Leader Dog-Leading the Way – January 2026
LEADER DOGS FOR THE BLIND
From “Leading the Way” Leader Dogs for the Blind Newsletter – January 2026.
Happy new year, Lions! Whether your resolution is to travel more, explore new shops and stops in your community, or recruit more members for your Lions Club, we support you and wish you an amazing year.
Share Teen Programs With Your Community
At Leader Dog, we’re already preparing for our summer programs for teens aged 16-17. High school-aged teens and their parents are beginning to plan for the summer, and we are ready to fill our halls. Each summer, we offer two programs for teenagers who are blind, both free of charge including travel, room and board:
Teen Summer Camp is a 1-week program in June. Up to 24 teenagers from across North America will come together for a week of fun, leadership development, and community. For many teens, our summer camp is their first opportunity to build friendships with other teenagers who are blind. While at Leader Dog, they will rock-climb at our local Lions Bear Lake Camp, practice safe night travel, enjoy bonfires, and even practice archery.
Applications for Teen Summer Camp are open now and will be accepted until April 3, 2026. Visit LeaderDog.org and click ‘Client Programs’ to learn more and apply.
Teen Orientation & Mobility is a 1-week program offered in three sessions over the summer. Teens will work one-on-one with a certified orientation and mobility specialist (COMS) to learn the skills they need to map out walking routes in their community, independently cross the street, and thoughtfully problem-solve when they come across obstacles or route changes. Each teen brings a support person, usually a parent, who spends the week learning how to best support their teen and how to help them advocate for themselves as they grow into independent young adults.
Applications for Teen Orientation & Mobility are open now. Visit LeaderDog.org and click ‘Client Programs’ to learn more and apply.
By Leader Dogs Coordinator
Plusoptix – Lion David Falcon – January 2026
District 37 PlusOptix Update
PlusOptix screening totals for school year September 2025 to June 2026:
15,007 students screened with 1,826 refers as of December 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 Happy New Year!
Lion David Falcon, District 37 PlusOptix Chair
314 9th St. W., Kalispell, MT 59901; C. 406-253-1726: [email protected]
By PlusOptix CoordinatorDates to Remember – January 2026
JANUARY CLUB ANNIVERSARIES
517 years of service!!!
Sun River Valley 01/05/1966
Helena Gold Rush 01/09/1984
Glendive 01/10/1944
Hot Springs 01/23/1940
Eureka-Tobacco Valley 01/16/2014
Cascade 01/25/1958
Denton 01/26/1955
Hamilton 01/27/1930 – 96 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
By Lion Peggy TobinSpecial Notices – January 2026
For 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 SEE THE RECENT POST NOTING THAT DISTRICT DUES WILL BE DELIVERED VIA QUICKBOOKS ONLINE! ALSO KEEP A LOOKOUT IN THE PORTAL FOR YOUR JANUARY 1ST STATEMENTS FROM LCI WHICH WILL REFLECT THE 2ND HALF OF THE INTERNATION DUES OF $25/LION
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:
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 under including Leo Application forms!! 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.
2026 District 37 Membership Invoices Sent via QuickBooks Online
- Sender email: [email protected]
- Sender name: District 37 – Montana Lions
By Lion Steve DogiakosMissoula Lions Serve!
Plus Optix Screening
This fall the Missoula Lions provided vision screening for 2,073 kindergarten through eighth grade. This was all coordinated by Lion Paul Buck.
Christmas Tree Sale
Missoula Lions sold Christmas Trees from November 29th through December 9th. Over 251 volunteer hours resulting in $26,000.00 raised for local projects
By Missoula Lions ClubBozeman Gallatin Empire Lions Club – Cooking Summer & Winter
The Bozeman Gallatin Empire Lions provided Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Popcorn, Candy and soft drinks at the Bozeman Stampede Rodeo.
They put their cooking stills to work again for the recent Christmas Stroll, serving Brats & Hot Dogs – definitely not as warm outside!
By Bozeman Gallatin Empire Lions Club2025 District 37 Post Convention Report – Saturday Evening
This will be the last post in the series of the 2025 District 37 convention reports held May 2nd and 3rd in Helena MT.
Saturday evening was the final event of the 2025 District 37 convention beginning with wonderful entertainment, a social hour, toasts and a delicious dinner.
The keynote address by International Director Robert “Ski” Marcinkowski focused on how to “Go Fishing” for new lions. This was followed by the induction new lion Chelsee Mahsman from Ennis.
The final event of the evening was the Governor’s award presentations.
Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to District GLT/Diabetes Chair PDG Mike Collins, District Leo Chair Adrian Miller and District Treasurer Steve Dogiakos.
Presidential Leadership Medals were given to Havre Lion Jerry Kuhn and Zone Chair Margaret Baylinson of Columbia Falls.
The Presidential Medal was awarded to Shepherd Lion Carl Vender.
Darcie Jo Jurenka, member of the Helena Gold Rush Lions and Convention Tail Twister was the recipient of the Certificate of Tiggerism award.
By District ConventionSunburst Lions Kick Off Christmas Season
On Wednesday, December 3rd, the Sunburst Lions Club kicked off the Christmas Season with the Annual Christmas Stroll. The Club had their annual raffle and sold MT Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation Raffle tickets for the Red Honda. The event included hayrides and Christmas Carols were sung by all the students. Event Coordinators were Lions Sally and Whitney Aschim and Lion “Santa” (Willie Wilson) arrived right on time to pass out candy to all the kids.
On Saturday, December 14th the Sunburst Lions Club continued the Christmas Season with three of their Signature Club Activities.
They started the afternoon off with their Senior Christmas Party featuring yummy treats, bingo and lots of prizes. Rudolf came and shared lots of hugs and salt water taffy.
Following the senior party, folks gathered for the 2nd annual Christmas Tree Lighting event located between Northern Telephone and the library. Along with lighting last year’s tree and this year’s new tree, there was a fire pit, hot chocolate and apple cider for all of the participants. The weather even cooperated with a balmy, calm 35+ degrees.
The final event of the evening was the Light Parade which had Santa Clause coming to town!! The evening ended with fireworks!
By Sunburst Lions Club
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