Friday, August 1, 2008

DP Report to second council meeting


DISTRICT PRESIDENT’S REPORT TO THE SECOND COUNCIL MEETING

HELD ON 8/11/08 IN KAFUE

At Highway Park Lodge

INTRODUCTION

The Cabinet officials present, the DCC-Leos, Leo advisors Lions present, Leo club presidents fellow Leos, prospects and Guests. I warmly welcome you to the Second Leo Council meeting for this Lionistic year. It is an honor and privilege to be working with you as service providers and community volunteers and I am greatly humbled by your presence at this meeting .

I would like to thank Leo Club of Kafue and there sponsoring Lions for Hosting this meeting.

Leo District

The district has continued to face attrition in numbers of both clubs and membership. That the first Leo club for district 413- Zambia is non- existent makes sad readings. I hope by the end of this meeting we will be able to strategize on strengthening the existing Leo clubs and find ways to either charter or revamp the old Leo clubs.

I am well aware of the activities undertaken by the Leos from Kafue who are at Evelyn Hone in pushing for a reestablishment of a Leo club at Evelyn Hone College.

I would also want to commend the clubs that have continued to render service to the community, whose experience as such will be subject for discussion today not to frustrate but as a learning point for other clubs to enhance their community participation and thereby mark our existence in our respective communities.

Membership

We are currently as of the data collected by the first council meeting, are 152 Leos strong with Jacaranda and Monze yet to submit their Membership roll to the district. These are from the nine (9) Leo Clubs that are active. A lot more is to be done to help push the district membership upwards. It is in this respect that as the district are trying to hold a Leadership training workshop where, among issues to be discussed, will be membership growth.

DUES: may the clubs please be reminded that in order for the district to function effectively, you have to pay dues. If you are observant, the district treasurer presented a budget outlining our various sources of funding, district dues was one of them. So far only UTH Leo club has managed to not only pay but cleared dues for the whole lionistic year.

Visitations

As the District we have managed to visit all the clubs in Lusaka except for Chainama. A lot of challenges faced by these clubs were identified some discussed with the affected clubs.

Problems Identified included lack of orientation of the new club officers by the out-going executives, no proper handover was given.

Leos need to be well informed if we are to effectively reach out to our communities. We are to understand who we are, what our core value is and what our motivation is for doing community service if we are to be relevant and attract quality and large membership.

We are yet to visit clubs outside of Lusaka resources allowing.

We had the privilege to attend, under invitation, Leo District 412’s council meeting, with 2 Leos from UTH, Mwape and Sarah. The experience was quite enriching and worth while, we remain indebted to the hospitality accorded to us while in Zimbabwe.

The Leos from District 412 have expressed interest in attending our Leo conference.

Projects and activities/ calendar

I’d like to apologies on behalf of my executive for not carrying out any scheduled projects, however we are doing everything possible to have them done.

The Projects that have reached an advanced stage include:

Donation of Medical supplies and having a medical camp to st. Agnes’s community clinic in Ibex hill- Materials sourced through Doctors outreach care.

Donation of a computer to Jack ceccup Community school- sourced through Doctors outreach Care.

To hold a Leo Leadership training workshop on 29th November 2008. Venue to be communicated

To Undertake donation of clothes for Christmas to an orphanage or home Yet to be identified- clubs will be required to contribute the clothes to donated.

We are keeping our fingers crossed as we source for funds for sponsorship of the world AIDS day commemoration activities from NAC and ZNAN.

We assisted lions club of kabulonga in their Medical camp at Kayosha and also participated during the Sight week activities by helping in the Medical Camp at Arcades Shopping Mall.

We have as a district endeavored to attend, when informed and where time and resources allowed, Club projects, such as UTH Leo club’ donation of clothes in Mandevu, and of assorted items to children’s cancer ward at UTH and Roma Leos donation of clothes to omega orphanage.

In line with the concerns raised over the Leo conference, we as the district have decided to have a joint 3rd council and 23rd Leo conference in March or April.

Communication

We as the district have tried to communicate resources allowing within time, but we still think more needs to be done. In order to facilitate ease of communication, Clubs are urged to submit their contact details such as President’s and secretary’s phone numbers and Email addresses. Also details for your Leo advisors. Only UTH Leo club has its records updated with LCI. Clubs are urged to submit their Membership roll (minimum 20 members), President’s name, secretary’s name and address as well as your Leo advisor’s details. To facilitate ease of communication, the District website, www.leos-413.blogspot.com has been established and for any articles or information that the clubs need to communicate to the district and also be posted on the web site please send such info to leos413@gmail.com .

Way forward

1.Leo club presidents should try to inform the District of their activities on time, and from time to time should try to remind the district about such.

2. Clubs are urged to pay up the dues to enable smooth running of the district. clubs are encouraged to interact with other clubs and be able to exchange information and also carry out joint projects.

3. Sponsoring Lions Clubs are encouraged to sow in the Leos as they would be the next Governors for this district.. the stigma that Leos are a burden must be eliminated because the Leo movements activities benefit everyone in the district, for we are the nursery for the district.

4.sponsoring lions Clubs are encouraged to provide guidance to their Leo clubs.

CONCLUSION

Cabinet officials present, the DCC-Leos, Leo advisors Lions present, Leo club presidents fellow Leos, prospects and Guests, we well know that the Council meetings provide rare opportunities for us to evaluate our performance for the quarter, as such I call on each one of us to contribute positively that we may be able to help rebuild our District to its former glory.

I want the gathering today to pay particular attention to the following:

The activities for the 3rd council and 23 annual Leo conference.

Nominations for the District president and vice.

Clubs, as resolved during the 22nd Leo conference, that are in bad standing will not be allowed to present their reports and participate in the deliberations.

I once again thank you for coming and urge you to participate fully in the deliberations.

Leo Stephen Besa.

District President 2008/09

Cell: 0955818421

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