LIONS CLUBS OF IOWA COUNCIL CHAIR

Greetings to all Lions, Leos and Lioness of Multiple District 9 (that’s Iowa to most of us!)
        It is a great pleasure and honor for me to be your Council Chair for this next Lions year. So what does a Council Chair do? Well hopefully you are all aware that each of your Districts has a District Governor, I also hope you know who that is or at least plan to find out. The District Governors are like directors of the board who sort out the business of the Lions of Iowa and make the state level decisions. They are also the chief executive officer of their district and have to make sure the district is healthy and serving its communities.
        As the chairperson of this” Council” it’s my job to organize the meetings, place concerns and issues on the agenda and make sure there is information available so the Council of Governors can make good decisions. It is also my job to oversee the committees and functioning of the State office in Ames. I am to protect and extend the goals, objectives and the ethics of the Lions of Iowa and Lions Clubs International. Many of you know how I like to get out and help and to visit. I plan to pitch in with the membership drives, club excellence groups and even help with fund raiser and projects when invited. So we’ll be seeing each other around the state.
        This last year marked a turning point in Lions not just here in Iowa but around the world. While many service organizations are shrinking in membership, Lions grew in many areas. Here in the United States after years of decline we actually slowed it down and although we were at a minus it was not as drastic as in the past. Here in Iowa several Districts ended in positive numbers and we slowed our decline and with hope and hard work we will be on the positive side of membership.
That all sounds good but being a Lion, Leo or Lioness is not about numbers. We do this to improve our communities and to help others. In many communities much needed services would not happen if not for the Lions Club. Stop and think about how many visually impaired kids have been given state of the art machines to enhance their lives; how many children with vision problems have been and will be discovered by our screenings; how many people can hear now because of our Hearing Aid Bank and funding of the Cochlear Implant Program; then there’s the parks, community centers, bike trails and playgrounds we’ve helped provide; there’s help for people with cancer and other disease or injuries; sending kids with diabetes, blindness or other issues to camp where they can be just another kid. WE do all this and much more.
        We have had a number of clubs say “we’re too old “; “we don’t have enough members”; or “we’re tired of doing it all”. The facts are we are getting older and that we haven’t been bringing in new people. Just as someone brought you into Lionism, part of your legacy to your club and community is to bring someone new in. Is it really possible that each of us does not to know anybody, not one person who cares about their community, who would be a positive influence in your club? We have to ask, the answer is always no to an unasked question. We need not that one more person but the two more hands and the one more heart, to do all those things and many more listed above. That’s how we keep going, how we not only fulfill our obligation to serve but increase it. Lions Clubs International President Sid Scruggs III refers to us as “Beacons of Hope” and for so many we are. Tell your friends and neighbors about the people we help and I’m sure they’ll want to help too.
I also urge all of you to Participate. If your club doesn’t have a project going, start one. Or do a district project. There are always several district or state projects that need your help. Could you talk to someone about Lions at the State Fair? How about flipping pancakes at the Lions Breakfast at the Outdoor Expo? Could you help start a new club in the town next door?
        Maybe you have a free Tuesday or maybe just a free hour each week that you could help with a Lions Project. We’ll take it and be glad for the help, it all adds up. And thank you for when you do give your time.
        In closing I would like each of you to know that you are needed and though at times it seems hard to believe loved for all the goods things you do. Thank you! As when I was a District Governor my door is always open. My phone numbers and emails are displayed above, feel free to give me your opinion pro or con. I work for you and I’m here to make Lions even better. Take care and be well until we meet again.

Iowa Lions Council Chairperson,
Lion Jerry R Roland