“A Pride” Is A Group Of Lions Who Work Together For Common Goals

In the last issue, I offered a “Pride through Service” theme. Pride: the human emotion of satisfaction in positive accomplishment. I don’t include in that type of “pride” that a person receives as a gift much like an “ear” for music, or hand-eye coordination facilitating athletic and/or artistic abilities, that are “God given” (wonderful) gifts. But for me, pride should be in how you make the effort to learn to use those abilities, work with other people and serve your community.

A second definition of “a pride” is a group of lions who work together for common goals. We need to build the numbers in that pride. That, too, is built by fellowship and active service together. The Lion pride, -through service- also knits together our local human communities. We are challenged this year by not assembling together as before, nor sharing food, goodwill and community activities.

So, we are forced to become more adept with internet communication and use of online learning and resources. We will also expand ways to direct services.

Example 1: District O and G Lions have participated in online multi-agency trainings and follow-up telephone contacts with survivors of February floods in Umatilla and Walla Walla watersheds - which increased survivor connections to FEMA and other assistance. We continue on this recovery project, as Oregon Lions are part of OrVOAD (Oregon Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster.)

Examples 2-3: District O Lions Clubs have directly provided handmade facemasks to frontline service providers (including Tri-Met drivers) and delivering food to the homebound.

We must NOT succumb to the feeling that “we can’t do anything” until COVID 19 is gone; NOR, force physical presence on people who need to closely guard their health.

During this time, we will re-assess the assets of each club the motivation of their members, the needs of their communities, and how district and MD wide Lions, connect with other non-profits working on the same service areas, LCI and LCIF resources can build our capacities.

We will have less in-person training, but expand member facility with online training and meetings. We will re-think how to compensate for weak communication links.

The COVID “shelter-in place” restrictions this spring demonstrated how important it is for all Lions and their communities to prepare for interruptions in physical supplies. MD disaster response Chair Charlene Larsen and I laughed about feeling in the March COVID shutdown “this is like a storm shutdown – BUT we have electricity and telephones!” Also: heat, running water, flushing toilets, working laptops! “This is easy.” – until someone gets sick or dies.

I hope none of your Lions and/or loved ones have been lost to this virus.

Please let me know how it’s hitting your family or club. Take care all.