Change Is Inevitable

Lion Magazine - March 2021

     Lions, if you have not already done so, be sure you take a look at the Winter 2021 issue of your Lion magazine. Starting on page 24 is the story entitled “From the ashes the Paradise Host Lions Club rises yet again.” It is well worth reading for several reasons, not the least of which is what the California Lions Foundation and one club accomplished for disaster relief and recovery. There are several lessons to be learned here, starting with disaster education, training, and preparation. For example, do you have a “go bag” ready in case of emergency? Are you ready to support yourself for at least a week without outside help? Has your club participated in Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training? Just ask Lion Sharon Thornberry, The Dalles Lions, about the importance to you, your family and neighbors and your community of CERT training when emergencies happen. And by then it is too late to get ready. Does MD36 need this kind of capability for disaster response? The issue is being discussed now within the Council of Governors.

     The Lions calendar continues to turn. It is now time to be looking for and recruiting the Lions who will lead us into the coming year. Whether at the club, district or state level, new faces, new perceptions, new ways of doing things are desperately needed if Lions are to remain viable.  To be blunt, if nothing changes – including leadership, then your club is in trouble. Change is inevitable. We have several long-term clubs in our district which are literally dying because unfortunately they didn’t or couldn’t embrace and adopt to change. Imagine your community without your Lions club. Is that what you really want? Screw up your courage and step forward. Tell people you want an opportunity to learn leadership skills and make your club and community a better place to live. If asked to serve in a position, don’t automatically say “no.” Try “yes” instead, you’ll be glad you did and so will all Lions. With this in mind, nominations for District positions are being sought by the Nominations Committee, PDGs Gary Mose, Judith Poage, and Phyllis Carlin. We need 1st and 2nd Vice District Governor nominees and Zone Chairs. Contact the Nominations Committee and volunteer!

     Get your COVID vaccinations as soon as you can! Wear your facemasks to show your respect for others as well as protecting yourself! Even with vaccinations, COVID and its mutations aren’t going away. Ever. This isn’t political, it’s health and safety.  Around this District I unfortunately encounter people who don’t wear masks. I (masked) recently went into a café in a small town where no one was masked. “We don’t worry about that here,” the waitress said. Me? Yes, I have “underlying health conditions” and no, I’m not going back - ever - to a place that doesn’t respect my health and safety. Talk about a sure way to continue the incidence of this deadly disease and slow the reopening of our schools and economy. Real Lions wear masks and wash their hands frequently. [End rant.]