July 2026 Newsletter
The publication of the district newsletter is at the beginning of the month, but articles are posted all during the month. A second email notification mid-way through the month will be sent if there are additional posts to share.
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!
By Lion Peggy TobinFrom the Desk of Governor Jon Kimble – July 2026
Fellow Lions,
Welcome to the start of the 2026–2027 Lion Year!
First, I want to thank Past District Governor Raleigh Peck and Immediate Past District Governor Corinna Christensen for their immense help and mentorship in preparing me for this role!
A new year brings a blank canvas, renewed energy, and a powerful opportunity to deepen our impact across our communities. This year, we aren’t just dreaming big—we have mapped out a definitive, strategic roadmap to elevate our service, strengthen our leadership, and expand our footprint.
To help us scream our successes from the rooftops, we are thrilled to announce that District 37 has partnered with a newly engaged, professional marketing company. This collaboration will modernize our outreach, amplify our community presence, and provide our clubs with the spotlight they deserve to drive membership extension like never before.
With expert marketing support in our corner and passionate Lions on the ground, we have set our sights on five core pillars of success for the upcoming year:
Our Roadmap for 2026–2027
- Fueling Global Impact (LCIF)
Our foundation is the bedrock of our global service. This year, we are aiming for a 5% increase in total contributions to the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF). Every dollar empowers us to respond to disasters, combat hunger, and support critical community needs both at home and abroad.
- Cultivating Next-Gen Leadership
Strong clubs require confident leaders. We are launching a dedicated campaign to achieve an 80% completion rate for Club Officer Training. Additionally, mark your calendars to sharpen your skills, share best practices, and inspire the next generation of leaders at our Leadership Retreat in Lewistown, MT, held on October 2–3.
- Fortifying Our Circle (Member Retention)
Growth means nothing if we leave our friends behind. A major focus this year will be providing dedicated, hands-on support to sustain and revitalize our communities. We are wrapping our arms around struggling clubs to ensure their longevity and providing targeted administrative and operational assistance to others. The details are in works.
- Expanding Our Footprint (Membership Extension)
With our new marketing partner helping us tell the Lions story, we are actively expanding! We have set a firm goal to charter two brand-new clubs, bringing the joy of Lionism to the communities of Libby and Lewistown.
- Transparency in Action (Service Reporting)
We do incredible work, but we need to count it to make it count. We are aiming for at least 75% of our clubs actively reporting their service projects. Accurate reporting proves our impact to stakeholders and inspires others to join our ranks.
🚀 Let’s Make It a GREAT Year!
The goals are set, the infrastructure is ready, and the marketing engines are spinning. Now, it comes down to the heart and soul of District 37—you.
Your dedication, your hands, and your heart are what change lives. Let’s embrace this new year with enthusiasm, welcome our new neighbors, support our sister clubs, and show the world the true power of a Lion.
Let’s have a GREAT year!
In Service,
Jon Kimble
District Governor,
Montana Lions District 37
559-352-1455
By DG Jon KimbleMeet 2026-2027 2nd Vice District Governor Gary Van Dyke
Lion Gary Van Dyke has had the privilege of living his entire life in the great State of Montana, moving from various small towns during his youth, to finally settling down in Roundup, MT with his amazing wife Lion Jennell, where they raised their now adult son Lion Aaron.
Lion Gary was first introduced to Lions during the Billings Lions Club’s annual Charles Campbell Children’s Camp, held every July since 1961 at their Lions Beartooth Mountain Youth Camp. Gary first attended Camp as a counselor in 2005, immediately falling in love with the majestic mountain views, the babbling creek, fresh pine scented mountain air, and most importantly, the amazing opportunities that the volunteer Lions members and staff gave to youth experiencing physical disabilities – providing them an amazing opportunity to just be a kid in the wilderness away from the “real world” for a week at Camp!
Shortly thereafter, Lion Gary joined the Billings Lions Club, the first club in Montana, founded in 1921. During his tenure with the club, he has held the offices of vice president and president, and recently completed a second term following a small break.
Lion Gary also was a zone chair, and a regional zone chair. He serves on the Camp Committee, ensuring the camp continues to be available for youth organizations and others to enjoy, is a member of the Charles Campbell Children’s Camp staff. He can usually be found running around Camp in various costumes or wild hats. Lion Gary is also a founding member and director of the Camp’s Counselor Scholarship Committee, giving scholarships to counselors of the camp as a small token of appreciation to their dedication and the impacts they make on humanity.
Lion Gary has volunteered and worked in a variety of pre-hospital and emergency settings starting as a high school senior with a small rural ambulance service in central Montana. He currently is a critical care paramedic with a busy rural service in South Central Montana.
In his scant free time, Lion Gary can be found spending time with Jennell and their beagles, visiting with their son Aaron, helping Gary’s brother with various projects, and during the summer, in the pristine Beartooths working around Camp and just enjoying the peacefulness of nature.
For more information on District 37’s Organization & Leadership, please click this link: https://www.montanalions.org/about/organization/
District LCIF Co-Chairs PDG Raleigh Peck & PDG Mike Tobin – July 26
Eastern Montana Lions Clubs Invited to Explore LCIF Funding & Service Opportunities
Hello Montana Lions,
When I took on the role of Governor of SD37, one of my primary goals was to shine more light on the incredible Lions serving across Eastern Montana. Time moved quickly, and while I wasn’t able to accomplish everything I had hoped during my term, my commitment to supporting our clubs and communities has only grown stronger.
Because of that commitment, I am proud to announce that I have accepted the role of LCIF Coordinator for Eastern Montana.
In September, I will be traveling to New Orleans for my initial LCIF training and look forward to learning even more about Lionism and the many opportunities available through Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF). With the support and guidance of PDGs Mike Tobin and Larry Garrison, I am excited to help clubs throughout Eastern Montana begin and complete meaningful new service projects that strengthen our communities.
LCIF exists to help Lions clubs turn compassion into action through grants and project support. Whether your club is considering a community improvement project, humanitarian service initiative, disaster relief effort, youth support program, vision project, or another service opportunity, I want you to know that I am here to help.
If your club has ideas but needs assistance identifying funding opportunities, navigating LCIF grants, or developing projects, please reach out. My goal is to help Lions across Eastern Montana bring more impactful projects to life and continue making our communities, our state, and our world a better place for everyone.
Together, we can accomplish great things through service.
Yours in Lionism,
PDG Raleigh Peck , 1575 10th Ave SW., Sidney, MT 59270, 406-480-5000, [email protected]
PDG Mike Tobin – PO Box 408, Sunburst MT 59482, 406-450-2780, [email protected]
By LCIF CoordinatorsClub Treasurer Financial Checklist for July
Welcome to the new Lionistic Year!
As we turn the page to another year of service, I’d like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to District Jon Kimble, First Vice District Governor Gary Lewis, Second Vice District Governor Gary Van Dyke and all of our dedicated club officers across District 37 a successful, inspiring, and rewarding year ahead.
Your commitment and leadership make a powerful difference in our communities, and I look forward to working together to support the financial health of our clubs throughout the coming months.
Start the new fiscal year strong by working through this checklist:
- ✅ Review prior year’s ending balances and carry over amounts
- ✅ Confirm all signers on club bank accounts are correct and current
- ✅ Reconcile year-end bank statements to make sure no outstanding transactions
- ✅ Prepare and present a beginning-of-year financial report to your board and club
- ✅ Ensure your club’s annual 990/990-N filing is up to date if the fiscal year ended June 30
- ✅ Verify any bonding/insurance coverage for club officers, if required
- ✅ Check dues invoicing from Lions Clubs International
- ✅ Update your club budget for the year, including anticipated expenses and fundraising plans
- ✅ Confirm your membership roster is accurate to avoid paying dues on dropped members
- ✅ Review club governmental filings with the Montana Secretary of State to ensure good standing with state
- ✅ Familiarize yourself with the Lions Club Treasurer e-book and resources in the Lions Club Treasurer Page
By Lion Steve DogiakosGlobal Leadership Team – PDG Mike Collins-July 2026
Calling all District 37 Lions!
6th Annual Montana Lions Leadership Retreat
Lewistown October 2-4, 2026
Dear Montana Lions,
The leadership retreat is a unique opportunity for Montana Lions to enhance your leadership skills, gain new insights, and strengthen the connections within our Lions community. Your role as an officer in your Lions Club is vital to the success and growth of our service and Lionism in Montana, and this retreat is designed to support you in that mission.
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By Global Leadership TeamPlusoptix – Lion David Falcon – July 2026
District 37 PlusOptix Update
Hello Lions:
PlusOptix screening totals for school year September 2025 to June 2026 – 34,955 students screened with 4,313 refers through June 2026.
Have a Great Summer!
Lion David Falcon, District 37 PlusOptix Chair
314 9th St. W., Kalispell, MT 59901; C. 406-253-1726: [email protected]
By PlusOptix Coordinator
Special Notices – July 2026
For Club Secretaries
ALL 2026-27 CLUB OFFICERS MUST BE ENTERED INTO THE LION PORTAL!!
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ALL LIONS CLUBS OFFICERS FOR THE 2026-27 YEAR MUST BE REPORTED TO LCI EVEN IF NONE OF YOUR OFFICERS HAVE CHANGED! PLEASE REFER TO THE EMAIL THAT YOU RECEIVED FROM LION PEGGY TOBIN ON MAY 18, 2026.
THERE ARE TWO METHODS AVAILABLE FOR COMPLETING THIS TASK:
1. Log into the Lion Portal and complete the process online (see the document on montanalions.org/Training & Resources/Other Documents/Secretary-How to Assign Officers)
2. Complete a paper PU101 document available at montanalions.org and send it via email or regular mail to the district secretary, Peggy Tobin, at [email protected] or PO Box 408, Sunburst MT 59482.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS PROCESS, PLEASE CALL PEGGY TOBIN AT 406-461-4206!!
For Club Treasurers
Please remember that all Lions clubs with annual gross receipts less than US$50,000 that are not required to file Forms 990 or 990-EZ must file the e-Postcard (also known as the 990-N). Please be advised this filing relates specifically to the 501(c)(4). If your Lions club has a foundation, which is a separate legal entity, the appropriate form will need to be filed as well. If you are unfamiliar with this process, please see the short video noted below.
District 37 Club Officer Training Videos
These videos are all accessible via the district website, www.montanalions.org under “Training/Resources”:
- All Club officers: Trainer PDG Mike Collins
- Club President: Trainer PDG Mike Tobin
- Club Secretary: Trainer Lion Peggy Tobin
- Club Treasurer: Trainer PDG Mike Collins
Short videos about how to do specific secretary or treasurer tasks:
Filing your 990-N (e-Postcard) (9 minutes)
With the release of the new LionPortal, we have added links to some of the short videos provided by LCI (please note that these were recorded prior to updates that have made changes to the “look” of the pages – but the blue boxes are still there:
District 37 Facebook Page
We all know that Lions serve from the heart, and now we want to see YOU in action! Whether you’re planting trees, organizing a food drive, helping out at a community event, or any other service activity, we want to showcase the amazing work our Lions are doing.
We’re looking for candid shots of Montana Lions actively engaging in service. We appreciate the posed group photos that commemorate events but we want to see how you have captured the real moments that show the spirit of Lionism in action!
How to Participate:
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- Snap candid photos of Lions in action during service activities.
- Share your photos via message to the District Facebook Page (https://m.me/MontanaLions).
- Include a brief description of the activity and the names of the Lions involved.
- Bonus points for Lions wearing Lions Club logos on hats, vests, shirts, etc.!
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Let’s fill our media with the heart and soul of our District’s service efforts. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words—let’s show the world the impact of the MT Lions Clubs of District 37!
Newsletter Information
Any Lions club member can submit information associated with any type of Lions project or general club information. You can submit Club News ANYTIME! You are also welcome to email your news (hopefully with photo) to: Lion Peggy Tobin at [email protected].
Website Updates
In Addition to the “Tri-Fold Generator” for clubs to create their own club brochures, additional documents have been added including Leo Application forms and Club Service Project Ideas. If you have trouble finding a resource and it’s not currently available on the website, please contact Peggy Tobin at [email protected] or call 406-461-4206.
Free Club Websites!
The club-level website is still being offered by Montana District 37 at NO COST! If you don’t already have a domain name, Deanna can provide one for a cost of $20/year after the first year. If you are interested in getting a website for your club, please contact Peggy Tobin at [email protected] or call 406-461-4206.
Dates to Remember – July 2026
JUNE CLUB ANNIVERSARIES
69 years of service!!!
Billings Heights – 07/23/1957
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETING DATES
MT Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation – July 12, 2026 @ 10:00 at the MT School for the Deaf and the Blind, Great Falls, MT
District Cabinet Meeting – July 12, 2026 @ noon at the MT School for the Deaf and the Blind, Great Falls, MT – LUNCH WILL BE PROVIDED
District 37 6th Annual Leadership Retreat – October 2 – 4, 2026, Lewistown, MT
2027 District 37 Convention – April 16-17, 2027, Choteau, MT
LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION SCHEDULE
2026 Hong Kong – Jul 3-7
2027 Washington DC – July 2-6
2028 Singapore -June 23-27
2029 Minneapolis, MN
2030 San Antonio TX
2031 – Helsinki Finland
UPCOMING USA/CANADA FORUMS
USA/CANADA LIONS LEADERSHIP FORUMS CAN BE RELATED TO ALL AREAS OF YOUR LIFE – NOT JUST LIONS
2026 Memphis TN-50th Annual!! – September 3 – 5
2027 Huntsville, AB – September 16-18
2028 Grand Rapids, MI – To be announced
2029 Shreveport, LA – To be announced
Sidney Lions – 9th Annual Family Fun Trap Shoot
Sidney Lions 9th Annual Family Fun Trap Shoot was held Sunday 6/28/26 in partnership with Sidney Trap Club and Pheasants Forever. The event raised over $11,000, mainly from local business sponsorships, a raffle and a Dutch auction.
Both Youth and Adults participated in the trap shoot competition on this beautiful day.
Sidney Lion George Biebl (also a Pheasants Forever member) assessed eye dominance for youth shoots. Gun safety and proper shooting habits were emphasized and everybody had success breaking at least one clay target! Plus, all walked away with written recommendations for proper practice to enhance their muscle memory for shooting.
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