December Message and Season’s Greetings to DG Teams, Club Officers and Lion Leaders

International President's December Message and Season's Greetings to DG Teams, Club Officers and Lion Leaders

December 2009

Dear Lion TAN,

I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits as we celebrate the holiday season. Margit and I wish for you and your family much happiness, great prosperity, and continued success as you share this special time with those you love - your family, your friends and fellow Lions.

It's a natural time for reflection, a time for giving thanks and for counting blessings, and of course a time for thinking about what we hope to accomplish in the New Year ahead.

Personally, I have so much to be thankful for, most especially the opportunity to serve as your international president in 2009-10. As Margit and I have traveled the world since July, we have been constantly humbled and amazed by the selfless service of Lions in bringing hope to those in need and a future to those who don't know what tomorrow may bring.

I am also extremely grateful for the way you -- the Lion leaders of the world -- have responded to this year's Move to Grow theme. Our results continue in a very positive direction midway through December. The strength of our service has grown by the addition of more than 12,500 net new members, the best results in more than a decade. And our network of service and fellowship has grown with the addition of 610 new clubs compared to 399 last year at this time - a 71% improvement. These are simply fantastic and remarkable results. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

We are also seeing good results in reaching out to women and family members - with a wonderful 8,074 net increase in women members since July, and with Lions serving as a family now exceeding 13% of our members. And if I count all the young faces of new members I have inducted this year in my travels, I am convinced we are also making progress in reaching out to the younger generation and tomorrow's leaders.

But as a young Lion in Finland told me earlier this year, "President Eberhard, I wish that Lions can Move to Grow even younger." What he really meant is that we need to keep moving in new directions, and indeed we are. As highlighted below, clubs all over the world are moving into the future by launching modern new web sites; we are breaking new ground with Global Youth Music Contest; and we are getting ready like never before to advance our identity globally with the upcoming Lions In Sight public awareness campaign this January.

As I've mentioned in my recent emails, to keep our momentum going we must continue to work even harder over the months ahead. We are nearing the halfway point of what truly could be a remarkable year in Lions history - a year in which we will serve more people than ever, grow our network when few others are growing, and move into new directions that will ensure our position as the world's premiere service organization for decades to come.

Please see the special highlights below and share this important information with your fellow Lions. Meanwhile, I am counting on you for your continued leadership ... but please also know you can count on me. I would love to hear from you if I can help you in anyway.

With cordial regards and best wishes as you Move to Grow,

Eberhard J. Wirfs
International President

Move to Grow Highlights

· Don't wait any longer: Get ready for Lions In Sight by downloading materials for your club or district's public awareness campaign in the second half of January. See the President's Lions In Sight special video message for more ideas.

· Get ready for Sydney: View the Sydney Convention video to see the exciting plans for the Global Youth Music Contest, Ginkgo Awards Banquet and a sneak peak at wonderful Sydney.

· Move to Grow your club with a new web site. More than 1,700 clubs worldwide have created new web sites using the new LCI brand and the new e-clubhouse website templates since July. Create a new web site today. It's as easy as 1-2-3.

Global Youth Music Competition

The Global Music Youth Contest is gaining great momentum. Finalists for Europe and ISAAME have been selected and the USA and Canada are planning an online contest to select their finalists in February with submissions growing each day. Latin America and OSEAL areas will be selecting their finalists soon. So get ready and get excited for LCI's first ever Global Youth Music Contest in Sydney against the backdrop of the world famous Sydney Opera House. View the latest information on this year's contest or contact Dane.Lajoye@lionsclubs.org for more information.

Global Youth Music Contestant Global Youth Music Contestants from
performing at Europa Forum South Asia recognized at ISAAME Forum

Year End Celebration Ginkgo Award Update

Districts around the world are responding to the challenge to support and expand existing clubs through this special campaign. Find out the latest information on how your district can qualify.