News from the District Governor
Fellow members of District 105D.
It gives me great pleasure to be able to communicate to you through our District monthly newsletter. Throughout the 18 months that I have been preparing for the role of District Governor I have been busy visiting clubs and Zones. I have listened to what clubs members are saying and there are a few themes that are recurrent again and again. By far the most common view expressed strongly by clubs is that the number of officers on District Cabinet is too large. This will be no surprise to anyone taking the time to read this newsletter. The second part of this thought process is that District Cabinet is remote from clubs. I had the pleasure of being part of bringing the Bottoms Up presentation to the clubs and the Zones and again no surprises there that the themes emerging through that presentation was that not only is Cabinet too big but also we need a review of our projects. The latter part of this sentence I will leave to the next newsletter.
My vision for the District for this year has been formulated on the opinions set out above. I have a smaller cabinet totalling 36, partly because it is the expressed wish of our Lions club members and also because I also believe that a smaller cabinet has the opportunity to get the business carried out quickly and efficiently while having time to plan for the future of our District and its membership.
Our membership has been static if not falling slightly year on year. We as a District have not been successful in forming many new clubs within the last 10 years. I have given this responsibility to the Regional teams of which there are 5. It is my belief that the Regional Club Development Chairman and his/her Regional Development Officers know the geography and the clubs best within their Region and are therefore best placed to help the clubs and plan for the possibility of where new clubs can grow or where there may be clubs who need help and advice from those teams to retain their existing membership. The teams will be supported by the Zone Chairmen who will now report direct to me and meet with me on their own in a pre-Cabinet session to express any concerns they may have.
At the information day in May all five Regional teams were asked to develop an outline of their plan and then to met again before the end of June to further develop those plans. As I check on my emails whilst attending International Convention here in Australia, I am pleased to say that these meetings are being planned. Well done, and thank you to all of the Regional teams.
I am also currently in discussion with my 1st and 2nd VDGs - Ron and Roger - and also Judith as IPDG about the question of club visits. Part of the reason why LCI set up DG Teams and introduced the additional role of 2nd VDG was to reduce the workload for the DG and allow them more time to plan more strategically for the organisation both at District level via District Cabinet and National level via Council of Governors. The practice of sharing visits has long been common in countries like Germany where geographical distances make it a necessity. Whilst we don't have excessive mileage, our major road networks do not always give us the best service and time then also becomes a critical factor. I may be asking you very soon whether your club wishes to have the DG visit your club annually or whether a member of the DG team (probably the 1st VDG) visits your club. We may also have a debate on this subject at Convention - the results of both will give my successors unambiguous feedback for the best way forward.
Saturday I attended the first session of the DGE seminar and heard the 2010/2011 International President - Sid Scruggs III - give his alternative to the meaning of the letters LIONS. His version meant "Loving Individuals Offering Needed Service" - a phrase which for me encapsulates what I and 1.3 million other like-minded individuals belong to this organisation for. We are not here for self glorification, awards or the like; no, we joined because deep down we cared for others and saw the opportunity to turn that care into practical hands-on service when we were called upon to help. People are generally sick and tired of the mantra that we need more members but unfortunately it is a fact that we do need more members to maintain and extend the level of service we are able to provide now, but we must also not forget that we need to look after our own members as well who maybe cannot now do as much as they could years ago - they also need our help and support.
The International President's theme is very much centered on service. A lighthouse near where he lives has become his inspiration for his presidential message. His theme is Beacon of Hope. As the light house guides the ships safely to harbour while alerting the ships of the danger, so too is the service of the Lions needed now more than ever to be a beacon, a light of hope for all those who are in need of our help through service.
This year I have decided to make the DG's newsletter and the District Newsletter available on web and by email only where the link can be passed by email to members who will see a far better resolution in colour. It is estimated that to send out printed copies in the post costs 44p per club for the DG newsletter and 55p per club for the District Newsletter and that is on current postal charges. I have ascertained that all clubs in this District have at least one person on email who could pass on a printed copy to members not on email far cheaper than the District can. If any club has particular difficulty with this please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss it and I will see what arrangements can be made to accommodate your needs.
I will finish with a quote from the song the Beacon of Hope. "When the raging storms of life rush in, bringing darkness. When the dream fades and despair takes its place. Then like a faithful lighthouse on the not too distant shore, A Lion stands as a ray of light to show the way".
Let us always remember that through the strength of Serving together, our light is shining brighter than ever.
Finally, I look forward to seeing you at our Handover on 18th July at the Novotel, Southampton.
Lions Brigid and Mike - July 2010
Yes we can!
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