Immediate Past Governor

I wish to take the opportunity on behalf of myself and First Lady Dr. Lavonia to thank all of "Bill's Boosters" for a fabulous, fabulous year as your New York District Governor. Did we have fun.

First, let me thank everyone who attended this year's district convention in Niagara Falls. It was everything that we could have hoped for and more. It was informative, fun and exciting. Special thanks to Convention Chair Ron Parent and Lt. Gov. Candace Corsaro of Niagara Frontier North for all of their help. And thanks to Jack Hanrahan and the members of the Lewiston Club for their support, and of course, to Ann Sewert and Butch Springhorn for their time and hard work. We had more than 440 Kiwanians who attended the convention.

Congratulations to incoming International President Thomas DeJulio and Dr. Rosemary. I know you will have a great year. And thanks for making me part of your team. And also to International Foundation Board President Peter Mancuso and Circle K International President Josephine Lukito. I know you will both do a great job.

We are not winding down, we are gearing up. That was our rallying cry over the last three months of our year. And boy, did we ever gear up as a district by bringing in a huge number of new members to Kiwanis. In all, our district brought in close to 500 new members. I think that is something to be proud of. In addition to that, we also started three new Kiwanis clubs in our district during the last two months. Congratulations to Lt. Gov. Phyllis Burnett and New Club Building Rev. Rosita George-Williams for bringing in the new online e-Kiwanis Club of the Long Island North Division. Great Job. Also, your own Gov. Bill helped to bring in two new Kiwanis clubs to his own division of Queens East. The Kiwanis Clubs of Bayside and St. Albans. Special thanks to my Lt. Gov. Carson Johnson, my Executive Assistant Joseph Corace, and incoming Lt. Gov. Nodia Chambers for their help in building these new clubs. And a very special thanks to Past Gov. David Rothman for helping me build the Bayside club. Dave and I walked the streets of Bayside together in order to make this club happen. For that I will always be grateful to him. Thanks Dave.
Congratulations to our new governor, Albert E. Norato Jr. and First Lady Dr. Jenny Wang. I know you will have a good year. And to our Gov.-Elect Joseph Aiello and wife Carol, all the best.

And of course thanks to Justin Underwood, the greatest district secretary a governor could have. You can cannot help but have a good year with Justin as your secretary and Joanne Underwood giving her support. They were our convention honorees. My Executive Assistant Joe Corace was great. He makes life easy for any governor.

I have only one word for all of my lieutenant governors, and that one word is FANTASTIC. What an incredible group of people I had as my lieutenant governors this year. It was great working with all of you.

And last, to my fiance Lavonia. I could never have done this without you. Thanks for being there by my side every step of the way. I love you.

And to everyone in the New York District for your love, help and support. May God bless and keep each and everyone of you always.

Column Posted on Web Site October 30, 2012