By Lion Peggy Tobin
November 2025 Newsletter
We are continuing to evolve the format of the newsletter notification emails. The publication of the 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.
You can reply to this email to give us feedback on the new format. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!!
From the Desk of Governor Corinna – November 2025
District 37 Lions — Message from District Governor Corinna Christensen
Dear Lions of District 37,
As we head into the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I find myself reflecting deeply on the blessings that come with being a Lion. The friendships I’ve built across Montana, throughout our nation, and around the world have enriched my life beyond measure. Each encounter, whether over a shared meal at a small-town fundraiser or in the grand halls of an international convention, reminds me how powerful our bond of service truly is.
Being a Lion is more than wearing a pin or attending a meeting. It’s about belonging to a family that leads with heart and serves with purpose. Together, we bring light to our communities through acts both great and small…feeding families, supporting youth, preserving sight, and protecting the environment. Every Lions project begins with compassion, grows through teamwork, and ends with gratitude.
This season of thankfulness is the perfect time to express my appreciation to each of you. Your commitment, generosity, and spirit of service make Montana shine bright in the Lions world. Whether you’re collecting food for local pantries, providing eyeglass screenings, or assisting at community events, you’re demonstrating what it means to “Lead to Serve, Serve to Lead.” Thank you for giving your time and heart so freely.
By DG Corinna Christensen
Global Membership Team Report – November 2025
Global and Montana Membership – November, 2025
Congratulations to Lions Clubs and Members for starting off the Lions year 25-26 with remarkable membership numbers. For the first time in over 10 years our district has a net gain of over 20 members.
We can’t stand of our laurels however, as we should continue to engage our communities with new members, new ideas for service and energy.
All members should get with the program and ask a friend, neighbor, or a stranger if they would like to help their communities. We need to remember our challenge “WHERE THERE IS A NEED, THERE IS A LION”.
GMT Chair Richard Gessling
By Global Membership Team
District LCIF Co-Chairs PDG Lary Garrison & PDG Mike Tobin – November 25
District LCIF Co-Chair Lary Garrison – November 2025
This will be my last year as the Lions Clubs International Foundation Coordinator.
This has been one of my most satisfying positions serving Lions Clubs International. As I passed my 80th year on this planet it became clear that it was time to ensure the continued emphasis on District 37 receiving grants and supporting fundraising for OUR FOUNDATION! Please contact me with any questions or interest.
About 15 years ago our district supported LCIF moderately while also using grants sparingly. We occasionally received emergency grants as well as a few matching grants. With some emphasis on the variety of available grants clubs, District 37 started using them to remodel a Senior Center, purchase 100 state of the art readers used throughout Montana, purchase a state of the art ambulance, an emergency generator for a community shelter, a handicap fishing dock, youth diabetes camps, flood recovery, equipment for a food bank, and several Plus/Optix eye screeners.
By LCIF Coordinators
Plusoptix – Lion David Falcon – November 2025
District 37 PlusOptix Update
PlusOptix screening totals for school year September 2025 to June 2026:
3,963 screened with 541 refers.
Happy Halloween!
Lion David Falcon, District 37 PlusOptix Chair
314 9th St. W., Kalispell, MT 59901; C. 406-253-1726: [email protected]
Special Notices – November 2025
For All Club Secretaries
If you make changes to your club officers, meeting locations and/or meeting dates & times in the Lion Portal, please send a note to Lion Peggy Tobin, District 37 Secretary at [email protected] or call/text 406-461-4206 so she can more efficiently update the District website. The club directory information on the website is used by the district governor’s team to plan visits, set up meetings, and provide updates. THANK YOU!
For Club Treasurers
PLEASE NOTE THAT LCI DUES WILL INCREASED JULY 1, 2025. THE INCREASE IS $2/YEAR ($1/6-MONTH BILLING CYCLE) FOR FULL MEMBERSHIPS. NOTE: New members are charged at a prorated amount depending on date joined.
District 37 Club Officer Training Videos
These videos are all accessible via the district website, www.montanalions.org under “Training/Resources”.
- 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:
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
The new “Tri-Fold Generator” is now available for clubs to create their own club brochures using a tri-fold format that your club can use to share your information to prospective new members. You will find it under Training/Resources on the website.
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 – November 2025
NOVEMBER CLUB ANNIVERSARIES
177 years of service!!!
Hysham 11/04/1960
Havre 11/13/1952
Butte Mile-Hi 11/15/1973
UPCOMING DISTRICT MEETING DATES
District Cabinet Meeting – January 10, 2026 @ 9:00am VIA ZOOM
MT Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation – January 20, 2026 @ 6:00pm VIA ZOOM
2026 DISTRICT 37 CONVENTION
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!
APRIL 17-18, 2026, COLUMBIA FALLS, 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 – September 3 – 5
2027 Huntsville, AB – September 16-18
2028 Grand Rapids, MI – To be announced
2029 Shreveport, LA – To be announced
2025 District 37 Post Convention Report – Saturday Morning Speakers
We are continuing our series of the 2025 District 37 convention reports, sharing the experiences of many Lions who attended the 2025 District 37 Convention held May 2nd and 3rd in Helena MT.
Saturday morning began with the flag presentations, singing of the national anthems for Canada and the United States and a warm welcome from Helena’s mayor, Wilmot Collins.
Special Speakers included International Director Gary Rodifer; Vice Council Chair Christine Lank who provided a very entertaining history of women in Lions; Faith Johnson, former Miss Montana and MSU graduate who inspired everyone with her Helena Keller Presentation and Chantel Schieffer, founder of True North Leadership whose message focused on how to be better leaders.
Recent Comments