Lions International MD 21A
Newsletters

District Governor 2011-2012
Lion Debbie Vine

 
 


July 11 Aug.11 Sept. 11 Oct 11 Nov 11 Jan 12

January 2012

Lion Larry and I have visited almost all 40 of the clubs in District 21A. We have enjoyed meeting so many wonderful Lions in our travels around the District. I am once again amazed at the many service projects and fundraisers that you Lions are involved with in your communities. Keep up the good work.
I hope that you all had a safe and happy holiday season and that your new year is starting off with a bang (in a good way!). In the coming weeks and months we have some fun activities planned for the Lions of District 21A. We’re starting off in February with our District Convention. It will be held at the Grace Inn in Ahwatukee (I-10 and Elliott Rd.) on the 24th and 25th. Friday we will be hosting the MD Council meeting and I urge you all to attend this meeting. It is open to all Lions and it will give you some insight into how the MD operates. You are welcome to voice your opinion or concerns to the Council. Please let CC Bill Menard know if you would like time on the agenda to address a particular issue. Our time is limited so keep it brief and to the point. Friday evening a Progressive Dinner will be served hosted by your DG, 1st and 2nd VDGs and will be free to all registered Lions. Please come join us for some great food, drink and camaraderie. Saturday will see us nominating new District officers and voting in the morning. We are planning some fun and informative activities for the afternoon and you will be hearing more on that as plans get finalized. Our International guest is ID Dr. Gary Anderson and his wife Lion Cheryl. He will be presenting a program on service projects.
In April New Club Officers Training will be held in Peoria at the Peoria High School. Your officers will be getting detailed information along with registration forms in the coming weeks.
District 21A is hosting the MD State Convention at the Mesa Hilton May 18-20, 2012. Details and forms will be appearing in the Canyon State Lion sometime after the District Conventions are over in March.
If your club plans on participating in the Million Tree Campaign but haven’t planted trees yet, please think about doing it on Earth Day, April 22, 2012. I would also like you to get as many of your members together when you plant the tree or trees, take a picture and send it to me. I’d like to compile all the pictures and submit them along with an article to the Lion Magazine as well as post the pictures on our website and Facebook page. I want everyone to know what the Lions of District 21A are up to in 2012. IP Dr. Tam has far exceeded his goal of having one million trees planted with over 4 million planted so far.
I hope you were able to attend the Melvin Jones Lions International Memorial Rededication. I know we had a great time and we also were able to add 6 trees to IP Tam’s count by having each of the District Governors, Council Chair Menard, PIP Ross and PID Preston plant a tree on the Memorial’s grounds.
Please continue to post your Club’s upcoming events on the Calendar in the Canyon State Lion as well as the webpage and our Facebook page.
Lion Debbie Vine
District Governor
District 21-A

November 2011

District Governor Visits

I have been making my official visits and so far have visited about half the clubs in the District. I am enjoying meeting new Lions and visiting with old friends as Lion Larry and I travel around. I am very impressed with the projects and activities that our Lions are engaged in throughout our District. We are raising funds to help our communities even in this gloomy economic time. Unfortunately, our communities need us even more and the Lions are answering that call. Keep up the great work everyone.
I have been working with our GMT/GLT teams learning about CEP (Club Excellence Process) and we will be bringing that information to you at an upcoming Club meeting. Those that expressed interest at the Kickoff will be the first clubs contacted to receive more information and to make application if it turns out to be something the club thinks would be beneficial for them.
I am cutting this short because even though you’re reading this in November, I’m writing it less than a week away from my daughter’s wedding and I have much left to do. In addition I have to prepare for my seminar at the Mid-Year Leadership Forum and I’m also preparing for a road trip prior to the Forum.
As always, I am here to serve you. If you have questions, suggestions, concerns or would like more information about becoming a future leader in your Club or District please contact me. My contact information is listed on the inside front page of the Canyon State Lion. In addition I am on Facebook and Twitter (liondebbiev). We also have a Multiple District Facebook page (Lions Arizona) and don’t forget to use the website (www.lionsarizona.org) to post pictures of events, fliers for upcoming fundraisers or to print registration forms for conventions and conferences.

Lion Debbie Vine

District Governor

District 21-A
October 2011

My prediction last month did come true. We had a great turnout at the Kickoff, learned some things and had cake! Thanks to all of you that gave me birthday cards and participated in our district-wide service project. We collected a lot of school supplies and even some cash to make purchases of items not donated. Thank you to Lion Carol Seipel of the Peoria Sunset Club for chairing this project. A big thank you to all who attended, presented and participated. It was a great day.

I have started making my official visits and the Phoenix Midtown Lions Club was my first stop. I have also visited the Buckeye Lions Club as well as the Goodyear Lions Club. My schedule is shaping up as the Clubs confirm the dates I have chosen to visit. I am learning a lot about the Clubs in our district and also verifying something I already knew – the Lions of District 21A are truly awesome. They are making plans for fundraising and service projects for the coming year and embody our motto ”We Serve”. I’m looking forward to making more visitations in the coming months.

I’m repeating myself here but I feel it is important to do so in this instance.  The Mid-Year Conference and Leadership Forum is taking place November 4-6, 2011 at the Prescott Resort. I have it on good authority that if you want to learn, this is the place to be. There will be a total of 16 seminars presented. I will be presenting “Committees – What are they good for?” along with Lion Linda Finley as moderator Friday afternoon prior to the Council Meeting. MD GLT Coordinator Ralph Williamson is modeling this year’s Forum on the USA/Canada Leadership Forum and it looks to be a good one. The Conference will include a Black Jack Tournament, a luncheon speaker and “Prom Night” is the theme for Saturday night’s dinner.  The second Council Meeting will be held Friday late afternoon and all Lions are welcome to attend.  District Cabinet meetings will be held Sunday morning. I hope to see you there. Please get your registrations in as soon as possible and join us for some learning opportunities, camaraderie with fellow Lions and a whole lot of fun!

As always, I am here to serve you. If you have questions, suggestions, concerns or would like more information about becoming a future leader in your Club or District please contact me. My contact information is listed on the inside front page of the Canyon State Lion. In addition I am on Facebook and Twitter (liondebbiev).  We also have a Multiple District Facebook page (Lions Arizona) and don’t forget to use the website (www.lionsarizona.org) to post pictures of events, fliers for upcoming fundraisers or to print registration forms for conventions and conferences.

Lion Debbie Vine

District Governor

District 21-A
SEPTEMBER 2011

Hot town, summer in the city! As you read this article, summer is beginning its long journey into what passes for autumn in Arizona. We have had our Kickoff and I am predicting it was a great success (I am writing this before it actually happens) with many Lions in attendance, guest speakers and a couple of informative sessions. Thank you to PDG Ann Roberts, Kickoff Chairman for all her hard work putting this event together. She and her committee worked hard to bring us an interesting and fun meeting.

At the Kickoff I spoke of my goals and projections for District 21A. I am working along with the GMT/GLT teams to bring 3 new clubs and a 100 net gain in membership to our District this year. We will be training Guiding Lions, CEP Facilitators and club officers. I hope that you will join me in working to attain our goals. The teams will be contacting clubs to help with sponsoring new clubs, providing Guiding Lions, learning retention tips and to possibly participate in the Club Excellence Process. You will hear more about the CEP in the coming months. It is another tool to help you and your clubs attain greatness.

I also introduced my “I am a D. Vine Lion” program. This program was inspired by three important people in my life that are no longer here with us on Earth. Lion Mary Bradshaw was instrumental in teaching me how to be a Lion. I joined her Lioness club in 1986 and she took me under her wing;   encouraged me go on to leadership positions first in the Lioness club and later as a Lion. Lion Dave Lambert taught me how to laugh at myself when laughing was the last thing on my mind. My younger brother Dan taught me how to fight a losing battle and still win.  I have created a special pin that I will be giving to Lions that are deemed a divine Lion by their peers. I ask that you point these Lions out to me so that I may make the presentation during my official visits and at conventions and cabinet meetings.

Speaking of official visits, I have begun my visits to the clubs of the District. I still have several that have not confirmed the dates listed; please do this as soon as possible. I would like to have all my visits completed by the end of January. I promise to do my best to inform you, educate you and listen to you. 

The Mid-Year Conference and Leadership Forum is taking place November 4-6, 2011. I have it on good authority that if you want to learn, this is the place to be. There will be a total of 16 seminars presented. I will be presenting “Committees – What are they good for?” along with Lion Linda Finley as moderator. MD GLT Coordinator Ralph Williamson is modeling this year’s Forum on the USA/Canada Leadership Forum and it looks to be a good one. The Conference will include a Black Jack Tournament, a luncheon speaker and “Prom Night” is the theme for Saturday night’s dinner.  District Cabinet meetings will be held Sunday morning. I hope to see a good number of you there.

I am still in need of a Women and Family Membership Committee Chairman. If you’re interested plesea let me know. As always, contact me via email, Facebook, Twitter or even the old fashioned way, by phone if you have any questions, suggestions or concerns.

Lion Debbie Vine

District Governor

District 21-A
JULY 2011

Submitted by DG Debbie Vine,DG June/July NewsletterSometimes change is forced on us by circumstance and sometimes change is the best thing for us. In MD 21 change is upon us and it has come due to both circumstance and new ideas.
The Canyon State Lion is undergoing some radical changes in the very near future. Many of us believe that it is time to take the CSL electronic. Not only will it be a cost saving move but it will enable us to provide information to a broader audience. Having the CSL on the MD website makes it available to Lions all over the world. The Lions who visit our clubs during the winter months will be able to keep up with the goings on of our District and MD when they are “back home” for the summer.
The Multiple District Directory has a new look this year as does the Council of Governors. Look for us in our gray blazers, bright red shirts and bola ties. We are also sporting red polo shirts for more casual events.
Change, it’s everywhere this year it seems. The MERL program has been dismantled and in its place is GMT (Global Membership Team) and GLT (Global Leadership Team). In District 21A the new GMT Coordinator is IPDG Art Downs and PDG Ann Roberts is our GLT Coordinator. Our own PCC Ralph Williamson is the MD GLT Coordinator and PID John Walker is the GLT Area Leader for our MD. You will be hearing more about these new programs as the teams get up and running. They have some exciting ideas for membership growth and leadership development.
I’m looking forward to working with my District Governor team as we continue to grow our membership and provide services to those in need.
The official Kickoff of our 21A year will be August 27 at the All Saints of the Desert Episcopal Church in Sun City. Please join me in celebration of my birthday by bringing school supplies that will be distributed to schools in need in the Northwest Valley or if you know of a school in your area that needs this service please donate to them and then come tell us about it during the “Pitch and Brag” segment of the program. Each club will have about a minute to either “pitch” an upcoming event or “brag” about an accomplishment. It should be fun and very informative. Our officers will be installed that day by IPID Dick Sawyer. I hope to see you all there.
As you make plans for your upcoming year please check the Calendar of Events on the back page of the CSL for Convention, Forum and workshop dates. Try not to schedule conflicting events as it makes it more difficult for all Lions to participate and support your projects.
Thank you all for the opportunity to serve as your District Governor for 2011-2012.

Lion Debbie Vine,

District Governor

District 21-A