Inner Support for Outward Service
I know, after reading the title of this article you probably went, “What?” and then said oh yeah CC Bob is at it again, but wait! I urge you to read further.
As you read this it is already into the month of April but as I write this I have just returned from the District G convention and am one week removed from the District O convention and I must say I am very pleased.
As I made the seven-hour drive home from Baker City I kept replaying the convention in my mind and I was very happy with what I kept seeing. First, kudos should go to District G’s Convention Chair Janet Stafford for being able to secure the location in a pinch when the original site became unavailable. She was able to get a location in Baker City on the same weekend as the O.S.A.A. 1A state basketball finals. Second, seeing a brand new member attending the convention was heartwarming. Chelsie Fisher was inducted into the Weston-McEwen Lions Club on February 11 and just three weeks later is attending her first district convention. Talk about your whirlwind courtship. Chelsie, I applaud your passion and desire to be a part of Lions and to discover as much as possible as soon as possible. I hope to see you at conventions for years to come. Third, the support of fellow Lions for their newly elected District Governor Cheri Jackson. DGE Cheri was told Saturday that the current cabinet secretary and cabinet treasurer did not want to continue in those positions and that she would need to find someone to fill those cabinet positions. Well within just a couple of hours she was able to report that she had two Lions step up and agree to fill the spots. Thank you Betty Jane Bugbee and PCC Paul Zastrow for providing the inner support to allow for the continuance of outward service to not only the District, but to the communities served by Lions throughout District G.
District G is still looking for more inner support as they need to fill the roles of 1st VDG and 2nd VDG but thanks to all of you who stepped up and are continuing to support Lions. As I continued along the freeway on my journey home I also thought about how this same inner support had manifested itself at the District O convention with Lions stepping up there as well, namely DGE Kerith Vance and soon to be elected 1st VDGE Ed Glad. I also thought how District R had experienced the same thing with DGE David O’Kelley having stepped up just a couple of months ago. District E is now looking for some of this same inner support to allow the District to move forward in this upcoming Lions year. The District is need of a DGE and a 2nd VDG.
It seems as though every year for the past decade we have struggled to find Lions willing to move forward in leadership roles and when we do find those who are willing they cannot do so because of requirements that have not been filled because we are so locked in to keeping people in positions just to have a body in place. We need to look toward the future and move our new Lions into positions of leadership that will allow them to ascend to higher places and to fill other roles.
The idea of bringing in new members shouldn’t be to just fill the seats at the meeting. The reasoning should follow right along with our motto “We Serve.” Find their passion. Encourage their participation in filling positions within the club and beyond. Let them know that they are more than just a number, they are a Lion! This is the only way we can continue to provide inner support for the continuance of outward service.
Again I applaud, Lions Janet, Chelsie, Betty Jane, Paul, Kerith, Ed and David for your dedication. I also know that there are many more out there willing to do what these individuals have done so let’s make it happen!
Thank you District R, O and G for great conventions and renewing my spirit.