14: 80TH LCI, PHILADELPHIA. 30/6/1997 to 5/7/1997

80TH LIONS INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION, PHILADELPHIA, USA JUNE 30-JULY 5, 1997

June and July were super busy months for all district governors-elect. Having been elected as District Governor in the fiscal year 1997-1998, I was not only busy but equally excited, as I diligently prepared for my “pinnacle” trip. It was the 80th Annual Lions Clubs International Convention in Philadelphia Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, USA from 1st-4th July 1997 where I would be installed as District Governor for District 308B. Even the grim prospect of a 31-hour flight could not dampen my spirits. As the Americans would succinctly put it, I was on Cloud 9!

The Convention City

I arrived in Philadelphia, the ‘City of Brotherly Love’ two days before the district governors’ elect school. It was a soaring 102 degrees Fahrenheit! I had expected a roaring welcome at the airport just like our Lions convention back home. Nope, no Lions banners or buntings. I only saw a Welcome Lions sign above the entrance of the COBO Building. Perhaps I was a bit early. I hailed a cab and made my way to the Wyndham Franklin Plaza Hotel, which is within walking distance of the iconic Independence Hall.

The Lions Convention Centre

The 80th LCI Convention was held at the Pennsylvania Conventions Centre at Arch Street in downtown Philadelphia. The Grand Hall, which was built into the historic Victorian building that was once the Reading Railroad Train Shed, is a dramatic one-of-a-kind space with a majestic arched ceiling. 

The Convention Delegates

Much to my chagrin, this convention had a low attendance count. Only about 15 thousand delegates as compared to the other conventions I have attended. The delegates from the United States far outnumbered those from overseas.

I noted that the Asian Lions were much sought after by novelties seekers. A popular Lions’ trend is to exchange colourful and unusual pins from delegates the world over. Goodwill pin exchanges occurred almost everywhere; be it at the Convention Hall, inside the buses and lifts, on hotel escalators, and even at five-foot ways whilst waiting for buses!

Spouse Seminar 

District governors' spouses were included at the convention. They were invited to attend a seminar that provided them with insights into their role.

The Campaign for International Directors

Politicking a la American style for the election of the International Directors went into full swing the moment you stepped into the Pennsylvania Conventions Centre. Talents and human ingenuity are aplenty, to vie for our votes. In a single day, I collected many gifts including key chains, fans, diaries, stickers, badges, and placards with photos … all with profiles of the candidates. The campaign managers were all in overdrive and spared no expenses to get their candidates elected.

The Convention Sessions

The Opening Convention Plenary Session on 1/7/1997 started on the dot at 8.30 am. The program started with the Presentation of the Flags of Nations of Lionism. Lions Clubs International 2nd Vice President Kajit “KJ” Habananada from Thailand presided over this session.

Argentinian Luis Vincente Giay, the Rotary International President was the Guest Speaker at the 1st Plenary Session. William J. Bennet, a noted author, political commentator, and former presidential appointee (serving as the co-director of Empower America) spoke at the 2nd Plenary Session. Both speakers were very eloquent.

The 3rd Plenary Session was simply electrifying! Candidates vying for International Directorship were each allowed to pitch their candidacy. There was tremendous tension and later, resounding applause when the names of the successful candidates for International Directors were announced. Translations in French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Sweden were readily available at all the plenary sessions.

There were also recognitions of the 100% Club Melvin Jones Clubs and the announcement of International Peace Poster Contest Winners.

District Governors' Installation

Next was the Installation of District Governors, all 700 of them, of which 69 of them were ladies. The district governors were called upon to be upstanding from where they were seated to take their oath of office. The ceremony was conducted by the International President Judge Howard Patterson. Immediately after taking the pledge, the district governors were asked to tear off the broach tail that they were wearing.  

The finale was the declaration of the new International President. Judge Howard L “Pat” Patterson, a long-time chancery court judge in Forrest County, Mississippi was voted in. Pat’s theme was “Proud Past … Bright Future”. His supporters and well-wishers thronged the magnificent stage in jubilation.  Together, with a 40-strong music band, they took over and celebrated Pat’s IP declaration. A taste of US exuberance on stage!

The Convention Workshops

The Convention had lined up several workshops which were conducted by veteran Lions and Past International Directors. The topics included Focus on Environment, the Lions Eye Health Programme; Leo Clubs, Children At Risk, Eyeglass Recycling, Youth Exchange, Club Twinning, and Peace Poster. Due to the enormity of the crowd as well as time constraints, workshop schedules clashed and it was virtually impossible to attend more than two topics in full.

I opted for Environment and Publicity and “peeked in” on a couple of the others.  I must say that all the seminars enjoyed full houses. In some workshops, there was hardly standing room! The LCI organizers failed to anticipate the numbers, resulting in inadequate seating.   

As I reached the end of the seminar hall, I noticed a Round Table Discussion Group in session. I sat in and shared my ideas with other Lions on our Club activities and how we raised funds for projects. In the West, Lions were more comfortable with hands-on projects. A most fruitful exchange of ideas!

The International Parade

The Lions International Parade was held on July 1st, one day before the Opening Convention & Plenary Session. This has been a traditional Lions’ trademark and always heralded the commencement of a Lions Intentional Convention.

Our small contingent assembled at Penn’s Landing on Columbus Boulevard at 10.30am at the 134th position, a long, long way behind! We were a bit disappointed as we could not witness the extravaganza show in the front!! We started marching at 12.30pm. The parade consisted of colourful floats, banners of different contingents, rhythmic bands, and youthful marching girls. We had to walk from Market Street to 13th Street which was about a mile long. The Lion dignitaries, including the International President, the board, and all Past International Presidents and Judges were viewing the march past seated on a dais. It was certainly one of the longest, most colourful, and liveliest international parades I have ever seen. Full of pomp and glamour! Naturally, it made the front pages of all the news tabloids in Philadelphia.

I truly salute the organizers for a job well done! To me, this is the highlight of the Lions International Conventions where over a hundred countries lined the streets of Philadelphia to “parade” the Lions’ fraternity. Unity in diversity!

The International Show

The one-and-a-half-hour show feature 60s Rock and Roll idol, singer, and actor Bobby Rydell. There were other varieties of acts too. My sentiment is that an International Show should feature a joint effort by Lions from each nation, each country sharing its unique culture. It would have been a great spectacle if we could see a fiery Maori Haka dance, the graceful Kabuki, the highly expressive Flamenco, or the swaying Hula Dance! Of course, our very own silky Zapin would certainly add to the international flavour. Something to ponder!

  
Leisure hours

I made use of my free hours at the Pennsylvania Convention Centre engaging with the staffs of LCI. I met so many of them and they were very approachable and friendly. We would be communicating with each other when I returned home to my district. Knowing each other had allowed me to compare notes as to their responsibilities and job scope.

Lions Representatives from District 308B

Our contingent to the Lions International Convention was not that many delegates due to the extra-long flight to Philadelphia. Among the Past Officers of the Association were PCC Dr. Chin Yoon Hiap, PCC Dato Dr. K Nagaratnam, PCC Jeffrey Quah, PDG John Loh and I made up the team with our wives.  

 

LCI DISTRICT GOVERNORS’ SCHOOL (27-29 JUNE, 1997)

The District Governors’ School held during the 80th LCI Convention (1997) in Philadelphia was the most meaningful one for me.

The school, held over two days was remarkably well conducted. As district governors-elect, we learned of our roles and responsibilities, the administration of a district, and high profiling strategies to capture the hearts of every Lion.  Most of all, I learned the importance of punctuality.

The opening session concluded with the formal introduction of the Lion dignitaries present.  1st Vice President Judge Howard L “Pat” Patterson Jr. introduced the 1997-1998 International Programs. The District Governor School and its programs were highly instructive and extremely useful for incoming district governors to run their districts. The speakers were well-qualified and dedicated Lions; they included past international presidents(PIPs), past international directors(PIDs), and staff from the Association. Almost every aspect of Lionism and the business of running the district was dealt with.

I came away with the conviction that no future district governors of any district should choose to miss this school if they sincerely and earnestly wanted to do a good job for their districts. It was hard work though to attend every single session of school. However, the wealth of knowledge acquired was well worth the time and effort. The leader of my group was PID Albert F “Al” Brandel (New York) and my teammates included district governors from MD22 (Maryland, Delaware), MD34 (Alabama), MD35 (Florida, Bahamas), MD39 (Idaho, Oregon), MD45 (Vermont), MD60 (Caribbean, West Indies), MD202 (New Zealand, Fiji Islands, Tonga American Samoa, Western Samoa, Cook Islands) and my counterpart, 308A (Singapore). There were thirty-four district governors-elect in this group.

The District Governors’ School and the Lions Clubs International Convention held over a span of four days were most memorable. I got to know many Lions who were there with a similar purpose to learning how they can be better leaders towards the “We Serve” Lions motto. 

PS: 
I have kept in touch with several of my teammates, (Past District Governors) from several countries; though the frequency of correspondence has lessened with each passing year. The fact that many district governors were elderly when they took office, could be a contributing factor that slowed down our correspondence. There were quite a number of them who were from New Zealand. In 2002, I took the opportunity to visit them. You can view the photographs of our meetings on my page:  <DG Class '97-'98>