Service / Fun / Recognition / Shine a Light
District Meeting - Sunday, January 21, 2017
International Relations Report

Celebrate the Gift of Lions

Why be ordinary? Why be an ordinary Lion or club or do an ordinary project? In this issue, we salute great clubs, projects and Lions. I'll let you in on a secret, and telling you this also will perhaps head off a common reaction to this issue: “Why did you not profile my club? Our project? This Lion I know? Talk about greatness!”

Well, we could have profiled any number of clubs, projects and Lions. It was hard to choose and narrow it down to these few. There are so many great examples of Lionism.

In planning this issue, we tried to be diverse in terms of geography and gender, mirroring the diverse reality of Lionism. There is room in 36 pages for a limited number of stories. We weren't concerned so much about rankings or degree of greatness as to be representative.

Worldwide, Lions serve energetically, innovatively and, most importantly, effectively. We change lives and improve communities. We see a need and fill it. We exemplify what writer George Bernard Shaw shrewdly observed: “Just do what must be done. This may not be happiness. But it is greatness.”

Actually, Shaw was half-wrong in our case. Serving others, as Lions know, does bring happiness. Doing good is its own reward. We gain so much by giving to others. So in this wonderful holiday season, marked by the giving of gifts, let us celebrate who we are and what we do. We Lions are a gift to the world.

Naresh Aggarwal

Lions Clubs International President