Leos leap into service Convention highlights - Lions Clubs New ...

EDITORIALIt never ceases to amaze us, here at the Lion magazine office, just what a huge range of activitiesLions are involved in.From the massive job of organising a Multiple District Conventionto a simple street collection - the variety is enormous.This year's Convention, held in New Plymouth in April, wasan action-packed, high-energy event, and was one of thelargest for several years. The organising team should surelypat themselves on the back - and take a bit of a breather afterall the hard work.In this issue we bring you highlights of the Convention from theCouncil Chairman's summary of the business conducted by theteam of Governors at their final Council meeting, to an overviewof the Friday night opening, the Saturday business session andSunday's Remembrance and Re-dedication service, along withsocial pictures from Saturday night's dine and dance.We also have news of the wonderful initiative in Christchurchwhere Lions have entered into an arrangement with theChristchurch City Council to fund a new community facility toreplace one of those lost in the earthquakes. Lions' generosityfrom all around the country - indeed all around the world - hascreated the fund that allows this high-profile project to goahead. The Christchurch Earthquake Committee, chaired byPDG Philip Lynch, should pat themselves on the back too.Though their well-earned breather will no doubt have to waitas there is still so much to do in the stricken city, and Lionswork is far from done.Another pat on the back should go to Leos co-ordinator BrianGrounds and all the Lions Clubs that have worked so hard todouble the number of Leos Clubs to 18 - with 10 more in theoffing. What a great gift to the community, to inspire youngpeople to give back, and learn the pleasure that comes fromhelping others. It seems the way to recruiting more memberslies with the young - not only do many of the Leos want tomove on to Lions once they are old enough, but also a numberof teachers and parents have "seen the light" and are joiningup as well.Fijian Lions get the pat on the back as well, for their selflessactions following severe flooding in January and again in March.They gave hope to many families who had lost everything, alongwith food and fresh water. Lloyd Morgan Lions Clubs CharitableTrust and LCIF played their part, too, in immediately grantingemergency funding for the relief efforts.The Gore Pakeke Lions who set a great example toschoolchildren with their recycling project, all Lions who gatherup old spectacles, can tabs, old cellphones, old money - thelist goes on. But you can read about many of them in thisissue. And we think every single Lion deserves one of thosepats on the back as well. You do indeed serve.And finally, we have reverted to the former masthead on themagazine, with the sanction of LCI - we think it looks better, theCouncil of Governors think it looks better - we hope you do too.Iain MorrisonEditor, Lion South Pacific EditionMission statement of Lions Clubs International:“To create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needsby providing voluntary services through community involvement and internationalcooperation.”LION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 4