Thank All Of You For The Service You Provide

     Well my Lion friends here I am sending my last news article as your District Governor.  I am pleased with the strides our District has accomplished.  I have been honored to serve with some great DG’s from Districts O, E and G. I believe we all worked together to make MD36 better for all Lions. Thank you Council Chair Lion Bob and to my District Cabinet for your input and help along the way.

     I especially want to thank the clubs and Lions of 36-R. You Lions have made this journey as your DG one that I will always remember and cherish.  I had the opportunity of visiting all of the clubs of 36-R in person. Thank you for allowing me these visits.   I have learned from every club I've visited. Each club has served their communities and made them a better place to live. You Lions have changed peoples’ lives and for that be proud of who you are and what you do.

     As you continue to serve remember what teamwork is all about:  the ability to work together towards a common vision. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.  Also remember what Helen Keller said in 1925 “The best thing you can do for yourself is do something for someone else.” It’s what we do as Lions.

     One of our goals was to communicate and keep clubs aware of happenings in the District, and I hope we accomplished this. We had a goal of having a positive net gain which we have accomplished by working together. We had a goal of increasing our reporting of service and this increased thanks to our District Administrator Lion Michael Wards working with our club secretaries.  We had a goal of training our Zone Chairs and our Guiding Lions and thanks to PCC Lion Rod Bach and our GLT we have accomplished this. We had the goal of starting two new clubs, something I am sorry to say did not happen, but we will continue to work to accomplish. One thing I believe we did do was bring the District and clubs back together after the pandemic period.  I am so pleased we were able to hold our convention in person as well.

     I want to again thank all of you for the service you provide. This has truly been a Lion’s year of "SERVICE FROM THE HEART" that was our International President Lion Doug Alexander’s theme. As we continue serving our communities, giving back and making a difference -- Always remember that Lions Change Lives Today and Forever. I know serving with all of you has changed my life and I will forever be grateful.

DG Lion Lynn Coon 36-R

Empower Each Lion To Serve From The Heart

Hello Lions,

     As we close in towards the end of our Lion’s year there is so much we have accomplished, but still much to do.  International President Lion Doug Alexander talks about service from the heart:  By letting our passion shine through there is nothing we cannot accomplish.  I believe the same thing.  If we go out and show compassionate service, putting our hearts in action, taking care of our clubs, our members and our communities -- WE WILL GROW.

      With our growth and engagement with our communities and our members we can support global causes.  We can encourage new service ideas that can benefit us all. 

We have membership willing and ready to serve.  We all feel good when we are serving and helping others.  If not we would not of joined the largest service organization in the world.  THE LIONS.  Invite your friends, neighbors, fellow employees and change someone’s life.

     President Lion Doug Alexander has wants to empower each Lion to serve from the heart.

1)    Compassionate Service.  Putting our hearts in action, prioritizing club and community health and safety, encouraging innovation and new service, and supporting our global causes.

2)    Membership Growth and Engagement.  Be ready to serve.  Achieve new service through new clubs, invite a member and change their life, empower each Lion to serve from their heart.

3)    Communication.  Our connection across all levels.  Listen to your Lions and share your success with your community.  Communication is the key.  Listen to our Lions, listen to our communities and then act.  We have success stories every day of clubs and Lions serving and making a difference.  Continue to serve, continue to invite and continue to change lives as you do so.  I'm proud to serve with each of you as we are making a difference on this journey together.    

     Remember SERVICE FROM THE HEART.  I Believe Lions Change Lives Today and Forever. DG Lion Lynn Coon 36-R.

Involvement Of Our Members Is Key

     Fellow Lions.  Here we are deep into the Lions year with many areas going in the right direction.  I would like to report a few more things about our District’s convention that we held in February.  It’s about our basket raffle to help our pediatric cancer camps and our Heartfelt House.  I can’t thank the clubs of 36-R enough for your fantastic baskets that you provided for this cause.  I am pleased to say we brought in $656 to go towards these causes.  The winning theme basket went to the Zone Chairs of District 36-R picked by ID Lion Deb Weaverling.  The basket with the most tickets sold went to the Florence Lions.  I would like to thank my home club Junction City Lions for helping me round the amount up to $2,000: which we will be dividing by presenting a check for $1,000 to Camp UKANDU, $500 to Camp Millennium and $500 to the Heartfelt House from District 36-R.  All of our baskets showed SERVICE FROM THE HEART.

     As I said earlier, we have accomplished many things in our District but we still have lots of work to do.  On March 19th we held a Guiding Lion Training and an Orientation training:  Two very important trainings for our District.  Guiding Lions to go into our communities as we would like to establish new clubs and to canvas areas where we already have clubs, but are low in numbers.  The other is Orientation for our new members and our established members needing a refresher as to why they became Lions. This will be conducted by your Zone chairs and your GAT team.

     The last item we want to work on is RETENTION.  We want to keep our meetings positive, upbeat and of interest to our members.  Are we working on our programs?  Are we getting feedback from our members?  Are we asking our members to participate?  All of this is part of retention.  Involvement of our members is key.  I often ask myself are we listening to our members?  In my DG training we had a class on LISTENING and what I took away from that class was that if I'm talking I'm not LISTENING.  We need to ask ourselves are we truly listening to our clubs’ members?  I want to thank all of you for what you do for your clubs, your District and most of all for your communities.   

     SERVICE FROM THE HEART.  I believe Lions Change Lives Today and Forever.

DG Lion Lynn 36-R 

Lions Are One Of Those Caring Groups

     Hello Lions of MD36. What a great day to be a LION.  We just wrapped up our 36-R Convention, which was held in-person and I’m pleased to say it was a success.  We brought our clubs together as a District with great participation from our clubs. I want to thank our convention committee for the work they put in to make it happen. Our ID Lion Debra Weaverling and her husband Lion Ron's presence made it even better. My wife Kathy and I had the opportunity of hosting them for the weekend.  We so enjoyed our time getting to know them and they us. I shared about the Lions of my District and the 32 clubs we have.  I shared how proud I was of our Region and Zone chairs, our Cabinet and the goals we have set and where we are with those goals.

     After picking ID Debra and Lion Ron up from the airport and having lunch we had the opportunity of visiting the Heartfelt House at RiverBend.  Our incredible host there, Robin Yozzo, is a new Lion of the Eugene Downtown Lions Club with such a big heart. She loves her job and it shows.  We were joined by Zone Chair Lion Henry Miller who took photos throughout our tour.

     The Heartfelt House is a place next to RiverBend Hospital where families with children in the hospital can come to stay. There they can have just a little normal in what is a stressful time in their life.  It was opened on September 10, 2019 and so far has served 1,006 families. The longest family so far has stayed for 108 days.  They have a beautiful room with access to a kitchen and food provided by gracious donations.  They can do laundry, shower and rest all the while knowing they are in a caring and safe environment   All of this is at no cost to them.

     Individually and as Clubs you Lions were a big part of this with your generous donations. These donations were matched by a grant from LCIF. There are also so many other individuals and organizations that contributed and helped to build and keep the Heartfelt House running.  I'm proud Lions are one of those caring groups.

     Now I want to talk and share a little about Lion Robin and how she became the Director of Guest Services at the Heartfelt House. Lion Robin worked in a retirement home as the assistant administrator. Her son had to have a surgery at RiverBend Hospital.  While there with her son during the ground-breaking for the Heartfelt House, Lion Robin went down to the Heartfelt gift shop.  As she put it she was eavesdropping on a conversation about what was happening across from the hospital.  She went on to say they said it was the Heartfelt House -- the new place going in to help families who had children in the hospital.  That night Lion Robin went home and told her husband she had found the job of her dreams. He commented “Sure, OK Robin.”  She decided she would follow the progress and apply for the job.  When they were at the point where the windows were going in, she would run by and press her nose and hands against the glass to check how far along they were.  Lion Robin says that at her interview she needed to take a bottle of Windex to wipe the smears of her nose and hands caused by her excitement.  Well to make a long story short ID Lion Debra and I decided she is a Lion with heart. The job she does and loves to do putting a little normal in a stressful time in these families’ lives makes her THE HEART of the Heartfelt House.

     I am always stressing to Lions that SERVICE FROM THE HEART is what Lions is all about and Lion Robin is a prime example of what that means.  I want to thank all of you Lions serving others in our communities. You’re all making a difference thru the service you provide following our theme this year which is SERVICE FROM THE HEART.  I believe Lions Change Lives Today and Forever.

We Can Make A Better Life For Everyone

     Lions here we are in February 2022 and I hope everyone has started the New Year with positive thoughts and determined to make 2022 better than 2021.  I find myself reflecting on how we as a District are doing, how we as clubs are doing and how we as members are doing.  We as a District are moving forward with growing our clubs.  We as clubs are meeting in person for most of the clubs and we continue to provide service to our communities.  We need to ask ourselves are we doing all we can for our members are doing all we can for our communities?

     As I have said many times we all had a goal and reason for becoming Lions and that was serving others and making things better for the future. That is who and what we Lions are about.  It's not just helping our communities but also helping our fellow Lions.  I think of all of the service our Lions have provided and continue to provide.

     As our International President Lion Doug Alexander has stressed from the beginning of this Lion’s year “SERVICE FROM THE HEART.”  He stressed the importance of a community.  If we all work together and support each other we can make a better life for everyone.  Being a Lion is more than what we do – it’s who we are.  We give our service from the heart.  We all have that vision to make this world a better world for all people.  It all begins with us Lions in our own clubs, with our members working with our communities.

     In 2021 our Lions did great things.  Let’s continue great things in 2022 and be guided by our hearts.  Let’s keep working together with our members, our clubs, our District and our communities.  As International President Lion Doug has said "LET’S SHOW THE WORLD WHAT IT TRUELY MEANS TO HAVE A HEART OF A LION.”

     I want to thank each of you Lions as we continue this journey together serving all with Service From The Heart.  I believe Lions Change Lives Today.

DG Lion Lynn Coon 36-R.

Remember N.O. means Next Opportunity

Lions of MD 36 -- As we pass from 2021 into 2022 I ask all Lions to continue to be positive as we move forward this Lions year. Service, Membership Growth and Retention will keep us moving in the right direction. As we District Governors were taking our training prior to becoming your DGs there was something said that stuck with me. I believe it is something that can help all of us as Lions as we serve our communities and work on recruiting new members and establishing new clubs.

If you fail never give up because FAIL means First Attempt In Learning.

End is not the end in fact. END means Effort Never Dies.

If you get no as an answer remember N.O. means Next Opportunity. Change your Mindset. I'm saying this because as we work towards new members or new clubs not everyone we approach will say yes and want to join. Remember NO means Next Opportunity. If we don't ask we will never know. I know I would not be a Lion or your DG had my friend and neighbor at the time Lion Paul not asked me to join him at a club meeting over 30 years ago. I myself thought I was too busy with things going on in my life but Lion Paul asked again so I said I would. When I saw what Lions were all about helping others in the community I said to my wife I needed to join. You see I've always believed in giving back to my community and helping others. Lion Paul had that mindset to ask again. What I'm trying to emphasize is if you are told no just look at it as another opportunity to ask again. Lion Paul has moved from Junction City and is now a member of the Woodburn Lions. Thank you Lion Paul for asking again and showing me what Lions were all about. Thank all you Lions for what you do. Let’s ask our neighbors and our friends because you never know who your future DG could be. It could be that man or women who said NO but was asked again because some Lion took NO as the next opportunity. Remember SERVICE FROM THE HEART. I believe Lions Change Lives Today.

DG Lynn Coon 36-R

(l-r) Lions Paul Nordling, DG Lynn Coon, Jerry Weir and Clarence Timmons.

Following Your Heart and Doing Something Kind Today

     Here we are in the holiday season Lions and we all have so much to be thankful for:  our families, friends and the communities we live in.  I hope we think about those who have nothing.  Maybe we can brighten their day by doing a little something to help them with a lift up.  As Lions we have the power to change someone’s life, not only during the holiday season but throughout the year.  I want to thank each of you Lions for everything you do in service to others.

     My wife often hears me talk about service and kindness.  She was reading a magazine and pointed out an article that she thought I could use as I speak to our clubs in the district.  I read it and decided it was perfect to use in my visits and to use in this article to share with the multiple district.  It was titled “DO SOMETHING GOOD.”  It talked about following your heart and doing something kind today. That this will not only make you smile, it can set off a wave of generosity.  It goes on to say that researchers reviewed decades of studies of more than 25,000 people in which participants saw someone act in a helpful way and then had the opportunity to be of service themselves. The results were that when people witnessed a good deed, they were often inspired to pay it forward themselves.  It’s called "GOAL CONTAGION," which occurs when people catch the desire to be of service after seeing someone else act selflessly.  More proof that service and kindness really are contagious.

     So Lions as we continue serving our communities and showing kindness to others, think about the lives we change daily.  Thanks again to all of you Lions for all you do. May all of you and your families have a Happy Holiday season.  Enjoy each other and be thankful for what you have and for what you can share with others.  SERVICE FROM THE HEART.  I believe Lions Change Lives Today.

District Governor Lion Lynn Coon 36-R

Provide Service From The Heart

     Lions of 36-R thank you for who you are and what you do.  When we talk about Lions and service, to me they go hand in hand.  Like apple pie and vanilla ice cream. 

When a Lion is introduced to me, the first thing that comes to my mind is that I am meeting an individual that cares about others.  Someone that wants to give back to their community.  Someone that wants to make a difference on this planet we live on.  Someone that wants to make another's life better and easier as they deal with daily challenges. Someone that wants to make things better when they leave this earth for future generations.

LIONS = Loving Individuals Offering Needed Service

     Each of you Lions serves from your hearts.  As we continue our Lion’s year - don't forget why you joined Lions.  Don't forget to invite your friends or your neighbor to join you in your service project. Invite them to a meeting, let them know what we are all about.

     Lions really are the best kept secret.  Be proud of what you stand for.  Be proud to wear your Lion’s pin, the pin you were presented when you were sworn in as a new member of your club, your district and Lions Clubs International.  Your Lion’s pin stands for something.  It represents your membership in the world’s largest service organization.

     Your Lion’s pin consists of a gold letter L on a circular purple field.  Bordering this is a circular gold area with two Lion profiles at either side facing away from the center.  The Lions face both the past and the future.  Proud of the past and confident of the future.  Lions remember this as you continue to serve and doing what you do for others.  Think about the difference you have made in others’ lives, in your communities, and what you can continue to do as a Lion – provide service from the heart.  Remember you are making a difference in this world we live in, in the communities you serve, and in the lives of those you serve.  I'm proud to serve with each of you.  I Believe Lions Change Lives Today.  So go out and Change someone’s life.

District Governor Lion Lynn Coon 36-R

Moving In The Right Direction

OCTOBER 2021 - LIONS MAGAZINE

     Lions we are moving in the right direction for our 2021-2022 Lion’s year.  As I have been out visiting the clubs of 36-R, I am excited to see clubs meeting in person and continuing to serve their communities. You've heard me talk a lot about service in my visits and in my DG newsletter I send out to the Lions of 36-R. I believe that we all joined Lions with one common reason - to serve and give back to our communities. Lions are giving of their time and energy making things better for those they serve. As we are serving our communities we are doing more. As International President Lion Doug Alexander put it "We lions share a belief in making things better for our communities". 

     We as Lions have the power to make a better future for those we serve. So as you Lions and your clubs go out and do service you are doing more than making a difference in peoples’ lives. You are inspiring them to do the same for others. As your District Governor, I'm asking you Lions to continue your service and change someone’s’ life today. 

     I ask that you please report your service to LCI. I know some clubs are not meeting but still doing service within their community. I encourage clubs of 36-R to report it. 

     We have added a new position and member to our cabinet. It is Lion Michael Ward of the Central Lions and his position is District Administrator. Lion Mike will have access to our clubs of the district to help turn in our reports such as MMR's, Service, and PU101's. Lion Michael's email is mbw507@gmail.com. Please reach out to him and let’s get the clubs credit for their service he is ready to help report.

     Leadership training:  As you read this article our district will have already done another Region and Zone Chair training. The class was taught by the GAT team. PCC Lion Rod Bach did a great job putting this training together. Our Zone Chairs are great Lions that have stepped up to help our clubs and district be successful. They want their clubs to reach out to them but I know they will be reaching out to you because this is what they know will help the communication in our district. 

     Another area we are working on is Disaster Response. Our cabinet Chair is Lion Dori Showell and she has reached out to the clubs of 36-R in order to hear the needs and desires for disaster preparedness in our communities. Additionally, in the near future, she is working on a seminar about valuable information we could all benefit from to use in our own community if the need arises. Lion Dori can be reached at central.lions.m.i@gmail.com.

     Membership is going well, in 36-R.  As a district we are at a positive net growth. Lions of 36-R keep up the good work. Invite your friends and your neighbors to service projects with you. Be proud to be a Lion and don't be afraid to share. I know I would not have joined Lions 31 years ago if I had not been asked. 

     Lions of 36-R Thank all of you for what you do. Let’s keep SERVING FROM THE HEART and Lets Change Someone’s Life Today..

It Takes A Team

September 2021 - Lions Magazine

Hello Lions,

            Wow.  It’s hard to believe when you read this article we will already have two months behind us in our Lion’s year. I'm still excited for what this Lion’s year will bring us. We had our first ever Lions International convention done virtually. Hope some of you got to listen and enjoy it. It was filled with information. There was a great segment on International President Doug Alexander from his neighborhood in New York. Lion President Doug is the real deal. He is all about service. I know I joined Lions because of the service they do for their communities. WE all had that one bond when we joined Lions and that bond was and is service to others. 

     When we do service in our communities we do it as a team.  We do it because of that bond we all have of helping others. TEAMWORK is the ability to work together towards a common vision. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results. So I ask each of you Lions and Lions clubs to continue to work as a team as we SERVE our communities. We've seen many changes in the way we do service but Lions are a resilient pride. We find ways to continue to serve others. While we are not sure about this crazy pandemic and how it will affect us - we continue to adapt to safe ways to serve. In my governor school we talked about change and the way we are going about things in life and one common thing we all agreed to was that the only thing constant in life is change and if anyone can adapt to change I believe it is the LIONS.

     I talk a lot about service but I want to tell you the vision our District has about membership. When we are doing our service projects consider inviting your friends, or maybe your neighbor to help with your service project. Then invite them to a meeting and let them learn more about the Lions and what we do. Who knows this might be the link we are looking for to gain membership. 

     Helen Keller was asked the question: Is there anything worse than no sight?  She replied “Yes.  Having sight but no vision."  We as a District do have a vision and that vision is to gain members, gain two new Lions clubs and adding another Leos club or two. The time is ripe as people are ready to get involved with some service organization. Why not the Lions club -- the largest service organization in the world? 

Remember your cabinet is here to serve you Lions and to help each club be successful. I ask every club to support your club president as they direct your club. They cannot do it alone, it takes a team. Be proud to be a Lion and have fun in your club. 

     It's going to be a great year for our Lions as we continue our journey together in service to others. "SERVICE FROM THE HEART."  I believe Lions Change Lives Today.  So let’s go out and change someone’s life.

District Governor Lion Lynn Coon 36-R

Service From the Heart

July/August - Lions magazine

     Greetings Lions of 36-R.

     As your new District Governor I look forward to visiting all of your clubs, meeting all of you and serving alongside each of you Lions of 36-R.  As this 2021-2022 new Lion’s year begins I want you to know that 36-R’s District Cabinet is looking forward to great things for our District and for our clubs.

      I am excited to be your District Governor and make this journey this Lion’s year with each of you.  One thing I want the Lions of 36-R to know is that we as a Cabinet are here to serve you.  It's your club your way but we are here to help the clubs succeed and serve their communities.  We all share a bond and that is the service we do for others.  New clubs.  New members.  New opportunities to lead, to grow, to encourage and to do good things.

     Our incoming International President Doug Alexander's theme this year is Service From the Heart.  I encourage each Lion of 36-R to follow the lead of President Alexander and go out there and serve.  When we serve from the heart it is contagious and others will follow.  

     As Mohammed Ali said and I try to follow this very thought "Service is the rent we pay for our time here on earth." 

     So Lions of 36-R – let’s have fun this Lion’s year.  Let’s help one another serve others in our communities.  Let’s grow our club membership because as you know the more members we have the more service we can do.

     I thank you for this opportunity to serve YOU the Lions of 36-R this Lion’s year.

District Governor Lion Lynn Coon 36-R

Look for Opportunities

JUNE 2021 - LIONS MAGAZINE

     Well, we’ve finally made it to the end of this year and it’s been a rough ride – what with COVID and wildfires. 

     The response to the wildfire disasters was unbelievable.  The Santiam and Holiday Farm fires were devastating but District R Lions were there to help with volunteers, supplies, and donations.

     We obtained an LCIF disaster grant for $10,000, which was spread around to the fire areas.  We set up an account with our District Treasurer so people had a place to send financial donations.  

     As a result of the response we received throughout the District, the four District Governors recognized the need for better disaster response and proposed setting up an Oregon Lions Disaster Recovery Foundation.  Donations would be tax-deductible for individuals and businesses and would also make us eligible to receive grants from larger grant organizations. To take advantage of that requires us to have a 501(C)(3) foundation.  Many clubs in the District have 501(C)(3) foundations and are well aware of the benefits of having this type of foundation.  If you attended the 36-R convention, you heard opinions from various levels of Lions leadership that in the future it will be necessary to have advance planning so we can be prepared when the next big disaster (think Cascadia) happens. 

     The other major events, of course, were COVID and the lack of in-person meetings and service projects.  This continues to be a problem and there’s no telling when it will end.  We obtained an LCIF grant for $10,000 for COVID relief and we contacted County Emergency Managers about how to best disperse this grant money, which was to purchase personal protective equipment and share it among the counties.

     We wrapped up the year with our District convention.  It took several Lions working together to make this happen.  We had an International Director from Oklahoma who shared lots of LCI information.  We had eight breakout sessions about a variety of topics.  A big “Thank You” to the Convention Committee that put together a totally virtual convention.

     International President’s Certificates of Appreciation (the 4th highest award in Lions) were presented to Lion Karen Norton of the Eugene Downtown club, Lion 1VDGE Lynn Coon of the Junction City club, and Lion Ward Frederick of the Silverton club.  A special Club Excellence Award was presented to the Silverton Lions Club for their organization and support of the Santiam Fire field kitchen, where hundreds of evacuees, volunteers, and first responders were fed for over two months.

     By now, you should have new club officers in place.  Get all your club members involved.  Look for opportunities to recruit new members.  Get creative with service projects.  To club leadership: “Bring out the best in the team by challenging them with tough but achievable goals, encouraging them with sincerity and trust, motivating them with a compelling vision and listening to them with empathy.”  -- Kai-Fu Lee, CEO of Sinovation Ventures

Treasurer's Reports

     I recently asked the clubs in my District to send me a copy of their current financials / Treasurer's report.  This, of course, created somewhat of an uproar.  This was my response to inquiries as to why I was asking:

Why am I asking for financials?

      First off, there is nothing sinister going on.  Everyone needs to relax.  This information will not be shared with anyone.  It is strictly for me to review.  There will be no punishment involved.

     After meeting with different clubs, it is obvious that serious Treasurer training needs to be done, particularly for incoming Treasurers (or current Treasurers who are staying on).  We are working on getting that organized soon.

Monies are to be accounted for in two separate accounts:  Administrative and Activities.

·         The two accounts are not to be merged into one account.

·         Administrative funds are to be used for club expenses (postage, printing, etc.) and that money is to be strictly raised only from Lions either from dues or from a fundraising activity that is closed to the public.

·         Activities funds are to be raised from fundraising activities that are open to the public (crab feeds, BBQs, golf tournaments, bingo, etc.) and all those funds are to be returned to the community (eyeglasses, scholarships, etc.).  They are not to be used for club expenses.

·         An annual audit is mandatory for all clubs.  This should be done by the end of this fiscal year.  If you need help with this, contact me.

      I am also interested to see where money comes from and where it goes.  This will give me information about what kinds of fundraisers are being conducted and what types of community services are being provided.  I plan to put together a chart with that information that can be available when a club is looking for a new fundraiser idea or community service project.

     And just so you’ll know, the District Governor does get a monthly Recap of Accounts from LCI that shows the balances due to LCI, including those that are overdue at 30, 60, 90, and 120+ days.  I normally contact clubs who have outstanding balances that are overdue more than 30 days.

     I hope this explains why I am requesting to see your financial reports.  There is no special form.  Your Treasurer’s report should show income and expenses divided into two accounts for Administrative and Activities.  Nothing fancy.  Can be handwritten or computer-generated. If your Treasurer needs help, please contact me.

Finals Time

Lion Magazine - April 2021

While this time of year is notable for Spring Break, it is also finals time for those on Winter quarter.  So . . . we’re having an exam today.

There will be 10 questions, each worth 10 points. 

1.     When and where was the Association of Lions Club born?

2.    When and where did the group become the International Association of Lions Clubs?

3.    Who organized the Lions Club and what was his profession?

4.    Who challenged the Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness?” and when and where?

5.    True or False.  Lions Clubs was one of the first nongovernmental organizations invited to assist in the drafting of the United Nations Charter in 1945.

6.    What is the Lions Vision Statement?

7.    What is the Lions Mission Statement?

8.    What is the Lions Motto?

9.    What is the Lions Slogan?

10. Name three Service Activities.

ANSWERS

1.     1917 in Chicago, Illinois

2.    1920 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada

3.    Melvin Jones was an insurance agent

4.    Helen Keller in 1925 at the International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio

5.    True

6.    To be the global leader in community and humanitarian service

7.    To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions Clubs

8.    We Serve

9.    Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation’s Safety

10. Diabetes, Vision, Hunger, Environment, Childhood Cancer

The good news is if you scored at well, you can switch over to the Spring Break mentality . . .  but please do it following pandemic guidelines.  Anyone who wants to go to the beach, you’re welcome to come to my house.  The bad news is you’ll have to take a year-old hyperactive Goldendoodle with you.

Kindness Is Like Snow--It Beautifies Everything It Covers

Lion Magazine - March 2021

     At the beginning of this Lions year, I selected “Forward!  Upward!  Onward!” as my District Governor’s motto.  LCI focused on “Kindness.”

     We are now 9 months into our year and it is time to review and see if we lived up to these positive thoughts.  I think we have for the most part.  With a year full of COVID and wildfires, District 36-R Lions stepped up and made the best of it.

     We received three LCIF grants – a community grant for school supplies, a COVID grant for Personal Protection Equipment that was distributed among our six counties, and a Disaster grant for supplies and support of areas hit hardest by the wildfires.

     Not only did we receive LCIF Disaster grant monies, we also had Lions from around the District volunteer to deliver supplies and man the Santiam wildfire field kitchen.  Clubs chipped in to donate additional funds for supplies beyond the LCIF Disaster grant.

     The MD 36 Global Action Team (GAT) established challenges for each District.  These challenges encompass “Forward!  Upward!  Onward!”

     Under Leadership (GLT), the 36-R challenge is to have officer training completed for 30 clubs by June 30.

     For Service (GST), 12 clubs reported events this year and last year 21 events were reported.  The goal is to increase reporting to 30 clubs.

     For Membership (GMT), last year we had 758 Lions and currently we have 705.  The goal is to have 759 members by June 30 and one new club in the District.

     These are indeed some challenging goals but if we pull together, we can achieve them.  Every club and every Lion are urged to reach out to Zone Chairs and District Cabinet members for assistance.  Let’s do our best to achieve them or get close as we near the end of this Lion year.

     In addition, “Choose Kindness” signs are popping up around the District.  I would like to challenge each of you to think about posting yard signs or displaying car decals to that effect. The www. SpreadingKindnessCampaign.org has these items available.

     As Kahlil Gibran said: “Kindness is like snow--it beautifies everything it covers."

Remember “We Serve” Can Be Accomplished in Many Different Ways

Lion Magazine - February 2021

     “What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.”  --   Vern McLellan

     Seems everyone let out a sigh of relief when we moved away from 2020 and into 2021.  While we’ve all been sequestered at home, we are still Lions.  We need to step up and remember “We Serve” can be accomplished in many different ways.

     Let’s think of 2021 as the year of creativity when it comes to our meetings and service activities.  I have sent out a document titled “Fundraising & Service Projects in the Era of Covid-19,” which was created and compiled by Lion Carrie Bartley, the MD 36 Public Relations and Lions Information committee chair.  It is a 32-page document full of great ideas for clubs to consider during the pandemic to continue serving their communities and conducting fundraising activities.

     Our annual convention, originally scheduled for February 13, has been postponed to May 1.  This will be a virtual convention with an online business meeting (elections, International Director Justin Faber, OLSHF, special awards, etc.).  We will then have breakout sessions on various topics for everyone to pick and choose from.  If there is a topic you’d like covered, please let me know.

     Since this is a virtual convention, think of the money you’ll be saving.  No travel, no meals, no hotels, and no convention fees!

     While the wildfires have pretty much burned themselves out, there are still areas that need help.  The Eugene Downtown club is putting together a tool lending library to help those in the Holiday Farm fire.  They are looking for tool donations, so contact club president Lion Susan Pfanner and ask her for the list of needed items if you want to help out by donating used (or new) tools.

     Our District R Peace Poster entry won at the District level and is now headed to the International level.  Winner Mica Tonnsen is a student at Talmadge Middle School in Monmouth.  Her entry was submitted by the Central Lions Club.  Congratulations, Mica!

     Things that will be coming up before we can believe it include voting in our elections.  We are planning on using Election Runner, an online ballot system.  Each club will be notified how many delegates it has and will need to choose Lions in the club who have internet so they can participate.

     Clubs should be thinking ahead about holding club elections in the next couple of months.  Club secretaries should be prepared to send voting results to LCI in a timely fashion so new officers can be granted access to MyLCI.  Trainings of incoming officers are also being put together.  Everyone is encouraged to attend these trainings.  In addition, there are eBooks for all club positions available in the Lions Learning Center.  They’re extremely helpful for news officers, including those who are holdovers from previous years. 

     Seems Lions are not the only ones preaching Kindness.  This organization is based in Springfield and is spreading the word through yard signs and other means.  It would be great to get the word out to everyone by putting one of these in your yard and following up with information about Lions and our vision of Kindness everywhere.

     Tibetan proverb: “The secret to living well and longer is: eat half, walk double, laugh triple, and love without measure.”

LIONS = Loving Individuals Offering Needed Services

     “No matter what happens in life, be good to people.  Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.”  -- Anonymous

     I recently had the privilege of distributing 91 Membership Chevrons for Lions who have reached significant membership milestones.  A Chevron is an addition to a Lions membership pin, to be worn with pride.

     The following Lions are District 36-R Lions who have dedicated a good part of their lives to Service and Kindness over a good many years.  Congratulations to all of you!!  (The number in parentheses is the number of years of membership.)

Albany East - Neil Johnson (20), David Schnebly (45), Merl Helms (50)

Blue McKenzie – Clayton Robson (25)

Central – Rod Bach (20), Robin Puccetti (25), Craig Johns (30), Timm Cable (30)

Corvallis – Kelly Tharp 20), Marc Vomocil (30), Warren Elliott Volkmann (30), Wesley Thomas Adams (40), Clifford Trow (50)

Cottage Grove – Wendy Sue Benson (20), Lloyd Williams (20), James Goodling (35), Doug Lund (55), Jim Gant (60)

Elkton – Craig Zolezzi (30), King Phelps (45)

Eugene Bethel – Paul Renner (30)

Eugene Downtown – Craig Ford (20), Carol Casciato (30), Stanley Stewart (35), Don Erwin Jones (60), Gene Gustafson (50), Roger Smith (55)

Florence-Siuslaw – Mark Meyers (35)

Gardiner-Reedsport – Madeline Gonsalves (20)

Jefferson – Allan Oakes (30)

Junction City – Mike Skinner (25), Lynn Coon (30)

Keizer – Kathleen Henry (25)

Mapleton – James Grano (30), Bryan Moore (40)

Mill City – Daniel Lemke (25), Joe Uffelman (35)

Mount Angel – Matt Holt (20), Scott Korte (20), Wally Berning (20), Joe Davis (20), Steven Ritchie (35), Thomas Charles Bauman (40)

Newport – Gilbert Lecren (20), Norman Jones (20)

Philomath – Richard Raleigh (45)

Salem Downtown – Neil Kliewer (20), Carleene Iverson (20), Betty Levenhagen (30)

Salem Northeast – Kevin Raschko (25), Michael Key (25), Peter Larson (65)

South Salem – Gary Marr (50)

Silverton – Jon Debo (25),

Springfield – John Vogt (20), Marjory Bartholomew (20)

Stayton – Frank Storey (40)

 Yachats – Bert Harley (25), Elaine Harley (25)

     Pearls of wisdom:  “Remember - a goal without a plan is just a wish” and I stole this definition of a Lion during a Zoom meeting:  LIONS = Loving Individuals Offering Needed Services

Thank You! To Everyone Who Helped Out in These Trying Times

“It’s not for money, it’s not for fame.

It’s not for any personal gain.

It’s just for love of fellowman.

It’s just to send a helping hand.

It’s just to give a tithe of self.

That’s something you can’t buy with wealth.

It’s not medals won with pride.

It’s for that feeling deep inside.

It’s that reward down in your heart.

It’s that feeling that you’ve been a part

of helping others far and near,

that makes you be a Volunteer!”

-Author Unknown

     2020 has pretty much been a miserable year, what with COVID, wildfires and politics.  But I have to admit I am overwhelmed with the response District R received from our own Lions Clubs as well as clubs from other districts and from the public toward helping wildfire victims in District R.

     We had the Echo Mountain fire (Lincoln City area), the Beachie Creek and Lionsheads fires (Santiam Canyon area), and the Holiday Farm fire (McKenzie area east of Springfield).  We applied for an LCI $10,000 disaster grant, received it almost immediately and got busy purchasing supplies for the various evacuee centers.

     I want to recognize clubs that stepped up to help with gathering donations and distributing them, as well as volunteering at the field kitchen in Gates:  Stayton, Silverton, Eugene Bethel, Florence-Siuslaw, Junction City, Mill City, Central, and West Salem.

     Cash donations of $3,250 were received from the following clubs:  Pendleton, South Salem, Central, Lake Oswego, and Crooked River Ranch.  Note that three of these clubs are in other districts.

     Individuals who went above and beyond include the following:  1VDG Lynn Coon (Junction City), PDG Steve Moser (Central), Patty Harrison (Florence-Siuslaw), Susan Pfanner (Eugene Downtown), Ward Frederick (Silverton), Fran Silbernagel (Stayton), Heidi Ostrom (Silverton), and PDG Gary Mose (District G).

     If I’ve overlooked someone, please forgive me (and let me know who I missed).

      Portland TV station KGW filmed a story about the volunteers at the Gates kitchen, which has been feeding 300-500 people three meals a day.  To see the video, go to https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/volunteers-help-feed-families-in-the-santiam-canyon-after-devastating-wildfire/283-674af158-85c5-4776-b276-74b5555018f6.

     In case wildfires weren’t enough, PDG Steve Moser had applied for an LCI $10,000 COVID grant to be shared by the six counties in our district.  We could not give money directly to the county Offices of Emergency Management, so $1,666 worth of Personal Protective Equipment (gowns, gloves, and sanitizer) was delivered to each county.  The county officers were very appreciative as COVID supplies will continue to become hard to come by as we face another virus surge.

     Again, I want to shout out a big THANK YOU! to everyone who helped out in these trying times.  Keep up the good work and remember:

                                                Forward!  Upward!  Onward!

     As a parting thought, I offer this from Maya Angelou:  “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”

Keep Up The Good Work!

     “Everyone has that one friend that has absolutely no concept of geography.  If you can’t think which of your friends it is, it’s probably you.”

     One thing I discovered over the past few weeks is I had no concept of Oregon’s geography . . . . until the wildfires started burning.  I have now been to Gates, Mill City, Stayton, Newport, and Lincoln City following up on wildfire needs.  I admit I had to Google where some of them were before I took these road trips.  I was hoping to determine where the $10,000 LCIF disaster grant money could best be used. 

     It was heartbreaking to drive through a burned-out area and know that many of these people would now be homeless.  It was interesting to note how the fires seemed to hopscotch through town, burning some places and skipping over others.

     In addition to the LCIF grant, District R received monetary donations from several MD 36 clubs.  These donations allowed us to provide items that were not covered by the disaster grant.  In addition, we received donations from the public of clothing and food items from all over the state.  Thank you, District G and PDG Gary Mose!

     In Gates, the Silverton Lions Club has partnered with the Silverton Elks Club to set up a field kitchen where 300-500 people are being fed three meals a day.  They’re feeding evacuees, firefighters/first responders, and volunteers.  Several of the Lions from my Florence-Siuslaw club made the three-hour drive to Gates to help out with the kitchen.  It’s quite an operation!  The Silverton club has several grills and put them to good use.  There were also several non-Lion volunteers who felt they wanted to contribute and came from different parts of the district to help cook, clean table and commune with evacuees and other volunteers. 

     Napoleon Hill, an American self-help author, stated: “It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.”  This is certainly illustrated by the Oregon Lions response to this ongoing wildfire crisis.  Keep Up The Good Work!

Can you find a personal mission in all this devastation?

     Greetings, fellow Lions!  Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to go forth into your community and serve.  As always, should you or any members of your club be active, I will spread the word.

     Speaking of missions, are you familiar with the Lions Mission Statement? 

     “To create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through community involvement and international cooperation.”

     That’s about as far as I got before wildfires started spreading throughout our district.  Little did we know what opportunities would arise as a result.  This disaster will clearly give all Lions a chance to provide “voluntary services through community involvement” close to home.

     District R has received approval of an LCIF emergency grant for $10,000.  We will need input from all the clubs in the district – who is affected, what is being done, how Lions are participating in disaster relief, etc.  We will also need photos of Lions in action to submit to LCIF.   

     W. Clement Stone stated, “When you discover your mission, it will fill you with enthusiasm and a burning desire to get to work on it.”  Look around you.  What do you see?  Towns completely destroyed or heavily damaged.  Homes and businesses burned to the ground.  500,000 people under evacuation orders of some sort.  Lions who have lost their homes.  Lions who have welcomed evacuees into their homes.   

     Can you find a personal mission in all this devastation?  Clubs can make donations to a district fund to be disbursed along with the LCIF grant monies.  Lions can volunteer at shelters and evacuation sites, sort and hand out supplies, build livestock pens, feed those who have been evacuated, welcome people into their own homes.

     As stated by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: “The mission of your life should be to leave a better world behind than what you inherited.” 

     We’re Lions and “We Serve!”  Step up and take the challenge!  We can do this!