Lions Clubs of Multiple District 36, Oregon and Northern California

We Serve

Eugene, OR USA

541-484-0452

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."

 

Create A New Future For Our District

March 10, 2023  /  Leah Malcolm

Greeting Lions of District 36R

     I’d like to share with you this month several things that I have read that I believe relate directly to us as Lions.  The most recent is from Greta Thunberg’s new book.  She writes:  “To me, hope is not something that is given to you, it is something you have to earn, to create.  It cannot be gained passively, through standing by and waiting for someone else to do something.  Hope is taking action.”  The next quote/sentiment is from an article from Susan Joy Hassol that I read: “To inspire people we need to tell a story not of sacrifice and deprivation but of opportunity and improvement in our lives, our health and our well-being – a story of humans flourishing...."  That same article had a list of how to talk to people:  “Make it personal; Appeal to people’s priorities; Connect on values; Find common ground; Address the here and now; Stress the urgency of action; Show where action is working; Highlight our choice of futures.”

     The final quote, from Naomi Oreskes, I would like to leave with us:  “Conventional realism asserts that we cannot live any other way than the way we do now. The fossil-fuel industry asserts that we cannot live without its products.  But history shows that humans have lived and thrived in many different configurations. It is not unreasonable to think we could, in the future, live in a less destructive manner than we do now.  And if aspiration appears to be unrealistic, then we need to find strategies to make it real.” Ok, I’m done with the heavy stuff, but as I read the above and upon reflection it made me think about our District and how we can all come together to create a new future, no matter what anyone says if we desire it.

     We have just come off what some might say is our most successful District conference in years. I would argue that all that participated in the planning, those that played active roles delivering the program, and all those that attended made a choice to create a new future for our District. By the numbers we had over 130 individuals attend, 31 first timers, numerous prospective members, 30 clubs, an awesome International Director and his wife, 3 outside organizations, a great presentation by OLSHF, 12 raffle baskets, over 20 display tables, and a service project collecting warm socks and gloves. And if that is not enough, we started strong with a welcome from the Eugene City Mayor and a response from Eugene Downtown’s President that reminded us why we had given our precious time to attend and engage for the day.

Happy Winter - DG 36R Lion David O’Kelley – Together We Can and Together We Will

“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