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."

 

Empower Each Of Our Club Members To Serve From Their Hearts

March 29, 2024  /  Leah Malcolm

     Fellow Lions of 36-R, what a great day to be a Lion serving the district and my fellow Lions. Something I heard from PID Lion Jerome Thompson was Successful People Maintain A Positive Focus In Life No Matter What Is Going On Around Them. This can be anything in life, in our Lions club or in the world. I’m not saying I’m successful but as most of you know I believe in keeping a positive attitude as I travel through this life. I believe it takes more energy and time being negative than positive. I believe that if we go out and show compassionate service to not only our communities but also to our members, putting our hearts into action, what a difference we could be making.

     We have talked so much about Mission 1.5 and membership growth. Sometimes we don’t emphasize keeping the members we have. Getting new members is so important but if we are letting our current members leave, we are defeating our purpose of growing to 1.5 million members by 2027. It’s getting close to the time clubs try and clean house and remove members they haven’t seen. Why aren’t we reaching out to them and asking what we can do or what is the reason you want to drop membership. Can we do more to hold on to our current members?  We have clubs struggling to retain their members. The question is Why?  --  Some of the causes may be the members’ interests or values are challenged; their needs are not met; misunderstanding or disagreements or not feeling respected; power or authority challenged; the club is afraid of change; are we afraid to listen to what new members have to say because we have always done things a certain way?; no dynamics to the meeting; or maybe they are not being included in projects.

     Lions it takes all of us to be successful in serving our club and community. It takes all of us to grow. I heard something a long time ago and it has stuck with me, and I use it not only in Lions but in everyday life. If I’m Talking - I’m Not Listening.

     We need to empower each of our club members to serve from their hearts. We need to communicate with our members. Most of all we need to listen to our members. Each one is a valuable part of our club and has an opinion that deserves to be heard. Let’s be positive in our clubs, let’s communicate with our members and let’s listen to what others have to say. This may just be the key to retaining our members. As PID Lion Jerome said Successful people (LIONS) maintain a positive focus in life (LIONS) no matter what is going on around them we can be successful in both retaining our members as well as serving our community. We need to be positive and do it together. Thank each of you for all you do for others, you truly do make a difference.

     Service from the Heart – DG Lion Lynn Coon, 36R

“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