is in good hands as well as El Monte high school’s, who has transferred to be under the support of the Kiwanis Club of Monrovia. It may be years until El Monte’s Kiwanis is re-established, but Suankaew is positive that it will happen.

“I think there is a very good chance we will rebuild because the clubs in El Monte are rising and there is going to be a higher demand for the clubs to have their own Kiwanis in the city,” he said.

With a positive attitude, Suankaew hopes to improve communications as LTG.

“I chose communications because as an officer for Arroyo Key club Vice President last year, I observed that talking to others and exchanging information is such a crucial part in creating a good foundation and strong team. Not only do I want to bring this to Arroyo’s Key club but also to the entire division,” he said, “I also want to make sure that every school is comfortable communicating with each other.”

He is currently the Lieutenant-elect of the division and will become initiated at the annual Key Club District Convention, held on April 7th-9th in Anaheim. His term will officially end at the next convention in 2018.