December 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!!
By Lion Peggy TobinUnderstanding District 37 Dues for the 2025–2026 Lionistic Year
District 37 will issue its annual dues invoices this month. This is a good time to clarify how dues work at both the district and international levels, since the structure can feel complicated if you do not see the entire system at once.
By Lion Steve Dogiakos
From the Desk of Governor Corinna – December 2025
District 37 Lions — Reflections of Gratitude
From District Governor Corinna Christensen,
In this season of Thanksgiving, I find myself pausing—hands around a warm mug, heart full and reflecting on how deeply Lions has blessed my life. The gratitude runs so wide and wild it feels like it could spill over the Montana river banks.
It begins at home. My Lion Mom… the first woman Lion in the Ennis Lions Club, the first woman President, my biggest encourager, and also the first person to look me square in the eye and say “bologna” when I need it. Every good Governor needs one of those.
Or perhaps that role is shared with PID Dave…Lion Dad…my sage compass who somehow manages to keep me on the Lions International straight-and-narrow with equal parts humor and steadfast support.
And then… the Ennis Lions. Too many extraordinary hearts to list individually. You have lifted me, steadied me, cheered me on, and laughed with me through this journey as District Governor. You’ve made “Gov” feel less like a title and more like a team.
A special thank you to Lion Julie…my fearless, loyal travel partner who many of you have now met. She brings entertainment, encouragement, and the kind of friendship that makes long roads feel short.
To every Lions Club in District 37: my gratitude for you is immeasurable. Traveling our great state of Montana and visiting your clubs has reminded me again and again that your service is powerful, personal, and beautifully unique. “Your Club… Your Way” isn’t just a slogan—it’s alive in every act you take to strengthen your communities.
To the District Cabinet: thank you for your steady guidance, your nudges, your reminders, your calm behind-the-scenes orchestration that keeps this district humming like a well-tuned fiddle.
And to the 2026 Convention Committee in Columbia Falls…you’re knocking it out of the park. I cannot wait for April 17–18. Keep that creative fire burning.
As we continue forward, may we all remember the heartbeat of our year: “Lead to Serve, Serve to Lead.”
With a thankful heart at Thanksgiving…
WE SERVE.
With heartfelt gratitude,
DG Corinna Christensen
District Governor, Montana Lions District 37
By DG Corinna Christensen
By District Convention
District LCIF Co-Chairs PDG Lary Garrison & PDG Mike Tobin – December 25
GIVING TUESDAY – December 2nd
Giving Tuesday began in 2012 as a partnership between the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation to create a day of giving in response to the rise of commercialism after Thanksgiving. It was launched as a social media campaign to encourage people to ‘do good’ by donating to charities, volunteering , or taking other actions to support their communities, and has grown into a global movement.
The movement has grown significantly since it started in 2012, with billions of dollars raised for charities worldwide. In 2023, U.S. donors gave $3.1 billion in one day, and millions more donated goods or volunteered.
Your Lions Clubs International Foundation provides grant monies for Childhood Cancer, Hunger, Vision, Diabetes, Youth, Disaster Relief, Humanitarian Efforts, and the Environment. Your support does so much for so many in so many ways!
Judy and I each make a recurring monthly donation to LCIF. We both are members of the LCIF Legacy Society. We will both make a special Giving Tuesday donation to LCIF. Will you and your club members also give a $5-$10 donation toward Giving Tuesday, on or about Tuesday December 2nd.
If any member has, or will, make a recurring donation of $10 or more each month the Foundation will recognize you with a special pen as well as an annual pin showing your continued support to be sent out next Spring.
Donations can be made at: [email protected], or by calling 1-630-203-3836. Or send a check to LCIF, 300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, Il, 60523-8842 USA. Thank you for your previous and future support.
Feel free to contact us with any questions, or to schedule a club visit to showcase the many grant possibilities available from LCIF.
Yours in Lionism,
PDG Lary Garrison, LCIF Co-Coordinator
PDG Lary Garrison , 703 Conway St., Billings, MT 59105, 406-855-6997, [email protected]
PDG Mike Tobin – PO Box 408, Sunburst MT 59482, 406-450-2780, [email protected]
By LCIF Coordinators
By Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation
Plusoptix – Lion David Falcon – December 2025
District 37 PlusOptix Update
PlusOptix screening totals for school year September 2025 to June 2026:
11,808 stsudents screened with 1,537 refers as of November 2025.
NOTICE REGARDING S12 BATTERIES:
Some of our Plus Optix S12 users have had issues with batteries so I wanted to send a reminder to all:
The correct battery for the S12 is Eneloop, part number #BK-3MCDA8BA. They can be purchased on Amazon. Batteries should be changed out every two years and it is also important to NOT use old batteries with new batteries. Finally, NEVER use non-rechargeable alkaline or lithium batteries! I am always available if you have any questions.
Have a very Merry Christmas!
Lion David Falcon, District 37 PlusOptix Chair
314 9th St. W., Kalispell, MT 59901; C. 406-253-1726: [email protected]
By PlustOptix CoordinatorSpecial Notices – December 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 – December 2025
DECEMBER CLUB ANNIVERSARIES
893 years of service!!!
Forsyth 12/03/1924 – 101 years!
Columbia Falls 12/03/1952
Missoula 12/04/1928 – 97 years!
Shepherd 12/05/1967
Cut Bank 12/06/1929 – 96 years!
Bozeman Sweet Pea 12/08/2004
Conrad 12/10/1928 – 97 years!
Seeley Lake 12/11/1978
Big Timber 12/12/1925 – 100 years!
Great Falls 12/20/1922 – 103 years!
Roundup 12/22/1925 – 100 years!
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!!
MAKE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS!!
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 Afternoon
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 afternoon began with lunch, speed learning provided by our endorsed project vendors, and a Town Hall debate.
We were all inspired by BJ Blahnik and his Leader Dog Jackson. BJ’s life journey of walking into the dim following a diagnosis of Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and how his life was changed forever when he received his first Leader Dog was awesome!! Jackson is BJ’s fifth Leader Dog nicknamed Jackson 5.
Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation awards were announced and the LCIF Co-chairs (Lary Garrison & Mike Tobin) were shaved – their “beard challange” raised over $1,500!!
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