The Ada Kiwanis Club met on Tuesday December 9, 2014 at 12:00 noon at McIntosh Center, Ohio Northern University, Ada President John Berg called the meeting to order at 12:00 noon.

The following guests were introduced: Rev. Patrick Allen, his wife Deb, and two of their children, Nathan and Noah.

The birthdays of members Scott Wills (December 10th) and Jon Umphress (December 13th were noted.

The wedding anniversary of Bryan and Colleen Marshall (December17th) was also noted.

In business:
-Members heard an updated financial report from Treasurer Bryan Marshall.
-There will be a board meeting today following the regular meeting.
-A club-sponsored visit of Santa to the Head Start class will be held at Upper Scioto Valley Schools this coming Friday morning at 10:45 a.m.
-Secretary Bill Fuller noted a thank-you note from Ohio Kiwanis Governor Gov. Diana Keplinger.
-The satellite club met last week and will be meeting this Wednesday at East of Chicago Pizza at 6:00 p.m.
-The club’s annual Christmas luncheon/auction will be held next Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at Community Health Professionals. Ada Rotary and the Kenton Kiwanis Club will join us.

There will be an ugly sweater competition.  Be sure to bring items for the silent auction.
Rev. Patrick Allen and members of his family spoke to the membership on their efforts of home schooling.

They noted that they chose to homes schooling because they wanted to provide a religious foundation for their children’s program of education.  Such a foundation is important because education is fundamentally a religious activity. 
There are various approaches to homeschooling.  For example, the K-12 approach is basically an online public school.  Another approach is “unschooling,” in which children are free to follow their interests. Modules can be purchased commercially.  Ohio students receive funding to participate in post-secondary courses.
The Allen’s approach is what is called “Classical Homeschooling.”This approach is based on a recommendation of Dorothy Sayers emphasizing the importance of the Latin and Greek classics. 
The components include factual learning, rhetoric, and broad-based reading. 
They noted that their children are active in sports and various clubs.  Their children have become strong self-directed learners. 

Rev. Allen and his family then answered questions from club members.
-Upcoming Meetings/Activities:
-December16th Joint Christmas Party with Rotary at Community Health Professionals
     -December 23 No meeting
-December 30th-No meeting
-January 6th business and board meetings – no program
     -January 13th brief business and program (Harold Friesner)
     -January 20th No business or program – service activity (Brian Myers)
     -January 27th brief business and program (Jon Umphress)
 

The Ada Kiwanis meets at 12:00 noon each Tuesday in McIntosh Center, ONU. Guests are always welcome.
Visit the club’s Facebook page.