Numerous groups available for northern-area residents
Interested in learning about the universe, sharpening your public speaking skills or diving into creative writing? There’s a group for that.
The northwest area has a plethora of clubs aimed at connecting like-minded people with similar passions. Some groups focus on good deeds, while others teach people how to track down their family history.
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Ranking at 25.3 percent, fear of public speaking is America’s biggest anxiety, according to the findings of the 2014 Chapman University Survey on American Fears.
In order to combat that phobia, the Centennial Hills Toastmasters, a chapter of the international group, was created.
“Toastmaster is all about improving people’s public speaking and leadership skills,” said Trevor Yanke, president of the club. “Some people join to get job promotions and others join to improve their English speaking skills.”
The group focuses on helping people refine their public speaking skills and social graces through 1- to 15-minute speeches. Some are impromptu speeches, while others are planned with PowerPoint presentations, handouts or notes.
The fee to participate is $7 per month, which is paid in full twice a year in January and July. Participants receive two Toastmasters manuals and a subscription to Toastmasters International magazine.
Members are scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday of every month at Findlay Honda, 7494 W. Azure Drive.
“This group is aimed at getting people out of their comfort zone,” Yanke said.
For more information, call 702-265-2910 or visit 2611.toastmastersclubs.org.
HELPING HANDS
An act of kindness can go a long way, which is why the Kiwanis Club of North Las Vegas, a chapter of Kiwanis International, focuses on helping different charities.
The club supports charities such as Ronald McDonald House, Box Tops for Education, Warmth Across America, Operation Christmas Child, American Red Cross and The Salvation Army.
Club community projects have included canned food drives, car shows, kites in the park events and charity fundraisers.
Its members consist of teachers, retirees and business owners.
Members are scheduled to meet at 6:15 p.m. Wednesdays at T.G.I. Friday’s in the Aliante, 7300 Aliante Parkway.
The fourth meeting of the month is limited to members only.
For more information, visit nlvkiwanis.com or call 702-399-7373.
SERVICE ABOVE SELF
It started as a way for working professionals to give back to their community with a motto to put “service above self.”
Now with more than 4,000 clubs, Rotary International has attracted roughly 1.2 million members worldwide including chapters in Las Vegas, according to rotary.org.
The North Las Vegas chapter formed in 1959. Members get together once a week for breakfast meetings that include guest speakers, networking, education workshops and service projects.
“Club meetings and activities give members the opportunity to build friendships, enrich their professional and personal knowledge, and meet other business leaders in their community,” said Mark Damron, president of the club. “Although we are a smaller club with 23 active members, we hold interesting, friendly and interactive meetings.”
The club has supported the Montandon unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada, sent local students to the Rotary Teen Leadership Camp, sponsored an essay contest in conjunction with the North Las Vegas Library District with more than $1,000 in prizes awarded and been a part of many other community projects and events.
The North Las Vegas Rotary Club meets at 7:15 a.m. Fridays at the Los Prados Golf and Country Club, 5150 Los Prados Circle.
For more information, visit nlvrc.org/newsite.
SPACE EXPLORERS
Travel to the depths of space with the Las Vegas Astronomical Society.
The society meets at 7:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the College of Southern Nevada Planetarium, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., usually with a speaker or program on an astronomy topic.
“We basically formed as an outreach for astronomy for the public to view the wonders of the night sky,” said Rob Lambert, president of the society. “We’re open to all ages. Anyone can join whether they’re a novice or an experienced astronomer.”
Those who are interested in becoming members can participate in special programs and can receive help for beginning astronomers, discount subscription rates to Astronomy and Sky and Telescope magazines, camping paid by the club at the Annual Cathedral Gorge Star Party and can use loaned telescopes, among other advantages.
Annual member dues are $36 per person or family or $15 for students and teachers.
The group also holds star-gazing events every month, which are open to the public for those interested in learning about astronomy.
For more information on the group, visit lvastronomy.com.
WRITING FOR FUN
Whether you’re a published writer, a novice or simply want to further your writing skills, the Aliante Library Writers Club welcomes people of any level and background.
The club is set to meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of every month at the Aliante Library, 2400 W. Deer Springs Way.
The group gathers for networking, readings and learning about writing.
“The first meeting of the month includes a writing exercise,” said Glory Wade, president of the club. “Both meetings include a discussion of challenges that members are facing and critiques.”
For more information, call 702-839-2980, visit nlvld.org or email glorywadewriter@gmail.com.
FAMILY HISTORY
Have you ever wanted to learn about your family history?
The Centennial Las Vegas Genealogy Society is dedicated to genealogy and ancestry research.
The group is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. the second Monday of every month inside the community room of Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, 6670 W. Cheyenne Ave.
Annual membership is $25 per person or $30 per family of two or more.
For more information, visit clvgs7.wix.com/clvgs.
Contact North View reporter Sandy Lopez at slopez@viewnews.com or 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.
