DISTRICT GOVERNOR’S Newsletter – March 2015
Spotlight on 105NE
I would like to thank all the clubs in the District who have supported the Ebola Appeal. I would also like to thank the
small number of clubs who have so far supported the DG's partner's project: The Outward Bound Trust. It would be
great to have a boost in contributions before the presentation to them in June. This is a very worthy cause as all those
who attended the Convention will know. Participants from the Trust will be speaking at the Lions UN Day, at the
Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 17 March. Thank you to all the clubs who have supported our own LCI
Foundation. Five clubs have received the Club Excellence Award in 2013-14 and I would like to see more clubs
take this up. With the amount of amazing work going on in the District it is clear that many clubs qualify.
A big welcome to all the new members in our District. Well done to the clubs who have taken up the challenge to
Strengthen the Pride with such obvious success! Let’s keep up the momentum. Just Ask1
I have now visited all the Zones in the District and I would like to thank those club members who attended Zone
meetings. There are so many amazing service projects across the Zones in our District and we should share this
enthusiasm with all our members so that more clubs can take part and get involved at Zone level. Keep up this great
work.
The Information Day. You are all no doubt aware by now that Lion members are invited to an Information Day on the
22 March 2015 at the Holiday Inn, Scotch Corner. This is great opportunity to meet someone new, share your ideas
and experiences, learn something and have a few laughs, working very closely with members of District C. There will
be five workshops where members can share ideas with a smaller group and the programme for the day has been
sent out to all clubs. It promises to be engaging, interesting and exciting with new ideas to take back to your clubs. I
look forward to seeing you all on the day. Let’s build on the fun, fellowship and excitementof Convention!
Only 50% of clubs are logging their service activities. We would like to see all clubs putting their service projects on
LCI under Service Activities. This goes towards the Centennial Service Challenge to benefit 25 million people in
each area: Sharing the Vision, Protecting our Environment, Engaging Youth and Relieving Hunger.
The Centennial Service Challenge is a great opportunity as a District to celebrate 100 years of service worldwide by
Lions Clubs International to benefit 100 million people by December 2017. The idea is to come up with a one off
service project in your local community that celebrates what Lions have been doing for 100 years. It can be a Club or
a Zone project. It can also be an opportunity for you to improve the quality of life for people in your community and at
the same time, draw attention to the great work that Lions do. Think about ways to share your project – on Facebook,
on your websites and in the local press. Discuss this at your Clubs and in Zones - there is no copyright on good
ideas! Let’s all get behind the Centennial Service Challenge and go for it NE!
Just Ask1 is a campaign by Lions to increase membership. We have taken up the We Care about Every Penny
Campaign across the District and it is beginning to show great results. It is designed as a conversation starter when
meeting members of the public or potential supporters. Check it out!
Go for it!
Just Ask1!
Strengthen the Pride!
A big thank you to all the members for all their hard work and service across the District.
Keep up the good work! Just Ask1!
Lion Andrew
District Governor 105NE
We Serve
We can make a difference as a team
Welcome
Aberdeen Bon Accord Lions Club
50 Happy Returns to Sunderland
Lions Club
Welcome to
Lion Alex Muir,
Aberdeen Bon
Accord Lions
Club, seen
here being
badged by Lion
Malcolm Hogg
Malton & Norton District Lions Club
Malton, Norton and District Lions
Club are looking forward to inducting
their 8 t h new Lion this Presidential
year. At the March club the plan is to
welcome James Lindenberg. James
found out about Lions through the
club’s website and with his wife
Catherine was a guest at their recent
Burns Supper.
Lion President Nick Simpson expects
at least two additional new members
to join before he leaves office in
June bringing the total of new
members to 10.
Please ensure that all new Lions are
recorded promptly so that we all know the
true strength of our pride in 105NE and
see a positive rise in our service strength.
DG Andrew and the DG Team, as well as
all Lions in 105NE, look forward to
welcoming new Lions throughout Scotland
and north east England as you continue to
Just Ask 1 and
It was many happy returns for
members, present, past and future
when they met to celebrate the club’s
50th Charter anniversary in February
2015 in the company of DG Lion
Andrew, Lion President Peter Fielding
and Lion Anne along with Mayor of
Sunderland Stuart and Mayoress
Maria.
Morpeth Lions Charter
Over 80 Lions and their guests enjoyed
Morpeth Club’s Charter Night at Eshott
Hall.
Lion President Stuart Lewis welcomed his
guests as well as Lions and partners from
Alnwick, Sunderland and Tynedale Clubs.
Particularly welcome were regular visitors
to Morpeth, Rick and Maureen Pockett
from the Saskatchewan Lions Club in
Canada.
The other four recipients announced at
District Convention in Dumfries by
Immediate Past District Governor Lion
Chris Southworth were Aberdeen, City of
Edinburgh, Morpeth and Teesdale Lions
Clubs.
After a welcoming drink, guests enjoyed a
three course meal. This was followed by
cabaret artist Maxie, who entertained with
jokes and music to dance to throughout
the rest of the evening.
Well done from DG Andrew and the DG
Team hope that many more clubs will
apply for the award this year as there is so
much good work being carried out across
the District which can be recognised and
acknowledged by Lions Clubs
International.
Your Young Ambassador does well in
National Finals
Following breakfast, the next morning, 13
Lions, wives and partners cleared their
heads with a brisk walk along the beach at
Druridge Bay accompanied by Tilly, a
cocker spaniel. This was followed by
coffee at the Drift Inn, Cresswell.
Club Excellence
A record five Clubs have been confirmed
as recipients of the Lions Club Excellence
Awards for 2013 / 14 under the President
of that year.
Sponsored by Teesdale Lions Club
Lauren Baillie won our District Young
Ambassador competition for 2014-15 and
received her bursary at the National finals
at Dudley in February.
Lauren is shown receiving her £500
bursary!
Lion Andrew, current DG presented the
award to this year’s Lion President Lion
Pat De Martino for presentation to
Immediate Past President Lion Robert
Hillary of Darlington Lions Club at the joint
meeting between Zone 3B and 4A in
Sedgefield.
Unfortunately, she didn’t win the national
final, but the calibre of the 12 finalists was
amazing. Young people who all have so
much to give to their communities and
who help other less fortunate then
themselves. What an inspiration to us all.
Well done Lauren on a brilliant
presentation representing the Lions of
105NE.
Important news on changes to
requesting Young Leaders in Service
certificates
A reminder from MD Young Leaders in
Service Officer Lion Sally Marsh, given
earlier by our District Youth Team Officer
Lion Corinne.
To streamline operations as from January
2015 Young Leader in Service Certificates
will no longer be issued by Oakbrook.
The new system will simplify the process
and certificates should be received by
clubs quicker.
With immediateeffectClubs will need to
send the completed logbooks, Lions Clubs
Award Request Form and the
YLiSSchool/Youth Organisation Award
certification form to yourYLiS District
Officers Lions John Sutherland and
Andrew Kerr Sutherland.
Lions Clubs International and the
United Nations
Lion Michael Phillips, Coningsby &
Tattershall Lions Club, Chairman of
Council.
Guest speakers
Apurv Gupta, Youth Representative to
the United Nations, Department of
Economic and Social Council, Geneva.
Christine Scullion, Chair, Scottish
Council for the Outward Bound Trust.
Andrew Hanlon, former participant
Outward Bound Trust’s, ‘Scotland’s Next
Generation’ project.
Laura Baillie, District 105NE Young
Ambassador, 2014-15.
Alex Doyle, District 105NE,
previous Young Ambassador 201112. Both Sponsored by Teesdale
District Lions Club.
Vote of thanks
Lion Chris Southworth, Aberdeen
Lions Club, Immediate Past District
Governor 105NE.
They will arrange for certificates from the
Multiple District Officer. The certificates
will be sent directly to the person named
on the Lions Clubs Award Request Form.
Please note that any forms received by
Oakbrook will be sent back to the UK
without being processed.
District 105NE UN Day at the Scottish
Parliament
Tuesday 17 March 2015
6 - 8pm
Programme
Welcome: Iain Gray MSP for East
Lothian. Member, Education & Culture
Committee.
Introduction
Lion Andrew Kerr Sutherland, City of
Edinburgh Lions Club, District Governor
105NE (Scotland & North East England)
The Association of Lions Clubs has
a long and proud history of
supporting the United Nations World
Organization. Lions were present at
the founding conference in 1945 and
have stood by their side ever since,
sharing the same goals. Foremost
among them is peace. Over the
years Lions have provided aid and
manpower for UNICEF, WHO and
UNESCO.
Lion Andrew thanks all attending this
important annual event raising Lions
awareness with our Scottish
politicians.
Centenary awareness beckons in
Darlington
Darlington Lions Club President Pat De
Martino and Lion Robert Hillary attended
the meeting of Darlington Probus
Club with their presentation of the history
of Lions International and the latest fund
raising activities of Darlington Lions Club.
Lions International was founded in
Chicago in 1917 by Melvyn Jones an
American business man to help people
who were less fortunate in life and Lions
Clubs reached England just after the
second world war and were greatly
encouraged by the late Queen Mother
who was then Queen Elizabeth and Royal
Patron.
Lion and Social &Programme
Secretary for Darlington Probus Club
Lions celebrate Valentine’s Day
The first British Lions Club was formed in
1950 at the Critrerion Club above
Lillywhites of Regent Street London.
There are now Lions Clubs in 202
Countries with 1.3 million members.
Darlington Lions Club was formed in 1961
and since that time has raised hundreds of
thousands of pounds for many local
charities which have included St. Teresa'
Hospice,Darlington Parkinson's
Group,North East Air Ambulance, Heel &
Toe,and this year’s main charity chosen
by club president Pat De Martino is the
Education Centre for Children with Down
Syndrome (ECCDS) which is based at
Newton Aycliffe and serves the Darlington
District and Northern counties.
Darlington Lions Club have many
fundraising activities during the year
including their bookshop in
Houndgate&Blackwellgate and they will
next be collecting for the Marie Curie
Daffodil Appeal in Darlington Town Centre
on Saturday 7 March 7 and they are also
currently organising their annual May
charity concert with French singer Flossie
performing at the Lidiard Theatre Polam
Hall School.
For more information visit
www.darlingtonlionsclub.co.uk
Darlington Lions Club president Pat De
Martino, Darlington Probus Club chairman
Kathy LeRoy, Robert Hillary / Darlington
Malton&NortonsLion President Nick
Simpson and wife Sandra hosted a
Valentines Night Bash at The Old Post
Office in Thorpe Bassett which was
attended by over Lions and their friends.
Now Lions – at least Lions of the Malton
and Norton variety – are not necessarily
the most romantic of beings – so
President Nick was out to prove a
point! Thus with the warning “Note we are
in the country a change of footwear
and a torch might be a good idea” the
guests arrived in their best party outfits,
headband LED lights and wellies – hardly
the most romantic start!
But Nick and Sandra had pulled out all the
stops and guests were welcomed with a
huge bar stocked with something to meet
everyone’s taste and a plethora of nibbles
to get everyone in the mood. But for what?
Nick had clearly being doing much
research and had chosen to return to
nature for his inspiration - well what do
Lions in the wild do on Valentine’s Night
and how can I replicate it? (Don’t worry – if
you think you know where this
conversation is going – you’re wrong!) So
in the guise of a quiz for all the old
romantics he challenged everyone from
detailed descriptions of Chinese signs of
the zodiac to judge their partner’s sign. As
a tie breaker guests also had to guess
President Nick’s sign.
Somehow or other he contrived to select
Louise Dewhurst, the wife of our Secretary
as the winner – and all this so he could
reproduce the image he’d found on the
web! The result is below for all to see.
Out of Africa?
Three ladies who know they’re married to
true old romantics! – left to right, Gladys
Thompson, Lis More and Susan Harrison.
It was also great to be joined by the wife of
one of the Club’s longest serving Lions.
Gladys Thompson has not been too well
recently so for her first outing since getting
home from hospital she couldn’t resist a
Valentine’s Night out! It was great to see
you Gladys and continue your recovery.
So with one successful Valentine’s Night
under his belt will this become a regular
event on the Lions Calendar? Well it might
if we can find a venue for next year – any
volunteers?
The darts continue to fly at Durham
In mid February Durham Lion President
Alvan Bailey with Lions Keith Vear and
George O'Donnell joined a number of the
regulars at the Prince of Wales in Hetton
Le Hole, near Durham, to present trophies
and shields to their men's and ladies
darts teams for their efforts in the Annual
Durham Lions Sponsored Tops in
Twenties Tournament. The ladies team
were the highest scorers in the ladies
section of the tournament and the men's
team were among the runners up in the
men's section, although the ladies insisted
in referring to the men as 'losers'. The
Prince of Wales raised the amazing total
of £2100.00 in sponsorship money for the
Lions Charity funds to be used on local
good causes and, consequently, were
very worthy winners of the Tops in
Twenties Sponsorship Shield. In
presenting the various Trophies Lion
Alvan praised the efforts of the teams,
other regulars at the pub and the pub
management Joanna, Alex and James
Angus, again reminding them of the value
of their efforts to the local community.
After the presentations everyone enjoyed
a lovely buffet and the raffle.
The photo shows Lions George and Alvan
together with the members of both teams.
Joanne Angus is holding the Sponsorship
Shield.
Getting the message out with a
bottle
Durham Lion John
King liaised with a
nurse named Nicki
Merryweather,
organising a supply
of 50 Message in a
Bottles to a team of
community nurses at
Chester Le Street
Hospital.
They visit vulnerable people and assess
their needs, so we can be sure that the
MiaBs will be given to people who have a
need for them. There is also a possibility
that one of her colleagues at the
Cornerstone Community Centre, also in
Chester Le Street, may request a supply.
Lion John is holding 25 in readiness. As a
useful spin off from this, Durham Lions are
being invited to take part in an awareness
day at a local venue in June where the
club can display banners and information
as well as meeting members of the public.
Visit your new District website
District 105NE Lions new website is up
and running, awaiting your contributions.
Send your club, zone, team and news
blogs to Richard Lukey to continue to
Strengthen the Pride in 105NE
Lions web and Facebook bring you all the
latest news and let possible members
know more. Encourage everyone to see
the news and Just Ask.
Viewing figures for February show more
and more people are viewing the Lions
105NE website and spending some time
looking at our news. Please make sure
that your news is included.
DG Partner Project: Outward Bound
Trust
There is still time to make a donation to
the first DG Partner Project for many years
which supports the youth of today become
the adults of tomorrow, strong and more
confident in approach, serving their
community.
Please send to District Treasurer Lion
Peter Milburn, clearly marked on the back
for DG Partner Project 2014/15 Outward
Bound Trust by the end of May. Thank
you.
Marching on
Marie Curie Daffodil Month has already
got well under way for 2015 in partnership
with Lions and Lionesses across District
105NE – hopefully you all have a
blooming good time out and about in the
community supporting this worthwhile
organisation.
Lions Clubs International is the world’s
largest service organisation serving local,
national and international communities.
We have to keep reminding everyone of
this, using all means of communication.
Northallerton
& District
Lioness Club
Tag your story #lionsclubs and it could be
picked up by Lions Clubs International and
fellow Lions around the world.
DG Team travels for March 2015
February update
District 105C Convention was attended by
DG Elect Dave on 14 February
March
3
Zone 2B meeting
7
District 105BN
Convention, Bury
13 Allendale Lions
Club Charter
17 Lions UN Day
Scottish Parliament
20
22
Easingwold Lions
Club Charter
Information Day
Scotch Corner
DG Andrew
DGE Dave
IPDG Chris
DG Andrew
DG Andrew
DGE Dave
IPDG Chris
DG Andrew
DG Team
Thirsk &
Northallerton
Lions Club
Aberdeen Lions
Club
Haste ye back
Scotch Corner – the place to be
I'm pleased to tell you that we've added
even more to your Information Day.
Lion Marilyn Bennet will be available for one
to one tuition on My LCI should you request
it. Please bring your membership number
and password if you want to access your
own club’s site.
Ayr & Prestwick Lion President Robin and
some of the team presented a cheque for
£100 to intrepid Rory Boyle aged 18.
Lion Peter Milburn will be available to
answer one to one questions on Treasurer
matters.
Lion Sue Barron will be available to answer
questions on vulnerable persons legislation
Rory is setting off for distant shores and
the Lions bid him farewell and safe travels.
He'll spend seven weeks with Operation
Raleigh working on a project in Costa Rica
and has been busy raising funds for the
organisation.
Lion Geoff Bushell will be available for
consultation on Health & Safety.
Ayr & Prestwick look forward to hearing all
about Rory's adventures when he speaks
at it’s August meeting. Bon voyage Rory.
You're heading a long way from Ayr
seashore!
Regretfully we don't have time in our packed
programme for Peter, Geoff and Sue to do
presentations but they have been good
enough to make themselves available, all
you've got to do is look them up for a
friendly chat and network.
What it’s all about
Immediate Past International President
and current Chairperson of Lions Clubs
International Foundation Barry Palmer
recently had the pleasure of visiting the
Philippines and inspecting some of the
water purification jerry cans supplied by
the Lions of MD 105 the British Isles and
Ireland and LCIF still in use 12 months
later and the only source of clean water.
This shows the importance of all these
small donations from clubs in District
105NE and throughout the MD in what can
be achieved.
Lion Alvan Bailey will be be happy to show
you how his club makes good use of
Facebook.
We hope to see you there, the place to be
on 22 March 2015, we hope to hear you
share.
Please confirm to Global Leadership
Officer Lion Dave Wheeler how many
Lions are attending from your Club, plus the
number of hot two course lunches needed at
£12.50 per head, which will be collected on
the day, so that theHoliday Inn Scotch
Corner is prepared to greet our pride. We’re
back for Convention!
Your April 2015 Spotlight
Thank you for all your news that keeps
rolling in. Please continue to send in your
news for all the different communications
channels available.
If you have information you want published
please send this to Lachlan and to
Richardfor the website/Twitter/ Facebook
sites.
Copy deadline for April 2015 Spotlight on
105NE is Monday 23 March to allow for
compilation. This will hopefully allow for
distribution at the start of April.