Another beautiful, sunny, but chilly day in Sydney.
Opening ceremonies and the highlight was the parade of flags of all the 205 countries that make up Lions Clubs International. All the 17 candidates for International Director had the opportunity to speak for two minutes today. Tomorrow we each have two minutes in front of the WHOLE ASSEMBLY of 12,000 Lions that are in attendance; in front of a caucus where all the Lions were invited.
June 30, 2010
June 29, 2010
Sydney
Sorry for the delay in updates. Days and nights fly by.
We arrived in Sydney on Sunday and have been busy meeting all the Lions from the U.S. and around the world. Yesterday (Monday) the final list of candidates for International Director was narrowed down and I am one of the seven for the seven spots to be filled by North Americans! This means that after the vote on Friday, I will be the International Director from Michigan.
Today was the International Parade and the 50 Lions of Michigan followed the Lions of Michigan All State Band in the march. Michigan made a great impression on all of the people that were lining the parade route that ended at the famous Sydney Opera House on the edge of the harbor.
Cheryl and I are busy each day with visits to states and countries that hold a caucus to meet each of the International Director candidates. we usually speak for 2-3 minutes and move on to the next meeting. The evenings are filled with receptions that are held by different countries where the same process happens. It is how the Lions from other countries get to see a little bit of the candidates in person. Tonight we are off to the Canada and Australia receptions.
The weather is in the 60's, but each day has been sunny. Since it is winter here, they think it is cold, but the northern midwesterners are usually wearing short sleeved shirts while the locals are wearing down jackets!
The Australians are great hosts and very friendly, though they do talk a little funny. We even had kangaroo and crocodile pizza!
We arrived in Sydney on Sunday and have been busy meeting all the Lions from the U.S. and around the world. Yesterday (Monday) the final list of candidates for International Director was narrowed down and I am one of the seven for the seven spots to be filled by North Americans! This means that after the vote on Friday, I will be the International Director from Michigan.
Today was the International Parade and the 50 Lions of Michigan followed the Lions of Michigan All State Band in the march. Michigan made a great impression on all of the people that were lining the parade route that ended at the famous Sydney Opera House on the edge of the harbor.
Cheryl and I are busy each day with visits to states and countries that hold a caucus to meet each of the International Director candidates. we usually speak for 2-3 minutes and move on to the next meeting. The evenings are filled with receptions that are held by different countries where the same process happens. It is how the Lions from other countries get to see a little bit of the candidates in person. Tonight we are off to the Canada and Australia receptions.
The weather is in the 60's, but each day has been sunny. Since it is winter here, they think it is cold, but the northern midwesterners are usually wearing short sleeved shirts while the locals are wearing down jackets!
The Australians are great hosts and very friendly, though they do talk a little funny. We even had kangaroo and crocodile pizza!
June 25, 2010
Monsoon in Auckland, New Zeeland
Well, we arrived safely after a LONG flight from Los Angeles. New Zeeland is much more hilly than I expected. It is winter here, so it is 60 degrees and has been raining for 1 1/2 days. The people are very friendly, but they say WE talk funny! They drive on the left side which has been a real challenge for me. With the steering wheel on the right side and the controls reversed, I keep on turning the windshield wipers on when I am trying to hit the turn signal! Goofy Americans!!
Watching a lot of World Cup and adjusting to the time change before the Convention begins. We are 16 hours AHEAD of GR time until we go to Sydney Sunday morning and then we will be 14 hours ahead. Back to the future.......
Gary and Cheryl
Watching a lot of World Cup and adjusting to the time change before the Convention begins. We are 16 hours AHEAD of GR time until we go to Sydney Sunday morning and then we will be 14 hours ahead. Back to the future.......
Gary and Cheryl
June 20, 2010
Lions International Convention-Sydney, Australia
Cheryl and I are leaving in two days for the Lions International Convention in Sydney, Australia, where I am competing for the position of International Director of Lions International. There are 34 Directors worldwide, each serving a two year term. Seventeen are elected each year, seven from North America.
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