District Governor

I am excited to serve as District Governor this year, it is my privilege to work with our district leaders for the benefit that Lionism brings to our community serving the vision and hearing impaired. It is my hope that we can serve our vision impaired community by asking for more volunteers to “Join our Vision Team”. Through joint efforts, we can inspire each other in positive goal setting efforts to fund clinical eye research, devoting more time to seek information that could benefit our communities on ways to guide those that need us in the right direction.

Throughout this year of service, we should continue our strong sense of serving others, putting our district in the place to stay strong in our conviction of service, seek out ways to serve others, search for those that need us, fuel the efforts of fundraising to serve our district, serve those that have disasters and need us. We are a devoted community of Lions, our district is strong and energetic serving our local community, our district, and our state communities to any extent that we are capable of. I am asking all Lions in our district to help as we join together to become a resource for those in need, to seek the funds they need or the guidance for services that are available.

My goals are to find new innovative ways to help raise funds for our district to meet the needs of those that need our help funding glasses, hearing aids, etc. From my personal life, I know the importance of helping families in need of services that can put a hardship on their finances forcing them to delay needed purchases that will enhance their quality of life. I believe that together we can find ways to Save Sight, One Dollar at a Time. Following the goals set by Past District Governor Allen Swaim, I would like our district to continue donating dollars to save sight.

Throughout this current year of Governor Allen Swaim’s dedication to our district, I have observed many positive moments of dedication and service to others, Governor Allen has inspired me to continue many of his efforts. We all need to continue seeking dedicated Lions to join our group, membership is so vital to our community to stay viable as a service organization. WE NEED YOU, join us, we can find a role for you that will allow new members to join us in our conviction to stay strong, committed to serving others, and having fun as we seek new ways to serve.

We as lions, serve our community through a dedication and commitment to others that has stood the test of time that a pandemic did not take away, we have remained strong, my dedication to Lionism will continue to remain strong.

Thank you for allowing me to serve our district.

Lorraine Dixon District Governor 31 S

“A bend in the road is not the end of the road, unless you fail to make the turn.” This is a quote credited to Helen Keller, among several others throughout history. It makes no difference who first said it; it only makes a difference if you believe it, I believe it, and we all as a group believe it.

This year has the wonderful opportunity to turn our district into a community service superpower. We each have a role to play, just like the protagonistic robot leader on the kids movie, “find a need, fill a need!” We are so very blessed to be here, in the Lions Clubs, at this particular period of time. We can, and will, make a huge movement for the good of our local, district, and state communities this year, and for many years to come.

It was just over two years ago when I became District Governor for the first time. Now, due to circumstances as they are, I am returning for the last time that I, and anyone else, will be able to become a DG more than once. It seemed that the world ended up like the boat we were on when it capsized during the storm; confusing, scary, and a lot of chaos. I changed my direction and goals at the last moment and started asking clubs to “just do something” to stay relevant. You responded, many of you responded like the true heroes you are. You delivered food and supplies to shut-ins that were too sacred or worried to leave their home; you ran fundraisers with multiple stages that raised money but kept safe separation between others, and you retained your Lions’ Spirit through it all.

Today, I thank PDG Randy Oxendine for his leadership over the last year as we have come out of the Covid Chaos, and I look forward with exuberance at the possibilities of the next year. I have set several goals that will challenge the best among you, but they are reachable and will make us into a powerhouse of a district. First, we have announced a contest for membership driven Lions. If any Lion sponsors three new members during my term as DG, I will invite you and your spouse to a dinner at the Angus Barn (if a small group), or (better yet) a night of celebration at our house (with a chef and bartender coming in to cook in front of everyone.) We need to get above 1250 member to be able to sponsor another International Director, and we have some great member in our district that deserve the chance to run that race.

Second, I have set the goal of one hundred twenty dollars for Brighter Visions for each member of our district. Brighter Visions has suffered under Covid and we need to replenish it. I have also asked each club to hold an individual fundraiser just to benefit Brighter Visions on top of your individual goal. Here in Wendell, we are holding a benefit concert just for Brighter Visions and we are setting our goal high because the money is sorely needed.

Third, I returned just recently from a tour of Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute with Gwen, Rhett, and several big wigs from the greater DC area district. There are things being worked on in their labs that are incredible and too much to write here. The director there says he needs money to develop the technology that will virtually eliminate blindness. I spoke to the VDGs of N and S, and we have come up with a goal to raise one million one dollar bills for clinical eye research. If we can cure blindness, let’s do it sooner rather than later. You will be asked to set out jars and buckets to collect changes and single dollars that we will pile up and keep current with a picture online. I read where a Lions Club raised one million pennies for library books a few years back. I believe we can raise one million dollars for clinical eye research if we set our hearts and minds to it.

Lastly, let’s have fun and be happy. People are drawn to a group if they are happy and having fun. Fun comes from activities that bring you joy. Happiness is a state of mind. Make your goals to benefit those in need in and around our community, and let others know the happiness you receive from doing them. Ask for help in your activities, it is really easy, and everyone loves helping the community if they know it is something that you are doing. Let’s get started on a fantastic year!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in District 31-S for selecting me to this prestigious position. It is an honor that I will always remember.

My vision is to unlock the possibility for achievement and give our Lions hope for the future. The first step in this process is to reflect on what we really want. The second step is to make a journal or plan that will FOCUS on the following questions: 1. Who am I? 2. What am I doing? 3. What do I want? The third step is for each Lion to find a quiet space, get a stack of magazines, and cut out pictures and words that speak to you. Relax and begin to dream. The fourth step is that I want all Lions to look through all of the pictures and words you chose. Please keep those that speak to question 3 in step 2, “What do I want”? Now commit those questions to paper. Step five, place your pictures, words and a photo of yourself on your paper. You now have your Vision Map. Put it in a place where you can look at it every day. Speak positive words of affirmation and articulate your vision to others. This Vision Mapping Process will help us as Lions Serve!

There are three things all Lions need: A Clear Mission, Leaders, and Commitment. I feel we can all motivate each other as we do our VIP’s. As we always say, “Together Everyone Achieves More”. Can you tell me what WIIFM stands for? It stands for “What’s in It for Me”? We say this a lot in sports! Can you tell me what WIBF stands for? This stands for “Will It Be Fun”? We say this a lot in life!

Sustainability is the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level. Lions have the ability to clearly imagine, and see and feel what it would be to reach your goal.

With all of this said, Let’s Follow the Yellow Brick Road like Dorothy did in the “Wizard of Oz”, and have the ride of our life with memories we will never forget!

Most importantly, have a great year, work hard, have a great attitude, be careful, and HAVE FUN!

Thank you for the opportunity to serve this year.
The goal of the District this year is to “Focus on Vision.” Both meanings of “Vision” are considered in this goal. We are known around the world for our 1.4 million members who fight everyday to treat and cure blindness. However, we are also known for our leadership and community service that takes our sights to the future and what we can accomplish. I encourage all Lions, and Lions to be to embrace both meanings of “Vision” for the next year.
Speaking of the next year, we are in uncharted waters Lions. We have never faced this level of adversity from a pandemic. Many clubs are unable to meet, but all are still able to serve. I ask you to come together to serve in the coming year for the good of our communities, state, and countries. The world is a strange and scary place right now. Lions can help bring peace and hope to those in need. Remember, (in the deep baritone of Lion Sherman Leathers), “We are Loving Individuals Offering Needed Service.”
I try every week to listen to the greatest coach ever (Okay I may be a little biased) Jimmy V. He would preach at every practice, game, and brickyard walk, “Put yourself in a position to win.” That is what we can do even in this current climate, put ourselves into a position to win. Take the time to work on your club communications, websites, social media, service opportunities, and fundraising plans. May we look back at this time as our greatest hour when we did what must be done.
Many of you have expressed to me that you are scared about the pandemic and the current state of affairs of the world. Two days ago, Amy and I, with our two youngest boys 9 and 11, decided to take half a day and go sailing. We had a great time for four hours or so; however, about a mile from the dock a thunderstorm hit from out of nowhere. A huge gust of air flipped our boat. In less than a second, we went from sailing peacefully to capsized. Never did any of us expect to be in such danger on a pretty day.
I climbed on the keel until the boat flipped back over. With the sails still up it immediately took off with the four of us hanging onto as best we could. I threw little Teddy into the boat and we told him to drop the sails. He later told me, “Daddy, I was scared, but I knew I had to get the job done to save everyone.” We explained that “bravery” is doing what you must when you are scared.
Together Lions, we must be brave in this current environment. We must do what we know we must even though we may be scared. We must continue to serve. We must continue to work for good. We must continue to be Lions, even when this storm tears at the sails and flips the boat. I predict many civic and community service organizations will disappear this year; however, we will not be one of them. We will work hard, we will serve where we can, and we will prevail.
Visions, service, and energy will drive everything else. Take time to tell others about your service. People want to help, they just need to know what you are doing in the community and how they can assist. Look first for opportunities to serve; funds and members will follow.
I look forward to working with you this year

Thank you for the opportunity to serve this year.

The priorities for the district this year are membership and community service. Serving the people in need in our communities is what the lions are all about and there are many ways to serve. It might be paying for an eye exam and glasses or using a spot vision machine to screen children in your local schools.

One club during a school screening found a young girl who had a serious problem in one of her eyes. When her parents took her to an eye doctor they found a cancerous tumor that would have traveled to her brain if it had not been found. Maybe its helping families at Christmas or giving warm coats to children in your local schools. What ever the needs, it is important that we find and fill those needs.

We also have some wonderful opportunities to serve people at the state level. Camp Dogwood is a property we own on Lake Norman. Each week during the summer about ninety blind and visually impaired people go to Camp Dogwood for a week of activities. They have the opportunity to do many fun things around the lake and even go off the property to bowl, shop or visit a horse farm. We have the opportunity to volunteer as a camp counselor for a week. You will be able to help the VIPs have a wonderful time and in the process you will come away with great appreciation of the challenges our VIPs have in their lives. You will also come away with some incredible new friends.

The VIP Fishing Tournament is another great opportunity to serve. The VIP Fishing Tournament is the largest event for VIPs in the world. In October over five hundred visually impaired people go the the Outer Banks for three days of fishing and other activities. We take over four piers and hire two boats so the VIPs have a a day of fishing. Then there are dinners, dances and other activities. This event uses over three hundred volunteers. Again, another great opportunity to serve.

Membership is our other priority. Ask your neighbor or friend from church to help with your clubs service project. When your friends see the good work the Lions are doing, they will be interested in joining our organization. Take pictures of your next service project and send them with a short write up to your local paper and put it on your web page. The clubs that are doing this are adding new members.If we do not grow we will disappear.

I look forward to working with you this year.

District Governor, Steve McLaurin

Greetings Lions of District 31S! The New Lions Year has begun after celebrating our 100th year of Lions Club International in Chicago.  We will be celebrating this birthday throughout this calendar year. It is extremely gratifying to serve as a Lion and know the impact of our collective 100 years of service as we continue to provide service.

“Moving Forward” is my theme for the 2017‐2018 Lions year. District 31‐S is poised to move forward in providing service projects in our communities. One of my goals as District Governor is for each club in the district to initiate at least one NEW (you certainly can do more) service project in your community. There are community needs you can fulfill through service. It is imperative that we demonstrate through service our motto of  “Where there is a need, there is a Lion.”  We Serve!

A second goal for the year is for each club to increase net membership by 10 percent by year’s end. I believe that the service project or projects you initiate are great opportunities to invite friends and acquaintances to join in. This will provide the opportunity for them to “catch the fever” of gratification gained through helping those in need. We can all increase net membership by 10 percent if we focus on this effort.

The Charter Night for the newly formed Wake Southwest Centennial Lions Club was delightful to attend. This club began with 46 members – a stunning achievement accomplished by dedicated Lions seeking to provide service in Holly Springs, NC and for the enthusiasm and statewide efforts of Lions. This club used social media to recruit members and it worked. We can all learn from this experience.

Throughout the year, I urge each of you to get in the habit of submitting your projects in service and fundraising ideas
(two entirely different efforts) by sending them to News@NCLions31S.org.

The District 31‐S 2017‐2018 Directory will be distributed the week of August 1st. Copies will be given to participating clubs at the District 31‐S Brighter Visions Kick‐off on August 5, 2017 in Williamston, hosted by the Williamston Lions Club.

District 31‐S is the most dynamic district in the state. We are home to the newest Lions International Director, PDG Lion Gwen A. White. We host the annual VIP Fishing Tournament on the Outer Banks. And we possess the best assembly of Lions in the State of North Carolina!

Visiting each club in the district is among my goals. This is a shared goal with First Vice‐District Governor Lion Nathan Medlin (Warrenton Lions Club) and and Second Vice‐District Governor Lion Mark Bateman (Lake Gaston Lions Club).  Lion Mark will also be serving as the District Brighter Visions Chair.

We have dedicated Lions serving as Region Chairs, Zone Chairs, and Commitee Chairs. We serve best when we start with our own communities as we work to ultimately serve all communities in North Carolina. North Carolina Lions, Inc. offers many services and forms of assistance for the citizens of NC. To this end, please plan on supporting NCLI by selling Camp Dogwood raffle tickets and contributing to the Brighter Visions Annual Fund Drive.

Please join me in kicking‐off a new year of service in our communities. Invite someone to become a Lion. Spread the word about all of the good that we do.
There is strength in numbers. It is great to be a Lion!

District Governor Barbara Beltran

Welcome to another super year for District 31 S! My motto is “Believe in Service”. There can be miracles, when you believe you can achieve. Our clubs have achieved so much over the years to make their communities and our world a better place!

As we celebrate 100 years of Lions service, we honor the past, embrace our present, and plan for the future. As International President Bob Corlew says, we have new mountains to climb. No mountain is ever too high. People are depending on us.

We continue making our communities better places as our clubs engage in conducting service projects in a variety of areas, such as Youth, Vision, Hunger, and the Environment.

Through North Carolina Lions Inc. we conduct an annual Brighter Visions Fund Drive. Monies raised help supply white canes, support Camp Dogwood for VIPs (Visually Impaired Persons), the VIP Fishing Tournament, scholarships, recycling, providing eye glasses, supporting a Mobile Screening Unit to screen for visual and hearing problems, and help fund clinical eye research, to name a few.

We also have great opportunities to share fun and fellowship with other Lions, and to learn more about the many things we do, including a Mid-Winter Convention in January and a State Convention in April. In 2017, we are having a special International Centennial Convention scheduled for June 30-July 4th in Chicago, where we will be celebrating our 100th Birthday!! This will mark 100 years of service for Lions Clubs International!

We do have new challenges to meet, new goals to achieve, new people to serve, new mountains to climb. We can and will meet these challenges! Our symbol represents HOPE, HELP, COMMUNITY! We are a hand that reaches out, a smile for those who have no smile, and a light for those who live in darkness.

Together, through our service to others, we achieve miracles, and make our world a brighter place!

Lion Barbara Beltran,
Governor 31 S

Welcome to the new District 31-S, the super district. After so much work and planning by so many to bring S to fruition, I am excited to be your new Governor.

My motto is “Serving others with pride,” and I am proud of all the clubs in District S for all of the hard work you have done over the years to help keep the clubs solvent and active. Though the district is young, for almost 100 years the Lions of North Carolina have made a difference in the lives of thousands of visual- and hearing-impaired North Carolinians while also being a positive force for good in the communities we serve.

I am looking forward to a great year. I want us to mesh together in this marriage of the two districts and do great things this coming year. With all of us working together, we can make District S shine above all the rest.

We will have a membership drive during the month of September. I believe we can grow from inside our clubs so I encourage each Lion to ask someone to a Lions meeting. Just think, if all of the Lions in our district introduce others to Lionism we will have advertised our “product,” the good we do and fun we have, for one month.

Let’s all give it our best shot and see what will happen during the month of September. Let’s also bring back the enthusiasm that we have once known in our clubs. Let us work to have lively, informative meetings and great Brighter Vision campaigns. Please greet everyone with enthusiasm when they enter the club meeting. It doesn’t matter how long a Lion has been a member, we all want to feel important and that we are a part of a family.

I’m looking forward to having a year of eats, meets, and greets. Let’s have fun in what we do, no matter how big or small. We are Lions and we serve with pride!

— Mary Boehm