Why
Giving Back…
I joined the Vancouver Lions Club, in Vancouver, Washington U.S.A., 35 years ago. One of my Club members at that time was A.C. “Bud” Passmore. Bud was in the first year of serving a two–year term as an International Director when I became a Lion.
I must admit that I did not have a clue about what an International Director was when I first became a Lion. All I knew was that Bud was on the road from time to time, and that the rest of the Club was always happy to see him when he was in town and could attend our regular, Thursday–night Club meetings.
PID Bud Passmore became a great friend and mentor. I learned a lot about being a Lion just talking with, and listening to, PID Bud. I even learned from Bud what it meant to be an International Director!
Of the lessons learned from PID Bud, I am contunually reminded of two: (1) Lions does not run itself, and; (2) Lions requires constant vigilance if we are to preserve our 107 year legacy.
I have also had the pleasure to meet, know, and learn from several of MD19's fabulous Past International Directors, Lions like Roger Richert, Larry Schrodt, Dur Roberson, Bubba Shove, Allan Hunt… Anecdotes about our PIDs I never had the opportunity to meet have been pretty special as well.
Now I find myself with an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the 23 Lions who have represented MD19 on the Lions Clubs International board of directors; An opportunity to offer my time, the wisdom I have gained, and the experiences I have had, to serve the Lions and Leos of MD19.
The process of standing for election as an International Director is long and wearing. The earliest I can be elected is at the International Convention in Mexico City in July, 2025. I need your support, and I need your votes, as I work through the process.
“There is a saying that high office attracts two types: those who want to be someone and those who want to do something.”When I served as the MD19 Council Chairperson (2019-2020) my theme was “Together” (a theme I apparently should have patented). That theme still makes sense to me. I am running for International Director not because I seek glory or affirmation, not as a stepping–stone to some future job or office, not to add another line to my résumé, not for recognition or award. I want to be your International Director because doing so presents an opportunity to help every Lion preserve the legacy of the Lions that came before us. Together we can then help the Lions and Leos of Lions International serve.