2025-2026 ARCHIVES - MEMBER SPOTLIGHTS 

ARCHIVE LIST
1. MCLEOD, Ludene:  Sioux Falls Cosmo Club (April 20, 2026)
2. HAWKING, Lavonne: Arora Cosmo Club (April 14, 2026)
3. FIGGE, Kelly: Heartland Santa Fe Trail Cosmo Club (April 7, 2026)
4. WEITKEMPER, Judy: (1) Cosmopolitan Breakfast Club Columbia Missouri, (2) Cosmopolitan Breakfast Club Columbia Missouri, (3) Show-Me Cosmo Club & (4) St Charles County Cosmos (March 30, 2026)
5. HENDRICKSON, Gord: Calgary Cosmopolitan Club (March 23, 2026)
LUDENE MCLEOD

FIRST PUBLISHED:  04.20.2026

CLUB: Sioux Falls Noon & Evening Clugs

A Passion for Service
Ludene joined Cosmopolitan International with a simple but powerful motivation: a desire to give back and work toward meaningful causes. Over the past 15 years, that commitment has only deepened. Her continued involvement reflects her belief in the organization’s mission—especially its impact on health-related causes and improving lives.
 
Leadership & Involvement
Ludene is a highly engaged and experienced leader within Cosmopolitan:
  • Current Board Member, Sioux Falls Noon Club
  • Acting Lieutenant Governor
  • Past Club President (twice – Noon & Evening clubs)
  • Past Governor
She is known for stepping up wherever needed, volunteering widely, and contributing her voice and perspective to help strengthen the organization.
 
Making a Difference
Her favorite service project focuses on helping children—especially those with diabetes—attend summer camp. This work is especially meaningful to her, as it provides opportunities many families could not otherwise afford.
One of her most memorable experiences was at Camp Gilbert, where emotional moments with children and their families reinforced the real impact of Cosmopolitan’s work.
 
A Voice for Growth
Ludene takes pride in speaking up and advocating for what she believes will benefit the organization. She values honesty, collaboration, and staying focused on shared goals.
 
Her advice to new members:

“Be involved. Get to know everybody. Go to conventions. Talk to as many people as you can—you’ll make friends and learn a lot.”

Professional & Personal Life

Background: U.S. Army veteran; experience in property management; currently works in payroll within a CPA firm

Hobbies: Dogs, horses, reading, and attending Cosmopolitan conventions

Described as: Dependable, outgoing, and engaged

Looking Ahead:  Ludene hopes to see Cosmopolitan become more unified, with strong attendance and a shared focus on core goals. She is passionate about building continuity and collaboration across the organization.  Her future aspiration?  Possibly serving on the International Board—continuing her journey of leadership and service.
LAVONNE HAWKING
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FIRST PUBLISHED:  04.14.2026

CLUB: Aurora Cosmo Club

LaVonne Hawking’s journey with Cosmopolitan International began with a simple invitation—and grew into more than two decades of meaningful service, leadership, and lasting friendships.
 
Although she had known members for some time, it wasn’t until she attended an Oktoberfest event that she truly experienced what Cosmopolitan was about. Listening to members share their passion for supporting diabetes initiatives made a lasting impression. With one free evening a month, she decided to get involved—and, as she says, “the rest is history.”
 
Over the past 26 years, LaVonne has taken on numerous leadership roles, including Club President, Secretary, Vice President of 300, and Mid-States Federation Governor. Her dedication reflects a deep commitment not only to her club, the Aurora Cosmo Club, but to the broader mission of Cosmopolitan International.
One of the causes closest to her heart is the Diabetic Alert Dog program. Seeing her club help fund dogs for eight families stands out as one of her proudest accomplishments—real, tangible impact that changes lives.
 
For LaVonne, some of the most meaningful moments have come through connection: attending conventions, meeting new people, and strengthening friendships year after year. It’s these relationships, along with the shared mission, that have kept her engaged for so long.
She’s also witnessed challenges—particularly the decline in membership and the difficulty of attracting younger members. Despite this, her belief in the organization remains strong.
“Knowing that there is hope for a cure for diabetes,” she says, is what Cosmopolitan has meant to her personally.
Her advice to new members is simple but powerful: don’t be afraid to get involved. She believes that active participation is the key to a thriving club—and to finding fulfillment within the organization.
Outside of Cosmopolitan, LaVonne enjoys walking, attending plays, movies, concerts, and playing games like bunco and scrabble. A fun fact: she grew up on a dairy farm and was once both a dairy queen and prom queen!
Described as kind, considerate, and outgoing, LaVonne embodies the spirit of Cosmopolitan International. Looking ahead, her greatest hope is clear: a cure for diabetes—and a continued legacy of service that inspires future generations.
Kelly Figge

FIRST PUBLISHED:  04.07.2026

CURRENT: Governor Elect, MOKAN Federation

CLUB: Heartland Santa Fe Trail Cosmo Club (President)

Kelly Figge: Leading with Passion, Purpose, and Community Spirit

For nearly two decades, Kelly Figge has been a driving force within Cosmopolitan International. A member since 2007, Kelly proudly represents the Heartland–Santa Fe Trail Cosmo Club in the Mo-Kan Federation, where her leadership, dedication, and enthusiasm have made a lasting impact.

Currently serving as Club President and Governor-Elect, Kelly leads by example—bringing a positive attitude, strong networking skills, and a genuine commitment to service. Over the years, she has held numerous leadership roles, including serving twice as Club President and twice as Lieutenant Governor for Kansas. Her experience reflects not only longevity, but a deep-rooted passion for the organization’s mission.

What has kept Kelly engaged for 19 years is simple yet powerful: the people. She describes her fellow members as family—united by a shared purpose and a personal connection to the fight against diabetes. This passion fuels her ongoing involvement in community outreach, education, and fundraising efforts. One of her favorite projects is raising funds through funnel cake sales to help send children to Camp Planet D each year.

Kelly’s Cosmopolitan journey is filled with meaningful milestones. One of her most memorable experiences was attending her first International Convention in New Orleans in 2009, where she was welcomed and guided by fellow members, creating a lasting impression of connection and camaraderie. Among her proudest achievements is being named Club President of the Year after leading her club to win 7 out of 9 awards at an International Convention—a recognition that came as a complete surprise.

Beyond Cosmopolitan, Kelly brings a wealth of professional experience from a 30-year career with AT&T Wireless, where she held a wide range of roles across customer service, human resources, payroll, fraud, quality assurance, and sales operations. This diverse background has contributed to her strong leadership and organizational skills.

Kelly is also passionate about personal interests including gardening, genealogy, and collecting records, Barbies, stamps, and historical currency. A unique piece of her personal history: she is a direct descendant of Mose and Annie Grinter, early Kansas settlers who operated one of the first ferries across the Kansas River in 1831.

Looking ahead, Kelly hopes to see continued support and resources for clubs to grow and thrive—and, most importantly, she dreams of seeing a cure for diabetes in her lifetime.

Her advice to new members? Get involved, connect with others, and clearly define your “why.” Because as Kelly knows, it’s the people, the purpose, and the passion that make Cosmopolitan truly special.

Would you like to talk to Kelly?  Send an email to Membership@Cosmopolitan.org (please put her name in the subject line) and your message will be passed along to Kelly.

JUDY WEITKEMPER

FIRST PUBLISHED: 03.30.2026

CURRENT: Director, Education, CI Board

CLUB(s): (1) Cosmopolitan Breakfast Club Columbia Missouri, (2) Cosmopolitan Breakfast Club Columbia Missouri, (3) Show-Me Cosmo Club & (4) St Charles County Cosmos 

Judy Weitkemper has been a dedicated member of Cosmopolitan for nearly 27 years, and her journey is rooted in both personal purpose and unwavering commitment. Invited to join by a friend in 1999, Judy was motivated by a deeply personal connection to diabetes—having lost family members to the disease and facing her own diagnosis risk. She made a promise to her mother to help find a cure, and that promise continues to guide her work today.
Over the years, Judy has become a pillar of leadership within Cosmopolitan. She currently serves as the International Director of Education and is actively involved in multiple Missouri clubs, holding roles such as Secretary, Treasurer, and Awards Chair. Her leadership experience is extensive—she has served as Club President four times, Mo-Kan Governor, International Vice President of Membership/New Clubs, and ultimately International President.
Judy’s impact can be seen in the initiatives she has championed. She founded Walktoberfest, a diabetes fundraising event that became the largest fundraiser for her club in its very first year and continued to grow under her leadership. She also played a key role in organizing a large-scale Diabetes Fair featuring over 25 vendors and speakers, bringing education and resources to the community in a meaningful way.
For Judy, Cosmopolitan has evolved into a more inclusive and collaborative organization—one where every member has a voice and a role to play. She believes that strong clubs thrive when members work together with a shared purpose, particularly in supporting diabetes research and community service.
Beyond her Cosmopolitan achievements, Judy brings a rich professional and personal background. With degrees in English and Business Management, she built a career in finance and banking. She has also been active in numerous charitable causes, including heart health initiatives and volunteer work supporting families in hospitals.
In her personal time, Judy enjoys reading mysteries, singing, collecting antiques, and traveling. She describes herself in three words: witty, dedicated, and a leader—qualities that clearly shine through in her contributions.
Her advice to new members is simple but powerful: get involved right away. Join committees, attend events, and take the opportunity to learn everything you can. For Judy, engagement is the key to both personal fulfillment and organizational success.
Looking ahead, she hopes to see continued growth in membership and greater participation at the Federation and International levels. But above all, her greatest goal remains unchanged—to see a cure for diabetes in her lifetime.
Judy’s story is one of purpose, perseverance, and passion—a true reflection of what it means to be a Cosmopolitan.
Would you like to speak with Judy?   Send an email to CI.Membership@Cosmopolitan.org (please put her name in the subject line) and your message will be passed along to Judy.
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FIRST PUBLISHED: 03.23.2026

CURRENT: Governor, Western Canada Federation 

CLUB: Calgary Cosmopolitan Club

Gord Hendrickson, a dedicated member of the Calgary Cosmo Club within the Western Canada Federation, has been an active Cosmopolitan for over 15 years. Since joining in May 2011, Gord has brought passion, leadership, and a strong  sense of community to everything he does.

Gord’s journey with Cosmopolitan began after attending several club fundraisers, where he was inspired by the enthusiasm and shared purpose of the members. Recognizing a strong alignment with his own values—particularly the commitment to supporting charities and advancing the fight to find a cure for diabetes—he knew this was a group he wanted to be part of.

Over the years, what has kept Gord engaged is the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals across North America. For him, Cosmopolitan is more than service—it’s a network of friends united by a common goal of making a meaningful impact in their communities.

Throughout his time in Cosmo, Gord has witnessed significant growth in the organization. He notes that while clubs once operated more independently, there is now a stronger sense of unity and connection across federations and with Cosmopolitan International as a whole.

A committed leader, Gord currently serves as Western Canada Federation (WCF) Governor and has held numerous roles over the years, including Club Sergeant-at-Arms, Fundraiser Chairperson, Vice President, and Club President for several years, as well as multiple terms as Lieutenant Governor. His leadership journey reflects both dedication and a willingness to serve wherever needed.

Among his many experiences, one of Gord’s favorite service moments was supporting a DRIFCAN fundraiser in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, where Cosmopolitans from multiple clubs came together to assist. He also fondly recalls attending his first Cosmopolitan International Convention, where he built lasting friendships and experienced firsthand the global spirit of the organization.

Being elected WCF Governor stands out as a proud achievement. In this role, Gord has acted as a vital link between federation clubs and the international organization—sharing updates, advocating for members, and strengthening communication across all levels.

Gord’s advice to new members is simple: get involved and stay involved. He believes that thriving clubs are those that are active in their communities and foster strong social connections among members. “We’re not just a group that meets—we’re a group that does,” he emphasizes.

On a personal level, Cosmopolitan has helped Gord build confidence and form meaningful friendships. The shared mission and camaraderie have made his experience both rewarding and impactful.

Outside of Cosmo, Gord enjoys cycling, glamping, golfing, traveling, and spending time playing games with friends. He describes himself as determined, loyal, and innovative — qualities that clearly shine through in his service and leadership.

Looking ahead, Gord hopes to see continued growth in Cosmopolitan, with new members bringing fresh ideas and energy. While his term as WCF Governor may conclude, he looks forward to the possibility of serving in that role again in the future, building on the knowledge and experience he has gained.

Would you like to chat with Gord?  Send an email to CI.Membership@Cosmopolitan.org (please put his name in the subject line) and your message will be passed along to Gord.