Rise and Shine in the New Year!

10/7/2024 – This is my first “Rise and Shine with Governor Tom” Blogspot. Happy New Year and enjoy!

This past weekend I had the privilege of visiting Region 1 at their Fall Regional Meeting in Meadville, Pa. I would like to thank Trustee Al Webster, and Lt. Governors Val Rose and Terry Shaffer for their warm welcome. And I am extremely grateful to all those in attendance. I had some fun with a trivia contest and a presentation on my goals, theme, Governors Project and NEW Membership Contest.

I have had a busy first week week and already hitting the road! I am so excited to visit and meet Kiwanians in all parts of our District and beyond to learn more about your communities and your club!

Fun on the Road Opening New Club

I am now in Louisville, Kentucky where I am helping to open three new Kiwanis clubs in the region as a Governor Class of 2024-2025 project. Our Governor volunteers are divided into three teams to visit with new member prospects in the Kentucky communities of Madison, Owenton, and Oldham County. This initiative will provide me with additional experience in opening new clubs. That will be useful as we open at least 6 new Kiwanis clubs in the Pennsylvania District. This is also an opportunity for me to bond with my class of Governors. And, being a huge sports fan, I took advantage of passing through Cincinnati on the way here by attending the Bengals – Ravens game yesterday!

Road Warrior

At the end of the week, I travel to Scottdale, east of Pittsburgh where on Saturday, October 12 I will be attending the Region 2 Fall Meeting. I know that Trustee Shawn Smith will be an energetic and entertaining host! By the time I return home to Allentown, I will have travelled 1,425 miles on this trip. Call me the “Road Warrior.” I then look forward to attending the Huntington Kiwanis Club’s 100th Anniversary dinner on October 15, and the Jenkintown Kiwanis Club’s 75th Anniversary event on October 17th.

My schedule for the next two weeks wraps up with a visit to Dillsburg on Saturday, October 19 for the first Board of Trustees meeting of my term in office. That evening, I will be participating in the annual Dillsburg Farmers Fair Parade. I may just wear my sunflower headpiece that I wore at the District Convention Kickoff breakfast for that! The following day will feature the Region 5 Fall Meeting. I would like to recognize and thank Division 13 N Lt. Governor Emily Reed for setting up those meetings. Please review the schedule for all other Regional Meetings HERE. I look forward to seeing you at these Regionals!

Kicking off the Year with Leadership Team

The first meeting of our Leadership Team on October 1 went very well. There were 22 participants on the Zoom call, which included nearly all Trustees and Lt. Governors plus other guests. Here are some highlights I would love to share:

• Yvonne Best-Proctor, our District Youth Protection Manager provided an outstanding presentation on Youth Protection policies and procedures. Her slide show is very comprehensive, and has been made available to every club on pakiwanis.org in the District to use for their annual Youth Protection training. October 7-11 has been designated by Kiwanis International as Youth Protection Week. I encourage all clubs to schedule their training at a meeting this week, or their next scheduled club meeting.
• Mike Coolbaugh, our District Membership Chair stressed the need for every leader in the District to increase membership in the year ahead. Mike is encouraging all clubs to name a Membership Chair, and to enter that information on their Secretary dashboard.
  • Only 49 of 137 clubs in the district have designated a Membership Chair so far! Mike
    explained the new club opening procedure to everyone at the meeting.
  • There are 7 Elements of new club openings. Mike also mentioned the need for trained and certified Club Coaches and New Club Coaches, interested contact Membership Chair. Coaches can help mentor existing clubs along with the Division/Regional team (you are not alone!) as they grow membership, as well as support new clubs for the first two critical years of operation.

Finally, I would like to thank all of you who have renewed your club membership for 2024-2025. I urge you to be as involved in your club’s activities as possible. And, for those of you not already in a leadership role as an officer, member of your club’s Board of Directors, committee chair, SLP advisor, Lt. Governor, Trustee, or Governor-Elect please consider “stepping up” to one of those roles.

I like to quote Dr. Jonas Salk, who invented the polio vaccine in 1952. When asked what reward he wanted for his life-saving discovery he replied “I feel that the greatest reward for doing is the opportunity to
do more.” We all want to do more for the children we serve. So, consider a leadership role in your club, Division, Region, or District.

And, let’s all “Rise and Shine for the Kids!”

Best wishes,
Governor Tom
Pennsylvania District Governor