Dear fellow Lions
As I mentioned in last month's Tatler, we made the difficult decision to cancel the Howick Lions Summer Festival 2020 for financial reasons (read, Auckland Council's reduced funding offer making the Festival not financially viable). Not to be cowed, at the October Business Meeting, we dedicated more than an hour to brainstorming ideas for service and fundraising activities. I'd like to thank all our members who attended the meeting for participating in such a positive manner and for the vibrant energy you brought to the meeting. Over 30 ideas were floated and discussed, which means that my challenge is not a lack of ideas, but rather working out how to prioritise such a range of fantastic ideas!
But fear not! I have a plan and at the November Dinner Meeting I'll give a brief overview of how I'd like to proceed.
In October I had the privilege of attending the Howick College and Botany College performing arts awards nights with Lion Ian Packwood, and presenting the Derek Wigzell Award for Excellence in Drama on behalf of our club. The level of talent at these schools is breathtaking, and I can also attest (in case there was ever any doubt), that the Derek Wigzell Award is genuinely prized by both the schools and the deserving recipients.
This month will be all go, with a hot chips event at Wakaaranga School on the 2nd, followed by our regular sausage sizzle outside The Warehouse in Botany on the 9th, and manning the Christmas Lights tent at Midnight Madness on the 22nd. Many hands make light work, so please be sure to put your hand up for at least one of these events.
Yours in Lions
Paul Curtis
Club President
"We Serve"