A visit by an international service club president is a special honor and members of St. Johns Kiwanis enjoyed that privilege recently when the leader of Kiwanis world-wide paid a visit during the club’s weekly Thursday morning meeting.
Sylvester “Syl” Neal, who was elected International President this past June during Kiwanis’ 95th annual convention in Las Vegas visited with local members during their Oct. 21 meeting, offering encouragement to continue the Kiwanis spirit of giving to the community. Neal is a member of Kiwanis in Auburn, WA and currently resides in that city. He is a former member of Kiwanis clubs in Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska and earned recognition as “Kiwanian of the Year” four times during those memberships. He is a life member of Kiwanis International and a Diamond-level George F. Hixon Fellow of the Kiwanis International Foundation.
President Neal is a retired Alaska state fire marshal. He has chaired the Alaska State Fire Commission on Fire Prevention and Control and served on the board of Alaskans for Drug Free Youth. Additionally, Mr. Neal has held volunteer position with United Way, Special Olympics and served as chairman of the Alaska Fallen Firefighters Memorial fundraising committee. He is an ordained deacon in his church and received the Citizens Volunteer Award from the Anchorage School District.
President Neal and his wife, Doris, are parents of five children and enjoy seven grandchildren.
Shown with President Sylvester Neal, left, are MSU Circle K President Andrew Smith, St. Johns Kiwanis President Denise Uribe, International Trustee from East Lansing Kiwanis Sue Petrisin and Bill Gohier, Michigan Kiwanis District Governor.