Message from DG Ed Gibbons

Fellow Lions,

I have just returned from the USA/ Canada Lions Leadership Forum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. I am bursting with pride over two of our District 12N Lions. They are PDG Wendy Cain and Lion Brandon Johnson. They both were presenters at the Forum. PDG Wendy’s topic was “Lions University: Understanding It and Using It In Your District”. Lion Brandon’s was “Young Adult Recruiting Strategies”, involving and retaining younger members. Lion Brandon was on a panel for discussion on “Lions Institute Programs”. Both Lions did a fantastic job and I am so proud that we have them in our District. It was a very successful Forum; and, as I said before, put it on your bucket list to attend. Next year the Forum is in Grand Rapids, Michigan, September 17-19, 2015.

I have visited quite a few clubs and will be coming to yours in the near future. See the Calendar for my revised schedule of visits. If your club has a conflict with my schedule, please let me know as soon as possible. I do have some open dates for you to review; perhaps those dates will work for my visit. I would like to publish a weekly or bi-bimonthly e-mail to all clubs, notifying everyone of all happenings in our District. To make this possible, I am asking all clubs to e-mail me information regarding your club events. For example, Dandridge Lions Club has contacted me that they are having their White Cane Days on October 3rd and 4th and November 8th near the downtown courthouse. Also, they are requesting used eyeglasses at the same time. This information lets everyone know that your Club is not alone in serving others.

International President Joe Preston mentioned in his newsletter that during Membership months of October and April, your club can earn special recognition by adding new members. October is New Membership Month. He and I would like your club to set a goal of adding new members. All it takes is asking one person to join your club.

President Preston will award Lions Clubs members a Membership Growth Awards consisting of a Silver Pin for any Lion that sponsors a new member in October 2014, a Gold Pin for Lions that sponsor a member in October and April 2015 and a Banner Patch for Clubs that add new members in October and April 2015. So District 12N, let’s make sure that October and April next year are our biggest growth months in new members. However, please keep in mind we can ask and recruit members every month of the year!! It starts by asking a friend, a neighbor or a family member to join. President Preston has also asked clubs to host a vision-related service project to support our Centennial Service Challenge goal of serving 100 million people. Let’s all work together to grow our clubs and meet our Centennial Service goal.

Thank you for your service to your communities. That’s what Lions Clubs do and we are proud to do it. I look forward to visiting your Club.

District Governor Ed Gibbons