President’s MessageService 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 the monthly meeting over Zoom, spending hours researching ways to sew masks from donated fabric, networking with local authorities to ensure your help gets to where it’s needed most – this is work.And yet, it is also joy.I see it in the passion and remarkable energy you bring to everything you do. Whether it’s service with masks on or service at a distance, Lions are continuing to put in the work that drives our mission and makes Lions Clubs International the greatest service organization in the world.So, I want to take a moment to thank you, Lions, for your continuing hard work in the face of extreme global hardships.And I want to thank you for bringing a little more joy to the worldSincerely,Dr. Jung-Yul ChoiInternational President, Lions Clubs InternationalUnited 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...Lions Can Fill the Gaps Greetings, Lions. Regardless of where you live, the change of the seasons comes with certain rituals. For many of us, those rituals involve food. Whether it’s the smell of your grandmother’s soup or your neighbor’s hot dogs on the grill, the smells of the season fill you with warm memories. But that may not be the case for those living with hunger. For many, this time of year brings fear and anxiety. Yet another cold winter to make it through with little to eat. Or one more long hot summer without a school lunch for a hungry child. As Lions,…more...To Lead, We Must First Ask How We Can ServeGreetings Lions! “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” Have you heard this saying? This is supposed to speak to the limits of persuading people to do things that may be good for them. But I see this differently. I say, maybe the horse wasn’t thirsty. Maybe the horse was hungry. Or tired. Or maybe he had a sore tooth that needed treatment. Often, when we assume we know what is best for someone, we are wrong. Good leaders do not just lead people to water. They ask them what they need and bring…more...Let All Our Lights Brighten the DarknessGreetings Lions! It is my great pleasure to address the Lion community for the first time as your International President. As we enter a new Lion year I have high hopes for us. My focus during my presidency is on fostering diversity in service. After all, there are more than 1.4 million Lions around the world, and each of us is unique. And every one matters. This means that we have to do more than just recognize what makes us different. We have to embrace it. There is a path I walk in my hometown of Busan, South Korea. I…more...Partnerships Ensure Your Work ContinuesHello, Lions! When I think of the power of partnerships, I think of the task of raising a family. I remember how difficult it was at times to balance the care and nurturing of my children with the demands of school and work life. On those nights I needed to work, my husband was there to put the kids to bed. On those days when my kids were sick or sad or just needed their mom, I had coworkers who understood and helped cover while I stayed home and gave them medicine and hugs. I could have done it all…more...