Dedication To Service

   The second half of this Lion’s year is off to a great start and good things continue to happen in District 2-X1. The 2012 Mid-Winter Conference and 3rd Cabinet Meeting held in Waxahachie on January 14th were quite successful based on all of the positive feedback I have received from many Lions in the District. During the general session that morning Lion Jim Weed, our State Public Relations Chair, provided information that each Club can use to promote their activities and make the public more aware of the service they provide. Lion Trish Wilson spoke on the Texas Lions Camp and the very important work that the Lions of Texas and the dedicated staff at the Camp have been doing in Kerrville for over 60 years in service to children who have physical disabilities, diabetes and down syndrome. I think those that heard her speech were truly inspired, and would agree that she is indeed passionate about her work at the Texas Lions Camp. Mike Lee from Waxahachie gave a presentation on the generations that are active in our society today. There are obvious differences in how each generation thinks, perceives service to others, and their ideas on how to provide that service. It is important that we as Lions are aware of these differences and learn how to work with members who may be from any of these generations. The breakout sessions and the Club Officer training sessions were well attended. We had the introduction of Lions 2-X1 University. The courses offered by the University will be of significant benefit to the Clubs in our District for many years to come.

   Just before lunch the winners of our Student Speaker and Environmental Photo Contests were presented, and the winner of the Peace Poster Contest gave a speech that received a standing ovation from those in the audience. Thank you to Lions Andrea Chandler, Kimberley Wheeler, and Karen Murray for serving as our District Chairs for these contests.

   I am very proud of the LEO program in District 2-X1. Lion Linda Bryant continues to do a great job as our District LEO Chair. We have a new LEO Club in Rowlett, one which has been reinstated at Ranchview High School in Irving, and two others in Wylie that are in the organizational stages. During the Conference, the LEOs in attendance elected officers for the District 2-X1 LEO Council, which is the equivalent of our District Cabinet. District 2-X1 became the seventh District, of the sixteen Districts in Texas, to have a LEO Council.  In the future the LEO Council will meet when the District Cabinet meets, they will have the opportunity to participate in the State-level LEO meetings, and to receive leadership training that will also benefit them as students and young adults. Thank you LEOs, for your service on the new LEO Council.

   During the month of January I was privileged to visit the Wylie Evening, Richardson Host, DeSoto, Wylie (Noon), Sachse, Grand Prairie Evening, Waxahachie (Noon), Mabank Cedar Creek Area, and Carrollton Evening Lions Clubs.

   The Charter celebration event for the new Hutchins Lions Club was held on January 28th. PID Beverly Stebbins was the featured speaker. She inducted the Charter members of the Club and gave an excellent presentation. The attendance from the District was outstanding. There were twelve PDGs at the event. Thank you to all who turned out to welcome the Hutchins Lions Club into the District 2-X1 family.

   On January 12th, PDG Mark Dean, Lion Don Ables and I attended a Chamber of Commerce meeting in Caddo Mills. Based on the feedback received at that meeting, the work began on January 27th to recruit members for a new Lions Club in Caddo Mills. PDG Mark Dean and Lions Don Ables and Henry White got off to a good start, and on February 8th we anticipate having the first organizational meeting for this new Club.

   District 2-X1 is fortunate to have many dedicated Lions who are willing to serve in the many leadership positions that are necessary to have a successful District organization. Your service does not go unnoticed. I am very grateful for the support of the Lions in the District as we work together in our on-going “Dedication to Service...Service with Purpose...Service with Heart”.

District Governor John Landrum