DISTRICT CONVENTION WEEKEND

Where do I begin? April 8-10 was our Annual District Convention. Friday morning, Lion James, PCC Dr Terry Musselman, 1stVDG Dave McCluskey and myself trekked to the Harrisburg Airport to pick up International Director Bob and Lion Vickie Smith. Thanks to Lion John Petrina, we had a beautiful banner to welcome them. Even the Security Guards agreed as they clapped for the couple. We stopped for breakfast at the Silver Springs Diner in Mechanicsburg. ID Bob and Lion Vickie shared with us some of their experiences traveling around the countryside. Since they left Sacramento Thursday evening to get here, we went back to the hotel so they could get some well deserved rest before the evening's festivities. I took the opportunity to sort out all the stuff I brought along...this for the Rally...that for the Cabinet Meeting...this for the Lioness Seminar...that for emergencies. We regrouped at 5:30PM to attend the PDGS Dinner at Sunnyside Restaurant. IPDG Dalton Paul welcome everyone. A great meal, wonderful conversation, and laughter was enjoyed by all. Last stop for the evening was the Leo Appreciation Event. ID Bob joined the Leos in the electric slide. Each Leo Club was presented a Certificate of Appreciation for the service they provide their community. Music, pizza, cookies, photo slide show, recommittment to service was organized by Lions Kathy Fouse and Carolyn Cassell. Off to bed. Saturday morning, after breakfast, I escorted Lion Vickie to the Lioness Seminar. She shared with us her year thus far and the many places and people she has met. PDG Jan Adams gave pointers on Meeting Management. Lioness Margie Stouffer shared info on Lionesses at the state level. ID Bob, escorted by 1stVDG Dave stopped by the various other Sessions going on. Thanks to our guest presenters PCC Dan Swinsinski, PDG George Reisinger, and Lion Mark Kusmo who gave of their time to share with us pointers and new ideas to consider. Lunch was hosted by 1stVDG Dave, his partner in service Kitty and 2ndVDG Krista Griffith. Thanks for the 2011-12 Calendar to get us started for the new year. After lunch, we learned how computers can be useful to Clubs via Club websites, Facebook, Twitter. We also had a brief look at the many, many pages of information on the Lions Clubs International website. Basket Raffle was held at 3:00PM. Thanks to all who donated a basket. Funds raised are used to offset costs for the convention. Sorry to say I did not win any of the great baskets supplied. We held a Meet and Greet Session for individual Lions and Lionesses to meet ID Bob and Lion Vickie and ask questions. Then time to regroup, change into our Club shirts and "Catch The Wave Of Lionism" at the Rally. Thanks to PDG Jim and Lioness Linda zEger and their Committee for providing a wonderful fun filled evening for all. If you were not there, you missed the best evening of Lionism. The food was great, ID Bob shared with us why he became a Lion and why he continues to serve as a Lion. He recognized several members for their leadership. I provided a Year in Review, sharing the highlights serving as your District Governor. I had the honor of presenting several awards to indivuals who exemplify our motto WE SERVE. We also started a new fundraiser, selling a calendar. You need to check out the photos on our website for further explanation. All I can say is THANK YOU LION JOHN FOR A GREAT LAUGH. Sunday morning, we held our elections for the coming year. We joined together to recognize those Lions and Lionesses who died last year year at the Necrology Service. PDG Joan Sleesman provided a moving and enlightening ceremony. Our fourth Cabinet meeting ended the weekend. Congratulations to our elected Officers for the coming year: DG Elect Dave McCluskey, New Bloomfield Lions Club; 1stVDG Krista Griffith, Hershey Lions Club; 2nd VDG Lee Eisenhard Waynesboro Lions Club; Region II Representative for District Convention Committee Lion Jim Neidigh, South Hanover Lions Club. The weekend was filled with sharing of new ideas, information, making new friends, catching up with old friends, laughter, and the continuation of service to our District by electing new officers. Thanks to all who had a part in making this District Convention an event I'll never forget. Thanks to all who attended, you added to the event as well.