By Carrie James
The assistant district attorney for Nassau County is running for New York District governor, a position for which he would oversee all 28 Kiwanis divisions encompassing more than 300 Kiwanis clubs statewide.
"I really have enjoyed this opportunity for community service and fellowship that this club [East Meadow] has provided," said Mancuso, 48. "Every step I took made me feel better about myself and what I've done in the community. Running for governor was just the next step."
East Meadow Kiwanis President Fred Frankel said Mancuso is the first candidate from the East Meadow chapter and the second candidate from the Long Island South Central Division in at least 10 years.
"You have to have paid your dues to run for this position," Frankel said. "He's a past president and a past super-distinguished lieutenant governor."
Mancuso joined the East Meadow Kiwanis Club 18 years ago at the urging of fellow attorney and friend Steven Eisman, who is serving as Mancuso's campaign manager.
At first, Mancuso saw the East Meadow Kiwanis as a great fellowship organization in which he met with other members each Tuesday night for meetings. It was a time when he could relax and enjoy the uplifting atmosphere.
"Eisman told me it's a great group of guys who get together on Tuesday nights and did great things for the community," Mancuso said. "I took advantage of their fellowship, and in time, I found myself a niche in which to provide community service."
While the East Meadow Kiwanis performs numerous service projects each year, including delivering food baskets to families in need, giving scholarships and raising funds for various causes, Mancuso's heart goes to Kamp Kiwanis and sending disadvantaged kids there each year.
"I'm very involved with this," he said. "We send in excess of 30 kids to Kamp Kiwanis each year. When I was president of the club, we tripled the number of kids we send."
Mancuso served as East Meadow president during 1992-93 and as lieutenant governor for the Long Island South Central Division in 1996.
Since serving as head of the division, Mancuso said he had plans to one day run for governor of the New York District. This year is the year, and so far he is running unopposed, although the election is in August and a challenger could still step forward.
If elected, Mancuso would have two broad objectives during his year as governor.
"Kiwanis at that level is about service," he said. "So far as service is concerned, at the district level they have in the past tended to dictate what service will be. What I believe the district should do is give the clubs a full array of things to choose so they can tailor themselves to the needs of the community."
The other goal Mancuso hopes to accomplish is to continue to grow the Kiwanis presence in the New York District. Right now, East Meadow Kiwanis is the largest in the state, and he hopes to bring some of East Meadow's growth methods to the rest of New York.
"One of the things is to stress the importance of sponsoring new clubs," he said, referring to Key Clubs in high schools and Circle K clubs in colleges.
