Your MD-21 Council is comprised of two District Governors and the Council Chair. They provide guidance, support, and years of knowledge to the Lions of Arizona that form Multiple District 21.  They conduct four council meetings throughout the year where reports are given and Multiple District-wide decisions are made.

Meet the 2025-2026 MD-21 Council:

Ken Leja

MD-21 Council Chair

MaryJane Barjose

District 21-North Governor

Richard Stevenson

District 21-South Governor

Council Chair’s Message – October 2025

It’s October, one month away from the MidYear Forum and Leadership Conference. You REALLY should plan on participating in the learning opportunities. At least 36 different sessions will be held over the two-day event, including a lunch and keynote presentation by Int’l. Director Nadine Bushell.

Check out the schedule of classes in this edition of Canyon State Lion, and click the links on the lionsarizona.org website to register for the event and pre-select the sessions to attend.
Many MD21 Lions attended the USA-Canada Forum in Atlantic City a few weeks ago. Our November Forum is a local version that promises to be exciting, educational and informative.
Recently, the global leadership team completed the MD21 vice district governor training – a 26-hour series of sessions developed by Lions International to prepare them to become district governors. Congratulations to our current VDGs for participating both in-person and online.
Have you considered becoming a club officer? To learn more about leadership in your club, consider participating in the Emerging Lions Leadership Institute (ELLI) planned for January 23-25 of next year. Only two requirements: You cannot have been a club president AND you have a desire to learn more.
ELLI is three days of intense sharing about the world of Lions – a Friday and Saturday all-day Saturday, plus Sunday morning. Tuition includes refreshments and lunches, all materials, and you’ll commute daily to your most convenient location: Phoenix/Tempe (east valley), Phoenix/Glendale (west valley), or Tucson. For more details, read the ELLI article in this edition of Canyon State Lion or check out the website link.
Final note: The Arizona Lions Youth Exchange is coordinating efforts to send young Lions and LEOs to Europe for three- or four-week Lions Camps. Imagine a graduation scholarship to a Lions Camp in Italy, Estonia, Germany, France or Great Britain to connect with fellow youth and young adults on an international scale. Contact Tony Luick at tonyhl@comcast.net for more details, and tell him Lion Ken sent you.
Let’s Make our Net.Work!

MD-21 Council Meetings


  • Friday, Feb. 20, 2026
    21-South District Convention
    • SunBird Golf Resort auditorium
      6250 So. Sunbird Blvd., Chandler

  • Friday, June 12, 2026
    MD21 State Convention
    • DoubleTree by Hilton Phoenix Mesa
      1011 W. Holmes Avenue, Mesa
The Multiple District 21 Council of Governors meets four times a year.  At those meetings updates are given on MD projects and committees, business is discussed and decisions are made.
Your attendance is encouraged.  It’s a great way to learn what’s going on in the multiple district, as well as what’s being planned for the immediate future and long-term.
When the agenda for the next council meeting is posted, a link will be noted here.