I Believe In Giving Back. I Believe In Our Motto “We Serve.”

Just as we care for and nurture our members – young and old – it is important that we care and nurture the natural world around us – and become better stewards of our planet. The greatest gift we can give the world is something that will outlast us. I want to expand our portfolio of service by doing our part to help safeguard our environment.

Our Earth, Our Environment, Is Our Responsibility

Clearly, engaging in things like environmental restoration and civic beautification will make your life enjoyable by making the world around you more pleasant.

Why is our environment important? It is the only home we have. Many experts believe that we can reverse the strains we have placed on our planet. The challenge is getting enough people to understand they can make a difference even by doing simple things like planting a tree.  Many people engage in community service because they believe that it carries rewards beyond the obvious and tangible. But community service also helps to build a rich and supportive community of people who know each other and lend each other a hand when it is needed.

I Believe Leadership Development Makes a Difference

I believe Lions Clubs International has great leaders among our ranks. But to ensure our future, we must continue to develop new leaders and more importantly, must provide them the opportunity to lead – we must empower Lions to be confident in their ability to “do it together”. Learning is a lifelong process and as such, Lions Clubs International believes all Lions can benefit from training - beginning the day an individual becomes a Lion with an effective new

Member orientation. We must demonstrate our commitment to leadership excellence by identifying those in our Lions family who display the skills, values and dedication necessary to effectively lead our clubs. Then we must cultivate that potential through relevant training and development.

I Believe That Children Are Our Future

Lions Clubs International has a long-standing commitment to children and young adults.  Our programmes make growing up safer and healthier. Through service for children, we meet education and health needs. Through Lions Quest, we bring crucial life skills to classrooms. We also respond to issues that cry out for solutions and support – by bringing potable water to far-flung villages, building a home for street children, and through a number of other programmes uniquely suited to match local challenges in communities around the world. It seems that lately each generation is labelled. We had the X generation, the Y generation, the Millenials. Going further back we had the Baby Boomers. I don’t think young people today relate well to labels. More than generations before them, they don’t want to be labelled. They care about the world around them. They are more accepting of others. And they volunteer in unprecedented numbers. Young people volunteer at twice the rate of their adult counterparts (55 percent to 29 percent), and more than ever, they are volunteering out of altruism, strongly agreeing with statements such as “I would like to help make the world a better place.” So let’s not label, let’s simply engage.

I Believe In Lions Clubs International Foundation

Lions care. Lions have always cared. The Lions network of care has enabled our Foundation to award millions of dollars in grants around the world, and literally changed the lives of millions of people. Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) is Lions helping Lions serve others. Through LCIF, Lions ease pain and suffering and bring healing and hope to people worldwide. Contributions to LCIF are a great way to make a difference in people’s lives. Every dollar donated to LCIF goes toward a grant. Every donation helps someone lead a healthier or more productive life. LCIF is growing, and others are taking notice. Our corporate, government and collaborative partnerships are increasing each and every year. I was very fortunate to be involved in both Campaign SightFirst and Campaign SightFirst II. I witnessed first-hand what Lions can do when they come together as a family. And now, we are putting the millions of dollars raised to good use. I believe with all my heart we can make a difference through Lions Clubs International Foundation.

Do You Believe?

There are 7 billion people living on planet Earth. Over one-third live in poverty, meaning they don’t have enough to eat, don’t have access to clean drinking water, live in substandard housing, or they lack proper medical care. Very likely, all of the above and more. Poverty, homelessness, abuse, disease and disabilities, both physical and mental, afflict millions of people. Lions Clubs International cannot provide responses to all problems. Or can we? I believe we can make a difference. I believe that helping just one person sets an example for others to follow. I believe in a worldwide family of volunteers. I believe we are the global leader in community service. I believe in L-I-O-N-S. Catch The Believe Spirit. Join a Lions Club near you NOW.