In order to keep serving, Lions clubs need members

Dist. Gov. Dennis Sykora spoke Oct. 18, about what his goals are for the clubs in his area and how he wants to see membership grow. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

As someone who has been involved with the Lions for not just the 22 years he’s been a member, but also watched his father as a charter member of the Tilden Lions Club, Dist. Gov. Dennis Sykora knows that without bodies to fill clubhouses, nothing gets done. Sykora addressed the Lake Holcombe and Cornell Lions clubs Oct. 18, at their joint Governor’s Night.

Sykora shared that with a new Lions International president (Patti Hill), the administration wants to see 1.5 million members, worldwide, by 2027.

“And right now, we’re hovering around that 1.4 (million),” said Sykora, adding that number hasn’t changed in the last six to eight years. “So, that’s why they want to see growth.”

To help facilitate that, Lions International is planning incentives for clubs and sponsors, which is yet unknown, except for the promise of a special pin for sponsors.

Hill is also very environmentally minded, whether by planting trees or cleaning roadsides, and wants all the clubs to do something of that nature.

“Wisconsin is going a step above that,” said Sykora. Lions are encouraged to compost in their municipality, by talking with the DNR, for free advice on how to set up something like that in their community.

“I know a lot of people do it at home, but they would like to see it on a broader aspect,” said Sykora.

[caption id="attachment_204774" align="alignnone" width="300"] Kyle Baker (left) was installed as a new member of the Lake Holcombe Lions Club, with Bryan “Tazz” Olichwier serving as his sponsor. Photo by Ginna Young[/caption]   [caption id="attachment_204775" align="alignnone" width="192"] To thank Don Meyer (left) for all the years of dedicated work at the Lake Holcombe Lions Campground, the road leading into the sites has been designated as Don Meyer Boulevard. Don received the Community Service Award from the Lions and was pleased to see the sign up at the family-oriented campground, as was his wife, Lana. Photo by Ginna Young[/caption]