Fort Macleod Lions Club president Joe Rigaux presented cheques in support of two initiatives designated by District Governor Michelle Harris, who chose the Halo air ambulance based in Medicine Hat and the Canadian Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centre in Calgary.
The District C2 governor didn’t have to travel far Thursday in order to visit the Fort Macleod Lions Club.
Michelle Harris, who is from Fort Macleod and a member of the local Lions, was a familiar face to those gathered at the Welcome Mat.
Harris was named district governor last June.
I’ve loved it,” Harris said of her term. “The team that I have — I call them my boys — they’ve been fantastic. We work as a team and it’s been amazing.”
Visiting clubs in a district that stretches from B.C. to the Saskatchewan border and from Olds to the U.S. border, is a task made that much more challenging by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Harris has visited 20 of the 40 clubs in the district, some in person and others virtually.
Harris on Thursday brought greetings to the local club from the Lions International president, Douglas X. Alexander, whose theme is service from the heart.
“We serve with love and compassion in communities around the world,” said Harris, reading the message from Alexander. “Selfless giving of our time and effort is precisely what makes Lions so special.”
“When we give, we expect nothing in return yet we gain so much. Our service offers hope and connection in the face of great need.”
The Lions International president urged members to embrace the joy that comes with service from the heart.
Harris also brought greetings from the district and her board.
“We are truly a team,” Harris said. “We are ready to work with you and for you.”
Harris said the challenges presented by COVID-19 and the public health restrictions have made it difficult for Lions Clubs.
“Our plan is to grow our district with new members, as well as strengthening our current membership,” Harris said.
Harris urged the Lions to invite young families into the club, something that is already happening in Fort Macleod.
To help those young families, that might mean allowing parents to bring their children to meetings.
“Young families want to do things together, so if that means having families come to meetings with kids, so be it,” Harris said.
Harris noted the International Lions president has a message of “each one, bring one” as a way to grow membership.
“Think of all we could do if each member brought in one (new) member, and the hands that we would be able to use for service,” Harris said.
Another way to encourage membership growth, Harris said, is to start a Leo Club for children. Watching their children in service often inspires adults to serve as well.
The Nanton Lions Club was able to double its membership after starting a Leo Club, and the Foothills Lions Club in Black Diamond also fostered growth that way.
“If we serve from the heart it will show our community what Lions are really made of,” Harris said. “We care about our community, so let’s show them that true spirit.”
Harris will serve as district governor until June 30, 2022.
“My hope is that we get a stronger district that communicates better and that we serve with all our heart,” Harris said of her goals as district governor.
