News from the District Governor
Hi Fellow Lions...
What a year it has been, it has gone so fast and with so many good memories of my time spent with you all. Ann and I have thoroughly enjoyed our visits to the clubs, (only 2 left to do) and to the Charters, (still a few of them to do), we have been amazed by how much you all do and in the different ways you do it. But most of all has been the really warm way in which we have been welcomed and received. I must say and I may be just a bit biased, but we think D is the best district to serve, and I hope I have served you well over these past 10 months. I know we changed a few things this year, such as the reporting system and the way cabinet is run, but all for the better I hope. I also hope that the decisions made by the majority of the District Governors on the Council of Governors, have been for the best.
Our decision to visit all the clubs during my year, I feel was right for us. Ann and I have learnt and gained so much from them, it has also been an enjoyable part of being the DG, as has also attending your Charters, and we have received so much good fellowship and had great fun in all the visits. We have whenever possible tried to attend other functions the clubs have invited us to, if we were free. I felt that this was a better use of our time than visiting the committees; after all I did appoint their leaders and had to have faith that they would do a good job, rather than be looking over their shoulders so to speak. I feel that we as a district are in good health and growing slowly, with all clubs both large and small delivering the service to the communities and Lions International that they were formed to do.
As I say things are slowing down now and we often sit indoors thinking that there should be something we should be doing, or someplace we should be, but I am sure that the District or our own club will not let us be idle for long.
It is good to see that despite a slow start, many clubs have taken up the challenge of International President Lion Tam to plant trees, I believe we may be well over the 500 mark by now, must check Peter's Tree Meter to see just how many we have planted so far. Please don't stop as there are still 2 months left to go this fiscal year.
Also it is great how so many of you have chosen to contribute to Lion Ann's charity, "Canine Partners" this year, they will be so pleased. I hope by the June newsletter to have some idea of how much you have contributed to this good cause, and with DG elect, Roger's permission present it to them at the Handover evening.
Another great pleasure has been the presenting of awards and certificates to so many of you.
These are not just from me, but are given because you the Lions put the names of the recipients forward for consideration of the award. So whether it is a Club Presidents award, a DG award or an IP award, no matter at what level it is from, it is always well deserved and justified, and the recipients should be proud to have received them. I have tried when possible to present them myself or to get higher officers to do it, unfortunately this is not always possible, so do not be disappointed if it is done by some one else on my behalf, it is still well earned.
Just remember as IP Tam says, "I Believe", that if you believe that you can do something then just like the humble Bumble Bee, who fly's because he believes he can, you can and will achieve what you want to achieve. Also you all do serve others before yourselves, as Lions always do, and we do it with 'Fun and Fellowship'.
I hope to see many of you in May at the District Training day, or the Paultons Park event, but for know keep Believing and Carry On.
I attended the Media Studies morning in Windsor organised by the Lions in that area. This proved to be very interesting and well presented by Lion Richard Winrow. Well worth doing more of them in other parts of the district. Whilst there I was able to present Lion Richard Keely with my DG Appreciation Certificate. Then it was off down to Ringwood to attend their Charter anniversary, a really great evening, with superb entertainment from a solo singer, whilst there I had the privilege of presenting on behalf of the President, Barrie his Appreciation Certificates to two of his club members.
The next morning, it was off in the rain to Bridport to attend their Charter lunch, and after the meal we were kept in good spirits with the entertainment from Bonny Sartin a member of the Yetties, with jokes and folk songs, which really drove away the blues of the wind and rain.
A couple of days later saw Ann and I setting off to Birmingham for my last COG meeting and the Multiple District Convention. The next 6 days were really quite exhausting and exciting. We all went and raised a new flag, at the National Exhibition Centre, (a Lions flag has been kept flying there since the International Convention, and it needed replacing).
We all also took part in planting a tree outside the Hotel. The 'we' being past International President Al Brandell our own Past International Directors Phil Nathan and Howard Lee and members of the current council and the council elect.
The host night saw members from district D dressed in various forms of Equestrian participants from grooms to jockeys and dressage ladies. Several of us paraded in, headed by the Head groom, myself leading on a set of coloured ribbons, a small herd of fillies and riders entering the maiden stakes. I must say they were very well behaved.
During the evening we were entertained by a performance of several disabled gymnasts, even encouraging Lions to take part. I have to admit that the Disabled Gymnasts were better than the Lions.
Saturday evening we were entertained by a Bob Miller big band, I noticed that D were all on good form.
At the DGs last supper we were all presented by Council Chairman Tony, his Certificate of Appreciation.
During the actual convention 3 members from our district received awards presented to them by Al Brandel. Lion Mike Collen received the Burt Mason Humanitarian Award, for his work with youth, PDG Pat Nixon received IP Tam's Certificate of Appreciation, for all her work as Portfolio Coordinator, and Helen Spencer received IP Tam's Medal for her work with the Mombasa Orphanage.
DG Elect, Roger Munday was well and truly received in with due pomp and ceremony by members of the District along with all the other DG Elects.
Sunday night saw many of our District enjoying a meal together in one of the hotel restaurants, ably organised by our own PCC Lion David Firth, which provided a fitting end to the MD week. A really great 5 days of, Lions business and most importantly Fun and Fellowship, with friends old and new.
Next weekend will see us at the District Lions Awareness Day, followed by Fareham 50th Charter and our 21st Paultons Park event, so for now I will sign off until next month and my last addition to DG's newsletter.
Membership
I would like to welcome to our District and to Lionism the following new members, as reported to Oakbrook by 30th April 2012.
- Martin Meears of Bracknell
- Phillip Alan Whittaker of Burnham
- Harry Mudd of Fleet Sirius
- Anne Pullin of G M S
- Wendy Jill Franklin & Sue Rider of Henley on Thames
- Victor Caraballo of Weymouth & Portland
- Evgeni Ganey of Woodley & Early
- Neil Ginnis of Jersey
I wish them all the best and hope that they have many happy years ahead serving with the family of Lions.
D G travels over the next months are as follows.
May 2012
2nd -7th M D Convention plus C o G meeting
10th Westbury Club visit.
12th District Training Alton.
12th Fareham 50th Charter.
13th Paultons Park.
14th Cosham club visit, and hopefully a visit to
the St Edmunds Leo Club Birthday.
19th Westbury Charter.
20th Cabinet and Pre cabinet Meetings, Amesbury.
27th Blackmore Vale Charter Lunch.
28th GMT/GLT meeting Southampton.
June 2012
13th Cowes club visit
15th-17th Blackmore vale rally, try to visit, some time
over the weekend.
16th Reading Charter night.
22nd Boscombe Charter Night.
30th Goring & Woodcote Charter Night.
July 2012
1st Blandford, Charter/Handover Lunch.
14th District Handover Day.
Looking forward to seeing you all on my visits.
DG Lion Ron and Ann
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