Medicine Hat's Cameron Kemp became Kin Canada's 103rd national president during the association's annual National Convention on Aug. 20. National past president Jennifer Burry (left) and national vice president Amanda Naughton-Gale showed their support for Kemp as he moved into his new role.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
kking@medicinehatnews.com
A Medicine Hat resident and longtime member of the local Kinsmen Club is taking on a greater leadership role within Kin Canada as the service organization’s new national president.
Cameron Kemp transitioned into his new role during the organization’s annual national convention, held in Hamilton on Aug. 20, departing from his previous position as national vice-president.
“It is a great honour,” Kemp told the News. “Being chosen to be the face of the association which is so well respected, not only across Canada, but specifically in Medicine Hat where I grew up, it’s amazing.”
Kemp first joined the the Kinsmen Club of Medicine Hat in 2005 when he was 26 years old, but says the organization has always played a role in his life.
“I grew up knowing what Kin was,” says Kemp. ” I was not a Kin Kid, but I knew definitely what Kin was (because) I grew up in a community where that logo was everywhere and a lot of the infrastructure, capital projects and major programming in town at one point, if not continuing, has been sponsored by the Kin and the Kinettes Club.
Kemp remembers enjoying Kin-sponsored programs and facilities like winter free skate, reading at the Kinsmen Club of Medicine Hat Children’s Library or outdoor activities in Kin Coulee Park. And says he was inspired by the positive impact club contributed had on the community.
“Like so many other young people in our community, Kin played a key role in my development,” said Kemp. “When I moved back to the city after articling and becoming a lawyer, I knew I wanted to join a service club. And I knew Kin was what I was going to join because of all the services they provided to me when I was a young person and a student, but also because all the money raised in Medicine Hat through the Kinsmen Club stays local.”
Kemp served in a multitude of roles within the club, chairing numerous fundraising and service project committees, before serving as club president from 2012 to 2013. Of the initiatives Kemp was involved in, he says he is most proud of the Kinsmen Skate Plaza, as well as long-term municipal partnerships for free public swimming and skating.
Following his term as local club president, Kemp stepped into several district leadership roles, serving as district four (Alberta and northern B.C.) risk manager, membership director and service director, before serving as a Kin Canada Foundation board member and, later, director.
Kemp says his past experiences will help guide him as he fulfills his one-year term as national president and face of the organization.
“Everyone in our association has a spark – something unique they bring that adds tremendous value to their community, club and Kin Canada as a whole,” said Kemp. “I look forward to using my spark to lead others, engage with our membership and help introduce Kin to more communities from coast to coast.”
Kemp hopes to promote the idea of each individual’s unique spark with his ‘Be a SPARK’ campaign, which will serve as the organization’s theme and guiding principle for the next year.
“It’s just giving the idea to people within the community, but also the members of Kin, that everyone brings a unique perspective and adds value to their community, their club or even to Kin Canada,” he said.
Kemp hopes to connect with post-secondary students, specifically, to discuss the personal and professional benefits volunteerism can have, especially those branching out and establishing themselves for the first time.
