News from the District Governor
Hi Fellow Lions...
Well here we are at Halloween and another month gone by, time passes so quickly when you are having fun. During this past month of October I have visited 12 clubs, attended 6 Charter celebrations, 2 special events and a funeral, along with all the other things a DG has to do.
District Service
One or two things stand out, firstly our District Service at the very start of the month. What a great day that was, firstly the sun shone all day, making it almost like summer. The Fordingbridge Air Cadets looked so smart as the guard of honour for all the dignitaries. Then the young children from Western Downland Church of England Primary School who sang the harvest songs for us so wonderfully. A really good day to remember and to rededicate ourselves to what we do as Lions. Ann and I really must thank all of you who came, to Lion Barrie and his team from Ringwood and Fordingbridge Lions as well as the Ladies who provided the tea, all of whom made it such a great day.
Charters
Some of the Charter celebrations we attended this month turned out to be a little different, one lunch and one dinner were with an Indian/Asian theme and meal, quite a change. Of course Windsor Lions 50th Charter was special, held in the Chapel at Beaumont House, where I got to toast the club on achieving their 50 years and presenting them with a certificate from Oakbrook, as well as reading a special letter from HRH the Countess of Wessex. Then whilst attending Fleet Charter we accidentally met with a 2nd VDG from the Trinidad and Tobago area, who just happened to be staying in the hotel on business.
Ann and I have found that we receive such warm and friendly welcomes from all the clubs and charters we visit, it makes us so proud to be part of the family of Lions.
My own club, Sandown and Shanklin (S & S), presented and launched a Trimaran yacht specially built for use by a disabled person, which can be launched from the beach. This yacht can be sailed and managed singlehanded, by disabled people and was presented to the Shanklin Yacht Club, who will look after it and arrange for local disabled people to use it. Another great pleasure was to be able to tell the Mombasa Project Chairman of my club that their request for a grant from LCIF towards the project had, at long last been granted. A big "Well done" to the S & S Lions who have not seen much of Ann and I this fiscal year so far.
Another pleasant duty has been badging up the new members on my club visits. Well done to all the clubs who are recruiting new members, we need them all. Keep up the good work, but please do try to hang on to those we already have.
I would also like to welcome to the cabinet team Lion Doreen Parfett from Woolmer Forest Lions, who is taking over as Zone Chairman in Zone I from Lion Eddy Baringer. Welcome to the team Doreen and I am sure you will enjoy the year and be made welcome by the Zone.
Please do not forget International President Tams, trees, we really do need to get some planted soon, and I Believe this district can do it, and it really will make a difference to the environment and be a lasting memory of Lions in your area.
I look forward to seeing as many Lions and partners as possible at the Cabinet meeting on the 20th November. This has been opened to all of you so that you can meet, listen to and question a current International Director, Lion Gudrun and her husband Past International Director Dr John Bjarni from Iceland. Please do try and come; it should be a good day out and there will be plenty to see and do that day at the Inn, at High Post for the Lions and their partners who attend. Please either telephone or email Lion David Firth the Sergeant at Arms if you are coming.
This is a good chance to have your say and see the cabinet in action.
Also I am looking forward to meeting and talking to as many Presidents and Vice Presidents as possible at the DGs "Meet the Presidents" lunch on Sunday 27th November at Moorhill Hotel in Burly, in the New Forest. At this lunch you will have the chance to meet the VDGs and other cabinet officers as well as other fellow presidents, over a very informal and relaxed lunch, with a festive feel. Not a President? Never mind, all Lions are welcome if they wish to come. Please get in touch with Lion Tony Baker of New Milton Lions who is organising it to make your menu choice. It is a 3 course meal plus coffee and Mince Pies and the price £19.50 includes the tip for the staff, which makes it very reasonable and a great chance for the family of Lions to get together socially and have some fun before the hard work of Christmas.
So maybe Ann and I will meet you at one of these events, I do hope so as we do enjoy meeting all the Lions where ever we go. Don't forget as I have said, I am your DG and a fellow Lion and am always happy to answer any questions on Lions that you may have, in the meantime keep up all the good work .
Lion Ann, (she who has to be obeyed) has asked me to remind you all that this year we have brought back the partners charity, at the request of many partners and lions. So this year her charity is, "Canine Partners", this is a group who train and provide dogs to disabled people. The dogs are trained to assist the disabled person by doing things the person can not do. They really are remarkable and has to be seen, to understand what the dogs can do and mean to their partners. We hope to have a demonstration at the January cabinet meeting and at Convention. If you would like to make a donation to this, please send cheques to our District Treasurer made out to 105D Lions and marked on the back for Canine Partners. Then we hope to be able to make a substantial donation at the DG Change-over in July. Ann thanks you all in anticipation of your support.
Convention
Now is also the best time to book in for the Convention, where we will all be "Carrying on across the Solent". This is the time to start planning your costumes. There will be a prize for the best club and the best couple, so get you're thinking caps on now. Booking forms are available online, it "really" is a good deal for 3 days of fun and fellowship on the Isle of Wight, the price for the car is an excellent deal as well.
Membership
I would like to welcome to our district and to Lionism the following new members, as reported to Oakbrook by 30th October 2011.
- Donna Chant, Marc Eland, and Alison Sales of Crofton Lions.
- Julie Louise Bone of Portsmouth Lions.
- Mark Glover and Stuart Thompson of Romsey Lions.
- Debbie Karabina, Ann Knobbs,
- David Paul Rose, Robert Jacob Rose, all from Sherborne Lions.
- Bartek Libicki from Swanage.
- Debbie Banbury and Sue Beaumont of Wokingham Lions.
I wish them all the best and hope that they have many happy years ahead serving with the family of Lions.
In Memoriam
The following Lions have passed to higher service, I am sure we all have their families in our thoughts.
- Neil Gardner of Christchurch Lions.
- Arthur J R Fowler of Portsmouth Lions.
To the families of those that I could not make it to their funeral, I am sorry, but it is not always possible to do so, but I will always try to ensure that the District is represented. I assure you that they have been in my thoughts just the same. Those I managed to get to, it was to celebrate their life, rather than mourn their passing.
My travels over the month of November are as follows.
November
1st Gosport Club visit.
2nd Finance meeting.
3rd Hart, club visit
6th Melvin Jones lunch
7th Lion Arthur J R Fowler (Portsmouth) Funeral.
7th Bournemouth club visit.
8th Bridport club visit.
9th Romsey club visit.
10th Ringwood and Fordingbridge, club visit.
12th Lord Mayors Show, London.
12th Wimborne and Ferndown Charter.
13th Remembrance Parade, London.
14th Goring and Woodcote club visit.
15th Woodley and Earley club visit.
20th Cabinet Meeting.
21st Hook and Odiham club visit.
23rd Wokingham club visit.
27th DGs Meet the Presidents Lunch.
28th Solent club visit.
December
7th Swanwick club visit.
13th Ryde club visit.
14th Southampton club visit.
DG Lion Ron and Ann
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