Les'
Lines
for
September, 2010
Another month of “Shining the Light on Lions” started with the Presidents’ Dinner held at the North Star Restaurant, Oamaru, on 7 August with 81 in attendance. The evening’s proceedings were ably led by MC PCC Neil Blake. During the evening certificates were presented by 202J Community Health and Welfare and Child Mobility Chairman Neil Hanning to clubs who had made contributions towards the Child Mobility funds. This followed with a presentation to PDG Sandra Gray of a Lloyd Morgan Honoured Recognition for her contribution to the Lions of 202J especially in her term as district governor.
Entertainment by the Oamaru Savage Club concluded the evening with an old time sing-along bringing back some fond memories to many of those attending.
Preceding the dinner, those presidents attending took the opportunity to attend a seminar specifically for presidents which consisted of 15 five-minute presentations on various aspects of Lionism and the feedback from this initiative has been very positive and well received.
On the Sunday morning, after ZC David Owen aroused all and sundry with Reveille on his bugle, we held a “morning after the night before breakfast” with guest speaker Jim Hopkins of TV fame and author of “Blokes and Their Sheds”; this was well received and for most, it finished the weekend off on a high note. A special thanks to all presidents and partners who attended the weekend, your support was most appreciated.
By now District Cabinet would like to think all Club Membership Chairs have the “J-Plan” starting to come to fruition within your respective clubs. Lions are the No. 1 service club in the world, but to continue the humanitarian work that we are doing in our communities and internationally, we need more Lions on board to help share the load. With all the disasters and tragedies happening around the world, the need for Lions is probably greater now than it was 30 years ago.
The Lions "Heads up for Old Money" collection is gaining great momentum and bringing the Lions name to the fore. This is such an easy project to be involved with, all sponsorship has been done for us, there is no standing on street corners and no selling, and we stand to gain a lot of money for the youth in New Zealand – our youth are our country’s future leaders. As of the 20 August, over a quarter of a million had been received and we have only just started promoting the campaign on the Radio Network stations; this will continue until 10 July, 2011. The potential this appeal has for Lions is huge, both financially and by having our name to the fore. This could be one of our greatest opportunities for increasing membership by communities being made more aware of who we are and what we do. Whilst the emphasis is on youth, the youth all have parents who have the potential to be Lions.
I encourage you to spread the word, perhaps put an advertisement or small article in a newsletter of any other organisation you may be involved with, e.g. church, school, RSA, bowling club, kindergartens, etc. For those with some spare time, you may like to canvass the businesses in your town, shops, motels, service station, hotels, etc.; this is an opportunity for them to empty out their bottom drawers. Just think of this as Lions offering a service, helping them out with their spring cleaning!
District 202J Cabinet has designated 4 - 9th October as Lions Week which
includes World Service Day on 8 October. I would like to recommend that
clubs look at doing something special during that week; it could include:
- Some form of community service,
- Recycled eye glass collection,
- A Lions display, old coin collection – when was the last time
there was a copper trail in your town?
Let’s make World Service Day on Friday, 8 October, an “old coin trail” in our towns? This is a fantastic publicity item for our "Heads up for Kids" campaign. Please give this suggestion some serious thought.
- 202J have Lions brochures available to give out by your local clubs.
These can be arranged at cost by contacting DG Les.
- Hot pikelet and cream stall
- Cheese roll selling for Camp Quality or some other cause; and of course
there is the
- Lions BBQ at the local supermarket or Mega store – the possibilities
are endless.
The bottom line is promoting Lions; the bonus would be a few new members for your club. As we know, new Lions bring new ideas, more fellowship and vitality and help us all share the load.
On behalf of all NZ Lions, but especially those in 202J, I would like to acknowledge PID Ron Luxton in his bid for the position of 2nd International Vice President, and the support of his wife Lion Janet and their family. Although those who make the selection have the final say, we know we had the best man for the job. Thanks, PID Ron, for allowing your name to be put forward, you have done us extremely proud in your endeavours.
Whilst unsuccessful in the selection, PID Ron has been appointed to the first ever LCIF Steering Committee which will assist the LCIF Executive Committee in administering and guiding the foundation’s humanitarian programmes and grant applications, as well as nurturing the financial and fundraising development. The position plays a critical role in helping shape the Lions future and we know PID Ron will fulfill this role with his utmost dedication.
Special congratulations go to William Struthers who was successful in winning the 2010 NZ Lions Young Speechmaker of the Year National Finals at Napier – what a great achievement; well done, William! To the Timaru Host club, William’s sponsor, and all other clubs who provided sponsorship to other young people in our district, a sincere thanks for your ongoing support. To our 202J Youth Chairs, VDG Robert and Lion Gerald, your support of youth events is always very much appreciated, and thanks to all the Lions who work in the background, especially at club level.
During the last month it has been a pleasure to join with fellow Lions at club tea meetings. Both Jennifer and I have very much appreciated the kind hospitality shown by all. It is great to see so much positive planning taking place and social fellowship being enjoyed. It makes one proud to be a Lion when you hear the achievements of each individual club who all work in their own individual way, and you learn of the worthy recipients of their endeavours. Please keep up the great work and make sure you are having fun along the way.
As you go about your duties over the next month keep “Shining the Light on Lions, as we move forward and grow in our communities”.
Yours in Lions,