End of Term Message from our District Governor
As we enter the final month of our Lion’s year for our District Cabinet of 2020-2021, I am overcome with feelings of sadness, but more so with feelings of happiness and pride.
Sadness because we have all encountered many changes in the past year. Changes which started, in March 2020, with a decision to cancel our District Convention due to CoVid. Changes which were brought about by economics and restructure within our overall organization as we knew it. The passing of many members of our Lions/Lioness family and the loss of some of our ‘sister clubs’.
Happiness and Pride because we have not let these changes bring us down. Quite the contrary!!
I have seen our membership across the District respond in new and creative ways to serve their communities in need. We have become closer as a District. As a family. We have not just helped our communities, but we have helped our neighbouring clubs and our fellow/sister members. We have partnered with other NFP associations and with businesses. Sometimes we have even served at risk to own health. The sharing of ideas. The sharing of projects. Serving Together.
We have lived our ‘creed’ that “Where there is a Need ~ There is a Lion.”
As a District Governor I had two key personal goals. Those goals are reflected on my DG pin.
We Serve in Unity Kindness Matters
Those goals: those ‘expressions’ were decided before I had even heard of CoVid or had any inkling how it would change our Lion’s world ~ But ~ in my opinion became more needed and more important because of CoVid.
Lions; Lioness Lions; Leos ~ you have all more than risen to the occasion.
Your service has become noticed and broadcast throughout the District in more ‘mediums’ than ever before. Your service has become ‘infectious’. Your service, combined with the strong efforts of your Service Chairs; your Membership Chairs; your Zone and Region Chairs has resulted in one of our best years of membership growth ~ in some time. Because of your efforts. Your Service.
The public has seen you Serving in Unity and with Kindness. They want to be a part of it. They need to be a part of it. Human nature demands we play it forward. They too have chosen to become members.
I began the year in our Directory addressing the proverbial elephant in the room. The LCI decision on restructuring the Lioness. I will end it likewise. Personally, I am (as I believe all Lions are) forever thankful to all our sister Lioness for what they have done; for what they have given ~ to the community and beyond for so many years. You are and always will be heroes. I know that many have had to make a very personal and difficult decision. To those of you who have chosen to continue as Lioness Lions or Lions, my heartfelt thanks for your continuance of service as our Service Partners. To those of you who have chosen to move forward as Swans ~ my heartfelt wishes and blessings for your Service journey
To each member of A1 ~ I thank you. I thank you for your support this year. For your guidance and for helping me to grow. I have been both blessed and honoured to serve as the District Governor for the bestest darn District, Clubs, and members in our Lions organization.
Blessings to you all ~ from our house to your house
Lion Dan and Lion Gayle
Sadness because we have all encountered many changes in the past year. Changes which started, in March 2020, with a decision to cancel our District Convention due to CoVid. Changes which were brought about by economics and restructure within our overall organization as we knew it. The passing of many members of our Lions/Lioness family and the loss of some of our ‘sister clubs’.
Happiness and Pride because we have not let these changes bring us down. Quite the contrary!!
I have seen our membership across the District respond in new and creative ways to serve their communities in need. We have become closer as a District. As a family. We have not just helped our communities, but we have helped our neighbouring clubs and our fellow/sister members. We have partnered with other NFP associations and with businesses. Sometimes we have even served at risk to own health. The sharing of ideas. The sharing of projects. Serving Together.
We have lived our ‘creed’ that “Where there is a Need ~ There is a Lion.”
As a District Governor I had two key personal goals. Those goals are reflected on my DG pin.
We Serve in Unity Kindness Matters
Those goals: those ‘expressions’ were decided before I had even heard of CoVid or had any inkling how it would change our Lion’s world ~ But ~ in my opinion became more needed and more important because of CoVid.
Lions; Lioness Lions; Leos ~ you have all more than risen to the occasion.
Your service has become noticed and broadcast throughout the District in more ‘mediums’ than ever before. Your service has become ‘infectious’. Your service, combined with the strong efforts of your Service Chairs; your Membership Chairs; your Zone and Region Chairs has resulted in one of our best years of membership growth ~ in some time. Because of your efforts. Your Service.
The public has seen you Serving in Unity and with Kindness. They want to be a part of it. They need to be a part of it. Human nature demands we play it forward. They too have chosen to become members.
I began the year in our Directory addressing the proverbial elephant in the room. The LCI decision on restructuring the Lioness. I will end it likewise. Personally, I am (as I believe all Lions are) forever thankful to all our sister Lioness for what they have done; for what they have given ~ to the community and beyond for so many years. You are and always will be heroes. I know that many have had to make a very personal and difficult decision. To those of you who have chosen to continue as Lioness Lions or Lions, my heartfelt thanks for your continuance of service as our Service Partners. To those of you who have chosen to move forward as Swans ~ my heartfelt wishes and blessings for your Service journey
To each member of A1 ~ I thank you. I thank you for your support this year. For your guidance and for helping me to grow. I have been both blessed and honoured to serve as the District Governor for the bestest darn District, Clubs, and members in our Lions organization.
Blessings to you all ~ from our house to your house
Lion Dan and Lion Gayle
MESSAGE FROM DISTRICT GOVERNOR DAN ARMSTRONG
District Governor Dan Armstrong
with his wife and fellow Lion, Gayle. |
Welcome Fellow Lions; Lioness and Leo’s of District A-1 to our Second Century of Service. 1VDG Valerie Burningham; 2VDG Ev Spiering and I look forward to starting this new Century of Service, in Canada ~ together with you.
We have ended our First Century as Lions in Canada with some unexpected challenges. We have lost some great Lions throughout our whole organization. We now start a fresh century with a fresh outlook. We must respect the past and look forward to the future. There will be changes, no doubt, on how meetings and conventions etc are held in the future ~ but I am confident, knowing who we are and what we are ~ that we can adapt. We will continue to work and grow together. We will stand strong. We will continue to Serve. Please make a note of when the Cabinet Meetings are scheduled and where they are being held. We do have a couple of ‘Road Trips’. I would like to have our Cabinet Meetings become more of a ‘learning/sharing’ experience for all of us. We will, of course, carry on the normal business, but I am asking reports be kept to a minimum as the detail will be included in the minutes. Lions all love a celebration and there will be several clubs reaching important anniversary milestones. Delaware and Stoney Point will celebrate 50 years of Service while London East celebrates 70 years; St Thomas will be celebrating 90 years followed by Leamington who will be celebrating their 95th year of Service. And ~ we will have another Centennial Club as London Central reaches 100 years of Lions Service. Congratulations to all the Clubs for all their Service Each and Every Day Lions, we all know that membership is important; not just for growth but for new ideas and more helping hands. North America’s membership continues to decline annually. Lions International is unfolding a new Campaign called NAMI. North American Membership Initiative. This is something that we hope to unfold at our first cabinet meeting. I ask you all to remember why you became a Lion. I am proud to wear my Lions hat wherever I go ~ as often as I can. I am proud when someone asks me what the symbol stands for ~ my answer is We Are Lions ~ not I , but We. Show your pride ~ have your 5 minute elevator speech ready at all times. Mine is very simple and I ask you all to participate. Close your eyes for 2 minutes. Darkness. Now open your eyes. That is what Lions do ~ we bring the Light to the Darkness |
