FIRST ZONE MEETING FOR ZONE 3B

FIRST  ZONE MEETING FOR LIONS AND LEOS OF ZONE 3B

The Lions and Leos of Zone 3B which comprise the Lions clubs of Gros Islet, Castries, Piton (Soufriere), Micoud, Vieux Fort and the Leo Club of Castries were hosted by the Lions Club of Castries at the Bay Gardens Beach Resort on Saturday October 6, 2012

The meeting was first for the Lions’ fiscal year and Club Presidents reported to the Zone Chairman, Lion Beatrice Mac Donald on the status of clubs projects and activities for the first quarter of the year July 01 to September 30, 2012, as well as the financial administration of the clubs.     

The Reports highlighted the challenges faced by the clubs and recommendations for improvements.   Some of the Challenges include, member commitment and participation, membership retention and growth.  The strategies highlighted to deal with these included , vigorous membership drives, improving the image of clubs in the Zone, Partnering with other organizations to attract persons, and holding club retreats.

 

Lion Andy Roberts, President, Micoud Lions Club

Host President, Lana La Force, Castries Lions Club

Lion Marie Nicholas, Prsident Gros Islet Lions

President Vieux Fort Lions, Lion Michelle Haynes

Zone 3B is privileged to have serving this year Lion Rhon Stephens as the Regions Chairman for Regions 3 with responsibility for Clubs in Saint Lucia, St Vincent and Barbados.  He addressed the meeting and impressed upon Clubs the need for proper club administration and the importance of record keeping.

Region Chairman, Lion RhonStepehns addressing the meeting

An important part of the meeting was the workshop on Protocol in Lionism facilitated Lion Eldridge Stephens MJF.    This very interactive session provided Lions and Leos with the basics on issues like courtesies, etiquette, respect, addressing the Chair, the order of precedence.

Lion Eldridge Stephens MJF,  facilitating the Workshop on Protocol

One issue which continue to plague all clubs is that of membership growth.  With the declining state of many societies clubs like ours are finding it  increasingly difficult to attract persons who are service minded to the fold.  Most of the Clubs highlighted renewing their membership strategies to attract new persons into the fold.  This lionistic year the Zone has recorded some positive movement in that regard when two Leos were inducted into the Leo Club of Castries, and at the Zone meeting three lions were inducted – one to the Vieux Fort Club and two to the Castries club.   The induction ceremony was conducted by Past Zone Chairman  Lion Lyndell  Gustave.

Induction ceremony for three new members

 

The Zone Chairman, Lion Beatrice Mac Donald expressed her satisfaction with the progress the clubs have made thus far.  In her address to clubs she highlighted that there is a wind of change taking place in the organization both internationally and regionally and implored clubs to recognize and embrace that change.  She noted that on October the White House (USA) recognized Lions as Champions of Change.    

Zone Chairman Lion Beatrice Mac Donald  addressing the meeting

To deal with member commitment she reminded Lions and Leos of the International President’s Wayne Madden August message in which he gave a formula for excellence. This formula  he indicated has been proven through his 27 years of dedicated service:

Dedication + Preparation + Teamwork = Excellence 

Dedication  - is each individual Lion's dedication to service which is abundant but needs nurturing and growth. We need to continue expanding our service to take on new challenges;

Preparation   -  is planning and the self-evaluation included in what he called  "pit stops" like those in an automobile race.

Teamwork  -  involves making connections at the international level, the club level and interpersonal level, Having a plan and a road map makes us more effective and efficient by taking the guesswork and trial-and-error out of our quest for excellence.

She left Lions and Leos with these words  - “Our District Governor has called us to focus our belief in service and if we apply our International President’s formula to our service we know that we can remain committed and still believe in a world of service.”