We learn through Lions Club that our year goes from July to June. We do not celebrate with songs like Auld Lang Syne, party favors or even dropping the ball. Our biggest tribute is electing new cabinet members. This  brings about change. Not everybody is going to like change, but on the other change is not always bad. Lions International thrives on new leaders. New leaders bring on new ideas and new innovations. But we must ask ourselves, what should we as Lions expect out of our new leadership?

When a leader takes command of a room or meeting, a positive flow comes to mind. A new leader should  generate a positive vibe throughout the room. This should be like a flow of electricity. One that lights every bulb or every human being. Everybody should feel like they belong and be encouraged to participate. A negative flow is one that shows nothing is being accomplished. This quality starts with the incoming president and flows down the rest of the cabinet.

Communication comes next. Everybody must get talking. Lions International promotes teamwork. A team that works effectively is one that communicates with one another and listens to all ideas. Every Lions Club member has a say or vote in the matter.

A prime example is when we do a service project or fundraiser. A committee is formed so that every aspect of the project is covered by a member. All members report when their task is done. Then a report is made at the
club meeting to inform the rest of the club of the progress being made.

Problem solving can come easy or hard to some extent. We all have problems or disagreements from time to time. It is how we work these problems out that makes us unique. From time to time, we use the old cliché’, “if it is not broken, don’t fix it’. This does not always solve that problem. We must be open to traveling down a different road. There is always more than one answer.

Where does all this lead? TRAINING. I am asking every club to consider club officer training. As an answer to Lions Internationals’ Global Approach, I have asked IPDG Rich Wilson to be the District 12-N Global Leadership Team coordinator. We are having club officer training at our organizational meeting July, 29 2023. We need, as a district, to encourage training that supports our clubs and our leaders. Please join me!

DG Frank McCall