Reestablish Our Garden And Make It A Thing Of Beauty

     Spring is here. As I look out on our garden, I see some green, some brown and a lot of the garden in disarray.  I ask what we need to do to turn this garden into a green Vibrant, organized productive garden.   We need to till the soil, add nutrients, revitalize our older plants, plant new plants, nurture them and help them grow into strong productive parts of the garden.

     Our Lions Clubs are like a garden, if we depend only on the old established members, we soon become old and nonproductive, we need to till the soil (rotate the leaders on a regular basis).   We need to add nutrients, (Reimagine how we do things, and who does them).  Our older members need to be revitalized; we need to find things they can do to further the mission of the club.  We need to plant new plants, (New younger members) these new members are the future of our garden.  We need to nurture them by listening to them, providing opportunities for leadership, and making them feel like a productive member of the club.

     If we can do this our Garden will grow and produce members that will carry on a proud tradition of lionism long after we are gone.

     As I look back on this last year, I see a lot of our district clubs struggling to be part of their communities, even the clubs that appear to be recovering, are struggling.  We need to struggle to reestablish our garden and make it a thing of beauty.

Stephen Brewster

District Governor MD36-E

New Ideas And New Perspectives

     Where is your replacement?  It’s time for all of us to be replaced in our job.  A new Lion’s year is beginning.  Have we mentored our replacements to do our job?  Our legacy is not how well we did our job, but how well we mentored the people following us.

     It is sad when I look at the reports of new club officers for the 22-23 year, they are not new, they are the same ones we keep re electing every year.  By Electing New people into these positions, we bring in new ideas and new perspectives on ways to accomplish our club goals.  Most of these Jobs are not hard if we use the resources that we have available.  We need to get over the idea that only I can do this.

     I propose we all take someone under our wing and mentor them to do our job in Lions so when something happens there is some one who steps in, knows what to do and your projects get done and everyone takes a bow for a job well done.

     Can you imagine a club where everyone in the club had a different responsibility every year?  You wouldn’t have Lions getting burnt out and frustrated, leaving the club. You would have Lions willing to take leadership positions because they would know that they would not be in this position forever.

     As the old saying goes, everyone is replaceable. They may do the job better or not as well, but they will get the job done.  So let’s leave a legacy and leave our clubs a better place.

Steve Brewster, DG 36-E

Be Open To Reinventing The Way We Serve Our Communities

     It is election time again.  We walk into our meetings and say we need volunteers to fill our club offices.  Someone raises their hand and says our current officers are doing a good job, let’s just reelect them, problem solved.  Problem not solved; problem created.  Now, we have stagnated at the club level.  We have presidents and secretaries in their offices for over 5 years with some who have served for life.  No one else in the club has developed leadership skills.  We have taken the easy route and our clubs die from lack of interest.  We need the constant flow of new energy.

     Problem #2.  We need Zone Chairs to help clubs continue to operate and coordinate their efforts.  To be a Zone Chair you must have served as a club officer.  These people don’t want to move up because they are busy at the club level and don’t think they have time in their lives to take on extra responsibilities.  We now have zone chairs that are not interested in moving up in leadership or have already served in leadership positions. We are now stagnant at this level of leadership.

     Problem #3.  To be a 1st VDG or a 2nd VDG requires that you must have served as a Zone Chair.  We are now short of Qualified Lions to Fill these positions.  We are now stagnant at the top.  We have no one moving into these positions.  Currently, the position of District Governor is Stagnate.

     None of these positions by themselves are hard or time-consuming when that is the only position you hold.  It’s when you try to be responsible and take on a lot of positions that you get overwhelmed and don’t do as good of a job as you are capable of.

     To solve these problems, we need to start at the bottom and fix the problem there.  We need to become proactive, move our members into leadership positions, move new members into director positions and give them a voice in club operation.  Old members and new members need to listen to each other and be open to reinventing the way we serve our communities.  One thing the past 2 years has taught us is that there are other ways to serve and to operate as clubs.  Let’s not take the easy route and waste away to nonexistence.  Let’s be more inclusive and move people into leadership positions.  Let’s not be the one who blocks the way for the future.  We as leaders are the ones who need to reinvigorate our clubs and move our members ahead to greater service.

     Stephen Brewster, District Governor MD36E

For Our Clubs To Grow We Must Reinvent Ourselves

     Change is in the air.  I see Lions Clubs Reentering and returning to service in their communities.  Not all of them are returning to “Normal.”  They are creating a new normal.  They are reimagining the way they serve their communities.

     We are no longer a group of businessmen serving our communities, we are a diverse group of individuals with a common goal of service.  What do Lions’ clubs do? We raise money, then we invest that money into our communities to fund causes to improve the well-being of all our communities.

     For our clubs to grow we must reinvent ourselves, look at new ways of doing things.  New ways of serving our communities that reflect our community values.  As Lion leaders we must find new ways to lead.  Change starts from the bottom at the club level. We as Lion leaders are here to support our clubs, to give aid while they define their club their way, their club.

     At the club level we have created a code of ethics and a set of bylaws to guide us in the direction of our clubs.  We fundraise to support our communities.  If we are not reinvesting those funds into our communities, we will not survive as an organization.

Steve Brewster, District Governor 36-E

Get Back To Respect Of All Lions

     Has your club established procedures for orientating and mentoring new members into your club?  Getting new members and retaining existing members needs to be a priority for club presidents and membership chairs.  We need to create an environment where members, whether new or existing, are made to feel included in all aspects of the club.   

     WE need to get rid of the attitude “We have always done it this way and We have tried that it doesn’t work”.   We need to be willing to listen and consider all options.   We can no longer be the old people clubs, to grow we need to embrace new ideas, new technology, and new ways of doing things.  We need to get back to respect of all Lions.

     Conventions are coming up.  Yes, we are planning an in-person convention this year.   We hope to make this one different and more fun and engaging.   Our Convention will be one day Saturday March 26th with a daytime and evening session.  To include all Lions and meet covid restrictions masks will be required and because of limited venue availability it will not be handicap accessible.  

     For those of you I have not visited I hope to see you soon.

Stephen Brewster, DG-36E

WE SERVE

Include As Many Members As Possible

     As 2021 ends and 2022 begins, it is time to gather our club members into an environment of inclusion and friendship.  We need to start holding regular scheduled meetings in an environment that allows members to feel comfortable and safe.  If your current location does not allow room for proper distancing, look around and find a new location.  Legion clubs, elks clubs, grange buildings, and in some cases, churches have an area you can meet in.

     We need to return to doing our fundraising so we can return to our service projects. We need to rethink the way we do our projects, so we include as many members as possible in a safe and responsible environment.

     We need to come back together in the spirit of service and friendship.  Then we will grow as an organization.

Stephen Brewster, District Governor MD36-E

Updating Your Constitution and Bylaws

     Clubs where are your constitution and bylaws?  Over the past few months, I have become aware that many clubs do not know what their constitutions and bylaws say and even where they are.  These are the documents that guide your club in all your actions and interactions with club members and the public.  It’s time to drag these documents out, dust them off, and take them to your club meetings for review and updates as necessary.

     Lions Clubs International has a lot of resources on their website to aid clubs in updating their constitution and bylaws, the best one is the club president eBook and the club secretary eBook, these documents have links to most of the resources that your officers need in their endeavors to lead their club into the future.

     As clubs we need to be inclusive of new members, open to change, we’ve always done it that way no longer works.  We need to let our communities know what we are doing. We need to keep track of our existing members and keep them involved.  We are about fellowship and community involvement.

     We need to remember the first part of all constitution and bylaws:

     The purposes of this club shall be: (a) To create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world. (b) To promote the principles of good government and good citizenship. (c) To take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community. (d) To unite the members in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding. (e) To provide a forum for the open discussion of all matters of public interest; provided, however, that partisan politics and sectarian religion shall not be debated by club members. (f) To encourage service-minded people to serve their community without personal financial reward, and to encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works and private endeavor.

Ready To Give The Gift Of Sight

     As we Lions celebrate one of our 5 global causes Vision Awareness, through our school vision screening programs. It makes me proud to be a Lion when I show up at many of the southern Oregon schools, with group of local Lions who are ready to give the gift of sight to many school kids who might not even know they have a problem seeing.  Most of these young kids do not even know they have a problem, because this is the only thing they know, they think their sight is normal.

     This past week as I was doing a screening at an elementary school in, one of the volunteers from the Bonanza Lions Club related her story of why she became a Lion and has always tried to participate in the vision screening program.  She told me that when she was in school the Lions came and did a vision screening at her school.  Later they made an appointment to see her and her parents. They told her parents they had an appointment with an eye doctor to get her vision tested.  Her older sister told them she would make sure she got to the appointment.  When she returned home with her new glasses, she was amazed at how her home really looked.  Years later when asked to join Lions she gladly joined and continued to further the vision mission of Lions.

     Although Vision Screening has been trying this year, with many challenges, I encourage All Lions to participate in the vision screenings at your local schools.  If your schools do not participate, find out why and encourage them to perform these vital vision screenings.  This is one of the most satisfying projects a club can promote and participate in.

Stephen Brewster DG, MD36-E

Lions Can Help Prepare Our Communities

October 2021 - Lions Magazine

     As climate change worsen, life in our communities will become more uncertain.  We as Lions can help prepare our communities in the event of emergencies. One way to do this is to prepare a go bag that is ready and can be grabbed in the event of an evacuation.

     Developing go bags is a great way for Lions Clubs to learn how to prepare and then take that knowledge out to their communities so, those communities can be better prepared.  The go bag should hold enough supplies for at least three days and should be particularized to your individual needs. The basic components of a go bag should include water, food, and clothing.  But there is a myriad of other suggestions of what should be included.  FEMA provides a basic list through their website ready.gov.  It is also a great location for other basic information about what to do in an emergency.  If you are looking for more detailed information about how to prepare for an emergency there is also a book called How to Prepare for Climate Change: A Practical Guide to Surviving the Chaos by David Pough. 

     It is also important to remember to prepare any important personal information in advance.  Make sure that all your important documents are kept together and are ready to grab as you leave.  Also make sure that you have pictures and information about you family should you become separated.  Once the go bag is completed make sure that it is placed somewhere where it is easy to grab and that all its components are kept together to ensure that it is ready to go.  Once the club has developed their go bags they can move out in the community to help other community members prepare for an emergency.

Stephen Brewster DG

MD-36E

Improve Retention and Attract New Members

September 2021 - Lions Magazine

Lessons learned during my first month as District Governor:

1.    Relief. There are local groups that deal with needs daily.  They are equipped to react immediately and have the ability to obtain resources in a timely manner.  Our job as Lions is to partner with these groups and give support where needed.  We need to form these partnerships before a situation arises.   We can provide community education on what you need in case of evacuation, where to go and what to do.

2.    Service.  Our District is busy doing a lot of service projects.  We don’t tell anyone about it, only 12 percent of our District’s clubs report to LCI and only 7 of the clubs in our District have services officers to report their activities. The position of marketing director is under used or not appointed in most clubs.  We need to get out there and sell our clubs and what we do.

3.    Officer Training.  We need to promote signing up for Lions Clubs International Web Site:  There is online training available, project suggestions, recruitment programs and retention programs -- Along with information about their clubs.

4.    Membership. Clubs are not meeting at full strength, there is still a lot of anxiety about getting together.  We need to promote easy outdoor service projects with high community visibility, involve all members in the project and promote social responsibility.  This will help improve retention and attract new members.  We need to promote our districts NAMI initiative.  There are clubs out there that are unaware of our dues for new members. We as Lions can overcome the challenges of today through reimagining how we serve.  We need to become the new Lions of today.

Service From The Heart.  We Serve.

Steve Brewster, District Governor MD36E

Creating Great Fellowship

July/August - Lions magazine

     Lions of Oregon I look forward to joining you in the challenges of the upcoming year.  With the restrictions of Covid being lifted and Lions Clubs all over the district being able to meet on a regular basis again.  It is time to rediscover our commitment of service to our communities.

     Lions Clubs International has put their focus on five global causes:  diabetes, vision, childhood cancer, hunger and the environment.  I have chosen the environment with the theme “PAWS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT” to encourage all members to participate in projects of high visibility within their communities.  There are many projects from simple like planting flowers in public places to cleaning parks and roadways and more complex projects like providing outdoor recreational facilities, and tree and plant sales.  We can also encourage public recycling and promote ways to reduce our carbon footprints.  These projects can energize you club members, while attracting new members with the visibility of your club.

     With the pandemic end in sight, we will not be returning to the old normal, we will be creating our new normal.  Our new normal will be creating great fellowship, both with old and new members, creating new ways to serve our communities.  Our new normal will be how we relate with our fellow lions and serve our communities.

     This year let us all go out and have fun serving our communities.  Let us follow the motto of our International President Douglas Alexander which is “Service from the Heart.”   

     We Serve.

You Join a Family When You Join a Lions Club

JUNE 2021 - LIONS MAGAZINE

     This year, we District Governors have experienced something that no other District Governor has ever experienced - - - COVID.  We had to adjust, learn to cope, and try our hardest to come out on top.  Covid had us for a while, but then we learned how to side step a bit and figured out how to achieve our goals, how to do fundraisers and to get things done.  It has been a year of learning and adjusting - - -but we made it work.

     We District Governors have formed a bond, we have worked together and have become friends.  We were thrown together not knowing much about each other, but it all worked out well.

     I am hoping to finish my visitations between now and the end of June.  I have everyone scheduled except Myrtle Point and Crescent City.

     I would be remiss if I didn’t give thanks to PCC Gail Black and CCE Bob Chaney.  Both have a wealth of knowledge and they were able to share some of that with me.  I know whatever my future holds in Lionism, they will be there to guide me along.  Thank you both for your help and continued support.

     In your Lion travels remember, you join a family when you join a Lions club, and you make friends along the Lions trail, and you work together in fellowship.  Thus, you have my theme for this year:  Family, Friends and Fellowship.

     Thank you to all my Lions clubs in District E for all you have done this year and for how you worked around Covid to have a successful year.

     I am grateful for the opportunity of being your District Governor this year and serving our communities in District E.  I could have not completed my job without your help and support.  District E is doing well and will continue to do well in the future.

Time To Get Back To Business!

     In case you missed the convention, here is the convention report.

     District E virtual convention was held March 27th, with the OLSHF acting as host for the zoom meeting.  We had a great International Director from Connecticut by the name of Mark Lyon.  He hosted a question and answer session during the morning and a very inspiring keynote speech at the end of the convention.  District E is donating $200.00 to LCIF in his name.

     The election for new officers went well: we have Steven Brewster as District Governor Elect, from Klamath Falls and Jan Slusser as the incoming 2nd Vice District Governor from Grants Pass, and a new Trustee Melissa Clinton from Klamath Falls.  We still have a position of 1st Vice District Governor open, please let me know if you are interested in applying.

     We had a raffle for a two week stay at Leavenworth, and two auction items to bid on during the convention.  One was a 30 x 40 picture of a lions head and a lion head bust.  Both were won by District Governor from District R, Linda Stent.  The Leavenworth trip was won by Sean Negherbon, a past president from Myrtle Creek Club.

     I feel that the District E Convention went well and was enjoyed by most.  It was the first attempt on being virtual and I’m sure things will improve with each try, hopefully we will get back to person to person meetings soon.

     We also had two seminars, one was “Why do I have to pay to be a volunteer?” and the other was a presentation on “The importance of Long Term Recovery following a disaster”.

     I want to especially thank OLSHF for all their efforts in making our convention a success and also again thank both PDG Bob Chaney and PCC Gail Black for their contributions.

     With the better weather approaching and most of us having had our COVID shots, we should be getting ready for more meetings and more fundraising.  Most of our clubs have been silent for the winter months, but now is the time to get back to business!  While we are out and about it is also a good time to work on membership.  More members make for more busy hands in our communities.  Remember we are a service organization and WE SERVE.

Remember We Have More Conventions Coming Up

Lion Magazine - April 2021

     I hope everyone enjoyed our virtual 36 E convention!  We were pleased to have Past International Director Mark Lyon join us from the state of Connecticut.  It was a pleasure to meet Mark and his wife Lyn.

     I still have 10 clubs left to visit this year.  Some of the scheduling has been a little tricky.  We are either off or on extreme level.  Some clubs are meeting virtually, while others are not meeting at all.  Those with tech knowledge are meeting monthly virtually, but some areas the internet is not good or there are no persons with a computer, thus no meetings.  I personally prefer to meet in person, to just have the personal connection.  What I prefer doesn’t matter, we must follow the guidelines given to us.

     By the time you get to read this, the elections will be over, so congratulations to the new officers.  I know you will do a great job.

     Don’t forget Campaign 100, your donations make so many services available to fellow Lions everywhere.

     Remember we have more conventions coming up, District G and District R and the Multiple District.  One good thing about virtual conventions is you don’t have to leave your home or get dressed up. Please attend as many as you can, it gives you a chance to see how each district does things and you may get some good ideas from each one.

     Thanks for reading, stay safe, wear your mask, social distance, get your shots, and stay well.

Better Days Are Before Us

Lion Magazine - February 2021

Happy February!

     Hope you got a card or some candy from a friend or family member.  February is the month of LOVE – so share your love with others and show your love of Lions.

     As history repeats itself, Lions membership in 36-E has dropped.  We dropped 32 members, lost 5 members to death leaving us with a total of 37 member losses, we gained 31 new members so we are off by 6.  The year is not over and we should be able to gain 6 new members or more for a plus.  That brings us to the North American Membership Initiative.  Be on the lookout for new members that could be great members.  Try for younger members who can carry on the good work that Lions do.

     I know that the last six months have not been a picnic!  With fires, loss of homes, and jobs.  I think it is especially hard for our older members who have lost everything, they could use our help.  We need to work together to help each other and especially those less fortunate than ourselves.  Some of our members lost all their possessions in one fire or another.  I know that fundraising has been difficult.  I also know that some of the clubs are struggling to keep their heads above water - - please don’t give up-- better days are before us.  If you know of a struggling club, give them a hand.

     With the help of every Lions Club in District E, there is no reason for not being successful in all that we do, we just need to work together to build a successful year.

     Remember to love and help one another and remember MORE HANDS MAKE MORE SERVICE!

The Best Part Of Being A District Governor

     Welcome to 2021!  I pray we are on an upward swing for fighting Covid-19; and getting somewhere near our “past” normal.  Covid-19 has really thrown us for a loop this year and probably into 2121 also.  We have lost that wonderful feeling of seeing each other and our members in person; then throw in some fires of 2020 and the damage that many members experienced.  All and all 2020 has been one heck of a learning experience.

     Hoping you all had a Merry Christmas even with all the restrictions.  Our area here in District E is listed as an Extreme Hazard Area, we have restrictions running out our ears.  Do that, and don’t go there, eat at home, social distance, no more than a certain amount of people to gather together, and wear your mask to make sure you are not spreading the virus to other, hopefully most people are doing this to help slow down the spread of Covid-19.

     My year as District Governor is half over and my visitations are nearly done.  As I tell each club I visit, “This is the best part of being a District Governor, getting to meet the members and hearing about their projects and other fun activities.  I have really enjoyed the visitations.

     Remember that January is Hunger Awareness month.  Please don’t forget about our local Food Banks.  Things run short during the holidays and we have already had the fires and Thanksgiving, thus a hard time for our local Food Banks.

     We will be starting to prepare for convention time, March is not that far away.  We are hoping for a personal convention, but could be forced into virtual.  There goes our personal connections again.  As you know, we lost our 2nd Vice President who had to resign for personal reasons; and he will be greatly missed.  We are looking for a replacement.  Give that some thought - - we need a replacement, let me know if you are interested.

     I hope you had a good Christmas and are ready to move forward into 2021 and the challenges that come with it.  Please remember our motto “we serve” as we head into a new year.

     I wish everyone a “Happy New Year.”

Continue to Support Those in Need

     As Lions our service to our communities is most important at this time of year - - helping those who are less fortunate.  I know that many of our wonderful Lions clubs provide food baskets or make donations to those organizations that do supply food and gifts to those in need.  In addition, I see this as a time for personal involvement as well.  Find that person or family that needs an extra measure of love and kindness in this season and give of yourself.  Adopt a family, pick a child’s name off of a tree with different boys and girls ages and provide a gift, or invite someone who is alone over to dinner.  I know with COVID 19, we are hampered on doing some things; but try your hardest to give of yourself to those in need.

     One club I just visited gave out 62 food baskets last year and they are hoping to increase that amount this year. Another club is purchasing Christmas trees (got a special from the tree seller) and will take them to needy families in their communities. Still another group will furnish tree decorations and attach them to the trees when given out and adding some food baskets where needed.  So, continue to support those in need.  You will be the winner in the long run and everyone will be able to have a wonderful Christmas.  There will be trees, decorations, food, love and kindness; and isn’t that the reason “We Serve” for the season and all year long.

To Give Back And Return The Help They Received

     Since this article will show in the November issue of our Lions magazine, it is time to say thanks.  Thanksgiving is just around the corner- - -Happy Thanksgiving to all our members.  As Lions, this is the perfect time to reach out to those who could use some help in the coming months; it is just one holiday after another.  We had Halloween last month, Thanksgiving this month and Christmas in December.  We must look among our neighbors and friends to find people who need our assistance this time of the year.  We Lions can offer our assistance with food baskets or just bags of groceries full of items to make someone’s Thanksgiving Day a treat like a turkey with all the trimmings and a good feeling that someone cared about them and their needs.  Then we could follow up with a Christmas basket of a ham dinner or we could provide dinners at local shelters.  If every club in District E (or all clubs) could provide such items for the folks who have lost their jobs, lost their homes and are in need of assistance, we could really make a difference in the lives of several families over this period of time.  What do you think?  Can we Lions do this?  Can we pull together to make many happy families over this time period.  Please do your best for needy people.

     While doing my visitations, I was visiting a club that had a couple attending their meeting who was interested in joining their club.  After the meeting I talked with this couple. They told me that they had received a holiday basket from a Lions Club several years ago.  Times were hard and they were having trouble feeding their family; then along came a wonderful basket of food.  This is one of the reasons they wanted to join Lions, to be able to give back and return the help they received.  So, I told them about the plan that District E has for new members between now and the end of the year, and how much they could save by joining.  Maybe this could happen in your club too.

Volunteering is Beneficial

     I have a questions for you?  We, as Lions, will most likely know the answer but maybe it will give us something to think about or to realize the benefits we receive.

     Why is volunteering important?  The obvious reason is "to be able to help others," but what does it do to and for the volunteer?

     Volunteering is beneficial as it connects us to others.  It has been shown to reduce stress, combat depressions and provide a sense of purpose to a person's life.  It builds self-confidence and self-esteem, as doing good for others and the community helps to create a sense of accomplishment.  Working as a volunteer can give a sense of pride, creating a more positive view of our own life and future.  An increasing number of studies suggest that people who give their time to others might have a longer lifespan,  a lower mortality rate, and are less likely to have high blood pressure.

     Volunteering boosts mental health simply because it makes you happier.  Human beings are hard-wired to give to others and, by measuring so-called brain activity and happiness hormones, researchers have found that being helpful to others can deliver great pleasure.  Studies show that the more a person volunteers, the more benefits they'll experience.

     Guess we as Lions have figured this out already, but these are good points to remember when asking someone to join our organization.  When asking a person to join you can mention your AHA moment - - -what happened when you found that special reason why you are a Lion.  Along with joining a group of people who want to help others, you will join a friendly body of volunteers, a family feeling of working together for the betterment of mankind and the fellowship of being involved with those who want to make things better for others.

Through December 2020 - The New Member Fee To LCI Has Been Waived!

I am writing this article today and pretending that I am headed to the Lions International Convention in Singapore.  I am excited and know that I will come home with tons of information to share with my district.  It was exciting to plan to go to another country and meet new people there and see friends I made while in Chicago at the DG Training. But, thanks to the Corona Virus that is taking over our lives, there is no International Convention, and new and wonderful things are not to be told to us. We are in a new world as far as travel and togetherness are concerned.  We are in a learning situation to which we all have to adjust while continuing in the world of Lions and being prepared to help as many as we can of those needing our assistance.

The theme this year for International President Dr Jung-Yul Choi is “United in Kindness and Diversity”   and initiatives will focus on four key elements of Lions International that are essential to our mission of service:  Addressing global causes by serving local needs; Supporting our global foundation, LCIF; Inspiring kindness with our stories of service; and Empowering our clubs to serve safely.

Within our own United States one of our main initiatives that we are focusing on this year is Membership and utilizing NAMI (North American Membership Initiative). Through December 2020, the new member fee to LCI has been waived and here in District E we have set up a dues plan for new members to pay 1/2 of the required club dues for their first year, then 2/3 for the second year and then the full dues on the third year.  The loss in dues to LCI will be covered by the district. This 2/3-year plan constitutes somewhat of a retention plan along with less cost to join the organization. Sometimes funds make a big difference, so hopefully this will be a help in bringing in new members. Then it is up to us in the clubs to make sure that we keep them.

I am looking forward to starting my official duties as District Governor in August with doing the installation of officers for the Canyonville Club on August 1.  Following that my first visitation will be in Powers on the 11th of August. Then I will head over to the east side of the district to the Klamath area.  Our first District Cabinet meeting will be held in Klamath Falls on August 29.  The club has arranged for the location to be such that we will be able to have social distancing, but we are also asking that masks be worn as well.

Lastly, I would like to thank everyone who agreed to fill the District Cabinet positions for this year. I know that you will all do a great job in fulfilling the duties of the position you have accepted.  I also want to give a special thanks to PCC Joyce Anderson, PCC Gail Black and CCE Bob Chaney for all their continued support.

Remember - Family, Friends, and Fellowship for this coming year. In Lionisim we are family, we make new friends but keep the old and fellowship is invaluable to all.  Thanks for reading this and we will talk again next month.