MULTIPLE DISTRICT 202<strong>Introducing</strong> our new <strong>Lions</strong> leadersCouncil Chairman Eric Carter and KarenClub: Henderson, District 202KDistrict 202D Joyce Raven and LionelClub: Feilding KowhaiTheme: Participate with prideDistrict 202E Peter Mechaelis and CarolClub: Halswell & DistrictTheme: Passion for serviceDistrict 202F Des Black and LoreenClub: RivertonTheme: Our great ideas will work, if we doDistrict 202J John Knowles and ValClub: GeraldineTheme: Alone we can do so little, toge<strong>the</strong>rwe can do so muchDistrict 202K Robyn Walker and KevinClub: Whangarei HateaTheme: Caring For Each O<strong>the</strong>r - to nurture,encourage, develop and streng<strong>the</strong>nDistrict 202L Sara Patrick and GrahamClub: KatikatiTheme: Growth through serviceDistrict 202M Robyn Daniels and KenClub: Wellington HostTheme: Engage o<strong>the</strong>rs; make a differenceLION, South Pacific Edition | July/August <strong>2012</strong> 26
COUNCIL CHAIRMAN’S INTRODUCTIONNew head keen on team approachBy Linda GeorgeNew Council Chairman Eric Carter, Past District Governor of District 202K, will have performed his firstmission in <strong>the</strong> role, at <strong>the</strong> <strong>International</strong> Convention in Busan, South Korea, by <strong>the</strong> time you read this.That mission, to offer support to <strong>the</strong> sevennewly elected District Governors at <strong>the</strong> DGtraining school in Busan for <strong>the</strong> four daysprior to <strong>the</strong> convention, was one Eric waslooking forward to – and one in which hebrought his long experience gained throughvarious roles within <strong>Lions</strong>, to <strong>the</strong> table. Alongwith wife Karen, Eric arrived in Busan aday before <strong>the</strong> District Governors, to makesure everything was in place, to ensure <strong>the</strong>following four days went as smoothly aspossible for <strong>the</strong> new District Governors.During <strong>the</strong> four days, he liaised closelywith <strong>the</strong> seven DGs, having debriefs at<strong>the</strong> end of each day to discuss what wascovered, and sorting any problems thatmay have arisen.This role of supporting and assisting <strong>the</strong>District Governors is, says Eric, <strong>the</strong> cruxof <strong>the</strong> role of Council Chairman.“I’m here to help and mentor <strong>the</strong>m, and togenerally point <strong>the</strong>m in <strong>the</strong> right directionwhen required,” he said. “As well aschairing council meetings.”Eric’s philosophy, as Council Chairman, isto help run <strong>the</strong> districts as a team – with <strong>the</strong>emphasis on “team”. It is a co-ordinatingrole – but also a hands-off one.“If you give someone responsibility – you<strong>the</strong>n leave <strong>the</strong>m to it. I don’t try to pushthings. My role is to assist and mentorand to ensure council meetings are runwell. I want to see <strong>the</strong>m operate as a teamtoge<strong>the</strong>r – helping each o<strong>the</strong>r, and havinga successful time toge<strong>the</strong>r.“That’s <strong>the</strong> challenge; that <strong>the</strong>y enjoyworking toge<strong>the</strong>r. And I don’t run <strong>the</strong>multiple district, even though I am chairmanCouncil Chairman Eric Carter with his team of District Governors in Busan, Korea.– that is up to <strong>the</strong>m. I’m not telling <strong>the</strong>mwhat to do; it’s a team approach.”Eric brings more than 21 years’ experienceas a Lion to his new role. He has been amember of Henderson Club since 1990 andhas held <strong>the</strong> positions of <strong>President</strong>, Vice-<strong>President</strong>, District Convention Chairman,Director, Treasurer and Bulletin Editor.In addition he worked for 12 years onCabinet in <strong>the</strong> roles of Zone Chairman,Regional Chairman, Service ActivitiesChairman, Guiding Lion, Special OlympicsOpening Eyes Co-ordinator, Habitatfor Humanity Co-ordinator, CampaignSightfirst II Chairman, Leadership Director,2nd Vice District Governor, 1st Vice DistrictGovernor and of course, District Governor.It was in New Plymouth at Convention thisyear that <strong>the</strong> seven District Governorsvoted for <strong>the</strong>ir new Council Chairman.An electrician by trade, Eric has run his ownbusiness, Carter Electrical Ltd, since 1982– employing four tradesmen, an apprenticeand office manager. In <strong>the</strong> <strong>Lions</strong>’ spirit of“giving back” Eric has always had at leastone apprentice. His current staff all did<strong>the</strong>ir apprenticeships with him; <strong>the</strong> longestservinghas been with him for 37 years.A born and bred West Aucklander, Eric washeavily involved in <strong>the</strong> Scouting movementin his younger days, and spent six yearson <strong>the</strong> Henderson Primary School Boardof Trustees. He helped set up <strong>the</strong> WestlakeBoys High School Water Polo Academyand managed teams for both Westlakeand North Harbour Water Polo.Eric and Karen have two children, 28-yearoldtwins, Garreth (who works for his dad)and Emma-Louise, who works for a tourismcompany in Auckland. Youngest familymember is four-year-old miniature schnauzerMolly – who keeps everyone on <strong>the</strong>ir toes.A keen gardener and fisherman, in whatspare time he has left after work and <strong>Lions</strong>,Eric is very much looking forward to <strong>the</strong> yearahead as Council Chairman – and believeshis strong background in management hasequipped him well for <strong>the</strong> role.LION, South Pacific Edition | July/August <strong>2012</strong> 27
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