Our Chance to Step Away From Zoom and Reconnect in Person

I have had several conversations recently with different people that have centered on the value of face-to-face interactions as opposed to electronic communication such as email and even Zoom. It is interesting that more people seem to be questioning the quality of relationships that exist primarily at a distance.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am not sure I could live very long without Zoom contact with our granddaughter, who lives 3,000 miles away. Video calls with our newest family member allow us to witness the excitement and milestones of her first year of life in ways that would otherwise be impossible. FaceTime and Zoom have brought an amazing evolution to grandparenting. I’m sure the travel industry appreciates it as well when we buy plane tickets for Thanksgiving to help ease the longing we feel to be connected in person.

This has been a challenge for all of us as technology continues to exceed our expectations for how we connect with one another, conduct business, and pursue our passions for service.  As Lions, there is an underlying spirit that calls us to work together, particularly within our local communities, to identify and respond directly to the needs around us. Long before there were telephones in every household, computers in nearly every home, or smartphones in every hand, there were meetings, classes, and conventions where people gathered to ensure that, together, they could accomplish their goals of service.

It may be that one of the struggles we face in keeping Lionism alive and vibrant throughout Oregon is that we have not fully come to terms with the temptation to stay apart physically while remaining content with email or Zoom meetings. Or, conversely, some of us may resist technology altogether and choose not to have an email address or a computer. While that may satisfy our independent spirit, it can also leave us disconnected from the ways the modern world, and Lions in particular, are using technology to make service more effective and adaptable to the needs of Oregon communities. Rising above the miles that separate us and staying connected becomes just as valuable as the airline ticket that lets us visit a beloved granddaughter.

We have opportunities, and will continue to have opportunities, to renew our shared values as Lions. Plan now to attend our convention in April. It will be different. It will be an opportunity to meet Lions from across Oregon, both new and familiar. Put it on your calendar and make it a real connection, a personal connection, a shared connection. Being a Lion means being part of a community of people dedicated to service, you are not alone, stay connected.

MD and District Conventions
April 22-24, 2027
Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, McMinnville, Oregon

Our chance to step away from Zoom and reconnect in person