Lions of SW Idaho and E Oregon

I ran across this on Facebook, from the president of the Ohio County Virtual Lions Club, Matt Rafa. If we all do this, where will be in in 6 months? “DO ONE thing in the name of your club EVERY DAY. It could be collecting plastic, reading a book online, or donating to our virtual yard sale.  It could be making a phone call to get information about something, reading about different Lions programs during your lunch hour at www.lionsclubs.org, or just checking your Spond app/email and responding to communications.  Find one thing you can do to advance our club in a small way each day. “TELL ONE person or share one post about our club EVERY DAY.  Tell them about a project we are doing, ask someone to join, share a post on Facebook.  Let someone know YOU are a Lion and what we are doing for our communities. “BE ONE.  Be a Lion.  That means looking for opportunities for helping others, rolling up your sleeves to make your community better, and leading by example by showing others that “Kind

Your Midwinter Convention committee has been meeting every few weeks to plan fun, exciting, and informational activities. Our hope is that many will take part and learn and grow. Ideally, I’d like at least one person from each club to attend. Hey, I can dream.  But why should someone attend? Here are just a few reasons: To be motivated and and inspired. To gain new ideas for your club’s service To hear real life ideas that work To learn ways to recruit new members To brag about your club  To meet old friends and make new ones To share To relax To get fired up I promise if you attend, you will  get your money’s worth.  See you there.

 Steve and I visited Marsing Lions back in October. They had a potluck dinner before there meeting (yummy jalapeño poppers!). They are a loud and crazy bunch-it’s so great that they have fun serving together. They recently added 10 new members so I can’t wait to hear what they’ll be doing in the coming months.  I awarded 4 challenge coins to Becky Salome, Jim Briggs, Jolyn Thompson, and Mike Sprinkel. 

 I took DG Spouse Steve along on this trip to Ontario Lions Club in November. They had an excellent program put on by two young men-exchange students from Israel and Indonesia. I was excited that they were inducting a new member who has already taken the lead on the vision program.  Lion Angie Grove received a challenge coin for her service from the heart, nominated by President Mike Pratt. Angie is involved in just about everything in the club as well as in the community, including working with the Stare Departiment Student Exchange Program. (You guessed it-the two students that spoke were Angie and Shawn’s “kids”.) I surprised Mike with a challenge coin (he didn’t nominate himself) for everything he’s done in the past couple of years as club president. It’s not easy leading a club through a pandemic, and all the club presidents deserve an extra pat on the back, or coin, as the case may be.

I admit I have a soft spot for the Eagle 616 Lions. Several years ago now, PDG Stevie (then DG), PDG Joe (then Lion Joe0 and I along with guidance from Paul Baker, LCI, set up to revive an aging Eagle club. We formed a branch which soon combined with the original members to form what is now Eagle 616. We attending a lot of meetings and then the Star Lions partnered with them on a couple of projects. So I know a few of the members fairly well.  That’s why it’s been especially exciting to see the growth in the Eagle club. They are getting their wings! I was pleased to award two challenge coins back in November. Mandi Wright has been involved as club treasurer, chair of Hackers and Slackers Golf Scramble, and a big part of the Easter Egg Hunt. Shane Bauges has been doing an incredible job with increasing membership and marketing. Thank you for your service to your club and community. 

 Challenge coins went to Caldwell Lions Alex Esparza, Mike McKinney, and Lea Martinez. Alex co-chairs the food booth, collects the pull tabs and eyeglasses and is involved in pretty much everything the club does. Mike was treasurer for a number of years, co-chairs the booth, builds ramps, and serves just about everywhere. I know whenever I’ve done anything or been anywhere with the Caldwell Club, these two have been there. Lea is a relative newcomer, but jumped into service with both feet. She heads the Peace Poster and essay contests and is bringing in new members from her sphere.