I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. December is a busy month for everyone. Especially our Kiwanis Clubs. Christmas parties, Breakfasts with Santa, coat drives, toy donations, and community events. Our clubs enjoy celebrating the holidays through the wondrous eyes of the children we serve. Kids Need Kiwanis all year long. But especially over the holiday season.
November was another action-packed month for me. On November 19 I celebrated my 75th birthday with family and friends at a charming country inn just outside of Allentown. The following day, Peg and I attended a dinner hosted by the Kiwanis Club of the Stroudsburgs, honoring Kiwanis International President-Elect Michael Mulhaul. Club President Steve Gandley, welcomed over 50 guests, including Pennsylvania District Past Governors Michael Frailey, Sarah Zulueta, and Conrad Schlesinger. Other attendees included Division 17/18 Lt. Governor Janet Owen and her husband James, District Treasurer Ben Osterhout and past Division 17/18 Lt. Governor Bob Moran. We enjoyed a dinner buffet and an inspiring talk by President-Elect Mulhaul. Not so inspiring, but nearly as memorable, was yours truly showing my age by losing one of my dress shoes getting into the car and spending the evening one-shoed. A good laugh was had by all!
Then on November 23, I attended my final Fall Meeting/Official Governor’s Visit to Region 4 in Lewisburg. Trustee Allan Schappert greeted representatives of several clubs in Region 4, as well as Lt. Governors Jeff Kimball and Nikki Goss. There was excellent interaction by attendees throughout the morning. I conducted my final “Rise and Shine” quiz, and there were co-winners with 8 correct answers each. Both received prizes. That was followed by PowerPoint presentations from me and District Membership Chair Mike Coolbaugh. Trustee Allan wrapped things up with his own concerns about membership, recruitment, retention, programs and resources. Allan is a Vietnam War veteran and compared the challenges of Kiwanis to a “Press On Mission” in the military. An “all hands on deck” approach. Our membership needs to be involved at all levels. We must ask ourselves and others in our clubs “Why did you join?” Kiwanis and “Why did you stay?” That is what we must articulate on an ongoing basis to increase our involvement and to recruit new members.
On November 26, Peg and I traveled down to Glenside, Pa. to attend the annual “Ed Sickles Banquet of Thanks,” hosted by the Kiwanis Abington Aktion Club. This was a marvelous event, with over 80 in attendance. Darlene Anderson of the Jenkintown Kiwanis Club, was emcee for the event. She introduced Aktion Club President Ryan Hargadon who welcomed everyone. In my remarks, I mentioned that one of the first Kiwanis International Conventions I attended was in 2000, in Miami Beach. It was there that delegates approved the formation of both K-Kids Clubs and Aktion Clubs.I happened to have kept a souvenir tote bag from that convention, which I presented to President Hargadon. The Abington Aktion Club was one of the first to be chartered, in 2002. They now have over 30 members, and are making a real difference in their community. The highlight of the evening was the induction of three new members to the club. I was honored to be a part of that ceremony.
After enjoying a Thanksgiving feast and a weekend of football, I attended several important meetings. On December 2, Shawn Smith, Chair of the 2025 ICON “Keystone Committee” held a meeting of that group. On the following day was a Leadership Team Meeting on Zoom with 21 attendees. The main topic was Service Leadership Programs. Our Keynote Speaker was Michelle Study-Campbell, Executive Director of Kiwanis Youth Services. Our District SLP Administrators provided brief reports on the status of their clubs. Then on December 5 there was a special meeting of the District Board of Trustees. The agenda included approval of the 2025 Midyear Conference budget and related contracts.
Finally, last Friday evening December 6th, I attended an annual Holiday Party hosted by the Main Line Kiwanis Club at the Overbrook Golf Club in Villanova. It was an elegant and festive event!
Even though December is hectic with demands from work, family, and other obligations, it can also be a good time to recruit new members! Invite them to your signature holiday service project, luncheon, or other special event. Not only will they be moved by the impact of your club on the lives of children and others in need, they will feel the warmth and fellowship of being a part of our Kiwanis family.
And, during this blessed Holiday Season, let us all “Rise and Shine for the Kids!”
Best wishes,
Governor Tom
Pennsylvania District Governor
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Last Updated: December 9, 2024 by pennsylvaniakiwanis
A lot to be thankful for…
I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. December is a busy month for everyone. Especially our Kiwanis Clubs. Christmas parties, Breakfasts with Santa, coat drives, toy donations, and community events. Our clubs enjoy celebrating the holidays through the wondrous eyes of the children we serve. Kids Need Kiwanis all year long. But especially over the holiday season.
November was another action-packed month for me. On November 19 I celebrated my 75th birthday with family and friends at a charming country inn just outside of Allentown. The following day, Peg and I attended a dinner hosted by the Kiwanis Club of the Stroudsburgs, honoring Kiwanis International President-Elect Michael Mulhaul. Club President Steve Gandley, welcomed over 50 guests, including Pennsylvania District Past Governors Michael Frailey, Sarah Zulueta, and Conrad Schlesinger. Other attendees included Division 17/18 Lt. Governor Janet Owen and her husband James, District Treasurer Ben Osterhout and past Division 17/18 Lt. Governor Bob Moran. We enjoyed a dinner buffet and an inspiring talk by President-Elect Mulhaul. Not so inspiring, but nearly as memorable, was yours truly showing my age by losing one of my dress shoes getting into the car and spending the evening one-shoed. A good laugh was had by all!
Then on November 23, I attended my final Fall Meeting/Official Governor’s Visit to Region 4 in Lewisburg. Trustee Allan Schappert greeted representatives of several clubs in Region 4, as well as Lt. Governors Jeff Kimball and Nikki Goss. There was excellent interaction by attendees throughout the morning. I conducted my final “Rise and Shine” quiz, and there were co-winners with 8 correct answers each. Both received prizes. That was followed by PowerPoint presentations from me and District Membership Chair Mike Coolbaugh. Trustee Allan wrapped things up with his own concerns about membership, recruitment, retention, programs and resources. Allan is a Vietnam War veteran and compared the challenges of Kiwanis to a “Press On Mission” in the military. An “all hands on deck” approach. Our membership needs to be involved at all levels. We must ask ourselves and others in our clubs “Why did you join?” Kiwanis and “Why did you stay?” That is what we must articulate on an ongoing basis to increase our involvement and to recruit new members.
On November 26, Peg and I traveled down to Glenside, Pa. to attend the annual “Ed Sickles Banquet of Thanks,” hosted by the Kiwanis Abington Aktion Club. This was a marvelous event, with over 80 in attendance. Darlene Anderson of the Jenkintown Kiwanis Club, was emcee for the event. She introduced Aktion Club President Ryan Hargadon who welcomed everyone. In my remarks, I mentioned that one of the first Kiwanis International Conventions I attended was in 2000, in Miami Beach. It was there that delegates approved the formation of both K-Kids Clubs and Aktion Clubs.I happened to have kept a souvenir tote bag from that convention, which I presented to President Hargadon. The Abington Aktion Club was one of the first to be chartered, in 2002. They now have over 30 members, and are making a real difference in their community. The highlight of the evening was the induction of three new members to the club. I was honored to be a part of that ceremony.
After enjoying a Thanksgiving feast and a weekend of football, I attended several important meetings. On December 2, Shawn Smith, Chair of the 2025 ICON “Keystone Committee” held a meeting of that group. On the following day was a Leadership Team Meeting on Zoom with 21 attendees. The main topic was Service Leadership Programs. Our Keynote Speaker was Michelle Study-Campbell, Executive Director of Kiwanis Youth Services. Our District SLP Administrators provided brief reports on the status of their clubs. Then on December 5 there was a special meeting of the District Board of Trustees. The agenda included approval of the 2025 Midyear Conference budget and related contracts.
Finally, last Friday evening December 6th, I attended an annual Holiday Party hosted by the Main Line Kiwanis Club at the Overbrook Golf Club in Villanova. It was an elegant and festive event!
Even though December is hectic with demands from work, family, and other obligations, it can also be a good time to recruit new members! Invite them to your signature holiday service project, luncheon, or other special event. Not only will they be moved by the impact of your club on the lives of children and others in need, they will feel the warmth and fellowship of being a part of our Kiwanis family.
And, during this blessed Holiday Season, let us all “Rise and Shine for the Kids!”
Best wishes,
Governor Tom
Pennsylvania District Governor
Category: Governor Blog
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