On the Outer Banks of my home state of North Carolina, stands the world’s
tallest brick lighthouse. The Cape Hatteras lighthouse, built in 1807, has stood as a symbol of hope for mariners for over two centuries.
“a ray of light from another soul touched the darkness of my mind and I found myself…and broke through the dark, silent imprisonment which held me.”
Helen Keller
As your president, I ask of you to let the light of service shine brightly. Together, let us
continue to be a symbol of light and hope for those who are in need, and for those who are searching for a safe harbor and a better tomorrow.
Sid L. Scruggs, III
International President
“I want Lions to realize they are the ones that people look to for a promise of a better tomorrow. They are the Beacon of Hope.”
Sid L. Scruggs, III
Be a Beacon of Service
Our motto “We Serve” defines our mission, and is the core principle of our organization. This year, we are rededicating ourselves to service. Service will, in fact, be the focal point of my 2010-11 Presidential Theme. As people increasingly seek ways to volunteer, the time has never been better for Lions to shine a light on service.
Global Service Action Campaigns
As an extension of the highly successful “Lions In Sight” program, this year Lions will be encouraged to participate in four Global Service Action Campaigns. Lions will be asked to shine a light on youth by planning programs in conjunction with the United Nations International Youth Day in August. Other opportunities include shining a light on preventable blindness with projects in support of our own World Sight Day in October; shining a light on hunger by holding food drives to coincide with traditional holidays such as Christmas, Hanukah, Id Al-Fitr, Diwali, or other befitting occasions; and finally, Lions will be asked to shine a light on the environment by conducting environmental projects and activities in support of Earth Day in April. Global Service Action Days will give Lions an opportunity to expand their own vision of how they can help in their community, and bring more attention to the service that we are providing.
Lions Global Service Summit
During the third quarter of this year, leaders from other service and volunteer organizations will be asked to convene a summit at our headquarters to discuss and share ideas about emerging trends in service.
Enhanced Reporting Tools
The redesigned Lions Clubs International Web site has made communicating easier, from the top down and from the bottom up.
Reporting Live From…
Lions’ use of social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace has grown tremendously
this year.
Telling our story
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!
Lions Clubs International has the most extensive and successful public relations program of any service club organization. Last year alone, there were over 8,000 newspaper articles around the world reporting Lions activities, and over 700 television news features. Countless numbers of clubs are now getting onboard with active PR programs with innovative TV and radio public service announcements, billboard advertising, and use of social media to project their message. But an extremely successful global program can only define part of the association’s overall image.
People do not join “The International Association of Lions Clubs.” They join a Lions club – YOUR Lions club.
effective LEADERS light the way
Keys To Successful Leadership Development
- Communicate opportunities for leadership development with new and prospective members
- Encourage a variety of Lions to take leadership responsibilities
- Enlist new Lions in the Lions Mentoring Program
- Implement practical job training for zone chairpersons, 1st and 2nd vice district governors and district governors-elect
- Promote participation in local training programs, Lions Leadership Institutes and Faculty Development Institutes
- Focus on online development opportunities
- Recognize the efforts and accomplishments of Lions who demonstrate leadership excellence
- Develop innovative training and education programs at the district and multiple district levels
“At the end of the day, it’s not what I learned but what I taught, not what I got but what I gave, not what I did but what I helped another achieve that will make a difference in someone’s life, and mine.”
Sid L. Scruggs, III
Our Future Shines Brightly
Today’s young people are tomorrow’s leaders. We must do a better job of communicating with teen-agers and young adults. No light shines more brightly than the one lighting the way toward the future. Our future. There has never been a generation of young people more involved in their community. In the United States alone, 15% of people aged 17 to 25 are volunteering their time – giving back to the community. In other areas of the world that percentage is even higher.
But our ability to interact with young people goes beyond communicating. We need to engage them with programs they can relate to, and encourage their input and participation.
You can also sponsor students in a Lions international youth camp, exchange program, or introduce a Lions Quest program. What about sponsoring a Peace Poster contest at your nearest school? Last year over 360,000 children ages 11-13 participated in the Peace Poster contest.
Find the Light with in yourself
The image of a lighthouse is but a symbol. But the light that shines through each and every Lion member is real.
Expanded service equals expanded membership. It’s that easy. Lions members are never happier – their light shines the brightest – when they are serving others. Give Lions a reason to stay by making a difference in someone’s life. Accomplish that, and they will be Lions for life.
A strong GMT, extension workshops and retention will remain central to the membership successes we have recently achieved, but with a slant toward service. I’ll be appointing a special coordinator to GMT to promote service relative to membership.
Bright Start Awards
“Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow. Some people dream of success… while others wake up and work hard at it.”
Unknown
The Bright Start Awards will recognize District Governors who achieve strong membership results in the first three months of their year. The Bright Start Awards will consist of two levels. District Governors will be eligible for only one of the awards. The qualifications for the awards are:
First Light Award:
two new clubs OR positive membership on September 30, 2010
Bright Light Award:
five new clubs AND positive membership on September 30, 2010
The Beacon Awards
The Beacon Awards, to be given at the International Convention in Seattle, will recognize outstanding achievement by clubs and districts in the area of service. Only clubs and districts that participate in the Global Service Action Campaigns, and send their respective report back to Lions Clubs International Public Relations Division, will be eligible for the Beacon Awards. Sending your report (a narrative of your activity, with photos if available), will automatically enter your club or district. Categories include:
- Best Environmental Project (by club or district)
- Most Creative Youth Program Activity (by club or district)
- Outstanding Service to the Blind or Visually Impaired (by a club or district)
- Best Hunger Relief Program or Activity (by a club or district)
- Lion That Best Exemplifies The Spirit of Service
Inspiring logbahllyoapned locally
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
Mahatma Gandhi
What better way to make our light shine even brighter than by supporting our Lions Clubs International Foundation? This year my goal is to increase understanding of LCIF’s programs and the importance of our impact on individual lives, and to increase the number of clubs and individuals donating to LCIF.
Generous support by Lions has enabled LCIF to establish new programs, such as the Special Olympics Opening Eyes Program and other programs that have transformed people’s lives.
you are a beacon of hope
“I do not know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know, the only ones among you who will really be happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.”
Albert Sweitzer
Every 7.5 seconds, a flash of light emanates from the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. Every 7.5 seconds, a Lion provides some measure of hope to someone in need.
There are 1.3 million flashes of light serving in 205 countries or geographic locations around the world. Individually, we may only be a flicker. Collectively, we are a powerful beacon of hope for people looking for light in their lives.
We are a beacon of hope for all the world to see. We are Lions. Serving together, our light is shining brighter than ever.
