Convention Sees District Lions at Crossroads

Transcription

1 MD 105 British Isles & Ireland We Serve Eric Wright District Governor-District 105C District website address lions105c.org.uk Club diary site Twitter account Convention Sees District Lions at Crossroads District 105C s annual Convention, held at the Cedar Court Hotel in Harrogate, 4-6 February, comes at a time when the organisation is at a crossroads, says District Governor Eric Wright. Our membership in this district has slumped to an all-time low, he told delegates, and while we have improved the rate of retention we are seeing fewer new Lions join. The background is a time of cuts in public services. In other words, when there is more call on volunteer service we have fewer resources with which to respond. Gaining new members must be the priority for all clubs in the district. More than 200 Lions and partners attended part or all of the District Convention events. We were fortunate in hosting the visit of International Director Per Christiansen, an amusing speaker who made very pointed observations about what type of organisation we want to be. District Governor Lion Eric & Dorothy with International Director Lion Per Christiansen And his lady, Lion Anita Council Chair Jacquie Prebble lent her experience to the challenges facing 105C. I have found much to be encouraged by; you might be a small district but you want to grow, she told delegates. Jacquie was part of the throng on the Saturday along with husband Bob. Between the official meetings were social events, Friday s masked carnival and a formal ball on Saturday night. Convention was opened by Harrogate Mayor Councillor Bill Hoult, with the sessions chaired by District Governor Eric Wright. 1

2 Masked Carnival Host Night 2

3 Trophies International Relations trophy winner - Hornsea Lions, for having shown such initiative with their Kassam Appeal. Travelling Lion award winner - Holderness Lions Club. Peter Shaw memorial trophy was won by Bridlington Lions Club for its Annual Newspaper. Club of the Year was shared between Ilkley Moor Lions Club and Ripon Lions Club. Scrapbook Winners were Knaresborough Lions. Rookie of the Year was Dennis Drury of Thorne Rural Lions Club. Service is Important Vice District Governor Ian Thornhill described what it is to be a Lion as the organization's "best kept secret. We have to do more to make ourselves better known in our communities. There are lots of people who would get a real buzz from being a Lion," he went on to say."we are good at raising money but sometimes this is done at the cost of service provided. We ought not to forget this important aspect of our work." presented by ID Per Christiansen. Keith, from Ilkley Moor Lions Club, spoke about his club's success in forging partnerships with Guiseley businesses. We sought financial sponsorship for a range of Lions activities, setting the minimum at 100 and the period of sponsorship at a year," he explained. "The attraction for them is to be associated with Lions activity in the town. We produced a sponsors board, which itself was sponsored by a local display company. Some organisations have offered funds, but others have provided support in other ways. One local bank allowed its premises to be used for Lions fundraising, with its staff helping to make the arrangements. Since we started the sponsorship drive we have signed up 14 companies. A third of these have come as a result of contacts, but the larger number is due to coldcalling. Our success is down to hard work. The key is to make it clear what is required of the sponsors and what they are likely to get out of the deal, and to keep them informed and involved," he added. Harrogate s Mayor Harrogate mayor Bill Hoult, second left, gave up most of 5 February to Lions, opening Convention in the morning, and playing host in his council chambers to Dorothy Wright and Anita Olsson, Per Christiansen's wife, then coming back in the evening to the Ball. Our photo shows Ian, second right, in the photo call line-up with DG Eric Wright, ID Per Christiansen and convention organizer PDG Ian Wood. Winning Sponsorship Lion Keith Hunt, left, receives a Letter of Appreciation sent by International President Sid Scruggs and Continues in next column 3 In this photo Bill is seen second left with wife Vanessa, and Eric Wright and Second Vice President Ken Wild. Tacade Award District 105C might be one of the smallest in Multiple District 105, but it speaks loudest when it comes to supporting the Lions Tacade youth education charity, with 40 per cent of donations coming from our area, MD Life Skills Officer David Skinner told the Convention. "As a result of your efforts over the past 20 years we have a very successful national youth Continues in next column

4 programme," he said. A special award to recognise the efforts of 105C was presented to DG Eric Wright, and District Life Skills Officer PDG John Cooke. In our photo are, from left, John Cooke, Tacade's Chief Executive Martin Buczkiewicz, Eric Wright and David Skinner. International Director Per Christiansen "Membership is a key issue throughout Europe," said International Director Per Christiansen. "The questions for you are Have you got the right product? Would you join this organisation if you were 35? do you see people or are they potential members when you're out on Lions activities?" Along with wife Anita, Per was the guest of honour at the 46th District Convention. An amusing and thought provoking speaker, Per encouraged delegates to face the hard issues when it comes to their Lions clubs prospering in the 21st Century. "We in Denmark pay higher subs but we invest much more in gaining and retaining new members. In the past decade we have gone from 88 clubs and 2,000 members, to 123 clubs and 3,000 Lions. This might not work for you but it is something to consider when you are discussing how to reverse the decline in your District." Per joined Lions in 1992 and he has been personally involved in the formation of 19 new clubs. A recipient of many Lions awards including the Lions International Academy medal. Until recently he was a serving officer in the Danish armed forces. International Director Per Christiansen 4 Inspirational Presentation St Dunstan's representative, Corporal Simon Brown, gave an inspirational speech at District Convention on how the military charity has given renewed hope to hundreds of ex-servicemen who have been blighted by problems of sightlessness. Simon was badly wounded in 2006 during his second tour in Iraq with the British Army, rescuing colleagues under fire. He lost the sight in his left eye and all but 15 per cent of vision in his right. St Dunstan's charity brought him to centres in Brighton and Sheffield, thus helping Simon regain mobility and confidence, while training him on computers. "They showed me how to cope; that my injuries didn't mean the end of the world; that I could do it by myself; they gave me a sense of the future." he told delegates. "With this came responsibility. I felt I could do this for others, and I have now taken up teaching. "I am proud and honoured to represent St Dunstan's at your District Convention. I know how much help we have from Lions and I am here to express our thanks." St Dunstan's is currently the subject of an MD appeal for a day centre at its new rehabilitation centre at Llandudno. All donations should be sent to District Treasurer with cheques endorsed on the reverse to 'St Dunstan's Llandudno Project'. In our photo at Harrogate are from left, DG Eric Wright, Simon Brown, District Secretary Peter Wilson and District Treasurer George Berry. District Governors Lady s Appeal My District Appeal for Alzheimer Research smashed the 3,000 level with nearly 600 collected during the raffle at the Convention, and I would like to thank all you Lions and Lionesses who have contributed to this most worthwhile cause. Mrs Dorothy Wright District Governor s Lady

5 Banquet & Ball Thank You District Governor Eric and Dorothy expressed their grateful thanks for all the hard work that was put in to organising the Convention by the members of the Host Committee, especially husband and wife team Beryl and Ian Wood. We also want to thank all Lionesses and Lionesses who attended the Convention and made the whole weekend a wonderful experience. DG Eric Wright 5