DG's report for December, 2008

I’ve just arrived back from the second Council of Governors’ meeting in Wellington where one of the items discussed was the New Zealand Stroke Foundation’s initiative where Lions were asked to man stalls outside pharmacies and take blood pressure readings from the public.

As a number of clubs in our district took part, I am asking for feedback, good or bad, to collate a report for Multiple District to take to the Stroke Foundation. It appears that this project will be repeated again over the next two years so we need to be certain that it has a positive effect on Lions. We do not wish to be associated with a negative image. Please e-mail me or fax me your comments.

Our district will be honoured with a visit from Immediate Past International President Mahendra and Kushlani Amarasuriya from Sri Lanka during our convention at Methven on 27–29 March next year. This will be a great chance for us to meet a very senior Lion and hear what is happening throughout the world as Mahendra is this year’s chairman of LCIF, the charitable arm of Lions Clubs International.

This is your convention, our annual meeting, where we elect new leadership and discuss relevant issues that affect us as Lions, so please help me, and Methven’s convention committee, to make it a huge success. Register soon to attend.

During this past month, club secretaries from Zone 1 and 2 met to fine tune their computer skills as to filing MMR’s and activity reports. Hands on tuition in front of a computer enabled all who attended to be shown where to get the relevant information to ‘make it happen’. If secretaries from other zones would like the same refresher course, then let your zone chairperson know and it will be arranged.

It’s that time of year again, the run down to Christmas with all that that brings, so from members of Cabinet, Fern and myself, have a relaxed time over the festive period, and it is our wish that you all enjoy this time with family and friends.

Merry Christmas and have a great New Year.