Lions Clubs Can Play a Crucial Role When it Comes to Disasters

As I sat debating what I wanted to write about for my February column, horrific footage of the fires in Los Angeles was playing on the news.  Instead of dedicating this month to giving you an update on my club visits and district (I’m enjoying being DG, things are going well!), it feels more important to talk about how our Lions Clubs can play a crucial role when it comes to disasters.  The idea of disaster preparedness can be overwhelming, but here are a few suggestions of where Lions can start:

1. Community Awareness and Education

·       Workshops and Training: Host workshops on disaster preparedness, teaching basic first aid, CPR, and survival skills.

·       Public Awareness Campaigns: Distribute pamphlets, hold seminars, or organize events to educate the public on disaster risks and preparedness tips.

·       Emergency Drills: Partner with local authorities to conduct disaster simulation drills in schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.

2. Resource Distribution

·       Emergency Kits: Assemble and distribute disaster preparedness kits that include items like water, non-perishable food, first aid supplies, flashlights, and batteries.

·       Information Guides: Provide guides on creating family emergency plans and evacuation strategies.

3. Building Resilient Infrastructure

·       Safe Shelters: Collaborate with local governments to identify and improve safe shelters that can be used during disasters.

·       Community Resources: Invest in backup power generators for key facilities like hospitals and schools.

·       Flood or Fire Mitigation Projects: Engage in activities like tree planting, erosion control, and clearing debris in fire-prone areas.

4. Collaboration with Other Organizations

·       Partnerships: Work with emergency management agencies, Red Cross chapters, or other NGOs to coordinate disaster preparedness efforts.

·       Training Volunteers: Train club members and community volunteers to assist during disasters, including search and rescue or operating evacuation centers.

5. Supporting Vulnerable Populations

·       Special Needs Preparation: Develop plans to assist elderly, disabled, or low-income individuals who may need additional help during disasters.

·       Language and Accessibility: Provide disaster information in multiple languages and accessible formats.

6. Disaster Planning and Advocacy

·       Community Disaster Plans: Help create or review local disaster preparedness plans.

·       Advocate for Preparedness: Encourage local governments and businesses to invest in disaster readiness and infrastructure improvements.

7. Environmental Efforts

·       Climate Resilience: Support projects like building rain gardens, restoring wetlands, and planting trees to mitigate the effects of climate change-related disasters.

8. Fundraising and Supplies

·       Raise Funds: Organize fundraising events to support disaster preparedness programs.

·       Stockpile Supplies: Establish community stockpiles of essential items for use in emergencies.

If you’re still not sure where to start, reach out to your district Disaster Response chair for guidance and support.  We have some really great folks working on these committees who are willing to help!  During the colder and slower months, this might be the perfect time to talk about disaster preparedness and response with your clubs members.

By leveraging our networks and resources our Lions Clubs can be instrumental in building disaster-resilient communities.  These developing relationships also have the added potential to help us grow our membership numbers simply because Lions are the living embodiment of neighbors helping neighbors. 

We Serve.  Where there is a need, there should be a Lion!

Keep Folks Interested by Doing Service Projects.

Membership and service should be at the forefront for all of our clubs at all times- if we want our clubs to still exist years from now, we need to bring in new members from multiple generations and keeping them engaged.  But how do we do that?  Well, one idea is to keep folks interested by doing service projects.

Now that the highs of the holidays have passed, we’re entering into the winter months where the days are short and the nights are long.  A lot of clubs have just finished amazing holiday projects but are now struggling to find the energy or motivation to do activities for the next few months.  Here are a few ideas that won’t take a lot of time or effort but could have a huge impact on your community and attract new members.  Remember, there is no reason to reinvent the wheel when there are thousands of clubs doing fun and exciting things, so Google is your best friend!

Adopting a school (or retirement home, group home, etc): Collect and provide winter essentials such as hand sanitizer, tissues, socks, etc.  It might be possible to work with your local dollar store to gather donations.

Making scarves: use the no-sew method to keep this easy by buying yardage of polar fleece, cutting it into long strips and then fringing the ends by cutting into smaller strips and then knotting those ends to dress up the scarf a little bit.  This is a great project for a winter club meeting and be sure to bring sharp scissors!

A food drive: collect food items to restock the local food pantry.

Clothing drive: collect new or gently used coats, clothes, shoes, gloves, hats, etc.  Every community has a need, especially for the homeless population.  Seniors and foster kids also need support so contact your local social service organization to see where the needs are.

Luggage drive: Collect gently used luggage for children in foster care so if they move from home to home, they can have some dignity and luggage to put their belongings in. Few things are sadder than seeing a child haul all his or her worldly possessions around in a garbage bag.

Boxes of love: small shoe box size boxes with hygiene and other items.  These could be for the homeless, seniors or foster kids.  For a wonderful program that does this for foster youth, check out:  https://www.boxesofloveproject.org/

Host a Laundry Day:  gather up your quarters and work with a local laundry mat to help low-income folks do loads of laundry.  https://laundrylove.org/

 Host a seed exchange: invite community members to bring their leftover seeds and exchange with others.  Seeds could be labeled and divided into smaller packets so more can be shared.  This could also be an activity to help low-income community members learn how to grow their own food.

Host a book drive to support local libraries, little libraries and schools.  Addiction recovery centers, jails and prisons can also use books. 

Coordinate a phone tree to check-in and talk to lonely community members.

Kindness rocks: this could be a community wide service projects to engage families with children.  All you need are some river rocks and paint supplies to decorate the rocks.  This is a great resource:  https://www.thekindnessrocksproject.com/

 These are just a few ideas for winter projects, I hope you find some inspiration!

DG Carrie Bartley

Greetings from 36-O!

First off, Save the date!  Lions in MD 36 have an incredible opportunity coming soon, a special membership training that is now scheduled for January 13 & 14, 2025 at Keizer Club House.  Our special guests will be International Second Vice President Mark Lyon and his partner in service, Lion Lyn.  They will be here for both days and they are committed to helping MD 36 and MD 19 meet the goals of Mission 1.5.  Start making plans to attend and bring your club members!  Keep an eye out for more information and the registration form.

 As we come into the cooler months and the holidays, this is a perfect time for clubs to start looking at their club marketing materials and doing things to promote their clubs in their communities.  Clubs are encouraged to review and use the ideas and tips that can be found in the PR Manual: http://www.md36lionsclubs.org/public-relations

 GLT David Bartley from 36-O and I have been hosting several Zoom sessions to introduce Lions to the use of Artificial Intelligence and ChatGPT.  We are always happy to host more sessions, and these are open to ALL Lions.  If your club, zone or district would like to hold a session, please reach out.  We’ll cover Lions Virtual, ChatGPT (writing), Dall-e (graphics) and Suno (music).  Most of these have free versions but as an example, ChatGPT is $20/month and Suno is $10/month for a more advanced program.  A club, zone or district could sign up for one account and share the log-in.  A simple Google search will help you find other versions online that are free and most work basically the same. Google is also your friend!  There is no reason to reinvent the wheel where there are so many resources available to us online.

 (The graphics on this page were created in less than a minute using Dall-e and by providing a very brief description of what I was trying to create)

 Below are some links if Lions would like to explore on their own.  We have used these programs to create articles, marketing plans, fresh graphics and even songs for our Lions Clubs. 

Lions Virtual:  https://www.lionsvirtual.org/

 ChatGPT:  https://chatgpt.com/

 Suno:  https://suno.com/

 DG Carrie Bartley cell: 541-391-0767  email:  cls24@hotmail.com

It Is a Great Time to Start Thinking About Activities That Lions Can Do Indoors

As the weather turns cold and wet, it is a great time to start thinking about activities that Lions can do indoors in the comfort of your home.  There are a lot of resources available online but for those without a computer or internet access, a club could talk about some of these at a meeting in lieu of a speaker or program.

Some examples:

Lions University, which is a part of the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum, is a fun and engaging online program that offers classes on specific topics.  When you complete so many classes, you’ll qualify for a degree and if you attend a USA/Canada Forum, you can participate in a graduation ceremony where you will be honored by the International President.  The classes could also double as an orientation program for newer Lions. Check it out:  https://lionsuniversity.org/

The Lions Member Resource Center through LCI is a wealth of information that is organized by topic.  It covers everything from leadership training resources, information about our global causes, LCIF, helpful tools for marketing/public relations, and so much more.  You can go to lionsclubs.org and click on Members Resource Center.  Here is the direct link:  https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/member-resource-center.

Google is great when you need inspiration, for an activity, fundraiser, tail twister ideas, etc.  I use it all the time when I need help and by using Google, I find information from Lions clubs all over the world.  I have come across some really fun ideas that I would never in a million years would have on my own!

Finally, use social media like Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.  I know there is a lot of negativity out there about social media, but it really can be used for good.  For Lions related pages, you should check out the Global Lions Forum and the Lions Portal Group on Facebook.  Both are a wealth of information and allow you to engage with fellow Lions and staff at LCI.

When it comes to learning more about Lions, there is no need to reinvent the wheel. Use technology to help your club grow, in membership and leadership!

So why is this a big deal?

Hello fellow Lions! Several of us just returned from the USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum in Louisville, Kentucky.  I cannot recommend this event ENOUGH; it is worth every penny and then some.  I would encourage all clubs to try to find funds in their admin account to help send one or two of your members to this yearly event that rotates around North America.  Next year's event will be held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, September 18-20.  Start planning now, you won't regret it!

So why is this a big deal?  Attending the Forum isn't just about attending training sessions, it is about networking and meeting Lions from all over the world.  Sharing information, learning from one another, getting new ideas and socializing is just the tip of the iceberg- this event is Lionism at its finest.  To give you an idea, we sat and talked with Lions from Canada, Texas, Wisconsin, Delaware, Iowa, California, Colorado, and more at the meals.

Some of the highlights for me:

Being surrounded by 2000+ like-minded people who want to improve and help their community is itself inspiring.

Learning Sessions that cover all kinds of topics- my favorites included the session on online fundraising and using Artificial Intelligence to help our clubs.  Lion David and I hope to have a Zoom training about using AI and ChatGPT. What you can do and how technology can save time and energy in promoting our clubs are impressive. Let me know if you'd be interested!

The guest speakers are always high quality and two stood out to me this year, the first being motivational speaker Sam Glenn (https://www.samglenn.com/ and https://www.samglennart.com/).  If you need a chuckle and a smile, I highly recommend you check him out online and on YouTube- he is hilarious.  The second speaker I want to highlight is Randy Pierce, a few Lions from New Hampshire.  When he was 22 he lost the majority of his vision within two weeks due to a neurological disease.  He talked about overcoming the odds with his guide dogs and how it led to him hiking mountains, running marathons and so much more.  He was very inspiring and a great speaker. (https://futureinsight.org/randypierce/)

I know the cost can be prohibitive, but I hope more Lions try to attend future Forums with some planning.  Dates for future events: September 18-20, 2025 Atlantic City, New Jersey, September 3-5, 2026, Memphis, Tennessee, September 16-18, 2027 Huntsville, Alabama.

As a multiple district, we are struggling to bridge the leadership gap among our members, and training like this is invaluable when it comes to the knowledge gained and being inspired.  For more information, please check out the website for the Forum at  https://lionsforum.org/

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!  My cell is 541-391-0767 and my email is cls24@hotmail.com

What Building a Legacy Might Look Like

“Sometimes you gotta create what you want to become a part of”- Geri Weizman

Sticking with my theme for the year, I want to talk about what Building a Legacy might look like in your community.  Besides taking care of our current members and clubs, I think we can all agree that as an organization we need to grow and this means doing more to bring in more members of all ages. 

For those Lions that aren’t familiar with some of the programs at the international level,  Mission 1.5 is a four-year initiative by Lions Clubs International to reach 1.5 million members worldwide by July 1, 2027. We currently sit at around 1.35 million.  The goal is to better serve communities, make the world a better place, and grow the organization. The mission is based on the idea that more Lions means more service can be done, making the world a better place for all of us.

I know it can be hard to bring new members into a club and sometimes it comes down to this:  where the heck do we start?  Things to consider: what sort of legacy do you want to leave in your community?  What needs are there in your club?  Building on those two things, consider targeted recruitment.  Want to build relationships with public servants like fire, police and local government?   Consider partnering with them for a highly visible service project or expressing your gratitude by honoring them with a thank you event.  Does your club need help with fundraising and finances?  Invite someone working in banking, finance or sales to be a guest speaker to talk about what they do for a living and recruit from there.  Is your club struggling with public relations?  Invite someone from the local media like radio, television or publishing to be a guest speaker to talk about their industry.  Show them what your club is doing and invite them to participate or partner with you on a project or fundraiser.  Want to beautify your community but need help?  Reach out to local tradespeople, agriculturalists, FFA chapters and 4-H clubs to build those relationships.  Do you have a favorite cashier at the local store? Invite them to a meeting or a project.  Is the cost of dues preventing great people from joining?  Consider scholarships from your admin fund or creative ways to spread out dues payments. Lions should also consider reaching out to their local veterans to talk about how Lions serve their community and it is another way they can continue to serve. Folks don’t know what they don’t know, so do what you can to reach out into your community and share your Lions story.

One last thing to consider: as we leave behind our summer activities, consider planning a club open house or community membership drive, reaching out to those you engaged with over the summer.  Be creative!  Use social media!  But most of all, have fun.

Building On The Foundation Of Previous District Governors

     “What is a legacy? It's planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.” - Lin-Manuel Miranda, playwright

     It is with great excitement and pleasure that I write my first column as your District Governor for 36-O.  For many years I’ve had the opportunity to hold supporting roles in our district and multiple district, having a front row seat to watch as Lions and our clubs have changed over the years.  I often reflect on my own start in Lions, as a branch club member, and following in the footsteps of loved ones that were also Lions. So with that, I have decided that my theme for this year is Building a Legacy.

     Building a legacy is a profound endeavor that often transcends a lifetime. It’s about leaving a lasting impact, whether through accomplishments, contributions, or the positive influence we have on others.  It is striving for excellence in the activities we love and sharing that love and knowledge with those around us.  By sharing, we’re doing impactful work in our communities while also showing kindness and compassion as we serve.  I believe that as Lions, we are constantly influencing our communities and the people we serve, including our fellow members.  A legacy begins with having a purpose, deciding what truly matters to you and what you’d like to see that is left behind long after you’re gone.

     I hope that by building on the foundation of previous District Governors, we can continue to make small changes that will last for many years to come.  Some of my goals for my year as District Governor include the following:

·         Support clubs so that all the clubs in the district have 10 or more members.

·         Restructure and rebuild those clubs we have lost in the last couple of years, reviving their charters to re-start them with 10 or more new members.

·         Work towards starting new clubs in communities and focusing on underrepresented groups for potential specialty clubs.

·         Work with all clubs to learn the new Lions Portal and work towards a high level of reporting service.  We will have numerous training sessions focused on the Portal and supporting our club officers.

·         Work with clubs to strengthen their use of social media and grow their public relations skills so that Lions Clubs are no longer the best kept secret in our communities.

·         I will also work with clubs to encourage their support of LCIF.

     I am looking forward to hitting the ground running once I return from Melbourne. Please reach out to me for support as I am here to serve the Lions in both 36-O and MD36.

The Visceral Bond Of Joy And Comfort We Experience When We Make A Connection

     The Teddy Bear Parade in Oregon City is an event you should put on your calendar for next year.  In fact, this should be an event if you live near Oregon City that should be on your calendar every year.  And if you don’t live near Oregon City it is worth considering putting on a Teddy Bear Parade in your own town. May this year was a rainy year for the parade. But that did not discourage the many determined folks who showed up for the parade and for the participants and horses in the march.

     What we all know to be a nearly avoidable (especially in the rain) activity, it is also one of the events that children can’t miss when they get a chance.  Despite the rain, it was so heartwarming to see kids lined up with their contribution to the Teddy Bear collection, prepared with bears sealed in plastic bags knowing that they are giving to a greater cause:  Comfort to kids in the Hospital who need to be included in the thoughts and prayers of everyone. Now perhaps the reward of candy being thrown at them from the Lions and others is an ulterior motive, but in essence the bond between kids and the paradors is the most palpable of the experience.

     Isn’t this true with all of our service projects?  There is a palpable visceral bond of joy and comfort we experience when we make a connection with those in the community that perhaps have a need that we Lions are trying to meet.  In the Food Banks, in the vision screenings, in the delivery of medical devices, in the Spam and Eggs or Thanksgiving food boxes; each time we act to create community these bonds strengthen our own identities as being a part of someone else’s identity.  

     When we doubt that this strength and identity is just too small to be important I promise you that the day you enter into an office of a Governor or legislator or company CEO and see the little American Flag perched on the desk or shelf, you will remember your Lion identity back to when you gave a flag to a first grader who remembered their identity affirmation in just a short moment with a small gift.

Thank All Of The Leadership From All Of The Clubs

     We are now closing in on the finishing of the Lion Year 2023-2024 and in getting there we are launching into the season of service activities.  Golf tournaments, car shows, fun runs, road cleaning… you name it – it is the season to be outside and to “get-er-done.”  But before we fully get into this summer it is time also to get our leadership for the following year elected, registered and trained.

     Every club should know or be in the process of establishing their officers for next year.  The Secretaries, new or not, will have to report to Lions International who are the executive boards of you clubs.  In the past the report to fill out has been the PU101.  Not hard or complicated.  With the launch of the new “Portal” website we are hoping that the process will be as easy as it has been In the past and maybe even easier.  Naturally we may be a little bit wary of what the new thing is, this is understandable.  However, it is worth your time to peruse the website ‘Portal’ and get this taken care of.  When all of the new officers have been reported their access to club records becomes available.  I imagine that this report will be able to be filled out and submitted online.

     It is best to have done a little prep before you set out on making the report.  Collect up the names and mailing addresses.  Make sure you have accurate telephone numbers – all, cell, home and business numbers.  Correct (unique) email addresses are a must.  And it is helpful for the directory creator that you include a spouse/partner’s name.  This coming Lion’s year we will have a new MD36 Executive Secretary who is responsible for constructing that Directory.  So being prompt in supplying this information to LCI is so helpful.

     I would like to thank all of the leadership from all of the clubs.  Meeting each of you is and has been such a joy.  I would encourage everyone who has been a leader over the past almost 10 years to take a minute to acknowledge Leah Malcolm for the fantastic work she has done for our MD 36 in compiling the Oregon Lion magazine issues, publishing our Yearly Directory and on and on with her duties.  We have been blessed to have such a professional working in our midst.

Friendship, It Changes Us, Makes Us Better People.

     What is fascinating about meeting so many people in Club visits is the wonderful variety of different views about what it means to be a Lion.  Each person naturally started out with motives that likely have evolved over time.  Some never hold onto the ideals they started out with, yet choose a new path to motivate themselves.  I started out after my third son received another scholarship from the Lions and realized I really shouldn’t be taking their money without giving back. That only lasted as long as it took to make friends, and somehow our collective motivations meld into a new understanding as to what really is our Mission. That evolution of thinking and motive is what kind of inspires me to be a Lion today 15 years later.  Friendship, it changes us, makes us better people.

     Some ways to bring new folks into Lions is to bring in already established friends, people we already have done the work in creating a friendship. But what has to be done as a Club is to create an environment where others in the community have a fun, pleasurable time in doing a community service sponsored, planned and put on by the local Lions Club. We do these things to bring our friends into meet our other friends, but we also do the service projects to invite new people to our community, especially folks who have received our services.

      This brings us to community banquets and auctions.  Business owners, logging companies, factory workers, political leaders, educators -  whatever; all have a stake in the outcomes of the activities that we do. And from time to time, it is a smart event to not only raise money but to also expose our work as Lions to new people and extending a welcoming hand to join us.  In my club we do an annual Golf Tournament.  It’s a fundraiser, sure, but it is a community service to unite old friends, bring together the farmers and the towns people.  And people really like to know that they are giving sight to the visually impaired and hearing to the hearing impaired.  At Gresham Supper the Bowling event brings together business owners, their workers and families to just do something fun.  Community service is really Just Making Friends.  What is your Club doing to get the word out?  Is it time to make some new friends?  Happy Spring.

We Could Use Your Help

     In contemplating what it is I should be doing as the District Governor, as opposed to what I am not doing, I have a tendency to fall back to my insecurities. (Totally not helpful.)  Recently I have been meeting with new members two and three at a time and I start out reminding folks that in the Lions all the terms of officers is simply 1 year.  Which provides us with a limited amount of time to accomplish everything we expect of ourself as long as we expect ourselves to get it done.

     This morning my wife and I went to Safeway and as we were standing to check out, the magazine headlines displayed were calling to me like the sirens of the nautical winds.  One magazine inviting the purchaser into very exclusive secret societies.  I was reminded that we often hear that the Lions are the best kept secret in town despite the many things we do in our local communities.  I tell myself that we are not a secret society.   We are individuals who want to just do good community service, and have fun with friends, thank you very much.  Giving sight to the visually impaired and sound to those whose hearing is challenged.

The recruitment of new faces into our club and club leadership in this day and age seems nearly impossible.  Bringing up younger generations of members and leaders in models of leadership not anchored in the Baby Boomers conception of belonging.   But what is the new conception? 

     I suggest that we are only going to be successful in future years when we see ourselves and only work in terms of teams.  That no one is expected or tasked with the role of pulling together anything except with and through a team.  The cohesiveness of our clubs is created as we find temporary homes in teams focused on accomplishment.  It is possible.  As we go into the season of electing new club officers the sell should be “would you be interested in coming onto the team to help us do ………?”  We could use your help.

Convention on March 1-2 at the Church on the Hill in McMinnville

Planning a party

     I am better at going to a party than I am at planning a party. Trying to figure out the details and put them in order is really a stretch for my little mind. Give me an invitation I‘ll show up. Give me a task I’ll do my best.

     For the past few months, I have been working with the Convention Planning Committee with a great and knowledgeable, experienced crew.  We are going to have a convention!  This will be on March 1-2 at the Church on the Hill in McMinnville. The intricacies about this event could only be done well with a committee. Convention planning requires a finesse and my dear hammer doesn’t make finesse quite like the math does.  PCC Joyce Anderson, PDG Bert Diamond and PCC Sharon Rollins have graciously shared their experience and expertise.  2VDG Brian Sauer with a patient and cool determination has done the amazing background and leg work throughout McMinnville. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and everyone will have a chance to visit this beautiful town and all it has to offer. If you are a “foodie”, a music lover or a shopping expert you will find McMinnville a wonderful place to be.

     Tom Hammond, Jim Vincent and Raema Manning just do their jobs as if it was second nature. And the McMinnville Club’s knowledge of the town and the businesses there are just superb.  It is no wonder the Lions name is so well known throughout the community.  This is going to be a good time and I hope every one of our clubs will be represented to share with each other what the priorities are for next year and what District-O is doing right.

     Our speakers including OLSHF, International Director Lee Vriese, and Local ‘hometown boy done good’ Nick Kristof; will, I hope inspire us all to continue to do what we do best – Being Knights for the visually and hearing impaired.  Encourage each other to come, especially the newest members.  Our efforts this year, I hope, will have positioned us to see a good deal of growth with the new cabinet that you will be electing. And our new members will be so critically important in the continued rebuilding of District 36-O.

     See you In McMinnville.

HAPPY 2024! A FITTING TIME TO REFLECT ON DISTRICT O'S NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

    As the year draws to a close, it's a fitting time to reflect on the noteworthy achievements within our District and the diverse initiatives we've undertaken.

     During a recent Wilsonville meeting, I learned that OLSHF has surpassed an impressive milestone in eye screenings for children, conducting just under 120,000 screenings through approximately 560 setups since the school year's inception. OLSHF truly stands out as the shining gem among all Lions Clubs in Oregon and Northern California.

     In talking with Brian Sauer, District-O's 2nd VDGE, I learned that the King City Lions had reached out to the McMinnville Lions to help them hone their Medical Device Lending Service to be more efficient. A collaboration that potentially could become something that expands the "brand" of Lions in the Northwest for not just being the eyeglasses folks but the place to go when medical devices seem to be unattainable.

     Joy comes through simple things being taken care of by genuine kindness.  I see that ten different clubs have added new benches to their parks and public spaces. Perhaps it’s time to present a branding stamp to Trex to put an identifier -  "This bench was earned through the recycling efforts of the Lions."

     Though District O has lost two clubs this year, there have been two "at risk" clubs who have collectively voted to redouble their efforts to stay open and add new members.  Our Portland Metro Club is alive and thrilled at the prospect of working with the District to learn what it takes to do membership recruitment (and potentially fostering some new connections with other Korean Language Clubs from Vancouver BC to San Diego.

     District-O has already hosted two "cluster meetings" and a "Cluster Holiday party," each having a commitment to meet again to delve into the work of adding new members in a variety of "market communities."

     Oh, and let’s not forget the Portland Oaks Bottoms Club, which recently returned from a successful vision mission to Mexico where they distributed 400+ eyeglasses and screened 1,000 kids and adults.  Furthermore, in January, some Milwaukee Lions will be flying to Peru to bring them a new Spot Screener to replace the old one that essentially wore out.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN CLUBS

     I visited my mother the other day and came across some pictures of some of the many Fourth of July parties she has had over the years.  I recognized many of the friends and the kids who no longer are kids. I saw myself without any grey in my beard. I even saw myself as I once was without a beard. And then I had to get going to make it to our first Lions “Cluster” meeting in Vernonia.

     We are in a time when our clubs are ageing out. And in the frustrations of getting smaller and not being able to do the things we have been proud to have been a part of, because of who we are now.  Yet invariably we still see ourselves personally with the vigor of pictures past, perhaps without the grey hairs.  When folks were gathering at our first cluster meeting a voice of recognition rang out saying “we haven’t had a visitation for so long! I miss when we had visitations.”  Some of the older folks can remember the importance of friendship between clubs as one of the most pleasant parts of being a Lion.  In a way the idea of Cluster Meetings is to revive that sense of joyful friendship in gathering with others Lions who are not the regulars we meet with in our own club.  Sharing in the right now. Sharing new ideas. Sharing in the vision of what we can do if we pull together and sharing because we can relate with other’s pensions to serve our communities.

     We have to provide an environment for the newer members of our community to exercise their natural compassion of serving our common communities in new and modern ways. We have to envision what that is and create plans among members of our own clubs and the Lions from different clubs and community environments. Strengthening ourselves as Lions is not a solo exercise. Envisioning what we can do in organizing for new members is like looking at pictures from days past shoulder to shoulder with each other and at the same time looking at ourselves as we are right now and being realistic not to get the visions mixed up.

     We can and will find ways to do this. Even if we just have a day in the park with young families running around to talk about and share the power of Lionism that they too can be a part of.

Compassion Is The First Organ Of The Human Spirit

     Being District Governor generates something inside of me that is so enlivening.  I get a sense of pride and inspiration from the creativity and dedication of members and clubs, and to say “I am a Lion” is empowering. It is a privilege to be welcomed into this variety of clubs who are finding new members, trying new service projects, working to let everyone participate with ideas and discussions.

     Recently I went to the Gresham Supper Club’s annual ‘9 pin 10 high’ bowling event in Gresham.  I was amazed at how many happy people were bowling their hearts away having a chance to hang out with their friends, families and Lions and perhaps a chance to cash in on a 50/50 drawing.  I had to go to one of my own club members, a bowler, to explain this 9 pin game to me.  Through his big grin I learned how fun this game is telling me that he has rolled 9 different 300 scores (the highest bowling score) playing 9 pin. Sponsors bought lanes and brought their families or office staff to just to hang together.  It was an inspiration of giving service to the community to just have an opportunity for fun together.

     Community service, I believe, is a by-product of compassion in the hearts of those who cannot keep compassion inside or private. Like the Lion in St. Helens who could not sit still when the park next door had no lifeguard to keep an eye on the kids swimming in the river.  So she took it on herself to collect up as many used life jackets to be available to borrow when using the beach. Or the countless benches of recycled plastics that dot the landscapes of parks and city halls just so someone can take a load off, take a break, and just watch the world go round. Or the Milwaukee club buying a spot screener to bring to Peru for a Lions Club there to screen their kids for vision issues just like we do for our kids here.

     I once heard the Dali Llama said at a panel discussion of religious leaders that compassion is the first organ of the human spirit.  It sets us apart and is the power of recognizing that whatever differences we have, we are all in this life together. Whenever I get to join a meeting of Lions I feel like I am entering into a lion’s den of compassion expressing itself through the like-minded collection of Lions.  The Lions provide an opportunity, an outlet, for anyone to express the compassion in their hearts in tangible ways that comes through community service.

     I am personally grateful to be a part.

The Core Theme Of Lions Throughout The World…WE SERVE!

     The surprise of my morning as I was dreading doing battle with writers’ block was a fantastic article about cutting edge technology research at the University of Oregon. I always have known that despite the foibles of Oregon’s cultural melting pot that in many ways Oregon is an amazing place for creativity and contributions to the betterment of the human condition. From the establishment of the Oregon Eye Bank (Lions), to the establishment of the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation, to the creation of Casey eye institute the “pioneer spirit” of Oregon continues to plow on and Lions have been intimately embedded in that history and spirit.

     This article talked about the research going on to create an implantable prosthesis into the eye to serve the function of damaged and diseased retinas.  Should this research come to fruition millions of people who suffer Macular Degeneration or Retinitis Pigmentosa could find restoration of the vision they lost replaced with a life restoring technology.

     The impediments to be overcome has to do with how nature protects itself from foreign material.  The point that the writer explains is that nature is a force that is fractal in its patterns and structures.  Fractal is the repetitious geometrical structures repeated over all scales of measurements.  And it reminded me of what we are doing as an organizational structure.  Just as in our body we constantly are trying to repeat the patterns and structures which makes our missions possible.  It seems that our clubs could be patterned after our districts, which is in turn patterned after our international organization. But that is exactly opposite from what our overall organization is patterned on.

     Our pattern starts at the club level – what can we do to serve the community?  The district follows the lead of the clubs - what can a non-club overarching organization do to serve and support the clubs’ intents on serving their communities? Then comes the Lions International – How can the organization support and propagate the core theme of Lions throughout the world…WE SERVE!

     As we endeavor to rebuild our District it’s the clubs’ intentions that the District is responsive to.  We will continue to work together to make your service to your communities successful and satisfying to everyone who takes on the name Lion and roars out……..WE SERVE!  And in doing so we are pioneers in changing the world.

https://www.opb.org/article/2023/09/13/university-oregon-scientists-bionic-eye-retinal-implant-technology/

We Must Be Prepared To Welcome New People To Lions

     I am not like my wife. This is probably a good thing. Because that means that she is not like me, which is really a good thing. Essentially Shelley is a planner and is most comfortable in making sure there is a plan for the morning, the day, the week and beyond. I find her lists of things that must happen, lists of places that must be included in plans. Sometimes I imagine I see lists of things that should be listed. Now I’m not complaining, her accomplishments are incredible and so well put together. I open with this because  I find myself admiring the clubs I have visited that are practiced in setting out goals, even goals that span long periods of time, years even.

     The Clubs that seem to have officers that not only are in place in current time but know who the officers will be in the next year and maybe even the year after that. Whether intended to or not these clubs have plans, maybe not enumerated detailed plans but overarching confidence that the club is going somewhere.

     Certainly, there are struggles to find, approach, and convince folks to fill the roles. There is however less of a struggle when the future leader has been a part, even only if as an “inside” observer, of the conversations as to what the outline is of what should happen and what is not possible. The power of this is not that a club has everything figured out, rather it’s that no single person has to figure it all out.  The President can have confidence that he/she doesn’t have to know it all nor do it all, making agreeing to be an officer not such a turn off.

     In the days when we have seen the diminishment of our clubs and membership it seems we can turn to desperation. Instead, we can do as my wife Shelley does and make a list. 1) Does your club have a mission statement? 1a) has it been updated lately? 2) Has the club recently had a meeting that addresses the question “Where do we want to be in five years?” Or maybe “By the end of this Year what do we want to accomplish?” 3)  Make a Calendar for this year and next.

     In other words, make a plan. Approach members to be a part of executing that plan, not to have to create their own plan (which is overwhelming and a disincentive to be a leader.)

     There are already clubs that are seeing growth since the pandemic. The public has been realigning themselves in what they value, and signs are that interest in community involvement is part of their values.  We must be prepared to welcome new people to Lions. Now is the time to make a plan. And have fun bringing it to fruition.

Rebuilding 36-O for the Future

Let me share a little about myself. I dedicated my career to the construction industry, specializing as a carpenter. For many years, I was involved in the formation of concrete structures during the early stages of my professional life. It was fascinating to discover that, back then, home foundations didn’t necessarily include footings. It wasn’t until the late 1960s and 70s that footings became standard components of foundations. Consequently, my current house, built in 1929, only has a concrete foundation wall without the wider base that distributes the weight of the house, commonly known as a “spread footing.” Without this additional support, foundations tend to sink over time, much like a knife through butter. I often reflect on these lessons when contemplating Lions Clubs.

I’ve had the privilege of visiting numerous clubs within district 36-O, both large and small. One aspect that caught my attention is the absence of a formal new member orientation in most clubs when they successfully attract new members. Perhaps this crucial element has been overlooked or assumed that newcomers will naturally acclimate to the club’s ways as they go along. Unfortunately, the absence of this fundamental practice weakens the impact of our clubs within the community. Highlighting what we do to our members, understanding what Lions do in our communities and what the possibilities are – not sharing this weakens the power of clubs in the community.

During the District O convention, the foundation for my term as District Governor was established. The top priority identified for the upcoming year was New Member Orientation. This bears a striking resemblance to a footing in a foundation. Especially during challenging times, such as the recent pandemic years, without this structure in place to distribute the weight, we witnessed severe consequences. Several clubs experienced membership losses or even had to close. With these losses, the momentum and camaraderie necessary to identify and carry out meaningful service projects waned. Although the structure is there, for some reason(s), it is sinking under the weight of these losses. The thinner our membership becomes, the more susceptible we are to further decline.

Hence, my theme for the coming year is “Rebuilding 36-O for the Future.” You will witness a strong focus on developing New Member Orientation programs and reaching out to the public, aiming to establish Lions as a recognizable and welcoming organization. I eagerly anticipate working alongside each and every one of you to build the essential foundations that will allow us to thrive in our service well into the future. One message you will consistently hear from me is that the most impactful community service each club can offer is to ensure the existence of a Lions Club in your community 25 years from now.

Together, we can make this happen.

THERE IS PLENTY TO CELEBRATE!

     It is the final month of the 2022-23 Lion year and there is plenty to celebrate.

     The Tillamook Lions are official and excited to get to know the other Lions of District O.  McMinnville's new Leo club is up and active.  Tillamook is planning a new Leo's club for the new year.  Membership growth is making some progress and we should end the year well and be ready to work for more growth next year.

     There are a lot of fundraisers and service projects happening as the weather warms up.  Please share on your social media when you have an event or another club has an event.  We can support each other's efforts in promotion to our friends and contacts who may live in another club's area.  It was great to see Lions from Lake Oswego and Carlton Yamhill join the Oregon City Lions Teddy Bear parade.  In June, McMinnville is hosting a fun new LCIF fundraiser.  August is the 60th Anniversary of the Hull Foundation and they are looking for lots of Lion volunteers and participants for their daylong celebration with vendors, carnival games and more.  Wilsonville has their cruise in August 12th and can use support in manning a Lions Club information booth to promote Lionism and membership in their community.

     Congratulations to all of the clubs who are actively serving in their communities and to those clubs who are reconnecting with their club members and communities with new projects.  I look forward to seeing you as "We Serve" in the rest of this year and into the future.

Let's Continue Building

     What a month it has been!  We have a new Lions Club in Tillamook that is preparing to celebrate their charter.  Keep watch for information on how you can help them celebrate.  Leos are growing with a new group in McMinnville and another in the works in Tillamook.  It is exciting to see brand new excited Leos and Lions joining District O.

     Around the District, several clubs are inducting new members and others are working on plans for spring and summer community events to get the word out about their club and provide service at the same time.  We all know that while sometimes getting a new member is as easy as just asking, other times it takes a team of Lions working together to create a planned event and put a membership search into action.  Myself and 1VDG Ed Glad are interested in building a team of Lions who are passionate about membership and have the interest and energy to assist their own and other clubs in membership growth.  If that sounds like you, please let us know.

     In the next six weeks, our clubs have a lot on their plates as they pick next year's officers and update their membership information in MyLCI.  Please remember to check all current members emails and other info so that we are all ready for the new system Lions Club International is creating for next Lion year.  Time to look at any members who need to be dropped, and then hopefully add all your new members so that we can end this year with a positive membership growth in District O.

     I hope to see you at State Convention and at your KTP Day events this Spring!