The first three weeks as your Governor have been a whirlwind! My first stop on October 5 was in Meadville, Pa. where Region 1 held their Fall Regional Meeting. I visited downtown Meadville the night before and was amused to see numerous citizens dressed up like witches! That evening was Meadville’s annual “Witches Walk,” a popular and sold-out event. Saturday morning I joined up with 20 members of clubs from Region 1 at a meeting hosted by Trustee Al Webster. It was a fun and informative gathering.
I hit the road that afternoon, heading south to a suburb of Louisville, Kentucky on Sunday, October 6 at an Embassy Suites, our headquarters for a Governors Project to open three new Kiwanis clubs in the area. 15 District Governors assembled, along with KI staff, and members of the Kiwanis Club of Louisville and other clubs that were new club sponsors. Also in attendance was KI President Lee Kuan Yong, who addressed the crowd that evening. KI Past President Jim Rochford went over the 7 Elements of new club opening with the group. He stressed the need to build rapport with new member prospects, and have good “product knowledge” about Kiwanis. And it is important to have an effective “closer” on your team.
The following day, three teams headed out to the communities where we were facilitating a new club build. They were Oldham County, Kentucky; Owenton, Kentucky; and Madison, Indiana. I was on the Oldham County Team. That county has a population of 67,607. Its largest town and county seat is La Grange, with a population of 10,295. La Grange is a charming little town with a healthy downtown business district. They are unique in that a very active freight train line runs down the full length of their main street! Up to 15 times a day, the whole downtown area is blocked off as trains pass through. Oldham County itself is quite affluent. They had a very active Kiwanis Club years ago. My team included Governors from Kentucky-Tennessee, Alabama, Eastern Canada and the Caribbean, and Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. We spent four days on appointments, followed by an organizational meeting on Thursday evening. We signed up 27 charter members, 18 of which attended the meeting. All officers and board members were elected. There is no doubt that this will be a dynamic club! I found the people of Kentucky to be extremely friendly and authentic. It was an excellent learning experience for me.
Then, on Saturday, October 12 I attended the Region 2 Fall Regional Meeting in Scottdale, Pa. This was well attended with 21 club members. Trustee Shawn Smith arranged for a live Zoom with KI President Lee Kuan Yong, who was riding a bus in Belgium with several European Governors. I then led the group in a “Rise and Shine” quiz, followed by a presentation on my goals and membership initiatives. Speakers included Janine Surnick on the Kiwanis Children’s Fund “Possibility Project.” I returned home to Allentown after 1,400 miles on the road. It felt great to sleep in my own bed again!
On October 15, I attended the Kiwanis Club of Huntington’s 100th Anniversary Dinner at the Salvation Army Fellowship Hall in Huntington, Pa. Members of the Huntington and Mount Union Area clubs were present, along with Immediate Past Governor Conrad Schlesinger, Trustee Ann Graves, and Lt. Governor Barbara Chadick, who installed officers from both clubs. We enjoyed a tasty buffet and a slice of Anniversary cake.
Then, on October 17, I traveled to Jenkintown to celebrate that club’s 75th Anniversary. It was a pleasant affair in downtown Jenkintown, hosted by club President Lucy Sharp and attended by Trustee Anne Lotz and Lt. Governor Jill Saul. A highlight was the recognition of a 62-year member of their club. I have found club anniversaries quite diverse and reflective of their culture. I hope to attend a few more in the year ahead!
On Saturday, October 19 I chaired my first District Board of Trustees meeting, in person in Dillsburg, Pa. We had a full agenda, including the appointment of Barbara Byers of the Kiwanis Club of Sheraden as Governor-Elect for 2024-2025. Thank you Barb for “stepping up to the plate” and volunteering to serve our District as Governor-Elect this year.
Later that evening, I rode on the Kiwanis float in the 109th Annual Dillsburg Farmers Fair Fantastic Parade. The K-Kids Club sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Dillsburg all wore bright yellow shirts with our “Rise and Shine for the Kids” logo and a sunshine theme. I wore my famous sunflower mask and sat in front of the kids. I was amazed at the crowds lining both sides of the street as we traveled through town! This is a big tradition for the citizens of Dillsburg.
October has been super busy for your Governor, but it is not over yet. I am looking forward to the Region 6 Fall Meeting on October 26, and a visit to Bradford, Pa. on Halloween to meet with their members, and help out at their annual “Trunk and Treat” event. Get ready for more news in November.
I truly appreciated the warm welcome everyone has extended to me as I toured the District. Thanks for all that you do for children in your communities. Let’s all continue to “Rise and Shine for the Kids!”
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Last Updated: October 20, 2024 by pennsylvaniakiwanis
The First Three Weeks as Governor
The first three weeks as your Governor have been a whirlwind! My first stop on October 5 was in Meadville, Pa. where Region 1 held their Fall Regional Meeting. I visited downtown Meadville the night before and was amused to see numerous citizens dressed up like witches! That evening was Meadville’s annual “Witches Walk,” a popular and sold-out event. Saturday morning I joined up with 20 members of clubs from Region 1 at a meeting hosted by Trustee Al Webster. It was a fun and informative gathering.
I hit the road that afternoon, heading south to a suburb of Louisville, Kentucky on Sunday, October 6 at an Embassy Suites, our headquarters for a Governors Project to open three new Kiwanis clubs in the area. 15 District Governors assembled, along with KI staff, and members of the Kiwanis Club of Louisville and other clubs that were new club sponsors. Also in attendance was KI President Lee Kuan Yong, who addressed the crowd that evening. KI Past President Jim Rochford went over the 7 Elements of new club opening with the group. He stressed the need to build rapport with new member prospects, and have good “product knowledge” about Kiwanis. And it is important to have an effective “closer” on your team.
The following day, three teams headed out to the communities where we were facilitating a new club build. They were Oldham County, Kentucky; Owenton, Kentucky; and Madison, Indiana. I was on the Oldham County Team. That county has a population of 67,607. Its largest town and county seat is La Grange, with a population of 10,295. La Grange is a charming little town with a healthy downtown business district. They are unique in that a very active freight train line runs down the full length of their main street! Up to 15 times a day, the whole downtown area is blocked off as trains pass through. Oldham County itself is quite affluent. They had a very active Kiwanis Club years ago. My team included Governors from Kentucky-Tennessee, Alabama, Eastern Canada and the Caribbean, and Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. We spent four days on appointments, followed by an organizational meeting on Thursday evening. We signed up 27 charter members, 18 of which attended the meeting. All officers and board members were elected. There is no doubt that this will be a dynamic club! I found the people of Kentucky to be extremely friendly and authentic. It was an excellent learning experience for me.
Then, on Saturday, October 12 I attended the Region 2 Fall Regional Meeting in Scottdale, Pa. This was well attended with 21 club members. Trustee Shawn Smith arranged for a live Zoom with KI President Lee Kuan Yong, who was riding a bus in Belgium with several European Governors. I then led the group in a “Rise and Shine” quiz, followed by a presentation on my goals and membership initiatives. Speakers included Janine Surnick on the Kiwanis Children’s Fund “Possibility Project.” I returned home to Allentown after 1,400 miles on the road. It felt great to sleep in my own bed again!
On October 15, I attended the Kiwanis Club of Huntington’s 100th Anniversary Dinner at the Salvation Army Fellowship Hall in Huntington, Pa. Members of the Huntington and Mount Union Area clubs were present, along with Immediate Past Governor Conrad Schlesinger, Trustee Ann Graves, and Lt. Governor Barbara Chadick, who installed officers from both clubs. We enjoyed a tasty buffet and a slice of Anniversary cake.
Then, on October 17, I traveled to Jenkintown to celebrate that club’s 75th Anniversary. It was a pleasant affair in downtown Jenkintown, hosted by club President Lucy Sharp and attended by Trustee Anne Lotz and Lt. Governor Jill Saul. A highlight was the recognition of a 62-year member of their club. I have found club anniversaries quite diverse and reflective of their culture. I hope to attend a few more in the year ahead!
On Saturday, October 19 I chaired my first District Board of Trustees meeting, in person in Dillsburg, Pa. We had a full agenda, including the appointment of Barbara Byers of the Kiwanis Club of Sheraden as Governor-Elect for 2024-2025. Thank you Barb for “stepping up to the plate” and volunteering to serve our District as Governor-Elect this year.
Later that evening, I rode on the Kiwanis float in the 109th Annual Dillsburg Farmers Fair Fantastic Parade. The K-Kids Club sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Dillsburg all wore bright yellow shirts with our “Rise and Shine for the Kids” logo and a sunshine theme. I wore my famous sunflower mask and sat in front of the kids. I was amazed at the crowds lining both sides of the street as we traveled through town! This is a big tradition for the citizens of Dillsburg.
October has been super busy for your Governor, but it is not over yet. I am looking forward to the Region 6 Fall Meeting on October 26, and a visit to Bradford, Pa. on Halloween to meet with their members, and help out at their annual “Trunk and Treat” event. Get ready for more news in November.
I truly appreciated the warm welcome everyone has extended to me as I toured the District. Thanks for all that you do for children in your communities. Let’s all continue to “Rise and Shine for the Kids!”
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