“March Newsletter”

Hi everyone. I had a great opportunity as Council Chair to attend a meeting last week at the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation offices (OLS&HF). The Multiple Heath Screening Unit (MHSU) Committee was meeting to review promotional videos that the Foundation has been developing to promote the screening of school age students in Oregon. The program is growing (65,000 students screened this year) and will continue grow as the Foundation and the Oregon legislature work to make sure all students in Oregon are screened for sight and hearing. The videos (I think there will be three) that the Foundation is developing are going to be marvelous. The videos will help inform Lions and volunteers as well as the school administration about the screening program. But what I am really, really excited about is the OPPORTUNITY that the program offers Lions Clubs in Oregon. While the Foundation is clearly developing the videos to promote the screening program, the videos are also promoting the things that Lions do and the service we provide by way of the Foundation.

As I have stated before, I believe we need members to do service in our communities and we need to offer service to potential Lion members. Oregon has is a big pool of volunteers. Look at the thousands who come out for the Run for the Cure or volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, but many do not want to belong to a service organization for a variety of reasons. That reluctance to join is what we need to aggressively address. The Foundation’s screening program will allow each club the OPPORTUNITY to have a built-in service project that can be offered to members and potential members. The Foundation has developed a calendar (it is on their web site) that will allow every Lion to volunteer to be a vision or hearing screener.

In my Club, there are a number of Lions that like to volunteer together. With the use of the Foundation calendar, members of my club or your club can schedule a screening activity and invite potential members. For the potential member, volunteering with just a few club members is an easy first introduction to Lions. You then have an OPPORTUNTY to discuss Lions, how great your club is and the many friendships that have developed because of your involvement with Lions.

The Foundation will need lots of community and Lion volunteers for the screening program in your area and around the state for the foreseeable future. Please consider taking advantage of the OPPORTUNITY to provide service and to use the program as a recruiting tool for your club.

A different topic for your consideration is the District and Multiple District Conventions and this year - one day Conferences. Once a year the Districts and the Multiple District come together for business and pleasure. It is a time to see what is happening in the District, around the state and maybe even nationally in Lions. You can meet and vote for the leaders of your organization, attend a class or session on some aspect of Lions and, most importantly, renew old friendships and make new ones. I would challenge you to come with a question or concern you or your club has. With a little effort you will find someone at the convention that will have an answer or at least a direction to your answer. The Multiple District 36 Convention will be May 15th and 16th at the Salem Red Lion. Come and make a new friend.

Make a great day!

District O - DG Sharon Rollins March 2014 - Lion Magazine Article

District R - DG Greg Pierce March 2014 - Lion Magazine Article

District E - DG Bruce Boone March 2014 - Lion Magazine Article

District G - DG Bill Burley March 2014 - Lion Magazine Article

Opportunity Is Knocking!