June, 2016 Governors Monthly Newsletter. District 1A, Lions Clubs International
GOVERNOR RALPH ZARADA SPEAKS: District 1A Lions: Wow, it’s hard to believe that this is my final message to you as your Governor. I want to thank each and every one of you for giving me a great year. Our membership has grown and we have added three new clubs. These successes are not only mine, they are also yours. Thank you! As I reflect back through my leadership years—first as Vice District Governor then as District Governor—I think of the milestones that are stops along the way. The first milestone in the journey of the leadership year is the International Convention. Then we move on to the first Cabinet meeting, followed by the Golf Outing, Night at the Races, the second Cabinet meeting, and the Christmas party. We start the new calendar year with the Mid-year Forum, followed by the third Cabinet meeting, the Bowling tournament, the District Convention, the final Cabinet meeting, and finally the State Convention. In between all these events, there are committee meetings and club visits. Lion Sue and I have had amazing opportunities this year – we have met celebrities, and have been invited to share in Charter celebrations and club milestones. We have so many great and wonderful memories
from this exciting road trip that I took as your Governor. In just a few short weeks, we travel to Japan for the International Convention. This is the last milestone in my journey as your Governor. Congratulations to Lion Ernie Lapid, who will soon take over as the new Governor of District 1A. Lion Ernie, you have my complete support in your upcoming leadership year. Thank you District 1A Lions for your support throughout the year – and the great memories that you have given me. I am proud and humbled to have served as your Governor. May God bless all the Lions of District 1A Lion Ralph Zarada District Governor 1A 2015-2016 ralph.zarada.1a@gmail.com EVERY LION COUNTS: DGE Ernie Lapid (DGE Ernie Lapid’s Speech after his installation) Thank you so very much my fellow Lions. Good afternoon to one and all. Edna, my wife, my family and friends join me in conveying my gratitude and appreciation for my installation as the newest Governor of District 1A for our forthcoming Centennial Year! A happy coincidence of 118th Philippine Independence Day
from Spain, from which I fetch part of my inspiration. At the same time, I join my fellow Lion Officers here in acknowledgement of our joy and honor of being installed. But I share and manifest our mixed feeling of pride and trepidation at the moment, not merely for the ear of the unknown, rather for the impending responsibility and formidable sense of accountability in assuming our leadership role. We are proudly aware of the fact that we are going to serve our term during the 100th Year of Lionism. We are all, therefore, your Centennial Officers and gladly, I will be your Centennial Governor of Mother District of Lionism in the world. I know that it brings much excitement and celebration and at the same time, heightened expectation and hard work. We know that we have been preparing for the last 3-4 year to host the Chicago Centennial Celebration (which now is 52 weeks and 18 days from today.) Being the Mother District of Lionism, our District 1A is certainly having a great and historic honor besides getting motivation for our further and sustainability. In happy retrospect, we can proclaim that the Lions of today, all across the world, had their beginnings here in Chicago, 100 years ago! Having said that, we stand with confidence and pride to make ourselves available for humanitarian and civic services through the Lions. As your District Officers we shall do our best to keep the good spirit and healthy relations moving in and through all of the District 1A Lions Clubs. We will see to it that even at 100 years, we are still vibrant and growing in number and quality as Lions. I am able to say this because learning from all of our predecessors, District 1A fared very well and not one of its leadership was remiss. In other words, as lions clubs committed to serve and carry on humanitarian services, our District provides tangible evidence that we make success as a tradition! Whatever our District has vowed to do or has seen the necessity for acting on, we will thrive - We will continue our success in service to our fellowmen and women – We will make and follow through with our leadership development and membership goals with consistency and passion.
The theme of the 2016-2017 Lionistic Year is “Every Lion Counts!” Let me say it again – Every Lion – Leo and Lioness Counts! None will be left out or behind. Today, my fellow Lions and friends, I stand tall before you together with my fellow officers and leaders – buoyed up – grateful – and feeling empowered to assume our task to lead District 1A into its Century of Service! God bless us all – Long life, and Thank You District 1A. DGE Ernie Lapid ejiapid@yahoo.com Editorial: It’s Over? No, just the beginning! Governor Ralph Zarada gave his thank you and farewell speech today during new governor’s installation and cabinet awards day. His and First Lady Sue’s eyes were filled with tears of joy and happiness as he reached his promised goals in increasing membership and chartering new clubs in District 1A. Yes, it is almost over for Governor Ralph for his lionistic year as our District Governor; however, it is just the beginning for District Governor Elect Ernie as he is going to visit Japan for his District Governor Elect School and will be sworn in as our District Governor along with other 700+ District Governors from all over the world. Governor Elect Ernie’s theme for his lionistic year is, “Every Lion Counts.” He said that all Lions, Leos and Lionesses will be going forward in District 1A to reach District Goals to reach 2,000+ in membership and by chartering few new clubs. New clubs are the only vehicle to reach membership goals. It is our Centennial Year of Celebrations, as our incoming International President says – New Mountains to Climb, by exploring new avenues for our projects, publicity
and accomplishments to maintain our name as #1 humanitarian service organization in the world. Every Lion, Leo and Lioness should make every effort in publicizing Lionism through all social media pages, websites by publishing photographs of events, articles, stories and events. In our District, lions do so much; however, we are not doing enough publicity in publicizing our events. It is free on the web. Just we need to make some time and take some efforts to reach our goals. If we do not know to surf or publicize on media, it is
It is challenge time to all Lions Clubs world over. As we are going to celebrate 100 years of our existence as humanitarian association now the time to take new challenges, explore new avenues, come out of the box and do something new. In my last article, I had requested all clubs to have Centennial Service Challenge Chairperson in every club. Hope club officers heard my request and appointed Centennial Challenge Chairpersons in their clubs. His/Her main responsibility will be to promote clubs in respective communities of Lions activities, make it sure that club secretaries are reporting their service activities with photographs on MyLCI. I have number of Centennial Videos and Trivia to present during your club, zone or region meetings to promote centennial challenge as your District Centennial Service Challenge Coordinator. I will bring my lap top, projector and a screen for this presentation and there will be no cost to you; even I will buy my own dinner. Give me a call or shoot one e-mail to: govaustin@gmail.com. -Dr. Austin D’Souza, PDG District 1A Centennial Service Coordinator
time to learn. Remember – Nothing is impossible in this world. If six years old teaches us how to use new electronic devices just by using once or twice, what is wrong with us to learn? We are underestimating our capability and compromising our goals of learning new. Governor Ralph, thank you for giving me an opportunity to serve as your newsletter editor this year. I hope that I reached your satisfaction. Dr. Austin D’Souza, PDG, Your Editor
Some pictures from Incoming Officers Seminars:
FEW PHOTOS FROM NEW GOVERNOR’S INSTALLATION AND CABINET AWARDS:
GOVERNOR’S INSTALLATION & CABINET AWARDS District 1A Governor’s Monthly e-Magazine Edited & Published by Dr. Austin D’Souza, PDG for Lions, Lionesses and Leos of District 1A. e-Mail Address: govaustin@gmail.com Mail your articles, pictures and news items to above e-mail address.