News from the District Governor
Hi Fellow Lions...
Here we are at the beginning of March, three quarters of the way through my year as your District Governor, and time is just flying by. Again I must apologise for this March newsletter being late. Normally I like to have my part of it with Peter by the end of the month. But February has been a busy time, with the March visits starting almost straight away.
Our District Convention will be with us in a couple of weeks, and I am assured by the Host Team it is going to be a Fun Packed Weekend. Have you booked in yet? If not, it is not too late to do so; we still have some spaces left. So why not come on over the Solent for a right old "Carry On". Cannot make the whole weekend? So why not come for the Business session on Saturday? That is the time when decisions are made that affect this District, and as Lions you all have a say in those decisions and what we do. It is your District and I would love to see you all there. When is it? 23rd to 25th March 2012. Where is it? Norton Grange Holiday Centre, Yarmouth, I.O.W. Just a 10 minute walk up from the Wightlink ferry. Full details are on the Web site http://carryonacrossthesolent.org.uk/.
It has come to my notice that at least one Club in the District has planted some trees for International President Tam's project, and have in fact been sent an award from him for doing it. Well done Meon Valley. So have any more of you planted trees and received an award? Please let me know if you have planted trees during this fiscal year or are going to do so before the end of June! Have you reported it to Oakbrook on the Activity page? As DG it would be nice to know if we are getting anywhere near our target.
Well done to all the Clubs that have been busy recruiting new members. It has been great being able to badge them up on my visits, quite a privilege for me. This was especially so when I helped Fleet and the Zone badge up and swear in the members of the New Branch of Aldershot at the start of the month (see photo top of page). Another really great privilege during the last couple of months as been the presenting of "Melvin Jones Fellowships" to some of the Lions. Welcome to you all to the MJF group.
Just like we do at Cabinet meetings where the DG's partner helps keep the District Officers' partners entertained, the Chair of Council's partner does the same at the Council of Governors meetings. So at the end of January whilst the DGs were in Council, the partners were being taught how to make jewellery in a workshop and of course there were twice as many of them at that time as the VDG partners were there also. I do not think any of them are going to change their careers just yet. But Ann said it was good fun and very interesting and they all finished up with a set of jewellery they had made themselves.
Since last months newsletter, Ann and I have made 12 Club visits, attended 4 Charter nights, including Hook and Odiham's 25th, a really great evening with everyone enjoying themselves (although I did manage to upset a table full of jars of cream, fortunately no one had a camera handy, nor hurt, nor clothes damaged. Phew!). Also I had the privilege of presenting a Melvin Jones Fellowship award to Lion Norman Apps at the Weymouth Charter, another great evening; I just do not know where Lions get all their energy from!
The following morning after the Weymouth Charter saw Ann and I driving north to Dudley to be there in time to see the presentations from the 13 Young Ambassador finalists and to hear the results of the judging. Unfortunately there were only 12 youths present as the girl from District I had been taken unwell and could not attend, due to having to return to hospital for treatment. The 12 youths attending decided to donate the raffle from their Friday night quiz to the charity that deals with Leukaemia; this is the calibre of these young folk. Not only did these youths get time with each other that they met there, but had to perform in front of the local Mayor and the International 1st Vice President Lion Wayne Madden, who had made a special detour of his world tour, just to see how we do the YA competition. Unfortunately our candidate Laura, from Eastleigh did not win. But she certainly did our District and the Club proud, a brilliant young lady. But as we always say, there are no losers in this competition, because all the youths are winners in their own right, and what they manage to do with their time is so fantastic, so our encouragement really helps them to go on and achieve even more. The winner of the MD competition really was astounding and stood out above the others.
This month of March is going to be just as busy, we have at least 6 clubs to visit during the month, along with 4 Charters. Then there is the National United Nations day in Westminster with the visit of our International President Lion Win Kun Tam. Also of course the month will end with our own Convention, don't forget to be there. I look forward to seeing as many of you as I can during that weekend and during the next few months.
Remember for Lions nothing is impossible if "We Believe". Because if we believe we can do it then we will do it and make a difference to somebody, somewhere. I take a quote from the speech of the young lady who won the MD, YA competition, when she said, "it is not what you say, nor what you do, that makes the difference or how you will be remembered. But how you say it and how you do it that makes the difference".
Please do not forget Lion Ann's Charity, Canine Partners http://www.caninepartners.org.uk/, a little from all of you could make a big difference for some people who will get doggy helpers. They will be at convention for the weekend and doing a demo on the Saturday afternoon.
Well enough from me, got to get back to travelling around to meet you all.
All the best from Lion Ron your DG and his spouse Lion Ann.
Membership
I would like to welcome to our district and to Lionism the following new members, as reported to Oakbrook by 29th February 2012.
- James Nesbit, of Blackmore Vale Lions
- Graham Halls, and Jane Halls of Christchurch Lions
- Alex Crawford, Carol Cross, Carole Ann Hambleton
- Ian Hambleton and Janet Jones of the Aldershot branch of Fleet Lions
- Margaret Miles of G M S Lions
- Mike Corbett of Havant Lions
- Diana Angelis and Peter Angelis of Meon Valley Lions
- Briget Smith of New Milton Lion
- Jackie Bowers of Petersfield Lions
- Geoffrey Packman of Reading Lions
- Martyn Douglas, Janet Hammerton, and Stephen Hammerton of Southampton Lions
- George Pothecary of Wareham Lions
- Paul Skinner of Windsor Lions
- Paul Beaumont, James Corbridge and Mark Duesbury 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
Unfortunately in amongst all the good things we do, we have to have moments of sadness, and this month 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.
- Lion Colin France of Blackmore Vale Lions Club
- Lion John Wilson-Brown, of Romsey Lions Club
Also as I write this I have just heard of the death of a great Lion and a friend PID Lion Phillip Daubeney, member of Jersey Lions and associate member of Fleet Lions, he will be greatly missed. I am sure all our thoughts will be with Rita and his family at this time.
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.
DG travels over the month of March, April and start of May are as follows
March 2012
Thursday 1st Christchurch official club visit
Saturday 3rd Hook & Odiham 25th Charter night
Monday 5th Meon Valley Club visit
Tuesday 6th Wimborne & Ferndown club visit
Thursday 8th Trowbridge club visit
Saturday 10th Poole Lions Charter Lunch
Saturday 10th Joint Charter Dinner New Milton/Lymington
Monday 12th Swanage club visit
Tuesday 13th Lions UN day Westminster & London China Town
Wednesday 14th G M S club visit
Monday 19th Windsor club visit
Fri/Sunday 23rd /25th District Convention. All Lions Welcome
Saturday 31st Sandown & Shanklin Swimarathon
April 2012
Sunday 1st Newport Charter Lunch
Monday 2nd Portsmouth official club visit
Sunday 15th Melvin Jones Lunch, Bournemouth
Monday 16th Waterloovile official club visit
Friday 20th Warminster Charter
Saturday 21st Gosport Charter
Monday 23rd Long Rang Planning, Newbury
Sunday 29th Bridport Charter Lunch
The start of May 2012
Wednesday 2nd to Monday 7th
M D Convention plus Council of Governors meeting
Looking forward to seeing you all on my visits.
DG Lion Ron and Ann
Download the PDF file
Previous PDF files are available on the Newsletters page.
