DATE: Sunday, August 17, 1997               TAG: 9708150223

SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS     PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: Doris Townsley

                                            LENGTH:   72 lines

CLAY SENECAL: GOVERNOR DEDICATES LION'S SHARE OF TIME TO AREA CLUBS

Being the governor of the Lions District 24-D keeps Clay Senecal on the run. District 24-D encompasses 62 Lions, Lioness and Leo Clubs in Virginia. And Senecal, who officially became district governor this past July, is expected to visit each club several times this year.

``Every club has a celebration on their annual charter night, so they like to have the governor come and give a speech,'' he said. ``Then they have an installation night, when the new officers are installed and quite often the governor goes to that.''

In addition, there is the official visit that Senecal makes to each club. Then there are the district meetings, fall conferences, and international conventions that he will attend.

Furthermore, Senecal is a board member for most of the district's committees and projects. He attends these meetings as well.

His appointment book is rapidly filling up.

At home, Senecal's telephone starts ringing around 8:00 a.m. He estimates that he has close to 30 Lions Club-related incoming calls every day.

``We have two telephone lines now, and a fax machine,'' said Senecal, a senior director at Canon Virginia, Inc.

He is a very busy man.

But he doesn't do it alone. Senecal, who has been involved with the Churchland Lions Club for 27 years, said that his wife, Barbara, also a Lion, has been extremely supportive and a tremendous help.

Although Senecal and his wife belong to different clubs, they sometimes attend to Lions Club business together, such as a recent trip to a leader-dog school for the blind in Rochester, Mich. There, they allowed themselves to be blindfolded in order to experience blindness.

``We went out and we learned all about their program, how they pick their dogs, and had a chance to actually be led around while we were blind,'' Senecal said.

While he admitted that the level of activity required of him as governor means some sacrifice, Senecal said that he has a lot of fun and at the same time, is helping others.

Nickname: Clay.

Neighborhood: Green Acres.

Number of years in Portsmouth: 31.

Birthplace: Rutland, Vt.

Birthdate: Dec. 16, 1939.

Occupation: Senior director at Canon, Virginia, Inc.

What other job than your own would you like? I'm happy with mine.

Marital status: Married to Barbara.

Children: Three children: Joseph, age 36; Martha, 33; and Peggy, 29.

Fondest childhood memory: Hunting, fishing and camping with family, relatives and friends.

First concert: Boston Symphony.

What book title best describes your life? ``Shogun'' by James Clavell.

If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? Probably donate the money to the Lions' charity projects.

If you could trade places with anyone in the world for just one day, who would it be and why? No one. I'm happy with me.

Biggest accomplishment: Becoming district 24-D governor of the Lions.

Most embarrassing moment: I was a pitcher in high school and I threw a change-up over to backstop.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Become more patient.

Perfect way to spend the day: At any of the Lions' functions.

I can't resist: Peanuts.

Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: The Circle.

Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Lack of industry.

What do you like most about living in Portsmouth: The small town environment with the accessibility to all the amenities of the bigger cities. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo/JIM WALKER

Senecal

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