Like the Allman Brothers hit song, I’m a “Ramblin’ Man,” but I caught a break when the Region 6 Fall Meeting, originally scheduled to be in person in White Haven, Pa., had to “go Zoom” due to mechanical problems at the facility. There were 26 participants at the meeting, led by Trustee Tiffany Callaio. I was able to offer remarks with a PowerPoint presentation, as well as my now famous quiz. Mike Coolbaugh, District Membership Chair provided a comprehensive overview of our efforts to grow membership and build new clubs. We were joined by Key Club Governor Lily Kasa, a senior at Wyoming Valley HS. And Ann-Marie Jennings of the local Nurse-Family Partnership provided details about the program, and thanked Kiwanis for our valuable relationship with NFP state-wide. The final order of business was the election of a District 6 Trustee for the 2025-2028 term in office. Tiffany is serving the final year of her term, and I expressed appreciation for her service to the Region and District. Attendees representing clubs in the Region unanimously voted to elect Jeff Rose of the Kiwanis Club of Allentown Northeast as their new Trustee. Congratulations, Jeff!
Our 2024 Rose Sale delivery date was on October 26. I got up at 4 AM to meet the florist delivery truck at my detached garage. That served as an assembly and pickup site for the Kiwanis Clubs of Allentown, Allentown Northeast, and Emmaus. It felt like Santa’s workshop as volunteers helped make and fill boxes with beautiful, fresh, multi-colored roses.
On October 31, I met with members of the Stroudsburg and Pocono Daybreak Kiwanis Clubs to plan for the opening of a new Circle K Club at East Stroudsburg University. We were joined by Brett Cutright, District Circle K Administrator and Dr. John Chang, a psychology professor at ESU who has volunteered to serve as faculty advisor. Our next step is to schedule an organizational meeting at the university. We are hopeful to add ESU to our District Circle K family!
From Stroudsburg, I headed west to Bradford, Pa. where I helped out with their Kiwanis Club’s “Trunk or Treat” night. For two hours, we handed out books and candy to nearly 2,000 children. I enjoyed dinner that evening and breakfast the next morning with several of the members. I was touched by that club’s hospitality. I would especially like to thank Nancy and Dick Dryden for their warm welcome. Regrettably, I have a conflict with my schedule and am unable to attend their annual “Kiwanis Kapers” shows on November 8-9. But I wished them well and hope it is a fabulous event.
I am looking forward to the Region 7 Fall Meeting next Sunday, November 9 at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, with Trustee Anne Lotz, and Lt. Governors Jill Saul and Josh Dashoff.
And next week, from November 11-14, I will be in Penns Valley near State College, opening the first NEW KIWANIS CLUB of my year as Governor! I will be joined by our New Club Opening Team, consisting of Cathy Szymanski, Mike Coolbaugh, Miranda Burton and myself. Joining us will be Region 3 Trustee Ann Graves, Division Lt. Governor Barbara Chadick, Immediate Past Governor Conrad Schlesinger, and other volunteers. I would especially like to thank the Kiwanis Club of State College for agreeing to sponsor the Penns Valley club. Wish us luck!
My first month as your Governor is now in the rear view mirror. It was both exhausting and rewarding. I truly cherished my visits to your clubs and regions. I have witnessed first-hand all the wonderful things Kiwanians are doing for children in our district. We should all be “Pennsylvania Kiwanis Proud!” I know that I am.
Quite soon, I will be providing an update on our Membership Contest “standings” for the first quarter of the year. Several clubs have already expressed confidence that they will claim a Sheetz or WaWa gift card at the end of December. Keep signing up new members!
On Veteran’s Day, November 11, let us all honor those who have served in the military. They sacrificed for our freedoms and way of life. To all of our Pennsylvania Kiwanians who are veterans, THANK YOU for your service.
And let us all “Rise and Shine for the Kids!”
Best wishes,
Governor Tom
Pennsylvania District Governor
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Last Updated: November 2, 2024 by pennsylvaniakiwanis
First Month as Governor
Like the Allman Brothers hit song, I’m a “Ramblin’ Man,” but I caught a break when the Region 6 Fall Meeting, originally scheduled to be in person in White Haven, Pa., had to “go Zoom” due to mechanical problems at the facility. There were 26 participants at the meeting, led by Trustee Tiffany Callaio. I was able to offer remarks with a PowerPoint presentation, as well as my now famous quiz. Mike Coolbaugh, District Membership Chair provided a comprehensive overview of our efforts to grow membership and build new clubs. We were joined by Key Club Governor Lily Kasa, a senior at Wyoming Valley HS. And Ann-Marie Jennings of the local Nurse-Family Partnership provided details about the program, and thanked Kiwanis for our valuable relationship with NFP state-wide. The final order of business was the election of a District 6 Trustee for the 2025-2028 term in office. Tiffany is serving the final year of her term, and I expressed appreciation for her service to the Region and District. Attendees representing clubs in the Region unanimously voted to elect Jeff Rose of the Kiwanis Club of Allentown Northeast as their new Trustee. Congratulations, Jeff!
Our 2024 Rose Sale delivery date was on October 26. I got up at 4 AM to meet the florist delivery truck at my detached garage. That served as an assembly and pickup site for the Kiwanis Clubs of Allentown, Allentown Northeast, and Emmaus. It felt like Santa’s workshop as volunteers helped make and fill boxes with beautiful, fresh, multi-colored roses.
On October 31, I met with members of the Stroudsburg and Pocono Daybreak Kiwanis Clubs to plan for the opening of a new Circle K Club at East Stroudsburg University. We were joined by Brett Cutright, District Circle K Administrator and Dr. John Chang, a psychology professor at ESU who has volunteered to serve as faculty advisor. Our next step is to schedule an organizational meeting at the university. We are hopeful to add ESU to our District Circle K family!
From Stroudsburg, I headed west to Bradford, Pa. where I helped out with their Kiwanis Club’s “Trunk or Treat” night. For two hours, we handed out books and candy to nearly 2,000 children. I enjoyed dinner that evening and breakfast the next morning with several of the members. I was touched by that club’s hospitality. I would especially like to thank Nancy and Dick Dryden for their warm welcome. Regrettably, I have a conflict with my schedule and am unable to attend their annual “Kiwanis Kapers” shows on November 8-9. But I wished them well and hope it is a fabulous event.
I am looking forward to the Region 7 Fall Meeting next Sunday, November 9 at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, with Trustee Anne Lotz, and Lt. Governors Jill Saul and Josh Dashoff.
And next week, from November 11-14, I will be in Penns Valley near State College, opening the first NEW KIWANIS CLUB of my year as Governor! I will be joined by our New Club Opening Team, consisting of Cathy Szymanski, Mike Coolbaugh, Miranda Burton and myself. Joining us will be Region 3 Trustee Ann Graves, Division Lt. Governor Barbara Chadick, Immediate Past Governor Conrad Schlesinger, and other volunteers. I would especially like to thank the Kiwanis Club of State College for agreeing to sponsor the Penns Valley club. Wish us luck!
My first month as your Governor is now in the rear view mirror. It was both exhausting and rewarding. I truly cherished my visits to your clubs and regions. I have witnessed first-hand all the wonderful things Kiwanians are doing for children in our district. We should all be “Pennsylvania Kiwanis Proud!” I know that I am.
Quite soon, I will be providing an update on our Membership Contest “standings” for the first quarter of the year. Several clubs have already expressed confidence that they will claim a Sheetz or WaWa gift card at the end of December. Keep signing up new members!
On Veteran’s Day, November 11, let us all honor those who have served in the military. They sacrificed for our freedoms and way of life. To all of our Pennsylvania Kiwanians who are veterans, THANK YOU for your service.
And let us all “Rise and Shine for the Kids!”
Best wishes,
Governor Tom
Pennsylvania District Governor
Category: Governor Blog
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