Make A Positive Difference In The Lives Of Our Communities
Do April Showers really bring May flowers? A thousand questions and too many answers that may not truly apply to Multiple District 36! There are really certainties though – ten months down and two more reports to go! Although we often use the pandemic woes of Covid - 19 to act as cover for not doing, its new normals have created various opportunities for each of us to embrace and use to our fullest! Zoom meetings afford us to save time and travel – but the negative is not having the ambiance of in-person contact, as well as often not following closely the agendas created.
All the while, meeting in person or via Zoom type activities, as Lions Leaders we have to ask ourselves – are we doing our best to serve the needs of our members and communities? District Governors – are you doing all in your power and interest to seek new members in an organized way, utilizing your GAT and NAMI appointees? Have you had actual contact with your members throughout your districts? Are your Zone Chairs meeting and reporting their efforts? If not – the time left is a must, as the membership numbers continue to show losses multiple district wide. Coordinate your efforts at ensuring there is a remedy to this, so that your legacy can be on a positive uptick for your successor Governors. Stop the drop, contact those Lions who have dropped membership this year and find out why they have chosen to drop as Lions – that must be done to assist membership improvements for the future.
District Conventions are about finished with R being held on May 1 and the MD on May 14-15 for the grand finale. Planning is in the future by next year’s DGs, and hopefully they will have in-person components if not being fully in person. Vaccines should allow for the vaunted ‘herd immunity’ to allow for much greater personal contact times for Lions – to do activities, serve their communities in fundraising as well as in service projects, conduct meetings and enjoy Lions camaraderie world-wide. Of course we still must be aware of personal distance and mask up when necessary.
Did you know the easiest method for supporting our Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation is through monthly checking account or credit card deductions via a process called PRIDE? It is a seamless way of assuring your support for those in need of vision assistance and/or hearing improvements. I am asking that you consider this way of donating – it’s almost totally painless, you get a tax deduction and your money goes to a great cause! Just lately, Lion Brad King has traveled throughout the state delivering mugs as well as glasses recycling boxes to various local areas to in turn be delivered to those members who currently give to PRIDE, and boxes to collect used eyeglasses to either replace old ones or to new locations. Will you join us in doing so? Let us see if every club has at least one PRIDE donor, and those who already donate recruit others to donate as well.
May often means planting gardens – veggies as well as flowers. Mowing lawns, ensuring our homes look attractive and even beautifying our surroundings. We can attempt to do the same with our Lions Clubs and Districts through volunteering our expertise and time assisting elected leadership, becoming a part of making our clubs the best they can be. Volunteerism is not yet dead – we collectively can make a positive difference in the lives of our communities, making them better places to work, live and play! All it takes is time dedicated to a cause – working at cleaning up roads, volunteering at a club event, recycling pop and beer cans and bottles, becoming a club board member or officer, attending a Lions District Governor Cabinet meeting, or many other activities that could pique your interest and be fulfilling! Let’s start making it a priority as WE SERVE in all capacities to make things better for everyone!