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 |
