Greetings, fellow Pennsylvania Kiwanians,
WOW! Or in Malaysian – WAH!! What a fabulous Kiwanis International Convention! Anecdotal feedback from a variety of sources is that ICON ’25 in Pittsburgh was the best convention they ever attended. I would like to share my own journal of personal experiences and observations at this time.
Peg and I headed out to the ‘Burgh Tuesday morning, A 284 mile trip from Allentown. Nearly 6 hours later we drove through the Squirrel Hill Tunnel heading towards the hotel. That is when our GPS gave confusing directions and we ended up on the other side of the Monongahela River and up on Mt. Washington! Oh well. Eventually we were back on track and arrived at the Westin Hotel. The following morning, I joined Keith Smith at the “Welcome Table” in the baggage claim area of the Pittsburgh International Airport. Keith has the exact count, but I believe we greeted members from at least a dozen Districts. The most memorable one for me was the delegation from Panama. We could hear their entourage coming down the escalator. Singing, laughing, and cheering! They were adorned in bright yellow polos and proudly displayed the Panama flag. They were so happy to meet us, and have photos taken with them. We directed them and others on how to access public transportation and shared rides to their hotels.
That afternoon, I joined others ar the David L. Lawrence Convention Center for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the convention Marketplace. KI President Lee Kuan Yong did the honors. A stream of excited visitors poured in. Many of them went directly to the Pennsylvania District Lounge. There was a line of people eager to make their own “Terrible Towel” replicas by screen printing a convention logo on a yellow terry cloth towel. Others helped make “Blessing Bags” for Caitlin Smiles. They checked out Regional displays, and bid on silent auction items to benefit the Pennsylvania Kiwanis Foundation. Our volunteers were busy that afternoon! Later, I joined New Jersey District Governor Marty Slezak in setting up our Governors Class Dinner at Sienna Mercado, a restaurant merely a half-block from the hotel. As President of my Governor’s class, I had been planning and coordinating the event for over a year. We bought out the entire first floor of the restaurant for our guests. We set up small state and national mini-flags of every District for Governors to pick up and place on their tables. We had a special table decoration for Lee Kuan Yong and his wife, Kon Cze Yan. Not only was there a Malaysian flag, but a vase with red hibiscus, the national flower of Malaysia. The dinner was attended by 32 Governors of the Class of 2024-25, as well as 8 from the Class of 2000-01 Governors. KI Executive Paul Palazollo also joined us. Altogether, we had over 70 guests in attendance. We enjoyed a delicious Italian buffet followed by a program led by emcee Marty Slezak. It included governors sharing what they felt they would be remembered for after their term in office was over, and a Pennsylvania trivia contest with me as moderator, which was won by Florida Governor Jeremy Riehl. Besides North America and Canada, there were governors from Italy, Australia, Malaysia, Japan, India and Ecuador. Quite an international presence! Despite problems with the HVAC system everyone had a great time.
On Thursday morning I attended the Signature Project breakfast, where I was amazed at the scope of projects and fundraisers that won medals in each level. Regrettably, our District Signature Project nominees were not selected. We all enjoyed the Convention Kickoff that morning, with the parade of flags and opening session greetings from President Lee Kuan Yong. The “replacement speaker” Terry Bradshaw was a big hit! Not just for Steelers fans, but everyone in the audience. His “home spun” charm, amusing anecdotes, and at times “edgy” observations were endearing and at times hilarious. After lunch in the Marketplace hall, I attending several educational sessions, including a District Leader’s Summit, where Governor-Elect Barb Carter and I worked together on membership plans over the next three years. Peg and I enjoyed the “Sunset Social” that evening with good food, good friends, photos outside with a gorgeous sunset over the Allegheny River, and an amazing Lion Dance performance by Steel Dragon.
The Launchpad session Friday morning was intriguing and motivational. After that, Peg and I joined others at the Kiwanis SLP Showcase of Service Luncheon in the Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom. The luncheon heralded the impact of Service Leadership Programs in their schools and communities. A highlight was when Paul Palazollo went “Oprah” and interviewed leaders of SLP’s in the audience. The afternoon was spent in other educational sessions, including a contentious one involving the controversial Kiwanis Voices initiative. That evening, Immediate Past Governor Conrad Schlesinger and I walked to PNC Park for the baseball game outing. We had to stop at a restaurant along the way as a layover during a thunderstorm. We then joined our group of 550 Kiwanians and enjoyed “all you can eat” hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, nachos and soft drinks. The Pirates surprised a lot of people, and cost the New York District $500, when they crushed the Mets 9-1! Weather was perfect for a ball game, and the drone light show afterwards was fabulous.
Saturday morning was our much-anticipated 2025 Kiwanis International Annual Meeting. Peg and I wore blue and white “Kiwanis Needs Cathy” t-shirts, like everyone else in our delegation, in solidarity behind our candidate for International Vice-President, Cathy Szymanski. The “lowlight” of the House of Delegates voting session was defeat (once again) of an amendment to allow remote voting at future conventions. Oh well. Our District caucus supported the amendment. Not to be. But more important to most of us was Cathy’s election as KI VP. Her nomination speech was terrific! She was enthusiastic, genuine, and hit all the right notes with her support of SLP’s, transparency and other issues. There was a second ballot of voting, which I believe Cathy won with a comfortable margin. When Lee Kuan Yong announced the final result of the election, all he had to say was “I congratulate Cathy…” and our delegation went wild! We are SO proud of Cathy and all that she has accomplished in her decades as a Pennsylvania Kiwanian. In 2027-28 she will be only the 4th President of Kiwanis International from the Pennsylvania District, and the first in 80 years. And what better venue for this to happen, but the first KI Convention EVER in our District! This was true kismet. Congratulations to Cathy, her election team, and to all of us who have supported her candidacy this past year.
Saturday afternoon, we conducted our own District Business Session and House of Delegates. We had a good turnout of delegates for our session, including representatives from our two newest clubs, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Latrobe, and the Kiwanis Club of Greater Northampton Area. Our business session included a roll call of Legion of Honor members, a Memorial Tribute to members who passed away, recognition of Distinguished Kiwanians, presentation of Kiwanis “Hero in Service” awards, and Community and Club Communications Awards. I introduced our District Trustee Advisor for 2025-26, Cathy Tutty from Montana, who delivered her typical unique and energetic address. We then held our election. Barb Carter was elected unanimously by a voice vote to serve as District Governor for 2025-26. Congratulations, Barb! Regrettably, we still do not have a candidate for Governor-Elect. Following our election, Trustee Cathy formally retired District officers, chairs and administrators for this year, and installed incoming officials for 2025-26. After this ceremony, Barb and I asked Shawn Smith to join us on the stage. We were pleased to present him with a George F. Hixson Fellowship award for his exemplary service to Kiwanis International and our District, in chairing the host committee for what was an outstanding 2025 Convention. Shawn was clearly surprised with the gesture, which he humbly accepted. I joined him in his emotional response to the honor. He more than deserved it.
That evening, Peg and I attended the Roaring 20’s Gala. She was dressed in 20’s “flapper girl” attire. Me, not so much. The gangster Halloween costume I bought did not fit! So I just threw on a jacket and tried to look the part. We enjoyed a fine meal and live music. I even took to the dance floor to “shake a leg.” It was a perfect way to end a memorable convention.
And that ended a long, tiring, but highly satisfying week. Many of you witnessed Peg zipping around the convention center in her Go-Go scooter! It was an essential for her, since I likely walked 15 miles or more during the convention week. Next year, the KI Convention will be in Manila, Philippines June 25-27, 2026.
We continue to move forward in opening new clubs in the District. Last Wednesday, the new Kiwanis Clubs of Latrobe and Northampton met to plan their first service projects and fundraisers, and well as make arrangements for their charter celebrations. Meanwhile, our Hazleton New Club Opening Team is in the final stages of planning to open a new club in that community July 21-24. The Kiwanis Club of The Valley-Conyngham will be their sponsor. We are excited about the prospect of re-opening a Kiwanis Club in Hazleton. Next stop- Kutztown Area in August. Wish us well!
And finally, there is still time for you or you club to donate to my “Bucks for Babies” Governor’s Project. We have raised over $5,000 so far, which I pledge to match. I just met with representatives off the Young Children Priority One committee, and we are getting ready to purchase infant health and safety items to be donated to moms who are enrolled in the Nurse-Family Partnership program, or neonatal health organizations in other areas of the District. Donation checks can be made out to “Pennsylvania Kiwanis Foundation” and mailed to them at P.O. Box 48, Dillsburg, Pa. 17019. I would like thank all of the individuals, clubs, divisions, and regions that have already donated to my project.
With just two plus months left as your governor, allow me to once again urge you to “Rise and Shine for the Kids!”
Best wishes,
Governor Tom
Pennsylvania District Governor
Last Updated: July 12, 2025 by pennsylvaniakiwanis
An Extraordinary and Historic Convention!
Greetings, fellow Pennsylvania Kiwanians,
WOW! Or in Malaysian – WAH!! What a fabulous Kiwanis International Convention! Anecdotal feedback from a variety of sources is that ICON ’25 in Pittsburgh was the best convention they ever attended. I would like to share my own journal of personal experiences and observations at this time.
Peg and I headed out to the ‘Burgh Tuesday morning, A 284 mile trip from Allentown. Nearly 6 hours later we drove through the Squirrel Hill Tunnel heading towards the hotel. That is when our GPS gave confusing directions and we ended up on the other side of the Monongahela River and up on Mt. Washington! Oh well. Eventually we were back on track and arrived at the Westin Hotel. The following morning, I joined Keith Smith at the “Welcome Table” in the baggage claim area of the Pittsburgh International Airport. Keith has the exact count, but I believe we greeted members from at least a dozen Districts. The most memorable one for me was the delegation from Panama. We could hear their entourage coming down the escalator. Singing, laughing, and cheering! They were adorned in bright yellow polos and proudly displayed the Panama flag. They were so happy to meet us, and have photos taken with them. We directed them and others on how to access public transportation and shared rides to their hotels.
That afternoon, I joined others ar the David L. Lawrence Convention Center for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the convention Marketplace. KI President Lee Kuan Yong did the honors. A stream of excited visitors poured in. Many of them went directly to the Pennsylvania District Lounge. There was a line of people eager to make their own “Terrible Towel” replicas by screen printing a convention logo on a yellow terry cloth towel. Others helped make “Blessing Bags” for Caitlin Smiles. They checked out Regional displays, and bid on silent auction items to benefit the Pennsylvania Kiwanis Foundation. Our volunteers were busy that afternoon! Later, I joined New Jersey District Governor Marty Slezak in setting up our Governors Class Dinner at Sienna Mercado, a restaurant merely a half-block from the hotel. As President of my Governor’s class, I had been planning and coordinating the event for over a year. We bought out the entire first floor of the restaurant for our guests. We set up small state and national mini-flags of every District for Governors to pick up and place on their tables. We had a special table decoration for Lee Kuan Yong and his wife, Kon Cze Yan. Not only was there a Malaysian flag, but a vase with red hibiscus, the national flower of Malaysia. The dinner was attended by 32 Governors of the Class of 2024-25, as well as 8 from the Class of 2000-01 Governors. KI Executive Paul Palazollo also joined us. Altogether, we had over 70 guests in attendance. We enjoyed a delicious Italian buffet followed by a program led by emcee Marty Slezak. It included governors sharing what they felt they would be remembered for after their term in office was over, and a Pennsylvania trivia contest with me as moderator, which was won by Florida Governor Jeremy Riehl. Besides North America and Canada, there were governors from Italy, Australia, Malaysia, Japan, India and Ecuador. Quite an international presence! Despite problems with the HVAC system everyone had a great time.
On Thursday morning I attended the Signature Project breakfast, where I was amazed at the scope of projects and fundraisers that won medals in each level. Regrettably, our District Signature Project nominees were not selected. We all enjoyed the Convention Kickoff that morning, with the parade of flags and opening session greetings from President Lee Kuan Yong. The “replacement speaker” Terry Bradshaw was a big hit! Not just for Steelers fans, but everyone in the audience. His “home spun” charm, amusing anecdotes, and at times “edgy” observations were endearing and at times hilarious. After lunch in the Marketplace hall, I attending several educational sessions, including a District Leader’s Summit, where Governor-Elect Barb Carter and I worked together on membership plans over the next three years. Peg and I enjoyed the “Sunset Social” that evening with good food, good friends, photos outside with a gorgeous sunset over the Allegheny River, and an amazing Lion Dance performance by Steel Dragon.
The Launchpad session Friday morning was intriguing and motivational. After that, Peg and I joined others at the Kiwanis SLP Showcase of Service Luncheon in the Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom. The luncheon heralded the impact of Service Leadership Programs in their schools and communities. A highlight was when Paul Palazollo went “Oprah” and interviewed leaders of SLP’s in the audience. The afternoon was spent in other educational sessions, including a contentious one involving the controversial Kiwanis Voices initiative. That evening, Immediate Past Governor Conrad Schlesinger and I walked to PNC Park for the baseball game outing. We had to stop at a restaurant along the way as a layover during a thunderstorm. We then joined our group of 550 Kiwanians and enjoyed “all you can eat” hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, nachos and soft drinks. The Pirates surprised a lot of people, and cost the New York District $500, when they crushed the Mets 9-1! Weather was perfect for a ball game, and the drone light show afterwards was fabulous.
Saturday morning was our much-anticipated 2025 Kiwanis International Annual Meeting. Peg and I wore blue and white “Kiwanis Needs Cathy” t-shirts, like everyone else in our delegation, in solidarity behind our candidate for International Vice-President, Cathy Szymanski. The “lowlight” of the House of Delegates voting session was defeat (once again) of an amendment to allow remote voting at future conventions. Oh well. Our District caucus supported the amendment. Not to be. But more important to most of us was Cathy’s election as KI VP. Her nomination speech was terrific! She was enthusiastic, genuine, and hit all the right notes with her support of SLP’s, transparency and other issues. There was a second ballot of voting, which I believe Cathy won with a comfortable margin. When Lee Kuan Yong announced the final result of the election, all he had to say was “I congratulate Cathy…” and our delegation went wild! We are SO proud of Cathy and all that she has accomplished in her decades as a Pennsylvania Kiwanian. In 2027-28 she will be only the 4th President of Kiwanis International from the Pennsylvania District, and the first in 80 years. And what better venue for this to happen, but the first KI Convention EVER in our District! This was true kismet. Congratulations to Cathy, her election team, and to all of us who have supported her candidacy this past year.
Saturday afternoon, we conducted our own District Business Session and House of Delegates. We had a good turnout of delegates for our session, including representatives from our two newest clubs, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Latrobe, and the Kiwanis Club of Greater Northampton Area. Our business session included a roll call of Legion of Honor members, a Memorial Tribute to members who passed away, recognition of Distinguished Kiwanians, presentation of Kiwanis “Hero in Service” awards, and Community and Club Communications Awards. I introduced our District Trustee Advisor for 2025-26, Cathy Tutty from Montana, who delivered her typical unique and energetic address. We then held our election. Barb Carter was elected unanimously by a voice vote to serve as District Governor for 2025-26. Congratulations, Barb! Regrettably, we still do not have a candidate for Governor-Elect. Following our election, Trustee Cathy formally retired District officers, chairs and administrators for this year, and installed incoming officials for 2025-26. After this ceremony, Barb and I asked Shawn Smith to join us on the stage. We were pleased to present him with a George F. Hixson Fellowship award for his exemplary service to Kiwanis International and our District, in chairing the host committee for what was an outstanding 2025 Convention. Shawn was clearly surprised with the gesture, which he humbly accepted. I joined him in his emotional response to the honor. He more than deserved it.
That evening, Peg and I attended the Roaring 20’s Gala. She was dressed in 20’s “flapper girl” attire. Me, not so much. The gangster Halloween costume I bought did not fit! So I just threw on a jacket and tried to look the part. We enjoyed a fine meal and live music. I even took to the dance floor to “shake a leg.” It was a perfect way to end a memorable convention.
And that ended a long, tiring, but highly satisfying week. Many of you witnessed Peg zipping around the convention center in her Go-Go scooter! It was an essential for her, since I likely walked 15 miles or more during the convention week. Next year, the KI Convention will be in Manila, Philippines June 25-27, 2026.
We continue to move forward in opening new clubs in the District. Last Wednesday, the new Kiwanis Clubs of Latrobe and Northampton met to plan their first service projects and fundraisers, and well as make arrangements for their charter celebrations. Meanwhile, our Hazleton New Club Opening Team is in the final stages of planning to open a new club in that community July 21-24. The Kiwanis Club of The Valley-Conyngham will be their sponsor. We are excited about the prospect of re-opening a Kiwanis Club in Hazleton. Next stop- Kutztown Area in August. Wish us well!
And finally, there is still time for you or you club to donate to my “Bucks for Babies” Governor’s Project. We have raised over $5,000 so far, which I pledge to match. I just met with representatives off the Young Children Priority One committee, and we are getting ready to purchase infant health and safety items to be donated to moms who are enrolled in the Nurse-Family Partnership program, or neonatal health organizations in other areas of the District. Donation checks can be made out to “Pennsylvania Kiwanis Foundation” and mailed to them at P.O. Box 48, Dillsburg, Pa. 17019. I would like thank all of the individuals, clubs, divisions, and regions that have already donated to my project.
With just two plus months left as your governor, allow me to once again urge you to “Rise and Shine for the Kids!”
Best wishes,
Governor Tom
Pennsylvania District Governor
Category: Governor Blog
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