Hello Fellow Lions

Well my first month as district governor has come and gone.  We have had our first cabinet meeting; I have visited a few clubs and have experienced the support of my fellow Lions.  Thank you.

During my quiet time this morning I began thinking of the purpose of Lionism, which is to serve, why are we Lions, when did we become a Lion or better yet, when did we become a Lion?  I became a Lion in October of 2006; I became a Lion in September 2011 when Fred and I went to Leader Dog School in Michigan.  I know all the facts of being a Lion and why our organization exists and who started the Lions organization and who challenged Melvin Jones to become knights of the blind. 

However; what I did not know is how much we as Lion’s do for our communities, for mankind, for humanity.  Just like Karen Taylor Good says in one of her songs, “The purpose of life is to give it away”.  The purpose of our human life is to serve, and to show compassion, and our willingness to help others in their time of need. 

The key is to find your purpose of being a Lion.  WHEN did you become a Lion?  I became a Lion because a friend asked me to join.  I BECAME a Lion when I realized the how much we do for our friends, neighbors, communities and even in the world.  I had the head knowledge, but having HEART knowledge is entirely different.  So I began to think, how one individual can impact others in our district, zones and clubs. I have listed a few ideas below.

• Everyone grow by one new member.  More hands make the load lighter to carry.  We can help our neighbors and friends by asking them to become part of the world’s largest service organization and serving with us in our communities to make it a better place to live. 
• We can hand out books at our “KidSight Screenings”.  Illiteracy is a large problem in the United States and throughout the world. International President Wayne Madden has asked to help through The Reading Action Program (RAP)
• Change our way of thinking.  The world is changing and we need to change as well or we will not progress or proceed with our purpose of Lionism. We must evolve to keep pace and to make a difference in the lives of others.
• Let’s be better communicators.  No one is a mind reader.  If you have a problem let me know.  I may be able to help.
• If you have an idea, let me know.  As a team we can make your idea a reality.
• Call a neighboring club and ask if they need help with one of their projects. 

These are just a few ideas and some may think they are not very good, but remember at least it is a beginning to something maybe even greater.

Thank you for listening to me and I pray that each one of you will think about “WHEN YOU BECAME A LION”.

Thank you for helping me to BECOME A LION!

DG Diane Wilkerson