Inside the O2
As I continue to write this blog I have more and more admiration for people who are able to write daily blogs or even weekly ones. It’s now nearly two weeks since the end of International Convention and I’ve only just found time to write the third article I promised.
My final convention article is about the convention itself and some of the other events that surround it.
On Sunday 7th July was the first plenary session of the 96th Lions Clubs International Convention at the O2 arena in Hamburg. The venue had capacity for 12,000 lions and there were over 24,000 registered attendees so space was at a premium. Fortunately our multiple district international convention committee were on hand to reserve a block of seats both for Sunday and the final session on Tuesday.
The first session was introduced by a performance of a large part of the musical Hair. The keynote speaker of the day was Laura Bush, wife of George W. She was clearly very enthusiastic about literacy, one of outgoing president Wayne Madden’s key projects for the year.
The session on Monday was devoted to the Lions Club International Foundation, the charitable arm of the organisation, but was opened by a Beatles tribute band. There was also a keynote by Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands again on the topic of literacy. In my opinion this was the better of the two keynotes probably due to not being weighed down with being the wife of the US president. One of the highlights of the LCIF presentation was the introduction of the largest individual donors to the foundation, one of whom pledged a further $5,000,000 there and then.
Associated with the convention is an exhibition hall and a number of seminars on different topics. On the Monday I chose to go to two seminars on blogging and advanced social media run by a new lions group Social Media Including Lions Everywhere (SMILE). I was interested to hear their take on blogging for lions and to see if I could pick up some tips. SMILE also had a good stand in the exhibition offering to help lions get signed up for Facebook and Twitter.
Italian Reception
About to go on board
The Dutch reception venue
Christine with Terrie and Karen
At the MD105 reception
One of the other features of International Convention is the receptions hosted by the various nations or states. I’ve already mentioned the Californian breakfast and German Reception in my last post. On Sunday night we had tickets to the Italian reception, a wonderful three course meal and on Monday we went to the Dutch convention aboard a sailing ship and then on to our own reception with cakes and savouries for 1,000 people.
I’m DG
The wurst pic
The session on the Tuesday was effectively handed over to new International President Barry Palmer, his theme for the year “Follow Your Dream” and finally our swearing in as District Governors. Quite an emotional moment especially as my predecessor Paul was there with the chain of office to put round my neck.
And that was that apart from a very pleasant meal with some of my fellow governors and an early flight home. All in all a tiring but thoroughly enjoyable experience.
My next post will try to bring you up to date with the rest of my first month as District Governor including our first Council of Governors weekend.
Lion Simon Moss
@simonhmoss @MarstonGnLions @lions105m @lionsclubsorg
1820 miles travelled as 2nd VDG
1500 miles travelled as 1st VDG
1420 miles travelled as DG
At least 1050 hours since 1 July 2011 on Lions’ activities
My Life as a Lion 
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