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2008-2009 International Officers
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President
MELVINA NEWMAN, Sioux Falls Noon Club
Melvina Newman joined the Sioux Falls Noon Club in May of 1998, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She served on their Board of Managers for 7 years including Vice President, President-Elect and then President in 2001-02. She also served as program chairman for 4 years, Distinguished Service Award Banquet Chair for 3 years, was Cosmo of the Year for the Sioux Falls Noon Club and North Central Federation in 2001 and was the International Community Service Award winner in 2003. Melvina has served as North Central Federation Governor, Awards Judging at 3 International Conventions, 2008 International Convention co-chair, International Vice President of Finance and Marketing, and International President-Elect. Melvina was installed as International President at the 83rd Annual Cosmopolitan International Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, on August 1, 2009.
Melvina grew up in a rural community in Minnesota and learned from her parents about being involved in church and community. She attended business college in Sioux Falls and has made her home in Sioux Falls since then, where she met her husband Richard. From college her career led her into the legal profession working as office administrator, Court Administrator’s Assistant and paralegal. She then became Vice President of Finance for a local chemical company for 17 years, owned and operated a Drive-In Restaurant for 5 years, was South Dakota District Manager for the American Diabetes Association for 3 years and in 2001 purchased Anderson’s & Kelley’s Flowers and Gifts which she still owns and operates.
Melvina is active in other community groups and activities such as Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, South Dakota Floral Association, current Secretary of the Teleflora MinnDak unit, Past State President of Business & Professional Women, served as a member of the National Membership and Foundation Committees Business & Professional Women and awarded Business Woman of Year, current Treasurer and past State President of SD Advocacy Network for Families, member and past President of the Soroptimist Service Club, and member of the American Diabetes Leadership Council. She also loves attending sport events and concerts, traveling and reading. |
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President-Elect
RICHARD GREER, Saskatoon Yellowhead Club
Richard Greer joined Cosmopolitan in Saskatoon in 1995. He has served as Club President for a two-year term, as well as other positions in the Club. He was on the Federation Board for two years as Lt. Governor, and was International Governor of the Year in 2005-06. He was Vice President for Membership and New Clubs on the International Board for two years, and elected as President-elect at the 83rd Annual Cosmopolitan International Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 29 – August 1, 2009.
Richard has lived and worked all his life in Saskatoon, mostly at the retail level. Richard has supported various volunteer groups throughout his life including Boy Scouts, Home and School, as well as coached his daughters’ teams. He is also a member of Toastmasters International. He is married to Cosmopolitan member Linda, has four children and nine grandchildren. He will be sworn in as International President at the 84th Annual Cosmopolitan International Convention in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 28 – 31, 2010. |
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Vice President of Membership and New Clubs
BRIAN DUCKETT, Wascana Club
Brian Duckett joined Cosmopolitan International as a Charter Member of the Wascana Cosmopolitan Club on April 8, 1995, in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. He has served his Club as President, the Western Canada Federation as Governor, the Cosmopolitan Foundation Canada, Inc. as President, and was elected to the Cosmopolitan International Board as Vice President of Membership and New Clubs at the 83rd Annual Cosmopolitan International Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 29 – August 1, 2009.
Brian has attained a Bachelor of Education in Social Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of Regina. He taught school for 30 years before retiring in 2001. While teaching, he coached a number of school-based sports such as volleyball, basketball, track, cross-country, and football.
Brian has been involved in the Regina community. He has coached minor hockey, baseball, and football. He also served on the Board of Directors as Secretary of the Regina Thunder, a Junior level football team in the Prairie Junior Football League. Also, for the last 8 years, he has served as the Vice-Chair on the Kids First Day Care Centre, Inc. Board of Directors, a day care for high school students/parents that want to achieve their high school diplomas.
Brian is currently living at Crooked Lake, Saskatchewan with his wife and fellow Cosmo, Shelley.
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Vice President of Finance
Phil Hanson, Columbia Luncheon Club
Phil Hanson joined Cosmopolitan International as a member of the Columbia Cosmopolitan Club on November 7, 1978, in Columbia, Missouri. He has served his Club as President, Secretary, Membership Vice President and President, and was the Mo-Kan Federation Governor in 2004-2005. He was honored as the Mo-Kan Cosmopolitan of the Year and was awarded the 50th Anniversary as a Club Member in 2008. Phil was elected to the Cosmopolitan International Board as Vice President of Finance at the 83rd Annual Cosmopolitan International Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 29 – August 1, 2009.
Phil graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and obtained his Masters Degree in Accountancy. He is a Certified Public Accountant and has practiced accounting for over 30 years serving individual, business, and not-for-profit clients. Phil owns Hanson & Company CPA’s P.C.
Phil is also active in his community. He was a member of the Columbia City Council from 1973-1977. Since 1977 he has served on City Manager Search, Finance, Audit and Building Committees. He was the President of the Columbia Soccer Club and President of Columbia Pride, Inc. – Soccer Park Development. He also coached soccer teams for ten years.
In addition to his community, Phil has served his country. He served on the USS Claude V. Ricketts DDG5-a guided missile destroyer, served at the Naval Reconnaissance and Technical Support Center in Washington, DC as a Data Processing Technician, and 10 years in the United States Navy Reserves.
Phil and Brenda have three sons, Phillip, John, and Carl. |
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Vice President of Marketing
SHEILA ANDERSON, Sioux Falls Evening Club
Sheila Anderson, of Sioux Falls, SD, joined Cosmopolitan International as a Charter Member of the Cosmopolitan Evening Club of Sioux Falls on March 19, 1995. She has served as Club President, Club Secretary, North Central Federation Governor 2008-2009, and as the International First Lady in 2004-2005 while Derry Anderson was the International President. Sheila was elected to the Cosmopolitan International Board as Vice President of Marketing, a newly-formed position, at the 83rd Annual Cosmopolitan International Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, July 29 – August 1, 2009.
Sheila was awarded the North Central Federation Cosmopolitan of the Year in 2006 and was honored as the International Governor of the Year in 2009. She has attended 12 International Conventions and was the co-chair of the 2008 International Convention in Colorado Springs, CO. She has served on several Local, Federation, and International committees for Cosmopolitan and is an Emerald Beacon. Sheila was instrumental in redesigning the CosmoTopics in 2006 and currently serves as the editor.
Sheila attended South Dakota State University for Graphic Design and Stenotype Institute for court reporting. She works as the Assistant Vice President/Office Manager for RAS, one of the largest writers of workers’ compensation in the Upper Midwest. She is responsible for the company’s corporate identity. She established a Community Focus Committee at RAS as a way for employees to become involved volunteering in the local Sioux Falls area. In 2005 RAS was awarded the Corporate Humanitarian Award under Sheila’s direction. She served on the Advisory Council for the HELP!Line Center. She has been a loan executive for the United Way and is a Heart Club Member.
Sheila also works as a model/talent for Professional Image by Rosemary Model and Talent Agency where her training includes TV commercial work and spokesperson and is the co-owner of Image Solutions, an image consulting company.
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Judge Advocate
JIM MCVAY, Omaha USA Club
Jim McVay joined Cosmopolitan International as a member of the Millard Club of Omaha, Nebraska, on May 14, 1990, and the Millard Club merged with the Omaha USA Club in 1998. He has held many offices for his Club, including President, Secretary, and Treasurer and has been a Beacon since 2000.
Jim has also been active at the Federation level as the Cornbelt Federation Judge Advocate for a total of eight years. In recognition of his service to Cosmopolitan, he was named the Cornbelt Federation Cosmopolitan of the Year in 2001 and then went on to be awarded the International Cosmopolitan of the Year. He has attended 10 International Conventions. Jim has served as International Judge Advocate since 2001 for nine International Presidents.
He also served on the Board for the Cornbelt Diabetes Connection ("CDC"), the project begun by the Cornbelt Federation, from 1993 through 2001 and was the President of the CDC from 1996 through 2000. He wrote all grant requests for the CDC during his tenure on the Board.
Jim serves on the International IT Committee and created and lauched the first website for Cosmopolitan in 1998. He continues to be involved in the development and maintenance of the site since that time.
Jim attained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1984 and his J.D. from UNL in 1987. He is a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association and is a partner with the law firm of Tiedeman, Lynch, Kampfe, and McVay in Omaha, Nebraska. His practices primarily in the area of civil litigation.
In addition to his Cosmopolitan activities, Jim has been involved in the Omaha community. He has coached soccer for both of his boys and is a soccer referee at both the youth, amateur and collegiate levels including refereeing games for the Big 12 Conference. He currently serves on the board of the Omaha Football Club, a non-profit soccer club located in Omaha. |
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