It has been my pleasure and honor to serve you this past challenging year as the 36G District Governor. Although the year did not go as intended (Ha!) we have nonetheless managed to carry on and make some positive changes in the district. Innovation was the hallmark of successful clubs this year as we all worked to serve our communities under the restrictions of COVID-19 lockdowns. Successful clubs found new ways to raise funds and new projects to carry on the tradition of Lions service. Another highlight was the implementation of virtual meetings, usually on the Zoom platform. This format allowed willing clubs to continue to meet, saved countless travel hours and dollars to attend District meetings, and even allowed the district to hold a highly engaging and informative convention this year! Lastly, the four current District Governors are proposing a new foundation for the express purpose of helping Lions to prepare for, respond to, and survive disasters. Remember we have experienced three Federally declared disasters this year: February 2020 floods, COVID-19, and wildfires so the need is great. Another article in this issue more fully explains what we are proposing.
I am turning over District 36G to a highly motivated and experienced Lion, Kathy Oliver from the Elgin Lions. Her husband is PCC Steve Oliver, she has been president of the Elgin Lions, a Zone Chair, and has held many other positions in Lions. She will be an excellent leader for our District, but I want to give District Lions some suggestions about how to work with Kathy and help make her term a roaring success.
· Mind your manners! Don’t ignore email and phone calls from DG Oliver or other District leaders. First, it is just plain rude, and secondly communication must happen in both directions; DG Oliver will do her part, but will you?
· Keep DG Oliver and your Zone Chair informed about what your club is doing. Be sure to enter all projects, activities, and fundraising activities in MyLion so your club gets LCI credit for your good work. This also helps LCI pursue funding from large donor organizations who want to know how their money is and will be spent.
· Invite DG Oliver to attend your club meetings, whether in person or online. Be aware of the protocol (manners) expected of a club when enjoying an official visitation by the DG. Here is a handy link to running a meeting, and a governor’s visitation: https://e-district.org/userfiles/47/file/PROTOCOL.pdf
· If you are a club officer, especially a president, please know that as a part of your presidential responsibilities you are expected to attend Zone Meetings and to report on your club’s activities. This is a great way to learn about Lions and to support DG Oliver.
· Plan to attend District and Zone training sessions. This is an easy way to stay current with Lions, and you might actually learn something new. Again, this will really help DG Oliver with improving the District.
· Last but not least, if you have been a club officer in the same position for three or more years, don’t you think it is time to train your replacement and step up to a different position, like Zone Chair? Both you and your club will benefit from the change.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your District Governor.
Soon-to-be Past District Governor, John Taylor