Lions Clubs of Multiple District 36, Oregon and Northern California

We Serve

Eugene, OR USA

541-484-0452

Lions of Oregon & Northern California are a part of an international network of 1.4 million men and women in 200 countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world. Lions are best known for working to end preventable blindness, the giving of eyeglasses and hearing aids for the needy and local service projects.

 

Mission Statement of Lions Clubs International:

 

"To create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through community involvement and international cooperation."

 

Communication Is The Key To Keeping Members Interested

August 31, 2020  /  Guest User

“I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.” ― Tagore (Nobel Prize in Literature 1913)

“We Serve.” How many times have we proudly said that as Lions? But due to COVID, we are not able to do as many service projects as we would like. That does not mean we should do nothing.

DG Linda Stent pic.png

Several clubs in the district are still providing service to their communities. It may require creativity to accomplish this. Collecting eyeglasses so they can be cleaned and calibrated at the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center and then distributed to those in need is still a major activity for many clubs. Scholarships are being handed out by several clubs. Roadside cleanups continue. The Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation is devising ways to continue doing school vision screenings that will comply with the latest social distancing guidelines.

Fundraisers can also happen. A flower basket fundraiser was held by the Dallas Lions Club. Community calendar sales are being handled by phone by the Elkton Lions Club. Raffles are being held by several clubs. The Salem West Lions Club made cotton candy to sell at a local event.

Communication is the key to keeping members interested and willing to remain a Lion. A survey of district clubs revealed that most clubs are holding off meeting until after Labor Day. While there will always be those who will resist participating in online virtual meetings, there are ways to keep club members informed about what is happening in their areas. Want to meet in person? Look for a public park that allows socially distanced attendance in a picnic areas. That will be an option as long as the weather holds. Club presidents and/or secretaries should consider putting out a newsletter. I’ve received several that are outstanding.

The district convention is currently scheduled for February 13 in Florence. We are playing it by ear right now, hoping that the COVID guidelines will allow us to hold our convention. We are tentatively scheduling forum speakers right now, fingers crossed.

Again, remember our motto: “Forward! Upward! Onward!” Please try to share this motto by continuing to meet as best you can, performing service activities and doing some fundraising in a COVID-safe manner. Share your successes by letting me know what you’ve accomplished. I’m available to attend in-person meetings or virtual meetings, so please keep in touch!

“Will you not help me hasten the day when there shall be no preventable blindness; no little deaf, blind child untaught; no blind man or woman unaided? I appeal to you Lions, you who have your sight, your hearing, you who are strong and brave and kind. Will you not constitute yourselves Knights of the Blind in this crusade against darkness?”
— Helen Keller's Speech at 1925 International Convention Cedar Point, Ohio, USA June 30, 1925