Gearing up for State Council meeting

It's pretty quiet on the home front this week with regards to District "work".  Which is probably a good thing because I have lots to do for school.  And mid-terms are next week.  I do FINALLY get back to my HOME club, the Lower Paxton Twp Lions, tomorrow night.  I'm sure they didn't even realize I was gone.
I received a surprise request last week, which I was very quick to say yes too!  My professor for Sociology asked if I would be willing to give a presentation regarding the Lions history, commitment, service, membership, etc on Thursday evening for another Sociology class he teaches.  Of course.....not going to pass that opportunity up to share our world!  I'm pretty exciting about bringing our Lions onto the Central Penn classroom.  Wish me luck!   Hmmmmm...Campus Club in the future???
Until next time,
VDG Salli

It's been a while...

I have been so engrossed lately with studying and visiting District 14-T clubs, that it has become easy to allow myself to "forget" about my VDG blog.  While I'm not making excuses, I hope everyone understands that at some point I have to focus on prioritizing my activities.  I am still visiting all clubs.  I am still preparing for the DG position and creating goals, action plans as well as communicating with the various clubs on the outstanding service they provide for their communities.
Since I started classes on October 6, I've become totally immersed in school work as well.  As Eric put it, he's never seen someone so excited about school.  :-)
Ask my mom...I have always loved school.  And now I'm seeing it from a whole new perspective and appreciation.  Since I finally have a goal of "what I want to be when I grow up", I value the education I am receiving in a whole new way.  I'm excited about the future, really excited.
And what's even more excited is that one of my professors has asked me to give a presentation about Lions.  Bringing two of my passions together.
Back to my Sociology work...
Until next time..
VDG Salli

Greene Twp

I can tell everyone that I made it to the Greene Twp Lions meeting with the District Governor without getting lost.  That was a relief!
Going back to the roots in Greene Twp, it was so nice to see two Charter members for them there last evening.
Every day across the country we thank service men and women for all they do every day to protect us and allow America to remain FREE!
I think we owe it to our charter members as well to give a little praise for their dedication to Lionism.  While every member is valued for their contribution to the well-being of their community and Lions International, I am especially proud of our charter members who have made a life-time commitment TO SERVE.  Thank you!
Until next time...
VDG Salli

Lurgan Twp Lions Club meeting

Well, after following Google Maps directions and not Sec. Lion Melvin's directions, I will always trust a Lion before I rely on Google Maps again.  I almost reached panic attack mode, but I refused to break down!
It was such a pleasure to meet the members of this club.  If was fun heckling the Penn State fans about my trip to Michigan's Big House this past weekend.  I did take their words to heart though.  When I left the meeting I made sure to look for flashing lights the whole way home!  :-)
I got to meet 2 Lurgan Township Lions Charter members last evening.  55 years each in active Lionism.  Lurgan Township Lions Club has 5 Charter members!  I really love to hear about the history of each club and it is especially nice to hear the stories from charter members.
Tonight...Green Twp!
Until next time...
VDG Salli

It's a small world...

Yesterday I got a blast from the past.  A long time ago I used to play BINGO every week.  Sometimes two or three times a week.  I guess you could even say I was a BINGO-holic! Today I resort to the free BINGO apps on my iPad.  But it satisfies the need...
To the point of my post today...last evening's DG visit was with the Twin Valley Lions Club in Halifax.  Low and behold, I walk in and I couldn't believe my eyes.  Lion Conrad (I certainly don't call him that), so Lion Connie, right before my eyes.  This is the man who, every week, would see me walk into the BINGO hall and know exactly what cards I played and would be ready for me when I went up to get them.  And I was extremely pleased that he remembered after probably close to 10 years.  So not only did he make an impression on me all those years ago, but I must have somehow made an impression on him.  It reminds me of a Maya Angelou quote that goes a little something like this.  "People will forget what you said.  People will forget what you did.  But people will never forget how you made them feel".
Isn't that, deep down, what Lions do?  We may say the right words and we may do the right things by helping people who's lives are not as fortunate as ours, but we say and do those things FROM THE HEART.  And truly, that is what makes us Lions because when it comes from the heart, it's a gift.  A gift  full of pure emotion...and with emotion comes feelings.  There truly is nothing like it in the world.
Until next time...
VDG Salli

Time management

Now that I am also a college student, I have to become more disciplined in managing my time to balance school, Lions and family time.  Of course, somewhere along the way, I will be forced to fit a full-time job somewhere in there as well.  Just like the little engine said, "I think I can...I think I can".  Well, I want to change that to, "I KNOW I CAN! I KNOW I CAN".
This week has started out a little strange for me.  I haven't been feeling all too well the past couple of days.  Last night I had to become involved in a neighbor's domestic dispute.  A 7-year old child saw things she never should have had to see.  In today's society, children have to grow up way too fast.  Children should allowed to be children.  I often hear parents' say that their children grow up too fast and where has all the time gone and it seems like just yesterday I was holding him in my arms.
You may be asking how this pertains to Lions...well here is my response.  Children are our future.  Today's Leos are tomorrow's Lions.  If we instill the values and morals in our children today, maybe the future will seem brighter without hunger, homelessness, war, etc.  Consider involving children in the volunteer activities you do.  Let them see the positives in a world where there is so much negativity all around.  Don't let them grow up too fast, but still hold true to the values that were taught at a young age.
Until next time...
VDG Salli

Even on Sundays...

What a beautiful Monday morning!  Birds are chirping...cats are at the window following the birds' every move.  Life is good!
Yesterday...headed down to the Hershey Lions Spaghetti dinner.  Maybe at 11:00 I should still consider it breakfast!  PDG Pete...well, I'm sure he had something to do with it...this is what I received as my brunch...

It's an honor!  I felt very important to receive my own individualized plate of the famous Hershey Lions spaghetti.

Thank you for making me feel so special.  And to allow me to stick to my diet!

Until next time...

VDG Salli

P.S.  My classes start today!!!  SO EXCITED!!!!

GMT/GLT Workshop

Up and at 'em bright and early on a Saturday morning!  What a packed house we had today for the Global Membership Team / Global Leadership Team Workshop held at the PA State Office in Harrisburg.  Participants were provided with some great tools to help with two topics that are very important to clubs and districts...and to Lions Clubs International in the long run.

1.  Membership: As I prepare for my upcoming DG year, I'm looking to the clubs in my district to complete the "Blueprint for a Stronger Club".  We can't expect to grow our numbers if we are not happy ourselves as members.  I challenge each club to start with existing members.  They are our greatest resource.  They live as Lions.  Happy members = happy clubs = happy communities = club awareness = increased membership = HAPPY LIONS!!!  Find what works for your clubs and make things happen!!!  You can do it!

2.  Leadership:  I'm a firm believer in succession planning.  I love when the stars line up and leaders are developed.  I call it...finding the right people to sit on the right seat on the right bus.  Bring out the inner leader in you and give leadership a chance.  Learn all you can and take what you learn and give back.  You can do it!

Until next time...

VDG Salli

We are all volunteers...

Each Lion, each club, each district, each multiple district, and our association as a whole are made up of volunteers....first and foremost!  Some of us are leaders, but every one of us are volunteers.
I'm bringing this up today because sometimes I think we, as leaders, forget that.  Meeting the needs of our communities we live in is surely one of the biggest reasons each of us became members.  And we became members because we knew someone else who had the same belief in mind.  But not only must the leaders continue to strengthen the communities through awareness of our mission, leaders must also strive to keep the members active and happy.  When Lions leaders can make both happen, they can say they are truly successful.
International Joe Preston challenged our members to "ASK 1".  He'd like us to imagine what we could do with those two additional hands.  How many more people in the community and world-wide can we, as Lions, help if each of us would just ASK 1.
So I'd like to pose a question today...
If you know a member who is unhappy as a Lion, how likely is he/she to ASK 1?  A member can be unhappy for a myriad of reasons, and it's the responsibility of the leader to find out what those reasons are and HELP to fix it.  If the leader is given a chance.  Often times and unhappy member will just quit or stop coming.  They are volunteers, after all.
So, as a leader, I strongly urge you to look at your clubs and members.  Do you have unhappy clubs and/or members?  What can you do to help overcome that obstacle so members become happy and clubs can continue to work as a team.
And be encouraging...not demeaning.  More on this subject tomorrow!
Until next time...
VDG Salli

Time sure does fly...

It's October already.  I can't believe I haven't written on the blog for almost a week.  But don't think I haven't been busy...
I've been reviewing the membership report daily.  Please remember that October is membership growth month.  The perfect time to ASK 1.  If you bring in a new member from today through October 31 (and it's on the monthly membership report through mylci.com), you will receive a very nice "membership growth" pin in silver.  You will have another chance later in the Lions year as well.  If you sponsor a member in October and April, you will receive a "membership growth" pin in gold.
But no one will become members if you don't ask.  Just ASK 1!!!
I start my classes this coming Monday.  I don't think I've ever been more excited about school.  Eric says he's never known someone to be so excited about school.  LOL!  It must be the trainer in me.
Yesterday time got away from me.  I started working on my future plans for classes...deciding on electives and where to fit everything.  Next thing I knew it was 3:00.
Back into the swing of things with DG visits this evening.  More on that tomorrow.
Oh, forgot to mention, Hershey Bears preseason games this weekend.
Until next time...
VDG Salli