President’s MessageMake Your MarkDear Lion,Growing up in Brazil as part of an entrepreneurial family, I learned how important it was to have a vision and a plan to achieve it. I also learned the power of community. Community has always been the bedrock of my journey, and the deep sense of belonging and the desire to strengthen it ignited my passion for service.That’s the spark that led me to Lions. I saw something special in this organization — an opportunity to give back to the community that had been so good to me. And I have as a Lion, just as you have in your own community.When we serve, we make a lasting impression on the lives of the people we serve. It’s the mark of compassion. It’s the mark of kindness. It’s the mark of a Lion. That’s why my presidential message for this year is “Make Your Mark.”Let’s make our mark by inviting others to join our clubs, opening the doors to new friendships and new ideas. Let’s make our mark by increasing our impact and serving more people than ever before.Each Lion has a story to tell. I hope the stories in this issue will inspire you, motivate you and encourage you to share your own stories with your community.It is my deepest honor to serve as your international president. Together, we will make our mark, every time and everywhere we serve.At your service,Fabrício Oliveira International President, Lions Clubs International Rising to the ChallengeAs we prepare for a great 2024, Lions remain committed to MISSION 1.5 — our drive to reach 1.5 million members and increase our capacity to serve those who need us. The need to grow is urgent, and I'm genuinely inspired by the way you are rising to meet this challenge. More members will allow us to do more service over the coming years, and the momentum we create will have a powerful ripple effect into the future. As we grow, our stories of service will increase, our collective voice will get louder, and we will inspire even more people…more...Changing the World With YouDear Lions, I am truly honored and humbled to serve as your international president, and I am happy to share with you my message of Changing the World. For years, Lions and Leos have been changing the world, one community at a time. Now, collectively, we are setting bold ambitious goals to meet the needs of our neighbors, our communities and our world. Boldness and action are exactly what we can deliver as we tackle the biggest challenges that lie before us. Boldness, focused on success and excellence, and commitment to service: these are the benchmarks we must use to…more...Celebrate SuccessHello, Lions! I can’t believe my year as your international president is already coming to a close. But when I look back at the places I visited and the many faces I saw, I am humbled by the sheer scale of the work we do as Lions. We’ve had such incredible success! As we bring this Lion year to a close, let’s take a moment to reflect on our year and all the good work that we did. Remember, success can take many different forms. Yes, success is when you complete a meaningful service project or raise the required amount…more...Leaders Show the WayHello, Lions! Learning how to lead is one of the perks of being a Lion. We invest in our Lions to ensure that you have all the opportunities you need to become effective leaders in service, in your communities, and in life. But don’t mistake having a title for being a leader. You could be president of the world and still not be an effective leader. Leaders show the way through their actions. They inspire others by being the type of person others can look up to. Real leaders show up. They recognize what needs to be done. And they…more...Generations of Service Make Us StrongerHello, Lions! It’s amazing but not at all surprising to me when I meet a Lion who has served for five or six decades. Lions are the most dedicated people I’ve ever known. We live to serve, and we know our actions have real impact. But if we are to make a lasting impact, we must continue to bring new generations of Lions into the fold. Young people have skills and life experiences that can strengthen what we do and how we go about doing it. When experienced Lions welcome a new generation of members, clubs are strengthened, their service…more...Innovate—and Evolve. It’s in Our Roots.Hello, Lions! In 1917 a group of independent social clubs gathered at the LaSalle Hotel in downtown Chicago. They asked themselves if they might join forces to help their communities. At the time, it was incredibly innovative. International service organizations had yet to become a driving force for good in the world. But with the birth of the International Association of Lions Clubs, a whole new era began. Looking back, it seems so obvious. Of course those who have should band together and help those who have-not! But isn’t that how it is with innovation? When we look back, it…more...Building the Future We Want to SeeHello, Lions! Do you have big dreams for your club? Do you want to grow your membership, get young people more involved, or expand the kinds of service projects you do? When you dream big—and I know Lions like to dream big—it can feel overwhelming and hard to know where to start. But here’s the big secret of Lions—you don’t have to do it alone. The Global Action Team can help energize your efforts. We have a global foundation, LCIF, that’s here to empower you with financial support. And there are more than 48,000 clubs around the world who are…more...Fun is FundamentalHello, Lions! Well, I don’t know about you, but there’s nothing like a new year to fill me with a renewed sense of purpose, and I feel more eager than ever to do the important work that Lions do. Every year I like to take this time to pause and assess how we’re doing as a club. What have we done well so far and where have we stumbled? How can we build on our successes and learn from our mistakes? And, if your club is anything like mine, how can I prank the heck out of my Lion brothers…more...We are the Good ThingsHello, Lions! In Minnesota, even though December is cold and dark, our hearts are never more warm and filled with light than they are during this time. It’s in December that we share meals with loved ones and find ways to connect with friends we haven’t seen all year. We look for ways to give to those in need. And we are thankful, more than ever, for not only the things we have, but the ways in which we are able to help those who need us. Besides my family, there is nothing in this world I’m more thankful for…more...We are Team LionsHello, Lions! There’s one thing better than watching a great team in action—being on the team! There are few things I love more than pulling on a jersey, grabbing a glove, and taking my place on the field. It’s hard work, it requires dedication, but it’s also just so much fun. Of course, I’m talking about Team Lions. When my club goes out to serve, we do it as a unit. We wear our club shirts, we take our positions, and we use our individual strengths to help our team be successful. We aren’t just a club. We’re a group…more...