“Energizing For Service”

            Good day Lions.  The new Lions year is here and how exciting is it going to be?  We are coming off of one of our best years ever - new clubs in each district; membership increase; great programs; outstanding leaders. 
            In the spirit of honoring the past, as we look to our future, I want to acknowledge the leadership of last year’s Council.   Chair Vince Bishop and the four District Governors, Joyce Anderson, Cy Kauffman, Ray Andrieu and Gerald Hopkins, worked tirelessly for our District.  They handled several issues in the MD, including the increasing budget deficit and declining membership, and came out on the other side with a renewed Lions energy.  The Horizon Team members, Steve Thomson, Rod Bach, Richard Smith, Gary Tate, and Cindy Clark, brought new programs and new clubs into our MD.  The work of these folks and all of you at the District and club level culminated in a membership increase of ___.  How wonderful is that?
            Our work continues. We are only just beginning to succeed in our quest for greater service in MD36.   The new clubs and new members bring fresh ideas and require our support for their success.  Many of our existing clubs are asking for help as they struggle to continue meeting the needs of their communities. 
            Together, we have the ideas and the energy to make a difference.  This year’s Council of Governors consists of the dynamic Vicki Smith from District E; the innovative Jason Shaner from District G; the resourceful Red Rowley from District O, and the creative John Hamstreet from District R.   What a great team they will be for our Multiple.  They have already “hit the road running.”    All they need is our support.
            Lions, our time is now.  It is time now, more than ever, to be the Lion we set out to be.  Each of us had a vision of what we would bring to Lions and what Lions would do for us.  Living that vision is easy – just make the time to do it.  Each one of us has the ability to make a small difference by saying Yes to a project, a position, an idea, or a person. 
            The 2010-2011 Lions year in our MD will be about “Energizing for Service”.  Our Horizon programs continue with statewide service activities, new clubs and membership enhancement.  We will be providing assistance to any club that asks.  Our teams will do a series of visits with your club and provide hands-on guidance and assistance from membership drives to project planning.  Simply request help from your District Governor, Zone or Horizon team member.  Every community in Oregon deserves a strong and viable Lions club that will provide service to its needy.  That is our mission.   And Lions, we in Oregon are stronger than ever.  This is our time.