July 2013 - Lions Clubs New Zealand

DG Allan’s Article.....In a world of need, there is someone to help. In a worldof suffering, there is someone who cares. In a world ofdestruction, there is someone to provide relief. In aworld of illiteracy, there is someone to teach. In a worldof service, there is one name that stands out amongothers – Lions Clubs International. WE SERVE.That’s what we do. That’s what we have always done. It is our motto, andthe reason we exist. These are the words that have been drilled into us byour Lions leaders and my vision for the future is to see this great workcontinues locally, nationally and internationally.I have set some goals for our District which includes forming at least one newclub, reviving the fading clubs, getting more women to join Lions, gettingmost if not all the clubs to do the Club Excellence Process and increasing ourmembership as we are in dire straits!I have just been inducted as District Governor for 202J at the Lions ClubsInternational Convention in Hamburg, Germany. What an experience! Makesone proud to be a Lion. Met over 700 District Governors from over 200countries! There were over 18,000 conventioneers in Hamburg including 48from New Zealand.Spent about nine days in Hamburg, starting with District Governor Trainingfollowed by a Downunder Breakfast hosted by the Australian Lions,International Parade of Nations, International Variety Show, ConventionOpening, Flag Ceremony, Forums and Seminars, Keynote Address,Memorial Service and of course International President and District GovernorInstallation.Now I am ready for the challenge of leading our District 202J and feel verypositive about the future of Lions which is the largest voluntary serviceorganisation in the world.Like you I am a volunteer and prepared to devote and have already devotedat least two years of my life to Lions fulltime! It won’t be easy visiting about40 clubs, ten conventions, and attending cabinet and MD202 Councilmeetings during my term as District Governor as I have a fulltime job.7