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Message from International President Sid Scruggs to Lion
Leaders
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January
2010
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 Dear Lion
MICHAEL,
As we begin 2011 we are also beginning the second half
of our year together as Lion leaders. During the first half of my
presidency it has been my privilege to travel the globe and see
first-hand the light that Lions bring to some of the most challenging
places in our world. Lions are making a difference in the lives
of millions of people each year and I have never been more proud to
be a Lion!
I am especially proud that this year the Global Service Action
Campaigns have focused our light on service with a laser-like
intensity. Each of the first three campaigns has been an
outstanding success.
Traveling as your president I have visited some of our world's most
beautiful places, as well as some of the most troubled. It has
given me a renewed appreciation for the precious and fragile
resources we have on our planet Earth. This is why I hope I can
count on you to make the fourth and final Global Service Action
Campaign -- Protecting our Environment -- an equal success.
This last campaign may be the most important because it affects all
of us no matter where we live.
Lions know that we cannot fulfill the bumper-sticker mandate to
"Save the Planet," but we can do what Lions always do: make
a difference. We can shine a light on the environmental
challenges we see. We can educate others on solutions, and
serve as an example for others to follow in solving these challenges
related to our environment. If we are to ensure that our
children and grandchildren inherit a healthy, sustainable environment,
we must raise awareness and demonstrate on a local scale what must be
done on a global scale.
Lions Protecting our Environment Global Service Action Campaign is
scheduled for April 2011 in conjunction with the international
observance of Earth Day. I urge all Lions clubs to plan an
event and take part in this global effort. Be sure to record
your efforts on the Service Activity Report.
Best wishes,
Sid L. Scruggs III
International President
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Global Service Action
Campaigns
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Protecting our Environment
Lions Clubs International adopted environmental protection as an
official policy in 1972 and as an Adopted Service Program in
2003. Today, the need for a global response to the
environmental issues of our planet is greater than ever. We
live in a world in which the forests that renew its air and the water
that brings life to all things are in danger.
These are not dire predictions of the future. They are
happening today. According to the United Nations Environment
Programme, only about 20 percent of the world's population has
reliable access to clean drinking water. More people die each
year from unsafe water than from all forms of violence, including
war. The UNEP also estimates that the world has lost more than
80 percent of its forests in the last century alone.
In April, Lions Clubs International will shine a light on the
environment. All Lions clubs around the world are invited to
participate in this global effort by planning events and activities
such as:
· organizing a community clean-up project;
· working with a local forestry department to plant trees
in your community;
· educating your community about easy eco-friendly
practices to adopt in daily life, and
· organizing a recycling project to collect old
eyeglasses, batteries and small electronics.
There are many more project ideas available, along with a planning
guide and other information at "Protecting
Our Environment" Global Service Action Campaign.
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Beacon of Hope
Highlights
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Sharing the Vision
More than 400,000 people worldwide had their sight protected or
restored because of Lions special emphasis on vision in
October. Nearly 600 Lions Clubs in 61 countries helped make the
Sharing the Vision Global Action Campaign a success by committing
71,917 volunteer hours to 849 projects. That's equivalent to
one Lion working around the clock for more than eight years!
In one project alone, 300 elementary school students were screened
for vision problems in a project conducted by the Quezon City Cubao
Lions Club in the Philippines. The club also added to the
nearly 225,500 eyeglasses collected in October.
Relieving the Hunger
In the 639 projects reported to date, Lions worldwide are helping to
sustain the lives of more than 580,000 people by providing food and
other necessities to those in need. During the month of
December, the Manila Infinity Lions Club, in the Philippines,
sponsored and toy and hunger project for 120 children. Each child
received a bag with different kinds of small toys and were provided
with hotdogs and drinks.
The Relieving the Hunger campaign runs through the end of January and
clubs have until March 31 to report their activities.
Please visit Lions
Global Service Action Campaign Projects for updates on
the progress of the campaigns.
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Set Your Sights High
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Community service, membership growth, leadership
development, communication and organizational management are the five
essential elements for the ongoing health of any Lions Club.
Clubs that succeed in ALL FIVE critical areas are eligible for the Club
Excellence Award.
At the district level, the District Governor Team Excellence Award
recognizes the leaders in districts that strive for excellence in
leadership, achieve positive membership growth and actively encourage
clubs to conduct effective service projects.
For more information and to download an application form please visit
Excellence
Awards.
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Light Keeper
Award
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Last month I introduced the Light Keeper Award
to recognize district governors for high club involvement in service
campaigns and growth due to service. Districts where 50% of clubs
participate in 2 of the 4 Global Service Action Campaigns or
districts that perform a district campaign involving 50% of clubs
will receive the Silver Level: Harbor Light Master Award.
Districts that achieve the requirements for the Harbor Light Master
award and exceed membership growth of 2% or more from July 1 through
April 30, 2011 will receive the Gold level: Light Keeper
Master Award. Membership growth excludes dropped members thru
August 2010 from clubs cancelled for nonpayment.
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