Hello Fellow Lions,
I am nearing the end of my first month as District Governor for our Clubs and it has been a great start to the continuation of the legacy paved by my predecessors. Thank you again to IPDG Ray and PDG Ken for your mentorship over the past two years.
I am so excited and anticipating our 1st District Cabinet meeting on August 21 at the Troy Lions Club in Troy, Idaho. We will kick off the meeting at 9:00 am, but we'll make sure that there is some social time before that. Being able to see/high five/hug/fist bump/shake the hand of those who can attend in person is going to be one of the highlights for me. And I'm sending a virtual high five/hug/fist bump/handshake to those who can't make the trip but will be attending virtually ... you are all incredibly important to me as well and I look forward to the time that I can see each of you in person as well. Lions Marie Vogel and Marilyn Kerns are planning a delicious, hearty lunch for those who can attend for $6/person. I don't have the menu yet, but having visited their Club before, I know that it will be delicious! If you haven't already RSVP'd, please let me know as soon as possible whether you'll be attending in person or virtually.
Thank you in advance to those who have submitted their Chairperson reports already. I truly appreciate your enthusiasm! For those Zone Chairs and District Chairpersons who can't attend in person or virtually on the 21st, please have your reports to myself and Secretary Betty Holway by Monday, August 16 so that we can get your report distributed to everyone before the meeting.
We have a big change coming to the District that will be discussed during the Cabinet meeting. To better serve the Lions of MD19, we are considering a redistricting plan. I don't have final details at this time, but I can say that there is a 99% probability that 19F will remain intact, but we will be joining with many Clubs from 19D and 19E to create a new District S. I will be sharing what I know at the Cabinet meeting, so I would suggest being there or attending to ask questions, but I will also be sending out information after the meeting as well.
I am also in the process of getting information to Ashley Burmaster, our webmaster, to update the District website (https://www.19fdistrictgovernor.com/). So please stay tuned for an update there. And speaking of Ashley ... she suffered a bit of a setback in early July that resulted in a cast on her left ankle/lower leg. We wish her a speedy recovery and healing. Ashley is also serving as our District Administrator again this year. So if you have any Clubs who need to enter officers at this point or are having trouble accessing MyLCI, please let Ashley know. Her email is ashleyburmaster@fairpoint.net
My message this year is "Inspire." For the past several years serving on District Cabinets, Zone Chairperson, and as 1VDG, I have been so impressed and inspired by all the ways that the Clubs in our District serve their communities ... and I know that I am not alone. For that reason, I want to help them continue to inspire in their communities, and I want to help them do it. As you (hopefully) all know, for my visitations this year as DG, I am offering the Clubs in our District the option of a traditional regular meeting visit, or the option of having me come to their community during a service or fundraising activity and help them out. I'm happy to flip burgers, pick-up trash, plant trees, build wheelchair ramps, work at silent auctions, etc. I want to help our Clubs serve their communities, region, state, world ... because that is what Lionism is truly about. To that end, I have confirmed projects and dates with a few Clubs. They are:
If you'd like to participate in one of these activities with me, please let me know and I can put you in touch with the person in charge of the event. As Lions we all know that most of the time more volunteer help is always appreciated.
I appreciate you sticking with reading my update to this point. I can't tell you all THANK YOU enough for serving with me this year! I think that we can make this a great year to help serve our fellow Lions and be an Inspiration to those around us!
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns that you might have.
Yours in Lionism, DG Melissa
