DECEMBER ISSUE

Soaring Beyond the Horizon As “We Serve”

     Here we are in the midst of the holiday season, so first let me wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

     Our Sight and Hearing Foundation has been going full out with all the vision screening in the schools. Aren’t we lucky in the state of Oregon to have such a great Foundation serving the needs of the state with our vision screening program, as well as all the other things involving vision that they so readily accomplish.  Kudos to our Sight and Hearing Foundation.

     The Global Action Team has met for their 2nd get together for the year and some very good ideas and projects have been brought forth to indeed look beyond our horizons. It is great to see that following meetings such as this, our leaders go back to their districts with renewed energy to bring forth to the clubs new vigor and enthusiasm.  The next scheduled GAT meeting will be held at the Tigard Methodist Church on March 30, 2019.

     As Lions our service to our communities is all encompassing.  And as we all know, it takes all of our members to do this service.  It takes leaders who have the knowledge and enthusiasm to work with their clubs and district to bring forth projects which serve their communities; it takes leaders who are ready to train up and coming Lions to take the reins and go forward and it certainly takes leaders who can bring in new members and see that they are properly motivated to stay and to serve their communities.  It was recently brought to my attention that one of our greatest tools involving getting new members is “Just Ask”. Many times we forget that simple thing.  This was brought home to me when a Lion asked a local business owner why they were not a Lion and that Lion was told “No one asked me.” So let’s get back to basics and “Just Ask”.

At this time of year we take note of so many who are less fortunate.As many leap into the holiday season with glad and happy hearts, we also see much depression brought on by the season.As Lions in our communities we can help.I know that many of our wonderful Lions clubs provide food baskets or make donations to those organizations that do supply food and gifts to those in need.In addition, I see this as a time for personal involvement as well.Find that person or that family that needs an extra measure of love and kindness in this season and give of yourself.Adopt a family, take a child shopping, invite someone who is alone over for dinner- the amount of thoughtfulness and caring that we as individuals can do is boundless as we follow our motto: “We Serve” and “look beyond the horizon”.