Welcome To Jubilant June My Fellow Lion’s

     What a great year it’s been for Lionism and service.  As I sit here writing this last article it’s a little surreal to think that my DG year is almost over so here is one last cast your way.  I’ve been saying the same thing over and over all year, go out and invite your friends and neighbors.  You can find those people who are like you everywhere you go if you just talk to them.

     It’s been a pleasure and an honor to serve as District Governor.  I will treasure this year forever.  There are so many to thank especially the VDG’s and our GAT team as well as the many, many who were there for me all year.  To my fellow DG’s thank you for being examples of what service from the Heart should be.  Again, I say thank you, thank you, thank you.

     Cast your line in the water or better yet jump in. If we each one reach one we can Catch our Limit together.

As always in your service DG SuperDoug

Welcome to Majestic May My Fellow Lions

Communication

     This seems to be a difficult subject for a lot of our clubs. What does communication look like and who are we communicating with? First and foremost open communication in our clubs is vital to our health and growth. Does your club have a newsletter? If not it should.  This could be as simple as a quick email or text talking about what’s going on this week in your club.

     Are your club leaders in regular communication with all the membership? I know we at the district level try to communicate on a regular basis with emails and in person visits but we can’t be everywhere. Our clubs are all doing service but is your club reporting this service on MYLION? If not, why not? If you are unable to perform this task please ask how we can help you, we do have a district administrator who is willing and very capable of helping you.

     Is your club communicating with the public? Do you have someone at the very least posting to social media about the service opportunities that are going on? This is a very easy and surprisingly effective tool to bring in new members.

     As we move into May the clubs that are busy doing service are growing and recruiting vibrant new Lion’s to help.  This is very exciting to hear -- keep up the good work!  Has your club set any goals for service, LCIF donations and new members? You should as this is a great way to get motivated as a club and personally. If we Each One Reach One we can all catch our Limit.

     Summer is looming and the fish are biting, take some time to get yourself out there and Catch Your Limit. Remember to teach someone what you know, to pass on all the secrets of catching the big one.

     Talk to each other and report the service you’ve done.

In your service, DG SuperDoug

Welcome to Auspicious April

My Fellow Lion’s

Competition

      Wow, I can’t believe it’s really April already.  Spring is in full swing with so many things to do and think about.  It is the perfect time to focus in on planting the seeds of service for our communities.  This month’s focus is supposed to be Competition but we as Lion’s really don’t need to compete as we are the best and largest service club in the world.  What we are really talking about is being distracted by all the things competing for our time, this is the true competition.  Stay focused.  We are the people who like to help others while making life a little better for someone in need whether it’s with glasses, a little food or just maybe you asked someone to help you help others which is the greatest gift we can give.  A little love and acceptance go a long way.

     It's been an amazing year of service so far and I’ve had so much help from you all.  Thank You!   We all need a team around us to be able to do the things we do.  Not only to be able to do more but for encouragement.  It’s difficult to stay motivated on your own but with the help and excitement from your team we can keep providing the service that people around us need. If you don’t have a team join one, create one, build on your successes for if you are a Lion, you are Great. One profound thing I’ve learned these past couple years is never ever let another Lion fail. We need to be lifting the others in our clubs up to their full potential. We all have different gifts and skills we can use to help our own club members, so we need to be bringing in new members to teach as well as learn from.

     Spring is here so it’s time to dust off the gear, oil the reels, and check for leaks in the waders. The fish are hungry and moving around. This is the time to pounce on them with your favorite lure. This is also the time to show someone your favorite hole to fish in and how to catch em. Be patient as the bite will turn on you and you just never know when, so keep your hooks sharp and your bait fresh then your well on your way to not only Catching your Limit but helping your neighbor to catch theirs as well. This is the best thing we can do. Don’t get swallowed up by the competition.

In your Service DG SuperDoug

Welcome to Magnificent March my Fellow Lions: Expecting The Big Win

What does this mean to you, your club, our District? I know what it means to me:  finding a quality service project, putting together a team and plan to accomplish it; and finding someone new to join in in the fun. Spring is in the air, a time of new growth, a time of renewal, it is the time of planting and cultivating.  March is for Membership growth.

     I know I’ve said this before, but have you asked your neighbor, your friend, your children, your parents, your tax person, your drycleaner, the person you sit next to at church?  Listen.. I could go on and on, but you get the point that if we want to continue to be Lions and help others then we need to continue to grow our clubs. This is the perfect opportunity for new and exciting service, this will bring new members as well as reinvigorate the rest of the club. The water may still be a bit chilly, but the fish are starting to move around. This is your opportunity to Catch the Big One!

     Are you starting to look into the future of your Lion’s career?  Have you been in a leadership position?  Do you want to be?  LCI offers so much leadership training it’s amazing. People pay thousands for the kind of training we have at our fingertips. It’s all online and available to you. We also have a special opportunity for in-person training at the Northwest Lions Leadership Institute April 8-10. This is a great time to hone your skills as a Lion leader. It’s your time to shine and guide us into the future.

     We have a rare happening in our District this month: The Portland Downtown Lions are turning 100 and are celebrating on Mar 12th starting at 5pm.  As one of the oldest Clubs in LCI this a very special thing.  Contact PID Dr. Sunny Pulley for ticket info.

     Is your boat on the water?  Are you fishing?  Every time you go out or get on the phone expect to catch the big one.  The Big Win.  Alone we can do so little, but together we can accomplish anything!  If you need help, ask.  Have you contacted a member you haven’t seen in a while?  If not please do as we need to stick together as Lions.

     Together we Can Catch our Limit.

In your Service DG SuperDoug

Welcome to Fabulous February My Fellow Lions

Resetting our goals and expectations:

     This is the time of year when we evaluate what we’ve done and how it’s going. Have we been providing quality service to our community?  Do we need to raise more funds to provide for the basic needs of those we care for? How are those in your Club faring, have you reached out?

     Goal setting can be tedious, or it can be a fun team building event. Start small like getting 1 new member or starting one new service project. We all get stuck in a rut. Well, it’s time to get out your rut and onto bigger and better things in your service career. It’s time to check your bait or lure to make sure there’s a hook on it. Some of you are fishing hookless or not fishing at all so get your line in the water and check the hook as it’s time to Catch the big one.

     Two things are happening this month. First of all it’s the month of love and it’s time for us to show our Service from the Heart. How can your club be of better service? What can we do to serve from the Heart this month and every month? Second of all it’s convention season. This is a very exciting time to reconnect with friends from other clubs as well as get new ideas and reinvigorated with enthusiasm. This year District 36-O convention will be in Astoria at the Charlene Larsen Center for the Performing Arts, 588 16th St., on February 26th, sign up now. This is going to be an interactive event showcasing the many areas of service we provide and our mighty OLSHF. There are many areas we can better help our own foundation in all the services they provide.

     It’s time to move forward planning for your club’s success, time to start building momentum or continuing to build for some of you, time to try new things (maybe a LEO club a Branch club or a Boy Scout troop).  Has your club ever sponsored a Peace Poster or Essay? Now is the time to get it ordered and get ahold of the local school. Teachers are desperate for a positive thing to share with their classes and this could be it. Has your club helped LCIF lately? If not, why not? They are always helping us. Has your club been reporting on MyLion? If not, why not? We now have a district administrator who would be more than happy to help you report as well as any zone chair can also help.

     If you’re not catching fish maybe it’s time to move your boat to a different part of the lake, the fish are out there we just need to be there to catch them.

In Your Service, DG Doug

Welcome to 'Journey January' my fellow Lions, what do you do when you lose the big one?

     How do we deal with loss? Whether it’s that we actually lost someone close to us in our club due to death, life change, moving or just quitting.  Do we shut down, do we close the club, do we take some time and grieve the loss, or do we come closer together and redouble our efforts to provide more service to honor those who have left us?  This is a great time to check ourselves, to figure out if we are providing a service our community needs, not just doing what we’ve always done.  Check your bait and hooks to make sure you are doing what needs to be done and ensure not to lose the next big one.

     Let me ask you this, why would I want to join your club?  Yes I’m a helper, a server, a person who is crazy busy with life and helping others already.  Why in the heck would I want to be involved with you and what you’re doing?  Would you listen to my concerns, my interests and the things I care about?  We all have busy lives with work and families who need us, the many things that pull our attention during the days.  Are your clubs offering a purpose to the very newest person and all club members or do we try to assimilate them into what we are already doing?  Do we offer them a place to use their talents, to grow their leadership skills, to build into them the things needed to serve those who need us?

     Why do people quit?  Did they get their feelings hurt?  Did they find that there is just no place for them or they didn’t fit in?  Does your club provide a mentor for the new people so they know what’s going on and can find a place to serve?  Are you in touch with your club members on a weekly basis, if not why not?  We as Lions cannot and will not let another Lion fail no matter what!  If your partner has a big one on the line it’s your job to net it and make sure it stays in the boat.  I know we all go through our ups and downs, when we are up let’s help those who are down.

     Oh by the way let’s not forget to have FUN.  If it’s no fun then what’s the point? Alone we can do so little but Together We Can Catch The BIG One!

     As always In Service

DG SuperDoug

Welcome to Delightful December my Fellow Lion’s “Rewards of Lionism”

     What are the Rewards we receive in our Lion lives? When we’ve asked our neighbor to join us in service, when we’ve completed testing those kids at the school, we’ve helped feed the hungry with food boxes, we’ve picked up the trash on our street or the street of someone who can’t or won’t, we’ve raised a ton of money in our “Dollars for Diabetes” campaign, what is the reward?  The reward is the satisfaction of helping those who can’t help themselves and having fun doing these things with our friends old and new.  All I can say is thank you, thank you, thank you for all you do.  Together we can catch our limit!

     The holiday season is upon us.  There are people out there with no families to celebrate with.  We can be that family to them, we can help them, we are helping them, we should be helping them.  Let’s be the shining lights out there.  Let’s show people what we do and how we do it.

     The satisfaction comes from the preparation for the next fishing trip ”service project” fishing in your favorite hole “fundraisers” and catching the big one “ helping those in need”.

     Again. I say Thank you for all you do! Together we can catch our limit.

In Service DG Doug

Hello My Fellow Lion’s and Welcome to Nudge November

When?

     As we head into the holiday season and get very busy with friends and family we are going to look at “when” is a good time to fish for new Lions. Do you only fish when the weather is just right? You have the perfect gear? Is the tide in or out? Or do you go out when a storm is coming, the wind is up, and the waves are splashing at your feet? Your gear is tattered… but you always keep your hook sharp. Or do we fish whenever there is a moment in our lives that we can scratch out a little time no matter what the conditions are?  The funny and fun thing is there is no right or wrong answer. The real question is, are you using your talents? The When is now.

     November is Diabetes awareness month. I propose we collect Dollars for Diabetes, that’s what we’ll be focused on in District O. So during your coat, sock, blanket and canned food drives let’s be looking for corporate sponsors (if you don’t ask you won’t get).

     “When” is when we make a moment in our busy lives to help others.  When we are out and about is a great time to invite someone new. If you don’t throw your line in the water, you won’t catch the big one. Even if you are at home, you could be emailing your contacts or on Next Door or FaceBook talking about what your club is up to and what you just did. Post pictures on Instagram of the pair of glasses you got for someone in need. Make a video and put it on YouTube of your club picking up trash (oh and get a corporate sponsor for the dumpster) or just giving a coat to a child. We can all use our free time wisely and help the next generation to do the same thing. If we add fulfilling things to our lives, there is no need to escape.

     Together if We each One Reach One We can Catch our limit!

In Service, DG SuperDoug

Welcome to Opportune October my Fellow Lion’s

October 2021 - Lions Magazine
Why do we want to Catch our Limit?

      “Why” is the subject for this month.  Why do we do what we do? What is our purpose, personally and as a club? Why do we spend months planning and getting prepared for that food box delivery, that parade to collect teddy bears, collecting the glasses and then sorting them, testing all the kids (as we can at this time) but they’ll for sure need us soon, giving out glasses and hearing aids to those in need, oh and the umpteen other projects we do throughout the year? Then comes the fundraising to support all these projects along with LCIF, OLSHF, camps Ukandu, Gales Creek, Oral Hull and Taloali, the Sight and Hearing Taskforce, and all the other things we support as clubs and individually.

     Some of our clubs have a strong Why and some have weak and or have lost their Why over the years. What is important is that the stronger clubs help the clubs who are in need or want help by becoming Certified Guiding Lions. This is an easy thing we can all do to get back to the basics of lionism. It’s all online and doesn’t take long to do. You may even learn something new and revitalize your Why.

     People need purpose in their lives, and we all have specialized skills that if we join with others can really help those in need. So, as we have our clubs with all the different roles in them, find the one that suites you and help others in their roles. If you’re lacking in an area, then that’s the person you need to recruit. We are the people that others turn to for help and for service. You are my people, and I am yours. Find your niche in the group but always be thinking about who is going to do your job next and mentor them, then its time for you take on another role.

     The need for a “Why” is huge! Have Fun, provide quality Service, help where and when you can, invite others, and find your WHY. Why do we throw that last cast at the end of the day? Because you never know what or who will be on other end of that line. Instead of one last cast lets make it 10 so that we can help others to catch their “Why” and “Together We Can Catch Our Limit.”

Serving from the Heart, DG SuperDoug

Welcome to Striking September My Fellow Lions

SEPTEMBER 2021 - LIONS MAGAZINE

How can you catch your limit?

     This is an easy one and we all know the answer, Have Fun & Good Bait. Find and provide quality service to your community and just ask people to help. Ask your neighbor, your friends, people who are busy, people with lots of time, the clerk at the store. Show them your enthusiasm, tell them your story, listen to theirs. If you use the right bait you can’t seem to keep ‘m off the hook. People will be asking you what the Lions are up to.  Again, if we “Each one Reach one” we can catch our limit.

     Summer is waning and we are getting ready for Fall so now is the time for even more service to begin. We’ve just gotten the reports from our area GAT team and the news is great for growth. As I’ve been saying and will keep on saying, there’s never been a better time than now to be a Lion! The need is huge and so are our hearts for service, here and around the world. People are looking for purpose in their lives.

     Hope and I have had a very busy summer of club visits, service projects, fundraisers, BBQ’s, and family gatherings. This year has started out great and we have started gaining momentum in our district so let’s keep it up. Together we can serve and have fun doing it.

Use the right Bait and have Fun you can “Catch your Limit”

Yours in service DG SuperDoug

Together We Can “Catch Our Limit”

July/August - Lions magazine

Happy Summer Fellow Lions,

Are you satisfied in your Lionism? ... ”Catching your Limit”

     As we enter a time of renewal and get past our long Covid winter I really feel like this is going to be the best year ever. I love fishing and will be using a lot of fishing analogies such as “Catching your Limit”.

     My goals this year are simple, first of all FUN: Lets have FUN in all we do in service because otherwise what’s the point? Second, GROWTH: I see a year filled with growth like we’ve never seen before. The needs are bigger and people are needing purpose in their lives so all we have to do is invite them to join us. Third, COMMUNICATION:  As some of you know I’m a bit of an over communicator but I think its important for everyone to know what’s going on, so expect a phone call….. or 6 😊. And finally, back to FUN: Again, if we don’t have fun then what’s the point!?

     So, as we go through Summer and into the Fall does your club have service projects lined up? Are you meeting? Are you reporting? Do you have a plan? We cannot accomplish greatness alone so find a friend and go out to find more friends to be a part of the greatest service club in the world. If you need help call me, text me, email me as I’ll be fishing with you. Together we can “Catch Our Limit.”

     When you are raising money do you feel satisfied? Or when you are testing at the neighborhood school and find a child with a great need of glasses are you satisfied?  When you made that mask or flipped a burger or just helped your neighbor-friend are you satisfied? You just gave someone a pair of glasses, picked up a piece of trash, fed a homeless person, helped a child go to college…….ARE YOU SATISFIED?!  We do so much and can do so much more if we only had more people to help. So now go find a friend. Just one and invite them to be a LION because it is so satisfying. Go out, “Catch Your Limit”, and have FUN doing it.

     The actual goals I am sending to LCI are that we are going to start 2 new clubs, strengthen the clubs that are struggling, increase our clubs to more than 75% reporting ( I think we can do better than that) and have 100% of clubs giving at least a little to LCIF as they have helped us so much. We have a great GAT team to help us reach these goals starting with 1VDG Kerith Vance, 2VDG Ed Glad, PDG Bert Diamond GLT, PDG Terry Bowman GMT, Fae Lloyd GST, and our Zone Chairs 1 Ray Montgomery, 2 Ed Glad, 5 Mary Karter, 6 Fae Lloyd, and 7 Steve Studer-Carrie Bartley. How can you help you ask? Well, that’s easy. Just start telling everyone you meet about how much fun it is to be a Lion. We can’t do it without you so help us to “Catch our limit” this year and in the years to follow.

 Yours in Service DG Super Doug

Multiple Clubs and Individual Lions Immediately Responded

JUNE 2021 - LIONS MAGAZINE

Lessons learned:

     The 2020-2021 Lion year was not normal, but it is time to review challenges and how we met them. Or didn’t.

     Our nation and world were under the Covid-19 pall. However, last summer many clubs found outdoor locations and began developing their capacities with Zoom or GoToMeeting. We held our first hybrid Cabinet meeting in August, courtesy of Rockaway Lions and the Rockaway Catholic Church. With the basic skills hundreds of our Lions acquired this year, we can expect to launch more hybrid events in the future.

     Hybrid Cabinet meetings allow attendance by people who otherwise need to drive 1-4 hours. That opens the door for more Lions to join the district committees on programs that interest them. Similarly, the district conventions have shown us great examples of web-based training.

     Our Clubs adjusted: turning meal events into to-go drive-throughs (increasing sales!), selling plants through online vouchers to local nurseries, delivering florist orders on holidays, collecting cans and bottles and more. The new ideas will strengthen us even when most are vaccinated, and we can meet again in person.

     We faced a month of fire and smoke in September. Multiple clubs and individual Lions immediately responded assisting their neighborhoods and evacuees. Yet I am painfully aware we could have done more. As District and MD Alert (disaster response) co-chair before my governorship, I know how that committee attempted to develop Lion disaster response capacities. We made progress, and joined Oregon VOAD. However, we did not sufficiently prepare clubs to inform District leadership of the conditions (including evacuees) in their own communities. We don’t have a training and response structure.

     Keeping track of where the fires were, being ready to evacuate, trying to follow incomplete and often inaccurate online reporting on where evacuees were, and seeking information on what – specifically - was needed (and where) took much time.

     I became painfully aware of how difficult it was to do this, investigate grant opportunities and communicate with district and other disaster responders while also keeping up governor responsibilities. I don’t want to see future governors left without a supporting team of Lions committed to Lions disaster response. That is why the Council of Governors has worked to form a MD 36 Lions non-profit: to develop our response capacities and network with relevant community entities ahead of time.

     The main objection has been that it might compete with OLSHF. But McDonalds added egg McMuffins to their burger menu; Burger King added chicken and fish. Burger sales didn’t decrease, customers increased because tastes differ. Volunteer activities bring us new members. Disaster Response brings dozens of volunteer opportunities. If we want to build membership, we need to add to our menu. Disaster response is on the LCIF menu, we need to cook more to deliver on our potential.

Bucking Old Assumptions

April 2021 - Lions Magazine

     “Lionism” is not static.

     Several clubs submitted candidates for Awards presented at the 36-O Convention. Thank you. Governors need feedback to know what Clubs and Lions are doing as continued or break through service and leadership.

     A club which sight screens 300 students a year should know our MD screens 180,000. That provides a sound bite or poster statement to convey publically the impact of that club and what Lions collectively accomplish. Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation (OLSHF) provides those statistics. But also (for example) many clubs provide food to 20-200 people. Unless it’s reported to LCI, we can’t tell people we fed 20,000 or 200,000 that year. Please report.

     Through award submissions, I learned of outstanding members and clubs meeting current challenges, and also of Oregon Lions who changed the path of International Lionism.

     ID Jose Marrero wrote to me after our convention that he had spoken with PID Weber who was on the International Lions Board in 1987 when the amendment was made to accept women as Lions. PID Weber said, “It was a shame [Lions accepted …women’s Lion membership] due to litigation and not for the correct reason – that it was the right thing to do.” In 2008 PID Weber was also instrumental in changing the treatment of “companions” so the International Board accepted that a designated (unmarried) partner would be eligible for spousal benefits.

     Keeping any organization relevant requires ongoing reassessment of social needs and realities.

     So, I mark past leadership struggles our 36-O Awards recognized:  In 1981 Lloyd Lions, in particular Joe Weston (real estate agent) saw declining membership AND women in business and government positions formerly held by men. Joe argued there was no reason Lions should not recruit leaders just because of female genes. By October, three women were members: Helen Honse (then Greenough) a community manager for Port of Portland, Mary Mulflur, Menashe Realtors agent, and Nancy Hopper, an EEO for the Bureau of Land Management. Norma Paulus, Oregon’s Secretary of State, accepted honorary membership. That same October, the International Association of Lions Clubs (IALC) canceled Lloyd Club’s 21-year-old charter.

     The Club created a legal defense fund for contributions and in June 1982, Lloyd Lions and the three regular women members filed suit against the IALC in Multnomah County’s Circuit Court on grounds that the IALC violated Oregon’s Public Accommodations Act, breached its contract with the Club and interfered with the plaintiffs business relationships. Neither party backed down for 4 years.

     In 1986 the judge ruled in favor of the Club, awarding $4500 in damages plus attorneys’ fees. The IALC appealed the decision, but in 1987 the IALC amended their constitution, deleting the word “male” from the requirement for membership, and Oregon’s Supreme Court dismissed their petition.  Lloyd Lions donated all damage awards to OLSHF.

     Thank you Helen Honse (Trail Blazer Award recipient), Joe Weston (International Director’s Award recipient), and all Lions committed to making our Lions meet current needs - even when it means bucking old assumptions.

Expand Their Vision of What Is Possible

Lion Magazine - March 2021

Communication and Cooperation

     I started to write this as 1/3 or more of District 36-O Lions were in the grip of ice and snow.  I was among them: without power, so no Wi-Fi to send what I wrote, nor cell coverage (why was that?).

     I was trying to remember where I stowed the “princess phone” I purchased on a closeout sale …because it will work without electricity (other than what the telephone lines carry).  I do still keep a landline in part because it will work without electricity.

     Note: I did find that phone the following day. And it linked me with the Lion friend who came and helped me safely run my generator. Yes, I am among the many rural Lions with means and foresight enough to have backup for heat and well water. (Though I needed to alternate running the furnace versus running the pump.)

     Every stressor is good practice. Many Lions joined their neighbors to clear trees from local roads and communicate – face to face – which collector roads were blocked by trees and power lines PGE would need to address.

Communication and cooperation were key.

     Once I send this, I’ll be asking the Zone Chairs and Club Presidents to reach out to their Clubs and Lions members to learn how each of them were challenged and how they responded. An additional question is, how many then reported their community disaster service to LCI?

     District 36-O has a slightly better service reporting record than the other districts, but it is still missing reports from 60% of the clubs. I hope some of the clubs leadership attended David Bartley’s Convention session on reporting service to LCI. In the case of Emergency and Disaster response, our Lions and Clubs who report to District leadership, enable us to report our service and capacities to Oregon VOAD and Oregon Emergency Management, building our credibility amongst other volunteer organizations and government agencies.

     In turn, when you know what has been accomplished, you can produce PR materials showcasing it to your own communities: a great asset when we are seeking new members. In addition, Clubs that had not tried certain services expand their vision of what is possible.

     Communication creates a great circle for building pride/self-respect through service, and building our Lions family. Please let your district leaders and LCI know what your clubs are doing!

Celebrating Our Focus and Accomplishments

Lion Magazine - February 2021

Hi all,

     I am hesitant to proclaim “This year has got to be better.” ‘Cuz, despite most personal and family difficulties, and even living in a nation with deep issues to face, Most of us are among the most fortunate on this planet. And actually, yes, “things” could get a lot worse.

     That’s a huge reason to keep building relationships within Lions and between our Lion Clubs and their communities. Building networks with community businesses and keeping an eye out for people less fortunate makes our members, Clubs and communities more resilient in downturns and challenge.

     We deserve to be proud that Lions’ orientation and the concrete services we provide continue despite discouraging circumstance.

     As is the custom in 36-O, we will be celebrating our focus and accomplishments in a District Convention the last Saturday in February. Mark your calendars. February 27.

     YES, it will be different. It will be online. Thank you Steve Studer.

     If your club and/or members have not yet experienced <Zoom> or other online meetings please contact Bert Diamond, bertdiamond@gmail.com, David Bartley, dbartley@redhorsegroup.com or Steve Studer, lionsclubwestlinn@gmail.com. Each and any of them will help you and your club host an online meeting – and address club member abilities to participate.

     We can’t make people happy with needing to connect online, but we want them to feel they can do it. Also, we want all to join us Saturday February 27 for the Convention!!!

     Our Conventions are always great learning and networking events. We’d all rather meet in person – but let’s be glad that in the Covid face of Not, we have internet capacity. PLUS: no packing, no hotel expense, no driving, no meal expense, super low registration fees, no managing livestock feeding, child care and dog turn-out!!!

     International Director Jose Marrero is our keynote speaker, he will also hold a break-out session with current and future Club Presidents.  We will recognize 36-O Lions who changed 36-O and LCI history and hold nine (9) break-out sessions (3 each time period).

     There will be more about the sessions by email. A note on the morning session called “Generations”:  those will be defined in equal segments. Those born 1927-1945 were first known as “Beat” and recently called “Silent.” 1946-1964 are “boomers” because the people coming home from World War II created a baby boom. 1965- 1983 are “Gen-X” and those 1984-2002, “Millennials”. Tune in to hear what defines these and how knowing helps clubs work together. All sessions will be interactive – you’ll be able to send in questions and speakers will respond as possible.

     Please join us.

District O Convention Registration

Being held virtually on Feb 27, 2021 - $10 per person registration fee

Please click here or on the image below for the registration flyer.

Hats Off To All The Lions

     Last month I probably said too much about the difficulties of 2020. To me, those macro challenges evidence what we face and why what Lions do is so important. Those stresses make our 2020-2021 Lions’ International President Jung-Yul Choi’s call for Kindness and Diversity especially important to implement.

     Many of our Lions, despite their own stresses, found times last month where they reached out to family and community members and offered the time to listen to their particular heartbreak. Kindness is patience and listening: not judging, not interrupting with our own stories, allowing time for emotional expression and bringing that person up to the present. If they have some positive next steps - affirm those. Covid and the shutdowns have, for now, cost us the gift of being present in silence with a person in pain. So the outreach Lions make is even more valuable.

     Our clubs and members have shown kindness and open hearts in so many programs of increased need this winter: addressing community hunger, special medical needs and offering assistance after the September fires. With the fires, we will continue to be part of Long Term Recovery in Clackamas County and “across the District R line” in the Santiam Canyon Recovery. The Council of Governors is exploring creating a new Multiple District foundation that would improve training and preparation for disaster response and recovery within and across the districts.

     Meanwhile, most clubs and members are becoming adept at online meetings – which will be valuable even when we can resume in-person meetings. Hats off to all the Lions who have been coaching their club members – and other clubs’ members in hosting and attending online meetings! If you need help, ask Steve Studer, David Bartley, PDG Bert Diamond or your Zone Chair.

     Our MD 36-O Convention February 27 will be entirely online. This will enable us to have some out of state speakers AND hopefully many of you who would not be able to afford the travel and hotel expenses. We’re working on a great line-up of sessions; our PID will be Jose Marrero of Puerto Rico.

     We invite all of you with particular service programs or fund-raisers to submit short PowerPoints or YouTube type videos – 4 minutes max. We will make these available for viewing at the Convention and they may be discussed in a breakout session. Highlight local or district wide projects - we hope these will some substitute for the table displays – and potentially online content for the public about Lions work. Please plan to attend!

     We will also move the Cabinet Meeting to Saturday, February 20 (10:00-1:00) - before the Convention. You’re welcome there too.

Call On Your Own Capacity for Kindness

Year 2020: Can I have my deposit back?

     Complainants: Reasons for refund request: We grant problems from 2019 – like where is “truth”. Social media?  Mainstream media? What you can see? Institutional peer reviewed expertise? Séance science? 2019 had a bad “what is reality” virus. And our U.S. President under impeachment charges. So January 2020 had “pre-existing conditions”.

     But then February brought “the COVID”. Unexpected - some people said it was a hoax. March-May brought The Shutdown. Dislocating, unfair. We want a refund.

     2020 replies: U.S.A. administrations from G.W.Bush on AIDs and Obama on Ebola faced disease. In 2019 HHS and Homeland Security ran an exercise in 12 states and Washington D.C. on a (hypothesized) flu epidemic beginning in China. The October 2019 draft report showed preparation problems COVID proved. Who listened? Oregon Lions Disaster Response Committee has been trying to get Oregon Lions to prepare for disasters for 10 years. Ignore the warnings on the package you don’t get a refund.

     2020: this country was born with racism as the basis for extracting labor from some people to benefit slaveholders and placating non-slaveholders (many of whom also profited) with myths of their “superiority.” Some people of all colors opposed that from the start. Not a problem 2020 created. Most 2020 Oregon protesters just wanted a level playing field. Police? They are supposed to be trained to use violence to protect citizens; yet abuse of that power is a global challenge race or ethnic prejudices make worse. Oregon Lions who are or have been police know that. Lions International President Dr. Jung-Yul Choi made Diversity his theme in 2019-2020. For 2020-2021 he said: Kindness and Diversity. Let’s go there.

     Grant 2020 has been stressful –too many “Chickens coming home to roost.” Nevertheless, meanwhile our family, friend and Lion circles also experienced private heartbreaks. Some lost jobs, lost sight, fought cancer, suffered crime or suicide. No one gets time or people back. We live irreparable loss. Opening our arms and working together can help. Kindness heals.

     For this season, recognize the stress and possible heartbreak in everyone you see and call on your own capacity for Kindness in connecting with other Lions, friends, and family members. Fellowship is a major reason Lions give for their staying with their Clubs. Remember, under stress, people often criticize quickly, without having full information of details or the load the other person is carrying. Listen without passing judgment – even when you’re the target. Empathize with feelings and frustration, don’t rush to confirm or deny “facts” (especially if you’re not sure of them.) For yourself, find someone you can vent to, who will keep quiet. Could be a fellow Lion. Defuse first. Find ways to address the problem after.

     Patience is a partner of Kindness. We will miss so much personal and physical comfort the Holiday season usually provides. Let’s enter 2021 with Patience and Kindness.

Pride Through Service

     The animal lion pride is defined by having multiple members, bonded not just by kinship but also through working together for common goals, protecting each other, sharing food, and relaxing together: vocalizing, touching, affirming fellowship. Human Lions are not so different – although the size of our membership, social mores, and now Covid-19 much reduce our capacity to physically touch.

     Our goals are not killing to eat, but taking on challenges within our human communities. We earn human pride (respect) through how we serve each other and our communities. So - what was the September challenge?

     Monday September 7, with fires already burning in parts of the state, high dry east winds took down trees and power lines sparking more fires. PGE cut power on Mt Hood on the 7th to limit fires. By the next day, thousands more had lost power. That afternoon from SW Clackamas county, the sky south of the Willamette became a surrealistic high blue, with brilliant red below and competing walls of deep charcoal painted by burned Santiam towns.  By Wednesday night in District O, the Fireside fire, along the Clackamas River, was burning nearly 200 square miles; the whole county (pop. 420,000) was under some level of evacuation orders; the Chehalem Mountain and Echo Mountain fires required hundreds more to evacuate. And, a smoke blanket lay over us. Compared to District R, we were very lucky.

     French Prairie Lions, all Estacada Lions and some Gresham Breakfast members from Estacada and Sandy had to evacuate. Gresham Breakfast members, Wilsonville and Oregon City Lions took in fire evacuees; Mt Hood Lions with generators and/or propane took in community members without power, providing meals and showers in their own homes. They also made fuel runs for people who had generators, brought items from the Les Schwab aid station to distribute to the community at the Mt Hood Club House parking lot, persuaded Amerigas to make a special propane refueling trip to the area, patrolled neighborhoods and provided ham radio connections. Estacada Lions directly put boots to the ground to fight fires threatening homes. Oregon City Lions did the same in the Molalla/Colton area.

     Every county in Districts O and R opened their fairgrounds to evacuees; authorities opened parking lots at schools such as Mountainside High in Beaverton and Clackamas Community College, and commercial centers. Red Cross and other OrVOAD members managed multiple sites.

     Milwaukee Lions supplied breakfast at the Elks parking lot (about 100 vehicles). Several Lions Clubs with meal delivery trailers tried to plan food service for informal evacuation centers, but with people and needs shifting daily, coordination was difficult. Milwaukee and other clubs also assisted with donation management. McMinnville Lions provided medical supplies and 46 cases of adult diapers to United Way Mid-Willamette Valley resource center, plus 20 beds to a McMinnville care home taking evacuees from Molalla (who otherwise had only air-mattresses.)  McMinnville’s ongoing medical devices program provided existing relationships (which also addressed Covid-19 needs) as well as the goods for this response.

     One function local Lions Clubs could offer was to check the evacuation sites, verifying if they were open, if there were unmet needs or if donations were covering needs as was the case through much of District O. Some of that happened, but not all Lions recognized the importance of being eyes on the ground.

     Thanks to the many who served and those who provided information. If you felt we should have done more – I agree. Hopefully, we’ll help more in the next months. Nonetheless this experience provides a template for more coordinated future response. Build the Pride.

Lions District 36-O Strategic Plan (2020 – 2023)

     Some of you have wondered if our Districts and Multiple District actually have overall goals and plans for accomplishing those. Well yes. Yes we do.

     Every governor-elect must send LCI a District Plan – building on their predecessors and looking ahead.

     “Mine” began: This Plan seeks to improve District O coordination of leadership, membership and service and thereby help clubs better know and serve their communities, understand LCI and LCIF resources for that service, retain members during COVID-19 restrictions and economic stress, and build for recovery.

     We seek programs with direct community service and that produce larger program possibilities through inter-club, district and MD level cooperation.

     We will use the COVID related contraction to focus on building online and hybrid meeting and training skills, and renew club-community assessments of their assets, service needs and key program interests. We will try to show each club how the LCI and LCIF resources, inter-district and multiple district cooperation can strengthen their service and reputation in their communities and across Oregon.

     We seek to build our Lion Pride through service.

     As I’ve said previously, justifiable pride is earned through what one accomplishes working with and for other people. From the clubs I’ve met with so far – that fellowship and direct service is what draws people to Lions and keeps them there.

Consistent with that, we have 6 fundamental Goal areas:

• No. 1 –Service - to communities at local through district levels

• No. 2 - Membership Growth – despite COVID

• No. 3 - Leadership Development ensuring training for officer positions & service

• No. 4 - Club Administration – efficient, transparent & respecting member time

• No. 5 – Diversity –welcoming people of different cultures and capacities

• No. 6 - Public Relations - increasing Lions’ visibility in local communities and throughout the State

The service area of the month is of course fire response. So, the fire next time.