Well, the Lions year is fast running out. Winter is trying hard to arrive and we are almost at the most important day in the history of Lions International. With the extending of the Howick Lions year until the August dinner meeting we have two more dinners until change-over night.
Our next dinner meeting is important not just because it is dinner night but it actually falls on the day that Lions International started - 7th June 1917. While we cannot imagine what was on the mind of Melvin Jones and his business friends when they started the Lions organisation, other than trying to help people in their communities through humanitarian service, I feel sure that having 1,400,000 members world-wide in 100+ countries in 2017 possibly was not one of them. That however is what has been achieved and I am sure it will grow even further. Let’s celebrate the birthday next Wednesday and start thinking what else we can do through to June 2018 to help make the 100 years truly memorable, particularly for Howick Lions.
We will be pleased to welcome District 202K Governor Richard Simmons and his wife Lorraine to our June 7th dinner night. I would ask as many as possible to attend as we will all be signing the banner that will travel to Chicago with many of the 202K member’s signatures. Our club is the last to sign - please be at this dinner.
Delighted to see a very good number of willing painters down at the Historical Village the other Saturday. Lots achieved and some fun as well - thanks to those who were able to help.
Nice to see our numbers going up - Eddie Lo, a warm welcome. We look forward to having Sylvia Duan inducted in the near future, along with Gary Liang.
I was invited at the eleventh hour to a Howick Coastguard night on Tuesday 30th. This was a celebration for them as they were the top unit in selling tickets in their annual raffle. It earned them a sizeable amount for the funds locker. I was able to use the night to present them with their cheque for $800 as the proceeds of our WATER SAFETY PICNIC. They were very pleased with the result (and cheque) and value deeply the association they have with the Howick Lions over many, many years; long may it continue.
Let me close by wishing Alan, Karen, Brian and Gillian a very successful 100 year Convention in Chicago and a safe return. You carry with you our warmest best wishes and feel sure you will do the Howick Club proud.
Keep Building the Base!
President Grant