OPPORTUNITY ~ CHOICE ~ RESPONSIBILITY

     I would like to start with the premise that we are all leaders when we were given the opportunity to serve our communities and made the choice to become a Lion. As a result of that choice, we also took on a responsibility to participate in the service activities of our club. The great thing about Lions is our motto is simply “We Serve.” Unlike many service organizations that gives us the opportunity to serve that align with our passions and we often find other Lions who share that passion and then we also benefit from the fellowship that comes with it.

     In our District this month we saw the fruits of our leaders (members) that had an opportunity present itself, a choice to be made, and then the responsibility that came with that choice to execute on it. Specifically, the Mohawk Valley Lions club had an opportunity to turn in their charter, but they made a choice to try and recruit new members into their club and continue their responsibility of service to their community. Given this opportunity our district and neighboring club leaders also made a choice to support their efforts and act on their responsibilities that came with their leadership roles. Since January eight new leaders have chosen to join the Mohawk Valley Lions and continue their clubs’ responsibility of providing service to their community. We all shared the joy of inducting seven of them at their March meeting into our Lions family.

     Organizations, of all types, require leadership roles at all levels to function most effectively. Those leadership roles are filled by those that come from within the organization. In our case we are a volunteer organization, and we are provided with additional opportunities to fill those leadership roles. Those roles, when filled, help our organization operate most effectively and ultimately enhance our member’s ability to provide/enhance the service that we all chose to provide to our communities. So, when choosing to fill a leadership role in our organization it does come with a responsibility to our family of Lions (member, club, district, multiple district, international). It is a two-way street and when we are functioning effectively all involved can benefit. What happened with the Mohawk Valley Lions club is a great example of opportunity, choice and responsibility when it all comes together.

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