Conventions, like everything else in life, are what we make them. This year’s 100th celebration in Indianapolis was a wonderful experience, and I hope all the attendees had as good or better time as Helene and I.
Indianapolis was a perfect host city. The people could not have been more helpful, and the host committee were very accommodating.
First and foremost, I want to say how proud we are to serve with the first woman president of a service organization, Sue Petrisin. It promises to be an exciting year.
Congratulations have to go out to Distinguished Past Gov. Joe Aiello and Distinguished Past Secretary Ann Sewert, who were recognized at the convention by their International President Gunter Gasser. They worked hard every day for our District and this was well deserved.
Unfortunately, the reality of life gets in the way of our good times and a dues increase was voted on, so it will cost us an extra 20 cents a week to belong to this incredible organization. A couple of dollars in the Happy Box could go along way in helping a struggling member to offset the increase. Remember - Live It - Share It - Love It. It's why we are here.
156-0, yes you read that right, 156-0, that was the final score of a "FORMULA" Family Feud game that pitted our own Rich Hall, Alison Mandel and David Morse against Governor Eric, Kimberly Davis and Brenda Leigh Johnson. Speaking about family, Sister Sledge led the convention in a rousing rendition of "We Are Family". I would like to take this opportunity to wish Past Gov. Joe Corace all the best as he embarks on a new career as one of their backup dancers. Trust me it was quite a sight to see him on stage with the girls. Joe Corace has moves, and he's not afraid to show them. Congratulations also to Distinguished Past Gov. Joe Eppolito, who served as Kiwanis International Election Chair and to SDLTG Jim Mancuso, who put forth four preferred candidates to our delegates, and all four were victorious. Great job by both these gentlemen!
A special thank you to our SLP Administrators, John Keegan and John Goldstein and their staff for the extraordinary job they did at convention. Their dedication and professionalism is unmatched, and the members of The NY Circle K and Key Club were exemplary. Congratulations to Clifford Young and Heather Farley, who are now Key Club International Trustees.
So, it's summertime and prime season for tick bites. Please be very careful and get any questionable bite checked. The Kiwanis Pediatric Lyme Disease Foundation is instrumental, if you have any questions or concerns. Lets get our community kids up to Kamp Kiwanis and give them a week they will cherish for a long time. Kids are home from school and playing hard. Accidents happen. KPTC provides trauma kits for just that. We have three great foundations. They depend on us. Let's support them. Oh by the way, in case you were wondering, Governor Eric was not on the side of victory. Rich, Alison and David - you thumped them good.
See you at The Desmond!
Column Posted on Web Site August 2, 2015
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