This week...

...is just flying by.  I really did want to post yesterday, but there wasn't enough hours in the day.
On Tuesday evening, I met a GREAT bunch of Lions in Fayette!!  Hardworking,  knowledgeable, and I can't forget, they know how to get some money out of their guests!!!  They worked it all right.
I was so impressed with the Lions Den.  ZC Jared gave me a tour of the facilities.  What a fantastic service to the community.  And although I didn't get to see the old flooring, the new flooring in their "arena" area was something pretty special and these Lions should be proud of the teamwork they displayed to have such a wonderful result.
And Tail Twister, Lion Richard Dimm, I know I've got to watch him the next time I visit.  :-)
I also met with the Dean of Graduate Studies at Central Penn yesterday afternoon.  I am looking to earn credits through their Lifelong Learning program.  It's where you develop a portfolio based on your work and life history and apply it to course descriptions.  If I can accurately show a correlation between my work/life experiences and the description/objectives, the Dean of Graduate Studies can grant up to 24 Lifelong Learning Credits to be applied to my coursework required for my Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Leadership.
Tonight is meeting #2 for the development of a Leo Club in Lower Paxton Twp.  I'm still optimistic that these meetings will be a huge success and the LP Lions will get to sponsor a Leo Club in the near future!!!
Have a great day everyone and enjoy the pics!!!
1VDG Salli

International Blog

Good morning!!!  It is Emily's last first day of school...at least before she is an adult...GULP!
I hate taking selfies, but she wanted one to capture the memory.  So I forced myself to get up early so bear with me because I'm still waking up.
I was perusing the LCI website and found an interesting article on the International blog.  The article is titled "Get Social, Get Members".  I've often talked about the need for change to get younger members to join Lions.  I've often expressed it as my opinion, but this blog posting on LCI confirms that we MUST change in some ways to deliver our brand to the younger generation.  Computers and Social Media play a key role in communicating with the younger generation.  I know I "talk" to my own mom more over Facebook and through email.  I'm not saying it's always right, but it really is more convenient.  And with our younger generations becoming more and more active as well as working and raising children, time management is necessary.  And if we want younger members to give a little slice of their time, we, as Lions need to look at the way we do things.
Here is the link for the LCI Blog article:  http://lionsclubs.org/blog/2013/10/01/get-social-get-members/
And here is just a brief piece of its contents:
More than a billion people are on Facebook, and the average American spends 2.5 hours on mobile devices every day. People are connecting in new ways, which means there are new opportunities for your club to connect with service-minded citizens. Social media is a great, no-cost tool that can energize the way you promote your club and find new members. - See more at: http://lionsclubs.org/blog/2013/10/01/get-social-get-members/#sthash.4j7bgTif.dpuf

New week

Good afternoon Lions and guests...

The sun is shining, as it looks like it is supposed to all week.  Kids have either gone back to school or, in my case, tomorrow.  Leo Emily starts her Senior year of High School tomorrow.  I still can't believe it...a SENIOR!!!  Where has all the time gone?  I still remember being pregnant and giving birth to her like it was yesterday.  She is so grown up and sometimes I wish I could turn back the clock to when I was holding her and singing her to sleep.

OK...before the tears start coming...let's talk Lions!!!

I certainly can't believe we are almost through the second month of this Lions year already.  Time truly does fly when you are having fun!

This morning I emailed Club Secretaries and copied Club Presidents.  The email was a reminder to complete the club Monthly Membership Report and the Activity Report through MyLCI.  The Club Secretary position is one of the most important positions within your club as well as within the District.  It is extremely important to complete these reports to ensure the accurate reporting to LCI.  In addition it is best to complete them through MyLCI as it is sent electronically and there is no paperwork to complete by hand and no worries about paperwork getting lost in the mail.  In addition, LCI now requires the Activity reporting be completed through MyLCI.  Paper activity reporting is no longer accepted.

Busy week ahead...today I am working on getting acclimated with my new online platform for school (I still can't believe I am once again a college student...after all these years), tomorrow I am participating in an LCI webinar titled "Keys to Increase Member Satisfaction" and then have the Fayette Lions Club DG visit, Wednesday I have a meeting with the Dean, School of Graduate and Professional Studies at Central Penn College, Thursday is our 2nd of 4 Lower Paxton Twp Leo Informational meetings, and Friday may look like a day to relax.  We'll see!!!

Have a great week everyone and I'll be checking in tomorrow after the Webinar!!!

Keep on ROARING!!!

1VDG Salli

One step closer...

Good morning everyone.  One Leo Informational meeting down...three to go.  I was so excited and nervous at the same time last evening.  I don't really know what my expectations were for the first of four meetings, but I would say we were successful.  Although we only had one participant show up, that's all it takes, right?  To get that ball rolling.  It was a pleasure to "re-meet" Missy and her mom, Beth.  I think we have a great future Leader on our hands!!!  I just know the Lower Paxton Twp Leo Club is going to come to fruition and it is going to be a huge success!!!  You have to work to succeed...anything that comes easy may not be worth it in the long run.  Thanks to everyone who participated last evening.  But why, oh why, did Emily bring ALL the cookies home???  Ugggggg...
Have a great weekend everyone!!!  Reach out to someone you know and JUST ASK!!!!

Leos

Let's face it...we ain't gettin' no younger, right?   We all know there will come a time when we just can't do the things we used to do.  Maybe this is happening in your club now.  Can you lift things now that you used once could?  Can you stand on your feet as long as you used to?  What are some of the things your club is doing to "replenish" and "cycle" in new, younger members?  (Now I'm not saying that we won't take a "seasoned" new member...because more members equals more hands...which turns in to better service for your community)
Leo Club members are a great way to supplement and work with your Lions Club members.  And think of all the great things your members can teach them about our giving spirit.  So many times in today's world I see the younger people with a "I deserve this" attitude.  It's the society we live in.  But everywhere you look there are also teens who want to make a difference.  You see them helping an older person cross the street.  You see them in Church youth groups.  You see them being tutors and giving of their own time to help other students who may be struggling.
Why not tap into the younger population in your communities who want to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate?
The Lower Paxton Twp Lions Club is looking to sponsor a Leo club in our community.  We decided to go with a community-based club vs. a school-based club so that we can have more hands on interaction with the youth of our community.  We are holding our first of 4 informational meetings this evening at the East Shore Library in Colonial Park from 6:15 - 8:15.  All local high school students and their parents are welcome to attend.
Volunteering, in my opinion, is contagious.  When others see you doing something good, they will want to do something good also.

LEOS AND LIONS WORKING TOGETHER CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.

Consider sponsoring a Leo Club this year.  Cherish the history of your Lions Club and plan for the future.  Replenish your membership!!!  (And remember, Leos have parents/guardians who can become Lions as well! - There's nothing like a family working together...just ask me)

School

Well, it's official.  I just received the phone call.  I have been accepted to Central Penn College and will be starting classes beginning October 6.  The only thing we are waiting for is the determination of which classes are able to be transferred from HACC.   I couldn't believe that classes taken 20+ years ago were able to be transferred.  I'm personally hoping that I can start school as a sophomore or junior.  You can't imagine how excited I am.  It's also a little scary after all this time.  But there's no time like the present.  This has been one life experience that I have always felt I let myself down on and here is my chance to "make it right" in my own mind.
Working the rest of the day on the Leo Informational meeting scheduled for tomorrow night.  Hoping for a GREAT turnout!!!

Millersburg DG Visit

Last evening, DG Elizabeth and I traveled to Millersburg.  What a special evening.  Earlier in the day, I was reviewing the Club Roster and found that two very special people from my past were members.  Mr. Tom Miller and Mr. David Hawley.  Mr. Miller and Mr. Hawley were executives at Community Banks, N.A. when I started working there as Assistant Manager in a new branch in Rutherford.  First, Community Banks was the BEST bank I ever worked for.  ALL of the employees were wonderful and the Executives were approachable and caring.  So caring, that I will never forget them.  When I was 4 1/2 months pregnant in 1997, my husband at the time, John Miller, passed away at age 25 after a short bout with cancer.  Tom and Dave, among others from Community Banks, attended John's funeral to show their love and caring during that difficult time.  To this day, I feel very blessed to have worked for them because they are such wonderful human beings.  Mr. Miller was not in attendance (I was very sorry to hear about the passing of his wife this past May), but  Dave "Butch" Hawley was and I couldn't have been happier to see him.  Unfortunately, Emily had to work.  He didn't recognize me, but that's ok.  As soon KL Barry introduced me and I thanked him again after all these years, he remembered.  It was a treat to catch up!!!
Also, DG Elizabeth and I found out that the Millersburg club was holding it's first August meeting as they normally wouldn't start their year until September.  And KL Barry's words had a very special meaning.  He spoke from the heart about how much DG Elizabeth's visit meant to the club and how the club will look back over the year and see how her encouraging words influenced the members to grow in members and in service.
I am thankful every day to be part of this wonderful organization we call "Lions".  But more importantly, I call "family".
Until next time...
1VDG Salli

IPDG Lee's Appreciation Dinner

It was so great to see everyone yesterday.  For those of you unable to attend, it was a great way to honor IPDG Lee for his dedication to our District.  He truly exemplifies his theme, "Committed to Service".  It also proved that DG Elizabeth's theme is alive and working in District 14-T..."Synergy in Service".  It was nice to meet IPDG Lee's grandson, who gets to take what he learned in Leos to move into Lions.  I was very impressed!!!
And the highlight of the day had to have been when our Cabinet Secretary, Rick Waltz was presented with the Joe Wroblewski Award for his service to the district.  Very ironically, the members of 14-T showed their appreciation to IPDG Lee as Cabinet Secretary Rick Waltz presented IPDG Lee with a Joe Wroblewski Award.  Everyone shared a great big laugh as these two individuals, who are very deserving of this award, thought the same thing of each other.  TOO FUNNY!!!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO SERVICE, IPDG LEE!!!

Duncannon DG Visit

DUDE...DG Elizabeth and I had a great time visiting the Duncannon Lions Club.  What a FABULOUS turnout.  And 4 new members were inducted.  (2 additional to be inducted at a later time).  I love to see families involved in Lionism.  The Rothermel's - Scott, Lynette and Brittany - are setting the bar.  Lynn is Club Secretary and Brittany is 1st Vice President.  Inspirational I tell you.
They had a very successful National Night Out in Duncannon as well.  Their Rubber Duckie race raised over $2000.  And it was really fun to watch the ducks slip by at the finish line.  I was impressed, not a one of the 600 ducks was lost!!!
I look forward to all the great things this club is doing.  And KL Ron and Lion Julie...anytime you have those scalloped potatoes again...I'm there!!!  :-)
Thanks for a great time!!!
VDG Salli

NEED YOUR HELP!!!

Calling all Lions!!!  If your club has a website, please make sure your content is up-to-date and relevant.
We've been asked by International Joe Preston to ASK 1.  Many times when we ask someone to join us at a meeting or club function, a great resource to have that person follow-up on is your club website.  Your website is PR!!!  And it can be great PR when a prospective member looks at it and seeing that information is current.  If they click on a link that says calendar, it should take you to an UPDATED calendar.  If you click on a link that says "Contact Us", please...please...please, make sure it goes to a current member and please make sure the email is correct.  I've recently sent something out when making a general inquiry on a website (not Lions) and the email came back undeliverable.
Please have someone look over your Club website ASAP.  Listed officers should be for 2014-2015...not 2011-2012.  Club Newsletters should show a number of your MOST RECENT, not from 2012.  In a recent article I read online, this is the number 4 mistake you should avoid on your business website -

"4. Outdated Content:

With the rapid speed of the internet and advancement in technology, there isn’t a place for outdated information. Users do get frustrated with out-dated information because it shows that the website owner does not care enough to update the site, so why should the user care to read?. Besides, in order to be reachable by search engines, it’s also important to publish new content regularly."

The week ahead

Tonight I am visiting the Duncannon Lions Club with DG Elizabeth.  I will not have my co-pilot, ZC Steve Copp, with me this evening as he has a prior commitment to attend to.  So I am driving myself once again.  I think this is a good thing as I will need to be able to do it next year as well.  "I think I can...I think I can...I think I can".  I'm eager to learn how the Duncannon Lions support their community.
No other Club visits this week, but I will be spending some time reaching out to the Zone Chairs and Club Presidents this week.  I'm also going to be taking a peak at Club websites.  Not just in our district, but all over.  I just want to learn and learn!!!
Suffice it to say, this week is a week to prepare, prepare and prepare some more.  I've got Leo Informational meetings starting next week.  I'll be finishing the agenda for them.

Weekend

Sleep is really overrated!!  :-)
My mind certainly starts racing at the strangest times.  A couple of times last night I came upstairs to check to see if I did this and that.  Not that I was sleeping, but I could just be reading and something pops into my head and I need to make sure that I either did something or I want to do something else before I forget about it.
I reviewed the first set of monthly reports for District 14-T.  The Club Health Assessment for July showed Landisburg and Sand Hill adding two members!!  WAY TO GO!!!  That's an increase of 20% for Sand Hill.  Hats off to you!!  GREAT JOB!!!
I am concerned about some of the dropped members for the month of July.  I did a little more digging.  If a member is dropped in Good Standing, I am going to ask that the Zone Chairs reach out to the clubs and find out what efforts were made to "save" the Lion.  Was an "exit interview" completed to find out why the Lion left?  Membership is one of the main reasons why our clubs are so successful.  If a member is dropped, we need to make sure it they are dropped only after all steps have been taken to show that member that he/she makes a difference to your club.  We all need to remember that every single one of our members joined our clubs because they wanted to help better the community.  They need to feel as though they are making a difference.  Are we doing all we can to help???
Also, we must remember that MMR's are to be reported monthly either via electronically through
MyLCI or via mail/fax to LCI.
The Club Health Assessment Report can provide a wealth of knowledge to District Leaders as well.  If there is anything that we can do to assist you, please contact your Zone Chair or myself.
I think I will sign off for the rest of the day and be lazy.  Not too often I get a chance to do that.
Back at it tomorrow to let you know what my schedule looks like for the week.
Have a beautiful Sunday!!!

LEOS

Oh my!!!  It's 10:00 and I'm not sure when I'm going to get to sleep tonight. I just got home from a meeting I called to get the Lower Paxton Twp Lions who are volunteering their valuable time to assist with attempting to get a Leo Club in our Twp.  I was so excited when a mother called me today and signed her daughter up for one of the meetings. I hope she is just the start of RSVPs. I met them both at the National Night Out event on Tuesday evening.
In addition to our LP members, we had 2 advisors and 2 Leo's from the Penbrook Leo Club.  Their willingness to help us achieve our goal is priceless.
It was a very productive meeting and I am so eager to see how many we can sign up during the 4 informational meetings. I'LL KEEP YOU ALL POSTED!!!  (Probably shouldn't have had caffeine...that's for sure!)
I'm also excited to catch up with DG Elizabeth tomorrow evening when she makes her second DG visit of the year. I have to remember to update her bio so I can be a little more prepared at this one.  She told me to wing it the last time.  Uggggg...
I got to play with my new toys today. Lion Eric bought me my own projector and a new MacBook Pro for my birthday two weeks ago. I've been playing on the computer, but we just set up the projector. OH...IT IS SOOOOOO NICE!!!  I think Lion Eric had more fun than I did.  And I can even wirelessly hook it up using my iPhone or iPad. I'm going to have so much fun. Hahahaha!!!
Ok...I'm going to go spend a little me time and read my romance novel!!!!
Chat soon!!

Activities for this week...

It's going to be a semi-busy week this week.  I do have some "down" days, but I will be using that to PREPARE!!!
Today, I've been preparing for Lower Paxton Twp National Night Out's event.  I'm going to be there promoting the Lions Club and the upcoming Leo Informational Meetings.
Tomorrow is the National Night Out event.  Getting our name out in the community is paramount.  We can't continue to be the "World's Best Secret".  Yes, membership into Lions is by invitation only, but the only way to invite prospective members is TO ASK!!!
Wednesday I will prepare for a meeting Thursday evening.
Thursday evening, a number of Lions, existing members of the Penbrook Leo Club and Advisors are meeting to develop an outline for an agenda for our upcoming Leo Information meetings.  I'm pretty excited about it.  The support from the Lions in the Lower Paxton Twp Lions Club and throughout the district has been tremendous.
Friday I will be visiting the Port Royal Lions with DG Elizabeth for her DG visit with the club.  It's our second of the year.  I think I'll be able to find it on my own.  :-)
More later...
Yours in Lionism,
1VDG Salli

Long day...

I must admit I just recently woke up from a nice nap.   I really didn't do much today.  :-)
OK...really, I think a lot of activity was going on.  I HAD SO MUCH FUN!!!
After a very nice dinner last evening hosted by the Hearing Research Foundation, I couldn't sleep too much because I was so excited about today.  And of course, just like the first day of school, I was up early and eagerly was finished getting ready and just waiting.  And waiting...and waiting.  So finally, I couldn't take it anymore, and I didn't want to get black cat hair on my WHITE pants, I headed to the hotel for 7:00 VDG training.  I didn't mind.  I'm an early person (you got me...when I need to be an early person).  So VDG training from 7:00 - 9:00ish.  It was a combined 1st and 2nd VDG training and between Friday evening and training this morning, I met so many wonderful Lions.  Because isn't that what we all are first...Lions?  It's not about a title.  It's about 1.35 million people working toward the same thing.  When it all comes down to it, that is what we are Lions for.
It was refreshing to know that many of my fellow 1st VDG's are having the same concerns as I am for our districts.  Membership is always at the forefront.  But I believe that MD14 can come together and turn this deficit into a positive.  JUST ASK!!!
So, since I am the new kid on the block, I'm hoping that everyone will be patient with me.  I will do my best to remember everyone's name (which I stink at!!!)  I will try to get them right before the end of my Governorship.  LOL!!!
Thank you to 1VDG Ken Snyder from 14-P for being the first to find me on FB.  I was very pleasantly surprised.
My new motto to live by:  Alone we can do so little.  Together we can do so much.  Thank you for being an inspiration, Helen Keller.  And thank you PCC Dan for sharing that quote with us during training today.
Since I took a nap and watched the end of the Yankees-Red Sox game, I may be up all night.  Might as well "work".  Good night everyone!!!

1st State Council Meeting

Getting pumped up for my first official State Council meeting as 1VDG. Nothing like VDG training at 7:00 a.m.  Lion Dan apologized that it was so early, but I'll share a little secret...I'm a morning person so 7:00 can't come soon enough. I am also happy that it is right here in Harrisburg. One thing I'm hoping to learn about tomorrow is the different kinds of dress codes. There are so many different options when they send the emails. Summer greens, winter greens, casual something or other. That's minor in comparison to everything else I'm gonna learn, but I'm the one who will stress over it.
Tonight is the dinner for 1st  VDGs and partners. Topic is Hearing Research Foundation.
That is one thing I am anxious to learn about...the various projects we support. I have been pretty lax in doing my research into the various projects.
Well off to get ready...formal (or something like that) dress for this evening. I get to wear my fancy blank dress.