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Who are the LIONS?

Lions are members of community service clubs, dedicated to the idea that the men and women who live in a community are in the best position to know who needs help and why.  More than 46,000  strong, these local clubs are part of the worlds’ largest such organization, with 1.4+ million members serving in more than 200 countries and areas.  The association is both non-political and non-sectarian.

DG Jim Tobolski

Founded in Chicago, Illinois, USA in 1917 by insurance agent Melvin Jones and others, Lions Clubs International has ever since offered business and professional people a way of sharing their success by helping those less fortunate than themselves.  The association became international when a club was formed in Canada in 1920.  A highlight of its early history was a speech at the 1925 convention, when the legendary Helen Keller challenged the Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.”  They responded, and Lions are now best known for their sight-related programs, including SightFirst, the world’s largest blindness prevention program.  Today the Lions are sponsoring Lions KidSight USA, working to identify and help reduce childhood vision problems that may be a barrier to learning.

While Lions speak many languages and profess many religious and political beliefs, they all subscribe to common objectives and ethical principles.

LIONS subscribe to specific “Code of Ethics” and follow the motto “We Serve”.

100% of all community donations to the LIONS are used for charitable services or returned to the community either directly or through service projects.

LIONS Clubs generally meet on a regular basis for breakfast, Lunch or dinner.  

Meetings provide a forum for project planning, guest speakers, and fellowship

Memberships in LIONS are by invitation, and open to any person, at least 18 years of age, of good moral character, and interested in serving their community.

District Governor 2024-2025 Jim Tobolski

2025 Mid-Winter Convention

District Governors Ana Elliott (N) and Jim Tobolski (S) invite you to District’s N&S Mid-Winter Convention.  The Convention Committee has been hard at work!  The 2025 Mid-Winter Convention is coming fast! We are only weeks away now. Here are the details and links for registration and advertisement forms (below).

International Director Bert Nelson

International Director Bert Nelson of New York Mills, Minnesota, United States, was elected to serve a two-year term as an international director of Lions International at the association’s 106th International Convention in Melbourne, Australia, June 21 through June 25, 2024. Director Nelson has 15 years of experience as a financial services professional. He is a registered representative and licensed agent at New York Life Insurance and Annuity Corporation, where he provides financial advice and guidance. He has many notable achievements, including awards in annuity and life insurance and long-term care insurance sales. Director Nelson joined the New York Mills Lions Club in 1991, where he is currently an active member. He has held several offices within the association including club president, club secretary, zone chairperson, district public relations chairperson, district governor, council chairperson and was a USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum planning committee member, among many other positions. In recognition of his service to the association, Director Nelson has received numerous awards including Lion of the Year Award, The Al Jensen Award, an LCIF Helping Hands Award and multiple International President’s Awards and International President’s Medals. He is also a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow. In addition to his Lion activities, Director Nelson has served as township treasurer, fire warden, and Holy Cross Catholic Church Council and Trustee member. He has also been a facilitator for multiple Regional Lions Leadership Institutes and Emerging Lions Leadership Institutes. Director Nelson is an avid hunter and enjoys playing games and cards with his family and friends. Director Nelson and his wife of 40 years, Pamela, also a Lion and a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow, have three adult children and three grandchildren.

We will have seminars on the following topics:  LCIF, KidsSightUSA and Childhood Cancer.

Tail Twister Breakfast Auction:  PLEASE bring Items/ baskets etc. to raffle off!  Funds raised go to Brighter Visions.

Denim & Diamonds!

Friday Night Fun Night

Entertainment by 

Big Time Shine Band

Tail Twister Breakfast & Auction

Cabinet Meetings

Election of Officers

Townhall

Seminars

District Governor’s Banquet

See you there!

Registration Form
Delegate Form
Advertisement Form

Remember, Clubs must be current on their dues with both LCI and State/District dues for first half of the year, to be eligible to vote. Check with your Treasurer, if you did not previously do so.

Call hotel soon for room reservations (listed on Registration form), as there may be soccer families staying at the hotel also for a tournament.

Interested in being an Officer?

Lions that meet the qualifications per Lions Club International By Laws that are interested in running for 2nd Vice District Governor, 1st Vice District Governor and District Governor are encouraged to send your Letter of Intent, Resume and Club Endorsement to the Nominations Chair, PDG Carlton Metts at carltonvmetts@gmail.com by December 15th, 2024.

2024 Mid-Winter Convention

Flyer for 2023 Mid-Winter Convention

You are cordially invited to the District N&S Mid-Winter Convention January 19-20, 2024 in Greenville, NC. Our Guest Speaker is International Director Joanne Ogden. Our next Cabinet Meeting and Elections will be held during the convention on Saturday, January 20, 2024.

For those interested in running for the following officers District Governor, 1st Vice District Governor and 2nd Vice District Governor for the 2024-2025 please send your resume and club endorsement to the Nominations Chair.
Below are the Download Buttons for the Registration form and Convention Ad Form.

Registration Form
Advertisement Form

2023 North Carolina Lions State Convention

The 2023 North Carolina Lions State Convention is coming up April 27-30 in Greensboro at the Greensboro/High Point Airport Marriott.

If you would like to register to attend you can still get a discounted room rate until April 13th.

Registration Form

If you (or your club) would like to run an advertisement in the convention program here is a link to the Advertisement Form.

Advertisement Form

Image for 2023 NC Lions State Convention

2022 District N & S PDG Golf Tournament

Past District Governors’ Golf Tournament

Mark your calendars: Monday October 3 for the Annual District 31-N & S PDG Golf Tournament benefitting the Visually Impaired Persons Fishing Tournament. The event will be held at Lane Tree Country Club in Goldsboro. Shotgun start will be 11:00 a.m. the format is a modified super-ball tournament. Prizes will be awarded for first and second place, as well as closest to the pin on all par threes, and the longest drive on a designated hole.

We need players; $75.00 for individual, $300.00 for a team. We also need hole sponsors at $100.00 each.

For additional information contact PDG Jana Peedin at jduobox@aol.com or PDG Gene English at ggenglish@n.rr.com or any PDG in your District.

GOLFERS WANTED!!!

GOLFERS WANTED!!! The PDG’S of District 31 N&S invite you to play in our upcoming golf event to raise funds for the VIP Fishing Tournament. Monday Oct4th in Goldsboro. Come Join Us You Still have time to register. Any questions feel free to call PDG Wayne Faber 919-780-8819.

N&S Revised Form for GolfDownload

North Carolina Laws for the protection of people who are Blind, their use of White Canes, and Service Animals

As Lions, one of the most important things we can do is to be informed of the North Carolina Laws that protect people who are blind or have low vision, their use of white canes and their service animals.
 
While it is very important that we raise money to help people with their visions White Canes and Leader Dogs, it is also important that we know, and share, information on the rights and protection of people who are blind or have low vision.
 
North Carolina has many laws that give rights and protection to people who are blind or have low vision.  A list of these laws can be found at HERE.  These laws cover assaulting a service animal, Rights of people who are Blind, Right-of-Way for White Canes, & Guide Dogs, among other items.
 
The NC DHHS publishes a document on “Welcoming Your Customers who use Service Animals”.  This is a good summary of wha businesses should do and how they can recognize what animals qualify as a service animal and which do not.  This document can be found at HERE.
 
Submitted by Lion Bill Graham

A Few Memories from 70 Years of Fun, Frivolity and Lions’ Service

In preparation for the North Carolina Lions 2020 State Convention, PID Lacy Presnell made his book, “A Few Memories from 70 Years of Fun, Frivolity and Lions’ Service” available.  He has stated “I simply want every VIP and every Lion who wants one to have a copy of my book.”  Unfortunately, due to the CoVid 19 Pandemic, PID Lacy’s book got very little exposure.
 
Fortunately, PID Lacy’s Excellent book on being a Lion can be found on the District 31S website, HERE.
 
This is a must read book for Lions & VIPs.  If you have ever heard PID Lacy speak, you Will recognize his wit, wisdom, and good humor in this book. We recommend you read PID Lacy’s book, and share it with others.  The pdf on the website is screen reader friendly, so you can also share it with any people who are blind or have low vision.
 
Pictured are Esther & PID Lacy Presnell
 
Together we can do so much more!
 
Lion Bill Graham
31S District Leader Dog Chair