Lions Clubs of Multiple District 36, Oregon and Northern California

We Serve

Lions of Oregon & Northern California are a part of an international network of 1.4 million men and women in 200 countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world. Lions are best known for working to end preventable blindness, the giving of eyeglasses and hearing aids for the needy and local service projects.

 

Mission Statement of Lions Clubs International:

 

"To create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through community involvement and international cooperation."

 

Greetings to all Oregon Lions!

I have been having fun adventures starting my Governor year, by meeting as many Lions in District R, as possible. It’s heartwarming to hear about all the different service activities that our District participates in. I hope that you are following my adventures via the pictures on our Lions District 36R website. It’s on the Governor’s page. Be proud that we are the only District in the State with a website, which is awesome, thanks to Lion David Nielson!

My theme is “Leave A Lions Legacy” and I plan to work hard to help each club in our District lead by example.

The 1st District Cabinet meeting is on August 23rd from 10 am to 1 pm. Please register on our website. The location is the Central Electrical Learning Center, 33309 99E, Tangent, OR. One of my goals this year will be to have a Service project at each Cabinet meeting. I also plan on initiating a club Roll Call at this meeting. The club that ROARS the loudest, will receive a door prize. Please plan to attend & learn about District business & have fun!

I am actively working on my District goals for the year. They include marketing via radio ads, getting every club in our District to contribute to LCIF & to know why it’s important, and to see more participation at our Conventions. The District R (Feb. 7, 2026) and Multiple District 36 Convention (May 29-30, 2026) will both be at the Holiday Inn Express, in Springfield, right off the freeway. I need your help to make these Conventions memorable. I have ideas for speakers, but I welcome your thoughts. Participation will help strengthen our District Pride. Let’s set an example & have a record number of attendees. Plus, I plan to do a club roll call & see who can ROAR the loudest!

Another goal is to Leave that Legacy by starting new clubs & increasing membership. I hope you will be able to attend any of these meetings and learn how.

Other than going to many club visitations, which are posted on our website, I had the pleasure of attending a Mission 1.5 summit in Las Vegas from June 27-29th. It was an in-person, interactive focus on goals & how to accomplish them with District Governor Elects & their Global Membership Chairs, from around the world. My chair is Past Council Chair & OLSHF Trustee, Lion Lynn Coon.

From July 12th to the 18th, I had the privilege of attending the Lions International Convention in Orlando, FL. Meeting Lions from all over the world and seeing their national attire, was amazing. It was an honor to help carry our MD36 banner in the Parade of Nations with my fellow DGE’s from Oregon. The best part was being inducted as your District Governor with nearly 1000 other District Governor Elects on July 17, 2025. The picture on our website shows that happening.

Always remember: “We Serve because We Care”

Yours in Service, District R Governor, Lion Karen Norton

Will you not help me hasten the day when there shall be no preventable blindness; no little deaf, blind child untaught; no blind man or woman unaided? I appeal to you Lions, you who have your sight, your hearing, you who are strong and brave and kind. Will you not constitute yourselves Knights of the Blind in this crusade against darkness?
— Helen Keller's Speech at 1925 International Convention Cedar Point, Ohio, USA June 30, 1925