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.

SIGNING OFF

What a whirlwind of a year it has been. Today, July 1, I am officially IPDG Joann. DGE Dave is in Seattle, preparing to lead us as we begin the new year. Once again, I want to thank you for the privilege of serving you and our District as District Governor. It has been a year of personal growth and amazement as I traveled about the District and State. We provided many, many services to individuals, families, communities, locally and globally through our fundraising efforts. Each of you have and continue to make a difference. One of my favorite quotes"to the world, you are someone; to someone, you are the world" says it all. Thank you for your service to others. I wish DG Dave and partner Kitty, a successful, fun, safe traveling year.
Signing off,
IPDG Joann

OFFICER INSTALLATIONS

I had the privilege of installing officers for the Mifflintown and Mercersburg Lions Clubs. It's always an honor to be asked to install and hopefully inspire incoming officers of our local Clubs. Responsibility, accountability, dependability, flexibilitiy, laughability are all abilities that each Lion and Lioness posesses. Stepping up to share those skills and talents as Officers can sometimes be intimidating or overwhelming. Whether the Club is large or small, in numbers, it can be difficult to find volunteers to serve as Officers. These two Clubs were blessed with a full slate of Officers. Both Clubs also encouraged Assistant Offices, which spreads the work and enables more members to get involved. I wanted to keep with my theme of "Bright Ideas..a Future for All.. so I used fruits and veggies in the installation. Buying local this time of year is so easy with the various farmers markets and roadside stands. An example...Secretary is the communicator of the Club and communicators needs to listen, so I gave them extra "ears" (corn). The Lion Tamer needs sharp eyes to keep Club stuff from disappearing, so they received carrots. You get the picture. I had fun coming up with the program and I believe the Club members enjoyed it as well. As i was leaving Mercersburg's Meeting, a member told me "this was the healthiest installation he had ever been to".
As a Club Officer, there are many resources for you to take advantage of. First, make your reservations for the District Club Officers Training on July 30. It will be held at the Penbrook Community building beginning at 9:00AM. Lions Clubs International website has a section devoted to Leadership Training, including Club Officer Responsibilities and tutorials to improve your leadership abilities. Lastly, take advantage of your Zone Chairs, Past District Governors, past Club Officers for guidance and direction.

Thanks to each Lion, Lioness, Leo who volunteered to serve as an Officer of their Club. Have a fun and successful year.

TIME FOR GREAT FOOD AND LIONISM FUN

June has arrived and so too all the great events Lions and Lionesses organize to raise funds for community service. The first weekend in June is the Mt Parnell Lions Club Ox Roast. This is a great community social with food, music, games, and time to catch up with friends. Lion James and I went Friday evening for dinner. The weather cooperated with no humidity, cool breeze, and warm, not HOT temps. In my opinion, they have the best ground ox, seasoned just right and not dry. We get a few containers to have over the summer for quick meals. The Shippensburg German Band was on stage, playing their polkas. Lions were everywhere in their purple and yellow hats, keeping after trash, trays, condiments, running the cake and fruit wheels. As we waited for our homemade ice cream, I saw two familiar folks arive, PDG Bill and Lion Joyce Tuttle. They had heard about the event on the radio and drove down to share in the fun. We swapped stories and laughs, Lion Joyce tried her hand at the fruit box wheel, but no lucky numbers came up. Then it was time head home to prepare for the next day.

The first Saturday, in June, is the Buchanan Lioness Club Strawberry Festival and Fun Dog Show. This is our 20th year. We make our own shortcake, everyone using the same recipe, add 125 quarts of strawberries and vanilla ice cream and people line up early for a taste. Dogs begin arriving around 9:30AM. Big dogs, little dogs, scruffy dogs, manicured dogs, we have them all. Various community leaders and personalities serve as judges. This is an event that businesses support well and so everyone gets a doggie bag to take home with them. The Mercersburg Lions have their famous chicken BBQ that always sells out. Crafters, yard sale booths, moonbeam bounce for kids are also set up on the grounds. This year, a 5K run, sponsored by Mercersburg Wellness took place in the morning. Again, weather was agreeable for us and all enjoyed the sights, smells and tastes of the day.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME

When I volunteered to serve as District Governor, I never knew one of the perks or perhaps nightmare would be throwing out the first pitch at a minor league baseball game, perhaps I would have paid attention more to my brothers playing baseball. Tuesday, May 31, we had our Harrisburg Senators/Beacon Lodge "Fun"draiser on City Island. I am so proud to say 160 vouchers were sold, raising $640 for Beacon Lodge. 19 Clubs were represented. Of course, who would think we would have 90 degrees plus weather in May, but it happened. The evening did cool down some as the sun set. Members wore their Club shirts and hats and we filled the section behind home plate. I patiently waited for the call to throw out the first pitch. I did have my nephew, Jeff, come over and throw a few balls just to get an idea of what I was supposed to do. Unfortunately, as I walked across the field and I looked up into the stadium, all I wanted to do was throw and go, which is what I did. Sorry to say, the ball hit the ground about halfway to the catcher. We did have the opportunity to share info about our organization with a pregame interview. PDG Frank Wedig and Lion Kathy Fouse provided info about their Clubs on the radio broadcast during the third and fourth innings. We had 2 tables set up with Club brochures, info about Beacon Lodge, LCI, and programs we support. Several folks stopped by for info and to ask questions. It was a close game, 1 to 1 until the last few innings, then the Senators went into full speed and won 4-1. Cheers erupted the stadium. Overall, the event was a success and lots of fun. Thanks to all who helped and participated.