News from the District Governor
Hi Fellow Lions...
A very Happy and Prosperous New Year to you all, let us hope that 2012 will bring us all that we have wished for and desired. As we start a New Year and the second half of my year as your DG, I am sure it is going to be brilliant.
I know that all of you have been very busy with your various Christmas Fundraising and seasonal community projects, but after this short break, now is the time to go forth and build on the goodwill that you have spread during the festive period, by encouraging people to join your clubs, in order to help the District to grow and be able to do even better in the new year ahead.
During this first half of the year up to the start of December our membership was in a positive position, but by the end of December we had fallen drastically to a negative position, due to a loss of 31 members in the month. The District cannot sustain this type of loss. So come on my fellow Lions, I know you can do it, in fact "I Believe" you can. It is not just enrolling new members it is retaining those that we already have. I urge you to get us back into a positive membership position and end the fiscal year with an increase in numbers.
Also what about those trees International President Tam has asked us to plant. All the other districts have roared ahead and have been busy planting hundreds of trees everywhere, but all we are showing is 3 trees in 6 months on our activity reports, so come on fellow Lions let us show some District D spirit and show the other districts we can do it just as well.
OK, so that is enough of the moans and groans, what about the positives. I am sure all the clubs and the Lions in this district have been very, very, busy this last month, raising funds and spreading good cheer wherever they have been, as well as having a great time of fellowship with one and another. I must admit it is great playing Father Christmas and meeting all the young children who are so ready to believe in the magic of Christmas. Ann and I spent several days as Santa Claus and Elf in Santa's Grotto at the Island Steam Railway. Very tiring but such a great joy when you see the little faces light up as you talk to them, and they think you are real. Then there is the pleasure of bringing joy to the needy when by delivering a food parcel you can relieve the misery of their life.
Another first for Lions International and a great step forward, was the signing of the Partnership agreement between Lions Clubs International and the World Health Organisation, which was done during December in Geneva by the DG of W.H.O. Margaret Chan and our own International President Dr Win Kum Tam, finally after 30 years of working together we are now to be recognised as partners.
Also during December and hopefully during the rest of this year you should have heard and will be hearing, lions Clubs being mentioned on Classic FM radio as we work in partnership with them to help with music for the deaf. Perhaps these will help with recruiting new Lions. January also sees the start of our new national signature projects scheme; this will be promoting Young Leaders in Service and Lions Eye Health Program. Please support these schemes as much as you can, as I am sure that one of the spin offs will be a chance to gain new members, as well as helping the young and those with sight problems.
I had the pleasure when attending my own club on my official visit to their combined business and Christmas social evening, to present the International President's Certificate of Appreciation to Lions Helen and Mike Spencer for their work on the Mombasa orphanage and clinic. They were unable to receive this at the cabinet meeting from International Director Gudrun, because they were both in Mombasa at the time overseeing the foundations being laid.
During the past few weeks Lion Graham Drayton decided to stand down from his position as the District's Global Leadership Team Coordinator, for personal reasons. I am sad to see Graham go, as I was the person who pushed for his appointment, but I understand his decision. This does mean we have a vacancy to fill for this 3 year post. So if you feel you could do the job please write and apply to either myself or the District Secretary by the 1st of March.
Now is the time to get your bookings in for your District Convention, being held at Norton Grange on the Isle of Wight in March. The island Lions are doing their best to ensure you will have a fun packed weekend of entertainment, good food and fellowship as well as your AGM. The very reasonable price of just £165 p.p. really is good value for the full package. So why not give it a go and join us all as we "Carry on Across the Solent" to the Carry On themes? You have 36 of the various films from which to choose your costume.
Ann has asked me to remind you all that her charity for this year is Canine Partners, she will have a lady talking about it at the January cabinet meeting and hopefully a display and demo at the convention. Talking about cabinet meetings we are always happy to welcome any Lion from the district who would like to attend a cabinet meeting as an observer - just contact me, the District Secretary or the District Sgt at Arms. Details are in the District or Multiple District directory. Your club secretary should have copies of these.
As I said during these last couple of weeks in December, I have had a bit of a rest and been helping my own club fundraise as well as assist the local steam railway. I have also spent a lot of time sorting out the running order for Convention as well as various reports. But from the 4th January we are back on the road again, visiting the clubs and meeting up with as many Lions as we can. It looks as if we will be very busy right through to Convention in March.
So come on all you Lions of 105D let us start 2012 with a bang and show people that Lions are a real group to be proud to belong to, and because "We Believe We Can We Do" meet the challenge and get the job done.
I would like to welcome to our district and to Lionism the following new members, as reported to Oakbrook by 31st December 2011.
- Jane Jones of Hart Lions Club
- Janet McKay of Sandown & Shanklin Lions Club
- Carmel Fitall of Swanwick Lions Club
- Ian Michael Barette of Jersey Lions Club.
I wish them all the best and hope that they have many happy years ahead serving with the family of Lions.
I am sorry we have to say farewell to the following Lions who have passed to higher service, I am sure we all have their families in our thoughts.
- Reginald Arthur Caines of Andover Lions Club
- Lewis Harold Careswell of Poole Lions Club
- David Hatton of Reading Lions Club
- Elaine Denise Davis of Wimborne and Ferndown Lions Club.
I do try my best to get to the funerals but if I am unable to, then I try to get a District Officer to represent myself and the District.
D G travels January to start of March are as follows:-
January 2012
Wednesday 4th Lymington, official club visit,
Thursday 5th Newport, official club visit,
Sunday 6th Fly to Jersey,
Monday 9th Jersey, official club visit,
Tuesday 10th fly to Guernsey, do official club visit
Thursday 12th fly to Southampton, Hayling Island official club visit,
Friday 13th-14th Bournemouth Young Ambassador District Finals,
Sunday 15th Salisbury, Cabinet Meeting,
Wednesday 18th Zone meeting, I o W,
Saturday 21st Loddon Valley Charter Night,
Sunday 22nd attending the PDG lunch in Salisbury,
Monday 23rd New Milton, official club visit,
Tuesday 24th Maidenhead, official club visit,
Thursday 26th Newbury, official club visit,
Friday 27th-29th Council of Governors, Solihull.
February 2012.
Wednesday 1st Fleet, official club visit,
Saturday 4th Possible SE convention?
Sunday 5th Burnham Charter Lunch,
Monday 6th Boscombe official club visit,
Wednesday 8th Yateley, official club visit,
Thursday 9th Alton, official club visit,
Friday 10th - 11th Possible help Sandown & Shanklin with fundraising,
Sunday 12th attend my Grandsons Christening in Northampton,
Monday 13th Bracknell, official club visit,
Tuesday 14th Ryde, official club visit,
Wednesday 15th Bradford on Avon, official club visit,
Saturday 18th Weymouth Charter Night,
Sunday 19th Possible attend MD Young Ambassador Finals Birmingham,
Monday 20th Pangbourne & Theale, official club visit
Thursday 23rd Burnham, official club visit,
Saturday 25th Sandown & Shanklin Charter Night,
Monday 27th Andover, official club visit.
Saturday March 3rd Hook & Odiham 25th Charter night.
Looking forward to seeing you all on my visits.
DG Lion Ron and Ann
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