Welcome to another year of Lions service. Hopefully, your batteries have been re-energized and your are set to go that extra mile doing all those great things that Lions believe in. Remember, if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you wish to go far, go together. Together we can rebuild, grow and make a difference.
This year, our International President Dr. Wing-Kum Tam's theme is "I Believe," President Tam is asking us to continue to support LCIF programs such as disaster relief, cataract surgery (5,000,000 surgeries performed in China alone), and the eradication of measles in Africa (a leading cause of blindness and death in children). 100% of your Club's donations goes directly to these global programs, affecting the lives of millions.
President Tam would also like us to continue supporting the environment by planting 1,000,000 trees worldwide. I am happy to tell you that Lions around the world have already committed to planting over 4,000,000 trees! This will ensure that our children and grandchildren and future generations live in a world that will help sustain and protect them. President Tam also requests that we continue to motivate and direct our youth by sponsoring Leo Clubs or by inviting them to join our great organization.
As your Governor, I encourage you to continue supporting the LFC Dog Guide program, the CNIB Lake Joseph Camp for the blind, the used eyeglasses collection, the Lions' Quest program, Effective Speaking contest, and the Peace Poster program. I also encourage you to be ever mindful of the needs of our own communities; service at home helps lay the foundations for participation in our global community. We must have the Courage to envision the future, the Commitment to inspire and motivate others, and the Action to make our visions a reality. "I Believe" that together we can make a difference; actually, a world of difference. Hopefully at the end of my year as Governor, we can all say that we now 'own' our Lions' pin, we no longer 'rent' them! We must all remember who we are... Loving Individuals Offering Needed Service.
My wife Gwen and I would like to thank you for allowing us to represent you and enjoy a truly amazing experience at the Lions International Convention in Seattle. We look forward to meeting and working with all of you.
Yours in service
Dennis and Gwen Young