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/
LCI President’s Message-July 2026
President’s MessageLead to Serve, Serve To Leadwith International President A.P. Singh |
This year, Lions and Leos around the world have made a meaningful difference. Through your leadership and service, compassion and kindness, needs have been met, lives have been touched and communities strengthened.
As the Lion year comes to a close, that impact continues. MISSION 1.5 reminds us there is more to do, and by growing our membership, we expand our service and extend our reach into the future.
This impact is worth celebrating, so take time to recognize what you and your fellow Lions have accomplished. As you look ahead, continue building momentum by preparing future leaders and strengthening succession plans, ensuring your club and our mission thrive for years to come.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your international president this year. Thank you for your service and leadership as we continue leading to serve and serving to lead together.
Together in service,
A.P. Singh, International President
Meet 2026-2027 International President Mark S. Lyon
Mark S. Lyon, from Brookfield, Connecticut, USA, was elected to serve as first vice president of Lions Clubs International at the association’s 107th international convention held in Orlando, Florida from July 13 through July 17, 2025.
Prior to his retirement in March 2024, Vice President Lyon has worked in corporate legal administration and financial services with several major corporations and banks for over 40 years.
As a long-time resident of Brookfield and an active volunteer in his community, church and local government, his connection with Lions was already well established before he became a member of the Brookfield Lions Club in 1996. Since then, he has held a number of offices within the association, including international director, multiple district council chairperson and multiple district GLT coordinator.
He was also appointed as a member of the LCI Forward project team, a Global Action Team area leader, a District Governor-Elect Seminar group leader and board liaison to the 2019 USA/Canada Lions Leadership Forum Executive Committee. Vice President Lyon has also served as presenter, faculty and participant at countless training events and leadership forums throughout the years.
In recognition of his service, he has received multiple International President’s Awards and International President’s Certificates of Appreciation, as well as an International President’s Leadership Award. Vice President Lyon is also a recipient of the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor the association bestows upon its members. Additionally, he has been recognized as a Connecticut Knight of the Blind and a Connecticut Ambassador of Sight, and is the recipient of a number of project and service-related certificates.
In addition to his Lion activities, President-Elect Lyon has been active in numerous professional and community organizations. He has served on the board of directors for the Silver Lake Conference Center and Wide Horizons for Children. He was an associate member of the American Bar Association and a past member of the Association of Legal Administrators, the Society of Corporate Secretaries and Governance Professionals and the Shareholder Services Association.
Vice President Lyon is a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow. His wife, Lyn Lyon, is also a longtime Lion and Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow. They are the proud parents of three incredible daughters.
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 TeamMontana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation – July 2026
Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation Statistics
Please find below the statistics from January 1, 2026 to June 26, 2026:
- Applications Received: 22
- Assistance Provided: 6
- Total Cost of Assistance Provided: $13,145.04
- Applications Received From: Belt, Billings, Bozeman, Emigrant, Great Falls, Havre, Helena, Kalispell, Libby, Missoula, Ovando, Polson, Trego & Whitefish.
Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation Fellowships
Foundation Fellowship: Foundation Fellowships can now be purchased by individuals. Foundation Fellowships are used to recognize outstanding Lions and other deserving individuals. The Board of Trustees of the Foundation endorses this Fellowship. The Fellowship award includes a lapel pin and a mounted certificate and may only be bestowed by a Lions Club on an individual or group of individuals with a donation of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) to the Montana Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation.
PID Fellowship: The PID Dave Hajny, PID Tom Lehman, PID Gary Tschache and PID Ben Apeland Fellowships are now available. The fellowships recognize the contributions to Lionism made by PID’s Dave, Tom, Gary and Ben. The new fellowships are a great way to provide recognition for a deserving Lion. Fellowships can be purchased for five hundred dollars ($500) to the Montana Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation.
Life Membership: A Life Membership to the Foundation, which includes a lapel pin and pocket card can be bestowed by an individual, group of individuals, Lions Club or can be purchased by an individual with a donation of one hundred dollars ($100) to the Montana Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation.
Memorial or Honorarium: Remember a loved one or honor that special person by donating to the Foundation. What better way to remember or honor someone than having your donation live in perpetuity? Your Memorial or Honorarium donation is never spent; only the interest earned on these assets will be used to further the purpose of the Foundation.
Thank you for your continued support of the Montana Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation.
Does Your Club Collect Glasses?
Used glasses can be dropped off in Great Falls at Floors and More, located at 920 1st Ave N, Great Falls, MT.
Please place the following address on boxes of used glasses:
Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center, 9013 Mullen Road SE, Olympia, WA 98513
By Montana Lions Sight & Hearing FoundationPlusoptix – 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
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