It’s hard to believe this is my last article this Lions year.

Fellow Lions of multiple district 36. It’s hard to believe this is my last article this Lions year. As we have navigated this Lions year, I have seen our District Governors grow as leaders. I have seen our district governors and the Lions of the Multiple District serve with big hearts.

As I attended each district convention, I witnessed the fellowship and heart of the Lions in every district. I could see each Lion in attendance were there for the same reason they joined Lions and that was to make a difference as they served. I was reading some incredible data that was compiled with results that I see in the Lions of Multiple District 36, and it goes as follows.

95% feel they truly are making a difference. 92% enjoy opportunities for fellowship and fun. 91% feel they really belong. 86% feel personal growth and 80% feel their self-worth is enhanced.

All of this is because the Lions of this mighty multiple district work and serve together with one goal in mind and that is to make a difference to the communities we serve and each other.

Some highlights for this Lions year are your multiple district GAT team along with the district governors, OLSHF and incoming council worked together most of this Lions year on a five-year strategic plan. We wanted to roll this out in conjunction with the Oregon Lions sight and hearing foundations five- year plan at our multiple district convention. We want to work with our foundation more closely than we have in the past as we all want the same things and that is to serve the communities of MD36.  

The Lions of MD36 have screened almost two hundred thousand kids. Serving with our OLSHF we have made a difference.

The Lions have presented flags to first graders throughout our schools and given lessons on the flag and what it represents and how to respect it.

The Lions have served foodbanks and hunger drives, meals on wheels to support those in need.

The Lions have cleaned highways or parks for the environment. Lions have been crossing guards at our schools showing we care for the safety of our children.

The Lions have been committed to Mission 1.5 as I see growth in the Multiple District. Currently, we have district 36-O in the process of starting a new Lions club. Congratulations DG Lion Carrie 36-O and team. With that being said her district can finish with a positive net gain joining DG Lion Linda 36-R and her team with a positive net gain of 34 currently.

The Multiple District is sitting at a negative 8 net gain before district 36-O’s new club.

We sent a group of Lions to leadership training with Md19 which was held on the first weekend of May. This was through a grant which MD36 GLT Lion Rod Bach applied for and received. I have heard great positive feedback about the training and collaboration with many different Lions from MD19 and 36.

Speaking of grants, DG Lion Pete was quick to reach out when disaster hit his community which shows Lions being there to serve. This is the reason we should support LCIF. We receive much more than we ever give and when we get these grants, we make a difference to those we serve.

There are things I would still like to see in our Multiple District . Three of our four districts do not have first and second vice district governors in R, E, and G. To have succession we need more leaders to step up. We need our past district governors to help search, encourage and to mentor the Lions throughout our districts to step into leadership rolls. I know I was encouraged and mentored by many great Lions which gave me confidence to grow and serve.  

Harry S Truman stated that men make history and not the other way around. In periods when there is no leadership society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better. I believe we have many leaders amongst us in multiple district 36 they just need to be encouraged.

I feel very confident with our new incoming COG and the leadership they will continue with their ideas as they lead their districts. 

I have had the opportunity to work with CCE Lion Steve and the DGE’s Lions Brian, Karen, Nancy and Risa to have a smooth transition for the Multiple District . They have great ideas and as a multiple district we will continue our path of growth and service.

I would like to thank our district governors Lion Carrie, Lion Linda, Lion Paul and Lion Pete. Each have made my year as your council chair one I will cherish and remember. I want to thank the entire Lions of MD36 for having confidence in me to be the council chair, a title and honor I will always cherish. To be able to serve the mighty Lions of MD36 has been an incredible journey.

At the very beginning of this Lions year, I made the quote from Charles Darwin

Be the change you want to see in our association. it is not the strongest of the species that survive, not the most intelligent that survive. It is the one that is most adaptable to change.

Adapting and making changes is what we need to do if we are going to move forward with the Lions of Multiple District 36.  As DG Lion Carrie said at the start of our Lions year, the goal is to leave a legacy long after we are gone.

Lion Melvin Jones once said, “I hope there will always be a land of beyond for Lions International. A goal that will keep growing larger and larger as we approach it, yet will remain just out of reach. Challenging us to run faster, work harder, think bigger and give more.

Thank you, the mighty Lions of Oregon and Northern California for the memories.  With much gratitude in service Council Chair Lion Lynn Coon MD36