Thought’s from the First Vice District Governor ...
Karl Johnson
Dear Lions, Greetings from the Tasman Sea... for those who do not know.. that is the body of water between Australia and New Zealand.. Lion Jane and I are finishing up our previously planned trips, so we can spend as much time as possible with you next year. Currently we are on a cruise ship touring New Zealand and Australia .. Last month Lion Jane and I had the pleasure of visiting several clubs with DG Betty, and I have had the privilege of working with the Hurricane Harvey task force. My heart swells with pride when I see the “works” that our Lions are doing. And I am grateful to be a part of this “Pride of Lions”. I am sure everyone has seen the relay races that are held at the Olympics every 4years... so much planning, preparation, and training that goes into passing a simple baton from one runner to the next. Lions (that would be all of us) need to do the same. ??? What you say? Huh? A lot of us have done the same job year in and year out.. a lot of us have allowed others to carry our load, “run our race”. All of us need to prepare to pass “our baton” on to the future leaders of Lions... who is that?.. look around, they must be in our clubs, or if they are not we need to recruit them, for without them Lions will cease to exist. I am asking each and everyone of you to “find your replacement “ to find that person to take your place, to lead all of us into the future. Encourage someone who is hesitant, help them make that choice. Maybe that person is your child, your next door neighbor’s child, a coworker, someone you know at church, someone you met because of “Harvey” the list is endless. Sometimes I feel that no one can do the job to the same exacting standards that I do.... so I continue to do the same job year in and year out. The problem is that as the years go on, I am the only one who knows how to do that job. If I train someone to take my place, then I can feel pride in watching someone else do a great job, and know that I have helped Lions grow into the future. So I challenge you. Start small, find someone to attend the next PSC meeting with you, find someone to take your place, do your job, so you can grow into your next role within Lions... Whatever that role may be. Blessings to All for All you do Karl Johnson
PAWPRINTS DECEMBER 2017 — Page 6