By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
After years of practicing, Jason Miller has become an expert juggler.
As governor of the Ohio Kiwanis organization, last week Miller attended his home club in Bowling Green, plus traveled to clubs in Toledo, Columbus and to Circleville – where he judged a pet parade at the city’s annual pumpkin festival.
“I’ll do anything to put the Kiwanis name out there,” said Miller, of Bowling Green.
Bowling Green Kiwanis members have known that for some time now.
Miller, a past president of the local club, is not above wearing a pancake costume or getting covered with sticky syrup and batter at the group’s pancake breakfasts. He willingly whips up batches of chili for the community cook-off, rings the bell for the Salvation Army shifts, dons antlers for the holiday parade, and tosses beanbags in a cornhole tournament.
And Miller does it all with a sincere smile.
“A lot of that is how I was raised,” he explained.
Miller, 44, grew up in Mansfield. His father taught him that even though they didn’t have much, they always had time to give.
“He always said, ‘Let’s give back where we can,’” his son recalled.
Miller took his dad’s words to heart, and joined a community service group in high school – the Key Club, which is the high school version of Kiwanis. He had no idea at the time what Kiwanis was all about – or the huge role it would play in his life.
When Miller started at Bowling Green State University, he joined Circle K, the college version of Kiwanis. When he learned the BGSU chapter could lose its charter, he offered to help save the club.
And when he graduated, “I knew wherever I ended up, I’ve got to find a Kiwanis Club.”
BG Kiwanis Club is lucky enough to be where Miller landed. Every step of the way – high school, college, community and now statewide – Miller has served top leadership roles.
His motivation matches up with the mission of the organization – helping children.
“This is the group if you want to make a difference in the life of a child,” Miller said. “That sounded like a stump speech, but I really do mean it.”
“Our mission is changing the world one child and one community at a time,” he said. “How do we better impact the lives of children?”
Sometimes that help comes in the form of financial support, helping with 4H, BGHS mascot costumes, preschool at Conneaut, the kids fund at the Cocoon, and helping kids be creative at the Youth Arts Village at the Black Swamp Arts Festival.
And sometimes the support comes in the form of a kind word.
“It doesn’t have to be this grand donation,” Miller said. “It can be asking a student how they are doing and if they need help with homework.”
And if he’s really lucky, Miller can convince youth that giving back is a good thing.
“If I can help a high school, college, or even an elementary student learn about the joy of giving back – that’s a great day,” he said.
Becca Ferguson shares Miller’s commitment to Kiwanis, and mentored him along the way.
“The first time I met Jason I was impressed with his professionalism, leadership abilities and dedication to service. He cares deeply for humankind and the youth in particular,” she said. “He has a wonderful ability to see the positive and bring the best out in people. His enthusiasm is infectious.”
Ferguson saw that Miller had a lot to give.
“As I got to know him, I knew his dedication to Kiwanis would inevitably put him in successively larger leadership positions. Kiwanis and kids are fortunate to have him involved, and I am fortunate to call him friend,” she said.
Miller comes into a state leadership role at a challenging time for Kiwanis. Since 2006, the organization has seen its membership dropping in Ohio.
“Everyone is struggling to find members,” he said. “How do we change and adapt Kiwanis to attract people?”
The Bowling Green chapter, which is more than a century old, is doing better than most. With 114 members, the BG group is remaining steady as the second largest of the nearly 200 Kiwanis clubs in Ohio.
To stop the decline in statewide membership, Miller has been putting a lot of miles on his car, driving about 2,500 miles in October to Ohio clubs.
“I want to be as easily accessible to as many as I can,” he said.
Miller also wants to modernize the image of Kiwanis clubs, breaking through the white male stereotype.
“We used to have this reputation of an old boys’ club,” he said.
It hasn’t been that long since the organization began allowing women to join 35 years ago. That change was enough to cause some men to part ways with the club.
“It’s crazy to me,” Miller said. “Obviously letting women in made the organization better.”
Miller wants clubs to consider how they need to change to attract younger members and continue to meet the mission of serving children.
“We have to be able to change what we’re doing if we want to grow.”
Miller comes from a different perspective than most state governors of the organization. While most are retired, he is only 44 and employed as manager of human resources at the Wood County Committee on Aging. His boss, fellow Kiwanian Denise Niese, is understanding of the demands of the position.
“A lot of time people forget I am employed,” Miller said. “I will do whatever I can, but I do still work.”
To help with his juggling act, Miller has a huge support system of family, friends and fellow Kiwanians.
The Bowling Green Kiwanis Club sponsors three K-Kids Clubs at the city’s three elementaries, Builders Club at the middle school, two Key Clubs at BG and Eastwood high schools, Circle K at BGSU, and Aktion Club with Wood Lane.
He serves as adviser to the Circle K Club at BGSU, teaching students the value of simple acts like making cards for nursing home residents or bookmarks for the library.
“It really is rewarding,” he said. “I’ve loved every minute of it. The people in this club are so generous.”
