President’s MessageWe Can OvercomeGreetings, Lions.The past year has been one marked by struggle. The struggle to stay healthy; the struggle to serve those in need; the struggle to maintain some sense of who we are in the face of such unprecedented circumstances.But a new year lies ahead. And with that, a renewed sense of purpose and meaning. When I think of all we have faced I am reminded of the words of Helen Keller, who praised struggle as one of our greatest blessings. It teaches us patience and sensitivity, she said. It teaches us that although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.And I have seen that in the work Lions do. I still see it. I see Lions working through obstacles with patience. I see Lions showing great empathy for those who have been most affected by hardship. And I see Lions not just overcoming, but helping the world to overcome.This is a new year. Time to look ahead and not behind. While we can and must be changed by the challenges of the past year, we must continue to move forward as Lions. And we do this through service.Let’s look toward a new year, which will be filled with new struggles, yes, and also new possibilities. Sincerely,Dr. Jung-Yul ChoiInternational President, Lions Clubs International We Make the ConstellationsGreetings Lions, People are natural storytellers. Consider the constellations. Nearly every culture in recorded history has made a story out of the stars. These stories enabled our ancestors to use the night sky to navigate, pass on oral histories, and to make sense of their world. This is still how we use stories today. Lions have the greatest stories on earth. Our service transforms people’s lives. Lions give their time, energy, and funds to worthy causes because they know that a better life for others will make a better world for us all. And telling these stories is one way…more...You Make The DifferenceGreetings, Lions. We often talk about the power of Lions working together in service. As an association of more than 48,000 clubs and 1.4 million members, Lions have the opportunity to make a big impact in the world. In Lion year 2019-2020, our clubs performed more than 820,000 service projects, helping 319 million people. And we did this by working together. However, today I want to talk about the power of the individual. In trying times like the world faces today, it is easy to feel insignificant – to think the world’s problems are too large for one person to…more...See the PossibilitiesGreetings Lions, Creating a successful club is similar to growing any business. You begin by outlining a mission, creating a plan, and putting that plan into action. It takes hard work, but when you succeed, you can step back and see the beauty in what you built. When Lions ask me what is the key to building a successful club, I ask them to close their eyes and try to envision what they want from their club. Because in order to do something, you first need to be able to see it. And what more perfect time to reflect on…more...Service Is Still JoyGreetings Lions, In my role as your International President I have been very busy trying to be the best representation of you that I can possibly be. In the day-to-day I am often absorbed with the details of my schedule – who I’m talking to, what we are discussing, how our efforts can strengthen Lions. It is work. And every day, as I read your stories and speak to you (through virtual meetings these days), I am reminded of the amount of sustained effort that goes into being a successful club. Coordinating email addresses to ensure everyone gets invited to…more...United in Kindness and DiversityGreetings Lions, Serving as your International President for the past year has been an honor of a lifetime. Never have I been more humbled and more moved than by the compassion and hard work I saw from Lions every day. Now, in the face of the unique challenges the world is facing, I have been asked to extend my term as your International President. I accept this honor and responsibility with the same enthusiasm and commitment as for my first year. This year I will expand on the official them – We Serve – with an additional focus on staying…more...In Times of Darkness, Be the LightSometimes, it’s hard to find our way. In the dawn of 2020, our world has been thrust into a great trial. The past few months have seen countries – including my own – tested to their limits. Many people are facing new realities that challenge their ability to make ends meet and provide enough food and essentials to keep their families safe. And many first responders – doctors, nurses, police officers, grocery store clerks, among the many others – are putting themselves on the line every day to save lives. It is a dark time. It is easy to give…more...Build a Strong Foundation for a Strong FutureHello, Lions! When building a home, the most important first step is to have a strong foundation that can support the rooms, furniture, and lives that will rest upon it. In serving, it’s equally important to have a solid foundation to support the work we do. Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) is that support. It enables Lions to do work that would otherwise be out of reach. But without the contributions of Lions and friends, LCIF would not be strong enough to support all the work that needs to be done. It would not be able to help fund the…more...Leave No One BehindOne of my favorite aspects of being a Lion is the camaraderie I feel with my fellow Lions. I feel protective of them in some ways, and proud in every way. I am especially proud of our women Lions, who have long been a force in our clubs. More than 30 percent of our members are women, and I want us all to make sure that number continues to grow. On March 8, the world will celebrate International Women’s Day. I can’t think of a better day to give thanks for the women in our lives and in our association.…more...We’re Different, We’re the SameGreetings, Lions. We talk a lot about serving our community as Lions. Service is best when it is personal and close to home, and when it enriches our relationship with our neighbors. But now, as the world becomes smaller, the space between our communities grows smaller, too. Sometimes we focus on how different another culture is. How their food is flavored, how they dress, how they celebrate, how they mourn. But while the diversity of cultures across the world is truly astounding, what I’ve learned from my years as a Lion is how much we are all the same. We…more...Kindness Brings Warmth to the Giver and ReceiverGreetings, Lions. What is kindness? It is all the things Lions do: It’s serving. In our communities and beyond. But kindness is one of those words that can get overused, and the real meaning sometimes becomes lost. Kindness is any act that makes life better for any living thing, even for just a moment. Isn’t that what we’re really doing when we serve food or donate our time? Aren’t we trying to give people a moment in which they feel important; a moment in which they are not alone? Kindness can be something small: A tree planted on a city…more...