Down time...

What's that, you ask.  I'm trying to figure that out myself.  But I do love keeping busy.
Tuesday evening I offered assistance at the Marysville Carnival.  69 years...pretty amazing.  And it gets better and better every year.  I got to sell raffle tickets for a new car.  Saturday night they will draw 1 ticket and the winner gets his/her choice of either $10,000 cash or $12,500 towards a new car.
I had a blast chatting with visitors and other Lions.  Funny how I'm always introduced as Lion Kathy Fouse's daughter.  LOL!!!  It's not so bad.  I love being associated with my mom.  Her work in Lionism is parallel to none.  I strive to be like her.  I hope she's as proud of me as I am of her.  ZC Steve Copp gave me a mini tour of the Marysville Lions Park.  What an accomplishment and service this club provides to the community.  I am amazed at how beautiful the ballfields and the walkway are.  Marysville Lions, you should be PROUD!!!  After the major setbacks you had to go through this year, your perseverance paid off!!!  GREAT JOB!!!
Yesterday I did put my 1st VDG duties aside for the day.  I put my Lower Paxton Twp Lions hat on for the day. (Actually, it is always on...)  Leo Emily and I counted hundreds upon hundreds of glasses collected to be passed over to Lion James tomorrow night at the State Council Dinner.  Then I also worked on gathering information for the LP LEO Informational meetings taking place later this month and next month.  I am scheduling our first prep meeting for next Thursday evening.  I am so excited about this venture.  What a fantastic opportunity for the youth of our community to learn about Lions, learn new skills and take pride in knowing they are making a difference.
I'm also working closely with Harrisburg Area Community College to possibly start a Campus Club.  If anyone knows of someone who is currently a student there, that would help greatly in getting the "in".  Since I am not a student, I am unable to complete a "club application" on the HACC campus.  Their CLUB RUSH event is coming up.  I am not able to attend to "talk Lions up", but my contact at HACC is going to put out some Campus Club brochures at the event.  I could use a currently enrolled student to attend this event and be a cheerleader for Lions.  Any help?
I think I'll take the rest of the day off!!

Training & Resources

I feel as though my training has just begun.  Today I have completed my last online Leadership Course through the Lions Learning Center.  I have learned so much from taking this courses.  There is always something new and exciting to learn.  And the resources available through the LCI Member Resources area on the website provides a plethora of information that can be used to spark ideas, to train, and to provide assistance.  I can't stress enough how often I have used the website over the past few years and especially over the past several months.

In addition, I felt it was my responsibility to re-certify my Certified Guiding Lion qualifications.  The fabulous thing about doing so is that I can do it from the convenience of my own home.  I don't have to wait for a "classroom" training to be offered.  I have not had the opportunity to be a Guiding Lion at this point in my Lions "career", but I am looking forward to the day I will be able to help with the formation and success of a new Lions Club.  If you are thinking about becoming a Certified Guiding Lion and have any questions, please let me know.  I'd be more than happy to try to answer them for you.

2014-2015 Calendars

The stubs and payments are coming in now!!! I do love this part of my "job".  Must be the banker in me.  :-)

On a side note about calendars, I sent an email to club presidents and secretaries.  I did something a little different this year and now realize it probably wasn't the best idea I've had.  I distributed all 1000 calendars to all Lions and Lioness clubs instead of keeping some on hand.  (hindsight is 20/20). I am now in need of additional calendars as there have been a few clubs who have sold all that were distributed to them.

If your club is unable to sell the distributed amount, please contact me ASAP so that I can arrange for them to be delivered back to me for redistribution.

I do learn from my mistakes.

Taking the day off...kinda

I guess since it's my birthday...I will take the day off.  Sort of...
I've already been on the LCI website for about 2 hours...training, of course.  I'm also trying to order some items through the LCI store, but it won't let me sign in for some reason.  So I sent an email off to international.
I ordered a few of the Honolulu, Hawaii International Convention pins.  Can you tell I'm excited?  Just a little.
Lion Eric is taking me shopping.  I'm still hoping I can talk him into buying me a new MacBook for my birthday.  I'm worth it, right?  Then out to dinner...my choice.  hmmmmmm...

Saying Goodbye...

Today we said goodbye to PDG Harold "Pete" Miller.  It was the first time I was included in the  Service of Remembrance for a Lion who has passed.  It was an honor to be among other Lions paying our respects to a man who gave of himself so selflessly for others.  His dedication to Lions was and will continue to be an inspiration.  Lioness Joan will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers.
Words from the Service of Remembrance...
"It takes a person with compassion in his heart to sacrifice his time and talents in helping others."
From what I learned about him today, he was that kind of person.

2nd VDG position

At the Re-Organization meeting this past Saturday, a motion was moved and seconded to open for nominations the position of 2nd VDG for 2014-2015.  All interested and qualified Lions should submit their resume, letter of intent, and letter of support from his or her club to DG Elizabeth and Cabinet Secretary Rick Waltz.  The nominations will take place at the 1st Cabinet meeting scheduled for September 21st in Chambersburg.
I would like to list the requirements designated by LCI for the position of 2nd VDG.

1.  Be a member in good standing in his or her Club (Club must also be in good standing)
2.  Secure the endorsement of his or her Club
3.  Have served or will serve at the time he or she takes office as 2nd VDG:
          a.  President of the Club for at least a majority of the term and a member of the Board of Directors for 2 additional years
          b.  Zone Chair for 1 full year or majority of the term
          c.  None can be concurrent

While I was elected to become the 2nd VDG for 2014-2015, I was approved to become the 1st VDG upon the unforeseen resignation of the 1st VDG-E.

As I've seen over the past year and even the past couple months, it is very rewarding personally.  I'm developing new leadership skills and making lasting friendships!!!

Training...training...training

I took advantage of a "slow" day yesterday to spend it catching up on some Lions training.  I'm completing the available courses from the LCI website (and taking very studious notes...I might add)
DG Elizabeth has been excellent in providing me with the tools that I will need to have a successful term as 1st VDG as well as preparing me for the DG position.  I can't thank her enough for the materials she lent to me from her DGE School in Toronto.  Plan...plan...plan.

Beacon Lodge Lions Appreciation Day

What a beautiful day for a Lions gathering. For my first time there, I was simply amazed at the amount of time and effort our MD14 Lions put into the upkeep and running of Beacon Lodge.
By the way...I know my duck came in FIRST!!  He must have gotten lost when the snake slithered into the creek and the Lion at the finish line dropped him!!!
The campers really put on a show. There was some really good talent in that bunch!
And I was so happy to see some of my fellow Regional Lions Learning Institute there as well. It's really nice to know the bonds that started earlier this year are forming into friends that will last a lifetime!!!
Picked up some information about the State Convention in May at the Lancaster Host and Resort. Since it's so close to home, I'd love to see a lot of District 14-T Lions, Lioness, and Leo's out there!!
On our way home now. Maybe I'll catch a few winks while Lion Eric is driving home.

Club Officer Meeting and Cabinet Re-Org Meeting

What a fantastic day yesterday!!!  A great turnout  of Lions, Lioness and Leo's. Lower Paxton Twp Lioness Club takes the prize!!  5 members came out!  If you missed it, you missed some great informations passed along by GLT Leader, PDG Krista Griffith and PDG Sam Wagner. DG Elizabeth informed everyone of International President  Joe Preston's theme and goals. She also shared with us her District theme and goals. "Synergy in Service". What a great theme. The word SYNERGY means  the interaction of multiple elements in a system to produce an effect different from or greater than the sum of their individual effects. A collaboration of members can do so much more than 1 member. MORE HANDS...MORE SERVICE!!  TEAMWORK!!!  I can go on.
At the Reorg meeting, everyone met the Cabinet for 2014-2015. We leaned more about IP Joe Preston. In my opinion, very interesting man. Dedicated to family..including his Lions family. Great motivational speaker.
We are driving up to Beacon Lodge as I write this!!  This is my first time there so I will write about my entire experience on the way home!!
Talk to you soon!!!

Landisburg Lions DG visit

Last evening I was able to introduce our 2014-2015 DG Elizabeth to the Landisburg Lions as she made her first visit to them as DG.  Of course, she needed no introduction and she was met warmly by all.  As was I.  I felt very welcomed.  It was so much fun getting to know Lions that I had never met before.  This is a whole new experience for me and I can tell I'm making friends that will last a lifetime.
A big thank you goes out to ZC Steve Copp for riding shotgun with me as I'm not sure I would have made it without his help.  Funny how on our way back to Marysville, I asked him, "Is this the way we went up to the meeting?"  Nothing looked familiar.  Of course, I was looking for deer the whole time.
I'm so proud to be a member of DG Elizabeth's team.  She is an outstanding leader and I am so excited to learn new things from her.  I also got to see her induct two new Lions into the Landisburg Lions.  I can tell they are going to make a positive impact to the Club and the District.
THANK YOU LANDISBURG LIONS!!!

Installation of Officers

Last night I was privileged to install the new officers of the West Hanover Lions Club for the 2014-2015 Lions year.    This was my first installation and boy, did we have fun.  Lion Scott made out like a bandit.  I would like to wish the Club much success this year!  If there is anything that I can do to help, please let me know.

I've been busy editing the District 14-T website this morning.  My fingers are getting tired and my eyes are going cross-eyed, but I'm chugging along.  As ZC & webmaster John Mallonee said, the T in 14-T stands for TEAMWORK.    I can see that is true all around the district.  I'm so proud to be a member of the best district!!!  Thank you for all that you do...every day!!!

Inductions

So excited!!!  Finalized all my preparations for my first Officer Induction ceremony tomorrow night at the West Hanover Lions Club.
Had new buttons sewn on to my Lions green jacket and get to pick that up at Mens Wearhouse tomorrow.
Boy is it hot out today.  Delivered some flyers for the upcoming informational meetings for the potential Lower Paxton Twp Leo Club.  Put my daughter, Leo Emily (from the Penbrook Leo Club), to work.  She did a great job presenting some of the volunteer work the Leos do.  Can you tell I'm proud?
Off to meet Dixie Grubb from the East Hanover Lions to pick up 109 calendar stubs.  Guess what I'll be doing tonight!!!???  Don't forget, each calendar your club sells, you receive a $3 "commission" as an incentive for participating in the District's Calendar Project.  That's an easy $327 for the East Hanover Lions already this Lions year.  Way to go!!!

District Website Calendar

Thank you goes out to ZC John Mallonee, our District Webmaster, for allowing me the opportunity to update the District Calendar and the DG Visit Calendar.
I think it's extremely important to have an up-to-date calendar available to our members and the general public so that they can see all the activities our Clubs, District, Multiple District and International offers and participates in.
I strongly urge you to review the calendar and if there is anything missing email ZC John at webmaster@hersheylions.org or myself at lionsalliamiller@gmail.com.  The more things people can see "in one place", the more often it will be used.
We are the world's largest SERVICE ORGANIZATION.  If you take a look at the updated calendar, you will see it!!!
I'm proud to be a LION!!!  Are you?
VDG Salli

Raining AGAIN!!!

I'm hoping that everyone who made it to Marysville Lions Park to help with the Carnival set-up were able to complete it by the time the rains came.  I'm sorry that I was not able to make it, Marysville Lions, but I had a previous appointment that was scheduled about a month ago (that's how long it took for an appointment to become available) that I couldn't wait another month to get to.  I am committed to SERVING during the carnival wherever I am needed.
I'm finishing up the 2013-2014 Calendar reporting today.  The audit committee, IPDG Lee, DG Elizabeth and Cabinet Treasurer, Lion Larry, will be receiving my final report via email once the June bank statement has been received and reconciled.
On my agenda today I will be completing my Bio for the DG visits that I will be attending with DG Elizabeth.  Unfortunately, I don't know where I saved last year's so I have to start from scratch.  I've become much more organized this year as I am now using Dropbox and all my documents will be accessible no matter where I am!!!  Thank goodness!!!  And it's nice to see all my paperwork in files instead of in piles all over the desk.  I know you know what I'm talking about!!!  :-)
Until tomorrow!!!
VDG Salli

Marysville Lions in need of HELP!!!

With the storms that passed through our District over the past couple of days, the Marysville Lions suffered some major storm damage to their carnival stands.  In order to repair the damage, they are asking anyone able to assist with the repairs to meet at the Marysville Lions Park tomorrow, Saturday July 12.  Start time for the WORK PARTY is 9:00 a.m.  The park is located of of Rt. 11/15 at 102 Park Drive.

The Marysville Carnival is a large community project and all types of hands will be appreciated as the carnival is running July 28 - August 2.  Time is critical!!!

VDG Salli

July 1-10 Happenings

So many things...so little time.
1.  Sent my 1st VDG Bio to International
2.  Mailed my Reservation in for the State Council meeting on August 2nd
3.  RSVP'd for the Beacon Lodge Lions Appreciation Day on July 20
4.  Met our new DG Elizabeth and PDG Sam Wagner at Harrisburg International Airport as they arrived from a week in Toronto.  DG Elizabeth is so excited about this year.  Her enthusiasm and positive energy is infectious!!!  I can't wait to hear more about her training!!!

On a side note:  I am preparing our schedule for the Lower Paxton Twp Lions Club Informational Meetings to charter a Leo Club in the Township.  These meetings are for youth and parents to get information about becoming a member of a community based Leo Club

Whirlwind of Activity

District 14-T Lions, Lioness and Leos!!!

The 2014-2015 Lions year is in full swing.  I will be posting here almost daily to help keep you informed of the various activities I, as your 1st Vice District Governor, am involved in.  My goal for this blog is to keep you excited about our District, Multiple District and LCI.  In addition, I'm hoping that this blog will encourage future leaders to seek out information from the many resources available and see how fun and rewarding a Leadership position within District 14-T can be.

I am always available to answer questions and address comments and concerns from our members.  I can be reached at lionsalliamiller@gmail.com

Please save our website as a favorite and visit here often.  This is something new for me and I am excited about the challenge of this blog!!!
Yours in Lionism,
VDG Salli

Welcome to the new Vice DIstrict Governor Blog for the Lions of District 14-T.  Stay tuned for more posts as the new Lions Year kicks in.