Posts/Blog

President’s Message

Greetings fellow Lions!

We are deep into another holiday season as I write this letter. Our Christmas party was a success, due in large part to the Country Club’s efforts and the wonderful children’s chorus that we heard. There is something about the traditional music, the traditional gathering, and the traditional stories we hear that produces deep relaxation, comfort, and satisfaction. It produces joy for many, including me.

As Lions, we rely on many traditions to draw us closer together. In our club meetings we pray, sing, commiserate, gamble, laugh, talk and eat. (Not necessarily in that order.). The way we sing, especially because the songs have a common theme of patriotism, draws us closer. The way we sing “Happy Birthday” never fails to amuse me and please me on a deep level. The Pledge of Allegiance reminds us where we belong and why it is free. Our silly raffle wouldn’t be half as much fun if the prizes were really worth the price of entry. And, giving thanks through prayer brings my mind away from the problems of the day and back to where it needs to be, firmly focused on gratitude and love. Our traditions are valuable and worthy of the effort we make to continue them.

We share many other traditions as a club. Just to list them all would take more space than this letter should use. I will list a few:
We have a tradition of earning our own keep.
We have a tradition of helping the community in many ways.
We have a tradition of helping each other, and caring about each other.
We have a tradition of making fun of one another.
We have a tradition of welcoming every invited guest so heartily that we make a startlingly good impression.

All of this forms a culture of belonging, helpfulness, good work, comradery, fun, and accomplishment. There is a healthy dose of humility thrown in for spice. I have never in my life enjoyed a group of people more, not even when I was a little kid.

A while back, in the effort to conform to a more politically correct ideal, another club I belonged to stopped saying the Pledge of Allegiance, because it was thought that some new members of the club might feel uncomfortable when it was said, even though they were not required to participate. I say that tolerance means putting up with things you don’t agree with, not the abolishment of things that might offend others. That club was not made stronger by the change made.

Let’s hang onto our traditions and embrace them. Guests appreciate them and so do our members. The traditions make us who we are, and what we are. In large part they are about why we are a group as well.

I know that we will need to adapt in the future to new circumstances and new technology and new needs in our community. We will need to quite often be flexible enough to overcome obstacles. All of this we will do. Let’s do it proudly, as Lions. As Fort Collins Lions, with all that that entails. It is a good way to do things, and I am proud to be a part of the club that could serve as the model for Lions clubs who really want to make a difference in the lives of people in need.

Finally, I encourage you to be proud of our club, and to invite others to come experience some of our traditions for themselves. Our type of gathering is rare in today’s world. Rare and wonderful. Many who experience our club will hunger for more. Some of those will join to continue our traditions for decades to come.

Merry Christmas and may God bless you,

Your President,
David Lambertson

Monarch Awards – Joe Hamilton, 25 years; Alan Beaty, 20 years; and Ron Lockner, 30 years

The Chevron Monarch Award recognizes Lions for their long-term service, beginning at 10 years and continuing in five year increments until 75 years of service. This year, District Governor Bob Kitchell presented service awards to three club members. Thank you, Joe, Alan, and Ron for your continued service to our club!

Recent Programs

Patti Welfore, from the Aspen Club, spoke about memory loss and gave tips on how to help maintain and improve memory.

Lion Bob McLean gave a program about his work and research with the CDC and the Ebola outbreak.

2014 Christmas Party

Mike Reager awards the Humanitarian Award to Lion Joe Hamilton

Alan Beatty receives the Progressive Melvin Jones Award

Cathy and Doug Hutchinson, Denny Moyer

Dick and Helen Corl

Rusty Holsten and Edna Chavez

Aida Raider and Patsy Block

Dale and Diane Edwards

Donna and Dan Fahrlander

President’s Message

Fellow Lions,

We are in a unique position.  We have something that others want, and we have plenty of it.  What is it?  Let’s look…

We are entertained each week with the best speaker’s series in all of Northern Colorado, and probably in the whole Rocky Mountain region: college presidents, coaches and athletes, mayors, industry leaders, scientists, authors, teachers, musicians, actors, and of course, people who represent many charitable causes.

We have ample opportunity to volunteer, share our talents and our efforts with others, and often hear, “Thank you so much!”

We belong to a group of like-minded people.  A group that is overwhelmingly positive, supportive and fun to be around!

We have a sense of humor, and we’re not afraid to use it.

And, we have a mission.  A direction.  A purpose.

What we have, in short, is Lionism.  It is not too rare, as over 1.3 million others share it with us, but it is relatively unknown here in our fair city.  If people know what it is, truly understand it, many will want it too.  But how to introduce others to Lionism?

Just as it is difficult to learn a new game, or to learn how to drive, or to learn a new language, it can be difficult to decide to join a new group of people.  It is nerve wracking for most people to contemplate entering a roomful of strangers.  Much different though to go to lunch with a friend, or even an acquaintance.  That’s easy.  And once here with us, a guest can begin to decide if he fits in and if he likes the group.  Invited a second time he may start to consider joining the group.  If he comes a third time he will likely join.

Remember this:  When he joins, he gets the benefit!

Surely we want the help, and we need more willing hands.  He gets the whole list that I started with, all at once and in one place.

Why not give the gift of a trial subscription to this great product, our club.  You can do that by simply inviting someone to lunch.  If you wear your Ask1 pin, it will be easier than ever.  You may just change a life for the better.

God bless,
David Lambertson, President

MEMBER UPDATES

Jason Burkett has a new address

Rusty Holsten has a new phone number and email address

Kevin Jones has a new e-mail address

New member: Robert G. McLean

KidSight Screenings are Underway!

We have a new camera that is pretty amazing. It is able to screen BOTH of the children’s eyes at the same time!

If you would like to help at any of the schools please let Lion Carole Kitchell know.

YOUTH CAMP & EXCHANGE SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship provides $800 for a Colorado Youth to attend a Lions Youth Exchange Camp in another country. Camps on the Lions International approved list and recommended by the Lions of Colorado will be identified in early December. Most camps are for three weeks (2 weeks with a host family and one week at camp with youth from all over the world). Nearly all camps will be conducted in English.

The scholarship winner will be chosen on the basis of community service, ability and willingness to be a youth ambassador and financial need. Applications must be endorsed by a Colorado District 6NE Lions Club.

Applications are due no later than December 15, 2014

To: Steve Leroux, Email: colo.yep@gmail.com.
If you know a young person (Must be age 17 to 20, on June 15, 2014), who would be interested in attending a camp, please urge them to apply. Applications are available to download on our website at Lions District 6NE Youth Camp and Exchange Scholarship Application (Summer 2015)

CAMPBELL’S LABELS

Save your Campbell’s Labels for the Lions Camp in Woodland Park. If you need a list of the products that have the labels on them, go to the Labels for Education website. Give them to Lion Faye Lockner, Camp Co-Chair.