 Dear Lion David,
It takes time to make a Lion. Certainly
all Lions, even the newest, share in the same privileges and
responsibilities as every other Lion, but to really understand what it
means to be a Lion -- that takes time.
Even experienced Lions sometimes underestimate the value of our service. That is not true of the people we serve. They fully understand the value of what we do and they will tell us about it if we listen with open hearts.
I can still remember hearing the words, "We can always count on you
Lions," when my home club in North Carolina delivered holiday packages
to families in need of food. I recall the gratitude
of elderly people who received a flu vaccine at the annual health fair
my club organized and I will never forget the joy on the face of a child
who received her first pair of eyeglasses from a Lion. These were some of the most rewarding experiences of my life and they taught me what it really means to be a Lion.
It is our job as Lion leaders to ensure that all Lions have opportunities to experience the rewards of service. That
feeling of accomplishment and connection to another human life is our
"secret weapon" in the effort to build and retain our membership. The more moments like those that we provide to our members, the more satisfying their Lions experience will be. And satisfied members are the best ambassadors our clubs can have. They
will surely attract other people of good will who are seeking the
rewards of service that only membership in a Lions Club can provide.
The next Global Service Action Campaign will provide many opportunities
for the kind of one-to-one interaction I have been describing. Please do all you can to ensure that as many Lions as possible participate in Relieving the Hunger, scheduled for December and January.
Thank you for all you do.
Best wishes,
Sid L. Scruggs III
International President
|
Global Service Action Campaigns
| |
Relieving the Hunger
Hunger
happens worldwide. Hunger happens within communities. Most
especially, hunger happens to individual men, women and children.
In December and January, Lions Clubs International's third Global
Service Action Campaign, Relieving the Hunger, will attack the problem of hunger on all three levels.
As a global
initiative of all Lions everywhere it will shine a light on the need for
sustainable food production and distribution to feed a growing world
and will spotlight especially vulnerable populations. As always,
Lions Clubs and their members will deal with hunger on a community and
individual scale. This multilevel approach offers many ways to get
involved. Organize Community Action
Clubs can: - organize a food drive to replenish local food bank
- staff a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter,
- plant a community vegetable garden.
Plan for One-to-One Service
Clubs can make it possible for individual Lions to:
- deliver prepared meals to elderly citizens,
- drive elderly citizens to the grocery store,
- prepare and deliver food baskets to families in need.
To find a local food bank and to learn more about the problem of hunger please visit:
To find a local food bank visit The Global FoodBanking Network or Feeding America for potential volunteer opportunities near you.
|
Beacon of Hope Highlights
| Engaging Our Youth
More than 850 Lions Clubs in over 60 countries have participated in
1,215 Engaging Our Youth projects for a total of 87,356 hours. That's enough time to build more than 250 playgrounds or drive around the earth's equator more than 200 times.
In one such project, the Lions Club of Longacres and the Leo Club of Fairview in
Zambia brought food, clothing and cleaning supplies to the Green Hill
Community School, which provides housing and education facilities for 30
disadvantaged children in the Ngwerere Area.
Sharing the Vision
Lions Clubs participating in the Sharing the Vision Campaign are
reporting great successes. In the Philippines, the Dasmarinas Lions Club
with the help of Leos conducted a cataract screening for 200 people. Clubs have until November 30 to complete the reporting process. Look for more details and stories in the coming months.
Please visit our campaign web pages for updates.
|
| Set Your Sights High | Mentoring
No one becomes a shining light alone. A flame must be lit and a fire kindled before it blazes forth to illuminate a path for others. So too, it is with Lions. To nurture the passion for service within each of us Lions Clubs International offers a mentoring program at two levels.
Basic Mentoring is for all members. Mentees will:
- Gain comprehensive knowledge of club, district and multiple district,
- participate in a club service or fund-raising activity,
- introduce a prospective member to the club,
- visit another club and secure a visitation slip, and
- attend a convention, report back to the club.
Advanced Mentoring is for those who wish to help lead Lions to new heights of service. Mentees will:
- thoroughly understand club activities and goals,
- understand their committee assignments,
- complete assigned tasks and participate in service activities.
Lions
Clubs International needs experienced Lions to serve as mentors and all
members to become the most effective Lions they can be. Read Lions Mentoring Program Overview to begin your service as a mentor or to learn more about becoming a mentee.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service Commitment Pledge
|
October was
the month of service reflection and renewed commitment. To date, more
than 25,000 Lions have signed the service commitment pledge. If your
club members haven't done so already, please encourage them to sign the pledge to help shine our light brighter than ever and make a difference in someone's life this year.
|
|
On the Horizon
|
International Convention
Make your plans to join thousands of Lions from around the world at the 94th International Convention in Seattle, Washington, July 4-8, 2011. Convention
exhibits, seminars and workshops will take place at the Washington
State Convention Center - located right in the heart of downtown
Seattle. The plenary sessions, featuring former U.S.
Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice as the keynote speaker and gala
International Show will be held at the Key Arena located near the iconic
Space Needle at Seattle Center.
July is
peak tourist season in Seattle, so register by December 31 to lock in
your registration at our lowest rate and secure your hotel reservation
at our specially discounted Lions rates. Learn more about the Convention.
|
|
|
