DG Message
Kevin Gibbons, District Governor

I just want to personally thank you, our great Lions, and their families for the service that you provide to your community, our district, and by extension our world. Because of your hard work, the world is a better place. Where there is a need…there is a Lion!!

International President Patty Hill’s theme is “Changing the World”

In order to Be The Change, we first must believe change is possible. Other Lions are here to support you at the club and district level. Collaborate. We do our best work as a team. Work with community leaders, and other service organizations to address the biggest problems facing our communities. Collaboration makes change happen faster. Lead the way. Lions and Leos lead by example. We show the world what is possible when people care about their communities and when kindness is the goal. Lead the way, and others will join you.

Every year membership is an issue. This year Mission 1.5 is the program being promoted by President Hill. The goal is 1.5 million members by the end of 2027. I have no doubt this district and your club will “be the change to reach this goal.

President Hill has challenged us to “be the change”. in keeping with her theme “Changing the World”, Year after year we hear from our International President that we have to increase our membership numbers. This is true, but how we get there is up to you. 1.5 million members is a lofty goal and one that sounds very ominous. One member at a time is the way to go. Don’t stress out about adding many members at one time…. let’s concentrate on one at a time.

With that goal in mind, I’m proposing Initiative One plus One. Let’s make our goal that by the end of the Lion year, your club has a Net gain of one member. I have long believed that if you are a good person, you will attract good people. Good people equal good members. Take a look around and ask the people in your lives to join our great organization. The other part of the initiative is by the end of the year that your club will complete one more service activity than they did last year. Many of our clubs, due partly to the casino funds we receive, have become more of a chequewriting club than a service club. Service activities attract public attention and hopefully, public awareness will attract additional members. We are as strong as our weakest link so please be the vital link in your club’s chain.

Every year the sitting DG is able to select a charity that is close to their heart and then asks the clubs in the District to support it with a cash contribution of the club’s choice. This year I have selected the Alberta Children’s Hospital specifically the Hospice Unit better known as the Rotary Flames House and the other area of support is the Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team. The Hospice provides support for the patient and families as the young child enters the final stages of their life. It also provides support programs and assistance well before the final stages of life. The Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team basically operates like a “mini STARS” They provide transportation of critical patients to the Children’s Hospital for patients that require more intense supervision than would be provided by a normal paramedic team. Donations for either area can be taken directly from your casino Account. You can send your donations directly to me or the ACH. Please indicate in the memo section what area you would like to support. If we reach a certain donation goal, we will have our name put on their wall of fame at the time of the official cheque presentation.

Lions is the best-kept secret in the world. In order to drag us out of the shadows, our cabinet will now have the best one-two punch in an attempt to shine a light onto our good works. Carol Hassel is our excellent Newsletter editor. Please continue to send her your pictures and articles for her newsletter. She can also assist in creating ads for you. Please send your information to Jade about all of your upcoming events, before, during, and after and she will post them to the social media accounts to shine a light on your club’s great works.

Please feel free to call me or any member of the cabinet if we can assist you in any way. Lions helping Lions.

Thank you again for all that you do and for the friendship and kindness you have shown Leslie and me over the past year. It’s an honour to serve next to you and I look forward to celebrating our many successes with you over the next year.