President's Message

Shortly after assuming the office of club president in July of 2003, Lion Dick Pomo made an address to the club at the noon luncheon. Here are excerpts from that address:

Dear Lion colleagues,

Yesterday I had the opportunity to share some of my thoughts with our Madison Central Lions Club members. As the incoming president, it was up to me to present my view of where we are and where we are going. While I often tend to speak from the head and heart instead of writing things down, I will try to share at least in concept some of the thoughts that struck me at that time.

I am proud to serve as the president of a great organization. It is not my desire, or responsibility to direct our club, but more accurately I am charged with the responsibility of continuing to ensure that we work together to achieve the goals and objectives of Lionism in general. I believe strongly that each of us must commit or recommit ourselves to the mission of lionism and must recognize that at times, we can not be all things to all people.

Shortly after joining the lions, I felt removed from what was happening around me. The weekly meetings did not provide me with the opportunity to get to know other lions. It was only after I became actively involved in club committees and participated in district and state meetings that I began to feel that sense of belonging.

Lets be honest, meetings alone would never keep any of us involved. The opportunity to interact with lion peers and to share a common desire to assist individuals experiencing sight loss maximize their independence was the major factor that helped me remain a lion. Also, one cannot minimize the social interaction that is essential in creating common bonds. Whether it be golf, curling, cards, or the occasional opportunity to sip a cold one together to solve the problems facing lions today or solving problems facing the world in general, goes a long ways to increase that sense of belonging and identification with a club.

I will work hard with the assistance of the board of directors to ensure communication between members. One meeting a month will be designed for us to talk with each other. It is important that members know what their board is dealing with, while at the same time members have the responsibility to share their ideas and thoughts with the board. We will have some difficult decisions to make during the coming year and we must all be cognizant of the fact that we must be diligent in protecting our finances to ensure that we can provide services for years to come.

Finally, I guess in essence I am saying that we must get back to the basics. We will only take away something if we are willing to invest of ourselves. We must look to the past for guidance, but we cannot be afraid of change. As you know Helen Keller challenged Lions many years ago to be her knights of the blind. At that time that was a challenge appropriate of the times and still remains as a foundation for Lionism throughout the world. I must say however, if Helen Keller were alive today, her challenge would not ask us to be the knights of the blind, but simply would ask us to assure that individuals in need receive those services or opportunities that will enable them to maximize their potential

Sincerely,

Dick Pomo
President Madison Central Lions Club

Copyright 2004 by Madison Central Lions Club, Inc.
rev: 09/19/2005 sg